This Side of Paradise - Tsukishima Kei x OC

Chapter 8: Olympics

Chapter 8:

After the Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, Mizuki and her teammates were warming up in one of the smaller gyms for their first official match. Their first opponents were the Canadian team. From what Mizuki could tell, they were highly capable and extremely tall. This match might be challenging but she welcomed it.

"There are thousands of people outside," Rina exclaimed as she placed her kneepads on, "It's going to be crazy out there today."

"I'm kind of nervous." Mizuki admitted bashfully.

"Why?" Her best friend asked.

"I mean, this is our first-ever Olympics..." She explained, "The whole world is literally watching us."

"That's true... I never thought about it that way..." Rina nodded slowly.

As they did their stretches, their coaches motioned for them to gather up.

"Everyone warmed up yet?" Their coach, Sato Miyako, smiled, "It's just another Monday..."

Everyone laughed as they listened to their coach.

"So, since we have a few new faces on the team, let me remind you all of the format of the competition..." She continued, facing the whiteboard behind her.

"There are two phases - the first phase is called the qualification round. The teams are ranked by the International Volleyball Federation and then divided into two pools of six teams using the serpentine system. Since Japan - our team - is the host nation, we are ranked number 1." Their coach explained thoroughly.

Although Mizuki and Rina already knew the rules and regulations, it was refreshing and reassuring to hear them again.

"At the qualification round, each team plays one match against all other teams in its pool. The top four teams in each pool advance while the remaining two leave the competition. Our team is in the 'A Pool' along with Canada, Argentina, Korea, Poland, and Australia. The 'B Pool' consists of Brazil, Serbia, Italy, China, Russia, and the USA." Coach Sato murmured.

"The second phase happens for the top 4 teams in the A pool and the B Pool. If we win most of our matches, we are guaranteed a spot at the quarter-finals. We would be going up against the winning team from the B pool... So, I'm sure you're all familiar with the rest. If we win, then we go to the semi-finals and eventually, the finals!" She grinned, "Any other questions?"

Rina raised her hand up, "Coach Sato, I know we're competing against Canada for the qualification round but what about the other countries? What do the other matches look like?"

"Great question, Suzuki-chan." Their coach immediately started drawing on the whiteboard.

A Pool

Japan (A1) vs Canada (A2)

Argentina (A3) vs Korea (A4)

Poland (A5) vs Australia (A6)

B Pool

Brazil (B1) vs Serbia (B2)

Italy (B3) vs China (B4)

Russia (B5) vs USA (B6)

"These are the matches for today," Their coach pointed out, "Tomorrow, we'll go against Argentina. The next day, we'll go against Korea, and so on. One week from now, if we win enough games, we would be competing in the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the finals."

Mizuki and the rest of her teammates nodded in determination.

"Meanwhile, the men's team is going up against Brazil for their very first match so let's wish them luck too." Their coach stated.