True Feelings (Japanese: 本音 Honne) is the nineteenth chapter of the Haikyū!! series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate, published weekly in the magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump, appeared in Issue 31 in 2012.
Overview
Plot
In a flashback, Asahi spikes a ball only to get blocked again, and he thinks to himself about how it’s not the first time. Even though Nishinoya’s doing so much, Asahi, as the ace, is doing nothing. He stops in his track, realizing that he’s too scared to call for another toss.
In the present, Asahi is approached by Daichi who tells him about the practice match against Nekoma, but the ace replies that he can’t face Suga or Nishinoya. Daichi slaps his shoulder, telling him that Suga and Nishinoya will forgive him as long as he returns. Liking volleyball is enough of a reason for Asahi to return.
In the Sakanoshita Shop, Takeda approaches Ukai again. Frustrated by the teacher’s repeated attempts to recruit him, Ukai tells him that he still loves playing volleyball and even has his own team, but he doesn’t want to go back to the Karasuno gym because of the memories. There’s a nostalgic feeling to the Karasuno gym that reminds him too much of his high school days. He appears to be adamant about not going back to Karasuno, until Takeda tells him about Nekoma coming. He explains that recently the coach for Nekoma, an old friend of Coach Ukai, has returned to his position, and another Nekoma coach is a former setter of the team from 7-8 years ago, someone Ukai Keishin knows. Ukai finally gives in to Takeda's surprise and happiness.
Takeda goes to the gym with Ukai and introduces him as the new coach. Without giving the team time to adjust, Ukai tells them that they’re going to play a game at 6:30 against the neighborhood association team. Daichi explains to Ukai that Nishinoya can’t play but just as the libero is about to leave, Hinata announces Asahi’s arrival, to the latter’s annoyance. Before Asahi can explain himself, Ukai pulls him into the game. Ukai asks Suga and Kageyama to split up, and Suga voluntarily goes to the neighborhood association team. Kageyama stops him, telling him that he’s sorry if it seems like Suga is stepping down, and Kageyama’s advancing. Suga explains to the first year that when Kageyama joined, he thought they would compete for the setter spot, but Suga was relieved instead that Kageyama was here because he was scared of tossing the ball, the memories of the game with Asahi still fresh in his mind. However, he tells everyone that despite his fear, he still wants to toss to Asahi one more time.
The game begins with the Karasuno high school team on one side and the neighborhood association team on the other with Suga, Nishinoya, and Asahi. Hinata smiles in excitement, ready for a showdown with the ace.
Debut
Characters
- Takinoue Yusuke (Takinoue Electric Goods): Middle blocker, 185cm
- Ushizawa (Ushizawa Cleaning): Wing spiker, 176cm
- Mori Yukinari (College student): middle blocker, 183cm
- Shimada Makoto (Shimada Mart): wing spiker, 177cm
Chapter notes
Character revelations
- Despite his huge body, Asahi is a wimpy person, the opposite of Nishinoya.
- The upcoming match with Nekoma is the first time Nekoma and Karasuno has played together in a practice match in five years.
- Ukai Keishin’s generation had the closest relationship with Nekoma High School (before the current generation).
- During Nishinoya’s suspension, he did block follow-ups, where he took care of balls that were blocked, also the reason why he’s covered in bruises.
- Sakanoshita Shop belongs to Ukai Keishin’s mom’s family.
- Ukai Keishin plays in the Neighborhood Association Volleyball Team with some alumni of the Karasuno High Volleyball Team.