The gym was still humming even after the final whistle.
Voices rang out—some excited, some stunned. Sneakers squeaked as players and managers moved to pack up. Aoba Johsai's players lingered on their side, sweat-soaked and silent, while Karasuno began their cool-down jogs.
But amidst the movement, Hinata stood still.
His chest rose and fell, his face unreadable. Not tired. Not overwhelmed.
Just… focused.
He looked down at his hands. They were calloused. Strong. Familiar. Yet… new.
That was better than our first match in high school, he thought, a quiet fire burning beneath his skin. Much better.
"You're really something else, Hinata."
The voice came from behind. Daichi, towel around his neck, gave him a firm nod.
"You were everywhere out there."
Hinata offered a soft grin. "It's not just me. Everyone adjusted fast. Especially Tsukki."
Behind them, Tsukishima was drinking water, visibly exhausted but listening in. He scoffed.
"Tch. I only got one clean block on Iwaizumi. Don't get ahead of yourself."
Yamaguchi chimed in with a proud grin. "Yeah, but that one block changed the momentum."
Tsukishima didn't respond, but the faint smirk on his lips was answer enough.
Kageyama walked past without a word, holding his water bottle, but he paused just long enough to glance at Hinata.
Their eyes met.
No smugness. No tension.
Just something quiet. Something like—
Respect.
And then he walked off.
"Everyone, come in!"
Takeda-sensei's voice echoed across the court.
He stood near the sideline, clipboard in hand, formal but energized. There was no Coach Ukai by his side—only the passion in his eyes and the weight of what he was about to say.
The team gathered around him, forming a rough semicircle. Sweat still clung to their bodies, but their expressions were sharp. Awake. Hungry.
"I won't take much of your time," Takeda began. "I just wanted to say how proud I am—not just of the victory, but of the way you played today."
His eyes swept the group.
"You weren't just lucky. You adapted. You read the court. You played with trust."
He paused, eyes resting on Hinata for a beat longer than the others.
"And that's the kind of team Karasuno can become."
There was a murmur of agreement. Even Tanaka, normally the first to crack a joke, stood with his arms crossed, nodding solemnly.
"Iwaizumi-kun and Oikawa-kun are no pushovers," Takeda continued. "Winning a set is difficult. Winning two straight… That says something."
Then he straightened, voice shifting into something more formal.
"I've spoken with the school board and arranged for Karasuno to participate in a joint training camp next week."
Everyone perked up.
"A few schools from the Miyagi and Saitama regions will be there. Not just practice matches, but structured drills, cross-skill sessions, and full-day conditioning. It'll be tough."
Tsukishima frowned. "A week of joint camp this early?"
Takeda nodded. "You've earned the right to be tested."
His eyes settled on Hinata again.
"And I think some of you are already beyond first-year level."
Hinata didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
Inside, he was already planning.
Footwork drills. Aerial vision conditioning. Core explosiveness.
He had done all of it before—in another life. But this time, he had a team with him from the start. And more than anything…
He had time.
Later, as the team finished cleanup and the gym began to empty, Kageyama approached him near the shoe lockers.
The sound of scuffed soles echoed as the others filtered out.
"You," Kageyama said.
Hinata looked up, blinking.
"I want to try that thing again," Kageyama continued. "The mid-air read. You shifted mid-jump in Set 2, and the block got crushed."
"You saw that?"
Kageyama clicked his tongue. "Of course I saw it. I set it."
A pause.
"…Was that planned?"
Hinata smirked. "What do you think?"
Kageyama stared at him.
"…Let's run that again tomorrow."
Hinata nodded, calm.
But inside, his heart surged.
Not from pride. Not from victory.
But from something better.
Momentum.
System Notification
Personal Attribute Unlocked: Anchor Passive effect: Increases team cohesion during close-score matchesBonus XP for every play that redirects momentum (+5%)
Next Chapter Objective Unlocked: "Dominate the Training Camp"Progress: 0%
Hidden Challenge: "Awaken a Teammate's Potential"