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Competitive sports are like a war, but with defined rules. Morale is one of the key factors that determine victory or defeat; it ans facing difficulties head-on and never giving up.
These eight words sound simple, but living by them requires an extraordinary level of willpower and conviction.
If the players at Aota Junior High possessed such determination, no matter which school they faced, it would be no easy task to defeat them.
In reality, however, the stronger the team, the firr their beliefs tend to be.
anwhile, ordinary teams often just drift along without much effort.
And so...
The strong grow stronger and the weak grow weaker.
"Bang!"
Akashi Asuto swung his arm with full force. It was the sa powerful spike as before, with the sa strength. This ti, however, it effortlessly broke through the three-man block in front of him, slipping between the arms of one of the blockers and slamming onto the court.
Aota's libero stood with his hands loosely at his sides, watching the volleyball pass right by him without moving.
Beep!
The whistle sounded.
Along with it ca the referee's announcent: "Match over. Sengoku Junior High School versus Aota Private Junior High School. Score: 2–0. Sengoku Junior High School wins!"
"Thank you for the match!"
Both teams quickly lined up at the net and bowed and shook hands.
During the handshake...
The Sengoku Junior High players were naturally very happy. Yet, unexpectedly, the atmosphere on Aota's side was even more cheerful. Seeing the expressions on Aota's players' faces caused the smiles on Sengoku's players' faces to fade slightly.
· · · · ·
On the school bus ride back...
The Sengoku team's expressions were sowhat unusual. There was none of the excitent they had felt after yesterday's victory.
Perhaps today's match had been more exhausting.
Or perhaps it was because yesterday had been their first win, allowing them to advance to the second round.
"How strange… we clearly won, so why don't I feel happy at all?" Omae Masato said suddenly, leaning back in his seat with his hands behind his head.
"Isn't that obvious? We're not the sa clueless rookies we were yesterday."
"Hahaha… don't tell you're already tired after just this!"
As Omae Masato spoke, a bit of liveliness gradually returned to the bus.
But then, a voice suddenly cut through the chatter—
And the entire bus fell silent.
"There's nothing to be happy about when you beat a team that has no will to fight."
The one who spoke was the team's opposite hitter, Oda Miki. Strangely enough, despite being one of the most handso players in the volleyball club—second only to Asuto—his presence was remarkably faint.
During regular practice matches, sotis even his own teammates, including Asuto, would unconsciously forget about this opposite hitter.
"A team that, after tasting defeat, feels neither disappointnt nor unwillingness to accept it… that kind of team can only an one thing—they've never truly tried."
"Because they've never tried, they can accept failure as sothing natural."
Oda Miki's tone was calm, completely devoid of emotional fluctuation. Yet when his words fell, everyone on the bus went silent.
Because at last, they understood—
Why defeating Aota today brought them no excitent at all.
The reason was simple.
It was because the scene when Aota Junior High left the court today was far too similar to how they themselves used to be.
Coach Shimokawa, who was driving the bus, had listened to Oda Miki's words from beginning to end. His gaze flickered slightly.
anwhile, sitting in the very back row, Asuto finally grasped the underlying aning after hearing Oda Miki's words:
"Damn… so it was you all along—you've been secretly grinding behind my back?"
······
The school bus, as always, thoughtfully dropped everyone off one by one at their hos.
But this ti, before they got off, the coach didn't remind them to "rest well and not sneak in extra training."
According to the rules,
unless it's a national-level tournant, most club activities aren't allowed to interfere with regular school classes.
Sengoku Junior High School's next match wouldn't take place until next weekend.
In other words, Asuto still had five days to continue his intensive training.
And for this, he had already prepared a training plan.
For the upcoming week,
he planned to focus on improving his vertical jump. On his stat panel, his Vertical Jump was already approaching the 75 threshold. If he could achieve a breakthrough in height within the next week, his offensive power would beco even more formidable.
Thanks to the System's data, Asuto could set his training plans with extrely clear direction and goals.
However…
Plans are always perfect on paper—but when it cos to actually carrying them out, there are always… a few small problems.
······
[Ding…]
[Congratulations to the host for extra holiday training—stair jumps. By exceeding your teammates' training volu by double, you have completed a low-level "involution."]
[Reward: Vertical Jump 0.1]
······
At the park steps—
Asuto completed his final set of stair jumps, his legs trembling.
Two hours and forty minutes.
In total, he had completed 12 sets of stair jumps, each set consisting of five round trips. Excluding regular rest intervals, he had to complete one set roughly every two minutes.
This level of training was nearly three tis the school's normal workload.
Yet the notification from the System clearly told him—
he had only just managed to train twice as much as others.
For a mont,
Asuto trembled with anger.
Seriously?!
Can this even get any worse?
Can this world have even a little bit more honesty?!
Back at school, everyone kept saying they were going ho to play gas and watch ani…
And yet now, you're all secretly grinding behind my back?!
"That damn scher Oda Miki—it has to be you. I knew it, you didn't look like an honest guy back on the bus today."
Asuto gritted his teeth, firmly marking Oda Miki down as a "grind addict."
······
"Achoo!"
At an outdoor volleyball court, Oda Miki—who was sitting in the stands watching a group of adults play—suddenly sneezed.
"What's wrong, Miki? Caught a cold?"
Beside him, a young man who looked about 50–60% similar to him asked with concern.
Oda Miki rubbed his nose and shook his head.
"I'm fine, brother. Probably just irritated by so pollen nearby."
"Pollen?"
Oda Miwa glanced at the surrounding lush flowers and plants and said,
"That makes sense. Just be careful. If you feel unwell, head back early later."
"Got it, brother. You should go—Brother Morishita and the others are waiting."
"Mm."
Oda Miwa nodded, then stood up and left.
Only after he walked away did Oda Miki refocus his attention on the court ahead.
Deep within his clear eyes,
the entire scene of the match was gradually reflected…
(End of Chapter)
PS— I will post 1 Bonus Chapter for every 100 Power Stones
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