Colours of the Snow | Yuki Ishikawa

3

2020. September 5

It's been about a month since I arrived in Italy, and I've been here in Milan with the team for two weeks now. They have already started practicing for the upcoming matches in the next two weeks.

As for me, I've settled into my daily routine. I wake up at 6 AM, get ready for work, join the team for practice in the morning, have lunch, attend staff coordination meetings or do my tasks, take Italian lessons for an hour by 5 or 6 PM, and then have some free time. Whenever I run out of supplies, I go grocery shopping. Usually, I'm not a fan of routines as they get monotonous quickly, but being here feels different. The people are friendly, and Italians value close relationships and camaraderie. It's fun to be around them, even though we still have to follow personal distancing rules.

As an assistant team manager, I assist Mr. Luigi with scheduling practices, including self-practices, keeping track of the team's expenses, managing contracts, applying for permits, and handling all the necessary tasks for the players to enter the venue and perform their plays with no hassle. I'm used to handling these responsibilities, so adjusting to the new setting wasn't too difficult.

On the other hand, Yuki and I have only had a little interaction this past week because he's been focused on team practices since he's new to the team. Their first game of the season, the Italian Cup on the 14th, is quickly approaching. He's still adapting to the team's playing style, but he's doing great. I mostly talk to him to coordinate his schedules because we're trying to keep them away from the crowds as much as possible. We have different schedules, so we're busy with our tasks. I usually head to the gym earlier than Yuki to make sure everything is prepared before the players arrive. But Yuki has also been taking care of me despite being new to the team.

There have been moments when we went home together, such as when he stayed at the gym late or accompanied me early if he wanted to do extra stretching. He consistently asks if I need any help every day. He's very thoughtful.

Today is Saturday, and I don't have much work. It's also a day off for the players. But it's September 5, and we're celebrating the birthdays of Urnaut and Mosca, so there's a team dinner planned. The staff already booked the venue and took care of all the preparations, so I have some free time from the morning until the early afternoon. I've planned to go grocery shopping as part of my weekly errands.

As I was heading out of the complex, I ran into Yuki.

"Ciao, Yuki. Are you going somewhere?" I asked.

"Ciao, Eri. I will grab some groceries. How about you?" he replied.

"Same! Want to go together?" I invited.

"Sure, I don't mind," he answered, smiling.

We made our way to the grocery store near the plaza. I couldn't help but appreciate the beautiful Italian architecture and the lovely surroundings. It's still hard to believe that I'm actually living here now.

As we walked, we had a nice chat. Yuki usually doesn't talk much and seems shy, but today he was really chatty. Even though our walk only lasted about 20 minutes, we talked a lot. This was the most we had ever spoken since we finished our quarantine.

I couldn't help but notice how Yuki looked intently whenever he listened, and I felt like melting.

We talked about many things, like what we enjoy doing. I was surprised that Yuki was so impressed when I mentioned I play the piano.

"Wow, you play piano," he said with his eyes wide open.

"Yes, I've started playing since I was 7. You love volleyball just like that," I told him, smiling.