The last thing I remember is… of course, Spring High.
That orange court, lit up by dazzling lights, wrapped in thunderous cheers so loud it felt like the place itself was shaking.
The sweat we shed, the ball we kept chasing, the tears we spilled together with our teammates.
Whenever I look back, it always rises vividly in my mind.
And also, the stage of the finals we finally reached.
It was the same orange court, the same cheers, yet it felt completely different. Just one more win and… we would be champions of the nation. Nerves ran high, excitement overflowed, my body and spirit both brimming with strength, as we fought the last opponent for the title of Japan's number one.
I can always look back on it.
Back then, after each day ended, my teammates and I would predict which team seemed most likely to advance, how many sets the favorites would lose, even how many sets we might drop.
…But this much, at least, I could never have predicted.
And now—right this very moment—
I'm faced with a situation I could never have foreseen.
I should've been graduating high school in just a few days… yet here I am, a third-year middle school student.
It's not like I hit my head. And no, I didn't repeat a year either. I can state for certain that I'm perfectly normal. But I can also state with absolute certainty that the situation—no, the very world I'm in now—is impossible.
Why, you ask? Because—
"Uooooohhh!! This is insaneeee!! The Little Giant is sooo cooool!!"
The biggest reason is the boy sitting right beside me.
I don't even know how many times this makes it now—he's practically glued to the screen, watching a recorded volleyball match with rapt attention. …Entranced.
He doesn't care if he's loud. At this point, maybe that much is normal? Even so, he's as restless as ever.
That boy's name is Hinata Shōyō.
And this is the Hinata household.
I'm sure some of you recognize that name.
And no, it's not a coincidence, not just someone with the same name.
…He's someone who shouldn't exist in the real world. A being from a fictional world. A character living inside a manga. …Or at least, that's what he should've been. Yet here he is, right beside me. Moving. Breathing. Alive.
And what's more—I've been involved with him, in volleyball and beyond, for years now.
Which leads us to just one conclusion.
What happened to me is exactly the kind of thing you'd call… a manga-like story.
In other words, I realized one day that I had been reincarnated into the world of Haikyuu!!
I can't remember how or why I came to this ridiculous world.
But I remember my life in the real world—my life before reincarnating here—perfectly well. As if it were only yesterday.
Of course, at first I felt loneliness. But… now, I'm fine.
After all, I myself was someone who, upon seeing Haikyuu, picked up volleyball. Someone who admired it and set out on that path.
And as a result, I managed to reach the national stage… all the way to the finals of Spring High.
The result was the best I could ask for. My entire youth, its very foundation, is this world.
Yes, it's strange beyond belief, and yes, the thought that my past life has been overwritten frightens me to the core—but the emotions I feel outweigh that fear. Besides, in this world, I have a family too. …Though it seems I'm the only one who remembers my previous life (the real world?).
"?? What are you grinning about?"
"…Heh. That's rich, coming from you, Shōyō—you've been grinning nonstop. Anyway, how long do you plan to keep watching that?"
I had been remembering the day I first met Hinata, and I couldn't help but smile again. I've lost count of how many times I've recalled it, but no matter when I do, the memory always makes me smile.
Back then… naturally, I froze in shock, and then blurted something out.
Suspicious person? Weird kid? Yeah, that was probably the impression I gave. But it happened when I was in sixth grade, in front of an electronics shop in town, where a huge TV was playing. And on that screen was the match of the Little Giant—the very scene that marked Hinata's beginning.
So when I cried out in surprise, Hinata was kind enough to think I was amazed by the Little Giant, not just some weirdo.
And of course, from that moment, Hinata and I became friends.
He interpreted it as me cheering for the Little Giant, and immediately went, "Me too, me too!!" and clung to me like glue.
Now, we even go to the same middle school. I begged my parents, and luckily, my grandfather's house was in Yukigaoka, so I was allowed to attend.
And now, together with Hinata, as one of the few volleyball club members, I'm able to enjoy volleyball.
Of course—
I'm enjoying it seriously.
"No matter how many times I watch it, it's still amazing! 'Cause it's the Little Giant!! Alright! Let's have a match!! A practice match!!"
"A practice match, huh. I've said this before, but with just five of us… Ah, should we join the girls again? They said they've got a practice match next week. And if it's just one more player we're short of, I've got someone in mind."
"Ugh… mixing in with the girls again…"
"Idiot. Still hung up on that? I already told you—it's good experience, it'll never go to waste. And besides, the Karasuno you're aiming for won't have any shortage of members. Once we're in high school, you'll be able to play structured volleyball for real. Whatever you do, the basics come first. Perseverance is power, remember?"
"…Sometimes I think. No, not sometimes—honestly, I've thought this a lot, ever since we first met. Are you really my classmate?? Kagami Seiya-san?? Just how old are you??"
Hinata gazes up at me with a distant look.
Let me properly introduce myself here—
The reincarnated me in this world is named Kagami Seiya.
"I just… wanted to grow bigger, both in body and in spirit. That's why I've worked so hard. You too, Shōyō—do your best."
"Ha-fugh… s-so jealous…"
"But hey, Shōyō—you wanna become the Little Giant, right? Well, if you were big, you couldn't be one, you know."
"That's not the point… I just can't help but admire him…"
"So it's not about reason, huh. Well then, looks like the video's done—shall we get back to passing practice?"
"Y-yeah!!"
When it comes to volleyball practice, Hinata's whole expression changes. Just moments ago, he looked downcast about his height, yet in an instant he bounces back.
He wears the face of someone who simply can't contain his joy.
Without Kagami, Hinata would've been stuck playing volleyball all alone. Alone, there's only so much you can do. But with two people, you can practice passes. And more importantly—
"Give me a toss!!"
"Got it!"
He can spike. He can hit. And Kagami knows better than anyone just how much that means to Hinata.
Because if not for him, Hinata would've had no choice but to keep struggling alone. That's certain. Spending his spare time begging friends from other clubs to join him, until finally in his third year, new members would trickle in and at last form a team.
Starting from zero… is always steep, always difficult.
But now, things are different. Because Kagami is here, Hinata isn't alone.
They can practice passing, they can practice spiking, and he can even take part in actual matches, even if just at the very end.
Of course, he's still pretty clumsy. Kagami may have played volleyball endlessly in his past life, but teaching… well, that's something he never had much experience with.
"Hm, I did want to play at least one more match. I'm looking forward to our last official game together, Shōyō."
"Yeah!! And if it's just one more member we need—if we ask Izumin and Kouji, it'll totally work out! Absolutely!! …Wait, hold up!!"
Hinata, wound up with energy, spun around like a top while catching the ball and turned to face Kagami.
"Say, Seiya! Maybe I'm just overthinking this, but when you said 'last'… you meant the last one in middle school, right?? We're still playing in high school too, right!? We're going to Karasuno together, aren't we!? I'm not wrong, am I!? Tell me I'm wrong!!"
"You're way too desperate! Stop pacing around like some hyper little animal! Stay!"
Kagami let out a long sigh and thought seriously for a moment.
It was true—he loved volleyball. Back then… in his past life, he worked hard enough to have no regrets. But he also felt like that youth had burned him out completely. There had been a time when he dreamed of going pro, even playing on the world stage, but now… that vision was almost gone.
Still, the truth was, coming to this world had rekindled the fire. That's why he and Hinata had kept this two-man volleyball club going. And a part of him wanted to stand across the net from this world's superhuman players.
But… more than wanting to play alongside Hinata, Kagami found himself wanting to watch. To witness, up close, closer than any VR immersion ever could, the volleyball of Karasuno. To see them fight. Against Aoba Johsai. Against Shiratorizawa in that legendary final. To see the swirling storm of emotions on the stage of the national Spring High tournament.
He wanted to see it with his own eyes. To experience it live.
That desire, as a volleyball player, was stronger than the desire to keep playing.
"So, what's it gonna be!?"
"Hmm… I haven't decided if I'll keep playing volleyball in high school. Maybe there's something else I'll want to do."
"Gaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
"Wait, do people actually say 'gaaah' out loud? Anyway, relax—it's fine. Karasuno's close to my house, so that's where I'm headed. And you're my friend, Shōyō. I'll be cheering for you."
"Why though?! Let's keep playing together!! We've always said we'd aim for the stage of the Little Giant!"
"Wasn't that just something you kept saying, Shōyō…? Well, whatever. I'll at least be your opponent, so don't get so down, alright?"
"Of course I'll get down!! Who's gonna set for me then, huh?! There's no one but you, Seiya!!"
Hearing that… Kagami remembered.
Yes, Hinata was about to encounter a fated rival in his final middle school tournament.
The one like light to his shadow: Kageyama Tobio, the genius setter known as the "King of the Court." A monster of skill. Kagami himself was originally a wing spiker, and he knew he could never match Kageyama in setting. Competing in tosses with someone who could pull off manga-level precision? Impossible.
…Not that Kagami would ever say he couldn't compete at all in a match, but still.
Either way, Hinata's fear wasn't going to come true. Kagami was certain someone would appear to toss for him.
"It's fine. Once you're at Karasuno, there'll be someone amazing. Someone who can give you incredible tosses. No doubt about it."
Seeing Kagami say it with such confidence calmed Hinata down a little.
Because whenever Kagami spoke like that, he was right. Almost one hundred percent of the time. At least when it came to volleyball. At first Hinata thought he was just an arrogant know-it-all—but not anymore.
"Wait, don't tell me—you already went to Karasuno? Without me?!"
"Why would you think that? No, no. Karasuno's an old powerhouse. Lately, they've been called 'the fallen crows,' right? But for a powerhouse, strong players will always gather. Statistically speaking. So I just figured it'd be fine. …Though saying 'statistics' to you might make your head explode."
"S-shut up! B-but still—I don't get why you wouldn't play volleyball! You're so good at it! Your serves, your tosses, your spikes—! …N-no, I won't lose at spiking!!"
Practicing together every day, Hinata knew Kagami's strength. Strong enough that it didn't make sense for him to be stuck at a weak middle school club.
Kagami just grinned.
"Yeah. Do your best."
"Hey! Not 'do your best'—let's give it our all together! Let's play volleyball together!!"
"Alright, alright, fine. Let's save that talk for high school, yeah? First, we've got our last middle school tournament. …I'll blow everyone away. With my secret weapon."
"S-secret weapon!? Whoa, that sounds awesome!! Tell me what it is!!"
"If I tell you, it won't be a secret, will it?"
"Ughhh… n-no, wait! Forget the secret weapon for now! What's more important is you declaring it! Say it! 'I, Kagami Seiya, will play volleyball with Hinata Shōyō in high school too!' Are you gonna abandon meeeee?!"
Hinata's loud cry shook the house, and suddenly a small girl came running out.
"Sei-nii!! Don't abandon him! Don't abandon us!!"
"Uwah?!"
Launching herself at him and clinging tight—it was Hinata's little sister, Hinata Natsu.
As expected of the Hinata family, her athletic ability was no joke. She leapt and latched onto his waist with surprising force.
"Whoa there, careful, Nacchan."
"Sei-nii~~"
"Seiyaaa, don't abandon us siblings~~"
"Don't abandon us~~"
""Don't abandon usss~~!!""
Even someone like Kagami, being called "Onii-chan" by such an affectionate, adorable girl—his resolve wavered a little.
"Hey! Don't teach your little sister weird stuff!!"
Well… whatever the case, today had been fun again.
And now, their very first official match was right in front of them.
That match—I remember it clearly. …So clearly. With a ragtag team of amateurs, going up against the tournament favorites—it was incredible. Even knowing it was just a manga, just an anime, I thought it was incredible. The insane skills aside, I learned so much about the mental side.
The will to not lose. The feeling of we're not done yet. …The belief that the ball still hasn't hit the ground.
(Winning! …That's ninety-nine point nine percent impossible. But don't think it'll be an easy, crushing victory, Kageyama. You'd better look forward to it. …Just kidding.)
More than anything, I just wanted to enjoy it. Truly, from the bottom of my heart.