Archive of Our Own ^beta

“You got yourself a what?” Atsumu leaned over the counter table, his fatty tuna onigiri long forgotten.

“A boyfriend,” Osamu replied flatly from the other side of the kitchen.

“A boyfriend?!” 

“Yes, ‘Tsumu. A boyfriend,” Osamu reiterated. “Now, are you gonna eat those onigiris or not? Because if it's the latter, I’m having it for myself.”

At that, Atsumu immediately downed the rice balls served on the plate. “As if I’d let you,” he grumbled in between his bites, ignoring the way Osamu’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Anyway, how come you never shared any of this with me, ‘Samu? I thought we made a promise to tell each other everything, especially matters like this one? How am I supposed to judge if he’s the right one for you?”

Osamu reached out to grab Atsumu’s emptied plate once the male finished and filled his twin’s glass with water. “I wanted to make sure that he’s the one for me first. Imagine if I introduced someone to you and I find out a week later that we ain’t gonna work out? You’re gonna murder the poor soul.”

“Because that would mean this scrub fucked up and did something terrible that made you call quits.”

Osamu snorted. “You think way too kindly of me.”

“Duh. Because you’re my twin.” Atsumu scrunched his nose. “So, when are you gonna make us meet? Who is he?”

“I ain’t telling you his name.” Osamu rolled his eyes. “And about meeting him, you’ll find out who he is when you drop by the apartment again for my graduation in March. He’s flying back from Brazil to Japan in two weeks. Kita-san, Aran, and the others are coming too.”

Atsumu’s eyebrows shot up. “He’s all the way from Brazil?!” he nearly shouted as his jaw dropped. “What the fuck, ‘Samu? Don’t tell me you met this guy through a dating site? How can you just get together with somebody you haven’t met in real life? What if this guy is a catfish? Do you have zero danger sense or something?”

“Do you think I’m that stupid, ‘Tsumu?” Osamu scoffed. “I didn’t meet him through a dating site. A mutual friend introduced us to each other, and we hit it off. I’m gonna say this in advance because I don’t wanna hear you whining about being a dimwit later on. This guy is someone you’ve already met. Someone we’ve played against back in high school. It’s someone whom you’ll most likely get along with and like. Now, quit your worrying, ma,” his twin said, and Atsumu fell silent. 

This guy was someone he had met? Someone they had played volleyball against in high school? And Osamu was sure that this guy was someone that Atsumu would get along with and like?

Atsumu began racking his head of the possible people that fit his twin’s narrative. He knew like five players who went to Brazil.

First, there were the cousins from their rival powerhouse school in Hyogo, but if he remembered it correctly, he and Osamu never really got along with those two chumps.

Then there were those guys in Akimitsu and Sango Academy, whom they faced twice in the Interhigh. With them, Atsumu recalled their relationships being somewhat decent.

Lastly, there was this guy from Miyagi, someone he and Osamu had met in the Spring Nationals. But as the image of bright orange hair and brown eyes came to his mind, Atsumu immediately shook it off. Just no. Sure, their relationship with him was also decent, but he was off-limits. Atsumu had already staked his claim on him, and it’s not like he was Osamu’s type anyway.

“Can’t you tell me his name now? Are you seriously gonna keep everything a surprise?” Atsumu pressed. “I’m gonna die from curiosity, ‘Samu!”

“Then go die,” Osamu deadpanned. “It’s either that or you’re gonna wait. But, believe me when I say that you’re gonna like him, ‘Tsumu. I’m serious.”

Atsumu knitted his brows. Whoever this mystery boyfriend is, he had better be good, especially if he has Osamu keeping his profile in the wraps like this. 

“Fine, whatever you say,” he relented, albeit sourly. It was obvious in his tone that he was the farthest thing from convinced and satisfied with the response, and his twin was well aware of it, too.

Osamu knew that he only eased off for today. Tomorrow, in the weeks to come, and until the first week of March, Atsumu would be pestering him from dawn until dusk for answers.

-

The only reason that Atsumu would eventually stop later on was that all thoughts of Osamu’s mystery boyfriend were overwritten by his sheer joy at the return of Hinata Shouyou, and the news that the orange-haired male has officially become a part of the MSBY Black Jackals. 

Finally, after years of waiting, he’d fulfill the vow he had told Hinata all those years ago, and he couldn’t wait to tell Osamu about this when he visits his apartment later for the post-grad. celebration. Atsumu had initially invited Hinata to come along as well, but the spiker had declined, saying he had plans of his own. 

To say Atsumu wasn’t bummed upon hearing the reply would be a lie, but he did remind himself that Hinata had just arrived in Japan a week ago. The spiker was probably busy catching up with his family, had made plans with old high school peers — Kageyama was in town, wasn’t he? — or was in the middle of finalizing the arrangements and requirements for his move into their dorms.

Atsumu could always ask Hinata out some other time. It’s no big deal. He figured they could meet maybe next Monday, or they could hang out after their morning training on Thursday. So, imagine his surprise when, some other time apparently meant tonight, because waiting right outside the door to Osamu’s apartment, the moment he arrived, was none other than Hinata himself.

“Shouyou-kun,” Atsumu called out to the orange-haired male who nearly jumped out from his spot in surprise. “What are you doing here? I thought you had plans today?”

“Atsumu-san! What a coincidence!” Hinata tumbled all over his words, nervous. “How should I put this, uh, I didn’t reject you earlier because I didn’t want to spend time or anything. I really do have plans of my own! It’s just, I didn’t expect to see you so soon!”

“Didn’t expect to see me so soon?” Atsumu furrowed his brows in confusion. “What are you talking about? Were you invited as well by ‘Samu? If that was the case, you didn’t have to lie, y’know? You could’ve just told me.”

“No, it’s nothing like that! Well, actually, yes! Somewhat! Slight! But, it’s different!” Hinata blurted, and at that, Atsumu’s eyes narrowed. Something felt off. It was uncanny to see the orange-haired male jittery like this. But before he could even prod his teammate about it, the door to the apartment opened.

“Shouyou, you made it!” Osamu beamed. “I was worried you had gotten lost,” he added, and what once felt off to Atsumu now turned into something wrong. 

Shouyou? Since when were Hinata and his twin brother on a first-name basis, and why the hell was Osamu grinning and looking at his spiker like he hung the stars? That kind of stare was Atsumu’s thing.

Hinata returned the same bright smile. “‘Samu! I told you I’ll be fine! You worry too much as if I didn’t navigate the streets of Rio on my own,” he chirped in between his giggles, and the way Osamu unabashedly reached out to ruffle Hinata’s hair affectionately made Atsumu want to rip his hand off.

“Excuse me,” Atsumu said, clearing his throat with a force that had the two turning their heads. “Sorry to interrupt whatever bit it is that you two have currently going on, but why the hell is Shouyou-kun here, ‘Samu? You invited him or something? How come you never told me?”

Hinata blushed, and something tender shone in his twin brother’s eyes. As the dots started connecting inside Atsumu’s brain, Osamu simultaneously said, “Because Shouyou-kun’s the mystery boyfriend from Brazil I was telling you about last month, ‘Tsumu. That’s why he’s here. He’s the one I’ll be introducing to all of you.”

Atsumu bristled. “‘Samu, what the fuck?” Hinata Shouyou was supposed to be his.

Sure, it was never really explicitly spoken, but the signs were there. Osamu, his twin, of all people, should have known. 

Osamu sighed, but it wasn’t anything let out from disappointment or shame. Atsumu wondered if getting together with Hinata had dumbed his twin down looking at how he had been acting. Instead of backtracking and telling Atsumu that it was all a joke, Osamu went, “I know, I know. Sorry, but I did say it was a surprise. We’ll tell you everything inside with the others. Now, come on, Shouyou,” he reached a hand out for Hinata to take. “Don’t forget to close the door when you go in, ‘Tsumu.”

The instant his eyes caught sight of Osamu interlacing his hands with Hinata, Atsumu made sure to shut the door with a loud thud. His action earned him a few confused looks from Kita, Aran, and Akagi, who all sat on the couch facing the entrance, but Atsumu only offered them a tight smile. Meanwhile, Suna, who sat on the section facing the television, gave him a pointed look the minute he took the empty seat next to him and Ginjima.

“What was that about?” the EJP middle blocker asked.

“It’s nothing you should concern yourself over, Suna. ‘Samu is just pissing me off as always,” Atsumu grumbled.

“Alright, since everyone is here,” Osamu started, his loud voice catching all their attention. “I guess now would be a perfect time to say some opening remarks and thanks. I believe you all know why I invited you here in the first place, which is first, to celebrate my graduation, and the next is to finally introduce my mystery boyfriend, Shouyou.”

“Hi, everyone! I’m Hinata Shouyou!” Hinata introduced himself on cue with pinkened cheeks. “‘Samu and I have been in a long-distance relationship for a while now! I know it might seem crazy given the reputation of LDRs and all, but surprisingly, with us, it worked! We made it work! My goal has always been to come back and play for a professional volleyball team in Japan, but getting together with ‘Samu just fueled my desire to return home more and — ”

And the moment Hinata went on a full-blown monologue about his and Osamu’s relationship, each word slipped through Atsumu’s ears like a breeze. He had stopped listening. He couldn’t bring himself to listen; more so, to care. Not when he’s angry, infuriated, and literally on the verge of exploding.

Fuck his twin and his damn relationship.

Atsumu does not like this. He loathes it. How the hell could ‘Samu do this to him?

Somewhere along the way, Suna had begun joking about how it was funny that it was Osamu who got together with Hinata when it was Atsumu who literally proposed to the orange-haired male on the court years ago. While everyone laughed, Atsumu’s jaw clenched into a stiff smile, his fists curled so hard he could feel his nails digging into his palms as rage simmered underneath his skin.

“Hey, you okay?” Ginjima asked with a gentle nudge to his elbow, noticing Atsumu’s odd silence amidst their loud exchanges.

“I’m fine, Gin,” Atsumu replied through gritted teeth. “I’m fucking peachy.”

By then, the conversation had shifted once more. Osamu had begun talking about his plans of opening the first branch of Onigiri Miya in May, and just like his twin, Atsumu, found himself drafting future schemes of his own.

Schemes that lie between the lines of Osamu, Hinata, and their relationship's demise.

-

Unfortunately, Atsumu would come to realize that bringing a relationship to ruin is easier said than done. Months have passed, and the blonde could only watch as Osamu and Hinata’s relationship grew stronger and stronger as the days went by. It was nearly impossible to intervene when the two were always stuck together like a can of sardines. Not to mention the jabs he’d make at Osamu do not work at all with Hinata — that lucky bastard. His twin could blow up the entire world, and Hinata would still be shooting heart eyes at him.

“You know, Tsum-Tsum, if looks could kill, Hinata would be dead by now,” Bokuto said as he plopped right next to Atsumu on one of the corners of the court after finishing up his serving drills.

“Shut up, Bokkun,” Atsumu barked, his brown eyes refusing to avert from observing the spiker. He licked his lips when, after a particularly high jump, Hinata’s shorts raked just high enough to expose the rest of his upper thighs. “There’s nothing wrong with appreciating the view.”

“You disgust me,” Sakusa spat, sitting a few steps away. “Your lack of shame is out of this world. Didn’t Hinata say that he was going out with your brother?”

“Unfortunately,” Atsumu seethed in jealousy, reminded once again of his failed relationship interferences. “‘Samu’s one blessed jerk.”

“Alright, Hinata! That was a nice run! Go and take a break!” Foster yelled after the spiker successfully delivered another powerful serve.

“Thanks, coach!” Hinata beamed and ran over to where his close circle of teammates were resting. “Hey, guys! Whatcha talking about?” he asked, slipping himself right by Atsumu’s empty left.

Immediately, Atsumu draped his arm across Hinata’s shoulder. “Oh, we were just talking about how much of a monster you are becoming, Shou,” he replied, and unlike before, Hinata didn't visibly flinch, having grown accustomed to the new nickname through time. 

If you asked Atsumu the reason for the change, he’d simply say that he was not about to call the spiker something that his boyfriend does, y’know, because he’s such a good guy. A good twin brother. This totally wasn’t something he had been forced to do because Osamu decided to take away what’s supposed to be exclusive to him and Hinata. 

“That’s because I’m also surrounded by people who are.” Hinata laughed. “It’s hard not to get influenced!”

“Nuh-uh. I don’t think it works that way.” Atsumu gently flicked Hinata’s forehead. “I’m pretty sure this is the result of all your hard work,” he said, nuzzling his nose against the spiker’s hair. Hinata’s mixed scent of citrus and after-training sweat was always so addicting. 

“Tsum-Tsum is right, Hinata! This is all you!” Bokuto said, his signature Bokuto-beam grin plastered on his face. “Sheesh, Brazil really upped your stats to a thousand! And when I say stats, it’s not just your volleyball skills,” he added with a playful wriggle of his brow. “Myaa-sam must be having a feast.”

The blush that blossomed on Hinata’s face was instantaneous. “Not often! He wanted to take things slow!” the spiker squeaked out at the same time irritation spread across Atsumu’s nerves.

“Weakshit. ‘Samu’s missing out,” Atsumu murmured against the shell of Hinata’s ear, pulling the spiker’s body closer.

“Suuuure, Atsumu-san,” Hinata said, letting out an awkward chuckle as he abruptly stood up and broke himself free from the setter’s arm. Always so difficult and sharp. “Here you go, being all weird and mean again. Why don’t you be nicer to your twin? And for the record, being a weakshit,” he grimaced at the profane choice of word, “is not bad at all. It’s how ‘Samu loves and cares.”

“You have to understand that Miya is way past saving, Hinata,” Sakusa interjected flatly. “Unlike his golden saint of a twin, whatever you say isn’t going to make him less of a jerk.”

“Yeah! Tsum-Tsum can be really intense sometimes,” Bokuto said. “But, Myaa-sam, on the other hand, is an angel. An angel in disguise. It’s like he’s all tough on the outside, but super duper soft on the inside, you get what I mean?”

Sakusa made one of his indifferent faces, which meant he either disagreed or didn’t get it at all. 

But in contrast to Sakusa, Atsumu did, and it was clear as day. 

How did he not notice this sooner.

-

Atsumu’s approach to the relationship had drastically changed. He cursed at himself for his poor thinking and for wasting a good chunk of time on a plan that was already in vain. Of course, trying to score hangouts with Hinata behind Osamu’s back was impossible, and tarnishing his twin’s image was nothing but futile when the spiker loved wholeheartedly and carried a spirit so strong.

But this was Hinata.

Osamu was different from Hinata.

His sweet, angelic, golden saint of a twin brother, as what both Bokuto and Sakusa said, despite his stoic and tough exterior, was fragile, sensitive, and delicate deep to the bone.

Osamu had always been the kinder person between them both. He was the type to put others first before himself, mindful of everyone’s feelings and needs. It’s why he took his sweet time when he broke to Atsumu the news that he was thinking of quitting volleyball back in high school.

Rather than trying to set Hinata off, Atsumu should have scattered dusts of doubt within Osamu instead.

Well, it’s not like everything’s too late, he thought as he listened to Osamu ramble about Hinata via phone for what seemed to be the eleventh time that night in his dorm room.

“So, ‘Tsumu, how’s volleyball doing so far?” his twin asked from the other line. “Don’t think I’ve heard you bring it up yet. Strange. You fine? Shouyou said Coach Foster is putting you all through relentless drills and back-to-back practice matches?”

I haven’t been able to talk about it because you keep on blabbering about your sweet Shouyou, and the way you use his name casually like this still grates my skin, but sure — Atsumu wanted to say, but he bit his tongue to stop the words from ever rolling out. He was not about to say all that to Osamu and risk the chance of getting a sour look later on from Hinata because his twin ratted him out.

Instead, what he ended up responding with was, “Volleyball is fun as usual, and I’m doing fine. What you heard from Shou is right. Coach has been whipping us into shape to prepare for the new season, and I’ve been trying out new tricks with Bokkun, Omi-kun, and our capt. Meian.”  

Osamu laughed. “Bet Bokkun must be having the time of his life experimenting with moves.”

“When is Bokkun ever not having the time of his life?” Atsumu snorted. “Couldn’t say the same for Omi-kun, though. Can you believe he threatened to serve the ball right at the back of my head when I suggested for him to try bumping the ball on my way with his foot?”

“Typical Omi-kun.” Osamu laughed a second time. “Anyway, what about Shouyou?”

“Hm?” Atsumu hummed.

“What is Shouyou doing?” Osamu repeated, more specific this time around. “You’ve mentioned Bokkun, Omi-kun, and your captain in passing, but what about him?”

It took everything in Atsumu to stop his lips from tugging into a wicked smile at the incoming golden opportunity. “Why are you asking, ‘Samu? Didn’t you say a while ago that Shou talked to you about the drills and matches?”

“Yeah, he did, but that’s about it,” Osamu replied. “I was trying to ask him about his plays, but he kept changing the topic. Figured he must have messed a serve or spike and was too embarrassed to bring it up, but I just can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. That’s why I’m asking.”

Oh, this sweet, sweet, and dear chance. Atsumu was going to take a gamble on it. “‘Samu, coach didn’t put Shou on the court to play,” he said with phony disappointment, like it was the worst thing ever to happen.

Osamu, the precious boyfriend that he is, took the bait. “What?”

Atsumu bit his lip, purposefully pausing to amplify the tension. When Osamu called out his name for the lack of response and concern, he breathed out and somberly said, “Coach Foster put Shou on the bench. We played with Barnes in every practice match, ‘Samu.”

The soft gasp that Osamu let out was music to his ears.

“Huh? Is your coach crazy? Why the hell would he put Shouyou on the bench?”

“Not sure, but I’m guessing he probably thought he wasn’t ready yet or something, which sucks,” Atsumu replied, improvising a bitter laugh on the spot. “You saw those footages of Shou in Brazil, right? When he played beach volleyball.”

“I mean, Shouyou has been showing them to me since he arrived, and your team wouldn’t stop talking about it every time you guys would drop by the restaurant, so it was hard to miss.”

Atsumu clenched his jaw. He hated it when Osamu would unintentionally gloat like this. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Can you blame us when he’s amazing like that?” he dismissed with a roll of his eyes and fought back a frustrated sigh. “Moving on, as I was saying, it sucks. Shou works the hardest out of everyone, and coach ain’t even letting him play, even if it’s just one set. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder…”

“Wonder what, ‘Tsumu?”

Atsumu forced out a trembling breath. “If Shou’s regretting coming back.”

“Regretting?”

“Yup. ‘Cause all we’re doing is tying him down,” he continued with mock sadness. “I mean, this guy, Lucio, was already offering to connect him with some of Brazil’s super teams, right? And that’s a huge deal! You know just how powerful they are, ‘Samu! Not to mention, he had also already found himself a partner in beach volleyball, and is known as the one and only Ninja Shouyou! Yet he returned, said he wanted to play in Japan, and — ”

Before Atsumu could even finish, Osamu interrupted. “Hold on, hold on. Shouyou was given that kind of opportunity?” 

“Yeah, he was,” Atsumu answered like he had known from the very beginning, and not just two days ago when Hinata had told them about it over their dining table. “Didn’t Shou tell you?”

“No,” Osamu answered, faltering all over his words. “No, he didn’t. Do… Do you think it’s because I told him…?”

“Huh? Told him what?”

Now, it was Osamu who spoke with sadness. The only difference was that his was real. “Listen, ‘Tsumu, before Shouyou came back, the night before his flight, he was telling me all sorts of things about how Brazil kinda opened multiple doors of opportunities and became like, a second home to him. I mean, he stayed there for two years, so why wouldn’t it become one? I told him then that it’s great he found another home there, but Japan was missing him, opportunities were waiting for him, and I couldn’t wait to finally meet him.”

This couldn’t have played out any better for Atsumu. If there was something he knew his twin hated more than anything was that — 

“Hey, ‘Samu, are you implying that you influenced Shou’s choice?”

“More like got in the way of his choice, a possible dream, but sure influenced,” Osamu said, chuckling bitterly.

Atsumu gasped. “Why’d you even think that?” 

Osamu exhaled a deep breath. “Because it’s Shouyou, ‘Tsumu. Do I need to say more?” he said, tone all regretful and broken. Atsumu almost felt sorry for him.

“I get what you mean, but I dunno, ‘Samu. Have you tried to think that maybe he still wanted to play for Japan? He said it during your graduation party months ago when you introduced him to us, didn’t he? You should pry the answer out from Shou. Not from me,” Atsumu suggested, knowing fully well Osamu would do the exact opposite. 

“I know. I’ll see what I can do,” Osamu murmured. “Thanks for telling me all of this and for listening, ‘Tsumu.”

“It’s no problem at all, ‘Samu. I’ll catch up with you again next time, m’kay? Good luck with Shou.”

“Yeah,” Osamu responded, and just like that, Atsumu ended the call.

The moment his twin’s caller ID disappeared and showcased his recents, a smirk crept on Atsumu’s face.

His scheme has been set in motion.

-

Another month has passed, and Atsumu can tell that something has definitely shifted in the air. While Osamu and Hinata still interacted as usual, it wasn’t anything like before. Their afternoon calls had lessened; Hinata spent his breaks doing laps rather than laughing at the messages on his phone, whereas Osamu, who still dropped occasionally to give the team onigiri, wouldn’t stay around for more than ten minutes.

Their teammates assumed that they were probably caught up in their busy lives, with Hinata practicing for the incoming season, and Osamu managing his flourishing business. But not Atsumu. He knew the exact reason why, and judging from how things were playing and how restless his spiker had been looking, he reckoned he would be getting the conversation he had been waiting for from Hinata today.

“You’re on fire today, Shou,” Atsumu said when the spiker landed on his feet after hanging in the air. “That was quicker than before.”

“Well, if I want to convince Coach Foster to let me fly, especially during the opening match with the Adlers, I need to show him what I’m made of, right?” Hinata grinned, looking and sounding more determined than he had ever been since joining the team.

“That’s my wing spiker,” Atsumu remarked with a proud smile, his brown eyes shining. “Wanna do five more before we hit the lockers?”

“Five? Make it ten!”

“You’re one greedy little monster,” Atsumu said. Nonetheless, he motioned for Hinata to toss the balls over to his side so he could give the spiker the sets he had been asking for.

They ended up stopping at twenty before they hit the showers and headed to their locker room to change. Just as Atsumu had shoved his dirty practice clothes in his bag and was preparing to leave, Hinata suddenly called out to him. 

“Hey, Atsumu-san?”

Atsumu lifted his head and shifted his eyes to look at Hinata. “What is it, Shou?”

Hinata fiddled with his fingers, traces of the determined and upbeat spiker he was thirty minutes ago long gone. “Listen, before I begin, I just want to let you know that I’m not trying to doubt your twin or anything. I’m just asking out of mere concern and worry, so I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

“Chill, Shou. I’m not gonna bite you or anything. You can say you wanna talk about, ‘Samu. I won’t get mad,” Atsumu said. “What do you want to talk about? Don’t tell me he’s gotten so overbearing that you find it hard to breathe. God knows just how much he acts like a ma,” he joked, easing the spiker into starting the conversation.

“About that, um, you see, Atsumu-san, my concern is actually the exact opposite.”

Atsumu inclined his head, signaling for Hinata to go on.

“Okay, so, my concern is that he doesn’t coddle me as much as he used to,” Hinata admitted, embarrassingly. “Sorry if it sounds weird!” he quickly followed, flailing his hands in the air. “It’s just, that’s the first thing that came to mind. Not to say ‘Samu coddles coddles me, but it’s more like, he used to care a lot? Doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about me now! I know he does! ‘Samu is just… more silent? Maybe a little distant?”

Atsumu furrowed his brows, feigning confusion. “I’m gonna need you to explain a bit more, Shou.”

“Right, yeah, of course, sure.” Hinata rubbed the back of his neck as he rambled, “Uh, back then, ‘Samu used to check up on me all the time, and by check up on me, it’s not just a simple good morning, good night, or how’s your day. He’d ask about our practices and see what I was up to. On our free days, we’d arrange dates together, make an itinerary, and everything. But now, it’s just me? I’m the only one who initiates the conversations, and when I ask him out on dates, he leaves everything in my hands. It’s like he doesn’t want to get involved.”

“Maybe ‘Samu wants you to be in charge because he’s suddenly getting these thoughts that he’s becoming another tyrannical jerk,” Atsumu suggested, his words deliberately idiotic. “Can’t have ‘Tsumu number two, after all.”

“Not funny, Atsumu-san. Neither you nor your brother is a tyrannical jerk.” 

“Sorry.”

“Anyhow, what I’m trying to say is that, the first few times, I understand. But if it’s every day? On every date? Isn’t there something wrong?” Hinata worried his bottom lip. “I know I shouldn’t be thinking like this because I know ‘Samu loves me, but why do I feel like he doesn’t care? Is starting to lose interest? Has our relationship really gotten that tiring for him? Am I too much? Okay, wait, no. I’m not too much if he got together with me. But, uh, just to make sure…” He cast an anxious and troubled look towards Atsumu’s way. “Atsumu-san, you and ‘Samu call every Friday night, right? Has he said anything? About our relationship? About me?”

There it is.

Atsumu bit the inside of his cheek to keep down the corners of his mouth that were itching to twitch. “Not really. All ‘Samu does is talk about his business and how he’s been very busy.” A total lie, by the way. Osamu had been bugging him for updates on the spiker — asking if Hinata is set to be a starter in the opening game for the season, if Hinata looked happy and content. But Atsumu doesn’t say this and tears the relationship further apart by going, “Maybe he really is just, Shou. We’re busy too with volleyball. ‘Samu will come around once he gets his shit sorted out. You know how much Onigiri Miya means to him.”

“Oh, I… I see. I guess I should leave ‘Samu to do his thing then. Maybe I’ve been disturbing him, haha,” Hinata said, forcing out a smile and laugh to mask the doubt and uncertainty that was about to rip all over his face. “Thanks, Atsumu-san.”

-

Following the event in the locker room, Atsumu continued to sew threads of doubt into Osamu. The more his twin’s insecurity grew, so did Hinata’s unease and hesitancy. It eventually reached the tipping point where neither of them could stay in a room together before everything would get all awkward. 

Case in point: Their interaction after the MSBY Black Jackals and Schweiden Adlers opening match from last month.

It was like the old lovey-dovey couple they were months ago never even existed. As if they should have even been a thing in the first place, Atsumu thought.

Atsumu watched from the sidelines, his heart thrumming in this sick and twisted delight as Osamu and Hinata’s relationship was just one last needlework away before it is dragged to ruin.

“Hey, Tsum-Tsum, do you know what happened between Myaa-sam and Hinata?” Bokuto asked the instant they got back inside their dorms after their winning match against the Hornets. “After facing Ushiwaka and the others the last time, I thought Myaa-sam and Hinata would be jumping, hugging, and kissing each other, you know? But they were just standing there. Inside our dressing room. Unable to even make eye contact. It doesn’t help that the weeks after that, Hinata only looked sadder. Like, look at him.” 

To prove his point, Bokuto cupped Atsumu’s face and forced him to look at Hinata, who was sorrowfully storing away his unused energy drinks in their fridge. “We have to do something, Tsum-Tsum. We can’t have my disciple all gloomy during the Christmas season.”

Atsumu shrugged off Bokuto’s hands on his face and schooled a glare. “Whatever is their business is theirs alone, Bokkun. ‘Samu’s relationship is a ticking bomb right now, and I don’t wanna be caught in the middle of it.”

“Alright, I’ve had enough,” Sakusa’s voice sliced through their chatter. Atsumu watched as he marched towards his fellow spiker. “Listen, Hinata. I’m sick of seeing you around moping, so here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to talk to the better Miya twin — ” 

“The hell, Omi-kun?!”

“ — and you’re going to confront him with these feelings.”

“Omi-san, are you saying — ”

“Yes,” Sakusa chimed firmly. “This is a problem that could be resolved by talking. I don’t understand why you keep coming to that idiot,” he pointed at Atsumu, “to know about your boyfriend’s feelings. Clearly, something is bothering him, and you won’t find out about it through Miya. Why are you so afraid of contacting him, anyway? You weren’t like this before.”

Hinata lowered his gaze. “Because… I don’t want to bother him, especially when he’s busy with his business.”

“Bullshit, Hinata,” Sakusa cursed. “You’re not a bother. You won’t ever be. Go and grab your phone from your bag and fix this mess now.”

Atsumu stilled. 

“N-Now?” Hinata squeaked. “This instant?!” 

“Yes, now.”

“Wait, Omi-kun, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Shou to — ”

Sakusa swiveled his head to give Atsumu one of his infamous icy glares. “Not a good idea? Then do you have something better that you could think of, Miya I Don’t Want to Be Caught in The Middle of It Atsumu?” 

Fuck Sakusa Kiyoomi.

Fuck him.

“Geez, Omi-kun. Just thought Shou could get a breather or prep himself first before diving into a confrontation, but okay. Let’s have him fix his business with ‘Samu now because you’ve had enough of it,” Atsumu said, a sickeningly sweet smile on his face. “Did you learn this communication thing from the situationship you have going on with your Wakatoshi-kun?”

“If you’re not going to say anything useful, shut the fuck up.”

“Um, uh, I’ll go and make the call now, Omi-san,” Hinata said, slowly scooting from their kitchen to the living room.

Atsumu watched as the spiker scurried away, and he scowled. There goes all his efforts of cracking his twin brother down and bringing his relationship with Hinata into the trenches. 

“Omi-kun, you’re a damn prick.”

-

When Hinata came to training the next day with a bounce in his steps, going on about how he and Osamu had cleared things up and now had this sweet holiday getaway plan in Hokkaido, Atsumu knew that he had no choice but to take drastic measures.

Since they had no away or practice matches scheduled for the upcoming weekend, and Coach Foster and management had basically labeled it as an off day, Atsumu decided to pay a visit to Osamu’s apartment on a fine Saturday morning and insisted that they throw a last-minute sweet Christmas party with their old Inarizaki friends.

Seemingly always weak to Atsumu’s pleas, after some begging, Osamu eventually relented. He suspended Onigiri Miya’s operations temporarily and went to work alongside his twin in preparing meals and drinks for their guests. However, his skepticism lingered.

“And why can’t it be with Kita-san and the others like we often do?” Osamu arched a brow as he watched his twin stack the last batch of paper cups on the counter. “I wasn’t aware that when you said old friends, you meant the people we barely talked to in class. The guys who you called scrubs and the girls who you referred to as squealing pigs. Suna and Gin can’t even make it.”

“Just because Suna and Gin can’t make it, doesn’t mean we can’t hold a party. Regardless, those scrubs and squealing pigs were still once our classmates,” Atsumu replied. 

Osamu’s eyes narrowed. “And you’re so eager to throw this because?”

“I told you. I wanted to celebrate,” Atsumu said, hooking an arm around his twin’s shoulder. “I wanted to celebrate our new milestones in life. Like come on, ‘Samu, we just bagged winning streaks against other division one teams, and you told me Onigiri Miya hit a new all-time record on its Christmas sales. Then, of course, we can’t forget your relationship with Shou.”

Osamu shrugged Atsumu’s arm off. “You could have celebrated with your team.”

“This is different, ‘Samu!” Atsumu whined. “This is about celebrating together! You and me!”

“You’re not even a fan of parties, ‘Tsumu,” Osamu pointed with a sigh.

And Osamu was right.

Atsumu indeed doesn’t favor throwing celebrations, especially spontaneous and big ones like this. But, if he wants to put a stop to Hinata and Osamu from unwinding the threads he had worked so hard to sew, he must do this tonight. So, he brushed Osamu’s comment off, bullshitted his way out of suspicion, and bullshitted some more to persuade his twin into getting on board with his final scheme. 

Later at night, when the party finally kicks off, Atsumu would make it his mission to get Osamu absolutely hammered. He does this by sneakily refilling his twin’s cup and putting him in the spotlight of their drinking games. 

An hour and a half in, Osamu was smashed, the kind of smashed that told Atsumu his twin wouldn’t be able to recall anything the next morning. Flushed cheeks, swaying in his seat, and blabbering about his onigiri business in a slurred speech. Atsumu figured it was the perfect time to set the last act in motion, and excused himself from their group bunched around the living room coffee table, claiming he was off to fetch Osamu a drink in the kitchen.

While he was in the middle of filling his twin’s glass with water, someone called out his name.

“Hey! Atsumu, right? It’s been a while, man!”

Atsumu turned his head in the direction from which the voice was coming. “Is the hair color not obvious yet?” he half-joked, giving a tight smile to the guy. “But yeah, it’s been a while. It’s good to see you doing well and thriving, uh… Masanori.”

The guy, whom he correctly guessed as Masanori, laughed. “Awe, shucks, look at you acting humble and all! If there’s anyone who’s thriving here, it’s you and ‘Samu. So, how has life been? You’re like a superstar setter now.”

“Same old, same old,” Atsumu replied, flicking his free hand in the air. “I’m still the volleyball-obsessed dimwit that ‘Samu likes to call, and I still get the chills every time Kita-san checks up on me.”

“What about a partner? Found someone special yet? I remember you used to change ‘em every three months during our first year. I think you only stopped at the end of our second.”

Atsumu hummed as he peered over to the living room. “Not yet, but soon. Anyway, I gotta go,” he said the moment he spotted the girl right beside Osamu, closer than normal. “I’ll talk to you later,” he immediately bid farewell and headed back, water on hand.

The sight was perfect. It was exactly how he had pictured it to be. Osamu was a crazy wreck, and the girl was desperately trying to keep him from falling.

And as if things couldn’t get any better, what happened next was something beyond Atsumu could ever imagine. It was too good, too surreal, that he had started to wonder if some evil entity decided to secretly help him from behind, because just what are the chances for Osamu to fall over and pin the girl down, just enough for her tinted lips to graze his neck.

Atsumu instantly slipped his phone right out of his pocket and took a picture at an angle that looked like Osamu was slotting his lips against hers.

Mission accomplished.

“O-oh my god! O-Osamu, I’m so sorry!” the girl exclaimed, voice trembling, as she helped both herself and his twin up. “I have wipes in my bag that you can use to clean that off — ”

“It’s fine, Kiriya.”

“Atsumu?”

Atsumu offered her a smile as he settled himself right beside his other half. “I’ll take care of ‘Samu from here,” he said, helping Osamu finish up the glass of water he brought before assisting him to his feet.

Still in a daze, Osamu could only mirror the smile on his twin’s face. “Hey, ‘Tsumu.”

“Hey, ‘Samu,” Atsumu greeted back. “You’re as heavy as a sack of bricks.”

“Asshole.” Osamu laughed as Atsumu kicked the door to his room open. “Y’know I’m a lightweight and yet you kept on making me drink.”

“‘Cause what’s the point if you ain’t gonna end the night drunk,” Atsumu retorted as he helped his twin to lie on the bed. “God, you’re so heavy.”

“Say that to Shouyou who carried me with ease.”

“Pretty sure you were just hallucinating that.”

“Was not,” Osamu shot back. “That small figure of his lifted me off my feet so easily. I remember it as if it happened yesterday,” his twin drawled the words dreamily. “Which reminds me, ‘Tsumu.”

Atsumu lowered his gaze. “What?”

“Did you know Shouyou and I have made up? We talked and cleared things out,” Osamu began to ramble while Atsumu slowly peeled his shirt off. “God, it makes me so happy because I love him, I really do, and for a while… I thought… I thought it would be the end of us, y’know?” 

Atsumu tuned out whatever words escaped Osamu’s mouth next. He did not need to know any more of that. Instead, he poured his entire attention into making sure every movement that he carried as he eased the fabric off Osamu was gentle.

Failing to notice the sudden odd quiet demeanor of his twin due to the alcohol coursing through his system, Osamu continued to blabber, blissfully unaware of the storm that was about to come. “But it’s like the universe has other plans, and here we are. About to go on our first romantic holiday getaway.” 

If only you knew I have my own plans too, Atsumu thought, unable to hide his grin as the lipstick stain remained intact on Osamu’s skin.

The last thread has been sewn into place.

-

“Something wrong, ‘Tsumu?” Osamu asked the next day. He and Atsumu were in the middle of cleaning up his apartment from last night’s events, and his twin had been unusually quiet.

“Oh, nothing, ‘Samu,” Atsumu replied, smiling lightly and avoiding eye contact as he practiced. “Just thinking that Shou would hate seeing your place in this state. He’s like the next clean freak right after Omi-kun. Only nicer and sweeter.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Something is wrong,” Osamu said sharply. “Cut the crap, ‘Tsumu. It’s written all over your face. Something happened last night, and you’re not telling. What is it?”

“‘Samu, are… are you sure?”

Osamu looked at him anxiously. “Just spit it out, ‘Tsumu.”

“Your neck has a kiss mark and um, ‘Samu, maybe you should see this. One of the guys sent it to me last night…” As he rehearsed in his head, Atsumu pulled his phone out from his pocket and shoved the device right into his twin’s awaiting hands once he had the picture from his gallery loaded.

Beneath Atsumu’s saddened gaze was glee as Osamu’s entire being froze, grey eyes widening as he took in the image of him supposedly kissing a girl. No questions asked at all. 

People did say that no one will trust you more than your own brother.

Atsumu stood by, unmoving and unconcerned, when a minute later, his twin let out a wet laugh and fell apart; his fingers tracing over the fading kiss mark.

-

When Monday came, Hinata strangely did not attend their practice and instead showed up on Tuesday with swollen eyes. Out of respect, no one mentioned it or dared to ask. The spiker didn’t seem like he wanted to talk about it either.

However, later, when their training ended, Atsumu would find himself called out by Hinata in the same unsure tone from before. Only this time, there was a quiver in his words. 

“Atsumu-san?”

Atsumu turned around. “Shou, what’s up?”

“‘Samu… ‘Samu broke up with me,” Hinata said, voice cracking, face all woeful.

Atsumu looked at his spiker with manufactured sympathy. “Shou…”

Hinata’s shoulder slumped as his eyes shone with unshed tears. “And I… I don’t get it at all,” he murmured sadly. Atsumu wanted nothing more than to kiss the now falling tears away. “We just made up and were doing fine. And suddenly, suddenly, he cuts ties with me like this? Said we can’t continue anymore? That I shouldn’t be with him? He didn’t even tell me the reason why and just hung up the call.”

Atsumu frowned. “Have you tried visiting ‘Samu to ask for answers, Shou?” 

“I did.” Hinata nodded miserably. “I went to Onigiri Miya yesterday, and even dropped by his place, but all he did… all ‘Samu did was push me out.” It was like the soft admission was the final straw, because right after, his spiker broke into loud and heavy sobs. 

Atsumu couldn’t stop the elation that washed over him when Hinata finally buried himself right into his open arms.

Yup. This is how things should have been, Atsumu thought as he rubbed comforting circles on Hinata’s back before pressing a kiss onto the crown of his head.