As the team began their stretches, a second-year girl approached Akane, her calm demeanor and kind smile immediately putting Akane at ease.
"Hey, you're Akane, right?" she asked. "I'm Yui Shikimi, a setter on the girls' team. Need any help with the stretches?"
Akane nodded, grateful. "Thanks, Yui-senpai. That'd be great."
Yui knelt beside her, demonstrating the stretches and chatting lightly. "Don't worry too much about the small numbers on the team," Yui said. "The good thing is, it means we all know each other's playstyles really well. You'll fit right in."
Akane smiled. "I hope so. Everyone seems really skilled."
"They are," Yui agreed, "but don't feel intimidated yet."
After a few minutes, Coach Fujimoto clapped her hands, signaling for everyone to gather.
"Alright, listen up," she said, her tone sharp but encouraging. "You'll have half an hour of independent practice to warm up and get familiar with each other's styles. After that, we're splitting into teams for practice matches. With all the new boys, we finally have enough for two matches at once, so let's make it count."
The team dispersed, and Akane soon found herself being introduced to another girl, Hana Matsumoto.
"Hana," the girl said with a cheerful grin, offering her hand. "I'm the libero. I cover the backline, so I'll be the one keeping things in play when the boys start spiking like crazy."
"Nice to meet you," Akane replied, shaking her hand.
Hana motioned toward Miki, who was adjusting her shoes. "And you've probably figured it out already, but Miki-senpai's a wing spiker. Between her attacks and Yui's sets, we'll make a good team."
As the girls started their independent practice, Akane quickly found herself syncing with Yui's sets. They were precise and easy to read, allowing Akane to focus on her spikes. Even when she missed, Yui would adjust effortlessly, helping Akane feel more confident with every attempt.
"Not bad," Miki said after a particularly clean spike. "You've got good timing for a first-year."
The half-hour flew by, and before Akane knew it, Coach Fujimoto called them back.
"Girls, you're one team. Keisuke, Ken, Haruki, and Daichi, you're the other," she announced.
As the players took their positions, Akane overheard Daichi addressing Keisuke. "Onii-san, try not to hog the ball, okay?"
Akane blinked in surprise. 'They're brothers? Kinda makes sense though.'
Her attention, however, quickly shifted to Ken, who stepped up to serve. He stood at the back of the court, his posture calm yet powerful, before tossing the ball into the air.
With a sharp jump, he struck the ball with incredible force, sending it hurtling between the two receivers on the girls' team.
"Whoa," Hana muttered as the ball hit the ground. "That's some serious power. Makes Miki-senpai and Keisuke-senpai feel like kids."
Miki nodded. "I hate to admit it but that's true. But I know you won't let the next one pass. Right, Hana?"
"Of course!" Hana nodded, already in position.
Ken's second serve came just as fast, but this time Hana moved in time, lunging forward and barely managing to pop the ball into the air.
"Got it!" Yui called, running into position to set the ball.
Akane's instincts kicked in. She leapt into the air, swinging hard, her spike aimed at the far corner of the boys' court.
Practice went by like this, with the two teams winning equal number of sets.And as practice wrapped up, Coach Fujimoto called the team together.
"Good work, everyone," she said. "You've got potential, but there's a lot to improve. Tomorrow morning, practice starts at seven sharp. Be here on time, ready to push yourselves. Dismissed."
The team dispersed, with everyone pitching in to clean up. Akane swept the court alongside Yui, Hana, and a few of the new boys, chatting casually as they worked.
"You were great today, Akane," Yui said. "Keep this up, and we'll have a solid team in no time."
"Thanks, Yui-senpai," Akane replied, smiling.
Once the gym was spotless, Akane grabbed her bag and headed outside. As she was leaving, she caught sight of Ken in the parking lot. He approached a sleek black car, opened the driver's door, and got in.
'Wait... he has his own car?' Akane thought, stopping in her tracks. 'Is he even old enough to drive?'
She watched as Ken started the car and drove off smoothly, disappearing down the street.
Akane sighed, her thoughts swirling. 'His parents must be really rich. A car like that at his age?'
The contrast between their lives struck her. While Ken had the luxury of a car, Akane's commute relied on the train, with careful budgeting for tickets.
She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought, and began walking toward the train station. As she made her way, her phone buzzed.
It was a text from Kana:
"Coming home early today! Let's celebrate your first day of high school. You better have lots of stories for me, okay? Love you!"
Akane smiled at the message. Her mom always knew how to lift her spirits. She typed a quick reply:
"Can't wait! I have so much to tell you. Love you too!"
She slipped her phone back into her bag, her steps quickening as she headed home, already thinking about how to recount her day to Kana.
Akane made her way home, feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement after her first day of high school. When she arrived, she was surprised to see the lights already on.
The door opened before she could even reach for her keys. Kana stood there, dressed only in her underwear and an apron, her face lighting up with a rare, childlike excitement.
"Welcome home!" Kana said, pulling Akane into a tight hug before she could even step inside.
"Mom!" Akane exclaimed, laughing as she hugged her back. "At least let me take off my uniform first!"
Kana let go with a sheepish smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm just so excited today. It feels like such a special day."
Akane smiled warmly. It had been a while since she'd seen this side of her mother, though she noticed the faint trace of fatigue still in her eyes.
"I'll go change," Akane said, slipping off her shoes and heading to her room.
She swapped her uniform for a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt, letting out a sigh of relief before heading back downstairs. In the kitchen, Kana was humming softly, a tune Akane remembered from her childhood, as she finished preparing dinner.
"Need any help?" Akane asked, stepping into the kitchen.
"Nope, just sit down. Dinner's almost ready," Kana replied, grinning.
Akane began setting up the table, but her mother suddenly appeared behind her, holding up a box of sushi with a flourish.
"Ta-da! To celebrate your first day!" Kana said.
"You got sushi?!" Akane's eyes widened.
"And..." Kana reached for another box. "Cake! From that bakery near work you like so much."
Akane beamed. "Mom, you didn't have to do that much!"
"Of course, I did! My baby's first day of high school deserves it," Kana said, ruffling Akane's hair.
They sat down together, sharing the meal and savoring the treats. Kana's energy was infectious, and as they ate, she bombarded Akane with questions about her day.
"So, how was it? Did you meet anyone interesting?"
Akane began recounting everything in detail—her classmates, the volleyball club, and even the awkward laughter when she shared her dream during introductions. When she mentioned Ken's car, Kana's expression shifted from curiosity to mild annoyance.
"What? He has his own car?" Kana said, setting down her chopsticks. "What are his parents thinking, letting a kid drive his own car? That's so irresponsible! At least hire a driver if you're that well-off."
Akane giggled at her mom's reaction. "I mean, he's probably responsible enough to handle it."
"Still, that's not the point," Kana muttered, shaking her head.
Akane smiled, glad to see her mom so animated. Despite her complaints, Kana's presence was as comforting as ever.
"Anyway," Kana said, softening her tone, "it sounds like you had a good first day. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Mom," Akane said, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
The evening passed with laughter and conversation, the perfect end to Akane's long but rewarding day.
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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.