9

Yoshikami took off her shoes upon arriving at her house. It was a mix of traditional and modern everyday house in Japan. While the outside looked like the traditional, the inside was made like the modern-day houses. Except the living room though, it had walls which can be transferred to one place to another, either for works', studies', or meetings' sake.

"Tadaima!" Yoshikami shouted after placing her shoes by the side. Upon hearing nothing, she bit her lip then let out a large sigh. She knew what was going to happen. She placed her bag on the floor and took out the test papers, quizzes, and projects she had already finished. She pursed her lips at the gym clothes she was given but dismissed them as she closed her bag. Each step towards the kitchen was filled with fear and hesitation.

She could hear the crackling of the flames when she entered through the door way. Her mother was standing behind the stove, cooking whatever was in the closed pot on top of the stove. By the smell, it was curry. They always had curry when her mother was displeased. She was tall, standing at nearly six feet, and thin, had her brown hair tied up into a neat bun, and wore a suit, signifying she had yet to change.

The short girl bit her lip again once she realized what was going to happen. Her arms, thin and small, instinctively tightened the grip on her school materials.

Her nearing blank red eyes flickered to her father who stared- scratch that, glared at her with hidden animosity. He sat at the head of the dining table, holding a mug with his right hand. She clenched the papers in her hands, though she already knew she was shaking like a poor tiny leaf beaten away by the heavy winds.

Her father was two inches taller than her mother, well-built for someone at the age of thirty-five, had his black hair in a clean cut, and burgundy eyes that stared deep into her soul.

Despite knowing why they were acting in such a way, Yoshikami smiled at them and bowed. "Good evening, Otou-san, Okaa-san. Here are my projects, tests, and quizzes." She walked towards her father, bowed again, then placed the papers on the center of the table.

"I heard you joined a sport." There was a slight growl in his tone. The short girl froze. He was quick on point towards the topic of conversation for the dreadful night. She could hear the clang of kitchen utensils hitting one another. The crackle of fire filled in the silence. Her silence.

She stared blankly at the papers, not even widening in shock. She knew this was going to happen. Every time. "Yes, Otou-san… I did." She took her time saying the words. "I'm just there for practice. The coach made it clear that I was not to…" She flinched hearing a loud smash in the kitchen.

Her father looked through her papers. All in A's and B's. Nothing below that. But he passed through them without even glancing at her answers or the words of praises legibly written by her senseis. "How long have you been doing that?"

Yoshikami gulped. "For a week and a half, Otou…"

The smashing of his fist on the table cut her off and made her flinch. Yoshikami never felt smaller at that moment. She heard her father take a sharp sigh. "What have your mother and I told you about sports?"

Yoshikami felt something lodged in her throat. She knew more than ever what he was talking about. She clenched her fists at her side. "Never…to play sports." She was already whispering at this point. Her voice as small as she was.

Her father sighed again. An angry, fearful sigh. "This is for your own good, Hoshi. Why can't you understand that?!" Yoshikami jumped at the sudden yell. Her eyes widened staring at her father in fear. The chair scraped loudly as he stood up, glaring at her. "You will quit that club tomorrow morning." Her lips quivered. The tears were filling up her eyes now. "Understood?"

Instead of agreeing to him and going behind his back like before, she finally shook her head. "No! I just want to do something that I want for once in my life! I did everything you told me to do. Why can't you just let me play volleyball?" Her voice rose from the beginning then lowered into a pleading whisper at the end. The tears were streaming down her cheeks with each word said.

Her mother turned around, probably having enough of staying quiet, and shouted at her, "Hoshi, you don't understand! You know your condition. We've told you…"

Yoshikami cut her off, "No! I've been listening to your lies long enough! I am fine! It's been nearly a decade since my last seizure. I can move my body properly, and I already prove to you through these fucking tests…" She pointed at the papers.

"Watch your language, Yoshikami Hoshi!" Her father cut her off.

But the short girl continued, "…that I have a higher intelligence than most kids my age! My age! Me!" She pointed to herself. "But not once did you ever notice that, did you?! You never once congratulated me. Not once did you even listen. Hell, you never even came to my moving up ceremonies! The only thing you care about is when the time I would suddenly drop dead without you guys." She wiped her tears, but more flowed out. "I just wanted to play volleyball. Make friends. Without them knowing that I'm not a normal kid like they are. Without them worrying about me the whole time when I. Am. Just. Fine."

Her parents became silent after her speech. The only thing that could be heard was the crackling of the fire and Yoshikami's sniffles.

Her father shook his head, sitting back down. "I'll be calling your principal tomorrow that you are not to be allowed to play volleyball, or any sport for that matter." Yoshikami stared at her father in horror. She looked at her mother for help, at least for this one time.

Her mother turned to her father and Yoshikami found hope at that moment. "Wait, dear, shouldn't we…"

"And that's final.��� Her father's words echoed in her mind like a taunt. It mocked her, chained her, and imprisoned her to this planned reality of her parents. Everything came crashing down on her.

Yoshikami gritted her teeth and stormed out of the kitchen.

"Hoshi…" She heard her mother's pitiful whisper call out to her, but she ignored it. She ran up the stairs and into her room.

She locked it, stared at the door as the reality, her reality, sunk its teeth into her very core. She gripped her uniform, that cursed uniform she never wanted to wear, and slowly dropped to her knees. Then she cried. She let out all the frustrations, doubts, fears, and sadness out with each choked sob that came out of her mouth- with ever tear that trickled down her flushed cheeks. She didn't scream nor yell, not even curse. She just cried.

And at that moment, she wanted to have her friends- Ohira, Semi, Soekawa, Yamagata, Tendou, and Ushijima there. Just so she can laugh and be happy. Just so she won't face this reality.

She took her phone out of her pocket. It was a simple flip phone, made for calls and texts to her parents or for group projects. She wiped her tears and searched through her contacts.

She needed to talk to someone. Just so she can sleep without any more tears and any more fears in her chest.

She stopped at this certain name. He would be the best person for her right now. She didn't need to hear the sympathies, the sadness, the guilt.

So, she pressed the call button. The phone was against her ear once the ringing started. It rang and rang until the resounding click answered her calls.

"Hey, Ushijima-san… Sorry for disturbing." Yoshikami laughed, though she ended up coughing.

"Yoshikami, it's late in the evening." She heard the annoyance and exhaustion in his voice. He was probably doing his chores or heading early for bed. After all, she knew he was serious for volleyball and his studies.

She giggled. "It's still seven.��

"This call has nothing important. I'm ending it." He sounded tired, but Yoshikami was fine with it.

"Sorry about that. I just wanted to hear you." She sighed after hearing the beeping from her phone. He probably didn't even hear her last statement. Still, she smiled.

She typed something in her phone then stood up. She felt better now after that. Though the reality was still pressuring her like never before, her burden was lighter now after hearing Ushijima.

She sighed, flopped herself on the bed and closed her eyes to be drifted away in a dreamless sleep.

--

Ushijima clicked his tongue, throwing his phone on his futon. Due to practice ending later than usual in the morning, he had to finish the essays and report presentations asked by his teachers to make up for his missing classes. Two legibly written essays on grammar and history, and the report presentation of chemistry.

His practice ended an hour ago, but it took a while for him to go home because he had to clean up the gym along with the other first years. Then he had to do his chores once he got home. So, it took him an hour and thirty minutes to do all of it, including the time he had to stay back at the gym.

He needed the essays and the report done before nine so his usual night routine wouldn't be disrupted. Currently, he was finishing up on the first essay. He ignored the loud beep from his phone. He assumed it to be a spam message and continued on writing.

When he was nearly done with everything, he heard the soft tap against his wooden, sliding door. He stopped what he was doing and knelt on the ground, facing the door.

"Please come in." He said, bowing at his mother. His mother was tall, 3 inches shorter than he was, and had dark green hair that flowed down to her back. She wore a striped printed jinbei that matched her sandals.

"Wakatoshi-kun, it is almost time for bed. Are you done?" She motioned to his work.

Ushijima kept his head bowed. "I am nearly done, Okaa-san. Then I'll head for bed. Is something wrong?"

He saw his mother kneel in front of him. "Wakatoshi-kun, you do know what I'm doing is for your own good. Is that correct?"

He nodded. "Yes, Okaa-san. Don't worry about my grades. They're all in the A's. In the club, I'm also doing my best to become the Ace Otou-san told me about."

He heard her sigh. "That's good. However, I'm here about your marriage." Ushijima stiffened, but didn't lose composure. "She seems comfortable now to get to know you. In two months, our family and her family will gather together to formally address your marriage. Of course, this is only for the promise to be made. Your marriage will happen when you are twenty-one."

Ushijima closed his eyes. For respect and to cover his hurt. "It is an honor to keep the family line strong."

His mother sighed again, but in relief. "I was a little worried, but I'm happy you are an obedient son." He opened his eyes and saw her stand up. "Good night, Wakatoshi-kun." The door slid shut, leaving him alone to his thoughts. Finally, Ushijima raised his head. His eyes swirled with conflicting feelings- sadness was among them.

He shook his head. He had no time for that. Rather, he was glad. He would come to love his bride to be, but it won't end up like his parents. He didn't want his child to be separated from one his parents.

Ushijima returned to his presentation and finished it almost immediately. He stretched and decided it was time for his nightly routine. He arranged his reports and report and placed it in his bag. He then stretched his body before switching the light off for bed.

His arm brushed against his flip phone, making him realize it was still there. Moreover, there was a message. He flipped it open. His eyes widened. The heat was rising on his face again just like many times before. For this particular person.

Fr: Yoshikami

To: Ushijima Wakatoshi

'Thanks for cheering me up. Night, Ushijima-san. <3'

The constriction in his chest was stronger than before, but it didn't hurt. It made him feel elated. He didn't even realize he was smiling until his cheeks hurt. He covered half of his face and shook his head. No. He had to keep this contained. Else he'd… He closed his flip phone and placed it beside his futon.

He turned away from it and closed his eyes. In the deepest part of his mind, he had replied to the text with a quiet whisper that he never wanted anyone to hear.

"Goodnight, Yoshikami."