Tomorrow came and they went to the Gym. It had been after drills, when most of the team sat scattered across the court, catching their breath. May stood near the bench, clipboard in hand, reviewing notes with a sharp, focused gaze. Renji approached her without hesitation, his mind already set.
"There's a place," Renji said.
May glanced at him, curious. "What kind of place?"
"A training camp," Renji replied. "Up north. It has hot springs… and a basketball court nearby." Renji suggested.
The words hung in the air for a moment.
The others slowly turned their attention toward him.
"A camp?" one of the players echoed.
Renji nodded. "It's quiet. Isolated enough for focus. But it's not just about training. We can rest properly, recover… and reset mentally."
May studied him more closely now. She had already learned that when Renji spoke like this, there was always intent behind it.
"And the court?" she asked.
"Accessible," Renji answered. "Not professional-grade, but good enough. Outdoor, but well-maintained. We can run full sessions there."
A faint smile tugged at May's lips.
"You're not just thinking like a player anymore," she said. "You're thinking like a coach."
Renji didn't respond immediately, but his silence confirmed it.
The idea spread quickly among the team.
"A hot spring training camp?" someone said, disbelief mixing with excitement.
"That actually sounds amazing…"
"Wait, does that mean we train and relax?"
Renji crossed his arms. "We train harder than usual. The rest is earned."
That grounded the mood instantly.
May stepped forward, taking control. "He's right. If we do this, it won't be a vacation. It's preparation."
Her voice sharpened, commanding attention.
"We're heading into a match against Aoi's team. They're disciplined, fast, and experienced. If we want to stand a chance, we need to push beyond what we've been doing."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"This camp will be where we do that."
Silence followed then nods. One by one, the team accepted it.
The announcement came the next day.
They gathered in the gym, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation. May stood before them, composed yet firm, her clipboard tucked under her arm.
"We're holding a training camp," she began.
"Yes! Alright!" Someone shouted.
A ripple of excitement moved through the group, but she raised a hand, silencing them instantly.
"This is not optional. This is preparation for our match against Aoi's team."
That name alone tightened the tension.
"They've already proven themselves," May continued. "Now it's our turn to rise."
She gestured slightly, acknowledging Renji.
"The location has been arranged. Northern hot springs. There's a court nearby, and we'll be staying there for several days."
Murmurs followed.
"Hot springs…" someone whispered.
"Focus," May snapped lightly. "You'll earn that part."
A few nervous laughs escaped.
"We train in the mornings and afternoons. Evenings will be for recovery, review, and strategy."
Her gaze swept across them.
"And yes… you'll get time to enjoy the place. But only if you deserve it."
That balance of discipline and reward lit something within the team.
Their motivation surged. That evening, Renji returned home.
The sky had already darkened, and the quiet familiarity of his house greeted him. He removed his shoes and stepped inside, his thoughts still lingering on the upcoming camp.
He found his parents in the living room.
"Welcome back," his mother said, smiling warmly.
Renji nodded. "I need to ask something."
His tone made both of them look at him more seriously.
"A training camp," he began. "Up north. With the team."
His father leaned back slightly. "How long?"
"A few days," Renji replied. "It's preparation for an upcoming match."
His mother tilted her head. "Is it important?"
Renji didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The answer was simple, but it carried weight.
Silence followed for a brief moment.
His father exchanged a glance with his mother before nodding slowly.
"You've been working hard," he said. "If this is part of it, then go."
Relief passed through Renji's chest, subtle but real.
His mother smiled. "Just take care of yourself. And don't overdo it."
Renji gave a small nod. "I won't."
But deep down, he already knew....
He would push himself further than ever before.
Departure day arrived sooner than expected.
The team gathered early in the morning, bags packed, energy high despite the early hour. A bus waited nearby, its engine humming softly.
"Everyone here?" May called out.
One by one, they responded.
Renji stood near the back, his duffel slung over his shoulder, eyes calm but focused.
This was it, not just a trip but more!
They boarded the bus, laughter and chatter filling the air as they settled into their seats. The initial excitement was impossible to suppress.
"Hey, do you think the hot springs are huge?"
"I'm more excited about the food!"
"Man, I just hope the court's not terrible…"
Renji sat by the window, watching as the city slowly faded behind them.
Buildings gave way to open roads. Noise gave way to quiet. The journey north had begun.
Hours passed.....
The scenery shifted into something calmer, rolling landscapes, distant mountains, and the crisp feeling of air untouched by the chaos of the city.
When they finally arrived, the team fell silent.
The place was… different.
Wooden structures stood surrounded by nature, steam rising gently from the hot springs nearby. The atmosphere was peaceful, almost too peaceful.
"This is… where we're training?" someone muttered.
May stepped off the bus first.
"Yes," she said. "And don't let the calm fool you."
Her eyes sharpened.
"This is where we get stronger."
Renji followed, his gaze drifting toward the nearby basketball court.
It stood slightly apart from the main buildings: simple, worn, but solid.
"Perfect!" He exhaled slowly.
"This will work," he murmured.
The team began unloading their things, excitement slowly blending with realization.
This wasn't just a getaway.
It was the beginning of something heavier.
That evening, after settling in, they were given time to rest.
The hot springs welcomed them with warmth that melted away tension. Laughter echoed through the air as teammates relaxed for the first time in what felt like forever.
"Okay… this was worth it," one of them sighed.
Renji sat quietly at the edge, letting the heat soak into his muscles. His eyes closed briefly.
"Recovery." Even this had purpose.
Not far away, May watched the team carefully.
She allowed herself a small moment of satisfaction.
"They'll need this," she thought.
Because starting tomorrow, everything would change.
As night fell, the team gathered for dinner.
The food was rich, warm, and comforting fuel for the days ahead. From soup to grilled meat, all were laid on the table!
"This is amazing…"
"I might actually gain weight here."
"Not if May hears you," someone whispered.
May, sitting nearby, didn't even look up. "I heard that."
The table erupted into laughter.
But beneath it all, there was something else.
Anticipation.
Because they all knew that morning would come quickly. And with it, the real training would begin.