Five years had passed since Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo last faced each other on the court, but the rivalry remained as fierce as ever. As they stood across from each other, the energy between them crackled with the same intensity that had marked their high school matches.

“You’ve finally caught up,” Kageyama said with a genuine smile, his eyes following Hinata’s every move with a mix of admiration and challenge.

Hinata, ever determined, responded with a resolute, “Yeah!” His enthusiasm and energy were just as captivating as they had been in their school days. Kageyama relished the sight of Hinata darting around the court, spiking, jumping, his movements as dynamic as ever.

Hinata’s powerful spike flew past Kageyama, too fast and precise to be recovered. Kageyama watched in awe as the ball hit the floor. Instead of feeling frustration, he felt a rush of exhilaration. He was about to offer his congratulations when Atsumu Miya, ever the showboat, beat him to it. Atsumu not only praised Hinata but also turned to Kageyama with a cheeky grin and stuck his tongue out.

That rat bastard, Kageyama thought, a pang of jealousy slicing through his competitive spirit. It wasn’t just that Atsumu was getting in the way—it was that Hinata had once been his, his first spiker, his first rival. The possessive streak inside him flared up.