𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘜𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘫𝘪𝘮𝘢 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳)

CH 09

Having gotten closer to Ushijima, visiting the national team wasn't that suffocate. Well, but there's still Uncle Fuki. He has been smirking at you annoyingly since finding out from Ushijima both of you went to a cafe. This man was too honest and sharing things with the wrong people. Having said that, Uncle Fuki became bold with his teasing making you fluster while Ushijima was clueless. You have also bonded with the rest of the team and thoughts of going out for a meal was already in mind. Furthermore, you feel butterflies in your stomach whenever you see Ushijima since that day at the cafe from his gentlemanly actions to sharing his childhood.

You were with Ayumi and Eiko studying on the rooftop of the campus. It was a nice dainty place with wooden tables and benches with food stalls serving small bites. Eiko groaned for the nth time of the day, gripping onto her hair and was about to throw her laptop sooner or later. Ayumi chuckled and teased Eiko for either sleeping in lectures or being late, causing her to miss out on important topics. While you laughed, your phone lit up and you glanced at the screen. A frown instantly plastered your features as you turned your phone face down and aggressively typed your essay away. This caused your friends' attention and Eiko poked your arm asking what was that all about.

"It's Mako." You sighed and Ayumi grabbed your phone to read the messages. Mako was a guy interested in you after seeing an Instastory from a mutual friend of both of you. Your friend was nice to link both of you up through text and the chat was going well until he showed signs of desperation. "Ew, isn't he the guy who asked if you're opened to talk about sex not even a week into talking?" Eiko rolled her eyes. "I still remember you shutting him off and blocking him." Ayumi chuckled. "Yeah, apparently I forgotten DMs still exists. I'm gonna block him now." You grumbled and took your phone from Ayumi. It's been about a week since you cut contacts with Mako, your mind slipping that you were still following each other on Instagram due to the pouring assignments.

"You should just say you are seeing someone." "And that someone is Ushijima." Heat seeped through your cheeks as a pout formed from your friends' teasing. However, they kind of have a point. Mako was such a beta (he told you that himself) and you preferred a man who takes charge. In addition, you cringed at how low his EQ for being unable to read the room and asking certain questions. As for Ushijima, his presence just screamed alpha from how big and tall he was along with his stoic olive gaze. He might seem unapproachable but was a soft giant within. Little did you know that you were smiling and the girls made use of it to tease you. Raising a fist, you playfully threatened them with it causing them to let out fake screams before laughing away.

The sun started setting which was a sign to head home. You had your earpieces plugged in and jamming to your favourite artist's newest album. The walk home from the bus stop you alighted was about 10 minutes and you enjoyed taking a stroll during the breezy evening. However, a sense alerted you that something was wrong making you lower the volume down to have a better sense of your surroundings. From the corner of your eye, you noticed a shadow from the sunset and you fastened your footsteps.

For the first time in your life, you were being followed and you were scared to death. All you wanted was to go home and seek refuge. With these thoughts in mind, you didn't see where you were going and bumped into a sturdy surface. "Y/n?" Looking up, it was Ushijima and you thanked heaven for sending someone you knew. "Ushijima..." He noticed that you were quivering and hands trembling while yanking out your earpieces. He was about to ask about it when he saw a man turning in from the corner. You realized that Ushijima was looking ahead to whatever was behind you making you look back. Mako.

"Are you insane?" You yelled at Mako. "I didn't mean to follow you, y/n. I just wanted to talk-" "We have nothing to talk about!" You cut him off harshly. Ushijima wondered if Mako was your ex but that thought was washed away when you exclaimed that nothing even started between him and you. "Y/n, who is he?" Ushijima asked as you gulped. It was when your eyes lit up a little recalling what your friends said. Gathering your courage, you took a risky leap and wrapped your arms around Ushijima's torso. "Baby, he's the guy I was talking about. The one who wouldn't leave me alone." You placed your chin on his chest and looked up with pleading eyes, hoping he would get the message.

Ushijima picked up how the last sentence sounded real as his brows inched slightly and shot his olive eyes at Mako. "Oh, you're the guy with low IQ. I'm guessing from how you thought of stalking y/n." Yes, yes! He got it! He even added in low IQ along with him lacking EQ! "I-I... Y/n, you move on so quickly." Mako's voice shook the slightest at the sight of Ushijima. "You think I'd hold onto someone like you? Especially when you brought up about sex..." You uttered under your breath, feeling uncomfortable. "He what?" Ushijima's voice deepened and that sent chills down your spine. Seeking comfort, you found yourself pressing your face against his chest, inhaling his scent. Gosh, he smells so good.

"I didn't mean to! I got too comfortable and thought you would be willing to answer." Mako stepped forward, closing the space between both parties. "That's probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Ushijima spoke his mind. Prying your arms off, Ushijima took your hand and guided to stay behind him. Feeling tensed and anxious, you couldn't help but to hold onto his arm. At this point, all you sought was comfort with no other intentions in mind.

"Being a man, I'm very sure that you had your intentions when you brought up such a sensitive topic." Ushijima spoke. Mako couldn't help but to feel scared from how tall and buff Ushijima was along with how he was staring down at him from his view. "Stay out of this! I-It has got nothing to do with you!" Mako stammered cautiously. "Did you just tell me to stay out? You expect me to turn a blind eye on this harassment?" Ushijima leaned forward. This was what you meant. The alpha was now questioning the cowering beta. Two very different men before you and it was obvious who was going into submission.

Silence filled the tension as Mako didn't answer him nor did he dare look at him in the eye. "Just as I thought." Ushijima straightened his back. "I expect you to stop this harassment. Is that clear?" He cocked a brow. "Y-Yes." Mako swallowed a lump while nodding. "Good. Let's go home, love." Ushijima wrapped an arm around your shoulders gently. You were walking to your apartment when you stopped to turn back. "You're lucky my boyfriend didn't hit you. Your face would have a dent if he did considering he's a spiker of his volleyball team." You grinned evilly as Mako's breath hitched at your words before watching you leave with Ushijima.

Letting out a sigh of relief, you realized that you were still holding onto Ushijima's arm. "I'm sorry for the sudden actions, Ushijima." You pulled away and glanced to another side. "It's okay, y/n. Are you alright?" He asked gently, not wanting to startle you. Nodding, you assured your well-being and thanked him for getting your message and playing along. "Stay away from him. Block him on all platforms if possible. Men like him won't give up that easily." Ushijima advised. "I will, Ushijima. Thank you so much." You expressed your gratitude. You wondered what was he doing in this area and he replied that your uncle let his staff pass in the gents. Grumbling under your breath, you and Aunt Yumi's theory of his brain deteriorating might be true. Ushijima chuckled and couldn't help but admire that pouty look on your face.

"Uncle Fuki!" You yelled through the apartment and kicked off your shoes. "Why the rise in tone, sweetie?" Aunt Yumi came out from the kitchen while wiping a cup. "The old man forgot his staff pass. Luckily, Ushijima found it and he's nice to come all the way to pass it to him." You explained with a huff. The corner of Aunt Yumi's eye twitched hearing that and Ushijima entered the apartment greeting her with a bow being the well-mannered man he was. "Oya? Our dear niece brought home a guy? And it's Ushijima?! Wow!" Uncle Fuki popped from the stairs. Blushing, you were in a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance while Ushijima blinked and looked elsewhere.

"I came to return your staff pass, coach." Ushijima handed it over to Uncle Fuki who seemed shocked by the fact. As he retrieved it from the younger male, Aunt Yumi snatched it from Uncle Fuki's palm. "Hibarida Fuki. How many times do I have to tell you to use a lanyard for such an important card? You are lucky that Ushijima's sweet enough to travel all the way here to return it!" She nagged. "What a loser." You added fuel to the fire. "You are not helping!" "Wasn't going to!" You and Uncle Fuki bickered again. While Aunt Yumi was expressing her disappointment, she stopped to look at Ushijima. "Stay for dinner, dear." She let out a motherly smile. Warmth emitted through Ushijima's body at the sight. It was something he rarely had from his mother.

"I'd love to. Thank you, Mrs Hibarida."

"Aye~ Don't be so formal. 'Aunt Yumi' is fine- HIBARIDA FUKI, I AM NOT DONE WITH YOU!"

"Why are you ladies so mean to me but kind to Wakatoshi-kun?"

"Cause he is responsible towards his belongs, unlike someone who keeps forgetting to bring bentos and leaving the staff pass in the washroom."

What a dynamic family.