[Brain Storage Facility]
[Please deposit your brains in order and keep your numbered ticket safe. Retrieve your brain after reading by presenting your ticket]
...
Boom—!
The blue-and-yellow volleyball tore through the air with tremendous force, slamming into the libero's tense forearms.
Veins bulged on the young man's neck as he gritted his teeth, trying to bump the ball back into play, but his pupils shrank the moment it made contact—the overwhelming impact sent numbing shocks through his arms, forcing him to stagger back two steps before collapsing heavily.
The out-of-control ball traced a dramatic arc straight into the spectator stands, triggering an explosion of gasps that echoed under the stadium dome.
"Incredible! An absolutely unbelievable jump serve!" The commentator leaped to his feet, shouting praises. "Yuma Kikuzawa's serve has knocked down the opponent's libero yet again! Another service ace! Ladies and gentlemen, this is Yuma's fourth consecutive service point in the final set! Combined with Yuuki's earlier three points, the Kikuzawa brothers have secured seven points for their team! What formidable skill!"
The entire court and stands erupted in cheers as all eyes focused on the composed silver-haired boy on the court, their gazes burning with excitement.
Under the stadium lights, the faint curve of the boy's lips glistened as sweat trickled down his neck into his jersey. He casually wiped his forehead, his toned arm muscles flexing with fluid grace.
Teammates crowded around to celebrate the perfect serve, but Yuma Kikuzawa ignored them, merely tilting his chin up to flash a challenging look at the similarly silver-haired boy who shared his features by the net.
[Host's service points surpass Yuuki by 1]
[Grind King Points +0.1]
Yuma's smile widened.
You foolish little brother! Witness your big brother's power!
In the finals of Japan's National Middle School Volleyball Tournament, Yuma Kikuzawa steadied his trembling legs, barely maintaining his lead in service points during this decisive final set.
—He'd lost in blocking and receiving.
...At least I'm winning in serves!
He, Yuma Kikuzawa, had been an ordinary high schooler in his previous life before getting isekai'd by a truck. Expecting to be reborn in a fantasy world of swords and magic, he instead opened his eyes to find himself still on Earth.
This time around, he was born in Japan with a twin brother, Yuuki Kikuzawa. Their parents, both retired volleyball players who'd missed their shot at world championships due to injuries, dedicated themselves to molding their sons into world-class players.
At birth, Yuma awakened the standard transmigrator's cheat—the "Grind King System."
His grinding target? His newborn twin Yuuki. By surpassing Yuuki in training intensity and match performance, he could earn Grind Points to enhance his physique and volleyball skills.
No swords or magic, but competitive volleyball would have to do.
Ecstatic, Yuma prepared to shock the volleyball world and climb to the top. But as they grew older, he gradually realized something was terribly wrong.
...His bargain-bin little brother Yuuki might just be... a volleyball prodigy?!
What kind of ten-year-old nails a jump float serve on their first try?!
Pinpoint sets, rock-solid receives, brilliant game sense, with blocks and spikes that towered above peers...
But the real kicker? Yuuki wasn't just talented—he trained like a demon!
While Yuma celebrated finishing 500 spikes, exhausted, he'd hear his brother's sweet voice: "Big bro! I finished 500 too! Let's go running!"
Yuma: I may not be human, but you're truly a monster.
Recalling fifteen years of hardship, Yuma silently shed bitter tears.
Can't outgrind him. Just can't.
"Yuma, your serve." The silver-haired boy cast a cool glance at his distracted brother.
Yuma picked up the ball, returning to the service zone while glaring at Yuuki's expressionless face, imaginary black lines forming over his head.
The sweet child who used to call him "big bro" had grown into this icy cool guy—so uncute now!
The referee's whistle signaled serve preparation.
Gritting his teeth, Yuma retreated several steps, tossed the ball, took his approach, and leaped—executing a textbook-perfect jump float serve.
Slower than his previous serves, the ball traced a disorienting arc, suddenly veering and dropping sharply to skim the receiver's fingertips before hitting the floor.
[Host's service points surpass Yuuki by 2]
[Grind King Points +0.1]
"Wow—! A surprise jump float! After five consecutive power jump serves, Yuma suddenly switches tactics! 14-12! One more point and Hillcrest Middle claims the championship!"
The stadium erupted again.
Spotlights burned his eyes as Yuma stood panting heavily, hands on knees.
This best-of-five match's final set went to 15 points.
Volleyball was exhausting, especially compared to standard best-of-three matches. Both teams were running on fumes, with Yuma being the most drained—constantly using energy-intensive jump serves while carrying the offensive load as ace spiker. Sheer willpower kept him standing.
With his stamina nearly depleted, should he play it safe for this final serve?
Wiping sweat away, Yuma raised his head, eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Safe? Screw that! I'm ending this now!
"Nice serve!"
"Go Yuma!"
Amid teammates' cheers, Yuma returned to the service line.
Muscles screamed, lungs burned, hyperventilation made him lightheaded.
"Haa—"
One deep breath steadied his trembling muscles.
His mind cleared, focusing solely on the ball in his palm.
Toss, approach, leap—violent swing.
Boom—!
The ball momentarily dented against his palm before rocketing toward the defense's blind spot.
"Like hell I'll let you score that easily!" The opposing libero roared, veins bulging as he teleported beneath the ball with inhuman speed.
A thunderous impact echoed as the ball smashed into his chest, sending him tumbling across the court.
But the ball stayed alive! Soaring high within bounds.
"Damn it!" Yuma stumbled on landing before scrambling back to position.
National-level opponents were no pushovers—scoring purely off serves was too much to ask.
The opponent's setter managed an overhead pass directly to their ace spiker's sweet spot at the net.
Bam!
"One touch!"
Their double block barely grazed the spike, slightly slowing the ball's descent toward the backcourt.
"I got it!" Their libero executed a diving save, barely keeping the ball alive.
Without looking, Yuma began his approach, reaching full speed by the three-meter line before launching upward.
—This final point, Yuuki will set to me!
Their lifelong partnership created unrivaled synergy. For this match-ending play, Yuuki would absolutely trust him most!
The ball traced a tight arc downward toward waiting hands.
Somehow, Yuuki had materialized beneath it, silver hair glowing under the lights, expression calm as he leaped with effortless grace.
His fingertips redirected the ball straight toward Yuma.
Here it comes!
Three blockers formed an impenetrable wall of six towering arms, nearly blotting out his vision.
Don't underestimate your ace! This spike ends it!
Yuma bent his legs to prolong hang time, arching his body like a drawn bow before unleashing his full power.
Then.
—He swung at empty air.
Huh?!
Thud.
The ball landed on the opponent's side.
"Beeep—!"
Game over.
"Unbelievable! What brilliant deception! At the critical moment, Yuuki bypassed his ace entirely, delivering a perfect set to unguarded Nakamuta! He fooled everyone—including his own brother! Nakamuta scores easily! Hillcrest Middle School claims victory—!!!"
The commentator was ecstatic.
"Woohoo—!"
Yuma stood frozen for three full seconds, bug-eyed at the grinning teammate who'd scored beside him.
"YUUUUUKI KIKUZAWA—!!!" His roar shook the stadium.
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