Hinata showed Kageyama how to rename his contacts before they parted ways for the day, and Kageyama went home feeling accomplished and more confident than he had felt in a while.

He managed to get both his soulmates numbers at one time, and Iwaizumi said they should hang out.

That only left the question of who should text first. Iwaizumi said he would text him, so did that mean that if Kageyama did it first it would be awkward? But also would Iwaizumi get so busy he forgot and left Kageyama in a state of constant wondering?

He was pretty sure texting first wouldn't be annoying. It would just show that he was good at taking initiative, and that staying in contact was important to him, right?

Kageyama decided to give them three days, and if they didn't text in that amount of time, Kageyama would text first.

With that in mind, Kageyama continued about his day in peace.

Later that evening, however, Kageyama was laying in the dark, staring up at the ceiling, and trying to get back to sleep after another nightmare. As he was calming down and slowly drifting off, Kageyama heard a noise from outside his bedroom door.

He thought it might just be his mother wandering again, but then he heard voices.

Tobio felt his heart start to speed up, still frightened slightly by the dream he'd had. His rational brain told him it was probably just the house settling, but his imagination cooked up something much more sinister.

Besides, the house settling didn't usually sound like voices.

However, it turned out to be neither what his rational brain or imagination thought, because when he opened his door, the voices became louder to the point it should've woken up his parents.

Then he saw light slipping through the crack of his parents door and heard his father's voice speaking more distinctly.

He realized his parents were the voices he'd heard.

"Well, what are you going to do about that!" his father's whisper-shout sliced through the air of silence like a knife.

"I don't know." His mother murmured evenly.

"Don't play coy with me! Is that letter or whatever it was how you really feel?"

Kageyama crept closer to the bedroom, knowing it was wrong to eaves drop, but still wanting to know what was so important his parents were fighting in the middle of the night. "I… no. You weren't supposed to see that. I was angry when I wrote that, it was never meant for you to see."

"Oh, so you can't even tell me your fucking feelings anymore? And have to write it down on a piece of paper to hide from me?"

"That is not what I said. I didn't mean the things I said in those writings, which is why I didn't voice them to you aloud as they were words I knew I would come to regret."

"That's bullshit!" his father shouted.

"Be quiet," his mother said harshly, "Tobio is still asleep. I don't want him to hear this."

"Why! Because you wouldn't want him knowing that you don't even trust me? That you don't care about either of us anymore? That you wish you'd never married me?"

"No, because I wouldn't want him to see his father blowing something from three years ago so far out of proportion."

"If you hated it here so much, I don't see why you even fucking stayed!" he hissed.

Kageyama moved closer to the door, and opened the door just a tad more so he could see inside the bedroom.

His mother was sitting on the bed with her hands folded tightly in her lap, and his father was standing with a confused but angry look on his face.

"I stayed because I love Tobio, of course. As much as you do, and I want to give him the best life possible. Isn't that why you stayed? Isn't that why we did this in the first place?" his mother was staring up at his father, her eyes burning icy blue, even while the rest of her face showed no other signs of anger or frustration.

"Well of course! But I thought after twelve years you might feel something for me too."

His mother took a deep breath before she answered, "It's not as if I don't care about you. It's not like I've been pretending about everything this entire time. However, if we hadn't had Tobio, you are not the man I would've chosen."

His father snorted humorlessly, sneering, "Right, you would've married your soulmate, right? For you they were both loveless because you aren't even capable of such a thing for anyone but Tobio!"

"Maybe in the eyes of someone as self-centered as you, because apparently when you don't love two people romantically, suddenly you aren't capable of loving anyone?"

"Self-centered!" his father cried.

"Yes. And more immature than Tobio, and he is just a child."

"You can't talk to me like that!" His father took a step forward, getting in his mother's personal space and Kageyama fisted his pajama pants, waiting for something.

"Speak to you like what? Speak to you as you speak to Tobio? Speak to you as you speak to me?" His mother's tone remained painfully soft and even, as if what was happening didn't affect her at all.

Kageyama saw his father's jaw clench, and he let out a hiss of air through his teeth. "You know what," he finally said, sounding exasperated, "let's just forget it! You didn't mean it."

"No."

"Then let's forget it." His father walked toward the door and Kageyama scrambled back, scampering into his own room, slipping inside with his own door opened just a crack to see out of.

The light in his parents room switched off, bathing the entire house in darkness, and no more noise came from their room, so Tobio assumed the argument truly was over.

Kageyama didn't really understand what had just happened, but he did know he didn't like seeing his parents fight.

They always agreed with each other. They were supposed to be a united force working against him and uncovering all his secrets. They weren't supposed to fight with each other, they were supposed to fight with Kageyama. That was how it had always been.

Or had it?

Maybe Kageyama was the one who'd been utterly clueless this entire time.

This was the first time it occurred to him that he wasn't the only one who still had secrets.

The next morning Kageyama woke up and pretended he didn't know anything about last night, and went to school like nothing was wrong. Like he wasn't exhausted because he'd gotten no sleep the night before. Like he hadn't heard his parents fighting over some letter his mother had written. Like he hadn't heard his father say his mom didn't love them.

"Hey, uh, Kageyama," a voice interrupted his thoughts, "your sets are off again today." Kindaichi informed him, like he didn't already know he was doing terribly.

"Fuck off." Kageyama growled, his grip on the volleyball tightening. "Just cus you were too slow, doesn't mean it was off."

Kindaichi stiffened and stared at Kageyama with his moth opened slightly in disbelief. It took Kindaichi a few moments to utter something back. "Um… right, sorry."

Kageyama didn't respond, and just went to set up another play.

Over the next few days, Kageyama forgot about the promise he made to himself, to text Iwaizumi and Oikawa. Or, more accurately, he kept putting it off. There was always tomorrow, right?

Soon three days turned into three months with no contact between them, and Kageyama's 13th birthday approaching fast. Being twelve hadn't meant much in the grand scheme of things, just as being ten and finally having two digits to his age meant nothing. He was fairly sure being a teenager also made no difference.

Hinata seemed to think differently. "Being thirteen is a huge deal. It only happens once, you know."

"I guess so." Kageyama shrugged.

"We have to have a party. You can invite your volleyball club if you want! And your soulmates."

Kageyama still wasn't very close to too many of his teammates. At this point he might've considered Kindaichi and Kunimi a friend, but he wasn't sure if he knew them well enough to want to invite them to his birthday party. And he didn't know if they even liked him enough to attend.

"I'm not very close with anyone on my team. I think that—"

"Yamayama-kun, we've gone over this. How are you supposed to get to know people if you won't talk to them?"

"But you still have to talk to them in an appropriate setting!"

"And what's inappropriate about a birthday party?"

"Nothing, I guess." Kageyama wasn't really sure how to explain that he meant a different kind of appropriate while still making sense.

"And what about your soulmates!"

"I don't know… I haven't talked to them in a while."

"Well what was your last conversation? They didn't leave you on read did they, cus that is kind of awkward."

"I mean… no. Cus I haven't exactly texted them at all."

"What!" Hinata screeched, three pitches higher than a normal human being should be able to shout. "Bakageyama, you got their numbers months ago!"

"Don't call me that. And I know, it's just that… I kept telling myself that I would text them tomorrow, but I never did, and I guess they got busy because they didn't text me either."

"Okay… then just text them right now! Don't wait around all day anymore. Text them right now."

"Hinata-kun, it'll be awkward now. I should just wait till I see them in person now."

"If you won't send a text I'll send one for you."

"But it's awkward!"

"Only if you make it." Hinata said, holding out his hand for Kageyama's phone, which Tobio gave after a moment's hesitation. "Alright," Hinata grinned, "First we make a group chat with the two of them."

Kageyama watched as Hinata worked the phone in ways he had no idea how and sent a text message.

Kageyama: Heeyyy guys, wassup ;)

"Why would you send that!" Kageyama cried, staring at the message in horror. "It's terrible!"

"Hey! Is not!" Hinata pouted.

Kageyama frowned at the phone and wondered if he'd get a reply any time soon.

Setter Senpai: Tobio-chan, are you dying?

"This is all your fault."

Hinata shrugged, "Oh well, at least I'm not the coward who couldn't even send a simple text message. Now the conversation has started and you've got to respond."

Kageyama: Um… sorry, Hinata-kun took my phone.

Setter Senpai: Oh, that makes sense XD

"Well? Ask them about your birthday!"

"No, it's too weird!"

"Ugh, give it here!" Hinata reached for Kageyama's phone which he yanked away out of the shorter boy's reach. "Give it!" Hinata whined.

Kageyama: ajfiajfoi;jfes fjaf j

Kageyama: aeoijg jiosafj sjfds jfi fjis jfij fdj f fsfh fsjf

"Yamayama-kun, please, you have to ask them."

"Fine, just stop." Kageyama growled and turned his back on Hinata to type.

Setter Senpai: Tobio-chan?

Kageyama: Sorry. I was wondering if um… if you maybe wanted to come to a birthday party?

Kageyama: You and Iwaizumi-san, I mean.

Kageyama: For my birthday.

Setter Senpai: Awww, my cute little Tobio-chan is one year closer to death. Wouldn't miss it for the world~

My Favorite Senpai: Can? You? Not?

Setter Senpai: :p

My Favorite Senpai: When is it Kageyama

Kageyama turned to Hinata, "I don't think my parents want me having a party. Where should I have it?"

"I could ask my mom. Just tell them you'll text them about all that stuff tomorrow, and I'll ask my mom. I'll tell her I want to throw you a surprise birthday party or something, I don't know."

"Okay." Kageyama turned back to his phone.

Kageyama: I'll ask my mom. Tell you tomorrow.

Setter Senpai: Okkkk

My Favorite Senpai: Sounds good kageyama :)

After that Kageyama slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked at Hinata. "I think that went well." Hinata said cheerily.

"Yeah, I think so too. Um… are you sure you don't mind throwing me a party? I mean, I don't want to bother you or anything." Kageyama murmured.

"You aren't bothering me, Yamayama-kun, I want to do this" Hinata grinned and linked his arm with Kageyama's. "Alright, let's go do something else fun now."

The months passed by quicker than expected, and soon Kageyama's birthday came closer. Hinata had set everything up, and while Kageyama was glad, he couldn't help but feel he should do more to pay Hinata back for all he'd done for him.

Oikawa and Iwaizumi had also agreed to go but Kageyama didn't invite any other people because of how nervous he already felt with just three. Kageyama had never had any sort of party before, and the only party he'd gone to was Kunimi's last year.

Kageyama wasn't even sure exactly what it would be like.

Kageyama: So, um, what time is the party again?

Best Friend: Hehe, Yamayama, u don't even know the time of ur own party?

Kageyama: No?

Best Friend: Okkkk, it's at one, don't be late~

Kageyama: I won't.

Best Friend: lmao

Kageyama had no idea what that meant, so he shut off his phone and went downstairs to tell his mother he was leaving for the 'hang out' he'd told her about.

"Well have fun, and don't stay out too late." She told him.

"I won't, mama." Kageyama walked out of the house, making sure to close the door all the way behind him. His mother didn't like it if he accidentally left the door open.

Hinata had sent his address, which Tobio was sure he could find as there was a big hill close to Hinata's middle school that the orange haired boy lived on. Apparently not many lived up there anyway, so the house should be simple to find.

As Tobio was walking, staring at a few stores he passed and glancing around at different things and people, he was pretty sure he saw Iwaizumi and Oikawa ahead of him.

It wasn't as if he spent a lot of time staring at the backs of their heads when they were still in middle school together, it was just that he was good at recognizing people.

Kageyama walked a little closer with the intention of letting them know he was here so they could walk together, maybe talk.

Then he thought that they were probably talking about high schooler stuff and wouldn't want him bothering them.

By the time he'd thought of this though, he was already too close to miss what they were saying, and surprisingly, they were talking about him. "I'm just saying I think he's changing a bit." Iwaizumi said.

"Tobio-chan is not changing," Oikawa grumbled, gesturing wildly with his hands. "He's still the same little shit who thinks he's a better player than us, just because he's a genius!"

Wait, what? What were they saying, why was Oikawa saying that about him?

"Sounds like your own insecurity talking."

"Iwa-chan, I don't get insecure. It's just the truth." Oikawa said with a scoff and a shrug.

Kageyama didn't really follow what was going on completely, but he understood enough to know Oikawa was not speaking about him nicely. He also knew that he didn't like it.

"And he's also stuck up, and a brat."

"Shittykawa, stop describing yourself."

"Iwa-chan! Stop joking around." Oikawa whined.

Iwaizumi sighed and turned his head to look straight at Oikawa, "Look Tooru, I'll admit that Kageyama acts a little strange sometimes but those things you're talking about aren't him acting like he's better than you or whatever you've conjured up. Kageyama is just a little socially awkward sometimes. But don't twist that for your agenda."

"I don't have an agenda." Oikawa said, his voice sounding more annoyed than earlier. "I just think he's a little brat."

"Fine." Iwaizumi said, sounding done. "But it's his birthday today, and you better be nice or you can turn around and leave right now!"

"I'll be nice, Iwa-chan, okay? Chill."

Iwaizumi huffed out an annoyed grunt, "Good, he seemed happier last time we saw him. I won't have you ruining that."

"I'm not gonna ruin it, geez. I'm glad Tobio-chan seems happier, okay? I'm not a complete monster."

After hearing everything, Kageyama wasn't sure whether to feel angry, or sad, or what to feel, but he was a little less happy than when the day started. Maybe he'd read Oikawa completely wrong. Maybe they'd never made any progress at all, and Kageyama had dreamed it all up.

Maybe they both still hated him just as much as they did before.

Why had he ever thought he could be good enough?

Tobio was so lost in his own mind he didn't lift his foot high enough when taking a step, and his shoe caught on a crack in the concrete. Kageyama thankfully just stumbled and managed to right himself, however he did let a squeak of surprise escape him, which was enough for Iwaizumi and Oikawa to temporarily stop arguing and turn to look at him.

When they saw him, Iwaizumi frowned and Oikawa was outright glaring. "Tobio-chan," Oikawa asked carefully, "how long have you been listening?"

Kageyama felt his heart skip a beat, and his mouth go dry. His brain was no longer able to summon up any sort of reply for a question like that because it had gone completely blank.

How long had he been listening?

He found himself wishing Hinata were here to tell him what to say, how to handle this.

But Hinata wasn't here.

Kageyama had to get through this, and he had to do it alone.

"Were you eaves dropping on our conversation?" Iwaizumi asked, crossing his arms in a way that meant he was disappointed.

Kageyama wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it.

A/N Lol, I wasn't sure if I was gonna hit my word count for this chapter (3k) but I did (barely). I cut the chapter off here cus I wanted a cliff hanger lmao, I'm sorry but not really.

Me: Wants you to know what other characters are thinking.

Also me: Wants to keep in Kageyama's pov

So me: Makes Tobio eaves drop all the time lmao.

Your welcome. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, next is gonna be wild and I am ready! Reviews are always appreciated.