Professional Novice: A Haikyuu Story
It was your average day at Karasuno High School in the Miyagi prefecture of Japan. The Karasuno Volleyball Team was practicing for the upcoming semi-final match in their latest tournament. They would be going up against a very tough team. The team was the Aoba Johsai Volleyball Team. This team was notorious for not only having great players, but also having arguably the best Setter/Captain around: Toru Oikawa His skills were unlike anyone the faced so far. He was also the one to teach everything they know about setting and serving to one of Karasuno's own players: Tobio Kageyama. To say everyone was nervous was an understatement. This was the second time they had faced this team in a tournament, with the previous time resulting in their defeat. Everyone was a nervous wreck. Some players were messing up their receives, their serves, their passes, everything. But something would happen that would change the course of the future.
The Faculty Advisor of the team, Atetsu Takeda, gathered the team, along with the coach and the managers to the front of the gym with some very exciting news.
"Everyone. Today, I had received an e-mail. A young student has been inspired by us to come to the school and join our volleyball team. I hope you all give him a very warm welcome when he arrives." Takeda announced. Looks of confusion and awe spread throughout everyone else. "A new player?! That's so AWESOME!" a member of the team shouted. This was Shoyo Hinata. Karasuno's secret weapon. Not only does he have great reflexes and spiking abilities, but he can also jump extraordinarily high for someone standing at 5"4'. He also brings lots of positivity to the team. "What all is there to know about him?" Shoyo asked. "Well, I only know this: He should be here tomorrow morning. He is a first year, and like you, Shoyo, when he was first inspired to play volleyball, he had never played before. Though, I'm unsure if knows how to play now." Takeda explained further. "Well, if he's anything like Hinata, he's probably annoying." Tsukishima, the tall and sarcastic middle blocker, quipped. Hinata shot him a glare as others chuckled.
(Fast forward to the next day…because I couldn't think of any other dialogue, lol)
Hinata arrived on his bike to his school. Once he parked his bike and locked it up, the vice principal of the school walked up to him. The V.P. was a middle age round man, with a toupee on that was black in color. He was dressed in a brown business suit. "Good morning, young Shoyo." V.P. greeted the ginger with a bow. Shoyo greeted him back with a bow. "Shoyo, as Mr. Takeda no doubt told you, we have a new student. I would like to introduce you to him and have you be his buddy." V.P. told the boy. "You can count on me, sir." Shoyo saluted the man. The Vice Principal led him to his office where the new student awaited.
The door to the office opened and in there sitting down, was a young man. He had dark purple hair with brown tips. He had brown eyes and brown eyebrows. He had a couple freckles on his face. He was round like the Vice Principal, but he had a huggable quality to him. He was dressed in the school uniform: a black blazer over a white shirt, black jeans, and his shoes: brown Velcro shoes. He also has blue glasses. "Shoyo Hinata, meet our new student: Taylor Swanson." The Vice Principal said. Taylor extended his hand. "Hello, Shoyo." Taylor greeted politely. Hinata shook his hand. "Nice to met you, Taylor." Shoyo replied. Shoyo took note of Taylor's beard. "Hey, how come you have a beard if you're only a first year?" Shoyo asked. Taylor blushed furiously. "Oh…uh…i-I was held back a couple of times." Taylor stuttered. "Oh really? On my volleyball team, we have a third year named Asahi and he's been held back 5 times. Maybe you guys could be friends." Shoyo replied with an excited tone. The bell rang for school to begin. Luckily, Taylor was in Shoyo's class, so he wouldn't have to be nervous.
"Good morning class. I see we have a new student. Why don't you stand up and introduce yourself?" the teacher, Mrs. Ono, asked him politely. Taylor stood up and nervously spoke. "Hello. My name is Taylor Swanson. I'm glad to be at Karasuno. I'm originally from the United States and this is my first time in Japan, so…go easy on me." Taylor said with nervousness. Everyone started chattering about how they never knew any Americans. Shoyo was the most excited. "You're from America, Taylor?!" Shoyo shouted excitedly. "Yeah. Specifically in the Southern part of it. From a state called Louisiana. This place is a lot different from back home, but I hope I can make lots of friends." Taylor said to the class.
Once Taylor had finished, the teacher started on the lesson. Hours passed by, and suddenly it was time for lunch. Taylor found out that at that school, you can have lunch at the cafeteria, leave the campus and come back later, or eat a meal from home in the classroom. Taylor had brought a brown paper bag with his lunch. Shoyo scooted his desk next to Taylor's so they could eat together. A couple of other students were onlooking to see what the American had brought for lunch. Taylor's lunch was made up of his favorites: a sandwich on honey wheat bread consisting of creamy peanut butter and apple jelly, a thermos filled with his mother's delicious hot chocolate, a small bag of Cheetos and for dessert: double stuffed Oreos. His mom packed him three for good luck on his first day. "Wow! Those Oreos are bigger than the ones we have here!" One student said. "What kind of sandwich is that?" Another asked. "It's peanut butter and apple jelly." Taylor replied. Taylor was excited to be sharing his favorite treats with his classmates. He even let them try out the cocoa his mom packed. They all had looks of pure ecstasy. Taylor had a feeling he was gonna like Karasuno.
After all the classes had ended, Shoyo gathered his belongings and started to make a beeline for the volleyball club. Taylor spoke up. "Wait, Shoyo, I have a question!" Taylor tried to ask, but it was too late. Shoyo, for someone as short as him, can move fast. Taylor decided to follow him.
Shoyo made it to the volleyball club room and began to change into his gym clothes. "Hey, Hinata." A voice called out to him. It was Hitoka Yachi, a first year girl and secondary manager for the volleyball team. Behind her was the rest of the team. "We heard that you have the new guy in your class. What's he like?" Yachi asked him. 'New guy?' Shoyo started to wonder. Then it hit him, the V.P. mentioned that Mr. Takeda talked about a new player when he introduced him to Taylor. "Yeah! I think I did! He's cool! He's from America, has two toned hair, he has a sweet accent and he shared food with me!" Shoyo said excitedly all in one breath. "An American?! Really?!" The shortest player on the team, Yuu Nishinoya, exclaimed. "If I know anything about those Americans, he's most likely fat." Tsukishima added rudely. "Hey, c'mon Tsukishima, you don't know that. That's a stereotype." The silver-haired setter, Koshi Sugawara, chided him. "Actually, he is fat." Shoyo added. Tsukishima chuckled with a smirk. "Why would a tubby American want to sign up for a sport? Especially one where you need to jump, which I highly doubt he can do." Tsukishima sneered more…. though it earned him a smack on the head from Sugawara.
The team members got ready and headed into the gym. Taylor was in there practicing. What they saw him do was shocked them. Taylor picked up a ball and slammed it so hard against the floor, it shot into the air! The rotund first year smiled. He quickly ran and timed his footing.
The ball quickly fell, but the boy jumped into the air! He jumped incredibly high for a boy of his weight of 263 pounds. It was almost as high as Shoyo's famous quick attack height! Taylor spiked the ball with great precision, and it slammed onto the floor on the opposite side of the net.
"Woohoo! That's what I love to do! My sweet Swanson Jump Serve!" Taylor shouted to himself. He turned to get another ball and saw the entire team staring at him with a mix of shock, awe, and inspiration.
Taylor didn't quite know it yet…but he was going to be Karasuno's special weapon.