Chapter Text
In middle school, every little thing can feel like the end of the world. The same is true in high school, and Oikawa Tooru knows this better than anybody.
As such, he is not particularly worried about any of his dear kouhai when he leaves, strong, stable, and sturdy as he knows them to be.
That said, he is not so heartless that he does not think of them occasionally. Especially some of the younger ones...
Ahem. But anyway, he does miss his old teammates, quite a lot sometimes, and his fellow third years even more. But twelve hours is a huge time difference, and the only times they might be able to get any talking in is really time he'd rather spend with Iwa anyway, because he does recognize his own codependence, but he's also not super interested in fixing it.
Which all goes to say, when someone calls him at 2 PM, just coincidentally during a water break, he almost doesn't look over, but when he does and sees the kanji for Yahaba's name next to a purple heart, he has to pause for a second.
A couple people look over at the sound of fucking bitter choco decoration of all things, setting down their water bottles to ask what's up as he silences it.
"It's a friend from back home, but it's 2 AM on a Friday for him and he's still in high school. He's really not the type to still be awake right now, so it's... strange."
He also wasn't the type to ask for help when something's wrong, so what's gone so badly he isn't pretending to have it under control anymore, was the real question?
"Do you need to take it now?" Lazo asks, glancing back at the coaches, still talking.
And life is so often a lot of little decisions adding up on you, but Yahaba only asks for help once in a time of true desperation before he goes back to suffering alone, so–
"Yeah. I mean, yes, I really do."
"Alright then, I'll make your excuses for you."
"Yeah, we've got you, just come back quickly."
"Thanks," he says, jogging out of the gym before making a beeline toward the bathroom.
Of course, the ringing's already stopped by the time he reaches the bathroom, but if he knows anything about Yahaba, it's that he likes to stare at the ashes of his ruined plans for a few minutes before he moves on, so there's still time for him to get ahold of the poor kid.
After tapping on the call back button and waiting all of half a ring, Yahaba picks up.
"Hello, Haba-chan, how's my favorite kouhai doing?" he asks sweetly, voice lilting up at the end like it used to when he was trying to cheer people up.
*Oikawa-senpai?* a scratchy, sad voice answers. *Aren't you at practice right now?*
"Yes of course, but when my unobtrusive, shy little kouhai calls little old me for help in the middle of the night, well, just what kind of senpai would I be if I didn't answer?"
*Oh.*
"Yes, 'Oh.' I know, I'm fantastic. Now, what do you need my help with? You'd never ask if you weren't at the end of your rope, so don't beat around the bush, now."
*…Senpai, I don't even know how to start, to be honest. My life is almost more problem than solution right now. I called to ask if you know how I can make it look like I wasn't up crying all night. I can ask whatever else on the weekend, but my current most pressing issue is that I look like shit and have a splitting headache. I've got an important test tomorrow, and I need to look put-together enough that I can fake my way through the rest and crash on Saturday. Can you help me?*
"Yeah, no problem. I'll be fixing you up right on Saturday, swear twos and threes I'll have you smiling, but a happy, pretty face is nothing hard. Just some concealer and dog pics oughta do it for ya, so long as you don't forget to tie your tie and brush your hair. Hot showers can work wonders for your skin sometimes, and for your sleep right now, phone off face-down on the nightstand, and hold something hard under your stomach."
*Thank you, Oikawa-senpai, that helps a lot. Of course, it's a little worrying that you have a routine for lying to the general public about your mood, but that's what I called you for, so thank you.*
"I live to serve."
*You're not funny.*
"Call me when you're ready in the morning! Love you!"
The line goes dead, and Tooru is significantly more worried than he was when all this started. It feels like he should deal with this as soon as possible, and letting Yahaba stew for two days with no input is not 'as soon as possible.' So some initiative has to be taken here.
He sends Iwa a quick half-explanation that mostly consists of apologizing and trying to look honest while also not throwing all of Yahaba's business out there.
Iwa texts an incoherent, clearly half-asleep: "coolyer blee" back, and really, Tooru thinks that's good enough. If Iwa actually forgets, he can just remind him in the evening.
He runs back out to the gym, shoving his phone in his bag before hopping on the back of the shortest line.
After practice, drink plans are being made in the locker room. Then Tooru hears his name called in the mix of chatter and looks up to see a couple of the others looking at him inquisitively.
"Ah, no, I can't come today, I've got to get home and find some food. My junior back home needs my help right now, so as soon as he's up I've got to be ready to help. Maybe in a few weeks, though? He never used to call me for small problems, because he always handled those himself, so this is probably more severe than that, but once he's better, I'll probably have my evenings back."
"Yeah, that's fine! Still sort of surprising to see that you're so responsible with your juniors back home, what with the way you treat me!" Lopez calls, tugging his shirt on from the other side of the room.
"Umph? How dare! I'm so sweet to you! I've never done you wrong!"
"Ball to the face."
"I was nervous! My hand slipped, Juan-kun, I didn't do it on purpose!"
"Right, yeah. Get out of here, before you'll have that dear junior of yours waiting. Good luck helpin' him."
"Thanks. Bye, guys, see you tomorrow!"