The scent of miso soup and grilled fish filled the air as I made my way downstairs. The Hinata household was small but cozy, bathed in the warm morning light that filtered through the windows. A real home.
At the dining table, a young girl with wild orange hair sat with her legs swinging beneath her chair, shoveling rice into her mouth like she was in a speed-eating competition.
"Hah! I win again!" she declared, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel.
I blinked. Hinata Natsu. My little sister.
A weird feeling settled in my chest. In my past life, I had been an only child. I had never experienced the kind of bond siblings shared. But now?
I had a family.
And somehow, despite all the chaos in my mind, I felt… happy.
Before I could even sit down, Natsu pointed a spoon at me, eyes sparkling.
"Nii-chan, why are you making that weird face?"
I snapped out of my daze. "Weird? This is just my normal face."
Natsu giggled. "Nope! You look all serious and grown-up today! It's weird!"
I forced a grin. "Well, I am older than you."
"Yeah, but you act like a kid."
Tch. Savage.
Before I could argue, a woman entered the room, placing another plate on the table.
"Good morning, Shoyo," she said with a kind smile.
I froze for half a second.
Hinata Sachiko. My mother.
Her warm presence reminded me of something I hadn't felt in years—the comfort of home-cooked meals, of morning routines, of belonging somewhere.
"Morning, Mom," I said, the word slipping out naturally.
She gave me a slightly amused look. "You seem extra energetic today."
Natsu pouted. "He's always like that."
Sachiko chuckled. "True."
I sat down, picking up my chopsticks. The moment the first bite of rice hit my tongue, I nearly teared up.
'Holy crap. This is amazing.'
After years of living alone and surviving on convenience store food, a proper home-cooked Japanese breakfast felt like heaven.
For a moment, I let myself just enjoy the meal.
But even as I ate, my mind was already racing.
After breakfast, I stepped outside, feeling the crisp morning air.
The neighborhood was peaceful—small houses lined the streets, and in the distance, the faint sound of a train passing by reached my ears.
I looked down at my hands. Small but strong.
I flexed my fingers. Tested my grip strength. Jumped lightly.
'Alright. Time to see what I'm working with.'
I crouched slightly, then launched myself upward with full force.
For a split second, I felt it—that incredible sensation of weightlessness, of flying.
But then—
THUD.
I landed awkwardly, nearly toppling over.
I exhaled sharply.
'Not bad. But nowhere near what I want.'
✔ Jumping Power: Insanely good for a middle schooler.
✔ Speed & Reflexes: Above average.
✖ Stamina: Needs serious improvement.
✖ Ball Control: Basically non-existent right now.
✖ Game Sense: I know volleyball, but I need actual on-court practice.
I had three years before high school. Three years before Karasuno.
If I started training now, I could push far beyond what the original Hinata achieved.
Step 3: Training Plan – The Road to the Best Version of Myself
I sat on the curb, rubbing my chin.
'Alright. What do I need to focus on first?'
✔ Jumping Mastery – Increase vertical height & control mid-air movement.
✔ Speed & Stamina – Build endurance to keep moving for an entire match.
✔ Fundamentals – Proper receives, ball control, and setting basics.
✔ Game IQ & Strategy – Volleyball isn't just about power—it's about outsmarting the opponent.
✔ Building a Team – I can't do this alone.
I clenched my fists.
'I have years before facing Kageyama. Before Nationals. Before my ultimate goal.**
This time, I wouldn't be some raw talent struggling to keep up.
This time, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
I walked over to a small park nearby, where a rusted volleyball net stood between two wooden poles.
I grabbed a ball and tossed it in the air.
One deep breath. Focus.
I jumped—swinging my arm as hard as I could.
BAM!
The ball shot forward—but missed the court completely.
I blinked.
Natsu, who had followed me outside, burst into laughter.
"PFFT! That was so bad, Nii-chan!"
I sighed. "Gee, thanks for the support."
She grinned. "You looked so cool, and then BOOM! Straight into the trees!"
I groaned. 'Okay. So I still need work.'
But I wasn't discouraged.
I grabbed another ball, tossed it again.
Jump. Swing. Hit.
The ball barely landed inside the court this time.
Natsu clapped. "That one wasn't as bad!"
I smirked. "Just wait. I'm only getting started."
And with that, I continued.
Hit.
Jump.
Run.
Train.
One day, I would reach the top.
And this was just the beginning.