Chapter 14: Endings and Beginnings

Hinata was, honestly, the kind that reflects almost exactly as Eijun was towards the Seidou team. He was easy to talk to, always smiling, and when the team asked him about anything volleyball-related out of sheer curiosity, he, according to them, shone the brightest when talking about it to them. It was hard not to look away from him. On the other hand, Kagayema tried his best to initiate a conversation with Eijun's teammates, only for some to feel hesitant because of his natural scowl face.

Hinata reassured them that, with a wink and a playful hit to Kageyama on the side, he wouldn't bite. Kageyama nodded and then began to start asking them about how Eijun was as a baseball player. Haruichi and Kanemaru answered these all for him, and he looked excited listening to it all, like a proud father of some kind as they continued heading to the gym.

"You know that guy was upset when Eijun told us he chose baseball over volleyball," Hinata began when he noticed a pair of glasses staring at him as if the latter would ask him about something, but he beat him to it. "But he realized what an ass he was for telling that to a kid who simply just wants to play. When Eijun was in his 3rd year of middle school, Eijun stopped playing volleyball completely, and although I assume it's because he's busy because of baseball, something tells me it's more than that."

Hinata frowned when he said that last part. He stopped walking and then looked at Miyuki.

"How is Eijun? He said that he's doing fine now, and I believe him, but if it's okay with you, I want to know your insights about him."

"What do I think about Sawamura in the team, huh?" Miyuki glanced back to the rest of the team. It appears Kuramochi and the rest of the third years joined in with Kageyama's numerous questions about baseball, and they started asking him about being a setter as well. It was only him and Hinata standing a bit further away from them, and seeing how close they're getting in the gym, perhaps it's okay to talk about it for a minute. "To be honest, his growth as a pitcher surprised us- surprised me, even though I was always keeping a close eye on him."

"Oh?" Hinata gave him a teasing smile. Miyuki pretended he didn't notice it.

"He knows what he lacks and improves those aspects of his for the team. He is aware of what he possesses and what doesn't, and as his catcher, I am proud of how he strives to improve himself."

"Yes, yes, Eijun got better in pitching. That's much I know of. He couldn't stop talking about it in our calls, and even we were at the gym this morning and afternoon," Hinata twirled a finger and hummed. "What I'm asking for is Eijun as a person in general, Miyuki. I want to know what do you think of Eijun as a person."

"A-as a person?" Miyuki echoed, and Hinata nodded excitingly. "Well, he's a loud kohai, I guess. He's not afraid to talk about his true feelings to everyone, even those older than he is."

"Do you like him?" Hinata got impatient and dropped the bomb.

Miyuki nearly tripped. "What?"

"Do you like him? Eijun?" Hinata repeated slowly. He asked him like it was the most natural thing ever, and it's no wonder he and Eijun get along so well. They both possess that straightforward trait; never afraid and always stare so intently at those talking to them. So there are people like that other than Eijun, huh?

"He's tolerable," Miyuki said, digging his hands in his pockets.

"Are you planning to confess to him?" Hinata tiptoed, leaning a bit too close to Miyuki. "because if you do, I'll give you my blessing!" He beamed at him, and Miyuki was grateful it was dark. Otherwise, everyone would see how red he was getting. "Eijun's a bit dense, though, but I'm sure if you tell him that you like him, he'll get it right away!"

That's what Miyuki always wanted but couldn't find the opportunity to do so. Every time he attempts to talk to Eijun alone, someone is always there within their proximity. When that happened, he ended up giving his sarcastic remarks about Eijun's pitches and his fielding instead, and Eijun would end up yelling at him with such profound words that Miyuki ended up laughing on his knees. For all he knew, Kuramochi was the only one who knew his feelings to their beloved pitcher.

But Hinata read him so easily, and it somehow impressed Miyuki. That someone other than Kuramochi would read his feelings towards Eijun, and Miyuki doesn't know whether to commend his observational skills or be worried about it. If Hinata were a batter who easily reads a person's actions and behavior, he would've been a scary opponent. A batter who easily reads his opponent is frightening, after all.

"He's my teammate, one of our important pitchers in the team," He said it like a whisper, but it was enough for only Hinata to hear. "If I tell him that I..." He stopped when he heard Kuramochi cackling, probably something that Kageyama had said about Eijun as the sound of footsteps started heading their way. He then shook his head. "We should go. They're probably wondering what we're talking about, Hinata-san."

Hinata gave him a smile, the kind that Miyuki wasn't used since people most likely looked at him with an angry or disgusted face. Hinata patted him on the should and said, "Good luck, Miyuki."

Hinata got back with Kageyama and said something probably embarrassing that made the latter mad at him, and everyone just laughed at the two.

"What's wrong, Miyuki?" Shirasu said when he and the rest of the third years approached him.

"Nothing," Miyuki cleared his throat, only for Kuramochi to raise his chin in question, but Miyuki didn't say anything.

Miyuki didn't talk unlike the rest were with the pros until they could see the lights from the gym were on.

They saw Eijun outside, alone, bouncing the ball on his arms with deep concentration.

"He's thinking about something," Kageyama and Miyuki said in unison. They stared at one another before looking away, and Hinata snickered behind them.

The pure darkness that only the moon served as a light source hid them away from Eijun, and the Seidou team stood their ground. It's weird. They should've pounced him right here and there now that he's now alone, but they saw an expression on Eijun that they hadn't seen before. That look was only reserved when he's...sad about something. Hinata and Kageyama thought so as well, and it's worrisome.

They stared at Eijun, wherein he was the loudest during every bullpen and indoor practice, but now... he seemed quiet. Oddly quiet. Enough that Miyuki wanted to ask him what was wrong and when he was about to take that first step, he saw Daichi walking towards Eijun.

"Something on your mind, Ei?"

Daichi approached him, and Eijun caught the ball with ease, silently impressing everyone for some reason.

Eijun then opened up his thoughts to his cousin, something that everyone from the team shouldn't hear until Eijun wanted them, but it was too late. Hinata covered his mouth, eyes wide open, and was shaking. This was the first time he heard Eijun open up his thoughts when he was a middle school. And tears just started pouring out.

"That idiot!" Kageyama clenched his fists as he frowned. "He never told us anything!"

"You know, if he told us about it, he would think that we would blame ourselves for teaching him volleyball, and that's the least he ever wanted. He's not...those teammates of his are at fault!" Hinata wiped his tears with his arm. "He didn't do anything wrong. It's no wonder Osamu-san said to keep our eyes out on Hyuuga, but I thought it's because he's just overprotective with Eijun again."

"Haru-san didn't do anything. He didn't know anything," Kageyama gritted his teeth as they continued listening to Eijun from afar. "If I knew that guy triggered Eijun's past, we should have gotten someone different. Someone other than him!"

"Hyuuga wasn't a part of their teammates' scheme Kageyama," Hinata reminded him when they listened more to Eijun. "And his teammates did those things to Eijun..."

Miyuki rarely gets angry, and when he does, everyone could tell it from how his eyes shifted lowly and how heavy his lids were getting. Everyone except Kuramochi stepped away from him.

"Well, that explains why he never told us about him playing volleyball," Kuramochi sighed, holding back his anger to a group of strangers he had only heard coming from Eijun's mouth. He then kicked Miyuki from behind. "Stop being so pissy! You're scaring the first years away."

"I don't know how to face my teammates like this. I just...I don't want them to think I'm pathetic. I don't want them to see me like this, and I don't want them to be disappointed in me that I easily give up a sport that I'm better off of than in baseball. I don't want to hear them say that I should've been a volleyball player."

It was like they were all struck by lightning, got hit by a car, and then a truck. All together. Like crumpled paper.

What on earth was Eijun saying? Miyuki couldn't believe this. Eijun, hidden behind his smile, was thinking about that for so long?

"Bakamura!" Kanemura clenched his fists tightly. He was Eijun's classmate both in their first year and second year. He saw how hard Eijun did to prove to everyone that he would be their ace and how his hard work was now slowly bearing its fruit. He saw him through the yips, was with him in those times even though Kanemaru could've practiced on his own, but he couldn't just leave that guy. Eijun was everyone's mood maker. The light in everyone's heart when Eijun could've easily been like them by just minding his own business.

Eijun was different. Where everyone started looking down, Eijun was already climbing at a mountain, and, with their pride and ego on the line, there was no way they'd let him take all the glory to himself. And so, they all climbed with him. So there's no way in hell they will ever be disappointed in him. In retrospect, Eijun should've been the one to be disappointed in them. For all those times when Eijun needed someone. Someone who only listened. In those heavy times, everyone regretted it. They wanted to repent their selfishness towards Eijun by being there for him, defending him in the field, and reassuring him that everything would be okay.

"You guys think that?" Kageyama suddenly turned to them, voice cold as ice and sharp, his scowled face now in its active form, and Hinata tugged him to stop it, but Kageyama continued glaring at them. "Is he a better volleyball player than a baseball player?"

"No. Not once did we ever think of that," Miyuki immediately answered back, staring right at Kageyama in the eye. "He's our pitcher and an important member of our team, and I-."

"You better," Kageyama muttered under his breath. He was too agitated to listen to more what Miyuki had to say. Kageyama just needed to hear what he wanted to hear from Eijun's captain. "Because the next time he calls us because of you lot, I will let my team or the other teams take him when he graduates. You have no idea the number of scouts wanted to talk to him after the match, but Kuroo-san managed to talk them out of it."

"Kageyama!" Hinata tugged him in the collar this time, eyes flaring right at him. "I know how you feel, but that won't help! You know it won't. Don't take it out on them. Not to Eijun's teammates."

Kageyama clicked his tongue as he grabbed him by the wrist, firming his grip on his palms. "I know I shouldn't, but Eijun's having this kind of thinking because he-"

"We never thought of him as a disappointment. Never thought of him any less than one of Seidou's finest pitchers, Kageyama-san," Miyuki said, standing between the pair. "Sawamura isn't that weak, to begin with, and I know my words aren't as convincing as others were but believe me when I tell you that I'm proud of the kind of person Sawamura is, and I don't care if he used to play other sports because what's important is he always looks for me to catch for him. The way he looks at my mitt and the way he looks confident in the mound, and I know he loves baseball with all his heart."

"Miyuki..." Kuramochi murmured behind him, eyes widened by the sudden confession in front of what seemed like Eijun's surrogate parents.

"Cocky brat," was all Kageyama said as he let go of Hinata and gave him a quick kiss on his hands, surprising everyone, while some coughed as a response.

"Haha. Thank you~" Miyuki managed to grin at him.

They waited, and some Seidou decided to talk amongst themselves to distract themselves from listening any further. It hurts when Eijun shows his vulnerability, and it feels like they wanted to meet his former teammates and beat the shit out of them.

Miyuki watched his back, how he curled himself over Daichi's shoulder. He just wanted to run over there, push his cousin away to hug him instead, and tell Eijun nothing but how he was important to the team. To him. He wanted to see Eijun right now. More than ever. He wanted to welcome him back with his earnest smile and look at Eijun with tender eyes.

And he did. When Daichi finally noticed them and gestured them to come closer.

"Welcome back, Sawamura."

"Yeah," Eijun muttered as he continued staring at Miyuki. "I was enjoying my day off as you told me to."

"Really? Miyuki smirked. The kind that Eijun had to bit his tongue in order not stare at those cunning lips too much. "And how did it go?"

"One hell of a rollercoaster ride," Eijun chuckled. They stare silently into each other's eyes. Reading one's mind like they're in the field.

"We didn't mean to hear those stuff, by the way," Miyuki blinked as he leaned forward without Eijun noticing it.

Eijun grabbed the ball from Miyuki and hugged it tightly around his chest. "And who told you to eavesdrop? Isn't that like one of the most basic human decency?!"

"It just so happened that you're loud, so we had little to no choice. You should know that by now."

"I am not loud! This is loud!"

"Yes, yes," Miyuki snickered. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Sawamoron~."

"What the hell are they doing?" Kageyama scowled a few feet behind Miyuki, not liking this one bit.

"Flirting, Kageyama-san," Kawakami replied, all eyes on the battery, as everyone nodded expectantly.

"You knew?" Kawakami's nonchalant reply confounded Kuramochi.

"Everyone knew," Shirasu shugged. "Everyone but Sawamura."

"Goddamit Miyuki."

"Why, that guy!" Hinata had to punch Kageyama in the gut to stop him from ruining the reunion those two have.

"Don't you dare screw this up for Eijun, Tobio!" Hinata held him down even though he was a few inches shorter than he was. Kuramochi might want some tips from Hinata after this.

Miyuki gulped. Since when did Eijun look so different? Miyuki was used to seeing him in a baseball uniform. Now that he finally gets to see him in his volleyball shorts up close and personal... Damn. Eijun looked like a different person, and he looked more... muscular because of the shorts exposing his legs. His eyes started to dart away from Eijun's eyes and began to trail on his arms, his hips, and then his thighs.

Miyuki shuddered.

"How much?"

"Hm?" Miyuki looked back to meet Eijun's gaze as he licked his lips.

"How much did you guys hear?"

Miyuki went quiet. They arrived just a few minutes ago, and that they saw Eijun bouncing the ball in his arms. That they were about to kick the living hell out of them when he and his cousin started to talk, and then suddenly they heard things that they shouldn't have heard, and they just didn't find the moment to disturb them both after that.

"Enough to tell you that we're not disappointed in our pitcher. That we don't care if you used to play volleyball and it's okay for you to play it again," Miyuki finally said, searching for something in Eijun's eyes once again. He missed him—the heck.

"Is that sarcasm I hear?" Eijun pulled a face.

"When will you realize not everything I say is dubious?"

"Which means that there are still some parts that are still highly suspicious coming for you!"

"A true magician doesn't reveal too much of his secrets~."

Eijun groaned, rolling out his eyes. "There you go again with your condescending comment!"

"Haha! Now isn't that a treat?"

"Stop lying, jerk! I know-" Eijun bit his lower lip and felt the tight leather of the ball. "I know you guys heard everything, and I could tell it from your eyes and how annoying your face is getting. And although I sounded pathetic a while ago, I just want to clarify that yes, it's true I love volleyball, but I love baseball the most! I love standing on the mound, the touch of rosin in my fingertips, and I love throwing my pitches to you the most! So go right ahead. Let me hear your worst side comments yet, you tanuki-bastard!"

"That guy's lucky Ushiwaka and the twins aren't here to watch this," Asahi cupped a hand over his mouth as he whispered to Suga. "Or worse, Bokuto. Kageyama is already running wild back there but Hinata is holding him down."

"Seeing Eijun being oblivious to the way that guy is looking at him makes me believe that apples don't fall far from the tree," Suga side-glanced at Daichi.

"Could we please wait for the comments right after… wait, what are they doing, anyway? Isn't it time we should head back inside and play?"

"Be quiet, Tsukishima! Count some ants or whatever if you want to distract yourself."

Eijun waited for Miyuki to say something, anything. So that he could hear Miyuki's voice instead of his own heartbeat as it rang over his ears and toes.

Miyuki imagined that they were in the field together, with Eijun drenched in heavy pants and sweat and Miyuki feeling all the same; drips of sweat coming out from his hair and reassuring the former that everything was going to be fine, where Miyuki was confident about what to say than anywhere else. He wanted to be honest with Eijun-as if he lied to him in the first place, and to Miyuki, Eijun was and always will be a baseball player. But before he's a baseball player, he's a person who still feels all sorts of emotions. He lifted his hand and touched the ball on Eijun's chest. It felt weird, nothing like the ones they normally used, all right. He could feel the tight leather the more Eijun held the ball tightly.

"You have-" Miyuki traced along with the markings of the ball. He noticed numerous signatures on the ball as he went back to gaze on Eijun's bright golden eyes. "my utmost respect for fighting well and never running away until the very end. You played well," He reached the top and gently lowered the ball, and Eijun let him. He could feel a pair of hands shaking, and he wasn't sure if it was his or Eijun's. "And we don't hate you for playing another sport. We don't hate you. I don't hate you, Sawamura."

"You don't?" Eijun slowly blinked. Tiny flutters of lashes made him soft-looking. And Miyuki's heart clenched.

He stared at Eijun. He's aware that everyone is staring at them, but what matters most right now that in front of him is Eijun. Moonlight suits him now just as how a ray of sunshine fits him everyday—an array of such wonder.

Since when did Miyuki fall this hard for him?

"Yeah, I don't," He said quickly. He never left his gaze away from Eijun's. "I like you, you idiot."

"What?" Eijun's sudden change of movement in his eyes affected Miyuki's, and he realized what he had just said.

"Ah," Miyuki covered his face with his hand, the rising heat started to rise upon his face and neck. "Yeah," he drawled, setting his hand down slowly and stared at Eijun. "I like you, Sawamura."

Eijun stared. Blinked. Stared. And then blinked again.

"I see," Eijun tilted his head. "I see! So that's how it is!"

"Eh?"

"Don't play coy now, Miyuki Kazuya! I know you suck at the whole captain role, but this is a great improvement! Keep it up. If you continue doing it and showing your captain-like self to the first years, maybe they would finally see you as a competent captain for once! Nyahaha! Now I feel better. Thanks, cap!" Eijun patted him on the shoulder as he grinned, feeling a bit better now that he gets to see his unrequited crush of his. Eijun then took a peek behind Miyuki and saw two familiar people he had just bid his farewell to earlier.

"Shoyo-san?! Tobio-san?!" He ran past Miyuki, who was utterly frozen.

"Tobio-san!" He threw his whole body to Kageyama. "Why are you here? I thought you guys had an important meeting with the Adlers."

"What are you talking about? Aren't we part of the Karasuno team, too?" Kageyama smiled for real, not that awkward smile of his in his earlier attempts with the others and patted his head.

"Tobio-san!" Eijun cooed on his chest.

Hinata stared at the two deadpanned, lifting his fist. He doesn't know where to begin on Eijun's naivete. Even Bokuto wasn't this dense. He felt sorry for Miyuki. And he was trying his best to put the two together, but Eijun ruined it. And to think Eijun was worried about Miyuki not taking his feelings seriously if ever he confessed but Eijun straight up did it to Miyuki instead. Hinata just cannot. He knew Eijun was dense with the sexual innuendos from the team earlier, but who knew it was this bad?

"Oi, don't pretend you haven't seen us, Sawamura!" Kanemaru barked, right after Eijun released Kageyama, who now felt his arms empty again.

"Geh! Kanemaaaaru!" He pulled his body away when Kanemaru attempted to punch him in the shoulder.

"Eijun-kun!"

Eijun gasped excitingly. "Harucchi!"

One by one, the Seidou team tackled their long-lost player, ruffling his hair, playfully teasing him, and during this time, Kuramochi and the rest of the third years went to fetch their frozen captain.

Zono and Kuramochi held Miyuki side by side and lifted him inside, and the others continued playing rough house with Eijun.

"You still have a piece of me after this, Sawamura! You got lots of explaining to do, you hear me?!" Kuramochi looked over his shoulders and found Eijun with his fellow teammates grabbing him as he grinned and excitingly introduced everyone on the team to Hinata and Kageyama, to which Okumura told him that they've already met the two. Kuramochi hid a smile and continue carrying Miyuki, who was still out of it. "Glad to see you back, Sawamura." He muttered under his breath.

Inside the gymnasium, the Seidou team were all sitting in the bleachers as the Karasuno team stood in front of them with Kageyama resting his chin on Eijun's head.

It appears they were discussing something, and the team noticed the changes in Eijun's expression that went from smiling to frowning and practically dropping a sweat.

Hinata and Kageyama changed from jeans and sweatshirts to volleyball clothes, and the team was in awe of how muscular these two were. It's probably a volleyball thing, but both men's thighs looked like it could kill a man.

Kuramochi quietly stared at his roommate interacting with the Karasuno team. What he overheard from Eijun a while ago was something Kuramochi and everyone else that didn't expect to hear from him. Eijun doesn't NEED to tell them about his past. Everyone, including Eijun himself, all came here to play baseball, and that's what matters. So what if he plays another sport? Kuramochi and others like to play soccer in their free time during school, too, so how was it that different from Eijun in his interest in volleyball?

"Do I have to?!" Eijun said loudly, and everyone stared at their pitcher.

Kuramochi glanced over his bespectacled captain beside him. He'd expect that Miyuki would be heartbroken from that sorry-ass confession he attempted on Eijun. Heck, Kuramochi never expected he'd confess the moment he saw Eijun. The fuck is wrong with him?

But instead, he saw Miyuki gaping. He followed to where Miyuki was staring, and lo and behold. He was staring at Eijun. Specifically on Eijun's thighs. He does really look good in volleyball shorts, and Kuramochi looked impressed.

"I should increase the number of his lunges set in his training menu," Miyuki muttered.

"If you're going to do anything weird to him, you have to answer to me," Kuramochi growled. "Besides that, I didn't expect you to confess to him the moment you two met again."

"Neither do I," Miyuki admitted, still staring at Eijun, who looked like he was getting a lecture from Daichi. "but of course, I expected it won't end well. He's an idiot, so I know what I'm getting at. I'll try next time. But I'll still have to punish him after this," Miyuki let out his playful grin at Kuramochi. "For not telling me, the team captain, that he's going to be out."

Kuramochi scoffed, and punched him in the shoulder, and said, "Don't go crying to me when you get rejected for real this time. I have better things to do, after all. And don't try to be so hard on the kid. It looked like today's been plenty for him."

Miyuki turned back on Eijun and trailed back to his thighs. He had noticed this a while ago since he and everyone got in the gym, that Eijun was wearing what it looks like white bandages around his knee. He could be wrong (he wanted to be wrong), and it just might be some compression pad he just put there that just happened to look like bandages.

"I'll try my best~" He licked his lips, earning him a swat in the head from Kuramochi.

"To my brethren!" Eijun cleared his throat, standing still and looking so tense. He then bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle. "I apologize that I didn't tell everyone that I was out. I should have a while ago, but I was in a hurry. But here I am, alive and well! Now, let us all gather our applause to watch these folks giving us a wonderful performance!"

"You're not going to play with them, Eijun-kun?" Haruichi sounded disappointed, but Eijun didn't seem to notice it.

Eijun flinched. "Uhm, no. I'm going to be a referee."

"You know how to be one?" Miyuki looked surprised.

"Like it's hard or something?" Eijun scoffed. "Just you wait, Miyuki Kazuya! I'll make sure they won't play unfair so long as I am the eyes of the net."

"I see~ Then best of luck, then."

"It's that infuriating grin of yours that makes me want to punch the heck out of you!"

"Hey, Sawamura. I've meant to ask you about something." Tojou calmly raised his hand.

"Yes, Tojou? What is it?" Eijun called him like they were in a classroom and Eijun's a teacher. "You have questions about the position? The court rules?"

"What's that thing on your knee?"

"Oh!" Eijun jolted up and began sweating buckets. The Karasuno team was staring at him, waiting for him to answer his teammate's question. "This is-" He sighed. He should let them know, and he doesn't want to be a burden to them, after all. "Bandage strips. I got myself injured during the last part of the match. Got my skin opened as I slipped on the ground when my pad fell."

"Eh? But you were fine throughout the game, though? We watched you win the match."

Eijun turned bright red. Of course. They've watched him play, and it's embarrassing just thinking about it. "It happened so fast that the camera didn't catch it, and everyone else was busy staring at the other players. I quickly put my kneepads back on before anyone else would notice. So yeah." He drawled at the last part, kicking the floor, and it made a squeaking sound that echoed around the gym.

"Is that why you won't play? Because of a minor scraped knee?" Furuya said.

"Minor?" Eijun barked. "There's no minor here, Furuya! As Omi-omi-san said: 'A minor thing can become a major one if you're not careful enough.' Don't forget. I'm going to steal your ace number this summer, so I need to be in my best condition to take that spot! "

"Way to go, Eijun!" Nishinoya jumped behind his back as Eijun left out a 'hmph' from his nose. "A declaration! That's what I'm talking about."

"Who's Omi-omi-san?" Furuya furrowed his eyebrows.

"Don't ask me," Kanemaru shrugged.

Kageyama looked conflicted. He wanted Eijun to play with him, but the fact that he had to get along with Hinata and the Black Jackals' plan for today held him back. Hinata was starting to regret it as it's evident that he wanted for Eijun to play. But he knew Eijun was going to get mad at him and the Black Jackals.

Hinata groaned in frustration.

"Oh my, you're still not playing?" Just then, Rei arrived with Kataoka.

Eijun gasped upon seeing them and ran towards them when they entered the gym door. He then sat in a dogeza-position. Daichi facepalmed himself, feeling the second-hand embarrassment. The fact that he's related to Eijun still baffles him. Miyuki laughed as he held out his stomach.

"B-boss!" Eijun hollered. "I'm sure you heard about my situation, but let this poor soul apologize for being so reckless! And for not going back as I've promised. If you'd like, I would stay in this position until you are satisfied!"

There was complete silence in the gym, and only groans and held laughter could be heard. The Karasuno team was in total shock, while the Seidou team was too embarrassed to say anything. Nishinoya and Hinata, however, looked pretty excited. According to them, it's the first time they have seen a yakuza coach.

"Sawamura-kun, please. We know you didn't mean to get yourself injured like that," Rei said as she smiled. "You didn't mean to get hurt like that, right? It was just a simple accident."

"But still!" Eijun looked up, still in his position. "I deserve a punishment. I am ready for whatever it is you will give me, boss!"

Kataoka raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Then as your punishment," Kataoka started, and Eijun braced himself. 2 weeks of not pitching? A month doing nothing but laps? "Go and play volleyball with your friends."

"Sir?" Eijun was caught off guard, and he tried to make sure what Kataoka said was indeed what he heard. "You want me to play volleyball?" He repeated.

"You asked for a punishment, and I gave you one. Now, are there any questions?" Kataoka said like they were in the field. Firmly that even Eijun couldn't disagree.

The color of Eijun's face grew lighter, and he beamed the two his biggest smile yet as he slowly stood up. "None or whatsoever, boss! I shall gladly take my punishment with glee."

Kataoka nodded as they gathered with the others in the bleachers. Eijun happily announced to everyone that he would get to play in the court, which led to the Seidou team looking forward to seeing him play up close and personal.

"Shoyo-san, I have to be rude but do you have-!" When he turned to Hinata, the orange-haired already got what Eijun was looking for: arm sleeves, tapes, kneepads, and additional credits to Bokuto: long compression shorts. He grinned happily at him as Hinata handed it to him.

Not long after, Eijun went back after putting on the compression shorts. And the whole Seidou team widened their eyes when they saw Eijun in full gears.

"I got my eye on you, Miyuki," Kuramochi warned him after he saw Miyuki shifting his body to the side, crossing his legs.

"You can stare all you want, 'Mochi. I won't go anywhere," Miyuki winked. Eijun looked like a volleyball player now with all his pads and arm sleeves of his. But even if Eijun looked good, it felt wrong seeing him. He looked better with a baseball uniform, the team all thought.

"Tobio-san, would you like to do the honors?" Eijun gestured the tapes, and Kageyama already helped him out with his fingers without so much of a blink. "All fingers, and don't leave a single pinky."

"Of course," Kageyama smiled again, genuinely. More natural, and Eijun always had that effect on him. It was a no-brainer on why he acted so aggressive a while ago.

"Are you guys sure you really want to stay here instead of practicing?" Eijun went back to his team one more time before going back to the court to start some warmups. "Or better yet, are you okay seeing me play volleyball?"

"Eh? We know for a fact you're a pitcher. It's okay to play, you know? And you're not just playing volleyball. You're getting your punishment, remember?" Miyuki crossed his arms around his chest, holding himself not to distract himself from a handsome ray of sunshine in front of him.

Miyuki waited for Eijun to go and counter-back at him, but to his surprise and everyone else, he gave them his tender smile. Wholesome. Enough for them to let him do whatever he wants for today.

"Thank you, Miyuki-senpai." He waved them off before heading to the court to meet with the others. The first years cheered for their senpai, and the same goes for Eijun's batchmates. The third years yelled words of caution to him instead, like, 'don't trip off' or 'don't get another scraped knee on your other knee, you jerk!'. On the other hand, Miyuki excused himself to go to the boys' bathroom to calm himself down.

They all quietly watched as Eijun started some warmups in the court. Miyuki stood up when he saw Eijun begin to stretch his wrists in weird motions on the floor. His wrists were twisted in 180-degrees where common people couldn't, and everyone winced by looking at it.

"Get back to where the others are, Miyuki Kazuya!" Eijun hissed when Miyuki got close. "This doesn't hurt one bit. I learned this from Omi-omi-san, and it helps! I'm almost done anyway."

"I don't know who that person is but don't twist it too much, idiot! Who knows what might happen if you overdo it," Miyuki grabbed his hands, and Eijun shrieked in response. "Do you want to lose a wrist?"

"Do you want to lose an arm, city boy?" A voice came from behind said. Eijun's eyes lit up, and Miyuki turned to find what looked to be one of Kuramochi's buddies if they were the same age. Tanaka stared down to where Miyuki's hands were, and even if Tanaka did his best to intimidate the boy, Miyuki only blinked in response.

"Ryuu-san!" Eijun smiled, and Miyuki lets go as he stood up. He nodded when he faced Tanaka.

"Be careful not to trip yourself, Sawamura!" Miyuki snickered when he started going back, and he could hear Eijun yelling at him from behind.

Eijun rubbed his knee and made sure he won't dive too much this time. Ennoshita reassured him that he would be fine, which made him feel more confident about himself.

The Seidou team anticipated him as he made his way to Kageyama who looked relaxed when Eijun was talking to him, almost completely a different person than Kageyama was with the Seidou team.

"Now you know who to ask for a blessing before you plan on taking Sawamura. Gyaha!" Kuramochi slapped Miyuki's back in amusement, and his glasses nearly fell.

"I already got someone's blessing," Miyuki took off his glasses and cleaned them with his shirt, then he puts it back in. "Hinata-san was supportive."

"Is that one of the reasons why you suddenly confessed? Because someone boosted your confidence?" Kuramochi eyed him narrowly. "You are hopeless!"

Kuramochi punched him in the shoulder, and Miyuki groaned, and they all watched when Eijun and the rest all gathered to play.

"This is embarrassing, but I will still play volleyball as usual so be sure to watch this!" Eijun pointed towards them with his intense golden eyes, but Miyuki saw how his eyes were directed at him, and he smirked. Without saying anything, he nodded at him, and Eijun grinned. "And one more thing! This isn't the same volleyball we all do in PE, so prepare to be amazed! We have Tobio-san, the control tower of the team! The fearless spiker that every blocker should watch out for, the Ninja Shoyo himself. And we got the legendary guardian deity, Nishi-"

"We get it!" They all yelled in unison—all of them. And then Kuramochi cackled. "Just make sure you won't back down just because we're here to watch you lose, Sawamoron!"

"Please hold your comments after the show, dear audience! Nyahaha!" Eijun hollered back at him.

It was a great thing, to say the least, that Eijun looked better. That the team reassured him that it was going to be okay, and it was fine.

It really was okay.

"Tobio-san!" Eijun fixed up his volleyball shorts, and they could see the spandex underneath. "Be sure to take it easy on me, okay?"

"No," Kageyama firmly said. To their surprise, Eijun laughed as if he'd expected that kind of answer from him. "If you want to hit the ball, come and reach for it."

"Aggressive," Miyuki rested his arms on his knees, and smirked.

6vs6 game.

Team A consists of Suga, Daichi, Tanaka, Ennoshita, Tsukishima, and Hinata.

Team B consists of Asahi, Narita, Yamaguchi, Kageyama, Nishinoya, and Eijun.

Kinoshita for the referee for this round.

"You ready, Eijun?" Kageyama watched over him from the corner of his eye.

"Ready as I'll ever be, Tobio-san!" He and Kageyama bumped each other's fists. "Make sure you toss me a good one, okay?"

"That's my job, isn't it?"

"Hey, it's already unfair when you guys have Eijun and Nishinoya in your team! And it seems a bit overkill now that you also have Kageyama over there!" Suga yelled to them.

"We only have one pro player in our team, Suga. You guys have both," Asahi retorted. Eijun was already started jump excitingly and Kageyama rolled over his sleeves.

Well, even Suga couldn't say anything to that.

Kinoshita whistled for the game to start, and they were off.

The Seidou team felt the changes in everyone's aura. And it gave them goosebumps—every one of them, including Eijun.

He got quieter, deeply engrossed in the court. When he saw the ball heading towards Kageyama, he was already running towards the net.

Kageyama grinned, and with a gentle touch, he tossed the ball to Eijun.

And then he flew. He leaped into the air like his feet were made out of springs. It felt like he grew a pair of wings behind his back, reaching for the ball, bound to take it all to himself.

How he managed to jump so high was beyond what they've watched on the television where the net looked smaller than it actually was, and by word, they were left tongue-tied.

BAM!

With a blink of an eye, Hinata made contact with it, but the spin went to the other side, and Team B quickly took the first point.

"See? Overkill!" Suga shook his head. Hinata took a deep breath, hungry for more.

"Tobio-san!" Eijun grinned. Surprisingly he didn't feel the pain in his knee. He felt electricity flow through him once again, just like when he played in the morning, in the match, and now this moment right now. Kageyama felt his excitement and nodded. "One more time."

Within the game, they realized what Hinata meant by how gifted Eijun was in volleyball now. His movements were not like the ones when they do field drills or when he's in the mound. Instead, it's like he sees the court from a different perspective, and it was uncanny how he looked so perceptive. Miyuki felt he couldn't take his eyes off him, and Hinata was right: it was better seeing him play up close and personal.

Eijun knew when to jump and let others get the ball, and when Kageyama was unable to set the ball because he got the first touch, Eijun directed Asahi as he tossed the ball to him. And it was amazing how Asahi looked when the ball was coming towards him, with Nishinoya behind protecting him. The Seidou team who originally planned to watch Eijun solely, ended up mixing their stares to everyone else in the court. Their heads went back and forth, and when Eijun took a quick look at them to see if they were still paying attention, he couldn't help but grin until he felt the top of his cheeks starting to go numb.

Suddenly they saw Eijun in a starstruck state. His feet were stuck on the ground, his arms were wide open, but he just stood there. They finally found out why: on the other side of the net, Hinata flew even of greater distance than Eijun was before, and even they couldn't get their eyes off of him even if they tried.

When Eijun finally got to serve, Eijun took a few steps behind the line. With the ball in his right hand, he pointed to the Seidou team, grinning.

"What kind of serve do you guys would like to see me do?" He beamed at them.

"Stop being a show-off, Sawamura!" Kanemaru yelled back, holding back a smile.

"I just want you guys to feel like you're also playing with me!" Eijun said with all the bright colors on his face.

"The one that resembled the knuckleball," Takatsu said with pure excitement in his eyes behind his stoic face.

"Knuckleball?!" Eijun tried to recall that pitch. The one pitch from Sakurazawa High's pitcher that went against Inashiro last year. What did Chris say about that pitch, again? The one that has almost no spin at all? "You mean my Jump float serve, huh?" He grinned and gave them a nod in response like they're the ones asking for kind of serve for Eijun to hit, a parallel to when he's in the mound.

And Eijun delivered, and they got a point from that. Everyone in the Karasuno team knew that Eijun's jump floats were deadly and brutal to receive, especially since he's a southpaw, and Yamaguchi couldn't be more proud. Another serve for Eijun, and he asked the team again what kind of serve he'd like to give next, and this time, it was the good old jump serve. Eijun tossed it up ahead and jumped and swayed his body to hit it. The sound of the ball making contact on his hand was satisfying to hear, and the team cheered for him. And all the times when it was Eijun's turn to serve, he let his team tell him the kind of serve to do next.

To Eijun's surprise, when the game ended, everyone applauded him, including Kataoka and Rei, and when they did, he hid behind Asahi and Kageyama and sobbed. Kageyama looked over him and saw that despite Eijun's tears pouring down, Eijun was smiling.

Everyone helped out in cleaning the gymnasium. Even after the game, Kageyama and Hinata were arguing over something again. Once they were done, Eijun took off the pads and sleeves and gave them back to Hinata. In the end, Hinata told him to keep it as a gift from everyone, and Eijun hugged him tightly.

By the time they were all done, some of the Seidou team headed back first to the dorm. Suga thanked Rei and Kataoka for the help before they went back to the office.

Asahi went to get the van when Eijun and the rest of the first-string members were with the Karasuno team waiting outside the school gates.

The other first-string members were engaged in talking with Nishinoya- Haruichi, and Kuramochi in particular. There's something about him that pulled the keystone duo towards him. Perhaps it was his charisma or the fact he was very open-minded, and his vibe was in sync with everyone else's. Or perhaps it was something else.

Hinata had some interaction with some members of the Seidou team, and as always, he quickly made them feel comfortable in his presence. Kageyama smiled at them, of course, but it's more twisted than usual. Again, Hinata just praised him for trying. Eijun was with Hitoka and Kiyoko, and the three exchanged conversations here and there, and some guys were eyeing him in envy. It was enough that Eijun knew a lot of famous people, and now he's got two beautiful women smiling and laughing with him. Kuramochi wanted to wrestle him in front of them just because.

"Now then," Daichi nodded to his team before looking at the Seidou team. "Thank you again for watching us."

"You guys were amazing back there, Sawamura-san," Haruichi said. "The ball was so fast we almost couldn't chase after it."

"I'm glad you enjoyed the game," Daichi smiled. Everyone could see the resemblance of Eijun from him. "Eijun? Don't you have something to say before we leave?"

"Nothing," He gave Daichi a gentle look and bumped his fist on Daichi's shoulder. "Just take care when you guys head back to Miyagi, okay? I mean them. Suga and them. You will stay here for a few more days because of your business trip, right? Must be hard for a police officer."

"A police officer?!" Kuramochi spluttered. "Your cousin's a police officer?"

"Yeah," Eijun said, scratching his chin. "He's a tough-looking officer, but he'll always be my weird cousin."

"And you'll always be my loud-mouth cousin," Daichi ruffled his hair and pulled Eijun for a quick hug. "Brat."

"Daichi-nii~" Eijun nuzzled.

"It was nice meeting you, Miyuki!" Hinata waved his arms.

"That was a great match, Hinata-san. I can see why Sawamura respects you," Miyuki smiled. "Thanks for visiting us. We hope you get to watch our match soon. If you'd like, we have a scrimmage the day after tomorrow so feel free to come by and watch."

"Eijun already told us," Hinata frowned. "We won't be in Osaka on that day because we'll stay here for the next three days. We still have our own set of matches with other teams."

"Sawamura doesn't know this yet, but our trip got canceled. We'll hold the scrimmage here," Miyuki watched as Eijun introduced Tanaka and Kuramochi at the corner of his eye. He heard him cackle loudly, only for the both of them to grab hold of him to stop it. "He won't be the starter pitcher, but our coach might put him in the middle of the innings."

"Then I'll tell the rest of my team that," Hinata beamed. The last time he saw Eijun play was in Senbatsu and read (and framed) an article of Eijun when he was against Hakuryuu.

Miyuki nodded and extended his hand for a handshake.

Hinata, on the other hand, pulled him close until he could whisper something to Miyuki's ear, surprising Miyuki.

"Just a hint for you: Eijun's more of a touchy person, so he won't know anything unless you show him your real intentions. Good luck, Miyuki," Hinata let out a giggle.

Miyuki gaped wide open and then remembered that failed confession of his a while ago. He then let out a quiet laugh, "I'll keep that in mind, Hinata-san."

Miyuki then felt sharp daggers behind him, and for his dear life, he didn't want to look back. He's worried that if he would, he might see a devil.

"Ah! What the heck are you and Eijun standing there behind Miyuki for, Kageyama? Come and say farewell to the team captain!"

Correction: both devils.

Both Kageyama and Eijun glared at Miyuki. Their auras were in-sync with one another that it was puzzling what was going on.

"Before anything else," Kageyama stared down at Miyuki, who still looked innocently clueless about the situation. Because seriously, what did he do? "He's mine."

"Pardon?" Miyuki drew his brows together.

"Miyuki Kazuya!" Eijun roared, standing awfully close to Kageyama for Miyuki's liking. "I know Shoyo-san's charming to everyone, and no one could resist him, so I can see why you'd have a crush on him, but he's taken! He's not available! He's too good for you anyways."

"Crush? I just met him!" Miyuki curled as he laughed. Eijun knows how to make him laugh even without trying. "Besides, I like someone else. Someone available. Very much available."

"You do?" Eijun frowned but quickly replaced it with a scowled face. "I feel sorry for that person, whoever that is."

"Me too," Miyuki flicked him in the forehead.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

"Haha! You have a surprisingly big forehead, after all."

Kageyama went between them, but Hinata managed to pull him towards him. "Would you quit that? Just say goodbye already to Eijun's captain and his team!"

"Fine," Kageyama clicked his tongue. Hesitantly, he bid farewell to Miyuki, but he has a gut feeling about this Miyuki Kazuya. It feels like he's going to take something very important from Kageyama.

Eijun hugged every last one of them when Asahi arrived with the van. It was a touching moment and a tearful one. In the end, Eijun cried again, and Kageyama and Tanaka almost dragged him inside the van with them, but Kiyoko and Daichi stopped them.

"I'm going to miss you all," Eijun smiled, his teeth fully showing as they all got in.

"See you next time, Eijun!"

"Ah, that's right," Hinata was the last one in, and, holding the door, he turned back to the rest of the Seidou. "We were half-serious about it a while ago. The next time Eijun calls us because of you guys, numerous of pro teams will always have an open slot for him. The more you guys take him for granted, the more reason he will realize we volleyball players appreciate his small achievements than his own teammates ever did, and then that's the moment he decides to go back to volleyball. Remember that the next time you guys try and leave him all by himself." It was quick, but they caught Hinata staring at them with slit-like eyes. It wasn't a threat, it was a warning. And everyone knew that.

"He turned down an invitation to represent his country, the kind of invite where only a few were chosen to play. He may have declined it now, but the camp is still a few months away, and he could contact Kuroo-san if he ever changes his mind," Hinata continued staring at them. Eijun was busy waving goodbye to Nishinoya to notice him. "Don't forget that he was the one who lifts the team up. He deserves even just a simple thank-you from you all."

They all gulped. Hinata looked scary when he turned serious that it was too heavy to answer him back. He then shifted back to his relaxed demeanor.

"Well, lookie me! I'm talking to myself a lot lately. Now then, goodbye!" And with that, he got in the van. He heard Eijun shouting a goodbye back when he closed the door.

"You told me not to take it out on them," Kageyama shifted to his side to give space for Hinata. "but you're scaring them just like that."

Hinata rested his head on Kageyama's shoulders and sighed, "because nothing's too much when it comes to Eijun. They should at least know the effort Eijun has been putting for the team."

"You sounded like Miya-san," Kageyama leaned over to Hinata, and he could feel Hinata's hair starting to tickle his nose. "You guys are spoiling him too much."

"Aren't we all?"

Everyone hummed in agreement with that.

The van took off, and Eijun watched it leave. He stood by the school gates until he could see the light from the van slowly disappearing.

"Thank you for teaching me volleyball," He whispered as he hugged his own volleyball.

A warm arm went over his shoulders and saw Kuramochi staring to where the van was from afar. Together, and the rest of the remaining team watched it go.

"I'm sure they were happy that you had fun today, Sawamura. And... we had fun watching you play volleyball with them," Kuramochi said and saw Eijun's glassy eyes. "Come on, let's head back to the dorm. Everyone's waiting for you."

Eijun looked one last time.

When he was sure that the van wasn't there anymore, he wiped his eyes gently and grinned.

"Yeah. Let's."