The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

It seemed the higher-ups worked fast and efficiently today. Just two days after the team's defeat against Konan High, the official statement about the team's disbandment had already spread like wildfire. By then, everyone knew that the volleyball team was done already.

However, to Yuki's surprise, the whispers from the crowd weren't as nasty as before. While the rumor mill hadn't been stopped yet, at least there were one or two voices that showed their support for them, and after listening to the argument there, Yuki knew it all came from the other sports teams.

"What do you know about competitive sport? It is hard enough to reach the top 8 in the Tokyo Tournament, you know? Even our baseball club had never been able to reach that far!"

"Well, our basketball club is a bit better, but we are also stopped by the best team in Tokyo in the top 8, so I know how the volleyball team feels right now."

"Well, you both are lucky! Our football team is the worst! We are just a bunch of amateurs gathered together just to get slaughtered in the first round!"

Yuki didn't know what prompted them to change their opinion, but it was definitely a welcomed surprise. Not that it would change anything, of course, since the club would never come back again. Still, he appreciated the gesture. At least their support would make his school life easier in the future.

As Yuki walked through the dimly lit school corridor, he couldn't shake the feeling of heaviness that hung in the air like a thick fog. The usual chatter and laughter that always came from the students was eerily absent, replaced by hushed whispers and downcast eyes. It wasn't until he turned his attention back to the notice board that he saw two other pieces of paper hanging there.

It seemed it wasn't just the volleyball team that was disbanded today. The swimming and athletic clubs also suffered from the same fate after falling short in their recent tournaments.

"Well, if the higher-ups didn't make a change, the atmosphere wouldn't be good to hold a class for the students.' Yuki muttered.

It was evening already, and as the final bell rang, its jarring tone echoing through the less-crowded corridors, Yuki felt an unfamiliar void settle within him. With the sun still hanging high in the sky, he stepped outside, the crisp air brushing against his hair. This was his first time leaving school at such an early hour, a bittersweet sensation swirling in his chest.

He had grown so accustomed to the post-class hustle, lacing up his volleyball shoes and squeezing in practice for one or two more hours with the team. Even though it was a difficult time, he still enjoyed the process the most, always feeling fulfilled with the team. Unfortunately, it was all in the past, and now he had to get used to the new situation once again.

As Yuki strolled down the corridor, he unexpectedly caught sight of a girl who he hadn't seen for a while perched on a bench just off the walkway. With her chin resting in her hand and her usually bright eyes clouded with concern, the girl seemed worlds away, lost in contemplation.

"Sugawara-senpai, what are you doing here?" Yuki asked, concerned.

Yeah, the girl was Arina Sugawara, the school president of the student council. The last time he saw her was when the girl promised she would do her best to restore the volleyball team's reputation. After that, he had never thought about her again, not with the game against Konan in his mind.

It seemed Arina Sugawara was also startled by Yuki's presence there. "Kobayashi-kun? What are you doing here?" Somehow, she repeated his question.

Yuki rolled his eyes, knowing Arina Sugawara didn't pay attention at all. "That is the question I ask, you know? I had never thought I would find the student council's president whom everyone idolizes so much sitting alone with that kind of expression. Is it about the disbandment of the three teams?"

By the wince he saw from the girl, Yuki knew he was right even without any verbal answer. He sighed, then decided to sit next to her. As they settled into a comfortable silence, Yuki and Arina Sugawara side by side on the bench, their gazes drifted over the throng of students filing out of the school.

The usual sounds of joy and laughter that often surged from the school gates were conspicuously absent, replaced by a heavy atmosphere of disappointment and hushed conversations. Some were shuffling their feet, heads bowed, while others exchanged worried glances. It seemed the news about the three clubs' disbandment was quite heavy for them to proceed.

"Do you know…" Arina Sugawara suddenly spoke slowly, breaking the silence. "If the students were more observant and see us together like this, the rumor mill would go crazy about us."

Yuki just rolled his eyes at the answer. "Well, I have been under two nasty rumors, one more wouldn't kill me." He grunted sarcastically. Find your next read at empire

Arina Sugawara giggled, for the first time showing a positive expression on her face. "You are so strange, Kobayashi-kun." Said her. Yuki just arched his eyebrows, questioning silently. "You know, if any other boys, especially from the third year, were in your position right now, they would go crazy and try their best to impress me.

But here you are, talking sarcastically at me as if I am just a normal girl with an ordinary look."

"Because you are a normal girl," Yuki answered matter of fact.

"That is why I found you so strange." She sighed, a soft, genuine smile formed on her face. "Anyway, the rumor should be eased a little bit, right?" She asked, suddenly changing the conversation topic.

Yuki was startled, then finally realized something. "You are the one responsible for changing the sports team members' opinion." He widened his eyes.

Arina Sugawara nodded. "I didn't change their opinion, mind you. They had already had some thought about it when I approached them. I just encourage them all to voice their support more since you deserve it. What do you think?"

Yuki was stunned, then his expression softened in a second. He didn't expect the girl to try so hard to fulfill her promise to restore the team's reputation.

"Anyway, what got you so under the weather? Is it really about the clubs' disbandment?" He asked, changing the topic once again. She sighed, her eyes wandering far for a moment before dropping a bombshell that Yuki had never thought would hear as the answer to his casual question.

"It is over, Kobayashi-kun. The student council is gone."