-ˋˏ ༻ CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ༺ ˎˊ-
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"TO WATANABE UEHARA, YAMAMOTO SAI, and Yasue Akari, you three are invited to the All-Japan Youth National Camp. Keep up the good work," the coach said, reading the points on his notes about what the team needed to talk about.
The girls clapped and teased the three girls who were mentioned, some even joking about how they were hard to reach now as if those three don't get invited yearly for stuff like camps nationally. Uehara dismissed their jokes and listened intently to the coach, Sai told them to quieten, while Akari was joking to her fellow teammates that they needed to catch up quickly.
"So, these three will be gone for the week-long camp, but that isn't all that we are gonna talk about. Coach Watanabe of one of the best teams in Japan, also your captain's father, who recently announced his retirement from coaching has volunteered to coach for you girls during the weekends before the Nationals. During weekdays, you train with the Shiratorizawa coaches, and for weekends, Coach Watanabe will take over. You have to go to Tokyo during the weekends, then," the coach informed the team, the girls clapping their hands excitedly after hearing the news.
"Any questions? If there are none, this meeting is dismissed. Take your rest, girls," said coach, and then walked out of the gym after they all shook their head no.
Standing up one by one, the girls went to take their things since the gym was already cleaned up before they had their team meeting. One of the members approached Uehara, teasing her about having such a big time father, but Uehara just chuckled and shook her head. After all, she didn't think of him as someone that famous.
Akari, their libero who was also mentioned earlier, approached Sai while grinning widely. Just seeing the expression on her face told Sai she knew what the girl wanted.
"Nope, Akari. I'm not introducing you to Tora," Sai replied, making Akari groan and pull on her arms. "I'll have a headache dealing with you two combined."
"Oh, come on! I'm not that bad. Besides, that cousin of yours is pretty cute. Please?" Akari pleaded, rubbing her palms together as she stared at Sai.
The amber haired female raised her brows, contemplating whether she will introduce the two. Before she could answer the libero, however, one of the members asked the team a question.
"So, during the weekends, where do we stay? Do we book a hotel or what?" Mariko, one of their middleblockers, asked.
The girls then agreed, asking each other where they wanted to stay for the weekends. Uehara then looked at Sai, the vice captain then looked back at the captain.
Silencing the girls, Sai raised her hand. They all looked at her, wondering why she wanted their attention. Maybe she had a suggestion about a place where they could stay? A hotel which is slightly cheaper but is comfortable?
"Uhm, everyone can stay at our place in Tokyo. We have enough rooms to invite you over. I'm sure my mum wouldn't mind," Sai said, her voice almost a whisper.
The team then fell in silence, staring at their vice captain as if she was a saviour among them. With their hands clasped with each other, the girls started showering her with affection and walking closer towards Sai which flustered her. Uehara only chuckled at the sight, shaking her head before signalling that she had to call someone.
Save me from these girls.
"Sai-senpai! You're a saviour!"
"Do we have to share rooms?! There's 10 members of the team,"
"W-We have enough rooms so you don't need to share if you don't want to-"
"SAI-SENPAI IS A RICH WOMAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE WEREN'T INFORMED!"
"Uhm, can you not scream?"
A few days later...
Sai stared at the ceiling of the dorm room, wondering about the past events of her life. As she was thinking about volleyball, her mind then went to Tendou who recently told her that he was quitting volleyball after high school. Although she knew that Tendou was sure about his decision, she couldn't help but wonder what he wanted to do in the future.
"I'm guessing he doesn't want to pursue a professional volleyball career," Sai muttered, sitting up from her laying position.
Before she could even return to her thoughts, she heard a knock on the door. Surprised, Sai immediately stood up and took a pillow from her bed if ever the person was an unfamiliar one.
Once she opened the door, however, she was surprised to see Tendou Satori wearing a hoodie and sweatpants with a bag of snacks on his left hand.
Tendou smiled at the girl, but she blinked at him since she wasn't expecting him to visit at all.
"Unless you want us to get caught and cause rumours to spread, maybe you want to let me in, princess?" Tendou teased, smirking at the now blushing Sai.
She groaned, pulling him inside and closing the door behind him before hitting him continuously with the pillow. His laughter echoed throughout the dorm room, while Sai wanted to kick him for appearing when she was just thinking about him.
"Hey, hey, calm down! I just wanted to visit you before you go to camp tomorrow," Tendou protested, placing the bag of snacks down and plopping himself down on the girl's bed.
"I was just thinking about you, you idiot-"
"Ho? My precious Sai was daydreaming about me? How sweet, what happened, baby?" Tendou teased, making Sai's face hit up so she playfully pulled on the roots of his hair. "Damn, it feels good."
"S-Satori! Can you stop for a second with the teasing? Besides I said I was thinking about you, not daydreaming," Sai answered, pulling on his arm to make him get up from her bed.
"Sure, sure, whatever you say," the red haired male replied, smirking as instead of being pulled up, he pulled the girl down so she landed on top of him.
Pecking her lips, Sai covered her face instantly to hide her face from Tendou who was smirking after the little act of affection. She sat down beside him instead of on top of him, still refusing to look at the male who was now trying to pull her hands away from her face.
Her heart was racing, something she only felt about the male beside her who used to be someone she despised. His constant teasing, however, was also something that brought them closer together as friends and eventually lovers.
"You're so shy when it comes to things like this," Tendou teased, poking the girl's side which earned him a glare.
"W-Who does that out of the blue?" Sai exclaimed, which only made Tendou stare at her.
It started off as a small smile, turned into a grin, until he erupted into laughter while watching the girl with adoration. Her reactions always made his day, he couldn't deny it.
"Okay, I'm sorry, now don't glare at me, it's adorable and threatening at the same time, princess," Tendou said, so Sai rolled her eyes and took the bag of snacks where he placed them.
Watching her figure search for snacks, Tendou smiled to himself. Never did he ever think that the girl he had a crush on for years would ever reciprocate his feelings. If there was something he thought would happen, it would be him keeping it all inside and just teasing her to get closer. Never would he have thought that he will ever confess, especially date the girl.
Feeling him stare at her, Sai turned to look at the red haired teen and raised a brow which he only responded to with a smile.
"Let's cuddle, Sai, I'll be missing you,"
"W-Whatever, fine,"
"Just admit it, you have a big fat crush on me,"
"Shut up, am I not dating you?"
"I love you,"
"I-I love you, too, now shut up and stop making me feel flustered!"
"I like teasing you,"
"I kinda figured that already,"
And so, the night was filled with both teens engrossed in anime while eating snacks on the bed, occasionally fighting for the blanket as well. Only one thing went through their heads that moment.
I'm so lucky to have you.
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author's note
OMG I'M SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING FOR DAYS EBJDJDJXUDJEJ i was busy with some stuff and was writing the plot for some of my upcoming stories ;-; anyway, i hope you had fun reading this chapter! ♡♡♡ make sure you guys stay safe and healthy too, i love you~ ♡