"I really think you're amazing, Suga-chan."
Sugawara removed gaze from the book he was reading at Oikawa's sudden confession.
"Well.. I can't really recall what I did to deserve your praise but.. thank you?"
Oikawa continued at Sugawara's awkward reply.
"You know, Suga-chan, at first I really couldn't understand you. You were just so weird."
"? Didn't you just say I'm amazing?"
"As I said, at first."
Regardless of Sugawara's questioning gaze Oikawa continued.
"I really couldn't understand you, Suga-chan. I honestly believed you were plain stupid. The third year setter who lost his position to Tobio, yet who taught Tobio everything he knew. A fool."
Ah.
Sugawara now realized what Oikawa wanted to say.
Sugawara kept his mouth shut while Oikawa brought up all the emotions and questions he kept hidden for years.
"I really didn't understand. How could you simply give advices to Tobio while still holding onto your smile. Even though you couldn't stand on the court because of him. Yet you just taught the lonely King how to fight as a team. I didn't know whether you were just foolishly kind, or if you didn't care, or if you just gave up."
Sugawara didn't answer.
Oikawa wasn't expecting him to.
"I understood your loss but I didn't pity you. I was also placed under a similar situation so I thought I knew exactly how you felt, Suga-chan. But what I saw was different and I really couldn't understand. I believed you were a fool. I believed you were a coward who turned away from the fight. And now I ask you, Suga. What was the truth?"
"I... may have ran away from the fight."
Sugawara replied slowly.
"It's true. We were similar but different. I didn't have the skills to beat Kageyama, nor did I have skills which I practiced like you did. I didn't have the courage nor the determination to fight for the position. Yet I had the desire to stand on the court and to fight as a team. I did wish, that it was me instead of Kageyama."
Now it was Oikawa who kept his silence.
"But it was the best choice to take for the team's victory. Kageyama is not a villain. Nor is it a sin to be born with talent. It was simply that Kageyama was unstable. Incomplete. And I knew this, and since it was needed for the team, I.. I did what I can do. As part of the team."
Oikawa met Sugawara's eyes.
Eyes that held strong with honesty and determination.
Oikawa spoke again.
"And that's why I think you're amazing. You did what I couldn't do, what I didn't even think of."
Sugawara smiled.
And replied.
"I also think you're amazing, Oikawa. You also did what I couldn't do. I always thought you were amazing, since the first time we met. The setter who Kageyama admires, the one admired by one I couldn't even think to fight. Amazing, don't you think? You didn't give up till the end. And you earned everyone's respect. We all know of the efforts you made. Your teammates, Kageyama, myself. We all know."
Ha.
Ha ha.
Oikawa let out a weak laughter at Sugawara's word.
"Perhaps, just maybe, if I met you during middle school, how would it have been? Would I also have grown through you as Tobio did? Would I not have suffered? Would anything have changed?"
Sugawara approached Oikawa who's shoulders were trembling.
Sugwara put his arms around Oikawa who's questions held deep sadness.
"Well, I wonder. But I wouldn't have changed. I saw you during middle school and I thought you were amazing back then. As I do now. As I did until now."
Ha.
Oikawa laughed.
And hugged Sugawara closer.
Sugawara kept his arms firm around Oikawa who made noises which could pass for both laughing and crying.
Sugwara whispered.
It's okay.
You are amazing.
Regardless of the past
We are currently together.
In the present.
And the future.
