Haikyuu - I Am A Different Hinata!

"Lying on this grass at night really isn't bad…" Hinata said, lying on the green hill alongside some members of Karasuno after finishing their latest punishment.

"It's kind of comforting," Sugawara added.

"It would be if we weren't lying here because we lost another match. We started by losing all of them, then improved a bit, but we still haven't managed to beat Fukurodani or Nekoma," Daichi pointed out.

"But it's undeniable that our plays are coming together more and more. We just have to keep pushing and training!" Sugawara said.

"Then it's decided. I'll grab Ukai-san's tablet to review the synchronized attack and see where we're making the most mistakes!" Daichi declared.

"I'll go with you," Sugawara said, getting excited.

"I'll come too!" Tanaka said, joining the other two.

"I'll practice my serves!" Asahi said, also getting fired up.

"I'll go drink water!" Hinata said, breaking the expectations of the other three, who could only watch as Hinata got up and headed into the gym to grab a water bottle.

Looking around, he could see Tsukishima talking to Yamaguchi, who didn't seem too happy with how the conversation was going.

"FINALLY FOUND YOU!" Bokuto shouted as he entered the gym.

"Hello, Bokuto-san… I wasn't hiding, but okay…" Hinata said, watching Bokuto's entrance.

"Hinata, do you want to train with us? We're on another court nearby… Me, Kuroo, Akaashi, and that tall guy from Nekoma. We need one more person."

"Sounds fun… Can I bring others?" Hinata asked.

"Of course! We're on the next court in the other room. Come as soon as you can!" Bokuto said before leaving the gym.

"Alright, obviously I have to bring Tsukishima to this practice, but I think it'll also be a big help for Asahi-san," Hinata thought as he walked over to Asahi, who was getting ready to start his serve practice.

"Asahi-san! Stop that!" Hinata said as he approached.

"What?" Asahi asked, shrinking back.

"Come with me… Bokuto-san invited me to a training session that sounds productive, and I'm taking you with me," Hinata said, already walking away toward Tsukishima, who was nearby with Yamaguchi and had already overheard the conversation.

"You too, Tsukishima!" Hinata said.

"Not interested. I want to take a shower and rest," Tsukishima disagreed.

"Look at you, proving what I said earlier. You don't have the drive to improve, which is why you'll keep getting your blocks crushed by guys like Bokuto and Ushiwaka. What a disappointment!" Hinata said, provoking Tsukishima with a sarcastic tone.

"Tsk! Fine, let's get this over with!" Tsukishima said, agreeing to join the practice after hearing Ushiwaka's name, which alone was enough to make him almost want to quit volleyball.

"Alright, I've got everyone! Let's go!" Hinata said, leading the way and leaving Yamaguchi in the gym to practice his own serves.

As they walked to the court where Bokuto was waiting, the three passed Kenma and Inuoka.

"Hey! Where are you guys going?" Inuoka asked.

"We're going to train with Bokuto and the others…" Hinata replied.

"What? I want in too! Kenma-san, let's go!" Inuoka said, pouting.

"Nah, you can go if you want, Inuoka, but I'm taking a shower and playing video games," Kenma said, leaving Inuoka behind, who followed Hinata to the other court.

"Oh, looks like Hinata brought quite the entourage. Glasses with the weak block, the bearded guy who tries to copy me, and Inuoka?" Kuroo said, a bit surprised.

"Didn't you run off with Kenma?"

"Yeah, but I didn't know there'd be other first-years besides Lev!" Inuoka replied.

"Doesn't matter. The more, the merrier!" Bokuto said excitedly.

"This is why people run when you ask them to train with you, Bokuto-san. You don't know when to stop!" Akaashi said.

"Well, since there are eight of us now, let's do a 4v4," Kuroo declared as the players split into teams of four, with Hinata, Asahi, Bokuto, and Akaashi against Kuroo, Lev, Tsukishima, and Inuoka.

"Hinata, we need an even distribution of sets!" Bokuto said with a smile.

"I don't mind you having priority, Bokuto-san. You're one of the top five aces in Japan, after all," Hinata said humbly.

"What are you talking about? Since you came back to Tokyo, your spikes have improved immensely! I don't think there'll be much difference between our levels by the end of this training camp!" Bokuto said excitedly.

"I think you're overpraising me! I still have a long way to go!" Hinata said, smiling.

The game started with Kuroo serving toward Hinata's team's court, keeping Hinata in the back for the receive and then directing the pass to Akaashi, who set for Asahi. Asahi tried to attack with a timing difference but failed again, hitting the net.

"No, no, that's wrong. This is how you do it!" Kuroo said as he received a clumsy set from Tsukishima and executed an attack, delaying his jump perfectly.

"See? You can't just delay your jump randomly. You have to coordinate with the set you receive, or you'll hit the net like you did earlier!" Kuroo explained, unable to stand watching Asahi mess up his attack.

"ONE MORE!" Bokuto shouted after scoring a point by hitting the side of Tsukishima's hands in a solo block, only to be blocked by Tsukishima and Kuroo the next time.

"Mark the cross," Kuroo instructed as he watched Bokuto in the air, noticing Tsukishima was alert to his cross shot. So, Bokuto tried an over-the-line attack, which was quickly stopped by Kuroo, who moved his hands to block it.

"YEAH!" Kuroo said happily.

"Darn it! I should've gone for the cross anyway! You're good at reading, but like Kuroo said, your blocks are still too weak!" Bokuto said, hand on his chin, looking thoughtful with his eyes slightly closed.

"Yeah, you have to go all out to stop the ball!" Kuroo explained.

"Like this?" Lev said, jumping and spreading his arms wide.

"CLOSE THOSE ARMS!" Kuroo yelled at Lev.

"MY TURN!" Hinata said after his team received the ball.

"Alright," Akaashi said as he set for Hinata, who this time tried something bold. He let the ball pass his right hand and attempted a left-handed attack, catching the blockers off guard. They hadn't considered the possibility, but as he tried to do a circular swing with his left hand, he couldn't hit the ball perfectly. Still, it was enough to send it over the net and land on the other side of the court.