――This is Momijihara High School.
As always, I’m in the corner of the gym.
Protagonist
Hah!
Pow!
The ball hits the wall and bounces back.
Pow!
I do this over and over. Alone.
After all, I’m the only member of the volleyball club.
Protagonist
Ugh!!
Thud!!
I hit the ball hard and it flies off in the wrong direction.
Protagonist
Ah, I messed up.
I came all the way out during vacation to practice, but I just can’t seem to get into it today.
I mean, I know why, but…
Protagonist
Alright, that’s enough moping! Concentrate!
But honestly, practicing all by myself in the corner of the gym sure is lonely. Meanwhile, the basketball club is looking pretty lively over there.
Basketball Coach
Come on, don’t stop! Get moving!
Basketball Club
Y-yes, sir!
Protagonist
Man, that looks rough… But also kinda nice.
I want to get some real practice, too. I want… to play real volleyball…
Protagonist
Oh yeah, today was the Spring Tournament prelims, huh.
With that thought in my head, there’s no way I can focus at all today.
Tears of frustration well up and begin to spill out.
Protagonist
Sniffle, snif…
Volleyball Club Adviser
What are you crying for?
I was so busy sniffling I failed to notice that the faculty adviser had shown up.
Protagonist
I-I’m not crying!
Volleyball Club Adviser
Oh? Well, okay then… I have something I want to talk to you about. Is now okay?
Protagonist
Yeah, it’s fine…
Volleyball Club Adviser
Practicing by yourself over summer break, too?
Protagonist
I mean, this is the volleyball club.
Volleyball Club Adviser
Yeah, but you can’t really get a full practice by yourself, right?
Protagonist
Oh no, I’m fine, really!
I try to put on a good front, but he’s right. Without more members, there are a lot of things I can’t do by myself.
Volleyball is a six-person sport, after all.
Volleyball Club Adviser
I’m sure it’s been rough being the only member left after the third-years retired.
Protagonist
It’s my fault for not being able to recruit anyone.
I knew I’d be alone after the third-years left.
I had tried to go around and solicit new members, but in the end, I couldn’t get even one.
Volleyball Club Adviser
I remember back when we were stronger, we used to have a lot of members, too…
Apparently our volleyball club used to be pretty good. That’s all in the past, though…
Protagonist
So what did you want to talk about?
Volleyball Club Adviser
Oh, right, right. Actually, Karasuno High School contacted me.
Protagonist
Huh!? Karasuno did?
Karasuno High School… A former champion, like us.
But this year, their name has started to come up again.
Something about some amazing first-year duo. They’ve got to be something special to have made a name for themselves already.
Volleyball Club Adviser
It seems there’s going to be some sort of joint practice at Karasuno that a bunch of powerhouse schools from Tokyo are going to.
Apparently they’re reaching out to see if any volleyball clubs at nearby schools want to participate.
Protagonist
A joint practice with powerhouse schools…
Volleyball Club Adviser
So they asked if we’d also like to join…
Protagonist
Yes! Definitely!
Or, I’d like to, but… I can’t really go all by myself, huh.
My rising excitement suddenly withers.
Volleyball Club Adviser
No? Can’t they let you join in on practice, at least?
Protagonist
I wouldn’t want to trouble them.
I’m sure they’re working on getting stronger for the Spring Tournament. They probably want to focus on improving as a team.
So for some random guy to just show up all by himself…
Protagonist
Why did they contact us, though?
Volleyball Club Adviser
Apparently the two of us used to be pretty friendly.
Protagonist
Really?
Volleyball Club Adviser
That was back when people still called us both powerhouses, though. We haven’t really been in contact for a while.
But hey, why don’t you at least go check it out? It looks like Karasuno has been working their way up again, so it’d be good motivation.
Protagonist
……
Both of us used to be known as powerhouse schools, but now Karasuno is making a comeback.
We, on the other hand, won’t even be able to play at the tournament for lack of members. Why did things turn out so differently?
If I go, will I be able to find out?
Protagonist
…Okay. I’ll go check it out, at least.
Though once I explain the situation I’m sure they’ll turn me down…
Protagonist
So this is Karasuno High School, huh. Which way’s the gym?
Ryunosuke Tanaka
Hell yeaaaaaaahh!!
Protagonist
Oh…
That voice… This atmosphere… Even from a distance, I can immediately recognize…
…the familiar feeling of volleyball.
Protagonist
They’re playing over there.
Protagonist
Looks like it’s here.
Tetsuro Kuroo
Kenma, nice!
That’s some amazing energy. Could this atmosphere be…
Protagonist
Are they in the middle of a game?
Asahi Azumane
Rraghhhhhhhhh!!
Daichi Sawamura
Asahi, nice kill!
Protagonist
I knew it, looks like they’re playing a match. Karasuno versus… Nekoma?
I’ve heard of Nekoma before. They’re a powerhouse school from Tokyo, and apparently used to be rivals with Karasuno…
Yu Nishinoya
ROLLING THUNDEEEEEEER!!
Ryunosuke Tanaka
Nice, Noya-san!!
Protagonist
I’m pretty sure Karasuno just had Spring Tournament prelims today, but they’re still playing a practice match… Amazing…
They’re moving around so quickly you wouldn’t think they just played an official game. Especially that number 10…
Tobio Kageyama
Hinata!
Shoyo Hinata
Got it!!
Protagonist
Woah!? H-he flew!?
What a jump! And at his height…!!
Shoyo Hinata
Uooooooohh!!
Thunk!!
Shoyo Hinata
Gweh!
Protagonist
Woah! He crashed into the net!!
I was so impressed, but… Well, even so, that jump really was something.
Tobio Kageyama
What the hell are you doing, dumbass!!
Shoyo Hinata
I-I just got too fired up, is all!
They’re wrestling… Is everything okay?
Koshi Sugawara
Can I help you?
Protagonist
Oh, um…
I’m guessing he’s someone from Karasuno? He looks nice.
Okay, I’ll explain my situation to him.
Protagonist
Um, actually, I’m from Momiji–…
Ryunosuke Tanaka
Hey, who the hell are you!?
Protagonist
Huh? U-um…
Ryunosuke Tanaka
You need something? Huh?
Protagonist
Huh!? N-no, I–
Taketora Yamamoto
What’s your deal? You a scout!? A spy!?
Protagonist
S-spy!? N-no, I…
Ryunosuke Tanaka
Oh man, it sure takes guts for a spy to come here.
Taketora Yamamoto
Are you prepared, punk?
Protagonist
P-prepared for what…? Eeeeeeek!!
Daichi Sawamura
Hey! Stop scaring him!
Tetsuro Kuroo
Sorry about that, they’re so rude. But they’re good guys deep down, so don’t worry.
Protagonist
O-okay…
Can’t say they seem like it…
Daichi Sawamura
So, you are?
Protagonist
Um, I’m from Momijihara High School…
Ittetsu Takeda
Oh, the Momijihara Volleyball Club? I reached out to them, too.
Ryunosuke Tanaka
I-I see… Sorry!!
Taketora Yamamoto
It looks like we jumped to the wrong conclusions… Our bad.
Oh, I guess they really are nicer than they seem.
Ittetsu Takeda
I’m glad you came. So, um… Is it just you?
Protagonist
Um, yes, actually. The truth is, all of our third-years have retired, so I’m the only one right now.
Shoyo Hinata
The only one…
Protagonist
That’s right.
So I’m really grateful for the invitation and all, but it might not work out this time…
Ittetsu Takeda
Is that so… It was inconsiderate of me to invite you without knowing the situation…
And now you’re the one who has to think of us? I should be the one saying sorry.
Protagonist
No, that’s…
Ittetsu Takeda
How can I apologize… I’m really sorry!! I’m sorry!!
Protagonist
Huh!? W-why are you kowtowing!? P-please stop, it’s fine, really!
I’m the one who’s sorry, after you invited us and all… But I was happy that you asked, at least.
Yu Nishinoya
When you say you’re the only one, you mean you practice by yourself?
Protagonist
Yes….. Not that I can really get much done, though.
Koshi Sugawara
Yeah, there’s a limit to the stuff you can do all alone.
Shoyo Hinata
So why don’t you practice with us!?
Protagonist
Huh? With you…? But, it’d just be me, and…
Shoyo Hinata
Exactly! You can’t get a decent practice all by yourself, right?
I was like that too, so I get it. It really sucks not being able to play volleyball!
“I was like that too…” I wonder what that means?
Shoyo Hinata
So, let’s play together!!
Protagonist
I appreciate the sentiment, but… if it’s just me by myself, I’d only be a nuisance.
Shoyo Hinata
Not at all! Listen, if you keep being all polite, you won’t be able to play volleyball!
Protagonist
! That’s true… You’re right!
Shoyo Hinata
That’s fine, right, captain!?
Tobio Kageyama
Of course it’s not fine, you dumbass.
Shoyo Hinata
W-why!?
Tobio Kageyama
Look, we have a huge pile of stuff we need to do.
Now’s not the time to take care of some guy from some other school.
Shoyo Hinata
I guess, but… but I can’t just leave him like this! What, are you fine with that, Kageyama!?
Tobio Kageyama
N-not really… That’s not what I said! Anyway, it’s not up to us!
Keishin Ukai
He has a point. It’s not just our decision to make.
We’re having our training camp together with the Fukurodani Academy group, so we should get the other schools’ opinions before we make a decision.
But the teams won’t all get here until tomorrow, so it’s not like we can decide right now.
Protagonist
Huh? Didn’t the training camp start today?
Keishin Ukai
No, it starts tomorrow. Nekoma just happened to arrive early, so we ended up practicing.
Protagonist
Oh, I see.
Kotaro Bokuto
We’re here! Hey hey hey! This time we’re aiming for zero penalties!
Keiji Akaashi
We’ve never gotten zero penalties even once.
Kotaro Bokuto
Akaashi~! You gotta aim high!
Uwah!? More strong-looking people…
Ittetsu Takeda
Well, it looks like Fukurodani’s here.
Keiji Akaashi
…Did something happen?
Ittetsu Takeda
I invited a nearby school’s volleyball team to practice, but…
Protagonist
Nice to meet you! I’m from Momijihara High School!
But, well…
Shoyo Hinata
This guy’s volleyball club has only one person! So he can practice with us, right?
Keiji Akaashi
One person… You can’t practice with just one person?
Shoyo Hinata
Exactly! So let’s practice together!
Keishin Ukai
Well, we can’t force him. What matters most is what he wants to do.
Protagonist
Huh? Me? I…
Everyone’s eyes are on me. My heart is racing. What matters most is what I want to do?
What do I want to do? I…
Protagonist
I want to practice, too!!!
The words come out of my mouth almost as a shout. I want to practice… I want to play volleyball!
Shoyo Hinata
So it’s decided! Let’s play together!
Keishin Ukai
Like I said, it’s not just our decision.
Protagonist
R-right…
Ittetsu Takeda
I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try talking to the other schools about it.
Protagonist
Really!?
Keishin Ukai
I doubt anyone will have a problem with it. Though of course, it’s not like you can take part in every single practice.
Protagonist
Just a little would be enough! Just watching, even!
Keishin Ukai
Okay, okay.
Anyway, we’ll have free practice after today’s afternoon practice, so how about you join in then.
Protagonist
Free practice… Yes, I’d love to! Thank you so much!!
Tetsuro Kuroo
We were thinking of shuffling up all the teams after afternoon practice and having a practice match.
Daichi Sawamura
We figured that playing with different people than usual might bring to light some new things.
Kotaro Bokuto
So how about this guy joins in for that?
Protagonist
A practice match! Playing in a match is like a dream!
Koshi Sugawara
Ahaha, you’re exaggerating.
Protagonist
No! I mean it!
Daichi Sawamura
How does that sound?
Keishin Ukai
Sure, that sounds good.
That is, if you still have energy after practicing for the whole day.
Shoyo Hinata
More than enough!! You’ll get to play in a match!! Isn’t that great!!
Protagonist
Yeah! Thanks!
Lev Haiba
If we’re going to play, let’s do it now! Please let me play too!
Tetsuro Kuroo
Lev, wasn’t Yaku busy with you?
Morisuke Yaku
That’s right, we’re still practicing receives!! Come here!
Lev Haiba
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah~
He’s being pulled away…
Kotaro Bokuto
In that case, you can play with us!!
Keiji Akaashi
We just got here. We haven’t even put our things down yet.
Kotaro Bokuto
Oh, come ooon, Akaashi~! It’s fiiine~!
Koshi Sugawara
So how about we let him in with us, and play another game with just Karasuno?
Keishin Ukai
Sure, I guess that much should be fine.
Shoyo Hinata
Yay! A surprise match!
Protagonist
Y-yeah!
I haven’t been getting much practice lately, and now suddenly I’m going to play in a match?
I’m nervous… but also really excited!!