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-2A Auditorium-
The auditorium buzzed with hushed energy as first-years shuffled in—some nervous, some eager, others just there for the food. Shoyo stuck close to his group, his hair already attracting attention under the flickering LED lights.
“I swear this feels like we’re about to be sacrificed,” Yamaguchi whispered, clutching his tray of mystery dessert with suspicion.
“Better pray the gods like strawberry parfait,” Tsukishima deadpanned.
Tobio remained unusually quiet, his gaze scanning the room like a hawk—tense, calculating. It didn’t go unnoticed.
“You’re still thinking about Miya-san, aren’t you?” Shoyo whispered, nudging him. “You’ve been all twitchy since this morning.”
“I don’t like him,” Tobio muttered, glaring at a suspiciously polished fork like it had wronged him. “Too smiley.”
“…You’re literally wearing Chanel pearls, Tobio.”
“That’s different.”
Before their bickering could reach new heights, the lights dimmed.
A single spotlight hit the stage. From the shadows, a tall figure emerged: Headmaster Igarashi, former Olympic gold medalist and head of Junko Academy.
“Welcome,” his voice boomed. “You’ve survived your first test. For some of you—barely.”
The air thickened.
“Today is not about your failure or success. It’s about what you do with it. For those advancing… your new lives begin tomorrow. For those who didn’t…”
Everyone collectively held their breath.
“…we thank you for your time at Junko.”
Wait. That’s it!? Shoyo’s eyes bulged. No dramatic pause, no list of who’s staying?! Just vibes and trauma?!
“Now,” the Headmaster continued, “in classic Junko tradition… let’s meet the top-ranked first-year of the day.”
Gasps, murmurs, sudden dead silence.
A holographic board behind him flickered to life, scrolling through dozens of names rapidly until it slowed… and stopped.
Top of Rank: Hinata Shoyo – Opal ➔ Blue Opal
“WHAT?!” three voices screamed in sync—Shoyo, Tobio, and literally everyone else.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me. That shrimp got a rank-up already?” A random upperclassman scoffed.
“Wait—he was Opal?? Like starter-starter?” another whispered.
“He solo leveled from Opal? On day one?!”
“I—” Shoyo blinked, frozen. “I just. I didn’t even score a direct point. That was Tobio’s set, not me—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Tsukishima shrugged, pushing up his glasses. “They weren’t judging just your hits. They were watching your presence.”
“You’re a walking energy drink,” Yamaguchi added. “You light up the whole court. Literally. It’s blinding sometimes.”
“I’m gonna pass out,” Shoyo muttered, plopping onto the nearest chair.
But no rest for the chaotic.
“Oi! Tangerine!”
From the side of the stage emerged another familiar figure, platinum blond hair slicked back, mischief shining in his honey-brown eyes.
Miya Atsumu.
“Seems yer little promise earlier ain’t just talk, huh?” he said, smirking. “Didn’t know I was playin’ with a Blue Opal now.”
“…You planned this?” Tobio snapped, standing with a glare sharp enough to slice steel.
“Let’s just say I got good intuition.” Atsumu winked, sauntering over. “And now that yer all movin’ up the ranks, our deal still stands, Hinata-kun.”
“A deal…?” Tsukishima raised a brow, unimpressed.
“He agreed to a match with me. One-on-one. Well—more like me vs you two,” Atsumu clarified, tossing a lazy glance toward Tobio. “You’re the one who kept starin’ at me like I stole yer dog.”
“I should’ve.”
“You should’ve learned how to smile.”
“Can we not?” Shoyo groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I’ve been emotionally violated enough today.”
-Later that night | Dorm 4B-
Everyone had split up, taking in the day in their own way. Tobio reviewed footage, Tsukishima stared at the ceiling analyzing every coach’s reaction, and Yamaguchi peacefully ate mochi.
Shoyo, on the other hand, stood out on the balcony, cool breeze kissing his face, moonlight catching the gold flecks in his hair. In his hand was the glowing badge of Blue Opal.
I actually did it…
Yet for all the cheering and eyes on him, a part of him still didn’t believe it.
He remembered the soft “you’re nothing without a setter” echoing in the back of his head.
Then Tobio’s voice from earlier: “You ready, Sho?”
Atsumu’s smirk. Kuroo’s wink. Oikawa’s critique. Tsukishima’s honesty. Yamaguchi’s faith.
I’ll prove I’m more than potential. I’ll become someone who makes every set worth it.
-Next Morning-
Jogging once more, the cold air stung his cheeks. Tobio ran beside him in silence until he suddenly stopped.
“…Did you hear that?”
They paused. The sound of a whistle echoed faintly.
From the west field, a familiar figure stood alone.
Miya Atsumu, tossing a ball in the air, waiting.
“So, ya came?” Atsumu smiled, tossing the ball casually. “I was worried ya forgot.”
“Never said I would,” Shoyo jogged up, eyes serious now. “You still want to test me?”
“Every bit of ya.”
Atsumu served the ball. It was fast. Sharp. Brutal.
And Shoyo jumped, body twisting mid-air, spikes the ball with a force even he hadn’t realized he had.
The match had begun.
And from the trees, unseen, a shadowed figure watched… recording everything.