Chapter Text
#1 While dreaming about having a kouhai, make sure to precise their personality.
Oikawa has always thought he would be the best senpai ever. Since he works so much and gives both his body and soul to the team, it would be so inspiring to share all this knowledge with someone just as much dedicated. Someone who would work just as persistently as he did. He often imagined himself in his third year of middle school, being introduced to the new first-years.
A wide-eyed youngling who would follow him around, while Oikawa would teach him all his tips and techniques. And the day he left for a high school, this boy would become his great successor. Hella dramatic, but Tooru couldn't picture it any other way.
And today was finally THE day. The beginning of third year, the first training of this season. And Oikawa would finally get a kouhai.
He straightened and rolled his shoulders a few times, putting his usual bright duty smile on as all the present players of Kitagawa Daiichi stood in line. Today it was sunny, golden rays peeked in, making the atmosphere somewhat warm and cozy, which only intensified the theatrical picture in Oikawa's head.
– Get rid of this stupid smile, Shittykawa. You'll scare the newbies. – Iwaizumi muttered near him, nudging Tooru's side with his elbow. Somehow, Hajime ended up to be his best friend, even though it didn't really look like that for someone who didn't know them.
Oikawa yelped (more out of brattiness than from actual pain). He pouted and narrowed his eyes.
– How rude, Iwa-chan! I'm getting ready to welcome our dear first-years.
– "Dear"?.. – Iwaizumi repeated with a deadpan expression.
– Of course! – Oikawa scoffed, throwing his hands up. – It's very important to show new members of a collective that they are welcomed and not left outside, especially in their age...
Fortunately, Oikawa couldn't continue his impressive psychological speech because the gym doors had finally opened. Their coach walked in with a small group of first-years, who rather resembled a gathering of lost ducklings. Especially the shortest one (compared to others boys, because in general all of them were pretty tall for 13 years old). He had raven hair with thick bangs that covered his forehead. His deep ocean-blue eyes cautiously darted around while he fidgeted with his sleeves. He stood a bit too far from the line of his peers and as the boy realized that, he awkwardly shifted closer. Oikawa stifled a laugh, earning another nudge from Iwaizumi. This one was real, making him choke on his chuckle.
– Alright, guys, attention, – demanded the coach, clapping his hands once and addressing the older boys. – These are our newbies. Make sure to welcome them properly and fill in into the training routine. And if you think they are clumsy or piss you off, remember yourself a year or two ago. Believe me, you were worse.
The remark made the first-years snicker. Some of them giggled, some relaxed. The blue-eyed boy though still looked a bit stiff and out of place. He glanced at others and tried to copy their smirks but it was rather a pathetic and slightly creepy attempt. Second and third years pouted, some even blushed, looking down. Oikawa just straightened even more, tilting his chin. He was ready to become the most patient, kind, caring and cool senpai ever. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest impatiently, his palms were getting cold from excitement and nervousness.
Once the alignment was over, the coach approached Oikawa personally, which made the teen beam with pride. Hajime on the background rolled his eyes, going to get the basket with volleyballs. A few first-years followed him.
– Oikawa, as for a captain and a setter of this team, I have a special request for you… – his voice was discretely quiet. Oikawa’s eyes sparkled with thrill. He bowed:
– Anything, coach! It would be an honor for me!
The man smiled approvingly. Then sighed:
– We have quite a talent here… – he subtly nodded at the boy with raven hair, who still stood alone, looking around with a slight frown. He was biting his bottom lip, making small steps from side to the side, as if not sure where he could go. Other first-years already chatted with older guys. – Even in the elementary school he showed great technique as a setter and determination. But as you can see… adaptation and socialization aren’t his best skills. I count on you to make him not only a good player, but also a reliable teammate.
– Yes, sensei! I will do my best! – Oikawa smiled wide, nodding quickly. His dream was becoming true! His personal kouhai!..
The coach patted his shoulder and went to help install the net, showing the first-years how to do it right. Oikawa meanwhile approached the lonely boy with his bright smile, which startled him a bit.
– Hey, there, newbie! I’m Oikawa-san, but you can call me your senpai! – he put his hand over his chest dramatically. But when Tooru got no reaction other than blinking, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head and chuckled: – You are not talkative, huh?.. What is your name?
– Kageyama Tobio.
– Tobio-chan then! – Oikawa casually embraced the boy’s shoulders. Kageyama frowned and shrunk. Though Oikawa didn’t notice that. – The coach said you wanna be a setter?
– I am a setter, – the boy said firmly. His still childish voice didn’t get along with the stern expression and determination.
Tooru raised an eyebrow, suppressing a pout. He moved away. What an arrogant little… He laughed.
– Well, not yet, Tobio-chan. I am the captain and the setter of Kitagawa Daiichi team. But once I leave for a high school, you will take my place, and everyone will be jealous of you. Because I was your senpai! – he made a dramatic gesture in the air, as if picturing the future he described. Kageyama raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
– Ugh, you are impossible… – Oikawa covered his eyes with his hand. That boy was nothing he dreamt about. He wanted to give up, but then caught the coach’s encouraging smile from across the room. Oikawa suppressed the urge to grimace. He took a deep breath and smiled wide again to the first-year. – Alright, buddy, what can you do?
– Everything.
Tooru choked on air.
– No. You can’t, – he tried to be gentle and keep the smile. – No one can.
– I can, – Tobio shrugged. – I can set and I can learn. What else do I need?..
Oikawa raised an eyebrow.
– Well… you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate that. We are having a few rounds of three on three to evaluate the first years. Let’s go.
As they walked to join others near the net, Oikawa tried his best to calm down. It was still his kouhai, his dream. Maybe he wasn’t as devoted to him from the first minute as he expected, but he was still there. That was just… a challenge. Yes, Tooru was sure that he can deal with it. He would turn this antisocial kid into his true successor, and the coach would be proud of him. He grinned at his own thoughts. Hajime raised an eyebrow.
– What’s with that face Shittykawa? You can’t be trusted with a child, that’s for sure…
Oikawa waved his hand dismissively.
– Nah, just an arrogant outsider, – he whispered. – Let’s see how he plays…
Oikawa was ready to do one of the two options: go to the dressing room right now and cry his eyes out. Or go to the same room and destroy it, breaking everything possible. He could barely contain this unexplainable resentment in his chest as he saw Kageyama playing im the three on three game as a setter. In each team there were two first-years and one from the older. The coach was right, communication wasn’t his strong quality, but the technique compensated it all. Precise tosses, clean sets, cold-bloodless… How was he able to do all of that only after an elementary school? How was he able to do that without years of practice, of sleepless nights, of team-bonding, without even sweating now?.. How?.. How?.. HOW?! And the coach wanted Oikawa to teach him something? It sounded rather as a mock now… Tooru felt his heart beating fast as he clutched his fists, struggling to remain calm and keep up his appearance of a good senpai. He wasn’t sure he wanted this title anymore. Not with this little, arrogant monster.
Once the match was over and Kageyama’s team won, the boy approached Oikawa, breathing heavily after the game. He looked at him with wide eyes, and for the first time since this morning there was a glint of curiosity.
– Oikawa-senpai! How was that?
Tooru looked at him with an unreadable expression. He had to say the truth. He was supposed to teach and guide him, tell him his flaws and point out strong sides. He had to say that Tobio was an amazing player and just lacked some socialization. He had to…
– Awful, – he waved his hand dismissively. Kageyama frowned and ducked his head, squeezing his lips. – You need to work more on speed and power. And you never communicate. Without communication you are a burden. But don’t worry… I will help you.
The smile he gave made Tobio shiver.
Kageyama watched Oikawa play in the next game with other first-years. He was captivated by his precision and the capacity to blend into the team even if he saw some people for the first time. And that jump-serve?.. It was amazing. Tobio put his bangs aside to see it clearer. The way he jumped and hit the ball with such power was truly indescribable. And how he adapted each one of his sets for each one of the players individually… Kageyama could only admire and seek such am empathy. Oikawa-san was right about his critic. He was nothing compared to this great person… The boy clutched the shirt on his chest, swallowing hard. He would do his best to not disappoint his senpai.