Hearts on The Court

The energy in the gym was electric as the second set began. Misaki High had managed to take the first set, but Seiyo High wasn't a team that backed down easily. Their adjustments were coming—and fast.

Renji took his position, scanning the court as Yuuto called out their defensive alignment. Across the net, Kenjiro Morita stood tall, rolling his shoulders as he exchanged a glance with his setter. His smirk was gone, replaced by a focused intensity that sent a chill down Renji's spine.

They weren't going to make this easy.

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Seiyo High's Adjustment

The first play of the set was fast.

Seiyo's setter launched a precise toss toward the net, and Kenjiro exploded off the ground, his entire body poised for a powerful spike.

Renji's instincts screamed at him. It's coming. Get into position.

He moved before he even thought about it, dropping low, arms ready—

But the ball never came.

At the last second, Kenjiro's wrist flicked, tipping the ball gently over the blockers instead of slamming it down.

Renji had already committed to the dive. He hit the ground hard, his hands meeting only air as the ball landed softly behind him.

Point, Seiyo High.

Renji pushed himself up, frustration prickling at his skin. A feint.

Kenjiro didn't smirk or gloat. He just walked back into position, as if he already knew this would happen.

Yuuto's voice cut through the moment. "Stay on your feet, Renji!"

Renji clenched his jaw.

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Renji's Frustration

Two more points slipped away in similar fashion.

Seiyo High was baiting him.

Kenjiro would load up like he was going for another explosive spike, and Renji, conditioned to expect that power, would react too soon. But instead of unleashing a full-force attack, Kenjiro would tip or roll the ball just over the net, forcing Renji out of position.

The realization burned.

Every instinct Renji had trained—the anticipation, the reaction speed—was now working against him.

During a timeout, he slumped onto the bench, breathing hard.

Yuuto crossed his arms. "You're jumping too early."

"I know," Renji muttered.

"So fix it," Yuuto shot back.

Renji exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

Coach Fujimoto crouched in front of him. Unlike Yuuto, his voice was calm. "You're reacting too fast."

Renji blinked. "Too fast?"

Coach nodded. "You're watching the ball. Stop."

Renji frowned, confused. "But—"

"You're focusing on where the ball is now, not where it's going," Coach continued. "Kenjiro is showing you what he's going to do. But you're so focused on reacting that you're missing it."

Renji swallowed hard. Was that really it?

Coach's voice remained steady. "Watch them. Not the ball."

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A New Approach

As the whistle blew to resume play, Renji stepped back onto the court with a new mindset.

He wouldn't just react.

He would read them.

Kenjiro was trying to trick him, but no player moved without leaving clues—a shift in balance, the way their shoulders turned, the hesitation in their wrists.

Renji tightened his fists.

This time, he would see it coming.

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End of Chapter 24

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To Be Continue