The sports exchange continued over the next few days, evolving from a simple inter-class event into something the entire school was buzzing about. Teams were practicing after school, and even those not originally interested in sports found themselves caught up in the excitement, cheering for classmates or volunteering to help with scorekeeping and refreshments.
In the mornings, Ryo would walk into school with Yuto, only to be greeted by the lively sounds of his friends warming up in the gym or on the fields. Even Mei, usually reserved and quiet, had started joining them to cheer. Each day, the anticipation grew as each sport brought its own unique flavor to the event.
Today was volleyball, and Ryo was placed on a team with Saki, Hana, Amelia, and Alice, who were all equally determined to win. The entire gym had been transformed into a miniature arena, with makeshift bleachers filled with students who weren't competing, but eagerly watching.
Ryo adjusted his knee pads as he glanced across the court. His opponents were strong—Takashi and Rina among them, both of whom had clearly played volleyball before. Saki seemed determined, her eyes focused on the net in front of her, while Hana was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Alright, everyone!" Ryo said, gathering his team into a huddle. "Let's play our best and make this fun. We've got this!"
Amelia nodded, her enthusiasm matching Hana's. "This is going to be amazing! Let's give them a match they won't forget!"
As the game began, the ball flew back and forth over the net with incredible speed. Takashi's spikes were powerful, but Alice was quick on her feet, managing to save several close shots. Hana proved to be a skilled setter, and Ryo soon realized she had a natural ability to read the game. She set up the perfect pass for him, and Ryo leaped, slamming the ball down for their first point.
The gym erupted in cheers, and Ryo's team celebrated. Saki flashed him a rare smile, giving him a quick thumbs-up. "Not bad, Ryo."
On the sidelines, Yuto and Mei cheered loudly. Mei, normally composed, even let out a small cheer, which made the others glance over in surprise. She quickly composed herself, looking away with a faint blush.
As the game progressed, both sides fought hard. Rina's serves were incredibly precise, keeping Ryo's team on their toes. Amelia, however, was fearless, diving for the ball and keeping it in play despite the tough competition. Alice, who had been quiet but steady, found her rhythm, surprising everyone with her agility and quick saves.
After a long and grueling rally, Takashi's team managed to gain the lead. Ryo felt the tension in the air as he glanced at his teammates, who were breathing hard but still smiling.
"One more point to go, and we'll take this set," Ryo encouraged.
Hana grinned. "Alright, let's go out with a bang!"
Ryo served, and the ball sailed over the net. Takashi received it, setting up Rina for a spike. But just as her hand connected with the ball, Saki leaped, her arm extended, and blocked it mid-air. The ball bounced back onto Takashi's side of the court, securing the point and winning the set for Ryo's team.
The crowd erupted into applause, and Ryo's teammates pulled each other into a group hug, laughing and celebrating. Takashi and Rina came over, shaking their hands with smiles.
"You guys were great," Takashi admitted, his competitive edge softened. "I haven't played that hard in a while."
"Neither have we!" Ryo said, grinning. "That was intense."
After the matches, the group headed to the school rooftop to cool off, each of them enjoying the crisp evening air and the view of the city as the sun began to set. Alice, who had been quieter during the game, was now laughing and sharing stories with the others, her eyes lighting up as she described a near-impossible save she'd made. Amelia was equally animated, her American enthusiasm adding a bright contrast to their conversations.
They split into smaller groups, with Mei and Saki discussing strategies for the next event and Yuto joking with Hana, who tried to playfully argue that her setup skills were responsible for the team's victory. Ryo found himself sitting with Alice, who smiled shyly as he congratulated her.
"You did great out there," he said, glancing over at her. "That save you made—that was amazing!"
Alice's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. "Thank you, Ryo. I just didn't want to let everyone down."
"You never do," Ryo replied earnestly. "You're always there, giving your best. That means a lot to everyone."
Alice's smile widened, and she looked away, a warm glow on her face. "Thanks, Ryo… that means a lot to me."
Meanwhile, Amelia joined them, plopping down with a content sigh. "This is probably one of my favorite days here so far. I don't think we had anything quite like this back home."
"Then let's make more days like this," Ryo said with a grin. "After all, we've still got a lot of high school left."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group stayed on the rooftop, talking about everything from their favorite memories to their plans for the future. It was in these moments that Ryo realized how much closer they had all grown, and how much each one of them meant to him in different ways.