The Pinnacle

Ch 3

In my third year of high school, I continued to play as the official setter. But it wasn't the same without Ushiwaka as the ace. Shiratorizawa wasn't weak by any means. But a player with the overwhelming physical prowess of Ushijima Wakatoshi came around once in a generation. Without him, my 'reliability' wasn't as important as the height and creativeness that a more talented setter provided. Nor could I bring myself to focus with the younger squad. Ultimately, second-year setter took my place in the starting lineup after Interhigh.

I had reserved myself to quitting volleyball after high school ever since that last encounter with Ushiwaka at his graduation. Although I was probably good enough to play at the college level if I tried, it's not like I was going to be drafted into the pro league. More importantly, I didn't have the will anymore. It hurt more than anything to be on the court and remember his presence. It was time to leave all that behind me and make a clean cut.

After he had graduated, I didn't reach out to him. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't pay attention to his news. I caught wind that he was immediately added to the university's first string and added to the bench of the Japanese national team. That was to be expected. I told myself that I was content to watch him from afar. More like, it was all I could handle.

But then, one day as I was walking him in the cool December air, I received a text from him. 'I will be in Miyagi for the holiday.' Brief, to the point, and commanding as usual. Even though he hadn't spelled it out, I knew what he was asking. No, I couldn't do it. I lied, 'I will be away visiting family.'

Then he texted me one more time, at the beginning of what was supposed to be my first semester at T University with him, 'Have you arrived in Tokyo?'

I never replied.

...

I still ended up in Tokyo somehow, under the influence of my parents. As much as I wanted to stay away, they wanted me to go to the best school possible. It was fine. I've already been here almost two years and never bumped into Ushiwaka once. It's a big city after all. Coincidences like that only happened in movies and stuff.

I was walking home after class, carrying a bag with a convenience store bento box and a drink, my dinner, when my phone began to buzz in my pocket. I didn't really want to answer it, it was too cold to take my hands out of my pocket.

The air in front of me became clouded with my sigh, "Hello?"

"Hey, Shirabu! Been a long time man!" Tendou, despite the time apart and the supposed growing up we were all doing, was still the same. Too sarcastically happy to handle.

I groaned, "It's only been about nine months Tendou, we went to watch Shiratorizawa in Nationals last year remember?"

He completely brushed it off, "Yeah, that's a long time! Listen, a few of us from the old team are getting together Friday night, to have a few drinks, catch up, and stuff. You down?"

The old team, who could he be referring to? He couldn't possibly mean everyone from his third-year team when we lost to Karasuno. They all came? "You guys are all in Tokyo now too?"

"Not all of us, but a few. Me, Taichi, Eita, Reon, and Ushiwaka of course." My breathing stopped at the sound of his name. "But that guy's way too busy with the national team right now to come out. So it'll probably just be us four. So you coming or what?"

I let out a deep sigh of relief, Ushiwaka wouldn't be there. The other members, the memories of our time together came flooding back. What a glorious time it was, playing volleyball with them. I missed it so much. Our blood, sweat, and tears were left together on the court; the images pulled at my heartstrings, which is why I said, "Yeah, sounds good. I'll see you then."