Spring had returned.
It wasn't just the season. It was something else. Something more personal.
A second chance.
The sun was warm on Hinata's face as he stood in front of the rusted gates of Karasuno High School, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, a volleyball tucked under his arm, and fire burning in his chest.
The school building looked smaller than he remembered. Back in his previous life, he had once looked up at this place in awe. Now he stared with clarity — not as a boy chasing dreams, but as a man chasing his future again.
This was where the road started. Again.
[System Notice]
Stats Check — Updated After Training Arc
Jump: B Speed: B- Reflex: B- Strength: C Technique: B- Stamina: C Game Sense: A
Passive Skill: Mental Breaker Lv. 1Active Skill: Air Delay Lv. 1
Condition: Stable. Physical potential unlocked 34%. Next milestone: Team synergy integration required.
He stepped inside the gates. A breeze tousled his hair.
It was day one of the new school year, and the courtyard buzzed with energy. Uniformed students walked past him in clusters — old friends catching up, new ones shyly introducing themselves.
Hinata walked alone, but not because he didn't want company.
I don't need distractions. Not yet.
He was on a mission.
The morning passed in a blur — school orientation, new textbooks, familiar small talk from classmates. But Hinata barely heard any of it. His mind was on the court. His muscles twitched with anticipation.
When the final bell rang, Hinata stood and left without a word.
Straight to the gym.
The Gym Doors
The wooden doors creaked as he opened them.
The moment hit him like a serve to the chest.
The scent of varnished wood. The faint squeak of sneakers. The sharp sound of a ball meeting a forearm. It was all so nostalgic — and so real.
He took one step in and froze.
Because standing near the baseline, tossing a ball lightly to himself, was a tall, familiar figure.
Black hair. Focused eyes.
Kageyama Tobio.
Hinata's pulse quickened.
Kageyama's here already...?
Kageyama looked older — just slightly. Not in face, but in presence. His posture was sharp. His aura felt like tension wound tight in a spring.
He turned and locked eyes with Hinata.
A beat of silence stretched.
Then—
"You again?!" they said at the exact same time.
Hinata's grin widened. "Didn't think you'd come to Karasuno."
Kageyama frowned. "Didn't think you could get in."
"Screw you."
A few players practicing on the side glanced over in curiosity. Among them, a short-haired senior — Daichi — and a kind-eyed setter, Sugawara, shared a look.
"New recruits," Sugawara murmured.
"Fiery ones," Daichi added.
Kageyama and Hinata continued staring each other down.
"You still mad I beat you in middle school?" Kageyama said.
"You still mad I scored on you even when I had a crap team?" Hinata shot back.
There was no real anger in their voices. Just tension. Rivalry.
And something more dangerous — potential.
Hinata dropped his bag and grabbed a ball.
"Set to me."
"What?"
"Just one. Let's see where we're starting."
Kageyama looked hesitant for a half-second, then nodded. He walked to the net, spun the ball in his hand, and crouched.
"Fine. Don't blame me if you can't hit it."
Hinata backed up to the baseline.
His feet dug into the floor. Every fiber in his legs tightened.
The system pulsed lightly in his mind.
[System Alert] Triggering: First Synergy Set — Kageyama Tobio Temporary stat boost: +1 Jump, +1 Reflex Reason: Rival Presence Detected
Kageyama tossed the ball.
Hinata sprinted forward — three steps, arms pulled back — and launched himself into the air.
Higher than the average first-year. Higher than most seniors.
Time slowed.
His eyes locked onto the ball.
[Air Delay Lv. 1 Activated.]
He hesitated in the air — just a fraction of a second. Just enough to twist his torso and adjust his swing.
CRACK.
The ball exploded off his palm and slammed into the court, just inches inside the line.
The gym went quiet.
Hinata landed lightly, chest rising and falling.
Kageyama stared at him, eyes wide.
"…When did you get good?"
Hinata shrugged, trying and failing to hide his grin. "Since I decided not to lose to you again."
[System Notice] Synergy Progress with Rival: 8%Dynamic Potential Detected: Speed + Timing Combo Unlockable Skill Path: Quick Attack Core (Locked)
Daichi clapped once. "You two done trying to kill each other?"
They turned and saw the rest of the team now paying full attention. Tanaka, already grinning wide. Yamaguchi, blinking like he'd seen lightning. Tsukishima, unimpressed but watching.
Daichi stepped forward. "You're both first years, right? Name?"
"Kageyama Tobio," he said firmly.
"Hinata Shoyo," said Hinata, bouncing slightly on his feet.
Sugawara smiled. "Looks like we've got some real monsters this year."
Daichi pointed to the sidelines. "Line up with the others. Warm-up drills. We'll see what you can really do."
Hinata moved into position beside Kageyama.
Neither of them spoke.
But the electricity between them hadn't faded.
This time, Hinata thought, I'm not just here to chase you.
I'm here to fly beside you.
And maybe, one day… above.
To be continued.