■3rd Person POV■

It's been two months since Y/N and Ushijima became a third-year student. The two rarely meet and somehow this is starting to bother Ushijima.

His teammates could see that something is definitely on his mind. While he stays composed during practice, everyone could see as he keeps on gazing at the bleachers once in a while.

Goshiki: Ushijima san... he looks pretty off when he's out of the court...

Tendo: yep... because the one who could turn him on is not here...

Ohira: Tendo your choice of words kind of... wrong

Semi: but Ushijima is totally distracted right now... I don't think that he realizes that the sole of his shoes is splitting.

The school bell will ring at any minute, so the volleyball team ended their morning practice and head to their class.

Y/N is turning on the hall stairs when she bumps into someone's broad back. A familiar scent makes her look up.

Y/N: Waka...toshi...

Ushijima's eyes widened, It's been months since their last encounter. Y/N never come to his practice anymore or approach him after class. No more studying together in the library.

In the past, they used to hang together because Y/N always approaches Ushijima, but now that she avoids doing it they never meet. Ushijima never been the guy who approaches first that's why he didn't know what to do, and now he could finally see her.

Ushijima: Y/N you okay?

Y/N: yes... just finished your morning practice?

Ushijima stares at the girl in front of him, his childhood friend, the one who always been right next to him

Ushijima: yes... let's go to our floor together...

Y/N was surprised when Ushijima suggested them to climb the stairs together.

Y/N: o-okay...

The two walk together to the third year's floor on the fourth floor. They walk in silence, it's always been like this. They always walk in silence but Y/N was happy just to be next to Ushijima.

But now, their silence walking makes Ushijima feels happy to walk next to Y/N after months of not seeing each other. And the girl is actually missing this moment as well.

Ushijima: how's your new class?

Y/N was surprised that Ushijima actually starts a conversation.

Y/N: um... it's great... how about you Wakatoshi? How's practice?

Wakatoshi flinched a little.

Ushijima: it's... fine...

Y/N: great...

The truth is Ushijima couldn't concentrate completely. When there's a game he could try his best to focus on the game. But during break time, he couldn't help but look for Y/N on the bleachers, where she's not there.

They've reached the fourth floor and walk to the same hall as their classroom is next to each other.

They're now right in front of Ushijima's class. Ushijima calls Y/N's name, makes the girl look at him.

Ushijima: see you... around...

Y/N's eyes are widened. Ushijima never says anything like that before, when they partway it's always her who said that, and he never return it. He would only reply with a "yes" or a "hum"

Y/N's heart is beating faster again, even after the rejection, even after not spending time with him during the holiday, even after not meeting him at school for a month, her heart still reacts to him. But Y/N shook her head internally.

Y/N: uh okay... see you...

With that, she walks to her class and Ushijima watches as she's walking down the hallway. Just when Ushijima turns his body and about to enter, someone runs past him.

Touma: Chair mate chan~

Ushijima turns his head and his eyes widened as he sees a man snake his arms around Y/N's shoulder. Y/N looks up at Touma, startled by him but she doesn't look displeased at all.

Y/N: morning Hisui kun

Touma: we have cleaning duty today, wanna skip with me?

Y/N: we can't do that...

They walk inside their class, unaware that a pair of olive eyes are staring at them. Ushijima clenches his hands at the sight but then walks inside his class.

■Ushijima's POV■

The bell rings, it's lunch break. I walk out of my class and meet up with Tendo and the other as we head to the cafeteria.

During the whole class, I can't concentrate at all. The sight of a guy touching Y/N lingers in my head.

Tendo: what's with the frowns?

I was snapped off my mind and look at Tendo who's munching his food lazily.

Semi: let me guess... L/N

I flinched, how did they know? Is it really that obvious?

Semi: if it is then I suggest you not to look back right now...

I turn my head around and see as Y/N walks with some of her classmates, but she's walking next to the pink-haired guy.

Tendo: aren't they getting closer each day? That salmon hair always hang around L/N~

During the rest of the class I still couldn't concentrate. Even now when the practice is over, I still think about her.

Why am I getting more distracted when she's not around?

Ohira: Ushijima your shoes are broken I think, you should get a new one...

I look at my shoes as I'm putting them inside my bag. How didn't I realize it?

Tendo: guess you just realize it~ you head is too occupied with something else huh? Or someone~

Semi: Ushijima I think you should talk to her... I mean... approach her first...

We're walking to the dormitories area and they keep on telling me to talk with Y/N. But even I don't know what to do or say if I meet her.

Just then something caught my eyes. Y/N and the pink-haired boy walk together in front of us.

Semi: why are they out together at this hour?

Ohira: they have cleaning duties...

Tendo: I just know that cleaning duties took times as long as a volleyball practice...

I couldn't help but watch as they walk side by side. I used to be the one who walks next to her like that. Just then Tendo whispers in my ear.

Tendo: don't think of what to do... for now... the answer is obvious..  just chase her back...

I was startled by his words. Image of when Y/N stands on the bleachers when I practice or on a match, the way she approaches me after class, our study session. And her smiling face as she calls my name flashes through my head.

At that very moment, my body moves, and I run to them and call her name. Y/N looks back at me and she looks a little surprised. 

I need her...

■Y/N's POV■

I look back as someone calls my name. My heart skips a beat as I meet eyes with Wakatoshi's face. He's panting a bit, why did he run?

Y/N: Wakatoshi?

Ushijima: Y/N...

Then I feel a hand on my shoulder and I look to my side where Hisui kun is standing.

Touma: Ushijima Wakatoshi? You know him Chair mate chan?

Y/N: ah yes... Wakatoshi and I are childhood friends...

Touma: amazing, I'm Hisui Touma, class Three five.

Hisui kun holds his hand out for a handshake, and Wakatoshi takes his hand. But his other hand suddenly latched on to my hand, holding it.

Ushijima: Ushijima Wakatoshi, class Three four...

Why is Wakatoshi here? Why did he hold my hand?

Y/N: um Wakatoshi... what's wrong?

Wakatoshi stares at my eyes. Those olive eyes of him could still make me caught my breath.

Ushijima: I... want to talk...

I miss his voice, the way his deep voice rings in my ears but the sound is so gentle.

Then I see Tendo, Semi, and Ohira san walk past us.

Ohira: L/N it's been a while, see you around

Y/N: Ohira kun, good evening

Semi: where have you been after class that you just head back to the dorm now?

Y/N: oh Semi kun... it's been a while, I just finished studying with Hisui kun in the library

I could feel Wakatoshi hand that's holding onto mine flinched for a sec.

Touma: Chair mate chan, you look pretty close with the volleyball member

Then I see as Tendo kun appears and place a hand on Wakatoshi's shoulder.

Tendo: that's because L/N chan always with our Captain here~ that's why she's close with the volleyball team... well, I think I'll leave as you guys want to talk... see you around L/N chan~

Tendo, Semi, and Ohira kun walk away, leaving me with Wakatoshi and Hisui kun. I look up to see Wakatoshi eyes, something is bothering him.

Y/N: Hisui kun... um... you could go first... I, have to talk with Wakatoshi.

I could see that his face flinches for a sec but then Hisui kun smiled and leaves us.

Y/N: um... is everything okay Wakatoshi? You look... tired...

Wakatoshi walks closer and now our body is only an inch away.

Y/N: Wa-Wakatoshi?

Ushijima: Accompany me... to look for new shoes this weekend...

Huh?

I look up at him as he stares down at me. Wakatoshi just asked me to come with him to look for new shoes. I used to be the one who asked to come along.

Ushijima: can you? Please?

My heart is pounding loudly inside my chest, it could be as hard as when the ball hit by Wakatoshi meets the floor. His eyes, how could I still be attracted to his beautiful green eyes.

Y/N: okay...

What have I done...

I've been doing my best to avoid him...

And now... I'm going to go with him...

Something in me tells me...

That I need to... go with him...