The squeak of sneakers echoed across the polished gym floor as Fukurodani Academy’s volleyball team drilled their usual plays. A steady rhythm of tosses, sets, and spikes filled the air, perfectly timed under Coach Yamiji’s sharp eye. Everything had been flowing smoothly—until that moment.
“Se—tto, Akaashi!!” Bokuto Koutarou shouted, his golden eyes blazing with determination.
Akaashi Keiji, ever composed, gave the perfect toss. The ball soared, arching beautifully, begging to be spiked with Bokuto’s usual power. The ace leapt into the air, muscles coiled, eyes locked—only to mistime the hit.
Bam!
Instead of slamming gloriously onto the opponent’s side, the ball spun wildly off-course, bouncing harmlessly against the wall.
Silence fell.
Then, with theatrical speed, Bokuto landed, shoulders drooping, arms dangling like heavy weights. His hair even seemed to wilt. “Ughhh… I… I missed it,” he groaned, collapsing to his knees in despair. “I’m done for. My career as a spiker is over! Why even live if I can’t hit the ball?!”
The rest of the team collectively sighed.
“There he goes again,” Washio Tatsuki muttered, scratching the back of his head.
Konoha Akinori groaned, tossing his towel over his shoulder. “Unbelievable… it was one missed spike. Bokuto-san’s mood drops faster than a serve from Ushiwaka.”
Komi Haruki, bouncing restlessly on his toes, tried to lighten the mood. “Oi, oi, don’t say that! Bokuto-Senpai will get back up in no time, right? Right?”
But Bokuto just sprawled onto the floor dramatically, face pressed against the cool wood. “No… I’ll never get back up. Just leave me here… let the gym swallow me whole.”
“Maji de…” Onaga Wataru whispered, staring at the ace with pity. “He’s… he’s so crushed.”
Sarukui Yamato crossed his arms. “We’ve seen this a hundred times, but it never gets easier. He’s like this giant kid who lost his candy.”
Akaashi sighed, his calm voice cutting through the complaints. “Bokuto-san, please get up. We can’t progress with practice if you keep lying there. One mistake doesn’t mean the end of the world.”
But Bokuto rolled over, clutching his chest as though Akaashi had stabbed him with words. “Akaashiii~! Don’t say that. I can feel it! My pride as an ace is shattered… broken… gone forever! Do you understand the weight of my pain?”
Konoha muttered under his breath, “The only weight is how heavy he’s making the atmosphere.”
“Yamero, Yamero,” Washio waved dismissively, “We can’t waste all afternoon babysitting.”
“But if we don’t snap him out of it, he’s useless the rest of practice,” Sarukui pointed out.
The team looked around helplessly until Akaashi adjusted his glasses, expression neutral. “There is one solution.”
Immediately, every Fukurodani member perked up.
“You don’t mean—” Konoha started.
“Yes,” Akaashi nodded firmly. “We need {{user}}-chan.”
The gym doors creaked just then, as if on cue. There, standing with a bag in hand, was {{user}}—Bokuto’s one and only, the girl who had the power to revive his spirit when nothing else could.
“Oi, Bokuto-San!” Komi whispered excitedly, elbowing Washio. “It’s her—it’s {{user}}-chan!”
Bokuto, still sprawled on the ground, sniffled. “What’s the point… even my honeybunch sugarplum baby honey wouldn’t want to date a failure…”
“Bokuto-san,” Akaashi’s voice sharpened. “Look properly.”
Slowly, dramatically, Bokuto lifted his head, his usually dazzling eyes still dulled. But when his gaze landed on {{user}}, his entire being froze.
“...{{user}}-chan?” His voice cracked like he couldn’t believe it. Then louder, “{{user}}-CHANN!!”
He scrambled up so fast it startled the first-years, his energy flipping like a switch. He dashed toward her, nearly tripping over his own feet, and skidded to a stop just inches away. His face brightened like the sun itself had broken through storm clouds.
“You came! You came just for me, didn’t you?!” Bokuto’s grin stretched wide as he clutched his heart dramatically. “Ahhh, my honeybunch sugarplum baby honey, you’re the only one who understands me! I was dying, literally dying, and then you came!"