Rules and Beginnings

I entered the changing room to switch out of my school uniform, changed my clothes, and quickly returned to the gym. As I walked into the gym, I noticed that Hinata and the others were already ready.

The students who had come to watch went up to the upper floor of the gym, sat on the chairs, and waited for the match to start.

Apart from that, Daichi-san asked us to form a circle, and when I stepped inside, Daichi-san began to divide the teams.

"On my team: It will be me, Tsukishima, Finn, and Sawamura." If that's the case, the opponents were "Hinata, Kageyama, Tanaka, and Yamaguchi."

The teams were decided, and to avoid confusion, we put on bright vests. Daichi-san started explaining the rules before the match began.

For someone like me who knew almost nothing about volleyball rules, what Daichi-san was saying was very helpful. Next, there would be a coin toss under the referee's supervision to determine which team would serve.

Taking on the role of the referee, Kiyoko-san tossed the coin high from her cardigan's pocket. Just as it was about to fall onto her hand, she quickly closed her hand, and asked both teams.

Tanaka-san's team chose the side with the head of the coin. Since we chose the side without the mark, all we had to do was wait for Kiyoko-san to show us the coin.

When Kiyoko-san lifted her hand off the coin, the team that would make the first serve was determined. We would be serving first.

Daichi-san handed me the volleyball he had received.

"I want you to make a good serve."

I nodded in acknowledgment and after taking the volleyball from Daichi-san, I walked towards the area where the serve would take place. I could feel many students watching me. I was excited on one hand, but I also wanted to show all my strength even though it wasn't a formal match.

As I entered the area for the serve, I bounced the volleyball on the ground a few times. I closed my eyes and activated my <Focus > ability to start focusing on making the best serve I could.

I opened my eyes, and although I hadn't noticed it, my expression was stern. I could say that many female students shivered when they looked into my eyes.

I threw the ball into the air, and as I quickly ran and jumped, I hit the ball with a strong swing. The fluctuation of the pushing force created as the palm of my hand touched the ball was seen a few times on the ball. It felt like my palm was almost entering the ball. The ball separated from my fingertips and made a perfect landing on the opponent's half in a matter of seconds.

Due to the friction from where the ball hit, a small black spot and smoke were coming out of it.

At that moment, the only sound I heard was Tanaka-san's shout. "Oya, Oya... Look at our Charismatic Boy. He's playing the best among all the spectators!"

For a few seconds, when our eyes met with Tanaka-san, I could see that Tanaka-san was trembling. Did I have an odd look on my face?

"Nice serve. I want you to give the same performance, Finn."

"Hm."

At that moment, my consciousness was semi-awake, moving on its own due to my intense focus. I took the ball Daichi-san handed me and walked back towards the serving area.

"Oi, oi... We're not in an official match. So, give us a chance!" Hinata was speaking from behind the net.

"Even if it's not an official match, imagine it like it is. You can never expect your opponent to give you a chance in an official match," Daichi-san offered the best response, and as Kiyoko-san blew the whistle, I tossed the ball into the air again to make the serve.

After taking a deep breath to replicate the same performance, I quickly ran towards where the ball was dropping. As I swiftly jumped and hit the ball, this time it went straight towards Hinata.

"I'll block it!" Hinata said he wanted to intercept the approaching ball, but it was quite difficult for him to do so. He didn't even have a chance to take a step, and the ball I sent immediately hit the ground.

I could hear the students in the stands saying, "Woaaaaaa, Finn-san looks really cool. And he's successful in volleyball too."

"Oi, oi, at this rate, we'll lose before even touching the ball. Come on, get your act together and receive Finn's hits." When Tanaka-san said this, Daichi-san handed me the ball with a pleased expression, indicating for me to serve again.

In the same manner, I moved to the serving area and waited for Kiyoko-san's whistle. As soon as Kiyoko-san blew the whistle, I made my move again. However, this time, the ball went a bit slower than I intended, causing it to slow down as it entered the opponent's half. Kageyama received the ball and was about to set up for Hinata to make a shot.

Noticing this, Tsukishima and Daichi-san quickly positioned themselves where Hinata was. When Hinata jumped, they jumped as well. Although Hinata could respond to Kageyama's pass, he couldn't get past Tsukishima and Daichi-san's block. As the ball was about to hit the ground, Yamaguchi flew towards it and sent it back into the air.

"Chance Ball!"

Once again, Kageyama was the one to receive the ball. He skillfully received it with his gentle hands and set the trajectory for Tanaka-san, who was preparing for a spike from behind. Daichi-san and Tsukishima quickly positioned themselves where Tanaka-san was coming. When Tanaka-san leaped into the air, they leaped as well, but it was a feint.

Hinata, who seemed to disappear within the field due to his small stature, momentarily appeared opposite Tanaka-san. Kageyama threw the ball towards Hinata's hands for him to hit.

Since I noticed this before anyone else, thanks to my <Physical Skill> ability, I swiftly approached the front of the net and jumped as high as I could to prevent Hinata from hitting the ball.

The ball that Hinata hit collided with my hands and fell into the opponent's half.

With the referee's whistle, our point was confirmed.

'I don't know what's happening, but I'm filled with adrenaline like my heart's about to burst. I want to hit more and more volleyball balls...'