take a chance with me | ushijima wakatoshi

chapter sixteen - practice

Volleyball practice at Shiratorizawa's Volleyball Gymnasium

Girls' Volleyball Gymnasium

Sana's POV

"Kimura-san!" I tossed the ball to the third year middle blocker and scored the last point for our team, winning us the set.

"Another set is ours! Yahooo!" Kobayashi, the short libero jumped and clapped to celebrate.

"Great work, everyone! Everyone's plays seemed to have improved! Let's have a meeting in 10 minutes after everyone cools down, okay?" the coach blew a whistle and told all the club members to end the practice.

"What do you think cafeteria's serving today? Hopefully something spicy because I've been craving spicy food today." Kobayashi was already thinking of dinner while laying down on the floor to cool down.

"I'm not sure but I hope for spicy food too. Like extremely spicy curry with omelette? Katsu chicken would be amazing too!" I was also starving now, imagining what was for dinner tonight.

"You guys are already thinking about dinner? I was about to ask you two if you want to help me practice a bit more after this." Nishimura, another classmate voiced out, suggesting extra practice.

"How much more practice do you need? The coach already wore us out for today!" Kobayashi said to Nishimura, looking shocked that Nishimura who usually is a laid back person suddenly wanted to do extra practice.

"I mean, you two are geniuses already! Unlike me! By the way, I thought you were doing extra practice with the boys' captain, how was it, Yoshida?" Nishimura then turned to me.

"Yeah, it was a little difficult at first because his stamina is a lot bigger than mine but I got used to it by now. I'm in luck that I'm ambidextrous although it was still hard to adjust to his spike." Oh my god, no one likes anyone who rambles like that, they must think I'm weird now.

"That's the top 3 ace of Japan for you! He's also on the national team! He actually has played against other national teams, it's no wonder his stamina's unlimited!" Nishimura excitedly replied. "I wish I was as fit and tall like him! The power too! He already towers everyone in school. Have you ever asked him what's that like?"

"I'll ask him after this for you!" I laughed at her non-stop enthusiastic questions.

"You know my older sister once said that the best guy he ever dated was a student athlete with a big stamina too and it was the best! But when I asked her what was 'best' about it, she said I'll find out after I get a boyfriend. What do you think it is?"

Kobayashi sat up, turning to me and Nishimura, waiting for an answer. I was also confused by the statement until Nishimura playfully raised her eyebrows and started laughing out loud.

"I guess you'll just have to wait for Yoshida on her testimony about 'that'."

"Nishimura, that's inappropriate." I hit her hand playfully.

"What are you guys talking about? I don't get it?" Kobayashi whined about being left out and not understanding the joke.

"You'll get it when you grow up, no worries, shorty." Nishimura laughed more while holding her stomach, running away.

"Hey, I'm not that short! I'm the average height for a Japanese woman!" Kobayashi then got up to chase after Nishimura.

I shook my head, laughing while looking at them chasing after each other. They're quite entertaining to hang with, for sure.

Meanwhile in the Boy's Volleyball Gym

Semi's POV, his thoughts

Goshiki seemed unusually quiet ever since during lunch. Did something happen? Maybe his relative passed away? Did he fail a quiz? Did he finally notice his horrible haircut?

Wakatoshi seemed to be weirdly a little harsher on that boy too. Is this about a girl? But Wakatoshi would never be petty over trivial matters considering he's already dating that Yoshi-chan girl. Welp, it's 'courting' but whatever.

"Ushijima, you good?" I tried not to poke him too much by asking a simple question first.

"Yes."

'Damn, that's a short reply.'

"Tsutomu, your form is too obvious. The opponent, even the audience will know you're doing a straight shot." Wakatoshi said with a serious, terrifying tone that sent a chill to the spine.

"Oh, okay. I'll do it again, Ushijima-san!" Tsutomu replied, he looked like he was about to cry.

"Ushijima, you're being a little too hard on that boy. Chill a bit." I carefully chose my words.

He never yelled at anyone even as a captain but everyone is still intimidated by him either way. He always had been an honest guy but sometimes he spoke a little too much of a truth that the other person's feelings ended up getting hurt.

I was about to say something again to Ushijima until the whistle blew by our coach indicating the end of practice.

"Pssstt, Tendo... What's up with Ushijima?"

"Don't worry about it. He's just training Goshiki to be the team's ace next year! He needs to be prepared properly of course!" Tendo then winked at me after saying that.

'The hell is wrong with him? Maybe I should just leave it be. It's none of my business anyway but I was still worried about those two.'

Tendo's POV

"Wakatoshi, you good?"

"You're the second person who asked me this. The answer is yes." Wakatoshi was now starting to feel maybe, just maybe slightly annoyed at me. I'm blaming Semi for this.

"Just checking up on you, that's what friends do, you know?" I made an attempt to release the tension but it was obviously not working.

"What's up with you and Goshiki today? You were kinda being too hard on him. You're finally taking him seriously as your legacy or is it something else?" I pressed again, well he was already tense from the start, it's better to get to the point now.

"I am training him, why?" Wakatoshi answered, short and sweet. "Yoshida's injury, it was because of him." he continued on.

"Wait, what? She told you that?" I was surprised that a softie like Goshiki would do anything to hurt Yoshi-chan since he obviously has a big fat crush on her.

"It was a misunderstanding. He didn't mean to but he still hurt her." he said calmly but he looked like he was about to explode any minute.

The club meeting was finally over and Wakatoshi then immediately walked towards the first years, specifically towards the boy with the fantastic bangs.

"Goshiki, I need to talk to you for a bit."

"Alright, Ushijima-san."

The two of them walked outside of the gym and stood at a corner.

'Let's hope he goes easy on that Goshiki.'