An Exciting Match

"Chance ball!"

"Alright!"

Shoes squeaking against the floor and the sounds of a ball being hit accompanied by the cheers from those who are watching as well as whistles from the P.E instructor filled the gym.

Mira watched as the others play volleyball energetically. It was currently their Physical Education class. Wearing black T-shirts and navy blue track pants (the color theme of their school), she was currently sitting at the bench while waiting for their turn to play. Mr. Jifaar, their P.E instructor and the coach of the Volleyball team was surprisingly lenient and let them decide their own teams.

She looked around her own team. Unsurprisingly, she and her friends became a team. She saw Luigi, Kang Jun, Justin and even Jamie doing proper stretching. While Mira, Sophie and Eugine just watched them.

"You guys stretch too." Luigi advised.

"Ummm, we won't get to play probably?" Mira said, unsure.

Well, To be honest, although Mira was not a klutz, she was no athlete either. Her hand to eye coordination sucks and her stamina is low.

Sophie scrunched up her nose. She wasn't athletic either. Besides, she's on her period.

"What about you Eugine?" Kang Jun asked while doing stretches.

"Aren't you gonna play? The coach said we need 5 players to start."

There was supposed to be 6 players but Jifaar told them they would need 5 only for some reason.

"I... Im..." Well, how was he supposed to say that he sucks at sports? He saw Mira watching him.

Mira knew that too so watching him be uncomfortable was a little funny. She ended up rescuing him though.

"We'll all have to play even just for one rotation. I might as well play first so I can rest earlier. Jifaar wouldn't like bench warmers." She told herself that her choice has nothing to do with Han Eugine.

The others accepted that.

"Team four, you're next!" Jifaar informed them.

Luigi and the others stood up. He and Justin took off their jackets, revealing the black P.E shirt underneath while Jamie tied her hair into a ponytail and tied her shoelaces tightly. They look excited.

Mira looked at the other team and winced when she recognized their opponents. Her friends looked surprised too.

"Are we gonna be okay? They are from the Volleyball Club." Mira said while taking their positions.

"Are you surprised? I called them. I thought it wouldn't be fair to pair you up against the other teams, seeing that Luigi and Justin is in your team. The ace of the Baseball Team, and the star athlete of the school. Luigi alone could influence the game, what more with the addition of Justin. Its only fair, don't you think?" Jifaar said mischievously.

A tall short-haired girl with an androgynous features walked to them. Mira cannot explain but she could only describe the person as 'handsome', despite being a girl. If Mira didn't know the identity of the girl, she would probably mistake her for a guy with only little feminine features. The girl was also wearing a black T-shirt but printed with silver 'Volleyball' on the back. She walked to them while smiling.

"And here I was wondering why the coach suddenly called us. I'm Ranz."

Another tall guy came, wearing the same. He was wearing sport glasses and has a serious face. "Kazu. Sorry Coach, only five of us came. The other's are playing in a practice match." He briefly introduced.

Mira sweated more. What fair? These are the captains of the Volleyball Club. She briefly wondered if the coach secretly dislikes them and wanted to crush them in a match.

Jifaar laughed. "It's okay. Five will do."

The arrival of the two attracted attention from the whole gym.

"What's this? The captains of the men and women's volleyball team? Against Luigi and Justin?"

"Kyaaa. Its Kazu-san!"

"Ranz, look here!"

"Kang Jun you can do it!"

Cheers and scream suddenly erupted from all around them.

Kang Jun whistled. "You guys sure are popular."

"I could say the same to you." Kazu shot back.

Ranz laughed. "Now, now. This is a friendly match. Let's have fun. Im also curious about the athletic prowess of the star athlete. I've never seen you play volleyball."

"I went for a tryout once. You weren't there." Luigi said.

Kazu interrupted them. "Enough. Lets start."

"We'll try not to bully the others too much." Ranz grinned.

Justin snorted. "No need to go easy on us."

Mira wanted to pinched Justin. No need to go easy to them? Easy for them since they are athletes. What about her? And Jamie?

Kang Jun clapped and rounded them up. "Okay. Let's assign positions."

Luigi and Justin looked at each other before nodding. "We'll attack."

"I'll set." Kang Jun then looked at Jamie and Mira. "You two focus on receiving."

"Guys, You probably can't expect anything from me?" Mira said while biting her lips. Its better if the others know it before hand.

"That's fine." Luigi comforted her. "I'll cover for you."

"What about you?" Kang Jun asked Jamie. "Do you want me to cover for you?"

Jamie glared at him. "Shut up. Don't look down on me. Do you want to die?"

Kang Jun shrank back. "I was just asking."

Jifaar whistled.

They took their positions in the court while Kang Jun went to have a toss coin with Kazu. Kang Jun came back immediately.

"We'll serve first."

After that the game started. It was light at first, but when the scores hit 15, the rally became longer and more intense.

Mira was astonished. Against the people who plays volleyball everyday, their team seems to be holding up more than well. They were ahead of two points. What's more surprising was Jamie's performance. She was nimble and quick to her feet and she was always there to receive the ball. She briefly wondered if Jamie was a volleyball player before.

Ranz chuckled and spoke while preparing to serve. "They're better than what I thought. I never expected the transferee and Kang Jun to be this good as well. They are matching Luigi and Justin."

Mira stared at the other side apprehensively. It might be her imagination, but she felt as if she saw Ranz smile at her. She suddenly got the chills.

Ranz served and before Mira knew it, the ball was suddenly coming at her.

Did Mira say that she wasn't athletic? She just wanted to repeat it again. She gritted her teeth and tried to receive the ball. Miraculously, it went up but Mira ended up falling to her butt. Jamie immediately followed up and set the ball to the front.

"Sorry."

"Nah. You did great." Luigi comforted her.

The match went on. Mira somehow managed to last the whole set but she saw that the others are panting heavily and sweating so much. Especially Kang Jun.

Jifaar whistled, signifying the end of the first set. They won with 25/23.