The warm August wind brushed his cheeks, and Kageyama smoothed his hair back. He looked around the market, where he had come to do his grocery shopping. There were fewer people today.

He wandered the streets, pausing between stalls to examine the produce. An old lady smiled a toothless grin at him from her stall. Kageyama smiled back and bought a head of cabbage from her.

Soon, he would enter college at the University of Tokyo. There would be less time then, he thought, for leisurely strolls like this. He would be too busy with school.

His apartment was conveniently positioned; It was only a single subway ride away from the university. He'd thought about getting a job to help with his expenses. Kageyama had spoken to his parents, who insisted he should focus on his studies, but relented after he persisted. He didn't want to rely on his parents anymore; he felt that he had already imposed enough.

His father had been loath to leave Miyagi; he had grown up near there. He didn't want to give up his house for an apartment in Tokyo. But when he saw how desperate Kageyama had been, he conceded.

Kageyama had left the marketplace as he ambled along, deep in his thoughts. Realizing this, he headed back to finish his shopping.

"Kageyama!"

His head snapped around. It was an unfamiliar male voice. He scanned the area, looking for a familiar face. "Dad?" he said tentatively. "Mom?"

"Because I totally sound like your mother." Kageyama started at the presence behind him. It was a spiky-haired male, dressed in a tracksuit. His cheeks were flushed as if he'd been running.

"H-have we met, sir?" Kageyama asked.

The man let out a kindly laugh. "I guess you wouldn't recognize me. It's been a while." He brushed his hair back with one hand and put the other one on his hip. "Remember Aoba Johsai?"

Then everything came back to Kageyama. "Iwaizumi!" He could see it now: the unruly black hair, sturdy physique. The proud black eyes that he had faced all those years ago on the volleyball court, so determined and fiery.

"Long time no see, Kageyama," Iwaizumi chuckled. "How've you been?"

"Fine. Why are you in Tokyo?" Kageyama asked.

"I've been here for a while," Iwaizumi replied. "For college. I study at Tokyo University."

"Me too!" Kageyama exclaimed. "I mean," he corrected. "I'll be going there in the fall." He looked down bashfully.

Iwaizumi smiled. "Tell you what," he said, looking down at his watch. "If you have time, I'll treat you to something. There's a nice cafe a block down that way," he gestured with his hand. "We have a lot to catch up on."

Kageyama wanted to agree, but then he thought about everything that had happened during high school. All the memories he'd tried so hard to leave behind. The skeletons in his closet.

Iwaizumi saw his hesitation. "Don't be shy," he teased. He started in a direction. "C' mon," he called to Kageyama. Kageyama followed with his uneven gait. Iwaizumi noticed and slowed his pace to match. "Bad accident, huh," he commented. Kageyama nodded.

"This is it." Iwaizumi pushed open the door to a small store. He held it open, letting Kageyama enter first.

The cafe had a warm, homely ambiance. The pair sat down at a table on the side. "You've been here for a good few years now," Iwaizumi said. "Make many friends?"

Kageyama shook his head. "Do you still play volleyball?" he asked.

A waitress came by to take their order. "Cafe latte, please," Iwaizmi ordered.

"Green tea," said Kageyama. The girl left.

"I don't play competitively anymore," Iwaizumi answered. "It's . . . not the same without Oikawa." He scowled a bit when he said the name. He smiled, and Kageyama thought it looked nostalgic. Sad, even. "Do you still keep in touch?" He asked.

"Yea," Iwaizumi replied. "We talk all the time, but it's not the same."

"Um," Kageyama started. "I can't run anymore, but I'm pretty sure I could still set a volleyball. I could put some up for you, sometime."

Iwaizumi grinned. "Thanks."

The waitress brought their drinks. They sat silently, sipping their drinks thoughtfully.

Iwaizumi brought it up. "I heard the rumors in Miyagi."

Kageyama tensed slightly. But Iwaizumi said it with no malice, so he let him continue.

"It was a pity," Iwaizumi said. "Karasuno was still a great team after you left, but it was never the same without their royal setter." He sighed. "The Chibi-chan never did hit as well after that."

Kageyama stared at his cup. Hinata.

Iwaizumi laughed quietly. "You know, Oikawa nearly beat someone up at a tournament once because he insulted you."

He almost didn't believe it. "He did?"

"Yea. Guy kept trash talking you, saying it was better you were kept out of the game. The Karasuno people were getting really agitated. I swear Hinata would have skewered that guy if Oikawa hadn't intervened." He chuckled again. " He grabbed him by the collar and started threatening him. I had to force him away. Poor guy was traumatized."

Kageyama cracked a smile. He could imagine that.

Iwaizumi glanced at his watch again. "I actually have to catch a train later," he said. "I'm going to visit Oikawa before school starts up again. So I've got to run now." He called the waitress over and paid the check. Kageyama pulled his wallet out, but Iwaizumi stopped him. "My treat."

"Tell Oikawa I said hello," Kageyama said as Iwaizumi got up.

"I will," he said. "And when I get back, you can set some balls for me." Kageyama grinned.

For the first time in years, he felt whole again.