THE YOUTH YAWNED, shouldering his backpack with a seemingly leisurely yet swift pace as he walked through the gates of Shiratorizawa, pressing his sore neck with his hand.

Last night, while playing volleyball, he inadvertently fell back into his previous life's training habits. Finishing his studies afterward led to staying up late, and coupled with the long absence of physical activity, his body felt a bit sore after a sudden burst of exercise.

Having learned his lesson this time, he only entered the school building only after making sure. Although he tried hard to ignore the gazes directed at him, he had to admit that he, who had never paid attention to these things in his previous life, found it challenging to overlook them now.

—Even if he had experienced it in his previous life, it had been completely ignored by the protagonist, who considered himself "ordinary."

Kobayashi Aotori quickened his pace with a headache. From behind, a voice called out, "K-Kobayashi-kun! Please wait!!"

He halted, calmly turned around, and looked at the girl who was running towards him with an unsteady breath. His gaze fell on her bangs, and his eyes flickered slightly.

It's her again... Always feels like there's some hidden personality beneath her seemingly gentle appearance... I really want to escape.

Unaware that the seemingly "indifferent" Kobayashi classmate in front of her was contemplating how to escape the social interaction among classmates, Tomoko Ito naturally walked beside him, her eyes radiant with joy at encountering the "volleyball genius."

The two walked side by side on the stairs, with Kobayashi Aotori listening to Tomoko Ito discussing last night's coursework, then bringing up the latest volleyball magazine, gradually steering the conversation completely towards volleyball.

Kobayashi Aotori had one hand in his pocket, raised an eyebrow slightly, and turned to look at the excited Tomoko Ito.

"Tomoko-san, are you a member of the women's volleyball team?"

Tomoko Ito's words abruptly stopped, her previously spirited expression froze, and her sparkling eyes dimmed bit by bit. Her gentle tone also became more subdued:

"...I'm too short for volleyball, and I lack strength... But mainly, due to some health reasons, I can't engage in strenuous activities anymore, Kobayashi-kun."

"!" Kobayashi Aotori's eyes widened, clearly sensing that he had said the wrong thing. Unfortunately, his experience in communicating with girls was almost zero, let alone someone as outgoing as Tomoko Ito, who seemed to get along well with everyone in the class.

He thought he made an apologetic expression, but unfortunately, it was merely a self-assumption.

Fortunately, Tomoko Ito didn't seem inclined to continue the conversation on her end. She casually continued discussing appropriate topics, smiling at Kobayashi Aotori:

"It's okay, you know. Watching volleyball is something I truly love, even if I can't play anymore."

Kobayashi Aotori's expression froze as he looked at the girl who usually got along so well with other classmates, knowing everyone's interests. At this moment, her eyes were sparkling, and her gentle voice gradually gained strength:

"Even though I can't play volleyball anymore...just by watching the matches, for some reason, I feel like I'm right there on the court, spiritually connected. It's like a whole level up!"

She grinned, showing her fangs, one hand gripping her backpack strap. With a confident smile, she looked at the bewildered Kobayashi Aotori and said in a cheerful tone:

"As spectators, our eyes are only on you players during the matches!!"

Kobayashi Aotori stared at the enthusiasm in her gray-purple eyes, blinked blankly, and spoke slowly, word by word: "Spectators, watching...?"

"...Yeah." Tomoko Ito, just coming down from her excitement, looked at Kobayashi Aotori with a puzzled expression, as if she didn't quite understand why he would ask such a question. Nevertheless, she politely nodded.

Kobayashi Aotori nodded calmly, unconsciously tightening his grip on the things he held in his hand. Although his expression was neutral, the sparkle in his eyes couldn't deceive anyone.

After this, Kobayashi Aotori remained silent, and the rest of the journey was filled with Tomoko Ito discussing information about the new classmates while he walked forward in silence.

—In the classroom, lifting his head from the textbook, Kobayashi Aotori still had Tomoko Ito's words echoing in his mind.

With the question he had been wanting to ask all along lingering in his mouth:

"Even if I'm not the savior, not the 'protagonist,' will people still watch me?"

"Will there really be eyes on me...?"

His pen, in the midst of writing, suddenly paused, breaking through the paper. The hand that held the pen clenched tightly.

——————

AFTER SCHOOL, Kobayashi Aotori walked through the vast school grounds, stepping on the sunset, with two additional figures by his side.

Tomoko Ito was expected...but why on earth does Goshiki Tsutomu want to walk with me?!

In his previous life, Kobayashi Aotori was accustomed to "chasing after notices" alone, rarely experiencing the companionship of walking together. After all, even if the timing coincided, it was unlikely to find someone who engaged in a variety of sports and studied without missing a day to accompany him.

T.N.: "赶通告" (gǎn tōnggào) is a Chinese slang term that literally translates to "rushing to deliver a notice." This term is commonly used in informal conversations or online communication to describe the act of promptly informing someone about something.

But now...

He looked at the two black heads beside him, took a deep breath, and listened as Goshiki discussed how powerful Wakatoshi Ushijima's spikes were. Tomoko Ito, who was curious, struck up a conversation. The two of them talked animatedly about volleyball on either side of him.

"..." Veins popped on Kobayashi Aotori's forehead. Seeing they were finally leaving the teaching building, he silently exhaled, thinking it was finally over...

"Huh? Kobayashi-san, the volleyball club is in this direction." Goshiki Tsutomu suddenly stopped Kobayashi Aotori from heading out of the academy, curious as he pointed in the direction of the sports building.

Ito also looked unexpectedly at Kobayashi Aotori, who seemed about to leave the school, her eyes filled with concern, silently asking:

What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell today?

Kobayashi Aotori had already considered the possibility of being asked to join the volleyball club yesterday, though not in this way, where it was assumed by the single-celled human beings that he had already joined.

He thought he would refuse directly, just as he had planned.

But he didn't.

Unconsciously, scenes of last night's spikes flashed in his mind, accompanied by the echoes of the setter's words, Ito's commitment, and the unique sensation of having everyone's gaze on him.

In Goshiki's eyes, Kobayashi Aotori frowned slightly upon hearing his words, as if in a bad mood, and Goshiki's heart tightened immediately.

W-What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, and finally, after what felt like an eternity, he heard the handsome and cold-faced boy in front of him speak:

"I haven't filled out the application form, nor applied to join the club. Can I still attend the training?"

—————

WALKING THROUGH THE QUIET GYM, aside from the heavy breathing of athletes, there were only the sounds of their heavy landings and cheers.

In Kobayashi Aotori's mind, the surprised look on the advisor's face when he went to fill out the application form flashed back to him.

I just hope they won't be too disappointed when they find out I'm not as strong as they think.

He carried his backpack, and though he wasn't wearing athletic shoes, he never paid much attention to such details in his past life. A pair of worn-out sneakers was enough for a day of running and jumping, so he didn't really mind.

However, it was still the first time he had entered such a clean and spacious sports training facility, where even the sound of his shoes hitting the floor seemed quite noticeable.

Ah, here we are.

He stood at the entrance of the volleyball department, vividly remembering the awkward experience of walking in the wrong direction last time. His perceived embarrassment and the super cool performance in the eyes of others from that moment played in his mind. He took a deep breath, symbolically knocked on the door, and once again pushed it open —

In the brightly lit room, he felt multiple pairs of eyes immediately fixating on him.

"Wow—Kobayashi-san is really here!" It was the familiar red-haired person, looking at Kobayashi Aotori standing at the doorway in surprise. He excitedly rushed over and pounced onto Goshiki's shoulder, making the latter feel a bit embarrassed:

"T-Tendou-senpai!!"

Tendou paid no attention to the other's mood and vigorously rubbed the younger one's head. "Yoishi yoishi, our Goshiki is really amazing! You even managed to persuade Kobayashi-san, super awesome!"

Persuade? Although Goshiki Tsutomu was puzzled, he was more concerned about the part where the senpai praised him. He responded in a daze, and two streams of hot air shot out of his excited nostrils.

Are you a cow? Shirabu silently complained. However, he was clearly surprised by Kobayashi Aotori's arrival. When Goshiki mentioned that he was on his way, Shirabu had initially thought it was just a ploy to get the gullible Goshiki out of the way.

He didn't expect him to really show up. His eyes flickered slightly, and those around him shared similar thoughts.

Just as an unspoken understanding settled among everyone, a deep voice spoke seriously:

"You didn't train yesterday, so you'll have an extra session today," Ushijima Wakatoshi said seriously, looking at Kobayashi Aotori, who tossed his backpack onto a chair.

Even though I know Ushijima meant it earnestly, wouldn't this be misunderstood as a challenge or provocation?!

Kobayashi Aotori's actions just now paused for at least two seconds! Definitely!

Semi Eita couldn't help but think with a hint of helplessness.

Kobayashi Aotori, on the other hand, didn't think much of it. Having read the manga, he knew this was Ushijima Wakatoshi's personality. He just nodded nonchalantly, did some casual warm-ups, and stood in the small team opposite him near the net.

"I didn't interrupt the training process, did I?," he said, slightly bowing and smoothly making a half-squat position. Semi Eita beside him was momentarily stunned, quickly waving his hand, the volleyball in his hand suddenly feeling heavier.

He subconsciously looked at Coach Washijo on the opposite side. The coach's gaze made him take a deep breath. He forced a smile and tossed the ball in Kobayashi Aotori's direction, saying, "Give us a good serve! Kobayashi-kun."

He hesitated for a moment, but this line was something he often heard in his previous life. He caught the ball, nodded, moved to the back row, and familiarly clapped the volleyball in his hands.

Phew

He realized from last night that even with a new body, his previous skills and abilities hadn't diminished in the slightest. On the contrary, with this healthier and more powerful "2D body," he felt his movements become smoother, and hitting the ball seemed more effortless.

He didn't know that these were signs of getting stronger.

The sunset streamed through the window, casting its glow on the court and on Kobayashi Aotori's face.

Holding the ball expressionlessly, he showed no signs of inner tension. Stepping forward, he approached a familiar distance and lowered his gaze to the volleyball in his hands—

A thing that had accompanied him day and night.

Before I knew it, I had been playing volleyball for quite a while now. As he tossed the volleyball high into the air, this unconscious thought crossed Kobayashi Aotori's mind.

The gaze of the onlookers followed the trajectory of the ball, and suddenly, in their line of sight, a figure with an undeniable and powerful presence tore through their vision. Their eyes were unable to shift away from the soaring figure—

"Boom—!!"

—With a muffled sound, the volleyball seemed to be propelled by boosters, instantly igniting white gas. The movement was crisp and efficient, devoid of any trace of performance or preparation, as if this action had become as familiar as walking or drinking water. The volleyball tore through the boundaries of the air—

Riding on wings, it flew past Ushijima Wakatoshi and flashed in the eyes of Yamagata Hayato. By the time his body started to move, the deafening sound had already echoed through the court.

The ball landed perfectly on the line, with such incredible accuracy as if Kobayashi Aotori had served it a million times before.

Everyone's mouths hung open, and not far away, Coach Washijo, who had been sitting, stood up with a "whoosh." He watched Kobayashi Aotori display a strength far beyond his middle school competition days, his breath suddenly becoming rapid.

Even Tendou's smile vanished from his face. He silently watched the spot where the ball had just landed, his heart pounding violently.

W-What was that... that ball... whether it was speed, power, precision, or trickery, whose are things that a human couldn't possibly achieve, right?

Shirabu looked at Kobayashi Aotori, who remained indifferent, with a complex expression.

...Is such a person really real?

Having just served an exceptionally comfortable ball, Kobayashi Aotori looked puzzled at everyone's silent reactions. It wasn't until Coach Washijo's deep voice resonated loudly, breaking the silence on the court:

"How many times can you deliver this kind of serve?"