The
Game
A drop of sweat trickled down his nose, eventually
falling down. His knees hurt, and so did his arms. He took a quick glance at
the scoreboard. The bright red lights read 22-24.
“Match point” he
thought to himself. He heard a loud ‘thud’ and followed the ball with his eyes
until it was behind him.
“Hinata!” he shouted, his deep and loud voice cracking.
He turned around and saw the ball fly to Hinata’s hands, and back up again to the
setter, Kage. Before the ball could reach Kage, he showed three fingers behind
his back. This called for a back attack. Akashi, Tanaka and Tsukki paced
towards the net. They jumped in sync and waited. Kage jumped for the set and
pushed the ball over the net himself, a dump. The ball hit the ground on the
opponent’s side. All the spikers were standing disappointed. Kage noticed them
and gave them a sweet, mockish smile.
They walked out of the court, the crowd cheering behind
them. They had won and qualified for the finals. Akashi came up behind Kage’s
back, and slammed his hand against his back.
“Aaaargh!” Kage screamed. “What’s gone wrong with you?”
“Why did you not give me the final spike?”
Akashi was physically the strongest player on the team
but he had no teamwork. This also made him the weakest as volleyball is a team
game. Everyone knew that Akashi was weak from the inside, yet nobody apart from
Tanaka and Hinata did not dare to say anything offensive to him.
The next day, they all went to the volleyball
practice Court and waited for coach. Coach walked out limping, his leg in a
cast. Someone was with him somebody everyone knew.
“Good morning students
you must be wondering who this is well this is former player and coach of one
of the world's best volleyball teams, Coach Satori.”
Everyone's eyes
sparkled with joy
“I watched your team
play in the semi-finals” said coach Satori “Your performance was impressive, so
I thought I should teach you some professional tactics to help you out later
on. Get up everyone, warm up”
Six days passed Coach
Satori had taught them many attack variations and defense positions. Coach
Satori had also had personal sessions with Akashi.
It was the day of the
finals. The team was at the stadium. Coach Satori had also come to watch. He
called everyone around.
“The new champions. A
comeback never seen before!” The crowd cheer louder lhan ever Akashi felt like
he was in heaven. His dream had come true but something still disturbed him. He
knew he did not play at his best. Nevertheless he was overwhelmed by the fact
that he had actually won the nationals. After the price ceremony, they had
headed back to their stay. It was late evening.
“Akashi well played.”
said Tanaka “But it hurts me to say that I am still better than you!”
“Akashi what are you
going to do with the prize money.” asked Tsukki
“I am going to keep it
all to myself and buy games and shoes and everything else I wish!” Interrupted Hinata
“Well I am going to
give it to my dad, for the family.” said Akashi
The door slammed open
behind them. Coach stood there.
“I don't think I have
told you this” said coach “But the winner of the Tokyo games represents Japan
at the international level!”
“I want to tell you
three things stay calm don't get intimidated and play as a team especially you
Akashi.”
“Yes coach!” The team
shouted
They walked out to the
court. The whistle blew the game had
started with the opponent’s serve. Akashi’s head was tossing and spinning .he
was nervous. They had barely won the first set. The second and third set was
won by the opponent with ease. Akashi team won again barely won the fourth set
and now the final set was the deciding factor. But before that, a short break.
“The final set the winner of this set takes home the trophy of the 2018 Tokyo
games.”
The crowd was cheering, Akashi was very nervous even though he
tried to keep a straight face.
“Akashi just let it out don't hold it in.” said Tanaka
“Aww little baby is
scared again.” mocked Hinata and broke into hysterical laughter.
The break was almost
over and the last set was minutes away. Akashi was still slouching, holding his
stomach.
“I feel like I'm about
to puke.” thought Akashi to himself.
Coach walked out. “It's
time! Huddle up” He shouted
Akashi got up, his
legs trembling and his arms numb. He walked like a penguin. He joined the
huddle and put his arms around his team.
“Stay calm, do your best.”
said coach” And Akashi, don't be so nervous”
Coach limped away to
the seating area and the team lined up. Tsukki came from behind and tapped
Akashi.
Akashi turned around.
“Calm down you idiot”
Tsukki croaked
The commentator called
out Akashi’s team. They jogged out in a straight line and stood one side
of the court. Then the commentator called out the opponent team as the jogged
out of their room.
“The opponent looks
nervous.” said Tanaka
“Yes, obviously this
is the closest someone has gotten to beating them in the last three years.”
replied Hinata. The coaches shook hands at the side of the court. the teams bent
down in harmony as a sign of sportsmanship and respect. They walked onto the
court and waited. The ball was handed to Hinata. He was going to serve first
“Come on Hinata! Give
us a nice serve.” said Tanaka
Hinata stood at the
edge of the court, ready to serve. The referee looked at both teams. He lifted
the red whistle to his mouth and blew it. Time to play! The ball flew over
Akashi’s head to the other side. The opponent received well and set up an
attack. One spiker jumped with three blockers in front. Tsukki was among the
blockers and knew what to do.
The spiker’s eyes
moved left. Tsukki read his movements and repositioned his hands. The spiker
swung his arm with all his might. The ball hit Tsukki’s hands and slammed into
the opponent’s side.
“Nice one Tsukki!”
said Akashi
‘That's weird.’ Tsukki
thought to himself ‘Akashi never praises anyone but himself.’
‘I think coach
Satori’s session with him worked. That will make a big difference’
Akashi was determined.
This was his dream, his passion what he had worked for. Nothing was going to
stop him now. After court Satori sessions, he had understood that volleyball
was a team game, and he can't win it alone, he had to win it as a team. As the
game moved, the score eventually reached 23-24 Akashi’s team in the lead. The
pressure was on. Seconds started feeling like years now. They had to get this
last point to win. Akashi was going to serve. He tossed the ball in the air,
jumped high and hit it. It flew over the net to the opponent. They received but
made a mistake. The ball flew back to Akashi’s side; they could not set up an
attack.
“This is our chance!”
shouted Tanaka. The ball went to Kage.
“One blocker!” Akashi
shouted from the other side. Kage noticed and tossed the ball behind his head.
The ball reached Akashi’s hand. He slammed it into to opponent in front of him.
The ball hit the ground. They had won the finals
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