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First Year – Suga
It wasn’t like Suga to usually be so nervous. Normally, he was eager to meet new peers and start getting to know the people around him who he would be spending the majority of his day with. However, it felt as if Karasuno’s reputation – despite the current damage – was an extra weight on his shoulders. Besides, this was high school now – good and proper – so he was allowed to feel this nervous.
It was still early, and thankfully the gym wasn’t as empty as he’d expected it to be when he first arrived that morning. He was a bundle of nerves, but not so much as the taller brunet boy that stood awkwardly at the side of the gym a few steps away from him, with his long hair almost touching his shoulders.
It was when the third and final member of their soon-to-be close trio entered the gym and Suga swore his heart stopped beating as the world began to flip upside down. As he felt his eyes drawn to the newcomer, a brunet but slightly shorter than Suga himself, he felt his heart jump into his throat when they briefly met eyes of a dark brown that threatened to swallow him whole in nothing but mere sweetness.
As reality snapped him back into focus, Suga felt his face flushing and failed to miss the tiny smirk that crossed the brunet’s lips for a second or more. Instead, he was thankful for the captain to call them into a lineup and have them give introductions.
But even as he spoke, he felt the nerves creeping along up and down his body, and when he heard the other’s voice for the first time, Suga knew high school was about to get a lot harder than he’d imagined.
Second Year – Daichi
Daichi knew all eyes would be on him this year. The third years were still losing their hope for Karasuno, despite the achievements and advantages Daichi had set about giving them during his first year. There was one final match to go for the third years, and then it would be down to him, Suga, and Asahi to decide how to take the next step forward. That first step included deciding on the next team captain.
While Daichi had experience from being captain of his final year in junior high, he didn’t want to seem too egotistical and put himself forward. He didn’t think Asahi had what it took to be captain, but he supposed he could help guide him along if need be. Speaking of which, they would need to decide on a vice-captain, too. That would be down to the captain alone, and Daichi knew that between his friends, Suga was his most likely and most reasonable choice for the co-captain position.
But what if they put Suga forward for captain? Would it be Daichi who became vice-captain after him? But then what about Asahi? Would he be feeling left out without a specific title that felt more important than others? Wait, no, Asahi didn’t mind about that stuff now that he had Nishinoya at his back as their libero.
Daichi often found himself more stressed than need be. He wasn’t captain – and he’d kind of only just managed to get himself out of the mindset from junior high – and yet he knew he was the one putting in the most effort, pulling Suga and Asahi along with him.
Tanaka and Nishinoya were already a handful to deal with. Ennoshita, Kinoshita, and Narita still needed to make up for lost time. The third years weren’t exactly in the best of high spirits. He was tired of Michimiya constantly asking if he was doing alright whenever she caught him as if her trying so badly to follow in his footsteps wasn’t semi-stressful enough. He didn’t want to dwindle Asahi and Suga’s hopeful embers either.
So, he found himself talking with Kiyoko after practice one day. He felt slightly bad about it, but right now he was calling her his only voice of reason.
Daichi stood in the gym, close to the net as he and Kiyoko tossed the ball lazily back and forth over each side of the court. No spikes, no jumps, just casual child’s play. He didn’t meet her eyes, only focusing on tossing and catching the ball with each pass.
“You’re overthinking things,” she said to him, simply. “You’re on edge about choosing between your friends”.
“From an outside perspective it looks so easy, doesn’t it?” He tossed to her lightly, the ball scraping the top of the net, “Suga’s the obvious choice for either captain position. He has the skillset for it whereas Asahi’s…you know”.
“Be honest, Sawamura”.
“Asahi’s a wimp”.
Kiyoko giggled faintly, “I didn’t mean about that. I meant be honest with your thoughts about Sugawara”.
“Huh?”
“Well, surely, you’ve noticed just how close the two of you are, haven’t you? I’m surprised he’s not the one you’re talking to right now instead of me”.
Daichi caught the ball and held it between his palms, fingers gently gliding over the rough texture, “So, you’ve noticed…that, huh?”
Kiyoko held her hands on her hips, eyeing him up for a few moments before sighing gently with a shake of her head, “You don’t want to seem biased in choosing him for either the captain position or the vice-captain position. That’s understandable. But we both know that if they nominate you as captain next year, then Sugawara will no doubt be the person you choose. I’m sure Azumane is already well-aware”.
“You think he wouldn’t feel left out?” Daichi could feel his gut twisting with guilt despite its instinct.
“If anything, I think he’ll be thrilled for the two of you to take up the responsibilities of leading the team for your final year. They’ve clearly put their trust in you since you all met – I’ve heard the stories – so you’re pretty much destined to be chosen as captain in that regard. It’s only natural to anyone who isn’t blind that you’d pick Sugawara as your vice-captain”.
“Alright. And if people start suspecting there’s more to it than that? Then what? The last thing Karasuno needs for its volleyball team is more public humiliation. Having a crush on your best friend slash teammate is risky enough, let alone then choosing them as your second-in-command—”
Daichi cut himself off a tad bit too late as Kiyoko’s eyes twinkled behind her glasses, “So he admits to it”.
“Don’t tell a soul, I swear, Shimizu”.
“Secret’s safe with me, Sawamura,” she then met him on his side of the net and took the ball from his hands. “Just promise me you’ll tell him how you feel before we all graduate. University is going to be a whole different world for us to adapt to when we get there”.
Third Year – Suga
So, it turned out that Suga’s little faint crush when he first laid eyes on Daichi didn’t fade away to be labelled as typical high school infatuation, but instead blossomed and expanded into genuine love. Suga had fallen in love with Daichi, and he didn’t quite know how to feel about it. On the one hand, he was elated; Daichi was his best friend, the one person he could tell anything in the world and know he wouldn’t be judged for whatever he said (bonus points that Daichi knew his sense of humour well enough to know when he was and wasn’t joking around about certain subjects).
On the other hand, Suga wouldn’t deny he wasn't the only person finding himself attracted to Daichi romantically. He couldn’t deny the twinkle in Michimiya’s eyes, and the width of her smile was the same way he reacted to whatever Daichi talked about in good spirits.
Daichi was captain, having chosen Suga as his vice-captain, and they both already had their hands full with the goings-on of the team members. It was mostly why he didn’t want to bother Daichi with his new predicament of having been replaced as their official setter (well, replaced wasn’t the word he would use nowadays, but in the beginning, it had definitely felt that way). The captain had more than enough to be dealing with, he didn’t need his own vice-captain whining in his ear about being side-lined.
Suga did the best he could to be the best vice-captain Daichi could ask for, but that didn’t shake the way his heart would try climbing up his throat or hammer so hard in his chest it was difficult to breathe. The way Daichi could set his whole body on fire by grinning at him from the court after a good point was scored in their favour was insane.
It wasn’t long until he began to notice the way Kiyoko would cast unreadable glances at the two of them, especially whenever she passed them talking either in the gym before, during or after practice, or their favourite stairwell between classes. Suga thought it was strange and soon gathered the courage to confront Daichi about it.
“You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed the way our manager has been looking at us, right? Did we do something to offend her without realising? If Tanaka and Nishinoya hear wind of it, it’s the end for us, y’know”.
Daichi simply continued gazing out of the open window on the stairwell, arms folded on the pane with Suga leaning on the window beside him. “She’s been looking at me like that since I was elected as captain, I’m surprised you only just noticed now”.
“Well,” Suga chuckled lamely, “I’ve learnt to be more observant than usual only recently due to circumstances”.
“Don’t talk like that, Suga, you know I hate it,” Daichi sighed heavily, “You know that even if we didn’t have a coach and I was still the main person in charge of the team then I would have had to choose between you and Kageyama eventually and—”
“—And you hate thinking about having to make a choice like that, I know, I know. I know you would’ve tried to keep me as part of the starters for as long as you could’ve, but I’ve already admitted to being no match to his skillset. Especially if he learnt from a setter like Oikawa, that’s all that needs to be said”.
“I know you said you’ve been working on finding your own individual talent as a setter for when we need you on the court but are you truly okay with that? You’re my vice-captain, my setter, my—”
“Daichi. You’re avoiding the topic about Shimizu”.
There was simply silence as Daichi watched him from the corner of his eye before huffing and closing his eyes, “I made her a promise, is all”.
Suga shifted, rolling his shoulder as he stretched his arm out to place his hand on Daichi’s back, “It involves me, doesn’t it? Did you promise her that you’d spare my feelings or take them into consideration when Kageyama came onto the team as setter? Something like that?”
“Something like that…”
“Liar!”
“What?”
Suga tugged on Daichi’s shirt firm enough to have the younger boy stand up straight and lock eyes with him, “You’re a terrible liar, especially to your own best friend. This isn’t even about Kageyama, is it? This is about you”. He gripped Daichi’s shoulders, fixing him with a determined glare, “What was it you promised Shimizu last year? Tell me. Tell me, Daichi!”
“Now isn’t a good time, Suga. I’ll tell you all about it when we reach Nationals, alright? Right now, I need to focus on the more important things”.
Suga huffed politely, letting go of Daichi and folding his arms over his chest, “If you say so Mr Volleyball-and-School-for-Brains,” he giggled mostly to himself before dropping the humour in his tone, “Seriously though, Dai, if you have something on your mind then you can come to me. I’ll be more than happy to listen and help if I can”.
“Thanks, I appreciate it”.
Nationals – Daichi
It might not have been their first time in Tokyo, but it certainly was their first time standing in a stadium much larger and louder than any of them could have anticipated. For the first time in a long time, Daichi felt afraid of stepping out onto those courts. He’d been building Karasuno up for this very moment and it all felt very surreal. To actually be there, watching and waiting, it made his spine tingle.
He caught Suga’s eye, and his vice-captain gave him a reassuring smile although Daichi could see it wasn’t a full smile. Suga had his own set of nerves to have beating around his body. A few steps in front of him, Daichi could see Coach Ukai and Takeda talking in hushed tones. Coach Ukai caught his eye as he turned his head and the two of them shared a quick flash of understanding.
They wanted to suppress their nervousness, yet they knew that it wasn’t just their leadership that had gotten them this far. Every member of the team had played their part and would continue to do so.
It was midway through their time at Nationals when Daichi found himself once again talking about his promise to Kiyoko back in their second year of attending Karasuno to Suga. Daichi knew it was inevitable, but that didn’t mean he felt ready for it yet.
The two of them had successfully gotten the team occupied enough to take a step out and have some time and space to themselves to talk. Daichi knew Suga was getting impatient with him. He had said they’d talk about it once they’d reached Nationals, after all.
Daichi leaned over the balcony railing, neither he nor Suga knowing if they should be the one to speak first. Eventually, Daichi made the first move.
“I’m surprised you haven’t pried it out of Shimizu yet already”.
“I want to hear it from you. It was your promise, after all, you should be the one to say it”.
“Fair point”.
There was a heavy pause between them before Suga stepped right to Daichi’s side, their arms and shoulders brushing, “We’re okay, aren’t we? Dai?”
“What? Of course, we are. Why would you ask that?”
“Well, you’ve been so off with me about this whole thing, I can’t help but wonder if you’re trying to deliberately break away from our friendship! University is going to push us apart enough already as it is, and I don’t want that but—”
“I don’t want that either!” Daichi interrupted him. He knew the distance that was going to come between them after graduation took place. Time was quickly running faster and faster to that moment.
“Then why won’t you just— …Why won’t you talk to me, Daichi? I just want to help you. I want you to be okay with whatever it is on your mind. It’s been almost a whole year since you made this weird little promise to Shimizu, and you said you’d tell me about it when we reached Nationals. So,” Suga’s knuckles began to turn white as he gripped his fingers around the railing, “If it has something to do with me then I want to know!”
Daichi reeled back just as Suga reached for his hand (or rather, his wrist, but Daichi didn’t know for sure). He felt a sharp, painful twist of his heart as he caught a flash of hurt in his vice-captain’s eyes.
“I…”
“You what, Daichi? You what?”
Daichi faltered and cursed himself for doing so. Suga getting mad at him was not how this was supposed to go, but a promise was a promise. A vow was a vow. Say it. Just say it! What more do you have to lose? Why the hell did I think high school volleyball was more important than this?
“Suga…”
“Hm?”
“…I like you. A lot”.
University – Suga
Suga hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. Daichi’s confession. It’d been months since they’d been in high school at Nationals. Years since Daichi had made that little promise to Kiyoko. Years since they’d first met and Suga had first fallen for his best friend. The same best friend he barely got to see anymore and would see even less when graduation came around once again.
Suga would be staying in Miyagi, whereas Daichi would be elsewhere for who knew how long after this. And Suga had no doubt the police academy would accept Daichi into their training programme. They didn’t even know if Daichi would be sent back to join the Miyagi police force, either. Would Suga ever see him again if that happened?
What felt worse was that whenever Suga would catch a glimpse of Daichi across campus, they never had the time to stop and talk. He knew Daichi felt bad about the way things were turning out, too. They each had new friends, new things to focus on for their futures, etc. Suga had never felt more distant from Daichi before now.
He kept thinking back to Daichi’s confession. He shouldn’t have pressured him to the point of giving in, no matter how desperately curious he had been. He knew that now, regrettably so. On the other hand, he was glad he knew how Daichi felt about him. Had felt about him. A part of him doubted that Daichi felt the same way he did now.
Suga’s reaction to said confession hadn’t been all that great, either, when he thought about it. He’d stared at Daichi as if the boy had grown a second head. He’d confessed back, admitting to the budding crush he’d had on Daichi since day one of their lives together. Daichi had been thankful that they shared the same feelings, but they hadn’t agreed to get together.
Suga had made the choice to wait until they graduated, to put the rest of their focus into their roles as captain and vice-captain. But when that had come to an end…neither of them had been brave enough to bring up what to do with their relationship beyond the court. It had almost felt as if, without the court, there was no them.
But that couldn’t be right. Suga wouldn’t let that be right. He and Daichi still kept in contact, even if not so much in person as they would like. He wasn’t giving up on the two of them, not after having waited so long.
Police Academy – Daichi
Daichi had never felt more alone. Getting used to everyone at Karasuno had brought him great friendships he’d treasure forever. University had given him more friendships and hope had flared in his chest that he’d be alright. But now he was at the police academy…more alone than ever, and he didn’t even have Suga to reach out and talk to. He barely found the time, and when he did, he was either exhausted to the point of near-collapse, or Suga was just as busy or tired himself.
He missed him. He missed his best friend a whole lot, and it was beginning to drive him insane. He was too used to Suga just being there by his side, to talk to him about anything and everything. He knew they’d become regretfully distant during their university days, but that wasn’t anything like it was now.
He sighed at his desk, the light of the day quickly sinking behind the horizon. Reaching for his phone, he brought up Suga’s text messages with him and stared with drained vision before putting the device back and deciding to drag himself to bed, instead.
They would talk again. Daichi would see Suga again back in Miyagi, and together they’d make things right between them. Just as they should be.
The Past, The Present, and Now, The Future – DaiSuga
It was an exciting talk on the phone. The frantic packing of bags. The flare of hope and relief that Daichi would be back home, and Suga would be right there waiting for him. The newly appointed teacher met the newly appointed police officer at the train station, the two greeting one another with tight arms wrapping around older bodies yet all the familiarity was still there.
“I’ve missed you”.
Three words were shared between them, Suga hugging Daichi like he was a lifeline, with Daichi returning the gesture. Suga then buried his head in Daichi’s shoulder, shuddering out a long, heavily need sigh. The world seemed to slow down, leaving just the two of them in a reality all of their own.
“Suga?”
“Hm?”
“…I love you”.
Suga’s eyes shot wide as he lifted his head to stare at Daichi, the flush on the younger man’s cheeks creeping down his neck produced a grin from the teacher as he leaned in to press their lips together in the most satisfying feeling ever known to the both of them.
When he pulled back, he knew both his and Daichi’s eyes were sparkling.
“I love you, too~”
Forever and always.