Chapter Text
“Everyone, gather here for a moment.”
The team captain’s booming voice echoed throughout the walls of the practice gym as the high schoolers scrambled to get around upon seeing the envelope that their team captain was holding.
“This arrived today, and it’s a rather strange looking invitation, it was addressed to us.”
His eyes widened as he read the content of the envelope.
“Haikyuu."
The team members exchange curious glances. The atmosphere around them tensed. There’s nothing in the invitation other than the name, the date and the location.
“Maybe it’s an event that’s related to volleyball?"
While others feel nervous and skeptical, especially Asahi and Tsukishima and then there’s their two teammates who just go crazy at the mention of the word volleyball.
“Ohhhh, I’m excited, I’m definitely going!."
“I’m going too, runt!."
“Let’s go Shoyo!." Nishinoya added.
And so, with a mix of curiosity and excitement, the Crows agreed to attend the mysterious event.
THE KARASUNO team arrived at the venue and were greeted by a rather unexpected sight. The gymnasium was huge and the air was already thick with anticipation. To their surprise, they were not alone.
“It’s been a while huh, country bumpkin crows.”
A familiar voice greeted them from behind. Nekoma, their destined rival, the two teams exchanged pleasantries and conversation with each other as they headed inside the gymnasium, their rivalry momentarily forgotten in the face of the mysterious event.
As they mingled with the other teams, the Karasuno players recognized several familiar faces. There were players from Aoba Johsai, Shiratoriza, Itachiyama, Inarizaki and other prominent volleyball teams of Japan. The atmosphere was electric, filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation.
The teams had barely settled into their seats when the gymnasium lights dimmed, plunging the space into darkness. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as a soft hum filled the air. The large screen at the front of the gym flickered to life, revealing a breathtaking animation.
It was a montage of iconic volleyball moments from the past, showcasing the passion, skill, and determination of players from various teams. The animation was so realistic that it felt like they were watching a live match. As the montage reached its climax, the screen faded to black, and a voice boomed through the speakers.
"Welcome, volleyball enthusiasts," the voice said, echoing through the gymnasium.
"Today, we gather to celebrate the sport we all love. But this isn't just any celebration. This is a journey back in time."
The lights flickered back on, revealing a dramatic change to the gymnasium. The court had vanished, replaced by a massive, holographic timeline stretching from the early days of volleyball to the present.
"This timeline is more than just a display," the voice continued.
"It's a portal to the past. You will have the chance to witness legendary moments and matches of yourselves, meet iconic players, and even experience what it's like to play the game yourself."
The teams exchanged curious glances. This was unlike anything they had ever seen before. The Karasuno team, along with the other teams hesitated at the foot of the holographic timeline. It was a surreal experience, standing before a portal to the past. Tsukishima, ever the skeptic, was the first to voice his doubts.
"This is a bit much, isn't it?" he muttered, crossing his arms. "It's like something out of a sci-fi movie."
Takeda Ittetsu, their esteemed advisor chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on their middle blocker's shoulder.
"Although, I'm as surprised as you, It's an opportunity, Tsukishima. A chance to learn from the past and improve our game."
With that, The hologram shimmered, and the next thing they know they were transported to a bustling gymnasium.
The year was 200X, it was the nationals. A match unfolds in front of them, It was Karasuno High School versus a team from tokyo. There, can be seen across the court was the Little Giant himself, "Udai Tenma." All players watched in awe as they saw how the little crow jumped, soaring through the air, his spikes thunderous and his blocks impenetrable. The crowd's roar was deafening, and the energy in the gymnasium was palpable.
Seeing that moment again, struck a cord at several of them, especially Hinata and Korai who idolizes the little giant, they were moved by the sight, to them, it was a dream come true. The other players were also impressed by the skill and athleticism on display. The excitement, anticipation and anxiousness can be felt in the air. The players all feel like they're one of the audiences. They can see, feel and hear everything that is happening in front of them. Everyone understood, it was the time when Karasuno was at it's peak.
As the match progressed, the team tried to interact with the players on the court. They shouted encouragement, waved their hands, and even attempted to touch the holographic figures. But their efforts were in vain. They could see and hear the players, but they couldn't touch or interact with them
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the gymnasium.
"A glimpse into the past. You can observe and learn, but you cannot change anything."
The Karasuno team was disappointed but also intrigued. They realized that this was a unique opportunity to witness a piece of volleyball history firsthand. They watched the rest of the match with renewed attention, taking in every detail they could and engrave it into their brains.
As the holographic figures of the players and audiences faded away, the teams returned to the present. They stood again in front of the big screen, their minds still reeling from the experience.
"That was incredible!" Hinata exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.
"I can't believe we got to see Udai play," Kageyama added, a rare smile on his face.
The other players were equally impressed. What they witnessed was just a fragment of what volleyball truly is and it had given them a new appreciation for the sport.
With that, the lights around them dimmed once again, and the screen at the front of them flickered to life. The first episode of Haikyuu was about to begin. The Karasuno team and their rivals settled into their seats, ready to relive one of the most iconic anime series of all time.