The Haven backyard was a mess of grass, trees, and a barely-stable net.Katsu was already holding the volleyball like it was Excalibur.
"I CALL BEING CAPTAIN!" he shouted.
Shichiro blinked, leaning on the fence."…I just want to not get hit."
Kentarō jogged in dramatically."Prepare to witness true skill!"He tripped immediately over the edge of the court.
Rokuro slouched in a corner, arms crossed."I hate humans."
Ketsuki jumped onto the table."I WANNA SPIKE!"
Aegis appeared behind them, arms crossed, muttering."Just… try to pass it. Slowly."
Ryosen floated lazily above the court, flicking the ball's trajectory slightly for fun.Shichiro moved to block a serve, only for the ball to veer sideways like it had a mind of its own.
Ryosen screamed "HEY YOU CANT BLOCK A SERVEV ANYWAY!!"
Shichiro shrugged. "Whatever." As he bumps the ball up to katsu
Katsu swung at the first spike… and missed.The ball shot toward the ground in slow motion.
POOF
Katsu suddenly appeared under the ball.He casually caught it.
"I'm just… super fast, bro."
Shichiro stared."…Wait, what?"
Kentarō gasped."HOW DID HE DO THAT?"
Rokuro raised an eyebrow."…He didn't."
Katsu grinned."Of course I did. Totally human reflexes. Nothing magical here."
The chaos escalated.
Ketsuki jumped to spike, overshooting entirely. Katsu appeared behind her.
"I got it. Just super fast."
Shichiro finally made contact. The ball was smacking the ground… and suddenly floated back up.
"WHAT"
Kentarō dove dramatically. The ball bounced off his shoulder, then… didn't hit the ground. Katsu winked.
"Super fast, bro."
Rokuro muttered.
"…The floor is conspiring against me."
Aegis facepalmed.
"I'm… done explaining physics today."
Finally, everyone was running in all directions, yelling, tripping, flailing, and sweating.
Shichiro hit the ball mid-air, almost… accidentally. It flew toward Katsu, who of course caught it again.
"Don't worry guys. Totally fair play. Super fast."
Kentarō collapsed on the grass, pointing at Katsu.
"CHEATING! THAT'S CHEATING! HES STOPPING TIME!!"
Ketsuki jumped on Shichiro's back.
"Next round! Rematch!"
Shichiro sighed, smiling quietly as he helped Kentarō up.
"For once… this feels safe."
Ryosen floated down, leaning against the fence.
"Safe… ha. Enjoy it while it lasts, little brother."
The sun set behind them.The Haven of Six sprawled on the grass, exhausted, laughing, and messy.
And somewhere in the background, Katsu whispered:
"Super fast… bro."
For now… nothing mattered.