Chapter Text
"Kageyama, why don't you try setting for me?"
Kageyama looked up at his ace with wide eyes. Did Iwaizumi really not know about Oikawa's pettiness? Probably not. Well, Oikawa wasn't here right now, so why not? And who was he to ignore his upperclassman?
The youngest setter smiled shyly. "I'd be glad to, Iwaizumi-senpai."
Iwaizumi raised his eyebrows in surprise but grinned back. Kageyama never smiled. It was quite amazing actually. "Great! Let's get started."
The wing spiker position himself at the line and looked at Kageyama. He looked deep in concentration, considering how to best set up the ball. In the end, he threw up the ball the way he always did for strong spikers. Nice and high above the net.
Iwaizumi ran up and, throwing his arms back for momentum and flew threw the air with perfect spiking form. The ball hit his hand hard, a loud and satisfying thump. The ball slammed down on the other side of the court, almost squishing down on impact.
The older boy couldn't help but grin. No one except Oikawa was able to perfectly set up the ball for him. Whatever those two did, the ball seemed to align perfectly with his hand to do his bidding.
"Again!" Iwaizumi said.
Kageyama had a light in his eyes that Iwaizumi hadn’t seen in a long time. It actually made him look his age, not a tired, lonley world weary person. Looking like he was about to burst, the setter exclaimed, "Was that set good Iwaizumi-senpai?"
"It was perfect."
Oh no. Iwaizumi thought he might actually make Kageyama explode now. The younger boy finally bowed slightly.
"Thank you Iwaizumi-"
"Just call me Iwaizumi please."
The younger boy's eyes widened. "Yes Iwaizumi-s- I mean Iwaizumi-san! Thank you!"
Iwaizumi waved him away. "Come on, just get on with what you do best, you socially awkward jumbo." he said teasingly.
"Yes!"
The wing spiker rolled his eyes at the endearment and positioned himself at the line again. The two continued the routine for a while when a certain voice with a whiny tone rang out.
"There you are Iwa-chan, I've been looking for you everywhere! What are you do-". Oikawa stopped and took in the scene, his eyes rapidly narrowing. "Oh, hello there Tobio-chan, I didn't know you were here. Did you just happen to be setting for Iwa-chan here?"
Kageyama gulped nervously. "Y-yes...he asked me to."
"Is that so? Well, I'm here now, so I think perhaps you should join those other first years. Actually, don't bother them. Just practice serving or something."
"O-oikawa-san, can you help teach me how to serve?"
The words echoed in the older setter's head. He didn't have time for this thing who was obviously about to take his spot in the finals. "I'm afraid I don't have time to teach you. I need to get ready for the finals." he said coldly.
"B-but O-" Kageyama pleaded.
"I don't have time for you, you little-" Oikawa said, moving torward Kageyama. The younger boy flinched at the coming blow. The only thing that stopped him was a solid hand slapping his hand out of the air hard.
Iwaizumi looked at his friend furiously. "What are you doing idiot? Whatever did Kageyama do to you?"
Tears were forming at the corners of Kageyama's eyes. He wouldn't, he couldn't let Oikawa see him like this. Kageyama ran out of the gym, hearing the two yelling at each other in the distance.
Kageyama slumped down against the wall, curling into himself. He was worthless, absoluteley worthless.
Iwaizumi didn't notice his kohai leave the gym.