Monday, September 10, 2012. Despite the hot sunlight, a cool breeze is blowing, signaling the approach of autumn. Karasuno High School in Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku.

It has been a week since summer vacation ended... The current time is 5:24 PM, a time when most after-school activities would be finished unless you are in a serious sports club.

After being tossed around here and there running errands for teachers, the dismissal time has long since passed.

As you put on your bag to leave, you hear the sound of a ball bouncing from the direction of the gymnasium.