Ushijima's Childhood Friend, the Setter, Has Lost His Memory!

After waking up one day, Qing Guangche is suddenly told by the entire world that he's a volleyball prodigy.

It feels like a powerful warrior has somehow been downgraded into a total beginner...

Something's got to be wrong! He always had a vague feeling he was special, maybe even a genius, but definitely not in a sport that leaves you sweaty and sticky and makes every breath taste of blood!

And who is this guy?

A star partner included free with volleyball?

Wait, I don't know you! Stop dragging me off to practice!!!

He hates exercise and sweat!

"Set the ball for me."

The guy claiming to be his childhood friend ignores his feelings with a deadpan expression.

--

His childhood friend has had an accident and lost his memory.

On a peaceful summer day, Ushijima Wakatoshi receives the terrible news.

When he goes to visit, the other boy looks at both volleyball and him as if they're strangers.

It's all right. As long as Xiao Che is still here, that's enough. He'll help him remember everything.

But things are worse than he imagined.

The volleyball world knows them as a legendary genius duo, rising stars everyone watches in secret, but one of them can't even receive a serve anymore.

Still, there's one stroke of luck: Qing Guangche occasionally gets a few seconds of his memories back.

The long-lost, perfect volleyball duo that once struck fear into so many teams.

--

Bonus Scene:

Ushijima is seriously teaching his childhood friend from the basics of receiving the ball:

"Raise both hands naturally. When the ball gets close, push off the ground and meet it from in front of your face with your fingers slightly spread."

Qing Guangche has been drawn in by volleyball and decides to give it a try:

"You're so long-winded! I get it! Go throw me a ball."

Qing Guangche licks his lips, watching the ball fly toward him with eager anticipation.

"Pffwah!"

The ball slips between his arms and hits him square in the face!

"This isn't fun! It hurts! I'm done!"

As Ushijima Wakatoshi gently presses an ice-cold towel to his face like an overprotective mom, Qing Guangche keeps making a loud fuss.

Bonus Scene 2

Just before their match against Shiratorizawa, two little crows from Karasuno can't resist sneaking over to scout the opposition, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary volleyball duo...

But things don't go at all as expected.

When they hear Ushijima Wakatoshi say, "We don't need a setter who can't help the ace," Kageyama Tobio hasn't even had time to reply before a lazy voice cuts in from a distance:

"Wakatoshi, where did you sneak off to slack off? Tendou said... Hey, who's this?"

It's Qing Guangche, strolling over from the distance with a Pocky stick in his mouth, speaking indistinctly. When he sees Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio, he gives them a friendly wave.

"Hey there, I'm Qing Guangche. You can call me Che-san."

But only Kageyama Tobio is left standing there in a daze. The Qing Guangche before his eyes is completely different from the one he'd seen in old match footage and interviews.

The guy who used to analyze the situation with every glance, wearing a habitual smile that filled others with despair, even saying during one match, "A setter who can't bring out the best in the spiker has no reason to exist." Why has he suddenly become so mild-mannered?!

Wasn't your personality supposed to be much worse?!

--

Inspired by Oblivion Battery. Just think of it as a little story about a volleyball duo from another world.

Theme: Haven't figured it out yet