Chapter Text
Many people say college life is the best moment in your life— where you can free yourself from any restrictions that always hold you back from whatever you like.
But that doesn't seem to be the case for Miya Atsumu.
Still not getting used to being alone after his twin, Miya Osamu, who left Hyogo to pursue his culinary dreams. His dad gave him a used garage to live in so he can be more independent. He was never really sure about what he truly wanted, not when he finally realized Osamu's bigger plan that wasn't including him in it.
"Ya don't have to give up the garage for me though, Dad. I can stay at the dorm and have a roommate instead."
"It's okay, Atsumu. I just want ya to have at least a sense of responsibility by living in this garage by yerself." He continued, "always keep it clean and never bring some randos here— only the one who ya love the most."
As if he becomes obviously flustered, Atsumu threw his dirty towel to his father. "Eeww, stop it, Dad!"
The old one chuckled, "Ya may never know what will be happening in the future until ya experience it. So buckle up, boy scout!"
It was rather cold that day, just like a common autumn morning. He walked so unsteadily, slowing his movements on purpose so he can waste much time as possible there. It was the first day of freshman orientation at Inarizaki, yet he barely managed to keep his interest in whatever his senpai was said.
Holding a bunch of crumpled brochures, confused about whether he should join any of the uni clubs or not at all. The venue was so crowded when he accidentally bumped into someone at his back.
"I'm sorry." Atsumu is started to picking up the leaflets that scattered around the floor. It was so shoujo manga's plot where both male and female protagonists are bumping into each other and won't hesitate to help the female one and got struck by her beauty.
She wore a black t-shirt, a hoodie and a pair of jeans. She was one of the most beautiful girls he ever laid eyes on. She has mid-length hair which was somewhere between a warm terracotta and Scarlett. It was not so neatly tied but somehow looked cuter that way.
"No, I'm sorry." She murmured, "th-thinking about join the music club?"
Atsumu grabbed one of the leaflets, fully aware he might throw it up later. "ah, yeah..."
She had a velvety voice as she thanked him for helping her. She let out a sigh of relief, "Well, I generally wasn't that clumsy tho.."
He was so enchanted by her explanation. Listening to her, he felt a shiver go through his body. He found it difficult to speak, He wondered if she could tell how she made him feel. It had been a long time since he had felt this way about a total stranger.
Atsumu started to argue within himself, should I talk to her or not?
But suddenly, her watch started to beep. She shut it off and made her excuses that she had to leave. She was quick and got to her feet before he was able to say another word. She turned her back and then walked away from him.
He headed out of the door to see where she went. But he couldn’t see her anywhere, as if she had been swallowed by the earth. He was so angry at himself for letting her go— for not asking her name and what her major was. It was odd that he felt such loss now that she disappeared. He didn’t even know her, yet he wanted her so badly. “I wish I could see her again.”
Making a friend is not his prideful forte. But thankfully, there's one senpai that seems to be friendly towards literally everyone— especially a freshman like him.
"Wow, Tsum-tsum! Did you bring your guitar? You can borrow mine anytime, all you have to do is just ask!"
"It's fine, Bokuto-senpai. I don't want to keep bothering you, and this is my Dad's old guitar so I don't have to buy a new one."
It’s been a week since the super boring yet unforgettable orientation was held, and Atsumu has finally decided to choose the Inarizaki music club as the other activity besides studying law.
"What's with this sudden change, Atsumu?" knowing it very well that his son used to had a lack of enthusiasm when it comes to musical instruments, and now he's asking to borrow his Fender Stratocaster.
"Well, you said that I should have at least one hobby, so I joined the Inarizaki music club. and it would be super weird if I don't have one by myself."
His father shrugged, "Dunno what's gotten into ya lately, but the last time ya played guitar when ya were 14. It was like, 5 years ago."
Atsumu rolled up his eyes, "Don't ya see I'm trying here?"
"Okay, okay, youngster. Ya can have my guitar now."
He hugged him tightly, "Thanks, Dad!"
"But don't forget to tune it whenever you're about to use it. I will be checking up my guitar every month."
"Leave it up to me."
But let's be honest, the only valid reason why Atsumu chose music club perhaps because of the girl he met a week ago— a girl who introduced him to this club.
"Ano, Bokuto-senpai. Have you seen the girl with such bright hair color come here to practice? " He gathered his courage just to spit out that question.
"Uh, which one?", Bokuto answers him with a little confusion.
"The orange-haired one, kinda petite but has a strong built."
Bokuto choked up his own drinks and then managed to unlock his phone. "Wait a sec."
"O... Okay..."
Me: Hi, Babe. Whatchu doin'?
Me: Have you got any minute?
Akaashi♡: I just finished my training for today at the national camp. What's going on, Bokuto-san?
Me: My kouhai, Atsumu, he's been asking about Shouyou earlier today. Is it okay If I tell him about Shouyou?
Akaashi♡: Bokuto-san, we can't tell anyone about someone without their consent.
Me: I know, that's why I asked you first. Can you at least tell Shouyou about this?
Akaashi♡: I'll tell her once I get back to Hyogo, Bokuto-san.
Me: Can't you tell her tonight? My kouhai seems really curious and depressed, but not sure why...
Akaashi♡: Well I would love to, but too bad she didn't join the national camp with me in Tokyo. Maybe she's still has a friendly match with Nekoma on the main court right now.
Me: Okay then, take care baby! I love you.
"It seems like I have no clue about who you're talking about, Tsum-tsum. I'm sorry."
"No, No, it's totally fine, Bokuto-senpai. I was so curious about whether she's one of the members or not because she was the one who gave me the music club ."
He went into the fridge, took a beer and sat down on the couch. He leaned forward, with his elbows on his knees and rolled the cold bottle on his forehead. After he took a few sips he leaned back and shut his eyes. And it was there again.
You can't resist her, she's in your bones
She is your marrow, and your ride home
You can't avoid her, she's in the air
In between molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Since he heard that shocking truth, he relived that moment every night. It had lowered him like a cannonball from an old ship. All he wanted to do is to stay at the bottom and never get up to the surface. It became an obsession for him to find her. It wasn’t only in the daytime that she was in his thoughts, she’d appeared in his dreams as well. There was one dream, in particular, an unpleasing one. But now the dream has shifted. He tried to remember, but it stayed in the fog for him.
Only in dreams, we see what it means
Reach out our hands, hold onto hers
But when we wake, it's all been erased
And so it seems, only in dreams
“You need to get yourself together soon or we will never finish this song, Tsum-tsum.” Bokuto had caught him again. The dream had put him in a strange mood and his thoughts had taken over. This unpleasant feeling had been constant for the last few weeks.
“I promise I’ll try not to screw up the shots, if you’ll please, give me a break, Bokuto-senpai."
“Yeah, try to take an hour. I sure hope you can get yourself together. Spend those time on something refreshing, like watch a women's volleyball match, maybe."
"What's up with the women's volleyball match, Bokuto-senpai?"
"I can't give you much information, but maybe this will help you find your question."
Even though watching any kind of sport is not his favorite thing to do, he managed to went out into the sports main court and picked up some snacks from the vending machine. While he was looking for available seats, he’s finally able to sit down on the right wing and started to realize...
Ahh...
She's just right there, gleaming with sweats and a smile brighter than the sun.
The mystery of her dynamic gestures and her beautiful looks were fascinating to him. He never managed to reach eye contact with her. It was frustrating.
Atsumu asks the person who sits next to him while pointing his forefinger to the one who always came into his hazy dreams lately, "Hey, do you happen to know what's her name?"
"Oh! She's The Inarizaki number 7, Hinata Shouyou."