During the whole weekdays, the boys punctually and diligently practiced and trained.
Until, one day Oikawa injured himself while practicing serving.
As he landed, he twisted his ankle. Everybody gathered around to check if it was a serious injury.
Luckily, it was a minor ankle injury and given a week's time, he will recover.
But, he was set to miss the practice match with Karasuno.
Head coach felt relieved it wasn't a serious injury. Coach Mizoguchi immediately banned him from practicing or training for a whole week. Oikawa was disappointed but complied.
Iwaizumi started to scold Oikawa about how careless he could be. Meanwhile, Kirito was making fun of Oikawa about how he couldn't even land properly.
Then, the day arrived. Practice match with Karasuno.
Kirito, Kunimi and Kindaichi all went to the school gates to welcome the players of Karasuno.
"Why did I have to accompany?" Kindaichi complained.
"Obviously, because we are the First-years, Mr.Kindaichi." Kirito said.
"You can't trouble seniors to welcome them, you know." he added.
"But, it seems you have some animosity with Karasuno?" Kirito asked.
"Nah, it's not with Karasuno rather with Kageyama." Kindaichi said.
"Ohh, spill the tea then, Kindaichi-chan!" Kirito asked with excitement.
Kindaichi sighed.
"We never got along with Kageyama. He is a self-centered dude. Horrible at team-playing." Kindaichi started to explain.
Kunimi lazily nodded.
"Alright, alright let's not talk about him then." Kirito intervened.
"But, I heard there is a beautiful team manager in Karasuno." he added.
"Really?" Kindaichi lit up.
"Hmm, but I think you have a chance to bag her, you know." Kindaichi said to Kirito.
"Nahh, I appreciate beauty and beautiful things, but some things are better left as it is." Kirito said.
Just then, a bus pulled into the school gates.
The bus came to a halt, and slowly one by one, players wearing black tracksuits came out.
Suddenly, two figures burst out of the bus and sprinted right past everyone.
Kirito, Kunimi and Kindaichi only could see their backs.
All three of them came forward to welcome Karasuno team.
Daichi seeing three of them, immediately came forward to return the pleasantry.
"Hello! We are from Aoba Johsai volleyball team. I'm Kirito Yagami, First-year. And, they are Yutaro Kindaichi and Akira Kunimi." Kirito introduced.
"Likewise, nice to meet you all and thankyou for hosting us." Daichi replied politely.
"Also, apologies for the two players who suddenly ran off. They needed to go to washroom urgently." Daichi said with a smile.
"Haha, it's not a problem." Kirito replied.
"By the way, not to throw a curveball, are you by chance a foreign student?" Daichi asked being intrigued.
"Haha, it's fine. I am mix." Kirito replied.
"Oh sorry, my bad. You don't look Japanese, so had to ask, haha." Daichi said with a smile.
Kirito smiled and nodded.
Kirito lead them into the gym.
Meanwhile, Kirito was very excited. He was seeing the main roster, the main support group in front of him. The characters he used to watch in 2D form, now in live flesh.
Kirito smiled and went to do some light stretching before the match.
During this light stretching session, he looked around at the stats of other players-
[Name: Hinata Shoyo
Height: 162.8 cm
Speed: 97
Strength: 65
Stamina: 104
Jump: 98
Spiking power: 65
Balance: 98
Technique: Spiking(68), Receiving(62), Blocking(62)]
"What kind of physical stat are these?" Kirito muttered in surprise.
"Being at 162 cm, but has a jump of 98?!" Kirito bewildered.
"What's with that stamina? 104? Triple digits?!" Kirito became speechless.
Sure, technically Hinata may not be very good at them currently, but that physical stats are beyond superhuman.
Kirito looked at Kageyama-
[Name: Tobio Kageyama
Height: 180.6cm
Speed: 88
Strength: 90
Stamina: 94
Jump: 88
Balance: 90
Technique: Setting(117), Serving(104)]
"What is happening? Why is his setting and serving in triple digit?! He's just a first-year like me." Kirito was beyond shocked.
Kirito was becoming more and more surprised by the minute looking at these two monsters. One is physically superhuman, while the other is technically superhuman.
[Name: Kei Tsukishima
Height: 188.3 cm
Speed: 75
Strength: 76
Stamina: 76
Jump: 76
Balance: 73
Technique: Blocking(75), Spiking(70)]
Decent player. Height is very good for a First-year.
[Name: Daichi Sawamura
Height: 176.8 cm
Speed: 80
Strength: 87
Stamina: 81
Jump: 80
Balance: 80
Technique: Blocking(80), Serving(80), Receiving(87), Spiking(80)]
All rounded-player. The captain of Karasuno.
[Name: Ryūnosuke Tanaka
Height: 177.2 cm
Speed: 80
Strength: 89
Stamina: 88
Jump: 85
Balance: 86
Technique: Blocking(78), Serving(85), Receiving(78), Spiking(85)]
Solid wing spiker. Tenacious and strong-willed.
In Karasuno's side-
"Kageyama! Did you see that foreigner student?!" Hinata said in excitement.
"Idiot! Focus on your spiking! Don't wander your mind!" Kageyama responded.
"Oh, Your Highness is feeling the pressure, huh?" Tsukishima said from behind.
Kageyama just glared at him and went to his position.
"But, he is so tall! I wanna grow up tall like him!" Hinata said joyfully.
"Pfft-" Tsukishima tried to hold his laugh.
"Idiot." Kageyama thought.
Aoba Johsai lineup:
Front row: Outside Hitter Kirito Yagami, Middle blocker Yutaro Kindaichi, Setter Shigeru Yahaba
Back row: Outside hitter Takahiro Hanamaki, (Libero: Shinji Watari), Opposite hitter Akira Kunimi, Outside hitter Hajime Iwaizumi.
Karasuno lineup:
Front row: Middle blocker Shōyō Hinata, Middle blocker Kei Tsukishima, Setter Tobio Kageyama
Back row: Outside hitter Ryūnosuke Tanaka, Opposite hitter Daichi Sawamura, Outside hitter Chikara Ennoshita.
Kirito came forward to shake hands with Hinata.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Kirito Yagami." Kirito introduced politely.
"Pleasure to meet you as well, I'm Hinata Shoyo." Hinata introduced enthusiastically while bowing.
"He is full of energy and good vibes as depicted in the anime." Kirito thought while smiling.
"Nice to meet you as well, Kageyama." Kirito said to Kageyama.
Kageyama looked at Kirito and just nodded. Cold as ever. But that's who he is, Kirito thought and smiled.
"You grew quite tall." he said after some time.
"Huh? Oh yeah, kinda happened." Kirito said in surprise.
"How tall are you?" Tsukishima said from behind.
"Ah, nice to meet you as well. I'm 196 cm tall" Kirito said to Tsukishima.
"Hmm, 8 cm difference from me." Tsukishima thought.
"Well, let's have a good match." Kirito said to them.
They all nodded and went back to their position.