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The Karasuno gym exhaled into a quiet hum as the 3-on-3 drill concluded, Hinata's team—Tsukishima, Hinata, and Sugawara—sealing a decisive 25-15 victory over Kageyama, Tanaka, and Daichi.
The final whistle pierced the air, and the players collapsed onto the hardwood, chests heaving, sweat streaking their faces like battle scars.
Hinata sprawled on his back, limbs outstretched like a starfish, grinning wide.
He wiped his damp forehead with a sleeve, still buzzing with adrenaline.
"We got 'em good—25-15! Total domination!" he crowed, voice echoing off the gym rafters.
Tsukishima sank beside him, his glasses fogged up and shirt clinging to his skin.
His smirk was faint but keener than usual.
His blocks had sharpened over the drill, each thwack against Tanaka's spikes ringing with satisfaction.
I'm getting it, he thought, a flicker of pride lighting in his chest.
Keep improving—can't let that shrimp show me up forever.
Daichi, still catching his breath, clapped his hands together.
His voice was steady, layered with fatigue and pride. "Great work, everyone. That was intense. Tsukishima, those blocks—huge improvement from the start. Night and day. Hinata, your spikes were relentless, and your court calls kept us scrambling. Suga, your sets were spot-on—kept everything flowing."
Tanaka groaned dramatically and flopped backward, arms splayed across the floor.
"Man, Tsukki, you turned into a freaking wall! My arms are screaming—give me a break already!"
Kageyama sat cross-legged nearby, scowling at the floor. "Tch, too smug now," he muttered, but a grudging nod betrayed his respect.
His dark eyes flicked toward Tsukishima—just for a second.
Sugawara chuckled as he wiped sweat from his brow. "Teamwork makes the dream work, huh? You two at the net were unstoppable."
Dragging themselves to the benches, the team fell into messy heaps, their laughter and teasing bouncing off the gym walls like music.
Tanaka elbowed Kageyama with a wide grin. "King, your face when Tsukki blocked that last spike—pure gold! Looked like you swallowed a lemon!"
Kageyama shoved him with a grunt. "Shut it, baldy—your spikes were trash."
Hinata rolled onto his side, laughing uncontrollably. "Tanaka-senpai, you were all argh! every time you hit the wall! So funny!"
Tsukishima leaned back, adjusting his glasses. "Loud and predictable—made it easy to read you."
Tanaka clutched his chest, mock-wounded. "Ouch, Tsukki! Cold as ice!"
Daichi shook his head with a tired grin. "Alright, you clowns, enough. Let's clean up before Someone yells at us for leaving scuff marks again."
Brooms and mops were fetched, the gym filling with the rhythmic scrape of bristles and the splash of water.
Hinata zipped around like a whirlwind, scooping up stray volleyballs and stacking them neatly.
"This place'll shine!" he chirped, tossing a ball to Sugawara, who caught it mid-air with a laugh.
Tsukishima swept a far corner slowly, his mind drifting back to the match.
My timing's improving… power too. That idiot's annoying, but somehow, it's working.
Sugawara sidled up, nudging him with his elbow. "Thinking hard over there, Tsukki? Hinata's rubbing off on you?"
Tsukishima scoffed, not meeting his eyes. "Tch, don't get weird, senpai."
But there was a flicker in his chest again, a quiet ember of motivation that glowed brighter with every block.
Eventually, the gym gleamed spotless, and Daichi clapped his hands once more. "Good job today. Let's eat—my treat. store, five minutes from here."
Tanaka shot up, fists pumping. "Free food? Captain, you're the MVP today!"
Kageyama grunted. "Finally, something worth hearing."
Hinata bounced in place. "Yes! Meat buns!"
The team filed out, the cool evening air brushing against their damp skin, laughter and chatter weaving between them as they walked down the quiet streets of Miyagi.
They arrived at the familiar Ukai Store, its flickering neon sign casting a golden glow.
Keishin Ukai leaned on the counter outside, cigarette dangling, smoke curling lazily into the dusk as he spotted them.
Daichi stepped forward with a wide grin. "Meat buns, drinks, some snacks—enough for six very hungry players."
Ukai scratched his head. "Rough day, huh? You guys look half-dead."
"Drills after a match win," Daichi replied, pride slipping into his voice. "We beat Aoba Johsai, now we're grinding harder."
Ukai raised a brow, handing over a steaming bag. "Not bad. Don't make a mess, or I'll make you mop the sidewalk too." He waved them off, retreating inside with a flick of his cigarette.
They plopped down on the curb in a loose semicircle, steam wafting from warm buns and drinks.
Hinata bit into his with a blissful hum. "So good—best ever!"
Tanaka stuffed two into his mouth at once, his grin enormous. "Heaven—pure heaven!"
Kageyama sipped milk quietly, his ever-present scowl softening at the edges.
Tsukishima chewed slowly, still replaying blocks in his head. Read the angle. Don't overcommit. Next time, cleaner blocks.
Beside him, Sugawara chuckled. "Nothing like food to fix a loss, right?"
Hinata glanced sideways. Kiyoko sat next to him, her usual clipboard swapped for a soda can.
Her dark hair glinted under the faint streetlight.
She tilted her head slightly, voice quiet but curious. "Hinata, how do you stay so energetic? You're always moving."
He blinked at the question, then smiled between bites. "Habit, I guess. I ride my bike uphill every morning, sprint everywhere—even when there's no rush. Makes me feel sharp. How about you, Shimizu-senpai? What made you start managing the team?"
She paused, thoughtful, then took a sip. "I just got into it. I liked organizing, tracking stats… and watching everyone grow stronger. It stuck."
Hinata's eyes sparkled. "That's cool! You're really calm—you keep things steady when we're all over the place."
Kiyoko smiled, a rare curve to her lips. "Someone has to. You and Tanaka bring chaos every day."
He laughed, loud and unashamed. "Totally fair. But you're fun too—didn't expect that when I joined two weeks ago."
Her expression softened. He's so open. So easy to talk to… it feels like I've known him longer than two weeks.
"You're surprising too," she said, her tone sincere. "Your spikes, that energy… where does it come from?"
Hinata's smile grew brighter. "The Little Giant. Saw him play once—he was my size, but he spiked over everyone like it was nothing. I wanted that. I still want that."
Kiyoko nodded, her eyes steady on him. "It shows—your drive is contagious."
Their conversation flowed easily, full of soft laughter and shared understanding. "Don't burn out, okay?" she added, nudging his arm gently.
He winked, licking sauce off his thumb. "Never, senpai. Not when we've got meat buns like these!"
She laughed again—real and relaxed—and something unspoken passed between them. A familiarity forming fast, but strong.
The meal wound down, wrappers piling like snowdrifts around their feet.
Daichi stood with a yawn, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, team—home time. Rest up for tomorrow."
Everyone groaned but obeyed, splitting off with lazy waves and parting jabs.
"See ya, losers!" Tanaka shouted.
Kageyama grunted behind him, adjusting his jacket.
Hinata wheeled his bike out, giving Kiyoko a small wave. "Night, senpai!"
She offered a soft, "Good night, Hinata," her voice lingering in his ears like a gentle chord.
As she walked home, her steps slowed, the night wrapping around her like a blanket.
Two weeks, and he's already this close. That smile, that spirit… it's magnetic.
She smiled faintly to herself. Good to have him around—really good.
Hinata pedaled through the quiet streets, wind cooling the heat on his face. Kiyoko's voice echoed in his head—"You're surprising…"
He smiled to himself, legs pumping harder. This life's way better than before.
Getting to know everyone… getting to know her. It's good. Real good.
The road stretched ahead, wide and open, and Hinata surged forward into the night, heart light, bonds deepening with every turn of the wheel.
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To be continued…
Power Stones 💪 🪨
Next Chapter in 30 mins
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Love interest, training, date etc.