A/N: Crap! I keep forgetting to update this here! Just so you guys know, if you go to archiveofourown and look at my profile (same username) I have this story finished, the sequel in progress, and many, many other stories that I forget to post here. Anyway, here's the next part!
One more.
They just needed one more.
If they lost, it was all over.
One more.
But Aoba Johsai was giving it their all. They were taking them as a serious threat.
Could they win against that?
Tobio had trouble tearing his eyes away from Oikawa. His sets, his jumps, his serves…all of them were amazing. Really amazing…
But Tobio was on the other team.
Oikawa was with Iwaizumi.
It was like they were running from him. Just when Tobio thought they were going to catch up, just when he thought he was going to catch up, they were gone.
They left him.
The only thing he could do was use his teams greatest weapon.
He tossed to Hinata.
And the spike was blocked.
The ball slammed to the floor and Karasuno had lost before Hinata had even opened his eyes.
Tobio felt his body drop.
They lost.
He was kneeling on the ground, eyes burning. He could hear Aoba Johsai cheering. He knew if he looked he would see bright smiles plastered on all of their faces.
He didn't look.
He let himself be pulled from the ground. Let himself be led into line. Held out his hand for whoever was standing across from him. Didn't look. Couldn't look.
He ran past Oikawa. The older boys shoulder brushed his as they did so and Tobio's eyes instantly filled. His arm burned from where they had touched.
He wanted it to stop.
He felt eyes on him. He didn't look up to see who it was.
Why couldn't they leave him alone?
They bowed toward the crowd and Tobio could barely hear the clapping and words spoken through the roaring in his ears.
He wanted to go home.
"Seijoh will be going to the quarterfinals after a short break." It was the first words that Tobio had actually heard since that ball slammed to the floor. Tobio's eyes flickered to the side involuntarily. They were all smiling and laughing. Iwaizumi was holding up a clean jersey.
They were moving on.
Tobio wasn't.
He moved outside with the rest of his team and instantly went over to the fountain. He needed to cool off. He needed – to make sure no one could see the tears leaking from his eyes.
It wasn't until he was done that he stood and noticed that Hinata was the only one still there. The rest had already left for the after-game meeting. "Sorry," Tobio apologized. He wasn't sure what he was apologizing for. For taking so long? For losing? He didn't know.
But apparently Hinata had some ideas.
The smaller boy grabbed Tobio's collar and yelled at him for apologizing. Tobio took startled steps back, trying to get away from the other boy. But Hinata just followed him. Soon enough, Tobio was falling backwards. He hissed as his body slammed into the ground, Hinata kneeling in front of him, his shirt still in the redhead's grasp. Tobio was terrified. He had never seen Hinata this upset. Never seen him actually come after him in a way that wasn't in a teasing manner.
He didn't know what to do.
Takeda is the one that stepped in. Tobio couldn't deny the sense of relief he felt when he saw the teacher. "You were both amazing today."
"But we lost," Hinata muttered from his place beside Tobio. Tobio forced himself not to move away from the other boy. Hinata had just been upset. He wasn't going to actually hurt Tobio.
He didn't think.
"Yes, you lost," Takeda continued, "But does losing prove that you're weak? Isn't losing difficult for all of you? A challenge where, after ending up on your hands and knees, you must see if you can stand up again? If you stay on your hands and knees, that means you're weak."
Tobio's hands clenched. He was not weak. He slowly pushed himself to his feet, noticing Hinata doing the same beside him. They moved forward to meet the rest of the team, Takeda smiling beside them.
Tobio didn't listen during the meeting. Most of the team didn't. At the end, they all decided to stop in the gym and see how Aoba Johsai's match was going. Apparently, it hadn't been as difficult as the match with Karasuno because they were already celebrating their second set win.
They were going to finals.
And getting even further away.
Tobio couldn't help but look at Iwaizumi and Oikawa. They had their arms around each other, both laughing and smiling.
They were happy.
Tobio turned away. It was time to go home.
But they didn't go home. Coach Ukai took them to get food. It was probably a good thing. Tobio had hoped that he would have a second game today. He hadn't prepared anything and he wasn't sure if there was even anything in the house for him to eat.
Not that he wanted to cook anyway.
He probably just would have gone to sleep.
They were all at the table, eating in complete silence. Every single person (except Tsukishima, but Tobio didn't consider him a person) had tears streaming down their faces.
Then, finally, they arrived back at the school.
And Tobio walked home.
Hinata was beside him for part of the way before he had to turn off. He waved lazily before turning away and ambling down the street. Tobio watched him go briefly. The boy lived on the other side of the mountain. He had to be tired. Should he ask him if he wanted to stay the night at Tobio's?
But they had class tomorrow.
It was probably best that he went home.
So Tobio didn't say anything and he slowly shuffled down the street until he finally reached his house. He unlocked the gate and moved toward the door. But then he froze.
Something was wrong.
The lights were on.
Why were the lights on?
Hesitantly, Tobio moved forward and turned the door knob. The door was unlocked.
Did he leave it unlocked?
He didn't think so.
Pushing the door open slowly, Tobio peaked through into the main room. Someone was sitting on the couch.
Oh.
Dread filled his stomach and his head instantly began to ache. Why was she here? Had something happened? How long had she been waiting for him?
Was she angry?
Tobio glanced down quickly, making sure his sports suit was zipped and that his sleeves were covering his arms. Nothing had been there earlier but he couldn't guarantee something hadn't been written within the last few hours.
She didn't need to know that he hadn't been following her "rules" when she was gone.
"Tobio," she said, standing slowly and letting her eyes trail over him. Her face was impassive. Her eyes were blank.
Tobio thought it was as if she was looking at a stranger.
"Where have you been?" she suddenly demanded, her face shifting into an irritated frown. "I've been waiting for you for hours. Don't tell me you've been practicing in that gym this late. You have other things to work on! Don't think I haven't seen your test grades!"
Tobio swallowed hard and looked at the floor. She didn't know. She had no idea. "We were in a tournament. The Inter-High-"
"Did you win?"
"We made it to-"
"So you didn't," she said, cutting him off with an irritated sigh. "Fine. It doesn't matter. I need to talk to you about something. Sit down."
Tobio guardedly moved forward, moving faster when his mother sighed once again. He perched on the couch, keeping his back straight and his shoulders tense. He had no idea what was happening. After all this time, what could be important enough for her to show up here? And actually wait for him?
What had he done?
"Hiroshi has been transferred," his mother said, eyes meeting his for the first time. Tobio wanted to look away but he knew she would be angry if he did so. "I have put in a request to go with him. We will be moving to Tokyo."
Tokyo? That was a couple of hours away by train. But…she was leaving?
Actually leaving?
"There will need to be some changes," she continued on, "I will continue to give you an allowance, however, I will send it each month instead of giving it to you each week. You are to remain vigilant when it comes to what you spend. I do not want a call halfway through the month saying that you are in need of more," she said warningly, her eyes flashing. Tobio nodded quickly. "If it is not enough, you will need to find employment. I expect you to keep your school grades up," she scowled, "well, as much as you can manage. Do not spend all of your time focusing on that game. If I feel like you are slacking in any way, I will pull you from Karasuno. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes," Tobio answered quickly, nodding his head.
"Hmm," she pursed her lips. "Very well. This month's allowance is on the table. We will be leaving Saturday. You will answer your phone if I call." Tobio nodded once more and she stood. "Keep the house orderly. Just because I won't be checking in weekly doesn't mean you can let the trash pile up." Tobio nodded once more and she walked toward the door. "I will speak with you soon."
The door shut behind her and Tobio's entire body instantly relaxed. His shoulders loosened and he leaned back against the sofa. He was tired. His body hurt. And this hadn't been a good day for his mother to suddenly appear.
He shifted and then winced at the sudden flare of pain in his hands. He looked down and frowned. Oh. Apparently, he had been clenching his fists so hard that he had managed to break the skin. He was bleeding.
He needed to clean this up or practice would be hell tomorrow.
He stood slowly and moved toward the bathroom where he kept his medical supplies. He disinfected the small wounds and placed bandages on them before moving toward his bedroom. He was tired. Tired and somewhat empty. He wanted to go to bed.
He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
It wasn't until the next morning when he saw the words on his skin.
What did you do
It wasn't me! I need my hands! We have a game tomorrow!
I know that. Dumbass
Then why are you blaming me?!
Wait.
You aren't blaming me.
You think that
Is he
He is isn't
CAN HE READ
I'M CALLING YOU
