It had been almost a year since Hinata had left for Brazil. By some cruel twist of fate, my dad's job had given him a permanent position in Miyagi so I continued to attend school at Karasuno. I also kept up my responsibilities as the volleyball club.
Though the pain never fully subsided, I had grown close with the rest of the team. We had so many memories and bonds from the last season, I couldn't bring myself to abandon my boys. The team was still as successful and had a lot to offer even without Hinata and the others. I was happy to see all their efforts pay off.
I had even excelled in my tennis career. I had finished 3rd in the previous season. I believed it was honestly due to my lack of focus after the events towards the end of the year. This season I had moved up to be tied for the 1st ranking in the prefecture.
As for Hinata and I, during the first few months since his move, we talked constantly. Between practices and competitions, we'd always made time to speak. The time zones never made it easy. There were a lot of late nights up for me and early mornings for him. However, eventually, his career began to take off in the beach volleyball circuit in Brazil. Then, our talks became sparse and few in between. Recently, he got an offer to play in Japan for the MSBY Black Jackals.
Of course, he called me at the god awful hour of 3 am practically bouncing off the walls at his new venture. I grinned and sleepily congratulated him.
"Vanji..." his tone suddenly became more serious.
I quickly sat up rubbing my eyes, "Hm?"
"I'll.. I'll be back in Japan.. maybe?... um..." he struggled to maintain eye contact.
I blushed. I knew what he wanted to ask me. I knew. However, professional volleyball teams like MSBY are constantly traveling. Internationally, especially.
"Hinata," I sighed sadly.
"Oh... ya.. right.." he looked away hurtfully, "I should um.. go. I've got my first practice tomorrow. S-see ya."
"O-ok goodnight," I stared down at the bed.
"Night."
*Video call ended *
~~~~
It was spring once again. Us third years had finished taking our final exams and had begun preparing for our graduation ceremonies.
I had also been readying myself for my last divisional match. This would determine my ranking to continue forward into Nationals.
My practices had become more intense and definitely more complex to encourage my growth as a player. Even so, the volleyball club members had also been huge supporters of mine, attending what matches they could.
Tsukishima and Yamaguchi had even come to watch some of my matches when they had a chance. Tsukishima had been doing quite well for himself as a player for the Sendai Frogs and Yamaguchi had recently taken over his own business, a local Miyagi electronics shop. He'd even used his own funds to sponsor me during my larger tournaments.
I had also received another offer from another familiar face. One day, I had looked at an email I'd received from a company that read 'Bouncing Ball LTD' that had stated the CEO was interested in offering a scholarship and sponsorship and was signed by none other than, Kenma Kozume, himself.
I had pondered over the offer for days. If I accepted, I would be set for university and have another good jumpstarter for my career. But, if I signed, I'd forever be tied to Shoyo's career since he was the company's primary sponsorship.
It wasn't that I minded being associated with him. In fact, most people around Karasuno High first recognized me as "Hinata's girl". I didn't have the stomach to correct them and let everyone know that we had ended things, or maybe it was more I couldn't admit it to myself. I understood that, in order for people to recognize me on my own merit, I'd have to decline the offer. I needed to do things my own way.
When I gave Kenma my answer, he was surprisingly understanding about my reasoning and even still offered to give me a scholarship for my studies that wouldn't require a formal announcement. I thanked him for his generosity and happily accepted.
~~~
I was packing my sports bag with my tennis gear and snacks while watching some television. I had it on MSBY's match. They had just won in two straight sets and reporters were interviewing multiple members of the team. I was absentmindedly folding my uniform when I heard Hinata's voice coming from my TV.
My eyes darted to the screen. Hinata was discussing some of his stats to a female reporter. As I observed, I noticed a sudden glimmer flash across the camera view. I looked more closely and saw the familiar silver charm. It was the same charm bracelet he'd given me not so long ago. He was chuckling about something the reporter had asked when he went to scratch the back of his head, raising the same hand that wore the bracelet.
Upon noticing it, the reporter jumped at the sight of a new scoop.
"Oo! What's this fashion piece you're wearing Shoyo Hinata?" she exclaimed.
Blush crept across his face, "Oh um... this? It's just a charm bracelet from someone.. someone who means a lot to me."
"You heard it here first folks! MSBY's up and rising star, Shoyo Hinata, has admitted he has a special someone!" the reporter announced cheerily.
I choked in shock upon reading the news headline: Ninja Shoyo's Better Half?
You idiot..
With that, my phone began blowing up with texts:
Kageyama: And????
Tsukishima: Here we go again???
Yamaguchi: XDDDD
Yachi: How could you not tell me?!!! DX
...
Hinata: Vanji I'm sooo sorry. She just sprung that on me during the interview and I lost control of the whole conversation. I really didn't mean to cause you any trouble :(
I sighed. It wasn't entirely his fault. Plus, he was never the best during interviews:
Me: Don't worry. :) I know. Btw I'll be at my divisional match tomorrow so I'll be out of pocket for most of the day.
Hinata: That's tomorrow?!! Oh man... I must've lost track of time. I meant to take time off from practice for that :( I'm so sorry I can't make it!
Me: No worries :) I understand.
Hinata: Vanji...
*Incoming call: Kageyama*
Jolted by the sudden ring, I nearly dropped my phone before I recovered and answered:
"Yea?"
"Hey.. how you holding up?" Kageyama sounded like he really was genuinely concerned.
"Heh.. fine why?" I snickered.
"I saw the interview.. he's trending all over social media. People are digging through every nook and cranny to find out who the mystery lover is," he scoffed.
"Let them dig.. plus his original accounts are gone since he had to get one specifically to promote the teams. So.. it's like I never existed," I mumbled annoyed.
"Vanji- you know it's not like that for him.." Kageyama insisted.
"Kags... It's fine. He's Ninja Shoyo now. I'm just me. But not for long... not after this final exhibition," I smirked.
I heard him chuckle, "Definitely still as headstrong as before."
"I wonder which side of the family that comes from?" I teased.
"Hmph.. Later Vanji!" he grumbled.
"Later less-attractive cousin Tobio Kageyama!"
Before he could argue, I quickly hung up. I giggled and continued packing my bag. I'd show him... I'd show everyone. I'm not just a better half.
