How to Survive at Date Tech as a Bunny

This year, Date Tech's volleyball team welcomed a new crop of freshmen.

Just as everyone had finished introducing themselves and the coach was about to start the skills assessment, a timid voice spoke up.

"Um, I haven't introduced myself yet."

A head slowly poked out from behind Aone.

Everyone stared at the "girl's" pretty face and dewy red eyes.

Everyone: Whoa, what a beauty!

Wait!!

Isn't this a boys' volleyball team???

The coach hurriedly glanced at the application form in his hand.

"Hanayama-in?"

"Hello, everyone. My name is Hanayama-in Miki. I'm 163 centimeters tall, and I play setter."

The white-haired, red-eyed boy spoke softly.

Everyone: Ah... a rare short setter.

Not only did he look like a girl, but his name was cute too...

Wait!

Hadn't they heard that name somewhere before?!

Miki, who had once been named Best Setter in Kanagawa Prefecture, was nothing like everyone had imagined.

He was unexpectedly manly.

They watched as he lifted the 187-centimeter Aone with one hand, all while wearing the face of a delicate beauty.

Everyone, with shocked expressions: Name your price for a pair of eyes that haven't seen this.

Miki, doing squats with Aone, whose face was slightly flushed, and not even breathing hard: Are you guys seriously that weak?

The others, spurred on: I'm going to lift weights right now! I'm totally strong enough!!

For a while, the Date Tech volleyball team rang with the spirited cries of young men.

But little by little, they grew numb to it all.

No matter how much stronger their muscles became, they still couldn't match Miki's brutal feat of running twenty laps with Aone under his left arm and Futakuchi under his right.

No contest.

They were utterly defeated.

No, seriously.

What is he, some kind of muscular rabbit?

Is this even scientifically possible??

Miki knew his disadvantages.

He was short and looked like a girl.

People often judged him by his appearance.

But he didn't care.

Because

He would prove himself through his skill.

He could be a setter, or the team's ace.

And with this petite frame,

he would stand at the top of the world!!

Even a rabbit can become the strongest!

During a match,

every ball Miki set seemed custom-made for the attacker.

He brought out two hundred percent of everyone's ability.

He embodied the term "commander on the court" to perfection.

The more they played, the more excited Date Tech got: Hehe, our setter is unbeatable!

Is this what it feels like to have the heavens feed you by hand?

It's so amazing!

Bang

A spike that sounded like an exploding cannonball reverberated through the gym.

The boy's crimson eyes blazed with arrogance.

"You can't even block that?"

Date Tech, completely numb: No more hehe. What kind of setter goes around spiking the ball that hard??

Once Miki got fired up, he unleashed a few more crushing spikes.

The opposing middle blocker looked like he'd seen a ghost.

Look, you can beat me.

But please don't break me.

Isn't he really the ace??

Is it actually reasonable for a setter to tool the opposing middle blocker??

Date Tech, on the verge of tears: Big bro, my dear big bro, stop already! You're a setter, remember!!

Please, just set the ball for once.

You've bullied Aone and Futakuchi into becoming setters too!

Miki, after having the time of his life: A great setter should set good balls and smash them for crushing spikes!

Date Tech, in a deadpan voice: Wow.

Reader's Guide:

OOC, lots of original headcanons, a single Haikyuu!! setting

Mostly daily life and matches, starting in the first year of high school

No writing advice, please. Lots of animal-based nicknames and descriptions

Many match scenes, with repeated descriptions of dialogue and actions during matches

The matches include both wins and losses, with an ensemble cast. Date Tech will make it to nationals

The protagonist starts at max level and carries the team, with a two-setter lineup

Theme: Make up for your disadvantages through hard work