3 Middle School

Time has passed, and I continue training with my parents. Despite my efforts, I find it challenging to copy many movements due to my height and their superior skills. Consequently, my approach is to memorize their actions and absorb as much knowledge as possible.

Six years have gone by, and I am now entering middle school. I discover that I will be attending Ushimi Middle School, known for its strong volleyball team.

On the first day of school, I find myself at the entrance, observing numerous students entering through the gate. The school appears quite large, featuring a football field and two gyms dedicated to the volleyball and basketball teams.

As I make my way to my classroom, 7-A, I notice various students engaged in conversations, while others sit patiently, awaiting the start of class. Many seem to take notice of my presence, perhaps due to my resemblance to Satoru (hehe, thank you, God). I also spot a boy I recognize from the anime, with blond hair and a black fringe styled upwards.

"Hmm, if I recall correctly, his name is Kanji Koganegawa, who played for the Date Tech team, forming the Iron Wall."

I decide to take a seat next to Koganegawa, near the window, which offers a view directly onto the football field, currently unoccupied.

I was just observing the field while waiting for the class to begin when I hear someone next to me calling out.

Koganegawa: HEY, YOU'RE PRETTY TALL... HOW TALL ARE YOU???

I notice that he is quite determined, just like in the anime... hahaha.

Hajime: I'm 171cm, and you?

Koganegawa: I'm 173cm, looks like I won, hahahaha. By the way, what's your name? Mine is Kanji Koganegawa.

Hajime: I'm Hajime Nakamura, nice to meet you, Koganegawa-san.

Koganegawa: OHHH, Nakamura? Like Miyamura and Satsuki, both players on the Japanese volleyball team??

Hajime: Yes, they're my parents, hehehe.

Koganegawa: Oh, so you want to be a volleyball player too?? I plan to join the school's volleyball club. Registrations are open, and tryouts start this week.

Hajime: Indeed, I want to become a volleyball player. Could you show me where to register, Koganegawa-san?

Koganegawa: Sure, during the break, I'll take you to the registration spot. By the way, another student asked me for help too—Wataru Onaga from class 7-B. Also, feel free to call me Kanji. Can I call you Hajime?

Hajime: Of course!

Interval time:

Hajime: So, Kanji-san, shall we register?

Kanji: Let's go. Just wait a moment; I'll call Wataru.

Hajime observes Kanji entering the next-door classroom and calling a boy, whom, upon closer inspection, he recognizes from the anime as the first-year middle blocker from Fukurōdani.

Kanji: Hajime, this is Wataru Onaga; he also wants to join the volleyball club with us.

Wataru Onaga: Hello, how are you? I'm Wataru Onaga.

Hajime: Nice to meet you, Wataru-san.

Kanji: Alright, let's go. From what I heard, to register for the club tryouts, we need to talk to Hana Saito from class 9-A. She's the club assistant and handles the registrations.

They walk towards the second floor as the ninth-grade classrooms are located upstairs. While walking down the second-floor corridor, Hajime notices a lovely girl with blonde hair and green eyes putting up flyers on the walls, seemingly about the volleyball club.

Kanji: Good morning, Hana-san. We're seventh-graders and want to register for the volleyball club tryouts.

Hana: Eh, the three of you have good height...

Hana: Well, tell me your names, class, and height.

Kanji: Kanji Koganegawa, Class 7-A, and 173cm tall.

Hajime: Hajime Nakamura, 7-A, and 171cm tall.

Wataru: Wataru Onaga, 7-B, and 174cm tall.

Hana: Understood. Tomorrow, come to the first gym to the right of the main gate. The regular members will test and determine which string you'll be assigned to.

Hajime: What do you mean by "string"?

Hana: We have a string system, ranging from the third rope to the first. As players progress, they move up the strings. Although some new members are so skilled that they go straight to the first-string, none can become starters because our team is strong, but we lack substitutes. See you later.

The next day after class:

Kanji: I think this is the gym they told us to come to, right?

Hajime: Definitely.

Kanji: THEN WHY ISN'T ANYONE HERE??

Wataru: Relax, let's just wait for the seniors.

(They hear the door behind them open)

Bokuto: HEY HEY HEY, our freshmen have arrived.

(Hajime and the others look back and see six people, four of whom he recognizes from the anime.)

"The first ones are Bokuto, the future Ace of Fukurōdani, Tatsuki Washio, a middle blocker also from Fukurōdani, Shinsuke Kita, a wing spiker from Inarizaki High School, Shinji Watari, the libero from Aobajosai. Besides them, there's Hana, the club's assistant, and a more experienced man who appears to be the team's coach. He had graying hair and a serious look on his face.

Bokuto: So, you guys are the freshmen who want to join our glorious team?

Yamamoto Genryusai: Hey, wait a moment, Bokuto. Good afternoon, kids. I'm Yamamoto Genryusai, the coach of this team, but you can call me Coach Yamamoto.

Yamamoto: First of all, I need to know why you want to join the club.

Kanji: I WANT TO JOIN THE CLUB TO HAVE FUN AND IMPROVE MY SKILLS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

Wataru: I want to have fun and enhance my skills while getting to know new people.

Hajime: I want to become the best volleyball player in the world and make my parents proud.

Yamamoto: Interesting kids, and all of you have good stature.

Yamamoto: Well, let's have a scrimmage to test your skills."