Chapter Text
Hinata had arrived late—again. He tumbled into his seat with his usual whirlwind energy, mumbling apologies and ducking the teacher’s glare. Kageyama sat by the window, already halfway through copying down notes from the board.
“Hey,” Hinata whispered. “Did you do the math homework?”
Kageyama didn’t respond. His pen stilled for half a second before he resumed writing, face tight.
Hinata blinked, then frowned. Normally, Kageyama would’ve snapped something like, “Do it yourself, dumbass.” But this morning? Silence.
Hinata wasn't planning to let up, he was close to failing this class and barely even making 70’s. Somebody was GOING to give him this homework whether they wanted to or not. He had spent the whole day practicing with Karusuno, his volleyball team, but because of how focused they were in nationals they missed most of the assignments. There wasn’t many people he could ask, so he yelled into Kageyama’s ears. "Oi! Do you hear me!"
"..."
"Kageyama-Kun! Kageyama! I know you hear me! I'm gonna keep shouting till you answer! Kageyama—"
Kageyama's eyes narrowed and he let out an exasperated sigh.
He twisted his body to face Hinata who was behind him, smiling expectantly. Kageyama inhaled sharply, the moles on his face twitching along the corner of his lips. Kageyama had blue eyes that looked like a deep dark ocean, and the same ocean could chomp you up if you got too close. “Shoyo Hinata, I think you can assume I’m ignoring you, right? I mean, out of all these context clues, you can tell I’m clearly not trying to entertain your presence.” Kageyama sighed and watched as Hinata faked a shiver. “Look, I didn’t do the homework, ask Tsukishima.”
Hinata mourned, “But I can’t ask Tsukishima! He’s too mean and scary—”
”And you think I’m not?” Kageyama’s eyes bored into Hinata’s.
He saw Hinata then grumble and seemed to take that as an answer. He noticed the teacher walking to the front of the classroom and every one of the students began to rise. They stood up to bow and welcome the teacher before sitting back down again, but Hinata was not letting up. He ripped a piece of paper and quickly wrote, “Please, answers?” With a heart and a doodle of him begging.
Kageyama furrowed his eyebrows in deep concentration for a couple minutes. Hinata was confused why he was staring at the paper so intently before Kageyama turned around and whispered, “What the fuck does this even say? Your handwriting is as bad as Tadashi’s receive skills.”
Hinata’s mouth dropped open, “Oh yeah! Like you can be talking! Your handwriting isn’t good either!”
”At least it’s legible moron!” Kageyama snarled slamming one hand on the desk.
“You’re Rude!”
”Well you’re stupid!”
“Intolerant!”
”Shit face!”
”Dinosaur neck!”
”What…?”
Mrs.Ono who was their teacher since they were first years due to the lack of teachers applying yelled, “Enough you two! I’ve had enough on my plate as it is without you two causing a scene! God forbid you two decide to actually focus on your work since you two are both almost failing my class!” Some of the students made oo-ing sounds or let out small sounds of laughter.
”Miss he started it.” Kageyama said with a scowl.
“Nuh-uh.” Hinata huffed.
Kageyama raised his voice, “Yuh-huh!”
“Shoyo and Tobio!” Mrs.Ono yelled. “Office now!”
Hinata sighed as he walked beside Kageyama against the tile floors. The high school was in the process of getting renovated so it still had the scent of a tangy musty smell. The classes had large windows which made it visible to peer into other classrooms who would be teaching during that time. Kageyama on the other hand, was facing forward with a grim expression on his face. Hinata thought in a way, even though people always assumed Kageyama and him hated each other, there was so many things people didn’t see.
They would practice late at night, even if their legs were practically ready to give up, until they puked, until someone yelled at them to get out because how late they practiced. That’s just how determined they were, it was HOW their relationship worked. People didn’t see how they’d laugh at something to simple, and how this… the arguing, was something else that was just how they bonded with each other. By the time Hinata was done daydreaming, the office was on the other side of the building, which means you had to pass by the gym to get there. So the ginger boy suggested, “Oi Kageyama! Let’s go the gym, you can set for me.”
Kageyama let out a chuckle, it was more out of amusement, “Aren’t we gonna get in trouble if we don’t go to the office right now?” He stopped in his tracks crossing his arms.
Hinata stopped as well and hummed, “Maybe… but it’s not like we were really fighting, so it basically doesn’t count.”
”Sure, however, I’m going first!” Kageyama said before dashing quickly through the double doors with Hinata screaming behind him.
”You’re a cheater!” Hinata said as he ran, just a little bit behind of Kageyama.
Kageyama ended up winning, and he grinned replying dryly, "Seems like I've made it to 600 wins first. As to be expected." He said panting with his knees holding on to his ankles to catch his breath.
"I— hah... would've won if you weren't such a sore loser, and a big cheater." Hinata said, just as out of breath as he was. Then after a minute, they looked up at one another and laughed. "I'll win next time Kageyama, just you wait." Later after finally catching their breath, they slipped inside the empty gym and started to practice by receiving the ball back and forth to each other. The sounds of the ball spoke louder than any word they could've said.
The silence hung between them—until Kageyama broke it softly.
"Shoyo... what would you do if you were told you couldn't do something you loved? Like volleyball, for example." He tossed the ball high into the air for Hinata.
Hinata struck it with ease, the sound of rubber against skin echoing. "I dunno... Why are you asking?"
"It's just a thought," Kageyama murmured, catching the ball and holding it in both hands. His eyes stayed on it, distant.
Hinata frowned, arms on his hips. "Are you okay, Kageyama? You're acting really weird. Like... really weird."
Kageyama stepped closer, and Hinata instinctively flinched.
"Whoa, hey! I didn’t do anything!" he said quickly, backing up. "Hey—!"
But Kageyama just grabbed the collar of Hinata’s jersey, which made him slightly lift off the ground. His eyes were... sad? Hurt? Hinata wasn’t sure. He looked like he wanted to scream at the sky, beg to it to hear his crys, but didn't think anyone would listen.
"Hinata, how do I..." Kageyama hesitated, then loosened his grip. "I don’t even know how to tell you this."
Hinata stared, confused.
"What if I like someone," Kageyama said, eyes locked on his, "as much as I love volleyball?"
"You mean... like like someone?" Hinata blinked, curiosity blooming. "I didn’t know you liked anyone! Who's the lucky girl?"
He leaned in, grinning now, fully invested.
"Girl? What girl?"
Uhm, What? Hinata said internally in his head.
"I mean who's the girl you like. It's a girl isn't it?" He said as he watched Kageyama struggle to form his words, which was funny for a guy like him, but he stared silently nonetheless.
Kageyama stuck his tongue in the inside of his cheek as he finally found an appropriate way to explain it, "Sure. Let's go with that, what would you do though. I like her a lot, but... she's kinda a dummy, and shes too energetic, and has the type of smile that would brighten anyone's day. " Kageyama then abruptly let go of Hinata and he stumbled a little before regaining his stance.
"Is that supposed to be an issue? I don't get what your saying." Hinata said deep in thought, he just really wanted to know who this girl was. How did she even manage to capture this rude guy's heart.
"Fuck — nevermind dumbass." Kageyama gruffed.
"Stop swearing."
"Then stop being an idiot, idiot."
The room grew silent again, and only the sounds of their shoes squeaking against the ground or the ball against the palm of their hand. Hinata really wanted to push the matter further, but he'd decide he could wait until Kageyama could finally express it in his words. Who was this mysterious girl? Was she in their class? Were they close? Probably not, Kageyama doesn't talk to a lot of people. Maybe from childhood, way back even before elementary? Hinata pursed his lips in thought, now that he thought about it, there really wasn't much he knew about Kageyama outside of volleyball. Maybe this girl knew every detail about him, and he knew every detail about her— no, don't be silly Hinata, Kageyama just doesn't sound like the type of guy to do that. Hinata just couldn't wrap his head around it.
Though, these thoughts were short lived when he got a handful of the ball right to his face and Kageyama yelled, "Pay attention to the ball idiot!" Hinata got the wind knocked out of him, and he let out a quiet chuckle.
"Oh... uh sorry!" He exclaimed, he had fallen back against the floor and he felt something dripping from the corner of his lip. Hinata touched the warm liquid, "Oh."
Kageyama cursed, "Shit— your bleeding. Get up let's go to the nurse." Kageyama said grabbing the volleyball from beside Hinata and tossing it back, then he helped lift Hinata up.
Hinata had his head thrown back as he pinched his nosebridge and exited out the gym, his eyebrows were furrowed, "Ah you're such a pain in the butt not only did you get us in the trouble now you made my nose bleed! Tsk—"
"Hey hey hey! I did nothing!" Kageyama barked, "If you had kept your eyes on the got damn ball and if you weren't so irrational and stupid then we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place! Moron! Now we have to go to the nurse, and tell her everything that's happened just because you can't use the two eyes you were blessed with!"
Hinata rolled his eyes, "I'm Kageyama and I love hitting on innocent bystanders." He said while pushing down his hair to mock Kageyama.
"There's nothing innocent about you! Put your damn head back your nose is still bleeding."
Hinata sighed and wiped away the few drops of blood before lifting his head again. Once they reached the nurse's office he was handed some tissues and, of course, they had to explain what had happened to have Hinata's nose bleeding like a runny faucet. The nurse seemed understanding, but even after Hinata's nose stopped bleeding, they still ended up in the principal's office.
"Why am I not surprised it's you two." The principal, Yasumichi Kushida said exasperatedly. "You know, the last time you were in here I told you two you'd get suspended if it happens again. But unfortunately, due to the importance of you being on the volleyball team and giving Karusuno a good name, I'll let it be for now."
Hinata cheered but Mr.Kushida stopped him, "Ah—ha, not so fast. I didn't say you still wouldn't get a punishment."
Hinata frowned and looked away, and Kageyama snickered under his breath.
"You guys will clean up Mrs. Ono's room top to bottom this afternoon! We are limited on teachers, so I swear if this happens again you will be removed from the volleyball team!" Hinata and Kageyama both turned pale and glanced at eachother.
"Sir! I promise I will never argue with Kageyama ever again if he stops being a bully!" Hinata stood up, one hand on his chest to declare his statement.
"I promise to never argue with Hinata again as long as he stops being stupid!" Kageyama stood up aswell with his hands on the principals desk. They turned to look at eachother and clasped their hands in agreement.
Mr.Kushida furrowed his eyebrows and left it alone, "Kids are so dense..."
The school bell rung and the kids began to collect their bags and exit out of the room. Since it was a Friday, many of the students were planning on going to karaokes, parties, anything you could name. The first thing they did was move the chairs and tables to the corners of the room. Kageyama had put his wired earbuds in, and seemed pretty chill for the most part. Hinata ruffled his own hair, "Ah—Kageyama I completely forgot about the homework we had to turn in!"
Kageyama looked up, "Crap... me too. Just turn it in tomorrow."
"It's okay! Next year I'll be able to balance both being on volleyball, and my grades, and I'll be super duper smart." Hinata flashed a charming smile.
Kageyama tilted his head to the side, "We graduate this year, so what the hell are you talking about?"
"Right..." Hinata murmured, tapping at the broomstick he had in his hand. He went back to sweeping and putting the trash into the dust pan, while Kageyama worked on cleaning the windows. "Uh—Hey, Kageyama? Can I ask you something?"
"Hm?" Kageyama hummed.
"About earlier... the girl you like—who is she?" Hinata asked, tilting his head with curiosity. "It's just been on my mind. I didn’t think you were the type to develop a crush, Kageyama."
A vein twitched in Kageyama’s neck. "What do you take me for? Someone with no feelings?"
"No, no! That’s not what I meant!" Hinata flailed his hands defensively. "You just seem like the type who has girls falling for you, not the other way around. You're always so... nonchalant. I don't know—beside the point! Who is she?"
Kageyama narrowed his eyes. "Why do you need to know?"
Hinata dropped to his knees dramatically. "Come on! Just tell me—I’m begging Kageyama!"
"Absolutely not."
"Kageyama!" Hinata whined.
Kageyama pressed his lips into a thin line as he continued scrubbing the windows. Hinata puffed out his cheeks and crossed his arms.
"Fine, be that way. But I guess I'll just have to tell Coach Ukai we used the gym without his permission."
Kageyama froze mid-scrub. "Are you serious right now? You were in on it too."
Hinata shook his head, feigning innocence. "Yep! And I’m taking full accountability for my actions. I just wonder what he'd do if he found out we practiced during school hours again. Maybe he'd make us take a break from volleyball... and then we’d never go to Nationals... ever again—"
"You're such a snitch." Kageyama muttered. "Fine. I'll tell you in text tomorrow. Just... don't say anything."
Hinata smiled silently, victorious, as he continued sweeping the tiled floor. "You have to pinky promise or I’ll be very upset."
"Eat shit, Hinata."
"You're so mean, Kageyama-kun. I'm your elder—respect me!"
"You sure don’t act like it..."
Hinata said joyfully, "So tomorrow? On April 10th, Kageyama vows that he will tell me who this secret individual is?"
Kageyama rubs the palm of his hand down his face, "I promise. I, Tobio Kageyama, will tell you who the individual is."
"Good." Hinata said, his voice full of victory.
Later that night, Hinata ate a good dinner, hung out with his sister, and finally slipped into bed. Today to say the least, was eventful. He had work tomorrow for his part time job, and he really felt like he needed to make an effort to hang out with his sister more. Hinata was always really busy since he joined the volleyball team.
Tomorrow, he could talk more with Kageyama and tease him. It'd be sorta funny to see Kageyama all flustered. He'll just close his eyes for a minute, and then he'd be ready for tomorrow.
RING RING
Hinata groaned, shifting under his blankets.
RING RING
He cracked his eyes open. His phone buzzed relentlessly on his nightstand, screen glowing with missed calls and messages. The one name that stood out was from Coach Ukai.
He answered, voice groggy. “Coach…?”
“Hinata.” Coach Ukai's voice was tight—unsteady. “I know it’s late, but you need to come to the gym. It’s about Kageyama.”
Hinata sat up sharply, the sudden seriousness jolting him awake. The tension in Ukai’s voice made butterflies in his stomach, and not in the good way.
“Did something happen?” he asked quickly, already sliding on socks, his phone clamped between his shoulder and cheek. “Give me ten minutes—I’m putting my shoes on now.”
He could hear distant voices through the phone. Muffled, but familiar. Was that… Daichi? Sugawara?
“Just hurry, Shoyo.” Then the line went dead.
It was 2:15 AM. Hinata burst out of his house, breath fogging in the night air. He grabbed his bike, pedaling furiously, trying not to imagine the worst. Maybe it’s a prank. A surprise? No… that’s stupid. It’s not my birthday. Is Setter Appreciation Day a thing? Don't be stupid Hinata, there's a logical explanation to this.
But no matter how hard he tried to rationalize, his chest was tight. Ukai hadn’t sounded like himself. That fear in his voice…
The school was straight ahead and mostly dark except for the soft glow of the gym lights. As Hinata neared, the muffled sounds of voices got louder. He opened the gym door slowly.
Coach Ukai stood near the entrance. The team was gathered inside. Everyone.
Hinata’s breath caught. “Nishinoya-san? Asahi? Ennoshita…?” His eyes swept the room. “Coach, why are the old third-years here? I mean, it’s good to see everyone, but you sounded—”
"Kageyama's dead."
Hinata blinked, he was utterly stunned. He laughed a little, "Your joking, right? Y'know that's not really a funny to joke about─"
Coach Ukai looked at the ground, his eyes pulsing with fear. He balled his fist and responded as calm as he possibly could. "Hinata. He's gone." The other members seemed to be in the distance, others crying or looking just as frozen.
Hinata felt like something just ripped out his heart, he would've been okay with almost anything but that. His pupils dilated, from the rush of emotions that were threatening to all come out at once. He was shocked, so the most he could react in that moment was by parting his lips slightly.
"I must have heard you wrong—"
"Hinata. He passed away, we were gonna go see him in the hospital and since you're the closest to him we figured..." Coach Ukai rolled the last letter on his tongue.
Hinata yelled, "No... No no — your wrong he can't be dead, we talked yesterday, before we left he was fine! He was okay!" He said panicking. His breath was becoming labored. Coach—everybody tell me he's lying!"
"..."
Hinata had tears streaming down his face by this point, "Why... Why... hnck." Hinata fell onto his knees looking down at the ground.
"Shoyo..." Yamaguchi whispered trying to place one hand on his back.
"Kageyama..." Hinata sobbed, letting out shaky cries. "Kageyama."
The gym was silent, others mourning or huddled up, until Ukai's phone buzzed.
He glanced at it. His face drained of color.
"...What the hell?"
Everyone turned to him.
Ukai looked up slowly, brows furrowed.
"That... was the hospital."