Morning – Karasuno High, Day Before the Match
The sun filtered through the windows of the Karasuno gym. Practice was intense but focused. No one needed to be reminded that Date Tech was next.
They all knew.
"The Iron Wall," Tanaka muttered between drills. "Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps."
"Good," Daichi said. "Because they don't let anything through. You've seen the tape."
Yamaguchi shuddered. "They're so big. So... efficient."
Riku stood to the side, arms crossed, observing their footwork patterns and rotations. His mind was active—not just with tactics, but with something deeper. Something off.
The system pulse had been growing stronger all morning. Not a warning—but a feeling. As if something at Date Tech was like him.
Kageyama passed by and narrowed his eyes. "You look like you're scanning ghosts."
"I might be," Riku muttered.
Kiyoko entered just then with a clipboard and a fresh batch of opponent profiles. She walked directly toward Riku.
"You'll want to see this," she said, her voice cool as always, but there was something in her gaze—curiosity mixed with tension.
She handed him a photo.
It was Date Tech's roster. Riku's eyes scanned the list. The usual suspects were there—Aone, Futakuchi, and others—but then he stopped.
Name: Hayato Kurosawa
Height: 194cm
Position: Middle Blocker
Class: 2nd Year Transfer
Note: Recently transferred. Dominant blocker. Unreadable reactions. No prior match footage.
Riku's system flared to life.
System Alert: Hidden Signature Detected – \[??? System Core Present]
Warning: Target "Hayato Kurosawa" contains fragmented system coding. Similar architecture detected. Connection: Unknown.
Riku's breath hitched.
Another system user.
Evening – Dorm Room
Riku sat on the edge of his futon, staring at the profile again.
A second system user.
Rob had never mentioned others.
He pulled up the system manually.
"Rob," he called mentally. "Are you there?"
Nothing.
Radio silence.
Not even a cheeky insult.
Just as he was about to log off, another screen appeared.
System Notification: Restricted Admin Message – Pre-loaded File
"In Case You Meet Another Player."
He opened it.
Rob's image appeared, serious once more.
"Alright, I hoped this wouldn't happen so soon, but here's the deal."
"There are others. Not many. Some died early, some never awakened. Some are like you—trying to make something better. Others? They didn't come here to play fair."
"They're called Variants. Some are unstable. Some are hostile. If you meet someone whose energy feels familiar, they're either your ally… or your greatest threat."
"And one last thing—don't trust the system too much. It learns from you. But so does the enemy."
The message ended.
Riku sat there, silent.
So… Kurosawa wasn't just an opponent.
He might be something more.
Game Day – Miyagi Prefectural Gymnasium
The crowd was packed.
Date Tech players marched in like tanks—uniform, brutal, and massive. Their presence was cold and disciplined.
But Kurosawa?
He was different.
Riku spotted him during warmups. The guy didn't shout. Didn't even blink. His eyes were dull gray, and his expression was neutral, unreadable.
But when he leapt for a practice block, Riku saw it—the faint flicker of energy ripple from his feet.
System energy.
Yup. Kurosawa was one of them.
And he was good.
Daichi gathered the team. "You all know Date Tech. We've prepared for this. Trust your training. Work as one."
Everyone nodded.
Hinata cracked his knuckles. "Let's break the wall."
Riku's eyes locked with Kurosawa's across the court.
No words were spoken.
But both knew.
This wasn't just a match.
It was a battle between system wielders.
Match Start – Karasuno vs Date Tech
Date Tech served first.
It was a bullet float serve, but Nishinoya received it cleanly. Kageyama set it wide—Hinata launched in—and slammed it—
Boom.
Blocked.
Not just by Aone—but Kurosawa as well.
Their timing was flawless.
And Kurosawa didn't react.
He just turned and walked back into position like a machine.
Karasuno reset.
This time, Riku rotated into front court.
Kageyama tossed him a test set.
He spiked left, eyes watching the block.
Kurosawa didn't even jump.
But Aone did—and blocked it.
Riku landed confused.
What just happened?
Then his system buzzed.
Opponent Ability Detected: Kurosawa's Passive – "Link Block: Ghost Reading"
Kurosawa does not block directly. He reads your movement and transfers data to Aone via system resonance.
They're linked.
"Smart…" Riku whispered. "But let's see how fast you adapt."
Next play.
He called for a delayed spike.
He jumped, paused midair, shifted his posture mid-swing—
This time, Kurosawa jumped.
Too early.
Riku spiked through the gap between Aone's shifting hands.
Point.
He turned and gave a slight smirk toward Kurosawa.
The tall blocker's eye twitched—barely.
But it was enough.
System Message: Tactical Advantage Shifted
Opponent "Kurosawa" has registered your pattern. Counter-adaptive state initiated.
Oh… he learns too.
This would be a game of evolution.
Not just of skill.
But of systems, minds, and willpower.