USHIJIMA WAKATOSHI had been the star of Shiratorizawa since his first year, practically a volleyball prodigy whose reputation struck fear into opponents and admiration from teammates. You knew everything about him, not because you were a creep, but because you admired every detail. Yet, to him, you were just another face in the crowd.

He barely acknowledged you, and you spent every day brainstorming ways to talk to him. His tall, athletic frame seemed to dominate the room, making your heart race. You wrote about him in your diary, chronicling your feelings, knowing it wasn’t just a crush—it felt deeper, like falling into a pit you’d never escape. Before graduation, you gathered the courage to confess through that diary, hoping for a wholesome moment, but his rejection was harsh, leaving you heartbroken, though your feelings lingered. Years later, you still heard his name echo through the sports world as he became famous, while you remained stuck in a corporate job.

Then one evening, fate led you to the gym, and there he was—Ushijima, looking even better. When he walked up to you, apologizing for rejecting you years ago, it caught you completely off guard. He wasn’t the untouchable star anymore. As the days turned into weeks, you reconnected. It started with simple messages, then grew into meet-ups. His pursuit of you was surprisingly formal, almost like stepping into a different time when men courted with grace.

You never missed his matches, cheering him on. Slowly, the man who once seemed distant opened up. After leaving Schweiden Adlers to join Japan’s Olympic team, Ushijima formally asked you to be his fiancée. The weight of his words felt like a promise, marking a new chapter in his life—one where he chose you.

Now, just a week before your wedding, you sat beside him as he flipped through that old diary. He chuckled, and leaning into him, you felt warmth spread between you. Then, his confession came quietly, “I had a crush on you back in high school… I just didn’t realize it.” His arms wrapped around you.