The summer sun hung high in the cloudless sky, beating down on the quiet streets of his neighborhood.
Hinata Shoyo stood alone on the rooftop of his small apartment building, his gaze fixed on the endless blue above.
The sky is vast… just like the gap between me and the player I want to be.
He flexed his fingers and felt the familiar tingle of the system activation humming in his mind.
[System Activated]Player: Shoyo HinataCurrent Core Stats:Jump: C+Speed: CReflex: CStrength: D+Technique: C-Stamina: C-Game Sense: A-
The contrast was painfully clear.
His Game Sense, honed from years at the peak, was nearly unmatched — a mental sharpness that allowed him to anticipate every move on the court. But his physical body, still that of a 14-year-old, was fragile in comparison.
No matter how well I can read the game… if I can't jump high enough or move fast enough, it's useless.
Day 1 — Sunrise Run
Before dawn, the city streets were silent.
Hinata's feet pounded the pavement rhythmically, breaths sharp in the cool morning air. The early sun painted the horizon in soft oranges and pinks, but there was no time for admiration.
Each sprint pushed him past the fatigue clawing at his legs. His muscles screamed in protest, but he ignored it.
[System Reminder]Physical endurance must improve to support advanced play styles.
After the run, Hinata leaned against a fence, panting hard. His heart thundered in his chest.
He forced himself to rest only a moment before pulling out his phone-sized tablet synced with the system.
The screen displayed real-time feedback.
Run Distance: 5 kmAverage Speed: ModerateEndurance: Below average for target age group
That's the baseline. I'll get faster.
Day 5 — Plyometric Assault
Plyometric exercises became his obsession.
Boxes, park benches, and staircases around the neighbourhood transformed into his gym.
Hinata dropped into a crouch and exploded upwards, arms shooting toward the sky. He counted each jump, visualizing his spike at the peak.
[System Notification]Jump stat increased: C+ → B-Skill Unlocked: Air Delay Lv. 1 — Extend jump timing window by 0.3 seconds
Muscle fibers screamed as he repeated jumps in quick succession, pushing his vertical leap higher. Sweat dripped down his temples, and the summer heat pressed down on his back like a weight.
But the system's glowing stats spurred him on.
Every jump makes me stronger.
Day 12 — Strength and Technique
Strength training was grueling.
Using only bodyweight, resistance bands, and improvised weights, Hinata targeted his legs and core.
Squats, lunges, push-ups — every repetition built a foundation beneath his explosive leaps.
He combined this with technique drills in his cramped backyard.
Step by step, he refined his approach: foot placement, timing, arm swing. Every spike became more precise, more controlled.
[System Message]Technique stat improved: C- → B-
Still, the road was long.
Day 20 — Reflex Drills
On this day, Hinata focused on sharpening reflexes.
A friend tossed tennis balls against a wall; Hinata caught and threw them back with lightning speed, pushing his reaction time.
[System Alert]Reflex: C → B-
The system flashed a congratulatory message.
Your senses sharpen. You feel the ball before it's thrown.
Mental Training — Game Sense Beyond Numbers
Even in solitude, Hinata's mind raced through plays, tactics, and opponent analysis.
The system fed him simulations, showing blockers' tendencies and optimal attack patterns.
His Game Sense, already an A-, deepened.
[System Upgrade]Game Sense: A- → A
The Breaking Point
One evening, exhaustion pulled at his limbs harder than ever before.
His legs trembled, breath shallow.
Doubt crept in.
What if I can't do this? What if my body is just too weak?
But then, the system pulsed softly.
[System Reminder] Failure is part of growth. Rest and recover.
Hinata took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let the fatigue wash away.
Tomorrow, he would try again.
One evening, on the rooftop where he began, Hinata jumped once more.
The world slowed.
For a fleeting second, he hovered at the peak.
Stronger. Faster. Sharper.
Ready to fly.