In between long morning and evening training sessions with classes sandwiched between, Ushijima returns to his house to find you in his bed wearing his Adlers jersey. You’d warned him that when he stayed away for too long, you would take over his room. He believed you then and still does now.

Silently, he sets his gym bag neatly onto the floor and closes the door. He goes through all the necessary motions to unwind after the long day, but his eyes keep drifting to you. Before he prepares to leave for a shower, he sinks down onto the edge of the bed, his eyes quietly roving over you. He lifts his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, strokes your back gently. “I’m back,” he intones in a low voice.