Volleyball

"Today we will be playing volleyball."

A loud squeal rang through the gym. Everyone turned to a certain blonde, who was excitedly holding on to her friends on either side of her. From behind her, Rei shook her head. She knew Minako was on the volleyball team, but still, her reaction was a little extreme.

The students were divided into teams of six by the teacher. Rei's team mostly consisted of kids from her class, including Makoto. Makoto too was on the volleyball team, and, more importantly, towered over every other girl in either class. If they went up against Minako's team, Rei was confident they would win.

The teacher had the students roll out the netting for the courts. The gym could be divided into six different volleyball courts. Rei grabbed a set of poles bound by a net, and Minako stepped in on the other side to help her. Rei sighed loud enough for Minako to hear her.

"Hey, aren't you excited?" Minako said.

"Not as much as you," Rei said dryly.

"Well obviously, I mean, who could be? But even you should be excited. We're about to play the greatest sport in the world."

"Is it?"

"Of course. It's fast-paced, team-oriented, physical fun."

"Sounds great," Rei said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"I can also show you something else that's fast-paced, team-oriented, physical, and fun." Waggling eyebrows accompanied Minako's words.

"Team-oriented?" Rei poked.

"Yeah, two people working towards one goal," Minako said confidently.

"That's a stretch," Rei said.

"Okay, maybe that wasn't my best effort. But still, it was pretty good, right?"

"That depends on your definition of pretty good."

"Oh come on, I thought you'd be more into this. You've got a stacked team, if you play mine you'd get to really give it to me."

"And you're… happy about that?"

"Oh, I'm not going to lose. But you were thinking that, right?" Rei frowned. Minako grinned. The teacher called for everyone to join their teams.

"Good luck Hino. Try and have fun." Minako said with a wave.

"No," Rei called after her.

Rei's team gathered on one of the courts. Serena and Molly were on the opposite side, goofing around as usual. Rei snorted. The game was already won.

The rules were simple, and designed so everyone on each team would get to serve. The students would form two rows of three, with the student furthest back and to one side serving. When service changed, each student would move to the spot clockwise from them.

After some cajoling, Makoto took the service spot first. Rei placed herself immediately to the left of her, hoping to serve as little as possible. While she had told Minako that she would challenge her in their classes, she hadn't said anything about trying hard when Minako wasn't involved.

"Zeroes," Makoto called out. She tossed the ball in the air, and smacked it with an open palm, sending it over the net and starting the game.

Rei understood the general concept of volleyball. Keep the ball up and get it in a position to hit the ground on the other side of the net. There was usually a rhythm- bump, set, spike, on offense, and move, jump, block, on defense. A high school gym class had none of that.

As the games progressed volleyballs flew every which way, careening at awkward angles off of arms, elbows, legs, and heads. Often the first or second hit would send the ball over the net, only for it to immediately return. Few points lasted longer than three volleys. Rei's team managed to send the ball back and forth four times in their longest rally.

During the course of their game, Rei noticed a distinct voice from across the gym. Several of her teammates stole glances down the courts and, despite herself, Rei looked too. Minako's team was set in a grid, each student covering a patch of court. When the ball was served to them, and on returns to them, Minako would call out the name of one of her teammates, who would bump it to the front row. The front row would set it high, and someone would jump and sack it over to the other team. None of the kids were tall or athletic enough to spike it, but Minako did have them operating like a real team.

During a break between points in her own game, Rei asked Makoto if anyone from the volleyball club was playing with Minako.

"No, it doesn't look like it."

"But they're playing so well. Then that's just..."

"Minako being Minako. She's new to the team, but we'll be voting on captains soon, and there's a good chance she'll get it."

Rei must have shown her surprise, because Makoto laughed at her reaction. "I know," she said, "but when she takes something seriously, Minako's a force to be reckoned with. It can be a little scary even."

"Scary?" Rei asked skeptically.

Makoto chuckled. "If we play her, maybe you'll see."

The game resumed and Rei considered Makoto's words. If Minako was that good, and could get a group of random high school kids to play well, she would have to play better herself. After all, Minako had been right earlier; she had thought her team could beat Minako's. Hopefully she wasn't right about the other thing, too.

Whistles blew and their game ended with Rei's team up by four points. The team, and the teams in their row, stayed in their courts while the teams on the other side of the nets changed courts. Minako's team was on the opposite side of the nets. Her team moved closer to Rei's. In two more games they would face each other.

The first game went by quickly. Rei focused on the ball, dutifully bumping the ball to Makoto, who could get high enough to slam it on the other side. Rei did her best to hit the ball consistently, though she found it difficult when she used her hands. She found the trick was to use the sides of her hands, thumb-side up, to hit the ball. She refined her technique every time the ball came her way. Before she realized how much time had passed, the whistles were blowing again, and a new opponent faced them.

She continued refining her technique against the new team. It was more difficult to focus on her own form considering how close Minako was. She had been a distraction from across the gym, now only one court over, she was much more noticeable. She was a flurry of noise motion, shouting 'I got it' or 'You you you!' at the top of her voice.

As often as her eyes were pulled to her, it was only a matter of time before Minako caught Rei's eye. When she did, Minako flashed her teeth in a massive grin. Rei frowned in return and doubled her own effort.

The next time the whistle blew, the game and the class ended. Rei's team won their last game by seven points. More importantly, her hits were better and more consistent. She wouldn't be able to mach the blonde's sheer energy, but she could at least play with good technique.

The teachers had the students help stow the equipment, and again Minako came over to 'help' her.

"So, did you have fun?" she needled.

"Of course not," Rei said. Minako was unfazed.

"I know that means you did."

"You know me too well," Rei said sarcastically. Minako changed tactics.

"I was admiring your form," Minako started, laying the innuendo on thick.

"Gross." Minako grinned.

"And I noticed you're actually pretty good. Any chance you want to join the volleyball club?"

"I'd say I'm busy after school- and I am, you know- but the truth, is I just don't want to."

"That's too bad. I think you'd do pretty well. Plus I think the uniform would look really good on you."

"The way you said that makes your offer even less appealing."

"Well, I knew it was a long shot," Minako said. "I'll have to settle for the next best thing."

"What's that?" Minako's smile changed, growing sharper, more excited. Her voice dropped, to a low tone that raised the hairs on the back of Rei's neck.

"Beating you next class."

Rei felt a thrill down her spine. Minako smirked and waved, leaving Rei with a feeling she rarely experienced; anticipation.