Hearts on The Court

The celebration had died down.

The team had showered, changed, and were now boarding the bus back home, the excitement of their victory still buzzing in the air. Laughter and chatter filled the space, but amidst it all, Asuka sat quietly by the window, staring at the passing streetlights.

She should have been happy. They had won.

And yet, a weight settled in her chest.

She clenched her hands into fists on her lap.

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Lingering Thoughts

The match had been intense—Renji's incredible defense, Yuuto's leadership, the entire team giving everything they had. Everyone had contributed.

Except… had she?

Sure, she played well enough as an outside hitter. She had scored some points, covered when needed. But when the team really needed someone to turn the tide, it wasn't her.

It was Renji's reads.

It was Yuuto's sets.

It was their ace's spikes.

Asuka's biggest moment? Hugging Renji after his big dig.

She wasn't the backbone of the team like Renji.

She wasn't a strategist like Yuuto.

She wasn't a star player.

So what was she?

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Renji Notices

Renji had been sitting a few rows behind her but noticed her silence.

Usually, Asuka was the loudest on the bus rides. She was the one laughing the hardest, teasing everyone, keeping the energy alive.

But now, she was too quiet.

After a moment of hesitation, he got up and slid into the seat next to her.

"You okay?" he asked.

Asuka blinked, startled. "Huh? Yeah. Of course."

Renji frowned. "You don't look okay."

She let out a short laugh. "You sure got better at reading people."

Renji didn't say anything, just waited.

After a long pause, Asuka sighed. "I just… I don't know. Watching you guys play today, I realized how important everyone is to the team. Renji, you were amazing. You saved so many points, you turned the game around."

Renji scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed. "I mean… I just did my job."

Asuka shook her head. "No, you did more than that. And Yuuto, our ace, everyone… I guess I just feel like I'm not doing enough."

Renji blinked. She was doubting herself?

The same Asuka who had always been so confident?

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Renji's Reassurance

"You're wrong."

Asuka looked at him in surprise.

Renji turned to face her fully. "You do more than you think, Asuka. You know why I even made that last dig? Because of you."

She stared. "What?"

Renji looked down at his hands. "You're the one who reminded me that I wasn't alone on the court. That my role mattered. If you hadn't been there, pushing me, I wouldn't have been able to play the way I did."

Asuka's lips parted slightly.

Renji glanced at her, his voice quieter. "You're not just 'there' for the team, Asuka. You hold us together. When we get in our own heads, you bring us back. When we start falling apart, you remind us what we're playing for."

A lump formed in her throat.

She had been so caught up in comparing herself to the others that she hadn't realized…

She was needed.

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A Small Smile

The bus rolled on, the city lights flickering past them.

After a long silence, Asuka let out a small breath and smiled.

"You really are getting better at talking, huh?"

Renji, flustered, turned away. "D-Don't make it weird."

Asuka laughed, a genuine, warm laugh this time. "Thanks, Renji."

He nodded, still a little embarrassed. But as he stared out the window, something in his chest felt lighter.

Asuka wasn't just part of the team.

She was the heart of it.

And maybe now, she'd start to see that too.

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End of Chapter 28

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To Be Continue