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***
“Shoyo, I need to talk to you.”
They were words no one ever wanted to hear. Hinata was no exception. He paused mid-way through packing his lunch, even as his eyes flew to the time. He had three and a half minutes to leave if he wanted to have a chance to beat Kageyama but from the look on his mother’s face, that wasn’t about to happen.
He finished tying up the furoshiki on his bento, pasting a smile on his face. “Sure! What do you want to talk about?”
Hinata froze when his mother took his arm, gently guiding him to the dining table. He all but stumbled into the chair, stomach heavy because he didn’t like this. Didn’t like this at all.
He liked it even less when two hands curled over one of his. “It’s about Natsu.”
***
Hinata missed morning practice. It was unheard of. Kageyama had stormed around the gym moodily, something that had had Daichi grinding his teeth but Suga knew it was the worry that was eating them all more. Because Hinata didn’t miss practice. He never had, even when he should have. Like that time he’d come with a migraine or the time he’d limped in after spraining his ankle in physical education. That he hadn’t attended practice said everything.
Slipping down the stairs at lunch time, Suga carefully eased open the door of Hinata’s classroom. A couple of students gave him questioning looks but a few others pointed behind them knowingly. Hinata himself was easy to spot, perhaps because Kageyama was towering over him and yelling down at him.
Suga sighed, weaving through the first years and digging an elbow into Kageyama’s side none too gently. The setter spluttered and whirled around only to pause when he saw who it was. Suga smile and Kageyama stiffened.
“I’d like to speak with Hinata. Alone.”
Kageyama muttered one last insult out under his breath before storming from the classroom. Hinata hunkered down further and that was so, so wrong. Hinata always stood up to Kageyama, could go toe to toe with him, no matter what the circumstance. Suga’s brow furrowed. He pulled over a nearby chair and dropped into it, tilting his head to catch Hinata’s gaze. Hinata noticed and the tiniest smile crept across his face. It was so weak though, nothing like the luminescent thing Suga was usually subjected to.
He placed a hand on Hinata’s only for the boy to flinch, yanking it back with wide eyes. He made to apologise but Suga stopped him with a short, sharp gesture.
“No Hinata, that was my mistake. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“Still, I was being dumb.”
Suga shook his head. “You never are. I just came by to check on you. You weren’t at practice this morning.”
It was supposed to be a lead in but Hinata, predictably, took it as a scolding, shoulders hunching up. “I’m sorry! I promise I’ll be on time tomorrow.”
“It’s okay to be late,” Suga said gently. “Or to miss if you’re not really feeling it. Playing in that state only leads to injury. But,” he continued, leaning back and running a hand through his hair. “I really only came down to make sure you were okay. Everyone was worried. We missed you.”
Hinata stared at him in confusion, expression blank, like he didn’t understand and maybe he didn’t. From what Suga had seen and heard of Hinata’s middle school volleyball experience, he was still grasping the concept of a team being like family.
“Oh. Sorry Suga.”
He rocked forward, ruffling Hinata’s hair. “Don’t be sorry, just don’t do it again, okay? See you this afternoon?”
Hinata smiled, brighter this time. “Yeah!”
***
Suga had spoken to Hinata, Daichi knew that. He had been privy to Suga’s retelling of the story as well as Suga’s worries that something was wrong with Hinata. At first, Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, Daichi had wondered if he’d been over-reacting. Yes, Hinata had flubbed a few more plays than usual but nothing so out of sorts. Nothing that couldn’t have been explained away by a bad night’s sleep or a missed meal.
But as the week had gone on, Hinata had gotten worse, all the while vehemently arguing with anyone who had attempted to point out said fact. He and Kageyama were at each other’s throats more often than not and Tsukishima’s teasing was seeming to hit harder than normal. Nishinoya had nominated himself as the Hinata defence squad, jabbing both first years whenever they went to make a comment and consistently zipping to Hinata’s side with praises and encouragements when something went right.
Ukai’s brow had been pulled tight by the end of the week and Daichi himself was wondering if they’d have to stage an intervention when everything, suddenly and all at once, blew up. And it did so spectacularly.
It was Friday afternoon practice and Hinata had been distracted, painfully so. He’d missed as many spikes as he’d hit and while he was getting frustrated, Kageyama was only more so. When another spike was missed, the setter whirled and Daichi was heading to intercept before pausing because maybe Hinata needed this. Maybe he needed something to push him back into line. And really, better from Kageyama than Ukai, who was losing his cool just as quickly.
“If you’re not focused, get off the court!”
“I am!” Hinata snapped back, glare deep. “Again! One more time; I’ll get it!”
Kageyama stared him down, the moment long and drawn out before he spun on his heel. “No. You’re not necessary.”
The “so I won’t set to you anymore” went unsaid but they all heard it loud and clear. Daichi winced, waiting for Hinata to launch into a tirade, to send the pair into a scrap fight, but then Suga sucked in a sharp breath, shoes skidding on the wooden floor only to come up short in shock because Hinata’s entire face crumpled. He folded in on himself, shaking before a sob escaped, loud, wet, and painful. Everyone whipped around there, Kageyama included, but then Hinata was gone. Damn bolted from the gym and left silence in its wake.
“Hinata…” Yachi’s voice was so worried and Daichi didn’t blame her. He looked to Suga.
“Can you?”
He nodded but turned to Kageyama first. “I know you saying that usually works on Hinata but everyone has bad days Kageyama. It was obvious Hinata was having one. It probably wasn’t the best time to try something like that.”
“As if the King understands taking other’s feelings into account,” Tsukishima snorted.
Daichi sent him a scolding look. The first year grumbled but returned to practice, Suga taking that moment to slip out the door. He wasn’t gone long and Daichi didn’t like the look on his face when he returned either. He stepped off, calling Ennoshita in to cover him.
“Not in the club room?” he asked, voice hushed.
Suga shook his head. “His bike’s gone too. Daichi, I…”
“Yeah, we’ll talk to him on Monday. Something’s very wrong.”
***
Hinata stumbled in the door, ignoring the way his mother fussed over his lack of coat and the tears sliding down his face. He just let her pull him in for a hug, breath shaking.
“Mom, can we…Can we leave now?”
The hands against his back tightened. “Of course Shoyo. Pack your last things. I’ll get Natsu into the car.”
“Thanks.”
***
“It won’t affect the class much, Hinata’s not really disruptive like that, but he’d just started to pay attention.”
“I know; he’s only just wrangled his English grades up. I’m sorry to see him go.”
Takeda paused midway through making a cup of coffee at hearing Hinata’s name. He then slammed the kettle down, startling both teachers behind him.
“Pardon me, but were you talking about Hinata Shoyo? From Class One?”
“Yes, he just transferred.” Takeda froze. “Oh, Hinata was in your club, wasn’t he? He was responsible for getting Karasuno back into Nationals, right?”
“A shame,” the other continued, returning to his marking. “But with his sister as sick as she is, what else could his mother do? He’s not old enough to live alone.”
Takeda left the conversation there, booting up his own computer and scrolling through his emails and sure enough, there it was, in the Staff News email. Hinata Shoyo, enrolment ceased. As of Friday. Takeda’s throat winched shut. Hinata would have known - might have known all week - and Kageyama…Oh, that was why he’d been so upset. It had been his last chance and he’d been shut out. Hinata must have felt as though he hadn’t been needed, perhaps even not wanted.
Takeda scrambled to his feet, dashing out the door and earning several disgruntled shouts from behind him. He reached the gym in record time, throwing open the door and practically tripping inside. Everyone stopped to look at him, Ukai’s eyebrows shooting up before he told the kids to return to play and,
“No,” Takeda gasped. “They need to-. It’s club related.”
He watched Ukai’s hands fist in worry before he jammed them into his pockets. “Right. Everyone, line up. Teach’s got some news for you.”
They did so, warily in some cases, and Takeda thought that wise. He didn’t know how he was going to break this to them either.
Daichi broke the silence because of course he did. “Whatever this is,” the captain said firmly, “We can handle it.”
The team nodded and Takeda agreed it was just… He sighed, hands wringing together. “Sorry, this is hard for me to say as I only just found out myself. However, due to family circumstances, Hinata has unfortunately left Karasuno High School. As of Friday, he is no longer a student here.”
“Friday,” Suga repeated in horror, eyes widening even as his voice flooded with denial. “You…You mean this Friday, right?”
Tanaka was already part way through saying “of course he does!” when Takeda shook his head, Suga reeling back. “I’m afraid not. I imagine this is why Hinata was so out of sorts last week.”
There were several aborted cries at that, as well as a hefty helping of frantic murmuring. The shock on everyone’s faces was clear to see, Yachi even going so far as to blink back tears. Kageyama looked frozen, not that Takeda blamed him.
“Why wouldn’t he tell us?” Nishinoya demanded.
“Where did he move to? I could have put him up!” Tanaka cried.
“I think, based on his reaction Friday,” Ukai cut in, causing them all to flinch because they knew exactly which interaction, “He wasn’t in a particularly good headspace. As to why he didn’t tell us,” his eyes flicked to Takeda. “Teach said family circumstances. Those can be private and sensitive. Hinata might not have felt comfortable talking about them.”
“He should have let us say goodbye,” Asahi murmured, Nishinoya nodded vehemently in agreement.
Ukai held up his hands. “Again, we don’t know what’s going on in Hinata’s life. Perhaps telling you would have been one straw too many. Maybe he didn’t want to upset anyone. We’ll never know. But you all have phones. Text him a goodbye if you want, give him some well wishes, but do not call him demanding answers, am I clear?”
Takeda agreed. “We’re all very sorry to see Hinata go and I’m sure Hinata feels much the same. I think, the best we can do right now, is make ourselves the best version of Karasuno we can be so that when we meet Hinata again, we’ll give him a worthy opponent.”
That seemed to shake the boys out of their funk but Takeda knew, this was an injury that would hurt for awhile. In more than one case, it was probably going to leave a nasty scar. All he could do was ice the wound until it was healed.
***
Yamiji was not a busybody. He was not particularly curious by nature and he didn’t go seeking out gossip or news. He was of the opinion that if he needed to know something, he would be told it. Simple as that. Which was why he was confused when he was called down to speak to the school’s principal on a Wednesday just after lunch. They had no tournaments coming up and even Bokuto didn’t have any advanced camps scheduled.
He knocked on the door and was called in. He took his place opposite the principal and frowned at the folder placed in front of him. The name looked vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place it.
“May I ask who this is?”
“A student hoping to transfer in. His family aren’t able to pay the fees associated with Fukurodani and they have other schools lined up but the mother asked about volleyball scholarships and we do have those. I’d like your thoughts.”
Yamiji nodded, opening the folder and beginning to skim through it. Mediocre grades that would need improvement but they had tutors for that. “Without seeing him in action I’d-”
He came up short. Karasuno. Hinata Shoyo, of Karasuno.
“Yamiji?”
“Number ten?” he asked, jabbing the school name with emphasis. “Was he number ten? If he is, I want him. No questions asked.”
“That good?”
“Not yet but his potential is unmatched.”
The principal nodded to the door behind him. “He and his mother are in there familiarising themselves with the student conduct handbook if you’d like to confirm.”
“Yes.”
Yamiji wasted no time in doing so. Two heads of ginger hair looked his way and yes, that was number ten. Yamiji had watched him over the summer and had watched recordings of his preliminary matches in the spring. What had caught his eye most of all was the fact that he had taken every piece of Bokuto’s advice and applied it. Near flawlessly too. With a team full of third years about to retire, Hinata would be just what they needed.
He bowed to both before sending Hinata a smile. “If you would like to come with me, we’ll begin the enrolment process. Fukurodani would be honoured to have you.”
Hinata looked at him like he’d hung the stars, bottom lip wobbling, and Yamiji didn’t fully understand but he didn’t need to. It wasn’t his business why Hinata had left Karasuno, why he was here, why his mother looked drawn and haggard. All that mattered was that Hinata was his responsibility now, something Yamiji took seriously as he flicked through the jerseys Thursday morning. Number six would fit well enough, if a bit large, and its owner had retired at the start of the year so it was high time it found a new home.
When the lunch bell rang, he collected Hinata from his classroom and toured him through the club room and gym. He set the boy up with uniforms - home, away, sweatsuit - watching him clutch them tightly before promising to pick him up at the end of the day and introduce him to the team.
He did so, Hinata bouncing impatiently from foot to foot and Yamiji laughed, having to stop him from sprinting away several times. He apologised profusely each and every time and Yamiji waved him off, appreciating the enthusiasm. He then reached the gym and asked Hinata to wait before stepping inside. His mere presence drew the boys’ attention, as it always did, the team coming and bowing to him. He raised a hand when they went to return to practice though.
“I have an announcement to make. As of today, you have a new club member.”
Murmurs whipped through the group because yes, it was a bit late for club sign ups but,
“They’ve just transferred in and, Akaashi,” the student jumped at being singled out, “I hope you’ll work hard to bring out the best in each other. I want them on the starting line up as soon as possible.”
“I’ll do my best,” Akaashi assured, even as others frowned.
“No pressure there Coach,” Washio joked.
Bokuto, however, was beaming. “We can handle it! Let’s meet them!”
Yamiji nodded, hands folding together. “I was hoping you’d say that Bokuto. After all, I’m assigning you to take them under your wing. Perhaps you’ll be able to make this baby crow soar.”
Bokuto frowned, mouth open to ask for more until Yamiji waved for Hinata to join him. The moment the boy stepped into the gym, silence fell. Then Bokuto whooped, bounding forward and scooping Hinata up, making him yelp. The yelp turned into a laugh as Bokuto swung him around several times, grinning from ear to ear. Akaashi was biting back a smile and Konoha cackled, the other players fist bumping each other.
“Oh there’s no way we can lose now!”
They very much could but Yamiji was going to do his damn best to ensure they didn’t. Which, speaking of,
“Akaashi, pair up with Hinata. Let’s get you two acquainted.”
***
Climbing the stairs to the stadium, Ukai wasn’t blind to the tension around him. He also wasn’t unaware of the fact that the tension was twofold. The first reason was simple: that Karasuno had returned to the National stage and that they were all nervous and on edge because of the pressure that came with that level of competition.
The second reason was related to Karasuno alone: Hinata Shoyo.
Ukai didn’t know the full reasons why, tried to stay out of high school drama, but he knew that after Hinata’s abrupt departure from Karasuno, he hadn’t stayed in touch with anyone. They’d all - well, minus Kageyama and Tsukishima - reached out to Hinata afterwards and gotten little more than “thanks” or “sorry” in reply to their well wishes and “we’ll miss you” texts. The only one who’d gotten more than that had been Suga, unsurprisingly. A mixture of “I didn’t know how to tell you” and “sorry for worrying you”. Yachi still had some contact but it wasn’t volleyball related, that much Ukai knew. Just messages about exams and grades, which, apparently, Hinata’s were shooting up.
It all made Ukai wonder if Hinata had dropped volleyball entirely. Whether he didn’t have the time or was enrolled in a school that didn’t have an active team, that was unknown.
Still, there was no use dwelling on it now. They wouldn’t make it very far if they weren’t focused.
Clapping his hands together and drawing everyone’s attention, Ukai levelled them with a look. “Keep your focus on the game in front of you, nothing else. We earnt our spot here; let’s show everyone it was more than deserved. You have a lot of teams waiting for you. Let’s do the respectful thing and win so we can face them again.”
That got a rousing cheer and Takeda took over, eyes skimming the information pamphlet in his hands. “We’re in the fifth match on Court D. Second matches are still going on most courts. Let’s get a look at what we’re going up against. Nekoma will be up next and a sneak peek at how they’ve grown is only going to help us.”
They nodded, Ukai ushering everyone in front of him. Daichi located an area reserved for teams currently out of rotation and had them all dump their belongings there. They settled in, eyes locked on the two courts closest but they strayed whenever a loud cheer went up from the left side of the arena. Ukai snorted. With Fukurodani playing, he didn’t expect any less. Bokuto always drew a crowd.
Then, of course, came the yell that had everyone turning in slow motion.
“Nice kill Hinata!”
Nishinoya was the first to scramble to his feet, clambering onto his chair even as Daichi went to haul him down. Then he was dead sprinting, Tanaka on his heels. From there it was like a wave, all of Karasuno jogging across the stadium until they reached Court B and there, standing shoulder to shoulder with Bokuto and Akaashi, was Hinata. The white of Fukurodani’s uniform only made his ginger hair more striking and he’d clearly taken a page out of Bokuto’s book, compression sleeves adorning his arms.
“Hinata, nice serve!”
Hinata nodded, spinning the ball. He then stepped back, running a few steps and delivering a near perfect jump serve that had Ukai’s jaw dropping. It wasn’t strong by any means but it still bounced off the receiver’s arm awkwardly, flying out of bounds. Bokuto slammed his hands into Hinata’s in an overhead high five before ruffling his hair.
“One more.”
Hinata beamed. “One more!”
He then proceeded to do just that, Ukai’s hands white knuckling on the railing in front of him. He could only watch, partially in disbelief and partially in shock, as the match continued. Hinata was everywhere. He was digging balls, serving aces, and, if Ukai wasn’t mistaken - and from the way Suga and Kageyama’s mouths fell open, he wasn’t - he even set the ball on one occasion.
Each successful play was met with slaps on the back, a high five, a thumbs up, an arm around the shoulders and, in the few times Hinata was subbed off, Ukai watched the older players coach Hinata through how to correct whatever mistakes he had made, demonstrating the flick of a wrist here, the slightest change to feet placement there. Hinata soaked it all up, repeating the actions back over and over until he was subbed back on. At which point he would use those changes, bettering himself with each play.
“Shit.”
Takeda blinked, startled. “Ukai?”
“I’m a bad coach. A really, really bad coach.”
Several members of Karasuno looked over there but most were too busy watching the match to care. Which, good. Ukai ran a hand down his face wearily.
“Look at him Teach. I had Hinata what? - six, almost seven months? Fukurodani’s had him for barely three and he’s already at this level.”
“Well, they are a higher level team. That may ha-”
“No,” he cut in, voice razor sharp. “Their team has nothing to do with this. I saw Hinata lacked skills in certain areas, I knew it, and so what did I do? Focused Hinata on the one thing he could do. I used him as an extension of Kageyama. Hinata couldn’t serve well so I subbed Yamaguchi in for him. Fukurodani taught him to serve. That’s basic level of coaching.”
“Ah.” Takeda frowned, watching Hinata cleanly receive and then zip to the net, slamming over a ball from Akaashi. “We honed him into a one trick pony.”
“He couldn’t grow because I placed him in a pot that was too small.” He nodded down to the court. “This is Hinata when planted in an open field. I stunted his growth.”
Takeda had nothing to say there and Ukai accepted it, watching Hinata swoop in to attack again and oh, even his attacking was different. Without Kageyama, those insane minus tempo sets were off but they also weren’t because he watched the play more closely and ah, that’s what they were doing. Akaashi simply tossed the ball to where the blockers weren’t at the same time Hinata raced to that location. He’d then jump and Akaashi wasn’t matching him, no, Hinata was matching Akaashi, finding the ball wherever it was in the air and sending it in whatever direction he wanted. He had become the genius now.
A chuckle came from behind him, Ukai turning and grimacing slightly at seeing Nekomata there.
“He’s different, isn’t he?”
Ukai nodded. “He grew too big for the cage I kept him in.”
“That he did. But that’s a vice captain for you. They need open skies to truly spread their wings.”
“V-vice-captain?” Asahi spluttered.
Nekomata gave a tiny shrug. “Not officially but it’s what we all know is coming. Once Bokuto retires, Akaashi and Shoyo will step up. They’ll mould Fukurodani into something truly terrifying.”
“And you’ll help,” Tsukishima muttered, Ukai blinking. The first year just gestured to where Hinata deflected another block. “That’s Kuroo’s blocking technique.”
Nekomata’s smile turned sly. “Well, since Kenma refused to allow Shoyo on the team, Shoyo’s made bi-weekly practice matches a thing. It’s working out rather well, for all parties involved. I’ve never seen Kenma so invested.” His gaze then flicked down the hall as a whistle blew. “Ah, time for us to take to the court. I expect to meet you in round three.”
Ukai nodded. “We’ll be there.”
“Good, good.”
With that, Ukai’s attention returned to the Fukurodani game just in time to see Bokuto slam the match point home. Cheers exploded around them, Hinata right in the middle as his team rushed each other in a group hug.
“I think,” Takeda said, eyes never leaving Hinata as he leapt onto Bokuto’s back and was only hoisted higher, head thrown back as he laughed, “He needed us to be positive. Kageyama always told him what he was doing wrong; he never told Hinata what he was doing right.”
That was very true and, from the look on Kageyama’s face, he was starting to realise it too. That he had never gotten the full potential out of Hinata and was furiously asking himself: why?
***
“Don’t.”
“Daichi, please. Just for a minute.”
The voices made Hinata stumble mid-step, Bokuto’s hand immediately grasping his elbow and keeping him upright. “Okay there?”
He nodded, leaning into the touch as they rounded the corner and came face to face with Daichi and Suga. Bokuto sent them wide smiles, though his grip on Hinata never loosened. “Hey guys! How are you?”
“We’re good,” Daichi said awkwardly.
Suga rolled his eyes, elbowing the captain before stepping forward and pulling Hinata into a hug. He leant into the touch, hating the way his eyes immediately began to burn.
“We saw your match. You were amazing Hinata.”
“He is, right?” Bokuto crowed, tugging him back and shaking him excitedly. “We’re not giving him back!”
Hinata laughed, squirming free and smiling up at Suga. “I’ll come watch your match too, okay? I’m sure you’ve all gotten even better since the last time we played!”
Suga’s smile fractured for a second before he masterfully glued it back together. “Sure we have. And you’ll meet us in the semi-finals, won’t you?”
Both Bokuto and Hinata puffed their chests out. “Of course!”
“Bokuto, Hinata.” Akaashi’s voice came from behind them. “Coach wants everyone back for a debrief in five.”
Bokuto paled, snatching Hinata’s wallet from his pocket and bolting for the vending machines, making him squawk. Hinata then just shook his head, taking the two steps needed to cross the distance and hugging Daichi too.
“Thank you. You were a really good captain.”
Daichi’s arms tightened “But I wasn’t what you needed.”
“You were, just…”
“Only for a time,” Suga finished. He nodded to Akaashi. “And he’s what you need right now.”
Hinata followed his gaze, laughing when Akaashi merely raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, he is. Good luck, okay? Meet up soon!”
“Soon,” his old teammates promised and Hinata let Akaashi lead him back to the sub-arena, giggling when Bokuto tripped into them just outside the doors, arms laden with snacks. He pinched his favourites before Bokuto could protest and then settled in along the lockers, Akaashi on his right and Onaga on his left. Yeah, this was where he belonged.
***