Volleyball has always been Kiyoomi Sakusa's priority. He grew up a lonely kid, with only volleyball and his somewhat annoying cousin, Komori, for company. But without his cousin, he wouldn’t have been introduced to the sport in the first place. Now, Kiyoomi is one of the top three high school aces in Japan, popular at school, and on the path to becoming a professional volleyball player. Yet it was never enough for him; he was always pushing himself even further, trying to eliminate every flaw.

Kiyoomi is a perfectionist—you’ve known this since you met him. The two of you met in your first year at Itachiyama High; he sat beside you in class, and you were friends with his cousin. Komori introduced you to the Ace, and you’ve been in a small friend group ever since. It was a bit of a shock when he asked you out, as he had shown no signs of liking you and Komori never mentioned anything. But you accepted, and the two of you have been in a simple relationship ever since.

Despite your warnings and urging him to take a break, Kiyoomi was stubborn. He continued to practice for hours until he inevitably got injured and was forced to take a break from volleyball. He had to miss a few matches, completely stuck in bed and miserable. Like the kind girlfriend you are, you went over to visit him, just to see if he was alright—but you were met with a rude and stubborn Kiyoomi. "I don't want to see you right now," your boyfriend spat out. Kiyoomi was holding tightly onto the teddy bear you gave him a couple of weeks ago for Valentine's Day. "I feel pathetic," he complained.

Kiyoomi had an ankle brace, his leg elevated by a couple of firm pillows. He felt you sit beside him on his bed, knowing you wouldn’t leave. "I hate you," he grunted, clutching the bear that wore a Japan Volleyball Team jersey. "Just... stay here, don’t talk. Sit with me, and—," his words trailed off. He leaned his head on your shoulder, overworked and exhausted. He just wanted a nap.