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Tobio takes a bite of the meat bun he is holding as he watches the rain hammer down violently. He had been walking home alongside Hinata, when the rain suddenly became torrential. He's thankful that Hinata had actually taken some initiative for once, and dragged them out of the downpour.
So here they were sat, on a sheltered wall hiding from the rain. They’re just outside of the store that they regularly visit after practice - it sells good meat buns. Muscles were aching and tired, after just finishing their very first practice of their third year.
Third year.
It was weird to think about how fast time passes but also how fast it doesn't. Tobio's time at Karasuno so far had flown past but similarly, felt like an entire lifetime. He knows he has a whole year ahead of him yet, but today felt like reading the first page of the last chapter of a great book.
He stares at Hinata now, briefly thinking about how much he's changed since that first day of first year, where the two of them had ended up in a screaming match and knocked off the vice principal's toupee.
In some ways, he hasn't changed at all. Still loud. Still impulsive. Still chatty and brimming with energy and unbelievably determined.
But he's also grown up a little bit. He's a little taller, a little broader, hair is a little longer. He has moments of calm maturity, like when he's speaking to their underclassmen.
If he was his first year self right now, he'd have meat bun crumbs all around his mouth and sauce covering his fingers. But Tobio's watching him now and his face and hands are perfectly clean, as he eats far more carefully than he would've back then.
He's definitely grown up in a few ways, and Tobio's sure that people would say the same about him too.
A chuckle escapes Hinata's lips then, pulling Tobio momentarily out of his head.
"What?" Tobio asks, narrowing his eyes at Hinata's expression.
His eyebrow is lifted and his mouth is quipped up in amusement.
"You were totally spacing out on me. Unlike you to be thinking so hard." Hinata says with a laugh.
Tobio clicks his tongue in minor irritation before answering.
"Just thinking about us being third years now." He mumbles.
Hinata's smile softens at that, like he wasn't expecting that answer. Tobio supposes it isn’t like him to be thinking of anything sentimental to any degree, but he guesses he can forgive himself for this. Karasuno had been a big change in his life and he is grateful for his time there. It’s natural to feel something over the fact that today marked the beginning of the end.
"Yeah. It's weird isn't it? Feels like it's come around so fast but then at the same time, middle school feels like a total lifetime away." He says. Tobio just nods, not wanting to admit that Hinata had basically just summed up his exact internal monologue.
"It was nice though, meeting all the new first year players today. They seem keen. And how great is Yamaguchi as a captain? He's totally made for it, he's great with them all." Hinata says, and there's a fondness in his face as he speaks about Yamaguchi. He’s probably thinking just how much he’s also grown since their first year. Who once was a weak and frightened boy, is now a strong, confident player and leader.
He was certainly made for the role, he was the perfect balance of kindness and sternness, just like how Daichi had been with them back in first year.
Although Tobio agrees, the mention of the captain makes his stomach twist unpleasantly, as it makes him remember a conversation he had with said captain earlier in the day. A conversation he was trying to not think about and push to the back of his head.
He shivers then, a mixture of remembering the proposal the captain had placed on him earlier and because of his damp jacket. They hadn't completely avoided the rain, so both of them were sat in the wet.
"Are you cold?" Hinata asks. He's peering at him with that sickening look of something like concern.
Tobio just peels his jacket off, placing it to the side of him. He brings his knees up to his chest, pulling his arms around his knees to warm himself up.
"No." He lies.
Hinata just rolls his eyes before he chews on his lip thoughtfully, as if he's thinking hard about what he's going to say next.
"You know, normally on the first day, the captain chooses a vice captain."
Tobio bristles at that.
Of course he would mention that.
"Strange that they didn't announce today who it was."
Tobio just shrugs, eyes trained on the ground. He'd prefer if they didn't venture into this conversation topic, but Hinata will never let something go, once he’s begun.
There’s a beat of silence. Tobio gets the impression that Hinata already knows what happened and is just trying to make him talk.
"I saw Yamaguchi talking to you earlier." Hinata says in a straight forward matter now.
Tobio sighs not really willing to talk about this with Hinata. He then thinks back to the conversation he had with Yamaguchi earlier.
The second and third years had arrived early, beginning to warm up before the first years were due to arrive. Chatter filled the gym, as everyone began to catch up after the break. They were excitedly talking about the new school year and what was to come.
Tobio had been stretching when Yamaguchi had tapped him on the shoulder, beckoning him to follow him out the door.
"Can we talk?" Yamaguchi asks, with that usual smile on his face.
"Sure." Tobio says with a nod, not really knowing why Yamaguchi had wanted to talk to him in private. They were definitely more friendly nowadays - all of them were. Himself, Hinata, Yamaguchi, Yachi and even Tsukishima had kinda cemented themselves together as a group. Tobio supposes it was inevitable after being around each other for so long.
Even so, the two of them never really hung out nor spoke privately, so this conversation seemed to be something more professional. Something related to volleyball, which makes Tobio feel nervous.
"I'm just going to get straight to it so I don't keep you for too long. Obviously, I'm captain now which I'm still trying to wrap my head around if I'm honest. But as a captain, I have the honour of sharing that duty with a vice captain. And at Karasuno, we have always let our captains pick their own vice. So...I'm asking you. I'd really like it if you were my vice captain, Kageyama."
Tobio feels his stomach twist. He just blinks in surprise, hoping that his mouth isn't ogling in shock.
Him? And not Hinata? Even Tsuki?
Yamaguchi seems to pick up on the surprise as he continues.
"Look, I know you probably didn't expect this but I think you'd be great. You have some qualities that me, Hinata nor Tsuki possess and I think that would come in really useful. There's no pressure, it's totally up to you, but yeah. I thought I'd at least have a go with asking you." Yamaguchi says, his face softening to something more gentle.
Tobio just feels swallowed up by doubt and uncertainty.
"I don't know..." He mumbles, pushing his hands into his pockets.
"Well, I don't need an answer right now. Have a think, and give me an answer when you've decided." The captain says reassuringly. He gives a gentle clap on the back to Tobio, before heading back inside, leaving Tobio alone.
He's pulled back to the present as Hinata nudges him gently to get his attention.
He knows there's no point lying - Hinata already knows, he just wants to hear it from Tobio, himself. It wouldn't surprise him if Hinata had put Yamaguchi up to this.
Idiot.
"Yamaguchi asked me to be vice captain."
Hinata's face breaks out in a grin as he looks expectantly.
"And you said?" He asks, leaning forwards.
"I wasn't sure." Tobio mumbles.
Hinata squints then, leaning back. He crosses his arms almost looking...annoyed?
"You didn't say yes? Why?" He demands.
"Because it makes no sense! You're the one who's good with all the younger players. You're the one who all of them flock to and hang around. You're the one who can actually talk to them and support them and give them advice. Even Tsukishima for god's sake would know how to handle the new first year's better than me!" Tobio snaps then, annoyed at Hinata's tone. He had no right acting like Tobio's crazy to think this way when it's just common knowledge.
Hinata sighs then, but the irritation melts away from his face.
"That's not...that's not all there is to being vice captain. It's not like you'll suddenly be responsible for all the kids on the team. That's Ukai and Takeda's job. Sure, some kids might come and ask you for advice, I know I certainly bombarded Sugawara with questions back in first year, but if you don't know what to do, all you have to do is pass it on to Yamaguchi. Or any of us. And we'll help. There's other stuff to being vice that you're perfectly capable of. Helping coach with game plans and leading warm ups; Yamaguchi even admitted that he probably lacks in those areas. It's not like you'd have a huge amount of responsibility dumped on you, you would be able to find what you can help with and what you can't." Hinata says honestly.
Tobio glances at him then, and Hinata gives him an annoyingly reassuring smile.
"There's stuff that you do that me and Tsuki can't. We thought it would be nice having someone like you as vice captain for the first years to look up to. You know, not everyone is great at working in a team or being cooperative and they find that frustrating. And if anyone knows what it's like to feel that way, it's you. I mean, you say the younger players flock to me, but what about Shoji?" Hinata asks.
Shoji was a first year, now a second year - a pretty withdrawn kid, who didn't seem to click with the other first years when he first joined. It's like he couldn't really verbalise what he thought all the time, so instead would leave it unsaid. One day that frustration built and caused a bit of an argument amongst the first years.
It was something little...childish...petty. Tobio of all people would understand. Shoji must have picked that up too, because he came to him of all people, asking what he should do.
They were different, but Tobio could see his younger self at least a little bit in him. He gave him some advice, albeit a bit stiff and awkward, and within a few days, Shoji was starting to communicate a lot better. He also became friendlier with his other first year team mates. Seeing that unfold had definitely made Tobio more relieved than he would refuse to admit to anyone.
"I guess..." Tobio mumbles, still unsurely.
"It sets an example to those kids that you can learn to be apart of a team. And I know you think you suck at advice and stuff, but clearly what you said helped Shoji, and there's bound to be a kid like that again amongst the new first years too. You can understand them on a level that none of us can. And like I said earlier, it's not like you're suddenly going to have a ton of responsibility dumped on you. Of course it's still an important role, but Yamaguchi is going to have the brunt of responsibility out of the two of you, and above all, the hard stuff is going to be dealt with by Coach and Takeda." Hinata says.
Tobio just swallows, eyes flickering down doubtfully, as he recalls another reason which has been putting him off from accepting the offer.
"What?" Hinata asks, reading his expression, worry lacing its way into his voice.
"It's not exactly like I have a history of being good at holding roles of responsibility." He mumbles, feeling embarrassed to admit it out loud. He momentarily thinks that Hinata might not even know what he's referring to, but as astute as ever, he watches as the smaller boy's eyes widen in realisation.
"Middle school." Hinata breathes out.
Tobio nods his head slowly.
It's silent then for a little bit, the only sound being the rain hitting the ground. It was still coming down pretty fast, but had slowed down at least a little than when they had first got here.
"What, you think that holding a position of responsibility is suddenly going to make you turn all egocentric again? That was years ago, you're not like-."
"You wouldn't get it." Tobio interrupts. He places his hands down from his knees and lets his legs dangle from the wall.
"What wouldn't I get?" Hinata asks and there's a slight edge to his voice. And he has that competitive glare in his eye, likes he's challenging Tobio.
Tobio sighs.
"I was a shit captain. It was kinda just a thing at Kitagawa that the captain role would go to whoever was considered the "most advanced player." It didn't matter if they completely lacked in leadership qualities, like I clearly did. I just barked orders at everyone, pushing them, being demanding. I thought that the Captain label gave me reason to be like that. And I know, I don't have that attitude anymore, but clearly I'm not made to have a position of responsibility, there's evidence to back that up. I've had my taste of it and it isn't something I'd particularly like to try again."
Hinata's face falls at that which unsettles Tobio ever so slightly.
There's a beat of quiet as Hinata tries to piece together a response.
"Look...nobody's going to force you and it's fine to say no if you really don't want to. But I think there's some part of you deep down that wants to. If there wasn't, you would've just denied Yamaguchi's offer flat out. I wouldn't bother pushing so hard, if I knew there was no chance you'd do it. You're not that fourteen year old anymore. I know...I don't know a whole lot about whatever happened back then, but clearly you were working through a lot. You were angry and upset, but you're not anymore. Not really. You've got passed all that and we think you're perfectly capable of this. And don't you think it would be nice to have a positive experience of being a captain?" Hinata asks.
He's got such a genuine expression; Tobio wants to curse him for being so convincing. He feels his face redden at the way Hinata is just spurting out all this stuff about him, having the audacity to look so honest about it all.
A raindrop falls from above them then, falling straight onto Tobio's forehead. He can see Hinata's eyes tracking it as it begins to fall down the bridge of his nose.
"Might give you some kind of closure from middle school." Hinata adds softly, as he leans in slightly. He reaches forwards and gently brushes the raindrop away from Tobio's nose. Tobio audibly swallows, his face warming up even more at the gesture.
Hinata leans back again then, seemingly oblivious to his reaction. His eyebrows furrow in thought. Tobio takes a deep breath before also taking a moment to digest his words, mulling over them all when suddenly he picks up on something.
"You said ‘We.’" He states.
Hinata's eyes snap up, head cocking to the side in confusion.
"Huh?" He asks looking lost.
"You said 'We think' multiple times...so you and Yamaguchi have discussed this already...together?" Tobio asks.
Hinata sighs, looking ever so slightly embarrassed, as he realises he's dropped himself in it.
"Well...yeah."
"When? And what did you say?" Tobio pushes, eager to know.
"Does it even really matter?" Hinata mumbles. He receives a glare from Tobio, which tells him yes, it matters , so he begins to explain.
"It was somewhere near the end of second year, right after he found out he'd be captain, he came to me upfront and told me that he was having a hard time with choosing a vice captain. He had explained Tsukishima had no interest in it, not that he had ever considered Tsuki seriously for the role anyways. And he told me that he was considering asking you. So there you have it confirmed that it was not me who fed this idea to Yamaguchi, because I know that's what you're thinking." Hinata starts, nudging Tobio slightly. Tobio rolls his eyes at the older boy's ability to see through him but let's Hinata continue.
"He asked me if it would bother me if you were vice. I mean, if I'd been offered the role, I would've taken it, you know I love helping the younger players, but I don't need the vice captain label stamped on me to do that. And plus, this year I need to focus even more on improving myself and getting stronger. It's not that I think vice captain would serve as a grand distraction from that...It's hard to explain, but I wouldn't mind either way. It's not like I had really thought about it that hard before at all. But when Yamaguchi mentioned you, it just...felt right. And we just talked it over honestly. I said that yeah, sometimes you're a little...well very, socially inept and you have a pretty terrifying smile..." Hinata trails off.
He prod the corner of Tobio's mouth, teasingly. Tobio quickly slaps his hand away, before muttering "You're so annoying."
A chuckle escapes Hinata's lips before he continues again, sincerity in his voice.
"But I think you'd be more help to some of the more reserved, younger players than you would think, and that you'd be great at helping come up with game rotations and plans. You know, the stuff I've already told you just now...I really think you should do it." Hinata says, giving a soft smile.
Tobio has to look away. It's too much hearing this come from Hinata's mouth, out of all people. But he supposes that this isn't exactly knew; Hinata had always been the first one to put absolute belief and trust in him.
Stupid Hinata. Saying stupidly nice things.
He closes his eyes, as he forces himself to mull it over.
Realistically, what is the worst that could happen? If he really didn't like it, then Hinata could just take over for him.
He thinks about Kazuyo then, his grandpa, what he would want him to do.
" You should give it a try, Tobio. It's always important to give things a go, even if you're not completely sure. How will you grow as a player...a person even, if you don't take risks? " He can picture him saying.
Tobio wants to place his head in his hands and just scream.
"But it doesn't really matter what I think, I guess. I mean at the end of the day, it's your decision to make. So if you really don't want to do it, you don't have to."
Tobio feels equally cursed by the orange haired boy who had stuck by his side for the last two years and the old man who had raised him. Whilst one has the brightest smile and possesses a sickening amount of optimism, the other had the most gentle eyes and the wisest of words.
It's like he's constantly being subjected to an angel and a devil on each of his shoulders whilst making decisions; except the angels’ side outnumbers the devil’s side, two to one.
"Fine, I'll do it." Tobio blurts out, to stop the inner moral dilemma he was having.
Hinata must've been in the middle of speaking, as Tobio's outburst cuts him off. The older boy looks at him with his mouth parted.
"What did you just say?" Hinata asks, slowly.
Tobio sighs.
" I said....I'll do it." He repeats in a mumble.
He watches as Hinata's eyes widen before he breaks out in a grin.
And suddenly he is flying at him, slinging his arms around him, at an attempt at a hug - it's a bit of an awkward angle considering both of them are sat down on the wall.
Tobio's eyes grow to the size of saucers as he feels his heartbeat in his throat.
Hinata's mumbling something, but he can't really hear considering his face is squashed right into his own shoulder. That realisation makes his face flame.
He feels his arms being awkwardly strangled, so he hesitantly places his hands on the square of Hinata's back, as he supposes, that's what you’re supposed to do when somebody hugs you.
Hinata leans back a little then, smiling up at him.
It's only seeing the look on Tobio's face (probably somewhere between horror, panic, embarrassment) that he realises what he's done.
Hinata's own eyes widen momentarily, and he's quick to let go of Tobio's neck, budging backwards to his original place on the wall.
His own cheeks have reddened and he chuckles nervously.
"Sorry, I got excited." He mumbles quickly, his own embarrassment evident.
"S'fine." Tobio replies just as quickly because it is fine...it should be fine.
Friends hug each other all the time. Hinata hugs people all the time; Tobio's seen Hinata tackle his class friends in hugs multiple times over the years. It's normal for Hinata.
But it's not normal for Tobio. Not normal for them.
He quickly shakes his head, pushing it to the back of his brain and shoving it in the metaphorical locked box, labelled "things to unlock and unpack at a much later time."
Hinata’s eyes wander out then, searching for a way to move the conversation along.
"It's stopped raining." Hinata says quietly.
Sure enough, the downpour had come to a stop, and the clouds were starting to clear.
"Mhm. We should probably get going then." Tobio says, as he hoists himself down from the wall. Hinata follows, picking up his bike, as they begin to walk in unison.
They walk in silence; it’s not really an awkward silence, rather a rare moment of the two of them being stuck in their thoughts.
“You are going to tell Yamaguchi tomorrow, right?” Hinata asks, face peering up at him.
“Yes, obviously.” Tobio replies, knowing he can’t exactly back out now or he’d never hear the end of it.
“Good, otherwise I would’ve never stayed for extra quick attack practice with you, ever again.” Hinata declares, amused grin on his face.
If there was any kind of awkwardness between them, it was definitely gone now.
“What, you were just going to blackmail me if I had changed my mind?” Tobio asks incredulously.
“Yep, exactly. I think that would’ve worked like a charm.”
Tobio clicks his tongue in irritation.
“I can’t believe you, you’re such an idiot. You wouldn’t have gone any longer than three days without begging me to send you some tosses anyways and you know it.” Tobio argues.
Hinata shrugs, looking like he’s trying to hold back laughter.
“I guess we’ll never know…” He starts, “but I totally would’ve lasted longer than that.”
“Right.” Tobio mumbles with an eye roll.
They both pause as they get to the turn off that Hinata goes up. Hinata doesn’t get on his bike just yet though, he looks expectantly at Tobio.
“Uh…thank you.” Tobio says then quietly. He doesn’t say what for, but he figures Hinata will understand because he just always does.
Hinata smiles and nods.
“No problem, vice captain.” Hinata says, as he leans forwards and prods Tobio’s chest with this new term of address.
Tobio raises an eyebrow at him in which Hinata respond by just chuckling.
“I suppose I can’t call you that just yet.” Hinata adds.
“Yet? I’d much prefer if you didn’t call me that at all.” Tobio mutters.
“We’ll see if it catches on I guess.” He grins. He hoists himself onto his bike then, getting ready to cycle off into the mountains.
“I’ll see you later then.” Hinata starts, as he goes to bike off.
“Uh…just be careful. You know when biking. I know it’s stopped raining, but the roads are still slippy.” Tobio finds himself saying.
Hinata turns back around, entertained look on his face.
“Wow ‘Yama, is that some concern I detect there?” He quips, teasingly.
Tobio feels his mouth draw into an embarrassed pout.
“Well I wouldn’t have to tell you if you weren’t such a clumsy idiot! You hurt yourself way more than the regular person!” Tobio throws back at him.
“Right…I’ll bike slower then. I’ll even send you a text when I get home since you’re sooooo worried.” Hinata drawls out. He’s got a sarcastic lilt to his voice, but Tobio knows he’ll definitely be getting a text from him later this evening.
“Whatever. I’m not worried. You can fall off your bike for all I care.” Tobio mumbles, twisting his hands into his pockets.
Hinata’s face morphs into mock offence, as he places a hand over his chest, pretending to look wounded. The expression makes Tobio’s mouth curve into a small smile.
Such an idiot.
“So mean, Yama. I’d be hurt at that if you didn’t suck so much at lying…I’ll see you tomorrow.” He says as he begins to cycle off.
“Yeah. See you.” Tobio says quietly back. He watches as the older boy tosses a smile and a wave back at him before he speeds off around the corner.
Tobio walks the rest of the way home with the small smile still present on his face. He gets the feeling that this school year was going to be a good year.