but really though, s1 suga-kageyama-asahi-hinata is soooooo fascinating from every single angle and i cannot stop thinking about it. like. just take suga, kageyama, and their shifting relationships with asahi over the course of the season: here are three people dealing with serious knocks on their confidence, who learn to lean on others/each other over the course of the season. you THINK at first this might be a handing the torch situation, because
who is it that tells asahi that you don't win alone, but you don't lose alone either? that's right it's kageyama (and like. don't get me started on asahi and kageyama and how 'you don't win alone/you don't lose alone' is SUCH an encapsulation of both of their character arcs this season)
and then in that practice match, who is it that tells suga to keep setting to asahi until he gets it? that's right, it's KAGEYAMA
like the way that he inspires them both to keep fighting--the way that that is rewarded later with suga saying that he'll fight for his spot as setter--it's not a power play as a third year, the way it might come across from other characters. instead, it's a sign of respect, both for himself and for kageyama. it's an acknowledgement from suga that he's able to fight for himself, and that kageyama is a worthy person to be rivals with, in a sense
ukai comments about kageyama, given time, being able to build a trust relationship with the ace like the one that suga and asahi has. but also saying that at the moment a strong relationship with the ace is something that suga has over kageyama
before the dateko match suga explicitly asks kageyama to carve a path for asahi the way he's carved one for hinata (because hinata was his first connection with a teammate, so now suga is asking him to expand that connection to asahi)
and then in that dateko match suga returns kageyama's words from the practice match--one more, until asahi gets through.
and then everything goes quiet, and kageyama recalls asahi's favorite throw and gives it to him, and ahhhhhh! it's that moment of connection (it's the first step of what suga says later: you've learned to connect with this team, so i know you'll be able to do it with others. in this moment in s1, he's connected with hinata, so he knows he can do it with others)
and then the shot cuts to suga and his face is blank for a long moment and it's like those times when everyone is wondering what hinata's feeling because his face is all blank. what is suga feeling here? is he bitter (can't stand a prodigy, oikawa had said earlier)? is he resigned (kageyama's well and truly taken over 'his' role now)? and then! NO! he's happy and relieved and so glad that his trust was not misplaced in either of them
so like! at this point a lesser story could have potentially ended the arc here. the torch has been passed etc whatever but NO this is not an either or situation, this is a yes and situation, BECAUSE
after the match, we get to revisit what kageyama helped ignite in suga earlier--he still wants to fight. he still wants to toss for asahi. he still wants to be the one on the court, scoring points.
and THEN in the match against seijoh, asahi calls for his favorite throw from suga and suga gets to give it to him and we're reminded that forming new connections doesn't negate the old ones!
and THEN we get that speech, doubling down on the yes and of the whole situation. because it's not suga's points and kageyama's points. it's not even asahi's points! it's karasuno's points.
just! augh!!!!!!! the way that their storylines all work together! don't get me started!!!! (too late i'm already started) and i'll be back because hinata is in this too and his angle is just as fascinating!!!!
