One day, after finishing an intense session of play with some neighborhood kids, Ryota sat alone by a worn-out bench in a nearby park, catching his breath. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, letting out a small sigh of satisfaction. Volleyball had always been his love, and it had come so naturally to him. He could feel it—his instincts were sharper, his reflexes heightened.
As he took a moment to drink from his water bottle, he suddenly felt someone approaching—a presence he hadn't noticed before. Turning his head slightly, he saw two figures walking toward him. The first was tall, with wild, untamed black hair that fell over his eyes and a playful smirk that seemed to dare the world itself. The second was shorter, with neatly combed brown hair and eyes that watched everything—calm, calculating, yet observant.
"Hey," the taller boy greeted casually, his voice smooth and confident. "What's a kid like you doing out here alone?"
Ryota narrowed his eyes slightly, eyeing the newcomers carefully. There was something... intriguing about them. The taller boy seemed to carry an air of mischief and charm, while the other one—a bit quieter—looked like he had something to prove.
"I'm practicing," Ryota said, his voice steady. "Trying to get better."
The tall boy raised an eyebrow. "Better at what? Volleyball?"
Ryota blinked, slightly surprised. "Yeah. You know volleyball?"
The shorter boy, the one with the calm demeanor, stepped forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed Ryota. "You've got potential. I can tell."
"Who are you guys?" Ryota asked, his curiosity piqued.
The tall boy smirked, throwing an arm around his shorter friend's shoulder. "I'm Kuroo Tetsuro, and this quiet one here is Kenma Kozume. We play volleyball too. And we're serious about it."
"Serious?" Ryota echoed. "Like... a team?"
Kuroo grinned. "Exactly. We're building something—something bigger. You've got fire in your eyes, kid. I can see it. You've got potential. How about you join us? Come play with us. Let's see what you're really made of."
Ryota hesitated, but he couldn't deny the fire ignited within him at those words. The bond formed instantly between them—a spark, a connection. Kuroo, with his bold confidence and sharp mind. Kenma, quiet but wise, with an eye for strategy that seemed to match Ryota's own natural instincts.
For the first time in this new life, Ryota felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—a sense of purpose. A chance to grow, to improve, to work with others who shared his love for volleyball.
And from that moment forward, their journey together began—a journey that would take them from middle school to high school, through countless battles, victories, and challenges. A journey that would define who they were—not just as individuals, but as teammates, as friends, and as one team united by a shared passion for the game.
Together, they would rise—stronger, faster, and more determined than ever before.