Ushijima thought that since there was no volleyball practice and school to attend to during the holidays that he would walk around the city. Just a small walk, maybe settle at a park or at a small cafe and pass the time. Or even buy a few gifts for his family. Remembering to bring a scarf with him as it was about time that snow would present itself and sprinkle all over his town. Heading out, the cold breeze greeted him. A few birds were still perched at the snow-laden bushes beside his home�s fence. His steps muffled by the inch thick snow that was already nestled on the ground.

Walking along the roads that he usually jogged in, not even noticing the sights around him as he jogged and only seeing that there had been new establishments, a few stores that had closed down and the ones that replaced them. There were also shrubbery that he did not notice before covered in snow all the same. It wasn�t long after his walk that he found himself a little lost. Forgetting his path because he focused more on where his eyes wanted to go. Ushijima felt his legs tire. A park was nearby so he instinctively headed over to a bench. Resting his legs and watching as snow began to fall, only to fall denser than expected. He dug his face into his jacket fear of the cold. Cursing under his breath because he�d forgotten to bring along a scarf. It was then that he noticed someone hurriedly running towards the park�s sheltered benches.

The tall man walked over with a paper bag which seemed to belong to a cafe he had passed a while ago. Only when the man had been easier to spot on top of the snowstorm did he notice that he�d seen the person before and that he was no older than him. Though, his height made Ushijima think that the other was older. The boy came over to step into the shelter, sweeping snow off his head and his shoulders and finally taking a spot near Ushijima. There was silence and Ushijima began to speak.

�It suddenly poured, I hope we don�t get snowed in.�

The other replied, �I hope so too.�

Ushijima was happy enough that the other replied, �I�m Ushijima. What about you?�

�Aone.� The reply was prompt and left no other thing to discuss. It made the meeting rather awkward than comfortable.

Ushijima did not waver, though, as he just sat there and watched the snow fervently fall to the ground. He really did hope they did not get snowed in. But the weather seemed to say otherwise.

�Maybe we should get inside where there are walls, I think this park has one of those rooms with a gas heating lamp?� He said, cooly, as he stood up and headed over to the said rooms, luckily there was one out of four rooms that had a gas lamp, though it emitted only a small amount of heat. It was enough for them not to freeze to death, but it was still rather cold. Ushijima went inside and sat, starting up the lamp while Aone followed silently. The two shivered as the snow was still pouring outside. Ushijima stretched his arms forward and was near the gaslamp for warmth.

Aone on the other hand sat beside Ushijima and sighed, he knew about Ushijima and he was not expecting that Shiratorizawa�s ace was someone who was sensitive to the cold. Aone wasn�t particularly bothered by it, the only reason he sought out shelter was because of the paper bag that he carried, he knew that the bag nor the contents would survive the trip if he had continued on with the weather being this harsh. So he opted to just sit there, take off the scarf around his neck and wrap it around his new friend. Ushijima protested, but Aone was persistent.

�You�re Shiratorizawa�s ace, it�s better if you don�t get sick.�

With that, Ushijima froze and allowed the younger to wrap the scarf around him, it made the cold much more bearable. Just when Ushijima thought that his embarrassing and poise-wrecking experience being cared for by someone who he barely knew, but knew about how he was a volleyball ace for Shiratorizawa was not new. This experience in of itself was new. Most times he was caught with challenges and he accepted them from people he found worthy of his time. This however, he couldn�t place himself in. Wanting to get out yet the comfortable warmth was much more inviting than the storm outside. He allowed Aone what he wanted, or at least allow the other his care.

Ushijima sighed and Aone stared at him for a good minute before sighing himself. �It seems that the storm will be a while. I don�t really need these cold, if you want we can have them here instead. I can just buy a fresh batch later.�

The paper bag was opened by Aone, taking out two large cups of hot chocolate drinks topped with marshmallows and cinnamon powder. Along with two warm cinnamon rolls that paired nicely with the drinks. �They�re supposed to be for my sibling, but I can�t travel in this kind of weather to get home with these in tow. So it�s best we have them instead.�

Ushijima protested again, not wanting to bother Aone any longer as needed since they barely know each other. Yet the taller of the two insisted of keeping him warm. He sighed and just let this event in his life pass through, not really wanting to put more effort in just a fleeting moment in his life. Besides, all the same, the idea of hot chocolate and warm cinnamon rolls were something he did not mind. He was walking around the streets for hours before he even thought of resting. Taking one of the cups, he started to drink it, albeit reluctantly at first. The warmth began to carry over him and he infinitely felt better. The smell of cinnamon was inviting too. Almost making him forget that there was a snowstorm outside.

�How do you know me?�

There was the opening question that made Aone speak more than he had during the whole encounter so far.

�You played with Karasuno. And you�re famous with those who make volleyball their passion or business.� He said blandly, �I�ve seen you play and you�re famous around it. I play for Date Tech.� Another piece of information that made Ushijima realize who Aone was. He had seen him before, yes, but just passing by at one of the hallways during the tournaments. He�d once thought of Aone as someone to watch out for during the matches, but they never met in a match. He once thought it was their weakness that brought them down, defence was great but they lacked offense. Though, who was he to judge Aone with his team�s standing. Hinata and his team had proven to be formidable opponents even when he had once looked down on them. He smiled, maybe it was time to soften up a little.

�I remember you now.� He said still with a smile on his face. �Thanks for this.�

Aone smiled at Ushijima�s words and watched the snowstorm outside as the sky slowly turned dark. The two just talked, most of it about volleyball, the rest about their chosen schools. Ushijima was leaving highs chool after all, and maybe they would end up going to the same school. It was far fetched, but it was something to look forward to. The once inanely small list of friends that Ushijima had had gotten one person larger. It didn�t take long until they�ve finished the cinnamon rolls as well as the hot chocolate. Talking with each other until they had fallen asleep.

---

Ushijima�s phone rang and shortly after Aone�s did too. Both being called by their families because of how they had not come home overnight. Stricken with worry. Both parties explained what had happened and after the conversations they turned to each other and laughed. It seems they had fallen asleep overnight waiting for the snowstorm to stop. Ushijima helped clean up the shelter as they exited. Exchanging numbers along the walk. Hoping to meet again in the future, this time, not by chance. Or maybe by chance. Who knows. It was a pleasant incident and Ushijima and Aone did not mind it happening again. And the next time, they�ll remember to tell their family about it.