Postmatch

"Good, everyone, you all did very well in the match; let's keep preparing for the nationals qualifiers."

"So, guys, what did you think of our first game?" asked Hajime.

"This game really highlighted my weakness in passing. Honestly, I don't think I can fill the skill gap by the start of the qualifiers," Kanji said sadly.

"Hey, that sad mode doesn't suit you. The best thing you can do now is focus on what you're already good at, so why not try to polish your blocking even more to contribute more to the defense?"

"That's true... SO IT'S DECIDED, I'LL IMPROVE MY BLOCKS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM."

"HAHA and you, Wataru-kun? What do you plan to do before the start of the tournament?"

"I'll just keep doing what I've been doing and keep learning from Washio-Senpai."

"I see."

After these events, the trip continued normally, and Hajime arrived home.

"Good morning."

"Hello, son, how was your game?" Satsuki asked.

"It was really cool; there were some really good players on the other team."

"And did you win?" Miyamura asked.

"Of course, how could I lose hehe."

"That's my son, hehe."

A day has passed since the last game, and Hajime is back at school for another day of practice with the team. At one point, while a teacher was explaining something about biology or something like that, Hajime was thinking about the club's future.

"It's clear that our starting lineup is very strong, but there's still a lot of depth lacking. Not having a backup wears out our starters."

"So, I've decided to take a look at the other strings to see if I can find someone interesting who could be integrated into the main team. I'll arrive a little earlier for practice to do so."

After the end of the class:

Hajime enters the gym where the practice is taking place and sits in the stands to observe.

"Let's see what we have here."

Hajime observes that there are two teams facing off, apparently the second-string against the third-string. And there were two players who caught Hajime's attention, the opposite from the second-string, and a setter from the third-string.

About the opposite, he had a deficiency in that he wasn't executing the whip motion as smoothly as possible, which was affecting his performance, but he had good height.

Regarding the setter, in Hajime's opinion, he was a perfect backup as he was average in everything, not having a major deficiency in his game, and also had good height.

Hajime just waited for the game to end to approach them.

"Hello, what's your name?"

"Kaito Tamura."

"I'm Hajime Nakamura from the seventh grade."

"I know, everyone in the volleyball club knows you."

"OH, well, I was watching the game earlier, and I believe you have a lot of potential to join the main team."

"Really?"

"Yes, but I need to check with my seniors first to see if they approve, so stay for today's practice. And another thing, do you know that winger from the third-string who played against you?"

"Yes, he's my friend... HEY SHOGO, COME HERE," Kaito shouted.

"What's up, Kaito-kun?"

"Hajime is here to talk to you."

"OH, Hello, I'm Shogo Ito from the eighth grade, what do you have to say to me?" Shogo asked.

"I'm here to propose a test for you and Kaito to join the main team because I saw talent in you both. Just come see us in the other gym in 20 minutes."

"OKAY."

20 MINUTES PASSED:

"Guys, before we start training, Hajime has something to tell us," the coach said.

"So, I was watching the practice of the other strings, and I found two players that I think have the potential to become players on our main roster."

"These are Kaito Tamura and Shogo Ito; they play as opposite and winger, respectively."

"Hello," they both said.

"These are positions we don't have substitutes for, so it's certainly worth a try," said the coach.

So, the famous 3x3 test took place.

"I believe I understand why you were interested in them, Hajime. The opposite has interesting potential if he becomes more effective in his plays, and the winger is quite solid in everything he does. Additionally, both have good height."

"With all that said, you have been integrated into the main team, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, everyone," commented Hajime.

"LET'S START THE TRAINING."

The training proceeded normally with the addition of the new members, who had to rest a little earlier since they had already played a match before.

"Great job today, everyone."

"Before the end of the training, I'd like to announce that the qualifiers bracket is out, and we know who we'll be playing against."

"We'll be facing Kisaragi Middle High School in two weeks, be prepared."

And thus, another day in Hajime's life in the world of Haikyū came to an end.