Chapter Text
A few weeks had passed since Shouyou had finished first year, he was with Natsu on his way home from a meet up with the old second and other first years (They didn’t mind Natsu tagging along when Shouyou had to watch her), they’ve had these meetings regularly over the break to ensure that everyone stayed sharp in their skills before the next school year. Tomorrow’s meeting however wasn’t just meeting the team for volleyball (though he expected they’d end up practicing a bit anyway), instead it’d be a fair well party for the graduated third years, as the three of them have been busy preparing to move to Tokyo soon for their universities. Daichi was looking into law and criminology, Suga into child studies and education, and Asahi into fashion and design. Kiyoko was the only third year staying in the Miyagi Prefecture for her studies into business and management, instead she had been busy looking for part time work nearby. Shouyou knew he was going to miss the third years but tried to focus on the possibilities of the new first years. I wonder if I’ll be called Senpai
Once home he started making dinner, Natsu helped set the table. By the time their mum, Hinata Hikari, came home dinner was ready to be served. Shouyou and Natsu talked about what happened today.
“and Noya-senpai set to Narita-senpai, but Tsukishima blocked his spike, and they won the 3v3” Shouyou finished at the same time as every was done eating
“I have some new of my own to share from work that I’d like you both to listen to” his mum said, “I’ve been offered a new position, it comes with a higher pay, however I’d have to be transferred to Australia. I know your English isn’t that good, so I’d have to leave you with my brother”
Shouyou and Natsu froze at the words, the shock stalling them while their mum just continued on “I know it’s such big thing to ask, but my contract with the company is almost finish, so with the transfer I’d be guaranteed a new contract, and be able to keep working”
Shouyou recovered first, “Where does Uncle Taiyo live again?”
“South, in the Hyogo prefecture”
“Then I won’t be able to stay at Karasuno, could I stay with a friend instead?”
“I want you and Natsu to stay together, it’ll be a lot to ask for someone to look after both of you, and I’d feel better knowing you were with someone I know and trust”
Shouyou knew it be less of a problem for Natsu as she was already starting a new middle school this year, and was expecting to have to make new friends already, but for Shouyou “What about volleyball, my team?”
“I can make sure to check what schools have a volleyball team in that area, so you can take the exam for your transfer, I know your meeting up with your team tomorrow, you should explain it to them then, okay?”
“How long do I have?”
“I’d like you to move and get use to the new area, plus take an entrance exam as soon as possible so next weekend we’ll be leaving, I know it’s not much time, but it should be enough to pack and for your friends to see you off.” Shouyou understood and headed upstairs, and soon found himself calling Kenma.
After Hinata collapsed at Nationals, and had to watch the rest of the match against Hoshiumi and Kamomedai High on Kenma’s tablet, Kenma had asked if Shouyou wanted to be in a QPR, Queer-Platonic Relationship, with him and after explaining what that was Shouyou had agreed, already having considered Kenma one of the most important people in his life. It was due to this that Shouyou decided Kenma should be the first to know and explained the situation to him.
‘Hyogo Prefecture?’
‘Yeah, that’s where mum said he lives’
‘Isn’t that the prefecture that Inarizaki is from?’
‘Inarizaki?’ I’ll toss to ya one of these days ‘ATSUMU-SAN’ Hinata felt his pulse increase
‘Yeah’ Kenma responded, already use to Shouyou’s volume changes when talking over the phone.
Kenma was the only one who knew just what Atsumu’s statement had done to Shouyou. At first he was still too focused on the feeling of having beaten a tough opponent, and then focused on the match ahead, focused on beating Kenma and Nekoma, but as time went on those words started to repeat in his head. To Shouyou those words were a promise, a vow, a pledge. Ushiwaka had once made a similar promise, acknowledging them, Kageyama and Shouyou, as future opponents, however Atsumu’s words had acknowledged him as a future ally. Shouyou had started to cling to those words, ever hungry to prove they weren’t misplaced, that his will reach that level, that he wouldn’t have to rely on Kageyama but would be able to fight in his own right. The desire those words had planted in him, to stand beside Atsumu on the same side of the net, had only grown as time passed.
There were more words after that, a declaration of future victory and defeat. This was not how they were meant to next meet, but that didn’t matter, this was a chance he was not going to overlook.
‘Inarizaki’ Shouyou repeated with more force, his eyes gaining that focused sheen he gets when faced with tough opponents ‘thanks Kenma, now I know which school to aim for’
They talked for a bit more, then with a goal in mind Shouyou had gone downstairs and told his mum. She remined him that he would still have to get into the school, but promised to check out information on the school for him. Shouyou’s grads had been steadily improving due to Yachi and Tsukishima’s help, who had surprisingly continued teaching him and Kageyama. So Shouyou was sure he had a chance to pass, however he was now thinking about doing as much as he could to guarantee it.
The next day Shouyou messaged everyone in the Karasuno VBC Group Chat, explaining he had something to share before the party and, after some messing around by the other members, Suga-senpai said it was fine. Shouyou was taking Natsu with him to the venue, as even though their mum was home from work today, Natsu had come to know his teammates and wanted a chance to say bye.
Once everyone arrived there was some small talk before someone asked what it was that Shouyou wanted to share, Natsu came back over to Shouyou as he explained the situation to everyone. After the initial shock, and follow up questions (during which he explained which school he was now aiming for), he finished with ‘So you all make it to Nationals again and this time’ He looked directly at Kageyama ‘we’ll be rivals’
After a bit of teasing from Tanaka about declaring them rivals already, the party got underway. Shouyou went from person to person talking and having fun. Since the end of Nationals Kiyoko seemed to be more accepting of Tanaka’s advances, nothing major, just small things here and there, causing Noya to cool off on his approach of Kiyoko, and instead just spending more time with Asahi before he leaves. Kageyama mentioned unexpectedly running across Oikawa and Iwaizumi, who for the first time weren’t going to be together, their paths leading them to different universities. Apparently the meeting, though unexpected and awkward, had been somewhat civil and almost seemed the first step towards something new.
Yachi and Yamaguchi seemed to be having a quiet conversation when Shouyou approached to ask Yachi if she’d be willing to help him study she agreed, but said they’d need a place to study, since the school is still closed. Yamaguchi suggested his house since it was between Yachi and Shouyou’s houses. Tsukishima had approached during this time, and Shouyou took the chance to ask him as well. Tsukishima was a bit more sarcastic about it, but also ended up agreeing in the end. Tsukishima also talked about how it seemed like Kuroo and Bokuto, were going to be sharing an apartment since they were going to attending the same university, and what Akashi was planning for Fukurodani. Ennoshita was off to the side talking to Kinoshita and Narita about a guy he had meet the other day. Suga and Daichi were sitting together just observing the group with a soft smile and occasional comment. The party ended up moving to a nearby gym for a few matches before finishing late in the afternoon.
Over the week The Hinata’s had packed their house up, Shouyou spent as much time with the others, whether over at Yamaguchi’s to Study, or with everyone practicing volleyball. His mum had organized one last day for Natsu to play with her old friends, one of which was the Grand King’s nephew, Takeru. Shouyou only found this out when Oikawa came by to pick him up, both surprised at the realization, thou Oikawa wasn’t there for long, Shouyou got confirmation of Oikawa attempting to reconcile with his old Kouhai, only having realized during Nationals that Kageyama being a rival helped push him to achieve more, and fueled his drive to improve, even more than going against, and trying to defeat, Ushiwaka did.
Then before Shoyou knew it the week was over