Im Nana: Century's Genius Libero, Ironclad Defense, Spikers' Nightmare, Best Libero Grand Slam

"Guhhh...!"

The moment I opened the front door and stepped inside, I melted right onto the floor. I didn't even have the energy to take off my shoes. What happened at the gym today had been pure hell.

'Sir! Your legs make up 70% of your muscles! You need strong legs to support your upper body!'

The trainer's booming voice still echoed in my ears. Treated like a rehab patient, I'd repeated squats and lunges until my legs shook like a newborn fawn's.

"Woof! Bark bark!"

Maximus spotted me sprawled in the entryway, tail wagging furiously as he bounded over. Normally, I'd scoop him up for cuddles and kisses, but right now, I couldn't even twitch a finger. He licked my face frantically, and when I didn't react, he peered down at me with worried eyes. Or wait—looking closer, it felt more like pity?

'Owner, at it again, huh...' That was the vibe.

"...Sorry, Maximus. What a pathetic owner you have."

Then my smartphone buzzed in my pocket. Vrrr. Vrrr.

I barely managed to stretch out my hand and check it. Incoming call: Im Nana.

"Hello..."

"No... just overdid it at the gym..."

"...Volleyball?"

Volleyball out of nowhere? I stared blankly at the ceiling, caught off guard. Volleyball... Come to think of it, I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠vaguely heard something while eating at Grandpa's place once... Im Nana was on her high school volleyball team, right? Even though she was short, her athleticism made her a libero.

"Eh... I don't hate it. But why the sudden question?"

"Your friend's a pro?"

Whoa... first overall draft pick. Nana sure had an impressive friend. Given her age, her buddy was probably a senior in college now. But volleyball... I knew the rules vaguely, but I'd never watched a full match. I was a baseball guy.

"Hmm... When is it?"

"...Pardon?"

Typical Nana—no plans whatsoever. Asking about tomorrow's game today? What if I was busy? ...Not that I was. It'd been almost a month since the planning meeting, no word yet. Didn't want to seem pushy by asking first... But no real reason to say no either. Staying home would just mean groaning in muscle pain all day. Better to get out and move—might help recovery.

"...Okay. I'll go with you."

Only after hanging up did I realize what I'd done.

'My legs... Can I even walk tomorrow?'

Worries flooded in, but the milk was spilled. Might as well learn the rules. Lying there, I searched volleyball rules and the women's league on my phone. Whoa, way more popular than I thought. Match videos had spikes slamming so hard they seemed to burst through the screen. Players' grunts, crowd roars, rally tension...

"Oh... This might actually be fun?"

No wonder it was the most popular women's pro league.

The next day, thankfully my legs felt a bit better. Still sore, but walkable. Getting used to workouts now? Finished prepping and headed out front—Nana's electric car was waiting.

"Areum! Over here!"

She rolled down the window, waving energetically. As vibrant as ever. I climbed into the passenger seat with a greeting.

"Hey. You seem extra chipper today."

"Duh! Going to cheer on my friend! Oh, right—where's Maximus?"

"Left him home. No pets at the arena."

"Aww... Bummer. Would've been fun with him."

Nana looked genuinely disappointed. Pretty sure she likes him more than me. As we pulled out, I asked something I'd wondered.

"That friend—Park Hyunseo, right? Close?"

"Super close! Besties since high school."

"You still talk after becoming a YouTuber?"

"Yeah! One of the few who stuck around."

Her voice softened a tad.

"Once I got famous... old friends started hitting me up outta nowhere. 'Buy me this,' 'Promote that'... So I cut 'em off."

"Ah..."

Made sense for a 1.8 million-sub YouTuber. Fame wasn't all sunshine. Wait—1.8 million now? Her growth outpaced mine; even President Kim Manho was impressed. Who knew she had her struggles. Always seemed so bubbly, but she had a cool-headed side.

"Hyunseo never pulled that. Always there when I needed her. That's why I had to cheer her debut."

"Sounds like a great friend."

"The best!"

Nana grinned brightly, focusing on the road. The arena was packed—uniformed fans, cheer gear, families. Electric atmosphere.

"Whoa... Tons of people."

"Right? Volleyball's blowing up."

Swapped our pre-bought tickets at the booth and headed in. Seats were upstairs, second level.

'Huh? Bestie but second level?'

Don't friends/family get VIP down low? Sold out maybe? As we climbed, a sign at the stairs caught my eye.

"......"

No way. Nah? C'mon, for a friend's debut? But my bad feelings always hit the mark.

"Areum! Hold up!"

Soon Nana came bounding back, arms full: burger meal bags left, fries and cola carrier right.

"......"

Of course. Food over cheering?

"Hehe, got snacks in case you're hungry! Perfect with the game."

"...Nana, you booked second level for this?"

"Huh? Obviously! Who watches without eating?"

"Still..."

"They offered first level, but only water there. No thanks."

So matter-of-fact, speechless. Classic Nana. We snagged front row second level—perfect court view.

"Here, Areum—have one."

She handed a burger. Thought to refuse, but the smell won. Pre-game, players warmed up. Nana munched, scanning intently.

"There! Number 17! That's Hyunseo!"

Tall player practicing spikes—high set, powerful slams.

"Whoa... That sound is crisp."

"Right? Ace since high school."

Then the announcer kicked off a jumbotron event.

Cameras panned fans with fun poses or face paint. People cheered, waved, danced when on screen.

"They do this too..."

Munching my burger, then—familiar faces on the jumbotron.

"...?"

Froze, burger mid-air. Announcer boomed:

"Whoa, two rare beauties in the stands! Aren't you celebrities?"

Eyes turned our way. I slammed the burger down, ducked head. Why catch me mid-bite?! But Nana? Sauce on lips, cool as ice—pulled something from under seat, unfurled it.

"Woooaaahhh!!!"

Stands erupted. Announcer chuckled:

"Aha! Friends of today's debut rookie, Park Hyunseo! Thanks for the passionate cheers!"

Nana winked at the camera, waving. That poise... that shamelessness... 1.8 million subs earned it. Me? Hid behind the placard desperately.

'Please... not me...'

Game on: Hyunseo's team vs. league leaders. Tight from the start. Hyunseo scored boldly for a rookie.

"Nice! That's it!"

Nana fist-pumped. But... something off. She'd demolished her burger, but now stopped eating, laser-focused. Fries cooling untouched. Her eyes sharpened—playful spark gone, intense stare like she was on court.

"Pull that receive line in more...!"

She muttered.

"Opponent setter's toss is wobbly... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠quick attack timing."

"...Huh?"

"Oh, nothing. Talking to myself."

She brushed it off, but I heard clear. Not just fan talk...

'Libero, right...'

Hyunseo first pick? College hotshot or... her high school must've been powerhouse. No weak team breeds that talent.

Full set thriller—Hyunseo's team won. Final deuce, she pierced the block with a spike.

"Waaaahhhh!!!"

Arena shook. Nana jumped, bouncing cheers.

"You see that?! That's my friend! Park Hyunseo's the best!"

I clapped excitedly too. Awesome match. Never knew volleyball packed this punch.

Post-game, headed down for Hyunseo. Lobby buzzed with press, fans. She was in court interview.

"Congrats on debut win! Thoughts?"

"Yeah, like a dream. Teammates carried me."

Hyunseo panted but smiled bright.

"Heard you have a special cheerleader today?"

She glanced at stands, yelled:

"Yeah! My best friend came! Hey! XX High genius libero Im Nana! See? I'm pro now!"

Press buzzed.

"Im Nana?"

"Wait, Im Nana? The genius who swept Best Libero Grand Slam three years straight in high school?"

"The prospect who vanished? Spikers' nightmare?"

I overheard. Three-peat Best Libero? Genius? Nightmare? ...This fries-munching girl next to me?

Stared at Nana in shock. "Hm?"

Zero cares. Then a reporter who'd seen us on jumbotron spotted her, eyes widened.

"Gasp! Im Nana?!"

Pack swarmed like hyenas. Flashes popped, mics thrust.

"Im Nana! Why the sudden retirement?!"

"Injury? Contract bust?!"

"Huge loss to volleyball! Rehabbing?!"

"Return plans?!"

Barrage. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I stood dazed beside her, caught in flashes. What the—? Nana was that big?

Her hand still clutched half-eaten fries bag.

"Speak! Fans are waiting!"

They hounded. Nana blinked blankly, then:

"...Huh? I just do beauty YouTube?"

"......Pardon?"

Questions halted. Silence. Nana calmly popped a fry.

Munch.

"Makeup reviews... eat tasty stuff... y'know?"

Chewing casually, utterly chill.

"Preferred dolling up over volleyball, so college it was."

"......"

"And world's full of yummy things? Training means diet hell... hehe."

Reporters gawked, exchanging looks. No injury, drama—just 'found something more fun. Love food.' That was it.

Legendary. Beauty YouTuber origin story. Scoop... different kind. They lowered cams, deflated.

Hyunseo finished interview, ran over.

"Hey! Im Nana! Why the press mob?!"

"Dunno... asking why I quit."

"What'd you say?"

"Beauty YouTuber."

"Puhahaha! So you."

Hyunseo laughed heartily, slung arm around her.

"Thanks for coming, Nana."

"Debut congrats! You were badass."

They beamed at each other. Sweet sight. Paths diverged, but support endured.

"Oh, meet my lil sis Areum."

"Hi! Great game. I'm a fan now."

"Hey! Heard tons from Nana. Saw your camping vids! Way prettier IRL."

Hyunseo grinned easy, shook hands. We hit a nearby spot for afterparty—meat, naturally. Nana grilled nonstop volleyball talk.

"That third set quick-to-dump fake? Art. Setter's toss short, right?"

"Girl, eyes still sharp? Nearly threw my timing."

Listening, felt Nana's love and skill for the game.

'Why quit then?'

Not just tough or boring. Something more. But didn't pry. She seemed plenty happy: yummy food, fave makeup reviews, occasional friend games. That enough?

"Areum, have some. This meat's killer."

Nana plated perfect samgyeopsal for me.

"...Nana sharing food? Miracle."

"...?"

"I-I can hold back now!"

Hyunseo gaped. This one slice that shocking?

Heading home, Nana hummed happily.

"Fun day?"

"Totally! Saw Hyunseo win, ate bomb meat. Perfect."

"Press swarm startled me."

"Ahaha... Yeah, awkward. But truth's truth."

She shrugged casually.

"No regrets? Quitting volleyball."

Slipped out. She pondered.

"Mm... Miss it sometimes. That court thrill."

"......"

"But no regrets. Loved volleyball, love this too. Doing what I want? Priceless."

Fair if she's good. Grand Slam genius libero, huh. Gotta search old clips later.

Chat flowed; soon home.

"Thanks for the ride. Drive safe."

"Yup! Rest up! See ya tomorrow!"

She waved goodbye. Dragged tired self in; Maximus greeted.

"Back, Maximus. Bored?"

Wild day: arena, press, meat... Exhaustion hit.

'Genius libero...'

New side of Nana unveiled.

"Grrrh... Whew! Bedtime. Gym tomorrow..."

Muscles ached at thought, but gotta push. Hugged Maximus tight, crashed. Dreamt of spiking—punched wall hard.

Ow, that hurt like hell!!!