The classroom was buzzing with noise as Goshiki and Ryosuke found seats and sat down together.
For Ryosuke, not having to take the initiative to greet anyone felt wonderful. He tilted his head slightly and looked at the new classmate he'd just met.
Lively inside and out… I'm kind of jealous.
Noticing the gaze, Goshiki turned around and met Ryosuke's face—sharp features that were hard to ignore. He couldn't help but say,
"Ryosuke, you've got a really striking look."
Before long, a teacher entered the classroom to take attendance, and the noise gradually died down.
So I really did take this step…
Ryosuke's thoughts were nowhere near the classroom. He had always been passive and shy, never someone who asked for things on his own.
Aside from volleyball—something he'd stuck with for a long time—Ryosuke felt painfully ordinary, even cowardly.
After class, everyone began getting acquainted with one another.
A large group of girls gathered around Ryosuke's desk. His nerves immediately spiked again. Whenever he got tense, his face stiffened, making him look difficult to approach.
The girls nearby whispered excitedly.
"Wow, Ryosuke-kun is so pretty."
"Right? Totally."
"And the one next to him—does he have a bowl cut?"
Goshiki: …Damn it, ikemen.
Surrounded by so many girls, Ryosuke took a deep breath—and the next second, something white and soul-like seemed to float right out of his mouth…
Goshiki's expression twisted in shock as he rushed over and shook him.
"Are you okay, Ryosuke-kun?! What's going on—did your soul just leave your body?!"
"S-so… many people… I'm surrounded…" (sniffling)
"Are you an anime character or what?! Your soul is literally drifting out!"
After the commotion finally died down and the crowd dispersed, Ryosuke barely managed to calm himself. He gave Goshiki a strained, pale smile.
Ah… he really looks like an innocent girl being bullied. (Not.)
At that moment, the class president chosen earlier that day walked over.
"On the first day of school, everyone needs to join a club. Ryosuke-kun, Goshiki-kun—what club are you planning to join?"
"Volleyball Club!"
"Volleyball Club!"
They answered in unison. Afterward, they stared at each other in disbelief, both of them wide-eyed.
"You admire Senior Ushijima too?!"
"You like volleyball too?!"
Then they froze again.
"Senior Ushijima…?"
"Of course I like volleyball."
After blurting out those completely mismatched lines at the same time, both of their expressions turned strange.
Goshiki was the first to speak again, launching into an enthusiastic explanation for Ryosuke.
"Senior Ushijima is one of the top five wing spikers in the country! His left-handed power shots are insanely strong—Senior Ushijima is the strongest!"
The more he talked, the brighter Goshiki's eyes became. He even snorted out two excited breaths before adding,
"I came here to surpass Senior Ushijima!"
Ryosuke had never read Volleyball Monthly. He hadn't played many official matches either—because of family reasons, his family had strongly opposed him playing volleyball in the past. Most of the time, he could only watch match videos on his computer and practice receiving and spiking on his own.
"I really like volleyball too. If we both join the club, we'll be teammates," Ryosuke said excitedly.
"Woooooo!"
Goshiki cheered, hot air puffing out of his nose.
(Like a little steam train.)
In the end, both of them picked up application forms for the volleyball club.
Ryosuke looked down at the form in his hands and thought, I haven't even told him yet…
Well, I'll just make it a surprise.
And so, someone happily decided to join the volleyball club—and became good friends with Goshiki.
Today's Achievements: Made a new friend; joined the volleyball club
Obtained Skill: Silence Is Golden
Unlocked Character: Wakatoshi Ushijima
Making a friend on the very first day of school instantly boosted Ryosuke's confidence. Before enrolling, he'd been worried that his quiet nature would make it hard to get along with others. Now that he'd made a new friend, that probably wouldn't be an issue anymore… right? Hehe.
"Ryosuke, let's go report to the volleyball club after school, okay?"
"Sure!"
Goshiki's ears turned red with excitement. I'll finally get to see Senior Ushijima! Can I ask him for an autograph? Would that be rude? He seems like he'd be easy to talk to…
Ryosuke sat beside him, watching his friend's expression shift back and forth as he struggled internally, and quietly laughed to himself.
Ah, this new school is great. Making friends this fast—awesome!
After a full day of classes, the two of them quickly packed up and sprinted toward the gym.
"Huff… huff…"
Goshiki shot a complicated look at Ryosuke, who didn't even seem out of breath.
What the heck? He doesn't look like he has great stamina at all—why is he so fast?!
They stopped in front of the gym. Even after school, people were still training inside. Ryosuke and Goshiki watched as the setter sent the ball out again.
Following the setter's line of sight—
"Senior Ushijima!"
Shirabu called out to his wing spiker. Perfect angle. Perfect timing.
"Bang!"
The ball struck his palm with a deep, heavy sound and shot across the court like a cannonball—
Wait, that direction's wrong! The ball was flying straight toward the two of them at the entrance!
No way, no way—am I really about to die on my very first day joining the volleyball club?! Goshiki panicked.
Ryosuke, who'd been spacing out, reacted instantly. He grabbed Goshiki and switched places with him.
He bent his knees, leaned forward, and absorbed the ball's force at a perfect angle. The ball slammed into his arms, and Ryosuke rolled backward with the momentum.
The volleyball flew in a flawless arc, landing perfectly above Reon Ōhira on the opposite side of the net.
A perfect first pass—smooth, comfortable, with impeccable angle. Reon Ōhira didn't hesitate, spreading his arms and smashing the ball down.
"Bang!"
Point.
The gym fell completely silent. Everyone who'd been training turned to stare at Ryosuke and Goshiki. Goshiki himself was completely frozen.
What…? Ryosuke actually received Senior Ushijima's ball?!
Reon Ōhira: That touch, that angle—what a perfect first pass.
The Advisor, watching from the side: "A-amazing…"
Under the gaze of everyone present, Goshiki and Ryosuke stiffened and introduced themselves.
"Hello, seniors. My name is Ryosuke Hanyu, First-Year Class Three. I'm applying to join the club."
"Hello, seniors! My name is Tsutomu Goshiki! First-Year Class Three—I'm applying to join the club!"