The morning sun peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. A gentle breeze rustled the curtains of Luke's bedroom, coaxing him awake.
He blinked blearily, staring at the ceiling for a moment before the realization hit him.
Today's the day.
A grin spread across his face, and with newfound excitement, he jumped out of bed, practically buzzing with energy.
By 8 AM, Luke, his mother, and Natsu were ready and out the door.
Natsu, wide-eyed with excitement, clutched her mother's hand as they walked to the bus stop. Her tiny legs struggled to keep up, but her enthusiasm never faltered.
"City! City! City!" she chanted happily, making Luke chuckle.
They boarded the bus soon after. It wasn't too crowded, but it was still bustling with the early morning rush of workers and shoppers.
Luke claimed a window seat, staring out at the passing scenery, feeling the gentle rumble of the bus beneath him. The familiar yet unfamiliar streets reminded him that he wasn't in New York anymore.
No more gray buildings and cold pavement.
Now, he was surrounded by quaint houses, narrow roads, and the occasional glimpse of rice fields, giving the town its charming rural feel.
Natsu, meanwhile, was an excited ball of energy, pointing at random shops and people passing by.
"Look, look! A puppy!" she squealed, bouncing in her seat.
Luke smiled, her infectious excitement making his chest feel warm.
After about thirty minutes, they finally reached the city.
The moment they got off the bus, Natsu's eyes sparkled with wonder. She let go of their mother's hand and ran toward the nearest store window, her face pressed against the glass like a kid in a candy shop.
"Natsu, don't run off!" their mother called out, half exasperated, half amused.
Luke chuckled softly and followed his sister, feeling a bit of that childlike wonder himself.
The city was livelier than their quaint neighborhood, with people bustling about. The streets were lined with small shops—bakeries, bookstores, and tiny cafés—all brimming with morning activity.
His mother headed to the market, moving efficiently through the stalls, buying groceries and household essentials.
Meanwhile, Luke and Natsu became adventurers.
They peeked into colorful toy shops, ogled at rows of vibrant plushies, and giggled at the silly souvenirs on display.
Natsu's eyes were filled with awe as she tugged at Luke's hand, dragging him from shop to shop, her little legs scurrying with excitement.
"Look! Look! This one has sparkles!" she gasped, pointing at a glittery hairpin.
Luke nodded seriously, playing along.
"Definitely a rare treasure," he said with a sage nod, making her giggle uncontrollably.
For a moment, he forgot about stats, missions, and volleyball.
He was simply a big brother enjoying time with his sister.
After an hour of wandering, Luke spotted an arcade on the corner of the street.
His eyes lit up.
"Natsu," he grinned mischievously, pointing at the arcade, "wanna play?"
Her eyes widened with glee, and before their mother could say anything, the two of them rushed inside, their laughter trailing behind them.
The arcade was a small, cozy place, filled with flashing lights and the familiar chorus of beeping machines and game music.
Luke and Natsu tried everything.
They played whack-a-mole with a little too much enthusiasm, their hands moving so fast the machine almost glitched.
They raced in colorful go-karts, Natsu shrieking with delight every time she bumped into Luke's vehicle.
They even took turns at the claw machine, failing miserably but laughing each time the claw slipped.
Luke felt genuinely carefree, as if the weight of his previous life had been lifted, even if just for a little while.
By the time they left the arcade, it was 11 AM, and the morning sun was already climbing higher.
They made their way toward the Fly High Coaching Center, which sat near the edge of the city.
The building was modest but well-maintained, with large volleyball murals painted on the outer walls.
A faint thwack of balls against wooden floors echoed from inside, mingling with the sharp calls of coaches and the occasional squeak of shoes.
Luke's heart began to race with anticipation.
"It's happening. I'm finally taking the first step."
As they entered, a tall, lean man with spiky black hair and a whistle around his neck approached them.
His sharp, calculating eyes immediately landed on Luke.
"You here to join?" he asked, eyeing Luke's height and slender frame with mild curiosity.
Luke nodded enthusiastically.
The man introduced himself with a gruff but kind tone.
"Coach Naruto," he said simply, extending a hand.
Luke shook it firmly, trying not to let his smaller hand tremble in the man's grip.
Coach Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face as he took in Luke's height.
"You're pretty short, huh?" he commented casually, though there was no malice in his tone, just mild surprise.
Luke felt a familiar spark of defiance.
"Just you wait," he thought.
With a determined grin, he simply replied, "I'll grow."
Naruto chuckled softly, clearly amused by the boy's boldness.
While Luke stood with Naruto, absorbing the atmosphere of the center, his mother was handling the practical details.
She stood at the counter, sorting out the registration process—filling out forms, discussing the fees, and finalizing the schedule with the admin.
Naruto went over the training plan.
"For this month," he explained, glancing at Luke's mother, "he'll be here from morning till evening 6 PM". His mother said since she would be working he can Natsu in a daycare during his practice hours.
His mother nodded, her expression calm but approving.
"Once school starts, he'll train for an hour before school and then for two hours afterward," Naruto added.
Luke's eyes brightened with determination.
"That's… perfect," he thought, already mentally mapping out his daily routine.
After the registration was finalized, Luke, Natsu, and their mother left the center and headed toward a small sports store nearby.
Luke's eyes sparkled as he browsed through the volleyball gear.
He picked out a high-quality volleyball, the material firm but with just the right amount of give.
He grabbed a pair of sturdy kneepads, knowing he'd need them for dives and rolling receives.
Comfortable but durable shoes, designed for court traction, were added to the pile.
Natsu, meanwhile, ran around the store, laughing as she tried on oversized shoes, nearly tripping over herself.
Their mother simply shook her head fondly, occasionally helping Luke choose the right gear.
With their shopping bags in hand, the trio finally headed home.
The bus ride back was quieter, with Natsu dozing off on their mother's lap, her tiny hands curled into fists.
Luke stared out the window, his mind buzzing with excitement.
"I'm actually doing it."
He clutched the volleyball in his lap, feeling its rough surface against his fingertips.
Tomorrow, he would start his training.
And with every serve, spike, and receive, he would inch closer to his goal—becoming the GOAT.