LAVENDER # THE SECOND NIGHT

━━ TINTING SILK WITH SUNSETS AND CANDY.

His mind is not one to stray from volleyball too often, and so Ushijima allows himself to forget the strange dream. There is no way he will let anything get in the way between him and volleyball.

Ushijima jumps, arching his back and winding up power before exhaling and simultaneously releasing it in a powerful spike. The ball smacks down on the other side of the court before anyone can react. The other team is in a daze. With that single opening spike, Ushijima has set the scene for the remaining set.

Tendo whistles as Ushijima straightens up, wiping away a stray droplet from his cheek. "Wakatoshi-kun, are you angry?"

Blink. His palm throbs dully. "No."

His red haired friend throws a scrutinising look, but drops it and gives a thumbs up. "Balls of steel!" He chortles and goes on his usual monologue to the fond exasperation if his fellow, albeit confused, teammates.

The match finishes without any hitches and Ushijima doesn't ponder on it any further. There was no one significant on the other team, winning was indisputable.

Tendo watches Ushijima as he gulps down water, the coach giving out harsh reprimands despite the overwhelming win. Everyone files out of the gym and heads off, but Tendo can't help but worry for his friend. Ushijima is becoming more and more stoic, to the point that even he, the guess monster, can't guess his thoughts anymore.

***

Ushijima sits up in the field of lavender again. The exact same scenery surrounds him; even the clouds doesn't seem to have shifted in any way.

"Hi," a voice breathes. He meets the gaze of that strange girl, his face not moving an inch despite how close she is. She pouts at his lack of reaction and extends a hand, which, after some hesitation, he grabs onto and allows himself to be helped up.

Her hands fit so perfectly in his.

"I don't understand what is going on," comes his blunt statement.

"Hm," Takara muses, watching in mild amusement as Ushijima tears his hand out of her grip, although he isn't quite bashful enough to stop staring.

"I'm stuck here," she admits. The butterflies glitter blue and red and yellow in the light.

"Stuck?"

"In this dream." She twirls around on the spot, looking adoringly at the lavender.

Ushijima pauses. "You're very attached to this place," he notes. She gives a small grin, boldly placing a hand on his chest, over where his heart is. He looks down at it in confusion but makes no move to shift away or remove it.

"Can you feel it?" She asks. "My emotions, I mean?" His heart beats steadily under her palm, and she gives a small sigh of content when he answers.

"Yes."

Another soft smile, sweet like candy.

"I love this place, but I have to move on."

"Why?"

Takara takes her hand away, and the lavender continues to waver gently, coaxing more bees and butterflies into existence. She looks up at the unmoving sky and after some hesitation, he copies her actions. The sunset splashes across the container of the dream, and he feels a bee land softly on his shoulder before dissipating.

"I'm not sure either," she glances at him, admiring his strong features. "But I don't know how long I've been here." She looks back up at the sky and blinks. "Ushijima-san, your time is up."

On cue, the ground opens below him and he falls. He sees her mouth moving but can't understand what she is saying.

"What?" He cries over the wind, but he's falling too fast. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

The last thing he sees before waking up is her lips stretching into a soft smile.