The ball slowly floated over the net for what seemed like an eternity. Kurai turned to Ajax.

“Ajax!” Ajax jumps back and receives the ball.

“It’s low!” Kurai runs forward.

“I can deal with that!” Kurai leans down and sets the ball to the left. Kaneko runs forward and jumps. Richmond and Lucas appear in front of him to block. Kaneko’s eyes widen as it feels like a wall shutting him down. ‘I can’t let my career end here!’ Kaneko lightly taps the ball as it falls between the net and the blockers. Ajax shocked ‘It got sucked in!’ A silence echoed as the ball hit the ground.

“Uh, Seniors are still at match point… 11-23” Kurai grits his teeth as he grabs the ball from the ground. Lucas smirking with his plan. ‘That agitation will lead to your demise Kurai.’

“Good serve” Kurai tosses the ball and serves it out of bounds as he lands. Erik blows the whistle twice.

“Senior team wins: 11-24” There was silence as everyone was breathing heavily and sweating. Erik climbs off the stand as Kurai walks up to the net holding out his hand under it. Lucas smirks as he walks forward and shakes Kurai’s hand.

“You did well Kurai” Kurai is tense as he smiles.

“Yeah, I'll defeat you the next time we have a match.” Lucas agrees with him. A slow clap filling the room.

“Congrats on the match” Ajax turns to look at the man with blue tipped black hair.

“Coach!” Xavier puts his hands on his waist.

“Bout’ time you got here Coach!” Lucas agrees with Xavier. Dougal nodded silently.

“Well thank you, But I have something to tell you” Everyone looks over at Coach Russ. Some wipe off sweat, others drink water.

“By the end of next week, we will be having a practice match against another local School” Kaneko swallows his water.

“Who against?” Coach Russ nods slowly.

“Mason County High School Boys Volleyball Team… Me and Erik are still working out some kinks so we’ll update you soon… now get to class”

That afternoon Kurai sits in his homeroom with his head down. Lucas walked into the class and silently sat beside Kurai. Kurai notices him and sits up.

“Hey, I think it’s time I update you on why Cameron… Our Senior year's setter… Wasn’t here this morning…” Kurai sits up properly and looks at him. 

“I was wondering about that, but you all seemed to have settled down pretty well without him?” Lucas nods.

“True, but recently he’s been struggling with family problems, and most of the time is unable to make it to our matches, so we learned how to make up for his absence…” Kurai raises an eyebrow.

“Where are you going with this…?” Lucas sighs.

“I just wanted to notify you that unless proven otherwise there's a high chance you're going to be the team's official setter-” Kurai interrupts him.

“No, he’s a Senior like you, he should be able to play on the team in his final year of high school. Me, a Measly Freshman doesn't deserve to take a seniors spot in his final high school season…” Lucas looks away.

“I understand what you mean Kurai, but there’s nothing I can do about it, for all I know he will be able to play every game this season or the complete opposite” Kurai sits silently having not thought about that.

“Right, well, at least you notified me. I probably would have had a worse reaction learning about it the day of…” Lucas nods.

“Yeah, well, just keep that in mind for me, think about it, for the team, for us Seniors.” Kurai clenches his fist.

“yeah, I will…”