Chapter Text
Name: Kageyama Tobio
Aged: 16
Occupation: Student
Reason: Subjected to rejection from soulmates
Case: RESOLVED.
~~~
It is the year 2020. The subject of soulmates have always been there. There have been legends of soulmates in many cultures for many years. The thought of having a fated partner seem so fairytale like. Well, as time went on, this became a reality, like some sort of answer to the prayers of man. Soulmate indicators - a timer on your wrists which tells you when you will meet your soulmate, and a mark that would be placed on anywhere on your body to signify your connection with the other person.
Kageyama is a boy who isn't from a well to do family. He sometimes would be starved because his parents would rather feed their addiction than to feed him, and it’s completely okay. He studies hard, to get a scholarship since his parents refuses to pay for his studies and forces him to go earn money for them while they stay at home and laze around.
All the hardships didn’t matter as he looked at his wrist. It was the ever counting down timer and he has two of them. He has two soulmates and he can’t be happier than this. His parents however, told him to cover it up. It was disgusting, that he is unwanted. So Kageyama covered it up most of the time. It was covered in scars and fresh cuts. It is from his parents, it is the way they release their stress.
Kageyama is happy he would have someone, he is proud of his soulmates. He cant wait to meet them. He doesn't believe what his parents told him. So today is his first day in middle school. His bandages were already soaked red in his blood as he parents slash the timer on his wrists. It wouldn’t stop for a while so he wrapped it up and went to school. He is in the first class and he has to stay there if he wants to continue to study.
When Kageyama reached the school, he made his way to the washroom. He carefully removed the bandages on his wrists and rinse away the dry blood and he saw that the time is only left with seconds. He couldn’t be bothered right now because of the stinging pain as the water touches his wounds. He threw away the blood soaked bandages before he pulled out a new roll of bandages from his bag and slowly wrapped around his wrists. As he was doing that, a pair of boys, seniors, came into the bathroom. Kageyama felt like time has stopped when he met one of their eyes. The older broke the eye contact before looking down at his wrists.
Kageyama quickly secured his bandages before he made his way past the pair and back to his classroom. The older wanted to stop him but Kageyama ran. He is a fast runner, thanks to all the training his parents gave him. “My soulmates are in the same school.” Kageyama mutters as he hands run over the bandages on his wrists.
If Kageyama has two, does it mean that they are already a pair? He carefully unwraps the bandages and both were already showing 0. It meant that the two seniors who walked in just now were both his soulmates. Kageyama didn’t know what to do. What if the two of them rejects him because they were already happy together. "Guess my parents were right, I am unwanted." Kageyama mumbles to himself.
Kageyama didn’t have much time to dwell on the matter when his class advisor walked into the classroom. They started with introductions since it was his first day of school. “Alright, so later on, some of the seniors would be coming in to give you a talk about after school activities then you can think about which one you want to join. They will have booths set up after school at the field for the week so please go check them out. Fill up the form and hand it over to the respective teachers in charge.” The teacher informed the class. Since it was the first day of school, there wasn't much studying.
Kageyama didn’t have time for useless activities. He has to go work and earn money or he could forget about eating at all.
So for the rest of the day, some of the seniors who are captains and vice captains of the various clubs would come to the class and introduce their clubs to the freshmen students. Kageyama paid them no mind as he started reading his textbooks. He has to keep his grades up or he would not be able to keep his scholarship. So they seniors just talked, other students were paying attention while Kageyama is doing his work. Kageyama was completely unbothered, until he finally decided to look up. The bell was going to ring and in comes two very familiar faces.
How not surprising that they were the two people Kageyama had met this morning. Apparently they are from the volleyball club. Kageyama isn’t interested so he continued to look down at his book as the two seniors introduce their club. Kageyama was so engrossed that he didn’t realise everyone has already left. School has ended.
Kageyama starts packing his bag when a voice spoke to him. “You know, it’s rude to not pay attention when someone is talking.” The one with brown hair spoke. “I’m sorry.” Kageyama bowed. He continues to pack his bag before pulling out a plastic bag. He has to rush to work. “I am not accepting you into our relationship.” The brown haired guy said. “I understand.” Kageyama said and left. He understood that when he saw them together. He will never be able to be with them, he was never wanted in the first place.
The two seniors seemed shocked at Kageyama’s answer. Usually people would go crazy at the thought of being rejected by their soulmates. The nonchalant response they got from Kageyama didn't really sit well with them. They were ready to handle whatever outburst, yet was met by a simple 'I understand'. It felt weird. They did nothing about it though. It was none of their business. They just watched the younger boy pack his bag and leave the classroom. Kageyama will probably find someone else in future, that is what they thought.
~~~
Kageyama ran to his workplace. He couldn't afford to lose this job. Even though he ran with all his might, he was still a few minutes late to work. His boss scolded him. He quickly got to work. He was lucky his boss isn’t going to dock his pay this time since it was his first time being late. He didn’t mind the abuse from his employer. He was used to it. After the rejection, it felt like his feelings have dulled a little. He feels a little numb right now.
Kageyama has accepted the fact that he had been rejected by his soulmates. It didn’t matter. He knew from the moment he saw them together. All he has to do now is to do his job properly. He works really hard, he needs every single dollar he could get from the tips. This was the only place that allowed their servers to receive and keep tips they have received and Kageyama is really grateful for that because this was the only way he could survive, especially when they literally pay him peanuts. When Kageyama knocked off from work, it was late.
He kept his money safely in his bag before he got on his bicycle and made his way back home. When he reached home, his parents were dead drunk on the couch. The floor is filled with empty beer bottles. Kageyama made sure he was quiet so as to not wake them, lest he wants a beating from them. He made his way to his room successfully and he took out the money he had gotten. He rolled them up into bundles and hid it under his bed which was an old mattress, a rag for a blanket. He then went to shower, there was no heater. The cold water hits against his skin, it feels as cold as his future would be. He kept his shower short, dried himself and quickly changed before making his way back to his room so he could do his work before calling it a night.
Kageyama fell asleep that night, not knowing that he had cried.
The next morning, he was woken up by his parents with a splash to his face. “Wake up! Make us breakfast.” His mother demanded. Kageyama just pushed himself up and made his way to the kitchen. He made a simple breakfast with all that they had in the kitchen. “What kind of breakfast is this? Are you slacking off at work? If you can't make a better breakfast, quit school and just work to earn more money, you little bastard.” His father threw a slap to Kageyama’s face. “I will remember to get groceries tonight.” Kageyama meekly replied before going to his room to get ready for school. Since he got a scholarship, his parents didn’t say anything when he left the house in his school uniform and school bag. They just ate the breakfast Kageyama made while glaring at him.
Kageyama left the house with the money in his school bag. After one incident, he never dared leave his money at home. Kageyama decided not to have the bandages on, since his wrist wasn't bleeding anymore. He have to save them for when his parents decide to cut his wrists again. His hand rubbed his cheek that was feeling a little hot. His tongue tasted blood. A sigh escapes his lips. This is just his life.
Kageyama made his way to class, he is alone. He sat there with his books out as he started to do the assessment books. “Kageyama, you’re early.” His class advisor walked in with a clipboard in her hand, a smile on her face. “I’m used to coming early.” Kageyama said with a blank face. His teacher nods. “Have you met your soulmates yet?” His teacher casually asks as she works on her stuff. “I did.” Kageyama gave a short answer. “How were they?” His teacher asks with a smile, probably remembering her encounter with her own soulmate. After all, meeting your soulmate is supposed to be a happy event. “They didn’t want me.” Kageyama said plainly. There was no pain in his voice whatsoever, he has accepted that fact, but his teacher looked up with a shocked face.
“When did you meet them?” His teacher asks. “Yesterday, at school.” Kageyama shrugs as he goes back to doing his work. It didn’t matter. If they didn’t want him, he would be more than willing to carry on with everything himself, after all that is what he had done all his life until now. “Are they the same age as you?” His teacher seem to only get more curious about the situation. “No. They are older.” Kageyama closed his book and looked up at the teacher, “I have long prepared for such rejection. It isn’t the first time I am unwanted anyway.” Kageyama say with no emotion whatsoever. He was used to the cruelty of life, it was the only thing he has ever known.
His teacher nods. “I will refer you to the school counsellor so please go see him about this problem.” His teacher said and it was silent again. "Counselling... as if that would help." Kageyama mumbles. They think being rejected is a problem to be solved. Kageyama went back to his work. His teacher didn’t ask another question again. Other students soon start to stream into the classroom and they started homeroom. The lessons soon started and Kageyama only focused on the words the teachers are saying.
Kageyama decided to go see the counsellor after school since he didn’t have work until a little later. He was going to work late that day. With his bags hung on his shoulders, he makes his way to the counsellor’s room. He knocked on the door before a soft come in was heard. Kageyama went in and told the counsellor his name before he is seated opposite the counsellor.
“So, your soulmates have rejected you?” The counsellor asked, very straightforward. “Yes. Do I really need to be here?” Kageyama mutters. He doesn't see any point in this anymore. They have rejected him, what else could he even do? A forced relationship would not end well. “Yes you do. Now, do you feel anything about the current situation?” He asked. Kageyama sighs, maybe he shouldn't have come here after all. “No, not anymore anyway.” Kageyama kept his answers really short. “I heard they are in this school. May I know their names?” The counsellor asks. “I don’t know their names, but I know that they are the captain and vice captain of the volleyball club.” Kageyama answers truthfully. He doesn’t need to hide anything. “Don't worry, I will inform them. We will fix this problem.” The counsellor says before closing the file. “You don’t really have to. I am fine on my own. I don't wish to break the happy couple up.” Kageyama says before standing up and bowing to the counsellor. He then made his way out of school and to his work place.
Kageyama barely managed to reach his workplace on time. It might be because he took his time to walk there today. He changed quickly and got to work. For some reason, the place was crowded, which was good, but it was definitely tiring.
Kageyama wasn’t exactly paying attention to who came into the restaurant when he is met with two unexpected customers, two very familiar faces. He kept up a customer service smile as he led the group of boys wearing their school’s volleyball club uniform to a table. He placed the menus on the table. “Please take a look at the menu and call us if you are ready to order.” Kageyama bowed and left to serve the other customers.
They were there, his soulmates. “I don’t feel anything, I don’t feel anything, I don’t feel anything.” Kageyama chanted to himself. Being near them, he felt drawn to them. His wrists is full of cuts and even though he is wearing a long sleeved shirt, he couldn’t hide all of it. Saying he don't feel anything is simply a lie that he convinced himself of. Of course it hurt. Of course he is sad. Of course he yearns to be accepted. Is it really difficult that he just wants to be wanted?
“Excuse me.” Why did Kageyama have to be nearby when they ordered. “Yes?” Kageyama made his way over and pulled out his notepad. He get ready to take down their orders. They ordered and Kageyama went back to work after sending their orders to the kitchen.
Then it was refilling drinks and clearing plates. He is a little scared to walk near his two soulmates. They rejected him, so he should try his best to stay out of their lives, as much as possible. “Kageyama.” One of his colleagues called him over. “What’s wrong?” Kageyama asks. “That table over there, the specified that they want you to serve them.” His colleague said. Kageyama only nodded as he picked up the plates of food and walked over to the group. He gently placed the plates onto the table.
“Kageyama, why are you working here?” The one known as the vice captain of the volleyball club, took a look at his name tag before asking. “Because I need money.” Kageyama smiles before leaving the table to serve other customers. The two soulmates were confused, why would a 13 year old need to work? Kageyama should be focused on his studies, or enjoying school. They just start eating, the two seniors still thinking about the reason why Kageyama is working.
Kageyama’s work ran late into the night as he stayed back to close up shop. He is lucky that the supermarket near his house was open 24 hours or he is pretty much screwed. He finished up and clocked out of the place. He then made his way to the supermarket near his house to shop for groceries. It is times like this where he really has time to think for himself. “How pathetic.” He mutters to himself as he grabs the meat off the freezer. “Your soulmates rejected you without even trying to get to know you. How useless can you be?” Kageyama scolds himself as he places two cartons of milk into his basket.
He makes he way through the aisle and grab the stuff that he need before going to pay at the cashier. Along the way, he was just scolding himself all over, agreeing with what his parents had told him before. “You’re better off dead.” Kageyama mutters as he places the basket on the counter. He just keep mumbling all these hurtful words to himself. It wouldn’t hurt much if it was him calling all those names. Kageyama paid and left with the groceries.
A sigh escapes his lips as he makes his way into the house. His parents were awake. “Where is our money!” His father shouts just as he walk through the door. “I don’t get my pay until the end of the month.” Kageyama says. “I know you have money!” His father walks over to where Kageyama was and grabbed his collar and pulled him up. “Give me all your money right now or I will throw you out!” His father threatens. “Okay. I will leave.” Kageyama says but his father doesn’t let go. His parents both know without Kageyama, they would suffer. “You give us your money now, you bastard child! We raise you up and this is how you repay us?” His mother pushed his father away before slapping Kageyama harshly across the face.
His father caught a glimpse of Kageyama's arm. "Have you gotten so bold after meeting you soulmates?" His father picked up the knife. It was yet another slashing session. Cuts filled his arms and legs, there was even a small cut on his face when the knife slides across his face in the flurry of actions from his father. His blood stained his clothes. Kageyama could only relent and he gave them the money he had. "This wouldn't happen if you have given us the money earlier." His father kicked his mid section. When his parents got the money, they couldn't contain their smiles. They could get more drugs and alcohol, so they left and Kageyama was left alone at home. He was left alone as he blood continued to drip. Kageyama stood up, he made his way to the kitchen to put away the food.
Kageyama was numb to the pain. How long has he been numb to this abuse? He tried his best to wash the blood off his clothes. He wore it to work so it can't be stained. He took a shower and then carefully took care his wounds before he starts on his school work.
How tough can Kageyama’s life go?