The Monster Generation

"Thank you for the food" Kurai takes his plate and walks over to the entrance of the gym. Sitting on the stairs. Stuffing a large chunk of barbeque into his mouth, using the bone sticking out as a handle. Coach Haruki walks over, standing beside Kurai as she eats her own cob of corn.

"Need something, Coach?" Haruki calmly smiles.

"Liking the food?" Kurai raises an eyebrow.

"I guess? You make it?" Haruki chuckles.

"Oh, Heavens no! I had a friend run the grill for us" Kurai swallows his bite.

"So then, where's he now?" Haruki nervously chuckles.

"That's unimportant" Kurai shrugs and takes another bite of food. There followed an awkward silence.

"You're a talented young man, Kurai" Kurai pauses and swallows his food.

"Where'd this come from?" Haruki looks up at the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds.

"I think you're destined for more than just this team, Kurai… You have a ton of potential and I know that you know that as well." Kurai raises an eyebrow.

"Where's this going?" Haruki exhales.

"Kurai…" Haruki turns to look Kurai in the eyes.

"Do what you want, don't do what this world tells you to be and follow your dreams… You wanted to be an Olympic Volleyball player, right… then do it… know that whatever your decision… academic or athletic… I support you" Kurai's eyes widened.

"I… Thanks, I guess?" there was an awkward silence as Kurai's phone suddenly starts buzzing and ringing

"Who could be calling at this time-" Kurai looks at the phone, the name labeled "Team USA, head coach" as Kurai instantly answered the call. Silence followed.

"Yes, this is Kurai Vlast you're talking to" Haruki raised an eyebrow.

"Yes… Okay… thank you… give me some time to think of my answer… yes… sorry… okay… thank you" Kurai hangs up the phone. Haruki questions.

"Who was that?" Kurai exhales.

"He's the head coach for Team USA… he wanted to know-" Jaden suddenly walks over.

"Sorry… if I'm interrupting… did you say… HEAD Coach?" Kurai begrudgingly nods.

"How do you have his number!?" Kurai shrugs.

"Back in my freshman year of high school… During the second round of Nationals, I broke the record for World Fastest serve… the Head Coach of Team USA met with me after the match and we exchanged numbers" Jaden stares blankly. Momentarily blinking before exhaling.

"You're more monstrous than I remember!" Kurai waves his hand.

"I AM a member of the Monster Generation" Liam walks over.

"Can you tell us about the other members of the Monster Generation?" Kurai raises an eyebrow.

"We're upcoming prodigies of Volleyball… I thought you already knew about us?" Liam frowns.

"I'm open to learning more… are you guys friends? How well do you work together as a team? How-" Kurai lifts his hand.

"You have me… I hope I don't have to tell you about myself since I'm on a Team with you" Jaden laughs as Kurai continues.

"Kaneko Vlast, my Twin brother and currently plays opposite, jersey number 4 for Team Russia" 

Kaneko takes a step forward. The lights point towards him as he takes another step. His back is an inspiration to all positions. He takes a big leap before flying high into the air, at the last second switching to a set to the other side of the court where a teammate hits the ball without blockers.

"Dougal Wilson, he plays middle blocker, Jersey number 8 for Brazil currently"

A wing spiker runs up to the net. Jumping into the air as a metaphorical metal fortress appears in front of him, blocking the ball completely. A single blocker lands on the court.

"Ajax Adams… Libero and Jersey number 4 for Team France"

The ball spirals towards the back right corner. A wing spiker struggles to bring it up as it bounces off his shoulder and almost out of bounds. Suddenly Ajax appears and saves the ball with his foot, sending it back over the net.

"Michael Winters… Jersey number 2 for greece… Wing spiker"

Michael takes a step forward. His presence is like that of an entire military as he flies in front of the net. 3 blockers appear. Michael smirks as he wraps his arm around the ball, slamming it just in front of the 3 meter line.

"And lastly, Emelio Alvaro… Middle blocker for LakeWood Technical High School… he's a senior who wears jersey number 1"

Emelio jumps forward, his orange and curly hair floats behind him as he slams his feet on the court, flying in the air like a phoenix, despite his short 5 foot 4 height.