10: Unspoken Words

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The gymnasium was alive with the sounds of sneakers squeaking on the polished floor and the thud of volleyball against flesh. But amidst the chaos of the practice game, my mind wandered, thoughts of [Reader] refusing to be silenced.

"Suna! What the hell, man? Ye'r completely out of it today!" Atsumu's voice cut through the air, dripping with frustration as he glared at me from across the court.

I bristled at the accusation, knowing he was right but unwilling to admit it. "I'm fine, Atsumu. Just focus on the game," I shot back, my tone defensive.

But Atsumu wasn't one to let things slide. With a scowl, he stalked over to me, his eyes blazing with intensity. "You think this is a joke, Suna? We're a team, and we need you to be on your A-game if you can't do that then sit this one out," he growled, his words laced with irritation.

Before the tension could escalate further, our captain, Shinsuke Kita, stepped in, his calm presence diffusing the brewing storm. "Enough," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "We're here to practice, not bicker. Save it for the match." Feeling the weight of Kita's reprimand, the tension in the gym eased slightly as Atsumu and I exchanged uneasy glances. My mind was still clouded with thoughts of [Reader], but I knew I needed to refocus on the game at hand. With a sense of determination, I shook off my distractions and honed in on the volleyball match.

I gritted my teeth, swallowing my pride as I nodded in acknowledgment. Kita's words were a sobering reminder of the importance of unity within the team. Together, Atsumu and I went back to the game. Under Kita's watchful eye, we set aside our differences and focused on our teamwork to make the practice game a success.

After the game, the tension lingered between Atsumu and me, simmering just beneath the surface. It wasn't until I sat down to eat with the Miya twins that the atmosphere began to thaw.

"So, Suna," Osamu began, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What was up with you today? You were practically sleepwalking out there."

I rolled my eyes, knowing better than to take his teasing to heart. "Just had a lot on my mind," I replied evasively, hoping to steer the conversation away from the practice game.

But Atsumu wasn't so easily deterred. "Come on, spill it, Suna. We're all teammates here," he pressed, his tone more curious than confrontational. With a sigh, I relented, sharing the events of the day with my teammates, including my conflicted feelings about [Reader]. To my surprise, they listened attentively, offering words of advice and encouragement.


The cool autumn air enveloped me as I made my way home, the events of the day swirling around in my mind like a tempest. Despite the comforting chatter of my teammates, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease that lingered within me.

As I settled into the solitude of my room, I found myself restless, unable to find solace in the familiar surroundings. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air, a silent reminder of the unresolved emotions that tugged at my heartstrings.

I couldn't deny it any longer. I liked her. It wasn't just about the way her laughter sounded like a summer breeze or how her eyes sparkled with mischief. It was the way she had become a constant in my life, a presence that I now craved. She had a way of making everything feel right, even when the world seemed askew. It wasn't love—at least, not yet—but it was something real, something undeniable. I couldn't keep running from it.

With a sudden impulse, I rose from my bed, my feet carrying me with a sense of urgency that I couldn't ignore. Before I knew it, I found myself standing on [Reader]'s street, the cool night air sending shivers down my spine. The anticipation of finally vocalizing my feelings for her pulsed through my veins, pushing aside any lingering doubts. Each step closer to her house felt both daunting and exhilarating.

With trembling hands, I reached for my phone, the familiar weight grounding me in the midst of uncertainty. With a deep breath, I dialed her number, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for her to pick up.

"Hello?" Her voice was a balm to my soul, washing over me like a wave crashing against the shore.

"[Reader], it's me," I began, my voice betraying the conflicting emotions that churned within me. "I know it's late, but... I needed to see you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the silence stretching between us like an invisible thread. And then, with a soft sigh, she replied, "I'll be right down."

As I waited for her to appear, my mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one vying for dominance in the cacophony of my mind. I couldn't name what I was feeling, couldn't put into words the emotions that threatened to consume me whole.

And then, there she was, standing before me in all her glory, her presence like a beacon of light in the darkness. Despite the chill in the air, her smile warmed me to the core, melting away the walls that I had built around my heart.

"Hey," she said softly, her voice a whisper on the wind. "What's going on?"

I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of confidence. This was it. I had to tell her

"Would you be my girlfriend?" I asked, my voice steady and confident, masking the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me.

She blinked, clearly taken aback. "What?"

I stepped closer, my eyes locking onto hers. "I want us to be together," I said, my words unwavering. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

The admission hung in the air between us, a fragile thread that connected us in ways that I couldn't begin to comprehend. And as I looked into her eyes, I knew that no matter what the future held, I was exactly where I was meant to be.



Hey there! Thanks a bunch for checking out my story! I'm really excited to say that I'm almost finished with it. I started writing this back in 2020 and recently got back into the swing of things. From now on, I'll be posting new chapters regularly. I hope you enjoy them! Feel free to drop any comments or thoughts you have—I'd love to hear from you!

- Aia

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