The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

"COME ON, KONAN HIGH!"

"Give us your best!"

"Matsumoto, kill them all!"

"Don't give your opponent any chance to breathe!"

Even though it was still thirty minutes before the game started, the noises from the stands were already high. They rose instantly when they all saw the players come to the court. Unfortunately for Tsunemori, not even a single support was for them.

"Man, I know I have said about it before, but this situation sucks." Kaede sighed dejectedly. "Even though I don't have a big hope, but there is a tiny voice inside me who wants someone from our school to see us playing today."

"You are dreaming too far, Kai." Okamura snorted. "It is hard for the school to mobilize so many students to come here and support us. Coupled with our low reputation right now, I don't think the school would be willing to do that freely."

"But there are not as many people as I thought it would be," Asahi said, his eyes wandering around the building.

Yeah, the situation on the stand itself wasn't too crowded. Even though from outside the atmosphere seemed to be so loud, all the noises came from the cheers echoed inside the building. As for the total number of people who watched on the stand, it shouldn't be more than 200 people.

Well, this was understandable. The game was held on Thursday when the students were still in the school. There was no way any headmaster would be willing to let their students go to the Tokyo Gymnasium just to support the team, especially when it was still in the top 8 stage. It would be different if this was the top four or the final itself, but it was still far from anyone's sight.

Even the crowds who were on the stand didn't come from the Konan High. They were all neutral fans who wanted to see the dominance of the best team in the country. Coupled with the fact that the building had the capacity of more than two thousand people, the 200 supporters on the stand seemed so little and scattered right now.

However, it was still impressive for a high school team to gather about 200 loyal supporters to watch their game in the top 8 stage, and that thought was enough to intimidate Tsunemori High who also had to fight against their nervousness since this was the first time they played in this historical building.

"Yo! How are you guys today?" A familiar rough voice suddenly greeted them from behind. When all the Tsunemori players turned around, they were surprised to see the old man smiling at them. "Are you ready for the game?"

"Sekine-jiisan, you are here?!" Yuki asked, his eyes widened in surprise.

Yeah, it was Sekine, the old man from Tsukumi University who came to the gymnasium. Even though he often came to accompany the Tsunemori team, he had only been on the bench officially once, in the game against Kyoei Gakuen. Usually, he would be busy doing his own work. That was why everyone was surprised to see him here.

"Oh, what can I say? Your coach is so cunning he uses Megumi-chan to rope me in. I cannot do anything." Sekine said helplessly. Akira turned his head away when all the eyes were on him, didn't want to get blamed for this. "Anyway, are you ready for the game?" Sekine repeated his question once again.

"This…"

All the players looked at each other hesitantly. Although the momentum in the last couple of days was great, of course, the game day itself would be different. All the wild thoughts suddenly haunted them, as this would probably be their last game as a club, the purge, the rumor, and everything.

It seemed someone – probably Megumi – had already told Sekine the story as the old man didn't seem to be surprised by their hesitation.

"Have you ever seen a high school tournament played here on the television?" The old man suddenly changed the topic.

All the players there looked at each other confusedly, didn't know why he asked such an irrelevant question. Still, out of respect, they nodded in unison at the old man. After all, it was pretty common for a television channel to broadcast a high school tournament live, so no matter whether they liked it or not, it was impossible to never see any of it before.

"Well, when you are watching them playing, have you ever thought about something like 'Wow, come to think about it, aren't they just one or two years older than me? I cannot believe it!' Or something like that?"

Everyone had a sweat drop on their face when they saw the high pitch from Sekine when the old man imitated their voice. However, they couldn't deny it. This was something that crossed their mind once or twice. It was amazing to see someone close to their age compete in the highest competition in the country.

"Well, although this is only the top 8 stage, don't you think you are in the same shoes as those who you admire and look in disbelief on the television in the past?" Sekine smiled. Everyone was stunned, never saw this game from that perspective. "I know you have a lot on your mind right now, Megumi has already filled me in.

However, just for today, let go of all of the burden on your shoulders and play freely! Enjoy the game! Because, you don't know when will you have another chance to play in this building again, right?!"

Sekine's speech worked like magic. One by one, their expression changed, from heavy and tense to their usual cheerful and excited state.

"The old geezer is right!" It was Riku who first voiced his opinion. "We are already here, so why not just enjoy the game? Forget about all the bullshit problems in the school, but playing in this gymnasium is a lifetime chance for us a weak school! Come on, don't think too much, and let it flow!"

And just like the first domino pieces to fall, Riku's speech aroused the other's spirit to do so, knowing that what he said was true. This was probably their first and last chance to play here, so why not enjoy it?

"Yeah, Riku is right! No need to think too much about anything else!"

"Damn! I am on fire now!"

"Let's make the best team in the country remember our presence!"

"Hell yeah!"

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