The day before graduation, our final practice wasn't like usual. No drills, no exhausting workouts—just pure volleyball. We played several rounds of 3v3, switching teams after every match, laughing, teasing, and pushing each other like we always did. It wasn't about winning; it was just about playing together one last time.
After the final game ended, I called everyone over. They gathered around, still catching their breath, looking at me expectantly. I scanned their faces, taking in how much they had grown in the past few months. The scrappy, chaotic mess of a team I first met was gone. In their place stood players with confidence, drive, and undeniable skill.
I cleared my throat dramatically. "Alright, listen up, you diamonds in the rough."
Shigeo rolled his eyes. "Oh great, here comes the wise old man speech."
I smirked. "Damn right. You better listen, 'cause this is my last chance to boss you all around."
A few chuckles. That was good. It kept things light.
I crossed my arms. "Looking at you all now, I barely recognize the team from months ago. Back then, we could barely return a serve, let alone win a match. But you didn't just improve—you worked your asses off, you adapted, and now you're a real team."
Hinata grinned. "So, what you're saying is… we're amazing?"
I smirked. "More like tolerable."
That got a laugh out of them. Then, I shifted my stance slightly, glancing at each of them as I continued.
"Hinata, you're still an idiot, but at least you're a fast one. Keep pushing yourself, and maybe one day, you'll actually land all your spikes."
Hinata pouted. "Hey! I already do that!"
"Shigeo, somehow you went from slacker to genius setter. Try not to drive your next team insane with your impossible tosses."
Shigeo smirked. "No promises."
I turned to the first-years. "Minato, Daiki, Riku—you guys were hopeless at first, but you stuck with it. You've got potential, so don't waste it."
Minato nodded seriously, while Riku grinned. "Damn, that almost sounded like a compliment."
I let out a small sigh, then turned to Hinata. "Oh, right. Before I forget—Hinata, you're the captain now. You're the the oldest one here, so it makes sense."
"Whoa, big promotion," Riku grinned. "Can we call you Captain Hinata now?"
"Do I get to boss you all around?" Hinata asked, eyes wide with excitement.
"Don't push it," Daiki snorted.
I smirked, watching them banter before Riku suddenly turned to me. His grin faded into something more genuine. "You'll always be my one and only captain, Captain." Then, after a beat, he smirked. "Even if Hinata's in charge now, I'm still following your training plan."
I blinked, caught off guard for just a second before scoffing and shaking my head. "Damn right I will."
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "One last thing before I go. You guys remember what I told you after we lost to Seiryuu?"
Some nodded, others looked confused.
"Don't forget it. Losses aren't what define you. How you bounce back does. And don't lose your damn ego. Not in defeat, not in training, not ever."
Shigeo raised an eyebrow. "So dramatic. Are you sure you're not a theater kid?"
I smirked. "Nah, I just have style."
That got another round of laughter, but there was a weight in the air now—an understanding. This was it.
I took a step back, looking at them one last time. "This isn't goodbye. We'll see each other again. And when we do, I expect all of you to be stronger."
"You bet!" Hinata pumped his fist.
Riku crossed his arms. "Yeah, yeah, don't cry, Maestro."
I scoffed. "As if."
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, Shigeo falling into step beside me. Neither of us said anything at first. The sounds of the team still lingering behind us, their voices carrying over the court.
"Hey," Shigeo muttered after a moment. "You think they're gonna be alright without us?"
I huffed a laugh. "Should be asking you that."
He smirked. "Yeah. Guess we'll see."
The next day, graduation.
The ceremony dragged on longer than necessary, filled with speeches, formalities, and traditions that all blurred together. I sat there, half-listening, fighting the urge to sigh every five minutes.
Shigeo, sitting beside me, leaned in. "Bet you're loving this, huh?"
I gave him a deadpan look. "It's everything I ever dreamed of and more."
Misaki, on my other side, smirked. "I'm sure the 'Maestro' can handle a little patience."
I rolled my eyes. "Let's see how patient you are when they start reading out every single graduate's name, one by one."
Shigeo snorted. "Yeah, wake me up when it's over."
I glanced around the room. Parents with cameras, teachers with forced smiles, and students who looked as bored as I felt. The whole thing felt unnecessarily long, but at least it meant something to some people.
Finally, when the ceremony ended, we stepped outside, greeted by the cool breeze of spring. The air was filled with the chatter of students saying their final goodbyes.
The day after graduation, I met up with Shigeo for one last day of just relaxing and wasting time together. Since his console was already packed up, we ended up at an arcade instead.
Not that I believed for a second he wouldn't have come out anyway.
The place was lively, filled with flashing lights, the constant clinking of coins, and the mix of electronic jingles and game sounds competing for attention. Kids shouted at each other over fighting games, groups crowded around rhythm machines, and somewhere in the distance, the sharp ringing of a jackpot win went off. The air smelled faintly of fried food and cheap prizes, but none of that mattered. Right now, it was just the two of us, side by side, focused on a beat-up arcade machine.
Then, out of nowhere, Shigeo spoke.
"Do you remember the time you asked me whether I liked playing volleyball?"
I nodded, eyes still locked on the screen. "Did you change your mind?"
Shigeo didn't answer immediately. When I glanced at him, he was staring at the screen, but his expression was uncharacteristically serious.
Then, he turned and met my gaze. "Yeah, I do."
A pause.
"Thanks for dragging me along."
Then, just as quickly as the moment had come, he turned back to the game, as if he hadn't just admitted something huge. As if he wasn't Shigeo, the guy who spent half the season acting like volleyball was just an obligation.
I thought about pressing the topic, but in the end, I didn't. Instead, I just smirked and focused back on the game.
We played for a while longer before deciding to call it a day. As we walked back through the dimly lit streets, a comfortable silence settled between us. The city wasn't loud, just the occasional sound of traffic in the distance, the hum of streetlights overhead, and the rhythmic tap of our footsteps against the pavement.
Eventually, I broke the silence. "So, Tokyo, huh?"
Shigeo glanced off into the distance. "Yeah…"
I smirked. "Will you be alright without me?"
He scoffed, shaking his head. "What kind of dumb question is that?"
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
Shigeo sighed. "Don't worry. I'll be fine." His voice carried an unusual certainty. "I'll be joining the volleyball club. The team will be forced to like me if they want perfect sets."
I chuckled. "Try to make some friends while you're at it."
Shigeo shot me a look. "What, are you telling me I have no friends?"
I didn't say anything, but maybe my expression gave away a little concern.
Seeing that, Shigeo smirked and rolled his eyes. After a short silence, he said, "Next time we meet will be at Nationals."
I tilted my head. "Not really. I might visit you during holidays, and you could also visit me, you know."
Shigeo scoffed. "Dude, read the room."
I smirked. "My bad, continue."
He sighed, shaking his head. "Nah, you ruined it."
We both laughed, falling back into that easy silence again. But as we neared the point where our paths split, I slowed my steps. Without thinking, I opened my arms for a hug.
Shigeo immediately gave me a deadpan look. "So corny."
I shrugged. "Take it or leave it."
He rolled his eyes but stepped in anyway, giving a quick, awkward hug before pulling back.
"Take care of yourself," I said, my voice quieter than before.
Shigeo nodded. "You too."
Then, without another word, he turned and started walking. I stood there, watching his back as he faded into the distance. Then, on impulse, I called out after him.
"Oh, hey! If you don't text me regularly, I'll be coming for your head in person!"
Shigeo scoffed and raised a hand in dismissal. "What are you, my long-distance girlfriend? Don't worry, I will."
He didn't turn around again, but I could tell he was smiling.
I stood there for a moment longer before smirking to myself.
Next time we meet, I better see an ego worth challenging.