CH 19 — Visit

2nd POV

A week later

"Hey, dad."

You smiled fondly in front of the gravestone that had your father's name on it.

"It's been a while," You sighed before playing with a petal from one of the flowers in the bouquet you're holding, "I've got good news."

"I'm not alone anymore!" You weakly cheered with your arms raised before slowly dropping them to your side.

A giggle escaped from your lips, "I've met amazing people here. I wish you were here to see them."

"Mama has been keeping strong, so am I," You inhaled sharply to stop the tears from falling, "Every week or some other day, your passengers have been visiting you. They were really happy and indebted that you saved them. All of them are wearing continuous smiles, thanks to you."

You bit your lip as your vision starts to get blurry.

"I miss you a lot," You finally sobbed, "Even though my life has improved – I can't help but feel mad at you for not being here and witnessing my efforts."

Sobs filled the open area.

"I'm sorry... I'm not mad at you," You tried regulating your breathing, "I know for a fact that you're watching over me, still."

You smiled, ".. Hey, dad. I met amazing people from a club."

"Especially someone... You were right," You sniffled, "I did find someone."

"He takes care of us. He takes care of me, cooks for me, treats me normally, eats a lot like me," You weakly laughed, "He brings sparks in my life that I didn't know I was capable of feeling."

"His name is Miya Osamu. He's my schoolmate and a member I manage in our club," You sighed, "He's.... honestly the best, dad."

"I'm not sure whether he likes me back or not, but all I know that somehow... my sense of fear wavers whenever I'm with him," You smiled and smelled the flowers, "..He's become my safe space."

"I don't know what I'll do if I lose him."

"For the first time in my life, liking someone feels like savoring my favorite foods," You giggled at your words.

You frowned again, head becoming cloudy.

"I miss you, dad."

The skies were a bright blue as the wind gusts chilly air. You huffed and brushed your skirt before placing down the flowers in front of his gravestone.

You were about to leave and head to school when someone tall walked in front of your father's grave and bowed.

He was as tall as the other members in the club. His hair was a dark olive-brown, matching his stern eyes. The man was wearing a white tracksuit with purple details, holding a bouquet of flower as well.

As if noticing you staring, he turned to you. He nodded, "Good morning. I am Ushijima Wakatoshi."

Ushijima eyed the bouquet of flowers he was holding and placed it next to yours, "My father and I were in the train that malfunctioned, on the way back home."

"He saved us," He added, a small smile on his lips, "Are you one of the people that he saved as well?"

In a way, yes..

You were about to respond when your phone started ringing loudly.

"Sorry, I have to go," You sheepishly smiled at him as he nodded, "Nice to meet you, Ushijima-san. See you around!"

With that, you hurried to the bus and went to school with one thing in mind.

My dad is the best.

•

"Y/n, what took you so long?" Kita asked before handing you the clipboard.

You smiled in embarrassment, "Sorry, Shin. I visited dad."

His face softened before nodding, pulling you in a quick hug by his side, "I see. Gather with the others, Shiratorizawa's coming in a few minutes now."

You nodded as you jogged to the twins and Suna who were sitting on the floor among the others. Osamu scooted over to let you sit beside him.

"Hey, you good?" Osamu asked as he stared.

A smile took over your lips, stomach churning at the bare minimum of concern he displayed, "Yeah, I'm alright. What about you?"

"I'm hungry," He scrunched his nose playfully before the both you quietly laughed.

Atsumu and Suna rolled their eyes, trying not to pay mind.

"Lame," Atsumu gagged.

Suna raised a brow when Osamu just ignored him. It was something new.

The next following days that occurred during the festival was fun. The club kept visiting especially Osamu who was entranced by the cooking (thanks to your recipes) and your customer (fan) service as well. Suna, on the other hand, was so stressed at the hurdles of girls that purposely visited the room for him and the twins. They gawked like 'baffled swines', word of Atsumu.

Moreover, your mother couldn't stop interrogating you about the boy you like. She was so bubbly during conversations that it was almost difficult for you to keep up.

"Let's discuss strategies and rotation we will play out," Kita announced before they got into it.

Half an hour has passed as they went over the details of the practice match against Shiratorizawa. Kita has informed you about it already, but you didn't have any idea what the school was nor who the students from there are. You only knew that they are a powerhouse from the Miyagi Prefecture, which is mildly far from Hyogo.

As expected, Shiratorizawa arrived.

They went inside the court with seemingly a powerful aura that made the girls squeal from the bleachers. Right, some of them entered to watch albeit being against the team's comfort. But none of them are immature enough to tell them to kindly get out since it isn't exactly against the rules that other students can watch.

You tilted your head when someone familiar entered, eyes widening at the realization.

So that's the school he goes to.

"Y/n, the chairs. I'll help you," Kita ordered.

You shook your head, "No, no. It's alright! I got it."

He hesitantly nodded before greeting the other team along with the coaches and other members. You hummed as you opened the storage area to grab some stacked chairs.

"Yoi, yoshi," You muttered as you carried them to Shiratorizawa's side. Jumping with a small shriek when someone tall with red hair and wide eyes approached you with a grin.

"Hello! Are you their manager?" He gleefully asked before batting his eyes, anticipating you to reply.

You nodded nervously, "Ah, yes! I'm their manager. You must be from Shiratorizawa?"

He nodded fast before stretching out his hand that had tapes around his fingers, "I'm Satori Tendo! I'm a middle blocker. Say, say, what's your name? Hey, why are you so strong? Gasp – these are so heavy! How did you manage to carry them? Hey, tell your secret!"

Tendo giggled after he rambled, attempting to carry the stacked chairs you placed down earlier while struggling. He was a bundle of joy – he reminded you of your little brother.

You giggled, "Hello, Tendo. I'm Sukii Notabe. Um, strong, you say? Genetics? Hmm, they're not that heavy.. I have no secret! I just eat a lot," You proudly said in the end, hands balled as it rested on your hips.

The red hair paused as he placed the chairs down before smiling again and placing his face near yours until you could hear him breathe.

"Interesting. You eat a lot in exchange for strength, huh?" He said, his wide eyes boring into your nervous ones.

You released a breath you didn't know you were holding when someone grabbed him by the back of his collar. A guy with white hair that ended black rolled his eyes at Tendo, "Stop scaring people! We just got here."

"Semi-semi! No need to be harsh!" Tendo snickered.

Tendo pouted as he got scolded by the other guy who bowed to you, you shook your head before bowing lightly. The red hair waved at you as he was dragged away by his teammate.

... Third years are lowkey scary. You shivered before returning to the chairs to place in Inarizaki's side.

You huffed again and carried a tall stack of chairs back to your team. It was going smoothly when someone blocked your way.

Ushijima took half a stack of the chairs you were holding, "We meet again. Let me help you."

"Oh, no, no, it's alright! This is lightweight," You sweatdropped but he just firmly held on to the chairs and walked with you, leaving you no choice but to let him.

"They shouldn't let a lady carry all these chairs. Why is no one helping you?" He raised a brow, genuine confusion in his eyes.

You nervously laughed, "Oh, um. I guess they're all used to it?"

He frowned before setting the chairs down next to the stack you placed down.

"I see. I won't pry," He brushed his hands off, "I never got your name. I was surprised when I saw you here."

You stood up straight, "I'm Sukii Notabe, a 2nd year. I manage this club."

Ushijima nodded before glancing back at the court where Tendo was waving at the both of you, "I hope our teams share a nice experience. Well, then."

You nodded back at him as he jogged back to the other players who attempted to tease him, but he just curtly glanced, making them quiet.

Osamu, on the other hand, had a dark aura around him as he approached you.

"Y/n," He stared down at you.

Your breath hitched, "Yes, beloved?"

He completely broke out of character and froze, eyes wide and face red.

"Sorry! That came out so sudden," Your eyes drooped as you frowned.

He cleared his throat, making you look at him again, "It's ok. Watch me play, please."

You smiled at how fast he can change from an intimidating exterior to a cute one, "Of course, Osamu. I'll always have my eyes on you."

He blushed again before nodding, returning to the team who laughed at his red face. Osamu had kicked Atsumu's leg from behind, making the blond stop laughing as his knee bent forward and collapsed.

You shook your head with a tiny smile before making your way back to the benches.

•

The practice match ended in a blur. Both teams were resting.

Ushijima had recovered fast and made his way back to the court, dribbling a ball and practising his serves.

"Coach, may I take a while?" You asked for permission, he nodded as he conversed with Shiratorizawa's team.

You walked to Ushijima and waved with a small smile, "Hi."

He panted a bit and nodded, "Notabe. What brings you here?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to say that it was my father's grave," You said, turning to the opposite side of the court where no one stood. You felt him staring so you glanced back.

He gave you a small and subtle empathetic grin, "I see. My condolences. He was a really great guy."

You smiled and nodded, "He was. Thank you for visiting him."

"You look sad."

Surprised, you turned to him, "What makes you say that?"

He lightly shrugged, "Your eyes tell. I hope you continue to be okay. When I feel that my emotions are getting in the way, I regulate them by playing. Do you play?"

"I'm that open, huh?" You chuckled, "I am okay. We all grieve once in a while. I don't really play anymore, but we could rally if you want?"

Ushijima chuckled quietly, "I'd like that. Go to the other side."

People watched with confusion as you stretched your arms while jogging to the opposite side of the court. Ushijima was dribbling the ball, ready to serve.

"Oi, Y/n...," Suna frowned. He knew how hard Ushijima hits. The twins turned to Kita, about to ask him to stop the other team's captain but it was too late.

Ushijima has served.

Tendo released an exaggerated shriek when you casually received the ball. You tossed it before normally spiking it to his side.

"What?!" Shiratorizawa exclaimed as they watched you and Ushijima rally heavy hits.

That talk about guys should never let a lady carry heavy things.... yet you spike the ball towards me as if I had arms of steel. You stifled a laughter.

Well, you aren't wrong, Ushijima. You huffed as you received another one of his fast and heavy spikes.

You set the ball high backwards, confusing everyone. You fixed your footing before sprinting to the ball and spiking it with your left hand after you rotated midair.

Ushijima digged for the ball but it flew out of his arms and towards the girls in the bleachers who shrieked in high pitch, almost getting hit.

"That's enough," Kita said while Ushijima went to retrieve the ball.

You turned to him who checked your arms and wrists, he sighed in relief when he didn't find any spot that was red or bruised. Kita motioned you to get off of the court but Tendo dashed to you.

Kita's eyes widened when you got dragged by Tendo back to the court and smiled at the coaches.

"We'd like to play a match before we go!" He grinned, making Inarizaki scowl.

The team set up was 3v3. You, Ushijima, and Semi. The opposing team was Tendo, Shirabu, and Goshiki.

"Isn't this unbalanced?" Both Shiratorizawa and Inarizaki thought.

It was your serve first. You dribbled the ball as you bent your knees backward to stretch your legs and calves and avoid a cramp. The referee (who happened to be Akagi) whistled.

You threw the ball high before jumping and made a float serve. The other team barely caught it. Shirabu tossed to Goshiki who ran and jumped to spike. Ushijima and Semi have blocked him. The young boy pouted with a pissed look before going back to his area.

You served again, lightly this time. The rally went on as you set for both Ushijima and Semi, while Shirabu set for Tendo and Goshiki.

23-18. Ushijima's team.

"Jump!" Tendo grinned as the three of them jumped to block you.

You frowned when you jumped and Tendo had guessed where you spiked. The ball was about to fall behind you but you kicked it with your foot, sending it to Semi who tossed for Ushijima. He spiked and made a blockout, but Shirabu chased the ball.

Tendo tossed for Goshiki, but you blocked him when he spiked. The boy gritted his teeth and scoffed, looking away.

"She's merciless!" Atsumu exclaimed, hands on both his eyes, peeping when he needs to. Osamu sweatdropped as he watched you play with the other team. Suna was recording you as usual.

"All yours!" You smiled as you jumped and gave Ushijima a high toss. He had a small smile before jumping and spiking it to the end line.

"Wuaaahh!" Tendo shrieked before laughing. The teams clapped to congratulate you, Ushijima, and Semi.

"I'm tired," Shirabu and Semi simultaneously said before going back to their benches.

Goshiki walked to you with a prideful expression, "How was... my cross shots?"

You blinked, taken aback, before smiling, "They were wonderful! You looked just like Ushijima!"

His face bursted in flames as he stood up straight, breaking character.

Tendo sneaked up behind him with a teasing smirk, "Oho?"

"Good game, Notabe. I hope to see you again when I visit," Ushijima appeared behind you and extended his hand for you to shake.

You surprised yourself, Ushijima, and other people who were watching when you gave him a small hug, Ushijima slowly returned it.

"That's to thank you, for visiting dad. Good game, Ushijima!" You smiled after you pulled away. He nodded with a small smile.

When you walked back to your team, they were staring at you hard. Osamu was glaring at Ushijima who walked back to his team, about to shower in the other building and depart after.

The day ended, a bubble arose from your chest as you watched Shiratorizawa leave the school grounds. You were happy that you witnessed someone other than you and your mother to visit your dad's grave. It meant a lot to you more than you expected it to.

"Can we do homework at Y/n's house tomorrow Saturday?" Atsumu blurted out.

You laughed and nodded, "Of course! Text me when you'll guys come."

They nodded as the others have left to go home. The four of you started walking the street to the bus.

You turned to Osamu who immediately noticed your stare. He tilted his head with his usual blank expression.

"You did really good today," You whispered as you sneaked a candy on his hand. He blinked and blushed, smiling as he popped the candy in his mouth.

"Thank you, Sukii."

The candy felt sweet in Osamu's mouth. But he wondered if its flavor was the one that made him feel fluffy, or your smile.

—