Chapter Text
Aoba Johsai, morning.
It was quite the surprise when Iwaizumi found out that he and Oikawa would be going to the same university together. He applied to the school with the best sports medicine program in all of Japan, getting in through a lot of hard work and studying. Meanwhile Oikawa happened to receive multiple athletic scholarships to several different schools, he simply accepted the one with the best volleyball team. These two events lead to one Tooru Oikawa’s excitement contrasting Iwaizumi’s horrified realization.
“What do you mean you’re going to the University of Tokyo?” Iwaizumi stared at the letter of acceptance being presented by his best friend. Part of him had hoped that he would finally be able to get rid of the great Oikawa Tooru for the first time since they had become friends in their childhood. However the better part of him was thankful to keep his closest friend around for a few more years. “Why there, of all the scholarships you received?” The normal irritation of talking to Oikawa resided in his voice.
The brunet huffed and crossed his arms, making sure to keep his newfound trophy in perfect condition. “It’s the school with the best team of course, I can’t just go to any old school I get accepted to now can I?” Oikawa peered at Iwaizumi curiously, cocking his head to the side as he mused, “why’re you so upset about this Iwa-chan? Did you want to join me and continue our adventure together forever~?” He teased using his favorite nickname.
The look of bewilderment turned into a scowl mixed with a frown in the blink of an eye. Iwaizumi grumbles, “if only I could get away…” The shorter of the two sighs out the exhaustion that built inside of him from the endless nights of studying. All to get into the same university as Oikawa without realizing it. He retracts his own crumpled up letter of acceptance to the same school and shoves it in the smug face in front of him, taking amusement as the presumptuous look falls into one of confusion upon reading the letter. Clarifying Iwaizumi states, “I got in too… They have the best medical program in all of Japan. Besides, they’re not too far from home.”
The understanding changes Oikawa’s mood in a heartbeat. “We’re going to school together again?” The setter doesn’t fight the genuine smile that comes to his face, on the verge of bouncing with excitement. “Come now Iwa-chan, you planned this didn’t you~?” He suppressed enthusiasm with the coy lopsided smirk he saved for putting himself on a pedestal. After all, why wouldn’t Iwa-chan try to do everything to ensure they go to the same university? They were supposed to be best friends so going to secondary school together appears to be the obvious conclusion.
“If I saw this coming I would’ve done everything in my power to prevent this .” Iwaizumi quipped, feeling his anger levels beginning to raise even further from a mere few words spoken by Oikawa. Why he was best friends with the arrogant man sometimes perplexed him, this was one of these moments. “But…” He began, flashing a rare smile towards the setter, “I’m glad we have a few more years together.”
Oikawa staggered at the flip in demeanor, he was used to the way Iwa-chan would tease and pick on him throughout their lives together. While it may be constant, Oikawa could see through the tough guy act and know that Iwaizumi only teased him out of loving admiration. However this was different. This was a genuine level of affection and reverence he was receiving from the shorter of the two.
After a few moments of taking in the uncommon smile on Iwaizumi’s face, wishing to save this moment in his memory forever, Oikawa breaks the comfortable silence. “Well since you are going to the same school with me, that means you’ll have to stay my wing spiker~ that’s the rules.” He returns the vice captain’s smile with an equally charming one.
“Of course you’d want me to join the new team with you… Why am I not surprised.” Despite his displeased tone, Iwaizumi maintained the grin that creeped it’s way onto his face. He truly did look forward to continue to play volleyball with Aoba Johsai’s captain for another few years. Yes it may be a few more years of occasional irritants from his setter, but the laughter and entertainment to come would outweigh the negative times. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The first bell rang out, cutting off their conversation for the meantime.
Aoba Johsai, day.
Iwaizumi found Oikawa hiding out on the roof for lunch today, knowing he was trying his best to get away from his adoring fans. The wing spiker knew how much his best friend appreciated them, but secretly being an introvert caused all those people to drain the energy out of him. Yet he was still unable to deny a simple request from a pretty face. Today they both chose the same spot again to get away from the noise, connected by that unspoken link.
He observed the slight jump from the sitting man as the door came to a heavy close, walking over to sit next to Oikawa. “And here I thought I would be alone up here today, you continue to prove me wrong.”
“Iwa-chaaan, you can’t just scare me like that.” The brunet complained, pouting as he calmed down from the unexpected loud noise. Rocking back and looking up at the blue spring sky, enjoying the warmest weather they’ve had in weeks. Oikawa muses, “you’re just the person I wanted to see~ I was about to text you to meet me up here so we could talk about rooming together in Tokyo.”
“So I’d have to see your crappy face every day for hours on end?” Iwaizumi had wanted some form of peace and quiet in university, knowing Oikawa would manage to dismantle that simple wish in a heartbeat. “We’ll be sick of each other after the first week alone, that’s about the worst idea you’ve had yet.”
“If we would be sick of seeing each other daily, we would’ve hated each other years ago. I don’t think it’s possible to hate each other~.” The setter’s smile faltered on the immediate dismissal of his idea, hoping to have Iwaizumi accept he continues, “besides think of the costs we would save. It’ll be a lot cheaper to dorm together rather than alone, and we would have someone we already knew so it won’t be as lonely.”
It’s not that Iwaizumi wasn’t planning on spending a lot of his free time with his best friend, he simply knew how ostentatious he could be in the presence of the people he was close to. Including Iwaizumi himself. His thoughts of dismissing Oikawa even more halted in their tracks when he noticed Oikawa begging him with those brown eyes. Those eyes of his were pleading to not leave him behind for a few more years.
“Fine, on one condition though.” He sighed, softening at the way his best friend seemed to brighten in an instant. Iwaizumi pulled out his lunch for the day and began eating his store bought bento box. “You can’t be loud all the time, we need to focus on schoolwork and you need enough sleep for volleyball if you’re going to go pro.”
“Well of course~ anything for my roomie.” He grinned, unable to control his excitement that bubbled in his chest. “My condition is weekly movie night, one of these days I’m going to make you love an alien movie.”
“Oh that’s not possible, but I’ll bet a full week’s worth of groceries that you’ll like one of the Godzilla movies I show you.” He chuckled, enjoying the simple alone time they shared. “Did you tell the others yet?”
“Not yet, they’re on their way though. I asked them to join us up here for lunch.” As if on command the two tallest of the four third years burst through the doors.
Hanamaki spoke up first, sarcasm oozing out of his voice. “Aww, look at the two love birds.” The inseparable pair plopped on the benches across from Iwaizumi and Oikawa, snickering at the strawberry blondes joke.
“Have you two heard back from universities yet?” Matsukawa nudged the man next to him, quieting his amusement. “We decided to stay in Miyagi and be close to family, Tohoku University it is I suppose.”
Iwaizumi knew that Matsukawa and Hanamaki would refuse to go anywhere but the same university together. Ever since his two friends met they were bonded at the hip, cracking jokes constantly and reveling in one another's company.
“I’m stuck with this one for another four years alone at Tokyo University.” Iwaizumi feigned an irritated glare towards Oikawa, one that the three have learned many years ago to see through. “How could you two leave me alone with Loserkawa?”
“Like you wouldn’t miss his overbearing presence if he didn’t go to the same school~” Hanamaki continued to tease, “and you two think that we’re inseparable.” He let the mixed guffaw settle between the four of them before changing the subject. “You still going for sports medicine, Iwaizumi?”
The four soon to be graduates mused about their upcoming college experiences that would be splitting the group in half. As they were getting ready to head to their final classes, Matsukawa interrupted a clamoring Hanamaki. “I know it’ll be hard to beat us on a two on two, but you gotta come back so we can kick your ass every once and awhile~.”
“Well there would be no logical explanation if we didn’t, but the same goes for you Matsu~.” Oikawa chimed in as they descended the stairs. “See you guys at practice, don’t be late or ten laps for every minute~!” He threatened, not wanting to miss a single minute of their final practice together. While they were still on the team he was still captain and had the power to make those calls, even knowing they wouldn’t dare to be late on the last day.
Aoba Johsai, afternoon.
Of course the four third years had been the first ones there, they wouldn’t dream of not saying goodbye to their soon to be former teammates. Their shared experiences in Aoba Johsai’s men's volleyball team had made them grow more fond of their underclassmen. These past few years truly meant a great deal to Iwaizumi, Oikawa, Hanamaki, and Matsukawa.
Wearing their turquoise and white tracksuits, the four of them stood in a line waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. While they would not be participating in the practice, they would most certainly get a few final words out. Iwaizumi peered at the box that held their game uniforms, not wanting to part with his number four jersey. He grew not only as a player in these four walls, but also as a friend and as a teammate to those around him. It was a bittersweet farewell.
Next to arrive were the coaches who wore the proudest looks on their faces, knowing this will be the last time they share together as members of Aoba Johsai. Coach Irihata gathered the attention of the third years, “it’s good to see you four here. Before everyone else arrives I want to have a few final words.”
The head coach began with Matsukawa, looking up to see his bushy eyebrows arched in his usual unconcerned expression. “I’m going to miss those jokes of yours that always managed to lighten up a dim situation, make sure to stop by if you ever need anything.”
Taking a few steps to the side, Irihata directed his conversation towards the strawberry blond head of Hanamaki. “Without your notes on how we can improve as a team collectively and your cool demeanor in the game I’m not entirely sure what we’re going to do without you. Keep up the good work in your future.”
Oikawa was next on the coach's speeches, shaking hands with the captain he had grown so fond of. “You’re going to go far kid, keep up all that hardwork and effort you put into bettering yourself as a player. Don’t forget to be careful with that knee of yours.”
Irihata patted Iwaizumi’s shoulder, sensing that he had dreaded this final day for a few weeks. “I know you’re going to be studying sports medicine in university, make sure you take care of this unstoppable force before he hurts himself further. You’re going to succeed more than you can imagine if you put in a fraction of how much work you did for this team.”
Once the team had officially arrived, Oikawa presented Yahaba the number one jersey deeming him worthy of taking his place as captain. Stepping back in line, the third years bowed in unison and exclaimed together, “thank you for the past three years!”
With that final statement, the four of them were now alumni of Aoba Johsai’s volleyball team.