The crowd's cheers still echoed in Renji's ears, but he had no time to focus on the noise.
The final set was still in full swing, and despite their previous success, Seiyo wasn't backing down.
Kenjiro Morita stood across the net, his sharp eyes locking onto Renji.
"You're getting better at reading my spikes," Kenjiro admitted, rolling his shoulders. "But I hope you don't think that means you've figured me out."
Renji exhaled, tightening his grip on his knee pads. He was exhausted, but there was no time for doubt.
Asuka's voice echoed in his mind.
"You're trying too hard to predict Kenjiro. Stop thinking so much. Trust your instincts."
And that was when it hit him.
I've been looking at his swings, his arms, his power…
But what if the real key isn't his spike—
It's his eyes.
---
Reading the Unreadable
The next serve flew over the net, and the rally began immediately.
Yuuto set a perfect ball to their ace—SPIKE!—but Seiyo's blockers sent it back.
Scramble.
Misaki kept the ball alive, forcing the rally into a high-speed exchange.
Kenjiro leapt for a spike.
Renji focused—not on the ball, not on the angle of the attack—
But on Kenjiro's eyes.
There.
A flicker.
A small glance.
He's going to tip it—
The moment Kenjiro made contact, Renji was already moving.
DIVE!
His arms extended, and the ball popped up cleanly.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
Yuuto was already in motion. Set!
Another attack—Misaki scores!
Renji exhaled sharply.
I see it now.
---
A Shift in the Game
Seiyo wasn't expecting Renji to adapt so quickly.
Every time Kenjiro tried to pull off a sneaky shot—whether it was a soft tip, a delayed push, or a roll shot—Renji was there.
Diving.
Anticipating.
Saving the ball every time.
Kenjiro gritted his teeth.
He was used to defenders reacting to his spikes, but this was different.
Renji wasn't just reacting—he was predicting.
And that was dangerous.
---
Match Point: The Ultimate Test
24-23.
Misaki was one point away from the championship.
But they were also one mistake away from letting Seiyo tie the game.
Kenjiro took a deep breath.
Fine.
If Renji wants to play like this—
Then let's see if he can handle everything.
Seiyo's setter tossed the ball.
Kenjiro launched himself into the air.
He cocked his arm back—a full-power spike motion.
Renji tensed, watching his eyes.
Kenjiro's stare flickered downward—fake.
At the last second, Kenjiro changed his attack.
A sudden off-speed roll shot—sent toward an empty space.
It should've been a perfect shot.
But Renji was already there.
He dove with everything he had.
DIG!
The ball shot up—high, controlled, perfect.
Yuuto was ready.
Set.
Misaki's ace took flight.
A perfect approach—
SPIKE!
SCORE!
---
The Moment of Victory
Silence.
Then—
The stadium erupted.
Misaki High had won.
Renji lay on the floor, his chest rising and falling, staring up at the bright lights above.
Asuka's voice broke through the noise.
"I told you to trust your instincts!" she laughed, kneeling beside him.
Renji turned his head, exhaustion washing over him, but a small smile formed on his lips.
He had done it.
They had done it.
And for the first time, Renji truly felt like he had earned his place on this team.
---
End of Chapter 47
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To Be Continue