Sharpening the Skills
The next few practices pushed Renji harder than ever. Now that he was taking on a leadership role in the defense, there was no room for hesitation. He studied film of their last matches, analyzing every detail—where they were out of position, which attacks caught them off guard, and how he could improve his calls.
Coach noticed the extra effort. "Good. A great libero doesn't just react during a match. He prepares before it even begins."
Renji nodded. He could feel the difference in his play. Every time an opponent approached for an attack, he was already moving into position before they even made contact with the ball. His instincts were sharper, and his confidence in calling out directions grew with each passing drill.
Still, it wasn't easy. Some of his teammates struggled to adjust to his instructions at first. Daichi, one of their middle blockers, was especially resistant.
"You keep telling me to shift, but I've been blocking like this for years," Daichi complained after a particularly rough set of drills.
Renji took a deep breath. "I get it, but you're leaving a gap when you step too far to the right. If you shift just a little less, the backline can cover the rest."
Daichi frowned but didn't argue further. The next drill, he listened—and they successfully shut down an attack that had scored on them multiple times before.
Daichi gave Renji a nod afterward. It wasn't much, but it meant everything.
Renji was slowly proving himself.
Pressure Under Fire
A few days later, Coach decided to put everything to the test.
"We've got a practice match against a strong team," he announced at the start of training. "They're aggressive with their serves and love quick attacks. This will be a perfect test of our defense."
Renji felt the weight of those words. This was his moment to show that he wasn't just another player on the court—he was the anchor of their defense.
The match started, and the opponent's servers immediately put pressure on them. Their first few serves were sharp and unpredictable, forcing rushed passes.
Renji adjusted quickly. "Asuka, move in a step! Left side, stay light on your feet—watch for the float serve!"
His calls helped stabilize their reception, and soon, their setter was able to run the offense smoothly.
The opponent's quick attacks were trickier. Their middle hitters were fast, constantly adjusting their angles to find gaps in the block.
Renji focused on reading their movements. He watched their eyes, their approach, the way their shoulders shifted before they hit the ball.
He saw it.
"Left side block, close in—now!"
Daichi and the other blocker reacted just in time, sealing the gap. The ball deflected off their hands, and Renji was already diving into position. His arms absorbed the impact as he popped the ball up perfectly to their setter.
A perfect dig.
Their team transitioned into a counterattack, and within seconds, their ace spiker slammed the ball into the opponent's court.
Point won.
Renji barely had time to process what happened before his teammates surrounded him.
"Nice read, Renji!"
"That was all you, man!"
For the first time in a long while, Renji didn't feel invisible.
A Leader's Mindset
The match continued, and with each play, Renji grew more comfortable in his role. He wasn't just reacting—he was dictating the flow of the game from the backline.
Every call, every adjustment, every dig—it all mattered.
Their team fought hard, and though the match was close, they ultimately pulled off the victory. It wasn't just because of one player, but Renji knew that his leadership had played a role in their success.
As the team gathered after the match, Coach spoke up. "This is what I wanted to see. Defense isn't just about reacting. It's about controlling the pace, seeing the game before it happens." He turned to Renji. "You proved that today."
Renji felt a swell of pride.
Asuka caught his eye and gave him a small nod. He understood what she meant without her saying a word.
He wasn't just another piece of the puzzle anymore.
He was a leader.
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End of chapter 13
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To Be Continue