Survival Report: Kitagawa Daiichi, Shoyo's POV

[KageHina]

Hinata first stepped onto a volleyball court at the age of eleven.

Longing for the sky, he had made his way here, starting out as a libero who crawled along the ground.

He understood, and firmly believed, that serve reception was the foundation of a team. But in the end, it was still a far cry from the place he dreamed of.

No one thought he could jump high enough to contest the air with those giants.

Oh, except for one person.

The brutally frank Kageyama believed he could jump even higher, and save the ridiculous high ball that their opponent had just deflected out of the court.

Hinata thought Kageyama had probably gone crazy.

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At thirty-two, legendary setter Kageyama stepped onto the stage of the Club World Championship final for the second time in his life.

Thinking back to the days when Coach Washijo failed to recognize his worth, yet he ultimately earned a recommendation to Shiratorizawa, the first person to come to mind was Hinata.

Ever since high school, when he often faced Hinata, who attended Aoba Johsai, he had spent nearly twenty years studying the Sao Paulo star opposite hitter from the perspective of an opponent.

He knew every highlight of Hinata's career by heart, and never overlooked a single one of his lesser-known tactical tricks.

No one understood him better.

And no one admired him more.

They were opponents, rivals destined to compete.

#

“So... shall we continue this never-ending contest today, too, Hinata?”

“Of course. But you'll be the one to lose, Kageyama.”

#

Content warnings: Shiratorizawa Kageyama and Aoba Johsai Hinata, an ultimate rivals-to-lovers story.

Hinata plays libero in middle school, then switches to a well-rounded opposite hitter in high school.

The relationship between the Kitagawa Daiichi third-years is very good thanks to Hinata, but they still bicker. Please take it as “friendly communication.”

Theme: Striving toward a better future