The Birth of A Volleyball Legend-Chapter 424: Kaito’s Counterattack! (I)

"Hell yeah!"

"Nice pass, Jimmy!"

"Good job! That is straight to the point!"

"Jimmy-senpai, you've been improving so much compared to two weeks ago! Nice!"

While all the Tsunemori players were surrounding Ogawa to celebrate the last play, Kaito on the other side of the court couldn't help but furrow his brows. While he knew that this game would be difficult and that Tsunemori had similar strength or even better than his team, he didn't like how the game went up until now. In his mind, things should not be so complicated.

He came.

He played.

He conquered the field.

In the end, even the opponent's supporters who booed him all the time during the game had to give him a round of applause when everything was over.

Yeah, Kaito himself realized that his annoying personality made it easy for him to get hated by the opponent's supporters. However, he remembered the volleyball game he watched between Japan and South Korea a few years ago, when Japan's ace turned the game into his personal show and made the proud South Korean supporters admit his superiority and give him a round of standing-ovation. That was what Kaito always tried to achieve.

Unfortunately, things weren't as simple and easy as he thought it would be. Just like this game, he hadn't even had a chance to showcase his ability yet, and the control of the game was in Tsunemori's grasp all the time. His teammates could only try to counterattack with a block play several times, but since he started the game as the first server whose position was on the left back, he couldn't contribute much in such a play and had to be satisfied with watching it from behind.

Even though he wasn't the type of boy who liked to compare himself with the others, he couldn't help but feel envious toward his opponent, Yuki. Not only the glasses boy was amazing from behind the service line, but he also was a good all-around player, who could do any role on the court from setting up the ball, blocking, attacking, and even defending the court. His versatility allowed the boy to always participate in every play, and that was what Kaito always yearned for.

"Don't!" Yusuke suddenly said, snapping Kaito from his daydreaming. His friend stared at his eyes intently as if the boy was going to cry. "Don't you dare thinking about that!"

At first, Kaito was confused about what Yusuke was talking about. Then, he realized instantly and couldn't help but give a wry smile. "You notice that, huh?"

"Of course, I would notice that. You have the same eyes as me a few years ago, remember?" Yusuke smiled sadly. "Don't go down to that road, Kaito. You know how long I was trapped in that pit hole before I realized and accepted that I would never be you, right?"

"I know."

What Yusuke talked about was his past when he was trying his best to imitate Kaito. It was weird, of course, but for an introverted boy who didn't have even a single friend in middle school, it was easy to idolize a sociable guy like Kaito, and Yusuke took it to an extreme level by imitating every habit Kaito had so that he could be a popular guy like his friend. Unfortunately, this attempt was proven to be useless as instead of having a lot of friends, he was even getting bullied by some of the students there for his weird acting before he joined the volleyball club.

At that time, Yusuke was full of jealousy, thinking that Kaito was born lucky for having such a charm that could attract a lot of people easily. He lived so miserably, always thinking that it would be good if he could have Kaito's life. It took a long time for him to find peace in his condition and accept that he would never be Kaito, and Yusuke didn't want Kaito to suffer from the same pit hole as him in the past.

"Don't worry, you don't need to be him. Just stay focused and be yourself. A chance would come sooner or later for you." Yusuke patted Kaito's shoulder before going back to his position.

Kaito himself just took a deep breath before grinning widely. He was the type of boy whose mood came and went so easily, so he felt that his friend was worrying for nothing. Still, he appreciated Yusuke's sentiment, knowing that he himself was affected slightly by how Yuki dominating the game this early.

'Yusuke is right. I just need to be myself and wait for the chance. Come on!'

-0-

A moment later, the game finally continued with Ogawa still serving the ball. The boy was full of confidence after the successful play earlier. Even though it was just one point, the fact that he contributed to it by setting up the play, something he had only done for two weeks or so made it more special for the boy. Now, Ogawa even felt that he could face anything in the world.

"Come on, Jimmy! Knock it down again!"

"Just send it to that bastard! Kill him!"

"Don't let us down, Jimmy!"

Right after the referee blew the whistle, he tossed the ball immediately, going for another troublesome topspin serve. Unfortunately, he got too cocky and was a bit careless. As a result, the ball entangled between his fingers, resulting in it going too wide and too short. The ball didn't even cross the net and yet it still went too wide. Ogawa couldn't help but blush as everyone stared at him in disbelief.

"What the fuck, Jimmy?! Are you kidding me or what?!"

"That is a fucking terrible serve! Wake up, Jimmy!"

"Hey, mistakes happen, okay?" Ogawa tried to defend himself. "Just ask Yuki if you don't believe!" Yuki, who was suddenly mentioned out of nowhere, also nodded in agreement. However, it was clear that the others didn't share the same sentiment.

"A mistake is okay, but does it have to be that bad?!"

"Yeah! Also, if you are going to ask, don't go to Yuki! At least, he is able to give us six points from the serve before making a mistake, right?!"

The situation was a bit chaotic as everyone on Tsunemori's side was mocking Ogawa. Still, there was no heat in their words, showing that they were at least mature enough to not make a fuss over just one mistake. After the commotion was over, all the players moved on quickly, going back to their positions and getting ready for the next play.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

The one who served the next was their opposite hitter, Tachibana. He didn't have a unique brand of service, so he just sent an ordinary one which Kaede didn't have any problem to receive it. Riku picked it up quickly, ready to start another attack for Tsunemori High.

"Riku! Give it to me!"

Seeing Koji was in an open position, Riku didn't hesitate to send the ball to the ace. Koji grinned, knowing full well that most of the opponent's blockers were on the back line already, with Ao as the main middle blocker guarding the middle. With him on the wing, it was impossible for his attack to be stopped.

Or so… That was what he thought.

Koji didn't expect that Kaito who just moved into the front line would announce his presence immediately. The obnoxious boy didn't even flinch as he rushed forward, closing the area in front of Koji and not giving Tsunemori's ace any chance to attack. Koji gritted his teeth, wanting to change his target to Kaito's hands and go for a block out. However, as he spiked the ball, Kaito separated both hands, letting the ball go through it and flew far even to the stand.

For a moment, a pin-drop silence fell on the court as everyone watched the ball fall on one of the supporters there. However, it was broken immediately by the roar from Kaito who also punched his chest violently.

"Come on! I am here, you motherfucker!"