[ In the gymnasium of the amateur volleyball team.]
Ren Takeshi, a young man with boundless energy, was at the center of intense training. No matter how hard he tried, his technique and reflexes did not match expectations. The other members of the team had the talent, the speed, the agility... They all shone, while Ren remained in the shadows, the eternal replacement. The trainer, a man in his fifties with a tired look, walked towards Ren after the last set of exercises.
Coach: "Ren, once again, you didn't keep pace. Your landing was barely okay. If you really want to improve, you need to stop just doing your best and aim to become better."
Ren, exhausted and a little disappointed, nodded. He knew he didn't have the physical qualities of others, but it still hurt him to hear it, over and over again. Hiroshi, one of his teammates, burst out laughing as he walked towards him, a mocking expression on his face.
Hiroshi: "Honestly, Takeshi, you're a good guy, but it seems like every practice you try to invent a new way to miss. It's impressive."
The other players laughed, and Ren forced a smile, although a lump of frustration formed in his throat. He knew his teammates were joking, but each taunt hit him harder than the last. Keita, another teammate, added with an air of superiority:
Keita: "Seriously, aren't you afraid to continue playing in a team where you barely fit in? Maybe you should just move on, you've already given enough."
Ren was silent. The smile he usually wore had become a flimsy facade. Maybe they're right, he thought as he picked up his bag. Maybe I'm not cut out for this... He looked down and slowly walked towards the locker room. Everything seemed so monotonous and hopeless. The passion was there, but he didn't have the skills to compete against others
----
[ Ren House, late at night. ]
Ren returned home with a heavy heart and sat down on his couch. After a long day, he indulged in nostalgia by putting on an episode of Haikyuu!!, the anime that had always inspired him. He observed characters like Kageyama, Hinata, or Oikawa, and felt a deep desire to be like them.
These athletes, these volleyball geniuses... They seemed to have something that he never had. He lay on his couch, thinking about his amateur playing career and his recent personal defeat on the field. What if I had been like them?
He wondered, his mind slowly drifting. What if I had had the talent of a sporting genius, like these exceptional players? Little by little, his eyes closed. The fatigue of the day became more present, and before he knew it, he fell asleep, still lost in his thoughts.
----
Ren suddenly opened his eyes, feeling slightly dizzy. The environment around him had changed. Now he was on a volleyball court, in a gymnasium he didn't recognize. He scanned the walls and saw a banner in giant letters:
<< "Aoba Johsai High School". >>
He slowly turned his head and noticed several players warming up around him. These faces were familiar: Oikawa, Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, Matsukawa… Suddenly, he understood: he was in the universe of Haikyuu!!.
But something was wrong. He looked at his arms, his legs, his body. He felt… different. Bigger, more powerful, more agile. He tried a few simple movements, and a shiver ran down his spine.
He had never felt this way before. His muscles seemed sharper, his posture more assured. Without thinking, he grabbed a ball from the ground and made an instinctive move. He found himself jumping for a reception, and there, the magic happened.
His body seemed to react instantly, and he executed a movement with perfect fluidity. Then he let himself be carried away in a series of passes, attacks, and receptions.
Ren (thinking to himself): "It's… it's amazing…"
He observed his own abilities in amazement. His relaxation was impressive, the power of his jumps unprecedented, his attacks had taken on another dimension. He executed a power attack, propelling the ball at incredible speed, as if he possessed the agility and power of an elite athlete.
Each movement was precise, calculated, controlled. A mischievous smile appeared on his face, a smile that closely resembled that of Gojo Satoru, the character he had always admired for his excessive arrogance and his unfailing confidence.
Ren (with a cocky smile): "So…this is what a genius feels like…"
His body was fluid, his reflexes perfect, every movement seemed natural, as if victory was inevitable. He felt invincible.
----
The players around him began to notice. Oikawa, who was warming up a little further away, suddenly stopped when he noticed Ren's speed and power. He stared at him for a moment, then turned to his teammates, looking intrigued.
Oikawa: "Hey, Iwa -chan who is this guy? "
Iwaizumi, who had also stopped, scrutinized him intently.
Iwaizumi: " i dont know This guy, he's never played with us, Who are you, exactly?"
Ren slowly turned his head towards them, a mischievous smile on his lips.
Ren: "I'm Ren, a volleyball genius. "
The other players exchanged looks, uncertain, but intrigued. Oikawa moved closer to Ren with an amused smile.
Oikawa: "Really? Then prove it. If you're truly a genius, show us what you've got."
Ren moved into position, his gaze glistening with challenge.
Ren: "Oh, believe me you'll be surprised"