Me Or Volleyball

Chapter 18- Soaring Heights, Falling Dreams

The roar of the crowd at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium was deafening. Banners waved, cheerleaders shouted, and the air thrummed with excitement. It was the Spring High National Volleyball Tournament, and Karasuno was facing off against Kamomedai in a fierce battle.

I stood in the stands, my heart pounding, torn between two worlds. On one side of the court stood Hinata, his orange hair a beacon amidst the black uniforms of Karasuno. On the other side, wearing the light blue of Kamomedai, was Kōrai Hoshiumi - my new boyfriend.

It had been nearly a year since I'd left Karasuno, transferring to a school across town to give Hinata space to pursue his dreams. I never expected that decision would lead me here, to this moment, watching the boy I once loved face off against the boy I now loved.

The whistle blew, and the game began. From the first serve, it was clear this would be no ordinary match. Kamomedai's defense was impenetrable, their blocks forming an iron wall that even Karasuno's quirk attacks struggled to breach.

But Hinata... oh, Hinata was flying. He soared higher than I'd ever seen him, his jumps defying gravity, his spikes cutting through the air like lightning. Every time he scored a point, the Karasuno cheering squad erupted in joy.

Yet for every spectacular play Hinata made, Kōrai matched it. The "Little Giant" of Kamomedai was a force of nature, his precision and power leaving spectators breathless. I felt a surge of pride watching him, even as a part of my heart ached for Hinata.

The sets flew by in a blur of incredible rallies and nail-biting moments. Both teams were giving it their all, neither willing to concede even an inch. The score remained tight, each point hard-fought and desperately defended.

As the final set reached its climax, I found myself on the edge of my seat. The score was 23-22 in Kamomedai's favor. Hinata was up to serve.

I held my breath as he tossed the ball high, his approach perfect. The serve rocketed over the net, but Kamomedai's libero received it cleanly. The ball arced towards their setter, and I knew what was coming next.

"Kōrai!" the setter called, and my boyfriend leapt into the air, his form perfect, his eyes locked on the ball.

Time seemed to slow as Kōrai's hand connected with the ball. It shot past Karasuno's blockers, aiming for the back corner of the court. Nishinoya dove, his hand outstretched, but the ball was just out of reach.

The whistle blew. Match point, Kamomedai.

The Kamomedai side of the court erupted in cheers, players dogpiling Kōrai in celebration. On the other side, Karasuno stood in stunned silence, the weight of their defeat settling over them like a heavy blanket.

My eyes found Hinata. He stood motionless, staring at the spot where the ball had landed. Then, slowly, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the net to where Kōrai stood triumphant.

For a moment, just a moment, Hinata's eyes met mine in the stands. A flicker of recognition, a flash of pain, and then it was gone. He turned away, joining his teammates in their line-up.

As the teams exchanged thanks for the game, I felt a storm of emotions swirling inside me. Joy for Kōrai's victory warred with heartache for Hinata's defeat. Pride in both of their incredible performances mingled with a bittersweet nostalgia for what might have been.

After the formal proceedings were over, I made my way down to the court. Kōrai spotted me and ran over, sweeping me into a tight hug.

"We did it!" he exclaimed, his face flushed with victory and exertion. "Did you see that last spike? It was perfect!"

I laughed, caught up in his enthusiasm. "You were amazing," I said, meaning every word. "Congratulations."

As Kōrai chatted excitedly about the match, my gaze drifted over his shoulder. Karasuno was gathering their things, preparing to leave the court. Hinata stood slightly apart from the others, his head bowed.

Suddenly, he looked up, his eyes meeting mine once more. This time, there was no mistaking the emotions that flashed across his face - hurt, betrayal, and a deep, aching sadness. For a moment, I was transported back to that day nearly a year ago, when I'd said goodbye to him outside the Karasuno gym.

Hinata's gaze shifted to Kōrai, still talking animatedly in my arms, then back to me. A small, sad smile touched his lips. He gave me a barely perceptible nod, then turned away, rejoining his team as they left the court.

That simple gesture hit me like a physical blow. It was acknowledgment, acceptance, and farewell all at once. Hinata understood now why I'd left, why I'd pushed him away. He'd given his all to volleyball, just as I'd hoped he would. And even though it hadn't ended in victory today, I knew this was just the beginning for him.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kōrai's voice broke through my thoughts. He was looking at me with concern, his victory euphoria tempered by worry.

I blinked back the tears that had begun to form, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... overwhelmed by the intensity of the match."

Kōrai grinned, pulling me close. "It was pretty amazing, wasn't it? Come on, let's go celebrate with the team!"

As he led me away, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. The court was empty now, the echoes of the match still lingering in the air. Hinata was gone, off to lick his wounds and prepare for his next challenge. And I... I was moving forward too, down a path I never expected but one that felt right, despite the bittersweet pangs in my heart.

In that moment, I realized that life, like volleyball, was full of unexpected turns. You could plan and prepare, but sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. What matters is how you receive it, how you adapt, and how you prepare for the next play.

Squeezing Kōrai's hand, I turned away from the empty court and toward the future, ready for whatever serve life might send my way next.