The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

Unlike how he always portrayed himself to be, Suzuki was never a selfless person. Sure, he gave up the ace status to Kaito, a rookie player who hadn't contributed anything yet to the team. He also didn't make a fuss, just following the arrangement silently. All of his teammates even praised him for being a role model who was willing to sacrifice everything for the team. However, only Suzuki himself knew that he still held the grievance from this demotion.

Oh, sure, he didn't hold a grudge against the coach and Kaito. After all, Suzuki witnessed directly how Kaito was a far better attacker compared to him, and the only way for him to maintain the ace status was by using his status as a senior player to suppress the boy. However, he didn't like this method at all, not only because he himself also suffered from the same treatment in the past, but also because he witnessed so many good teams crumble because of the difference between the senior and junior members. He didn't want Kikugawa High to be turned into something like that.

But Suzuki still hadn't given up the ace status yet. He spent so much time training secretly even when the coach forbade him to do that, wanting to catch up with the genius boy who suddenly fell like a meteor. He was always the first one to come to the gym and the last one who left, and he also always added the portion of his physical training silently without any complaints whenever the coach asked him to be. He really devoted himself to being a better player, plunging himself into rigorous training days and nights.

Unfortunately, fate was a cruel mistress to Suzuki.

Not only did he feel stuck and didn't gain any improvement, but he also saw how Kaito soared from his spot to the sky, always improving so fast even without the hard training that he did. The boy was a natural attacker with a better instinct on the front, a stronger body, and an even more explosive jump. It was as if Kaito was born for this sport.

Seeing this, of course, Suzuki was devastated. He felt like all of his efforts were for nothing, just wasting his time. Hell, he even wrote a resignation letter for Arisawa Junya. However, the coach just shook his head, tearing it instantly without even reading what was inside.

"Suzuki-kun, I know it is cruel and egoist for me to ask, especially after all the sacrifices you have made for the team. However, I really need you now. Kaito-kun is not mature yet, and he needs someone to guide him. Also, don't sell yourself short. While you are not Kaito-kun, you are also a strong hitter that I am so proud of. You might not be the ace anymore, and your portion to attack will also be decreased. However, trust me. There will be a time in the future when Kaito-kun will meet the wall he cannot break, and you will be the only one who can do that. When that time comes, remember, that is your time to shine."

Of course, at that time, Suzuki was skeptical about what the coach said. He always felt that those words were spoken just so that he would not leave the team. However, just out of respect, he still did what the coach asked and continued to lead the team up to this point. And now, when he saw Kaito started losing his patience, when he saw Ayane was hesitant about where to send the ball anymore, when even Yusuke had to join forward, yet all of them still couldn't break the opponent's wall, that was when Suzuki remembered what Arisawa Junya said in the past.

'So, this is it, huh? Sensei is right, my time to shine is coming right now!'

As Kaito asked for the ball once again after failing to break the wall for two consecutive strikes, he sent a subtle signal to Ayane before slowly running forward, not wanting to attract the opponent's attention. When the two blockers on Tsunemori's front row were attracted by Kaito's big movement, he came out of nowhere, right on the opposite wing to send the blow that would also give his teammates the hope they needed.

BAM!

The ball moved like a bullet, piercing through Tsunemori's area before it went straight to the area that was guarded by Yuki and Kaede. Those two glanced at each other for a moment before the latter let it slide, thinking that his kouhai would be able to receive it easily. Unfortunately, he forgot that Yuki was on the verge of death already, and the boy also hoped for his senpai to cover him so that he could preserve his limited energy for later. In the end, they just stood still, not reacting at all as the ball slammed the floor behind him, giving Kikugawa High one point while also resurrecting the opponent's team from their coffin.

"HELL, YEAH!" Suzuki roared instantly when he saw that his attack was successful. His breath was still heavy and unsteady, filled with disbelief over the successful play. However, he knew that this was real, and he knew that this was the moment that Arisawa Junya talked about in the past. "COME ON!"

-0-

It was just one point.

Honestly, it shouldn't be a big deal, shouldn't bother the Tsunemori team that much.

However, in reality, this point was huge that it resurrected the whole Kikugawa High team instantly from their death bed.

Not only did this point cut off Tsunemori's momentum, but it also reactivated the team's offense after in the last couple of rounds, Kaito had to fight alone to break the opponent's wall. This time, even though the ball wouldn't go to Suzuki for the next few plays, all the Tsunemori players wouldn't dare to take their eyes off the captain, and it would give Kikugawa High enough opening to take advantage in the future.

True enough, in the last play, Kikugawa High still maintained their aggressive approach, attacking mercilessly without giving them all a chance to breathe. However, this time, Suzuki participated actively, and this gave Kaito enough room to make his own attack. As a result, with only one blocker watching him, the boy didn't even hesitate to launch his most powerful attack, blowing Tsunemori's defender with his thunderous spike.

BAM!