Oikawa glanced his watch as he mentally scowled at Iwa-chan for being 0.2 seconds late to the designated rendezvous. He couldn't bear standing in the stadium - seats gradually filling up and his sweat intensifying - without his beloved Iwaizumi offering his unconditional support and equally as valuable snide remarks. In mere moments, an army of athletes entered with their toned muscles glistening in the early morning sunlight. Although their eyes varied with a multitude of colours, the look in them was the same. The hungry desire for success in the annual Hanasupotsu Festival in the Miyagi Prefecture where the best players from all sports came to face off against each other. Several minutes had passed and Iwa-chan was about as visible as the atoms inhabiting the air.

What was peculiar about this festival though, was its exclusivity to ball sports. Basketball, netball, football, even badminton and tennis and of course, volleyball alongside several others were celebrated and regarded as the sports where an individual could "blossom" like flowers in harmony with the ball. Every year, the festival commenced with the renowned Ball Relay. All participants would line up around the track with a 10m distance in between each person and would run to the succeeding player and then throw the ball to them. Since the track was 400m, only 40 people could participate at any given time and so it was carried out several times in accordance to the number of attendants to the festival. It mirrored the great Olympic Torch Relay - a sped up version that travelled between people rather than countries. Focusing on elegance and style instead of speed, athletes were not limited to simply throwing the ball to the next person and the years gave way to some elaborate schemes. A notorious case was the dreaded "Watermelon Incident". Nakatomi Masaki, a netballer in his wild youth, must have had a eureka moment when he came up with the ingenious idea to balance a watermelon upon his head whilst holding the ball in his arms for his section of the Ball Relay. It was not the actual balancing act that was a cause of concern in this peculiar event. His balance was on par with a boat on water. Somewhere along the way, the intense adrenaline must have confused his brain cells to the extent that instead of throwing the ball, he threw the watermelon. This was an action most disliked by Ikeda Mika (the player in front) and his face. When questioned (repetitively) about his actions, he shrugged and plainly said: "I was just having too much fun." Another case was the use of a unicycle during the relay. Concerns over if this was a violation of the rules were raised but one thing was made certain.

If the crowd enjoyed it, the Ball Relay was a success. As the event that kick-started the festival, it had to be a success. There was no other choice.

Nearby, a fishy commotion started to grow. The main attraction that had captured the attention of the crowd was not the toned muscles of the athletes, but a certain mackerel.

"But this is no ordinary mackerel!", the mayor would proclaim as he stroked his moustache for the cameramen. And he was correct, for this was a Rainbow Mackerel - a species thought to be as alive as the dodo bird. When its scales were met with sunlight, like a shard of glass or a mirror, it would refract the light producing a beautiful rainbow effect across its body. For such a spectacular sight, it was inevitable that it would be met with awe.

"How did you find it?", demanded someone.

"Well um - it's a fish so I... fished for it," the mayor replied, picking at his grubby nails.

"But how exactly? It hasn't even been seen for decades, let alone caught."

"I - "

"He went up the mountains and into a cave and found it in a pool of water. Given its unique appearance, it wasn't that hard to spot," interrupted his advisor.

Relentless questions were fired about the baffling discovery much to the mayor's frustration. This isn't even about the stupid fish, he thought and angrily glared at the crows circling the sky overhead, it will be sent to the museum where it can rot in a water tank, that's it - end of story. A splash of water whacked the mayor's face. The Rainbow Mackerel had flicked a water bullet towards his insulting "discoverer". Not that he cared. Something else was occupying the mayor's mind.

3 minutes before it happens.

Oikawa briskly walked to the track. He inhaled deeply to calm his erratic nerves. Volleyball had never felt as stressful as this and the Ball Relay was only the first thing in a burger stack of events lined up for the day. It was so unlike him to be nervous. During matches, he always had his team to rely on and that was the sole reason why playing volleyball was so much fun regardless of winning or losing. Of course, winning would certainly be favoured. But if they lost, they lost as a team. Being without them felt like opening a wrapper only to find out the chocolate was non-existent. Without Iwa-chan... No, he wouldn't even dare think about such a thing. They had been inseparable since childhood and even if the Earth went flying into the sun and the whole universe was sucked up by a vacuum during a space pig's cleaning rampage, that was the one thing that would never change. However, Iwaizumi was taking his sweet time. Because the lovely universe had a tendency to bombard one's mind with completely irrational doubts when they should be focusing on the task at hand, Oikawa found himself contemplating whether he was destined to always just be a Shittykawa to Iwa-chan. Although he would never ever (ever) admit it to him, he cared about Iwa-chan a whole lot more than he demonstrated and if Iwa-chan turned his back on him, his whole world would go dark. But did Iwa-chan feel the same? Looking up at the brilliant blue expanse of sky, realising how infinitely small he was in comparison, even at 6 foot, he felt overwhelmingly alone.

"No, no, no, this simply won't do," the mayor whined, "You're capturing my bad side. I need to look amazing when the Ball Relay starts."

"I think you look amazing, no matter what side you look at."

A woman with extraordinarily sleek brown hair reaching just above her waist approached the mayor, stopping inches away from the fish tank. Her pearl necklace shimmered as she walked.

"So this is the fish then, huh?", she raised her eyebrows.

"Oh...Iruka...when... did you get here?" stuttered the mayor, fiddling with his locks, his hands strangely clammy with sweat.

"I love the enthusiasm upon seeing me."

"Look, I can explain - "

Her eyes are glued to the fish tank, mesmerised.

"Honestly, I didn't understand the hype at first but this fish is a real beauty."

Why is this stupid fish getting more attention than me, he thought. He shrugged off the thought for he felt that he must be going insane if he was jealous of a stupid fish.

"Indeed, she is," he paused for a moment, "Between you and me, I have a little surprise in store for everyone with that fish."

"Don't murder it."

"Why is that the first thing you think of?"

2 minutes before it happens

Not good, seriously not good, thought Oikawa, I cannot be thinking like this right now. What would Iwa-chan think about his foolish thoughts prior to the relay? Most likely, he would slap him. Well, Oikawa had to adapt. He took his hands and slapped each side of his cheeks, nibbling his lip since he had hit himself harder than he wanted to. A reddened flush crept up his face.

He was ready.

The klaxon sounded. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Loud enough to drown out Oikawa's doubts. In the breeze, his hair gently flew astray like a cheeky duckling deviating from it's mama's guide. Despite being splat bang in the middle of the relay, Oikawa wisely let his eyelids close to slow down and savour this moment, all his worries fading into a content silence before the adrenaline would kick in and take over. He was never truly alone. Right now, he had the crowd. Although each individual only ran the relay for a few seconds at maximum, the crowd's gaze would be unwavering. If they wanted a show, he would give them a show. Besides, who wouldn't like this face, he thought, smirking. He was anticipating the moment when he could spot Iwaizumi and finally yell at him for being so late, leaving him so helpless and vulnerable. Then, he would fling his arms to embrace him when it was least expected. As the 38th participant, he had some valuable seconds to glance around for the brown spikes of Iwa-chan's hair. No luck. Focus, he thought.

On the edge of the track, the mayor began wildly waving his arms around like an intoxicated madman.

"Hey! Over here, this is important."

It was the cue for the cameramen - who were delivering live coverage of the Ball Relay - to zoom into the mayor's face. His face was that of an excited child as he gestured at the stupid fish, hopping about around the tank. Any reasonable person would be worried. He didn't even come close to looking sane enough to be that close to the Rainbow Mackerel.

"What do you think you're doing?" Iruka hissed. She was still by the Mayor's side and severely alarmed by his abrupt foolery.

"The surprise," he replied enthusiastically like he had explained everything. She didn't respond, simply shook her head and prayed that the Mayor would not do anything stupid, especially whilst being filmed. "Don't make that face, I'm not doing anything stupid," he assured.

"I'll call the medical team just in case."

Now facing directly at the camera, the Mayor embarked on his speech.

"This is a historic moment for the fish kingdom. The glorious Rainbow Mackerel has evaded fishermen for several decades. It was as good as extinct for many. But I have done the impossible and found it. Let this glorious moment act as a beacon of hope that there are still more of these exotic creatures that are yet to be discovered. However, the first one to be discovered after all these years is certainly very special, if I do say so myself." He gave himself a quick pat on the shoulder. "But this day is not about me, of course, it is about the Rainbow Mackerel. Specifically about how tiring it is to keep saying Rainbow Mackarel, am I right? Seriously, my vocal chords are going to die. So, it is with great honour," he continued and glanced at Iruka, "that I present my solution for this verbose dilemma."

Throughout his speech, the Ball Relay was still in full swing.

1 minute before it happens

Adrenaline coursed through his whole body. Oikawa licked his lips hungrily as the ball came closer and closer. He eyed the black crows swooping through the blue heaven above.

Watch me.

Three seconds. Two seconds. One. The ball reached his hands, palms finding home when connected to the curve of it. He had caught the ball with ease. At last, he could carry out his elaborate plan that would have the crowd's eyeballs off to Jupiter.

He threw the ball high into the air - his spherical rocket had been launched.

Whilst the ball was still airborne, he stepped in with his left leg. He himself had launched. His left hand slammed the ground first, followed by his right and with his legs in the air, he resembled a majestic pose, known by the many as the infamous* cartwheel. With effortless grace, his legs reached Earth once more. At the same moment, the ball arrived back into his palms. As expected, the crowd were captivated by Oikawa's splendid display of a blend of beauty and utter bafoonery. Of course, he naturally rejoiced in the attention he was given.

But it was not enough.

More.

More.

He cartwheeled once more and once more again. Each cartwheel was perfection itself. And each time, the ball reached home as if being pulled by an unseen force. His muscles strained with the effort.

"For a fish as beautiful as the Rainbow Mackarel, it's only right that it will be named after a beautiful woman. I've decided to name it after the most beautiful woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. So from now on, this Rainbow Mackarel will forever be known as Iruka." The Mayor got down on one knee. "Iruka, will you marry me?"

Another cartwheel. Oikawa was situated dangerously near to where the Mayor was giving his speech - on the outskirts of the track. With all of Oikawa's grace and beauty, what was the worst that could happen? Another cartwheel. Getting closer, he could see the head of the proceeding player in the relay. Only about two cartwheels left, he estimated. His brain was swirling around within his skull.

As he stepped into the penultimate cartwheel, he witnessed the sight he had been longing for. Even upside down, he couldn't miss the startling green of Iwa-chan's eyes. They were the lush plants of the very earth that kept Oikawa grounded.

They say some things are meant to happen. Meant to be. Meant to be seen. The reasons aren't always to be comprehended.

That sight Oikawa had been longing for seemed to play in slow motion. Because he was meant to see.

Iwaizumi slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out a photo. It was of a certain brown haired, brown eyed idiot. In his other hand was a picture of a door. He held both photos next to each other.

"Looks just like him."

These were the words that echoed in Oikawa's mind, only a billion times louder than they were said.

Flatter than a pancake. All shit but no ass. The dreaded Flattykawa. Insults that he often had to brush off but insults that hurt nonetheless. When most used such diatribes against him, it was easy enough to ignore them. After all, only one person's opinion mattered most. But for such vile words to come out of Iwa-chan's lips... He felt himself crumble into crushed digestive biscuits. A Shittykawa, he was destined to be.

The torch that delivered light for so long had turned off. Again.

Oikawa came out of his cartwheel. His arms were raised above his head, the ball clasped by his palms. He gripped the ball, felt the lump in his throat tighten.

No. He would not stand for this. Hurt bubbled into rage. Oikawa planned to walk right up to Iwaizumi and yell his head off (and hug him afterwards of course). He might look like an aggravated chicken but so what?

The Ball Relay would have to wait.

Without even glancing back, he threw the ball, not caring where it ended up. He strode towards Iwaizumi.

Iruka stood with her mouth open. There was the Mayor before her. On one knee? Was he proposing? He was proposing, right? A warm feeling consumed her. She opened her mouth, ready to say the three letter word that would bring immense joy.

The sound of a huge splash silenced all, even the raucous crowd. As the ball hit the water, an eruption of fluid broke out. A startled Rainbow Mackerel swam frantically in its saltwater tank. An even more startled Iruka stood about as dry as an umbrella after a storm. Pearls around her neck had been exposed to chlorinated water to the extent that they immediately lost their lustre.

"Ruined! Absolutely ruined!" she wailed.

The Mayor was helpless against the wailing Iruka. Oikawa simply stared at his mess.

The crows had sensed a disturbance down below. And of course, they swooped down to check it out like the helpful creatures they are.

Glimmering in the sunlight, the Rainbow Mackerel's scales stood out like a fish out of water.

It was inevitable.

One bold crow flew down at a rapid pace. It came closer. Closer. Closer to those alluring scales. Those scales were soon twenty feet high in the air, clasped tightly within a beak. A crunch was heard.

The Rainbow Mackerel was no more.

Though gasps were inaudible, shock was magnified by a megaphone across the stadium. The Mayor gradually resembled more and more like a tomato. Luckily, Iruka had said keeping the medical team nearby would be useful and necessary. Perfect for a case of fruit mis-identity. However, Iruka herself was nowhere in sight.

The Mayor opened his mouth.

"From this day on, anyone playing with a ball, or even spotted two inches from one, will find themselves admiring the view from the prison gates." The mayor scrunched his fists. "All ball sports are forever to be banned."

Ithappened.