A/N: It's currently 3am so i'm going to keep it short. Read, Follow, and Review, please!
Wakatoshi frowned when he realized he was out of water as he finished his night run. Throwing away the empty bottle, he jogged down to the nearest convenience store he could find. Aside from regular morning and afternoon practice, he always jogged during night to keep himself and his stamina in prime condition, as well as to clear his head. Walking into the convenience store, he went straight to the freezer section and pulled out a cold-water bottle.
As Wakatoshi walked around a woman to get to the cashier, he noticed Yukina with a cart full of food. Knowing it would be rude not to greet the familiar face, Wakatoshi walked over to the unsuspecting Yukina who was focused on her list than his approaching figure.
"Kurosawa." Wakatoshi said. The swimmer jumped in shock as she looked up to see Wakatoshi peering down at her with his usual neutral expression.
"Ushijima-san!" Yukina said, surprised at how they seemed to meet regularly now. "What are you doing here?"
"Buying a water bottle." Wakatoshi replied, holding up his item for Yukina to see. Wakatoshi looked down at Yukina's basket in interest. There was a various amount of food in there, but more than half of it were packaged sweets. He even noticed Tendou's favorite chocolate fudge bars in her cart.
Seeing how his gaze traveled to her cart, Yukina blushed when she noticed how his eyes seem to land on the packaged sweets she got for herself.
"I like to cook." Yukina said, her tone obviously defensive as she turned her head slightly away from Wakatoshi with the usual blush that graced her cheeks. "I also have a large sweet tooth."
Wakatoshi frowned, ready to ask her what she meant by 'large sweet tooth,' then remembered how Tendou used that term when he always bought his chocolate ice cream. Noticing his lack of reply, Wakatoshi finally opened his mouth.
"How do you cook?"
"Eh?" Yukina said, not entirely understanding what Wakatoshi meant.
"Excuse me for my lack of elaboration." Wakatoshi apologized. "Where do you cook at school? The only kitchens present are the ones in the dining halls and dorms."
"Oh! Yukina exclaimed, understanding what the Ace meant now. "I cook in the Culinary Club's room. I always borrow their key since my second-year."
Wakatoshi nodded in understanding, but frowned slightly at Yukina's words. "I did not know Shiratorizawa had a Culinary Club."
"Neither did I, honestly." Yukina admitted. She grabbed a few items from her list as she moved her cart down the aisle she was in to finish shopping. "I met them on accident when I was helping a teacher deliver some papers and stumbled upon them."
"I still cannot imagine a Culinary Club at Shiratorizawa." Wakatoshi remarked.
"I don't think anyone could since Shiratorizawa focuses on sports and academics more than the culinary arts." Yukina said, tucking away her list into her jeans pocket. "The club may be small, but the girls are nice."
"How many members are there?" Wakatoshi asked as both made their way to the cashier.
"Erm. . . seven." Yukina said. "I usually buy plenty of food to cook for myself for at least a month. Since there's going to be a morning practice for the first time, I thought it would be good to treat the girls with onigiri since nothing will be open around four a.m."
"You have morning practice at four?" Wakatoshi asked, surprise coloring his tone. "That seems excessive."
"I'm used to it." Yukina shrugged. They walked closer to the cashier and Yukina started to put her items on the small conveyor belt. Noticing the lone water bottle in Wakatoshi's hand, Yukina offered to pay but the Ace was stubborn.
"You already have more than enough to pay for." Wakatoshi said. The Ace felt it would be rude to let Yukina pay for his one drink, while she probably had plenty of food and treats she needed to buy.
"I don't mind." Yukina said. She held her hand out and Wakatoshi eventually placed the water into his hands. Yukina nodded and gave the bottle to the elderly cashier who looked amuse at their actions. As the cashier placed Yukina's items into the plastic bags, she turned to the swimmer to tell her total. As Yukina paid, the cashier gave her a wide smile with an amused look plastered on her face.
"The both of you remind me of my husband and i." The elderly cashier said, causing Yukina to blush red while Wakatoshi just frowned.
"We're not a couple." Yukina and Wakatoshi said in unison. The elderly cashier just smirked and waved at them in entertainment.
"For now, you're not." The elderly cashier teased while Yukina turned redder at the cashier's tone. "Young man, make sure to help this young lady with her bags."
While Yukina blushed, Wakatoshi grabbed most of the bags, leaving only a few for the swimmer to carry. Yukina, noticing Wakatoshi's movements, just grabbed the remaining bags and followed him out the store. Standing outside now, Wakatoshi looked down at Yukina who was muttering to herself.
"Do you not want me to carry these bags?" Wakatoshi asked, watching Yukina carefully.
"It's okay." Yukina said. She gestured for them to walk and he walked beside her as they made their way back to school. "I just don't understand why everyone assumes we're dating."
"I do not know either, but people will always have their own ideas no matter what." Wakatoshi commented.
Yukina nodded in reluctance and both Wakatoshi and her travelled in silence, luckily it wasn't uncomfortable. As they turned a corner, Yukina looked at Wakatoshi.
"We're you on a run?" Yukina asked, noticing the gray tracksuit on his body.
"Yes." Wakatoshi answered. "I just finished when I came into the store for something to drink."
"The guys aren't with you?"
"No." Wakatoshi said, flexing his fingers as the weight of the bags dug into his skin. "They tend to limit their practice only to what Washijo-sensei requires and if we have punishments that."
Not knowing what else to talk about, Yukina and Wakatoshi made their way back to school and eventually towards the Culinary club's room. Wakatoshi looked up to see the place where the Culinary club resided.
It was a small building, probably something that he passed numerous times without a thought. It was smaller than the size of an average café, but something that a person would easily overlook if it wasn't their primary destination. With gray paint, few windows, and numerous flower pots, the Culinary's Club main building was unimpressive. Wakatoshi always assumed this building was where the school's groundskeepers kept their materials.
"It's not impressive." Wakatoshi said. Yukina said nothing as she unlocked the door and walked inside with Wakatoshi following her in. Wakatoshi closed the door and Yukina turned on the lights, illuminating the room.
It's bigger than I thought, Wakatoshi thought.
The room had numerous counters, two large fridges, one stove, and a dishwasher. There were cabinents above and a large trash can in the corner. There were two tables that seated four each in the center of the room. A chalkboard rested on the white walls, with recipes written and reminders from the club members. Yukina placed her bags on the counter and turned back to Wakatoshi.
"It's not the best place, but it's quite comforting." Yukina said. Wakatoshi placed the bags in his hands onto the nearby counters and watched Yukina pull out items from the cabinets above and below. "Thank you for the help, Ushijima-san. I guess you're going to bed now, goodnight."
Wakatoshi was going to turn around and leave back for his room, but then realize he had nothing else to do. He usually did his homework and filled out any paperwork for the club, but already completed both earlier in the day. Looking at his watch – a gift from his grandmother on his eleventh birthday – he noticed it just turned to nine. Seeing how it was too early to go to bed, Wakatoshi decided to stay.
"I have nothing else to do." Wakatoshi said. "I don't mind staying."
Yukina's eyes widened comically, not expecting Wakatoshi to stay. "Okay."
Seeing her reaction, Wakatoshi inwardly smiled. "Do you not want me here?"
"No, I don't." Yukina blurted. "NO! I mean not no, but yes. I'm not saying yes to no, but I –" Yukina slammed her head on the counter in embarrassment as Wakatoshi watched Yukina's embarrassed self, try to collect what was left her dignity. "You can stay."
Wakatoshi slowly nodded, moving across the room to wash his hands and grab a nearby apron to wrap around himself, failing to do so because of his muscular, yet lean build. Yukina saw Wakatoshi frown at his attempt to tie the apron around his waist and failed to hold in the laugh that bubbled in her throat.
Hearing Yukina laugh, Wakatoshi looked up to see the girl resting on a nearby stool with tears spilling down her cheeks. Wakatoshi frowned, not understanding why Yukina was laughing at him.
"Sorry." Yukina apologized as she tied her long hair into a ponytail to keep it out of the way when she was cooking. "You don't have to wear the apron, I don't." Yukina gestured to the black t-shirt and blue jeans she wore, sans apron. Wakatoshi nodded, placing the apron back where he found it, as well as taking off the jacket he wore with his tracksuit, revealing the white t-shirt underneath.
"Unfortunately, I don't know how to cook." Wakatoshi admitted as he watched Yukina pull out the large bag of rice and drop it onto the counter.
Yukina wasn't entirely surprised at Wakatoshi's admittance. She couldn't imagine this volleyball player cooking at all. Tendou perhaps, although Yukina imagined the middle blocker setting fire to everything and dancing around the flames for fun.
"It's okay." Yukina said. "I'm just making my own bento and the onigiri for the team."
"How much food do you intend to cook?" Wakatoshi asked.
"About four bentos for myself and fifty onigiri for the girls." Yukina said. She didn't feel embarrassed when talking about how much she ate, as she was an athlete and constantly hungry all the time. Yukina would be surprised if the volleyball player didn't eat more than she did, he was twice her size with more muscle and height.
"What should I do?" Yukina directed him to the rice cookers and showed him how to work it, giving him detailed instructions on how to cook. She had to make sure she was elaborate enough when she said 'wash the rice,' hoping Wakatoshi didn't take it literally and washing it with dish soap. Yukina peeked over at the Ace who had a deadly amount of focus as he washed the rice in the sink with cold water. Yukina found it hilarious as she watched Wakatoshi pour the clean rice into the rice cooker, pressing the buttons she told him and setting a timer to keep track of the food.
"I don't think I could imagine you cooking." Yukina said. She chopped some vegetables rapidly and placed them to the side. Seeing how he was done with the rice, Yukina directed Wakatoshi to grab a cutting board and a knife, warning the Ace to put a cut glove on his hand so he wouldn't injure himself. Showing him how to cut the meat she bought, Yukina was surprised on how fast he picked up on her instructions. "You're good, though."
"Thank you." Wakatoshi replied. Yukina quickly made the rest of the ingredients needed for her bentos and the swim team's onigiri. As Wakatoshi cleaned his mess up, Yukina let out an audible hiss as she bent forward to pick up a fallen spoon. Seeing how she voiced her pain, Wakatoshi got the spoon and placed it in the sink before watching Yukina carefully.
"Are you okay?" Wakatoshi asked. Yukina got back up steadily, lightly massaging her back as she grinded her teeth.
"Kind of." Yukina lied, although she knew Wakatoshi didn't buy it. "I just didn't expect it to hurt this much."
"You're still not going to inform your Coach, are you?" Yukina frowned at his words, slightly wondering why he seem so worried over her.
"No." Yukina said. She looked up to Wakatoshi, staring up into his eyes as she opened her mouth. "Endo is a problem I can handle. I just want the pain to go away since it just brings up bad memories Pain is something I cannot handle." Yukina turned her head away from Wakatoshi, but he was able to see the glimpse of hurt that flashed over her eyes.
"Ushijima-san, what are we?" Yukina asked, turning back to the Ace who saw how she changed her expression to curiosity, as if the pain she showed was nothing.
"Humans." Wakatoshi stated, saying that with a straight face.
Huh!? Is he joking? Crap, I forgot about how blunt he is, Yukina thought.
"Well, we are, but that's not what I meant." Yukina said slowly. "I meant what is our relationship with each other?"
Wakatoshi frowned at Yukina, wondering if he did something wrong. "Friends, of course."
Yukina just blinked rapidly at Wakatoshi, not saying anything since she was shocked at his words. Before either could attempt to open their mouths the rice cooker and Wakatoshi's phone went off. Yukina tended to the rice as he brought out his phone from his pocket. Seeing the name pop up on his screen, Wakatoshi immediately excused himself and went outside, closing the door to get some privacy. Pressing 'Accept,' Wakatoshi put his phone to his ear for the familiar greeting that would be spoken to him.
"Evening, Wakatoshi. I hope I didn't wake you up."
A rare smile came upon the Ace's face at the familiar voice in which he felt that he hadn't heard in so long.
"No, you didn't, father."
Utsui Takashi – formerly Ushijima Takashi – was a former volleyball player and alumni from Shiratorizawa Academy. Despite being divorced from Ushijima Hanako, Takashi kept contact with his son constantly and was very involved in his life, even if he was a continent away. Currently occupied in California as the UCLA's Men's volleyball team assistant Coach, Takashi never fully abandoned his love for volleyball despite not being able to play it anymore at all.
"How are you?" Takashi asked, although the man knew already since his son usually said the same thing as usual when he first called.
"I'm fine." Wakatoshi said. "I just recently returned from a run."
"I figured." Takashi laughed. "Don't overwork yourself now and remember to take breaks."
"Of course, Father." Wakatoshi said. He heard some noise in the kitchen an opened the door slightly to see Yukina washing some dishes. Seeing how she didn't notice him, Wakatoshi closed the door and focused back to his conversation.
"What was that?" Takashi asked. "Are you not in your room right now?"
"No." Wakatoshi asked. "I'm in the Culinary Club's room"
Silence.
"Hello?" Wakatoshi asked. He heard snickering from his father which turned into full-blown laughter. Wakatoshi frowned and removed his phone from his ear, as his father's laughter was ridiculously loud. It must've went on for a full minute before Takashi calmed down.
"I'm still here." Takashi said, his voice slightly hoarse from his laughter. "I do hope you're not cooking at all. Remember the last time you attempted to cook?"
Wakatoshi frowned at that memory. "I'm still sorry about your kitchen."
"It's okay, I did plan to get it painted after all." Takashi laughed. "The walls are now yellow after all. Why are you cooking so late? Isn't it almost ten at night?"
"I helped a friend carry her groceries in and volunteered to help her out."
"Her?" Takashi asked, surprise coloring his tone. "Is she a member of the Culinary Club?"
"No." Wakatoshi said. "She's a swimmer."
"Interesting." Takashi said. "Well, I better let you go now. Oh, wait!"
"Yes?"
"Are you still planning to visit before your birthday?" Takashi asked.
"Of course."
"That's good to hear." Takashi said. "Goodnight, Wakatoshi."
"Goodnight, Father." Wakatoshi hung up his phone and walked back inside to see Yukina cleaning up and putting things away. The room was filled with different scents, all pleasing to his nose. Yukina looked up to him as she finished watching a plate, tilting her head to the side and giving him a look of curiosity.
"Is something wrong?" Wakatoshi asked.
Yukina shook her head. "No, it's just that you look happy." Yukina pulled out a bag from the freezer and grabbed the few that were still approached Wakatoshi. "Whoever you talked to definitely knows how to put a smile on your face."
Wakatoshi nodded and both Yukina and him left to go back to their dorm. As they walked, Yukina lifted up one of the bags in her hand, gaining Wakatoshi's attention. He took the bag from her and peered into it to see his water bottle and the chocolate fudge bars that were in Yukina's cart earlier.
"Thank you." Wakatoshi said. "Although I don't need the chocolate."
Yukina frowned. "You were looking at it in my cart."
"Those are Tendou's favorite, that's why." Wakatoshi said.
"Well, give it to Tendou." Yukina said. "He'll definitely love you if you gave him his favorite food."
Seeing how Yukina was right, Wakatoshi found no argument and held the bag tight in his hands. As they got closer to their dorm, Yukina looked up to Wakatoshi as he swiped his student Id to open the door as they waited for the elevator.
"Ushijima-san." Yukina said. Wakatoshi looked to her as they stepped into the elevator. "We are friends."
Wakatoshi didn't say anything for a few seconds, but nodded in agreement. "Yes, we are." The elevator stopped on Yukina's floor and she waved goodbye to him as the doors closed. Pressing the button to Tendou and Reon's floor, Wakatoshi went a few floors up and left to knock on the middle blocker's door.
Hearing footsteps, Wakatoshi took a step back as the door opened. Wakatoshi didn't expect to see Reon in Tendou's room this late as the wing spiker step back to let his captain in.
"Hey, Wakatoshi." Reon said as he walked back to Tendou's desk. "Enjoy your run?"
Wakatoshi nodded in greeting as he closed the door behind him. "It was fine." Noticing, the lack of his eccentric friend, Wakatoshi turned to Reon.
"Where's Tendou?"
Reon pointed towards the other door in the room. "Bathroom. Apparently, Akiyama tossed some paint at him after he stole her phone."
Wakatoshi shook his head. "Why would he do that?"
Reon shrugged as he took a pack of playing cards from the top of Tendou's desk. "Honestly, I have no idea when it comes to Tendou."
The door to the bathroom opened as Tendou emerged from the steam, wearing sweatpants and one of the many t-shirts the volleyball team owned. Tendou was groaning and fell against his bed, but then realized he had guests as he lazily turned his body in his bed to face Reon and Wakatoshi.
"Wakatoshi-kun." Tendou said. "Welcome to my humble abode."
''I heard you got paint thrown at you." Wakatoshi said. Tendou pouted and looked away from his friend.
"Reika-chan is so mean to me."
Reon snorted in amusement. "The reason she's so mean to you is that you constantly do things that piss her off."
"Stealing her phone is one thing." Wakatoshi said.
"Commenting on her body is another."
"Tendou, you also say rude comments to her as well."
"Don't forget about how you constantly pick on her."
"You also pushed her into having lu –"
"Okay!" Tendou shouted. He sat up in his bed and glared at his friends. "I get it! So, do you need my romantic services with Yuki-chan?"
"No." Wakatoshi said. "And I'm not in love with Kurosawa. We are simply friends."
"I don't think dating first-years and then dumping them when volleyball tournaments start is considered romantic services." Reon commented.
Tendou ignored Reon's comment and focused on Wakatoshi. "Were you with Yuki-chan?"
"Yes." Wakatoshi said. "I helped her carry groceries and cook."
"You cooked?" Reon asked, spilling the cards he had in his hand onto the floor. "You can't cook."
"No, I did not cook." Wakatoshi said. "Kurosawa did. I simply washed rice and cut some meat."
Reon and Tendou shared a look before Tendou stared at Wakatoshi carefully. "Wakatoshi, you're doing things you normally don't."
"I suppose." Wakatoshi said. "Is that a bad thing?"
"No, not at all." Tendou smiled, looking at his friend with admiration.
"I have something for you, Tendou."
Wakatoshi held up the bag Yukina gave him earlier and placed it on Tendou's bed. Peering inside, Tendou shouted in joy, causing Reon to jump out of the chair he was in.
Tendou raised the chocolate fudge bars in the air, his eyes sparkling with love. "Wakatoshi-kun, the volleyball gods have blessed you and I!"
"There's no such thing as volleyball gods, Tendou." Wakatoshi said. "Can you hand me my water bottle?"
Tendou blindly tossed the water bottle to him as he was infatuated with his chocolate ice cream. Seeing how happy Tendou was when he got his favorite food, Wakatoshi left to his room while Reon stayed with Tendou.
"So why did you steal Akiyama's phone?" Reon asked. "You knew she was gonna kill you."
"I need the swim girls' numbers." Tendou said as he swallowed his third chocolate ice cream.
"Why?"
"I need an update on my ship, of course." Tendou said as if was such an obvious answer. "Check your phone."
Reon pulled out his phone and saw the messages that started to come through.
Tendou created a group chat: Shiratorizawa's OTP
Reon slammed his head against Tendou's desk. "Oh my god."
"What?"
Tendou: Welcome shippers!
Shirabu: What in gods name did you do?
Soekawa: TENDOU!
Semi: It's too late for me to ask what you did this time.
Akiyama: IS THIS WHY YOU STOLE MY PHONE!?
Ai: You stole Reika's phone!?
Kuga: What's going on?
Kawanishi: Akiyama, can you kill Tendou?
Goshiki: ?
Akiyama: I don't need permission to kill Toothpick.
Shirabu: You can bury his body in the woods.
Yamagata: Try the sewers, it'll blend with the smell
Ai: And I thought Reika was sick.
Soekawa: I'm not going to read about murder.
Tendou: Listen shippers! We need to put a plan into action for Wakatoshi and Yuki-chan to date!
Akiayama: We agreed on letting them work it out on their own.
Ai: WAIT. WHAT DID YOU AGREE ON?
Soekawa: HUH!?
Shirabu: You're meddling in things again.
Goshiki: I'm so confused.
Kuga: Same.
Akiyama: Leave Yuki ad Ushijima alone!
Tendou: No! They're friends now soon to be lovey dovey
Kawanishi: I'm going to bed. It's too late for this.
Shirabu: I'm leaving now.
Ai: Not dealing with this when I have to get up in 6 hours!
Kuga: Going to bed now, goodnight everyone!
Goshiki: Goodnight! Goodnight everyone.
Reon read through the group the chat as everyone ignored Tendou and went to bed. Reon turned to the middle blocker who was on his last bit of ice cream as he shurugged his shoulders so innocently as if he did nothing wrong.
"I understand that you want Wakatoshi to be happy, but it's his choice, not yours." Reon warned Tendou, giving him a hard glare."
"Don't you find it strange that Wakatoshi-kun hasn't dated at all?" Tendou asked, a rarely serious tone adopted into his voice. "He's finally doing things that he wouldn't! Yuki-chan is changing him!"
"Let Wakatoshi deal with whatever his relationship is with Kurosawa, simple as that." Reon left Tendou's room, silently praying that Tendou would take his advice although he knew the middle blocker would do whatever he wanted.
The group of thirteen sat at their combined table at lunch, eating during their break before the bell for class rang. As Yukina at her bento – which got many knowing compliments from Tendo – Wakatoshi looked directly at her, needing to ask Yukina an important question.
"Yes, Ushijima-san?" Yukina asked after she slowed the piece of chicken that was in her mouth.
"There's something I need to ask you." Wakatoshi told Yukina. The large group of friends tuned into their conversation, especially Tendou who watched anything Wakatooshi did with a sharp, critical eye.
"Go for it."
"Will you go out with me?" Wakatoshi asked sincerely with his usual neutral expression, although the reactions from his friends and the entire student body were in complete shock, although Yukina's now shocked and frozen state would go down as the best reaction in Shiratorizawa history.
A/N: Tell me how it was. You guys know the drill, goodnight!
NEXT CHAPTER: Preparations