Colours of the Snow | Yuki Ishikawa

3

2020. September 5

It's been about a month since I arrived in Italy, and I've been here in Milan with the team for two weeks now. They've already started practicing for the upcoming matches in the next two weeks.

As for me, I've settled into my daily routine. I wake up at 6 AM, get ready for work, join the team for practice in the morning, have lunch, attend staff coordination meetings or do my tasks, take Italian lessons for an hour by 5 or 6 PM, and then have some free time. Whenever I run out of supplies, I go grocery shopping. Normally, I'm not a fan of routines as they get monotonous quickly, but being here feels different. The people are friendly, and Italians value close relationships and camaraderie. It's fun to be around them, even though we have to follow personal distancing rules. 

As an assistant team manager, I assist Mr. Luigi with scheduling practices, including self-practices, keeping track of the team's expenses, managing contracts, applying for permits, and handling all the necessary tasks for the players to smoothly enter the venue and perform their plays. I'm used to handling these responsibilities, so adjusting to the new setting wasn't too difficult. 

On the other hand, Yuki and I haven't had much interaction this past week because he's been focused on team practices since he's new here. Their first game of the season, the Italian Cup on the 14th, is quickly approaching. He's still adapting to the team's playing style, but he's doing great. I talk to him to coordinate his schedules because we're trying to keep them away from the crowds as much as possible due to the ongoing COVID situation.

We have different schedules, so we're both busy with our own tasks. I usually head to the gym earlier than Yuki to make sure everything is prepared before the players arrive.But I must say, Yuki has been taking care of me despite being new to the team and Italy.

There have been moments when we went home together if he stayed at the gym late, or he accompanied me early if he wanted to do some extra stretching. He consistently asks if I need any help every day. He's truly thoughtful.

Today is Saturday, and I don't have much work. It's a day off for the players too. However, it's September 5th, and we're celebrating the birthdays of Urnaut and Mosca, so there's a team dinner planned. The staff already booked the venue and took care of all the preparations, so I have some free time today. I have the morning until the early afternoon, and I've planned to go grocery shopping as part of my weekly errands.

As I was heading out of the complex, I ran into Yuki. 

"Buongiorno, Yuki. Are you going somewhere?" I asked.

"Buongiorno, Eri. I will grab some groceries. How about you?" he replied.

"Same! Want to go together?"

"Sure, I don't mind," he said, smiling.

We made our way to the grocery store near the plaza. I couldn't help but appreciate the beautiful Italian architecture and the lovely surroundings. It's still hard to believe that I'm actually living here now.

As we walked, we had a nice chat. Yuki may seem shy and quiet, but he's actually quite talkative. Despite it being just a 20-minute walk on this lovely day, we ended up having a lot of conversation. This was the longest we've talked to each other since we finished our quarantine.

I couldn't help but notice how Yuki would look intently whenever he was listening, and I felt like melting.

Our conversation covered a range of topics, from food to hobbies. 

"Wow, you play piano," he said in amazement.

"It's been my hobby since I was 7, just like your volleyball," I replied.

"And you're just a year younger than me. I was born in 1995."

"Ohh, then I can tease you," I said jokingly.

"Only if you can," he replied with a laugh.

We continued our conversation, this time about our education.