Chapter Text
There is 1 court, 3 touches, 2 teams, 25 points, 2 sets, and 1 winner in volleyball. Volleyball is game that was built on both skill and strategy. It’s a more vicious and fast paced sport compared to baseball, but they both carry the same base. It’s a thinking man’s game. It’s something you have to want so bad enough that you can suffer the losses, suffer the obstacles, and suffer the inevitable heartache when you put yourself out on the court and fall short, and still love the game. It was something that Hinata Shouyou had fallen in love with when he watched his brother’s high school match at Karasuno High. Hinata Tenma, number 10, stood at 5’7, he was the shortest player on the court- excluding the Libero-, he was Karasuno’s Ace player, and he was Shouyou’s brother and hero.
Tenma had gained the nickname Tiny Giant by his second year of High School and had proven himself to be one of the best wing spikers in aerial combat in a sport where height was one of the biggest weapons next to power and brains. It brought hope to many players in Japan who were continuously shut down because of their height. The Tiny Giant had sparked a fire in the bellies of the generations to come. A fire that forced the game of volleyball to adapt once more.
“C’mon Shou! We can’t be late!”
“Coming,” a ginger headed boy called out to his teammates as he glanced around the large gym area.
Hinata Shouyou, standing only at 164.2cm, was much shorter than his older brother, but he did not plan to let that stop him. He was going to play in a volleyball tournament today for the first and probably last time as a middle schooler. Keep your head up, Shouyou. They’re going to mock you for your height. They’re going to mock you for your determination. Do not let them clip your wings. You have the agility and mobility. So, soar, little brother. Shouyou took a deep breath as he remembered his brother’s words to him that morning on the phone.
“This is it we’re finally here,” Shouyou shouted loudly bouncing up and down on his toes trying to keep himself warm.
“Stop that,” a blonde-haired boy blushed, putting his hand on his head and pushing Hinata's heels to the floor.
“Ahh, c’mon, Izumi,” Shouyou grinned at his teammate, not even aware that he was embarrassing his teammates.
“You have to relax Shou-chan, you won't play very well if you don't,” advised a brunette-haired boy named Koji, snickering softly at his friend’s antics.
“Don't mind me, I'm just excited! Thanks for coming, and you amazing first years, you guys are great! I couldn't have done this without you,” Shouyou smiled at the young boys behind his two best friends.
“I-it's okay Hinata-sempai. We're still amateurs, really, we aren't that much of a help,” one of the first-year boys stammers quietly a small smile on his lips.
“Are you kidding! We wouldn't have a team if it weren't for you, and one thing is certain you're better than I was a first-year,” Shouyou smiled at the group of first years, encouraging them.
The kids smile at him and nod. Shouyou moves over to give his small team an encouraging speech when he sees a small group of kids walk past them. He recognizes the jackets immediately. Unfortunately, Shou, it looks like your team will be going up against the best team in the prefecture in the first match. Don’t expect to win. Just play your hardest and have fun. Your team isn’t built to win matches. Just hold out and have fun. Shouyou’s team went quiet as they stared at the team of very tall junior high schoolers. Kitagawa Daiichi. Shouyou sighed as he took another deep breath.
“Hey, guys. We are up against one of the best teams in the prefecture for our first round. I know it isn’t ideal, but I want you to guys to just play your hardest and have fun. I won’t mind if we lose. I’m here to play volleyball, because I love it. I want you all to be here to just have fun. Let’s just see how far we get okay,” Shouyou smiled painfully at his team, forcing them to tear their gaze away from the intimidating team that just passed by them.
Sure, Shouyou would love to win their match, but he trusted his brother’s judgement. If Tenma did not think his team would win, then they most likely won’t, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have fun and just try to win. His teammates grinned at Shouyou and nodded, some of the first years even gave a small salute. The ginger laughed as his team made their way on to the court leaving him on the side. Nerves crawled up Shouyou’s spine making the boy’s stomach curl in on itself. The ginger laughed nervously as he told his team he was going to go to the bathroom briefly, making his way to the bathroom.
The small teen groaned as he reached the bathroom, pausing when he heard a sting of insults being hurled at his team. They’re going to mock you for your height. They’re going to mock you for your determination. Do not let them clip your wings. Shouyou huffed as he glared at the group surrounding the water fountain by the bathroom. The nausea he had was turning into anger as he glared at the taller junior high kids. Soar, little brother. Oh, he planned on it.
“Excuse me. You’re in my way,” Shouyou announced dragging the Kitagawa players attention to him.
They immediately went quiet when they realized what team he was on. Shouyou’s confidence rose as he grabbed a drink of water from the fountain instead of going into the bathroom like he had planned. He didn’t care what people thought about him and his height, but no one got to dis his team. Shouyou pulled back from the fountain as he glared up at the group.
“Hey second-years, hurry it up. Official warmups are about to start!”
“Crap, it’s Kageyama!”
“Not that we’d need them. Just look at our opponents, shorty can’t even pick the right size pants,” one of the second-years snickers to the others, making Shouyou roll his eyes quietly.
“As far as I know, this kid is going to be actually playing in this match. Can you all say the same? You ride with the reputation on your school, you haven’t even earned the right to look down on an opponent,” the kid called Kageyama answered, not liking his own teammates’ attitudes.
This kid was taking Shouyou’s team seriously! Shouyou eyed the taller boy carefully. Kageyama Tobia, better known as The King of the Court. He was supposed to be a very good setter. Shouyou swallowed heavily as the setter stared him down. The second years made their way back to the courts leaving Shouyou with Kageyama.
“I could’ve told them off myself,” the ginger huffed lightly, staring up at the setter.
“You’re not even physically ready. Don’t talk big. That’s why they look down on you,” Kageyama scoffed at him.
“You can’t assume we’ll lose, as long as we don’t give up-“
“Don’t give up. That’s not as easy as it sounds, the playoffs, the nationals… I’m going to win them all,” Kageyama growled at him, effectively cutting Shouyou off.
“I came here to win too,” Shouyou told him sternly, confidence rolling through him.
Kageyama scoffed and stalked off towards the courts leaving Shouyou behind. The ginger huffed before taking a deep breath. Here they go. Game 1.
Before he knew it, he was bowing at the start of the match. His head came down lower than any of his teammates because he was that much shorter, but he didn’t take his eyes off the King of the Court. The game fell apart almost immediately. Shouyou had expected it of course considering what Tenma had told him, but that didn’t make it any less aggravating. We haven’t lost yet we haven’t lost yet. Shouyou chanted the words in his head like a mantra. The game was in shambles, even he could see that, but still he ran, he jumped, he dove, and it was amazing. It hasn’t fallen yet, we haven’t lost yet, jump, jump, jump!
“That guy took a point from us!”
Kageyama Tobio. The King of the Court. He was taking them seriously. Good. Shouyou grinned as he took yet another point from Kageyama. Sure, they were losing, but he was at least pissing off The King. They lost the first set. It was painful, but Shouyou still had hope. Hope that was swiftly dashed. They lost in one fell swoop. It was painful, and it pissed Shouyou off and broke his heart.
“Shou-chan it’s time to line up.”
Shouyou didn’t react. He could feel the pitying eyes of his teammates on him, as well as the glare of The King of the Court, but all he could do was stand there, head down and mind reeling. Well, Tenma did say that they would lose. He just didn’t think it would be this painful.
“What have you been doing for the past three years?!!”
Shouyou didn’t even give Kageyama the satisfaction of answering the question. He lined up with his teammates and then grabbed his gear. He had another goal set in mind now. He would go to Karasuno High, make his brother find his wings again, and overthrow Kageyama Tobio, all while becoming the next Tiny Giant.
“If you’re the reigning King of The Court, then I’ll overthrow you from your title and I’ll be the one who stands on the court for the longest!”
Shouyou planned to keep all his promises. He trained with his brother, who was reluctant at first, but happy to practice with him, the girls’ volleyball club, the neighborhood mothers- anyone. He would spread his own wings and he would overthrow the King of the Court.
At least that’s what his plan was. Fate had other plans unfortunately. Much to Shouyou’s dismay. Miyagi Prefecture’s Karasuno High School was not just getting Hinata Shouyou.
Tenma unfortunately was a third year in college and had an internship at some art studio so he couldn’t drive Shouyou to school in the morning, he could however pick him up. So, Shouyou biked to school in the mornings. Buzzing with excitement, Shouyou locked up his bike and sped off towards the gym, ducking around various people - including one that wanted him to join the… swim club? Basketball club? Was that a basket weaving club? He didn’t really pay attention. He was so close, he pushed open the gym doors and…
“Why are you here?!”
Kageyama Tobio had come to Karasuno. Oh, the irony.