bad influence [ushijima wakatoshi]

chapter 1

"kotone-chan isn't coming today." tendou says with a bemused smile as he watches his captain look around the gym, trying to look subtle.

joe words manage to still him for a moment before ushijima turns towards tendou again. "why? did she quit being our manager?"

"no, wakatoshi-kun. she's just sick."

"...and how do you know this? did she tell you? she texted you over me? i'm the captain, she's supposed to tell me first-"

"relax! i only heard it from goshiki-kun."

"and why does he know?"

"because his sister is her roommate?"

"...right. i'll go see her after practice."

•

ushijima manages to somehow convince coach washijo to finish practice early. before any of his teammates could ask him where he's going, he was already out of the gym.

he doesn't bother to change out of the shirt he wore for practice, ignoring the way the fabric clung to his body as he walks towards the girls' dorm.

he passed by the dorm supervisor as he walks in through the front entrance, the older woman now used to his regular visits.

"ah, she's sick today. no wonder he was in such a hurry. usually he'd stop by and ask if sakurai is in a good mood first." she mumbles to herself, popping her head out of her station to watch ushijima head towards the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.

•

kotone was seated by her window, leaning against the wooden window sill as she stares out into the courtyard of the school campus.

she lets out a small sigh, reaching for her phone before she's interrupted by a knock. she raises a brow at the door, looking at the clock. 'it's too early. it can't be him. then who...?'

she walks over to the door, opening it to find the giant staring down at her. "sakurai, you're sick."

"what? who told you that?"

"tendou. who heard it from goshiki. who heard it from his sister, your roommate."

"o-oh, i'm not actually sick, ushijima-kun."

he furrows his brows at her, setting his things down on the floor as he walks closer to her, silently inspecting her body. he noted that she was slightly bent forward, and also the obscene amount of mochi she kept on her desk. she only gets cravings when she's-

"you're on your period." he states bluntly, almost as if it was a fact.

kotone blinks, trying to process what he said before slowly nodding.

"are your cramps that bad? have you eaten anything?" he begins to bombard her with questions as usual, gently guiding her back towards her bed so she could sit down.

"i-i'm fine, ushijima-kun. the cramps aren't that bad anymore." he couldn't help the small wince she let out, instinctively bending forward right after her sentence.

"where's your heating pad?"

"i... accidentally threw it away." she admits sheepishly.

ushijima clicks his tongue. "you can borrow mine."

"you have it?"

"no, it's back in my dorm. i can go get it for you."

"ushijima-kun, that's on the other side of the campus."

"...so?"

"i don't want you to go that far for something so trivial."

"it's not trivial. you're in pain."

"i took some painkillers, ushijima-kun. i'm fine."

ushijima stays silent for a moment, looking at her she was still bent forward, wincing occasionally. as soon as he hears her hiss, he gently pushes her onto her back on the bed.

kotone immediately begins to blush deeply and stutter as ushijima climbs on top of her, her small hands feebly pushing at his chest. "wha- what're you doing?"

ushijima shushes her and pushes her hands away before leaning down to lay his head on her stomach, closing his eyes as he feels her warmth and softness against him.

kotone takes a moment longer to relax, her arms stiffly hovering above his head before she reluctantly rests them on top of him, absentmindedly playing with his olive-colored hair as she slowly begins to drift off to sleep.

•

"oh, come on. not again." kotone's roommate, mei, walks into a familiar sight.

she playfully rolls her eyes at the sight of the volleyball team captain and his manager together. she takes her phone out and snaps a quick picture, sending it to tendou before she silently gets out of the room, deciding to leave the two alone. at least until curfew anyway.

"just confess already, you idiots."

•

ushijima awakens at the sound of the familiar chime of his phone alarm. he quickly turns it off before the girl wakes up.

he sighs softly, pocketing his phone as he sits up and stretches his stiff limbs, hearing his joints pop after sleeping in such an uncomfortable position for so long.

he looks at kotone for a moment, settling back down into his seat, wanting to watch her for a moment longer.

her hair was now slightly tousled and her plump lips parted as she let out soft breaths. he reaches forward and brushes a stray strand of her hair away from her face.

his hand doesn't move away from her face, the tips of his fingers tracing the contours of her beautiful, delicate features. he brushes his thumb against her bottom lip, frowning as he realizes that she's been chewing it again.

his gaze flickers up for a moment, taking note of how her long lashes rested against her cheek, how were brows were still slightly furrowed.

he pulled back and covered her body with the blanket, suppressing the sudden urge to lay down next to her and hold her throughout the night.

he subconsciously leans closer towards her, his lips now hovering only an inch away from hers. he could feel her soft breath hit his lips, wanting to press his lips against hers.

he quickly pulled away as soon as he felt his cupid's bow brush against hers, his eyes widening as he realizes what he almost did. 'does that count as a kiss?'

he shakes his head and gets up from the makeshift chair and gathers his bag from the floor, taking one last look at his manager before he leaves.