The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

Yuki and Kato couldn't even introduce themselves to Amagi's mother as she had already dragged them both to one of the buildings in the observatory. By the title put on top of the door, Yuki knew this was a multimedia room, and when he entered it, he saw about twelve more teenagers wearing the same clothes as each other.

"Oh, I forget about this." Amagi's mother slapped her forehead in realization before she dug something from the corner of the room and gave it to the three teens. "Here, the official shirt of the camp, change yours first. Hiro-kun, you know where to do that."

Amagi had his mouth twitched in an expression that basically told 'Seriously?' at his mom before giving up thinking about it too much. However, both Yuki and Kato were grateful for this. If not for the new shirt, they would have to go to the room with a shirt drenched in sweat, and not to mention how it would annoy the other kids, even they themselves wouldn't be able to feel comfortable with their attire.

"Sorry about her, by the way." Amagi suddenly apologized as he brought them into one of the rooms there. "My mom, I mean. I know it is cringe and embarrassing to wear something like this –"

"Amagi-san, don't worry about it." Kato cut his words impatiently. Yuki was surprised, having to blink his eyes rapidly to make sure the girl next to him was really his friend. After all, to interrupt someone rudely like this was not her at all. The girl just ignored the stare and continued, "I know it is annoying, but this is a high school camp. A shirt like this is a must for it, and I know. So, don't fret over something you cannot control, and let's change quickly so that we can go back before we are left behind."

'Ah, so that is the reason…' Yuki muttered, smiling wryly. 'Still, who would expect that she would be this aggressive when it comes to something she likes? I better take note later.'

They went into one of the rooms there and changed their shirt quickly. The new shirt had a nice, cream color with a small earth and half of the moon behind it on the chest. It was a nice touch to show that this was an astronomy camp. As they went back to the multimedia room though, the event had already started.

As the light dimmed, Amagi's mother, Chikako Amagi walked onto the stage. She had this bright smile as the shiny glasses on her face reflected the light coming to the screen. Just like any other camp participant, she also wore the same camp shirt to show the spirit here. Even though there were only about 20 people there, the atmosphere felt more like a summer camp now.

Yuki blinked his eyes in surprise when he saw the screen behind Chikako lit up with amazing images of galaxies, swirling nebulae, shining stars, and all the magnificent objects shifting one by one. It wasn't just him, but almost all the participants – baring Kato who should've seen something like this before, and Amagi who was also the participant last year – stared at the screen in awe.

Seeing that, Chikako let out a small smile before she began her speech. "Astronomy isn't just about looking at stars," he said. "It's about understanding who we are and where we fit into this vast universe." She shared fascinating stories about scientists from the past who changed the way people viewed the night sky. She talked about Galileo, who first pointed a telescope at the stars and discovered Jupiter's moons, showing that there was more to the cosmos than anyone had realized.

"Can you believe that people thought Earth was the center of the universe until he proved otherwise?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She also shared how astronomers like Copernicus and Kepler helped uncover the secrets of the planets and their orbits, paving the way for future exploration. "These thinkers transformed our understanding and inspired generations to look up and wonder," She said, pointing to a picture of the universe filled with planets and stars. Each discovery, she explained, opened doors to new inventions and ideas that would change the world.

'Damn, she is good.' Yuki murmured, astonished.

The woman on the stage not only managed to simplify the historical event that usually would make students yawn, but she also put it in an interesting package, catching the participants' attention. Also, the way she delivered the speech was mesmerizing. How she engaged with the audience, how she threw a joke here and there, the clear articulation of her speech, everything screamed that this wasn't her first rodeo.

However, what caught Yuki off guard was the burning passion in her eyes and the genuine smile on her face when she explained things. He was so familiar with that. When his eyes glanced sideways at his friend just to find out the same expression glint behind her glasses, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

'Yeah, that is the expression only someone who loves the subject from the bottom of his/her heart could have. Good for her.'

His train of thought was interrupted when he saw a playful grin forming on Chikako's face. "Now, I know what you might be thinking," She said, raising an eyebrow. "You might imagine that astronomy lovers fit a certain stereotype—the nerdy kid with thick glasses, sitting alone with a telescope and only a few friends."

A few of the participants chuckled awkwardly, glancing at each other, recognizing bits of themselves in that description. The woman noticed their reactions and quickly reassured them. "But let me tell you, being a 'nerd' is actually pretty cool!" She exclaimed, his voice lively. "They are the dreamers, the thinkers, and the ones who push the boundaries of what we know. What you might see as being different, I see as being unique and special!

"Embracing your passion, whether it's for astronomy or anything else, is what makes you stand out. Some of the greatest minds in history, like Einstein and Newton, were called nerds too!" She spread her arms wide as if inviting everyone to accept that part of themselves. "So own it! Being curious and passionate about something you love can lead you to amazing adventures—both in the universe and in life. Never be afraid to explore and to share your interests with others!"

As she finished her speech, Yuki was sure, based on the awe she received from the participants, that the older woman had gained some sort of fans today, and he knew she deserved it.