A WEEK LATER
I have adjusted to being in this facility. It not as bad as I thought, Tsukishima was right. Of course, nothing is like it is at home but I find myself being able to truly think for the first time in my life. In school everything was volleyball. Then came college and playing on the Olympic volleyball team. I didn't have time to rest let alone think. I'm currently sitting with a few others in the art and crafts room. From what I can see they give you therapy, show you different ways to work out your issues and other things I don't know of. I mean I'm sure it is more complicated than that. Since I don't have a real drug issue it is not that big of a deal for me. Hinata is sitting beside me painting a flying crow.
"That's pretty good," I comment. I have yet to play him in volleyball. It's not that I don't want to, but I don't want to be disappointed. I take all my games serious. I don't have time to waste it on someone who has no idea what they are doing. Sure, I saw him hit a few balls, but it is more than just hitting balls.
"Thanks….." he mutters. "Sometimes I wish I could fly away." He sighs heavily sounding stressed. I don't know much about him except he seems to be carrying a lot on his shoulders. He refuses to share anything during the group sessions. Yachi blames me because apparently before I showed up, he was expressing himself openly somewhat.
"Why a crow?" I ask. I personal felt like drawing the great outdoors. I already painted a beautiful sky, bright sun and now I'm drawing the trees.
"I use to go to Karasuno where our mascot was a crow," he replies. "I played on their volleyball team."
"Did you really?" I ask now interested in what else he has to say. He nods his brows furrowing as he stares at his panting.
"Happiest times of my life," he replies still painting. I don't recall ever seeing him. I also didn't go to Karasuno. I went to Aboa Johsai with Oikawa.
"How old are you?" I ask him. He glances at me smirking.
"Why you want to know?" he asked. I'm taken back because why do I want to know. Does it really matter. I think carefully about my response. I do want to know. I want to know why we never crossed paths.
"Scared to tell me?" I counter. He sits up a little taller poking out his chest.
"I'm 19," he replies.
"Awww," I coo. "You're just a baby….." I poke his nose with my pointer finger which he slaps away.
"Whatever!" he exclaims causing me to laugh. I can't help it. The look on his face is priceless.
"I'm just fucking with you," I reply before chuckling. "You are after my time." He nods going back to painting.
"I joined volleyball when you were pretty much joining the Olympic team," he replies. "I was so inspired by you." Really? I didn't think I would inspire anyone. I feel like I could be doing much better than I am.
"I'm okay….." I reply. I mean I think there are better players than myself, but do they have my passion is the question.
"You're too hard on yourself," replies Hinata. "You're by far the best setter on the team."
"What about Oikawa?" I asked. He seems to follow the Japan volleyball team, so I expect him to know who that is.
"Oikawa is great, but he is no Kageyama," he replies. "I like your style…..it's hard to describe." I look away blushing because I can't even describe my own style. Most people always compare me to others. Hinata is the first person to not do that. I gather myself before glancing back at Hinata. Looking at him I can tell he has been through some stuff. I just don't know what that is.
"So were you a Libera?" I inquire. Given Hinata's height I can't see him doing anything else. He chuckles.
"No," he replies shocking me. "I was a middle blocker."
"You're kidding?" I question stopping my painting for the first time since we started chatting. He shakes his head no.
"I was a middle blocker," he replies staring at me. "I was a fucking beast at it too." I noticed he used past tense. I want to ask him what happened but I'm almost afraid to know the answer to that. "You would know this had you played me already. I'm pretty sure I would be better than you." Now I laugh. This little boy thinks he is better than me. I'm an adult, an Olympic player at that.
"All right," I reply getting back to painting my trees. "We have free time following this why don't we play."
"I have been wanting to play you since you got here," he smirks. "I'm not going to go easy on you." I laugh some more. I find this truly entertaining, but I welcome this challenge.
"I'm not going to go easy on you," I reply. I glance at Yachi who busy splashing paint on her canvas aggressively. She stops for a moment to study it before growling and tossing on more paint. I wonder what is she painting? She looks so angry that is for sure. Yachi has no problem speaking during group therapy. Apparently, her mother owns a very successful company. She won't say what her mother does to protect her company. She always pressured Yachi to be the top of class. During her 3rd year and getting ready for college she started to do drugs to release the stress. As a result, she ended up getting hooked on it. She claims she is a functioning drug addict whatever the hell that means.
We finish up our painting. I head to my room to get changed into my gym clothes. I find myself looking forward to this match. I must remind myself he is younger, smaller, and most likely not that great at it. I can't begin to tell you how many people thought they were better than me until I took them out on the court. I go right to the gym not wanting to waste a single moment. Hinata beat me there. He is already on the floor stretching.
"Took you long enough," he smirks.
"Oh whatever…" I chuckle sitting on the floor beside him to warm up. It is silent as we get warmed up. I noticed that he is limber showing me he certainly did play in high school. My eyes watch him deeply when he spreads his legs into a spit leaning forward. I glance away fighting to not get aroused watching him. Since I'm older, more experienced, I'm hoping I kick his ass in this match. This is the most confident I have seen him since arriving. We finally stand up with Hinata running to grab the ball.
"I'll serve," he replies. I nod walking to my spot on the other side of the net. God, when was the last time I did a one on one match? I'm use to doing two on two for practice. My coach has us do that, so we are more in tune. Hinata face transforms into a face I wasn't expecting to see, so vicious. He is very focused almost reminding me of Oikawa. I expected him to do a toss up serve but he doesn't. He holds the ball out hitting it instead. I look up as the ball sails through the air. Holy shit. I back up to receive it. I hit the ball towards the center not sure what his weak points are. Hinata's moves up hitting the ball to side. My sneakers squeak as I run and stretch my body out hitting the ball up. I recover to hit a second time aiming for his corner. In a blink of an eye Hinata is there hitting the ball back on my side.
"Seriously!" I exclaim. I meet the ball smacking it towards the opposite side Hinata is on. He runs quickly to the other side hitting the ball directly in front of him which is a simple technique known as flinting. I'm fast but not fast enough. The ball hits the floor giving Hinata the first point. I lean over catching my breath a little. I glance up when I hear his laughter.
"I told you I was a beast," he replies putting one hand on his hip. I raise an eyebrow because he does appear to be backing up what he said. My eyes travel his body despite me not wanting to check him out. Something about him putting his hand on his hip seems feminine and cute. I shake my head getting my focus back.
"You got lucky," I replied. "My serve." I pick up the ball knowing he is going to get my full speed and strength. I immediately aim for the corner hitting the ball hard. Hinata is right there but barely. The ball passes his fingertips.
"Damnit," he hisses. I smirk satisfied that he can't take on my serves. If he did…..I honestly would have been annoyed. I highly dislike the young people on our Olympic team as it is. They are so fucking cocky. Granted Hinata is not like them but I was seriously about to have a horrible flash back. Hinata jogs over picking up the ball. He is starting to sweat already letting me know he is giving me his all. I walk back to the center trying to figure out what he is going to do next. Hinata serves the ball close to the net. Are you kidding me! This guy…..I dodge hitting the ball up but hitting the floor. Had this been a two on two match my partner would have been there to get it. I'm breathing hard as hell. I didn't expect him to get another point in. For a middle blocker his serving skills are impressive thus far. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I reply standing up. "I'm use to this." I go and pick up the ball. I know I will be aiming high and for a corner. He is kicking my ass and I can't have that. I toss the ball up hitting it high. The ball sores high over the net. I smirk pleased with the look of my serve, that doesn't last long as I watch Hinata run towards the ball springing up from the gym floor. My mouth drops open as he sores through the air meeting the ball hitting it towards me. I recover in time from watching him fly though the air. We manage to keep the ball in play for a while before I finally land a point.
"Ugh….."cries Hinata falling to his knees. I lean over panting hard as I'm reaching my limit as well. I had no idea he was this damn good. He could play on our team with his skill set.
"Did you need a break?" I ask standing up. I can push myself past my limit but I don't know about him.
"No," he says firmly shaking his head no. "I'm good." He stands up and I notice the wobble right away.
"Are you sure?" I question. Hinata shakes his head yes but I know he is not well. I have seen too many injured people over the course of my career. I walk over to Hinata with him staring down. "Look you're obviously in pain. Playing could make your injury worse, why don't we pick this up later."
"I won't be able to," he mutters. "Let's just finish the game while I can."
"No," I reply sternly. "Something….something isn't right." Hinata's eyes water causing me to lose my breath. Hinata brings his hands to eyes as he begins to cry. I don't know what to do. His crying isn't making me uncomfortable but sad. There is something else behind these cries. I look around quickly before focusing back on him. "Do you need some water?"
"I want my pain killers," he sobs.
"I would give you some aspirin, but they wouldn't let me bring them into the facility," I explain. Hinata angrily tosses the ball across the gym. He continues to cry as he starts hobbling out of the gym.