Match point

Kurai takes a deep breath and tosses the ball. 'All I've got!!' Kurai jumps and slams his palm into the ball as it wraps around it. Bolting over the net as Isaac brings the ball up, Kurai smirks. 'He actually brought it up!' Isaac falls to one knee.

"It's shaky!" Michael rushes forward and quickly sets it. Kurai, Jaden, and Owen rush to the net feeling Kyle's immense presence. Kurai smirks. 'He reminds me of Kaneko!' they both bolt to the right and jump, forming a massive Umbrella. Kyle shouts.

"Yeah, Right!" Kyle threads the ball through a small hole in the block, Carlos receiving the ball and falling over.

"It's low!" Kurai grits his teeth.

"I can see that!" Kurai lands and falls to one knee, quickly setting the ball to Jaden. Jaden runs parallel to the net and jumps. A wall forming in front of him.

"I won't end here!!" Jaden hits the ball at a sharp angle past the block, hitting Kyle in the face, Isaac shouts.

"Chance ball!!" Coach Haruki tightens her grip on her clipboard.

"Slow down!" Everyone rushes around. Kurai getting his teeth and standing. 'Back to the net!' Jazz steps back along with Jaden. 'Prepare for anything!' Liam's mouth drools as it hangs open. 'The ball will land right here-' suddenly, Carlos shouts.

"Got it!!" Carlos overhand receives the ball, sending it high into the air. A heavy sigh of relief from everyone on the court. Kurai smirks and looks around. 'Jeez… how could I forget… This isn't a battle to the death, it's all for great fun… isn't that right?' Kurai sets it high into the air, Haruki confused.

"A high set? Right now of all times?" Kurai smirks. 'That's right… right now is the perfect time to prove them wrong… right, Liam?' Liam steps forward. His mouth hangs wide open as he jumps high into the air. Two blockers appear, but he hits the ball past them without worry, slamming the ball onto the court. Landing with a smile. Two ominous whistles echo. OPU 25-21 EBU [25-21 (OPU) / 25-21 (OPU) / 2-0 (OPU wins)]

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Kurai sits on the bleachers of the arena. 6 courts under the lights of the ceiling. Sneakers squeak and volleyballs bounce and arc. Kurai sitting and drafting notes in his journal. He lowers the journal and slumps into the cold metal of the bleachers. 'Why… do I not feel satisfied… it feels like we've lost even though we've won… why?' Kurai exhales.

"We played well, sure. We won. But... Why am I not satisfied? Why do I feel like something's missing?" Kurai slams his small journal closed and puts it in his bag.

"I couldn't keep up with their setter… Every time I thought I had him figured out, he'd change things up. I'm supposed to be the 'Emperor of the Court.' So why did I feel so out of my depth? My sets were off, my timing was all wrong. I've never felt so... vulnerable on the court before." Kurai leans back.

"Ugh…" Kurai rises to a proper sitting position.

"Am I… losing my edge?"

Haruki stands on the ground and watches Kurai, Jaden walk over.

"Everything okay?" Haruki sighs.

"Kurai feels tense, it concerns me" Jaden looks up at Kurai. Haruki continues.

"This next game will be everything but easy, be prepared and be patient with Kurai in the finale, Jaden" jaden nods.

"He was patient with me, so it's only fair, Coach"

Crowds huddled around the court. The finals for qualifiers were here and everyone was excited for the match between two strong teams.

"Welcome, everyone, to the finals of this year's qualifiers, today, we have two really strong teams and even a member of the Monster Generation!" the crowd goes wild as OPU stands at the bench, Coach Haruki smiles.

"You guys have this under your belt, show them what we're made of!" the crowd rumbles.

"Up first is Outer pentecostal University!" the crowd goes crazy.

"Up first is the Team Captain and Wing Spiker: Jaden Ramirez!" Jaden jogs onto the court, his dark skin under the bright lights and his short, curly, black hair.

"Number two and the team's Libero: Carlos Maverick!" Carlos walks onto the court and high fives Jaden. His long blonde hair contrasting his purple eyes.

"Up next is Jersey number 3, the Emperor of the Court from the Monster generation, and OPUs setter! Kurai Vlast!" Kurai walks onto the court. His medium length gray hair calmly blows matching his deep blue eyes.

"Then we have Jersey number 4, the team's Middle blocker, Jazz King!" Jazz walks onto the court with a bright smile, his orange hair combed back and an undercut. Matching his brown eyes.

"Then an opposite with jersey 5, Liam Gray!" Liam's long black hair is now no longer covering his gray eyes.

"And finally, Jersey number 6, the teams middle blocker, Owen Willsburough" Owen walks onto the court with his short dirty blonde hair and gray eyes.

"Now onto the reigning champions… West Charter College!" the crowd claps as the lights focus on them.

"The team captain is also their setter, wearing Jersey number 1 is Alex Fernandez" Alex walks onto the court, his jersey is solid purple with gold accents. Standing at 6 foot 2 inches tall. His black hair is combed back matching his black eyes.

"Next up is the team's Outside hitter, who wears Jersey number 2: Jason Lee" Jason walks onto the court. He stood just an inch taller than Alex with a strong muscular build. His short black hair contrasted with his sharp green eyes.

"Next up, Jersey number 3, Miya Thompson is an outside hitter!" He walks onto the court with a smirk. His long brown hair tied back in a manbun. Standing at 6 foot tall exactly.

"Jersey number 12 is the teams Libero, Zane Cooper!" Zane walks onto the court with a smiles. Standing at a shocking 5 foot 11. His brown hair short and spiky.

"Jersey number 10 is Riley Brooks, he plays Middle blocker for WCC!" Riley walks dominantly onto the court standing at 6 foot 5. His short blonde hair contrasting his red eyes.

"And finally, acting as the teams opposite and main cannon despite his height, wearing Jersey number 4, Jordan White" a man standing at only 5 foot 10 walks onto the court. His curly black hair matches his blue eyes.

"Let's get into the match, team captains Jaden Ramirez and Alex fernandez meet at the net to decide who serves first"

Alex walks up to the net. Looking at Jaden. Jaden smirked confidently.

"We'll beat you right here and now, Tails!" Alex smiles calmly.

"Yeah right, Heads" The ref tosses the coin. Catching it and flipping it over. Revealing it to them.

"Tails" Jaden smirks.

"Serving side" Alex nods.

"I accept your challenge"