Chapter Text
Money is one thing Sakusa Kiyoomi will never have to worry about. All he has to do is keep his parents happy; marry a nice girl, start a family of his own, and eventually take over his father’s business. They’re reasonable enough requests.
All things considered, Kiyoomi should feel lucky.
Any good parent would want a successful life for their child. Kiyoomi’s parents have done their best to set him up for success early on in his life: him and his siblings were raised speaking both Japanese and English, they took etiquette classes, and tutors were hired any time they struggled in school. Kiyoomi and his older siblings have grown into promising young adults, well-manicured and prepared to one day take over different branches of their father’s business.
Kiyoomi isn’t sure if he’s cut out for his parents’ idea of success.
Domestic life frightens him. He’s very content with his newfound solitary life inside his Osaka apartment. He’s never had any interest in dating; he only did so during his high school years because his parents wouldn’t let go of his lack of socialization. He allowed his parents to set up a few dates here and there, always a daughter of a business partner. They never went anywhere, Kiyoomi’s reserved personality left nothing for those girls to get to know.
His father’s business bores him, he finds it uninspiring. Money and numbers and making fake small talk with business partners is something Kiyoomi has no interest in. Kiyoomi supposes he owes it to his parents, after all they’ve provided for him throughout his life, but he’d rather focus on his current volleyball career and push his looming future to the farthest corner of his mind.
His parents refer to it as a hobby, they refuse to see it as anything else, but they allow him to pursue it as long as Kiyoomi acknowledges that he has to give it up once he is needed at the company. Kiyoomi reluctantly agreed, that final semester of college, when he already had offers from professional teams lined up for him. He wasn’t allowed to accept one until he agreed. Now he’s 23 and about to start his first season with the MSBY Black Jackals.
Which leads him to his current predicament.
“Kiyoomi, you’re 23 now and you’ve never taken an interest in any of the nice girls your father and I have introduced you to,” his mother is quickly becoming exasperated, but she does her best to hide it, always one to save face.
They’re in Kiyoomi’s new Osaka apartment. His parents have been helping him move boxes into the house. It’s still a mess, only a handful of things unpacked and boxes stacked high all around the room.
“It was fine while you were in high school, but this teenage petulance needs to stop. We are worried about your future,” his father adds, seemingly disinterested in this whole conversation.
Kiyoomi wonders if his mother rehearsed that line with him.
“It’s like you don’t even try. Your father and I do our best to set you up for a stable future, but we can only do so much. The rest is up to you.”
“These are nice girls, Kiyoomi, from nice families. Do you know how bad it makes me look when a business partner tells me that his daughter says you could hardly even look at her?” He shows emotion now, his face pinching, now that it’s his own reputation on the line. “Did you just not find them attractive? Were they not your type? What is it?”
“I look at them just fine. You can’t expect me to fawn and grovel at someone I hardly even know.” It’s the first time Kiyoomi has spoken to them since the conversation started. “None of those girls ever interested me, that’s not my fault. It just wouldn’t have worked.”
He is used to these types of conversations, the ones where his parents get on to him and dissect his personality flaws while trying to maintain their we-just-want-to-help-you facade. Their words are sharp but their tone remains calm.
If Kiyoomi’s words struck a nerve, they do their best to ignore it.
“Your father and I would like it if you would meet with someone new. If things go well, there could be a new business deal in the future.” What she means is, Kiyoomi has to meet this girl, and it has to go well.
Kiyoomi knows he has run out of chances. He’s turned down too many girls and his parents are now deciding for him.
Steeling himself, he asks, “What is her name?”
“Yachi Hitoka,” his mother says. “We’ve spoken to her mother and have planned for you to meet her this weekend. We know you have morning practice, so we’ve made reservations for you two to get dinner.” She steps closer to him, gently placing her hands on his shoulders. “It would really mean a lot if you could try, just this once, to make things work. We wouldn’t ask this of you if we didn’t have your best interests in mind.”
Kiyoomi doesn’t respond. His mother sighs, reaching one hand up to cup his face. “You know the choice is ultimately yours, but we only want what’s best for you.” Caressing his jawbone with her thumb, she lets go of him.
It’s a nice sentiment, but Kiyoomi knows they have expectations.
Walking into the MSBY gym is more nerve-racking than Kiyoomi expected. Perhaps it’s because it’s new, something Kiyoomi has never experienced before and therefore has no idea what to expect, or maybe it’s the looming dread of his impending date this weekend. Either way, being bombarded with several loud voices bouncing off the walls does nothing to calm his mind. It’s 8 a.m., he should turn around now, forget any of this ever happened, and flee the country, taking on a new identity.
Maybe it’s a bit dramatic.
Before Kiyoomi has time to start pondering his new name, a voice calls —
“Sakusa Kiyoomi!”
Kiyoomi recognizes him, but even if he didn’t, he made sure to thoroughly research his new team before signing the contracts. Bokuto Koutarou. Fukurodani, a good school. And joined the Jackals directly after graduation, a strong player.
“Bokuto-san. You were in the top 5 high school aces, weren’t you?” is what Kiyoomi says when he walks over, dropping his bag on the ground. “Nearly top 3.”
Bokuto crosses his arms, and Kiyoomi inwardly winces. “Maybe I wasn’t top 3, but we are grown now, no one even cares about that dumb high school stuff anymore.”
“No, no. I meant that it’s impressive.”
A hand touches his shoulder, and he resists the urge to turn and glare at whoever has snuck up behind him.
“You’ll get used to his antics eventually. Bokkun’s sensitive like that.”
Miya Atsumu, formerly Inarizaki’s setter. From his research, Kiyoomi recalls that Atsumu also joined the Jackals directly out of high school, though a year after Bokuto.
“What’s with the mask? Are ya a germaphobe or somethin’?” Kiyoomi makes a mental note that Atsumu has no filter. “You’ve been wearin’ that thing since high school. I’ve always wanted to ask.”
“No, I just care for my health.” It’s 8 a.m. and his patience is already wearing thin.
“I think it’s cool you’re so serious about your health!” It seems that Bokuto is over Kiyoomi’s accidental offense. “I’m happy you’re on our team now! I’ve always wanted to see your freaky wrists up close!”
Kiyoomi doesn’t know what to say. “Yeah.”
“Doesn’t Bokkun have such a way with words?” Atsumu snorts. “He’s right, though. I’ve been dyin’ to set fer ya ever since I saw ya play back in high school. Freaky wrists.” Another chuckle at Bokuto’s lack of filter.
“Enough chit-chat, everyone! Time for warm-ups!”
That’s Meian Shuugo, MSBY’s captain and one of the reasons Kiyoomi chose the Jackals over other offers. Kiyoomi spent a lot of time researching each team that sent him an offer, and Meian stuck out amongst many of the players. A good team needs a good captain. Kiyoomi watched previous MSBY games while he was still deciding on which offer to take, and he was impressed with the way Meian was able to handle his team.
Kiyoomi would be lying if he said that being on a team with strong players such as Bokuto Koutarou and Miya Atsumu wasn’t also a deciding factor. Both had secured a spot on the starting lineup during their first seasons. Plus, there’s a rumor that Hinata Shouyou will be joining now that his time abroad in Brazil is over. The title of “Monster Generation” certainly isn’t an over-exaggeration given the players that have come out of it.
The other members outside of the Monster Generation are just as impressive to Kiyoomi. Shion Inunaki, their libero, has received some pretty killer serves. Adriah Tomas, a middle blocker, has quite an impressive quick set. Oliver Barnes, a wing spiker, has a powerful attack. Kiyoomi was amazed at how well the entire team worked together. In the end, choosing the Jackals was easy. There really was no other viable option, in Kiyoomi’s opinion.
The first day of practice with the Jackals goes by smoothly. Kiyoomi’s social failure upon first speaking with Bokuto has long since been forgotten, and now the man seems adamant on making Kiyoomi be his friend. Kiyoomi can’t tell if he finds it annoying or endearing.
Kiyoomi is sitting on a locker room bench, tying up his laces, when Atsumu strolls out of the shower, towel wrapped around his waist. Kiyoomi averts his eyes.
“Omi-kun, the team’s gonna go fer happy hour this Saturday. Ya should come. Ya can probably sneak yer drinks onto Meian’s tab, if yer lucky.”
“Sakusa, please,” Kiyoomi corrects. “And I can’t. I have a thing that day.”
Atsumu raises an eyebrow. “A thing?”
Nodding, “Mhm. Plans. I’ll catch the next one.”
Atsumu shrugs. “Yer loss, Omi Omi. Can’t promise Meian’ll get yer drinks next time around, though.”