KAGEYAMA
"Oh my god," he exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!" I sit up slowly looking down at my shirt that is destroyed and covered in vomit. I can't go back out there looking like this. Hinata comes over with wet paper towels and starts to touch all over my barf covered shirt.
"Stop," I manage to say. "You're making it worse."
"I just wanted to help since this is my fault," he replies sadly. "I ruined your shirt and your drink." I look over and see my whole drink spilled on the beige tile floor.
"Should you be playing if you're that sick!" I exclaim standing up. "What if you were on the court and this happened!" I see his honey color eyes flicker.
"I would never get sick on the court!" he said strongly standing up. I look down at him and he doesn't shy away. He is a little taller in person but still the shortest person on the court. What is he, about 168cm. He is close to Noya's height to be honest.
"Whatever," I muttered turning to look at my shirt in the mirror.
"Hey asshole, my teammate can lend you a shirt."
"Asshole?" I repeat turning to look at him.
"Yeah," he replied crossing his arms like he said nothing wrong. I bit my lip wanting to say more but I don't.
"Lead the way," I reply. Hinata walks out of the bathroom sighing with me behind him. We run into a janitor and he tells them about the mess he made in the bathroom. He takes me to the locker room leading me through a mini maze before I see his team standing up drinking water.
"Who's this?" asked Tanaka noticing me right away. I can see the team who was on the floor is drenched in sweat. Tanaka seems to be drenched more than anyone despite the fact he sports a shaved head. Tanaka looks at me closely. "Is that vomit?" Hinata fidgets.
"I had an accident," he explains. "Can you lend him a shirt please." Tendou starts to laugh. Up close this guy is a little taller than me. His hair reminds me on Noya a little since it is spiked. I look at Yamaguchi who also has a good height on him, is that freckles? Not sure but he looks pretty shy compared to the rest of the guys, he hasn't said a word.
"Smells awful," Tendou states fanning his hand in front of his nose. "What the hell did you eat?"
"Don't worry about it!" yells Hinata snatching the shirt from Tanaka.
"Hey, don't get mad at me," chuckled Tanaka. He turns his attention to me as I take the shirt from Hinata. "He tends to get nervous and will throw up from time to time. Hinata I thought you got over that?"
"Alright guys!" said Sugawara. "Break time is over. Let's get our head back in the game and kick some ass."
"You said nothing but a word," smirked Tendou. I watch as they walk out of the locker room. I look around feeling weird that I'm the only one here. I walk over to the sink by the bathrooms and I wonder why was Hinata going to the one in the hall. I rinse off quickly before sliding on the barrowed tee. So glad I was not wearing my jacket because that would have been ruined too. I groan as I toss my shirt in the trash remembering my drink is gone, that lemonade cost me two bucks.
I leave the locker room quickly making my way back to my seat because they were really fired up and I know I'm missing some serious action. I climb around people making my way back to the seat. I can feel both teams are ready to seal their fate to win the game.
"Where have you been?" asked Yachi. "We were starting to worry."
"Had a bit of trouble along the way," I reply. Daichi looks at me raising an eyebrow. "It's cool, don't worry about it." I turn my attention to the floor before glancing at the score board. I can see the other school is ahead by 12 points. "What the hell happened?"
"They pulled Hinata from the game," explained Yachi. "He is the main important key."
"Why would they pull him then?" I asked looking at her in disbelief. We would never pull a key player unless they were in danger of costing us the game or they were hurt.
"He seemed a bit off when he returned," said Daichi as if he is still thinking about it. "I wonder if something happened. He was arguing with the captain about it but it seems like their coach agreed." I wonder if him throwing up really affected him. I feel kind of distressed for Hinata. Nothing like wanting to contribute to a win and you can't. His team does a good job catching up. Soon we are in 4th quarter and down by 5 points. A lot of time left in the game and I call tell Sugawara is becoming tired. He finally allows the little guy back in the game and I'm glad. I have yet to see what he is capable of.
The opposing team has the ball. I wonder how is this going to work Hinata. I lean forward eager to see what is going to happen. I see the ball being passed to the opposing team player. The player attempts to make a shot but the ball bounces off the rim. I watch as Hinata springs from the floor snatching the ball out of the air. My mouth hits the floor as he jumped to the height as most of his team mates. He bounces the ball quickly dodging on coming threats. He gets under the rim getting the ball in with one arm. I jumped up screaming in excitement shocking my friends beside me.
Karasuno ends up winning in the end with Hinata stealing the ball and Tanaka landing a 3 pointer. Seeing them fist pump after that win brings back so many great memories of my time on the court in volleyball. I can't wait to start playing again!
"Someone is excited," laughed Daichi. I look at him shrugging. Some people start to exit the gym while others rush the floor celebrating with the team.
"Come on," said Yachi. "I want to congratulate them on their first win of the season."
"Do we have to," said Noya standing up.
"Yes," she said starting to make her way down the bleachers. We follow her into the crowd of people on the floor. I don't know why but I find myself looking for Hinata. He is hard to find in this crowd of people. I finally see the patch of red hair breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hinata!" shouted Yachi waving her hands. He sees her and starts grinning. He runs over grabbing her by the shoulders.
"Did you see that!" he exclaimed. "So freaking awesome!"
"It certainly was!" agreed Yachi laughing. "These my buddies from the volleyball team I help out." Hinata looks at us and see me, his face goes white. I don't know why, I'm okay now.
"Intense game," commented Noya. "You guys did great."
"Thanks," grinned Hinata coming back to life. "I thought they were going to make me sit out of the rest of the game."
"I'm sure your captain was concerned for your wellbeing," said Daichi. Him being the captain of our volleyball team can relate.
"But nothing was wrong with him," I stated. Hinata looks at me and smiles almost shyly.
"So true," he smiled with Tanaka wrapping his arm around his shoulders.
"Going to the diner in town since we won!" he said. He looks over at us. "You guys coming?"
"Sure!" agreed Yachi. "It's the diner on main street?"
"It's the only one," explained Tanaka. "Come on buddy, let's go shower." We watch as they walk away into the disappearing crowd.
"Should we really be going?" asked Noya.
"They invited us," said Daichi. "I don't see the harm." I catch him glancing at Sugawara as he walks off the court. He tries to play it off but I know what I saw.
"We will meet you guys there," smiled Yachi. "Come on Kageyama!" She starts to pull me by my arm towards the car. We get to the diner in 10 minutes or less. It is not far from the school at all. We can tell some other students decided to come here and eat following the game. Everyone seems super excited. I am almost jealous because we never get this much love. Yachi spots a booth in the corner diving into the seat before this other girl could take the seat. I laugh on the inside. Sitting down into the booth noticing Daichi and Noya arrived.
"It's so lively in here," noted Noya.
"Tell me about it," I said rolling my eyes. "Tsukishma would so be hating this."
"Not even a doubt," said Daichi. "I couldn't get him to come today, he flat out refused."
"What happened to Ashai? I ask.
"He had some family engagement tonight," explained Noya. I should be getting brownie points because I at least showed up. I pick up a menu looking at what I want to eat. Not seeing too much I want here, I decide to go for a burger and fries. We all place our orders which is hard to do since the environment is loud and slightly rowdy. It gets louder once the team arrives. I look over at the door as everyone else does. They end up with several booths across the restaurant. No sooner than Hinata sat down he stands up walking over to our table. He is looking at me with a serious face and his cheeks are slightly pink.
"Uh, I wanted to let you know that I will pay for your meal," he explains. "It's the least I can do."
"You don't…"
"I must!" he almost shouts with his fist balled up.
"Fine," I replied as his face softens.
"Thank you," he replies. He starts to walk away before turning around. "What's your name?"
"Kageyama Tobio," I say. He smiles before turning back around and heading to his table.
"What was that about?" asked Noya. "Why is he is paying for your meal?"
"You remember I told you I got held up earlier," I reply. I debate if I want them to know the truth, I decide to tell half the story. "He bumped into me and I got my lemonade all over myself."
"Aw that sucks," said Daichi.
"That explains why you changed your shirt," stated Yachi.
"You noticed?" I asked looking at the shirt.
"Of course I did," said Yachi. "I didn't see the point of bringing it up."
"Wish I had that run in," said Noya. "I want my meal covered!" He would not be saying that if he knew the truth.