The party ground still buzzed with energy. Lights shimmered, music softened, and just then—Naraka appeared at center stage, holding a sleek black box shaped like an "S," bound in chains.
> Naraka:
"Today's entertainment... the traditional Shinrei Volleyball Tournament."
Three slips of paper floated from the box—labeled A, B, and C.
Each sibling drew in turn:
Muzan: B
Ren: B (they locked eyes and grinned)
Herinhard: A
Vercurius: A
Maria: C
Mabaka: C
Nujah: C (last to draw, sighs deeply)
Teams locked in:
🛡️ Team A: Herinhard & Vercurius
💧 Team B: Muzan & Ren
🌸 Team C: Maria, Mabaka & Nujah
---
Special cushions lined the sidelines. Herinhard leaned casually against a pillar, arms resting, relaxed. Vercurius sipped tea, silent but watchful.
> Herinhard (chuckling):
"I'm just a spectator this time. Should be fun."
> Vercurius (calmly):
"As long as no one unleashes apocalyptic spells… it might be enjoyable."
> Herinhard:
"They deserve some fun. Let them play."
---
> Maria (worried):
"We're definitely going to lose. The others are terrifying."
> Nujah (shrugs):
"Nah. I have a plan."
> Mabaka (skeptical):
"You? A plan? We're doomed."
> Maria:
"Herinhard turns the ball into light when he touches it. I want to stay alive."
> Mabaka:
"Ren can manipulate water like it's thread. Muzan curses air molecules. Vercurius bends souls. And we… we paint gardens?"
> Nujah (smiling):
"Nope. We have fun. And then we win."
> Mabaka (half serious):
"That kind of optimism is either genius... or fatal."
> Maria:
"Might actually work…"
> Nujah:
"Trust me on the court. This is just a game."
---
🎮 Match Begins – Team B vs Team C
🌟 Set 1 – First Serve
Muzan steps forward for the serve.
He touches the ball and loads it with tiny curses — harmless but mischievous. Instead of black smoke, the ball spins through sparkly purple mist.
Maria lunges—but the ball chooses her illusion instead. The real Maria is still.
> Nujah:
"It's phasing through… that's not good."
> Mabaka:
"Maria, focus! This isn't floral decor—it's volleyball!"
Ren swirls into motion and sends the ball sailing back toward Maria.
> Mabaka:
"Maria! Think strong. Now!"
Maria hesitates—then believes. The ball veers… but—
Ren raises a water barrier.
Muzan spikes it.
Direct hit: Nujah takes the ball to the face.
> Mabaka:
"This isn't volleyball—it's a magical theme park!"
---
🛠️ Timeout – Quick Strategy Shift
> Mabaka:
"New plan. I'll distract them. Maria—change the field. Nujah—just run."
> Maria:
"Should I make it a garden? Or maybe a beach?"
> Nujah:
"Surprise me."
---
🌸 Set 2 – Illusion Bloom
As they return to the court, Mabaka glances at Muzan:
> Mabaka:
"Feeling a little sore today, aren't you?"
Muzan stumbles slightly, losing his balance.
> Muzan (smirking):
"Your tongue is sharp as ever."
Maria snaps her fingers.
The court transforms into a glowing flower field, butterflies fluttering under a wide blue sky.
Nujah darts forward, silent, fast, leaps—smash!
But Ren is ready, blocking with a translucent water dome.
> Ren:
"I'm starting to like your team's energy."
---
🔁 Interlude Moments
Maria serves—then snaps.
Three identical Marias appear. All mimic a serve.
> Muzan (brows tightening):
"That's… actually clever."
Ren throws up barriers for all three—only one's real.
The real ball bounces off Muzan's shoe. Point for Team C.
> Ren:
"That was cheating!"
> Nujah:
"You said illusions were fair game!"
> Mabaka:
"If you didn't write the rules, don't complain."
Herinhard claps from the sideline.
Vercurius sips, then faintly smiles.
---
Muzan prepares to serve again.
Mabaka steps forward calmly.
> Mabaka:
"Feeling stiff, aren't you? That elbow acting up?"
Muzan instinctively shakes his arm—and drops the ball.
> Ren:
"Did you just sabotage your teammate?"
> Mabaka:
"I only stated facts."
Maria and Nujah burst into laughter.
Mabaka readies her own serve.
---
Ren sends the ball high.
Muzan charges a dark-energy spike.
> Vercurius:
"That strike could pierce the earth."
Nujah moves — in a blink.
He leaves three illusions behind but his real body dives under the ball.
He flips. He spins. Reverse spike.
The ball breaks through Ren's water wall and lands with a thud.
Silence.
> Muzan:
"...This Nujah fast."
> Herinhard:
"Not Shinrei yet… but his spirit already is."
---
🏁 Final Rally – 24-24
Ball in the air.
> Mabaka (softly):
"Now…"
Maria layers the ball with 3D illusion. It splits—visually—into three.
Muzan hits the wrong one.
Ren misplaces the barrier.
Nujah closes his eyes—feels the real one.
Jump. Smash.
Direct hit. On the line.
> Spirit-Ref (from nowhere):
"Point. Team C."
The arena erupts.
---
Naraka walks to center court.
> Naraka:
"The winning team: Courage, cleverness, and flower energy C!."
Herinhard stands slowly.
> Herinhard:
"Impressive. They won without fighting."
Vercurius sets her cup down.
> Vercurius:
"Even the spirits enjoyed it."
---