Haikyuu!!: Can a reclusive genius fall in love?

Monday arrived quickly.

Inside the Aoba Johsai Volleyball Gymnasium before the practice match, the air was far heavier than usual. The day of the practice match against Karasuno High School had arrived, but the atmosphere during the pre-match warm-up was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Iwaizumi Hajime broke the silence in the locker room by handing a brand-new paper bag to Yukimura Tsukishiro: "Here you go, Yukimura. This is your team uniform."

Yukimura Tsukishiro raised his emerald eyes and quietly accepted the garment. He took out the clothes inside—a neatly ironed Aoba Johsai team uniform, white with blue stripes and a prominent number [9] on the back.

His fingertips gently brushed across the soft fabric, finally settling on the number that signified his official membership in the team. An indescribable, subtle flutter, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, rippled faintly across his heart. He silently and swiftly changed into his team uniform, the oversized tracksuit concealing a fleeting, almost imperceptible stiffness in his movements.

"Perfect fit." Iwaizumi's voice remained firm, but carried a hint of approval. "I, Oikawa, and the coaches have unanimously decided that from today onwards, you are officially a regular member of our Aoshiro team. Give it your all in today's practice match."

"Mm." Yukimura Tsukishiro responded softly, carefully folding the clothes he had changed out of and putting them into the locker.

The locker room door opened, and Matsukawa Kazushige poked his head in: "Iwaizumi, where's Oikawa? The Karasuno men will be here soon."

"He went to the school clinic for his final check-up and said he'd come straight to the gym later." Iwazumi glanced at the clock on the wall, his brow furrowing habitually. "Let's warm up first and get ready."

Hearing this, the already somewhat somber atmosphere in the locker room seemed to grow even heavier. Although Oikawa Tetsu's ankle had been confirmed to be fine, requiring only a final check-up, the team seemed to have lost a certain vibrant spirit without their always boisterous and cheerful captain. Kindaichi Yutaro subconsciously straightened his back, while Kunimi Hideki yawned lazily, but his eyes were clearer than usual.

Yukimura Tsukishiro tied his shoelaces and was the last to walk out of the locker room. His white hair gleamed coolly under the lights, and the number [9] on his back swayed slightly with each step.

Inside the Aoba City West Gymnasium, the air was thick with the pre-match restlessness, a mixture of sweat, the rubber floor, and the faint smell of disinfectant. A few students sat scattered in the stands, having come to watch the game.

The Qingcheng team members were warming up, their movements precise and powerful, yet something seemed to be missing. The bright, encouraging or teasing voice of Oikawa Toru was absent, as were his precise passes to everyone's most comfortable positions; the warm-up felt like a silent ritual.

Yukimura Tsukishiro quietly stretched, his gaze lowered, focused on his movements. He habitually avoided eye contact with others, isolating himself behind an invisible barrier.

"Don't get distracted," Iwaizumi's voice rang out from the side. He was cracking his knuckles, his sharp gaze sweeping over the Karasuno team as they were about to enter. "Just do what we're supposed to do, and then wait for that bastard to come back."

Yukimura Tsukishiro nodded gently, focusing his attention on every detail of the warm-up.

Just then, the Karasuno High School team entered the field. Led by Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koji, the team exuded a calm and reserved aura.

"Wow! This is the sports stadium in the west of Aoba City! It's huge!" A vibrant voice suddenly rang out, and Hinata Shoyo's eyes widened as he excitedly looked around.

"Hyuga Boke! Stop yelling like a country bumpkin!" Kageyama Tobio immediately scolded, but his sharp gaze swept across the entire area, as if searching for a specific figure.

Yukimura Tsukishiro's gaze swept over the opposing team, then quickly returned to his own feet, avoiding any unnecessary eye contact.

After the warm-up, both sides lined up to greet each other.

Please give me your guidance!

The referee's whistle rang out crisply.

"First set, Karasuno High School serves!"

To everyone's surprise, Karasuno's coach put the overly excited first-year student with orange hair on the service line. This was clearly his first official serve.

Hinata Shoyo nervously swallowed, his hands trembling slightly, his movements clumsy and forceful.

boom!

Instead of flying along the expected trajectory, the volleyball shot straight at the back of Kageyama Tobio's head at an odd angle, as he was observing the situation at the net!

With a muffled thud, accompanied by a suppressed cry of pain from Kageyama, the ball fell limply to the ground.

The entire room fell silent for a moment.

"I'm so sorry, Kageyama! I didn't mean to!" Hinata apologized hastily, his face flushed red.

"......" Kageyama, his face dark with anger, slapped the back of his head and walked towards him, taking slow, deliberate steps. "What are you so nervous about?!"

"Oops!! I'm sorry!!"

This unexpected incident made the already tense atmosphere a little awkward, but it also allowed the Karasuno team members, especially the one with the orange hair, to quickly relax a bit from their excessive tension.

The game continues.

However, without their leader, Qingcheng showed obvious signs of maladjustment from the very first goal.

The second-year setter, Shu Yakinibu, who came on as a substitute, had solid technique, but lacked the broad vision and creative passing ideas of Toru Oikawa. His ball control was solid, but he lacked the sharpness to break through the defense, and he couldn't read the game as accurately as Oikawa to bring out the best in each attacker.

Qingcheng's attack became chaotic and disorganized.

Iwaizumi's powerful spikes were still potent, but were repeatedly blocked by Karasuno's well-prepared blocks; his attempts at quick attacks were also greatly diminished in effectiveness due to deviations in timing and accuracy.

Yukimura Tsukishiro ran futilely at the net. His leaping ability and terrifying power were useless in such a chaotic offensive system. Several times, he managed to get past balls that were not in comfortable positions with his excellent physical qualities, but he could not deliver the kind of smash that could kill the opponent.

"Tsk." Iwazumi wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression growing increasingly serious.

Conversely, Karasuno's adjusted offense was incredibly effective. Kageyama Tobio completely controlled the rhythm of the game. His fingers seemed to possess magic, precisely finding the most comfortable point of force for his teammates with every touch of the ball.

Fast! Too fast!

Before Qingcheng's block could even be fully closed, the ball had already slammed heavily onto the floor of Qingcheng's backcourt!

"Thump!" The whistle blew, signaling a successful score.

"Kanasano High School scores! 1-0!"

Small cheers came from the sidelines from the Karasuno supporters.

Yukimura Tsukihiro stood on the field, his emerald eyes slightly widened. That speed, that trust and tacit understanding that required almost no visual confirmation, shocked him.

This is just the beginning.

Karasuno's setter completely controlled the rhythm of the game. His fingers seemed to possess magic, precisely finding the most comfortable point of force for his teammates with every set of the ball.

On Aoki's side, Yajin Shu appeared even more hesitant and restrained under the immense pressure from his opponents. His passing intentions were too obvious, and Karasuno's blocks repeatedly caught him.

Xuecun Yuebai leaped up again, only to find that the blocker always arrived one step ahead. His spike was blocked solidly, and the ball bounced back onto the Qingcheng court, causing even greater chaos.

"Defense! Pay attention to defense!" Iwaizumi shouted on the field, trying to boost morale.

However, without Oikawa Tetsu's command, Aoshiro's defense seemed to have lost its brain. Rotation and cover were frequently botched, and communication during saves was often flawed.

"I'll take it!" "Yours!" After two overlapping shouts, there was a dull thud as Kindaichi Yutaro and Matsukawa Kazushige collided, and the ball fell limply to the ground.

"Tsk..." Kindaichi Yutaro punched the floor in frustration.

The score was quickly widened.

5-2。 8-5。 12-7。

Karasuno High School, with their excellent teamwork and precise organization, advanced triumphantly. Every point they scored seemed to amplify Aoshiro's current chaos and helplessness.

Yukimura Tsukihiro stood in the center of the noisy arena, sweat streaming down his pale face. He watched the scoreboard widen the gap, listened to the shouts of his opponents after each point, and felt the growing anxiety and helplessness of his teammates.

An unprecedented sense of isolation and profound powerlessness, like a cold tide, slowly engulfed him.

He possessed immense strength, yet he couldn't find the right direction to strike amidst the chaos. He was like a finely tuned machine, misprogrammed, futilely operating on the wrong track.

His fingers curled unconsciously, the fingertips digging deep into his palm.

For the first time, he realized so clearly what that usually frivolous and noisy senior, who always liked to call him "Yuki-chan" with a smile and tried all sorts of ways to stuff him with sweets, really meant to this team.

He is the soul, the brain, and the hands that allow every sharp blade to hit its target with precision.

But now, those hands are absent.

The first game, in a suffocating atmosphere of oppression, seemed to have reached a predetermined end.