Chapter 3: The Third Year Itch

Keishin didn't like that Harry had a boyfriend. One that was even working at the same university as well.

Kunimi-sensei was good looking. Even Keishin could see that, and he knew that a lot of girl (and some boys) took history just to have him as a teacher. There was little Keishin could do though, especially when he could spy Harry and that damn bastard walking around campus, the later making Harry laugh so brightly.

Keishin was jealous, but he also knew he didn't stand a chance, not when he'd been rebuffed so many time.

So instead he channeled everything into his studies and his volleyball. His focus shift meant that suddenly every set was almost perfect for his players, timed to perfection. His grades steadily rose up, moving up the rankings of the English class until the half year results were suddenly being posted by the professors on their communal board outside the classroom door.

Keishin had been shocked to say the least when he saw his name right at the very top of the first poster. Right next to the big, fat number 1.

Keishin hadn't felt the slaps on his back or heard the congratulations from his classmates who he had steadily gotten to know after the three years.

But even more so than anything else, what shone through everything was Harry's smile and thumbs up to him before he had drifted off to his next class.

Keishin replayed that scene over and over in his mind as he went into his new year break.

/

Keishin sat at the kotatsu, his fingers absent mindedly peeling a mikan, dropping the skin on the low table top.

The TV was going, playing some baseball game or another, his Grandpa sitting next to him. Ukai Ikkei was glad for the break himself, having some time away from his pesky Karasuno boys was doing his heart some good.

"What's got you so down?" Ikkei finally asked, tired of the sullen silence and sighs from his grandson.

"You remember how I told you about my sensei?" Keishin said, playing with a piece of the peel.

Ikkei grunted to show he was paying attention, even though he still faced the tv. He knew his hard headed grandson needed some space to say what he truly felt, he wasn't going to push it and force him to say anything he didn't want to.

"I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him. And it's making me crazy."

Ikkei blinked, turning to his grandson and seeing the almost pout on the twenty one year old's face made him burst out into a chuckle.

Keishin glared back at the ridicule but Ikkei waved him off. "Sorry. It's not funny. It's just I never would have thought that of you Keishin. You're always so serious, so I was just surprised. I didn't think you'd say that."

Ikkei turned, crossing his legs as he faced his grandson. "How did you come to this conclusion? That you love your foreign English professor?"

So Keishin explained as much as he could to his grandfather, trying to put into words his feelings over the last years.

"Well, all I can say is if you still like him when you graduate in a few months why not ask him out then?" Ikkei said as he took a sip of his now lukewarm tea. "At least then you'll have a proper answer once you're no longer his student."

"That's… a pretty good idea. He did always remind the students of the boundaries set by the school, so if I'm no longer a student… maybe he'll see me as an adult?" Keishin muttered, more to himself than anything.

Ikkei just left him be, a smile on his lips. He was happy, for his rebellious grandson had finally experienced what seemed to be his first love, his hatsukoi. And for every man, that was something you'd always remember. Even he, at his age, he still remembered Rin-san, the girl who worked at the bar he had frequented as a young man. Luckily for Ikkei, Rin had become his first and last love, until she had passed two years prior.

He glanced at her smiling picture on the small shrine in their living space, a cup of tea next to the frame which he had poured earlier. He felt like she was smiling upon Keishin too in amusement at his mutterings.

/

Satori tossed the ball up, passing it back and forth with Wakatoshi on the dirt court.

They were at the local park, Sei-Nii having kicked them out of the house for being too rowdy when he was trying to finalise his course outline for the coming new year.

The deadline was supposed to be on Friday, however, Sei had been sick and had missed handing it in. Luckily he was given an extension before they had to finalise it, and he was currently in a mad dash to finish it.

Harry sat on the nearby wooden bench, reading a new book that Luna had sent him that was published by her and her husband, Rolf. A rather interesting take on creatures that had never been seen before but still had some wonderful moving illustrations and stories about their spottings and the mischief that the creatures could get up to. Of course it being a muggle area it looked to be just an ordinary boring textbook to the eyes of everyone else.

Wakatoshi passed the ball in an overhand pass, the ball bouncing off Satori's outreached hands, veering off course.

The rolling ball was stopped with a sneaker clad foot.

"You guys play volley?" Asked the newcomer, a brown haired boy asked, reaching down to pick up the ball. His easy smile was met by the cocked-head Satori and blank-faced Wakatoshi.

"Isn't that obvious from the volley ball?" Wakatoshi responded.

The other boy laughed, slapping the ball against the dirt with a flat palm. "That's true. You're very literal."

The boy sent the ball back in a lovely overhead pass, being caught by Satori.

"My name's Oikawa Tooru, " The now named brown haired boy said, his smile still in place. He turned a thumb to another boy who was standing by, hands crossed over his chest. "That's Iwaizumi. What's your names?"

"I'm Tendou Satori," said boy said, head still cocked as he looked at the two new boys.

"Ushijima Wakatoshi. What position do you play?"

"Setter."

"Hn."

Satori could see Wakatoshi was interested in the idea of finally having someone to play with, turning back to the two boys. "Wanna play 2 vs 2?"

"Sure. If you're ready to get your ass kicked. Oikawa and I have been playing together for a while now." Iwaizumi said, stepping forward and rolling up his sleeves slightly.

Harry looked over to watch his two charges start up a game, an amused smile crossing his lips at their calls as they started up a fast and ferocious game. He went back to reading his book, keeping an ear and eye on them.

"Hey! That was definitely a foul!" Oikawa stated, annoyed from trying to pick up those blasted left hand balls from the tall brown haired kid and a little freaked out by the red head's accuracy in knowing where Iwaizumi was going to spike his tosses.

"Was not." Satori said in a sing-song voice.

"Was to!"

"Was not!"

"It wasn't." Chimed Wakatoshi.

"It so was!" Iwaizumi said, backing up Oikawa.

"It's only because your set was so poor that you think it would be your point by calling foul." Wakatoshi said, his face sweaty and serious.

Oikawa spluttered. "It was not a bad set!"

"It was too low for your hitter. It was a bad set."

"You shut your mouth you, you, you, bastard!" Oikawa said as he pointed a finger at the boy Ushijima. "Like you guys can talk! You're both freaky!"

"Just because we're monstas doesn't mean we're freaky." Satori said as he bounced the ball a few times. "You're just being mean because you're playing dirty trying to win, and you're still loosing."

Harry ambled over, a frown on his face. "Hey. Why are you guys fighting now when you were just playing a good game of volley?"

"They said we were cheating!" Iwaizumi said to the adult who came over.

"And who are you?" Oikawa said accusingly, annoyed slightly at the adult interruption.

"Hey! Don't be rude to Harri-Nii!" Satori said suddenly, stepping forward as if to protect Harry, who rolled his eyes with a fond smile even as he pulled the kid back by his collar.

"That's enough of that. I'm here just because I heard you guys having a fight and wanted to make sure you break it up without a scuffle."

"They started it…" Satori whined.

"And you're gonna end it. It's almost time to go home. Make your peace and I'll meet you back at the park entrance." Harry all but ordered with a stern look at Satori and Wakatoshi, his teacher voice in full force. He turned on his heel to go fetch his book, knowing the boys would sort themselves out.

"He's weird."

"He's not." Wakatoshi said in defence, a frown marring his face. "Don't say rude thing about Harri-san."

"You guys really are weird." Oikawa looked between them both and how weirdly protective they were over l that foreign man who'd just been here.

"Just because you're a sore loser doesn't mean you have to be so rude. Insult us all you want, but don't insult Harri-Nii." Satori said with a bare of his teeth.

"We're not sore losers! We'll beat you, just you watch. On a court. Then it's a real battle." Iwaizumi said.

"Yeah. A real game." Oikawa echoed, a competitive glint in his eyes.

"Oh yeah? What school are you going to?" Satori asked. "We'll be at Shiratorizawa Middle School."

"Typical. Of course you'd be going to that powerhouse school full of weirdos." Oikawa said with a roll of his eyes. "We'll be going to Kitagawa Daiichi. An actual proper school."

"See you on the court then." Wakatoshi said simply, turning to Satori. "Come on, Harry-San is waiting for us."

Satori stuck out his tongue, making a face at the two before he jogged off to catch up with Wakatoshi who was already walking towards the entrance.

"Don't worry, Bakawa. We'll beat them next time."

"Iwa-chan." Oikawa started as he watched the two leave the park with their foreigner. "We're gonna show them when we next meet on the court. And we're gonna win."

/

Harry awoke to his head pounding and his eyes crusted shut, swollen and red.

He tried to swat away the poking hand at his side, grumbling.

"Harri-Nii, you okay?" Satori whispered, seeing the state of the man who was sprawled out on the couch.

"Go away-" Harry muttered, turning his head back into the pillow.

Satori ceased his poking, instead, moving to the kitchen where Sei-Nii was gulping down a bottle of Pocari.

"Is Harri-Nii okay?" Satori asked, keeping his voice quiet.

Sei looked to the couch, seeing the state of his best friend and he shook his head. "Probably not."

"Why? What happened?" Satori whispered, leaning forward.

"Taka, that bastard… he well, he wasn't a good boyfriend to Harri, and it's really hurting him."

"Oh… well, I guess we'll just have to cheer Harri-Nii up then."

"Maybe just give him some time."

Satori frowned. He turned and went back to the couch, leaning down to wrap his thin arms around Harry's body.

"Don't worry, Harri-Nii. You've got me and Sei-Nii and Wakatoshi. We'll protect you from now on, okay? So no one can hurt you again. I promise."

Harry kept his face pressed into the pillow, the tears which had already started to flow when Satori embraced him soaking the material.

He didn't say anything back, but he lifted a hand to gently grip the arms around him in thanks. Harry still would never take for granted the feeling of people caring for him, for his well-being and his happiness. And for this little kid to be so honest and kind was like a little shining light for Harry, and that while he hurt right now, he'd be okay.