Phantom Opera: White Soliloquy

Thunder resounded throughout the hall. His hand descended from the sky faster than the eye could track, all the while his body formed a magnificent arc in the air. This was the most optimal technique. Even without any prior training or professional exposure I was sure of it. No made to acknowledge it. His presence itself ensured that he was in the crowd's eyes. This was something the reigning giant had honed and taken great pride in for his entire life.

The intimidating aura of the lit court in the centre of the hall was only exacerbated by the crowd of my classmates and the volleyball club currently berating the teacher with praise. This was reality, yet even now it felt like mere ants in the face of an elephant. That was the difference in power between these two lineups. This was what specified mastery over a lifetime gave you, complete dominion over the field.

The average player could try, try, again and again. For years on end and still fail to even accumulate a fraction of the sheer power and awe-inspiring magnitude of the spike I had seen in that moment. 

The giant in question had finally noticed our arrival.

"Ah, I was just getting warmed up I hope you don't mind!" If that was the warmup then we're promptly screwed. I really should've just refused a couple more times.

"I can't be the only one practicing! Mishima! Pick four students from the line and get some warmups done."

"...Understood. Uh. Matsumoto-kun, Ishida-kun, Takakura-kun and... Suzui-san join me over here." The four students he called for in particular seemed rather low on spirits compared to the other students in the lineup.

"Good choices. Then, the usual five minus Seita. Join me on this side of the court." Four male students with a more confident gait strolled over to the teacher's side of the court and immediately got into formation.

Speaking of which what formation will we be employing, I'm not familiar enough with the sport to choose. But judging by the difference in height between Mishima, myself and the other students. We should probably be the main defenders.

"Kamoshida-sensei, would it be possible to see a few more spikes? It'd be a good learning opportunity."

"No problem, it might help me loosen up as well."

"In that case, please show me how it's done."

"Only because you've asked so nicely. Setter, ready up."

The rest of my teammates immediately move off of the court and away from the netting. 

The ball immediately raises into the air just above the enemy setter's head. At the critical moment the setter jumps and tosses the ball beautifully to the left wing. Just as it seems the toss was wasted, Kamoshida's body blitzed to the left wing following the moving entity like a predator chases prey. He leaps forming an arc in the air as his right arm hammers down bringing judgment upon the court. 

The resounding of his hand making contact thundered throughout the hall, echoing and drowning all other noise in the vicinity. Faster than I could think the ball smashed into the floor bouncing up with a level of unmatched vigour. The students on my side winced at the sound, getting hit with that certainly wouldn't be pretty.

Thousands of people could train this skill for their entire life and never match the strength of that single spike once in their life. That was the level of talent I had to compete with. My heart began to beat even faster knowing that I would be on the same court, using my body and limited technique to contend with him. Exhilarating. Winning didn't matter here. Losing was a foregone conclusion. This was a practice match, it held no meaning.

But a voice, a guttural reaction from my depths. It made me vow for victory, even in impossible odds. The peak of this very sport stood in front of me, asking to be contested. A game with no stakes, yet it moved me more than any other had. 

I'll demolish that pride or get destroyed in the process.

"Did I live up to your expectations Ayanokouji?"

"More like destroyed them..."

"HAHAHA! So modest. Well then, give it a go. Have a couple tries."

Who even are the setters on this side? I turned to Mishima, who likely understood what I wanted to ask.

"Suzui-san and Ishida-kun have some setter practice, so try with each a few times. By the way which hand is your dominant?"

"My right."

"I see, we'll try from both sides still. But it may feel more comfortable on the left wing."

Neither of the two named students stepped forward.

"...Uhm, Ishida-kun could you set for him a few times." The boy in question had long hair and was standing dead still.

"Oh, sure." He was rather out of it. The long hair which covered his fringe, didn't allow me to properly peer into his eyes. He could've been asleep for all I know.

Preparing myself in the right wing first, I had begun my run towards the net a bit delayed. By the time I was in position to jump, the ball was already coming towards me. Quickly jumping and swinging my right arm to reach the ball allowed it to just barely cross over the net. Out of bounds, unfortunately.

The next throw was in the same orientation, but the distance thrown was shorter this time. Even reaching with my left arm during ascension wouldn't allow for much power, thus a lacklustre connection once again. 

This time I tried from the left wing, watching the ball and the setter carefully, to predict where it would land. Only to find the ball was tossed much faster than previous attempts meaning my swing was completely off target. Resulting in the first air ball.

Inconsistency would be the main problem with Ishida's setting. At the very least I could sync to the approach, but if the timing of a set, distance and speed have such intense variety I don't have much to work with. None of my spikes will be particularly strong. I'll have to cut that off as a potential attack then. Instead, I'll focus on precision and defence.

"C'mon Ishida what was that!? Keep your training in mind, will you? Hah... Suzui you go up next." An actively exasperated Kamoshida could be seen peering at our side, then his eyes landed on Suzui. She shuddered imperceptibly. Yeah, I wouldn't want to be chewed out by him either, especially knowing how fast those spikes would be coming in...

Suzui approached me first before attempting a single set.

"...Ayanokouji-kun, have you played before?"

"Like once or twice, I think."

"..." She stood in silence, the look she gave was blaringly loud in comparison. Peering at me with those black orbs as if she were looking at some strange creature. Hey, I'd avoid this as well if it were possible.

"Let's try the left wing first then, I guess..." Accompanied by an almost inaudible sigh.

Compared to Ishida, Suzui's sets were much more refined. This was mostly because they held a somewhat constant behaviour. Even if the distance, speed or timing altered, it was within error. Meaning I could work with it. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean my form itself was anything spectacular. Managing the distance between myself and the net, watching the setter, jumping the correct height, swinging at the right angle and timing etc. etc. It was a lot of management in such a short amount of time. It doesn't help that all past experience with volleyball was rather passive. I had never held a particularly strong role in the group, this time that isn't the case.

Even in this group of more experienced players. if no one has the will to fight. Then it's the same as accepting a loss straight out of the gate. Add on the height disparity between the averages of our group, then only Mishima or myself have much chance blocking a spike from Kamoshida. Not that I hold much hope for that event occurring.

After a few middling spikes which managed to stay within bounds, the final practice set was ready. 

My body was primed, my calves tensed, and I raised onto the balls of my feet. The ball jumped into the air directly above the setters head. Slowly, I notice the crease in her hip travel down to knee and finally her ankle. The joints moved in sequence collecting the energy for the spring-like jump to meet the ball in the air. For a single instance her hands graced the ball, as quickly as they touched, they parted. The ball travelled as if submerged in water, slowly it approached my trajectory. 

I entrusted my body with the rest. As if naturally acclimating to the limited experience, I hinged and leapt high enough for my hand to reach the ball at my apex. Following through with as much speed possible, it pounded into the floor leaving naught but a thundering slam to echo throughout the hall.

Suzui looked in my direction with a slight shock on her face, before giving a small thumbs up.

That felt good.