Miya Osamu (sort of meta)
Osamu who was the twin who showed the more promise of the two of them, who slowly was surpassed by Atsumu. Who, in one hand, resented being surpassed but in the other was proud of Atsumu.
The twin who learned to cover for Atsumu and to challenge Atsumu inside and outside of the court. The person who could always keep up with him, except for the days in which he couldn’t. In which his legs felt heavier and he overthought how to spike the toss to the best advantage.
The twin who covered for his twin’s vulnerabilities and was the ultimate barrier. Because if you could contain Miya Atsumu, you’d have to deal with Miya Osamu.
Osamu who slowly realizes that Atsumu loves volleyball more than him, just a tiny tiny tiny little bit more, and who feels hurt when he doesn’t receive the youth camp invitation. And who doesn’t lie to Atsumu when he tells him that he’s ok with it, except for the first minutes in which he isn’t.
Osamu looking at the empty bed at their bedroom the three days Atsumu is gone. He goes to practice and pretends not to notice the way the third years look at him, the way Ginjima basically attaches himself to him, the way Suna shows him memes of Atsumu or the times he’s filmed Atsumu embarrassing himself.
Osamu, who is more reserved, but feels as deeply, understanding that he loves volleyball, but that his love isn’t all consuming. And asking to himself: then, what would be? Because he wants to find it, and believe in it. Osamu who plays their first match against Karasuno knowing that his future lies elsewhere, but finding the thrill in trying the quick with Atsumu.
Osamu who wants to tell Atsumu how he feels so badly that sometimes it takes him a long time to fall asleep without saying" Tsumu, I think… I think".
Osamu who says it to Suna first, because he knows that Suna is already thinking of a pro career, and he needs to tell someone, and it’s easier to say it to his friend and classmate than saying it to his twin. Osamu who looks at Suna, whom stares at him for a long time and says “I don’t think you’re wrong in wanting something else.”
The second person he says it to is Kita. Kita is blunt, reliable and leads by example but, above all else, Kita is kind. His captain tells him “I think the person who knows themselves the best is you, Osamu”.
Osamu who finally is able to say it to Atsumu and is received by hurt and anger (he expected both), there’s also fear.
Atsumu’s fear is loosing the person who can keep up with him, whom has been his constant, his whole life. It’s also not knowing if Osamu will succeed at it, and not being able to prevent the fall if it ever occurs.
Osamu’s fear is doing something without Atsumu by his side to challenge him and expect things from him, but Osamu also fears making the wrong choice. So he issues a challenge that is actually the way he is able to try to reassure himself: “whom will have the best life?”
Osamu who gives it his all during his third year and is happy and content and doesn’t regret his choices. Osamu who goes to culinary school and does an internship and talks with Kita about rice and who tries new dishes at different restaurants and takes Atsumu with him so they can analyze the dishes together.
Osamu and Atsumu slowly integrating their lives again, volleyball is something that doesn’t hurt in between them anymore, as they grow older and more confident in their own paths. And their bodies change, Atsumu’s thights gain more definition while Osamu’s hand’s grip gets stronger from all the chopping/whisking/lifting he does for his restaurant.
The challenge becoming something that makes them connect even more instead of drawing them apart. Atsumu asking him about ingredients and food prep and inspiring Osamu to find flavors that will make his restaurant different than others. Osamu cheering on Atsumu at his volleyball games. Atsumu hyping up Osamu’s bussiness any time he can, Instagram photos, interviews, meals after games when they take place in Osaka.
Atsumu, one day sending him a photo of a red jersey with the name “Miya 11” in the back and Osamu… doesn’t feel jealous at all, he’s content and happy and excited for Atsumu and immediately calls him to scream as loud as he can at the other end of the line.
The Miya twins being lucky because they still have each other, decades of banter, fights, phone calls, hugs and teasing. Something even bigger than what just “trust” could ever be.
