Try Your Hardest | Ushijima Wakatoshi

Year 3: Part 7

Warning: Assault

———

Valentine's Day.

For students who were in their third and final year, this annual holiday was a bit more eventful than the others. It was the final chance for some to confess their undying love before going their separate ways. For others, it was an opportunity to have a bit of fun in their final months.

As unfortunate as her final year was, Uta never lost the gratitude she had for those in her life that cared for her. In fact, she appreciated them far more this year. To her, Valentine's Day was also a day to show her love to all her friends.

Every year, she bought assorted chocolate boxes imported from Switzerland and gave them to her friends, but she wanted to do something a bit more special for someone who was far more special than anyone else.

So naturally, she stayed up all night going through different chocolate recipes until she perfected her own. Unfortunately, the sun had come out by the time she did.

Uta's fatigue was no match for her excitement, though. She packed all the purchased chocolates and placed the nicely wrapped homemade batch on top, smiling in satisfaction.

"Good job!" she shouted in English, "you may have outdone yourself this time Uta."

———

"Wakatoshi-kuuun!!" Tendou threw open the door to their dorm. "Happy Valentine's Day!! Is this where you finally profess your love to Uta-chan?"

Ushijima, who was biting a piece of bread with jam went into a coughing fit then glared at his red-haired companion.

"Hehe, sorry."

It had been more than a month since Uta and him had shared that kiss. They didn't have to exchange questions or words to know what that meant for their relationship, however, they decided it might be best to not tell most people.

Tendou was one of those people.

Eri was told shortly after, Shouta was also told and he called them "mom" and "dad" as a joke, but they found it endearing. Ushijima was hesitant to tell any of the volleyball members because he knew they would make lots of jokes about it. So, the verdict was simply not to tell them until they all graduated.

It wasn't so hard to avoid them. They acted as if nothing were different during school and everyone already knew Ushijima walked her home, but things were different when it was only the two of them. They had gone on a few dates as an actual couple since New Years.

"Did you at least buy her something this year? I think she was a bit sad you didn't last year."

"I did," he answered. Though, he had no idea Uta was sad about such a thing. He doesn't even know when or where her feelings for him had started.

"Can I see?" he crouched down next to Ushijima who was sitting on the chair at his desk.

"No."

Tendou then threw himself on Ushijima's bunk and yelled into a pillow, "when are you going to make any progress?! You two are soul mates can't you see it!?"

Wakatoshi felt a bit bad for not telling his best friend because he had been anticipating this for a very long time now, but he was trying to save his and Uta's sanity. After graduation would be a much easier time to tell them.

Just then, the bell for their school day to start had rung. Before Satori could beg any further for the stoic to answer any questions, he stood up and grabbed all his belongings to rush out the door. Tendou, who still had all his work on his desk, was left yelling at Ushijima to wait for him at the entrance of the dorms.