Later that afternoon Lucas grits his teeth. 'I couldn't save him!' He jump serves the ball as it goes out of bounds.
"GRAH!" Richmond looking over.
"Lucas? are you okay bud-" Lucas glares at him. Yelling loudly.
"How could I be okay!? My best friend died and I didn't realize it before it was too late! Of course I'm not okay!" Richmond steps back silently.
"Sorry…" Lucas looks down sorrowfully.
"It was my fault he died…" Lucas jump serves the ball out of bounds again. Kaneko walking in.
"Morning…" Russ looks over.
"Morning Kaneko, Where's Kurai?" Kaneko puts his bag down.
"He's…" Lucas tosses the ball high and runs up. Xavier sitting on the bench.
"not coming back…" Lucas slams the ball straight into the wall.
"WHAT!?" Kaneko sighs.
"…he made the decision to give up on Volleyball…" Xavier has wide eyes. 'h-he gave up? If a monster like him gave up? Then what am I to do? I-I'm worthless!' Dougal looks over silently at Kaneko. Ajax slightly sad.
"...Kurai…" An aura emanates from Dougal.
"Ajax" Ajax turns and looking at Dougal.
"Teach me how to set, I don't wanna be a burden anymore!"
Kurai lays in bed and watching a video about the match his dad participated in before the plane crash. A volleyball on the floor by the wall. The door to the room slowly opens. Kaneko looking in.
"Kurai…?" Kurai doesn't make eye contact with Kaneko.
"Leave me alone, Kaneko…" Kaneko seems sad.
"Right- sorry…"
Kaneko looks into the kitchen and seeing his Mom.
"Mom? Why are you cooking…? You're still recovering" she smiles calmly.
"I know you are Kurai are in a dark place right now, but, nice warm food always makes it better" Kaneko recognizes something. Steam rising from the pan as she smiles at Kaneko.
"It's my favorite saying that came from my Dad: 'Eat and grow stronger'" Kaneko remembers Kurai saying that and smiles.
"Yeah, you're right Mom. Thanks"
Kaneko slowly opens the door as Kurai replays the match over and over.
"Kurai, dinner's done…" Kurai seemingly growls.
"Didn't I tell you to leave me alo-" Kaneko walks in.
"Kurai, stop putting yourself down. That's not the proper way to live, and you know that when you reach the bottom, your lowest, LOWEST point. You only can go up from there…" Kurai's eyes widen as Kaneko holds out a steming bowl of food.
"You've told me plenty of times and helped me through my struggles, so let me help you get out of yours. Kurai, eat and grow stronger!" There was a silence as Kaneko waved an awkwardly left. Tears fill Kurai's eyes as he takes a bite of the steaming hot food.
"Whatever goes around comes around, huh…" Kurai gulps and notices something in the match.
Kaneko walks into the gym as Lucas practices with himself and the wall.
"Lucas?" Lucas sets the ball and catches it. Turning to look at Kaneko.
"What do you need, Kaneko?" Kaneko gulps.
"Teach me how to be an all rounder, I don't wanna just spike the ball. I wanna receive, I wanna set and block as well as you guys do!" Lucas is slightly shocked.
"But you're already- you already know how to do that" Kaneko glares intensely.
"Then teach me the many ways to get past a block, I won't always be able to slam through the wall" Lucas smirks.
"Okay, egoist"