A Trip to Japan (Ongoing)

Chapter 57

JT delivered a not so strong serve in our side of the court. Captain Hoshino was there to receive it properly, and sent it to Akihiko, ready to make the next move. He jumped as if he freezed in the air, then he made an insanely sneaky move that surprised both the opponent, and our team, including Coach Ayu and I.

"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, HIKO-KUN!" sigaw ni Coach Ayu habang nakaturo kay Akihiko na dinudumog ng team dahil sa ginawa niya. Natawa naman ako sa reaksyon ni Coach, ngunit sinabayan ko na lang din siya.

Well, that kid just audaciously dumped the ball to the other side of the net. Nobody read it, not one soul. Even Coach and I didn't expect it, but he nailed it brilliantly.

But then again, since JT is off set point, we need two more points. Mukhang aabot pa nga sa 30 'yung score nila. Now that the team is fired up, I'm sure they'll be able to win this set.

Hiro delivered a sizzling serve to the opponent, which made their team scramble as one of them failed to receive it perfectly, but it was enough to keep it alive. I thought we're going for an ace, but their libero did an exceptional job. He rushed as fast as he can for the ball, and kicked it with his foot. It seems JT isn't ready to give the medal away yet. Another player followed him and hoisted the ball to our side of the net.

Chance ball, it's the opportunity to score. Ide received it beautifully as expected, Akihiko tossed it quickly to Lee, knowing that the opponents are currently scrambling around, and Lee hitted it gracefully, straight down to the floor.

"Yatta! Mou ippon! (one more)" sigaw naming dalawa ni Coach Ayu habang pinapakita namin ang hintuturo namin.

"We're on set point again. Aish, they better take this point now before I get hospitalized because of stress." natawa naman ako sa komento ni Coach Ayu, kahit pa sa katunayan, parang kailangan ko na rin yatang magpadala sa ospital dahil sa sobrang stress at kaba. 30-29 ang score.

Isa na lang. Isang puntos na lang muli, at magkakaroon na uli ng place ang Toray Arrows sa ligang ito.

"Take it home, Hiro!" sigaw ko sa kanya, umaasang maging service ace ang sunod na serve niya. Tumango muna siya sa'kin bago siya bumwelo para paluin ang bola.

Tulad nga ng inaasahan, malakas ang serve niya ngunit nakuha agad nito ng libero na para bang basic lang iyon. Dahil doon, maayos ang pagkakabigay niya sa setter nila. Lahat naman ng manlalaro sa side namin ay humanda sa susunod na gagawin ng JT. Ipinakita nila ang kanilang mga braso na para bang handa silang saluhin ang lahat ng bola, na hindi nila hahayaan na may mahulog na bola sa aming court.

Nang pumalo si Edgar, ang mala-higanteng import ng JT, akala ko tuluyan nang lumapag 'yung bola sa court, ngunit agad na lumipad si Akihiko nang pababa para mahabol 'yung bola at iniligtas ito gamit ang ang likod ng kamay niya. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil sa kaba.

Dahil si Akihiko ang first touch, agad naman itong sinalo ni Hiro at sinet ito kay Rouzier na bumwelo sa kabilang gilid. Akala ko makakapuntos na kami, ngunit pinalo ito ni Rouzier nang bahagya at na-rebound ang bola. Agad itong ni-receive ng libero at binigay kay Akihiko. Nagsimula na namang bumagal 'yung oras nang hawakan ni Akihiko 'yung bola.

Once the ball got out off his hands, I almost wanted to punch myself since his set was a failure, it went to the opponent's side as it floated towards Hiro. And the ball landed just a few millimeters away from the white line. Or so I thought.

"Coach Ayu! I saw it! It's in!" protesta ko sa kanya dahil tinawagan ito ng 'out' ng referee.

"But Mayu-san—"

"It's few millimeters in, Coach." matigas kong sabi.

"This is our last challenge, Mayu-san. But, I believe in you." kahit pa nagdududa si Coach sa nakita ko, pinaniwalaan niya pa rin ako at itinaas ang flashcard na may nakalagay na 'ball in/out'.