A/N: Why hello, lovely reader. It seems that you've stumbled across this fanfiction. Some of you may be here because of my other fic "Ascending". And I just want to say, I'll still be updating that story along with this one. I just had inspiration strike me and I really needed to put this down. If everything goes to plan, it'll only be around forty thousand words, give or take.

Just to get this over with, YES, I am going to use phrases like "senpai", "kohai", "san", "chan" ect. I don't usually do this because I find it unnecessary for Japanese to be integrated in a fanfiction otherwise written entirely in English but I feel like these phrases will just make everything flow better.

Yes, this is an AU where powers like chi or super saiyan strength do not exist. They might as well all be human. This fic was heavily inspired by haikyuu! and my own love for volleyball.

If you're not into this kind of stuff then... See you later, I guess? Or stick around and give it a try anyway.

"You know, you should go out and do something with your life."

Vegeta sneered at his longtime rival. "Oh? As if you can talk. In case you've forgotten, we're in the same boat here, Kakarot."

Goku shook his head as he restocked some radishes. "Not really. Just because we're both working in what you call a 'dead end job' doesn't mean our circumstances are the same." He paused in his action, a radish in one hand. "I actually enjoy working here as a part-timer. But you... Why are you still here?"

"I need the extra cash. You try running a fucking cat cafe and using that income for rent."

"Aw, Vegeta! You know I don't mind paying more of my share."

"It's shameful! I will not take charity from a clown like you. So what if you work in some fancy insurance company? I will not be reduced to being helpless!"

"Yeesh, okay. I was just trying to be nice. Anyway, I was thinking more on the lines of you making something out of yourself with whatever special talent you have."

The unlikely pair were known as Son Goku and Vegeta, though the latter preferred referring to the former with his birth name: Kakarot.

"Special talent?" Vegeta grinned cockily. "I have no special talent. I'm good at everything I do."

Goku cast his friend a confused glance. "Huh? What about that time in the aquarium?"

"Kakarot! I told you to never speak of that incident ever again!"

Another individual jumped in, wearing a shit-eating grin on his face. "Ooh! You guys talkin' about Vegeta's 'unfortunate incident' at the aquarium?"

"Now look what you've done, Kakarot!"

"Whoops, sorry Vegeta." Goku sheepishly turned to his coworker. "Forget I ever said anything. Can you do that for me, Yamcha?"

"Yeah, yeah... It was pretty hilarious though."

Vegeta shot both of them a nasty glance. "If you two don't shut your traps I will rip out your spleens and make you fucking eat it!"

That was enough to make Yamcha yelp and scuttle away but Goku merely sighed and shook his head. "See? This is why you don't have any friends, Vegeta. Other than me, of course."

"Hrr... Shut up, Kakarot." He picked up an apple and started munching on it, not caring about how upset Mr Lao, the grocery store owner, would be if he saw. Goku, who was already desensitized to Vegeta's brash and flippant nature, did not bother to berate him.

"About that special talent of yours," Goku began, picking up where they had left off. "Sure you can be good at everything... But there's gotta be something that you're really, really good at."

Vegeta ignored him, knowing the answer that Kakarot was after. It was something he boasted quite often to Kakarot but he never expected his bragging to come back and bite him in the butt.

"Vegeta?" Goku's voice wafted through the air. "You know what I'm talking about."

"What of it?" Vegeta said shortly. "It's not like I can actually make a career out of it."

Goku gave Vegeta a knowing smirk, making the shorter saiyan growl.

"Alright," Vegeta said bluntly, "You know something that I don't."

"You've got me." Goku glanced around conspiratorially. "I hear that Sadala Highschool's volleyball club is looking for a new coach to whip their first years into shape. They're a little wet behind the ears, you see, compared to the veterans. And who says you can't make a career out of it? You're great at volleyball! Heck, you're better than I am."

"Tch... Do you not remember how my last professional match went?"

"They're not asking for you to play or anything. They just need someone with experience to help out." He leaned closer. "I hear that their manager is real pretty."

Vegeta deadpanned at him. "Have you forgotten about Bulma?"

"Oh, shoot, that's right! But you can still look, right?"

"I cannot believe that you are trying to tempt me with cravings of the flesh!" Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose. "Regardless, I'll consider it..." He glanced around at the dingy market. "Anything to get out of this shithole."

Cabba glanced up in awe at the net that was looming over him. This was it. No more elementary school or middle school net heights; this was the men's official height. And his head barely skimmed the bottom of said net.

The short saiyan could barely contain his excitement but he managed as the Captain walked in, a perpetual frown etched on her visage.

She was totally unfamiliar to him, with dark, raven hair that jutted out in spikes and two bangs that curtained part of her face.

Along with Cabba, there were several other first years who had signed up for the volleyball club that year. They had all met with the Captain and the other veterans before; Cabba had arrived at Sadala High only today, having only just returned from holiday yesterday. From what he had heard during his short time here, he hadn't missed the much. Yesterday's training had been a total catastrophe according to hallway gossip.

Is that why she looks so mad? Cabba wondered as the Captain scrutinized all of them with her intense glower.

"Around half of you will be gone when this is over," the Captain told them bluntly. "Don't get your hopes up."

One of the other veterans that had entered alongside the intimidating Captain sighed. "No need to make your scary faces at them. With that attitude, none of them will want to join."

"Tch... Look at it this way, Gohan, if they back away now it only tells us that they're too pussy for it." The Captain scowled even more intently. "We like to take things serious around here when it comes to volleyball." When none of the new recruits said anything, she growled, "Well? Are you all game or what?"

"Yes sir!" All the first years aside from Cabba, who was slightly unsure how to respond, shouted.

"Good. Do not disappoint me." Her gaze shifted to Cabba. "You. You weren't here yesterday."

Cabba straightened. "No, sir, I wasn't."

"Hn. Gohan!" The Captain called the glasses-donning veteran over. "Go explain things to the greenie while I get the trials started."

"Sure." Gohan flashed her a grin. "Don't scare them too much, Caulifla."

That elicited a smirk from the frowning Captain. "We'll see."

Gohan pulled Cabba aside from the others. "Is there anything I should know before I tell you about how volleyball works around here?"

"I'm well versed with the positions, Gohan-senpai," Cabba informed the veteran. "No need to worry."

"Aha... That's the thing." Gohan pushed up his glasses before beginning his explanation. "You could know all that there is to it when it comes to volleyball, but you still wouldn't survive a day here." Gohan noticed that Cabba was beginning to falter and continued, "The Captain is what you would call a perfectionist when it comes to newcomers, especially first years. She'll come down the hardest on you since you seem to know everything theoretical about the game. So word of advice: Don't let her know. Once you gain experience in the team and become more familiar with everyone, her demeanour will melt. Trust me, kohai - we've all been there. Caulifla is actually everyone's senpai around here. Not that I approve of it but she purposely flunked her third year twice to get to keep leading us. It's a miracle in itself that the school allowed it..."

Maybe so, thought Cabba, But I find such dedication admirable. He grinned at Gohan. "Thanks for the advice, Gohan-senpai! I'll put it to good use!"

Gohan shook his head as he watched Cabba dash to where Caulifla was instructing the first year teams. "That kid's going to get eaten if he doesn't watch his step."