20

Ushijima stood outside of his home. He could hear it, though it was subtle. The sound of crashing and roaring. It was before him, inside his own home. He expected it to happen. He gripped his bag before sauntering into his home.

"Tadaima." He said and the sounds stopped. It was then replaced by the stomping against the wooden floor. He didn't need to look up to see his mother's deranged face and his grandparents' disappointed stares.

After taking his shoes off, he knelt on the ground before his mother and bowed his head.

"What does this mean?! How could you cancel the 15-year engagement?! How could you do this to your own mother?! I was made into a laughing stock because of you! You insolent child! How could you be so ungrateful after everything I did for you so you can be the perfect Ushijima!" Her yells were endless and he just waited for her to stop and let him talk. But she kept going. "You made me into mad woman right there, Wakatoshi! In the midst of the company meeting in front of all the esteemed nobles of Sendai."

"I'm sorry, Okaa-san." He bowed all the way down, his forehead and palm of his hands touching the ground.

She laughed hysterically like the mad cackling of a witch. "Sorry?! No, no, no! This won't be fixed with a sorry! You better apologize to your bride and say that you were not in your own right mind!" She seethed.

Ushijima shook his head. "I'm sorry, Okaa-san, but I have someone else." The fiery atmosphere was extinguished just like that. It became a still cold silence; you could hear a pin drop if you just listened hard enough.

After a few minutes, his mother spoke again, "Is that the short girl…?" He flinched, widening his eyes. "…I see. So, if she's off the picture, you will be my perfect son once more." The threat behind her words made him look up at her in shock.

"Okaa-san, she didn't do anything. It was my fault- I had started to like her and…" He panicked, his hands were shaking, but the look in his mother's eyes were icy cold. "Leave her alone, Okaa-san…" He gritted his teeth.

"If that short-haired demon hadn't tempted you so, I wouldn't have to sort to such means, my child…" Her fingers brushed his cheek. "I'm only doing this for your own good, Wakatoshi…" He grasped her hand and begged her with his eyes.

"Okaa-san, punish me… she has nothing to do with this." The slap was hard and so was his shock. It hardly hurt, but the fact that his own mother did it made his heart shatter.

"I will take care of this, Wakatoshi. Now, go back to your room and reflect on your actions. All you have to do is continue on your volleyball and studies. I, as your mother, will take care of everything else."

He stood there, head bowed, and listened to his mother's retreating footsteps.

"Oh dear, she shouldn't have done that…" His doting grandmother reached out and touched his cheek.

"I'm fine, Obaa-san… I'll go to my room." He waved his grandparents away and stalked away, disappearing into the corner where his room was located.

His grandmother sighed, "Oh dear…." She leaned against her husband.

"I understand our daughter's reactions but to think that our Wakatoshi would have feelings for someone…" His grandfather looked down at his wife.

"He never had one before… He was too focused on his volleyball and studies no matter how many times I told that boy to have some fun…"

"I'll try to convince our daughter to not do what we think she would be doing… How about you…"

His grandmother looked up in confusion, but from the twinkle in his eyes, she understood.

"Alright… I will, but I don't think I can do so much."

His grandfather laughed. "You were once called the Iron Lady of Sendai- you're going to do wonderfully."

The scenery switches from the traditional house to one of modern outlook. A familiar red head is seen walking into the house with welcoming arms.

"Satori-kun, it has been three years since I last saw you." The woman spoke, hand on her cheek. "Oh, you've grown so big as well."

Tendou grinned. "It's been a while, Auntie. I've come to see Hoshi." The woman giggled suspiciously.

"Oh, I see. How long have you two been?"

Tendou blinked and laughed. "Oh, no! I was a bit worried since she didn't look so well when we walked home together a few days ago." Though there was a light blush dusting his cheeks.

The woman smiled sadly. "That's true… Hoshi hasn't been herself for a while. She's in her room right now. Upstairs on the right. Please tell her that dinner is ready soon." He nodded and immediately walked up the stairs.

It didn't take him long to arrive at her room. He could hear voices from behind the door. With a mischievous grin, he pressed his ear against the door.

"Yoshikami, you don't sound well." Tendou froze, hearing the familiar voice of his friend. It was soon followed by a slight cough.

"Yea, I didn't think I'd get a cold. Why are you calling by the way? I'm a bit surprised, honestly. I'm the one who usually calls you." Her voice was raspy and hoarse. He also heard the fear in it.

"You've been avoiding me." His brows furrowed when silence followed, He pressed his ear harder to hear- maybe she was whispering.

But after a while, she spoke. "I am. I think its best, ya know. You never told me you had a girlfriend. She threw a fit in front of school a few days ago. Not the best memory…" There was a sigh, but she began coughing.

"She's not my girlfriend… It's hard to explain, Yoshikami, but my feelings for you are genuine. Can you…" Tendou bit his lip, and grasped the knob to interfere. But stopped. He sighed, and pressed his ear back again.

"I'm causing trouble for you, aren't I?" The sadness in her voice ached his heart. "I think it's best if we stop this, Ushijima-san. It's not healthy for both of us."

"Yoshi… Hoshi." Tendou grasped the knob of the door. It was now before she started crying. He opened the door and grinned.

"Hoshi!" He greeted enthusiastically. He froze, seeing her in an awkward position. She was lying down with her back against the wall and her legs in the air. Her hands were holding onto her phone. "Oh… I think I'll knock first." He closed the door quickly and heard the onslaught of pillows and other objects hitting the door.

"Satori!"

He knocked on the door then shouted, "It's almost time for dinner, Hoshi! See ya downstairs." He ran off before he could be assaulted by the short girl.

Yoshikami sighed and released her phone. She rolled over and dropped her face onto the bed. That was the first time he called her by first name. He was serious. She was worried though. He sounded sad, even though his voice was like usual. She detected the sadness. His last words to her echoed in her mind and she sighed again.

Okay, last chance. Last chance and she'll really let him go.

Short Side Story

A simple wish. That was all she asked for. Not anything else, just the ability and skill to play volleyball and be accepted in it.

And she got that. She trained her body from her elementary years and finally, she had the chance. First year in middle school. Her parents wouldn't even notice with how far the school was. She was neither the tallest or the shortest at a young age. Eleven years old and at the height of 146 centimeters.

Nothing could go wrong. She was accepted despite her white hair and red eyes. Actually, she didn't care if she had white hair and red eyes. She didn't care if she was called a demon, a freak- they were strangers- as long as it wasn't her friends, she could care less about what others say about her. And her friends were her teammates.

And they all accepted her, treated her like equals. There was that quote- it would be calm before the storm. It was just like that.

Everything she worked hard for came crashing down.

And it was all his fault.

��What do you think about Kakuda Shiritsu's demon Ace, Ushijima-san?" She happened to pass by when she heard the question.

"Mediocre." That word alone caused a fiery in her heart. She was pissed and wanted to fight the bastard who called her skills mediocre.

He was taller- nearing 160 centimeters in height. He should be glad that he was a guy- they were lucky. He was lucky enough to have the skill, talent, and height.

She had to scrape by with her skills alone. And this guy had the audacity to call her mediocre.

It started with one bolt. Then another bolt. Then another. Her legs were starting to hurt so badly. Then her parents found out.

Then the volleyball officials almost disqualified the school for allowing a fake name.

Then she wasn't allowed to touch the ball anymore.

Then she couldn't walk anymore.

To make up for destroying her parent's trust, she had to study harder than before.

To make up the loss of her own loved sport, she watched the games her ex-teammates would give her.

The name calling was getting to her now- there was no escape. Her ex-teammates stopped giving her videos. She had to resort to watching from television when her parents were out.

And she saw him. People were cheering for him. She envied him- he had everything she wanted.

But she was still fine. She was fine.

Then the last straw came biting her back in the face. She was told she couldn't grow anymore. Her condition was worsening.

But she was fine, really, she was fine. That was the last of her illness- it kept her from growing. And that was it- other than mild headaches, she was still fine.

Even if she had no friends, no support, and no escape, she was fine.

She'll get used to it.

Even if she was to go to the same school as he.

And she didn't want to show her hatred. That was petty. It wasn't his fault at all, but in her heart, she blamed him. She blamed her parents- she blamed everyone for discriminating her.

Why couldn't she be a normal girl like everyone else?