Evening had settled over the city, casting long shadows across my desk. The only light in the room came from my small desk lamp, illuminating scattered notes, a blank sheet of paper, and the pen tapping rhythmically against my fingers. My room was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of paper and the faint hum of activity from the streets below.
I exhaled deeply, then put pen to paper.
Alright, I thought. Let the training arc begin.
After the Seiryuu game, I had spent a lot of time reflecting. I had felt it in my body—the way my muscles refused to react as fast as I envisioned, the way my legs screamed in protest after constant jumping and sprinting. My upper-body strength had never been an issue, but the fatigue in my legs slowed me down, dulled my reactions. If I wanted to compete with the monsters of this sport, I needed to fix that.
Training Plan.
First: Lower body and core focus. Up until now, my training had been balanced, aiming for aesthetics as much as performance. That needed to change. More emphasis on legs for explosive jumps and core for stability would drastically improve my overall stats.
Second: Muscle endurance. Instead of chasing heavier weights, I'd focus on higher repetitions with lower intensity, easing my body into the new routine. Avoiding overtraining would help reduce soreness, allowing me to train consistently throughout the week. Five gym sessions a week—two dedicated to endurance.
Third: Pushing past my limiters. To bridge the gap between me and players who had been training far longer, I needed something extra. Something bold.
100 push-ups. 100 sit-ups. 100 squats. A 10 km run. Every single day.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the plan. This… might be insane.
After a moment of thought, I added: 50 pull-ups. The routine lacked proper back engagement, and balance was key.
Still, just improving my physical stats wouldn't be enough. Volleyball was more than just strength—it was about skill, awareness, and strategy.
That's why I had already planned something else.
If everything went well, this training arc wouldn't just improve me—it would completely change my game.
The next morning, at exactly 7 AM, I stood outside, stretching as the cool air of early summer filled my lungs.
Alright… let's do this.
My first session began. The Bald hero's routine.
By the time I finished, it was already 9:30 AM.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead, catching my breath. That took way longer than I expected… The running eats up a lot of time. My body felt slightly sore—not unbearable, but enough to tell me this would take some getting used to.
After breakfast and some rest, I made my way to the gym. The familiar scent of metal and rubber greeted me as I stepped inside, the sound of clinking weights and low grunts filling the air. The cool breeze of the AC was a welcome relief against my still-heated skin.
I kept to my plan, easing into the new routine. Lighter weights, higher reps.
I could already tell the endurance focus would push me in a different way than my usual strength training. Still, if I wanted to last longer in games, this was necessary.
After the gym, I returned home for the next phase: studying volleyball.
Instead of just watching matches mindlessly, I took notes on pro players, analyzing their movement, their decisions, their court awareness. I compared their positioning to my own, rewinding key plays to break them down further.
For a moment, I thought about texting Shigeo for input—but stopped myself.
He probably needs some time to settle in.
By 7 PM, the air outside had shifted, the warmth of the day fading into the cooling breeze of evening. I stood near my door, slipping on my shoes.
My muscles ached, my mind was buzzing with new information, but I wasn't done yet.
Alright… let's see if this will work.
With a mixture of excitement and nerves, I stepped outside, heading toward my next destination.
After a 15-minute walk, I arrived at my destination—Aokigawa Middle School.
Even at this late hour, and despite summer vacation, the gym was still alive with movement and sound. The large windows glowed brightly, the light spilling onto the pavement outside. I could hear the distinct rhythm of a volleyball bouncing, the squeak of sneakers skidding against polished wood, and the occasional shouts of players communicating mid-play.
I walked toward the entrance, my steps slowing slightly. Now that I was here… what was I supposed to do next?
Through the doors, I could see a 2v2 match in progress—four adults moving with precise, practiced motions. I leaned against the frame, watching for a moment. They weren't playing casually. Their movements were crisp, their positioning sharp. Even without knowing them, I could tell these weren't just weekend hobbyists.
The Aokigawa neighborhood volleyball association… I thought. This is my best bet at improving.
There was nowhere else I could go during this break. I had thought about gathering the old club for training, but then I came up with this idea—and this was definitely the better choice.
If they let me join, that is…
Suddenly, a voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"Hey, kid. You lost?"
I flinched slightly, caught off guard. I turned a little too quickly, my eyes locking onto the source of the voice—a tall man with a bulky, broad-shouldered build. His medium-length black hair was slicked back, and despite his imposing physique, something about his expression seemed friendly.
Beside him stood another man—leaner, slightly shorter, with short brown hair and sharp eyes. He didn't say anything, just stared at me with mild interest.
The taller man tilted his head. "You alright?"
I shook off my hesitation. "Sorry—I mean, hello. I'm not lost. I was wondering if I could join you guys."
The smaller guy smirked, his voice laced with amusement. "This isn't a playground, you know. Go play somewhere else, kid."
I straightened, refusing to back down. "I'm not a kid. And I'm sure I'm better than half the guys here."
He let out a laugh. "Cocky little brat. I like him."
He turned to the taller man, who was also smiling in amusement. "What do you think, Renji?"
The tall man—Renji—scratched his chin. "Well, Tetsuya's out with that busted leg. If the kid's as good as he says, we can finally run full 6v6 again."
The leaner guy sighed dramatically. "Alright, fine. Come on then, brat. Let's see what you got."
I nodded and followed them inside. This was it.