Chapter Text
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Honestly, Yamaguchi thought that the team would be in a slump or self-destruction mode for at least 3 days. After all, the last point that went to Seijoh was brutal. But he's surprised to see the boys picking themselves up just a day after. After a month of more intense training and pools of sweats, everyone seems to be extra motivated to win.
It isn’t surprising for Takeda sensei to come running in the gym with his lungs about to give up any moment now. His teacher looked like he has been running a marathon before he finally arrived at the gym but then again, his teacher has a fragile body. Sometimes, if Takeda-sensei is unlucky, he would trip down at the entrance. The team immediately halts their movement after being called to gather around. Even Kageyama stopped his bickering with the orange head. Usually when the team are told to do so, Takeda-sensei must have some important news to announce.
“Everyone,” he pants heavily through his mouth. Yamaguchi wonders if Takeda-sensei’s heart is in good condition or not. “I have news for you.”
Coach Ukai holds out a clean towel for the teacher to wipe the sweat on his forehead. “Did we get another practice match?”
The teacher nods his head and he can hear the team cheers in excitement. Finally, Yamaguchi breathes out. Ever since they got back from training camp, he’s been meaning to test his jump floater on other schools. Even though his serves are yet to reach any level of success, but he’s thankful that Coach Ukai is willing to put him in matches. “However,” Takeda-sensei suddenly turns serious. “It's a school that you are very familiar with. And I'm not sure whether you are going to be happy with it.”
Kageyama tilts his head in confusion. “Why wouldn't we be happy about a practice match?”
Kageyama is not the only one that's wondering the same question. They're especially excited for a practice match even though how tiring it may be. Especially for the freaky duo since they've just developed a new quick. Yamaguchi feels a tinge of jealousy that everyone has been developing their skills and proving that practices do make perfect. Meanwhile, he has been serving more than anyone else in this room and yet he fails to show his skill on the court.
“About that. The school that we will be going against is Ao—” Before sensei could even finish his sentence, Tanaka suddenly slams his poor water bottle down the floor, shocking everyone in the room. “Don't tell me it's Shiratorizawa!”
“Wah! So cool!” Hinata and Nishinoya shouts in excitement meanwhile Tsukishima looks dumbly at those two.
That’s impossible, Yamaguchi thinks to himself. There’s no way that the number one school in this prefecture who not to mention, trains with college students would even open a slot for a match with them.
“Now now.” Yamaguchi tries to calm everyone down, especially Kageyama who is looking like he's getting ready for war. “Let sensei finish his sentence first.”
The others quietens down instantly after Sawamura clears his throat which also comes with a glare that will break people into a cold sweat. The teacher sighs in relief when everyone is calm again. “Thank you, Yamaguchi and Sawamura. And No, it's not Shiratorizawa. A powerhouse school like that wouldn't even consider us. But the school we will be playing is also a powerhouse school.”
“Could it be...?” Sugawara gasps lightly when he finally able to guess correctly. If it’s a powerhouse and a team that might bring the team’s spirit down. It must be... “Aoba Johsai?”
When sensei confirms that it is indeed Aoba Johsai, the team falls quiet. Everyone is suddenly remembered of the desperation, the sweats, the moment everyone was pushing themselves to their limit. But Yamaguchi knows, no one feels the burn as much as the first year duo do. “We.....” Hinata lifts his head to reveal his piercing eyes. “We will win this match.”
Hinata's motivation is contagious as everyone finally recovers and swear to do their best for this match and the upcoming tournament. However, Yamaguchi is too occupied in his thoughts that he didn’t notice that everyone is already dismissed.
A match with Aoba Johsai, huh? So, they’re going to his school. Upon seeing Yamaguchi still not moving from his previous spot, Tsukishima nudges him with his elbow. “Oi, you must be happy.”
The shorter male blinks a few times before finally registering Tsukishima’s words. “Eh?” Yamaguchi waves his hand immediately. “No, it's not that. I'm actually very worried.” This will be the first time Yamaguchi will be seeing him at his school since they got together. He’s not sure how the latter would react. Heck, he’s not even sure how he himself would react!
Tsukishima only gives him a blank expression. “You guys are weird.” He says flatly before drinking his water and walks away. The green haired boy replies with his usual “Sorry, Tsukki." and then he is left with his inner thoughts again.
I guess we'll be fine.
As expected, he knew he should have taken a shower instantly after he got back from practice yesterday. The rain yesterday wasn't heavy, in fact, there are much worse storm that had happened before. However, it was his fault for accidentally drift off to dreamland as soon as his head touches the soft pillow on his bed.
And that is how he has been coughing non-stop and his body feels so terribly weak. This morning, he got a text from him that he's excited to meet him and play a match against his team. Just by that message alone, he cancels all the thoughts of having to sit out from today’s match. Despite his body hardly putting up, there's no way he's going to lose this opportunity. Currently, they're in a bus heading to Aoba Johsai and Yamaguchi would've been more nervous if it weren't for his fever.
“—guchi......Yamaguchi.” He lifts his head to see Hinata’s orange hair peeking from the seat in front of him. “I can't tell whether you are sleepy or you are sick.”
It’s because of his body that Yamaguchi has been shutting out everything that’s happening around him. “I'm not sick, Hinata.” Yamaguchi replies, forcing a smile to make it more believable.
Hinata squints his eyes in doubt. “I touched your arm just now. It's warm.”
“I'm always warm.” He tries again.
Hinata huffs then stretches his arm forward so that he can reach for Yamaguchi’s forehead. Prove to be harder than he expected because the freckled boy keeps on leaning backwards. “Hey, stop moving! I just want—”
“Dumbass! You're hitting me with your elbow!” Kageyama roars before pulling Hinata to sit his ass down again. Thank God for Kageyama, or else Yamaguchi doesn’t doubt that Hinata would tell Coach Ukai that he's not feeling well and with that, coach might not put him in the game.
The last thing he remembers before he dozes off is that Hinata calling Kageyama some insults while the latter is getting ready to pull his hair.
Even though it was just a short nap, but Yamaguchi feels a bit better. They reach Aoba Johsai and as usual, Hinata is the loudest to cheer along with Tanaka and Nishinoya. It's different from the first time he had gone to Aoba Johsai. At that time, he didn't know what to expect, or who to expect. But now, his eyes keep glancing around, looking for a certain someone.
Everyone starts moving to the volleyball gymnasium but instead, Yamaguchi excuses himself to the bathroom.
Meet me there
He reads the latest message he received. Heaving out a sigh, he hopes Hinata's bladder doesn’t act up so that the small middle blocker won’t be needing to use the bathroom. Yamaguchi pushes the bathroom door open and to his confusion, there's no one inside. It's empty. I guess I’m early, he thinks.
Going over to the sink, he turns the water tap and washes his face with the cold water. His body still feels hot. Because of the running water, he fails to register the sound of the door squeaking open. “Freckled-chan! You're here already!” Someone who is taller than Yamaguchi suddenly appears behind him and hugs his shoulders tightly.
Shocked at first but upon the familiar nickname, Yamaguchi relaxes in the arms of his boyfriend. “You could’ve given me a heart attack, Oikawa-san.” He says, leaning his back against Oikawa and brushes the pretty male’s brown hair.
“Tadashi.” Oikawa releases him and stares down at him seriously. “Didn't we talked about this? Call me Tooru.”
It's not that Yamaguchi doesn't feel like he is close enough with Oikawa. Heck, they're together for a while now. But he's still trying to get used to it.
There are not many instances where they would go on dates. Minus the fact that they just started dating, volleyball practices could be the sole reason as to why their number of dates are pretty low. Sometimes, both of them gets a little too paranoid when they're on their date. Who knows, they might accidentally encounter a familiar face. Yamaguchi is pretty sure he wouldn’t know how to explain if anyone sees him crossing his pinkies with Oikawa outside of school.
“Wait a minute.” Oikawa hands went from pinching his cheeks to feeling up his neck and throat. “Why is my boyfriend's body so hot?”
Yamaguchi giggles at how the statement can be interpreted with a different meaning. “Aww thank you.”
“I’m serious.” The taller rolls his eyes before putting his forehead against Yamaguchi's, silencing the freckled boy. He hums, “Now I know why you didn’t reply my texts yesterday night. You slept while you’re drenched in rain, didn’t you?”
Yamaguchi blushes furiously then gently pushes Oikawa's chest with his hands. “Maybe.”
“Yeah, I thought so. So will you be playing today?”
Yamaguchi sighs. “Yes, I’ll be playing. My body feels a little weak but that’s all. Even my voice sounds different.”
Oikawa leans his side against the wall. “I noticed. Though I thought you were purposely making your voice sound huskier to attract me.”
“As if I would do something like that.” The other snorts.
The brown haired male shrugs his shoulder. “Who knows? You're not that innocent, Tadashi.” Yamaguchi couldn't help the second wave of blush that's appearing on his cheeks when Oikawa pulls him closer. The taller's big hands sneakily find its spot on Yamaguchi’s hip. “But you're still adorable.”
When Oikawa flutters his eyes close and leans forward, Yamaguchi instantly puts a hand in between their lips. The taller leans back, looking all confused. “Can't I kiss you?”
“Well, I'm having a cold now.” Yamaguchi replies, trying to escape Oikawa's hold on him. “I don't want you to get them. Unlike me, you're really really really important to your team.”
Not fully happy that he's not getting any kisses after so long (2 days is a long time), he huffs as he releases Yamaguchi. “Fine. But as soon as you're better, I'm taking you out.”
“Of course.” Yamaguchi says as he caresses Oikawa's face fondly. As he mentioned before, they rarely go on dates because of practices. And it's not like they see each other everyday since they go to different schools. He do wishes to have more time with his boyfriend.
Oikawa's hand lifts to hold Yamaguchi’s hand on his face while he leans into the freckled boy's touch. “I missed you.” The brown haired male mumbles into Yamaguchi's palm after kissing it a few times. At this moment, Yamaguchi knows that Oikawa too feels the same as him. “I missed you t—”
Without neither of them expecting, the bathroom door is kicked open, revealing Hinata’s orange head. Hinata's expression went from being constipated to a confused one as he stares at the frozen couple. “Yamaguchi...” he points his finger towards his friend then shifts to the other student in front of him. “... and Grand King!” he shouts.
“Hey, Hinata.” Yamaguchi quickly withdraws his hand from Oikawa's. His friend is still agape while Oikawa doesn’t even bother to do any clear up or explanation. “Oikawa-san was just wishing us good luck.” Yamaguchi laughs nervously, elbowing his boyfriend to say something.
The newcomer is still baffled because if his eyes weren't messing with him, he could’ve sworn that his friend and Oikawa looked pretty intimate just now. “But...”
“Oi Shrimpy-chan.” Oikawa walks over to Hinata, scaring him a little. “If you pry your nose in other people's business, your setter might get jealous.” The older pats his head before exiting through the bathroom door.
“Ehhhhh?”
I should’ve expected this. Yamaguchi shakes his head before grabbing his jacket on the sink. He should be more careful from now on. “Don’t be too long, Hinata.” He advises before leaving as well.
Suddenly, Hinata’s bladder doesn’t feel messed up anymore.
As soon as he steps inside the gym, the aura is different from before. Everyone, and he means both team looks tense. At the corner of his eyes, he can see Oikawa being himself, riling up his junior, Kageyama. Sometimes he makes people wonder if he really is a 3rd year.
While doing warm ups, Yamaguchi notices that he's been sighing more than usual. Not only that, his breath is warmer than usual. He hopes his condition will improve later because he does want to play in this practice match.
Unfortunately, Seijoh manage to secure the first set. Tanaka and Sawamura had to give some motivation talk to lift the duo's spirit up. Meanwhile, Takeda sensei has been looking worriedly at him. He didn’t thought that his teacher would notice the lack of Yamaguchi’s cheer. Or maybe because Sugawara had told the older about his condition judging from how the 3rd year keeps brushing his back. But instead of showing how tired he is, Yamaguchi returns his teacher’s worried gaze with determination to play.
And that's probably the reason why he is now serving for his team. Truth be told, Yamaguchi is beyond terrified. He has the determination, but it doesn't mean he has the confidence. His mind drift back to when he failed to get the ball over the net. But he's been practicing. He's been serving more than anyone else. He can do this.
Slowly, he throws the ball up and he jumps. The feeling of the ball hitting his palm before barely going over the net is still an enjoyment to him. Even so, he still has a long way to go. His opponent manage to receive it without any trouble.
Maybe it is because of his tired body that his reflexes become weak or maybe he just didn't see the ball that's approaching fast right towards him or more specifically, his face. And it goes without saying that he is straightaway knocked down by the ball smashing perfectly on his nose.
The impact was so loud that Yamaguchi manage to see stars around him. He can hear his teacher’s shrieks from outside of the court. “Ahh…” he groans, trying to stand on his feet. Well, isn’t that another way for Yamaguchi to embarrass himself? Ugh and now, his nose is throbbing in pain. Damn it! Seijoh manage to score their 15th point in the second set! He hears Iwaizumi cheering for the point he scored. If only he can—
“Bl....bl...blood!” Hinata shouts while pointing at Yamaguchi's nose. The freckled boy eyes him in confusion for a moment before he feels something dripping from his nose. “Oh God.” He immediately covers his nose.
Takeda-sensei immediately shouts for a time out while Kiyoko rummages through her bag to retrieve tissues. Meanwhile, Hinata turns pale at the sight of Yamaguchi's jersey that's stained with blood. “He's not going to die, right?” Hinata stutters, stepping close to Yamaguchi to see if he is okay.
“Dumbass, he won't.”
“But the blood seems a lot. He—” Hinata couldn't even finish his sentence because Oikawa had pushed him so quickly that he fell flat on the floor. Somehow, Kageyama also ends up on the floor as Hinata manage to drag the other together when he fell.
Breathing heavily, Oikawa did not waste his time grabbing the tissues from Kiyoko's hand and presses it against Yamaguchi's nose. “Tell me if anywhere hurts. Can you remember what date is today? Where are you right now? Hajime’s spike is really powerful, can you even see me clearly?”
“Uhmm... Oikawa-san—”
“Holy shit this is the third tissue. Your nose is bleeding so much.” Oikawa continues to fuss over him. “I knew I should’ve told you to stay out of the game if your body is too weak.” The freckled boy tried to push him away but the taller just removes Yamaguchi’s hand from going near his own face. “Hold still, Tadashi. Or you'll get hurt again.” He cups the younger's face so that he can peek a little at the bottom of his boyfriend's nose.
“Oikawa-san...” Yamaguchi looks pleadingly at him. For a second, Oikawa wanted to pinch his boyfriend’s cheeks on the spot because at how adorable and cute Yamaguchi is looking up to him. If it weren't for the fact that they're in a match, he would've—oh.
Oh shit.
The Seijoh’s setter’s movement freezes as he looks around him to find both teams are staring in bewilderment. Not only that, his schoolmates who came to watch the match also can’t take their eyes off the scene.
“Wait… Did he just called Yamaguchi ‘Tadashi’?” Sugawara whispers to Tanaka.
The bald boy nods his head. “He did...”
Finally aware of his own actions, Oikawa lets out a nervous chuckle and takes a step back. Not sure what to say, instead, he just pats Yamaguchi’s head before turning back to his team. The more embarrassed person here is of course, Yamaguchi. In his head he is already planning on how to explain to the team on Oikawa's weird protective behaviour towards him. Not to mention that Karasuno probably have never saw them interact with each other. Well, except for Hinata. And suddenly now, it must be a shock to the team that Oikawa and him are already on the first name basis.
“Uuuuh okay that happened.” Coach Ukai breaks the silence in the gym. “Yamaguchi, sit on the bench so the medics can check if you're okay. And take more tissues.”
Funny enough, everyone starts going back to normal. They resume the second set and for the whole while, Yamaguchi couldn't help but to steal a few worried glances at his boyfriend.
They lost again. This time, they didn’t even get to the match point on the third set. This just proves that they need to practice more. Everyone’s eyes burn in determination to quickly perfect their new attacks. They're going to give it all in their practices later.
The team walks out with determination burning in their bones but all of their steps were put to halt when they see Oikawa leaning his back at the wall of the front entrance. It's almost like deja vu but this time, he didn't have that arrogant aura. Instead, he gulps before swinging his jacket over his shoulder. “After today’s match, brand new Karasuno looks like they're in trouble.” Still, the setter has that disgusting smug on his face.
Tanaka upon hearing that immediately steps forward with Hinata hiding behind him. “Yall just wait till we perfect our new attacks! It'll be over—”
Sawamura’s cough is enough to make Tanaka closes his mouth and then he is being pulled backwards by his collar. “We'll see each other again. On the official match.” The captain smiles at the other captain.
“Sure. Just don't get eliminate too soon.”
“We won't! And this time, we will win.” Hinata declares after running to hide behind Kageyama next.
“Bring it.” Oikawa sneers but then, instead of looking at Hinata or the captain, Oikawa’s eyes are looking for someone else. This didn't go unnoticed by the team so Tsukishima steps aside, revealing Yamaguchi who had been standing behind him.
Sugawara being the sharpest to sense the situation, ushers everyone except Yamaguchi to get on the bus this instant. Nishinoya and Hinata wanted to stay with Yamaguchi but one glare from Sugawara, both of them are already on the bus.
And that just leaves him.... with Oikawa.
“We beat you.” Oikawa starts, pointing his finger onto Yamaguchi's nose. “You owe me takoyaki.”
Yamaguchi scrunches his nose as he pulls Oikawa's finger away from his face “Fine. A bet is a bet.” He pouts. But the pout didn’t last long as Oikawa's finger didn't let go of Yamaguchi's hand and the smaller looks around in panic. “We...we're still at your school. People will see.”
“Ah about that. Just now... I'm sorry. I sort of panicked.”
Yamaguchi grins, rubbing Oikawa's hand with his thumb. “You were really scared, you know that?”
“I’m pretty sure you would freak out a lot more than I do if it was me who got the nosebleed.” The taller says smugly.
Well, that's sort of true, Yamaguchi thought. But he doesn’t think he will react the way Oikawa would. He's not even brave to make an eye contact with the other Seijoh players, what more heading to their side of the court. “Of course I would. You, especially has been overworking yourself.” Yamaguchi pulls his hand away to hit Oikawa gently on his chest. “I'm always worried.”
Yamaguchi is a reserved person, even with Oikawa. Maybe it is because they're still at the early stage of their relationship that Yamaguchi is really shy in expressing his feelings. So when his boyfriend shows his affections directly at him, Oikawa can't help but to melt. “You are the cutest Freckled-chan I've ever met!” Oikawa coos, wrapping his arms around Yamaguchi for a tight hug.
The latter still feels conscious of the surrounding but he decides to let Oikawa have his way because there's no one around them.
Or so he thought.
“They're hugging!” Hinata shrieks, pointing his hand at the couple. As soon as he did that, a few heads appeared from behind the gate to witness the scene. “Oi Hinata. Don't interfere.” Sugawara whispers to the orange boy.
“But... Sensei asked to get him.”
Daichi, who has been eavesdropping along with the other third years, the noisy line of second years and the freak duo, calls Yamaguchi to wrap up his business immediately. Yamaguchi face-palms himself looking at his (embarrassing) team, and also Oikawa’s panic face did not help as well. “That's my cue. I guess I'll text you later.”
“Wait.” Oikawa stops him when Yamaguchi walks pass him. “Your team... are you going to tell them?”
Yamaguchi pauses for a moment. “Will you?” he asks Oikawa back instead. “With your team, I meant.”
The taller looks like he was contemplating seriously of Yamaguchi's words so Yamaguchi instantly pinches the latter's nose. “Why are you getting serious for? I'm not forcing you to do so don't worry about it.” Another thing that Yamaguchi has to think of is Oikawa's fans. It's one of the many reasons why their relationship has been a secret to everyone. He didn’t really want Oikawa to lose his fans nor does he want to break any girl’s heart. “We can just say that we are really good friends outside of school.” Eventhough lying to his team is the last thing Yamaguchi would want to do but it's probably the only way for them to conceal their status.
“No!” the brown haired male states. “I'll....tell the team. Just them. And I’m pretty sure they won’t blow it out.”
“You're willing to do that?” Yamaguchi feels his heart melting. Oikawa could’ve just avoid telling them but he guesses that his boyfriend probably hates lying to the team as much as he does.
The taller scoffs before asking him back. “Are you?”
Nodding his head, Yamaguchi clutches his bag tighter. “Let's do it then.”
As usual, before heading back to their respective home, the Sakanoshita Store is the place where they would stop by for buns and popsicles. Some people call it the Karasuno volleyball team hangout place which actually isn't wrong.
When Tsukishima was about to excuse himself, Sugawara’s loud voice suddenly calls everyone out. “Now now everyone. We had a good game, didn't we?!” the grey haired male takes a seat at the table, pulling Sawamura’s arm to sit as well. “Just want to say that I am very proud of you and if there's anything that you want to tell us or share with us, we, the third years are glad to lend out our ears.”
Trying not to smile, Yamaguchi knows where this conversation is going. It would be a lie if Yamaguchi said that he hasn’t seen this coming, especially when the third years kept eyeing him. Tsukishima who is not clueless to Yamaguchi's side of the story seems unbothered as he tries to excuse himself again but for the second time, Sugawara is quick to interject. “And I mean anything! Isn't that right, Daichi?” he elbows the captain and the latter immediately straightens up. “Uh? Ah yes! As the captain, and also the third years, we uh... should take care of our juniors.”
Ennoshita is the only one who look so done with everything and it's almost laughable actually. But Yamaguchi does owe them an explanation so he decides that it's time to let the cat out of the bag. “Uhm everyone. I—”
Before Yamaguchi could say another word, Sugawara is already patting the spot in front of him for the younger to sit. “Oh! Yamaguchi has something to share! Why don't you sit down?”
Everyone’s eyes glistens in interest. “Uhh alright then.” He slowly takes the seat adjacent to the two third years. Somehow, the situation feels like Yamaguchi is confessing his wrongdoings to his parents while the other siblings are listening as well. “So uhmm it’s about me and… Oikawa.”
Sugawara’s loud (and exaggerate) gasp is what made everyone flinches in surprised and also made Kageyama accidentally spits out his milk on Hinata.
“Oh my God, since when?!” the third year asks loudly while clasping his hand together.
“Ryu, grab a tissue for Hinata!” the libero shouts in the background while Tanaka runs to the counter to grab some tissues. Yamaguchi looks at Tsukishima for help who only shrugs his shoulder. Okay, not helping. He turns back to the still surprised setter before answering. “Almost a month?”
“A month?!” Everyone in the shop choruses. Including Coach Ukai whose interest is no longer on the newspaper.
“That long and none of us knew?” Asahi mutters.
At this time, everyone turns their head to Tsukishima. The tallest member lifts both of his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me. I just found out a week ago.”
The third year setter takes a deep breath before whispering something to Sawamura. The captain nods to whatever Sugawara said then fixes his gaze on Yamaguchi. “Well, it is indeed surprising. However, I hope that it does not get in the way of your practices and probably future tournament.”
Yamaguchi instantly assures them that it won’t. And the captain believes that Yamaguchi can really take care of himself. Judging by how hard he had practiced these past few weeks, no one had an idea that he’s actually dating someone.
“So,” Hinata pulls the chair beside Yamaguchi while still wiping his face with a tissue. “Isn’t it weird to date the Grand King? I know it must be weird for Kageyama to take this.”
“I’m fine with it.” Kageyama shrugs while casually taking a bite of his pork bun.
“You are?!” Hinata and Tanaka shouts in unison.
Kageyama nods his head. “Oikawa-san has always have a lot of girls and also boys confessing to him. I’m just a little bit surprised that he accepted Yamaguchi’s confession.”
Yamaguchi couldn’t help but lets out a scoff. “Who said I was the one confessing?” he mumbles.
Now that actually send a shock to Kageyama. Not only him but also the others as well. “The Grand King confessed to you?!” Hinata shakes Yamaguchi’s shoulder back and forth. “When? How? Where?”
“I believe the first question is,” Sugawara blinks in surprised. “When did you two even talk?”
The green haired boy chuckles nervously as he rubs his neck. He expected everyone to lose interest after his declaration but it seems like even the quiet second years are intrigued. “Ahaha it’s actually a long story.”
“Oh we have the time!” Sugawara insists.
Oh boy…This is going to be a long evening.