But it doesn’t matter. I look at my sunshine being pounced on by his teammates. He’s smiling so large, he’s so beautiful. All his efforts finally paid off. And here I am witnessing it.
He was hoisted up on Bokuto-san’s shoulders as he fist bumped the sky.
“I’m so proud of you my little disciple!” he said. No one can be prouder than me.
“They finally beat us, huh?” asked Hoshiumi-san beside me.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get that.” I said, being the last one to touch the ball.
“Don’t mind.” he said patting my shoulder, then proceeding to line up with our teammates.
I looked at him again. His smile was still so large, so bright. He really is the sun. I thought to myself as I lined up. We exchanged formalities then went back to the locker room.
I remember when I first met him. Back then, he was just an over-confident brat that had too much energy. I wanted nothing more than to have that monster as my own, to use his skills to the fullest, if he wasn’t going to do it for himself, I’ll make him do it for me.
During our first loss together, I began to question myself. If I wanted to use him as a weapon, then why did I lose? Was I not strong enough to wield him? Would it have been better if I was more like Oikawa Tooru? Would I have won if I was Miya Atsumu? Or Akaashi Keiji? Or Kozume Kenma? I didn’t know, I didn’t want to know.
When our first major fight inevitably came, I was found at a loss on what to do. Had grandfather been here, I would have asked for help. I can’t help but think that I messed up this chance to have a decent rival, or dare I say it, a friend. He encouraged me to talk, he made me immerse myself in the team, he always rose up to my challenges and was the first in so long to have beat me in some.
I laugh. So he beat me again, huh? I thought.
When we won against Shiratorizawa, he slept over at my house since he was either too tired to bike back, too hungry or he was too excited. In that case, it was all three. I rolled out a futon for me to sleep on next to the bed and went to take a shower. He was still talking to his mom on the phone and can’t help but think, it must be nice to have your parents check on you, then immediately pushing the thought away.
By the time I came back he was laying on the bed as I told him to do so. I sat down on the futon and leaned on the bed then began to fumble with my phone. Surprisingly, there was a message waiting for me.
>> Good Job today, Shittykawa was too much of a tsundere to text you. Good luck at nationals Kageyama! :)
I was shocked to say the least, I immediately typed out a quick apology and a thank you before switching to social media. Scrolling about I saw that my father’s company has a new project but I ignored that. I felt arms wrap around my neck and a breath tickling my ear.
“Kageyama-kun, sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.” he said.
“Then get off dumbass.” I pinched his arm then he squacked and jumped away.
“Meanie.” he pouted as he cradled the spot that I pinched.
“You better take care of your spiker!” he said.
“Take care of yourself dumbass, night.” I said laying down.
“Good night, Yamayama-kun~”
It’s been a while since I last had someone over. It has also been a while since I fell asleep without feeling heavy.
“OI, KAGEYAMA-KUN!!” I hear before a weight settled on my back making me stagger and near eat the floor.
“Oi, dumbass warn me next time.” I said trying to regain my balance.
We had just lost to Inarizaki yesterday and we were on our way to the stadium to watch the rest of the tournament.
“Hey, Kageyama,” said the dumbass.
“Of course I am dumbass, come Interhigh next year and we’ll beat those nasty foxes.” he then giggled.
“You’re right!” he said fist bumping. We’ll defeat them, with the new team, we’ll defeat them.
“Oi, dumbass, if you don’t want me to drop you I suggest you hold tight.” I said then feel arms wrap tighter around my neck.
“Is the King okay?” I hear from behind me.
“Huh?” I faced the bane of my existence.
He had that smirk on his face when it came to taunting the enemy setter, or in this case, his own setter. He sat down next to me then took off his glasses. A few moments later, our captain came out.
“Hey guys, Shou’ll be out in a few, he’s just trying to calm the underclassmen down.” he said taking a seat in front of us.
We were sitting there in silence when our manager came out.
“Are you all alright?” she asked, ever the anxious but loving friend.
“Yeah, you’d probably need to calm down our resident downer here.” said the salt shaker while straightening his jersey.
Finally, there he came, he looked exhausted albeit happy. I felt tears prickle my eyes. He sat down in front of me and began talking with the captain.
“Those were some sick serves ‘Dashi, they went BAM, then POW...” He was always like this wasn’t he?
I grabbed his arm before I could stop myself.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t take you guys farther.” I said as I felt the tears start to come.
“You idiot.” I heard from beside be then I was hit at the back of my head, no doubt from Tadashi.
“You don’t lose by yourself dumbass.” said Tadashi.
“You’re a bad influence to him Kei.” said Hitoka from next to Shou.
It was then that I looked at him. The eyes that were always filled with happiness and sunshine shined with tears.
“Bakayama, quit blaming yourself will you?” he said, smiling as if he wasn’t crying.
“That was our last match together. I promised you that I...” Kei cut me off.
“There you go with the I bullshit again King. Like ‘Dashi said, you don’t lose by yourself.”
“HUG ATTACK!!” yelled Shou and before I knew it I was being squished by two 180+ tall people and two rays of sunshine on earth. And frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I didn’t know when exactly I fell for him, or when he fell for me. One day I was calling him dumbass with contempt and the next I’m patching up his knee because he fell down the stairs, the day after that I was comforting him while he cried into my shoulder because we were binge-watching Your Lie in April, it feels like only yesterday when I came back to a not empty apartment with food cooking when I realize, I was home.
Hinata Shouyou, you defeated me, like you said you would. You’ve won a match, you’ve managed to defeat me, you’ve given a victory to your team, you’re inspiring a new generation. You Hinata Shouyou are truly a wonder, a beautiful phenomenon of life itself happening.
I was packing up my things when I felt arms around my neck.
“How did you get in here dumbass?” I asked as I kept packing.
“Hoshiumi-san let me in since I “set the score even”.” I laughed thinking back to the times that Hoshiumi-san kept bugging me on his return.
“Let’s go dumbass I’m hungry.” I said standing up.
I pat my pocket down while trying to not be too obvious. Exiting the room, I saw Bokuto-san and Akaashi-san with Miya Osamu, most probably waiting for the other two, who I assume were celebrating.
“Ne, Tobio.” I looked at him.
“How long do you think before OIkawa-san is back?”
“Why would you even ask that dumbass?” I asked.
He shrugged, so I shrugged back. It doesn’t matter. All the matches that I deemed worthy of a conclusion are done. He takes my hand in his then leans into me. I look ahead seeing Kei, Hitoka and Tadashi waiting for us. Our friends waiting for us.
There is however, another question that needs an answer. I think as I put my hand in my pocket.
I lost to you Hinata Shouyou, but would you be so kind to let me call you Kageyama Shouyou?
