The gym filled with sounds of volleyballs slamming onto the court. Kurai watches the gym closely, his eyes glowing.
'Team USA, these 5 players are who i'll be playing with for the Olympics…' The ball flies in front of the lights as Kurai glances, following the ball. The ball flying over the net. A sharp curve nearly sending the ball parallel to the net. In an instant, someone appears under the ball. Casually and effortlessly bringing the ball up in front of the net. His hair was short and blonde, combed out of his face, his green eyes on show. Kurai smirking.
'Kyle Hendricks, from what I've seen of his playstyle, he's efficient in his movements and doesn't make any unnecessary gestures while playing… simple and effective.' Kurai steps forward, overhand setting the ball in front of the two blockers.
'You can get that, can't you… Sean?' Sean, a tall and muscular man with dark, tanned skin, watches the ball. His purple eyes locked onto its circular arched path. 'You monster setter, of course I can!' He took several powerful and quick steps forward. Flying high into the air despite his size. His back popping as he swings his body weight into the ball. Warping the ball onto the court, shattering the block with ease. Kurai exhales.
'Sean Maners… he's a man of height, dominance, and brute strength… he can plow through almost any block I've placed him in front of… good… I can focus on manipulating other things mid-game instead…'
Kurai exhales and spins the ball.
"Good serve…" He leans forward slightly, tossing the ball as he takes his first step. The ball is floating in front of the light as Kurai jumps forward. In a split second the ball flies across the court. The opposing Libero brought it up. Kurai smirks as the opposing outside hitter jumps to spike.
'Jordan Adams… our main blocker… He can block almost better than Dougal from High school, but he prefers to guide the spiker to hit the ball where he wants it to go, to our Libero, giving me a chance to set up an attack' The ball flies past as a man jumps up to block. Kyle reached forward and brought the ball up before it could hit the court.
"Kurai!" Kurai jumps forward, flying in the air to spike. Jordan jumped back and ran forward, along with Sean at separate tempos. Kurai, last second spinning mid-air and setting the ball to the right.
'Of course… my favorite is the decoy' Tyler runs forward, a fade haircut with green eyes. Flying into the air. Swinging and missing the ball as the blockers hit the court.
'And the lackey that spikes after the decoy!' Max appears from behind Tyler with long hair tied up in a ponytail.
"HAAA!" Tyler slams the ball over the net, slamming it on the court as a whistle blows.
"Team USA takes the practice match 25-20" Kurai exhales and high fives Tyler. Tyler smirks.
"Amazing set man, it felt so perfect, it just kinda appeared in front of my hand. How do you do it so precisely?" Kurai swallows some water.
"Practice" Kurai walks away leaving Tyle speechless.
-----
The room had a silence hum from the AC. The faint shuffling of papers at the front of the room as Kurai found a seat by his locker. Coach Copley turned to look at the Olympic team. The dim light and tense air filled the room with anticipation. A day or so before the first Olympic match, the pressure was almost visible, hanging over every player's head like a storm cloud.
"Good morning, team, good practice session today, keep it up" Kurai glanced around the room, hands resting on his knees. He caught quick glances from Sean, Kyle, and a few of the others who had been pulled in for this meeting. They all wore similar expressions: focused, a little anxious, but ready to hear what Coach Copley had to say.
Coach Copley shuffled the papers in his hands, trying to figure out where to start, his eyes sharp as always. He wasn't one for theatrics or long speeches; he cut right to the point. He took a breath and began.
"You've all put in the work to be here," he started, his voice firm, each word deliberate.
"But the Olympic stage is a different beast. This isn't just about skill—it's about controlling the game. Staying sharp and steady when everyone else is shaking." He moved through each player, giving them quick, pointed feedback.
"Kyle, stay disciplined on defense. Keep your footwork in check... Max, watch your timing on the decoys; don't give them any reads before you have to… Sean…" His eyes narrowed, and he gave a small nod.
"Trust Kurai's sets. He'll get you the ball—don't force it. Just be there." Finally, he turned to Kurai, pausing a moment longer, his gaze softer but focused.
"Kurai," he began, his voice dropping slightly.
"Your setting is precise, and your reads are spot-on. I trust you to keep making those choices out there, especially under pressure. But remember this: sometimes the right play isn't the smartest one—it's the one you feel in the moment. Don't be afraid to make those instinctive decisions." Kurai nodded, swallowing as he took in Coach's words. Coach Copley's confidence in him was palpable, and it left an undeniable weight on his shoulders—but in a way that grounded him, that made him feel ready.
"Your role out there," Coach continued, his voice almost a low murmur now,
"Is to keep this team steady. You'll be our anchor, but that doesn't mean you can't take risks. Play smart, but trust yourself to be a little bold… we understand you're the Emperor of the Court, but because of your age, you must prove yourself to your Olympic teammates" The others watched Kurai with a mix of admiration and expectation, each of them silently absorbing the weight of Coach's words.
A faint smile flickered on Kurai's face as he looked down, adjusting the tape on his fingers. He'd trained for this for years, drilled the motions into muscle memory—but somehow, Coach's words made him feel sharper, more capable.
"That's all, if you aren't on the starting line-up, keep practicing, maintain your det, and keep a healthy sleep schedule… don't overexert yourself… good night everyone, have a good rest" the players filed out of the room, their expressions serious but determined. Sean gave Kurai a solid clap on the back, muttering,
"Let's make this our game, huh?" Kurai grinned back, his eyes glinting with that familiar spark.
"You bet," he replied, his voice steady. As they walked out, the unspoken resolve was clear: they weren't just going out there to play—they were going out to win.