New Life

It has been six years since I was reincarnated into this world. Let me share with you the details of what I experienced during that time. As an infant, I had to go through the usual stages of infancy. Unfortunately, dealing with messy diapers was not a pleasant experience.

During my toddler years, I achieved a milestone before Shoyo did. I started walking before him, and my mother was astonished by this early development, calling me "gifted." It was a proud moment for me.

When I reached 5, I started to jog around the neighborhood to improve my stamina, I did push-ups to strengthen my upper body, and I also swing random tree branches to practice my strokes.

Fortunately, my mother and Shoyo were not aware of that, if they were, then mom is going to keep a closer watch on me.

But that's not all. In this new life, I was excited to be reborn as Shoyo's older twin brother. The prospect of finally meeting the character I adored in my previous life filled me with excitement and anticipation.

Taking on the role of a protective older brother, I formed a deep bond with Shoyo. He became very attached to me, and I was determined to guide and support him throughout our journey together.

On the day we started elementary school, I gently shook Shoyo awake, reminding him that it was time to get ready.

"Shoyo, wake up, it's time for school," I said with a sense of responsibility. "It's our first day of Elementary, and we don't want to be late."

In the Japanese Education System, elementary school is attended by children aged 6 to 12. As Shoyo slowly opened his eyes, he gradually rose from the bed, stretching and yawning.

"Good morning, Aniki," Shoyo greeted me, rubbing one of his eyes sleepily.

"Good morning to you too, Shoyo," I replied with a warm smile.

"Go take a shower. Mom has already prepared food, and I've prepared your uniform," I informed him, expressing my eagerness to help.

Among us twins, I considered myself the more responsible one. At the age of 4, I was already capable of cooking, doing laundry, and organizing clothes. This was thanks to my memories of my previous life. My abilities astonished my mother, and she was proud of me.

Shoyo smiled softly and gratefully exclaimed, "Thank you, Aniki!" He hugged me tightly, displaying his affection.

I chuckled affectionately at his adorable behavior, then gently ruffled his hair.

"Shoyo, you better make sure to eat all of Mom's food. Food is vital for our physical growth," I reminded him, emphasizing the importance of a healthy diet.

Shoyo nodded slowly, understanding the significance of proper nutrition. He then released the hug and declared,

"I'm going to take a shower!" With determination, he left the bed and headed toward the bathroom.

From a distance, I watched Shoyo with a sense of pride and joy, smiling at the thought of the adventures that awaited us on our new day at elementary school.

=======================

I and Shoyo have arrived in front of the school gate. I saw other kids walking through the gates, some kids walked alone while others walked with their parents.

Glancing at Shoyo, I noticed the glimmer of stars in his eyes, a clear sign of his enthusiasm for this new chapter in our lives.

"Aniki, what club will you join?" Shoyo eagerly inquired, his curiosity shining through.

Without a moment's hesitation, I replied, "Tennis."

Even though I had been reborn into a world where the main protagonist played volleyball, I had made up my mind to pursue tennis. The scars from my previous life still haunted me, making me apprehensive about joining the volleyball club.

"What about you?" I asked Shoyo, genuinely interested in his choice.

Shoyo struck a thoughtful pose, his finger tapping against his chin. "I'm not sure yet. I suppose any sports club will do," he responded, his voice filled with a sense of openness and flexibility.

"I see," I acknowledged, understanding that Shoyo had yet to discover his true passion.

If my memory serves correctly, Shoyo's interest in volleyball only sparked after witnessing the 'Little Giant' spiking a ball through the display window of a television store.

I don't know when that happened since the anime or manga never mentioned when it occurred, but I'm going to make sure he will become inspired since I can't imagine living in a Haikyuu world wherein Shoyo doesn't play Volleyball.

"By the way, Aniki, which class were you assigned to?" Shoyo queried, his eyes brimming with curiosity.

"I've been assigned to Class B. And you?" I revealed, awaiting his response.

Shoyo's eyes widened with excitement, and his adorable smile illuminated his face. "I'm in Class B too!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious.

I chuckled, unable to resist his endearing charm. "That's wonderful! Shall we make our way there together?" I extended my hand toward him, offering my guidance and support.

Shoyo nodded enthusiastically, his grip tightly clasping mine. With a shared sense of anticipation, we stepped forward and crossed the threshold of the school gates, ready to embark on this new educational journey side by side.

Hand in hand, Shoyo and I entered the bustling hallway, filled with the excited chatter of students. Following the signs, we made our way to the classroom assigned to Class B. As we approached the door, the noise gradually subsided, giving way to an air of anticipation.

Pushing open the door, we stepped inside the classroom. The room was spacious, with rows of desks neatly arranged and sunlight streaming in through the windows, casting a warm glow over the scene. The classroom was already abuzz with students, some engaged in conversations, while others were settling into their seats.

We scanned the room, searching for empty seats. Spotting two desks near the back, we made our way toward them. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances directed our way. It was natural for twins to attract attention, especially on the first day of school.

Reaching our designated seats, we settled down, placing our bags on the floor beside us. I took a moment to observe our classmates. The room was filled with a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique appearance and personality. It was an exciting prospect to get to know them and form new friendships.

The teacher, a friendly-looking individual, entered the classroom, commanding the attention of the students. Introducing themselves as Mr. Yamamoto, they shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming school year and outlined the classroom rules and expectations.

Shoyo leaned in closer, whispering to me, "Aniki, I'm a little nervous."

I gave him an assuring smile, squeezing his hand gently. "Don't worry, Shoyo. We'll navigate this together. Just be yourself, and everything will be fine."

He nodded, finding comfort in my words. As Mr. Yamamoto began taking attendance and organizing the class, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

=================

The break time arrived, and as soon as we stepped out of the classroom, we were instantly bombarded by our curious classmates. They surrounded us, firing off questions one after another, their enthusiasm and curiosity evident in their voices.

"Can you guys read each other's minds?"

"Who's the older one?"

"Who's smarter?"

The barrage of inquiries left me feeling a sense of exasperation. It was understandable, though. Twins were indeed a rarity, and it seemed that the fascination with our unique bond was simply unavoidable.

Letting out a sigh, I glanced at Shoyo, who appeared nervous under the intense scrutiny.

Shoyo's social butterfly nature primarily revolves around his passion for volleyball and his interactions within that context. While he may be highly sociable and open in the volleyball community, his social skills might not necessarily extend to other areas of life or outside his immediate circle of volleyball-related relationships.

"U-Uhm." Before Shoyo could even respond to the incessant questions, another classmate chimed in, interrupting him.

"Can you switch places and fool people?"

Shoyo's looked at me with eyes that pleaded for assistance, seeking refuge in my guidance. Understanding his unspoken plea, I took charge of the situation, deciding to answer on behalf of both of us.

Unlike Shoyo, I was accustomed to being in the spotlight. I had experienced the pressure of competing in and winning all four grand slam tournaments, performing under the watchful eyes of thousands. Attention was something I had grown accustomed to.

"We can't read each other's minds. I'm the older one. We're both equally intelligent. And lastly, yes, we can switch places and fool people if we want to," I responded swiftly, addressing their inquiries with a confident tone.

A sense of relief washed over Shoyo's face as he smiled gratefully at me. Our classmates were left amazed by my quick and direct answers, ready to pounce with even more questions. However, before they could proceed, a voice unfamiliar to us cut through the commotion.

"Hey, cut that out! Can't you see that they're uncomfortable?"

In unison, we turned our attention towards the source of the voice, discovering a boy with spiky, dark brown hair and long eyebrows, accompanied by another boy with messy, light auburn hair, brown eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles.

My knowledge of the manga allowed me to identify them. The boy with auburn hair was Yukitaka Izumi, and the one with spiky hair was Koji Sekimukai.

However, I was taken aback to see them here since the manga had portrayed them as Shoyo's middle school friends, not acquaintances from elementary.

Nonetheless, I felt grateful for Koji's intervention, as he had successfully halted our classmates from bombarding us further, sensing Shoyo's discomfort.

"How about you shut up?" one of our classmates retorted rudely, challenging Koji's interference.

In response, Koji's expression hardened, taking on a rather menacing demeanor. The sudden shift in his countenance sent shivers down the spines of our classmates, prompting them to retreat hastily, leaving us in a newfound tranquility.

"Koji-San, you should've intimidated them!" Izumi scolded him, his voice laced with concern. "Now everyone will be scared of you."

"I don't care," Koji retorted, pointing towards us. "They were clearly making them uncomfortable."

Izumi wore a worried expression as he turned his attention towards us. "Are you guys okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

In unison, Shoyo and I nodded, a synchronized response that even surprised me. Our simultaneous agreement prompted Koji and Izumi to burst into laughter, their amusement echoing through the hallway.

"W-Why are you guys laughing?" Shoyo questioned, perplexed by their reaction.

Their laughter gradually subsided as Koji wiped away a tear from his eye, trying to compose himself.

"I don't know," he managed to say between chuckles, "but seeing you guys nod at the same time is funny, especially when you're twins!"

Izumi nodded in agreement, mirroring Koji's action as he too wiped away a tear. "Yeah!" he chimed in. "It's just a hilarious coincidence."

Grinning, I couldn't help but chuckle along with them, understanding their reaction. Meanwhile, Shoyo wore a sheepish smile, still adjusting to the newfound dynamics of interacting with others.

"Anyway, thank you for stepping in. My brother and I appreciate what you did," I expressed my gratitude, glancing at Shoyo, who nodded in agreement.

Koji, now composed, introduced themselves. "It was no problem. I'm Koji Sekimukai, and this is Izumi Yukitaka."

"It's nice to meet you, Koji-San and Izumi-San," I responded, acknowledging their presence. "I'm Sora Hinata, and this is my younger twin, Shoyo Hinata."

They greeted us with warm smiles, the tension from earlier dissipating.

Izumi then suggested, "Anyway, do you want to grab some food together?"

"Sure,"

Shoyo and I replied almost simultaneously, our voices harmonizing with a shared agreement. Though Shoyo's response was more of a murmured affirmation, I could tell he was still acclimating to conversing with people outside of our familiar circle.

"Great! Let's go!" Koji exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious. "Follow me," he instructed, leading the way with confident strides.

Chuckling softly, I found their eagerness and genuine friendliness quite endearing.

With that, we followed Koji, ready to embark on our next escapade.

===================================

With sandwiches in hand, purchased from a nearby vending machine, we sought out a quiet spot to savor our meals together. As we settled down, Shoyo turned to Izumi and Koji, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"What clubs are you guys joining?" he inquired, prompting both Izumi and Koji to strike thoughtful poses.

Koji seemed uncertain as he pondered his response. "I'm not entirely sure, but maybe soccer?" he finally offered, his answer laced with a hint of uncertainty.

Turning his attention to Izumi, Koji asked, "And what about you, Izumi-San?"

Izumi mirrored Koji's contemplative stance, contemplating his options. After a brief pause, he said, "I'm still undecided, but I'm leaning toward basketball." Izumi then shifted his focus to the rest of us and asked, "What about you guys?"

Without a moment's hesitation, I responded, my voice brimming with certainty, "Tennis." As I took a bite of my vending machine sandwich, the satisfying crunch added to my enthusiasm.

Koji and Izumi exchanged nods of approval, acknowledging my choice. Their gazes then fell upon Shoyo, waiting for his decision.

Izumi addressed Shoyo directly, asking, "And what about you, Shoyo-San? What club will you join?"

Shoyo's brows furrowed briefly as he contemplated his response. "I'm not entirely sure yet, but I'm open to joining any sports club," he replied with a genial smile.

Koji's face lit up with a friendly grin as he suggested, "How about we join the soccer club together?"

Shoyo's smile widened, reflecting his eagerness. "Sure!" he exclaimed, readily embracing the idea.

It makes sense that Shoyo will join the Soccer Club for now since he has not found passion in volleyball, yet.

Amidst our discussion, Izumi's gaze shifted towards me, his curiosity piqued. "Sora-San, why are you interested in joining the Tennis Club?" he queried, causing both Koji and Shoyo to join him in scrutinizing my response.

This is unfair, how come they're only asking my reasons for joining?

Then, Shoyo's unexpected observation took me by surprise.

"Now that I think about it, is that why you've been swinging a tree branch?" Shoyo interjected, recalling my hidden practice sessions.

Koji, wearing a quizzical expression, sought clarification. "Swinging a tree branch?" he echoed, puzzled by the unfamiliarity of the observation.

To my astonishment, it seemed that Shoyo had witnessed my private training sessions. In response, I nodded sheepishly, admitting my guilty secret.

"Yeah, sometimes I saw Aniki randomly picking up a tree branch and swinging it around like a madman!" Shoyo exclaimed, eliciting laughter from Koji and Izumi.

While Shoyo's characterization of my practice might have been exaggerated, what he said was essentially true. Swinging tree branches had been my means of honing my tennis strokes, driven by the aspiration to impress future talent scouts.

As the laughter subsided, my cheeks reddened, and I scratched the back of my head, my embarrassment evident.

Amidst the fading laughter, Izumi posed a more serious question, his tone sincere. "But seriously, why do you want to join the Tennis Club?"

Choosing my words carefully, I replied, "Well, I want to hit some balls and I like winning all by myself."

I lied since I am not going to tell them that I got reincarnated into this world and was a former professional tennis player in my previous life. I also can't tell them the traumatic experience from previous life about my teammates blaming me.

Koji and Izumi exchanged bemused glances, their expressions growing neutral as they absorbed my response.

"I see," Izumi finally uttered, his tone conveying acceptance and understanding.

Just then, the sound of the school bell reverberated through the air, signaling the end of our break time.

With a collective sigh, we rose from our spots, bidding each other farewell as we prepared to resume the remainder of our day.

===============================

Time skip...

The school day had come to a close, and as we gathered our belongings, Mr. Yamamoto, our teacher, addressed the class with an air of excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some exciting news to share," Mr. Yamamoto began, capturing our attention. "Our school prides itself on offering a multitude of clubs that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether you have a passion for sports, arts, music, science, or any other pursuit, there is a club for you. And guess what? You're not limited to just two clubs. If your heart desires, you can join more!"

Eager whispers and exchanged glances filled the room as Mr. Yamamoto handed out the club application forms, emphasizing their importance.

"You have a whole week to consider your options," he continued. "Take your time, explore the possibilities, and once you've made your decision, submit the completed form to the respective club advisors. That being said, class is dismissed!"

As we received the forms, I couldn't contain my curiosity. With anticipation, I glanced at the document in my hands, immediately drawn to the list of clubs available. To my delight, alongside each club's name were the club advisor's name and the designated location, providing valuable information.

Below the extensive list, three empty boxes awaited our choices. Neatly categorized, they made it easier to navigate through the myriad options. I eagerly scanned the form, seeking the coveted 'Sports' section.

There it was, the 'Sports' section, and within it, I found 'Tennis' listed. Excitement surged within me as I quickly jotted down 'Tennis' in one of the blank boxes, firmly declaring my desired club.

Just as I finished writing, Shoyo's voice reached my ears, breaking my concentration.

"Aniki, are you done?" he asked, his eagerness evident.

Turning toward him, I flashed a smile. "Yes, I've made my choices. How about you?" I inquired.

Shoyo proudly displayed his club application form, and I immediately noticed his selection—the Soccer Club. It didn't surprise me; as I had mentioned before, Shoyo had yet to discover a passion for volleyball.

But wait, was there even a volleyball club in this school? Doubts crept into my mind, prompting me to glance back at the list of clubs. And there it was, nestled among the options—volleyball.

I could tell him that he should join the volleyball club, but Shoyo has already made his choice in choosing the Soccer Club. It seems I have to wait until that moment happens.

Noticing my momentary distraction, Shoyo's voice broke my reverie.

"Aniki, I thought you were finished," he said, sounding slightly concerned.

I redirected my focus to him, a hint of amusement in my tone. "Oh, I was just double-checking that I wrote down the correct club," I replied, clearing my throat.

Shaking off my brief lapse, I continued, "Anyway, would you like to submit our forms together?"

Shoyo nodded eagerly, his smile growing wider. "Absolutely!"

Reciprocating his enthusiasm, I nodded back and offered, "I'll accompany you to your assigned room first."

Gratitude filled Shoyo's eyes as he squeezed my hand gently. "Thank you, Aniki!"

Together, we made our way toward the soccer field, where Koji awaited our arrival.

"Hey, Koji-San!" Shoyo called out, his voice filled with excitement.

Koji turned towards us, a warm smile lighting up his face. "Hey!"

As we approached Koji, I announced, "I'll be leaving Shoyo here. I need to head to the Tennis Club. Take care, guys!"

Koji and Shoyo nodded, acknowledging my words.

"Sure thing, see you later, Aniki!" Shoyo chimed in with a smile.

With a quick farewell, I set off toward the direction of the tennis court.

======================

I arrived at the Tennis court, a spacious area with a neatly maintained court surface and surrounding fence. As I approached, I noticed a grown man standing at the entrance, dressed in a typical tennis outfit and sporting a school ID, which led me to believe that he was our Club advisor.

Curiosity piqued, I walked up to the man, and he immediately noticed my presence.

"Hello, are you here to join the Tennis club?" he asked me with a friendly smile.

I nodded in affirmation and returned the smile. "Yes, here's my application form," I said, handing him the completed form.

The man graciously received my application form. "Thank you. Go inside the Tennis court and start jogging around the court and doing some warm-ups while I wait here for more members," he instructed.

Acknowledging his instructions, I nodded once more and headed inside the court, eager to get started.

As I stepped onto the court, my eyes fell upon a basket filled with tennis balls placed in the middle of the baseline. The anticipation of playing tennis intensified within me.

Following the Club advisor's guidance, I began my jogging and warm-up routine. Each step I took resonated with a sense of excitement and readiness.

Once I completed my warm-up, I glanced towards the entrance and noticed the Club advisor entering the tennis court, accompanied by two kids who appeared to be older than me.

The Club advisor clapped his hands to gather our attention. "All right, let's start by introducing ourselves to each other," he suggested.

The man introduced himself first, providing his name and a brief background. The other kids followed suit, sharing their names and a few details about themselves.

Now, it was my turn to introduce myself. "I'm Sora Hinata, nice to meet you all!" I exclaimed with enthusiasm.

My fellow club members nodded in acknowledgment, and the Club advisor once again clapped his hands to signal our next steps.

"Okay then, let's begin," the Club advisor declared. He turned to the other kids and said, "You both will jog around the court and do warm-ups since Hinata has already completed his."

Both of them acknowledged the instructions and immediately commenced their jogging routine.

Meanwhile, the Club advisor walked towards the basket of tennis balls, gesturing for me to join him. "Come here, Hinata. I'll teach you the basics of Tennis," he offered.

I nodded, acknowledging the Club advisor's instructions, and approached him with an air of enthusiasm.

As he began teaching me the basics of the forehand and backhand strokes, I listened attentively, absorbing his every word as if it were new knowledge to me.

Pretending to be a novice player, I nodded along, mirroring his movements and imitating the proper technique. I suppressed the muscle memory ingrained in my body from years of professional tennis experience, all the while maintaining a façade of beginner's curiosity.

After demonstrating the forehand stroke, the Club advisor handed me his racquet and instructed me to perform forehands.

As he gently tossed a ball towards me, I couldn't resist the temptation to showcase my true skills. With a swift and powerful swing, I connected with the ball, generating an impressive amount of topspin. The ball shot across the court with surprising speed and accuracy.

The Club advisor's eyes widened in astonishment, clearly taken aback by the unexpected display of talent.

"Woah! That was great, good job, Hinata!"

I couldn't help but smile, pleased with the recognition.

"Thank you, Sensei! I've been practicing a bit on my own." I said.

Encouraged by his positive response, we swiftly moved on to practicing the backhand stroke. Once again, the Club advisor gently tossed a ball toward me, giving me the opportunity to exhibit my skills. With focused determination, I executed a powerful backhand, generating a strong topspin that sent the ball whizzing across the court.

The Club advisor watched in awe as the ball traversed the distance with speed and precision.

"That was amazing! Once again, great job, Hinata!" He said to me with a smile.

I grinned, trying to downplay my abilities, "Thank you, Sensei! Your guidance is really helping me improve."

Though tempted to reveal my true identity as a skilled player, I decided to embrace the opportunity to showcase my talents within the context of the club. Each stroke served as a reminder of the passion and dedication I had for the sport, and I was determined to make the most of my time here, sharing my love for tennis with my clubmates.

Little did the Club advisor know that beneath my guise of a beginner, I possessed a wealth of experience and skill.

===================

As the Club activities came to an end, I found myself strolling leisurely towards the school gate, enjoying the gentle breeze that swept through the campus. Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly brought back to reality by a familiar voice calling out to me.

"Aniki!" I heard Shoyo's enthusiastic voice from behind.

Turning around, I spotted Shoyo sprinting towards me with his arms wide open, a beaming smile on his face. I couldn't help but reciprocate his excitement as he enveloped me in a warm hug. I chuckled and playfully ruffled his hair.

"How was the Soccer Club, Shoyo?" I inquired, genuinely interested in his experience.

Shoyo pulled away from our embrace, his eyes sparkling with joy. He looked up at me and replied, his voice brimming with excitement, "It was so much fun! I had a blast! How about you, Aniki?"

I paused for a moment, reflecting on the enjoyable time I had spent in the Tennis Club. A smile formed on my lips as I replied, "It was great, Shoyo. I had a lot of fun too."

Shoyo's eyes lit up, his enthusiasm contagious. "Aniki, do you want to buy some ice cream? We can celebrate our first day in the clubs together!" he suggested, unable to contain his excitement.

I couldn't resist his infectious energy and nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, Shoyo! Let's treat ourselves to some ice cream."

Just as our ice cream plans were forming, we heard a familiar voice calling out from the distance. It was Koji, accompanied by Izumi.

"Did I hear ice cream?" Koji exclaimed, his voice laced with anticipation, as he and Izumi approached us.

Shoyo's face lit up with a wide grin, and he turned to our friends. "Koji-san, Izumi-san, do you want to join us for ice cream?"

The duo exchanged glances and responded in unison, "Sure!"

The prospect of indulging in ice cream together filled us all with excitement and anticipation.

With our little group now formed, I took charge and suggested, "If that's the case, let's go. I know a fantastic place nearby where we can get the most delicious ice cream."

With the promise of sweet treats and laughter, we set off toward our chosen destination, eagerly anticipating the delightful camaraderie that awaited us. The bond forged through our shared club experiences would only grow stronger as we savored our ice cream and created lasting memories together.