Chapter Text
Honestly, he was getting tired of just watching the same repetitive movements of his fingers, swirling around an annoying circle he couldn't escape. Kageyama Tobio had never been the most patient person out there, except for things that mattered to him, except for what he considered irrefutably worthy of this time: and this just wasn't. There was no way it was. At that very moment, there were a million more valuable ways in which he could engage his energy. In the first place, he could get up and go for a run, like every morning. Or he could cook some breakfast high on proteins that would help him get ready to burn energy with dumbass Hinata a couple of hours later. He could get a shower or tidy up his socks drawer like he promised his mom he would do three times that week. He could just get out of bed and attack any of the endless possibilities that would push him through the day he had ahead.
…then, why couldn't he stop looking at his phone screen?
Long fingers would press the same button over and over again, moving through the phone contacts list until reaching the very same name. Then open a new conversation, and...regretting everything before even typing, closing the window immediately. Like a coward.
Barely awake, wrapped around a warm veil made of both vigil and sleep. With burning eyes and messy black hair over a damp forehead, Kageyama decided to face his fears straight ahead. After all, that was a strategy that worked in the court. Why wouldn't it work here?
[sent: 07:30 a.m] Oikawa-san, I need your help with an unexpected situation
[sent: 07:30 a.m] Please.
He sent it without even thinking. And in doing so, throwing to the window all fear of a possibly hideous reply. He left the phone alone to focus his energy on something more productive, like getting ready for school.
However, he barely had time to push the sheets off his body before the familiar tune of a new message replaced the reigning silence in the room.
Dark eyebrows raised up in surprise. He definitely didn't think a reply would come by this quickly. Actually, the most realistic outcome in his mind was for Oiwaka to just ignore him, to read the message, and curse him with his silence. And deny the seek of wisdom from his elders. At least it sounded like something he would say.
[received: 07:32 a.m] EW NO! WHY THE HELL WOULD I HELP YOU? STUPID TOBIO! BEG ME MORE IF YOU WANT ME TO LISTEN!
After that, there was a row of symbols which he assumed to be emojis. Kageyama's flip phone, ancient in those modern times, would translate them into a line of empty white rectangles. With an exasperated snort, he considered satisfied. That was enough humiliation for so early in the morning. There he was, about to close his mobile and start the day when a new and unexpected ding caught his attention. Soon after, a new message manifested in the same chat window.
[received: 7:35 a.m] Kageyama, it's Iwaizumi
[sent: 7:35 a.m] Iwaizumi-san?
[recieved: 7:36 a.m] Yeah. I knew something was wrong as soon as Oikawa started laughing like a mad man while we opened the gym. So I took the phone away from him
[recieved: 7:36 a.m] So, did you need help? Is it about volleyball?
[sent: 7:37 a.m] no.
Without realizing, he inhaled deeply through his nose, a reflex action he was used to doing to help to concentrate. The situation already escalated too far from what the thought it would. After reaching an upperclassman in a moment of somnolent impulsivity, he was being listened to by someone far more sympathetic than his original receiver. And now there was nothing more to do than facing the problem straight ahead: the only way he knew how to do everything.
[sent: 7:40 a.m] I had a strange dream
[sent: 7:41 a.m] I was with someone. We walked downtown to my favorite sport's store and bought a pair of Mizuno supporters.
[sent: 7:43 a.m] Then we walked and talked. And it felt nice
This time, Iwaizumi's reply took a little longer.
[received: 7:50 a.m] That sounds like a perfectly normal dream, Kageyama-kun.
[sent: 7:50 a.m] No, you don't get it. I never dream about people I know
[received: 7:51 a.m] Are you sure? Not even once?
[sent: 7:51 a.m] Once. With Shiho Yoshimura. I don't actually know her, though.
[received: 7:51 a.m] And what do you dream about, normally?
[sent: 7:52 a.m] I don't know. The last movie I saw before going to bed. Old games I watched a thousand times. Sometimes I dream about failing tests
[sent: 7:52 a.m] I barely remember what I dreamt of once I woke up. That's the weirdest part. I don't only remember it, but it left this...nice sensation?
[received: 7:53 a.m] Then you know this person that was in the dream with you, right? Do you meet them often?
The setter's shoulders felt suddenly tense and heavy. However, he still replied with usual honesty.
[sent: 7:55 a.m] Yeah. We have spent more time together recently.
[received: 7:55 a.m] So...maybe you have a crush?
He couldn't deny that very same thought crossed his mind when he tried to reach Oikawa-san. He, who during his course through Kitagawa Daiichi and Aoba Johsai had built a casanova reputation. Which was easily proved by the growing list of young women who would chase him at any chance. With a long history of relationships on his record, Kageyama thought someone, as experienced as him, was the ideal person. The ideal person to determine if his unusual dream was proof of him actually having a crush on someone.
Tobio used to imitate or look up to the most skilled people in their field. This was no exception.
[sent: 7:57 a.m] I don't know. I was hoping Oikawa-san could recognize it.
[received: 7:57 a.m] You give that idiot too much credit. You do know that, right?
[received: 7:58 a.m] Listen, Kageyama. I don't have enough context about your situation to know if you have a crush or not
[received: 7:58 a.m] To me, it sounds like just a normal dream. My advice would be, not give it a bigger meaning than it has
[received: 7:59 a.m] what you actually should do, though, is talk about this with your friends. They will be able to read the situation better than me
Friends. His lips pursed tightly with just thinking about it, feeling frustrated and annoyed. Only imagining what Hinata would have to say about his dilemma was already giving him a growing headache. Although Iwaizumi-san, someone older, more reasonable, and calm, thought this was the best option. With a resigned growl, he pondered about the possibility of talking to the orange spaz only if completely necessary. And with that, he disposed to get an end to the improvised conversation.
[sent: 08:02 a.m] thank you, Izaizumi-san.
With that, the matter in hand was pretty much dealt with. He could finally get up and dedicate the last free hour before school to get ready and...
Ding.
[received: 08:05 a.m] Tobio-chaaaan ~ you better not have a crush on your manager with the glasses. If she falls for you, I will personally hunt you down and kill you, my dear kouhai
Once again, the message ended with a nameless empty rectangle, depicting some indecipherable emoji. Kageyama just read it carefully, frowned, and, finally, threw the phone with mighty strength towards his pillow. Enough for today.
After a quick shower, a change of clothes, and a banana (devoured in two bites, to not waste time having breakfast), he took a seat at the step of the house's entrance. He put the sneakers on with an absent mind, barely replying to his mother's greeting and warning that he would be late for class if he went out. Going for a run was easy, as natural as breathing, and even necessary to clear his swirled thoughts. The route never changed, losing himself in the trustfulness of familiar streets. Going by buildings he had seen a million times, the fleeting murmur of conversations passing by was almost cooing, relaxing as he went ahead through the sidewalk.
Faster and faster by the minute, his heavy breathing replacing any other sound. Gradually, without noticing, wrapped around the safety of this familiar path and the growing warmth in his body, his mind dissociated completely until it found a comfortable spot in a memory, which happened weeks ago.
"Who needs you anyway?! Stupid! Bakashima!" Hinata's voice was so loud in the school hallways that it wouldn't surprise him if the windows started to shake right there and then.
For a second, the thought of giving him a punch on the side to lower his voice crossed the setter's mind, before noticing the boy was already moving forward in the opposite direction he was a second ago.
"I'll go with Yachi-san!" the tiny middle blocker decided suddenly, before starting to run away. Kageyama couldn't stop the way his eyebrows raised at the sight; despite having played a fair amount of matches beside the human tornado that was his teammate, there were still times when his speed (to move from idea to idea, from plan to plan, from place to place) still took him by surprise.
That very same situation was so usual in his school life that it was almost boring: Hinata and Kageyama found themselves asking Tsukishima for help in their studies. With Spring Tournament around the corner, they didn't need to relive the fright they went through during the Interhigh, where his future on the court hanged from an extremely fragile thread; their academic performance.
Every two or three days, the same thing happened; that tall jerk had decided he wouldn't tutor them anymore. Going on about how much of a waste of his time and energy that was. And Hinata has lost his temper, as usual.
Instinctively, his upper body turned in his friend's direction to follow him. After all, his idea wasn't bad. Hitoka-san was a great option (the best option, actually) since she was not only smart and skillful in every school subject. But she was also kind enough to explain the same concept a dozen times, with a bunch of different perspectives and tools. She wasn't the problem at all, but...
Hinata.
He deeply frowned to even consider what could happen if he followed him. It would be hours trying to focus while that talking tangerine would parade around the room, incapable of staying still. He would interrupt every reading with dumb questions and changing the subject to volleyball strategies (that last part didn't bother him that much but, hey, Hitoka-san thought they should make an effort to stay on topic). Even being aware that Kageyama wasn't particularly fast to wrap his head around complicated concepts, he was convinced that having Hinata around would slow down the process with his overwhelming personality.
Which was why he picked the second-best choice.
"Yamaguchi" he called out loud, managing to make the boy turn around abruptly. With nervousness in his body language, he struck a sidelong look to the corner where the freakishly tall figure of Tsukishima had vanished a couple of seconds ago.
"Um...Yes, Kageyama?" Yamaguchi was smart. He must be, being in a college-preparatory class. And even when they haven't exchanged many interactions since joining the Karasuno's team, it was evident he was going to be a better tutor than the obnoxious blonde.
"Please, teach me!" He and Hinata had done that very same petition a million times; to Takeda sensei, to coach Ukai, Suga-san, Yachi-San, Bakashima...Kageyama already got the hang of it. He bent forward exaggeratedly in a formal bow, waiting expectantly for his teammate's answer.
"I...um..." he started, bringing his right hand to the back of his neck, messing with his hair. It was clear that he wasn't expecting such favor and he was looking for a lifeline to come clean of the situation "It's just, you see, Tsukki just said..."
"I know. I'm not asking him." he declared, straightening up again. His words came out slightly more cutting than he intended to. Tobio was busy observing him, analyzing him. It wasn't too different from paying attention on the court, to the spiker's movements, to the blocker's movements, in order to get a perfect setting. He must pay attention to get the best result. Right here was the same thing.
He had to pay attention to the way Yamaguchi dodged his eyes as his life depended on it. To how, once in a while, he would turn back just to check that his friend hasn't returned yet to save him from this conversation. How his words made it clear that he saw himself as a package deal with Tsukishima, and reminding him of his individuality had knocked him out of place. Paying attention to him, it was clear that he had to offer him something "I'll help you with your serves."
His conviction seemed to shake the pinch server once again, blinking a couple of times before finally offering a friendly smile.
"Thank you, Kageyama. But I already have someone to practice w..."
"I'll help you receive!" he insisted, determined to get a positive answer "And spike. My settings are good, you can improve a lot with them." the confidence in his tone was tangible. He had to offer something both attractive and realistic in exchange for his tutorships.
With brown eyes open wide with surprise, Yamaguchi seemed to finally run out of excuses. His lips parted a few times, getting out a thin amount of air, as he tried to start a sentence, just to stop seconds after. After a moment that felt tortuously slow (more than any study session with Hinata), his teammate smiled at him, with a quick nod of his head.
"Sure. Why not? We can give it a try."
And that was how he started to spend a lot more time than expected with Yamaguchi. They studied together at lunchtime, with a carton of milk and a carefully prepared bentō waiting for them at the side of a pile of notebooks and crumpled, scribbled paper. And they practiced volleyball anytime they could; early in the morning when the third years opened the gym, in short pauses in between classes, when the basketball team wasn't occupying it, or late at night when the official practice with the team of crows was already over. Those days he reached home pretty early but he was used to that routine thanks to Hinata's insatiable hunger for training.
To maintain his word about benefiting from his settings and helping him grow, Kageyama must observe him. Must analyze him to detect his weakness; for example, he spreads his legs too much, and that makes it difficult to push himself forward to reach the ball. He spikes too far from the net. He touches his hair or neck when he is nervous. He spreads his thumbs while receiving and that hurts his fingers (only when he is tired, though). He screams when he scores to release tension. He jokes around to lift the mood when Kageyama hasn't spoken for a while. He smiles with his mouth and with his eyes...
Wait. What?
How come his strategic list of volleyball's weaknesses has become a...list of details about Yamaguchi?
His steps stopped suddenly, gasping for the air he didn't know he needed. He glanced at the street he ended up with a deep frown and suspicious eyes. He was near a green field with kids playing around thunderously and their moms sitting on the grass. Kageyama didn't live near any park.
He was so distracted while running that he ended up completely out of his usual path that was so familiar. He had never realized such small and subtle details about the pinch server if it wasn't for that dream. That stupid dream that made him feel weird. And nice, at the same time.
...maybe he should talk with Hinata sooner than expected.
"Damn it..." he muttered through his teeth before resuming the run back to his home. He was going to be late for school without a doubt.