Competitive sports, fundamentally, represent a specialized form of conflict governed by codified rules.
Morale stands as one of the pivotal factors dictating triumph or defeat. The concept of "facing challenges head-on, never conceding" is effortless to articulate, but its authentic implementation demands a profound will and conviction far exceeding ordinary capacity.
If the athletes of Aota Middle School possessed that level of unwavering mental fortitude, no school, let alone Senkoku, would find it easy to defeat them.
Yet, in reality, it is almost universally true that the stronger a team becomes, the more unshakeable their core belief. Conversely, mediocre teams often approach the game with a mindset of simply fulfilling an obligation.
Thus, the cycle perpetuates: the strong ascend, and the weak stagnate.
"Bang!"
Akashi Asuka unleashed his arm with decisive force, delivering a spike of unchanged power, yet this time it cleaved effortlessly through the triple-block before him, passing clean between the outstretched arms of a defender and hitting the floor.
Aota's Libero, standing nearby, kept his hands casually at his sides, watching the volleyball sail past without making any attempt to move.
Beep! The whistle sounded, followed by the referee's official announcement.
"Match concluded. Senkoku Middle School defeats Private Aota Middle School, 2-0. Senkoku wins."
"Thank you for the match!" came the required dual shout from both teams.
The teams quickly aligned at the net, bowed, and executed the traditional handshakes.
The Senkoku team was, naturally, joyful, but surprisingly, the atmosphere among the Aota Middle School players was even more notably lighthearted and cheerful.
Witnessing the almost celebratory expressions of the Aota team, the smiles on the faces of the Senkoku players suddenly dimmed.
...
The Bitter Truth
Aboard the school bus heading back, the expressions of the Senkoku team were subdued, completely lacking the boisterous excitement of yesterday's triumph.
Perhaps it was the increased physical demand of today's closer match, or maybe the profound novelty of advancing had simply worn off.
"It's strange. We won again, but why can't I feel any genuine happiness?" Omae Masato suddenly wondered aloud, leaning back in his seat with his hands behind his head.
"Isn't that just maturity? We're not the easily satisfied novices we were yesterday."
"Haha... are you just tired already, Omae?"
As Masato Omae spoke, the bus gradually regained a semblance of liveliness.
The chatter ceased abruptly when a quiet, level voice cut through the background noise.
"There is nothing to celebrate in defeating a team devoid of true conviction."
The speaker was the team's opposite hitter, Miki Oda. Strangely, Miki Oda was arguably the most attractive young man on the team, second only to Akashi Asuka in physical presence, yet for some reason, his aura in the volleyball club was extremely subdued.
During regular scrimmages, sometimes even his own teammates, including Akashi Asuka, would inadvertently forget about the presence of their opposite hitter.
"A team that experiences defeat and registers neither disappointment nor resentment demonstrates only one thing: they never truly committed themselves to winning."
"Because they never genuinely tried, they can accept defeat as a foregone, inevitable conclusion."
Oda Miki's tone was flat, his words devoid of unusual emotional inflection, yet after he finished, the entire school bus descended into a profound silence.
Everyone finally understood the gnawing emptiness they felt despite defeating Aota Middle School.
The reason was singular: the demeanor of the Aota Middle School team leaving the stadium today was terrifyingly reminiscent of Senkoku Middle School's own collective past.
Coach Shimokawa, driving the bus, listened to Oda Miki's commentary from beginning to end, his eyes flickering with intense thought.
Akashi Asuka, sitting in the back row, finally put the pieces together. "Ah, so it was you who was secretly undermining my efforts behind my back?"
...
The Saboteur Revealed
The school bus, as usual, completed its considerate task of dropping everyone safely at his home.
Crucially, this time, the coach offered no parting reminder to "rest well and avoid secret training."
According to the rules, public school club activities generally cannot interfere with standard weekend schedules unless mandated by national-level competition.
Senkoku Middle School's next match was scheduled for the following weekend, granting Akashi Asuka five full days for intensive, unscheduled training.
Akashi Asuka had already finalized his plan.
For the next week, his sole focus would be the dramatic improvement of his Jumping Power. His current stat was tantalizingly close to the 75-point threshold. If he could breach this height barrier within the week, his overall attack power would become even more devastating.
The system's precise data provided Akashi Asuka with an exceptionally clear direction and quantifiable goal for his training regimen.
However... plans are beautiful in theory, but execution is often plagued by minor, irritating complications.
...
[Ding…]
[Congratulations, Host, for your supplemental holiday training—stair jumps, exceeding your teammates' training volume by double. You have successfully completed a low-level involution protocol.]
[Gained Jumping King Value +0.1.]
...
On the park steps, Akashi Asuka's legs were shaking violently as he completed his final set of stair jumps.
Two hours and forty minutes.
Akashi Asuka completed twelve total sets of stair jumps, five repetitions back and forth per set. Excluding minimal rest breaks, he averaged one set every two minutes—a training volume almost triple the standard school expectation.
Yet, the notification from the system explicitly stated that he had only just managed to exceed others by double the volume.
For a moment, Akashi Asuka trembled with pure, concentrated fury.
Could this world not be so dishonest?
Could I receive a little more genuine cooperation?
"Back at school, every one of you swore you were going home to play games and binge the latest anime..."
"And now, you're all secretly undermining my lead behind my back?"
"That scoundrel Oda Miki, it must be him. I knew it! I could tell on the school bus today that he was fundamentally not a well-meaning person," Akashi Asuka gritted his teeth, mentally marking the unexpected saboteur.
...
"Achoo!"
Oda Miki, sitting in the stands of a local outdoor volleyball court, watching a group of adult players compete, suddenly sneezed violently.
"What's wrong, Miki? Have you caught a cold?"
A young man who bore a strong, five- or six-part resemblance to Oda Miki asked with genuine concern.
Oda Miki pinched his nose and shook his head. "It's nothing, Brother. Perhaps just some pollen from the nearby flora."
"Pollen?"
Oda Miwa glanced at the relatively lush greenery nearby. "Indeed, be cautious! If you feel unwell, you should leave soon!"
"Understood, Brother. Go and play your match, or Morishita-nii and the others will be waiting for you."
"Alright!"
Oda Miwa nodded and headed back toward the court.
After Oda Miwa departed, Oda Miki finally directed his full attention back to the arena ahead, his clear, intense gaze slowly reflecting the entire, competitive scene unfolding on the court.