Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 286: The Three-Year Promise

By mid-January, schools across Miyagi Prefecture had resumed classes one after another.

This was the shortest term in Japanese high schools, marking the final stretch for third-year students before graduation. During this period, most third-years were preoccupied with entrance exam preparations, job fairs, and graduation ceremonies. Their schedules naturally shifted back to academic studies, and it became rare for them to participate in club activities anymore.

—

[Inside an office at Aoba Johsai High School]

"You've really thought this through?" Irihata Nobuteru looked at the student he had mentored with a deep sense of trust. "I thought winning the Spring High championship might change your mind."

One year ago, former setter of the Argentina men's national volleyball team, José Blanco, had come to Japan to serve as a coach for the "Tachibana Red Falcons" under the Japan Volleyball Association. At that time, Oikawa Tōru had just suffered yet another loss to Ushijima Wakatoshi in the Spring High qualifiers, leaving him in a state of deep uncertainty.

Upon hearing that Oikawa's decision to become a setter had been inspired by José Blanco, Irihata had used his connections to arrange a meeting between the two.

———

"So, you're saying you've already sensed the limits of your abilities?"

"Your technique, physique, and mentality—none of them have even fully developed yet."

"Some people are simply born with greater natural talent. No matter how hard you work or how great your teammates are, overturning that difference is impossible."

"Save those words for after you've exhausted every ounce of effort in the right direction."

"Still, choosing to believe 'I'm not done improving yet' and dedicating yourself wholly to growth will always be a far harsher path than resigning yourself to the so-called gap between you and the geniuses."

———

After that conversation, Oikawa had made up his mind—he wanted to train under José Blanco.

But unexpectedly, after just one year in Japan, Blanco had decided to return to Argentina. Having followed the Spring High National Tournament, he had sent an invitation to Oikawa.

Originally, with Kaedehara Taichi's arrival, Oikawa had managed to resolve his inner struggles ahead of time, breaking through the barriers that had once held him back. In his final year at Aoba Johsai, he had at last reached the national stage and claimed the long-coveted championship.

Named Best Setter of the tournament and even earning a special selection to the national youth team, Oikawa now had opportunities to step onto the world stage even while staying in Japan.

Irihata had assumed he would choose to remain in the country. After all, going abroad meant facing a completely new environment, unfamiliar opponents, and a vastly different culture. It was an enormous challenge for anyone—let alone an eighteen-year-old.

"Yeah, I've made up my mind," Oikawa replied earnestly. "I've always planned on challenging volleyball at the global level—this is just moving up the timeline a little."

"I'm really grateful that, in my last year at Aoba Johsai, I got to defeat Ushiwaka and play against some of the strongest players in the country. I can go to Argentina without any regrets now."

Irihata's expression was complicated—part concern, part pride.

"Have you told everyone else?"

"Iwa-chan knows. He caught me sneaking into Spanish classes, so I had to tell him. But the others don't know yet."

"If you've decided, you should let them know soon—give them time to process it."

"I will."

"Make sure to keep in touch while you're overseas. If anything happens, let me know—I still have some connections," Irihata said with a wink.

"Yes! Thank you, Coach!" Oikawa bowed sincerely.

—

Inside Aoba Johsai's Third Gymnasium, the familiar sounds of practice filled the space that had been unusually quiet for the past two weeks.

"Clatter, clatter..." The first-years pushed a cart brimming with volleyballs across the floor.

"Shff—shff—" The freshly waxed surface squeaked under the soles of their brand-new shoes, a sound unique to the start of a new training cycle.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The sharp echoes of spikes reverberated through the gym, shaking the air with each powerful hit.

The players trained methodically, and even during short breaks, they remained animated, excitedly discussing the events of the Spring High tournament.

Though a full week had passed since the championship, their voices still brimmed with enthusiasm as they relived the match's intense moments. The fierce battles over each point, the breathtaking plays at crucial junctures—it all felt as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday. The details were carved into their minds, impossible to forget.

"Taichi completely shattered Kamomedai's blocking! Did you see that two-meter-tall guy's face? He looked like he couldn't believe it!"

"Speaking of shock, Oikawa-senpai's saves were insane! He even managed to send back that ball that bounced way outside the opponent's boundary!"

"And Matsukawa-senpai—he tricked Kamomedai's Little Giant at the net! That was seriously impressive!"

"Hah, do you even know how many times Iwaizumi-senpai dug up the opponent's ace spikes? Let me tell you—"

The players animatedly reenacted the scenes from the tournament, completely oblivious to the figure standing by the entrance, striking a pose and waiting for attention.

"Idiot, just go in already," Iwaizumi Hajime muttered before delivering a swift kick to Oikawa's back.

Smack!

Oikawa Tooru crashed onto the floor at the entrance in a comically exaggerated pose.

"O-Oikawa-senpai?"

The unexpected spectacle immediately caught the attention of the players.

"And Iwaizumi-senpai too!"

After returning victorious from Tokyo, Aoba Johsai had thrown a grand celebration—a combination of a championship party and a farewell ceremony for their graduating third-years. Since that night, the seniors had barely set foot in the gym.

As Iwaizumi Hajime strolled past Oikawa, he greeted his former teammates, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia despite having only been away for a few days.

"Iwa-chan!" Oikawa shot up instantly, an exaggerated pout on his face. His carefully planned dramatic entrance had been completely ruined!

"Just get to the point already," Iwaizumi said casually. "Don't waste their practice time. I still have cram school later, you know. Unlike you, I actually have to study for university."

"Good afternoon, senpai!"

As Yahaba Shigeru and the others gathered around, they caught onto the odd tone in Iwaizumi's words. Only Kaedehara Taichi seemed to have picked up on something deeper.

"Yahaba, is the team's training going well?" Oikawa asked with a bright smile. "Now you finally understand how tough it is to be captain, huh?"

"But Oikawa-senpai never actually did anything, did he? Wasn't it Iwaizumi-senpai who worried about everything?" Kaedehara Taichi muttered, unimpressed.

"Oh, that's true! Now that you mention it, whenever there's been a problem with the team these past few days, Yahaba-senpai has been going to Iwaizumi-senpai for advice," Kindaichi Yūtarō added, realization dawning.

"You two—!" Oikawa shot them a betrayed look. Even after stepping down as captain, Taichi still showed him no mercy!

Then, suddenly remembering something, he whipped his head toward Iwaizumi. "Iwa-chan! Yahaba's been asking you for advice? Why didn't I know about this?!"

"What would be the point of telling you, dumbass?" Iwaizumi scoffed, rolling his eyes before turning to Yahaba. "How's the team holding up?"

Oikawa clutched his chest, feigning deep emotional injury.

"…So, Oikawa-senpai, what exactly did you come here to announce?" Kunimi Akira cut in, steering the conversation back on track.

"Oh, that." Oikawa tried to sound nonchalant. "I'm going to Argentina."

"Huh?"

"W-WHAT—?!!"

"ARGENTINA?!!"

The entire team was dumbstruck, staring at him as if he had just spoken another language.

"Yep. I'll be training under Argentina's former national setter, José Blanco, and joining the professional league there," Oikawa stated, his tone firm and resolute.

"But—"

"Oikawa-senpai…"

Everyone was still processing the news. Graduating seniors rarely returned to the gym after their farewell ceremony, but leaving the country altogether was an entirely different matter.

Slowly, the reality of Oikawa's decision sank in. They understood—it was a step toward a greater goal, a better future. And even though their hearts were filled with reluctance and concern, admiration for his determination outweighed everything else.

"Then, Oikawa-senpai, you better train hard," Kaedehara Taichi was the first to respond, his voice carrying a playful yet unmistakably competitive edge. "If we ever meet on the international stage, don't start crying if you lose."

Oikawa didn't take the bait. Instead, he smirked at Taichi, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Who said I'm staying in Argentina forever?"

"Huh?" The team blinked, dumbfounded.

"I'll probably train there for two or three years, then come back," Oikawa revealed with a knowing glint in his eyes. "Taichi, you better be ready."

"Whether as a rival or a teammate…I'm looking forward to facing you in the professional league someday."

Oikawa didn't need to hear it aloud—he knew that Taichi had already set his sights on the pro scene as well.

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"Definitely."

Kaedehara Taichi met his gaze, his expression just as eager, just as determined.

_________

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