The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

"So, any regrets about your decision?" Kato asked.

The sky was dark at this point, and they had already returned to Tsukumi University. After saying goodbye and expressing their heartfelt gratitude to Sekine, Yuki, Riku, and Kato were on their journey home.

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An awkward silence enveloped them as everyone fell into their own thoughts. However, it was clear that Yuki was the one burdened with many concerns, especially considering the offer from Kawaki and his 'seemingly rash' decision that followed.

Kato and Riku stared at Yuki with eyes full of concern, worried that he might regret his decision. They suspected so because the bespectacled boy had dozed off several times during the journey back from the Tokyo Thunder to Tsukumi University. Even the taxi driver noticed Yuki's mood and asked whether he was okay.

After a moment of silence following Kato's question, Yuki finally sighed and addressed his feelings. "Regret? There shouldn't be any," he muttered.

"Then what's on your mind right now?" she asked once again.

"Just… a bit overwhelmed, I guess. I never thought I would be regarded so highly by Kawaki-sensei." He sighed. His expression then turned bright—albeit somewhat forced—as if he wanted to reassure his friends. "Don't worry, though. I don't regret my decision, no matter how stupid it sounds."

Both Riku and Kato sighed in relief upon hearing that. Although they knew he was probably pretending to be okay, it was still better than him giving them the silent treatment like before.

"So, are you really serious about your decision? No regrets at all?" Riku asked with a teasing smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Don't be so insensitive!" Kato slapped Riku's shoulder, though there was a hint of a smile on her face.

Yuki snorted lightly at their antics. "Of course, there are no regrets. Even if it seems I made the decision too quickly, you already heard my reason. Staying with the U-19 team will be more beneficial for me."

Yes, Kawaki was serious about recommending Yuki as a pinch server for the main team, and to everyone's surprise, Yuki rejected the offer without any hesitation. They could all still remember everyone's reaction when Yuki shook his head firmly to decline the offer.

—Flashback—

"Are you sure you want to reject this offer?" Kawaki asked, his face dead serious. "Unlike the U-19 team, the main echelon is professional. Joining them would involve a professional contract, which means you would also get paid to play and enjoy all the benefits that come with being part of the team. It shouldn't be that bad, right? Don't you want to think or discuss it with your family first?"

Riku and Kato cringed in unison at the mention of Yuki's family, knowing that the tragedy still lingered in their friend's heart. Yuki himself just smiled; the mention of his family had slipped from his mind.

"Yeah, I'm sure of it. No matter how much I think about it, nothing will change my decision," he said firmly. By then, everyone around him looked at him as if he were foolish for rejecting a professional contract offered right in front of him.

"May I know your reason?" Kawaki asked, not wanting to judge his soon-to-be player.

"Because the most important thing for me right now is to get more playing time," Yuki answered. "I know that since you didn't force me but just recommended me, it's not an urgent matter and the team isn't short on service specialists. You just value me so much that you decided to give me a chance. However, I wouldn't get many opportunities to play, since a pinch server typically has the least amount of minutes and can only be used in specific situations."

'A fine reasoning. It is not often you find a young man with a clear head who isn't deluded by the praise of others and knows his worth,' Kawaki thought, impressed.

"What about the contract? It is not often for someone your age to receive such an offer, and I'm sure it would also secure your future."

Honestly, this was also the matter Yuki was most hesitant about. Although he had already received 'pocket money' from the Silvestri family and the amount wasn't small, it paled in comparison to the figure Kawaki had mentioned earlier. This was just a contract for a rookie; he couldn't imagine how much a regular or superstar contract would be.

However, Yuki didn't want to be blinded by money. He knew a career as a professional athlete was always short, and without solid ability as a player, while he could land one or two contracts as a service specialist, his future would look bleak. What he needed to do right now was to play as many games as possible and gain experience to better secure his footing in the future.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Moreover, he didn't face any financial shortfalls, especially with help from the Silvestri family and the matron of the orphanage, who made a decent salary while taking care of the children.

So yes, while the money was good, his situation was not urgent enough to compel him to accept the offer, and he shook his head firmly. "As I said, being part of the U-19 team is enough for me, as I also need to improve myself. If, in the future, the team really needs me to step up and fill those shoes, I will accept. Until then, you can wait a year or two and offer me the same thing again."

—End of Flashback—

So, in the end, the decision stood, and both Yuki and Riku would be placed on the U-19 team. After all, Kawaki had no reason to reject them, considering how well they fared against older and more professional pdlayers.

Still, Yuki wasn't satisfied with the outcome. The fact that they lost so badly—without him even noticing until Kawaki ended the game—added insult to injury, as if mocking him despite his belief that he still had a chance. It was the first time he felt so helpless at the quality gap between him and the opponents. Even Konan's players had never made him feel this way, as he still believed his abilities were up to standard, and if only he had better teammates, the outcome would be different.

He clenched his fists unconsciously, and to his friends' surprise, he suddenly muttered, "Riku, we still have so much to learn, but I don't want to forget today's defeat. Once we're promoted to the main team, let's challenge him again!"

Riku was taken aback but then grinned widely. Under the dim light of the moon, he nodded firmly, his competitive spirit soaring. "Sure! When the time comes, let's make him eat dust!"