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It was mid June when the rainy season had started, the droplets making big puddles on the road and the grass mushy and muddy. The clouds covered the sky, making everything dark even in the middle of the day.
Kageyama hated it.
The rain clung to his uniform, making him feel both soggy and sticky. He adjusted his hold on his umbrella, which was pretty much useless but he had his hopes. The droplet slipped down the ridges, some dripping onto the back of his neck. Making him all the more uncomfortable.
Every splash underneath his feet got into his shoes and socks, making his feet soaked.
Everything about the rainy season was something to hate.
He wanted to teleport to places or not even go at all. Don’t get him wrong, he loved volleyball with all his soul. But not when it rained. He just wanted to stay home and play when it was sunny out. Even though they played in the gym, it was walking there that was the problem.
Kageyama snapped his umbrella shut as he entered the gym, his body shivering from the cold as he stood underneath the fans.
Hinata was already there, playing volleyball with the wall.
“What’s with the face, Bakayama!”
“Shut up! My face is fine!”
“You look all like this!” The ginger scrunched up his face, imitating the latter.
“I do not!”
Hinata huffed “Did someone spit in your yogurt drink?”
“The rain did.”
Kageyama frowned as the words left his mouth, he didn’t want to be reminded about the rain. And here he was, talking about it with the chaotic one who loves the rain.
Hinata bursts into laughter “How can rain spit in your yogurt? It’s not living!”
“Shut up, dumbass!”
Kageyama stormed to the other side of the gym, just as the rest of the team started to trickle in.
“It’s too early for that, Kageyama.” Suga said with a sigh.
“Hey! Don’t get mad! It’s just rain!”
“He’s upset about the rain?”
Kageyama picked up a volleyball, practicing his serves with the wall. He just wanted this conversation to be over! Why did Hinata have to be so loud?
Suga patted Kageyama’s back, he had seen his Kouhai do this before. Shutting down and pushing himself into volleyball. Forcing himself to move even when his body doesn’t want to. He didn’t want that to happen this time.
“You’ll hurt yourself before warm-ups.”
The younger male didn’t acknowledge him, too lost in thought to be in his surroundings.
Kageyama hated rain.
After practice they left for Coach Ukai’s store, each hungry and wanting to grab something to eat before they go home. All except for one.
Kageyama stood in the doorway of the gym, the rain had started pouring even more. He didn’t want to go out in that!
“Yamayama! Let’s go!”
No.
He wasn’t going anywhere.
Kageyama shrunk back, turning into the gym to grab a volleyball.
“Is the King afraid of water?” Tsukishima sneered as he and Yamaguchi left.
He wasn’t afraid of water!
He just very strongly hated the rain.
Was it stupid?
Not to him, but maybe to other people.
“Want me to stay with you, Kageyama?”
Oh.
Suga sees.
“No.”
Kageyama grabbed his umbrella, mentally preparing himself.
He wasn’t a quitter.
Even if this situation didn’t get him to win in the end, he refused to seem weak in front of his teammates.
“You don’t have to come right now, you can catch up later when the rain ends.”
“I’m fine!” He knew he had said it a bit too loud, but he just wanted the attention off of him now.
He forced himself forward, walking past the team. His face scrunched up as the rain hit the umbrella way too loudly. Almost like gunshots in his ear. But he had to prove a point now. But instead of heading towards the store, he went home.
“Kageyama!”
He turned, spotting Suga walking up to him.
“Hey, you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why did you follow me?”
“It’s alright to be afraid of the rain, y’know.”
“I’m not afraid!”
“I’m not going to judge you. And the team isn’t either. We all have our fears that seem like they shouldn’t exist. And as much as we try to push them away, they’re still there. So, it’s okay to be afraid of the rain just as much as being afraid of heights. It’ll be okay.”
“It’s not fear! I just- don’t like the way it feels. It’s too loud, too sticky. I hate the mud. I just don’t want anything to do with it!”
“And that’s okay. But guess what?”
“What?”
“The sun will come back and make the water disappear. The ground will dry up, and the rain won’t make any more sound. It won’t stay forever.”
Kageyama gripped his umbrella “I know that.”
Suga smiled, “I know you do, but it helps to hear it.”
Kageyama looked up, finally taking a peek out from underneath his umbrella. His shoulders relaxed slightly, watching the storm continue in front of him. It didn’t seem as bad now.
He still hated the way it sounded and how the droplets made big puddles on the road and mushy and muddy the grass would be.
But he can let himself believe, at least just this once, that it won’t last forever.