The match ended. Team A had made a remarkable comeback, winning 2–1.
But everyone, Team A included, was completely stunned by Ichinose Guren's extraordinary athleticism and relentless drive for victory.
Tanaka Ryunosuke walked over, awe written all over his face. Through this match, he had truly realized the full extent of Guren's strength.
"Even at that moment, you managed to adjust your body midair and reach the ball with your foot."
"Compared to Hyakuzawa's height or Hinata and Kageyama's quick attacks, what you displayed today is what impressed me the most."
"If it weren't the end of the match and you weren't exhausted, that ball… you could have received it with a light kick, not a full-power strike."
"You're truly the MVP of Junior High and the ace of a top-four national team."
Tanaka's straightforward praise left Guren slightly embarrassed; he forced a wry smile.
"Losing is losing. It just shows I need to train harder."
"You're overdoing it. Your team didn't even have a decent setter or libero."
"But even so, in defense alone, your ground blocking is S-rank. You'd easily rank in the top three in the prefecture."
Tanaka patted Guren on the back with genuine admiration. Guren's sturdy frame could handle the affection.
Hinata Shoyo, alongside Kageyama, approached Guren next. The familiar, exuberant "Little Giant" spoke first:
"Too strong, Guren!"
"If it weren't for Kageyama's sets, Tanaka-senpai distracting the block, and Nishinoya's digs…"
"Why do you keep calling me 'that guy'?"
Nishinoya immediately interrupted Hinata.
"I helped a lot too! Show some respect, you big leak!"
"I won't, you always call me a monkey!"
Before words could continue, the two playfully bickered and walked off.
Though Hinata's words were cut short, Guren fully understood the sentiment, and that Nishinoya knew he didn't need comfort from anyone.
Kageyama didn't say anything about an undeserved win, but calmly told Guren:
"This evens it out, next time, I'll win!"
"I'll be stronger next time!"
"Me too!"
No more words were needed. Guren had already earned Kageyama's respect, and as teammates, there was no need for further bravado.
After the Team A players finished speaking with Guren, Hyakuzawa and Yamaguchi approached.
"Sorry, Guren. I couldn't help with the digs."
"I didn't score much at the block either."
Seeing Hyakuzawa looking down in frustration, Guren smiled.
"Stop with the formalities. Next time, we'll win it back."
"Yeah!"
Yamaguchi, less familiar with Guren, also apologized for missing several balls today. Though he mostly treated volleyball as a club activity, he was moved by Guren's relentless fight for every ball. He felt guilty for not doing what he could.
"Well, even though we haven't known each other long…"
"…winning won't defeat the MVP, and losing won't destroy the world."
"Losing won't end the Earth, and the apocalypse won't come."
"Just work hard next time. Not preaching, just my honest feelings."
"Hi!!!"
Yamaguchi, slightly starstruck by Guren's energetic play, was genuinely impressed.
Meanwhile, proud and tsundere Tsukishima didn't step forward. For him, volleyball was just a club activity. Had it not been for Hinata's pre-match provocation, he wouldn't have taken the match so seriously.
Watching Yamaguchi leave, Tsukishima quietly tidied up by himself.
Guren drank a sip of electrolyte water, unfazed.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't become the absolute best in the world. That meant he would always fall short compared to others. So he played smart, scoring well without overexerting himself, leaving outsiders to wonder: What if he tried his hardest?
Losing to someone stronger was fine, because it didn't mean he hadn't tried. This kept him undefeated in public perception.
Even the vain Tsukishima could tolerate others' opinions, but he could never ignore the fire in his own heart.
Guren recalled a passage he once read, which, though not a perfect fit, seemed to describe Tsukishima's current state:
"Fearful of being anything less than a gem, yet believing he was one, he distanced himself from the world and nurtured his own pride and resentment in solitude."
'No… that's not quite right. His fighting spirit is still strong.'
'His pride isn't weak either.'
'Smart kids often act awkward before fully understanding things.'
'But as teammates, we just need to give him time.'
Today, he had reached a high level of focus, the kind of flow state every athlete dreams of.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria