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Kageyama was excited. He was probably the most excited he’d been since his first real live performance. He had gotten into the (second) school of his dreams, Karasuno high. He wasn’t quite able to pass the entrance exam for Shiratorizawa but that was okay, he’d been entranced with Karasuno since he was five. Karasuno High was a school known for its, currently dying, music and arts program. It was a school that specifically targeted exceptional musicians and artists. Kageyama was almost nervous to go to the new school, to see everyone and their talents. He had a nasty habit of comparing himself to everyone and then overworking himself to the point of exhaustion.
Kageyama prided himself in being a diverse musician. He could play many instruments including, but not limited to, the piano, the flute, the drums, both a bass guitar and an electric guitar, and the violin. Those are most of the ones he had mastered while he had also dabbled in the accordion and the trumpet, those were definitely not his favorites.
He was happiest playing the flute and the piano. He loved the way the instruments flowed and how melodic they sounded. He loved the push and pull of the music, the way he could manipulate the notes and the meaning of the piece he was playing. He loved that he could improvise with these instruments, try things that weren’t written and make something fabulous out of it. He could go on tangents and play whatever his heart desired and the music would still sound graceful and beautiful under his talented, practiced hands.
Today was the day he would finally see his new high school. His first day at a school with one of the best music departments around. To say he was nervous was a heavy understatement, but, at the same time, he couldn’t wait another second. He wanted to see everything the school had to offer, all the clubs and activities he could be involved in as well as the regular curriculum that he hopefully wouldn’t have a hard time with.
He knew he wanted to join a band, he just didn’t know which. He’s thinking maybe an orchestra where he could be the first seat flautist or a jazz band that puts emphasis on his nimble fingers and the flow of the piano. He wanted to join a club that would play to his strong suits where he could use one of his favorite instruments, although any band would really work.
He woke up extra early on his first day so that he could get to the school and check out all the clubs that were offered and join the one that excited him the most. He knew being in a band or a music club would be a lot of work and take up a lot of his time but he was willing to sacrifice the time and put in the work so that he could be the best (he didn’t want to think about the fall his grades could have if he did go through with all of this, or the impact they would have on said club or band).
Throughout his journey searching for the perfect club before school starts (which was quite a long and hard one because apparently he wasn’t the only one that had the amazing idea) he began to see a little orange blob in the corner of his vision. It wasn’t there all the time but he caught a glimpse of the moving bright color far more often than he would like. He could never quite place where the mysterious color came from and it was starting to unnerve him. Having such an unnatural color moving and following him almost as if it was walking around made him uneasy.
Finally, he found a club that peaked his interest. It was a jazz band which already made him happy but beyond that it didn’t seem to have many people involved. At least, not ones that were there right now. Now there were only three people inside, all guys with different demeanors. The silver haired guy was smiling so hard that his eyes squinted and was leaning heavily on a dark haired guy that was smiling softly down at him. The dark hard man had his arms crossed in a relaxed way and seemed to radiate confidence, he must be the leader of this little club. Another guy was standing a little ways off, he had a buzz cut and his hands were in his pockets, he was leaning against a wall and his head was nodding along to whatever was playing in his headphones. Overall it seemed like a chill group.
The room they were in was filled with all the instruments needed in a jazz band and they looked to be top quality as well. There was a whole line of saxophones hanging on a far wall that all looked shiny and bright like they were just polished. It pleased him that they didn’t have to supply their own instruments and that the instruments provided seemed to be new and clean. Even though his instrument would always be provided because no one expects anyone to lug a piano around, it pleased him for the other members.
“I want to join!”
Kageyama startled as a voice yelled behind him, an alarm immediately blaring in his head and his defensive walls going up and planting a scowl on his face. An orange blob ran past him excitedly and bounced on its toes as it went to talk to the two boys leaning against each other.
“Hiya! My name’s Hinata Shoyo! I really really want to join this club!” The blob - Hinata - said in a far too excited tone. This boy spoke with too many exclamation points. “Also! There’s another boy in the doorway that looks like he wants to join. He’s been standing there for a long time.” Hinata looked back at him and he glared. “Eep! He’s kinda scary!” Kageyama rolled his eyes and took a few steps forward.
“Kageyama Tobio, yes I want to join. I will play the piano and nothing else for this club.” He could play the other instruments, he’d tried them before and they were pretty easy but he was best at piano and wanted to assert his instrument preference right away.
“Hey! Don’t be rude, someone else could already play the piano for them, you know!” Hinata pouted and crossed his arms, reprimanding Kageyama. Kageyama had to resist the urge to roll his eyes and instead glared at the much shorter boy. The gray haired man smiled placatingly and spoke up.
“Actually, I play the piano for this club. My name is Sugawara Koushi and I’m a third year student here at Karasuno. I’ve been playing piano for the jazz club since my first year, but I’d be willing to give up my place if the leader and I decide you are good enough.” Suga’s smile turned sharp while the bald man scoffed. Kageyama took that as the challenge it was.
He took his time walking to the piano before gently sitting down and setting the bench how he likes it. He took a few deep breaths before delicately laying his fingers on the keys and starting to play. Everyone in the room held their breath.
No one will talk about what happens next, they all kept the moment close to their hearts and never told another soul what grand thing transpired.
Needless to say, Kageyama got the spot. He played piano for the jazz band throughout all his highschool years. There was always someone to take over if he was sick but he was their main pianist. He helped bring them to the national jazz fest three years in a row with Hinata being the primary saxophonist. And if the best any of them had heard him play was still that first time, no one mentioned it.
Over his highschool career he had many girls, and boys, fawning over his music. He was aware that he was talented but he also knew there was always room to improve. He would always try to make that room as little as possible but working day and night to improve was exhausting physically, emotionally, and mentally. He just wanted to relax.
Which is how he found himself leaning on Hinata’s shoulder on the bus ride to yet another competition while the energy ball played with his fingers and talked Kageyama’s ear off. It was peaceful for him, the constant touch of Hinata mindlessly playing with his hands and the reassurance of the shorty’s voice was soothing him and slowly pulling him into a calm sleep.
That day the group saw him at his best, even better than the first time he played for them.
It took him a while but soon he understood that just overworking himself wasn’t going to help his music. He needed to learn how to feel it, how to relax and make connections. Hinata brought a calm smoothness to his music that he never knew possible. Just being in the boys presence relaxed him and he couldn’t feel any more grateful.
Throughout the years he hardly noticed the increase in touch between them or the way their banter turned less harsh and more loving. He didn’t notice how is music changed from it but everyone who heard his fingers on the piano knew he was in love. By the end of third year, he did too.
It was after their last day of highschool before the two would split up for good and go on new adventures in their lives. Secretly, Kageyama hoped that he and the little orange head wouldn’t be parting ways but he knew that was foolish. They were walking home together like always but Kageyama was dragging his feet, purposely scuffing his shoes. Finally he cleared his throat.
“H-Hinata I-” but before he could get the words out Hinata interrupted him.
“I love you!” He blurted. “And I don’t want to leave you, but I know I have to. I-I want to make you happy, I want to keep making music with you! I- will you date me Kageyama Tobio?” Kageyama gasped and felt tears prick his eyes but decided to play them off.
“Of course I’ll date you, dumbass. You’re oblivious if you didn’t already know I love you.” Kageyama rolled his eyes and looked away from the shorter male so he couldn’t see his blush.
“What?!” Hinata cried indignantly. “How was I supposed to know?! You never told me, Bakayama!”
“Like I was going to confess to you short stack! You know I struggle with emotions and rejection! Just - urgh - just read my mind or something!” Kageyama yelled with a slight pout, he was annoyed that the ginger didn’t know he loved him.
“Wait … is that possible? Hold on.” Hinata stopped walking in the middle of the road and put his fingers to his temples. His eyes were closed tightly and his head was tilted towards the ground. Kageyama waited for a long moment in amusement. “Hmph! I can’t hear anything! Your brain must be empty Bakayama!” Kageyama scoffed.
“Impossible.”
“It is possible because I can’t hear anything!” Hinata yells and stamps his foot in frustration.
“Impossible.” Kageyama says again with a small cheeky smile. Hinata was about to retort when he continued. “Because it’s filled with thoughts of you. Of how adorable you are when you’re concentrating on a test. How you close your eyes when you play the sax. How you let me use you as a human pillow. How I love when you card your fingers through my hair and when you whisper sweet nothings to me. The only thing I’m thinking about is you, and how much I love you, shorty.” Hinata was bawling by the end of Kageyama's speech and was clinging to Kageyama tightly.
They stand hugging in the middle of the street for many minutes after.