Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 12: First Team

"Hey, Oikawa. Wakutani South wants to schedule a practice match with us. Make sure to inform the team," Iwaizumi Hajime said casually as he leaned against the hallway outside their classroom.

It was a typical break between classes at Aoba Johsai High. Oikawa Tōru and Iwaizumi were lounging in the corridor, chatting idly. Not far away, a group of girls giggled and whispered while watching the duo.

"Look, look! They're always together as soon as class ends!" one short-haired girl whispered excitedly.

"Well, that's because they're both in the volleyball club," another chimed in, trying to sound reasonable.

"Ah, you just don't get it!" the short-haired girl countered earnestly. "There are other volleyball team members in the third year, right? But do you see them running over during breaks?"

"That's only because their classrooms are close to each other," another girl analyzed. "Besides, I heard Oikawa has a girlfriend."

"They broke up already," the short-haired girl interjected calmly.@@@@

The two other girls exchanged wary glances. How does she even know this? they thought.

Isn't this borderline stalker behaviour? Kind of scary...

Oikawa, noticing the hushed commotion, turned and waved cheerfully at the girls, causing the short-haired one to squeal again in excitement.

"Hey! Focus already!" Iwaizumi barked, giving Oikawa a swift kick to the side.

Oikawa sighed dramatically. "But it's Wakutani South. Do they have a cute manager?"

"Nope."

"How about their setter?"

"It's Hanayama Kazumasa, a third-year."

"Oh, so nothing special," Oikawa remarked with a smug look, as though his point had been proven.

"You idiot." Iwaizumi smacked Oikawa on the back of the head. "You know what makes Wakutani Minami dangerous isn't their setter. It's Nakashima Takeru."

"Ah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know, Iwa-chan," Oikawa replied, rubbing the spot where he'd been hit. "They're probably the team in Miyagi that resembles us the most—well-rounded and with a high level of completion."

Vice-captain Hajime Iwaizumi, a third-year wing spiker. With his experience and reliable scoring ability, he played a pivotal role as the ace in the team's attack.

The libero, Shinji Watari, a second-year. As the backbone of the defence, his responsibilities included receiving serves and safeguarding the backline.

Beyond these three, the remaining positions were up for grabs among a pool of strong contenders: third-years Takahiro Hanamaki, Issei Matsukawa, and Toshiki Tamiya; second-years Eiji Hino and Hirasuke Wonda; and first-years Akira Kunimi, Yūtarō Kindaichi, and Taichi Kaedehara.

"Logically, it'll probably be third-years Hanamaki and Matsukawa taking those spots. They're clearly the strongest."

"Yeah, last year they even made it to the semifinals."

"But Kindaichi and Kunimi are from Kitagawa Daiichi, and their fundamentals are top-notch. Plus, Kaedehara's been on fire lately."

"Still, for the third-years, this is their last chance." A first-year player suddenly spoke up, and the room fell silent.

Everyone understood the desire to play on the court—it was the same for all of them. But for the third-years, this season carried a special weight. It might be their final opportunity to make it to Nationals, the culmination of everything they'd worked for over the years.

"Exactly because it's our last year, we have to win." Hanamaki Takahiro's voice came from behind them, startling the group.

"If we lose, it won't matter who was on the court," Tamiya Toshiki murmured from the side.

"But, senpai, you're all so strong. If you play, you'll definitely win."

"That's right. And it's not like we're planning to just hand over our starting spots," Matsukawa Issei chimed in, having approached the group at some point. "You talk as if the starters are guaranteed to be those first-years like Taichi."

"Hehe, of course not! We've always believed in Matsukawa-senpai!"

"Then let's bet on it," Matsukawa said with a grin. "One Häagen-Dazs that we'll hold onto our starting positions."

The third-year's eyes burned with determination. After three years of hard work, they weren't about to back down now. No one was willing to give up at this stage—not when the chance to bring their high school volleyball journey to a perfect conclusion was within reach.

Our summer doesn't end here!

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