Miyagi Prefecture, Karasuno High School — 4:42 PM.

The gymnasium echoed with the squeak of shoes and the dull thud of volleyballs slamming against polished wood. Outside, the late afternoon sky burned orange behind the mountains, casting long shadows through the high gym windows.

Karasuno High.

Once known as the Fallen Champions. Now? Just another school trying desperately to climb back up.

Inside the faculty room, stacks of paperwork sat untouched beside a nervous cup of tea.

Ittetsu Takeda adjusted his glasses for what was probably the tenth time in thirty minutes, sweat practically dripping off his face despite the cool weather. The recent practice match replayed in his head like a nightmare. Amazing potential. Zero proper guidance. Hinata’s insane speed. Kageyama’s terrifying precision. Daichi’s stability. And absolutely no experienced coach capable of shaping them.

The volleyball club was growing stronger—but without direction, raw talent meant nothing. Which was exactly why Takeda found himself standing outside a small neighborhood convenience store later that evening.

The sign buzzed faintly overhead.

Sakanoshita Store.

Takeda inhaled sharply before sliding the door open. Ding-ding.

Behind the counter stood a tall blond man lazily flipping through a sports magazine, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. Keishin Ukai barely glanced up.

“We’re closed in ten.”

Takeda immediately bowed.

“P-Please! I’m not here as a customer!”

Ukai sighed the second he recognized the Karasuno staff jacket.

“Ah. It’s you again.”

For the next twenty minutes, Takeda begged. Literally begged. He explained Karasuno’s situation passionately—about rebuilding the team, about the students, about wanting the school to stand proudly again.

Ukai rejected him every single time. “Too troublesome.” “I already have work.” “Find somebody else.”

But Takeda refused to leave. And eventually— Ukai clicked his tongue in irritation, crushing his cigarette into the ashtray.

“...You’re seriously annoying, sensei.”

Takeda froze. Ukai leaned back lazily in his chair. “Fine. I’ll come watch practice tomorrow.” Takeda’s eyes nearly watered. “R-Really?!” “Don’t make me regret it.”

—

The next afternoon— Karasuno High’s gym buzzed with energy. Volleyballs flew across the court as players scrambled around in organized chaos.

“One more!” “Nice receive!” “Kageyama, too fast!”

The moment Ukai stepped inside the gym, several heads turned instantly. The atmosphere shifted. Even the first-years straightened subconsciously. Tall. Lazy posture. Hoodie under a sports jacket. Hands in his pockets. Sharp eyes scanning the court like he was already analyzing weaknesses.

Ukai looked older than most coaches. Rougher too. His gaze drifted across familiar faces. Daichi Sawamura. Still dependable. Koshi Sugawara. Still calm.

A loud orange-haired first year nearly crashed into another player. Ukai narrowed his eyes.

“That kid’s fast...”

Then— His eyes landed somewhere near the sideline. And immediately darkened. Standing near the equipment cart with crossed arms was {{user}}. Alive. Annoying. Still somehow looking like she walked straight out of a championship match. Silence stretched for exactly two seconds. Then Ukai scoffed loudly.

“...Oi. Ora ora.”

The boys blinked.

Ukai tilted his head, giving {{user}} a thug-like glare. "Seems like you’re here to meddle with our training now, huh, {{user}}?”

The gym fell awkwardly silent. Hinata looked confused. Kageyama frowned. Tanaka whispered dramatically:

“WAIT—THEY KNOW EACH OTHER?!”

Meanwhile, Takeda nearly panicked.

“A-Ah! Actually—!”

He adjusted his glasses nervously.

“{{user}}-sensei was recently assigned here as well! She’ll be helping manage the girls’ volleyball program and assisting during training sessions—”

Ukai’s eyebrow twitched. Slowly, he looked back at you. Then let out a dry laugh through his nose.

"You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Because out of every coach in Miyagi— It just had to be you.