(fan work of haikyuu) Snippet Written for Usuri's Birthday (Dec. 12th)

Freezingly cold wind brushing his cheeks, causing his skin to blush with chill, Usuri walked from a lab in his university to a restaurant nearby, which his former teammates back in Mujinazaka High decided on for dinner to celebrate his birthday. The snow subsided finally, and some which accumulated on the ground reflected light cast out of houses, somewhat dazzling his eyes.

The warmth of the restaurant pounced on Usuri as soon as he stepped into it. He took a deep breath and slipped his hands out of pockets. Some of his former teammates arrived earlier and was sitting at the table. Usuri greeted them and also took a seat, waiting for the others to come. Everyone assembled here shortly afterwards. Usuri’s seat was next to Kiryuu’s, just as every gathering meal of Mujinazaka volleyball club before.

It was not only a meal for birthday celebration, but also an opportunity for them to distract themselves from their life of adulthood and catch up for a while. When Ezota suddenly asked if there was anyone of them who was taken, the relaxed and lively atmosphere immediately coagulated into an embarrassed mass of silence. Usuri quietly raised his hand, with the gazes from everyone else focusing on him. Ezota spared a glimpse at Kiryuu to find his hands down on the table. “So it seems that you are the only one of us who is taken. Would you mind talking something about your significant other?” Ezota said to Usuri.

Usuri had a boyfriend named XX, who had been his schoolmate since they were undergraduate students. During the undergraduate period, the two were even roommates. And now they belonged to the same research group. While introducing XX, Usuri paid attention to Kiryuu’s expression. There seemed something peculiar in Kiryuu’s eyes that Usuri wasn’t sure if he could make out clearly. Plus, Usuri noticed that Kiryuu was clenching at his lower lip which was slightly trembling. These were details only discovered by Usuri, because they were looking at each other from such a short distance, and Usuri had a tendency to observe Kiryuu when he was around, a habit developed in high school.

Usuri had some difficulty deducing what Kiryuu was exactly thinking from his expression, but he did try to comprehend it. “Wakatsu-san, in fact, you have met him before. He is also your fan and we watched your matches together. He confessed to me days after we watched your match last time, and I accepted.” He paused, glancing around the others at table without remarking on their complex looks. A scene in the past, which he had relived several times in his dreams, occurred to him. It was a memory with incisive edge, cutting his spirit into pieces.

Usuri confessed to Kiryuu after the latter attended the graduation ceremony. He knew Kiryuu was leaving Mujinazaka High and he would no longer be a setter on the same team with Kiryuu to put up the ball for him. Kiryuu was going to become a professional volleyball player and would have more competent teammates. Anyway, Usuri seized the opportunity to convey his affection. Caring upperclassman and friend as he was, Kiryuu refused in such a hurting way. Usuri knew it was unfair to use this statement because Kiryuu actually only said it straightforward, but deep at the bottom of his heart, he reprimanded Kiryuu for being merciless.

The last sentence of Kiryuu’s response to Usuri’s confession was “I think it’s better to choose someone who you know has feelings for you”, which was engraved into Usuri’s mind and molded his choice of a significant other later. Usuri nearly always endorsed Kiryuu’s words and rarely gainsaid what he said. After accepting XX’s affection, Usuri couldn’t help praising Kiryuu in his mind for the wise statement.

Usuri wanted to share his reflection on this experience, but at the sight of Kiryuu’s expression, he hesitated and then deflected the conversation. At that moment, a big birthday cake was served to their table. It was a beautiful cake, decorated with cream and jam, adorned with fruit and nuts. When making a wish with his eyes shut, unforgettable memories flashing before him, reminding him of how he became the Usuri today, and he silently told himself his expectation for the future.

Usuri lived alone in an apartment he rented near his university. He had celebrated his birthday twice this year. The other time was one day earlier with XX. After saying farewell to his former teammates, he returned to the apartment. He couldn’t help dwelling on Kiryuu’s strange expression, light bitterness beginning to emerge, resembling gauzy mist. He crept into his bed, trickles of tears humidifying the fabric of his pillow. He gradually calmed down, eventually letting go of the himself of the time in Mujinazaka High. It started to snow, and what Usuri heard were wind blowing across the streets and snowflakes knocking on the windows.