Ushijima was known to the rest of the team as their ace, someone who didn't speak unless spoken to. He was intimidating, and not the most comfortable person to be around, what with the awkward silence that his untalkative nature tended to leave in the wake of any conversation.

However, they did know of someone who had managed to get through to him, apart from his friend Tendo.

It was a rainy autumn evening, the biting cold outside reminding everyone of how near it was to turning into winter, into the freezing snow and ice that awaited them. Inside the gym, however, it was warm from activity, and the sound of the Shiratorizawa boys' volleyball practicing could be heard throughout the building of the gymnasium.