The night after the intense match with Inarizaki, Karasuno is relaxing and preparing for tomorrow with Nekoma, the fateful promise.

"Kenma probably doesn't care about winning or losing." Hinata said to Kageyama.

"Huh?"

"But I will definitely defeat Kenma!!" Hinata said with determination.

In return, he received Kageyama's look of contempt as if he were an idiot.

While everyone was still full of energy, the volleyball teams were doing different things, but miraculously they all fell asleep suddenly no matter where they were.

People who were walking and moving around were all standing still. All of their lives had stopped for some mysterious reason.

–

When Hinata opened his eyes, it was a spacious room with a projector placed in the middle, but he quickly realized something strange, there were even volleyball teams that were originally from Miyagi and a few teams that he knew from the spring national tournament.

"Kenma, you're here too?" Hinata was scared.

"Shouyo..." Kenma slowly considered the situation.

"Bakageyama, wake up!" Hinata turned to wake up his partner.

"What...boke..."

As everyone started to wake up, the atmosphere became noisy. While everyone was still wondering what was happening, a voice rang out, scaring everyone.

"It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to my screening room."

"What the hell! Aliens?" Oikawa frowned.

"Shut up, Shittykawa. We don't understand the situation, we shouldn't talk nonsense, especially when you're fantasizing about aliens." Iwaizumi hit his best friend.

Oikawa pouted but when he saw Karasuno and some familiar people, his teasing nature rose again.

"Chibi-chan and Tobio were also brought here?"

"Oikawa-san..." Kageyama greeted with a frown.

"Grand king!" Hinata hid behind Kageyama and poked his head out to look.

"Alright everyone should introduce yourselves and find your seats. We'll start watching the movie soon."

Watching a movie? All the players were stunned, what the hell!

"Hey! Let us go, we have a match tomorrow!" Hoshium protested.

"Yeah, we need to rest too for tomorrow's match with Nekoma." Hinata agreed.

"We lost, so we have a lot of free time. It seems like there are only a few teams left playing tomorrow, how pitiful!" Atsumu said comfortably.

"You say it with pride, Tsumu. It's because we lost early." Osamu poked at the pain.

"If you don't talk, no one will tell you to shut up, Samu."

The two were about to charge at each other when Kita appeared from behind, staring at them.

"Fight? Between teams?"

"Are not!"

"As for time, everyone doesn't need to worry because the outside world is currently paused. When everyone returns, it will be the same and the memories of this place will be completely erased." That voice rang out again.

"So what's the point of us watching if we don't remember?" Oikawa complained.

"Consider it an experience."

Everyone was stunned by the answer. So what are you doing, stranger-san?

"Let's just introduce ourselves even though the faces here are all familiar. But we need to know how many people are present anyway." Kuroo sighed.

"Then I'll go first, Kuroo Tetsurou, third-year wing spiker and captain of the Nekoma Boys Volleyball Team. Next to me is Kozume Kenma, second-year setter for Nekoma." Kuroo waved his hand.

"Hey! Hey! I'm Bokuto Kotaro, third-year ace and captain of Fukurodani."

"I'm Akaashi Keiji, second-year of Fukurodani. I play as setter and vice-captain."

"Ushijima Wakatoshi. Third-year ace and captain of Shiratorizawa"

"Tendou Satori, third-year middle blocker of Shiratorizawa, everyone calls me the Guess Monster!!"

"Oikawa Tooru, I play volleyball for Aoba Johsai, and I'm the captain and setter."

"My name is Iwaizumi Hajime and I play for Aoba Johsai. I'm a wing spiker, the ace, and vice-captain of the team."

"Kindaichi Yūtarō, first-year middle blocker for Aoba Johsai."

"Kunimi Akira, first-year wing spiker for Aoba Johsai."

"Kita Shinsuke. I'm the captain of Inarizaki Boys Volleyball Team."

"Miya Atsumu, second-year setter for Inarizaki."

"Miya Osamu, second-year wing spiker for Inarizaki, twin brother to this jerk you see here."

"Suna Rintarou. Middle blocker and spiker, second year at Inarizaki."

"Sakusa Kiyoomi, second-year wing spiker and the ace of Itachiyama."

"Komori Motoya, second-year libero Itachiyama."

"Sugawara Koushi, but everyone calls me Suga. I'm a third-year and the setter for Karasuno."

"Sawamura Daichi, third year and captain of Karasuno."

"Kageyama Tobio, first year setter at Karasuno."

"Hinata Shouyo, first-year middle blocker Karasuno. Nice to meet you all!"

"Tsukishima Kei, first-year middle blocker at Karasuno."

"Yamaguchi Tadashi, first-year middle blocker and pinch server at Karasuno."

"Hoshiumi Kōrai, second-year ace Kamomedai."

"Hirugami Sachirō, second-year middle blocker Kamomedai."

"So everyone here actually knows each other?" Tendou said excitedly.

"These are all the teams I've played against before, right, Kageyama?" Hinata suddenly realized.

"No you idiot! Kamomedai and Itachiyama haven't."

"But if we win against Nekoma...Kamomedai is next." Hinata's words attracted quite a few people.

"Chibi-chan is pretty confident! You're already thinking about the next match before the match starts." Kuroo laughed.

"It's Shouyo..."

The projection screen suddenly lit up, reminding everyone to find their own seats. Most of them knew each other, so the atmosphere was quite comfortable.

"So now we get to see the future? I wonder what year it is in the future?" Oikawa wondered.

"I will be a professional player in the future!" Hinata declared strongly.

"Shrimp, you have to be really good to get in. With your current ability, it's hard..." Tsuki teased.

"Hey!!! Of course it will, who knows how good I will be in the future!"

"Okay, Hinata, you should sit still." Suga pressed Hinata's shoulders down for him to sit.

"But even if we watch it, we won't remember anything. The future is up to us." Atsumu said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the screen started moving. It was about to begin.

When witnessing the unexpected results that took place in this year's spring tournament, although surprised, Fuki Hibarida was not surprised, he told his colleagues.

"So the final results for the tournament are in?" Akaashi said.

"I wonder which one of us will win?"

"But judging by Mr. Fuki's surprised reaction, perhaps this year's victory was a surprise. Perhaps the strong favorites have fallen." Komori guessed.

"Will we win?" Hinata asked nervously.

"I don't know...but we're strong." Kageyama was uncertain.

"Yes. I would've loved to see more of his play. But you know? The hundreds of players participating in this tournament...There's one experience they all share...that's losing. No one makes it this far without tasting defeat."

"But even for the one lucky team that escapes that bitter experience this time and win this tournament...they'll lose to another, better team eventually. No matter how high you climb, there is always a better team."

"...So that's how it is. I also thought that if I kept trying, one day I wouldn't fail anymore... But that feeling, losing, isn't something to be afraid of. It's something to overcome." Hinata clenched his fists.

"So I have to get stronger to be able to continue standing on the field." Kageyama pondered with deep blue eyes.

"Huh. Sounds easy. Like you're planning on climbing up to the sky forever, Kageyama." Tsukishima crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.

"But isn't climbing up the most fun? For me, even if I lose, I still get to stand with everyone, it's still worth it." Yamaguchi chuckled.

"We're really enjoying the process, aren't we? Losing is painful, but if you get up and keep climbing from there... that's amazing! I'm not giving up on volleyball anyway." Hinata said energetically.

"Honestly, you guys are freshmen but I really enjoy playing with you guys." Suga smiled happily and patted Hinata and Kageyama's heads.

"I think it's just me... everyone here knows they're going to lose, but they're still arguing about who can climb higher?" Kuroo sighed and laughed.

"If there are no strong opponents... the game will be boring. That's why I feel so excited when I fight Shouyo..."

"Well... it's true that no one wins forever. But that's why every win counts. That's when we make the world remember us." Atsumu smirked, his eyes still on the screen.

"Then make sure you eat before you climb to the top, Tsumu. Falling from high places hurts." Osamu crossed his arms, glancing at his brother.

"Samu!!!!"

"But what he said is very much like our banner. It's all in the past, what happens in the future is never known. Like that dark horse Karasuno." Suna said beside him.

"That's why we enjoy the process. It's true that winning feels rewarding, but not everyone in sports has that right. We have to learn to accept defeat, and continue to live with it." Kita also added.

"It's true that your energy makes people want to compete, chibi-chan. But... Have you ever thought that... people who have climbed for a long time, very high... feel extremely painful when they see 'beginners' surpass them?" Oikawa looked straight at Hinata.

"I..."

"Actually... I hate gifted kids like you and Tobio. But at the same time, you guys remind me... that I can still be better." Oikawa laughed, crossing his arms and looking at Hinata and Kageyama.

"We do have talent like you said, but we all have to work hard to maintain it. Kageyama may look annoying, but he really works hard to maintain his skills. You're a genius too, right, Grand King? There must be something about you that makes him really admire you, right? There are many people who say you're a genius, but how many people see the hard work and practice behind it? It's just a matter of how fast or slow we learn." Hinata replied cheerfully.

"Hinata, when did you become so mature?!" Suga gasped in surprise.

"He used to say things like that from time to time." Tsukishima recalled several times.

"Did you hear that, Oikawa? You're not being left behind. You're just standing on another step, waiting for them to catch up." Iwaizumi chuckled, patting Oikawa on the shoulder.

"Really... Chibi-chan always talks in a way that makes people hate him. But remember, chibi-chan, when you rise to the top... don't forget the pain of being surpassed. Because it will teach you how to stand up again." Oikawa sighed, but it was a relieved sigh.

"Of course, I look forward to playing with you again, Grand king."

"It's only those brave enough... those bold enough to follow the difficult, demanding path of competition who have the right to reap the wealth of experience and memories it can bring."

A series of images appeared, emotions mixed together determination, disappointment and contemplation.

Karasuno 3rd year group Asahi, Daichi and Suga.

Year 3 Nekoma Kuroo, Yaku and Kai

Itachiyama's Sakusa.

Ushijima and Tendou.

Aone, Futakuchi and Kogane of Date Tech.

Miya brothers.

Oikawa's back.

Bokuto.

Karasuno second year.

Tsukishima is taking off his sports glasses.

Kageyama is sweating and deep in thought.

Finally, Hinata was seen not wearing a jersey like his teammates, he left first with a trench coat along with Yachi and Shimada.

"Our spring is over. But none of us regret it, right?" Suga looked at the image of their team appearing.

"Yeah. Not at all. We gave it our all."

"Only the weak give up when they don't win. But only the truly strong dare to admit that they need to learn from failure." Ushijima's voice was even and straightforward.

"You're always so straightforward, Wakatoshi-kun."

"Everyone who showed up lost, right? But why isn't Shouyo wearing a jersey like Tobio?" Atsumu said doubtfully.

"Hinata...?" Kageyama turned to look at his orange-haired teammate in surprise.

"Why am I not...in the court?" Hinata trembled in doubt.

The atmosphere in the room became tense. No one said anything, as if everyone was trying to piece together the missing piece. Hinata always the center of attention on the field was standing on the sidelines, not wearing a jersey, not even on the course?

"Are you sick?" Tendou tilted his head and asked, half-jokingly, but no one answered.

"It can't be a tactical reason... there's no way Hinata was substituted... It's not like him at all unless it's for a forced reason like an injury..." Daichi said softly, his lips pressed together as if he couldn't accept it.

"I... I have been training... running... jumping... fighting for many years... But... why is this happening now, when we can participate in the national tournament with our seniors?" Hinata clasped his hands together, his chest heaving.

"Why can't I be on the court?" He turned to look at Kageyama, his eyes filled with confusion and pain.

Kageyama opened his mouth, but couldn't get any words out.

"It's scary. There's nothing more painful than seeing your teammates fall and not being able to do anything to help." Suna was the one to break the silence.

"Hey, chibi-chan. This is the future that will happen. But this is just one failure, you will learn from it, right? Don't give up." Oikawa spoke up, his voice more serious than ever.

Hinata looked up, eyes wide.

"The future doesn't always turn out well. However, you still have a choice from there." Oikawa emphasized each word.

"For today you happen to be the defeated. But what will you become tomorrow?"

Hinata was standing outside the gymnasium, his breath in the air. His gaze was far away, his face pensive and thoughtful, his eyes and nose red from crying. His messy orange hair was blowing in the wind. All of it seemed to signal the future that awaited him.

"You looked like you were crying? ...That image of Hinata... really made my heart ache." Suga squeezed his hand gently, his eyes filled with tears.

"What the hell happened?"

"Who was the one who brought that monster down?" Atsumu thought.

"I don't think it's anyone in particular but many teams combined."

"Actually, the most pitiful thing in the world is not losing, or getting sick, or getting injured, but being told 'what a pity'. Saying that is like throwing away all his efforts. Volleyball is a game of six people not just because one out. " Sakusa said.

It is true that besides the image of Hinata appearing, the sentence "For today you happen to be the defeated. But what will you become tomorrow?" still echoes in everyone's mind, seeping into every quiet moment after that film.

"That question... is for all of us, right?" Suga clenched his fists.

"For today, you are the defeated... But 'tomorrow'... is something that is still in my hands." Daichi repeated, his voice low.

"Tomorrow... Shouyo... he won't stop. I knew it." Kenma said softly, almost to himself.

"That's just the way he is." Kuroo agreed cheerfully.

"Whether I win or lose... Maybe... it doesn't matter as much as what I become after the match." Tsukishima pondered, knowing that he had changed a lot since the beginning.

Yamaguchi nodded slightly, as if he felt himself changing in that moment.

"Tomorrow huh... Well then, let's see what that brat plans to 'become' next..." Atsumu chuckled, but his eyes didn't leave the screen.

"And what... will we do to be worthy of being there tomorrow?" Osamu patted his brother on the back.

"We are by Hinata's side not only as rivals... but also as witnesses to that growth." Bokuto spoke more seriously than ever.

Akaashi smiled slightly, as if in complete agreement.

"My tomorrow... is also the day I have to answer that question. Not for anyone else... but for myself." Oikawa sighed, his eyes deep.

"No matter how many times I lose... I will pull you back up. And tomorrow, we will win... or lose together. We are on the same team after all." Kageyama sat next to Hinata and patted his shoulder. He spoke softly, so softly that everyone heard.

"Tomorrow, I will become someone that everyone will never forget." Hinata wiped the corners of his eyes, looked at everyone, and raised his head. He smiled, his voice hoarse but firm.

A corner of the calendar on the wall was clearly visible: March. Karasuno's practice area. Daichi stood alone at the team's practice area, holding a volleyball. He let out a soft sigh.

"This scene is..." Suga whispered, his hand gently placed on his chest.

"It's time for us to leave." Daichi sighed.

The two looked at each other, having been together for three years, they understood this feeling. The moment they knew they were about to end something wonderful.

"It's... March already? 3rd year senior time..." Yamaguchi's voice trembled.

Not only Karasuno felt emotional when watching, but also the other teams whose teammates or themselves were third years were moved.

"Don't worry, even if I graduate, I'll still come back to check on Nekoma." Kuroo said to Kenma.

"Um..."

"It feels just like me, doesn't it, Wakatoshi-kun?" Tendou tilted his head, his eyes darkening.

"We gave it our all on the course too. But we'll be moving on to a bigger stage." Ushijima was silent for a long moment before nodding.

"March already? Tsumu, remember when we first joined the club?" Osamu said softly.

"Yeah... it's almost done now." Atsumu nodded, eyes never leaving the screen.

"This team, this period of time... can never be repeated." Both Miya brothers understood.

"Kita-san... You probably won't be playing anymore after this tournament, right?" Suna, who was sitting nearby, turned around.

"Yeah, but I've lived my life to the fullest... so there's no regrets in leaving." Kita just nodded.

"We... are almost there." Bokuto said not too loudly, but unlike usual his voice was not excited but calm.

"We only get one chance to be teammates like this. So... we have to play like there's no tomorrow. But I know that even if I don't play volleyball in the future, we'll always be watching you, Bokuto-san." Akaashi looked at his teammate, then spoke slowly.

"I... I don't want time to pass by like this." Hinata said softly, his hands clenched as he watched his seniors leave.

"Then we have to climb higher." Kageyama looked at the boy beside him, then nodded slightly.

"Is this where we should stop? Sometimes I wish I could stay young forever..." Oikawa sighed, looking around.

"But if we don't step outside, we won't see the good things that come next." He took a deep breath, not out of sadness, but because the truth was so obvious.

His eyes glanced at Iwaizumi, who was standing next to him. Iwaizumi said nothing, only nodded slightly. He understands Oikawa's feelings, someone who lives every match to the fullest, but also someone who knows when to let go.

"It's about time, Iwa-chan." Oikawa smiled softly but also sadly.

"This isn't the end. All the memories, the past will still follow you and become your future, Shittykawa. Rest assured, we will always support you."

Higuruma was standing nearby, arms crossed over his chest, eyes slowly moving from one person to another.

"These moments may feel like the end, but in reality, we are just preparing for something bigger. The team, the people who come along, all contribute to making this path."

He looked at Daichi on the screen, then looked at everyone around him.

"We can't just live in the past forever. So even if we have to give up... It's just a part of growth." Hirugami sighed lightly.

"I look forward to your growth, Korai. You'll have your place with those monsters over there." He pointed at the Hinata and Kageyama couple.

"Of course. I'm still winning."

Memories of his three years at the club flashed through his mind once again.

Hinata and Kageyama were scared when they heard they wouldn't be allowed to join the team.

The first two years of participation.

Coach Ukai Ikkei, Ukai Keishin and sensei Takeda Ittesu.

Yachi when she first appeared behind Shimizu.

Noya and Asahi argued after losing to Date Teach last year.

Tsukishima successfully blocked Ushijima's ball.

Yamaguchi was elated after successfully serving a point.

Shimizu was a freshman when they invited her to be the team manager.

Finally, two equally important yearmates who accompanied him through all the hardships, first-year Suga and Asahi.

He put the ball in the holder as if he knew this was the last time he would be able to play on a team with such members.

Daichi was moved by those old pictures, and even the scene of Noya and Asahi arguing was heartbreaking. But luckily, thanks to the first years, everything was fine in the end. All of it made up the current Karasuno. He suddenly felt lucky that he didn't give up.

"Ah! That was our first time. We almost didn't make it into the team!!" Hinata remembered, holding his head and shuddering as if he had just remembered a nightmare.

"Yeah... I thought I was fired..." Kageyama glanced over, nodding in agreement while keeping his face cold.

"I still remember your faces at that time, they were like 'please spare our lives'~." Suga laughed out loud, although his eyes were still slightly red from the emotion from before.

"Who said that at that time no one would cooperate and I could do everything by myself..." Daichi was helpless.

"Chibi-chan was still very weak when we first met. But looking at him now... What a clear difference. You really are growing quickly." Oikawa squinted at Hinata.

"Without the first time, there would be no second time. And without the second time, there would be no Hinata today." Iwaizumi nodded with his arms crossed.

"I know there are times when I'm annoying, clumsy, and weak in many ways, but I'm really grateful that I was able to join the team that day... Thank you for giving me the opportunity... to continue loving volleyball like I do now." Hinata, after hearing that, turned back to look at the group, his eyes sparkling.

Daichi heard Hinata and Kageyama noises as they raced to the gym.

"Hi captain!" Hinata greeted happily.

"Hello." Kageyama greeted too.

"I could hear you two arguing even in here, y'know..." Daichi said to the two of them, leaning on his hands.

"Sorry sir."

"Hm. 'Good luck'? Maybe 'Karasuno's in your hands now'? No not for those two. They deserve to hear something open, I dunno..."

While Daichi was still thinking about what to say, Hinata and Kageyama stood silently watching in wonder.

"Hey you two? I'm really looking forward to it, okay?"

"Yes."

Seeing Daichi wave and leave, Hinata and Kageyama suddenly had a thought.

"I... won't let you guys down!" Hinata said firmly.

Kageyama nodded in agreement.

"I believe you." Daichi smiled happily.

"It's time to leave Karasuno in the hands of the kids." Suga gave a gentle smile but his eyes were filled with tears.

He turned to Daichi, said nothing more, just quietly patted his best friend's shoulder as a thank you for the three years of youth together overcoming many difficulties.

"I... I didn't think I'd be this emotional looking back..." Yâmguchi turned to Tsukki and said softly. "Thanks for staying, Tsukki."

"Daichi... you're so cool!" Bokuto shouted, holding back tears.

"You'll be just as cool, Bokuto-san." Akaashi said softly.

The graduation ceremony of Karasuno high school took place. The entire first and second years had come to say goodbye to the third years.

"Thank you very much for everything!" Ennoshita said loudly on behalf of everyone.

"Thank you!" Daichi, Suga, Asahi, and Shimizu greeted them with bright smiles.

The image of the Karasuno High School volleyball club activity logbook is closed by Yachi with long hair as if their generation has stopped and the next generation will continue.

"We'll have to leave like this someday, Boke!" Kageyama looked at the crybaby next to him.

"Yeah... even though we know they'll still be watching us, we won't be able to play them in an official match anymore."

"The practice log book. It's thicker, isn't it?"

"That notebook... is like save data in a game... once saved, it means you can't go back."

"Yachi's hair has grown longer too..."

"Then it's time for us to leave."

Years later...

The statue of Christ the Redeemer comes into view.

"Obrigado!" a nimble orange-haired adult just finished his delivery job on a bicycle.

Brazil, Rio De Janeiro.

"Huh!!!! Brazil? Rio? On the other side of the world!" Everyone shouted.

"But who will be there?"

"Orange hair... could it be Hinata...?!" Suga shouted.

"No way...what would I go there for!" Hinata shook his head in denial.

"But it's rare to have that hair color." Yamaguchi pointed.

"What a dare!"

"I don't know, I haven't seen that person's face, but he has the courage to come here alone." Komori commented.

"I didn't expect you to go abroad with your English level, Hinata." Tsukishima doubted.

"Hey!!! The one who is not good at English is Bakageyama!"

"Say what!!! Japanese people don't need English!"

"..."

"Aren't you planning on playing professionally with players from other countries, Bakageyama? You think they can understand Japanese?" Hinata suddenly asked a tricky question.

"I..." Kageyama's face suddenly stiffened, not knowing how to respond.

"But I didn't know you were planning on moving abroad?" Kageyama changed the subject, surprising Hinata.

"I told you it wasn't me!"

"You think I believe..."

Atsumu from the other side suddenly remembered something.

"No...no...If Shouyo goes abroad, how will the promise of passing the ball to him come true?!!" Atsumu groaned while holding his head.

"Ah, that final declaration of power..." Osamu muttered.

"Maybe he'll come back, Tsumu."