The tournament bracket was posted on Monday morning.
Renji stood with Yuuto and Asuka at the bulletin board outside the gym, their eyes scanning the list of matchups. Students buzzed around them, whispering and pointing.
"We've got Oshima High in the next round," Yuuto muttered. "Not bad."
Renji nodded. "They're solid. Strong middle blockers, fast tempo."
Yuuto cracked his knuckles. "We'll be fine."
But Asuka didn't say anything.
Her eyes had drifted lower on the bracket… to another school name, deeper in the bracket, just past Seiwa's path if they kept winning.
Kaisei Academy.
Her expression froze.
Renji noticed immediately. "You okay?"
Asuka blinked and quickly nodded. "Yeah. Just… surprised."
Yuuto frowned. "Kaisei's in the tournament again?"
"Yeah," Asuka said softly. "I didn't think they'd be back this year."
She didn't explain further.
But both Renji and Yuuto felt it.
Something was off.
---
The Past Resurfaces
Later that evening, Asuka sat alone in the locker room long after the team had left.
She pulled out her phone and stared at an old message thread—one she hadn't opened in over a year.
Haruto Kisaragi.
Setter.
Captain of Kaisei Academy.
And…
Her ex.
The last message between them was short.
> I wish things were different.
> Yeah. Me too.
She locked the screen and sighed, her thoughts racing.
They hadn't ended bitterly, not exactly. But the way Haruto had obsessed over volleyball—putting everything else second, including her—had torn their relationship apart. And now he was back. Not just in the tournament, but possibly standing between Seiwa and a spot in the finals.
Could she handle that?
Could Renji?
---
Team Vibes Shift
The next few days brought a noticeable change in Asuka's energy.
She was still sharp in practice. Still focused.
But distant.
Renji felt it during their sync drills. The usual chemistry—the unspoken rhythm—was faltering.
He didn't say anything at first.
Until Yuuto pulled him aside.
"Something's up with her," Yuuto said. "You noticed it too, right?"
Renji nodded. "Yeah. I think it's… someone from her past. From Kaisei."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow. "An ex?"
Renji didn't answer.
But Yuuto smirked. "Damn. That's gotta suck."
Renji frowned. "It's not like that."
Yuuto clapped him on the back. "Relax. Just talk to her."
Easier said than done.
---
A Walk Beneath the Lights
After practice, Renji caught up with Asuka outside the gym.
She was seated on the bleachers, watching the sunset over the empty court.
"Hey," he said gently.
She glanced over. "Hey."
He hesitated, then sat beside her. "You've been quiet lately."
She didn't respond immediately.
Then: "Kaisei Academy's not just another school. Their captain—Haruto—he used to be important to me."
Renji didn't flinch.
He waited.
"I thought I moved on," she continued. "But just seeing their name again… it brought everything back."
Renji looked ahead, his voice calm. "Do you still have feelings for him?"
Asuka shook her head. "No. But I hate how much space he used to take up in my life."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Renji said, "You're different now. You've grown. And whatever happens—he doesn't define you."
She turned to him, eyes wide.
Renji smiled softly. "You're ours now. You're mine."
A breath hitched in her throat. Then she smiled back.
Not a small smile.
A real one.
---
Kaisei Enters the Picture
That weekend, Kaisei played their first match of the tournament.
Renji, Yuuto, and Asuka watched from the stands.
Their opponent was strong.
Kaisei made them look like amateurs.
Haruto Kisaragi ran the court with effortless precision. A tall, elegant setter with surgical instincts and unreadable eyes.
Every play was fluid.
Every decision—perfect.
But what caught Renji's attention most wasn't Haruto's skill.
It was the way Haruto looked directly at Asuka after the final point.
Just for a second.
No words.
No smile.
Just eye contact.
And then he turned away.
---
Shadows of the Past
Back outside, Yuuto muttered, "That guy's intense."
Renji nodded, heart beating faster than he liked.
Asuka stayed quiet.
Renji took her hand.
She didn't pull away.
But the tension in her shoulders lingered.
And for the first time in weeks…
Renji felt something creeping back in.
Doubt.
Not in Asuka.
Not in the team.
But in himself.
Could he outplay someone like Haruto?
Could Seiwa?
The road to the finals just became a lot more personal.
---
End of Chapter 14
---
To Be Continue