UshiKawa : The Most Unexpected Duo

Four

Ushijima's POV.

Tendo slowly pushed on the break with his foot as we stopped at a red light. I seen something flash green out of my peripheral vision, but it was just the walk light. I seen a guy run across the street from my right.

It's like time froze. His Aoba Johsai volleyball coat was on full display due to the sunset. His mop of brown hair bounced as he jogged in front of us.

"Hey...wasn't that Seijoh's Former Captain?" Tendo asked, pointing to him as he put his hands on his knees, huffing slightly. He stood back up, opening the store door in front of him.

"Yeah," I replied as Tendo stepped on the gas when the light in front of us turned green. We continued along the road in silence.

"I wonder what the hell he was doing. He looked like he was in a hurry," Tendo commented, turning his turn signal on before turning right. He then turned it off. "Should we go see if he needs help?"

"No," I said. I seen him throw me a quick glance. "Even if we offered, I doubt his pride and hatred towards us would allow him to accept."

"I guess you're right," he sighed, stopping at another red light. "I hope he doesn't get ran over at least."

"He's not that stupid," I defended in a non-bias tone. Tendo laughed at that.

"Hopefully," he added, making the car move again.

¤  ¤  ¤  ¤  ¤  ¤

"Ushiwaka!" Goshiki yelled when Tendo and I stepped into the gym. I gave him a curt nod as he ran towards me. "You made it," he breathed when he stopped in front of me.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"That's awesome!" Semi announced. "Then we can officially begin the reunion!"

"Want some water?" Tendo offered.

"Uh, sure." He took off towards the refreshment table, and I walked with him, making small talk with Goshiki.

"How have you been?" he asked.

"All right," I replied. "You?"

"I'm doing great! You know, college is harder than I thought it was. It's similar to high school, but at the same time it feels foreign."

Goshiki went on and on about how life as a college student has been so far. He also included how much work has been piled on him all at once, but he is keeping up with it a little better than most of his other classmates. He said college is different, and he's still enjoying his freedom when he can.

"That sounds fantastic, Goshiki," Tendo cooed. I know he missed having our underclassmen around since we graduated. He's only told me a thousand times.

"I'm still doing volleyball, too!" he told his upperclassman.

"That's great. Stick to it. Become the Ace once more!" A fire lit up and burned determinedly in his eyes.

"I will," he reassured.

"Oh yeah? Good luck," I said. We stopped at the refreshment bar lined with food, light snacks, and drinks. What a week. I'm going to be exhausted when Monday rolls around. But for now, I'll enjoy my own freedom.

¤  ¤  ¤  ¤  ¤  ¤

By the time midnight rolled around, we had decided to spend the night in the gym-since it was break for the school. We ended up playing cards and Shoji for the majority of the time. Currently, we were playing spin the bottle truth or dare. Semi spun the bottle, and it landed on Goshiki.

"Goshiki, truth or dare?" Semi questioned.

"Dare," Goshiki answered.

"I dare you to spill the beans, and tell us who you like."

"Whaaaa-?" he cried. "No, no, no, no, no. Please pick anything but that!"

"Nope, so spill," he chuckled. I looked between the two. He mumbled something so quietly under his breath that no one heard him. Not even me, and I was sitting right beside him. "What was that?" Semi teased.

"I like-" Goshiki swallowed and cleared his throat when his voice cut off. "I like Shirabu..." Both boys blushed heavily.

"I KNEW IT! I SO CALLED IT!" Semi shouted. He stretched his arm out as our former libero groaned in annoyance. He put 520 yen in Semi's hand, and Semi retracted his hand.

"You guys bet?" Goshiki exclaimed. "What the actual hell is wrong with you two?"

"Yamagata said it was Ushiwaka, and I said it was Shirabu. I, of course, won. As you can see." He waved the 520 yen in front of him before shoving it into his pocket for safe keeping.

"You guys are messed up," Goshiki huffed in annoyance.

"And I thought I was the messed up one," Tendo scoffed, unamused, which was rare for him.

"Oh, come on. It was a harmless bet," Semi said. "No one was hurt."

"That's someone's love interest you're betting on," Shirabu sneered, rubbing Goshiki's back to cool him down. "So no: it's not harmless. It's someone's feelings you're betting on."

"Okay, okay. We get it," Semi grumbled. "No more love life bets."

"Good," I cut in, ending the conversation.