The sharp sound of the volleyball bouncing off the wall reverberated in my ears as I stood frozen, eyes locked onto the fiery-haired boy who had just retrieved it. My mind was a storm of thoughts, ideas colliding with dreams and plans. This boy—Hinata Shouyou—was the key. The realization from moments ago had sent a jolt through my entire being, but now, standing there in a daze, the floodgates of my mind opened.
Images of a future began to form. A court filled with players, Hinata soaring above the net, the roar of a crowd in the background. It wasn't just about volleyball. It was about creation, about shaping something extraordinary—a purpose I hadn't known I was seeking until this very moment.
"Hey, you good?" Shigeo's voice cut through the haze, snapping me back to reality.
I blinked, glancing at my friend, who had a sly grin plastered on his face. Shigeo tilted his head, his tone laced with mockery. "You've been staring at him for a while now. Should I be worried? You're not, like, into him or something, right?"
Hinata, who had been wiping sweat from his forehead, overheard and froze, his cheeks turning crimson. "W-what? No way! That's not…" he stammered, waving his hands in denial.
I let out a sigh, rolling my eyes. "Don't be an idiot," I muttered, brushing past the comment as though it hadn't been made. My tone shifted, firm and resolute. "We're joining the volleyball club."
"We?" Shigeo raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "What makes you think we're doing anything? I didn't sign up for this."
I turned to face him, my lips curling into a knowing smirk. "What do you think your mom would do if she found out you've been staying up until morning grinding that game instead of studying?"
Shigeo's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, scoffing. "Your word against mine. She's not going to believe you without proof."
I pulled my phone from my pocket and unlocked the screen, holding it up for Shigeo to see. On display was a text exchange from a few weeks ago:
Me: "Want to hang out today?" Shigeo: "Can't. Too tired. I've been grinding all night for the past few days. Need sleep."
Shigeo's face darkened as he leaned back against the wall, arms crossed tightly. "That's low, Keiji. Real low."
I shrugged, unapologetic. "Whatever works. So, are you in?"
Reluctantly, Shigeo sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Fine. But you owe me for this."
Meanwhile, Hinata had been listening intently, his wide eyes darting between the two of us. Shigeo glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Wanna join us, redhead?" Shigeo asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hinata's expression brightened, and he practically bounced on his toes. "Sure, I'll join! I'm Hinata Shouyou, by the way. I'm a second-year!"
Shigeo raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "Wait, you're a second-year? I thought you were a first-year judging by your size."
Hinata puffed out his cheeks in mock offense, crossing his arms. "Hey! When I'm in my third year, like you guys, I'll be taller than both of you."
I chuckled, leaning slightly toward him. "It's not about the size, Hinata. It's about the way you use it. Right?"
Hinata blinked, bewildered, before hesitantly nodding. "Uh... yeah, I guess?"
Shigeo, catching the true meaning, let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head.
I glanced at him, my smirk softening into something more genuine. "Yeah. Let's make it happen."
The next day, I made a bold move. After football practice, I approached the coach, handing in my resignation. "Thank you for everything, but I've decided to pursue something else."
The coach tried to convince me to stay, citing my potential and dedication, but my resolve was unshakable. My mind was already on the next step: creating a new boys' volleyball club. The existing one, I'd discovered, was little more than a fan club for the girls' team, with no real training or aspirations.
That afternoon, I met with the student council to discuss my plans. With Shigeo's reluctant help, we managed to secure access to the school gym three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—for after-school practice. We spent the rest of the day designing flyers, my vision and enthusiasm driving the effort while Shigeo grumbled under his breath about how much work it was.
By the following morning, the flyers were ready, plastered on bulletin boards and handed out to students during breaks. "Join the New Boys' Volleyball Club," they read. "No experience needed. Come find your potential."
Hinata, true to his nature, was the first to sign up. His boundless energy was infectious as he dashed around campus, encouraging others to join. His enthusiasm paid off, as within a few days, three first-years decided to give it a try.
The first was a lanky boy with glasses, who introduced himself as Tanaka Daiki. Though he'd never played volleyball, his height and curiosity made him an obvious candidate. The second was Kurose Minato, a quiet but athletic boy who had dabbled in several sports but never found his niche. The third was Arata Riku, a cheerful and clumsy boy who joined mostly because he admired Hinata's determination.
By the end of the week, the fledgling team had begun to take shape. I stood in the gym after our first practice session, watching as the others packed up and headed home. My heart swelled with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in years. This was just the beginning, but it felt like the start of something monumental.
As Shigeo approached, slinging his bag over his shoulder, he raised an eyebrow at me. "You're really going all in on this, huh?"
I nodded, a grin breaking across my face. "You have no idea."