Chapter Text
H INATA
Hinata's heard of it a few times, about a foreign second year student. He doesn't expect to see her sitting alone on the bench by the track and field, hidden away by the shade of a tall tree.
"Kagayema!" he calls to the boy next to him. "I found her!" He points across the field to where the student was and said boy turns his head to where he's pointing.
"Well, you go first!" Kagayema argues while Hinata makes a noise of protest.
"I can't- how do I even approach her?"
"I don't know, but you talk to everyone; I don't."
"Still!" Hinata pouts. "My English is really bad!!"
"So is mine!"
"Well, what do you suggest, genius?"
You stare up the clear blue sky, one earphone blasting some music on random. During lunch breaks, the others are usually eating their lunches somewhere or spending their breaks in their respective clubs. It's times like this that you wish to just be over for the day, go home, make dinner, and waste your time being on the computer before it'll be time to go to sleep.
Though your mind wanders to what'll happen next year. There should only be two more years before you graduate high school in Japan, which meant that you'll be free to go where ever you want, be it staying in Japan or going back to America.
"E-excuse me," a timid voice calls and you turn to the person who shyly holds up his hand to give a little wave. "H-hello," says the boy in English.
He looks scared and confused. He's kinda cute, you think. He's tiny which makes him more adorable.
"H-how are you?" he continues when you only stare at him. You fight the urge to giggle at the sight. Briefly, you wonder if it'll be fun to mess with him and continue speaking in English, but the guy is shaking under his skin so much already and you haven't spoken a word. So you decided to have mercy and smile at the guy.
"It's okay," you say. "I can speak Japanese. Quite fluently actually."
The guy stops and awes audibly, eyes shining in fascination. "That's a relief," he says, letting out a little sigh. "I'm Hinata. Hinata Shoyou." He introduces with a little bow and you return it with your own introduction and a bow in return.
"So, so, you're a second year right? I'm a first year. 1-3."
You tilt your head. "That's right…How'd you know?"
"Well, I heard from people talking that we have a foreign student but I didn't think it was true but then I saw you and I was like whoa!"
He talks rather animatedly, and you briefly wonder if the words he says are actual Japanese words or just sounds. He's more interesting now than the music playing in your earphone and so you take it off and turn your body fully to face him.
"So, what can I help you with, Hinata-san?"
"O-oh! Well…" he drags in, scratching the side of his face while avoding eye contact. "Um, well, actually- the truth is…"
He goes on to explain his predicament, about how he's failing his exams, one of them in English, and that if he doesn't pass the next ones that he won't be able to go to Tokyo for practice training with his club members. He's asked his club mates to help him study, but they haven't been all too willing and patient, so he sought your help.
"You play…volleyball?" you ask. He looks about your height and you've seen taller people play volleyball.
"You're probably thinking I'm too short to play volleyball, huh?"
Oops. Guilty. But Hinata pouts and crosses his arms which you can't help but swoon over at how cute he looked.
"Sorry, sorry," you apologize. "But, sure. I'll help you study."
He beams in joy and leans a little closer. "Really?!"
"Yeah, I don't mind…" You look around and see the students around you turning their heads. "How about tomorrow at lunch in the library?"
"Awesome!"
"Here, I'll give you my number."
"Eh?! Is that really okay?!"
"Of course."
Hinata seems rather delighted as he pulls out his phone, adorably sticking his tongue out as he type in your number. He stands up and bows in 90 degrees, yelling "thank you very much!"
His voice is loud enough to gain everyone's attention again and you laugh it off. "Of course. Well, Hinata-san. Just text me and I'll meet you, yeah?"
"Yes!" Hinata says, nodding enthusiastically. "Say… aren't you eating lunch?"
"Hm?" Now where is all this coming from? Oh, yeah. Most of the time, you skip eating lunch and just sit away from people either to listen to music or read a book. Your appetite during breaks has always been low, and even if you do bring something to eat, you only get a bite or two before you feel full. "No, but it's alright. I don't eat lunch anyway."
"Eh? That's not good! You should always eat whenever you can so you'll have energy!" he scolds with a pout. "I always make sure I eat something even when I'm busy. I eat breakfast and then I have a snack on my way to school…" He starts talking again animatedly, a little too fast for you to catch everything he's saying, but you can't help but be endeared, feeling comfortable.
"Thank you for worrying, Hinata-san." Even though you don't know me…
"Say, if you aren't doing anything during lunch, you should come watch us! Our volleyball team is the coolest! And I can show you my spikes!"
Oh. Hinata must have noticed… It's not the first time that someone has approached you for something, whether it's just pure curiosity or a favor, but this is the first time in a while anyone has actually extended an invitation to you.
You can't remember how long it's been since you spent your breaks alone. Does Hinata know of the rumors? Maybe this is just a facade? A nice guy asking for your help to study when he actually has an ulterior motive.
But…Hinata's smiling at you warmly, with no prejudice or intentions.
"You're very kind, Hinata-san," you tell him with a smile. "Thank you."
He seems surprised, but he was quick to blush, suddenly shy as he scratches the back of his head with a soft giggle.
"Oi, Hinata!" a voice calls his name and he turns to another student standing across the field. "We gotta go!"
"Okay! Sorry, I gotta go now, but I'll see you tomorrow!" He jogs while waving happily at you and you wave back at him. You watch him get farther. When he reaches the other student, they seem to talk and look at your direction. Hinata gives you another wave before they run inside the building.
You stay sitting there, a chuckle slipping your lips.
The day has been nothing but the usual boring routine it has been. But the new development, the boy that looks like sunshine asking you for help has been the highlight. You haven't felt this warm in a long time.
KAGEYAMA
As promised, you meet Hinata in the library. He's easy to spot and when he sees you, he's quick to wave you over excitedly.
"Over here!" he screams which earns him disapproving looks from the other students studying there.
You approach the table with a smile and finds yourself standing in front of Hinata and the boy he was with last time. He's much taller than Hinata, a permanent frown and a little pout on his face. He looks rather nervous, unable to make eye contact with you.
"Hello," he says timidly, giving a little bow. "I'm Kageyama Tobio."
"Kagayema here is my partner! The best volleyball setter! He also needs help in studying so he wanted to join us. Is that okay?"
You look at Kageyama who briefly makes eye contact with you before turning away nervously. Huh. He looks like someone who will do well in school, but you guess that you really can't judge a book by its cover.
"Of course. So shall we start? We don't have much time left."
"Yes! We'll be under your care!" Hinata says eagerly. Kageyama mumbles the same.
So you start the session. It's not new to you to tutor students. After all, you've been asked many times by the school faculty to help with tutoring.
At first, Hinata's curiosity about you takes over the session before you were able to remind him that they were supposed to be studying to which he panics and starts scratching his hair.
"It's alright. Why don't you show me the problems you're having trouble with?"
They show you their last exam, their failing scores marked on top of the paper. You're quick to pinpoint where they need to study. You try to explain to Hinata how to solve the math problem, and pointed out the right answer in his English exam. He was listening actively, reacting at every point you tell him.
Kageyama, on the other hand, seems to just copy the notes you have brought from last year. You tell Hinata to focus on solving his problem by himself and showing it to you when he's done and turn to Kageyama.
"Kageyama-kun," you call gently. He jumps, a reaction that surprised you too.
"Y-yes!" he answers stiffly. Well, you guess that reaction is nothing new. Still, Kageyama still can't make eye contact with you, opting to look down on his notes.
"You can't learn by just copying my notes…"
"But…"
"It sounds like you have to improve your English vocabulary."
"That's…"
"Sorry about him," Hinata interjects. "Kageyama is kinda stupid so it's gonna take more to teach him."
That irks the taller boy as he raises his voice. "Who are you calling stupid?! Hinata boke*!"
"It's true though! Baka-geyama!"
They're yelling now and you try your best to calm them down, but it's too late when the librarian approaches, shaking her head. She tells you to leave politely. Not even a warning, but Hinata has been speaking a little loudly the whole time so you can't blame her.
You can only apologize along with the two as you gather your things and leave the library. Hinata is quick to apologize, bowing at you.
"I'm so sorry!"
"I-it's alright," you dismiss. It's really not a big deal. It wasn't like you had anything better to do. Though being kicked out of the library would be the first for you.
"Sorry," Kageyama mumbles. He looks rather guilty, despite your impression that he'll be a little bit more stubborn.
"It's really fine, but… lunch is almost over so we're gonna have to continue this the next time," you tell them.
"Is that okay?!" Hinata cheers up. "I can't thank you enough!"
"Of course. It's alright with me. Well, just let me know when." When someone is this eager, you don't really have the heart to say no. "Ah, for now, here." You pass your notes to Kageyama who takes it slowly. "You can study this. I don't need it anymore so you can keep it."
"Thank you!!"
Just before you turn to leave, Kageyama calls out to you. "Um, senpai." He's a little timid and he looks like he's glaring at you like you've done something which makes you feel uneasy for a second. "What's in it for you…helping out me and Hinata."
Ah. That's right. Why are you going to such extent to help two first years that you've barely met? An obvious reason would be that Hinata has been too enthusiastic for you to reject, but why? Why go through the extreme of meeting up with them another time to study? You can simply give them your notes and tell them to scram, but…
"Nothing really. I just wanna help, that's all," you reply with a smile which takes him aback as he looks down on the ground, frown deepening as well as his pout. His expression is kinda cute, you think.
"Oi, don't be rude, Kageyama! She's try'na help us because she's a kind person!" Hinata scolds the other.
"Huh? I'm not try'na be rude! You're the one who got us kicked out in the first place!" Kageyama argues.
"Huh?! You're the one who started yelling!"
Well… they're both to blame really, but you just chuckle to yourself as you watch them banter. They seem to get along well.
When they're finally done, Hinata turns to you with his bright smile. "Say, if it's alright with you, can you help us after school before practice?"
"Hm?"
KARASUNO VOLLEYBALL CLUB
Hinata sounded very convincing when he's said it'll be fine for you to be there in their club room. He's explained that everyone's trying to get some study time before and after practice, and so you expected to meet some of the volleyball club members to be there, but you hadn't expected to meet all of them there at once.
"O-oh! A foreigner!" one with almost bald hairstyle exclaimed as soon as he sees you. They all have the same shocked expression as you stand by the door stiffly.
"H-hello," you offer the greeting with a little wave. You're used to the surprise reaction when people see you, but that doesn't change the fact that you are standing there surrounded by young men, big and bigger in stature than you.
"Tanaka-senpai! It's okay! She speaks Japanese really good!" Hinata comes to your side, introducing you to the rest of his teammates.
"O-oh, it's you! Hinata's been talking about you," another guy comes up, taking a step forward. He oozes such charisma that it's easy for you to guess that he's the Captain. "Nice to meet you, I'm Sawamura Daichi."
"So, Kageyama got us kicked out of the library so-"
"Lie! You're the reason we got kicked out!" Kageyama yells in protest from inside the crowded room, already sitting by the wall and pulling out his notebook, but Hinata is unfazed as he continues.
"We were hoping we can study here, please! We don't have anywhere else to go!"
"That's fine, I guess, but…" The Captain hesitates, throwing you a quick hesitant glance.
"She really helps out a lot, senpai! She's suuuper smart and super nice so please let us study here!"
The compliments has you feeling shy, even more under the gazes of everyone.
Eventually, the Captain seems to give up. "Okay, okay. But. We start practice in half an hour so study as much as you can."
"Thank you so much!" Hinata cheers and starts pulling you in the crowded room.
The minty and sweaty smell fills the room, a smell that you're not used to. It's intimidating and stuffy, but it's somehow familiar and you can't help but be reminded of the not so long distant past.
KAGEYAMA
Hinata's always been natural when it comes to making friends. Hell, Kageyama hated his guts back then but here he was, spending most of his time practicing and studying with the moron. So it's not strange for him to befriend a foreigner too.
Hinata talks animatedly to her and Kageyama observes from a distance.
She really doesn't have anything to gain with helping Kageyama and Hinata to study. She's a second year. She's only met them yesterday. Hinata didn't offer her anything in return for her help. Yet here she was, patiently walking Hinata through the problems he's having problems with and Hinata, despite being the usual idiot that he is, is actually learning.
"Um, you're a second year, right?"
Kageyama watches Tanaka and Nishinoya approaches timidly. She looks up to them and nods. "That's right."
"Um, if it's okay, please help us study too!" The two second years bow at her to which she smiles at them and agrees easily.
She's surrounded by the three now and it must be a burden. It should be, but she doesn't protest and no matter how intently Kageyama watches her expression, he doesn't catch her make an expression of irritation of some kind.
"Oi, what are you spacing out for, Kageyama?" Sugawara comes up from behind him, calling him out of his daze. "Focus on studying, young man."
"I am," he denies, looking back down at his notes, or rather her notes. The one she's given to him. It's easy to understand, her penmanship clear like she's rewritten her notes from class all over again. But Kageyama hates studying, hates anything that has nothing to do with volleyball so no matter how much he tries to focus, he just can't.
"Kageyama, what are you struggling with?" Daichi asks from the other side where he's huddled with Ennoshita and the others, the group who aren't stressing much about passing their exams.
"English…" he mumbles. He looks up just in time to make eye contact with her but he's quick to turn away.
"It looks like Kageyama needs to improve his vocabulary," she explains, looking up at the Captain.
"Shouldn't it be easy for you, Kageyama?" Daichi turns back to him. "You just have to memorize them."
"I can't," he protests instantly. "It's too hard to memorize English words."
For a few seconds, the room seems to quiet down until Daichi speaks up once more. "Kageyama, what does this mean?" he starts to throw hand signs, their secret communication during volleyball. Kageyama identifies each sign correctly with no hesitation. "How long did it take you to memorize all of that?"
"About a day," he answers.
"Then there shouldn't be a problem with you memorizing English words."
"It's different."
"Hah?" Daichi exclaims. "Don't give me that crap. How is it different?" Kageyama flinches at his Captain's words. Daichi can be really scary when he wants to.
"Kageyama only has volleyball in his head, that's why," Nishinoya pipes in with Tanaka and Hinata nodding in agreement.
He glares at them for a little but his eyes gravitated towards her whose sitting just next to Nishinoya. She stares at him with a look Kageyama can't read.
TSUKISHIMA
"Huh?"
You have thought that everyone in the club is there, considering how many of them are crowding in that little room, but two more students come in and the one with glasses stares down at you.
He's tall, probably the tallest out of them all, lanky and pale. He looks fragile under his school uniform but the look in his eyes is far from fragile.
"Our new manager?" he tilts his head in curiosity.
It's the first time anyone's stare at you for that long, without being surprised that a foreigner is within their mix.
"Oh!" Hinata jumps up in excitement suddenly. "That just give me an idea!" He turns to you, leaning closer. "Say, why not be our manager?! Kiyoko-senpai is looking for someone to take over when she graduates and you're suupeer cool and you can help us study whenever!"
Hinata's excited again and if it was an easy request, you would have agreed then. "Sorry, Hinata, I wish I can, but I'm already in a club..."
"Eh?" Hinata pouts in disappointment. He's really a cutie.
"So…what is she doing here then?" is the cut-throat reply from the newcomer with glasses. He goes inside with ease and sits himself along with the second and third years.
"Don't be rude, Tsukishima!"
"This is our club room. And it's already so crowded in here," the newcomer says bluntly. He's right, however, so you can't exactly argue with him. It is crowded and it's getting stuffy. You wearing a jacket doesn't help and when you've tried to take it off, the boys had panicked, an overreaction really, but you can't help but be conscious about it and end up keeping it on.
"She's here helping them study, Tsukishima. It's okay," the Captain gives permission which the glasses guy quiets down to.
"If the Captain says so."
Even if he says that, it's uncomfortable to stay there when you're indirectly told you're not welcomed, even if it is from just one person. They have all been so kind and accepting the entire time, but they're probably getting ready to practice and you'll only be in their way.
"Actually… I should head out," you say, gathering your things.
"Already?!" Hinata pouts.
"But, but! I don't get this problem yet!" Nishinoya cries out. He and Tanaka had gotten comfortable with you rather quickly.
"Sorry," you say with a little guilty chuckle. "But you guys are probably about to practice. I don't wanna get in the way. Ah, but here. Give me your number so I can contact you."
"E-eh? M-my number?" It's not just Nishinoya that's surprised.
You forgot again. It's a force of habit, but oh well.
"Yes, please. It's so I can ask you guys questions and you can ask me question. Tanaka-san too. Oh, and Kageyama-kun as well."
They took a few seconds to get over their initial shock before Tanaka and Nishinoya eagerly puts their number on your phone. Kageyama was still hesitant before quietly giving his number too.
You exchange talks here and there before you stand up and bow as goodbye.
"Then, I'll see you guys tomorrow, bye-bye."
The moment she leaves, the rest starts to talk about her.
"She's really nice! And super smart! I really wanted her to join our club," Hinata whines.
"You can't just invite people in the club based on those," Tsukishima argues.
"And what's wrong with that?" Hinata glares at Tsukishima.
"Does she even know anything about volleyball?" the taller points out, not even glancing at the smaller.
"You know, Tsukishima, I know you're a smart-mouth but you were really rude to her! She left because of you!"
"Huh? I didn't say anything out of bounds."
"Yes, you did!"
"You know, Tsukishima. Kiyoko didn't know much about volleyball when I recruited her," Daichi says over which effectively quiets down the glasses-wearing first year. "So don't be too critical."
"Yeah, Tsukishima," Nishinoya interjects. "She's really cool and p-pretty." Nishinoya's suddenly clasping his hands tightly like he's in a dilemma. "This whole time, Kiyoko-san is the only beauty I worshipped, but- but!" He stops and sniffs, biting his lip. "Is this cheating?!"
"O-oi, chill out, Nishinoya," Sugawara voices out with a little chuckle.
"Isn't she cool?! I thought about it when I first talked to her but she's so nice and her smile makes my chest feel like guwaahh!!" Hinata adds more.
"Idiots," Tsukishima mumbles with a huff.