Starting Six

A/N - 

Hey! Please let me know if I have made any mistakes or anything like that. 

Please keep interacting! 

I finally have extra chapters. Would you be interested in extra at ptreon?

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The gym was filled with the rhythmic sounds of volleyballs being struck, sneakers squeaking on the polished wooden floor, and the occasional calls between teammates. The Karasuno volleyball team was in the middle of their usual practice routine when the gym doors slid open with a faint creak. A man in glasses and a tracksuit stood at the entrance, watching with a curious expression.

Hinata, mid-jump for a spike, noticed him briefly but didn't react too much. He already knew who this was.

Takeda Ittetsu, Karasuno's volleyball team advisor.

Takeda wasn't a volleyball expert, but even he was taken aback by the sight before him. His gaze followed Hinata as the short first-year soared above the net with ease before slamming the ball to the floor. His eyes widened in astonishment. 

"Amazing…! Such a short player with that kind of jumping ability…" he muttered under his breath.

As the ball bounced away, Daichi called for a break, and the team gathered around the new arrival. 

"Ah, sorry to interrupt your practice. My name is Takeda Ittetsu, and I am the advisor for the volleyball club," he introduced himself with a smile. 

The first-years, including Hinata and Kageyama, straightened up a little, acknowledging their advisor properly.

Takeda cleared his throat before getting to the main reason for his visit. "I have an announcement for you all," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "I've been searching for a team willing to play a practice match against us, and I finally found one!"

A wave of curiosity passed through the players. They leaned in slightly, anticipation buzzing between them.

"I managed to arrange a practice match against Aoba Johsai next Tuesday."

A stunned silence filled the gym for a brief moment. Then—

"WHAAAT?!" Tanaka's voice echoed through the space, eyes bulging. A wide, almost feral grin spread across his face. "Aoba Johsai?! That Aoba Johsai?!"

The upperclassmen were visibly shocked. Karasuno hadn't played against a powerhouse like Aoba Johsai in a long time. It was a rare opportunity to test themselves against one of the top four teams in the prefecture.

While everyone else was processing the news with excitement and nervous energy, Hinata simply smiled. He already knew this was going to happen. The plot was unfolding as expected.

Daichi, still surprised, turned toward Takeda. "Sensei, how did you even manage to set up a match with them?"

Takeda smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Well… there was one condition they set."

The team braced themselves, waiting for the catch.

"Kageyama has to play as the setter for the entire match."

That announcement sent another wave of murmurs through the team. 

Tanaka frowned, crossing his arms. "Oh, so they're not interested in Karasuno as a team. They just want to check out Kageyama. Do they think they can mess with us and we'll just go along with it?!"

Sugawara, however, remained calm. "It's not a bad deal," he said thoughtfully. "It'll be a great experience for our first-years, and we get to gauge our level against a top-tier team."

"But, Suga-san, you're our regular setter…" Tanaka protested, concern evident in his tone.

Sugawara smiled reassuringly. "I appreciate that, but the truth is, Kageyama is more skilled than I am. If we want to win in the future, we need to use our best weapons. I can't hold onto the starting spot just because I'm a third-year."

Tanaka scowled but didn't argue further. If Sugawara was okay with it, then he wouldn't push back.

Hinata, standing nearby, could barely contain his excitement. Even though it was just a practice match, this was going to be his first real game in the official scene. He had trained for this moment, and he was ready to leave an impression.

———

Later that evening, as practice ended, Hinata, Kageyama, Tanaka, and Sugawara walked home together. 

"I wish I could be a starter for this match…" Kageyama admitted suddenly, his voice laced with frustration. "But I haven't earned everyone's trust yet."

Sugawara gave him a knowing look. "That just means you have to show them why they can trust you."

Kageyama looked at him, listening carefully.

"You're the better setter, and I won't stand in the way of that," Sugawara continued. "If we want to win against stronger teams, we need to play our best hand. But to earn trust, you have to prove that you're not just talented—you're reliable. Work on that, and your spot will be unquestionable."

Kageyama nodded, absorbing the advice. 

As they continued walking, they discussed various teams they would have to face in the future. Hinata listened quietly, thinking about all the rivals he would meet soon.

———

The next day, back at the gym, the team gathered to discuss the lineup for the match against Aoba Johsai. Daichi took the lead. 

"Let's go over positions for the match," he said, looking around at his teammates. "For this match, our lineup will be—

Setter: Kageyama

Middle Blockers: Tsukishima, Tanaka

Wing Spikers: Hinata, Ennoshita

Libero: Me."

There were a few surprised glances. 

"Captain, you're playing as the libero?" Ennoshita asked.

Daichi nodded. "With Nishinoya out, I'll take on the role. My receiving skills have improved a lot, so I think I'll be able to manage."

Hinata smirked internally. Daichi had unknowingly been training against the hardest spikes and serves in their gym for the past week. His growth was only natural.

Meanwhile, Yamaguchi sat quietly, realizing he was the only first-year who wouldn't be playing in the match. He wasn't too surprised, but it still stung a little. He just wasn't ready yet.

Tanaka, on the other hand, was sulking again. "This isn't fair. They're just trying to size up Kageyama and don't even care about us."

Sugawara chuckled. "That just means we need to make them remember all of us."

Hinata grinned. "Exactly! We'll show them what Karasuno is made of!"

With the lineup set and everyone's excitement building, the practice session for the day resumed with even more intensity.