Chapter: A Day After the Championship – Riku's Moment
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The morning after Inarizaki's triumphant Interhigh Nationals victory, Riku woke up to sunlight streaming through his curtains. His body ached, every muscle reminding him of the intense matches they'd endured. He sat up, stretching his arms over his head and letting out a content sigh.
The sound of his mother bustling in the kitchen reached him, accompanied by the soft hum of the radio playing the morning news.
"Hyōgo's own Inarizaki High School has emerged victorious at the Interhigh Nationals," the announcer said. "A well-fought final that showcased the incredible talent of their players, including rising stars such as the Miya twins and middle blocker Riku Akiyama—"
"Mom's loving this," Riku muttered, shaking his head with a smile as he got up.
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Breakfast with Family
Riku entered the kitchen to find his mother setting the table with his favorite breakfast: tamago kake gohan, grilled mackerel, and a bowl of miso soup. His father was already seated, sipping tea, while his younger brother, Takumi, was flipping through a sports magazine that had a brief article about the tournament.
"There he is, the champion!" Takumi said, grinning as he held up the magazine. "You're basically famous now, Riku!"
"Don't let it go to your head," their father said, though his tone was far from harsh.
Riku laughed as he sat down. "Don't worry, I'll still be doing the dishes after breakfast."
His mother joined them at the table, beaming with pride. "You were amazing, Riku. Watching you play—it was like seeing all your hard work pay off."
He looked down at his bowl, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. Compliments from his family always hit differently. "Thanks, Mom. But it wasn't just me. Everyone on the team worked hard."
"Modesty is good," his father said, "but don't downplay your contribution. That block in the final set—it was incredible."
Takumi leaned forward eagerly. "You have to show me how to do that. I've been practicing my jumps!"
Riku chuckled, ruffling his brother's hair. "Maybe later. For now, let's eat."
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Quiet Reflection
After breakfast, Riku retreated to the backyard, where a small garden his mother tended thrived. He leaned against a tree, the cool breeze brushing through his white hair. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the messages from friends and classmates congratulating him.
One caught his eye—a text from his older cousin, Haruto, who'd always been a mentor to him.
> "Saw the match. You've grown a lot, Riku. Keep aiming higher."
Riku smiled, typing back a quick reply.
> "Thanks, Haru. I'll keep working hard."
As he slipped his phone back into his pocket, his mind drifted to the team. He thought of Atsumu and Osamu's bickering, Aran's steady presence, Kira's quiet leadership, and Suna's dry humor. They weren't just teammates—they were family.
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An Afternoon Walk
His mother insisted he take Takumi out for a walk to the local park, giving them some sibling bonding time. The park was bustling with activity, the playground alive with laughter. Takumi ran ahead, pretending to spike an invisible volleyball.
"Look at me, Riku!" he called, mimicking the motions of a jump serve.
Riku crossed his arms, smirking. "Not bad, but your form needs work."
"Teach me, then!" Takumi said, running back to him.
For the next hour, Riku indulged his brother, teaching him basic volleyball techniques and offering tips. By the end, Takumi was panting but grinning ear to ear.
"You think I could be as good as you someday?" he asked, eyes shining with hope.
Riku crouched down, resting a hand on Takumi's shoulder. "If you work hard and love the game, you can be even better."
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Evening Quiet
As the day wound down, Riku found himself back in his room, the house quiet after the day's excitement. The Interhigh trophy sat on his desk, a tangible reminder of their hard work.
He pulled out his notebook, where he often jotted down thoughts about matches and his own performance. Opening it to a fresh page, he wrote:
> "We did it. But this is just the start. Spring Nationals are next. Time to get even better."
Setting the notebook aside, he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His family's pride, his team's bond, and his own quiet determination filled him with a sense of purpose.
Tomorrow, he'd start training again. But tonight, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment.
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