Ryosuke stood at the entrance of the gym, staring at the tightly shut doors. From inside came the steady thud of balls being struck. The sound tugged a smile onto his lips.
He lifted his phone, snapped a picture of the doors, and sent it to Sakusa.
Then he began counting silently in his head.
One…
Two…
Three…
"Bang!"
The doors flew open.
Ryosuke looked up to see Sakusa standing there in a mask, eyes wide with shock. He grinned.
"Didn't expect that, huh?"
Sakusa's left eyelid had been twitching all day. Since morning, he'd felt like something was about to happen, leaving him distracted the entire time.
Just now, after finishing a practice match and taking a break, Komori had said,
"Sakusa, your phone."
Sakusa had assumed it was a message from Ryosuke. He picked it up and saw a photo.
Looking closer—
Wasn't that the gym entrance?!
The previously expressionless Sakusa shot to his feet in an instant, startling Komori.
Without a word, he strode out. His heart pounded all the way to the doors. And when he opened them and saw the smiling figure waving at him, something inside his chest burned for a split second—warm and tingling.
He pressed his lips together, his voice carrying a trace of barely concealed delight.
"What are you doing here?"
Ryosuke spread his hands. "I came to see you."
He smiled, bright and carefree.
Sakusa forced down the corners of his lips that wanted to rise and took Ryosuke's hand.
"Come on. I still have some training left. Sit for a bit."
Komori stood there, dumbfounded, watching his perpetually deadpan cousin run outside and bring the Shiratorizawa little vice captain back in.
Iizuna walked out of the locker room, saw Sakusa actually smiling, rubbed his eyes, and turned back inside.
"Must've opened the door wrong…"
He tried again.
"?!"
What on earth… Was that smiling person Sakusa??
Iizuna nearly jabbed his own eyes out in disbelief.
Komori finally gathered himself and stepped forward.
"Yo, long time no see, Ryosuke."
On the inside, however, he was already screaming.
Ahhh! The pretty boy is here!
It wasn't that he had impure thoughts—it's just that, to Komori, Ryosuke was absolutely his white moonlight.
Ryosuke nodded politely with a small smile. "Komori-senpai, long time no see."
But his gaze never left Sakusa.
Completely ignored, Komori looked deeply aggrieved.
Coach Irihata, who had witnessed everything, felt a faint ache in his molars. He'd noticed it during the last training camp too—Sakusa treated this Shiratorizawa player differently.
Sakusa, who usually rejected physical contact, was actually taking the initiative.
Unbelievable.
Clearing his throat, Coach Irihata barked, "Alright! Stop standing around and get back to training!"
Only then did the other players snap out of it.
Nishio Satoru passed by carrying a volleyball, glancing at the two still sticking close together.
"Even though we saw this version of Sakusa at camp, it's still kind of terrifying."
Kishimoto kicked him lightly and whispered, "Move! Can't you see Sakusa glaring at you?!"
Nishio shuddered and sneaked a glance back—
Only to meet Sakusa's murderous stare.
He hugged the volleyball tighter and slipped away.
Sakusa finally withdrew his gaze and gently ruffled the little tuft of hair sticking up from Ryosuke's head.
"Sit here and wait for me. Morning training will be over soon. There are snacks and drinks. If you're bored, use my phone to play games—I downloaded the ones you used to like. You know the password…"
He went on and on.
Ryosuke couldn't help thinking—why did he always feel like a child when Sakusa lectured him?
Holding the snacks Sakusa had somehow procured, he obediently sat on the bench and nodded. The little tuft of hair bounced with the motion.
[Komori: staring at his now-empty locker in stunned silence (shock) (looking around) (silent rage)]
Under Ryosuke's large emerald-green cat eyes, Sakusa's heart trembled slightly. He couldn't resist reaching out and brushing a fingertip along the corner of Ryosuke's eye, warm skin smooth beneath his touch.
As if electrocuted, he pulled his hand back.
"Ahem. I'm heading back in."
Ryosuke blinked and nodded, only aware that the spot Sakusa had touched felt oddly warm. His heart thudded in his chest for no clear reason.
Both of them, each lost in their own thoughts, were far from calm.
Soon, everyone at Itachiyama noticed—
The Shiratorizawa kid didn't even have to do anything. Just sitting there seemed to give Sakusa some kind of strange buff.
Each spike came harder than the last.
Nishio stared at the ball hurtling toward him, eyes wide, forcing himself to step forward and receive it. The impact of a 106 km/h spike slammed into his arms.
He clutched his forearm and mourned silently.
Komori and the other first-year underclassmen were blasted all over the court by Sakusa's fierce attacks, rolling on the floor and crying out dramatically.
Taichi watched his teammates being forced into receiving drills with pity, making a cross with both hands.
Amen. May God bless you.
When Sakusa finally stepped off the court, drenched in sweat, the tortured players nearly wept with relief.
Seeing everyone sprawled out groaning—including Komori collapsed flat on the floor—Sakusa curled his lips in a faintly wicked smile.
Did they think he couldn't tell what Komori was plotting? Give him more to do, and he wouldn't have time for all those thoughts.
He really was a good person.
His gaze drifted to Ryosuke, who was still crunching away at chips.
He smiled again.
He'd probably smiled more today than he did in an entire week.
Carrying disinfectant wipes, he walked over.
"Give me your hand."
Ryosuke obediently placed his greasy, crumb-covered hand into Sakusa's.
Sakusa patiently wiped each finger clean.
"I'm free this morning. I still have training this afternoon. What do you want to do today? I'll go with you."
Ryosuke thought for a moment.
"Come shopping for clothes with me this morning. In the afternoon… I'll go back with you to training. I have to return to the main house tonight."
"Okay," Sakusa replied softly.
There was a gentleness in his eyes he didn't even notice himself.
Ryosuke stared at him in a daze.
Sakusa lowered his gaze as he carefully wiped his hands, dark eyes beautiful and deep like scattered stars. One more look and Ryosuke felt like he might drown in that tenderness.
When Sakusa looked up, he found Ryosuke staring blankly at him. He reached out and lightly scratched the center of Ryosuke's palm.
Without his mask, the faint smile on his face was dazzling enough to make Ryosuke's head spin.
"Let's go."
There was a hint of triumph in Sakusa's smile.
Ryosuke, the innocent little rabbit, had no idea what was going on in Sakusa's mind. To put it bluntly, all of Ryosuke's emotional intelligence had been poured entirely into volleyball.
Completely unaware, he happily let himself be led away.
Leaving behind a group of single men staring at each other in silence.
...
Sakusa took a quick shower in the locker room, pulled on a short-sleeved shirt, and looked at himself in the mirror.
For the first time, he felt that his slightly striking face might actually come in handy.
He sprayed lavender-scented disinfectant on himself and carefully checked his bag.
Disinfectant wipes. Wet wipes. Disinfectant spray. Hand sanitizer…
Only then did he nod in satisfaction and head out.
The moment Ryosuke saw him, he started chattering.
"Let's go buy clothes first. Ginza? After that, we'll eat. Where should we eat for lunch?"
Sakusa had been distracted by something but snapped back and squeezed Ryosuke's hand.
"Let's eat out. There's a new sushi place near the bus stop. I think it'll suit your taste."
"Then it's decided!"
They hailed a taxi and headed straight to Ginza without delay.
After getting out, Sakusa frowned at the bustling crowd.
Ryosuke immediately took out two masks and handed one to him. Only then did Sakusa's expression ease.
Worried that this little fool might get lost, Sakusa helplessly took his hand.
Ryosuke felt the warmth in his palm but didn't think much of it.
Most clothing stores in Ginza specialized in custom pieces, and even ready-to-wear items were limited editions.
Having grown up with every need taken care of, this was Ryosuke's first time shopping for clothes on his own.
He dragged Sakusa around excitedly, darting from shop to shop.
Before they even bought clothes, his arms were already full of strange little trinkets.
Gummy eyeballs with gooey filling. A toy dog that could set off an alarm. A pig that blew bubbles. A magic wand glowing in rainbow colors…
Sakusa pinched the bridge of his nose.
When Ryosuke picked up yet another singing duck for the Nth time, Sakusa finally spoke.
"You already have three of those."
Ryosuke puffed out his cheeks. "But this one's pink. It's so pretty."
Under that pleading gaze of big, shining cat eyes, Sakusa couldn't refuse.
He nodded helplessly.
But that was only the beginning.
Only after Ryosuke had bought nearly every toy he liked did they finally start looking at clothes.
Sakusa was dragged through more than a dozen stores, crossing several streets. The crease between his brows could have crushed a fly.
At that moment, he was incredibly grateful he was a volleyball player—otherwise he might not have managed it. He had to admit, Ryosuke's shopping stamina was impressive.
"You're pretty amazing too," Sakusa suddenly said.
Ryosuke smiled shyly. "I know."
Sakusa: That wasn't a compliment…
Sighing in resignation, he sprayed himself with disinfectant again and picked up Ryosuke's growing pile of treasures.
"This is the last store!"
They stepped into a ready-to-wear shop. Sakusa let out a breath of relief.
Finally.
Right at the entrance stood two hoodies displayed on mannequins.
Cat ears on the hoods. A large front pocket. Beautiful prints.
One black. One white.
Ryosuke fell in love at first sight.
"I'll take both."
Sakusa frowned. "Why two?"
Ryosuke placed his hands on his hips proudly.
"One's for you!"
Sakusa froze.
He turned stiffly toward the adorable hoodies. No matter how he looked at them, they didn't suit him.
Even with the mask covering his face, his expression clearly said: Absolutely not.
Ryosuke noticed immediately. His eyes lit up mischievously as he grabbed Sakusa's arm and shook it.
"Come on, wear it with me~ It'll look so good if we match, right? Sakusa, you're the best~"
That sweet, drawn-out tone could melt steel.
Sakusa had never been able to resist this kind of clingy charm since childhood—though only when it came from Ryosuke.
Before he knew it, he'd agreed.
Ryosuke blinked happily.
See? Acting cute always worked.
By the time Sakusa realized what had happened, the clothes were already packed.
He was about to object—but met those watchful eyes again.
In the end, he said nothing.
Ryosuke nodded in satisfaction and pulled him out.
"You'll wear the black one. Isn't it nice to match? Okay, stop frowning—I'm hungry."
Sakusa flicked his forehead lightly and took him to lunch.
When Ryosuke checked the time, he realized it was late. Remembering Sakusa still had afternoon training, he wolfed down his food at record speed.
Aside from training, this was the fastest he'd ever eaten.
After lunch, Sakusa brought Ryosuke home.
His home.
When it came to bringing someone he liked back with him, he wasted no time.
Ryosuke flopped onto the sofa, rubbing his stomach blankly while looking around.
The place hadn't changed much since childhood.
Except now, only Sakusa lived here.
It felt a little lonely.
The house was spotless. In the corner stood the small red wooden rocking horse, slightly worn but still polished clean.
It had been Ryosuke's favorite toy when he was little.
Seeing Ryosuke's troubled expression, Sakusa sat down beside him.
"What's wrong?"
Ryosuke sniffled pitifully.
"Rub my stomach. I ate too much. It hurts."
Sakusa frowned and lectured him in a low voice.
"You're picky enough as it is, and now you overeat? It's not like you've never had food before. You need to chew properly…"
Ryosuke covered his ears and squeezed his eyes shut.
Sakusa was way too naggy.
Before long, he drifted off on the sofa, breathing steady.
Sakusa didn't disturb him. He carefully picked him up and carried him to the bedroom.
"Bzz…"
A faint buzzing reached his ears.
Sakusa frowned and searched for the source.
After laying Ryosuke on the bed, he saw it—a mosquito on the back of his neck.
His brows knitted tightly.
Without hesitation, he pulled on disinfectant gloves.
Grabbing a disinfectant wipe, he twisted hard against Ryosuke's neck.
The subtle sensation of crushing flesh made his scalp prickle. His hand unconsciously scraped against the bedsheet, the sickening crunch echoing in his mind.
"Mmm…"
Ryosuke shifted uneasily in his sleep.
Sakusa looked at him.
A red mark had formed on the back of his neck.
He frowned slightly.
He'd used too much force.
Against that pale skin, the red mark looked especially glaring.
He exhaled and pushed the thought aside, tossing away the offending gloves.
Then he went straight to shower.
The moment he'd touched that mosquito, he'd felt unclean.
(Author's Note / Disclaimer:
When I first started translating this fic, I wasn't aware that it would include mild romantic undertones between two male characters, as there was no clear indication of that at the beginning. While this element is present, it is not the central focus of the story.
The fic mainly revolves around character interactions, growth, and daily life moments. The relationship portrayed is light, innocent, and wholesome—nothing explicit or heavy. It simply depicts two people who seem to care about each other.
I just wanted to give a heads-up for transparency.)
...
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