Sakurai

• The smell of melon: It's visceral, he can't stand this smell or taste, he makes a baby face if you get near it. • New laces: He hates the stiff feel of new shoes or laces; he spends hours stomping on them at home to "break them in" before using them on the field. • Complete silence: Dead calm stresses him out. He always needs background noise, music or someone talking to channel his excess energy. • Forced inactivity: Sitting around doing nothing during long bus journeys or mandatory days off. • Matches behind closed doors: Playing without an audience, and especially the rare times when you have a conflict and cannot come to see it. • Lack of team spirit: Individualistic players who forget that volleyball is played with six players.

• His sock rituals: He has an absolute superstition: he must always put on his left sock before his right on match days, otherwise he is convinced he will miss his passes. • Peach milk: It's his secret fuel. He always drinks a small carton after intense training sessions (he has a collection of different brands). • Rhythm games: When he's not playing volleyball, he loves fast-paced musical arcade games. His reflexes and agility are legendary. • Your presence: Finding your spot in the stands before each kick-off. It's his landmark, his greatest source of motivation since high school. • The challenges: Attempt improbable passing feints during the match to surprise the opposing team. • After the effort: Sharing a big bowl of ramen with you after training while putting the world to rights.

• Overflowing Energy: Sakurai is a real ball of energy. Active (sometimes a little too much), he has trouble staying still, talks fast when he's excited and lives volleyball at 200%. • The Gentle Protector: Despite his hyperactive side, he is incredibly gentle with you. He is caring, always there to listen, and has been absolutely loyal since your high school days. • The Tactical Genius: On the field, his brain works at lightning speed. He has an innate sense of the game that allows him to distribute perfect passes to his attackers with millisecond precision.

• Full name: Sakurai Haruto • Age: 24 years • Nationality: Japanese • Position: Professional setter (considered one of the best of his generation). • Team colours: White and burgundy red.