136: Is this a Dream?

1.5K 136 16
                                        


Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.


——"OH——!!"

Amidst the excited cheers of the audience, both teams' players entered the court. Surprisingly, despite the intense previous set, the other players showed no unusual expressions; they still had looks of anticipation and fighting spirit.

However, usually calm Kobayashi Aotori was looking as if he was facing a great enemy, raising some doubts.

Kobayashi Aotori stood in the rear position, while the players in front taunted their opponents, led by Tendou Satori; in the rear, Ushijima Wakatoshi and others had calm expressions. After recovering, Yamagata Hayato also looked at the other side full of fighting spirit.

In stark contrast to the laughing, energetic Bokuto in front, Kobayashi Aotori stood alone at the back of the field, pressing his philtrum with a worried expression. Ushijima Wakatoshi in the front seemed to sense the pressure from behind—

He slightly turned his head, extended his hand and tapped his shoulder at Kobayashi Aotori who looked like he had lost all hope in life.

Although the movement was small, Kobayashi Aotori saw it clearly. His originally tense expression paused, and the next moment, he sighed helplessly, his hazel eyes filled with a bit of sentiment.

Because he understood the meaning in Ushijima Wakatoshi's eyes. That gaze clearly said:

——【I'm here】

Kobayashi Aotori shook his head helplessly. This guy, is he telling me it's okay even if I fail? But anyway, the tense expression on Kobayashi Aotori's face had disappeared without a trace.

Standing in place, Kobayashi Aotori slightly lowered his eyes, and the scene of being called over by Coach Washijo flashed in his mind—


————


THE ADVISOR stood on one side holding a folder, while Coach Washijo faced Kobayashi Aotori. His usually cold and stern face, for the first time ever, showed a rare sign of softening as he looked at Kobayashi Aotori.

Not for any other reason, but because he had seen Kobayashi Aotori's efforts on the field. After all, as long as Kobayashi Aotori was in the front row during Bokuto's spikes, the rhythm basically belonged to Shiratorizawa.

But just standing on the sidelines, he heard the crisp sounds one after another, not to mention Kobayashi Aotori who experienced it personally.

Watching Kobayashi Aotori standing like a stabilizing force in the front, and Ushijima Wakatoshi's fierce attacks from the back, Washijo had an epiphany.

...In some aspects, Aotori is still someone who cares about the bigger picture. His "willfulness" is not reckless; it's based on the belief that "we will win this game."

I am Really Weak at VolleyballStories to obsess over. Discover now