Echoes of Tomorrow.

EIGHT

The hospital room felt suffocatingly sterile, but amidst the clinical atmosphere, Tendou and Ushijima found themselves immersed in a world of memories. They sat together, surrounded by old photos from their high school days, reminiscing about their journey together.

"Do you remember our first practice match?" Tendou asked with a faint smile, pointing to a photo where they stood side by side, young and eager.

Ushijima chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "You were so full of energy, Ushiwaka-san. I thought you were going to break the net with your spikes."

Tendou grinned, the memory bringing a glimmer of life to his tired eyes. "And you were like a rock at the net, blocking everything that came your way."

They flipped through more photos, each one telling a story of triumphs, defeats, and the unbreakable bond forged through countless hours of practice and games.

"Our tournament victory in our third year," Ushijima mused, pointing at a trophy proudly displayed in the corner of the room. "That was one of the best moments of my life."

Tendou nodded, his gaze lingering on the trophy. "We worked so hard for that," he said softly. "But it was worth every drop of sweat."

As they talked, the weight of the present seemed to momentarily lift. They laughed over inside jokes, teased each other about old rivalries, and shared the quiet comfort of knowing they had been there for each other through it all.

"You've always been my best friend, Ushijima," Tendou said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "Even now, in this moment."

Ushijima nodded, unable to find words to express the depth of his emotions. He had always been a man of few words, but with Tendou, words seemed inadequate. It was the shared memories, the unspoken understanding between them, that spoke volumes.

As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow into the room, they settled into a companionable silence, content to bask in the warmth of their shared past. For in those memories, they found strength—the strength to face whatever the future held, together.