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Kageyama skipped on his way to see his favourite senpais. They had just completed their final match for the season. To him they were the strongest, the most talented players he knew.
Kageyama was really proud of both of them, they not only played at school but were in a volleyball club out of school too. Their club was the best team in Japan for their age. At least, Kageyama firmly believed this. He knew that they would win, of course they would. They always won every game they played. Almost every game of course. Sometimes someone was really sick, or someone got injured, but as long as that didn't happen they always won.
'Congratulations on winning! Now can you teach me Oikawa-san?'
Kageyama gulped as he realised there was a fury in Oikawa’s eyes. He saw the fist coming at him and barely had time to flinch.
He saw Iwaizumi stop Oikawa, heard Oikawa’s "sorry" that he suddenly wasn't sure he wanted to accept, even if it was coming from his own favourite senpai. He felt guilty to feel scared of Oikawa, because Oikawa wasn't scary, because this was all his own fault.
He wandered outside the courts, considering how he would properly apologise.
Iwaizumi saw him as he exited the hall. There was a cracking in his voice as he said, 'what are you still doing here?'
'I want to apologise to Oikawa. It's all my fault.'
Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow and it was then that Kageyama saw the redness in Iwaizumi's eyes. Why was Iwaizumi crying? He waited another five minutes then watched cautiously as Oikawa also left the hall. Oikawa only briefly looked at him.
'We lost. Okay? I'm not in a good mood. Now shoo, preferably forever.'
Kageyama was stumped. How could Oikawa lose to such an easy team?
He gaped after Oikawa. He felt like his entire world came crashing down in front of his eyes.
Was Oikawa not as good as he thought he was?
-
When Kageyama saw him again on the other side of the net, Oikawa definitely had changed. He had been curious to see how his serve had improved, and was gobsmacked to see him be incredibly good at everything else. Kageyama already knew that Oikawa was much better than him at everything else, but this time even everyone else seemed to play a lot better now that he was here.
After the match he stared at Oikawa. Oikawa felt the eyes on him and turned around.
Standing at the side of the poles, Oikawa looked him up and down.
'I don't like what I've heard about you from Kindaichi,' said Oikawa.
'I don't want to talk about him,' said Kageyama quickly.
Kageyama recognised the taunting way Oikawa spoke. Kageyama used to appreciate any advice Oikawa gave him as a senpai. He used to think of him as wise. Well, Oikawa was really smart but he wasn't sure if he should still call him his senpai. Oikawa easily could have won against the team with the twins in it in middle school, but no, he didn't, because he didn't try his best, probably. These were Kageyama's thoughts, but he could tell Oikawa had changed now. He was trying his best now.
'I've heard that people call you king now.'
Oikawa nodded at Tsukishima who now appeared beside Kageyama.
'I didn't think you'd go that far. Blaming me for losing one single match, but you went and lost all your friends.'
Kageyama got it. He was annoying. No need to rub it in, especially because he actually wasn't . He didn't want to annoy anyone. Finally Oikawa walked off towards his team.
Kageyama's lips quirked into an involuntary smile when he saw Tanaka join them and glare sourly at Oikawa’s back.
'Ooh look, Mr Middle school drama.' Tanaka mocked at Oikawa’s back.
Tsukishima silently met eyes with Kageyama, 'are you now thinking of joining them?' he asked.
Kageyama shook his head, and he meant it. He meant it even though he now knew that Oikawa was stronger. He meant it even though he knew Oikawa was right.
But it was maybe also because he knew that Oikawa was right that he was afraid to go back, afraid to face the guilt. Could he ever look at his teammates again in the eyes? Would they let him? Would Kindaichi think less of him if he tried?
How could he ever be so naive during middle school? Of course everyone hated him.
Tsukishima sighed, 'then, are you coming, King?' Tsukishima called him by his loathful nickname.
But he deserved it, right? He was annoying, and he was still a king. Yes, he deserved —
'Huh?!' He heard Hinata’s high pitched scream, 'were you talking to the Great King?'
Kageyama noticed Oikawa turn around in confusion. He was probably wondering who the Great King was.
Kageyama released a giggle.
Sure, if he was the king, then that made Oikawa the Great King, the most tyrannical of all.
'Yeah he was really rude to me.'
'Oh yeah?'
Hinata stuck his tongue out at Seijoh and made raspberry popping sounds. Kageyama copied him. They both drew it out as long as they could, especially when they were entirely sure Oikawa was noticing.
Oikawa frowned back and they heard the shortest 'ugh' coming from him before he left. The rest of Seijoh directed glares at them but they also had to leave.