The Ace Enters Karasuno

Author Note - 

Yo! We are short of 5 power stones to be in the top 200. Lets go guys!

And please do write a review.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 1, 2016 – 7:30 AM

The golden morning sun cast its warm glow over Karasuno High, stretching long shadows over the streets. A light breeze rustled the trees, carrying the faint scent of summer.

Hinata stood beside his bicycle, adjusting the strap of his duffle bag slung over his shoulder. His eyes traced the familiar road he had ridden so many times before, only this time, it was toward Karasuno High—his school.

He pushed off the ground, the rubber tires crunching lightly against the asphalt. The wind kissed his face as he pedaled steadily. With every turn of the wheel, he felt the rush of anticipation build within him. Today was the first official step toward the volleyball journey.

As he approached the school gates, he slowed down, blending into the small crowd of students making their way inside. Groups of friends walked together, chatting and laughing, while pairs strolled leisurely, catching up after the holidays.

He parked his bicycle in the designated rack, carefully locking it. Slinging his duffle over his shoulder, he made his way into the school building.

After glancing at the class list pinned by the entrance, Hinata quickly found Classroom 1. He walked in and scanned the room, but none of the faces sparked familiarity. Unlike the anime, where he had encountered many of the soon-to-be Karasuno volleyball members, here, they were just regular students.

He chose an empty desk near the window, plopped down into his seat, and casually observed the classroom. The room buzzed with idle chatter, students exchanging stories about their vacations, new movies, and their plans for the school year.

"Yo, did you see the trailer for that new action flick?" one student asked excitedly.

"Nah, I was too busy gaming during the break," another laughed.

Not a single person talked about volleyball. Figures, Hinata thought with a small chuckle. It's not like volleyball is super popular everywhere.

As he sat quietly, he noticed a few of his classmates casting glances at him. Eventually, a couple of boys walked over.

"Oi, new kid, you're pretty short," one of them teased with a friendly grin.

"Yeah, are you even tall enough to reach the top shelf?" another added with a playful smirk.

Hinata simply laughed, brushing off the light-hearted banter.

"Pfft, I'll just jump for it," he shot back with a mischievous grin.

The boys chuckled, and soon they were talking about random school stuff, casually making conversation. Hinata was glad—it was different from his previous life, where he kept to himself. This time, he was making an effort to be social.

Just before the morning session ended, the loudspeakers crackled to life.

"Attention students! All club applications must be filled out on the notice board by the end of the day. Thank you."

The room immediately erupted with chatter. Students turned to each other, excitedly discussing which club they would join.

"Should we check out the music club?"

"Nah, the drama club sounds more fun."

"I heard the kendo team is recruiting!"

Hinata's ears perked up slightly, but still, not a word about volleyball.

When the break came, Hinata made his way to the notice board in the hallway. A small crowd had already formed around it, students scribbling their names under various club categories.

He scanned the board and quickly found the volleyball club section. To his surprise, Kageyama's name was already there.

Hinata raised an eyebrow.

That guy really didn't waste any time, huh? he thought with a chuckle. Kageyama's impatience was already showing.

Without hesitation, he pulled the pen from his pocket and neatly wrote "Hinata Shoyo" next to Kageyama's name. For a brief moment, he stared at the two names side by side. The beginning of a partnership that would shake the volleyball world.

Satisfied, he slipped the pen back into his pocket and headed back to the classroom.

At 3:00 PM sharp, the bell rang, signaling the end of classes. The classroom burst into a flurry of motion. Students eagerly packed their bags and rushed off to their club activities or homes, their laughter filling the hallways.

Hinata, however, remained calm. There was no need for him to rush frantically like his anime counterpart. He was already confident in his skills. With steady steps, he headed to the restroom.

Once inside, he changed into his red gym clothes—the standard training attire issued by Karasuno. He laced up his white sneakers with practiced ease, slung his duffle over his shoulder, and made his way toward the gymnasium.

The sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm golden hue over the gym building. The door was slightly ajar, and Hinata could hear faint voices from inside. He smirked slightly, already knowing who he would find.

Stepping into the gym, he immediately spotted Daichi, Sugawara, and Tanaka standing in a loose circle around Kageyama. The trio was welcoming him with lighthearted questions.

"So, you're the King of the Court, huh?" Tanaka teased with an evil grin.

"We've seen you play in middle school tournaments. You're pretty famous, you know," Daichi added, his tone measured but friendly.

"You looking to dominate here too?" Sugawara asked with an easygoing smile.

Kageyama stood stiffly, clearly uncomfortable with the attention, his eyes slightly narrowed.

And then, they noticed Hinata.

The conversation halted as the three seniors turned toward him, blinking in surprise.

Daichi, still holding Hinata's club application form, arched an eyebrow.

"Oh, so you're the other guy who applied. Welcome, welcome."

He smiled warmly before tilting his head slightly.

"But, have you played volleyball before?" he asked, curious.

"We already know Kageyama does since we've seen his matches."

Hinata took a steady step forward, meeting Daichi's gaze with calm confidence.

"Yeah, I've been playing for the last four years at a coaching center," he said with a casual smile.

"But my school didn't have a team, so I never got to play official matches."

Daichi's eyes widened slightly. Four years of training? That was no small feat.

"Oh, really? So... did you play as a libero?" Daichi asked, assuming that Hinata's short stature naturally placed him in a defensive position.

Without hesitation, Hinata shook his head. His eyes glimmered with determination as he spoke clearly and confidently.

"No. I played as an ACE."

A sudden, heavy silence filled the gym.

Daichi's eyes slightly widened. Sugawara's expression stiffened. Even Tanaka, who was usually the most animated, froze. Kageyama's gaze snapped toward him, narrowing slightly in disbelief.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke. The only sound was of a gentle breeze, god knows where it came from.

In Hinata's mind, he could almost see it—a single imaginary leaf drifting lazily between them, carried by the faintest of breezes.

This is where it truly begins.