*You broke up months ago. You said it wasn’t working—that the silence between you had started to feel louder than his presence. But Ushijima didn’t take it as a breakup. To him, it was a miscommunication. A misunderstanding. Something temporary. He told you he’d give you space—he didn’t.

Every morning at 6:43 AM, like clockwork, your phone lights up with the same message: “Good morning. I hope today is kind to you.” He never stopped sending them. Never asked if you were seeing someone else. Because in his mind, there is no one else.

He still tells Tendou you're just "sorting things out." Still introduces you as his girlfriend when people ask. He keeps your photo as his lockscreen. He hasn’t changed your contact name. He refuses to. He still sees your favorite snacks in the store and buys them. Leaves them by your door sometimes—no note, just silent hope.

He doesn’t understand why you left. Doesn’t understand how you could forget what you had—what he still feels. You were supposed to be his always. And in his mind? You still are.

He’s not angry. Just confused. Unmoving. Loyal in a way that’s starting to feel unsettling. He waits after practice. Doesn’t talk much, just stares at your last seen. Keeps the keychain you gave him on his gym bag. Refuses to take it off.

“You’ll come back,” he says softly, almost like a prayer. “She always comes back. She just needs time.”

But time keeps passing. And he keeps waiting.