Polaroid | Suna Rintarou

12: Semifinal Revelation

The air in the gymnasium was electric, charged with the anticipation of the Spring High National Tournament semifinals. The crowd's cheers and the rhythmic stomping of feet reverberated through the floor, but my focus was singular, zeroed in on the court and on the bleachers where she stood, cheering for us.

For the first time, I felt a thrill, a love for volleyball that was different from the usual acknowledgment of my skill. It wasn't just about being good at the sport anymore; it was about the connection, the energy, and the support. Her presence added a new dimension to the game.

As we took our positions on the court, I stole a glance at her. She was smiling, eyes sparkling with excitement and encouragement. Time seemed to slow down, the noise fading into a distant hum. All I could see was her, my reason to push harder, to play better.

The whistle blew, snapping me back into reality. The game began, and every move, every pass, every spike was executed with a precision I hadn't felt before. I was in the zone, but more than that, I was playing with my heart.

Atsumu tossed the ball to me, and as I prepared to spike, I heard her voice cheering my name. It was like a shot of adrenaline. I jumped higher, hit harder, and the ball slammed down on the opponent's side with a force that drew gasps from the crowd.

In the midst of the game, I found myself appreciating my teammates more than ever. Atsumu's relentless energy and skill, Osamu's unwavering support, and everyone's powerful presence-all of it came together to create a synergy that was almost palpable.

My thoughts kept drifting back to her. Seeing her there, supporting me, cheering for us, made everything click. I wasn't just playing for myself or my team; I was playing for her too. It made me realize how much she meant to me, how much I valued her being a part of this journey.

During a brief timeout, as we huddled together, Atsumu slapped me on the back. "You're on fire today, Suna. What's gotten into you?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just felt like playing my best."

Osamu smirked. "Sure, it's got nothing to do with [Reader] being here, right?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at my lips. "Maybe."

The game resumed, and my focus intensified. Each point, each play was a step closer to victory, a step closer to proving to myself that this was where I belonged. I could feel the rhythm of the game, the flow of our teamwork, and it filled me with a sense of purpose and passion.

And then it happened. Match point. The ball was set perfectly for me, and as I leaped into the air, everything seemed to move in slow motion. I saw [Reader] standing there, her hands clasped together, eyes wide with anticipation. I swung my arm, feeling the power and determination coursing through me.

The ball hit the floor with a resounding thud, and the gymnasium erupted in cheers. We had done it. We had won. But amidst the celebration, my eyes sought out only one person. She was jumping up and down, her joy infectious.

As I joined my team in celebrating, I couldn't help but reflect on what had changed. Volleyball had always been something I was good at, but now, it was something I loved. And it was all because of her.

I walked over to the bleachers where she stood, pushing through the crowd. When I finally reached her, she threw her arms around me. "You were amazing, Rin-kun!"

I hugged her back, a sense of completeness washing over me. "Thanks. It means a lot that you were here."

She pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those bright eyes. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

In that moment, I knew. Volleyball, [Reader], my teammates-it was all connected. This was where I was meant to be, and with her by my side, everything felt right.

"Let's win the finals," I said, determination and love burning in my chest.

She nodded, smiling. "Together."

As we turned back to join the team, I knew that this was just the beginning. With [Reader] cheering me on and my team supporting me, there was nothing we couldn't achieve. And for the first time, I was excited to see where this journey would take us.

Thank you for reading! ⋆⑅˚✿📸

- Aia₊˚⊹♡