A/N: Thank you to those who followed and favorited Miracle Lover. There are barely any stories that touch on Wakatoshi-kun, so i'm glad you guys are checking it out. This chapter is three times longer than the others, so I hope you enjoy it. Unfortunately, I won't be updating again until next week soo make sure to follow to get the alerts when the next chapter comes out. Enjoy!

Wakatoshi bit into his onigiri as himself and the team ate lunch in one of the many large dining halls at school. The boys were lucky to grab a table on the first day due to the underclassmen swarming all around, trying to find their 'place' at Shiratorizawa. Tendou was speaking on his favorite idol, but no one was responding, too focused on their food and tryouts for the team that would happen after class today.

"Tendou, why are you so eager to talk about your idol?" Shirabu asked. He popped a piece of his karaage into his mouth. "She's just some girl – "

Tendou shook his head. "She's not just any girl, right Wakatoshi-kun?"

Wakatoshi sighed as he turned to his friend with a pointed look. Reon and the other third years shook their heads while Kenjiro and Taichi shared a look of confusion.

"I don't think this is the most appropriate place to talk about he,r Tendou." Wakatoshi said.

"Her?" Taichi and Kenjiro asked in unison.

"Come on, Wakatoshi!" Tendou said. He waved his spoon in the air, getting the team's attention. "Our kouhai deserve to know."

"That's Wakatoshi's decision, not yours." Jin warned. He gave the middle blocker a look, but Tendou ignored him. "You already got one hundred serves waiting for you, don't make us add more to it."

"Providing Tendou with more punishment won't make him stop asking, Jin." Wakatoshi said.

"Is someone going to tell us what's going on, or do we have to guess for ourselves?" Kenjirou asked.

Semi pointed his spoon at the setter. "Patience, don't you have any of that?"

"Not where you're concerned." Kenjiro spoke out.

"Why you little. . ." Semi started, but Reon cleared his throat loudly, a warning for the both of them to stop their bickering.

Wakatoshi knew this bickering would continue, probably into practice if he didn't do anything at all. He drank some of his water before placing it back onto the table. It made a noise that focused all the player's attention to him. Wakatoshi turned to Taichi and Kenjiro, whose eyes widened at his gesture. As the table quieted down, Wakatoshi finally spoke.

"I met a girl." The Ace said.

Kenjiro's fork dropped while Taichi's mouth fell open, both players in complete shock at their Captain's words. They knew Wakatoshi always tells the truth with no other meaning behind his words. They knew their Captain had plenty of fangirls, but he didn't care for them as he was constantly focused on volleyball. Wakatoshi waited for his friends to calm down, but his eyes shifted around the dining hall for that familiar brown hair. When Wakatoshi turned back to his team, Tendou had a smug smile on his face while the others were just shocked at his action.

"Where?" Kenjiro asked. The setter desperately wanted to know about Wakatoshi's mystery girl, but failed to reign in his shock.

"In the elevator at the dorm last night." Wakatoshi said. The Ace didn't know anything about this girl, but something about her seemed interesting that just stuck with him. Wakatoshi had gotten a good look at her, but whenever he saw a girl that somehow resembled her in the slightest, it wasn't her at all. His thoughts were of this brown-haired girl, yet his goals for life were of volleyball and his father.

"You must really like her if you can't stop thinking about her." Yamagata said.

"I don't know her, so how could I like her?" Tendou sighed at his friends words, patting his houlder lightly at his lack of understanding at the simplest social cues.

"Hayato means that you must romantically like her, Wakatoshi-kun." Tendou smirked. "Does your heart flutter when you think of her?"

A frown came upon Wakatoshi's face. "No." The others looked at him in shock, looking at one another at his words.

Taichi tilted his head in confusion. "So if you don't like her romantically, why is she on your mind?"

Wakatoshi looked at all his friend's before answering Taichi's question. "She's interesting." Before Wakatoshi could say anything else, his stomach growled lightly which he frowned at. He got up to get some more food and took requests from the guys who purposely ordered to stall the Ace from coming back to the table quickly. When Wakatoshi was far enough, Kenjiro spoke.

"Do you think Ushijima-san knows what he's doing?" Everyone paused at the setter's words, trying to find a good answer to that, yet they didn't know what to say to such a question. Reon clapped his hands together to get their attention focused onto him.

"Wakatoshi is a volleyball idiot." Reon said, as the others immediately nodded to that that. "I think he's trying to figure it out himself whatever he feels."

"I'm just worrying if he'll get hurt by trying to figure out whatever it is." Jin said. "We all know he's never dated anyone before."

"It's love at first sight!" Tendou said. "Just imagine –"

"It's not." The others interrupted. Jin looked over to the line for food where Wakatoshi was in. He was being talked to by some fangirls of his, but the volleyball idiot just talked to them plainly like he did to everyone else. The girls must have been first-years, as the second and third year girls learned pretty quickly that Ushijima Wakatoshi did not date anyone since it clashed with his dreams of volleyball for the future.

"I just wonder what this girl said or did to get him like this." Taichi said. He swirled his spoon in the curry on his plate. "I really wonder who this girl is." The guys looked around the crowded dining hall, their eyes sticking to every other girl that passed their table. The girls smiled wide at their attention, eager to be looked at by one of the most popular teams at school. The guys turned back to each other as the giggles from the girls were drawing attention to all of them, including Wakatoshi. He held a large tray of food, but tilted his head in confusion when there were girls constantly looking at table where his teammates sat at.

"Is something going on?" Wakatoshi asked. He passed their requested food around, but didn't like how they avoided his question and eyes.

"Wakatoshi, do you remember anything about this girl?" Kenjiro asked.

Wakatoshi thought back to when he was in the elevator with the girl. "She had long brown hair and wore a tracksuit." The others nodded, eager for him to continue. "She also had a nice laugh."

Wakatoshi chewed some of his rice while Tendou's face broke out into a wide smile. Jin and Reon smiled lightly, while the others were taken aback at the Ace's words. Tendou hummed a song eagerly, happy to realize that Wakatoshi was going to fall down the hole of love and would eventually not want to come out when he found his mystery girl.

"She probably plays a sport." Shirabu suggested. "Basketball, Track, Volleyball, or something else."

"We know all the girls on the female volleyball team, genius." Semi pointed out.

Kenjiro glared at his senpai. "Then explain basketball and track." Semi stayed silent. "That's what I thought."

"Half the girls in this school play sports. Semi said, determined to have the last word. "Of course, she would have a tracksuit."

"Wakatoshi, are you sure you don't want to date this girl?" Taichi quickly asked, cutting off Semi and Kenjirou's argument that would've given the others a headache for the rest of the day. Jin gave both setters a glare while they all turned to Wakatoshi, waiting for his answer.

"I'm positive." Wakatoshi said. "Dating would only distract me from volleyball." Wakatoshi pulled out the small notebook he kept on his person for volleyball. It brought teasing smiles from the others, but the Ace ignored them. "Goshiki seems the most impressive. . ."

The conversation turned to the first-years who shown interest at the Involvement Fair earlier today. The team spoke on their stats and their impressions, eventually losing focus on Wakatoshi's mystery girl, but it still hung over all their heads. Despite what Wakatoshi thought, the others definitely knew that whoever this girl was, she was something if it left Wakatoshi to think back on their first meeting.

The warning bell to return to class eventually rang, causing the team to split up for the rest of the day for class until practice started in the afternoon. As the dining hall cleared and the halls were slowly filling up with students, Wakatoshi could've sworn he heard that familiar laugh once again, causing him to pause near his class door. Unknown to the Ace, Hayato took a quick picture, sending it to the others in a group chat.

Volleyball Idiots

Benkei: oh my

Red devil: HE LIKES HER!

Baby setter: I wonder who she is.

Grumpy setter: this is gonna be interesting to watch

Scowling ginger: he's whipped

Smiling demon: I'm gonna have my hands full with this

Stamina monster: interested my ass, this year is going to be great.

Wakatoshi walked to his desk and Hayato smiled, but it quickly went away when Amano-sensei retuned with plenty of thick folders that contained their assignments for this term.

Washijo Tanji stood around one-hundred sixty centimeters tall with a frail build. His light-colored hair was slick back, but his thick, bold eyebrows were a prominent feature on his face. Despite being in his early seventies, the man didn't look like it that much. Next to him stood Saitou Akira, the young Assistant Coach of the Boys Volleyball Team.

Washijo Tanji had been the Coach for over a decade, leading his team into championship games by finding and vetting strong players that had broken through obstacles with sweat and blood and no mercy to any other team that attempted to stand in their way. Washijo spared no expense to the player, putting each member through grueling practices and intense training menus, leading the Shiratorizawa Boy's to be feared throughout the sport of volleyball. He was known as the "Demon coach," feared for his temper and brutal training menus from sponsors, players, and coaches alike.

While Wahijo was the "Demon coach," Saitou was the cage that held that demon in place. Saitou Akira was the other Coach for the Boys Volleyball team. Despite being calm and patient to the team and helping Washijo finish his sentences, he was just as cruel when he wanted to be. Saitou helped created the brutal training menus and constantly finds strong players when headed to the local middle schools that held new talent. Both coaches were to be feared equally as they intended to send their team to Nationals once again.

Washijo checked his watch, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for the little hand to more to three. Saitou smiled and laughed as quietly as he could, but still received a glare from Washijo. Immune to any threats from the elder coach, Saitou just checked the clipboard in his hand, making sure they had all the materials needed for the next month until he needed to order more.

"They'll be here, don't worry." Saitou said. He scratched a few things off the list, while looking at the door where the players would come in.

"They need to hurry up!" Washijo shouted. His voice echoed throughout the gymnasium, but suddenly the door opened as his watch hit three.

All the active players of the Boys' volleyball team walked in with Wakatoshi leading them in. They stood in a semicircle in front of the two coaches who waited eagerly for the boys. The players bowed in greeting as they looked up to their coaches, waiting for them to talk.

"For most of you, this is your last year." Washijo started, looking at his third years. "Ever since you walked into this gym, you've been whipped and molded to become fearsome players that have won numerous games and awards. I have watched you grow and become strong men that will endeavor to have a successful future in whichever career you choose. I expect to lead you all to Nationals like I did last year with Wakatoshi and Soekawa backing you up. If you assume your expectations will be lowered because it's your last year, you're wrong."

Tendou flinched, but the others expected that things would go this way. Their coach was not fond of relaxation when the stakes were this high. Washijo looked over towards Kenjiro and Taichi and the boys flinched at their coach's sudden attention towards them.

"Next year the line-up for this team will be different." Washijo said. "You'll have new teammates who'll come with new personalities that you'll have to get used to no matter what. It'll be your final year at Shiratorizawa then, so I hope you pay close attention to your upperclassmen and shadow them as they won't be here to tell you of your mistakes. Make sure to ask and give advice to each other as you will be the main third years next year. Keep each other close and depend on one another. That is all I should say. Saitou?"

Saitou pushed his glasses up on his face before addressing the boys. "I believe Washijo-sensei has said more than enough. Start to set everything up while Washijo and I look over some things. Practice starts at four and tryouts at four-thirty."

"YES SIR!" the boys said. They walked into the changing room and stripped out of their uniforms to their practice clothes. As they changed into their black shirts, purple shorts, and official jackets, the changing room was thick with silence. They all knew that this was the last year that they would be together, especially the third years. Things would change immediately next year and some were not looking forward to that at all. Wakatoshi put on his black training shoes and looked over to his team, not liking the thick tension that filled the room. He sighed as he closed the locker door and turned to his team.

"We're not just teammates, but friends as well." Wakatoshi said. The Ace walked out of the changing room to help start setting everything up for practice, while his teammates paused their changing and looked at the closed doors.

"Indeed, we are." Reon said. The tension left everyone and they hurriedly changed to start setting up for practice and tryouts. It didn't take too long though, as more players came in to get ready for practice in the gym. They were used to this set-up since they first stepped foot into this gym. While Wakatoshi and Jin helped the coaches with supplies and registration, the others started to set up the nets, bring out the carts of volleyballs, fill up water bottles and more. Quickly, the large gym was in order.

"Three laps around the gym to warm up, but don't forget to stretch." Saitou said. They immediately followed the coach's orders and started to jog around the entire place as Washijo and Saitou looked on.

"Wakatoshi says that Goshiki Tsutomu is a player to keep an eye on." Washijo spoke. Saitou nodded, thinking back when he was vetting the young boy when he was in his final year of middle school.

"His jump serve was quite remarkable when I viewed one of his matches." Saitou explained. "Although a bit messy, I'm sure it'll be a great weapon one day." Washijou said nothing as he looked through the papers and ignored the commotion the boys were creating. Saitou blew his whistle, signaling to all the players that their jog was done.

While Saitou directed the boys to start their serve practice, Tendou froze.

"Don't even think about it, Tendou." Jin warned. He already brought two carts full of volleyballs that stood near Tendou's side.

"Do I want to know why Satori has some extra one hundred serves?" Washijo asked. Although the Coach already had a feeling why the middle blocker has such a punishment.

Wakatoshi held a ball in his hands as he turned to his coach. "Tendou meddled as usual."

Washijo glared at the middle blocker, causing him to pout and voice his displeasure, but did the extra serves under Jin and Wakatoshi's supervision. Over the next thirty minutes, the players served numerous balls, eventually going to grab their water bottles and towels when done. As Tendou laid on the floor and everyone else was talking and stretching, the doors opened. Tendou raised his head and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"Fresh meat has entered the building!" Tendou shouted. Washijo and Saitou shook their heads at the middle blocker's eccentric self, but ignored anything else from him as they walked towards the fifteen first years who entered the gym. Washijo blew his whistle sharply, gaining the attention of everyone in the gym.

All the players stepped back immediately, shuffling themselves in single lines while the regulars followed the coaches. The first years blushed at the sudden attention given to them, now feeling the pressure of stepping into the famous gym.

"Welcome!" the players bowed and shouted in greeting. They raised themselves back up and looked at the first years in expectation.

"Thank you for having us!" The first years replied. Washijo, Saitou, Wakatoshi, and Jin walked forward as the others stayed behind. Suprisnlgly, Tendou was able to be quiet, although the middle blocker knew that if he tried anything, he would be given a harsh punishment.

"All of you standing in front of me have been vetted and accepted into my team." Washijo said. The first years buzzed with excitement, but a fierce glare from Washijo silenced them. "That doesn't mean you'll be a regular. If you want to be a regular, you'll be going through fierce practice and training that all of my boys do every single day. I expect great results from all of you."

"YES, SIR!" the first years shouted. It caused some laughter to come from other players, but ceased as Saitou waved his clipboard that had hellish training menus waiting for anyone.

"Boys, introduce yourselves."

"Ushijima Wakatoshi, Captain, Ace, and Wing Spiker."

"Soekawa Jin, Vice Captain and Wing Spiker."

"Semi Eita, Setter and Pinch Server."

"Ohira Reon, Wing Spiker."

"Tendou Satori, Middle Blocker."

"Yamagata Hayato, Libero."

"Kawanishi Taichi, Middle Blocker."

"Shirabu Kenjiro, Setter."

The first years looked at their seniors in front of them in awe, hungry to become a regular and play on the same court. Washijou and Saitou shared a smirk, eager to start whipping the first years into shape. Wakatoshi and Jin shared a look as they watched a light shine in their coachers eyes. They both knew what that meant, especially for Goshiki Tsutomu.

"Wakatoshi and Jin will guide you as we measure you in five parts: Power, Jumping, Stamina, Game Sense, Technique, and Speed." Washijou said. He and Saitou walked over to their chairs to sit and get started on the first years.

"We'll do five sets, but split all of you into different groups so the coaches can evaluate you individually." Wakatoshi announced. "Due to size restraints of the gym, while some are playing a set with us, others will be doing work with other players like receiving and stamina checks."

"Don't try to show off in any way possible." Jin warned. "We don't want any of you getting injured at all."

"There are practice clothes for you to change into." Wakatoshi said, his eyes lingering on Goshiki a bit longer than anyone else. "Remember to stretch and warm up properly."

The first years bowed and ran inside the changing area, eager to put on the practice clothes. As everyone else watched, Wakatoshi sighed.

"They don't realize how brutal this training is going to be, do they?" the Ace asked.

"Not one bit." Jin said, with a hint if remorse in his voice.

"TSUTOMU!" Washijo shouted across the gym. "HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO NOT TOUCH THE NET!?"

"YES!" the first year shouted. Saitou blew his whistle, signaling for the game to resume. Wakatoshi raised the ball in the air, ready for a jump serve. He hit the ball with such force, it caused Hayato to fall over, but he got it up nicely. Semi ran to where the ball was and tossed it into the air, sending it to Tsutomu who spiked it at an empty part of the court. Tendou, guessing where the first year was going to spike, jumped up and blocked the ball. It fell onto Tsutomu's side of the court.

Saitou blew his whistle, signaling the end of the game.

12-25

Tsutomu looked at the fallen ball, sad that he failed to spike barely any spikes in. Wakatoshi saw how the first year was about to cry, whether it was from Coach's criticism or his failure to get as many spikes in, he didn't know.

"Goshiki." Wakatoshi said. The first year turned to Wakatoshi, holding his breath in anticipation. "You did good." Wakatoshi walked away with Jin to discuss the results of the match with the coaches while Tsutomu's face broke out into a smile.

"Only the Ace could do a good job!" Tsutomu yelled.

"If a 'good job' means getting two solid hits in, then I can't wait to see what a great job is." Kenjiro commented. Goshiki turned around at his senpai, ready to defend himself, but Tendou popped up.

"Don't be jealous because you're not the best at spiking, Kenjiro." Tendou said. Kenjiro said nothing, as a response to Tendou's comments would result in everyone getting a fierce punishment for tomorrow at practice. Goshiki soaked up the attention he got from his senpai as everyone else started to put things away, despite their bodies screaming in protest. Three hours of practice left everyone tired and hungry, eager to head back to their dorms or home. Everyone was talking about the recent practice, but Wakatoshi just focused on his shower. He washed his hair, getting rid of any dirt and sweat that accumulated from practice.

Wakatoshi dried his body and wiped any remaining water off, as he wrapped his towel around his waist and left towards the lockers. He could hear Tendou laughing with Yamagata as he joined the others near the lockers. Goshiki blushed when he saw the Ace join his friends, his muscles on display for all to see. Goshiki tapped his arms, wondering if he'll be as strong as Wakatoshi one day.

"Don't worry, Tsutomu," Tendou said. He placed an arm around his shoulders. "You'll be as big as Wakatoshi-kun one day."

Goshiki blushed at his senpai, nodding in agreement while everyone else laughed as Wakatoshi changed back into his uniform. Jin waited on him outside, already changed with a smile on his face.

"Ready?" Jin asked. Wakatoshi nodded in agreement. As the team and other members were talking and laughing in the changing room. Wakatoshi and Jin grabbed the numerous bags that the coaches started to bring out from the office earlier. As everyone exited the changing room, the first years looked around in confusion.

Washijo waited for the first years to calm down before he started. "In these bags are uniforms for the team. There are three tracksuits, practice clothes, and the official uniform for tournament matches." The first years were shaking with excitement. "Excluding our regulars who are already getting uniforms, four first years will be getting uniforms as well, becoming active members."

The fourteen first years were talking, eager to figure out which one of them got onto the team. Washijo raised his hands, immediately silencing everyone. "Kai, Yuushou, Shibata, and Tsutomu, welcome to the team." Wakatoshi and Jin gave the four first years their bags, causing the kouhai to start crying in happiness. Wakatoshi allowed himself a small smile, causing the players to whisper among themselves.

"Be sure to conduct yourselves in a proper way." Jin said. "A uniform that is given can be taken away from any of you very easily."

"Yes!" they shouted in unison.

"We have a practice match at the end of this month with Tenkai Academy." Wakatoshi announced. "Next week we'll announce the line-up for those who will play."

"Eat up and get some rest tonight." Saitou said. "Good night."

As they were dismissed, the regulars grabbed their bags while everyone else left. The coaches left as Wakatoshi and Jin checked to make sure everything was back in place and nobody was left in the gym at all. Wakatoshi locked the doors and led the team back to their dorms for dinner. Jin invited the first years to join them for dinner, but they all declined except for Goshiki.

It was dark outside now, with the campus only lit up from the outdoor lights. The only people outside were the school guards and the students coming from their club activities this late. The team went back to their dorms, changing into some casual clothes. Wakatoshi stopped walking when he realized that he left his wallet back in his room.

"I'll be right back." Wakatoshi said. "I'll meet you at the gate."

Tendou pulled out his phone and called Goshiki, telling the first year to meet them at the gate while they waited for Wakatoshi.

"Hurry, Wakatoshi-kun, the ramen doesn't wait for just anyone." Tendou said. Wakatoshi nodded and turned back to press the button on the elevator. As he heard the door close, his phone started to ring in his pocket. He didn't need to look at the screen to realize who was calling, as he got the same call at the same time on the first day of classes since he started at Shiratorizawa.

"Good evening, Mother."

"Good evening, Wakatoshi." Ushijima Hanako was the heiress and soon-to-be head of the Ushijima family, after her mother, Ushijima Akane. The Ushijima family was strict with traditional values and prided themselves on their wealth as the Ushijima family headed the famous, Ushijima Company after placing their hands in the sports business generations ago. Formerly married to the former national player, Utsui Takashi, Hanako had been helping run the company while raising her only son and heir, Wakatoshi.

"How are you?" Wakatoshi asked. The elevator dinged open and he stepped inside, but frowned when he realized he hasn't seen that girl from last night.

"Quite well, actually." Hanako said. "Did anything interesting happen on your first day so far?"

"Nothing at all, really." Wakatoshi said. He unlocked his door and found his wallet in his desk, grabbing it and putting it in his pocket. He opened his closet and grabbed one of his hoodies, tying it around his waist. "Just school and practice as usual."

"That's good to hear." A voice in the background caused Hanako to sigh, forcing her off the phone. "I have to go now, but I'll check in with you when I can."

"Good night." The phone clicked off, signifying the call was over. Wakatoshi left his room in a hurry to meet everyone at the gate, knowing that Tendou would make a scene if he took any longer. Jogging through the campus was nothing, as Wakatoshi took runs that went on for miles. He slowed down as he saw his friends in the distance, but a wet body crashed into his side, forcing himself and the other person onto the ground. When he got up, he noticed a petite girl with a dark bob wearing a swimsuit. Her blue eyes filled with tears when she noticed that she crashed into him. A bag full of snacks were on the ground and her knees were scratched, a bit of blood coming from those scratches.

"Are you okay?" Wakatoshi held a hand towards the girl and she blushed in embarrassment, but took the offered hand anyway. Footsteps headed their way and the two of them looked up to see Tendou and the others looking at them shock.

"Kuga-san?" Goshiki questioned.

"You know her, Tsutomu?" Tendou asked. He looked at the girl in excitement, hoping that she was Wakatoshi's mystery girl, but realized she was a shy first year from the way she acted around all of them.

"This is Kuga Mitsuki, she's my classmate." Mitsuki blushed under all of the boys' attention on her, feeling smaller when all of them surrounded her. They all looked down at her snacks on the ground, ranging from cookies, ice cream, small candies, and more.

"It's for me and my senpai!" Mitsuki shouted. "We're watching a movie at their dorm tonight." Mitsuki rushed to grab the snacks and place it back into the large bag she had with her. Wakatoshi and the others bent down to help, making it easier for the shy girl to get going to her upperclassmen. "I apologize for crashing into you, Ushijima-senpai!"

"It's okay." Wakatoshi said. Mitsuki ran off while the boys watched her leave until her figure disappeared entirely.

"Are you okay, Wakatoshi?" Reon asked. He looked at his friend in concern, hoping he didn't injure himself at all.

"I'm fine." Wakatoshi said. "Let's head out before the gates close."

The team walked into town, headed to their favorite ramen shop. The atmosphere was warm and nice in the shop. There were plenty of customers, ranging from elderly couples to young adults coming from their jobs and enjoying some ramen with their coworkers. The team took their usual spot at the bar, the owners always reserved that space for the team as it was tradition for them to come on the first day of practice. Tendou pulled out his phone and took a selfie with Goshiki, laughing at the picture of the two of them. Reon, Jin, and Semi talked about their thoughts of this school year while Hayato, Wakatoshi, Kenjiro, and Taichi enjoyed their ramen.

"Tendou-san." Goshiki said. Tendou looked at the first year as slurped his noodles. "Why did you look so interested in Kuga-san?"

A smirk came onto Tendou's face. "Are you jealous, Tsutomu?"

Goshiki's face turned as red as the shirt he was wearing. "N-n-no! I was jus—"

Tendou started to laugh, but luckily for the team, all of the customers were regulars who were used to Shiratorizawa's players.

"It's okay, I'm just playing with you." Tendou said. "I thought she was Wakatoshi's girlfriend."

"You have a girlfriend, Ushijima-san!?" Goshiki said. Wakatoshi frowned at Tendou and Shirabu covered the loud first years mouth with his hands.

"Be careful what you say, we're not the only people from school here." Hayato warned. Goshiki's eyes wandered around the room as he noticed a few students staring at them intently, trying to get what the team just said. Luckily for them, the young adults in the back were drunkenly singing aloud, causing complaints around the entire shop.

Shirabu removed his hands from Goshiki's mouth, and the first year blushed in emabrassment.

"I don't." Wakatoshi said. "I met a girl who I found interesting last night, and Tendou is taking it out of context."

"Whoever she is, I hope you find her!" Goshiki shouted. The team hushed the loud first year, but a reassuring pack on the back from Hayato caused his spirits to lift back up.

"I hope so too."

"We're having movie night in your room, we can't have Mitsuki-chan thinking we ditched her!"

"Just one more lap, I swear!"

"That's what you said three laps ago!"

Akiyama Reika watched her best friend finally emerge from the water. The purple racerback clung to her skin as the water came off her pale body when she got out the pool. Taking the cap and goggles off, her long brown hair stuck together, but she shook her head violently, causing water to fly everywhere.

"Hey!" Reika shouted, her green eyes narrowing at her friend. "Watch where your swinging!" Reika grabbed the towel she had next to their bags, dropping it on her friend's wet head. "Take a shower and clean yourself up, I don't need you getting sick." Before the girl could say anything to her friend, Reika's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Reika-senpai! Where are you?" Reika glared at her friend, making her feel slightly guilty for taking so long in the water when their kouhai waited on them. "I have snacks!"

"I'm still at the pool with our dear Captain." The said Captain ran into the showers, fearing Reika's short temper. "She's showering now, so we'll be there in about fifteen minutes. Kazusa should be there soon, I think." Reika hung up on her friend and buttoned up her white jacket. She heard the showers cut off and saw her friend emerge. She was pulling on her black thigh highs as she dropped the brown loafers to the ground.

"Really, Yukina?" Reika sighed. She got up to help her friend dress appropriately. She tucked in the light blue dress shirt and pulled back Yukina's slightly wet hair into a messy bun. Yukina looked up with a bright smile as her gray eyes showed her emotions clearly. Yukina straightened her purple bow tie and skirt before placing her feet into her loafers. "We can't have the Captain of the Swim team looking so rough."

Yukina grabbed her schoolbag from Reika. "No, we can't."

"How are you late to your own event?"

"Be quiet, Kazusa."

Kurosawa Yukina blushed at her friend as they entered her room. Yukina was lucky to get a corner room, making it bigger than most rooms in the dormitory. She immediately welcomed her friends and teammates inside as she took the bag from Mitsuki and dumped all the snacks out of her desk. Yukina pulled her green beanbag from the corner to be near her bad, as not all four girls would fit on the small twin bed.

"What movie should we watch?" Ai Kazusa asked. She was looking through the stack of movies that sat on her lap. Kazusa was the team's freestyle swimmer, a fierce opponent in the water, but great as a friend. Her curly blonde hair fell to the middle of her back as she sifted through the stack with Mitsuki watching over her shoulder.

"I don't really care, I came for the snacks." Reika said. She landed on Yukina's bed as she popped some popcorn into her mouth.

"Don't make a mess on my bed!" Yukina shouted. She grabbed a few random snacks and handed it to Mitsuki. She blushed and nodded her head shyly as a thank you.

"You made me watch you swim for an extra hour." Reika glared. "I can make as much of a mess as I want." Mitsuki looked between her senpai, hoping they wouldn't fight. Kazusa giggled when she saw Mitsuki's expression.

"Don't worry, Mitsuki-chan, this is practically their relationship in a nutshell." Kazusa reassured the youngest of them. "That's it, we're doing a horror film tonight." Kazusa popped in The Ring despite protests from Mitsuki and Reika. As Kazusa started to skip the movie previews, the girls lasped into silence until Yukina frowned and turned towards Mitsuki.

"Mitsuki, why does my popsicle have a footprint on it?" Yukina tossed the squished popsicle package to the young swimmer, causing her to flush in embarrassment. "Mitsuki?"

"I dropped the snacks when I crashed into Ushijima-senpai, don't hate me!" Mitsuki shouted. Yukina's face flushed red while Reika chocked on her popcorn. Kazusa slapped the girls back hard, causing her to breathe once again.

"Don't worry, we don't!" Reika said. She whipped her head towards Mitsuki so fast, the young girl was surprised it didn't fall off. "You crashed into Ushijima-san before you came here? Was that before or after you called me? Who was he with? Tell me everything!"

Mitsuki and Kazusa blinked in shock at their friend, wondering why she was so jumpy and excited like a brand-new puppy. Kazusa's teal eyes shifted from Reika to the blushing Yukina, wondering what the connection was.

"Okay." Kazusa said. She paused the tv in Yukina's room to focus back on her friends. "What are we missing here?"

Reika tossed her head back and laughed so loud, Kazusa was surprised nobody knocked on Yukina's door to tell them to be quiet. When Reika finally calmed herself, she sent a mocking smile to the blushing Captain on the floor.

"You're not gonna believe what this idiot said to Ushijima-san."

"Reika!" Yukina protested, throwing a blanket at her friend's face. Despite her perfect aim, it didn't stop Reika from speaking. Reika told every detail of Yukina and Ushijima's conversation to the girls, earning muffled giggles to full blown laughter, even from the shy Mitsuki.

"I'm surprised you haven't seen him at all today." Kazusa said. Yukina couldn't meet her eyes, so she got up to turn off the lights and play the movie. "It's not like you were hiding from him, right?"

When no answer came, the three girls knew Kazusa was right. They laughed so loud, not even the tv could drown their laughter at the highest volume.

"Thank you for the ramen, Ushijima-san." Goshiki said. The young first year enjoyed his first day at Shiratorizawa Academy. From having a decent teacher, being an active member of the volleyball team, and going out with the entire team for ramen made his day. He couldn't wait to tell his classmates how his first night went!

"Of course, the Captain always pays for ramen!" Tendou said.

"Ignore him, Goshiki." Hayato said. "Tendou is just too lazy to pay for anything, so Wakatoshi always does."

"It's the bonds of friendship!" Tendou protested.

"How do your parents keep up with you?" Taichi asked. Tendou stuck his tongue out at his friend, but hummed one of his favorite songs as they headed back to campus. Yawns started to come from all of them, showing that they were more than exhausted. Wakatoshi led the guys back to campus, showing his student ID along with the others to the guards. Wakatoshi could feel the exhaustion seep into his bones, but he didn't show how tired he was, as it was a sign of weakness.

As the group of volleyball players slowly approached Wakatoshi, Tendou, Reon, and Semi's dorm, a group of girls were walking towards them.

"Kuga-san?" Goshiki asked. Mitsuki looked up and gasped at Goshiki, causing everyone to stop walking. While the volleyball players looked at the gaping girl, Reika and Kazusa's face broke into a teasing smile. They turned to the blushing Yukina who was trying so hard not to look at Wakatoshi.

The volleyball players were confused until Tendou jumped and pointed at Yukina, making her the center of attention.

"Hello again, Ushijima-san." Yukina said.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading the latest chapter of Miracle Lover. Lot's of things happened in this chapter so I hope that's enough to keep you ready for the next chapter which will be full of adorable, yet awkward tension from our lovely Captain's.

NEXT CHAPTER: Kurosawa Yukina