Shoyo's Twin Little Brother, Zensitsu

Zenitsu was abandoned and left to wander from a young age.

His exceptionally keen hearing left him immersed in the rejection, contempt, and betrayal of those around him. At last, he found a beloved grandpa and close teammates, only to watch them leave him one by one.

Zenitsu: Maybe I'm just not meant to be happy.

Later, he saved the people he cherished, but died just before happiness could arrive.

With both relief and regret, Zenitsu fell into darkness.

He never expected to wake up again.

*

Zenitsu was reborn, becoming a member of the Hinata family.

Parents who ignored his protests and insisted on hugging him every day; an older brother who talked nonstop around him and was even noisier than he was; and an adorable little sister who always brought him sweets.

So happy he could cry.

The only problem was that the whole family had orange hair!

Zenitsu's blond hair trembled as he drew his sword: Muzan's scheme! Begone!

When Shoyo got home and saw his little brother having another fit, he immediately swept him into a bear hug!

Zenitsu: Help!!

Shoyo: Zenitsu, come play volleyball with your big brother!

Zenitsu: Big brother?

Zenitsu froze.

Shoyo hugged him and shook him around.

Zenitsu cried.

Why? Why was this demon's inner voice so captivating? It was as if Zenitsu were some kind of treasure!

Zenitsu's "sword" fell to the ground.

For his big brother, he'd play volleyball!

*

Later, he stepped onto the court.

"Boom!!!"

Ushijima's serve tore through the air like Muzan's claws, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

Zenitsu wailed in despair.

Zenitsu took off running: "It's Muzan! It's an Upper Rank demon! Help!!"

Shoyo ran after him: "That's a volleyball! Don't be scared, Zenitsu! Big brother's right here!"

The spectators: ...What just flew past us?! Lightning?!

Ushijima: ...At this speed, which one of us looks more like a demon?

*

A pair of unlikely twins joined the Karasuno volleyball club, and the team's overall atmosphere changed dramatically.

The composed captain roared every day: "Zenitsu!! Your spikes are great! You don't have to learn to close your eyes like your brother!!!"

Kageyama, left without a teammate behind him, found himself unable to catch up with his teammate instead: "Idiot Zenitsu! You're running so fast nobody can see you, how am I supposed to set for you?!"

Suga worked hard every day to keep him in check: "Zenitsu! Don't be afraid! We're right behind you!!!"

Karasuno's opponents were left utterly baffled:

"How did he return a ball that tricky?! Does that blond have eyes in the back of his head?!"

"Why are that blond's spikes as terrifying as lightning?!"

"The blond won, didn't he? Why is he crying in his brother's arms?"

Zenitsu crouched among his teammates, nuzzling his head against his brother while listening to all the caring thoughts in his teammates' minds.

Zenitsu smiled to himself in silence.

*

The story of an ordinary person with Thunder Breathing and superhuman hearing, who becomes the ultimate team darling while being scared the whole time.

1. This is mainly a Haikyuu!! story, with very little Demon Slayer.

2. OOC warning. This Zenitsu's experiences are different from the original and will be gradually revealed; the family atmosphere is different too and will also be revealed over time. This is my own version of Zenitsu.

Here's a story I'm planning to write, come take a look: Shoyo-kun, Who Missed Out on Volleyball

The middle school boys' volleyball tournament was over.

That day, little Hinata raised his hand grandly at the dinner table: "High school! I'm definitely going to beat that detestable Kageyama!"

He successfully comforted his parents, who had wanted to comfort him.

In the middle of the night, he buried his face in his pillow and silently sobbed: After practicing for so long, I didn't even make it past the first round QAQ

Short stature, poor technique.

Was volleyball really right for someone like him?

But your reflexes are really good...

Someone spoke in his ear from somewhere beyond his sight.

Little Hinata perked up: Really?

The other person said: Really! You're super suited to... baseball!

Little Hinata: Right... huh o-o?

*

Little Hinata thought he'd run into a ghost.

He woke up six years in the future, sharing a room with a grown-up Shoyo.

"Shoyo! With your reflexes and your nerves of steel, you'll definitely make next year's professional baseball roster! So, do you feel like pitching or baserunning today?"

"Shoyo! With your speed, it's only natural you'd become a national-level track athlete! So, will you turn down my 366th invitation? QAQ"

"Shoyo! Your skill and teamwork are good enough to reach the national level in both singles and doubles. So, have you decided to join the tennis club today?"

"Shoyo..."

"Shoyo..."

For the first time, little Hinata smiled so hard his face hurt.

Professional, national-level... The him from six years in the future was really amazing!

So, what about volleyball? Could he become a professional volleyball player too? (✧◡✧)

Grown-up Shoyo finally spoke: Nope!

Little Hinata: Huh? W-why?

Grown-up Shoyo: Why does it have to be volleyball?

Little Hinata: Because I love it!

Grown-up Shoyo: What kind of nonsense is that?

Only later did little Hinata learn the truth.

This version of himself had tried every sport he was suited for and done well, but didn't want to become a professional athlete in any of them.

This version of himself had never seen the Little Giant play and had never played volleyball.

This version of himself said: Volleyball? Isn't that a sport where height matters? Do you like making things hard for yourself?

Little Hinata puffed out his cheeks in anger: You are such a listless, useless adult version of me! It's all about overcoming the odds! Even a short-legged crow can fly!

Adult Shoyo: ...Are you a masochist?

Later, after successfully spiking the ball, grown-up Shoyo said: Volleyball... really is the best!

Theme: Embrace the warmth of youth