Eyes of the Court
The air inside the gym hung heavy with the scent of sweat and determination. The rhythmic sounds of shoes squeaking on the polished wooden floor, the sharp thwack of volleyballs being struck, and the occasional barked instructions from Coach filled the space. Renji stood at the edge of the court, palms resting on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
He was drained — but not defeated.
"Nice work today," Yuuto called, tossing his towel over his shoulder.
Renji straightened, surprised. Compliments from Yuuto were rare — like spotting a shooting star.
"You're starting to read the court better," Yuuto continued. "But…" His sharp eyes narrowed. "You're still hesitating at the worst moments."
Renji clenched his fists. I know… but how do I fix that?
---
The Weight of Doubt
That night, Renji lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of his phone screen showing the time — 1:37 AM.
I'm getting better… but it's still not enough.
His mind kept replaying his mistakes: the dives he missed, the balls he didn't reach, the crucial moments when his anxiety paralyzed him.
The fear wasn't just about losing — it was about letting everyone down.
I'm still just a weak link...
---
A New Plan — Asuka's Training Drill
The next day, Renji found Asuka waiting by the gym entrance. Her usual bright smile greeted him, but there was something different about her energy — like she'd been planning something.
"Hey," she said, tugging her clipboard close to her chest. "I've been thinking… I know you've been struggling with hesitation, so I came up with a new drill just for you."
"For me?" Renji blinked.
"I've been watching you," Asuka said. "You're great at reading spikes after they happen… but you're not trusting yourself before they land."
She flipped her clipboard around to reveal her sketch — a chaotic mess of court diagrams, arrows, and scribbled notes.
"We're going to train your instincts."
---
The 'Shadow Drill'
The drill seemed simple on paper.
The team's spikers would fake their spikes repeatedly, mixing in soft tips, hard drives, and sharp diagonal cuts. Renji's job wasn't to dig the ball — instead, he had to predict where the shot would have landed and move to that spot before the ball hit the floor.
"You don't even have to touch the ball," Asuka explained. "I just want you to train your eyes — focus on their footwork, their shoulders, and their posture."
Renji swallowed. "I… I don't know if I can—"
"You can," Asuka said firmly. "You've been doing it without realizing. Now we're just sharpening it."
Her hand rested briefly on his arm. "I believe in you."
---
Training in the Shadows
At first, Renji stumbled.
He moved too soon — diving for spikes that never came. Or he froze — his mind stuck processing three different movements at once. Yuuto's sharp voice cut through the noise.
"You're still hesitating!"
"I know!" Renji shot back, frustration boiling over.
He staggered back into position. This time, he forced himself to breathe deeply, calming his racing thoughts.
Don't panic. Just watch… watch…
When the spiker jumped, Renji focused on their body, not the ball.
Shoulders forward… right arm cocked back… too much tension in the wrist…
It's a fake… the ball's going short—
Renji lunged forward.
The ball landed inches from his fingertips — but in the exact spot he'd predicted.
"You're getting there," Asuka called from the sideline.
For the first time that day, Renji allowed himself to smile.
---
Gaining Confidence — And Catching Yuuto's Eye
By the end of practice, Renji had surprised even himself. The moments where he once froze were now replaced by instinctive movement.
"Not bad," Yuuto muttered, walking past Renji as they packed up. "But you've still got a long way to go."
That wasn't an insult — it was a challenge. And this time, Renji wasn't afraid to take it.
---
Growing Bonds — Dinner with the Team
That evening, the team gathered at a small family diner — a Misaki High tradition after hard training days.
Renji sat quietly at the end of the table, feeling out of place. The other players joked loudly, sharing stories from practice.
"Renji," Asuka called, sliding into the seat beside him. "You should eat more — you've been burning energy like crazy."
Renji froze, unsure how to respond.
"Or… do you only survive on anxiety?" Asuka teased, her grin playful.
Renji laughed — an awkward, breathy sound — but it felt real.
"See?" Asuka nudged him. "You're starting to fit in."
Yuuto, sitting across from them, glanced Renji's way but said nothing. Still, Renji couldn't help but notice that the usual scowl on Yuuto's face had softened just a little.
---
The First Test — A Practice Match with Stakes
Two days later, Coach announced that Renji would start in an upcoming scrimmage against Kosei Academy — a team notorious for fast spikes and chaotic attacks.
"I want you to lead our defensive calls," Coach said.
Renji's heart pounded. "M-Me?"
"You're the libero," Coach reminded him. "Your job isn't just to dig — it's to see what's happening before anyone else."
Renji felt the weight of those words settle in his chest.
---
The Match — Proving His Worth
When the scrimmage began, Renji's nerves clung to him like a second skin. The first spike caught him off guard, his misstep sending the ball skidding across the floor.
"Focus!" Yuuto barked.
Renji steadied himself.
Trust your instincts… trust what you see…
The next play began — a swift series of fast sets designed to confuse blockers.
Renji's eyes locked onto the spiker.
Shoulders tight... jump delayed... he's tipping it.
Renji shot forward, diving before the spiker even made contact.
His hands connected with the ball cleanly, sending it high and safe.
"Nice read!" Asuka cheered from the sidelines.
For the first time, Renji believed the praise.
---
Victory in Growth
By the end of the match, Misaki High narrowly edged out Kosei Academy in a three-set victory. Renji had made key saves throughout the game, reading several of Kosei's deceptive attacks.
"You're starting to get it," Yuuto muttered afterward. "Keep it up."
Renji nodded, feeling warmth spread in his chest.
"I will."
---
A Quiet Moment — Asuka's Encouragement
Later that evening, Renji stayed behind in the gym to practice a little longer. Asuka appeared by the doorway.
"I knew you'd be here," she said with a smile.
Renji paused, suddenly self-conscious. "I just… wanted to get better."
"You already are," Asuka replied. "You just don't see it yet."
Her hand found his — warm and reassuring.
"I believe in you," she said softly.
Renji's fingers tightened around hers before he could stop himself.
"…Thanks," he murmured, his face burning.
Asuka grinned. "Now don't get lazy — I'm still going to push you harder."
Renji laughed quietly. For once, he didn't mind.
---
End of Chapter 7
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To Be Continue