Chapter 2: Muddled Minds

THE SUN

It was simply mind over matter. That's what it was. That's all it was.

If you label something as impossible; believe it with every fibre of your being, no matter how hard you try you'll never succeed. It was simple enough to understand, logical enough to put into practice.

It is this very mind-set that has made Hinata Shouyou resilient in the face of adversaries, whether they come in the form of tall teammates and opponents alike, or genetic deficiencies in height.

So, mind over matter. The same thing can be applied to everything else in life, right?

Tsukishima found out, Hinata panics inwardly. Why, why was he so careless? It was supposed to be just another regular day after practice. He's supposed to finish training and go home with Kageyama. Discuss stupid useless volleyball-related things on the way home, then take a long bath followed by a good night's rest.

Tsukishima found out, Hinata finds it hard to breathe, worries he'll hyperventilate and vomit again. He grabs his chest, willing himself to calm down, unaware of the worried look Tsukishima is directing towards him. On any other day, he probably would've teased Tsukishima for showing a shred of interest in his well-being.

Then again, this wasn't any other day.

"Hinata," Tsukishima says, his right hand raised but hanging awkwardly mid-air.

"I- I can't-" Hinata wheezes out. At this Tsukishima nearly growls.

"You can't brush me off again, Hinata. This isn't 'nothing'. This isn't something you should even face alone-" He pauses for a while, hesitates because he doesn't want to assume. "Just tell me what that was, Hinata. What the hell was that guy doing to you?"

A painful expression crosses Hinata's face as he remembers what happened just a few minutes ago. He clenches his small fists, his eyes tearing at the sides.

"I can't!" He whines, "If I say something-" If I say something I might not be able to pretend anymore, I'm scared, afraid, I don't want to spell it out, I don't want to say it because if I do

"I can't-" Hinata whispers, almost inaudible, he covers his face with his right arm, his left hand still clutching his chest.

"I can't."

/Haikyuu/

This never would've happened if he hadn't gone to Karasuno. Maybe he should've just gone to the High School around his neighbourhood.

Hinata Shouyou may not be the most popular guy in his old school, but most could easily pinpoint the fiery-haired, hyperactive senior-at-the-time. His childhood friends Yuki and Koji would attest that Hinata was a great friend to have, hilarious most of the time and horrible at studying.

In fact, he despises studying to a degree which would baffle even the laziest bum of Yukigaoka Junior High.

So when he was found in the school library one afternoon, studying his brains off, his best friends did a double take.

"Shouyou? Is that actually you?" Koji says, mystified. He puts his hands behind his head and whistles. "Never thought I'd see the day when you'd visit the library willingly."

Yuki nudges him at the side. "Don't be mean, Koji." They walk to where Hinata is situated, his face stern as though picking a fight with his Maths book.

"Koji, Yuki," He turns to them, his eyes watering, "I don't understand."

At this Koji laughs and Yuki tries to hide a smile. "I'll help you out." Yuki says, taking a seat opposite Hinata. At this Hinata immediately perks up, his eyes starry.

"Thank you, Yuki! You're a life saver!"

"Shhh!" was the reply, followed by a few mumbled "sorry" to the small crowd around them. Some of them, recognizing Hinata, laughs a bit.

"Why are you so gung-ho in studying anyway, not that that's a bad thing. Kpji could learn from you."

Koji's mumbled protests stopped at the sight of Hinata's serious expression.

"I want to get into Karasuno." He says, something akin to determination written on his face. "I'll be the next little giant."

Yuki and Koji looks at each other and smiles.

"Well, not with a single digit score you're not." Koji says, instantly turning Hinata's determined face into a puddle of desperation.

"Yukiiiii~"

"Alright, alright. What don't you understand?"

/Haikyuu/

Hinata hums on the way back home, his spirits high. Maths wasn't so bad once you got the formula right. He was busy toying with the idea of joining the math club in Karasuno he didn't notice the man lurking at the turn beside him.

Arms. Big and strong grappled at Hinata. He tries to struggle, about to yell when a clothed hand presses against his face. Before he succumbs to the darkness he sees bright brown eyes staring at him, the sides wrinkled in a smile.

A/N : Alright, shit's about to hit the fan.

Snickerdoodle22: Hahahhaha more is here! Hope it entertained you well.

titania2811: Woahh, a senpai. Hhahahaha, I've been here for a long time but I've never actually written a fanfiction and gone through with posting it.

Natsuko : Thanks for reading! And Commenting. You the real MVP *cries*