BOOM!
The volleyball shot past the left side of the blockers, landing sharply on the backcourt baseline and bouncing high.
Hoshiumi Kōrai scored with a spike.
"He's seriously good…"
"This guy's vertical is insane—way more outrageous than what we saw in the videos!"
Standing tall in the centre of the court was Hoshiumi Kōrai.
In today's second-team practice match, once again, the team with Hoshiumi on it had co out on top.
Schweiden Adlers (hereafter referred to as AD Club), the runner-up team of the V1 League 2013–2014 season.
#1, Libero, Toshirō Heiwajima, 24 years old, 176 cm. Starting libero for Japan's national team. Calm and composed when facing all kinds of spikes.
#2, Captain, Hirugami Fukurō, 25 years old, 197 cm. Best Blocker of the 2011–2012 season, known as the "Spider's Hands" for his exceptional read on opponents' spikes.
(P.S. Hirugami Fukurō's older sister, Hirugami Shōkō, is the captain of the Hikari Pharmaceutical Red Rabbits in the Won's V1 League.)
#7, Middle Blocker, Tatsuto Sokolov, 21 years old, 201 cm. A Russian import player—tall and strong, yet surprisingly agile.
#8, Outsider Hitter, Tsunotate Kazuki, 29 years old, 185 cm. Starting outside hitter for Japan in two consecutive World Championships. Nicknad "Little Giant" on the global stage.
#11, Opposite Hitter, Ushijima Wakatoshi, 20 years old, 192 cm. The "left-handed cannon" from Shiratorizawa Academy. In the previous postseason, he outscored even the team's ace, Tsunotate Kazuki.
#12, Setter, Matia Bottono, 24 years old, 190 cm. An Italian setter known for his unpredictable and whimsical sets—impossible to read, impossible to counter.
#16, Outside Hitter, Hoshiumi Kōrai, 19 years old, 171 cm. Currently a substitute.
Although Hoshiumi had perford exceptionally well in high school, his joining the AD Club still stirred so controversy. Short but technically outstanding, he was considered top-class among his peers. But in the pro scene, he now had to go up against players who were not only technically skilled but also towering in stature.
"This kid reminds of myself," Tsunotate Kazuki said with a chuckle. "Compared to players on world-class teams, even 180 centitres is considered short."
"But the reason I've made it this far—onto the world stage—is because short stature is just a disadvantage in volleyball, not a disqualifier."
"Haha…" Hirugami Fukurō laughed heartily at that.
"What's so funny, Fukurō?" Tsunotate asked, puzzled. "Did I say sothing wrong?"
"No, senpai, I wasn't laughing at that," Fukurō replied. "You rember my younger brother, Sachirō, don't you?"
"Of course I do. His talent was on par with yours. Coach Suzaku had high hopes for him." Tsunotate shook his head. "Who would've thought—a middle blocker that good just gave up volleyball and went off to study veterinary dicine!"
"Yeah, our whole family was a little heartbroken," Fukurō admitted with a wry smile. There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "Maybe it was because of the pressure from and Shōkō. He never really looked happy playing volleyball back in middle school. So, honestly, I think we all kind of saw it coming."
"Ah, the woes of an athletic family." Tsunotate gave him a sidelong glance. "For most people, becoming a pro athlete is a dream barely within reach—and yet your family already has two V1 club captains."
"Hehe, you flatter ." Fukurō grinned mischievously, looking exactly like his younger brother.
"So? Why bring up your brother all of a sudden?"
"Sachirō and Kōrai were teammates in their high school volleyball club. One day, Kōrai told him the exact sa thing you just said."
"Is that so…" Tsunotate murmured. "Looks like short guys tend to reach the sa conclusions when it cos to volleyball."
In truth, no one had expected Tsunotate Kazuki to ever go pro. When he was Hoshiumi's age, his performance hadn't been nearly as dazzling.
"Your skills might be professional-grade, but with no height and no advantage in jumping…"
"Just pick those with talent. Technique can be learned with ti…"
"What a waste…"
"Such a sha. If only his build were a bit better…"
Listening to remarks like these, Tsunotate Kazuki quietly beca one of the many benchwarrs in the V1 League.
He gave it his all for a year…and remained a substitute.
He trained relentlessly for two years…still a substitute.
He practised serving, setting, studied every tactic he could. To make up for his lack of height, he dedicated himself to improving his reaction speed and anticipation. Three years passed…
Tsunotate Kazuki felt like he had finally grasped sothing—but there was no opportunity to showcase it on the court.
Should he give up? With this body, maybe he could never beco a pro. At the very least, never a team's ace.
No!
Since he had no chance to play, Tsunotate voluntarily dropped out of the V1 League. That sa year, he led the Narcissus Club in the V2 League to victory, earning promotion to the V1 League.
The V-League allowed for promotion and relegation between tiers, but very few V2 teams managed to truly establish themselves in the V1 League. And yet, under Tsunotate's leadership, the Narcissus Club shot straight into the V1 League's top eight in just their second year.
Only then did the powerhouses finally start paying attention to him.
As the sole wildcard in the Narcissus lineup, multiple V1 teams extended him offers.
And the Narcissus Club, asking for almost nothing in return, sent him to the elite team Schweiden Adler. A gesture of goodwill. His teammates sincerely wished him well—believing he would go on to beco Japan's best outside hitter.
It had taken Tsunotate Kazuki five years to beco a starting player on a V1 team. That sa year, he was nad a mainstay of the Japan National Team.
Because of Hirugami Fukurō's connections, AD Club had already been paying special attention to Kamodai. Naturally, they were well aware of this small-sized ace. But they still hesitated—not because Hoshiumi Kōrai wasn't strong enough, but because if both he and Tsunotate were on court, their starting lineup might look too short overall. That would significantly increase the team's defensive burden.
Hoshiumi had long been paying attention to Tsunotate. Among players of his type, there was no second.
Over the past two weeks, Hoshiumi had been arranged to participate in scrimmages with the second squad and substitute players. Ten matches in total, with randomised groupings—and Hoshiumi's team had won every single one.
Even if Coach Suzaku thought it would look strange to add Hoshiumi to the starting lineup, reality had a way of delivering unexpected answers.
"Starting next week, Hoshiumi Kōrai will be added to the starting lineup and will participate in all scrimmages against V2 League teams."
"Yes, sir!"
Tsunotate gave a wry smile—he'd taken five years to get here, but this kid had done it in a month. Still, he felt nothing but pride.
"Congratulations, Hoshiumi-kun."
"Tsunotate-senpai!" Hoshiumi called out respectfully.
Hirugami Fukurō had never seen Hoshiumi look so serious before.
"Ever since I saw your performance at the World Championship, it felt like the path ahead of suddenly opened up!"
"Is that so? I'm honoured to have helped inspire your growth," Tsunotate replied.
"I've always wanted to be you—to beco a player like you…"
For the first ti since joining AD Club a month ago, Hoshiumi opened up.
"But after eting you in person, that desire changed."
"Oh?" Tsunotate smiled. "Not as impressive as you imagined?"
"No—you're amazing. But I want to know…is this still your peak?"
Tsunotate paused for a mont. While his jumping ability and speed weren't quite what they had been two years ago, he had never relied on those things. Reading the ga and finding the optimal attack routes—that had always been the path he pursued.
"Yes," Tsunotate replied with a smile. "I believe I've still got a few years left in my pri."
"That's good to hear," Hoshiumi said with relief.
"Thank you so much for lighting the path ahead for . But more than becoming like you, what I want now—is to surpass you."
Tsunotate waited silently for what would co next.
"I understand the team's concerns. If it's inconvenient for two 'short guys' to be on the court at the sa ti, then…"
"Let replace you!"
_________
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