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Normally Tendo would meet with Ushijima in the cafeteria but this day was different. It was cold and rainy in Sendai, but the days still had to continue, which meant that the fiery red head was supposed to meet up with Wakatoshi.
The second year hitter went around the area looking for the middle blocker, around the water fountain, in the courtyard, over the bathroom stalls, under the water fountain, even on top of the roof. Even with his attempts no Satori to be seen. Eventually the lefty ended up in the gym, finally finding him.
Satori sat on the floor, throwing a ball up and down, as he laid flat on his back. Ushijima laid down next to him, falling back on his back to match him.
The red head held the ball in his hands, glaring over at Ushijima, “Why hello Ushy-Gushy, what are you doing here?” Tendo grinned over at him.
“I could ask you the same, Satori. Why are you not eating lunch? Why did you not tell me? Did I do something wrong?” Ushijima pondered as monotone as possible.
The middle blocker rolled over to his stomach, watching Ushijima copy him, “I’m just not hungry today. Oh and don’t worry Ushi I would never leave you.” Tendo patted the other boy's cheek.
Ushijima sat up, pulling something out of his bag, handing him something, “Here, I got you something.”
Tendo threw himself up, taking the thing from Ushijima, taking a closer look at it seeing that it was a white chocolate bar, “Thanks,” The middle blocker smiled, ripping it over, snapping a piece of for himself then one for the future ace.
“I read the manga you gave me.” Ushijima mentioned, taking a bite of the dairy treat.
Tendo’s eyes lit up, “Ooh did you like it?”
“No, I didn’t get it, but I guess you like it.”
“At least you tried, and I appreciate that.” Tendo sighed, folding up the rest of the bar, throwing it into his bag.
“Are you coming over to my dorm tonight?”
Tendo felt his stomach, “Sorry, I’m a little bust tonight, but we’ll meet this weekend.”
“Ok.”
Tendo nodded, “Is that all?” He continued to nod lightly, waiting for an answer.
“Yes.”
“Ok then.” Tendo responded.
The lunch bell rang, making Ushijima and Tendo depart, going off to their classes. The day finished as Ushijima walked to his dorm alone, without his monster.
Ushijima sat in his lone dorm, for the first time debating if he should’ve gotten a roommate for the first time, for the first time it was too quiet for him, normally there was always somebody there for him, always somebody that could distract him with noise.
The opposite hitter sat at his desk, finishing up the homework from the day. That continued for a couple of hours, until a knock came at his door. Ushijima opened the door, seeing Semi, “Hey do you have the book I lent you, Shirabu asked to have it.”
“Do you think Sarori hates me?” Ushijima diverted from the topic.
“I don’t know why do you ask?” Semi looked around slightly frantic.
“It seems like he’s been avoiding me.”
“I just wanted my book,” The setter mumbled under his mouth, “Maybe he’s just busy, I don’t know, just ask him. Now can I please have my book!”
Ushijima grabbed something from his desk, handing it to Semi, “Thank you.”
“Whatever Ushijima,” The gray haired boy walked out, “You weirdo.” He muttered as he left the dorm.
The next day Tendo was’t in the cafeteria. Then the next day he wasn’t there either, and the next day, then the next, he didn’t show up for the next two weeks.
“Satori,” Ushijima stopped the red head while they were in the gym together, “When was the last time you ate?” The opposite hitter looked at the middle blocker’s sunken eyes, significantly smaller build, and dipped in cheeks.
Tendo shrugged, “I don’t know. Why do you ask?” Ushijima pulled him in, feeling nothing but bone, “What are you doing, Ushi?” The red head trying to push him away.
“You feel smaller,” Ushijima commented, still gripping Tendo in his arms, “Please eat something. I need you Satori.”
Tendo put his arms around him, not gripping very hard, “I’ll eat dinner over at your dorm tonight.”
“Thank you,” Ushijima let him go, getting up, “I need to go, I’ll see you tonight.” He left, waving at Satori as he did.
“I can handle it Ushi.” Tendo muttered to himself, waving at Wakatoshi’s back.
At the end of the day Tendo followed Ushijima to his dorm, dinner in both of their hands. They sat on the bed and desk respectively.
“Are you excited for next week’s practice match?” Ushijima pondered, looking up from his food to Tendo.
“Yeah.” Tendo answered, almost at monotone as Ushijima would.
“Satori, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Are you mad at me?”
Tendo stopped poking at the food, looking up in shock, “I mean-” The middle blocker responded, “No I mean no. Why in the world would you think that?”
“I don’t understand how people work, I don’t understand you, but I want to. Questions seem like a way to end up understanding others.” Ushijima responded.
“Just don’t worry about it, ok.” Tendo calmed down the situation.
Ushijima nodded, “Ok, I won’t.”
Once the meal ended, Ushijima gathered the dishes, as they went off to the sinks to clean up. They said their goodbyes and their goodnights.
For the following week Satori went back into the cafeteria to eat lunch with Ushijima, eating everything from half a sandwich to a pile of peanuts. But in the mind of Wakatoshi he was at least back, and feeling less small.
The day came, the Shiratorizawa volleyball team meeted in the gym preparing for the match.
“Are you excited, Satori?” Ushijima repeated.
Tendo raised a brow looking towards Ushijima, “You asked me that last week Ushiwaka.”
“I know but people’s opinions change over time.”
“Yes Ushi, I am excited.” Tendo responded, as they walked out to line up.
The first set went smoothly, Shiratorizawa was up 19:14. Right up before the next rally occurred. The other team had the serve, Yamagata received it, with Semi setting it up for Ushijima to spike. But before celebrations could occur, instead of Reon getting the balls in his arms, it was Sator. Passed out.
“What do I do?” Reon looked around in panic, concerned about the person in his arms.
“Lay him on the ground!” Coach Washijo screamed, running up to them, with Reon stepping back.
Semi ran up, tapping Reon on the shoulder, “What happened?”
Reon shrugged, “I don’t know, he just fell back.”
“Shit.” Semi whistled, watching the situation in front of him.
“I’m gonna call 119.” Coach Saitō yelled out.
“Go.” Washijo responded.
“I’m gonna go check on Ushijima,” Semi ran towards the opposite hitter. The setter turned Wakatoshi towards him, “Are you alright?”
Ushijima just looked down, not responding for a minute, before turning over to him, “He told me that he would eat,” He whispered. Then grabbing the setter by the shirt, “He told me that he would stop!” Ushijima spoke with a passion that Semi had never until that point had never heard.
“Are you upset, Ushijima.” Semi took his hands off his shirt.
Ushijima looked down, throwing his hands to his side, “Yes, Semi. I’m upset!” The future ace pointed to the ambulance taking away Tendo, “Goddamnit I couldn’t help him!”
The gym stood in silence, hearing Ushijima scream for the first time.
Ushijima went to go grab the ball, “Let’s just finish this.” He threw the ball over to Semi, as the other team got into position.
For the rest of the sets everybody felt off center. Maybe except for Ushijima, who seemed to be on the top of his game, except for the emotions behind each spike.
After six more sets, Ushijima grabbed his hoodie and bag as he bolted up to his dorm. Entering the room, locking the door behind him.
Semi went up to his room pounding on the door, “Are you ok in there, Ushijima?” The setter heard nothing but muffled noises from the other side of the door. The gray haired boy continued to slam on his dorm, “I will break this door down!”
Semi continued to push on the door in every way imaginable, until Shirabu put a key into the keyhole, “Honestly I don’t see why you're trying so hard, in my opinion that’s much easier.” The first year commented, crossing his arms.
“Where did you get Ushiijima’s room key from?” Semi turned the key, seeing it worked.
“I stole his key one time then copied it so now I have it. “
Semi looked over at him in confusion, “That can’t be legal.” Shirabu just started whistling as he walked down the hall.
The setter went in, seeing Ushijima on his side, staring at the wall. “Hey,” Semi kneeled besides the bed, rubbing his back lightly, “Are you alright?”
“I don’t know.” Ushijima turned around in his bed to face Semi.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Ushijima sat up, scooting over so that Semi could sit on the bed with him, “I just wanted to help Satori,” The wing spiker leaned on Semi’s shoulder, “Why wouldn’t he just listen to me?” The setter could hear the pain in his voice, and the tears rolling down onto his shoulder.
“I don’t know what you know or said or what’s happening with Tendo but sometimes even if you’re right people still don’t want to listen.” Semi stroked Ushijima’s head.
“He has an eating disorder,” Ushijima broke into full on sobs, “I did everything but he still didn’t listen to me. Was I doing something wrong?”
Semi was sort of shocked by what Ushijima just said, “I’m sure you did nothing wrong, actually you probably did everything you could. It’s sort of like an addiction when you’re that deep into it. If you want I can go and see if Tendo’s still in the hospital and you can go and see him.”
“I don’t want to see him.”
“That’s fine. You seem tired, you should go take a nap.” Semi stood up, as he did Ushijima fell back onto the bed, “Goodnight.”
Semi walked out, waking down the hall, ultimately being stopped by Reon, “You really are the mom friend, aren’t you?”
“Sue a man for caring.” Semi scoffed.
“Is Ushijima alright? He seemed off.” Reon pointed out.
The setter raised his shoulders, “I don’t know. But we all know that he has tendencies to jump back onto his feet.”
“That’s true. Well wanna go get dinner?”
“I was waiting for you to ask.”
The night ended, then Saturday morning and practice ensued, minus a few members.
“Where’s Ushijima?” Washijo looked around for his student.
Semi put his arm up, “I think he’s up in his room right now. I think he can take a day off.”
The coach shrugged, as he began to start practice. Once practice finished, Semi ran off to the showers, then back to Ushijima’s dorm. The setter took the key that Shirabu gave him the other day.
“Hey,” Semi walked in, seeing Ushijima sitting at his desk, staring at the wall, “How do you feel?”
“Fine.”
“Ok, well if you changed your mind I’m gonna go see Tendo.”
“I’m fine, I actually need to go now.” Ushijima stood up, grabbing his bags then walking out.
Semi sighed, taking the key, leaving it on the table. He walked out, meeting with Reon.
“Where are we going?” Reon looked down at their ticket, as they headed to the station.
“Train three,” Semi responded after looking at his own ticket, “What would you ever do without me?”
“Get on the wrong train.”
Semi broke into laughter, “I hate you.”
“And that’s why we're friends.”
“Can’t disagree.”
They got onto the train, getting off at the last stop. They went to the receptionist, as she informed them that Tendo was in room 380. The two went up to the third floor. Semi took a deep breath with his hand on the door knob, mustering all of the courage he had to turn the knob.
The red head was turned towards the window, both of them seeing him with his hair down for the first time since they met, having a blanket wrapped around his shoulders,
“Hey.” Semi announced, causing Tendo to jump back slightly.
Satori turned towards them, revealing a tube down his nose, “Yay,” Tendo threw on a smile, clapping his hands, “You guys came!” Both Semi and Reon could see the smile, but could hear the tiredness in his voice.
“How are you?” Reon pondered, standing at the side of the door.
“Good. What about you guys?” Tendo responded.
“Don’t worry about us.” Semi reassured, sitting on the chair in the corner. As Reon went to sit on the window seat.
“Where’s UshiWaka?” Tendo looked around.
Semi shrugged, “I don’t know.”
“He just sort of ran off.” Reon continued.
“Oh.” The setter and wing spiker saw the smile on Tendo’s face sink.
“So uh what happened the other day?” You just sort of fell.” Reon asked.
Tendo shrugged, “I don’t know, guess I was just tired.”
“I didn’t think being tired would’ve ended you up in the hospital.” Semi mumbled under his breath.
“Did you say something Semi Semi?” Tendo leaned over, holding his head up with his arms.
Semi looked up, seeing the wristband, tightest as it could be, still falling down to the bottom of his arm instead of sitting at his wrist, “No, just talking to myself.”
Reon glared over at the setter, hearing what he said before. Before the opposite hitter could say anything, Tendo interrupted, “So how did the match go yesterday?”
“Fine, but would’ve been better with you there.” Semi answered.
Reon got a call before he was able to continue the conversation, “Sorry I have to go.”
“Why?” Tendo asked, watching Reon get up from his seat.
“My little brother got caught inside of the bowling alley.”
“Again?” Semi put on a face of confusion.
“Yes again, seriously you think after one time it wouldn’t happen again but no.” Reon complained, leaving the room.
“Wait again?” Tendo asked with a confused expression.
“It’s a long story,” Semi moaned, “Do you know when you’re leaving?”
Tendo shook his head, “Not yet, but hopefully soon.”
“You need to get that tube out first.” Semi mumbled to himself once again, “Oh well.” He announced to Tendo.
“You know Semi you don’t look good in casual clothes.” Tendo smiled at him.
“Oh my god I this is why we don’t hang out.” Semi moaned as Tendo chuckled to himself.
“So do you know where Wakatoshi is?” Tendo repeated.
“I’m sorry for not being the one you wanted to be here.”
“No, no it’s not that, I just miss him.” Tendo explained.
Semi looked up at him, “He said he didn’t want to see you, I offered for him to come.”
The setter didn’t receive an answer, instead it was just silence, along with a slight sound of sobbing coming from Tendo. Semi went up to the bed, tilting the middle blocker’s head up towards him, “Is something wrong?”
Tendo let out waves of tears, “Ushi doesn’t want me?” The middle blocker fell onto the shoulder of Semi, “He doesn’t want me!” Satori screamed, gripping onto the setter.
Semi rubbed Tendo’s back, “Listen I’m sorry my wording was wrong. He does want you.” The setter reassured, trying to wiggle out of the middle blocker’s grip.
Something threw Semi out of his grip. When the setter was able to see who it was, he saw Ushijima replacing himself with him.
“I’m sorry Satori.” Ushijima whispered into Tendo’s ear.
Tendo sunk into Ushijima’s arms, practically using his shirt as a tissue, “No it’s my fault, I should’ve listened to you, it’s my fault this all happened.”
Ushijima stroked Tendo’s head, “It’s not your fault Satori.”
“I want to change, but it’s hard Wakatoshi.”
“I know, but you’re not here to fight alone. I didn’t want to see you because I wasn’t strong enough to help you. But we can help each other.”
Tendo gripped onto Ushijima as hard as he could, “I think I’ll need a lot of help from you.”
“That’s ok,” Ushijima looked at Tendo, giving him a small smile, “I’ll be here for as long as you need me, and longer than that.”
The middle blocker whipped the tears off his face, “Thanks, but I don’t think you’ll ever be able to leave me if that's the case.”
“Then I’ll never need you alone, because I need you just as much as you need me.” Ushijima left the smile up, feeling a tear fall down.
Tendo whipped away the tear, “Are you crying UshiWaka?” The red haired boy smiled with him.
“I guess I am.” Ushijima chuckled.
“I think it's the first time I’ve seen you cry.” Tendo laughed with him.
“There’s a first time for everything, Satori.”
Tendo pulled him in closer, “I love you Wakatoshi.”
“I love you too,” Ushijima turned around, grabbing something from his bag handing it to Tendo.
Tendo took a closer look at it, “You got me chocolate popsicles? I thought you were allergic to cacao.”
“No I am, but initially I got you I've cream but then it took me so much time to come here it melted so I had to get you something else.”
“How could I have gotten a better person than you UshiWaka?”
“I think you could’ve done better, but I don’t think I could’ve done anything to get a better person than you.”
Semi smiled as he left the room, “Bye guys.” He announced as he walked out.
“Oops I guess I forgot he was there.” Tendo chuckled.
“It’s ok I want everybody to know that I’m here for you.” Ushijima fell onto Tendo’s lap.
Tendo started to stroke through Ushijima’s hair, “You’re so cheesy Ushi.”
“Will you eat cheese if I am cheesy.”
“Whatever you want, UshiWaka.” Tendo took a bite of the popsicle. After he did, UshiWaka stood up to kiss Satori on his forehead.