The Little and the Giant (Ushijima Wakatoshi x Reader)

🎆 XCV: Gratitude

Ushijima Wakatoshi walks you back to the hotel, your hand being held by his. There was a mutual silence in the air as you walked across the pavement you had hurriedly ran on earlier. It was a bit chilly for a summer night. But you strangely felt warm. You know it was probably because of the warmth of a large hand on yours.

You said nothing and neither did he. And you were fond of this silence as the two of you walked back slowly. You instinctively caress the callouses in his hands, and realized that he was doing the same. You couldn't help but giggle softly.

There were changes in the athlete's hands and you found it surprising how you only realize it now. Ahh... It's because you only see him for a few days every two or three months. You don't get to be with him for even a week. And this was the first time in a long while that you've been with him for a time longer than a couple of days.

But you were thankful of that fact— that you only get to see each other that often. You were thankful as you feel the heat in your cheeks and the slight tremble in your hands. This is how much he affects you. Imagine what would happen if you see him everyday.

Though there was only one scenario you know for sure that will happen if you see him every day: He won't let you go out of the court! Even more so now that he's managed to breech your defenses once. But you won't let that happen again for sure. 

"Having fun?" he asks as the way you hold his hand turns a little objective. "Instincts." you reasoned out. 

"I often get asked about who my trainer is." he says suddenly. That was new. He'd never told you anything about that before or the fact that some people actually notice that he has a personal trainer. "Must have been a hassle." You say from experience. 

"It was okay." he replies. "And do you actually answer them when they ask?" You raised a eyebrow. He turns quiet, thinks for a couple of seconds before answering. "Depends-"

"Aren't you stingy." you grinned. "... depends if they ask." he say and you couldn't help but laugh. So no one's ever tried to directly ask him and he hears it from other people then? 

It made sense though. Anyone would hesitate to ask him with that kind of face. "And if they actually ask, what do you say?" you ask and he was quick to reply, "That they're a foreigner..." 

"At least say my name properly, will you!" You complain. "Andrei Williams told me not to." he confesses. Oh wow, that's a name you haven't heard for a while. Wait a minute, are they close?? "What did he tell you exactly?"

Ushijima ponders if he should tell you. Andrei Williams told him he shouldn't carelessly give your name away if ever he gets asked regarding his trainer. The foreign athlete told him about it once when they exchanged volleyball notes. He told him it was useless to say your name since you aren't someone anyone could just hire. Andrei told him you actually choose your clients. Plus, you were more known as an athlete rather than a trainer so people might not actually believe him if he discloses it to anyone.