The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

"Look! Is that Agostini-san from 1-B?"

"Yeah! But why is his expression so scary?"

"Well, maybe you haven't heard about it, but his volleyball team just lost a game yesterday and was officially disbanded by the school for good."

"Really?! I heard they did a good job in their tournament. It is a pity."

"What are you pitying about? Have you heard the rumor about how they were always favored by the headmaster? Now, they finally get the fair treatment like the other clubs, so I don't see a bad thing about it."

"There is something like that?!"

"Man, where do you live in the last few weeks? Under the rock?"

It was a day after the game between Tsunemori and Konan, and while Riku never expected a warm welcome, he was still surprised by the whispers full of taunts coming from the other students. He knew the club's current reputation wasn't at the best, but to say something so mean like that to the peers who just gave their all to represent the school was a low blow.

His fists clenched at his sides, and he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks; how could they mock a team that had given their all? They didn't understand the sweat, dedication, and passion that had been poured into every practice, every game—and to be honest, he didn't expect them to understand. However, the last thing he wanted was for the entire school to revel in their moment of weakness.

He entered the classroom with a sour face, ignoring the fangirls who usually squealed when they saw him and sat directly in the seat next to Yuki's. Seeing his friend's sully face, the glasses boy snorted amusedly, asking, "Did you wake up this morning on the wrong side of your bed?"

"Huh?" Riku blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

Yuki just rolled his eyes at him. "It is an expression. Forget it, even if I tell you, you will not understand."

"Are you telling me I am dumb?" A thick vein popped into Riku's forehead.

"Well, did you just admit that yesterday?"

"When?!"

Seeing the two boys bickering with each other, Kato who sat in front of them sighed in exasperation. "Isn't it a bit too early for you to quarrel?" She asked. The two boys blushed immediately, somehow forgetting the girl's presence. Kato huffed in annoyance before sighing, turning at Riku. "So, what trouble you this morning?" She asked once again.

"Oh, yeah." Riku's expression darkened once again. "Oi, Yuki, don't you feel bothered by the whispers from the other students? Man, they are so infuriating! I swear, they are just a flock of sheep, only dare to do that when they are together and would cower in fright when we confront them alone."

'Ah, so that is why he has a bad mood today.' Yuki and Kato nodded in realization.

"Well, while it bothers me, I know something like this would happen from the start." Yuki shrugged nonchalantly. "I mean, if you paid more attention to the public opinion before the game began, you would've known that our reputation was at rock bottom even by then. Their opinion is meaningless if you ask me.

I would rather think about what Matsumoto-san said yesterday after the game was over." Said Yuki. His memory suddenly brought him back to when they chatted after shaking hands with each other.

-A flashback-

"A camp?" Yuki blinked his eyes rapidly, staring at Konan's captain confusedly.

"Yeah." Matsumoto nodded while wiping the sweat on his face. "I see you are a rookie and have the potential to be a better player. Our school always opens a training camp during the first week of August for a bunch of rookie players like you.

This summer, we have already confirmed that Haruo from Kyoei Gakuen who your team beat, Nobu and Take from our team, and several other potential players from all over Tokyo to join. So, here I am, extending the invitation for you and your blonde friend."

Yuki blinked his eyes once again. "Potential players all over Tokyo? Aren't you afraid that they will trouble you in the future?"

Matsumoto smirked somehow a bit arrogantly. "Well, it would be good if they could trouble us like you did today. After all, it would be boring if they gave up in the middle of the game just like our opponents usually did in the past."

Yuki was stunned by the arrogant statement that came out of Matsumoto's mouth. However, after thinking about it for a second, Yuki could see why Matsumoto dared to say something like that. It was because he had the right to be arrogant. His team was the best in the country for about ten years, and it was hard for them to stay motivated all the time.

While this might not be the best solution, improving the opponent's ability of course would maintain the team's motivation at the top.

A bold move that only Konan High could do.

"So, how is it?" Matsumoto asked once again.

Yuki was in a dilemma. To be honest, this offer came unexpectedly. Yuki was still trying to deal with his feelings after losing the game, yet Matsumoto didn't give him time to do that. But in hindsight, it was hard for him to reject the offer.

A chance to go to a camp with all the talented players who were the same age as him and trained together under the guidance of the best coach in the country would never come twice, and it would be stupid for Yuki to refuse it. Explore hidden tales at empire

However, he still had no idea what the team's future would be. The school was still going to disband them, and if nothing drastic happened, there would be no point in joining the camp if there was no longer a Tsunemori Volleyball team.

After thinking for a while, Yuki finally asked, "Can I think about it for a while?"

Matsumoto was taken aback, somehow expecting him to agree immediately. However, Konan's captain still respected his opinion and nodded. "Well, you can go to our school a week before the camp begins to register first. Just say that I am inviting you to the camp and everyone will know what to do. Oh, and make sure you invite your blonde friend too, okay?"

"Sure! Thanks, Matsumoto-san!"

-End of the flashback-

"Yuki… Yuki… Oi, Yuki!" Riku's voice snapped Yuki from his thoughts. When his consciousness was back to his body again, he realized his two friends had been staring at him with a concerned gaze. "Are you alright? What are you thinking about?" Kato asked.

"No, it is nothing." Yuki shook his head quickly. "Just thinking about the future, I guess."

"I got you, man." Riku patted his shoulder sympathetically. "But don't worry, though. Akira-jiisan will also try his best to fight for us. Even though we are not an official team anymore, we will not be too far from the volleyball, trust me."

Seeing his confident look, Yuki wanted to trust his friend more. However, his gut told him otherwise. In the end, he could only smile weakly before muttering, "Well, I hope you are right…"