Fukuhara Tech.
Last season, they humiliated Seiwa in straight sets. What was supposed to be a winnable match turned into a blowout that haunted the team for months.
This season, it was different.
Seiwa was different.
But as Renji stepped onto the court for warmups, he felt that old pressure crawl back into his chest. It wasn't just about revenge.
It was about redemption.
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An Old Face, A New Threat
"Renji?"
He turned at the sound of the voice.
A boy stood across the net—Fukuhara's new libero, with a smirk that struck a nerve.
"Kazuto…" Renji muttered.
Yuuto looked between them. "You two know each other?"
Kazuto flashed a grin. "Middle school teammates. Until he bailed."
Renji stiffened.
Kazuto turned to Yuuto, voice just loud enough for the others to hear. "Back then, Renji froze up in every tight match. Guess some things don't change."
Yuuto stepped forward, jaw tight, but Renji held out a hand.
"Don't," he said.
Not because he didn't want to fight back—
But because he had to prove it on the court.
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Old Scars, New Resolve
Renji sat quietly during the pregame meeting, Coach Anzai drawing diagrams on the board.
"Fukuhara will try to break our rhythm with unpredictable rotations and quick counters," Coach said. "But if we play with control and flow, we dictate the match."
Asuka glanced at Renji.
"You okay?" she mouthed.
He nodded once.
But the truth was… Kazuto's words dug deep.
He had frozen back then. He had walked away.
But that was a different version of himself.
That was before Yuuto called him a friend.
Before Asuka saw something in him he didn't see in himself.
Before he became Seiwa's setter.
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The Match Begins
Fukuhara struck first.
Their serves were sharp and strategic, aimed to disrupt Seiwa's rhythm. Kazuto was everywhere—digging Yuuto's spikes, reading Asuka's shots like he'd trained with her.
By the first timeout, Seiwa was down 10–14.
Coach Anzai didn't yell. He just looked at Renji.
"Play your game."
Renji inhaled deeply.
He turned to his team. "We're playing into their hands. Let's shift."
He adjusted the tempo—quicker sets to Yuuto off the second touch, slower balls to Arai to throw off blockers. Asuka slid to the backline to support the receive.
Bit by bit, they clawed their way back.
Kazuto dove for a sharp cut from Asuka—just short.
Tie game.
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Heat of the Rivalry
Midway through the second set, Kazuto called out during a timeout.
"Still hiding behind Asuka, huh?"
Renji stared at him. "I'm not hiding."
"Oh?" Kazuto smirked. "Then prove it."
That was all he needed.
Renji stepped back onto the court, heart pounding—not from fear, but fire.
Next rally, he set a no-look quick to Arai right through the middle.
Point.
Then a feint set to Yuuto—who tipped it just behind the blockers.
Point.
Then a tight back set to Asuka—who slammed it down with fury.
Point.
Renji didn't look at Kazuto.
He didn't have to.
His game was doing the talking now.
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Victory Earned
Match point.
Fukuhara served aggressively to Asuka.
She received low—barely controlled.
Renji sprinted forward, adjusting mid-step.
A perfect toss.
Yuuto rose high and hammered it down the line.
The ball hit the court with a satisfying thud.
25–22. Game. Seiwa.
The gym erupted.
Yuuto punched the air. Asuka smiled wide. Arai screamed.
Renji?
He just exhaled.
Then, slowly, looked across the net.
Kazuto met his eyes—and this time, didn't speak.
He just gave a small, almost reluctant nod.
Respect. At last.
---
After the Game
As the team packed up, Yuuto nudged Renji. "So, Kazuto, huh?"
Renji smirked. "Yeah."
"He's annoying."
"Yeah," Renji repeated, but his smile lingered.
Asuka walked past them. "You didn't just win, you owned that court."
Renji felt warmth rise to his face. "Thanks."
She tilted her head. "You okay now?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I am."
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Looking Ahead
Later that night, Renji lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
He thought about the boy he used to be—the one who hesitated, who ran from the game, from pressure.
That boy was still a part of him.
But he wasn't in control anymore.
Renji was writing a new story now.
One match at a time.
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End of Chapter 64
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To Be Continued