It had been a few days since Yukigaoka Junior High's volleyball team conducted their vertical jump tests.
The monstrous numbers from the third-years had not only left the girls' basketball coach utterly shaken, they also made a deep, unforgettable impression on the three new first-years.
And then there was one more third-year, someone whose presence was so faint that the PE teacher had forgotten to test him entirely.
When the mistake was discovered later, a make-up test was quickly arranged.
Result: 301 cm.
That number was quietly added to the club's records.
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Yukigaoka Junior High – Gym No. 3
Club activity time.
Every member of the volleyball team was assigned to their own specific training routines.
In the center of the court, Hinata Shoyo and Yudai Hyakuzawa, both raw, athletic prodigies lacking solid fundamentals, were working under Ichinose Guren's direct supervision.
The two were moving back and forth across an agility ladder, following the footwork drills Guren had demonstrated.
Each step tested their coordination, rhythm, and balance.
Of the two, Yudai Hyakuzawa had been training longer, but his height made ball control and low receptions particularly awkward.
Hinata Shoyo, on the other hand, had trained on his own for two years, no coach, no structure, no partner, resulting in bad habits and poor technique.
Fortunately, in recent months, Ichinose Guren had personally re-taught him the fundamentals.
At least now, Hinata could barely be considered a proper junior high volleyball player.
Still, no matter how far they had come, fundamentals couldn't be skipped.
Every day, they had to drill them again and again.
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On another side of the court, Hoshino Katsuri was being tormented by a new toy, a serving machine imported from Brazil.
Balls fired out at 90 km/h, each one screaming toward him like a missile.
"This! Is! Not! Normal! Training!"
"Who! Can! Even! Receive! This kind! Of serve?!"
During the machine's short reload pause, Hoshino vented his despair loudly.
Guren didn't even look up as he replied, multitasking like a machine himself, tossing and catching a ball with one hand to improve spin control, while balancing on a slanted wedge and performing single-leg squats to train stability.
"You should be grateful, Hoshino. Even some national teams don't have access to this model."
"And it's only firing at 90 km/h. The max speed is 130."
"If I wasn't worried about you breaking a rib, I'd already crank it to 100."
He smirked as he said it, equal parts teasing and serious.
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Meanwhile, the three freshmen, Kawashima, Mori, and Suzuki, were practicing simple underhand passes.
After correcting their posture and explaining the key points of footwork, Guren had basically left them to practice on their own.
His instructions were simple:
"Once you can pass 500 consecutive balls in one go, start wall drills."
"When you can do 300 passes against the wall, you can join our 2v2 mini-matches."
As Guren had put it bluntly:
"You're two years behind us in physical development and match experience.
It's better to perfect your basics first.
If I throw you into full matches now, you'll just lose confidence.
But once you can receive our serves, that's when you'll be ready."
And with a rare grin, he added:
"If you ever feel like giving up, just remember how we three looked during the jump tests. Let that motivate you."
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In just two and a half months, the team would enter the prefectural qualifiers for the Junior High Volleyball Tournament.
Rather than rush the new recruits into offense and blocking drills, both heavily dependent on height and instinct, Guren decided to focus on their defense for now.
Once they reached the next stage, there would be four serving machines hammering the court from all directions.
That would be their true test.
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After about an hour of training, Guren clapped his hands sharply, signaling a break.
"Alright, everyone, gather up!"
He waited until all eyes were on him.
"It's already April. We've got only three months left before the qualifiers."
"To build up everyone's match sense, we'll start with a 2v2 practice game today, me, Hinata, Hyakuzawa, and Hoshino."
"After today, we'll shift to 3v3 rotations. Everyone will get match time. Everyone will learn."
"Before we came along, the volleyball club couldn't even field a full team."
"But now, " He looked around the court, his voice firm.
"Now we can compete."
"And since we're competing, "
"We'll keep winning. We'll keep climbing."
He paused, sweeping his gaze across each face.
"Our goal for this year's tournament—"
"—is one thing only."
The gym fell silent.
Yudai Hyakuzawa's eyes burned with resolve, his natural calm replaced by focused determination.
Hinata Shoyo was bouncing on his toes, fists clenched, trying to contain his excitement.
Hoshino Katsuri stood still, silent but intensely alert.
The three first-years looked nervous, their hands clenched, sweat dripping down their temples.
It was good the tournament was still months away… otherwise, none of them would sleep tonight.
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2v2 Practice Match
Teams:Hinata Shoyo & Yudai Hyakuzawa vs. Ichinose Guren & Hoshino Katsuri
BEEEEEP!!
The opening whistle echoed.
Guren held the ball in both hands as he stepped into the service zone.
He began spinning the ball lightly in his palms.
Across the net, Hinata and Hyakuzawa's faces changed instantly, a look of dread creeping across them.
They both knew: when Ichinose Guren went quiet like that before serving…
…it meant trouble.
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