B. Seasons (well, a mix of both A and B)
The same way the seasons change, what Oikawa felt towards volleyball changed too.
It was a very hot summer, the air was humid, the sun blazed, and Oikawa Toru had just discovered volleyball. His soft brown eyes were glued to the T.V. screen, a glimmer in them as he watched the match unfold. Though he enjoyed watching the ball go back and forth at incredible speeds between the two teams, he couldn't help but notice how one person on the court seemed to outshine the rest.
The man's fingertips would brush against the ball, making sure to reach those coming in from behind or beside him. He seemed to be aware of his surroundings, the conditions of not just his teammates, but those on the other side of the court as well. Without doing anything that stood out, he'd make sure his teammates were at their level best.
Whatever he did, didn't seem too flashy, but something about it sparked a fire in Oikawa's chest, giving him a torch to light the path to his future. Oikawa knew what he wanted to do, he wanted to play volleyball.
He made sure to pester his best friend Iwaizumi until he agreed to practice with him. Though Iwaizumi seemed reluctant at first, he too, developed a love for the sport.
Together, the two boys would practice whenever they had the opportunity. Oikawa tried his hand at setting, just like the man he saw on television, slowly getting better at the task.
Oikawa was now in his third year of middle school and his skills had improved to a great extent. He practiced daily and tried to be a setter who made his spikers shine on court. Together with his team, they managed to defeat almost every opponent that stood before them.
Oikawa felt as if he was a great setter, no one in the prefecture could beat him, that is, until Kageyama Tobio made his way onto the team.
This small, quiet first year who seemed to have no care in the world, made Oikawa boil with rage. Why was it that this boy could say he wanted to play the position of setter so easily? That was Oikawa's role on the team and he wasn't planning on giving it up to a newcomer.
However, it wasn't long before Oikawa realized just how dangerously amazing this first year was. Kageyama simply had pure, raw talent, something he seemed to be unaware of. He was still a little rough around the edges, but given proper training, he could outshine Oikawa.
The thought that he could eventually be replaced haunted the third year setter. The fear of losing what meant the world to him, was something that ate the poor boy alive. Seeing Kageyama play stung like needles, moulding the fear in his heart into something very plausible.
To prove he was more capable than his junior, Oikawa trained as hard as he could, or so he thought. During practice matches, his thoughts would drift from volleyball to the ugly fears consuming him. No matter what he did, he was unable to set the ball. He was rapidly accelerating towards the very thing he was so desperately trying to protect. He was replaced by Kageyama.
Oikawa, along with his teammates finally made it to the finals. The third years could go to the nationals in their last year as middle school students. They could go home victorious.
Their final opponent, Ushijima Wakatoshi, stood on the opposite side of the court, a cool and calm look in his eyes. He didn't seem to be worried at all, he appeared to be anything but.
Eyeing Ushijima, Oikawa raised an eyebrow, wondering how confident the boy before him was. Did he really think without a second thought that Oikawa and the team were going to lose against him? Was he so certain that he could take on this team that worked hard to get to where they were? If that was what he was thinking, Oikawa would show him just how wrong he was.
Throughout the match, no matter the odds, the setter didn't lose a single ounce of hope. Until the ball hit the floor for the last time, Oikawa struggled to keep up with those on the other side of the net. He couldn't give up, for his team was relying on him. He had to prove to them that he deserved to be their setter.
After experiencing a crushing defeat, Oikawa vowed that he'd make Ushijima feel the same way he did. He would become stronger, someone who wouldn't let his teammates carry the pain of defeat in their hearts.
The ice gnawing inside Oikawa, was slowly capturing the fire that had burned so brightly, making it dimmer and dimmer. The terrifying blizzard had yet to melt away.
Now in his final year of high school, Oikawa had gradually learned what was truly required of him as a setter. He wasn't special, that much he was aware of. He knew he had to do what was best for his teammates. During matches, it would be impossible to remain in peak condition, but it was his job to ensure that even at their lowest, they would still be able to play.
Since the end of middle school till his third year in high school, Oikawa also learned that training constantly didn't equate to being better and stronger. In actuality, it meant the exact opposite. He had learned to take a break every now and then, so that he could maintain his health, both physically and mentally.
This year was Aoba Johsai's last chance to defeat Ushijima and the rest of Shiratorizawa, something they still were unable to make a reality in the past two years. Oikawa was certain victory was in their reach. He had faith in his team and in his skills as their captain.
However, there was another thorn in his path, the Flightless Crows, Karasuno, a team that seemed to have risen from the shadows. They weren't the best, but they were certainly commendable. Not only did they have Kageyama, but a spiker who could keep up with him. The duo seemed make use of Kageyama's sets and the spiker, Hinata Shouyou's, speed, making Karasuno a worthy opponent in Oikawa's eyes.
The preliminaries went by, with Karasuno being the toughest wall to break in order to get to Shiratorizawa. However, Oikawa's promise to defeat Ushijima was once again shattered as the ball dropped a final time.
Even after this, Oikawa still prayed that they'd be able to come out victorious in their next and final chance.
For Oikawa going to nationals would have been amazing, it was an obvious dream of his, however, his stubbornness to prove Ushijima wrong was something that held just as important a place in his heart. He felt as if defeating his rival would make him realize that Oikawa didn't need to be the strongest like him. He needed to be strong enough to solidify the strength of those that stood by his side. Aoba Johsai didn't rely on a single person's strength, but that of the six members on court and all of those that weren't.
Though the captain was aware that Karasuno was going to stir up even more trouble for them than last time, what he wasn't expecting was them all to have matured immensely in the short span they hadn't seen each other. Forget facing Shiratorizawa, Karasuno was going to be a challenge in and of itself.
Unlike the previous match against Karasuno, this one proved to be even more difficult. Their libero's defense, their Captain's level-headedness, and that Freak Duo of theirs, was a tiresome obstacle which Oikawa really wished to overcome. But what became of the match, ripped any wish and dream Oikawa had regarding nationals.
Everything Oikawa lived for, turned to dust before his now glistening eyes.
The heat of his tears against his skin wasn't enough to melt the freezing emptiness he felt inside.
A cool breeze brushed against Oikawa's cheeks, ruffling his hair in the process. He didn't mind; he was at such a place in life that made him glad he didn't give up volleyball. Oikawa had moved to Argentina, deciding he'd continue the sport there, away from the people he still planned on beating.
One day, Oikawa found himself at a beach in Brazil, standing face to face with Karasuno's Number 10, Hinata Shouyou.
Never did either one of them thought they'd ever run into each other, but the truth was right before their eyes. The two hit it off almost immediately, and soon they were competing against another team in beach volleyball.
It was when he first tried his hand at this version of the sport and failed at it magnificently, did he realize what made him fall in love with volleyball in the first place. Trying something once, failing at it, trying it again, failing once again, doesn't necessarily mean that one isn't getting better at it. If one doesn't give up, the thrill of succeeding is much more exhilarating than if they had gotten it right the first time around. Oikawa realized that volleyball for him did not equate to winning, but to improving himself so that once he did win, he'd know he had done the best he could. Something that Oikawa now believed in was that there were always going to be people more stronger, more talented, more faster than him, but he had to be the very best that he, himself could be. In the end, he was the only one he had to prove his worth to.
The dying flame in his soul was ignited once more, erupting into colours so bright, one would have to turn away. Oikawa Toru was back, and this time he would surely rule the court.
Finally, the day Oikawa had been waiting for arrived. He was to face off against those he had promised to quite a while ago. He stood tall and confident, with every intention to repay them for all the losses he endured and to show them his pride wasn't misplaced.
And that is exactly what he did.
So I decided to give this a try, and hopefully it wasn't a terrible read. And also I hope I didn't miss the deadline. Anyway, thank you so much for reading through the whole thing. It means a lot. ❤️
