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"You're going where?"
"Rio," Hinata flinches, noticing how his voice was smaller than intended. He takes a step forward, eyes squaring up to meet Kageyama's as his fists curl a little tighter on his sides. "As in, Brazil."
Kageyama's heart sinks down to his stomache.
The thing is, he knows that one day he'll have to part ways with everyone from Karasuno. To leave his precious volleyball team behind and pursue the career he's always dreamed of, to become a professional volleyball athlete and participate in even greater matches against even greater players. Everyone has their own lives and goals to chase, after all. Even Kageyama. It's just – has it really been 3 years? Is it really the time to say good bye already?
"I'll still beat you!" As if reading Kageyama's mind, Hinata's sudden declaration actually calmed Kageyama down a bit. At least he knows they'll still cross paths in the future, right? Still, Kageyama couldn't help but feel a little unsure.
"Dumbass," He snorts. "You can't even go running without losing your way back-"
"That was two years ago! You think I'd get lost in a foreign country and miss the chance to play against you some day? As if! "
Ah, there it is, the spark that appears whenever Hinata is determined to achieve something, ready to devote his entire life doings for it - to beat Kageyama in volleyball one day. It's not that Kageyama doubts him, he knows how hard Hinata had practiced and worked his butt off to stand where he is now (if the growing muscles on his arms and thighs aren't any evidence, of course. it's not like Kageyama admits he has caught himself staring at Hinata one or two times before) and it only pushes him further to becoming the best of the best in volleyball. He happily lets Hinata view him as a friend, partner, rival - whatever he wants. As long as they get to play, with or against each other.
Kageyama must've been out of it for too long, as he didn't realize how Hinata strode forwards and is now only a mere distance away from him. From here, Kageyama could see the details in Hinata's features; how the length of his tangerine hair sways against his face, his brown eyes gazing up at Kageyama's own pair of eyes, how each individual lash on his eyes flutter as it's being caressed by the evening wind, the thin of his lips pulled in a straight line to form a serious and firm expression. The dip on his neck disappearing under the collar of his jacket. They both stood still, looking at each other. Hinata is the first to break the silence.
"Um... you know, Kageyama-kun," and suddenly the serious look on Hinata's face is gone, replaced with one filled with sincere adoration. It makes Kageyama's chest thump. "We've been playing volleyball for a while now, and I've met so many great players on the way," Hinata's smile widens by a fraction as he continues, "To think I was able to play against them, to feel the thrill of both winning and losing, it's all very memorable to me."
If there's one thing Kageyama likes about Hinata, it's the way this guy never, literally ever, gives up.
Hinata may not be the best in terms of strength and intelligence on the court, but he has the stamina and mentality that keeps him moving forward. Sure, he gets overpowered by many players who are at least two feet taller than him, but that doesn't stop him from playing more, to keep pushing himself over and over until he finally feels satisfied–
"Hey, Kageyama... "
This time, Hinata's expression shifts once again. He looks at everywhere but Kageyama, his fingers rubbing against the hem of his jacket with a light flush on his cheeks, whether it be from the cold gust of wind on the park or from something else. Hinata looks almost adorable like this, just almost, Kageyama thinks.
"No matter how awesome everyone is, you're... you-you're still the coolest to me!"
You're still the coolest to me.
"S-so! I'll play against you one day, but you still have to promise to toss to me one day too! even if- even if it takes several more years, I want to hit the ball from your toss one more time–"
I want to hit your tosses once again, even if it takes years for that to happen.
"But still, I have to beat you first! We'll play against each other, and then maybe after that we can meet up and you can toss to me–"
And before Hinata could even finish his sentence, Kageyama is pulling him in for a hug.
Idiot. Stop talking.
(Read: please stop, you're making my chest squeeze like crazy and I don't know why I feel this way.)
If there's one more thing Kageyama likes about Hinata, is how blunt and honest he is.
Kageyama likes being praised. The excitement pooling in his belly whenever he tosses the ball just right, aiming it right in front of those small, calloused palms belonging to a certain redhead, the slap of skin on the ball and the noise it makes as it lands on the opposing side, the way his teammates cheered at him. Yet none of that feels the same way how Hinata praises him, all smiles and genuine adoration bubbling up and forming words like that was awesome, Kageyama! That toss was insane! The ball went into my arms perfectly!
No.
No one makes him feel as giddy as Hinata Shouyou does. No one no one makes him feel this way like Hinata does.
He'd spent almost three years playing alongside Hinata. And coming to a realization that they're about to separate soon leaves such a bitter feeling deep inside of him (although, he'd rather have a volleyball hit him square in the face at a speed of fifty miles per hour than having to admit such sentimentality right in front of Hinata's face).
Still, the ache in Kageyama's chest is there and it's real. There's no point in denying how he feels.
The arm around Hinata's shoulders is pulling the boy closer, ever so slightly, so that he's pressed against Kageyama's chest more firmly. The other arm stays flat against his side, unsure of what to do with it. Kageyama could feel Hinata stiffen, yet it didn't take long for him to hesitantly grab both of Kageyama's sides, as if trying to return the hug. It's awkward, the way the hug feels really loose. But somehow, Kageyama finds it pleasant the way Hinata fits just right between the curl of his arm. He tries to ignore the way his other arm tries to make its way behind Hinata's back. The boy in his embrace (no, this is not an embrace. It is but a friendly hug shared among normal friends) felt very warm against his chest. Somehow, Kageyama could feel Hinata smiling like an idiot on his right shoulder as he softly breathes against it. His bright orange hair tickles his cheek.
"You know, Kageyama - erm, Tobio... You could just say that you'll miss me."
Miss him? Hell. Of course I'll miss you.
"Shut up, dumbass," he opts to say instead, though his voice was surprisingly much softer this time. Kageyama is not sure what words might come out his mouth with the bright red coloring the tips of his ears, "I won't miss your loud and obnoxious self clinging to me all the time." No. I'll absolutely miss having you around me all the time.
"Obnoxious? Tobio-kun! You're learning something new everyday!"
And that little tease was enough for Kageyama to push himself off from Hinata to flick on the boy's forehead, Hinata's bubbling laughter following soon after. Kageyama finds himself smiling. He hopes Hinata doesn't notice.
They shared one last talk before deciding that they should probably go home and rest for tomorrow's practice. It was getting pretty late, the orange hue on the sky has already darkened. Hinata walks away from Kageyama, hands already finding itself on the handle of his bike and Kageyama suddenly feels a lump forming in his throat, that same unpleasant feeling when he couldn't say something without-
Before he knew it, Kageyama's already turning around to call out to Hinata.
"Oi,"
Hinata turns, face looking up as he eyes Kageyama curiously, waiting for what the taller boy has to say. Hinata swallows. Kageyama does the same. Then, he speaks, just loud enough for both to hear,
"...You're right. I'll probably miss you, too."
A good second has passed before Hinata suddenly lets go of his bike, letting it fall to the ground with a loud crash before he's running up towards Kageyama at record speed-
And then's he's throwing his whole body against Kageyama's, arms desperately pulling him in for a hug.
This time, it's different. He catches Hinata as if he was prepared for the impact, one hand securing itself behind Hinata's nape (the tips of his fingers are tangled between Hinata's hair, and it feels so soft Kageyama just wants to caress it) and the other arm holds Hinata's back this time, fingers actually clutching against the boy's jacket. This time, it isn't an awkward hug. It feels soft and sincere, like he has waited all his life to hug Hinata like this, and Hinata is clutching against Kageyama tightly like he might fall if he didn't hold onto him. Who cares if this isn't what friends do, who cares if there are a few students looking at them, all Kageyama cares is that if this was going to be the first and last time he's ever going to hug Hinata before separating for god knows how long, he's making this hug worth it.
Suddenly, there's something damp forming on his shoulder. Hinata sniffles, and Kageyama stills.
Hinata is crying.
Kageyama only hugs him tighter. The hand on Hinata's nape moves to cradle the boy's head gently.
Hinata's sobs were quiet, contrary to the usual Hinata who's always so loud when on the court. Kageyama tells him it's okay, to let it out because it might make him feel better. Hinata does, crying into broad shoulders as Kageyama holds him through the rest of it. Stupid Kageyama. Was that so hard to say? He feels Hinata whisper against his body, half laughing and half sobbing. When Hinata calms down, sobs decreasing in volume, Kageyama still keep his arms wrapped around Hinata. "Idiot. You don't have to cry. Of course I'll miss you, Shou." He mutters against the boy's soft, ginger hair. He feels Hinata giggle in response. "Bakageyama. I know. I'll miss you too, obviously. And your tosses. But you, most importantly."
They ended up going home when the sky has turned completely dark already, stars appearing in its wake. Kageyama ended up walking Hinata home, because apparently an idiot decides to just drop his bike against the concrete grounds, hard enough for the handle to split in half. Kageyama insists on walking him home because what if you had to walk home alone and started crying again on the streets and caught a cold? At that, Hinata snorts at him and laughs. Though Kageyama didn't miss the way Hinata's cheeks slightly reddened in color. Maybe he feels his own face heating up, too.
The walk towards Hinata's house was comfortable. They didn't talk much, but the silence was pleasant. By the time they reached their destination, Hinata thanks Kageyama with a playful jab on his arm. Kageyama glares, but there was no actual heat behind it. As Kageyama prepares to leave, Hinata's suddenly tugging at his shirt. When he turns, Hinata raises his arms, displaying a pinky finger in front of their faces as if to say come on Kageyama, let's make a promise.
"What are you, a five-year-old?"
"Come on, Cranky-yama. I want you to promise me something."
Kageyama sighs. He brings his pinky up to hook around Hinata's, and if Hinata was smiling wide enough already, it impossibly got even wider.
"Kageyama Tobio-kun, from this day on, you have to promise me that one day we'll see each other again. Even if we're thousands of kilometers apart, I will find you again, and you'll find me. You have to promise me that one day, we'll see each other again and we'll play against each other. One day, you will toss to me again. How many years it's gonna take, we will see each other again and play lots and lots of volleyball."
If there's one thing Kageyama likes about Hinata, it's Hinata himself.
Kageyama smiles, a bright, genuine and challenging grin, and takes on Hinata's promise.
"Yeah. One day, we will play against each other. And I'm gonna toss to you again. No matter how far apart we are, how long it takes,"
If it meant finding Hinata again, Kageyama will keep this promise.
"-I will find you again. And I will win against you!"
"Hey! Not if I beat you first!"
They chase each other around after that, and Kageyama didn't even realize he was laughing. Maybe waiting for Hinata would be worth it. They finally stopped bickering as Hinata enters his house, waving at him.
"Thanks, for everything, Kageyama. I'll see you tomorrow at practice!"
"Yeah. See you tomorrow." He waves back.
Someday, someone even stronger than you will come and find you. Those were the exact words mentioned by his late grandfather. And of course that someone just had to be Hinata Shouyou, the boy with stark orange hair, uplifting smile, and endless charisma. Hinata Shouyou, the boy who made him promise to find him, to play with and against, some day in the future.
Maybe, Kageyama doesn't have to worry about losing a partner anymore. Because he knows, he'll always find his way back to Hinata Shouyou; his rival, his friend, his partner.
For once, Kageyama Tobio, felt like he was no longer alone.
That night, Kageyama returned home with his whole body feeling warm, and face wet from what must be his own tears.