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It has been 3 days since Atsumu‘s ‘official’ death.
Sakusa doesn’t know how to feel. The days after Atsumu’s death were long and gloomy. Practice just wasn’t the same as it used to be. Hinata and Bokuto’s energy were non-existent and their abilities have worsened.
It just all seemed so… unreal. Atsumu wasn’t supposed to die like this. He had barely lived his life!
But Sakusa knew something just seemed… off. A few weeks before Atsumu’s ‘death’, he had gone missing. The police had searched everywhere for him and the MSBY team had kept up high hopes. However, soon, as days turned into weeks, the police concluded that Atsumu was probably dead. They said that they had tried their hardest but there was no way that they could find him. The evidence was insufficient.
Sakusa was usually pessimistic but this time, he disagrees. He believes that Atsumu was still alive. Somewhere. They haven't found Atsumu’s dead body so they cannot just assume that he’s dead. But that’s how most disappearance cases end. The police never find them so they just assume they’re dead.
Sakusa wants to prove them wrong. The media agrees with him too. There were still rumours floating around that perhaps Atsumu faked his death. Maybe he was sick of the attention from the public and having his life invaded by paparazzis and just hid away.
It wasn’t a bad theory. There were definitely weirder theories going around like maybe Atsumu was kidnapped and held for ransom. Sakusa thought that particular theory was stupid. If he really was held for ransom, then the kidnappers would’ve contacted anyone Atsumu knew ages ago.
Even though Sakusa had no proof, he was keen on his ideas of Atsumu still being alive somewhere.
Practice was over. Sakusa walked down the street as a bunch of photographers and interviewers came and flooded him.
“There he is! Sir! Sakusa-san! What do you think about Miya Atsumu’s death?”
Sakusa ignored them. They were a bother. They always came and swarmed him, Bokuto or Hinata asking the same question every time.
He walked faster down the street and the reporters followed him like stray puppies. “Sir! Are you happy about Miya Atsumu’s death?”
That stops Sakusa in his tracks. He looked at the reporter through glaring eyes. The reporter backed up, regret building on his face.
“Why would I be?” He said in a monotone voice.
“T-that’s not an answer!” This reporter really had the nerve.
“Stupid questions get stupid answers.” Sakusa retorted and continued his walk. The reporters didn’t follow him. Maybe they finally got the hint.
The apartment was cold when Sakusa got inside. He felt a buzz from a notification on his phone. It was his manager.
(18:09) be careful of the things you say to reporters.
[link attached]
Sakusa tapped on the link. It better not be something about those weird-ass reporters who followed him home.
It was.
The link led him to an online news story about Sakusa’s views on Atsumu’s death.
The headline was titled: STAR VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SAKUSA KIYOOMI EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS ON HIS FORMER TEAMMATE’S DEATH
The whole article rambled on about how Sakusa didn’t like Atsumu and that perhaps he killed Atsumu. It showed a recording of what Sakusa said to the reporters.
What a whole load of bullshit.
The people who made the article literally wrote it in under the 5 minutes it took for Sakusa to walk home. These people really have no lives.
Sakusa frowned. He texted his manager.
(18:11) Sorry. I didn’t like the reporters following me and got upset. It won’t happen again.
The reply was instant.
(18:11) it is ok. i know that Atsumu-san’s death has taken a huge toll on you as he was your teammate. Don’t beat yourself up about it too much.
Sakusa sighed and went onto twitter. The best information app ever. That was a lie. However, twitter was good at spreading news.
Sakusa tapped out a quick tweet.
@sakusa_kiyoomi
This is a not true.
[link attached]
I am of course upset about Miya Atsumu’s death and I think some people are really insensitive about others. What kind of person asks another person if they are happy that their friend died?
That should do the trick, Sakusa thinks. And turns off his phone. He could already hear the notifications on his phone even though it wasn’t turned on.
He looked outside his window and saw the pretty sunset outside. Damn it. Where are you, Miya Atsumu?
Sakusa opened his eyes wearily. He must’ve fallen asleep… on the couch. The sun had disappeared and in its place was a dark sky with the moon. Just how long did he sleep for?
There was a constant knocking sound from his door - that was probably what woke him up. He slid off the couch into a standing position and his legs were stiff and aching.
The knocking sound continued and Sakusa found himself to be irritated by it. Who in the right mind has the audacity to knock on someone’s door in the middle of the night?
He got up to the door and swung it open aggressively. There, standing behind the doorway was Miya. Osamu Miya. Sakusa thought that he was Atsumu for a split second but his hair wasn’t the same color as his brother’s.
Osamu looked tired. There were little dark semi circles under his eyes and his posture lacked uniformity. But it wasn’t a surprise since his brother had been announced dead a couple days ago.
“Hello.” Osamu greeted. He looked at Sakusa through glassy eyes. “Sorry did I wake ya up from sleeping?”
Sakusa just looked at him back. “It’s fine. What do you want?” He tried to be polite but there was a slight venom in his words.
“Can we talk?”
Sakusa raised his brow. The brother of Miya Atsumu wanted to talk to him? For what?
“Sure. Come in.”
Osamu walked in and sat on one of the wooden chairs around the dinner table. Sakusa sat on the chair opposite him.
“I’m going to tell ya something very important.” Osamu says at last.
“What?”
“Ya have to promise me ya won’t tell anyone.”
“Tell me what it is first, then I’ll decide.” Sakusa replied.
“It’s about ‘tsumu.”
Those words made Sakusa shiver. “I won’t tell anyone.” He promised.
“Sure?”
“Yes.”
Osamu sighed. “Atsumu is still alive.”
Sakusa’s eyes widened. A whole lot of emotions rushed through him as he tried to process those words. “What? He- Where is he now?”
Osamu shook his head. “He’s living with me currently.”
“Why?” Sakusa asked. “And why did he fake his death?” Sakusa knew he needed to stay calm but he could feel the anger and frustration bubbling up inside him.
“It’s complicated.”
“That’s the answer you’re going to give me?!” Now Sakusa was really angry.
“We didn’t have a choice.” Osamu laid his head on the table and closed his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you if you’re willing to listen.”
“We’ve got the time.” Sakusa replied briskly.
“Do you remember how Atsumu a couple days before Atsumu went ‘missing’?” Osamu asks.
Sakusa tried to think back. “He was all sad and negative.”
“Right.” Osamu said. “And do you know what he did on the day he was missing?”
“No.” Sakusa said. He didn’t know what Osamu was trying to imply. “He wasn’t at practice?”
“He tried to end his life.”
Sakusa stared at him, frozen in shock. What. He did what?
“Oh my.” Sakusa said. He could barely get the words out his throat. “Is he ok?”
“Now?” Osamu asks. “He’s doing ok. I just didn’t want the media finding out what he did at his most vulnerable times. Who knows what they will do?”
"Why did you tell me out of all people?”
“Dunno.” Was Osamu’s reply. “‘Tsumu wanted me to tell you first. Apparently your other teammates have loudmouths or something.”
Sakusa thought for a moment. “Can I visit him?”
“Sure. Let's go.”
They left the apartment building and walked on the street. The night had taken over the sky with a blanket of darkness and the moon was barely in sight.
They stopped in front of a small house - the house where Osamu lived. He unlocked the door with a key and they entered.
The hallway was lit by a dull fluorescent light which flickered occasionally.
When they entered the supposed living room, there was a man lounging on the couch, scrolling on his phone. He didn’t look at Osamu or Sakusa as they entered.
“Welcome home, Osamu.” Suna said, eyes still glued to the screen. “Brought a visitor?”
“I’m Sakusa Kiyoomi.” Sakusa said. That’s when Suna finally looked up.
“Ah. Part of the Black Jackals? Atsumu’s team?”
“Yeah ya idiot.” Osamu said to Suna. “I already told ya this before.”
Suna sat back and shrugged. It was obvious he didn’t listen to what Osamu had said before. He went back to scrolling and tapping his phone.
Osamu turned to Sakusa. “Tsumu is upstairs. I think he’s sleeping. Do you want me to wake him up for you?“
“No it’s fine.” Sakusa said. “I can wait.”
Osamu nodded and sat down on the couch next to Suna.
A couple minutes later, footsteps could be heard from the stairway. “Samu?” Atsumu’s bleary voice echoed into the room.
Sakusa couldn’t believe it. Atsumu was very much alive. He didn’t know what to expect. He thought that Osamu was tricking him but Atsumu was actually alive. He was.
Atsumu froze when he saw Sakusa. “Omi-Omi?” His voice was weak, vulnerable, and fragile.
“Miya.”
Atsumu went up to Sakusa and hugged him. Sakusa didn’t resist. After all, how could he? Sakusa didn’t move because he didn’t want to risk Atsumu breaking a million pieces. He just stood there, feeling the warmth of the hug and thinking to himself: Atsumu is alive.
Finally, Atsumu spoke up again. “I missed ya, Omi.” He whispered. His voice was hoarse but Sakusa could hear Atsumu’s words clearly.
“I missed you too.” Sakusa said, wrapping his arms around Atsumu.
Atsumu was sobbing now, big fat tears rolling down his cheeks. But Sakusa didn’t say anything. He didn’t care if he got his jacket a little wet if it meant that Atsumu was still here.
“Omi. I love ya.” Atsumu admitted. “I’ve thought of ya everyday since the incident. I’m sorry my actions made it so that we aren’t together.”
“It’s okay.” Sakusa soothed. “It’s going to be okay.” Sakusa even didn’t believe his own words but it seemed to have calmed Atsumu down.
They stayed there, in Osamu’s house as the sun rose, because Atsumu wanted Sakusa to stay with him. Sakusa didn’t have it in his heart to refuse.
“How am I meant to tell the public?” Atsumu asked Sakusa. He had stopped crying long ago and the only evidence left was his tear stained face.
“You don’t have to right now if you don’t want to.”
“But the longer I leave it, the bigger the consequences right?”
“Then do it.”
“But I don’t wanna.”
“Then make up your mind.”
Atsumu pushed Sakusa. “Meanie.”
“It’s ok. It doesn't matter what you do. All that matters is that you’re safe.”
“I love ya omi.”
“I love you too, Atsumu.”