Hearts on The Court

The air inside the gym felt heavier than usual, weighed down by the tension that had been building over the past few days. The team stood ready on the court, facing off against a strong opponent—a powerhouse team known for their aggressive offense and relentless pressure.

Renji adjusted his stance, eyes scanning the opposing spikers. He needed to focus. This match was crucial, not just for their team's growth, but for himself. He had to prove that he was reliable, that he deserved to be the libero anchoring their defense.

Across the net, the other team's ace smirked. The whistle blew.

The match began.

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Pressure Builds

Right from the start, the opponent played with a ruthless pace. Their spikes came hard and fast, targeting every weak point in Aoba High's defense.

Renji's body moved on instinct, diving and stretching to keep the ball in play. But despite his best efforts, the pressure was relentless. The Umbrella Formation that Coach Fujimoto had drilled into them was struggling to hold up against such rapid attacks.

Yuuto, as setter, was pushing the pace as well—forcing quick plays, trying to outmaneuver their opponents. But something was off. There was a disconnect.

A misaligned block led to a spike shooting past their hands. Renji barely got his arms under it, but his dig sent the ball too high and out of position. Yuuto scrambled to set it, but their attackers weren't ready. They lost the point.

Renji exhaled sharply, pushing himself up.

"Shake it off!" Coach's voice cut through the noise.

They reset. The next play came fast. A powerful serve targeted the backcourt, but Renji read it well, sending a clean pass forward. Yuuto set it up, and their outside hitter managed to score.

A good rally. But the unease remained.

Then came the crucial set.

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Climactic Moment

Yuuto, sensing an opportunity, decided to push the tempo. He sent a fast, low toss toward Renji, expecting him to react instantly.

But Renji wasn't ready.

His mind had been too occupied—frustration, doubt, the weight of the past few days pressing down on him. For just a fraction of a second, he hesitated.

And in volleyball, a fraction of a second was all it took.

The ball hit the floor.

Silence filled the gym.

Renji felt his stomach drop. The sharp sound of the ball bouncing off the court echoed in his ears.

They had lost the set.

He clenched his fists. Damn it.

And then Yuuto turned to him.

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Heated Argument

"What the hell was that?" Yuuto's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence.

Renji looked up, already defensive. "I—"

Yuuto took a step closer. "You hesitated."

Renji's frustration flared. "Maybe if you actually trusted me, I wouldn't second-guess myself."

Yuuto scoffed, his eyes flashing with something unreadable. "Trusted you? You're the one who's not paying attention!"

Renji stepped forward too, the heat of the moment making his words come out harsher than he intended. "You're setting like you don't even want me in this formation."

Their teammates shifted awkwardly, looking between them but not daring to interfere. The tension in the air was thick, suffocating.

Yuuto shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh. "You're making excuses."

Renji opened his mouth to retort, but a movement caught his attention—Asuka.

She was watching them, her expression unreadable, but her eyes filled with concern.

And just like that, the fire in Renji's chest cooled, replaced with something heavier.

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Lingering Tension

Coach Fujimoto finally stepped in, calling for a timeout. The team huddled together, but the damage had already been done.

Renji exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't even sure what had just happened.

He knew Yuuto was frustrated. He knew they had problems to work through. But this—this felt like a breaking point.

And the worst part?

It wasn't just about volleyball anymore.

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End of chapter 21

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To Be Continue