"Ushijima-san!" Kageyama Tobio screamed from the left line of the court. His set went flying straight to the net, a little over the blocker's head. The ball reached his apex, before stopping mid-air. Wakatoshi spiked it hard, sending the ball blasting through the blockers. The whistle blew, signaling the end of the first set. Ushijima looked angry, before turning away from the net.

"Another ball out of the court, Ushiwaka." Toru said, chuckling to himself and high fiving his blockers. "That game is mine, unless you get your shit together." He adds, turning his back to the ace. Wakatoshi didn't react to his comments, but simply regained his position.

Japan and Argentina were facing each other once more, but this time it was on enemy territory. Away games never really impressed or meant something to Ushijima, who would lazily stay at his hotel and read a weakly Jump. But for some of his teammates, games in other Countries were fun and brought new activities and bounding sessions. Hinata Shoyo was one of the most hyped players, along with Bokuto Kotarou, who always asked the team to go shopping for new balls and gym shoes. The man had an entire collection to update and could never stop his research for the "Ultimate Volley-Shoes", as he proudly repeats all the time. This time, he had two days to roam around Buenos Aires with his teammates. Ushijima, on the contrary, kept to himself and stalked a certain red-headed man on any social medias he could find.

"Ushijima-san, if I need to correct my sets, please say so." Kageyama pointed at him, pulling the taller man out of his thoughts. Wakatoshi nodded but said nothing.

The game went on and the two team were having fun. Oikawa kept insulting his friend, without crossing the line. Hinata watched the interactions they had from afar, wondering when they got close like that. Maybe the Great King really is an asshole. He thought.

Argentina ended up winning both sets (25-21) and (27-25). Bokuto ended up scoring half the points of his team, while Ushijima had a poor 9 points, both sets included. His head was lost in the clouds and his soul crushed in the abyss.

It has been 3 weeks, now.

Correction: 2 months since the wedding, 3 weeks since the failed attempt at reaching out. Satori did change his phone number but kept posting on his several social media accounts maybe once a week. Wakatoshi's summer with the National Team was supposed to end in a week, with their annual charity game. The event was televised and loved by the entire Country, since the generation of monsters took Japan by storm. After that, the Division 1 season would start mid-October, until the end of May, along with online school a month later. Wakatoshi didn't feel ready at all for the season to begin. He felt like something was missing, of course, but also that the way he felt about volleyball would inevitably change. Like he knew his love of the game would crumble and burn under the flames of his moods and feelings.

He didn't believe in himself at all, but somewhat kept trying in hope of a new dawn.

"Iwa-chan! How did I do?" Toru asked, puffing his chest and grinning like a kid.

"You sucked." Iwaizumi answered with his monotone voice. Offended, Oikawa huffed, throwing him a towel. Hajime smiled, before walking closer to Kageyama.

"How's your wrist?" He asked, giving him a water bottle.

"Great. It healed really quickly. I'm glad." Tobio said, taking a few gulps of water. It took him a few weeks to get over a tendonitis, which unfortunately needed surgery. After a game, Tobio slipped on sweat and tried to fall on both wrists, but injured his right one in the process. Today, the setter played only during the first set, but was able to test his mobility enough.

"Get some rest and we'll re-evaluate tonight. You'll definitely be fine for the season." Hajime said, before turning to Hoshiumi Korai. They talked together for some long minutes, while walking off the court. Hajime, being on the medical staff, enjoyed talking and getting as much information he could get about the players' conditions. His job was important, and he felt a lot of pride to be able to work with the National Team and the Schweiden Adlers in Division 1. His hate for Ushijima slowly died down and respect was now the one word he'd think about when describing the taller man. His work ethic and efforts were the best ones he's ever seen, apart from his own boyfriend. So seeing him struggle like that on the court always pained him.

Just a little.

"Everything ok?" He asked, joining the man on the bench. Ushiwaka stayed there, until most of the people had left.

"I don't know." Wakatoshi said, squeezing the empty bottle in his hands. "I suck." He adds, letting a deep breath out, letting his body lean forward until his elbows touched his knees. He looked defeated and tired.

"Yeah. For now, I think that's pretty understandable. Just don't fall any lower."

"That's easy to say. I suck so bad even 16 years old Hinata would be better than me." He said, leaning back to take a sip of his water, only to remember the bottle was empty.

Another deception.

"That's a reach, Ushijima." Hajima said, while smiling a little. Both men looked to their left, to see a beautiful man slowly walking their way. I know that guy.

Ushijima stood up quickly, before thanking Hajime and walking closer to the man.
"Eita, good afternoon." He said, shaking the man's hand. Semi's firm handshake didn't go unnoticed by the ace, who smiled softly. "You look well."

"Yeah, life is good." He answered, taking his phone in his hands. "Look, I'll be brief. Shiratorizawa made it to the Nationals. It's been a while, so they want good prep to make sure they'll crush the competition. We're throwing a bootcamp at their faces in 2 weeks. The entire team said yes. Ours included. All of our players from your senior year said yes as well. You're the last one on my list." He explained, showing the invite poster he had saved on his phone. Ushijima looked happy at the thought of seeing everybody again. The man trvels this far for an official answer, and of course, to see new people and find another date pool.

Wait.

His eyes grew wide, then he frowned. "Everybody will be there?" He asked, pulling away slightly.

"Yeah, they all said yes." Semi said, knowing damn well why Wakatoshi asked that particular question. Ushijima took his time to answer.

"I guess I can't refuse. Send me the information I need by email and I'll make sure to be there on time." He said, unintentionally smiling.

Maybe a small window opened again for him. Semi smiled, before shaking his hand again. "I'm supposed to stay here for a week or two. If you're free tonight, we could go eat somewhere and go to a club." He said, excited to meet more girls and dance his way to their hearts. Eita really changed, but never in a bad way. His fashion sense was out of this world, while his personality slowly leaned towards extravert habits and decisions. He cared deeply for his surroundings, while testing his sex appeal with strangers.

Which definitely worked. Very well.

"Maybe. I'll text you." Ushijima answered, not that into clubs and celebrations.

When Ushijima got out of the gym, Hinata Shoyo was leaning against his car, talking to Oikawa.

"You remember the two men we played against in Brazil? They want a rematch. Keep texting me and telling me how much better they are now. We should go there someday and teach them another lesson!" Shoyo happily proposed, puffing his chest, and smirking like a proud child.

"Give me a date and I'll make it happen. Easy peasy." Torou said joining in on the fun. Wakatoshi walked up to them, wondering what they were talking about (and who).

"You ready?" Shoyo asked, pushing himself up while taking his keys. Shoyo was Ushijima's official taxi driver when they weren't in Japan. His driving skills weren't great, but he did drive more safely than any other crackhead on the team. Oikawa gave them both a good handshake, telling the ace to call him once he'd be back to Tokyo.

The ca ride was somewhat silent. The radio giving the clam, yet alive ambiance both men enjoyed from time to time. Shoyo kept his eyes on the road, sitting comfortably in his driver's seat.

"So, when did you and Tobio confess?"

Shoyo's eyes grew wide, like a deer in front of a massive bus. His foot grew heavy on the pedal, making Ushijima's stress level grow as well. "When did what? What are you talking about? Confess? Confess what? There's nothing to confess." Shoyo quickly mumbled, while keeping his eyes one the road.

"Slow down, Hinata."

"Slow down? I'm very calm. Why should I confess? There is nothing to confess, Ushiwaka. Where did you heard that awful thing? Confess?" He said a little louder, looking left and right, without making eye contact with his teammate. Ushijima could almost laugh at his actions and anxious blattering.

"I didn't tell you to calm down. You're driving a bit too fast." He said, hiding his small smile.

"Oh, no I, I know. I'm sorry I just…What were you saying? Ah, yes. Kageyama and confessing. He sins. He sins a lot. He swears all the time and insult me everytime his ocean eyes watch me play. That's what you meant, right? Confessing to a pastor or a priest?" He said, now eyeing the taller man carefully, puppy eyes and shaky breath. Ushijima rolled his eyes, nodding his head.

"Yeah… That's it. Now slow down, you idiot." He answered, now clearly amused.

"Right." Shoyo said, lifting his foot slightly, almost up in the other car's trunk. The car slowed down while the engine made less noise. The song playing, T-shirt Weather, by Circa Waves, barely started when both men felt a bit more at ease.

"I'm sorry. I know it's hard to think about… that. I won't mention it again." Wakatoshi said, taking a second chance. Shoyo simply nodded, his eyes fixed on the car in front of them. They listened to the song and the ones after it. The music saving them from this incredibly awkward silence, even if they could still feel the tension in the car. If Ushijima was in a bad situation regarding his possible relationship, Shoyo was in a worse one.

His sight was on the road, while his mind went back a few years. Lots of memories of Tobio with red cheeks. Lots of laughs at his shy demeanor. Hinata felt warm and relaxed just then. He knew Wakatoshi was going through hard times related to Satori. He knew it was a matter of the heart.

He knew he was slowly walking into the same kind of mess.

He waited until the unknown song came to an end, before throwing a hopeful wish in the air.

"I just want him to see me for who I am." He whispered, leaving Ushijima stunned and grateful at the same time for this small share. His eyes slowly closed, leaving him to simply think.

See him for who he was.

The brown-haired man did not go to the club that night. He kept thinking about that simple, yet meaningful sentence.

See him for who he was.

Wakatoshi never thought about it that way, as weird as it sounds. Everytime he wanted to confess to Satori, his thoughts weren't the right ones. It took him a few minutes in a car with the goofball to understand.

His love wasn't about himself, but about the other man. The one who made his heart beat.

See him for who he was.

Wakatoshi kept trying to explain how he felt, but never the why. What Satori was, made his heart pound in his chest. What Satori was, made Wakatoshi weak in the knees and flushed in the cheeks. After that evening, the explanation came to him like lightning. He could explain everything. Remember every detail and feel every feeling. He could do it and it made him feel angry. Why now? All it took was an orange head in a car and now he felt like he could sweep Tendo off his feet. Suddenly, he wanted to come back to Shiratorizawa. Suddenly, he wanted a second opened window.

-At the bootcamp-

"Feitan, you block has to be in front of the dominant hand, not the guy's body." Leon said, raising his hands in the hair, motioning for a block. "He's not hitting with his head, but with his hand." The teenager nodding quickly, before turning around for the next serve. Ushijima watched from afar, eyeing a small guy warming the bench. He walked closer to him, knowing damn well a certain red-haired man was sitting next to the boy.

"You. Why aren't you playing?" He asked, standing tall in front of the kid. The boy gasped, before quickly standing and bowing to the man.

"U-Ushijima-sama" The scared looking boy whispered, shaking like a leaf. Wakatoshi frowned, hearing other boys further away laugh at the kid. When he looked back at the kid, he took a deep breath.

"No need for the formalities. What's your name?" He asked, sitting down on the bench, opposite side of the baffled Tendo, who couldn't keep his eyes off of the All-Japan player. No need for formalities? Who is this guy and has he done with Wakatoshi-kun? The boy sat down next to Wakatoshi, taking short breaths. "I'm not a celebrity, I'm just a guy trying to help. Remember that." He said, trying to smile. Satori shook his head, incredulous. The boy calmed down, before looking at his feet.

"I'm not good enough." He said in a defeated voice. Wakatoshi looked around, before eyeing Satori.

"Can you do whatever it is your doing without me? He asked seriously. Satori's mouth fell open. Why? He nodded slowly, looking at Wakatoshi and the boy standing up. They both walked off the court, until they were alone next to a wall with a volleyball.

Wakatoshi took 12 big steps, starting from the wall, then faced it with a ball in hand. "Come here." He said. The boy quickly made his way to the Ace, taking the ball in his own hands. "Do a serve." He said, pointing at the wall. The boy gulped, before throwing the ball anxiously in the air. Ushijima stopped the ball mid air, rolling his eyes. "When you throw the ball, you should be able to take your time. You have 8 seconds. You have space to walk and space to throw the ball high enough. Use all of that." He said. The boy nodded, taking the ball once more. He took a deep breath, before slowly lifting his dominant arm. The ball went flying high enough, letting the boy take the 3 steps he needed. When his hand touched the ball, the impact left a stunning noise, before letting the ball exploded against the wall. Ushijima frowned, impressed, and confused. "That was good. You have a good arm. Why aren't you serving?" He asked, catching the ball as it came back to them. The boy shrugged, looking back at his feet. Wakatoshi looked back at the man who won his heart. "Tendo, come here, please." He said seriously, not giving anything away. Satori almost fell down the bench, surprised at the demand. He answered to the call like a lost puppy, not knowing what was going on. When he joined the two players to the wall, Wakatoshi turned to face the kid. "This is Tendo Satori, the best blocker I know. Spike against him." He said, taking both players by surprise.

"Uh?" Satori whispered, clearly confused.

"Please?" Ushijima asked once more, giving the man a sweet smile. Satori's heart skipped a beat, giving him a feeling, he forgot he once felt before. He agreed, walking a few steps in front of the kid. When Wakatoshi talked to the boy, Satori couldn't hear a thing. His mind went blank. What is going on? He never felt this lost in front of the older man. Why is he acting that way? Why is he this…weird? The boy smiled, before changing his facial expression and concentrating on the task ahead. Wakatoshi looked at his friend and smiled again, before counting down. "3, 2, 1…" And then the ball went flying in the air towards Satori and the boy, who prepared his approach. When he jumped, his feet made a BAM on the floor before his entire body went flying. Satori followed him, getting into a blocking position. When the boy hit the ball Satori blocked it easily, but definitely felt it in his left palm. The ball flew away until it reached Leon, who watched attentively. His smile didn't help Satori to understand what was going on. He felt completely in the dark on some plan to take over the world. What is going on?

"Sorry, Ushijima-san" The boy said. Ushijima smiled, before giving him a thumbs up.

"You did well. Satori is just that good. You need to see the way you hit. Do not just close your eyes and throw your arm forward. See an opening, hit the ball, follow its path with your eyes, then correct the process if it needs correction." He explained. Tendo smiled, liking the way Wakatoshi mentored the boy.

Wait, he gave me a compliment? He thought, confusion once again written on his face.

"What if the blocker knows where I'll hit?" The boy asked, frowning. Wakatoshi smiled once more, staring at Satori.

"Just hide your intentions." He answered, shrugging like a child. He knew his words had a double meaning. He knew Satori would understand. "Some blockers are so great and scary that all you can do is fake it until you make it. You're scared and intimidated by their blocks. The thing is, they never really know the kind of hit you'll make until you make them. You can hit it as hard as you want or dink it. Or hold you spike until he starts to fall. If you still have a pass left, you can even decide mid-air to turn around and pass the ball once more. You have so many options, his intimidating block will look like a beautiful tree, nothing else. Cut it down." He explained calmly. His eye still on Satori, his voice loud and clear. The boy smiled back, but looked from Tendo to Ushijima back and forth.

"Uh, ok." He said, turning around to face the wall. Both older men kept staring at each other, until they heard the ball hit the wall.

"I asked you your name, didn't I?" Wakatoshi said, getting to the ball first. The boy nodded quickly, before answering.

"My name is Takashi Ren" He said, smiling to his new mentor. "It's an honor to meet you, Ushiijima-san. You too, Tendo-san. He said, grinning from ear to ear. "You were so amazing together in high school. I watched most of your games on DVD." He said, making Satori chuckle.

"Yeah, we were magical." He said, bringing both hands behind his back, cracking his fingers.

"We could still be." Wakatoshi adds, turning around, leaving both guys dumbfounded. Satori's eyes grew wide, while he followed the taller man's movements. His long strides were powerful and commanding. Like an All-Japan player. Like a proud, happy, and confident man. Satori's heart skipped a beat once more. What's going on? That phrase kept coming back to him. The aura around Wakatoshi felt to new and attractive to a whole new level. Satori felt like a brand-new chapter was beginning. On he could almost wish to be the centerpiece of.

What is going on?