Jump float serve

It's different here

"Now now, skip the formalities," Kazuma's voice sounded more friendly than before, "let's get to practice."

First half an hour was nothing different from Karasuno's usual practice hours. Stretching, warm up, basic moves. Yamaguchi raised his hand, getting ready to make another serve, when heard Rintarou calling him.

"Yamaguchi," boy smiled at him, "wait a second." Johzenji's wing spiker came up to him, extending one hand. "Can I?" he asked. Yamaguchi tilted his head in a slight confusion, but then smiled back and nodded. He gave Rintarou the ball. Spiker threw a quick thanks, before turning to another team, "play without us a little." Yamaguchi watched others nod and continue their casual practice.

"Come here," Rintarou tugged on the hem of Yamaguchi's t-shirt. Boys came to the side to not disturb others. "Your sets are good," Rintarou started, spinning volleyball in his hands, "but you lack strength in your hit." He rolled basket with other balls closer to them. Yamaguchi sighed, preparing for a new lecture and a lot of repeated sets into the wall. "You sure have to work more on muscle strength, but for now can you try something?" Rintarou asked with a soft smile, handing another volleyball to Yamaguchi.

"Sure," Yamaguchi nodded, surprised by the question.

"Try hitting and then locking your wrist quicker right after, so your hand won't move after the hit," Rintarou gestured described movements, "this way you'll send more force into the serve."

"Quicker...?" Yamaguchi bit his cheek, moving his wrist.

"Hit," Rintarou tossed the ball in the air, "and lock." He breathed out, sending the ball to the other end of the gym. Yamaguchi watched his wrist stop sharply mid air. In Rintarou's movements he could see spiker's traits. All Yamaguchi had to do, was reapply this to his serve. Jump serve. "Now try," Rintarou encouraged.

"Alright..." Yamaguchi ran his tongue over his lower lip. Basic overhand first... He spun the ball in his hands, before sending it into the air. "Hit," Yamaguchi mumbled. His eyes followed the ball, before he made a hit. "Lock," his hand froze midair, volleyball hitting the other wall after a few seconds.

"Nice speed!" Rintarou hit him lightly on the shoulder, grinning, "now try with the jump."

Yamaguchi's eyes sparkled. I did it right? He felt a jolt of joy run through his body. "Thanks," he flashed a bright smile in reply and took another ball.

"Jump, but keep your hand steady."

Yamaguchi nodded. Jump. He sent the ball in the air. Hit. He jumped, hand meeting ball's glossy surface. Lock. He flicked his wrist, but felt it waver. Ball flew with just a little more speed than usual to the wall. Yamaguchi sighed, moving his wrist around. "Sorry," he mumbled, looking at the rolling ball on the floor.

"Hm?" Rintarou tilted his head. His eyes traveled over Yamaguchi's troubled expression. Then it hit him. Yamaguchi was much more insecure than he expected. "I got it only...on hundredth time?" Rintarou drawled and laughed. Yamaguchi needed some reassurance. He needed to understand that he can do much more than he got to try before. Rintarou saw Yamaguchi visibly relax and continued, "you have a great start. That's why..." he rubbed behind his back, analyzing boy's previous movements. He was a spiker, but played more than enough to understand what Yamaguchi was lacking, "try concentrating more on the hit than your jump."

Yamaguchi glanced at the spiker. So it really is different. He felt himself smiling and nodding in reply. No lectures, no forcing, no repeated movements. Even if today wasn't an actual practice with coach and managers. It was different. Team was different. It was nothing like Karasuno. Yamaguchi bit down the joy and tried to concentrate. Jump. Hit. Lock. He repeated to himself. No. Yamaguchi shook his head, hitting the ball on the floor. Hit. Lock. Yamaguchi threw ball up, sending it flying again. It met the wall with a loud thud.

"Much better," Yamaguchi heard Kazuma say, before registering what he just did. Johzenji's middle blocker met his bright eyes. "Don't get ahead of yourself," he chuckled, sliding a hand through his hair. Kazuma winked to Rintarou and mouthed a quick 'good job', before turning around. "Now go and use it in the game," he threw over the shoulder with a smirk.

"Try this not only with serves," Rintarou threw an arm over Yamaguchi's shoulder.

"'kay," Yamaguchi bit down another smile, afraid of seeming too happy. I can try making a few spikes? He meant that, didn't he? His lips stretched in a wide smile anyway.

Rest of the practice went by in what felt like a blink for Yamaguchi. Johzenji's team was easy and fun to blend in with. Games went by with no pressure. Boys were giving advises to each other and throwing jokes here and there. Yamaguchi was truly enjoying not only volleyball but people around him for the first time in a while. He finally was able to relax, if not physically, them mentally. Yamaguchi stretched his sore arms and yawned. He threw a hoodie over his head and wriggled his hands into it's cozy sleeves. Yamaguchi took a few gulps of water, before putting a water bottle into his bag. Pleasant exhaustion was slowly spreading over his body.

Terushima threw a hand over Yamaguchi's shoulders, "ready to go?" He watched freckled boy blink a few times, blush coloring his cheeks pretty pink. Yamaguchi nodded. They turned to the other team members and Terushima spoke first, "we'll be heading out first." He smiled softly at Yamaguchi. Boy's eyes sparkled in reply, as he reverted his eyes. "Good work today and..." he chuckled quietly, "thanks."

Yamaguchi swung his training bag over the shoulder and flashed a bright smile at the team, "thank you so much for today, you're a great team!"

"Come by next time too," Kazuma smirked and Yamaguchi felt a warm feeling wash over him. Other team members threw some 'it was nice playing with you' and 'come by again', before Yamaguchi waved his goodbyes and the door closed behind them. I want to play with them again.