The volleyball club, huh? It's been a while since I've played. How long ago was it? Maybe three to four years. Why did I stop playing again? Oh yeah, it was because volleyball wasn't considered a sport for boys.
"Ehhh? You like volleyball? Isn't that a girl's sport?"
My classmates' laughter filled the room akin to a glass of wine being poured.
"N-No, it isn't! Volleyball was originally made for men!"
"But how come girls play it then?"
I wasn't able to retort any of their arguments. Not because I didn't know what to say, but rather because I figured it was futile to argue with them.
I think I was in about 6th grade when that happened. That was also the year I was picked on relentlessly for liking a "girl's" sport.
After that, I just sort of stopped playing volleyball. Of course, my parents were the first to notice this change and beg me to reconsider, but my terrible excuse was, "It's a girl's sport."
I could never forget their looks of anger and disappointment. After all, they only wanted to bring me back because of the money and fame it brought them.
But in the end, I assume they got so tired of it, they decided to send me to my father's side of the family in Japan. They weren't going to raise their only source of income when it ran dry.
My uncle took me in happily and taught me some of the basics of the language, but I still get confused most of the time.
"Listen, Jodie, you have to say it like this. T-h-a-n-k y-o-u."
"Uncle… why don't my mom and dad like me?"
"Jodie… I cannot answer that. But I know one thing. My brother is nothing but a money-obsessed man."
"I see. Thanks for everything, uncle. I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem really, Jodie. Want some tea?"
"Sure."
"Here you go—"
Uncle tried to give me some tea, but he accidentally dropped it while trying to hand it to me over the table. As a result, the tea spilled, and some of it spilled onto my pants.
It hurt a lot.
"Kya!!!!"
"I'm so sorry, Jodie! Hold still and take off your pants!"
***
"Then you resume by using this formula to find the correct answer…"
Another boring day, I guess.
It's been about a week since the first day. In that time, I've made absolutely no friends.
It isn't really surprising to say the least. I'm not really the talkative type, but I do show some extroverted features when I'm with people I'm really comfortable with.
After that boring class, I made my way towards the cafeteria to buy some food, but what I wasn't expecting at all was this embarrassing sight.
There he was. Hoshizaki-senpai standing in the middle of the hallway wearing an "I love volleyball" shirt with an odd little volleyball with a doodled face drawn onto it.
"There you are, Jodie!"
"Agh… I… why are you here?"
He walked towards me and threw his arm around my shoulder. He still smelled, to no surprise.
"We've finally got some members for the club! Now you have to join!"
"Tell me the truth. Why are you so set on getting me to join?"
"Because I'm your biggest fan!"
"…"
My eyes widened. I felt everyone in the halls stare with curiosity. By the looks on their faces, they're probably thinking, "Is he some secret idol?" or "Is this dude crazy?"
Either way, nothing could calm my surprised expression down.
"You're a fan of me?"
"Yes! You're one of the best volleyball players I've ever seen!"
At that moment, everyone's curious expressions faded, and they continued walking the halls.
"Huh? Are you serious?"
"Follow me!"
"Eh?!"
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the halls while also running at an insane speed. I don't think I could keep up with him.
Before long, we arrived at the gym. I was still hungry though.
"Why did you bring me here?"
I asked while panting furiously. I haven't ran this much in years.
"We managed to get our hands on another volleyball player!"
Hoshizaki-senpai opened the doors of the gym loudly with a wide grin.
"Come inside, Jodie."
I sighed and followed reluctantly. I thought about how different this would've been if I had just taken a different route through that crowd on the first day.
I looked and saw that Kimura was sitting on a chair while on her phone, but what surprised me was that there was another person. They appeared to be a girl, but I could tell that she's good at volleyball.
Hoshizaki pulled my wrist once more towards the girl who appeared to be looking around the gym.
"Hey, other first year! I'd like you to meet Jodie Josselyn right here!"
I flinched. The girl looked at me like a curious animal.
She had long black hair with her ends a dark blue. She leaned into me and looked at me with a curious face.
"Ah! I thought you were a girl! My name is Sumikawa Hoshiko!"
"Uhm, yeah, I get that a lot…"
"You're Jodie Josselyn, right?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Excellent! Tell me a quirk you have!"
"A q-quirk?"
"Yeah! The best way to know someone is to get to know a quirk of theirs first!"
"I uh… I like having hot water flow down my scratched hands?"
"Eh? What?"
Both Hoshizaki and Sumikawa tilted their heads in confusion.
***
Welcome to Jodie's Explanation Time! On today's matter, Jodie's personal quirk!
———————————————————
Now tell me, Jodie, why is it that you like to have hot water flow down your hands?
"Well, it's not masochism at all. I just want to say that first. I'd say the feeling is akin to having warm water poured on cold hands."
My second question. Why is it that you scratch your hands?
"Well, the reason is simple. Stress."
Stress, you say?
"Yes. Whenever I'm stressed, I usually respond by scratching either my left or right hand."
Oh? Why are you stressed?
"Oh, you know. School and everything. I sort of help run my uncle's house while he's at work most of the time. So I only enjoy washing dishes because the hot water usually makes contact with my scratched hands. It feels good. Not in a sexual arousal way."
What an amusing explanation. You're an odd one, Jodie! Let's take a break and look at our sponsors!
***
"Eh? Is he okay? He's been staring at the ground for about ten seconds."
"Hey, Jodie!"
Hoshizaki punched my shoulder. It awoke me instantly.
"Huh? What?"
"So, what do you think? Care to join the new and improved volleyball club?"
"What's so improved about it? If anything… it just feels like the atmosphere is a lot worse…"
"Ah… you're as blunt as Kimura."
Kimura sneezed while looking at her phone, not paying attention at all.
"Anyways, what's so different about the club is that it is now officially co-gender!"
"You mean both boys and girls can join? I mean, the club is literally titled The Volleyball Club…"
"That's so different right?!"
"So then what's she doing here? How did you even get her to join?"
"That's uhm…"
Sumikawa jumped onto Hoshizaki's back with a childish grin.
"Hoshizaki is my cousin, and he said he'd also make me lunch if I join!"
I sighed and looked towards Hoshizaki, who appeared to be slightly stressed.
I wasn't really sure what to feel about this situation. I love volleyball. I love volleyball so much that simple words cannot describe it.
But what's stopping me again? Am I really stopping just because a few kids in the past said it was a "girl's sport?"
Wait, that's not the reason… why did I quit again? Damn, it's been four years, and I forgot, huh? Maybe I'll make an exception.
"I'll join the club…"
"Really?!"
Both Sumikawa and Hoshizaki shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Then, let's practice a bit so we can see where you stand! Hoshizaki said you haven't played in a while, so don't be disappointed when you can't receive my killer serve!"
"Seriously? We're doing this right now? Can't it wait? I'm still pretty hungry…"
"I'll give you my lunch that Hoshizaki made if you receive this serve!"
"I guess…"
I took off my bag, placed it on the ground, and stood in the end zone while on the opposite side of the net stood Sumikawa in the service area.
She spun the ball in her hand and tossed it up. A jump serve?!
"Try to receive this!"
The ball flew across the court and net. I attempted to bump it head-on, but it unexpectedly curved to the left before it could touch my wrists.
"What?!"
The ball slammed on the ground. My face was beyond surprised, and I could only stand still to take in Sumikawa's serve.
"How was that, Jodie?"
I slowly turned my head to her and offered a shaky thumbs up.
"You're very good…"
My stamina… it's already depleted!