Because of his delicate looks, Ryosuke unknowingly became a small sensation on the very first morning of school—though he himself had no idea this had happened.
For the first time, the Shiratorizawa physical test site was this crowded. Most of the people gathered were there to gawk at the good-looking new students.
"Whoa, whoa, look! Isn't that the underclassman we saw this morning?"
"It's him! He's so cute!"
"Cute? Is it really okay to use that word for a guy?"
Most of the crowd had come from some mysterious school forum. Someone had uploaded photos of Ryosuke taken at the school gate that morning, and the post had instantly blown up.
After all, there weren't many handsome guys at Shiratorizawa. And even when there were, they were usually… a little odd. Suddenly having such a delicate-looking freshman show up was a real eye-opener for everyone.
Standing next to Ushijima, Reon also caught bits of the chatter. He nodded in quiet satisfaction. Looks like the new underclassman is pretty popular. Maybe there'll be girls coming to watch practice from now on.
Meanwhile, the big cat in question was in the middle of the next round of testing, scratching his head in confusion. Why are there suddenly so many people? That's weird.
The advisor was holding a clipboard, going through the freshmen's data one by one. So far, only three stood out clearly: Ryosuke Hanyu, Tsutomu Goshiki, and Yunohama.
Tsutomu Goshiki had a wide variety of shot paths. His sharp cross shots even had a bit of that Bokuto-from-Fukurodani feel to them… hmm, and their personalities were kind of similar too.
Yunohama's jump float serve was solid. A six-step jump float—no one in the Shiratorizawa volleyball club could do that yet. His jumping ability was good too, though still a step behind Ryosuke Hanyu.
Let me check his records… Kitagawa Daiichi in middle school, huh. He didn't seem to have much of a reputation back then.
Still, at Shiratorizawa, with a jump float like that, if he polishes the rest of his skills, he could eventually go head-to-head with Eita Semi as a middle blocker.
Ryosuke Hanyu… The advisor scratched his head. This one was tricky—not because of his level, but because it was hard to decide where to place him.
He could receive Ushijima's serves, and he had outstanding spatial awareness and vision. With proper training, he wouldn't even need a full season to catch up to Yamagata. When Yamagata retired, Ryosuke stepping in would create an incredibly strong defensive wall.
But with his height and reach, training him as a libero would be a complete waste. It would make people think Shiratorizawa didn't know the value of its own players. Just thinking about it made his head hurt.
His serve was also noteworthy. For a first-year to develop a jump serve with that kind of speed—if he became a libero, he wouldn't even be allowed to serve.
For the first time, the advisor hit a complete roadblock over a freshman's data and position. He felt like his brain was about to split in half.
He sighed, glanced at Coach Washijō standing behind him with his hands clasped behind his back, hesitated for a moment, and was just about to speak—when Coach Washijō cut him off.
"I know what you want to say. That brat likes spiking, but his attitude toward spiking is just that it feels good to slam the ball down. He likes it, but he's not serious about it.
It's like how you drink. You like shochu, but if there's no shochu, it's not the end of the world.
But receiving is something Ryosuke absolutely needs. Anytime, anywhere, he'll want to get every single ball up. If he fails once, he'll make sure to get the next one."
The advisor stared blankly as Coach Washijō finished speaking in one breath, realizing he still didn't understand the old man as well as he thought.
Coach Washijō was… unexpectedly attentive. What a tsundere little old man.
Then Coach Washijō let out a heavy snort.
"Useless. Receiving doesn't score points, yet he's this obsessed. Tomorrow morning's practice match, give him the libero position. For external matches, arrange him as a middle blocker. Ryosuke's receiving is the kind that can kill a team without scoring a single point.
We'll treat this as Shiratorizawa's internal secret weapon. We'll decide properly once Yamagata retires."
The physical testing wrapped up amid the conversation between the advisor and Coach Washijō. Next came the daily morning practice matches for the freshmen.
The roster hadn't been finalized yet, but once it was, the players selected for the practice match would almost certainly be this year's best prospects.
Everyone understood this much: once you played in the practice match, you were guaranteed a place at Shiratorizawa—either as a reserve or a regular.
Under the sparkling gazes of the freshmen, Coach Washijō calmly took the clipboard from the advisor's hands.
"Tomorrow morning's practice match will be a 3v3. That means only three of you will be selected."
Hearing this, the freshmen clenched their fists nervously. Everyone hoped the one chosen would be themselves.
Ryosuke and Goshiki were swept up in the tension as well, their nerves tightening without them realizing it.
Coach Washijō looked over the group and spoke evenly. "Among the regulars who play daily are Yamagata, Eita Semi, and Reon.
From the freshmen—Tsutomu Goshiki."
"Yes!!" Goshiki answered loudly, unable to hide his excitement.
"Your position tomorrow morning is wing spiker."
"Yes!" Flames practically ignited behind Goshiki's back. Wing spiker—then I'll be the one to succeed Ushijima-senpai! I'll challenge Ushijima-senpai!
"Next, Yunohama. Setter."
Yunohama, who had been standing in the corner with his head down, snapped his head up in shock. Me… me? I was chosen? I really was chosen! Ha! I really am the chosen one!
"Yes!"
Ryosuke watched his good friend and Yunohama, took a deep breath, and looked straight at Coach Washijō. I'll be chosen. I have to be.
"Next, Ryosuke Hanyu. For now, your position is opposite hitter," Coach Washijō said, glancing at him as he finished.
Me… chosen. Really chosen. Waaah… I'm so happy.
The big cat's mouth puckered as he answered, "Yes!"
His eyes immediately turned into wobbly, watery blobs again (the cat was overwhelmed).
Coach Washijō shot him an annoyed glare. Useless. He's this old and still cries so easily.