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(continued).....
Akira had finally joined the volleyball club, and things were going well. She quickly found her rhythm, getting along with the other members and seamlessly integrating herself into the team. During practices, she frequently pointed out her teammates' strengths and weaknesses, helping them hone their skills. Akira's sharp observations and instructions earned her respect, even if she often clashed with Tsukishima. Their exchanges were a constant volley of sarcastic remarks, but underneath the surface, there was a mutual respect born from their shared competitiveness.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Akira found herself able to forget her past. The volleyball court became her sanctuary, where her mind was focused only on the present, immersed in the fast-paced world of her new life.
One afternoon, during their usual training session, a mistake from Hinata disrupted the flow of a drill. Kageyama's set had been too fast, failing to align with the new move Akira had introduced to the team—a strategy she was certain would allow Hinata to score extra points with ease.
"Hinata-kun, you're not doing it right," Akira called out, her voice sharp yet encouraging. She stepped forward, motioning toward the net. "You need to bend your hand a little more over the net. That way, the ball will land directly on the front line."
Hinata groaned in frustration, running a hand through his bright orange hair. "But it's too tough! I'm not used to bending like that."
Akira sighed, recognizing that this adjustment was harder for Hinata than it seemed. She had confidence in him, though. "It's okay, you'll get there," she assured him. Then, turning her attention to Kageyama, she called out, "Kageyama, can you give us a few free sets? But this time, slow the tempo down a little."
Kageyama nodded, his expression focused. He launched the ball into the air with precision, crafting a perfect parabola. The slower tempo allowed Hinata to match his timing better, though there was still a disconnect between the two. The new set speed required an adjustment from both players, and Akira could see that Kageyama's consistency wasn't the issue. The challenge lay in the delicate balance between Kageyama's swift sets and Hinata's lightning reflexes.
As the ball sailed toward Hinata, Akira watched closely. "Take your time," she murmured, more to herself than to Hinata. There was potential here—if Hinata could adapt, this strategy could become their secret weapon.
After several drills and steady progress, Hinata and Kageyama were finally finding their rhythm. Sweat drenched their faces, but they were getting closer with each attempt.
"Hinata-kun, Kageyama-kun, just a little more! You're almost there!" Akira encouraged, her voice filled with energy.
Both boys nodded, narrowing their focus. Kageyama set the ball, and in the blink of an eye, Hinata sprinted toward the net, his eyes locked on the ball. Time seemed to slow as he leaped, his body twisting in midair. With perfect form, he bent his hand over the net and—thump—the ball slammed onto the court, hitting the exact spot Akira had targeted.
