take a chance with me | ushijima wakatoshi

chapter fourteen - HEATHER

After club activity, men's volleyball gym. 8:03 pm.

Ushijima's POV

"Sana, can you try tossing a little higher?" I asked her while walking towards her to check on her. She seemed a little distracted tonight.

"Higher? Yeah,  sure, I'll try." she panted after replying to my request. Was our practice getting too hard on her?

"Hey, we can stop whenever you're tired. Don't hold out just because of me." I told her in assurance while looking at her. 

"Nothing, it's just that umm, Tsutomu-san, he kind of asked me to hang out tonight, as friends of course, nothing more really. I wanted to ask if you would be okay with it?" she blurted out her thoughts in one breath. That must have been what was bothering the whole day.

"Why wouldn't I be okay with it? Because he obviously fancies you?" I asked her in return. Should I have told her that last part though?

"Yeah, that. He seemed to have mix feelings for me though after I told him I've been helping you with your spikes. He genuinely adores and looks up to you." she said. "He's your successor after you graduated right? You should teach him a thing or two when he becomes captain of your team in the future."

I looked at her carefully while processing what she said from her mind. I have never denied Goshiki as the next ace for the team after I'm gone. Maybe I should try to get along with Goshiki like she suggested. I wanted to make sure he will work harder than ever to live up to our powerhouse school's name.

"Hmmm, you're right. I'll talk to him tomorrow. I'll make sure he works two times, no, three times, ten times harder than me."

"Yes, please do! So you don't mind me hanging out with him tonight?"

"I don't mind, just... don't do anything weird." I joked but in a serious voice.

"You won't be jealous then?" she teased me, tiptoeing on her feet to reach out for my cheeks. 

Her hand trailed over my jaw and lastly on my chin, caressing it. I was a little tensed at first but then melted right into her soft touch. We held eye contact for a few seconds before leaning in closer. As our faces were getting closer, she moved away and gave a quick peck on my left cheek, wiggled her way out of my arms and ran away.

"Not yet, Waka-chan! Ahahhahaaha!" she snorted and let out the biggest laugh I've ever heard from her. 

Her laugh echoed throughout the gym, turning it into a melody I won't ever forget. If my life ever turned into a movie, her laugh would be an original soundtrack, winning Academy Awards for it.

"No worries, I can wait forever for your kiss, doll face!" I exclaimed and smiled while trying to chase after her.

"Is that a new nickname? I like it, Waka-chan!" she stopped running , turning her back on me while I already caught up to her.

"Don't call me Waka-chan... in public. Just when there's only two of us." I looked at her, feeling my cheeks turning hot pink.

"You're so cute like this." she giggled and placed both of her arms on my chest, looking up at me.

My gaze softened at the sight and I placed my hand on hers, the other tucking her loose curtain bangs behind her ear. 

"Your heart's beating too fast. Are you okay?" she tilted her head and reached her hand to my forehead.

"Never been better, doll." I pulled her into my arms and placed my chin on her head, feeling her breath in my chest.

"This feels nice." she cooed happily as she snuggled in my chest more.