Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

[May 6th – Takezō Academy, Tokyo]

"We're playing that Aoba Johsai today, right?"

"Yeah, I think so. The upperclassmen already left…"

The first-years of Takezō Academy's volleyball club were chatting casually while going through their training routines.

"Did you see their faces? They didn't look too thrilled."

"Well, obviously. We're talking about last year's Spring High national champions here. We didn't even make it to nationals…"

"They came all the way from Miyagi just to scrimmage us?"

"Idiot! No way they came just for our school. I heard this is already their sixth day in Tokyo. They've already beaten all the major teams—Itachiyama, Fukurōdani, Nekoma, Tōmei—you name it, they've crushed them all!"

"Wha—?!"

"Isn't anyone able to stop them?"

"Actually, I think Moritake-senpai really wants our school to be the one to take Aoba Johsai down. Ever since he heard they'd be playing us, he's been extra tense—been analyzing their match footage non-stop these past few days."

"You think we can win?!"

Bang!

The gym doors flung open with a loud crash. A black-haired boy strode in with a dazzling smile, followed closely by a group of students clad in white and pale blue tracksuits.

"If you give it your all, maybe you just might," Kaedehara Taichi said with a squint and a smirk.

The first-years from Takezō who had been chatting instantly shot to their feet.

"Wh-Who are you guys…?"

"Ah, guess that means you didn't study our footage after all," Taichi chuckled.

"Aoba Johsai…! You guys are Aoba Johsai!"

"They're huge…!"

The two players flanking Kaedehara Taichi had been handpicked by him. On the left stood "Goon #1"

Even though Taichi was slightly shorter than the two standing beside him, he had no doubt that his commanding aura held its own.

"Geez, Taichi, you are making us look like 90s Mafia..." Yahaba Shigeru muttered as he entered with the rest of the team. One by one, Aoba Johsai's players filed in behind him—each step steady and confident.

The players training on the opposite side of the gym turned toward the noise. The previously energetic gym floor suddenly fell silent.

"Coach Irihata, thank you so much for coming," said Coach Furukawa of Takezō Academy. Back in his student days, he had been one of Coach Irihata's proudest protégés. Their best record together had been a top-eight finish at nationals.

"Haha, it's always a good thing when we can sharpen each other's blades," Irihata replied with a warm smile.

"Congratulations on winning Spring High, coach. This year's Aoba Johsai team is truly something else," Furukawa added. Now that he had taken over as head coach, Furukawa Taiga had come to understand just how difficult it was to dominate on a national level.

Over the past decade, even in Tokyo—which had the most slots for nationals—Takezō had only managed to qualify once. That year, they had been knocked out the very next day by the eventual runners-up.

"Furukawa…these kids don't know the meaning of holding back. This scrimmage…"

"I know," Furukawa replied firmly. "My players are ready. I want them to experience what it's like to go up against a team that's reached the very peak. No matter what, I want them to see what it means to hunger for victory. At the very least, I hope they won't surrender in spirit."

Takezō Academy had been stuck in a rut for years—consistently ranking among Tokyo's top eight but never breaking through.

They weren't a weak team by any means, but the moment they were matched up against powerhouses like Itachiyama or Fukurōdani, it was as if their players knew they couldn't win.

Furukawa had experienced that same feeling as a student: "Top four in the prefecture isn't bad…but going any further will take triple the effort…and even then, is success guaranteed?"

That line of thinking had begun to take root among his players, too. Instead of aiming higher, they had settled into their comfort zones and lost the drive to keep fighting.

This match against Aoba Johsai might prove devastating for them—but it also had the potential to be a turning point.

Defeat in an official match wasn't the only thing that could sting. Regret, frustration—if they didn't commit those feelings to memory, they'd be meaningless. And by the time they finally realised they wanted to change, it might already be too late.

"Give it everything you've got," Furukawa said resolutely.

"I will," Coach Irihata answered with pride in his voice as he looked at his former student. That unyielding spirit…it hadn't changed one bit.

-----

Half an hour later.

The players of Takezō Academy stared helplessly at the scoreboard, their fighting spirit completely crushed.

"There's no way we can beat them…"

"The gap is way too big. What's the point of this practice match?"

"I just want this to be over already…"

[Aoba Johsai 24 – 6 Takezō]

Even Coach Furukawa Taiga hadn't expected the gap between the two teams to be this overwhelming.

He had thought a 10-point difference would be the worst-case scenario.

Taichi recalled the words Coach Irihata had whispered to him before the match and let out a soft sigh. After all, Coach Furukawa was technically his senpai—he ought to help out a little where he could.

But seriously, being made to play the villain like this…that was just unreasonable.

Taichi had always prided himself on being someone who preferred peaceful interactions with others. And yet, in this moment, in order not to let his coach down, he had no choice but to go against his own nature.

"How about this," Kaedehara Taichi suddenly said with a brilliant smile, "why don't you guys forfeit and we can give you some points..."

The players of Takezō Academy blinked in confusion.

"…???"

What did he mean by forfeit? Was that even a thing in volleyball?

This guy…!

"You're going to lose anyway, right?" Taichi said casually. "And I'm starting to get a little bored. So, how about you all just throw in the towel now? That way, we can save ourselves some time."

"As for the score, you can say it was Aoba Johsai 25 – 16 Takezō. Adding ten points doesn't sound too embarrassing, does it?"

The gym went dead silent.

Coach Furukawa looked toward Coach Irihata, who could only sigh and facepalm with one hand. It seemed this particular disciple had gone a bit too far…

Taichi's words were like a blade, slicing straight into the hearts of Takezō's players. His tone had been calm, but to them, it sounded unbearably arrogant.

"I actually kinda liked him before this!" the first-year setter of Takezō muttered through gritted teeth.

Taichi's scornful expression and the contempt in his eyes were like a boulder crashing into a once-still lake—sending massive ripples through their pride.

"We're continuing the match! We're not surrendering!"

Faces flushed with a mix of shame and fury, the Takezō players found their will to fight suddenly reignited. They clenched their fists, and the flames that had dimmed in their eyes began to burn anew.

Takezō to serve.

Their ace, Moritake, launched a powerful jump serve.

It was smoothly received by Daiki.

Yahaba stepped into place, his gaze momentarily filled with reluctant sympathy as he looked across the net.

"Set it to me."

Taichi's expression was cold as he started his approach down the left sideline.

"Triple block!" Takezō's front row jumped with everything they had, rising to block him.

Thud!

Taichi exploded into the air, his right arm pulled back like a coiled spring—and then, he unleashed.

BOOM!!!

"Told you it was over."

He didn't give them even the faintest shred of hope.

The ball hit the court.

Point scored—Kaedehara Taichi.

[Aoba Johsai 25 – 6 Takezō]

Set one: finished.

Winner: Aoba Johsai.

_________

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