Two with one crown (UshiTen)

Caring (part 11)

"G'morning, Ushi-kun!"

Tendou stepped out of his door, locking it behind him.

"I didn't think you'd actually show up!"

Tendou laughed, skipping next to the olive-brown haired boy.

"I just figured since we walk home together, we might as well walk to school together too, ya know?"

Ushijima hummed in response.

"Your house if nice."

Ushijima pointed at the building, Tendou's expression dropping into a slightly annoyed one.

"Eh it's a dump but it'll do for now."

Ushijima looked at the red head with a slightly offended look, that luckily he didn't catch. How could he say that? It is a nice house. He has no idea how much he actually has.

"SATORI! OI!"

The red head stopped in his tracks, face turning red in a mix of embarrassment and anger.

"FUCK OFFF"

He turned around and yelled back, holding up his middle fingers to the woman peering out of his window.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING?"

The woman yelled back. She looked probably in her early twenty's with medium length red hair. Her hand stumbled on the windowsill causing her to readjust. She looked drunk. Or maybe high?

"SCHOOL YOU DRUNKARD! GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE!"

Tendou yelled back at her.

"Tendou!"

Ushijima said between his teeth, indicating for him to stop. If he was being honest, he didn't feel very comfortable in this situation. He never liked people yelling or using slurs like that, it always made him jumpy.

"Right, sorry."

The red head glared and turned around, continuing walking. Ushijima looked again back at the woman in the window who had a similar face as Tendou's current one, just with more... alcohol.

He quickly caught up with Tendou, wanting to get away from the uncomfortable energy.

"Who was that?"

Tendou glared at him.

"No one. Just a bitch."

Ushijima looked forward, confused. What was it? Was she no one or was she a bitch?

"Are you sure? She seemed like-"

"Just fucking let it go already, okay?! Geez!"

Tendou shouted at Ushijima, speeding up his walking. The taller boy slowed down, looking at Tendou as he walked away.

He seemed to be in such a good mood this morning, until that woman said something. Who was she? I mean, if she was able to make Tendou's mood completely drop from one hundred to zero in a matter of seconds, she must be someone important. Ushijima took note of the similarities in their appearances.

The rest of the day was a blur. They didn't have morning practice that day, so Ushijima had time to himself before school started. Usually this is time he enjoyed, but he couldn't seem to get his mind off of Tendou's bad mood. He wondered if he had upset him, or if the red head was mad at him. He really hoped not.

Classes were easy, lunch went by fast, all Ushijima could remember is that Tendou had been ignoring him all day. They didn't eat lunch together, which was unusual. In fact, Ushijima honestly had no idea where Tendou had gone all of lunch.

Soon enough the school day ended and both of the boys headed to the gym.

"Hey Tendou. Hey Ushijima. Go ahead and get dressed then line up."

Kondo greeted them.

"Yessir!"

The red head chirped, heading to the changing room. Ushijima nodded and followed.

"Hey, Ushi-kun. Sorry about my grouchy mood earlier."

Tendou said, pulling off his shirt, carful not to make eye contact.

"It's alright, I just want to make sure you're okay."

Tendou froze, his heart as well. Did he really care?
(Tendou's mind right now: HSHDJSGDJ WHAT IS THIS MAN???? DHJSGDJSG)

Ushijima put on his jersey and walked out of the room, the red head following soon after.

"Ah, Kumira. Let me help you with that."

Ushijima rushed over to the brown-black haired boy who was struggling with the volleyball net.

"Oh it's fine but thanks."

Kumira took his hands off of the net and let the taller boy take over.

"Are you alright?"

Ushijima questioned, pointing at a scratch on the other boy's arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just fell earlier."

Kumira said, covering it with his hand.

"Okay."

Ushijima finished with the net and walked over to the volleyball basket. Tendou found himself standing next to Semi and Kondo, watching that interaction play out.

"You know,"

Semi started.

"That kid has potential."

Kondo nodded and smiled.

"Yeah. I really think he would make a good captain."

Tendou then realized something. Ushijima does have potential to be a good captain because he cares about his teammates. And Tendou was his teammate.

And that's the only reason he cares.

(784 words)