It was the next day— the day from which Izumi will start going to the club. His mother was the one driving him to the club for his first day.
Izumi couldn't contain his excitement as he hopped into the car with his mom. His first day at the club was finally here, and he was practically bubbling with anticipation.
As they drove, mother and son engaged in a lively conversation. Iori couldn't help but ask about his expectations for the day. "So, Izumi, what are you looking forward to the most at the club?"
Izumi's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I can't wait to meet everyone and, of course, to start practicing with the team. It's going to be so much fun!"
Iori smiled warmly at her son's enthusiasm. "Just remember to stay focused and listen to your coach. And don't forget to make some friends too!"
Izumi nodded, his determination shining through. "I will, Mom. I promise."
As they arrived at the club, Iori parked the car, and they both stepped out. She adjusted his jersey, ensuring he looked his best for the first day. "You're going to do great, Izumi. Remember, we're always here to support you."
Izumi gave his mom a heartfelt hug. "Thanks, Mom. I'm so lucky to have you and Dad."
With a final encouraging smile, Iori watched her son walk toward the club entrance. She knew he was embarking on an exciting journey, and she couldn't wait to hear all about his day when she picked him up later.
Izumi was greeted warmly by Coach Endou as he entered the facility. The coach's friendly demeanor put Izumi at ease immediately. "Izumi-kun, I've been waiting for you! Welcome back to the club," Coach Endou said with a smile.
Excitement bubbling within him, Izumi eagerly listened as the coach explained his training schedule for the day.
Joining the group of students from years 8 to 12 for the warm-up, Izumi was ready to give it his all.
The warm-up involved running around the court, and Izumi found himself easily keeping pace with the older students.
As the warm-up concluded, it was time to focus on receive and passing drills. Izumi's attention was laser-focused as he prepared to hone his skills in this essential aspect of volleyball.
Coach Miach, the session's coach, began by acknowledging the presence of new additions to the club.
He decided to start from the basics and said, "The receiving, or mostly known as bump, is the most basic and essential skill in volleyball." He emphasized that the bump is crucial for hitting a ball that is below the head, typically used as the first touch to receive a serve or a hard-driven hit.
Coach Miach then proceeded to demonstrate how to properly bump the ball and pass it to the setter or another player.
He explained the technique and showed the players the correct form and posture.
After the detailed explanation and demonstration, Coach Miach asked the players to form pairs and instructed them to practice bumping the ball.
The goal was to pass it accurately to their partner, focusing on direction and control. The players eagerly partnered up and began practicing, eager to improve their skills.
Izumi's initial worry about finding a partner faded away as Riku, a friendly-looking boy with a ponytail, approached him
"Yo! I'm Riku, Yagami Riku~ you can call me Riku if you want! So do you have a patner for the drill yet"
Izumi, feeling a mixture of relief, confusion a s excitement, replied, "I don't have one yet."
With a friendly smile, Riku suggested, "How about teaming up with me?"
Izumi's awkwardness gave way to a bright smile as he nodded enthusiastically, "Sure, Riku, that sounds great!~ Btw I'm Izumi, Miyamura Izumi"
"let's start the drill then Miyamura–Kun"
"Yeah" with that they position each other in front of the other and started going through the drill..
Coach Miach observed the pairs as they practiced, making sure each player was grasping the fundamentals.
When he reached Izumi and Riku, he noticed that Izumi's posture needed improvement. His arms were staying in one place while bumping the ball.
The coach knelt down beside Izumi, offering guidance. He instructed, "Izumi, try bending your knees a bit and focus on using your arms to push through the ball. It'll help you control the direction better."
Izumi nodded and took the advice seriously. Riku also chimed in with helpful tips, making it a collaborative effort.
Within just a couple of attempts, Izumi had managed to correct his technique.Coach Miach was astonished at how quickly Izumi adapted and corrected his shortcomings.
He couldn't help but think, 'This kid might be made for volleyball. If he continues to improve at this rate, he might have a shot at joining the group of players for the tournament happening at the end of summer.'
The potential he saw in Izumi's progress filled him with anticipation.
During the lunch break, Riku and Izumi headed to the cafeteria together. They grabbed their food trays and found a table to sit at.
As they began eating, their conversation drifted to various topics, including their favorite foods and random chitchat.
Curious about Izumi's newfound interest in volleyball, Riku asked, "Hey, how did you get into volleyball anyway?" Izumi went on to recount the story of the groceries incident and how it had sparked his passion for the game.
Riku couldn't help but express his disbelief. "Seriously? You've only been playing volleyball for a couple of days, and you're already this good? Are you secretly a volleyball machine or something?"
Izumi chuckled at the exaggeration. "No, not at all. I guess I just really enjoy it."
Riku shared that he had joined the club the previous year and was determined to make it onto the club's team for the upcoming summer tournament, which was for players aged 8 to 10. Izumi, intrigued by the idea of a tournament, asked Riku to explain.
Riku elaborated, "It's a tournament that happens every summer in Sendai. Clubs from all over the city participate, and they have different age categories. Only 15 players are selected to represent the club in each category. Joing the team for tournament have been my goal ever since I joined the club."
As the conversation with Riku continued, Izumi couldn't help but feel a growing excitement. The idea of playing in a tournament, competing against different clubs, and representing their own club filled him with a newfound determination. It was as if a goal had been set in his mind: to earn a place on the team for the upcoming tournament.
Izumi's first goal within the club had been established, and he was determined to work hard, learn, and improve to make that goal a reality. The prospect of intense matches and the opportunity to showcase his skills motivated him even more to give his best in every practice and training session.
[A/N–Short chapter but about what will come next!!]