STONE HEARTS ❨ ushijima wakatoshi ❩

「 SIXTEEN 」

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

At exactly 5:30 am, Hara started jogging towards Shiratorizawa for additional training. It was Saturday, and they scheduled a training for the whole day. Sunday afternoon will be their rest day, so the captain was really looking forward to training today with the team. They only had a couple of days left before the official start of the match, turning her both excited and anxious for what's to come.

She passed by a few houses and a few other establishments on her way, each of them gaining her attention. Early morning jogs were like fuel to her, the girl takes it as an opportunity to observe and take in everything that surrounded her. Such short moments during her day make her feel more energized and relaxed at the same time. She didn't have time to make friends and enjoy life as much when she was too focused on improving her performance in volleyball, so she makes up for it by jogging and observing everything around her.

"I wonder if someone's coming as early as me," Hara wondered to herself, sighing and panting when she was finally in front of the school gates.

"Good morning, senior!" greeted someone beside her, so she turned her head to see Goshiki Tsutomu smiling at her brightly. He was like the morning sunshine, and she adored his enthusiasm for the day.

"Oh, Tsutomu. You're here early. Is your team already inside?" She asked, but Tsutomu shook his head as an answer. So he was the first one?

"No, actually, I intended to come early so I could have more time training by myself. Why are you already here? Are your team members already here?" Tsutomu replied, but she also shook her head.

"I also came early for extra training by myself," said the female captain, so the first year nodded slowly in understanding.

Looking around, their own members still weren't entering the gates nor were present. The girl tapped her shoe against the floor, waiting for at least Sai to finally appear, but it seemed like no one wanted to come to practice an hour earlier than they should. Not that they were obligated to, she was simply hoping that at least one of them could join her.

"Senior, do you want a drink?" Tsutomu asked, taking a carton of milk from the bag he brought with him.

Seeing the drink being held out to her, she couldn't deny. She loved drinking milk, it was obvious. She would always buy and drink one whenever he'd see her around. How could she deny, especially if a cute kouhai was the one offering it? She adored him like a little brother, and she thought that maybe being close to him would be alright.

"Thanks!" Hara said, accepting the drink from the first year. "We should get inside."

"Yes,"

As the two were heading inside and the first year was happily telling her a story, Tendou and Ushijima finally appeared a few meters behind them. Even at such an early hour, Tendou didn't let it pass. A sly grin plastered across his face, he turned to face Ushijima Wakatoshi who was staying silent.

"Look at Tsutomu walking beside Hara and talking to her as if they're so close. She's even smiling slightly, look," Tendou teased, but Ushijima wasn't listening. "Are you sure you don't like her?"

His eyes were already glued on the two, as if trying to calculate what type of relationship they had with each other. He didn't know if he was alright with Tsutomu being so close to Hara, but he also under that he did not have any right to tell her who to hang out and not to hang out with. He would be alright for him to hang around with her as long as he wanted, but that was if he didn't find out that he had a little crush on the girls' captain. Tsutomu had always admired Hara, and it was only natural for him to develop a crush on her even if he was just a first year and she was in her third.

Feeling someone's eyes on them, Hara turned around and saw Ushijima walking with Tendou. When she saw the captain, however, she was too flustered after remembering what happened the night before.

"I ran into Oikawa. He said he's been waiting for your replies," Ushijima said, as he was walking the girl home.

"He's spamming me with messages lately, saying that I had to go out with him if they win their match." She explained, slightly scrunching up her nose.

Ushijima found it cute, looking away slightly before nervously placing a hand around her shoulders. Feeling his arm, Hara could tell that she was blushing intensely. Her heart was beating louder than it ever did before, but she tried to ignore it.

She wasn't sure if it was right, falling for Ushijima Wakatoshi. Although they already made up, she didn't know if it was right crushing on her friend who obviously and absolutely meant a lot more to her.

"I'll make sure I'll be more ruthless against Seijoh, then," Ushijima said, looking into the distance.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want you to go on a date with him."

"Why?"

"Don't ask."

"Tsutomu, I think I have to go check if Sai's already in the gym. Maybe she arrived earlier than I did," Hara lied, trying to avoid seeing Ushijima. "I remember asking her for a favor."

She wasn't ready to deal with a tightening and fast beating heart at the moment. She didn't know how she could keep her feelings in, especially after what Ushijima said that night.

Does he like me, too, or is he just playing around with my feelings this time?, Hara thought, sighing heavily. Or worse, does he not realize that such words could lead to misunderstandings?

"Okay, good luck on training, senior!"

"You, too!"

Running off to the gym that the girls used, Hara tried to calm herself down. She didn't want to think of things such as asking herself if he liked her back, but she just couldn't help it. Ushijima Wakatoshi was a straightforward guy, but he wasn't being clear with her. She wanted to ask him about his feelings, but she didn't have the guts to do so. Besides, she'd have to confess if she'd ask him about it. Additionally, he probably only liked her as a friend and nothing more.

As Tendou and Ushijima finally caught up to a spacing out Goshiki Tsutomu, Tendou spoke.

"Why did she run off? Hm, Ushijima must have done something last night when he walked her home," Tendou asked, his eyes amused, his hand scratching his chin.

"Ushijima, you walked her home?" Tsutomu asked, and the captain nodded. After seeing Shirabu finally arriving, however, Tsutomu ran off as well to god-knows-where.

"Is putting an arm around her shoulders that offensive?"

"You did... what? Hey, is our Ushijima finally making a move on Watahara?"

"Why would I make a move on her?"

"Because you like her,"

"How do I know I like her?"

"Seriously? You're asking me that?"