It's September, and summer break has just ended.
"I heard we're getting a transferee," one student excitedly announced to the group. "By the way, have you read the last three issues of Jump? So far, so good, right? Kiyoshi Knight was a total crackhead!"
"Isn't that just fake news? People keep saying things like that, and it usually turns out to be another hoax to hype up the new semester," someone countered. "Honestly, it feels like summer ended before it even started. I prefer Detective Trap, anyway."
"Maybe this time it's true," another student chimed in, hoping it was real. "I like those two. The latest one was a bit too girly for me."
"Hey, I liked that one!" a female student piped up, surprising the boys by revealing she was also a Jump reader. Realizing her slip, she quickly switched topics. "I… I think the teachers were discussing this earlier?"
"Yeah, I saw some commotion in the faculty when I walked by. They were talking about someone coming back," a fifth student added. "There are still two more entries for that contest, right? I'll decide what I like best after those come out."
"Just because someone's coming back doesn't mean it's a transfer student," the one who had initially countered insisted, feeling outnumbered but unwilling to back down.
Hinata perked up a bit as he listened to their conversation. This summer break had felt just as dull as the last, especially after his cousin left. He remembered how much fun they used to have together, and now, with his cousin gone, it just felt empty. What made things even worse was that, as a second-year in junior high, he still had no one joining him in the volleyball club.
While the girls' team had attracted so many applicants that they needed to hold a screening event, his team was still struggling to find new members. Watching the girls practice, with their laughter and camaraderie, made him feel a pang of jealousy that he couldn't shake off. He remembered the excitement of April when everyone seemed so eager to try out for the team, and he couldn't help but feel lonely.
To add to his frustration, he had just finished his homework after pleading with anyone he could find for help. It was a relief to be done, but the effort it took left him feeling drained. He longed for the energy and teamwork that volleyball brought him, wishing for a little more excitement in his life.
"What do you guys think?" Hinata asked his friends, finally feeling like there was something interesting to discuss before the homeroom teacher arrived.
"I haven't read any Jump this summer," Koji replied. "The training was just too intense, man."
"Not that! At least you had formal training with others. I was all on my own like always!" Hinata exclaimed, a hint of jealousy creeping into his voice. "I meant the transfer student."
"O-oh…" Koji wilted at Hinata's outburst.
Izumi gave him reassuring pats on the back. "Don't mind."
"I don't have strong feelings about it, honestly," Izumi said. "But I think it'd be nice to have a new student join us—just a change of pace or something."
Seki nodded in agreement. "Speaking of people coming back, I hope Akari-senpai is doing okay abroad."
"Yeah, Shoyo, what about Akari-senpai? Did she say when she'll be back?" Koji asked, his excitement evident as he looked forward to the return of Hinata's pretty cousin.
Hinata scrunched up his face at his friends' reactions. He felt like he should be the one most excited about Akari's return, especially as her best cousin! But he kept that thought to himself; if Natsu heard him, they'd probably end up in a playful fight over who really deserved the title.
"She said she'd be back last summer break, but something came up that she had to take care of first, so I'm not really sure now," Hinata explained, sighing at the vagueness of her answer. "But she will be back as soon as she can."
"Soon…" Seki mused, exchanging glances with the other two.
"I like that it's soon," Izumi said with a smile. "Especially to save Sho-chan from failing."
"Hey! I did not fail! I wasn't held back at all!" Hinata protested, feeling a bit cursed by the suggestion.
"Besides, soon is the best, since it means she's about to return, and that's great!" Koji exclaimed, suddenly standing up and stomping his foot onto his chair. The action drew odd looks from his classmates, who were taken aback by his outburst.
"Did Koji just brush me aside?" Hinata asked, shocked to feel ignored.
"There there," Izumi consoled the hurt tangerine-haired boy.
"Yes, it's great that you've even forgotten how to properly use a seat, Sekimukai," the homeroom teacher chimed in, catching Koji in the act as he entered the classroom.
Koji quickly sat back down, pretending nothing had happened while the rest of his classmates stifled their laughter at his predicament, causing his face to gradually redden in embarrassment.
Hinata couldn't help but grin smugly, reveling in a bit of schadenfreude, and Koji shot him a scowl, clearly vexed.
After the initial greetings, the moment of truth arrived, and every student leaned forward in their seats, eager for what was to come.
Their teacher chuckled at their reactions. "I guess you all knew what was about to happen."
Everyone who had been hoping for news of a new classmate cheered and pumped their fists in celebration.
"Please come in and introduce yourself," the teacher said.
Several students' eyes bulged in surprise as Akari stepped into the room.
"Goddess Akari?!"
"Akari-senpai?!"
"RIIIIII-CHAN?!!!"
Akari giggled at their reactions, unconsciously running her left hand through her unpinned hair—a habit she later realized she had carried over from her past. She brushed off the cringy labels the others called her, her gaze landing on Hinata, who has a stupefied expression.
Excitedly, Hinata patted the back of the student seated in front of him, who winced in discomfort and annoyance. The unnamed student could do nothing to retaliate; he didn't want to risk upsetting the goddess by hurting her cousin, so he suffered in silent bitterness. "It's Rii-chan! She's back! She's back!"
"Wow, she looks even more stunning in person!" one girl whispered to her friend, wide-eyed.
"Is it just me, or is she glowing?" another girl added, clearly starstruck.
"Dude, I can't believe she's really here!" a boy exclaimed, nearly bouncing in his seat.
"Forget about the transfer student; this is a royal visit!" someone joked, and others couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Akari sweatdropped, nearly unable to control her expression at their over-the-top reactions. 'These guys…' she thought, both amused and slightly embarrassed by the enthusiasm surrounding her return.
Three other students expressed their excitement in various ways: Izumi squealed, his eyes sparkling, while Seki grinned widely, trying to contain his excitement. Koji jumped up, unable to hold still, shouting, "Welcome back, Rii-chan!"
The energy in the room was electric, and the students could hardly contain their joy. What made it even more satisfying was that Akari looked absolutely fantastic.
Wink~ wink~
And she stood there without any crutches, looking completely well. It was clear she had made a full recovery, adding to the excitement in the room.
"Sensei, I don't think there's any need for a reintroduction," Akari said with a light chuckle, observing everyone's excited reactions. "I think they recognize me already."
"It appears so, Arisugawa-san," the teacher replied, slightly flustered. He hadn't anticipated that this particular student would have such a significant influence. He realized he had underestimated the impact of her victory in last year's championship, leaving him truly taken aback by the students' enthusiasm.
Akari confidently walked to the center of the room and bowed. "Pleasure to be re-acquainted with everyone! Let's all get along this year!"
"HAI!!!" the students shouted in unison, their enthusiasm infectious.
The teacher felt his already small presence shrink even further as he stood to the side, watching the students dive into a lively debate about who should get to sit next to their "goddess."
—
In the end, Akari chose to sit beside Hinata, while the other three sides were claimed by random students who won the lottery, much to the dismay of three familiar classmates who had hoped for a spot next to her.
As the day went on, news of Akari's return spread throughout the school, and she found herself constantly gawked at like an exotic animal in a zoo. Friends charged at her whenever they spotted her in the school grounds, almost tackling her down in their excitement. The violent form of welcome left her speechless, a mix of amusement and bewilderment washing over her.
She also had several summons she couldn't ignore for long, one in particular from the Girls' Volleyball Club. While she had made many decisions about her return, she wasn't entirely sure how those choices would impact everyone else—whether they followed the canon or veered off course. But that was a concern for tomorrow.
For now, as she stepped into the Hinata residence, Shoyo lingered behind her, looking expectantly eager. It was thrilling to surprise her cousin before, and now she was about to do it again for two people. She smiled at the thought, breathing in the familiar scents that filled the air and relishing the ambiance she had missed for so long.
"Tadaima!" she called out, her voice ringing with warmth and nostalgia.