Trial by Fire (PART -2)

The Practice Match — A Test of Instinct

The gym buzzed with tension as the Misaki High volleyball team gathered at the net. Renji shifted uneasily near the back row, his fingers tightening around his knees as he knelt in defensive position.

"Today's practice match will focus on defensive plays," Coach announced. "Renji, you're starting libero."

Renji's breath hitched. This was it — his chance to prove himself.

"Alright," Yuuto called from the opposite side of the net, tossing the ball between his hands. "Let's see what you've got, 'Invisible Player.'"

Several teammates chuckled quietly. Renji gritted his teeth.

The whistle blew.

Yuuto served — a sharp floater curving toward the far corner. Renji bolted right, sliding his feet into position.

Too fast!

The ball dipped, and Renji barely managed to scrape it upward with his forearm. The pass floated awkwardly toward the net.

"Got it!" shouted one of the middle blockers, tipping the ball over.

Point — barely.

"Nice save!" Asuka's voice called from the sidelines.

Renji exhaled shakily.

---

The next few points blended into chaos. Yuuto's team played aggressively, firing spikes with ruthless precision. Renji kept diving, barely scraping shots into the air. His body screamed with every impact.

"C'mon!" Yuuto snapped after Renji missed another dig. "You're always a step too late!"

Renji bit his lip, frustration boiling inside him.

I can read this... I know I can...

Yuuto's next toss floated perfectly toward the right-side spiker — a towering senior with an arm like a sledgehammer.

Renji's eyes locked onto the spiker's stance — feet wide, shoulders twisted slightly left.

He's cutting cross-court...

Before the spiker even jumped, Renji bolted to the corner.

Now!

The spike roared through the air — directly toward Renji's chest.

Too hard... too fast...

Instinct took over. Renji shifted his weight and dropped low, absorbing the impact as the ball ricocheted off his forearms. The ball floated high and clean toward the setter.

"Perfect pass!" Coach barked.

Yuuto's frustration twisted into something else — surprise.

Renji blinked. Did I really... read that?

Asuka's beaming smile on the sidelines confirmed it.

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Yuuto's Frustration — A Growing Divide

"Alright, that's enough for today," Coach called after the final rally.

Renji stumbled to the sidelines, sweat dripping down his face. His body ached, but a sense of pride swelled in his chest. He had kept up.

"Nice work!" Asuka grinned as she handed him a sports drink.

"Thanks..." Renji muttered, still breathless.

But Yuuto's voice cut through their moment.

"Don't get too excited," Yuuto muttered. He stood nearby, toweling off his face. "You're still just reacting. If you're half a second late in a real match, you're dead weight."

Renji stiffened. "I... I'm trying."

"Trying isn't enough," Yuuto shot back. "You can't just float around and expect things to fall into place."

"That's not what I'm doing," Renji protested.

"Oh yeah?" Yuuto's eyes narrowed. "Then quit playing scared."

"I'm not scared!" Renji snapped, louder than he intended.

Silence followed. Several teammates glanced over, surprised.

"Prove it," Yuuto muttered. Without another word, he grabbed his bag and walked out of the gym.

Renji stood frozen in place.

"You don't have to listen to him," Asuka said softly.

Renji shook his head. "No... maybe he's right."

---

A Quiet Resolve — Renji's Turning Point

Later that evening, Renji sat alone on the empty court. His body throbbed with exhaustion, but his mind refused to rest.

Yuuto thinks I'm weak... maybe I am...

He stared at the ball in his hands.

"You're still here?"

Renji flinched, startled. Asuka stood by the doorway, her bag slung over her shoulder.

"I... I was just thinking," Renji said.

"About what?"

Renji hesitated. "I feel like... no matter what I do... it's never enough."

"You're wrong," Asuka said firmly, stepping closer. "You're getting better every day."

"But Yuuto's right," Renji muttered. "I keep holding back. I'm scared I'll mess up... and let everyone down."

"Renji..." Asuka knelt beside him. "You know what I think?"

He shook his head.

"I think you're not scared of failing," she said. "I think you're scared of being seen."

Renji's breath caught.

"You've spent so long hiding," Asuka continued. "But you're not invisible anymore — not to me... not to the team."

Renji's fingers tightened around the ball.

"You want to prove Yuuto wrong?" Asuka asked. "Then stop doubting yourself. Don't react... Take control."

Renji swallowed hard. "How?"

"Start by trusting yourself," Asuka said with a smile. "You've already got the instincts... now stop waiting for permission to use them."

Renji closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. For the first time in a long while, the doubt didn't feel so overwhelming.

---

The Next Practice — Rising from the Ashes

The next afternoon, Renji stood on the baseline as Coach signaled the start of a scrimmage. His heart pounded.

Don't react... Read it... Trust it...

Yuuto tossed the ball to the opposing spiker — the same senior Renji had faced before.

He's gonna cut cross-court... No... He's angling his shoulder differently this time...

Renji darted right — then stopped.

It's a feint.

The spiker shifted mid-air and drove the ball down the center. Renji lunged, sliding forward just in time to meet the shot. The ball bounced cleanly off his arms and soared toward Yuuto.

"Set up!" Yuuto barked, and Misaki High scored the point.

Renji's chest heaved, but he couldn't stop smiling.

"Good read!" Coach called.

Yuuto shot Renji a glance — less irritated, more thoughtful.

I saw it... I really saw it.

On the sidelines, Asuka beamed.

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End of Chapter 4

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To Be Continue