Chapter 1: The Beginning of Us

                                    

                                          

It was the kind of evening where the world seemed to slow down just enough to allow for moments that would eventually change your life. The cool breeze carried the sound of laughter and the soft clinking of glasses, but all I could hear was the steady beat of my heart in my chest. I never expected that night to be the one where my life would take an unexpected turn.
I had always admired Yuki Ishikawa from a distance. Not just as a volleyball player, but as a person. He had this aura about him—calm, collected, and intensely focused. There was something magnetic about the way he carried himself on and off the court. But in my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I'd get to meet him, let alone fall for him.
It all started at a small post-game event after his team's match in Italy. I had been invited by a mutual friend who worked for the league, and I was trying to stay calm despite being surrounded by some of the best volleyball players in the world. Most people were chatting in small groups, sharing drinks and stories, but I kept my distance, not wanting to seem like an overeager fangirl.
I spotted Yuki across the room, quietly sipping water while his teammates laughed and joked around. He was polite, nodding when they spoke to him, but his eyes looked tired, as if his mind was somewhere else.
Our eyes met—just for a second—but it was enough. I looked away quickly, trying to act casual, but inside, I was freaking out. Did Yuki Ishikawa just make eye contact with me?
Before I could dwell on it too much, my friend nudged me, pulling me into a conversation with some of the other guests. I tried to focus, but I kept stealing glances at Yuki. He seemed so different from the confident athlete I saw on TV. He was quieter, more reserved.
Just when I thought the night would pass without any interaction, Yuki made his way over to our small group, joining the conversation. My heart skipped a beat when he stood next to me, and I could feel the heat rising to my face.
"Hi," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Are you enjoying the event?"
I blinked, surprised that he was speaking to me. "Oh, yes! It's great. The game was incredible."
He smiled, just a little. "Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it."
There was a brief, awkward silence, and I scrambled to think of something to say. "You... uh, you really nailed that spike in the third set. The angle was perfect."
Yuki chuckled softly, his eyes lighting up with amusement. "I'm surprised you noticed that. Not many people would."
I shrugged, trying to act cool. "What can I say? I watch a lot of volleyball."
That simple comment opened the door to a conversation I hadn't expected. We talked for what felt like hours—about volleyball, about Italy, about everything and nothing all at once. I found out that he wasn't as stoic as he seemed; he had a dry sense of humor and a way of making me feel at ease, even though I was practically starstruck.
At the end of the night, as people began to leave, I felt a sense of dread creeping in. Was this it? Would I go back to my regular life, and he would go back to being a volleyball superstar, untouchable and out of reach?
But as we both stood near the exit, waiting for our rides, Yuki hesitated before speaking again. "Hiraku, right?" he asked, saying my name with a kind of careful curiosity.
I nodded, still in disbelief that he even remembered my name. "Yeah. That's me."
He glanced around, making sure no one was listening, then leaned in slightly. "I know this might sound strange, but would you like to grab a coffee sometime? You seem... different from most people I meet."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Different?"
"In a good way," he added quickly, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's hard to explain. But I'd like to get to know you better, if you're interested."
I nodded before I could even process the fact that Yuki Ishikawa was asking me out for coffee. "I'd like that."
That coffee date turned into more dates, and before I knew it, we were spending every spare moment together. But it wasn't long before we had to face the reality of Yuki's life. He was a public figure—a national star, beloved by fans. And I was just an ordinary girl, swept into a whirlwind of a secret romance.
One evening, after a quiet dinner at his apartment, we had a serious talk about what we should do about our relationship.
Yuki ran his fingers through his hair, looking thoughtful. "Hiraku, I don't like hiding us," he admitted, his brows furrowed in frustration. "I want to be able to tell the world about you. About us."
I sighed, leaning back against the couch. "I know, Yuki. I get it. But... I don't think it's the right time."
He looked at me, confused. "Why not?"
"You're in the prime of your career," I explained gently. "If we go public, people are going to start digging into your personal life. You know how fans and the media can be. They'll dissect everything—your career, our relationship, everything."
He frowned, still looking uncertain. "I don't care about that. I just want to be with you."
My heart swelled at his words, but I knew I had to be the level-headed one. "And you will be. We'll have our moments, just not in the spotlight. I want to support you from the sidelines, like a regular fan. Let's keep this between us, for now."
Yuki sighed, but I could see the understanding in his eyes. "You're right. I just... I want people to know how special you are."
I smiled, reaching out to take his hand. "They will, one day. But for now, let's have fun with it. We can keep our secret, just between us and a few close friends. It'll be like our own little adventure."
He laughed softly, squeezing my hand. "Alright. We'll play it your way. But I'm going to make sure that when the time is right, everyone will know just how much I love you."
And so, our secret relationship began. A love hidden from the world, but one that made every stolen glance, every quiet moment, feel even more special. Yuki and I had our own secret world, and for now, that was enough.