Archive of Our Own

Day 5 ~ Olympics ▪︎ Time Skip ▪︎ Long Distance

"The day is finally here! These two teams have managed to defeat six teams and will now face each other for the title of 2021 Tokyo Olympics Men's Volleyball Champion. This has become the game of the year for many volleyball fans."

"That's right, Nakamura. We have quite the event in store for us. And with us to help commentate the event is Japan Volleyball Association Sports Promoter, Kuroo Testsurō."

Kuroo waved to the camera in front of him. "Thank you for having me."

"So, word around the Association is that you used to play volleyball back in high school."

"I did. Went to Nekoma High School right here in Tokyo and was middle blocker and captain," he said as clips from him in high school played. Kuroo watched them with a smile.

"So you have some knowledge then. What do you think about the matchup today?"

"I don't know much about the Argentina National Team, but I know our boys have been working hard to get where we are now. And I don't think any of them plan to take home second place."

"Well, that's good to hear. Why don't we take a look at this starting lineup?" Suzuki pulled out a paper. "I guess we'll start with captain, Ushijima Wakatoshi."

"Ah, yes, Ushijima. He played for Japan during the World League back in 2014. And now he's back as an outside hitter and captain. Any insight, Kuroo?"

"Ushiwaka's always been an indomitable force. Back in high school, he was the top ranking ace in his prefecture and was in the top three for the whole country. I never got the opportunity to play against him."

"Next up on our list is outside hitter, Bokuto Kōtarō."

Kuroo laughed. "Good old, Bokuto. We've been friends since high school even though we went to two different schools. He was ranked in the top five for Japan's top aces. He was mad about it all year, but he's been doing great ever since he started playing for the Jackals."

"And Hinata Shōyō?"

"Chibi-chan? Did you know that he was a decoy in high school? Then he became a middle blocker when I left. But kid's got spunk. Used to be awful when he entered high school but you got better faster than anyone I've ever seen."

"Said he wanted to be like the Tiny Giant during one of his national events. I think everyone who saw remembers that," Nakamura laughed, shuffling through his papers. "The starting setter for this game is Miya Atsu-" 

He was interrupted when the crowd roared with applause. All three of them looked towards the floor. "What's going on?"

Kuroo smirked as he looked at the feed from another channel, which had a close up of the person they were cheering for. "I've never had the pleasure of meeting him face to face, but I've heard stories."

"Who is he?"

"Oikawa Tōru. The one man here who has both sides cheering for him."

"I'm here with Argentina's starting setter, Oikawa Tōru. Thank you for joining us today. I know you're busy with all your training."

"It's no problem. I'm just honored to be here!"

"So why don't you talk about yourself a little bit for the people who don't know you."

"Right! I'm Oikawa Tōru. I'm twenty-seven years old-"

"Stop! You are not!" The talk show host looked at him. "Really?!"

Oikawa laughed. "You flatter me! Yes, I was born in 1994, which makes me twenty-seven. I know I look stunning for my age," he said, flipping his hair before he and the hostess started laughing. "What else? I'm the starting setter for CA San Juan, and now I have the honor of being the starting setter for the Argentina National Team as well."

"So did you grow up in Argentina or Puerto Rico? Oikawa is a Japanese surname."

"Oh, no. I grew up right here in Japan in the Miyagi Prefecture. I went to Aoba Johsai Private High School. I only went to San Juan for volleyball."

"And rightfully so! I'm sure you could've made any team that you tried out for-"

"Oh stop!"

"But you've made quite a name for yourself. So I'm assuming you played volleyball in high school?"

"Yep!" A picture from high school popped up on the screen behind them. Oikawa smiled. "That was my last year of high school. Right before the final match of Interhigh, actually."

"You got all the way to finals? That's impressive."

"We lost the Interhigh finals and then we lost the Spring High semifinals. They've been ranked in the top four schools of the Miyagi Prefecture ever since my first year."

"That's quite an impressive alma mater."

"It is! I'm proud to call myself a Seijoh alumni."

"And who are the people with you in this picture?"

"The two on my right are Makki and Mattsun, or Hanamaki Takahiro and Matsukawa Issei if you want their actual names. They were irreplaceable as teammates and friends, even if they did bully me from time to time."

"And on your left?"

"Iwa-chan—Iwaizumi Hajime—my vice captain. He's been my ride or die for years now."

"How many years are we talking? Did the two of you know each other in junior high?"

"We did, but he's been my best friend for about…twenty years now? Maybe a couple more."

"Really?!"

"Yeah. Our chemistry on the court was unbeatable. Off the court…that's a different story, but I couldn't ask for a better best friend."

"So I guess I'll switch topics for a bit because fans of yours across Japan and Argentina are dying to know…that band on your finger?"

Oikawa gave a genuine smile, looking at the gold band on his left ring finger. "I'm not married if that's what you're asking. But I am engaged. More than that, this ring is a promise that I made to a good friend of mine."

"Well, you've got one lucky spouse if you just look at the ring like that."

"I don't think I tell them enough how lucky I am."

"And as we close out this segment, one more question. What has someone told you that you've lived by? Either in terms of your sets, spikes, your ability to work together…"

"In terms of my serves, I live by " If you're gonna hit it, then hit it till it breaks" as I famously said in a Volleyball Monthly interview back in high school. But in all seriousness, my best friend once told me that there are six people on a volleyball court. And that no one person can win a game. It's the team with the strongest six that does."

"That's actually really good advice. You had some really good friends growing up." Okinawa nodded. "Well, thank you for stopping by to talk to us. What number can we look for at the big game?"

He threw up his signature peace sign and smile. "Look for number thirteen!"

"Alright! Thank you again and good luck in the finals."

"Thank you!"

Oikawa took a deep breath, kissing the band on his finger—now a red silicon one so he wouldn't damage his actual engagement ring—before looking across the court with a wink. A few people on the Japan team rolled their eyes. He then took a deep breath, tossing the ball in his hand.

He then tossed up the ball, breaking out into a run for a jump serve that left the whole crowd cheering. He aimed it straight at the libero—Yaku Morisuke if he was looking at the lineup correctly—watching as it bounced off his shoulder.

The team behind him cheered, clapping him on the back for his successful service ace. "One more!"

He nodded, going back to serve again. This time, he added much more power behind it. His famous spike serve. He aimed it right in between Ushijima and Hinata, just to fuel some sense of pride in himself as he watched it brush past them and bounce on the ground. He looked at the two of them with a smirk before looking up at the bench.

They made eye contact.

If Oikawa didn't win this medal for himself, he'd win it for him.

"I'm going to Puerto Rico."

Iwaizumi stopped dead in his tracks, looking at the setter like he'd grown a second head. It had gotten colder since the sun began to set, his breaths coming out in clouds in front of his face. "What?"

Oikawa finally turned, noticing the distance between them. "When school ends in a couple months, I'm going to Puerto Rico to play volleyball." Oikawa looked away, playing with the end of his scarf. "I thought you should be the first person to know."

"But why? You've gotten plenty of offers from so many teams in Japan! Division one teams! Why not take one of those?"

"Because if I got some, I know he did." Iwaizumi caught the not-so-subtle bite on 'he'. "And Tobio-chan will be graduating in a couple of years. He'll get plenty of D1 invitations too-"

"So you're running away?" Oikawa just looked at him. "You're good, Tōru. One of the best setters I've ever seen. Why are you running-"

"Because I'm tired of losing to them!" His yell echoed through the empty street. "Face it. You know Ushiwaka is way out of my league and Tobio-chan is just going to keep getting better now that Chibi-chan's taught him how to be a teammate." He turned his back. "I'm falling behind. And staying here won't help me get better." He looked back at his boyfriend. "I need this, Iwa-chan."

Iwaizumi sighed. He knew Oikawa was right, even if it was a spur of the moment decision. He continued walking, coming side by side with the brunette. "Then I guess it's my turn to tell you that I'm going to school in America."

"Really?"

"California. There's this trainer that I wanna intern under who lives there."

Oikawa chuckled. "Well, I guess we're both going away then."

"Guess so."

There was a lapse in the conversation before Oikawa spoke again. "I wanna try to go to the Olympics. Play on a national team. Maybe not in 2016, but after that. I don't know what team I'll play for. By then, maybe I'll be back in Japan. But…" He grabbed Iwaizumi's hand, looking him in the eyes. "Promise me you'll be there to cheer me on. And promise that we won't lose touch after high school."

"What are you, crazy?" He kissed Oikawa's cheek. "Of course we'll stay in touch. You wouldn't leave me alone otherwise. But if you're going to the Olympics, you have to bring home gold, Loserkawa."

Oikawa laughed, tilting his head back. "You know me, Iwa-chan! I won't settle for anything less."

Oikawa kissed his ring again as he sat down on the bench. 

Argentina had taken the first set in a brutal 31-33 and then had lost the second on 30-28. Honestly, he never thought the first two sets would end. Hinata's new teammates were just as good as he said they were. He'd never felt more excited.

Argentina was currently up 33-32, and they just needed one more point to win it all. He sipped his water, relishing in the short break Japan's time out had given him.

"Your fiancé must be watching, Rey. I swear that's the third time you've kissed that band."

Oikawa looked up, smiling at the nickname his teammates had given him. Even overseas, he was still King of the Court. "He is. Right over there on the bench."

"He plays for the Japanese team?"

"No, he's their athletic trainer."

"So that's why you wore your red band," his captain—a wing spiker he trusted almost as much as Iwaizumi—said, joining him on the bench. "Well when we win, you can go running into his arms like a little princesa."

"And what's that supposed to mean?!"

"Oh, nothing. Just get us one more point, Your Highness ."

"Isn't that why I'm here?" He got up, kissing his ring one more time. This time, he was up front. He smirked when he looked at the player right across from him. "Well, well, if it isn't our little Tobio-chan. Not so little now, I suppose."

"Nice to see you too, Oikawa."

"So formal." He glanced behind him as his captain got ready to serve. "I see you've made some new friends. Just hope that they're enough to stop my new friends." He watched Yaku receive the ball with no problem. Japan had gone for a double setter formation now that Kageyama was up front. Atsumu had set the ball to Bokuto, who had spiked it right to Argentina's libero. He received it and Oikawa tossed it for one of their wing spikers. He made eye contact with his captain, who nodded.

It was a risky move, but one Oikawa was willing to take to win.

It didn't take long for the ball to land back on their side of the court. The libero received the spike once again, but this time, it was their captain who set the ball up for a synchronized attack. Four of their players ran forward as Suna, Kageyama, and Hinata got ready to block. Oikawa smirked, smacking the ball so hard it made his hand tingle.

A one touch with enough power that it knocked Kageyama off balance.

Oikawa watched as Yaku ran for the ball, which had soared towards the back boundary. He watched in anticipation as the ball landed just past his fingertips before rolling out of bounds.

The whole arena went silent before they erupted in cheers.

He'd done it. Argentina had won the Olympics.

He was then pounced on by his teammates, breaking him from his shocked state. They had ruffled his hair and playfully punched him in the stomach. He laughed and smiled with them all before going to the net and shaking hands with Miya Atsumu and Kageyama.

Then his captain clapped him on the back, pointing to Kuroo, who was waiting for someone from the Argentina team to take to the podium.

He looked back at the wing spiker. "Me?"

"You won us the game. Now stop being such a bebé and get up there!" He shoved him forward.

Oikawa looked back with a smile. "Thank you."

He accepted the medal on behalf of his team, he spoke to Ushijima ("What was that you said about my worthless pride?" then "Good game, Ushiwaka"), and he'd taken many, many pictures before he was finally set free to mingle. He ran over to the Japanese team's side. 

"Hajime!"

The athletic trainer was ready for Oikawa. He caught the brunette who had monkeyed onto him, spinning them both around. He then put the setter down, touching his forehead with his.

Oikawa smiled, placing his hands on Iwaizumi's cheeks. "I told you I would do it." He backed away, showing off the medal. "I won this just for you." He bit the medal, offering the other side to Iwaizumi, who bit back.

A camera flashed somewhere near them. He knew they would make the news soon but he didn't care.

They both let go and soon, Iwaizumi kissed him, wrapping his arms around the taller man's waist. Oikawa worked with him like clockwork, tilting his head slightly to deepen the kiss as he placed his hands back on Iwaizumi’s cheeks.

They parted soon after, touching foreheads again as more cameras went off behind them. He knew the reporters were loving the action.

"I'm so proud of you," Iwaizumi whispered. "I knew you could do it."

"Okay, lovebirds, we get it! You're excited to see each other. But can we have our trainer back now?"

Oikawa turned to the voice. "You're Miya, right? You're as good as Chibi-chan says you are."

"Yer not too bad yourself. That synchronized attack was pretty awesome."

"Well, thank you."

Iwaizumi let him go before turning him around. He looked over the setter's shoulder. "I have one more surprise for you."

"Really? What is it?" He couldn't help but notice Kageyama and Hinata smirking. "Why are those two smirking, Iwa-chan?"

"I can't believe we know an Olympic gold medalist. Isn't that crazy, guys?"

Oikawa felt his tears come back. He knew that voice.

"Not really considering he's always been hellbent on volleyball. He's been like that as long as we've known him."

Oikawa let out his first choked sob as Iwaizumi let him turn. He nearly dropped to his knees as he looked at the people in front of him.

The entire Aoba Johsai volleyball team from 2012.

Oikawa smiled as they all moved in to hug him. "What are you all doing here?"

"You think we wouldn't come see our captain play in the Olympics ?" Yahaba asked, laughing as he watched Oikawa furiously attempt to wipe his tears.

"But how…you guys…why, how are you all here?"

"Iwaizumi gave us all tickets," Kindaichi answered. "Said we could come and watch it live if you made it to the finals."

He turned back to his fiancé. "Haji…"

"I wanted everyone to be here for your special moment. They deserve to see your progress too."

Oikawa buried his face in Iwaizumi's shoulder. "I…I don't know how to thank you, Hajime."

"You owe me ¥2200, Issei. I told you he would start sobbing."

Oikawa laughed as he watched Matsukawa grumble, pulling out his wallet.

He then looked down at the medal around his neck.

Being in the arms of his fiancé, surrounded by his friends. He'd do it all again, just to know this feeling.

He kissed the medal. He kissed the end result of his promise to Hajime.