The air in the second-floor hallway was thick, soaked in floor wax and the muffled hum drifting up from the ground level. Kaito Sawamura — tall, with the build of an elite athlete, broad shoulders and defined arms without being overly muscular, the typical frame of a setter, short black hair slightly tousled, a few strands stubbornly falling over his forehead — walked with his gym bag slung over one shoulder, his uniform as neat as always. Passing Minami Kyota near the lockers, he caught her hesitation as she shut the metal door — a click that rang out louder than it should have. He stopped a few steps away and looked back over his shoulder, his expression cold, his dark brown eyes intense, like polished onyx.
"Rumors travel fast through the student council, Kyota-san," he said, voice low and formal. "They say the 'Ace' decided to come back. I just hope you're not here to take up space. The team doesn't have time to babysit." He took a short step toward her, just close enough that the smell of clean sweat and freshly pressed fabric filled the space between them. "Can you still even reach the net, or will you need a chair to watch from? " A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Prove me wrong this afternoon. If you can."
Minami, a little shorter than Kaito, known as a "compact athlete" — remarkable agility paired with an extreme lightness of movement. Green hair pulled back in a simple bun, a few strands refusing to stay put, she held his gaze with her green eyes a second longer than necessary, irritated by his tone, and answered:
"You should know I'm only visiting, Sawamura-san. But don't worry. I still have a long way to go before I'm a starter again. And from what I hear, the team's doing just fine without me."
Kaito adjusted the strap of his bag, letting out an almost scornful huff through his nose.
"'Visiting'? The gym isn't a museum for former players. If your team's doing fine, it's because they learned not to depend on shadows."
He walked past her, then stopped just as their shoulders nearly brushed. He spoke low, only for Minami to hear:
"The girls' practice starts right after ours. I'll be finishing up my extra sets. If you're planning to show up, try not to limp in front of the first-years. It kills morale." He moved on, footsteps echoing down the polished hallway. The bell for first period rang out sharp, cutting through the silence left hanging between them.
Minami sighed and, with effort, crossed the hallway with a slight limp, feeling the familiar twinge in her knee as she tried to hurry so she wouldn't be late. She stepped into Japanese Literature class and was immediately surrounded by cheerful voices.
"Kyota-san, you're back!" one of her friends cheered. "How's your leg?" she asked, worried.
Happy to be back at school after so long, she explained that it was getting better and she'd be playing normally again soon, since she'd been doing physical therapy before class, though the doctor had recommended caution and patience — she still felt some pain now and then. The comforting chatter was a sharp contrast to the cold metal of the lockers where Kaito had cornered her minutes before.
The teacher began explaining poems from the Heian period. Chalk tapped out its rhythm against the board, dust particles drifting through the morning light. Under her desk, Minami's right leg felt like it weighed a ton. Every shift in position made the fabric of her uniform brush against sensitive skin.
"Kyota-san, it's good to have you back," the teacher said, his glasses catching the fluorescent light. "Would you read the next verse for the class?"
Minami rose from her seat and read slowly, wincing faintly at certain movements. Her voice came out quieter than usual.
"'The color of the flowers... faded in vain... while I looked on...'" A sharp twinge shot up her calf. She clenched her teeth, breaking her rhythm. The silence in the room grew heavy. Some classmates traded worried glances; others looked quickly away. She finished the verse, her voice steady despite everything:
"'...in this world... while I passed my days... lost in idle thought.'" she concluded, closing the book with a dry snap.
The teacher nodded, saying nothing about the pauses.
"Thank you, Kyota-san. A... heartfelt reading." he observed, gesturing for her to sit back down.
YOU ARE READING
Ace vs King - Some rivalries cut deeper than the game
ActionShe was the Ace. He's the Ice King. And the court isn't big enough for both their pride. Minami Kyota's injury cost her everything - her spot, her title, her confidence. When she finally returns, the only person who won't let her hide behind excuses...
