There was a time before Jomar's tennis ball hit the volleyball court. A peaceful time. A time when volleyball practice was just spikes, drills, and Coach Leia's military-grade whistles.
That time was over.
Now, there was only The Incident.
It happened two days after the mock match.
The tennis team had just finished stretching when Mira spotted two familiar figures stomping toward the court like storm clouds in knee-high socks.
Twins. Identical. Terrifying.
Rina and Reina. Star players of the volleyball team.
And right behind them—Coach Leia, carrying a volleyball under one arm like it was a hand grenade.
Coach Tonton froze mid-sip of his coffee and slowly lowered his paper cup.
"This is it," he whispered. "They've come for blood."
Jomar, oblivious, was adjusting his racket grip. "Hey, Mira. What's that sound? Like... sandals of doom?"
Mira didn't answer.
Because the twins had already arrived.
Reina cracked her knuckles. Rina adjusted her headband. Both glared at Jomar like they were deciding which one got to spike his soul out of his body.
"You," Reina said.
"Boy with the rocket arm," Rina said.
Jomar blinked. "Uh. Yes?"
"You hit Rina," Reina snapped.
"In the face," Rina added helpfully, rubbing her temple.
Jomar raised his hands in surrender. "I said sorry!"
"You returned a ball so fast it left a vapor trail," Reina said.
"And I lost a point while seeing stars!" Rina scowled.
Mira stepped forward. "Okay, okay. It was an accident. He's a newbie."
Jomar added, "Yeah, a chaotic, lovable newbie!"
Coach Leia arrived at last. She threw the volleyball down hard. It bounced once. Twice. And then stopped right in front of Coach Tonton's feet.
"Coach Tonton."
"Coach Leia."
"You owe me one post, one ice pack, and a sanity check."
Coach Tonton scratched his head. "Sanity's been gone since 2015, but I'll give you the ice pack."
Leia crossed her arms. "And your boy here owes my girls a rematch."
"Rematch?" Tonton blinked. "We weren't even playing against each other."
"Exactly," Leia smirked. "So let's fix that."
Ten minutes later, the tennis team and the volleyball twins stood on the court.
But instead of rackets, everyone had volleyballs in hand.
Coach Tonton sighed. "This is the dumbest idea I've heard all week."
Coach Leia grinned. "You agreed fast for someone complaining."
"It's dumb but it sounds fun."
Leia turned to her twins. "Go easy on them."
"No promises," the twins said in perfect unison.
What followed wasn't exactly volleyball. Or tennis. Or any known sport.
It was chaos incarnate.
Mira dove with a tennis slide and somehow kicked the ball over the net.
Jomar tried to spike and fell flat on his back.
Faye from Singles B hit the ball with her racket anyway and was immediately booed.
Coach Tonton cheered like it was the Olympics.
Coach Leia facepalmed so hard it echoed.
And the twins?
They smiled.
Because they were having fun.
After the madness died down and everyone collapsed on the court, sweaty and laughing, Rina threw a towel at Jomar.
"Not bad, Rocket Boy."
Jomar grinned. "Thanks. I think."
Reina tossed him a juice box. "Next time, aim for the net, not Rina's skull."
Mira leaned back beside him. "You survived volleyball retaliation. Impressive."
"I think I dislocated my pride," Jomar groaned.
Coach Leia stood over them with her hands on her hips.
"Next time," she said with mock menace, "don't send flying objects to my court."
Coach Tonton, from the bleachers, raised his cup. "Next time, send them with a thank-you note!"
As everyone headed off, tired but strangely bonded, Jomar and Mira lingered behind.
He looked at her, then at the court, then back at her.
"You know," he said, "I think the twins like me now."
Mira smirked. "Only because you nearly died."
"Near-death friendship is the strongest kind."
She nudged him with her elbow. "Come on, Rocket Boy. Coach Tonton's probably planning another weird scrimmage."
Jomar smiled.
And as they walked side by side back to the bench, the setting sun glowed on the court.
Maybe… just maybe… chaos was exactly what the tennis team needed.