Chapter Text
’‘KYA! Oikawa-kun~’’
The loud, shrill voice was all that was needed to redirect the crowd’s attention and the fangirls rushed eagerly towards the entrance of the school yard. Without considering his action, Kageyama impulsively dashed out of the rapidly gathering crowd as fast as he could. With his breath caught in his throat and his heart pumping blood frantically, his stride didn’t slow down until he was on the other side of campus.
’’... Oh not again.’’ Kageyama muttered, despairing once more while resisting the urge to bash his head against the closest wall.
The situation would’ve almost been comical; since everyone usually dashed towards Oikawa and not from him, if this particular scene hadn’t been looping without his conscious permission. Ever since the day they had visited the ice cream parlor, Kageyama hadn’t been able to speak with Oikawa without stuttering incomprehensibly. Although it was understandable (you don’t usually lick ice cream of your friend’s hand for goodness sake) it worsened the odds of having a decent conversation.
Glancing at a clock on the wall, he noted the time. At this rate he was going to be late, if he didn’t hurry... Sighing, Kageyama settled his school bag firmer against his back as he started to run once more.
Seems like there’s no need for extra morning training after all of this running around campus like a lost chicken, he noted wryly.
Just as he rounded a corner, he crashed into someone hard.
’‘What do we have here? If it isn’t Kageyama Tobio, the coach’s favorite.’’
The malicious voice was undeniably familiar. Before him stood the group of senpais that bullied him a while back. The satisfied smirks did nothing to reassure the younger’s growing discomfort. Even though Kageyama had felt more calm but he still got nervous. His stutter would increase, his hands became restless and perspiration would pepper his brow.
’‘Yoho Tobio-chan!’’
Once more Oikawa cut in smoothly, encasing the younger in a hug from behind with a silly wink and a playful smirk. Automatically some seniors backed away. Oikawa was like a tempest; wild, changing and fierce while never dancing to somebody else’s tune. Some had simply learnt that the hard way.
’‘Tobio-chan~ We’re going to be late for class you know!’’
Oikawa pouted, looking down at Kageyama’s dumbstruck facial expression.
’‘Aww don’t look at me like that, I know my beauty makes people awestruck but now is not the time! If you get too many late marks you’re not allowed to participate in club activities for a while.’’
That caught Kageyama’s attention, being prohibited for participating in practice when the tournaments where coming up was unacceptable. The sapphire eyes narrowed, sparkly determination etched into his face.
’‘What are we waiting for? Let’s go Oikawa-senpai,’’ Kageyama replied, instantly dragging the older with him back to the other building.
’‘You were the one hesitating!’’ Oikawa whined as he was dragged away by his surprisingly strong junior, leaving the rest of the senpais at loss for words.
XXXXXXXX
’‘Hey you!’’
Kageyama gulped, if he only had been a little faster he would’ve reached the classroom. As he slowly turning towards the voice dread pooling in his gut. The sharp amber eyes of Shima-senpai faced him, glinting foreboding in the vague light. Thankfully it was just one of the senpais’ this time.
Kageyama resisted the urge to sigh, frankly he was growing exhausted by all of the subtle glares and threats. He could never fully dismiss them with the amount of directed animosity, on the other hand none of the senpais could act when they were in school as long as he kept himself in crowded areas and oh.
There’s no one else in the hallway.
Nervous once more, Kageyama glanced cautiously at the senpai. Shima-senpai’s shadowed eyes flickered dangerously, clenched fists growing white while his arms trembled from the strain.
’‘Somehow you have Oikawa-senpai’s protection, but heed my words. Don’t you dare think this is over.’’ He said in a low voice, the fringe shadowing his face revealing an unhinged smile. As the older turned and walked out of there, Kageyama didn’t dare to move until he was out of his sight.
XXXXXXXX
’‘Hey Shittykawa, what did you do this time?’’
Iwaizumi scrutinized Oikawa with a sceptic look on his face. Lately people had been whispering behind their backs and thrown stinky looks in their direction every once in a while. It hadn’t been unusual for people to fall silent when Oikawa entered the room before buzzing even more intensively then earlier.
’’Why do you always assume that it’s me who did something?!’’ Oikawa whined and this time, he was completely honest. He wasn’t aware of anything he had done thad could’ve warranted this sort of reaction.
’’Because you usually infuriate people.’’
’’SO RUDE Iwa-chan!’’
With a big pout, Oikawa nursed his tender ego. Even though it was probably just another rumor (and he could be less bothered by some trivial gossip) his friends always stood up for him and for that he was grateful.
’‘Hey Oikawa.’’
Just as Oikawa and Iwa-chan was about to head home, Mattsun approached them with a rare graveness that was amplified by the dramatic shadows of the sunset outside. Oikawa resisted the urge to laugh, it definitely looked like a scene out of a movie.
’‘I’ve heard some concerning rumors about you lately, is everything fine?’’
’’I bet it was just another trivial spat and someone got a little angry, but no it hasn’t bothered me overly. Why?’’
’‘There has been a lot of small gossip; for example you harassed your former girlfriend and that she is going to report you to the police. Though most people knows how fixated you are on volleyball despite how much you frolic with your fangirls.’’
’’Eh? Mattsun even though I love volleyball, I do appreciate my fangirls!’’ Oikawa objected. ’’They just don’t understand how much time I lay on volleyball and end up becoming disappointed due to hi-’’
Iwaizumi’s neutral facial expression melted into a deadpan as he regarded the setter idiot, smacking his head lightly before nodding towards Matsukawa as if implying ’if you don't proceed now he’s going to rant till the suns sets’. Clearing his throat, Matsukawa continued reluctantly.
’‘But another rumor, more serious in nature, states that you charm teachers to raise your grades. You do realize you have to clear it up before some teacher believes in it and reports it to the headmaster?’’
XXXXXXXX
Kageyama had waited, anticipating Shima-senpai’s threat. But days had passed without any trouble, no other senpai had bumped into him either. Currently it seemed like a distant, fading nightmare which was going to continue to fade until he heard...
’‘Frankly, I lost my respect for Oikawa ages ago. Did you hear that he flirts with teachers in order to raise his grades?’’
’‘That’s ridiculous, like some people are just so shameless!’’
Anger boiled in Kageyama’s veins as he scowled towards the closed door. That was ridiculous, because Oikawa-senpai wasn’t that type of person. It was obvious that those were mere gossip to slander!
How pathetic of them.
His dark fringe clouded his face, sharp marine eyes glaring at the wooden barrier between himself and the gossipers. Just as he was about to shove open the door, another voice joined in.
’‘By the way, don’t you feel sorry for Oikawa-senpai? Before he always seemed so annoyed around that kouhai Kageyama-san, but now they hang out every day?’’
’’I know right? I see them everywhere together nowadays, Oikawa-senpai is always tagging after him and saving him. I mean Oikawa-senpai is so kind, he must hang out with that Kageyama because he feels sorry for him. He’s always so generous, even to the pitiful ones~’’
The words resounded in Kageyama and wrecked chaos. His stomach hurt and as he processed what he’d heard in an aggravating slow motion, the world seemed to lose its colour. The words echoed like a broken record and the more Kageyama thought about them, the more sense they made. Since when had Oikawa-senpai ever been so caring for him? Even before their quarrel, he had never been this kind, always one retort after another.
So why?
The nauseating sensation was too strong for Kageyama to bear, if he stayed he would drown in it. Without hesitation he turned around and rushed out of there. Anything to get out of there. Slowly everything tilted off axis. As he dashed away, the surrounding blurred. All he could hear was his frantic heart beating out of his chest and no matter how much air he drew into his lungs it didn’t seem to ease the growing pain.
Kageyama shoved open the door to the school’s rooftop before finally collapsing, his knees failing him. He strained to look upwards. The sky was baby blue, decorated with a fluffy cloud here and there. The sun shone and blinded his eyes. Despite the gentle warmth against his skin, his core felt very cold. Kageyama felt like the innocent sky was mocking him, portraying the embodiment of peace when he himself felt too torn to function. The panic was building up, it was taking over his mind and leaving him like a ship wrecked by a storm. He tried to scream out all of the pain and frustration and yet not a single word would leave his lips, only a lone soundless scream. Eyelids clenched and tears seeped out of the corners of his eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, he curled up into a small ball in a corner. A comforting breeze ruffled his fringe as he leaned against the protruding metal fence. Completely numb, Kageyama closed his eyes before he withdrew into the world of dreams.
XXXXXXX
’’... -bio-chan.’’
Kageyama blinked drowsily, slowly responding to the eager voice.
’‘Tobio-chan! You should rejoice that I, Oikawa Toru came looking for you like a mother hen. That is Iwa-chan’s role after all~’’
It’s Oikawa-senpai.
Kageyama gazed dazedly at the soft doe eyes and the quirky smile. The older’s eyes held this energetic shine with a tint of something that seemed like fondness. Quickly he dismissed the thought, it must’ve been his own wishful thinking. Meeting Oikawa-senpai had always made him excited and hyped after all senpai was amazing, but now all he could feel was a grating sense of void.
’’What are you doing up here? It’s freezing cold and you missed practice, that’s very unlike you Tobio-chan~ How are you going to beat me otherwise?’’
Oikawa-senpai’s voice was teasing and lighthearted, it had always brought him comfort but now every word seemed insincere and forced.
’’... Stop.’’
Kageyama’s voice was too weak, instead of the intended exclamation it was like a faint whisper. Oikawa frowned at his kouhai, he had barely responded during his earlier attempts on conversation. Something was off, by now they would at least banter.
’‘Tobio-chan? Is everything alri-’’
’‘I said stop!’’
Kageyama’s voice was uncharacteristically forceful. The tentative cheery mood evaporated and all that was left was tense silence.
’‘... Why have you been hanging out with me senpai?’’
Kageyama’s eyes was hooded by his own fringe, still looking towards the ground. His much smaller hands were clenched into pale, trembling fists. Somehow, Oikawa felt like he was standing in the center of a mine field.
One wrong move and...
’‘Because I like hanging out with my adorable kouhai of cou-’’
’‘Liar.’’
... Game Over
Kageyama’s face slowly faced upwards. Oikawa almost flinched at the hollow stare. It burrowed itself into his soul, systematically tearing apart and analysing his intentions.
’‘That can’t be true. Every time I used to ask for advice, senpai always refused to teach me. It’s weird for you to act the way you have been lately.’’
The voice was jarringly monotone without any feelings and the usually energetic deep, blue eyes had turned dull. Oikawa frowned. No dull would imply dampened emotions. Tobio-chan’s gaze couldn’t be depicted in any other way than...
Dead
Suddenly the stinging chill of the air felt unfathomable and Oikawa shivered. A dark, accusing anger welled up in the depth of those sapphire eyes and suddenly the hollowness was replaced with seething accusations. Still Kageyama’s barely audible voice didn’t increase in volume, only hostility.
’‘Up until recently you never showed any kind of kindness for me, but now you hug me regularly. There’s no way someone abruptly decides to like someone just like that. If you are going to be fake about it, just leave me alone.’’
Kageyama’s voice trailed of and the gaze once more lowered onto the ground. Before Oikawa could utter a word of protest Tobio-chan had already stalked towards the door, the creaking of metal echoing in the silence.
XXXXXXXX
’’... and the DNA helix is wrapped around this protein complex called histones to form compact chromosomes. It resembles a ball of yarn. Chromosomes always shows themselves in the one of the earlier phases of cell replication called ...’’
Oikawa discretely dead-panned the teacher. Today’s lesson was incredibly intricate in the most grating, boring way ever. Ever since the incident on the roof Oikawa hadn’t been able to relax. Tobio-chan never talked to anyone anymore and the usually eager face had turned stoic. He hardly talked to anyone and seemed to intensively work on his serve. Every time Oikawa had tried to approach him, he had only received a hollow glance before the younger walked out of there and Oikawa could never bring himself to follow.
Still the words Tobio-chan had uttered that day was like a patch of irritated skin, itching beyond one’s reach. They replayed in his mind, over and over.
’‘Why have you been hanging out with me senpai?’’
’‘Up until recently you never showed any kind of kindness for me, but now you hug me regularly. There’s no way someone abruptly decides to like someone else. If you are going to be fake about it, just leave me alone.’’
’‘Liar.’’
It didn’t help that Oikawa couldn’t play any volleyball yet to release some stress. His knees were still not healed enough for such reckless and high intensive activities’ quoted by his stern and not hot doctor. He sighed in frustration, volleyball was a natural constant and stress relief in his life. To be so firmly reprimanded from practicing it so close to the tournaments and the upcoming finals was sleep depriving to say the least.
His thoughts were interrupted by the shrill school bell chiming the end of class. Sighing through his nose, Oikawa shoved the notes into his bag and walked out of the chattery classroom. Gone were the disapproving glances and subdued gossip, in its stead there were awkward head rubs and embarrassed apologies.
A couple of days earlier, Kindaichi and Iwa-chan had gone to the teacher’s office explaining the circulating rumors and their connection to Shima. After going through a conclusive investigation including interviewing other students, Shima was expelled. Thankfully the other senpais took the hint and stopped harassing Tobio-chan. Other rumors stated that Shima’s parents had been too embarrassed to enroll him to a school in the area and had moved out of town.
Oikawa shook his head, it didn’t matter anymore. Furthermore, his relationship with Tobio-chan was more puzzling. Tobio-chan had never expressed any frustration about their relationship before the roof incident, thus it could’ve been one of the many rumors that had triggered his reaction. Regarding the amount of hurt those rumors had caused Oikawa had to find a way to make it up to him.
XXXXXXXX
Oikawa cursed loudly as he attempted to hurry down to the gym. He was late to volleyball practice and embarrassingly so. Earlier his homeroom teacher had caught him in the hallway and chewed him out due to his lack of attention the past few days. Oikawa nodded reluctantly with grudging respect, Kei-sensei was incredibly scary when pissed off.
Oikawa huffed in relief as he finally reached the door, taking refuge from the pouring rain. Even if he couldn’t participate due to his knees the coach had low tolerance for tardiness.
He wasn’t prepared for the frantic atmosphere in the gym. His teammates were yelling at each other, the coach was speaking in a loud, firm voice with someone on phone and Mattsun dashed past him before Oikawa even could greet everyone properly.
What was going on?
All of them hovered in an oval around somethin- no someone.
’‘Iwa-chan, wha-...’’
Oikawa’s voice faded into shocked silence as he took in the scene. Tobio-chan lay listless on the floor, frighteningly pale. His eye bags were big and dark. Oikawa hadn’t even noticed; most likely due to the long fringe that always shadowed Tobio-chan’s face, without it the contrast was too obvious for comfort.
’’Practice is canceled. Kageyama-kun suddenly fainted in the middle of the match when he was about to serve. Matsukawa ran to contact the school nurse.’’ Iwa-chan replied softly.
’‘So stubborn,’’ Kunumi commented. ’’I noticed he has been staying after practice, but I didn’t think it would result in this.’’
’‘Really? In class, he has been nodding off a lot too without truly falling asleep.’’ Kindaichi agreed.
Something ugly coiled in Oikawa as he regarded the scene, growing increasingly horrified. Tobio-chan had clearly overworked himself, the lack of sleep was as clear as the dawn. Though another part of him, the one who loathed his own cowardliness, was still in denial.
Even as he watched the ambulance depart it felt like a lucid dream, the sirens slowly fading into distance.