"Your underhand passes are sloppy! Your overhead sets are weak! Your spike approach is completely obvious!"
"Other than your core strength, you're worthless."
"Even your strongest slide attacks, I've completely shut them down."
"Your technique is at a Junior High level. If you play volleyball just to look cool spiking, then…"
"…I suggest you don't bother with your school's volleyball team. You'll only frustrate those who are actually trying."
"Damn it!"
Kyotani Kentarou flipped the covers back, his fierce glare slowly giving way to confusion.
Damn that guy…
Though his eyes still held a hint of bewilderment, his expression remained as intense as ever, radiating the same kind of murderous aura that could rival millions.
He grabbed the leftover fried chicken from last night on the nightstand. Without brushing his teeth, he tore into it with his hands, devouring a few bites before tossing the rest into the trash.
Then, yawning, he headed to the bathroom to wash up.
His mother was far away. Since he was capable of taking care of himself, his grandparents had gone back to the countryside, leaving Kyotani to live alone.
Recalling the holidays, he remembered that he hadn't wanted to train at Aoba Johsai's gym with the third-year players. Instead, he had gone to public gyms open to citizens or played casual matches with passersby.
That day, Shoyo and Yuu were busy with their families, and the other three, Yudai and the others, were helping with a house move.
Hoshino Katsuri, seeing no one else would come, decided to take a day off too.
This left Ichinose Guren practicing alone all morning at his private gym. The sudden shift from bustling life to solitary training left Guren feeling a little out of place.
So, he decided to find a gym where people were around, just to play some casual volleyball. By coincidence, Kyotani often trained at the same gym Guren chose this time.
The two ended up facing off. Though Kyotani's extraordinary core talent allowed him to generate immense power mid-air and adjust his spike trajectories on the fly, he lacked the refined technical skills honed through consistent high school team practice. In that aspect, Guren had him beat by miles.
To put his plan into action, Guren's trash talk relentlessly targeted Kyotani, combining it with superior core strength and even better jumping ability.
Kyotani's temper flared, but he didn't retaliate verbally. After all, Guren's trash talk was on a whole different level, far more intimidating than anything Kyotani could muster.
Dressed in casual clothes and heading to school, Kyotani had only one thought in his mind:
Even if the third-years mock me, I will stay on the team and refine my skills!
Next time I face that guy, I'll get my revenge, hard.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria