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

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows high up in the gymnasium, casting dappled shadows on the gleaming floor. The air was thick with the smells of sweat, rubber flooring, and a faint hint of disinfectant—the only scent of the sports venue that made Yuebai feel at ease.

Yukimura Tsukihiro stood at the entrance of the volleyball department, his emerald eyes calmly sweeping over the scene inside. The players were conducting basic training, the sharp sound of their shoes rubbing against the floor, the muffled thuds of volleyballs hitting the ground echoing throughout, and the energetic shouts of the boys reverberating in the spacious room.

"Oh? Is this the new manager?" A slightly frivolous male voice came from behind.

Xuecun Yuebai turned around and met a pair of smiling brown eyes. It was the boy who had ridden the bicycle yesterday. Up close, his features were more defined and sculpted, and the corners of his mouth naturally turned up, carrying a hint of nonchalance.

"Hey, don't just randomly hit on me like that!" A muscular, furrowed-brow black-haired boy walked over and rudely nudged the brown-haired boy in the side with his elbow. "You're obviously a freshman here to join the club, right?"

"Ouch, that hurts, Iwa-chan! I was just giving you a friendly welcome!" The boy called Oikawa exaggeratedly rubbed the spot where he'd been bumped, but his smile didn't fade at all. "I'm Oikawa Toru, captain of the Aoba Johsai volleyball team. And this fierce-looking guy is Iwaizumi Hajime, vice-captain of the volleyball team. Are you here to apply to join the team?"

Yuebai nodded slightly, took out his application form from his bag, and handed it over. His movements were fluid and quiet, like a wary cat.

Iwaizumi took the form and glanced at it: "Yukimura Tsukishiro? Has he played volleyball before?"

Yuebai shook her head, her white hair swaying gently with the movement.

"It's alright! As long as you have enthusiasm, Oikawa-sama will guide you well!" Oikawa smiled and leaned closer. "But your hair color is very unique, is it natural?"

Yuebai subconsciously took a half step back, creating some distance. Oikawa noticed this small movement, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes, but considerately refrained from approaching further.

"Alright, enough talk," Iwaizumi interrupted. "Since you're here, let's do the basic tests first. Follow me."

Several first-year students were already queuing up in the testing area. Yuebai noticed two people who stood out: a tall boy with a dark brown spiky hairstyle, looking serious; and a lazy boy with black hair, his eyes half-closed as if he hadn't woken up yet. They must be Kindaichi and Kunimi.

"Let's start with body measurements," Iwaizumi said, pointing to the measuring tape on the wall. "One by one."

Kindaichi Yutaro stood up first, and the measurement showed that his height reached an astonishing 189.2 centimeters. Next was Kunimi Hideaki, who leaned lazily against the measuring ruler, and his height was shown as 182.8 centimeters.

"Both of these first-year students are quite good," commented Matsukawa Kazushige while recording data.

Oikawa nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on Tsukishiro: "Next up is our transfer student."

Yuebai quietly walked to the measuring ruler, took off his shoes, and stood up straight. The measurement showed that his height was 189.5 centimeters, slightly taller than Kindaichi. A low gasp of surprise rippled through the hall.

"Then comes the vertical jump test," Iwaizumi said, pointing to the measuring grid above.

The freshmen took turns trying, with mediocre results. When it was Kindaichi's turn, he displayed impressive jumping ability, touching a fairly high spot with his fingers. Kunimi yawned, jumped casually, and while his result wasn't outstanding, it was sufficient, perfectly embodying his "high efficiency, low fuel consumption" style.

Next, it was Yuebai's turn. He stood still, his emerald eyes fixed on the measuring ruler above, as if calculating something. Then, he slowly took a few steps back and took a deep breath.

Run-up, take-off—

The entire stadium suddenly fell silent.

That was no ordinary jump. His movements were incredibly fluid, as if he had defied gravity, his body stretching out to its fullest extent in the air, his long arms easily surpassing all previous records, his fingertips even touching the measuring ruler at an astonishing height.

"335? No, that can't be..." someone muttered to themselves.

"That height...it's almost as tall as Oikawa-senpai's, isn't it?"

"He's still a freshman!"

Yuebai landed lightly, making almost no sound. His expression was calm, as if he had just completed an ordinary action, rather than displaying amazing athletic talent.

The nonchalant look on Oikawa Tetsu's face vanished, replaced by a focused gleam as if he had discovered a treasure. He walked up to Tsukishiro, his brown eyes scrutinizing the white-haired boy.

"Amazing jumping ability." Oikawa's voice was filled with undisguised admiration. "You've really never played volleyball before?"

Yuebai shook his head slightly, but his gaze was unconsciously drawn to the volleyballs scattered on the ground. His fingers twitched slightly, as if he wanted to touch the leather balls.

Iwaizumi walked over, his expression serious but his eyes also showing amazement: "Next, we'll test serves and spikes. Oikawa, go and set a few balls for him."

Oikawa grinned: "With pleasure."

They walked to one side of the net. Oikawa picked up a volleyball and weighed it lightly in his hand: "Don't be nervous, just like you jumped up before, I'll pass the ball to the position that's most comfortable for you."

Yuebai nodded and took his attacking position. His posture was natural and elegant, as if he knew from birth where to stand.

Oikawa tossed the ball, jumped, and with a slight flick of his wrist, the ball was precisely passed to the optimal hitting point in front of Tsukishiro.

Almost instinctively, Yuebai took a running start and jumped, her body forming a perfect arc in the air, her right arm pulled back, and then she swung it out forcefully—

boom!

A loud bang echoed through the stadium as the ball slammed into the diagonal corner with astonishing speed, the force of which left the receiving player with no time to react.

Silence returned.

Then came an even bigger uproar.

"That ball speed just now..."

"I saw an afterimage!"

"Is this really a beginner?"

As the moonlight fell, she breathed slightly, a glint of light flashing in her emerald eyes, a light she herself was unaware of. The tangible sensation of hitting the ball, the instant the ball made contact with her palm, the whistling wind in the air—everything was both strange and familiar, as if awakening some long-dormant instinct.

Oikawa walked up to him, his smile deepening and becoming meaningful: "Wow, Yukimura, right? You're simply..." He paused, searching for the right words, "...a divinely bestowed weapon."

Yuebai looked up at him, meeting his eyes in those brown eyes that sparkled with excitement. Oikawa reached out, seemingly to pat him on the shoulder, but changed his mind halfway and instead gave him a thumbs up.

"Interested in becoming Aoki's main attacker?" Oikawa's voice was full of enticement. "I have a feeling we'll make a great combination."

Iwaizumi walked over, his brow still furrowed, but the look in his eyes as he looked at Yuebai was different: "You have great talent, but you need systematic training. Starting tomorrow, you'll do basic exercises with the first-year students."

Yuebai nodded slightly, but his gaze unconsciously followed the volleyball flying through the air. His fingers unconsciously clenched and unclenched, as if recalling the feeling of hitting the ball just now.

After training, Yuebai stayed in the gym alone to tidy up the equipment. He wiped each volleyball clean and neatly put them back in the basket, his movements meticulous.

Oikawa and Iwaizumi were watching him from the doorway.

"What do you think, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa's voice was unusually serious.

"He has amazing talent, but he's too closed off," Iwaizumi commented. "He doesn't seem like a team player."

"That's what makes it interesting." Oikawa's lips curled into a confident smile. "The process of polishing the rough stone is the most interesting part, isn't it?"

Yuebai was unaware of their conversation. He picked up the last volleyball, his fingertips gently tracing the leather surface, the circular trajectory reflected in his emerald eyes.