⋆˚࿔  🍙 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

As we stepped into the gym, the sounds of sharp shouts and the steady thud of volleyballs hitting the floor filled the air. The atmosphere was charged with focus and intensity; the boys' volleyball team was already deep in practice, their movements precise and almost synchronized.

Atsumu gestured toward the court where the girls' team was warming up. "Coach should be over there, with the girls' team," he said, guiding me toward the far end of the gym. "You'll get to meet them all properly in a minute."

I followed, taking in the sight of both teams in action. It felt surreal, watching them and knowing I'd soon be leading the girls on this very court.

As we got closer, a tall man in a track jacket, clipboard in hand, noticed us approaching. He was observing the girls' practice with a focused gaze but turned when Atsumu waved him over.

"Coach! We've got someone here for you," Atsumu called, stepping aside to let me introduce myself.

The coach's expression softened slightly as he gave me a nod of acknowledgment. "You must be Kageyama Yuki. Welcome to Inarizaki." His tone was warm but held an air of authority that made me stand straighter. "I'm Coach Takagi—head coach for both the boys' and girls' teams."

Surprise flickered across my face. "You coach both teams?"

He nodded. "We have a second coach who works primarily with the boys, especially during their more intense training sessions. But I'll be overseeing your team as well."

The weight of what lay ahead started to settle in. This was a prestigious position, and it meant Coach Takagi would expect a lot from me as captain and setter. The pressure was real, but that only fueled my determination. I gave him a respectful bow. "It's an honor, Coach Takagi. I'll do my best to meet your expectations."

He offered a small smile before turning to the girls' team, who had gathered nearby, curious about the new face. Coach Takagi raised his voice just slightly. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce your new captain and setter, Kageyama Yuki."

A mix of murmurs and surprised expressions met me as I stepped forward, meeting each of their gazes. Some girls looked curious, others slightly skeptical, but most of them offered friendly smiles, and I returned their enthusiasm with a confident nod.

"Nice to meet you all!" I said, my voice carrying through the gym. "I know transferring in and stepping into this role isn't easy, but I'm here to work hard alongside you. Let's aim for the top together!"

One of the girls, a tall girl with her arms crossed, nodded approvingly. "We've heard a lot about Karasuno's team. If you're anything like them, we'll do well with you here."

I chuckled, feeling a mix of pride and nervousness. Coach Takagi placed a hand on my shoulder. "You're in capable hands, girls. Let's give her a warm welcome."

Just then, the energy shifted slightly, and I caught a glimpse of the boys' team out of the corner of my eye, engrossed in an intense drill with their second coach.

Coach Takagi gave me a nod of approval before stepping back, signaling for the girls to get back to practice. My teammates immediately split up, pairing off to work on drills, but a few of them threw curious glances my way as I moved to join in.

I could sense their anticipation—new players meant change, and not everyone was comfortable with that. But as their captain, it was up to me to earn their trust.

The tall girl who'd spoken up earlier jogged over with a friendly grin. "Hey, I'm Hanako Saito. Middle blocker. Heard you're a setter; I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do." She extended a hand, which I took eagerly.

"Great to meet you, Hanako," I replied, feeling a bit of the tension in my shoulders ease. "Let's push each other, yeah?"

As we worked through passing drills, I tried to stay focused, though I couldn't help but steal glances at the boys' team across the gym.

They were practicing a complicated rally with sharp, precise moves and quick reactions—Atsumu's sets were lightning-fast, and his spikes hit like cannon shots. The intensity of their play made me itch to get out on the court and face them myself one day.

Suddenly, I was pulled from my thoughts as a ball whipped past me, almost catching me in the shoulder. I looked up to see one of the other girls, her brow raised.

"Stay focused, Captain," she teased, though her eyes held a challenging glint. "The boys can wait. For now, you're ours."

I felt my cheeks flush slightly, but I grinned back. "You're right—no distractions."

The girls' team was tougher than I'd expected, their skills sharp and their movements confident. I could already tell that they had the potential to make waves in the upcoming season.

It wasn't just about filling in for them; I'd need to find a way to lead and inspire them in a way that would bring out their best. Every pass, every set, every spike—they all had a sense of urgency that made me even more determined to step up to the challenge.

After an hour of intense drills, Coach Takagi gathered us in a huddle. Sweat clung to all of us, and the gleam of determination in everyone's eyes told me they were as serious as I was about making this season different.

"Good work today, everyone," Coach Takagi said, his gaze settling on me for a brief moment before sweeping across the rest of the team. "Kageyama's come a long way to be here, but it's up to each of you to make her feel like part of the team. Captains aren't made overnight, so help her find her place among you."

Hanako nudged me playfully, whispering, "No pressure, Captain."

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

As everyone filed out of the gym, Coach Takagi called me over, a small bag in his hand.

"This is for you, Kageyama. Your new uniform," he said, handing it to me. His eyes held a glint of pride as he added, "You'll be wearing number one. Make it count."

I looked down at the crisp white and black jersey and the warm team jacket with Inarizaki printed across the back. This was real.

"Thank you, Coach. I won't let you down," I replied earnestly.

With a nod, he dismissed me, and I walked out of the gym, holding the uniform bag close. As I approached the school gate, I caught sight of two familiar figures leaning against the entrance pillars. Atsumu's arms were crossed, his ever-present smirk in place, while Osamu stood next to him with a casual but curious look.

"Hey, Yuki!" Atsumu called out, pushing off the pillar as I neared. "Took you long enough. We were startin' to wonder if Coach was giving you some special treatment."

I raised an eyebrow, unable to hide my amusement. "Waiting for me, huh? Didn't know you were so eager to see me in the number one jersey," I teased, holding up the bag slightly.

Osamu rolled his eyes, though a small smile played on his lips. "He just wanted to see if you'd actually come out with it."

"True," Atsumu agreed, his tone a little more serious. "Coach doesn't hand that number out to just anyone, y'know. You must've made quite the impression."

Feeling their eyes on me, I tried to steady the excitement bubbling within. "I'm just here to give my best," I replied, meeting their gazes with determination. "Number one or not, I'm going to work hard for this team."

Atsumu gave a low whistle. "She's got the fire, all right. Hope ya don't burn out too fast, Captain."

I smirked back. "Same goes for you, Setter. Can you handle having another Kageyama on the court?"

Osamu laughed, clapping his brother on the back. "Don't let her show you up, 'Tsumu."

Atsumu grinned, eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and challenge. "Guess we'll just have to see, won't we?"

I felt the adrenaline course through me as we stood there, sizing each other up. For the first time, I felt like I belonged here, like I had something to prove not just to myself but to my new team—and, unexpectedly, to these two as well.

"Well then, Captain Yuki," Atsumu said with a playful salute. "Welcome to Inarizaki."

✩ ᵕ̈ ིྀ ! 02 •˙ ⌗ ⊱