EX-istential Crisis

Chapter 20: The Digitalized Volleyball

The game started off normal. Everyone was laughing, casually setting and spiking the ball. Nelly and Mira worked together with easy synergy, and the energy was lighthearted. But after a few minutes, Shin turned to Nelly and muttered, "Nelly, you agree this type of volleyball is kinda... boring?"

Nelly, who was just about to return a serve, paused and smirked. "Yeah, it's pretty basic. So, I brought the one thing you asked for."

Shin's eyes widened. "No way. You finished it already?"

Nelly grinned, pulling out a sleek, futuristic-looking ball from his bag. "Yep, introducing... B.A.L.L.E.R!"

Mira blinked, "Wait... what's a Baller?"

Nelly puffed out his chest and struck a dramatic sales pose, putting on his best salesman voice. "Allow me to explain!" He began, as if narrating a commercial.

"Behold! The B.A.L.L.E.R: Ball that Accelerates, Levitates, and Loaded with Effect Reactions! It's not just any ball, folks—it absorbs the kinetic energy of every hit and enhances it with special effects based on how it's handled. Flame, ice, electricity—whatever you imagine at it, the B.A.L.L.E.R responds. Best part? No real damage, just effects for show! All fun, no risk!"

Everyone's jaw dropped.

Shin's excitement peaked. "You brought it! I thought you were still testing it, man!"

Nelly winked, "Why not demo it?"

With that, Nelly pulled out a bottle of ethyl alcohol, poured some onto his hands, and lit his palms on fire. Everyone gasped as Nelly coolly tossed the B.A.L.L.E.R into the air and slammed it with a fiery spike. The ball shot across the court with a flaming trail.

Shin leaped up to block the ball, expertly smacking it back. As soon as he touched it, the flame effect disappeared in a burst of sparks, and the ball was unharmed.

Mira, watching in awe, couldn't help but marvel at Nelly's creativity. "Nelly, you made this?!"

Ainslein leaned in with a smirk. "Oh yeah, he's next level. You should've seen the time he made a game overnight just to make some bitch cry. Man's a genius." She laughed loudly, clearly impressed.

Mira smiled, admiring Nelly. She thought to herself, If only I had something special like that...

Ran overheard and playfully nudged Mira. "What do you mean, Mira? You are special. You've got that voice, you're so outgoing, and that's why we love you! Maybe even Nelly, right?" she teased with a wink.

Mash, who was next to her, agreed. "Yeah! I still remember how you saved me that one time when I got surrounded by those guys trying to give me love letters. You're a hero, Mira!"

Annika added softly, "You even noticed me when I was... well, boring. But you liked my art, and that meant a lot."

Mira, blushing at all the praise, hugged her friends. "Aww, you guys!"

But the heartfelt moment was interrupted by Shin's shout. "Aight, let's bend the rules real quick! This ain't your typical volleyball anymore! You hit the ball, spike it, and get it on the ground, you score—simple. But the loophole is where the fun begins!"

Shin got into position to serve. "Let's turn up the heat!"

With a dramatic wind-up, he kicked the B.A.L.L.E.R, sending it into the air with a rhythm effect. The ball glowed and transformed into a spinning disco ball, casting colorful lights across the court.

Mash jumped up to receive it, adding a star effect to the ball. Mira then set it up with a gentle touch, and rain began to pour from the ball, combining the star and rain effects into a glowing Blue Star.