Hearts on The Court

The morning air clung to Renji's skin, crisp and cold. His breath curled in faint wisps as he stood in front of the gym's entrance, gripping the strap of his bag tightly. It wasn't nerves this time — not exactly. It was something closer to determination, something he hadn't felt in a long while.

I asked for help. Now I have to follow through.

He pushed open the door.

The gym was mostly empty, save for one person — Yuuto. He moved across the court with swift precision, tossing the ball against the wall, catching it, and repeating the motion in a rhythm that seemed almost meditative.

"You're late," Yuuto said without looking up.

Renji blinked at the clock. It wasn't even 7:00 AM yet.

"I... thought I was early."

"You're not early until you've beaten me here," Yuuto shot back, finally turning around. He spun the ball on his fingertip. "Well? Are we doing this or not?"

Renji inhaled deeply. "Yeah. I'm ready."

---

Training Begins — The Foundation of Defense

The next hour was brutal. Yuuto wasted no time, starting with defensive drills designed to test Renji's reflexes and stamina.

"Footwork first," Yuuto barked, tossing ball after ball toward Renji's feet. "You can't predict every shot — sometimes you just have to move faster."

Renji shuffled side to side, barely managing to keep pace. His thighs burned, and sweat clung to his shirt, but Yuuto never slowed down.

"Again," Yuuto snapped when Renji stumbled. "You can't hesitate out there!"

"I know," Renji muttered, teeth gritted.

"No, you don't know," Yuuto shot back. "You're still doubting yourself. You're thinking about the mistake before you've even made it."

Renji clenched his fists. "I'm trying—"

"Then stop trying and just do it!"

Yuuto tossed another ball — faster this time, angling it toward the sideline. Renji lunged, extending his arm just in time to deflect it. The ball shot upward, wobbling but still playable.

"That's better," Yuuto said. "But you're still overthinking."

Renji's breathing was ragged, but something about the way Yuuto challenged him — cold, sharp, relentless — sparked a stubbornness inside him.

I'm not quitting this time.

---

Building Instinct — Learning to Read the Court

"Volleyball's not just about digging the ball," Yuuto explained after another grueling set of drills. "It's about seeing the play before it happens."

He gestured toward the court. "When a spiker jumps, don't just watch the ball — watch them. Look at their shoulders, their stance, their angle. Every movement tells a story."

Renji frowned. "That's... a lot to focus on."

"Exactly," Yuuto replied. "That's why you can't let panic take over. If you trust your instincts, your body will move before you even have to think."

Instinct. That word stuck with Renji. For so long, his instincts had been dulled by fear — fear of messing up, of being a burden, of failing.

But here — with Yuuto's voice pushing him forward — Renji felt something stirring.

---

Later That Evening — A Quiet Moment with Asuka

After practice, Renji lingered in the gym long after most players had left. He was packing away stray volleyballs when Asuka's voice echoed from the doorway.

"You're working late," she said, stepping inside.

Renji shrugged. "Just... wanted to get a little better."

Asuka smiled, leaning against the wall. "I heard Yuuto's been pushing you hard."

"He's... not going easy," Renji admitted. "But... I think I needed that."

"I knew you could handle it."

Renji hesitated. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you believe in me?" he asked quietly.

Asuka's smile faded. For a moment, she seemed to wrestle with her thoughts.

"Because... I know what it's like to be scared," she said at last. "When my brother quit volleyball... I felt helpless. Like I couldn't do anything for him. So when I joined the team as manager... I guess I promised myself I'd never let someone else give up like he did."

Renji's heart sank. "But I... I almost quit."

"But you didn't," Asuka said firmly. "That's what matters."

Her hand briefly touched his arm — just a small, fleeting gesture — but it sent warmth spreading through Renji's chest.

"I'm glad you're here," she added softly. "The team's better with you in it."

Renji felt his face heat up. "I... I'll keep trying."

Asuka grinned. "I know you will."

---

A Test of Courage — Facing His Fears

The next day, Coach announced a rematch scrimmage against the senior team.

"You're starting again," Coach told Renji before the game.

Renji's chest tightened. His memories of last time rushed back — the failed dives, the hesitation, the humiliation.

"You've been putting in the work," Coach added. "I trust you."

Renji swallowed hard and nodded.

---

The Match — Trusting His Instincts

The whistle blew, and the scrimmage began.

Renji's nerves gnawed at him at first, but Yuuto's words echoed in his mind.

Don't watch the ball... watch the spiker.

The first hit came hard — a powerful spike aimed directly at Renji. This time, he read the angle of the attacker's arm, shifting his feet just before the shot.

Dig.

His arms absorbed the impact, sending the ball soaring high.

"Nice one!" Yuuto called.

Renji exhaled slowly. He could do this.

---

As the game progressed, Renji found himself reacting faster. He tracked players' stances, shoulder angles, and jump heights. By the second set, his confidence began to solidify.

Then came the test.

The senior team's ace launched a blistering spike — one that reminded Renji far too much of the shot that had humiliated him last time.

Don't freeze... don't freeze...

The spiker's shoulder dipped low. Down the line... no... cross-court...

Instinct flared. Renji dove.

The ball connected cleanly with his forearms, deflecting upward. Yuuto scrambled into position, flicking the ball to their outside hitter — who slammed it home for a point.

"YES!" Asuka cheered from the sideline.

Renji pushed himself to his knees, breathing hard — but this time, he wasn't drowning in doubt.

This time... he felt proud.

---

Post-Match Reflection — The Power of Support

After the game, Renji found himself walking beside Asuka as the team packed up.

"I saw you out there," Asuka said. "That last dig was incredible."

"I just... trusted what you said," Renji replied.

"What part?"

"That... I'm not alone."

Asuka's expression softened. "You never were."

They walked in silence for a moment before Asuka spoke again.

"I'm proud of you."

Renji's heart stuttered. Those words — so simple yet so meaningful — filled him with a warmth he hadn't known he needed.

I'm proud of you...

For the first time in a long time, Renji believed those words could be true.

---

End of Chapter 6

---

To Be Continue