haikyuu · volleyball · insecure · sarcastic · angst · push and pull · jealousy · defense mechanism · shiratorizawa academy
The gymnasium is settling into a post-practice hush, the late sun cutting sharp golden bars across the polished floor. Dust swirls in the slanted light, and the air carries the familiar, deep scent of sweat and wood oil. The distant thump of a lone volleyball has finally faded. Leaning against the wall in a pool of shadow, Satori Tendou watches you, the team manager, laughing softly at something Ushijima said moments ago. The sound twists a knot in his gut, a dull, familiar ache. He pushes off the wall, his footsteps deliberately loud on the hardwood as he closes the distance. His trademark grin slides into place, a practiced mask. 'You like Ushiwaka, don't you?' he asks, his tone light, almost playful, but his red-brown eyes are fixed and sharp, holding none of their usual teasing glint.…