Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
“This must be little Tooru!”
“Tooru-kun, you are just the cutest!”
When Oikawa Tooru was 8 years old, he and his mother went to Tokyo to visit his aunt to help her with her new furniture since her family had just purchased the house and lot in an exclusive subdivision.
“There’s a park nearby, Tooru-kun. Would you like to go? Other kids might be playing there.”
“Really?” The adorable brown haired kid turned to his mother with pleading eyes. “Can I go, mom? Please!”
Little Tooru saw a raven haired kid playing volleyball alone at the park. Since he was a friendly and hyper type of kid, he didn’t have any problems approaching the other kid.
“Hi! Do you play volleyball too?” Tooru asked excitedly. The raven haired kid was surprised and responded hesitantly, “Uhm, no. The ball was just left here.” He seemed the same age as him but looked shy and withdrawn.
Toru nodded in understanding and grinned. “Can I play with you?”
“Uh, yeah, sure." The other kid replied timidly, offering him the ball.
“I’m Tooru, what’s your name?” Tooru introduced himself vibrantly and grabbed the ball.
"Tetsurou," Tetsuruo replied promptly.
“Nice to meet you, Tetsu-chan.”
Tetsurou’s eyes widened in shock at what he was called, but he didn’t make a comment.
“Let’s play, Tetsu-chan! I’ll toss the ball, and you hit it, okay?” Little Tooru instructed and little Tetsurou nodded in understanding.
“Here you go!” Tooru exclaimed, tossing the ball high. Tetsurou jumped to hit the ball but he missed it. He looked away from Tooru, his face red in embarrassment, while murmuring. “I’m sorry.”
Tooru waved his hand in reassurance and replied patiently, “No need to say sorry, Tetsu-chan. Let’s try again!” He said joyfully and picked up the ball.
Tooru tossed the ball again and Tetsurou jumped. His fingertips touched the ball and his eyes widened in excitement. “I touched it!”
"That’s great!”
“One more, please.”
“Okay!”
They did the toss and hit a few more times until Tetsurou got the hang of it. He was able to hit the ball correctly and hit the ground with a smash.
“I did it!” Tetsurou rejoiced, and Tooru jumped happily. “You did it, Tetsu-chan!”
Tooru grinned at Tetsu, “ Nice spike!”
Tetsu grinned back at him and offered, “Do you want to do it too, Tooru-kun?”
“Yes!” Tooru nodded his head excitedly while Tetsurou grabbed the ball to toss. They took turns hitting the ball. Tooru also taught Tetsu how to do a basic receive because Tetsurou was eager to learn. In a short time, the hyper kid was able to break through the shy kid’s walls.
While playing, Toru babbled the reasons why he likes volleyball, while Tetsurou mostly listened to him and only talked when Tooru asked him questions.
“Ne Tetsu-chan, is there a kids volleyball camp here in your neighborhood?”
“Yes.”
“Really? Is the gym near?”
Tetsurou thought for a moment and nodded his head.
“Really?" Tooru exclaimed in delight. “Can we take a quick look? I want to watch them!”
"Okay," Tetsurou replied, holding Tooru’s hand. They ran towards the place, with shy Tetsurou leading them. They stopped at the entrance and took a peek. They were surprised to see teenagers playing instead of kids their age.
“Oh! They’re having a game!” Tooru squealed in excitement.
“You know, I joined my neighborhood’s volleyball camp, and I played the position of a setter," Tooru told Tetsurou, and he pointed at the player who was near the net and tossing the ball to his teammate. “For me, this is the most challenging position because I have to toss the ball high enough for the spiker to hit it.”
“That’s why he looked more excited tossing the ball than hitting it earlier,” Tetsurou concluded in his mind, and he tilted his head as he continued to watch the game. It was a typical teen volleyball game until there was a moment where a long rally was happening. Tooru fidgeted in anticipation as he commented on how the players tossed, spiked, and received the ball.
A hard spike that was strongly yet beautifully blocked made the ball smash on the floor, ending the long rally.
The two kids reacted in amazement. Tetsurou’s eyes sparkled, asking, “Tooru-kun, what position does he play?” He pointed at the blocker near the net.
“Oh! The position is called middle blocker.” Tooru replied in enthusiasm, proud that the quiet kid’s interest in his favorite sport grew even more. “I think you can play that position well, Tetsu-chan.” Tooru grinned in encouragement. Tetsurou looked at him in shock at his encouragement, and then slowly, a wide smile tugged on his lips.
The two kids chatted happily about the game as they went back to the park.
“Tooru!”
Their attention shifted to the person who called Tooru.
“That’s my mom! Maybe we’re going home now.” Tooru reacted and faced Tetsu. He grinned widely and said, “I had fun today! Let’s play again next time, Tetsu-chan!”
“Mhm, me too. Thank you, Tooru-kun.” Tetsurou smiled back. Friendly Tooru waved him goodbye and ran towards his mother, while shy Tetsurou waved back in excitement for the first time and watched him go.