Chapter Text
It's always been a tradition for the cheer squad to finish up practise and then head across the grass quad to the other gymnasium and watch the volleyball team. In summer we sometimes watch the soccer team, or the basketball team if some of the player's manage to twist our arms; but more often than not, our sights are always set on the volleyball boys. There's just something so much more enticing about them.
Usually Coach Washijou doesn't mind us coming to watch as long as we don't distract the boys, which means having to sit silently in the stands, hardly daring to breathe unless we want to get yelled at. While the old coach may look old and feeble with his hunched posture and gnarled hands, he's the fiercest person in the whole school. The moniker 'Demon Coach' is not without reason.
Sometimes if cheer practise has been extra gruelling, we will just return back to our dorms without going to the other gymnasium, but more often than not we'll find the energy to check in on them. Since we go to nearly ever school game, the cheer squad is friendly with all of Shiratorizawa's sports teams. They appreciate our hard work and support at all of their matches- especially the volleyball team, which is probably the most successful club in the whole school. We've followed them all around the country, creating a close camaraderie in the time we've spent together.
Of course it was inevitable that a few girls on the squad would develop crushes on the volleyball players. They're only human, after all, and the boys are like demigods. Their prowess on the court and huge success only makes them that more attractive. I'm not sure whether the boys pretend not to notice it, or if they're all very humble.
Either way, the boys have been banned from dating any of us by Coach Washijou. In my first year, only a few months after I joined the squad, I remember him yelling at us in the gymnasium so vigorously that spit collected at the side of his mouth; saying that we were to stay away from his team so they could stay focused, and if he found out there was any fraternisation he would cut all ties with us.
I'm in my second year now, and as far as I know nobody has ever been entangled. The girls like to watch the boys from afar, knowing it will never go further. It's almost like a game. Sometimes we treat it as 'What If', creating scenarios and then sighing wistfully with the realisation they'll never come true.
I always wonder if the boys do the same. Then I realise they're so fixated on becoming the best high school volleyball team in Japan that they probably have little time to dwell on much else.
None more intense than Wakatoshi Ushijima.
Obviously, he is the most handsome boy on the team by a mile; his tall, muscular body only adds to his overall appeal. Yet he is never really the object of any of the other girl's eyes; they say he's too scary, too vehement, too extreme. Sometimes I think that he doesn't help himself. I don't think I've ever seen him properly smile, or even talk to a girl outside of a few brief exchanges with girls on the squad- that he never initiated.
When he first came to Shiratorizawa last year and his volleyball aptitude became apparent, nearly all the girls fell at his feet. He was the full package; devastatingly handsome, extraordinarily talented and famous.
However, the hype soon died down when he failed to reciprocate anybody's interest. The only thing he seemed to truly care about was volleyball. He made it no secret that he had no time for anything- or anyone- else. This, of course, made him increasingly less popular. He's still well renowned throughout the school, but people tend to give him a wide berth. And he doesn't do anything to rectify that. In fact, I'd say he likes the solitude.
While most girls on the squad like Semi, the pretty boy, or Reon, the sweetheart; I can't help but be fascinated by Ushijima's stoic charm. Okay, it's hardly charm, considering how blunt he is, but there's something about him. Maybe I just like the strong, silent type. Or maybe I think, deep down, there is a lot more hidden depth to him. Either way, whenever we sit in practise or at official games, I can never take my eyes off him. Not even for a second.
The worst bit of all is that I don't think he's even noticed my existence. The cheer squad are so insignificant to him, to someone with his level of excellence. We're mere annoyances in the background, not even worth his time or attention.
Some people call him rude. Others call him misunderstood. I'm torn between the two. He's certainly very coarse, yet there are some moments when I see just a glimpse of humanity from him. In the small smiles he only offers Tendou, the winces of pain when he's stretching after an invigorating match, how he bows to the water and ball boys who wait on his hand and foot.
It makes me like him even more.
***
After a particularly gruelling practise on Monday, none of the rest of the squad want to stop by to check on the boys. They all want to retreat back to the dorms and shower before bed, considering it's later than normal. Our practise always finishes forty minutes before the volleyball team's. Tonight though, it's only twenty minutes.
However, I'm restless and still energised. If I went back to my dorm, I know I'd be too distracted to study and too worked up to sleep. I need to burn off the remainder of my energy. So I say goodbye to the squad and head across the grass quad in the opposite direction to them.
The team are in the middle of an intense practise match so they don't even notice the door closing behind me. The harsh sound of the volleyball slapping against the wooden floor and grunts of exertion are all that is to be heard.
I creep up to the stands, dumping my bag at my feet and leaning against the railings. The air conditioning is on full blast up here, so I don't have to worry about my cheer uniform sticking to me with sweat too badly. Admittedly, I maybe should've changed into something less gross before coming here, but the idea gripped me so suddenly I didn't have chance to prepare.
As always, my eyes hone in on Ushijima immediately. He's part of the front rotation at the minute, right at the centre of the net. On the other side, directly opposite him, I can practically see Yunohama's knees quaking in fear. I bite back a laugh. Yunohama is terrified of Ushijima. I don't blame him. Anyone would shake beneath that fierce glare.
I'm just glad I'm not on the court.
It never fails to amaze me how violent and frenzied volleyball can become, especially with our school team. With Ushijima's brutal spikes, Tendou's constant taunts, Semi's unforgiving serves and Soekawa's amazing receives, there's no wonder they're the best team in the prefecture. Practically untouchable. I know they're not the best team in Japan yet, but this year I really think they have the potential to go to nationals and prove their worth.
I'm so lost in thought that I almost don't spot the ball whizzing towards me. Only when I hear the whistle of wind resistance do I come to attention, managing to duck out of the way just in time. With a squeal, I throw my hands over my head and fold myself in half. The ball hits the wall behind me with a loud thwack, reverberating the whole structure.
"Sorry, Y/N!" Reon shouts up. "I wasn't trying to hit you!"
Bending down, I pick the ball up and toss it back over the railings. Reon catches it effortlessly, smiling widely at me.
"That's what you get for daydreaming," he teases. All I can do is pout in response. I'm fully aware that Coach is glaring at me from the bench and I don't want to get accused of interrupting practise.
When my eyes slide back down onto the court, my heart leaps when I accidentally make eye contact with Ushijima. It's so brief, only lasting a few seconds before he tears his gaze away, but it's enough to dangerously increase my heart rate. I clench my trembling hands on the railing.
I'm not sure why I'm so shaken by this bare minimum contact. Maybe because I was so sure that he didn't know I exist, now I know for sure that he does. I wonder what he thought in the moment he was looking at me. Was he even thinking about me? Or was he simply annoyed that I'd almost been hit by the ball? It doesn't help that his expression is constantly deadpan. Nor did he smile. He just looked at me with the same cold indifference he does with everyone else.
I suppose I'll never know.
Ten minutes later, Coach calls off the game and announces practise is over. Of course Ushijima's team won the match, but even his opposing team mates don't look surprised by the verdict. Shirabu is bright red in the face and panting heavily, obviously having struggled to keep up with the team's current ace. I have to admit, his tenacity is to be admired.
"Y/N!" Semi calls. "Come help us clean up!"
Picking up my bag, I hurry down the steps and onto the court in a record of forty seconds. Skidding to a halt, I almost slip on the sweaty floor. Semi has to reach out and catch me before I fall face first. Looking up at him, I give him a shy smile. Even though I like Ushijima, I still get flustered around Semi. What can I say? He's hot.
"So, what did you think of the game?" He asks, joining me in my mission of picking up the discarded balls around the edge of the gymnasium. They must have used every single one from the storage closet, I realise in mild annoyance. Honestly, boys are so messy.
"So good!" I exclaim, hoisting a ball under each armpit. "Apart from almost getting decapitated."
"I already said I'm sorry!" Reon calls from the other side of the court, making me giggle.
"How come the rest of the squad didn't come?"
"They said they were tired and wanted to shower," I reply. Tendou is in charge of the ball cart, which means he's skating around the gym wildly with it, making it impossible to deposit any of them. Yunohama yells at him to stop but he takes no notice.
"At least you came," Semi remarks easily. My heart, ashamedly, skips a few beats at this statement.
He saunters off easily, leaving me rooted to the spot with my mouth open like a goldfish. Tendou breezes past, giggling to himself as he plucks the balls out of my grip.
"You're flustered," he informs me, leaning nonchalantly against the cart.
"No I'm not," I grumble, slapping my palms to my cheeks. I still in horror when I realise my skin is a lot warmer than usual. This, of course, causes Tendou to cackle wildly.
"Tendou!" A familiar deep voice calls out. Just hearing it turns my insides to mush. "Will you take the jerseys to the wash room?"
"I'm busy," the redhead whines.
"I'll do it!" I pipe up immediately. Before I can even think about what I'm doing, I hurry over to Ushijima and take the sweaty, blue jerseys out of his hands. Our skin brushes against each other, I manage to suppress my shiver.
"You shouldn't have to. After all, Tendou is part of the team-"
"I don't mind!" I say brightly, voice slightly strained with the effort of not letting it crack. "You guys are busy so I'll help."
He gives a short nod. "Thank you..." His voice trails off, olive eyes looking at me expectantly. I'm so lost in his stare for the second time tonight I almost don't snap out of my trance in time.
"L/N!" I respond quickly. "L/N, F/N!"
"Thank you, L/N," he says, before turning away to help take down the net.
I hurry away too, surprised at the speed I manage even though my legs feel like jelly. I can't believe he spoke to me! We brushed hands! I've never been so close to him in my life.
Okay, so it was a little embarrassing he didn't know my name, but he does now. The way he said it was enough to give me goosebumps.
Shutting myself in the wash room, I let out a long exhale as I lean against the door. Letting my head roll back and hit the wood, I close my eyes and breathe shallowly through my nose.
It's embarrassing how badly I've got it for him.