The Manager’s Promise
The steady thud of sneakers squeaking on polished wood echoed through the Misaki High gymnasium. Renji Takahashi stood just outside the entrance, fingers trembling around the strap of his sports bag. The faint scent of sweat and resin filled the air — familiar yet unsettling.
You can still leave... No one will notice...
Renji swallowed hard, battling the familiar churn of anxiety. The low hum of voices drifted from inside the gym, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the sharp slap of volleyballs striking the floor.
They're all better than you. Stronger. Louder. You're just going to mess up...
He turned halfway back toward the hallway — then stopped.
"Renji?"
Renji flinched, spinning to see Asuka Fujisawa standing behind him, a clipboard tucked under her arm. She wore the team's navy-blue track jacket with "Misaki High Volleyball" embroidered neatly across the chest.
"You came!" Asuka's face lit up with a bright smile. "I knew you would."
"I... I don't know if—"
"C'mon," she interrupted, stepping beside him. "You're here now. That's what matters."
Renji's legs felt stiff as Asuka guided him into the gym.
---
Inside, the energy hit Renji like a crashing wave. Players leapt and shouted across the court, slamming powerful spikes over the net. A dozen sneakers screeched against the polished floor as teammates shifted positions, calling out signals in sharp bursts.
Renji's gaze dropped to the floor. His pulse raced.
"You're with me," Asuka said gently, steering him toward the benches. "I'll introduce you to the coach first."
Renji barely registered her words. His mind locked on the nearest player — a tall, broad-shouldered boy who delivered a brutal spike that smacked the floor with an echoing thwack. The players on the sidelines cheered.
"That's Yuuto," Asuka said quietly. "Our captain... and kind of intense."
Renji didn't need the warning. Yuuto Shimizu radiated authority — his sharp eyes constantly tracking the court, barking orders when players moved out of sync.
Asuka clapped her hands loudly. "Alright, everyone! Circle up!"
The players gathered, forming a loose semi-circle around Asuka. Renji stood awkwardly beside her, gripping his sports bag like a lifeline.
"This is Renji Takahashi," Asuka announced. "He's here to try out for the libero position."
Yuuto's sharp gaze flicked toward Renji. "Him?"
Renji's chest tightened.
"You ever played on a team before?" Yuuto asked, arms crossed.
"I... no," Renji muttered.
Yuuto snorted. "Great. Just what we need — a rookie who thinks standing around in the back row is enough to win games."
"I don't just stand around," Renji said quietly.
Yuuto stepped forward. "Then prove it."
---
The First Drill
Renji stood near the baseline, knees bent, palms open — textbook libero stance. Across the net, Yuuto grabbed a ball from the cart.
"We're running spike drills," Yuuto announced. "I'm aiming at you."
Renji's throat tightened. The rest of the team gathered along the sidelines to watch.
They're all staring... Waiting for you to screw up...
"Ready?" Yuuto called.
Renji swallowed hard and nodded.
The ball soared over the net — fast and spinning. Renji shifted right and lunged. His arms connected solidly, the ball popping high.
"Lucky shot," Yuuto muttered. He grabbed another ball.
This time, Yuuto spiked hard to the left. Renji dove, skidding on his side, but his arms absorbed the impact cleanly. The ball arced back toward the net.
"Nice!" Asuka called from the sideline.
Yuuto's eyes narrowed.
"Again."
The next spike came faster — blistering speed, aimed at Renji's chest. He barely reacted in time, fumbling the dig. The ball shot sideways.
"Too slow," Yuuto said coldly.
Renji scrambled back to his spot. His pulse pounded in his ears.
Focus... Don't think... Just react...
The next spike came sharp and low. Renji dropped fast, body hitting the floor hard — but his platform held firm. The ball soared upward in a perfect arc.
"Nice read!" Asuka cheered again.
"Again!" Yuuto barked.
Spike after spike came at Renji — faster, harder — each one designed to break his rhythm. His arms stung, bruises blooming beneath his sleeves. His fingers trembled from the force of each impact.
Finally, Yuuto stopped, tossing the ball back in the cart. "You're still slow," he muttered. "You won't survive real matches like that."
Renji's muscles screamed in protest, but he kept his face blank.
"Take a break," Asuka whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did great."
Renji barely nodded as he stumbled to the bench.
---
The Conversation
Renji sat on the far end of the bench, cradling his bruised arms. His breathing had slowed, but the lingering ache spread across his muscles.
"Here," Asuka's voice cut through the haze. She knelt beside him, pressing an ice pack into his hands.
"You're good at this," she said softly.
Renji gave a bitter laugh. "Didn't feel like it."
"You didn't quit," Asuka countered. "That's what matters."
"I still messed up."
"You kept moving," Asuka insisted. "Yuuto's brutal during drills. He pushes hard because he wants teammates who don't back down."
"I'm not like them," Renji muttered. "I'm... I'm not good at talking to people."
"You don't have to be," Asuka said gently. "Volleyball's not about words. It's about trust. That's something you can build."
Renji stared down at the ice pack. "I don't know how."
"I'll help," Asuka promised. "I became the manager because I wanted to support players like you — players with talent who just... don't believe in themselves yet."
Renji swallowed hard. "Why?"
Asuka smiled faintly. "Because I know what it feels like to think you're not enough."
For the first time, Renji saw something deeper in her eyes — something vulnerable.
"I'll make you a deal," Asuka added, her smile brightening. "If you keep showing up... I'll make sure you have someone in your corner. No matter what."
Renji felt a warmth in his chest — unfamiliar but oddly comforting.
"...Okay," he said quietly.
---
The Final Drill
Later that evening, as practice wound down, Coach called for one final drill — a full-team scrimmage.
Renji stood in position, low and steady, his eyes locked on Yuuto's setter hands.
Read the flow... Track the ball...
The set went to the left-side hitter — a powerful spiker with a sharp angle. Renji moved fast, sliding into position just before the spike fired down the line.
Dive... Now!
His arms connected with the ball, sending it soaring upward in a perfect arc.
"Perfect!" Coach bellowed.
The team scrambled to recover, and Yuuto finished the rally with a clean setter dump over the net.
On the sidelines, Asuka grinned.
---
After Practice
Renji was the last one to leave the gym. His muscles ached, and his palms throbbed beneath the bruises. But for the first time in a long while...
He didn't feel invisible.
"You did great today," Asuka said as she caught up with him outside.
"I don't know..." Renji rubbed his sore arm. "Yuuto still thinks I'm useless."
"You're not."
Renji glanced sideways. "How can you be so sure?"
Asuka smiled, her eyes warm.
"Because I've seen the way you never give up."
For the first time, Renji let himself believe her.
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End of Chapter 2
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To Be Continue