The sharp sound of a volleyball striking the floor echoed across the indoor arena. The final whistle blew, and the referee signaled the end of the match. Miwa stood near the center of the court, her chest heaving from exhaustion. Sweat dripped from her forehead, but her eyes were bright with the thrill of victory.
Their team had just won their first match in the Rising Star Inter-School Volleyball Cup, one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in Japan.
"Nice work, Miwa!" said Ayane, her teammate and closest friend, as she ran over with a wide grin. "That spike at the end—killer!"
"Seriously," added Yui, catching up to them. "You basically carried us through that third set. Your jump was on another level today."
Miwa smiled, brushing a strand of damp hair from her cheek. "It wasn't just me. Everyone played well."
The girls gathered near the bench, where Haruka and Sora, both not in the starting line-up for this match, waved and handed out towels.
"First match done!" said Sora cheerfully. "And we crushed it."
"Only one match," Miwa reminded, half-smiling. "We've got a long way to go."
The arena was bustling with energy, filled with students, teachers, and supporters from schools across Japan—and from abroad. The Rising Star Cup had gained international recognition this year, featuring not just Japanese schools but also invited boys' teams from Malaysia and South Korea. While the boys' and girls' matches were held in separate brackets, they took place within the same massive arena complex.
"Hey," said Haruka suddenly, her eyes lighting up as she looked at the schedule board nearby. "Guess who's playing next at Court A?"
"Let me guess—Tokai Kurenai?" said Sora with a smirk.
"Yup. The unbeatable Tokai Kurenai boys' team," Ayane chimed in. "Three-time consecutive champions. You have to see them play."
"Their captain's amazing," Yui added. "Tall, smart, fast. Like, pro-level already."
"They're so good it's scary," said Haruka.
The girls chattered with excitement as they made their way up into the bleachers to get seats for the upcoming match. The area around Court A was already filling with fans in red and black, the signature colors of Tokai Kurenai.
But Miwa's eyes weren't drawn to Court A.
Instead, across the arena at Court B, another boys' match had just begun—a Malaysian team against a Tokyo school.
There weren't as many people watching that match, but something about one of the players caught Miwa's eye.
Jersey number 7.
He wasn't the tallest, nor the flashiest. But his movements—sharp, confident, determined—were impossible to ignore. There was something intense in the way he moved, like he wasn't just playing a game… he was chasing something more.
Miwa leaned slightly forward, squinting toward him.
"Miwa?" Sora nudged her. "You okay?"
"Yeah… yeah." Miwa quickly turned her gaze back to Court A where Tokai Kurenai was warming up.
But even as her friends cheered for the champions, her eyes drifted again to Court B, to that one Malaysian player who had just landed a clean spike past two blockers.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She didn't even know his name.
But something told her—
She was going to find out.