It had been two years since I transmigrated into this world.
Just like every other isekai story, Lauran thought as she scribbled in her diary.
I know the main plot starts in about three years. Until then, I just have to deal with these dumb people. My life's going to change… so I shouldn't get my hopes up too high. But just you wait, creator. I'll hunt you down. Try your best to traumatize my favorite characters — I'll beat the crap out of you.
She put the pen down, closed her diary, hid it in its usual spot, and crawled into bed.
Later that night, she lay on her stomach scrolling through Wattpad.
"Time for my daily dose of angst," she muttered.
Haikai and Tia were crying like anything today. Why do people love these emotional fanfics? Even the creator of this world wrote fanfics about their own novel. The only ones that ever made me cry were…
Her eyes widened as realization dawned.
"Wait—! The plot holes… those fanfics… they were written by the author?! Why am I only realizing this after two years?! I'm so stupid!"
She buried her face in the pillow and groaned.
Great. So this world really does have a massive plot hole. Maybe my role is to patch it up? Whatever. I'm going to sleep.
Despite everything, she had fully embraced this life and was happy to be part of the world she'd once dreamed of.
The next morning, barefoot and half-asleep, she shuffled into the kitchen. Her parents were out again — as usual — but had left notes scattered around the house.
She turned on the stove, grabbed butter and bread from the fridge, and started making toast.
"Huh. Oh, right — we do have a toaster. Meh. Time for ramen and toast. Haikai's going to scold me for this… she really is the female version of Iwa-chan. And I'm starting to sound like Oikawa. Better hurry up or I'll be late."
After breakfast, she rushed to her room, got dressed, and teleported straight to school.
When she arrived in class and sat by the window, Haikai immediately walked in.
"Did you have a proper breakfast?" she asked, frowning. "You have a match this afternoon with the Snakes. Who even made you captain of the junior high team? Anyway, don't worry about notes — I'll DM them. Good luck."
Lauran looked up and smiled warmly.
"Thanks, Haikai. I don't know what I'd do without you. You're the bestest best friend."
As they chatted, commotion erupted outside the classroom. One of her classmates came in, nervous.
"Cap… someone wants to talk to you. A first year. It's about the team."
Lauran thanked him and stood up. He froze, flustered, as she brushed past him — while the other boys glared at him like he'd just declared war.
Outside, three first-year girls from the team stood waiting.
"What's going on? You could've just texted me," Lauran said lightly, her voice warm but curious.
The girls exchanged uneasy glances, as if communicating in Morse code about who'd speak. Finally, the black-haired one blurted out:
"FINE! I'll say it. We… we need to tell you something. Captain, could you… call everyone to the club room? We, as a team, have something to say."
Lauran's expression briefly darkened — her sharp eyes made the girls flinch — but she simply took out her phone and sent a message.
Team. Court. Now.
Turning on her heel, she gestured for them to follow. The silence that followed was heavy, thick with unspoken emotions.
On the court, the team assembled — just eight of them. Lauran stood in the center, back straight, eyes blazing with confidence.
"I think I already know what you want to say," she began. "You really want to quit? Doesn't a part of you want to stay on the court a little longer? As your captain, I have a small request. Please… play today's match."
She bowed at a perfect 90 degrees.
"We've qualified for the spring tournament. Let's finish this journey properly. Like Kageyama said in Haikyuu!!:
'In the first round, the second round, the finals — all the way to nationals — I'm going to win and stay on this court as long as I can.'
So please… just a little longer. I know we don't have a proper coach, and we're not a powerhouse team, but we've already given them a tough fight. Just one last tournament. After that, you can go."
Her voice echoed through the gym. One by one, her teammates started crying.
"It hurts when adults dismiss our hard work… when they look down on us," one of them whispered.
Lauran stood tall.
"Then let's make them shut up — by going to nationals. I believe in you. I trust you. Let's show the Snakes who the real predators are."
The team crowded around her, fists meeting in the center as they all shouted:
"Let's go!!"
The sound was so loud that birds scattered from the roof outside, and their voices echoed through the halls.
When the rivals from Zmeya Middle arrived, the match began. Lauran's team played fiercely, shouting out their codes and strategies — but this time, their moves were sharper, faster. The Snakes lost three out of five games.
"Did you… try men's team moves?" the Zmeya coach asked afterward, stunned.
"Yep. And even borrowed a few from anime," Lauran replied cheekily. Then she turned to a blonde girl on the opposing team. "Ava! You better come to nationals, so I can kick your butt officially next time!"
"Alright, kids — time to go!" the coach said, dragging Ava away before she could throw hands.
As he glanced back at Lauran talking with her team, he couldn't help smiling nostalgically.
Like father, like daughter… You better beat them at nationals, he thought, remembering his own rivalry with Gary. Sitting by the bus window, he muttered, "Guess the next generation's picked up where we left off."
That evening:
Lauran sat at the table, telling her parents about the match when their phones started buzzing.
"Yo! Let's go!" Gary typed into the group chat.
"Let me guess — chat chaos?" Allura deadpanned.
"Yup. Time to beef with a friend again," Gary said with a goofy grin.
Allura blushed faintly.
"Seriously? In front of my fried rice?" Lauran groaned. "Am I going to become a middle child? You two are in your forties and act like teenagers pining over each other. Get a room — and don't keep me up tonight. I have a test tomorrow."
With that, she grabbed her plate and retreated to her room.
Closing the door, she flopped onto her bed, grinning like a fangirl.
"Hehehe… I've been dying to say that to them. Living in my favorite world is so much fun. For the next two years, I can do whatever I want — at least until the main cast of the next generation comes together."