"I love....... Keishin" your cheeks filled with a light blush at the sound of his name,

"Who? Tanaka and Noya asked confused.

"Oh sorry, Ukai" you said using the name they actually knew.

"His name is Keishin? Lame" Tanaka mocked.

"Stop it, I think his name is sexy" you said hiding your smile with your hands.

"You're only picking him because you just slept with him" Tanaka said trying to burst your happy bubble.

"You really are a pain, you know that?!" you snapped. "Don't assume things like that" you scolded.

"I'm sorry" he said bowing his head "That wasn't cool of me" he said apologizing.

"Its okay....... Still best friends?" you asked extending your hand towards him.

"Duh!" he said taking it in his.

"I'm feeling left out" Noya whined.

"Here" you laughed and reached your other hand for his which he happily took.

"Can I ask you a question?" Noya asked hesitantly.

"Of course" you encouraged.

"How is dating him going to work while your still in school?" he asked.

"To be honest I have no clue, he isn't a teacher so there isn't really any rules against it. The problem is people are going to have major issues with our age difference and the fact that I'm partially under his care due to my role with the team. I don't want people to think badly of him for something that I've encouraged, so I'm thinking we would need to wait till I graduate." You explained.

"Wont that be hard with seeing each other most days?" Tanaka asked concerned.

"For sure, its already hard to not openly flirt with him in front of you guys" you said shaking your head.

"So that was you secretly flirting?" Tanaka teased.

"Hate to say it but you were pretty obvious, and so was he" Noya added with a laugh.

"Well damn, guess I need to be more careful!" you laughed with them.

"Do you think he will be okay with waiting that long?" Noya asked making the laughing stop.

"I really hope so" you said, your tone softer from worry.

"That's a problem for tomorrow, lets get some sleep so he doesn't yell at us tomorrow" Tanaka said before crawling over and face planting into one of your pillows.

"Sounds good! Oh by the way, how did you guys know id be home today?" you asked as you situated yourself between them.

"We didn't, we have just stayed here every night and this was the first one you showed up" Noya said with a shrug.

"That's really sweet guys, thank you for being such good friends, I really love you guys" you said giving them each a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I love you too" they both said under their breath in unison making you laugh.

In the morning you all hurried to get ready, but you did pause in the mirror for a minute to make sure you looked halfway decent before leaving. When you got to the gym the guys hurried off to get changed with the rest of the team and you walked in to the empty gym. Leaning against the wall you slid down onto your butt and closed your eyes still feeling sleepy.

"Why even show up if you're just going to sleep?" a familiar grumpy voice said. Looking up you were greeted by Tsukki who glared down at you.

"Hush! I wasn't sleeping, just resting my eyes" you joked.

"Do you always snore when you're resting your eyes?" he teased.

"Yes actually!" you said while laughing.

"You weren't here" he said more seriously.

"Is that a question or a statement?" you joked.

"Tsk whatever" he said turning to walk away.

"I was in America, I needed to get away for a few days. I'm sorry if you were worried Tsukki-poo" you explained.

"Just answer your phone next time, I don't like worrying about your dumb ass" he said shaking his head but there was a softness to his tone.

"I will, I promise" you flashed him a smile.

The rest of the team filed in shortly after and started setting up the courts. About the time the nets were up Ukai deeply sighed and stepped through the doors. He had a coffee in hand which he took a long sip from before pushing it into your hands.

"Would've liked my own coffee but this will work I guess" you teased taking a sip.

"What couldn't sleep without me?" he teased quietly, leaning in towards you.

"I wish I could say that was the case, but I was actually interrogated for hours when I got home so didn't get much sleep. What about you?" you asked.

"Guess I really liked how much you kick me in your sleep because I couldn't really sleep without it" he teased.

"Geez, I sleep next to you for a few nights and now your hooked?" you joked.

"Seems so" he said scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment. "So you were interrogated?" he said trying to change the subject.

"Yes, I'll warn you that they know everything" you made a worried face but he simply shrugged it off.

"So did anything good come out of it?" he asked.

"Yes actually, I was hoping maybe you could come over later to talk but I don't know if you need to work at the store" you explained.

"Uh oh, talk? I do need to be at the store later but I could come after close or you could come there with me?" he suggested.

"Don't say uh oh, it's a good talk I promise" you said smiling.

"How good?" he asked a pinch of excitement in his tone.

"Very good!" you said unable to hide the blush that now covered your cheeks.

"I want to kiss you so bad right now" he sighed, his eyes locked on your lips.

"Good, save that for when we can actually talk, and then come home with me" you reached out and lifted his chin making his eyes meet yours again.

"Yes Ma'am" he teased a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

With hesitation he walked away to get the boys started on drills, everything felt like normal but you kept finding Ukai's eyes on you. He would slap the ball down at someone for a receive but his eyes would be watching you as you corrected their stance or arm placement. He would find small moments where he could be near you and he would gently trail his fingers along your skin. The tension between you two was growing with every touch and you were sure the others would catch on soon if you didn't calm down.

When practice finally ended you helped clean up and the guys started to slowly set out. You noticed Daichi lingering and you knew it was because he was waiting for you. You walked towards him and he quickly smiled and offered you his hand.

"You ready to go?" he asked.

"Actually I have plans with Ukai, we need to go over some stuff for Nationals, can I just call you later?" you asked. You felt guilty lying but there were things you needed to figure out before telling everyone else.

"Yea.... Of course. Are you okay though?" he asked.

"Yes, I know I haven't answered anyone and that was shitty, I'm okay though promise" you said giving him a genuine smile.

"Okay call me later, I can always come over later." He offered.

"I will!" you said trying to reassure him but also avoid his offer. He turned and left but only after looking over your shoulder at Ukai.

The walk to Ukai's store was short and once inside he found you a chair so you could sit next to him. He was quiet at first and so were you, the feeling of nerves making your hands clammy.

"Sooooooo, I'm not sure how to start this talk to be honest." You fiddled with your fingers due to nerves as you spoke.

"Just tell me, even if it's a mess I'll listen" he turned towards you and took your hands in his. You took a deep breath before letting everything that had been running through your brain pour out.

"This is all going to sound insane, especially seeing how I recently reacted but...... I love you. Hearing you say those same words a few days ago was scary, I think I thought it was scary for different reasons though. At first I thought I was scared because we had just slept together and I had these other guys in my life, but really I think its because I felt that same way. Don't think this means you have to say it back to me just yet, I know you weren't ready the other day and I don't blame you." you took a deep breath after speaking, nerves having made you feel short of breath.

"I love you too" he said straight away taking you by surprise.

"You don-" you started to say but he interrupted.

"I know I don't have to say it, but I do mean it. I meant it then but I could see how terrified you were so I was trying to save face" he explained. "I do need to ask though, are you sure about me? I know how torn you've been about all this and I just don't want to get invested if you aren't sure" he cast his eyes down looking at your hands.

"I'm sure. I know I've been confused, and honestly when I have to break things off with them I'm going to be a wreck. You and I have always talked openly about my struggles and they aren't just going to go away immediately so I hope you will be patient and understanding with me." You explained.

"I'd do anything for you, if you had asked me to date you while you date all of us I would have said yes" he joked looking back up at you. "I am really excited to say your mine though" he smiled.

"About that......... I think we should wait till I graduate before making us official" you said nervously.

"So like we cant be together until then?" he asked.

"Yes, I don't think I can handle it but I also don't want to keep us a secret." You explained.

"Id rather be a secret than not be with you" he countered.

"You would be okay with that?" you asked.

"Yes, but I need to know why, why keep us a secret?" he asked in return.

"Lets be honest, people are going to talk badly about us once they know. I'm still in school and you are the coach for the team I help with and they are going to assume the worst about you. Now I don't care what they say about me, but I will fight someone if they talk badly about you. I will go to the ends of the earth to defend the ones I love, and I don't need to be punching out everyone that looks our way differently. I just think if we tell anyone it should be our families and very close friends and we just keep it on the down low outside of those people." You explained.

"I don't care if they talk badly about me either, id deal with all of it if it meant I could hold your hand in public" he explained. "I get where your coming from though and I don't want the opinions of others to affect us, so we can keep it quiet for now." He said in agreement.

"Can we make a pact then?" you asked, you pulled your hand from his and extended your pinky towards him.

"Sure" he said locking his pinky with yours.

"The day that I graduate, we will make us official to the world" you stated.

"Sounds good to me Princess" he used your hand to pull you forward and plant his lips against yours. "Till then lets just be happy and see where this goes" he said gently resting his forehead against yours.

"Happy is all I've ever wanted Keishin" you said with a happy sigh of relief.

"Say it again" he said gently sliding his lips across yours.

"Keishin"

"I just love the way that sounds coming from you" he groaned.