The team needed a reset.
Coach Anzai saw it. The captains felt it. And after the messy loss to Saitama West, no one argued when he announced a weekend team retreat.
"Two days up in the mountains," Coach said. "No phones. No distractions. Just volleyball, recovery, and reconnecting."
Yuuto groaned, "Sounds like boot camp."
Asuka gave him a weak smile. "Could be fun."
Renji just nodded.
He welcomed the break. Especially with things between him and Asuka slowly healing. They weren't back to what they were yet—but they were closer. And that was enough for now.
The Retreat Begins
The team bus wound through narrow roads into the foothills, finally pulling into a quiet training facility surrounded by trees. A small gym, a few bunkhouses, and a wide-open court made of packed dirt.
It was far from Seiwa's polished gym, but something about it felt right.
The players unloaded bags, swapped jokes, and got to work setting up.
Coach Anzai clapped his hands. "We'll train in the mornings. Free time in the afternoons. Team bonding in the evenings."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow. "Team bonding?"
"Trust falls," Arai muttered, shuddering.
But Coach had something better planned.
Unexpected Guests
On the second morning, after a punishing round of hill sprints, Coach walked into the dining hall with a smirk.
"You'll be scrimmaging this afternoon."
Groans echoed.
"Against our own alumni."
That silenced the room.
"What kind of alumni?" Yuuto asked.
Coach's grin widened. "The kind who played nationals. Some of them are still in college leagues. Let's see how you stack up."
The Game Begins
The alumni arrived just after noon—older, stronger, and brimming with confidence. Among them was Kei Senda, a Seiwa legend who had once captained the team to a national quarterfinal.
Renji had watched his highlights online.
Now, he'd be facing him across the net.
The first serve was a blur. Seiwa's first-year libero barely got under it.
By the third point, the alumni had already built a five-point lead.
"They're too fast," Ren muttered.
"They're just smarter," Yuuto replied. "We've gotta think like them."
The game turned into a lesson. The alumni didn't just play hard—they exploited every gap in Seiwa's positioning, every hesitation in their timing.
It was frustrating. Humbling.
And exactly what they needed.
Facing the Mirror
At one point, during a timeout, Renji caught Senda watching him.
"You've got good instincts," the former captain said. "But you hesitate. You're waiting for the play to unfold instead of creating it."
Renji nodded, chest tight.
He knew Senda was right.
Later, when Yuuto subbed in for a serving run, he whispered, "Let's show them what we've got."
And for a brief stretch, they did.
Renji called a fake set that fooled the blockers. Asuka delivered a pinpoint quick to Arai. Yuuto nailed an ace down the sideline.
They didn't win the scrimmage.
But they earned respect.
Even Senda clapped as the final point was scored.
Evening Reflections
That night, the team sat around a small bonfire, roasting marshmallows and letting the adrenaline drain.
"It's weird," Yuuto said, lying on his back, arms folded behind his head. "Getting beat like that… actually felt kinda good."
Arai laughed. "You're sick."
"No, I mean it," Yuuto said. "It reminded me how far we still have to go. And that we can get there."
Renji poked at the fire. "We've come a long way already."
Asuka sat next to him, close enough that their knees touched. "But we're not done yet."
She glanced at him then, eyes steady. "You're not done yet."
He met her gaze.
And in the firelight, something unspoken passed between them.
Trust. Rebuilding. Hope.
New Resolve
The next morning, before the sun even rose, Renji stood outside the bunkhouse, running drills with a worn volleyball.
A voice called out from behind. "Starting early?"
It was Coach Anzai.
Renji caught the ball and nodded. "I need to be better. For the team."
Coach crossed his arms. "You're already getting there. But leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up."
Renji nodded again.
He understood now.
The team didn't need him to be flawless.
They just needed him to keep fighting.
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End of Chapter 61
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To Be Continued