"No, Satori, I've work today." You brushed off your persistent half brother who offered to grab a few drinks with you. "But what's up?"

"What do you mean? I just wanted to have a drink with you." He shrugged.

You gave him a look. "You never want to drink. Spill. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing at all (f/n)-chan." He smiled.

"You know I don't buy that right?"

"We haven't been spending any time together." He finally admitted.

Your expression softened and you stopped collecting books from your locker for a moment. "I'm sorry. I really am busy today, but we can go grab some food tomorrow if that works for you?" You suggested.

His face turned into a frown. "(F/n)-chan, we have a match tomorrow remember?"

"Oh crap, yes. It's the quarter finals right? You guys will be heading to nationals soon." You smiled. "I'll come by your house to grab dinner when my shift is over."

Tendo's face lit up at that. "I'll tell mom, she's going to cook a feast for you."

You chuckled. "She tends to go all out sometimes huh?"

"She just likes you." Tendo shrugged. "Get to work safe okay? I'll go help mom with dinner so she doesn't have a meltdown in the kitchen."

"See you later Satori, tell her I said thank you for preparing my free dinner." And with that the two of you went your separate ways.

Little did you know, Tendo had a plan in mind.

~•~

Work went smoothly, no particularly rude customers or klutzy staff, if every day could go like this, you'd be grateful. Your manager even let you off early so you headed to a nearby convenience store to buy a box of chocolates for Tendo's mom.

You weren't expecting to run into Ushijima there, though. The two of you made eye contact but you looked away first and slipped into the chocolate aisle. It didn't take long for you to decide on what to buy and you made it to the counter and payed, and the moment you turned around you realised Ushijima was next in line. He was holding a bouquet of flowers and he was dressed rather nicely for someone who was merely put grocery shopping.

Is he going on a date? Wait, shut up (f/n) that's not your business anymore.

The two of you had an awkward few moments of not knowing how to get past each other since you both kept moving in the same direction until he stood still and you walked around him.

It sort of hurt, seeing him when you were unprepared. None of this was his fault, and yet he had to get hurt because of you.

You saw the confusion on his face, you saw him open his mouth to speak to you but of course you couldn't give in. Not without putting him at risk. You didn't know why Tendo couldn't see that. Being near you was putting Ushijima in danger.

It was fine for Tendo, he was always around the whole volleyball team and your father was never one to shift his attention from you and Tendo to a whole other group of people, so Tendo's team were safe. It was different when one of you got close to an individual, though.

You still remembered Tendo's first crush, who got pushed down a flight of stairs and broke her leg. Only Tendo and you knew it was your father's doing, and that was when you two were only 11.

You shuddered at the thought. Ushijima was strong, you didn't doubt that. But even people like him would be vulnerable if your father had a metal rod with him.

As you were walking, you heard footsteps and you attempted to discreetly turn around. Your shoulders slumped in relief when you saw that it was only Ushijima.

Still, you picked up your pace and navigated your way towards Tendo's house.

A few minutes had passed and Ushijima was still going the same way as you. You stopped in your tracks and turned around. "Are you following me, by any chance?" You asked.

"No, I'm going this way." He responded.

"This isn't where you live." You pointed out.

"I know, I'm having dinner at a friend's house."

"Me too..." you trailed off suspiciously. And then it hit you. "Fucking Satori and his dumb matchmaking plans." You cursed under your breath.

"Did you say something?"

"Huh? No. I think we're headed to the same house. Lets get going."
The two of you walked in silence all the way to Tendo's residence and once you reached, you simultaneously reached for the doorbell.

(A/n: I only know that word because of simultaneous equations in maths 😔✌🏼)

Both of you were awkwardly avoiding eye contact when the door opened, revealing Tendo in his pyjamas and he appeared rather surprised to see you and Ushijima show up together. Almost as surprised as you when you saw him at the grocery store.

"Are you two—"

"No." You cut him off and placed your jacket in his hands and slipped past him into his house.

This was bound to be one eventful dinner.

~•~

Ayyy look it's another chapter wow look at me actually updating 🤩🤩

Thank you for reading my lovelies 🥺❤️ I'll try to improve this book as I go but I have a sold plan for it and uh let's just see where that gets us 💕