I took his palm.
Slowly placed the moon necklace on his palm. His eyes widened.
"It's yours." He said. I shook my head with a smile.
"It was. But it is yours now. You took better care of it. I lost it the day I wore it." I replied.
He smiles.
"Wakatoshi," I said.
He hummed.
"You know how to take care of things. It is okay to feel territorial if you have taken care of something." I said.
"I- ..." He spoke.
"Shh. You did take care of me. " I replied.
"I wish I can do more." He said.
"Time will tell. For now, remember the promise you made to me?" I ask.
He nods.
"But I need something after I complete the promise." He speaks.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Time will tell." He smirked softly. A similar answer irked me. I was not too fond of suspense.
I chuckled softly.
"Welcome to the team y/n." He said, putting forward his hands.
"Thank you, Ushijima Wakatoshi..." I shook his hand.
"See you at the gym tomorrow." I did a mini salute.
"I'll be at the court.." Ushijima smiled, softly jogging backwards.
I slowly walk ahead, bidding him bye, but before I could head to the door. My shoulder felt a soft tap, the next thing I knew.
Ushijima was hugging me.
"Just for few seconds.." His voice muffled on my hair.
I sadly smile. I needed that hug. I needed his arms around me. Last three years, all I thought about this hug. I softly raised my arms and rested my palms on his back, slowly hugging him back. Ushijima hugged me tighter after feeling my palms on his back.
His hands softly embraced my hair, stroking the back of my head, pulling me closed to his chest.
"I promised no distractions for you.." I sadly joke.
"Hugging you before I lose track of everything once this starts." He says.
"I am not going anywhere..." I say.
"Play your best. Every time you look away from the court, I'll be watching and cheering for you. "
"Promise me this time." He asks, still hugging me.
"I promise." little tears flowed.
He softly pulls away. His stoic nature was maintained, but I knew he gave up the demeanour when he hugged me. The Ushijima I know is the only mine. I understand now why he felt territorial about me. He gives me strength, and I gave him space to rationalise with his complex emotions. I wouldn't have any other way. We both were each other's comfort.
With that, we finally bid byes.
Today was the day I could forget about my work and hug him. But from tomorrow, for both of us. Real work starts.
Olympics preparations started.
xxxxxx
It was almost night. I woke up from my deep nap. I was exhausted, but now I felt refreshed. I hear the door unlock. Tiphanie entered. She was my roommate.
Kyla went to live with Iwa for the night. We both knew it was coming. But I didn't know it was soon.
"Good evening..." Tiph spoke.
"Gosh, how long was I asleep. I feel so tired but refreshed." I spoke.
"Probably 6 hours." She said.
"Gosh, did I miss the dinner?" I ask.
"Yes." She replied sadly. I frown.
"Man, I am hungry..." I tell.
"Don't worry. I didn't eat either. Let's grab something outside." Tiph explained.
"Ohh, what?" I ask.
"Ramen?" She suggested. I nodded. It sounded good. I wore a floral summer dress and did some light make up and head out with Tiphanie.
We searched for many restaurants. Everything was full—too many tourists in Tokyo. I got hungrier as seconds went by.
"Hey, why don't we go to the association Kitchen and make something. It's near the national gym where the boys will practice!" Tiph suggested.
"Oh, that's a great idea. We can meet the chefs as well. I think they still at work since some national teams started their training." I replied.
"Awesome, let's go." Tiph agreed.
But once we entered, we saw the cafeteria full. The buffet looked crowded—various national teams. Hoping not to run to any Zeldians or anyone else, we quickly entered the kitchen with our badges.
The kitchen was huge. Around 20 chefs working. I wondered how I could communicate the diet plan to these chefs.
My suspicion was right. I wish I knew better the day, Kuroo spoke about how Zeldian owned the sponsors.
None of the chefs was willing to talk to us.
Some said they were busy, and some just walked past by. I forgave them for their attitude, but my suspicion grew when they talked kindly to the other national team's dietician and training team but refused to talk to us.
One of the chefs came to me,
"You should probably come when everything starts. We are full today." He said arrogantly with a thick Zeldian accent...
"We just came to introduce ourselves. We are consulting the national team of Japan. Especially being the host country's trainers, we expected little decency." I said.
"Right so, FYI, being the host country doesn't make you special. Japan is representing around 100 sports. Do you think we cater for everyone?" The chef revealed.
"Um, I didn't mean like that. I was just doing a professional courtesy." I replied, frustrated.
"Well, we are busy... so maybe do it tomorrow. I'll look around if we have time..." He spoke.
My mouth was wide open. I felt disrespected. I came here to work, and this man was uncooperative.
Tiph just pulled my shoulder, asking me to leave, not cause a scene. If she weren't there, I would have argued more.
Another junior chef entered. He looked scared. He was clearly Japanese.
"Sir...Sir, we got the diet plans for the first 5 teams for the next volleyball match." He spoke, breathing heavily as he just sprinted from somewhere.
"Okay, leave around my desk, Fukunaga." He spoke uninterested to the junior chef. Fukunaga nodded and went ahead. I saw him pulling dumb faces at the Zeldian chef. I almost chuckled. Guess some of them hated him.
"Anything funny?" He asked.
I shook my head. "No. I shall meet you tomorrow then. Sorry for the inconvenience."
With that, I left the kitchen. As I walked, my blood boiled. I wouldn't say I liked the uncertainty about the future. Am I jeopardizing the team for my own ego? I didn't even feel hungry anymore.
As I walk down the hallway, I saw Fukunaga heading upstairs. It seemed like he was going to the head chef's office.
I dragged tiph with me.
"What are you doing y/n?" She whispered.
"shhh... the first 5 teams include Japan too. I want to know whether they have our diet plans with them in those folders." I say.
"I bet they do..." She says.
"I still need to prove my instinct wrong. Please, Tiph, comes with me." I said, still following Fukunaga.
She just nods, unsure and follows me.
I see Fukunaga placing the papers inside and leaves the office.
As I saw him leave, I quietly enter the office. Tiph panicked.
I quickly searched for the papers. I saw Brazil, Denmark, Zeldia, China....but no Japan.
"Tiph, are we sure Japan is in group A?" I ask.
"Why what's wrong...and yes, they in A. With Brazil, Denmark, Zeldia and China," she confirms.
"Our diet plan is missing..." I furrow my brows. Panic came around my throat.
"WHAT HOW? I specifically emailed them 2 weeks ago along with all notes." Tiph came forward and helped me recheck.
No, Japan still.
Suddenly,
we hear the door creak open.
SHIT