On Black Wings
Chapter 3: Senpai and Kouhai
A/N: Thanks for the views and follows, It's so encouraging as is the new season of Haikyuu. I don't know how many of you watch the new episodes every Saturday but I can say that they're amazing! Especially the new ending song, for some reason l love it so much and I can almost sing it by heart but I'm not too good with Japanese words. And Oikawa, he never fails to be that childish but lovable volleydork, that handsome, prideful volleydork. :3 Read and Enjoy.
…
Iwaizumi welcomed himself into the hospital room that Oikawa was currently stationed in and moved in quietly while closing the door behind him, he wasn't the first to get to visit the injured setter today; the coach and Oikawa's older sister and his nephew came earlier and multiple times too. He would have been the first if he could, only he had to beg the hospital's upper staff members if he could after he caused a huge commotion the night before and risked contamination during an operation; this was of course after school and sort of late in the evening. He lost his cool yesterday and now that he thought about it; he must have embarrassed himself by throwing a public tantrum when he was asked to leave for disruption, and to think he had any composure. His friend could have died from blood loss though and they didn't want him to see Toru, so he had every reason to act the way he did.
It was close to night now but he didn't care, there wasn't any school on Saturdays and he didn't care about any club activities since the only one he was in had been canceled. There was no volleyball practice for the weekend; it was moved up to Monday, the day Toru would normally spend teaching young children and his nephew how to 'play like a pro'. That very thought made Aoba-Johsai's ace smile softly. The arrogant idiot was loved by all of the kids at the Lil Tikes Volleyball club and they were always happy to see him when he had the time.
He didn't spot Oikawa right away, there was a curtain spread out and blocking most of his body, probably to give visitors time to prepare for what they're about to see. Iwaizumi took a deep breath and paced over and around the pale mint colored blind until he came to the foot of the bed, just seeing the empty space of where one of Oikawa's legs was supposed to be had pain welling up in his chest. He dared to move his gaze to the face of his friend and surprisingly it wasn't so bad, not as bad as he saw him the night before; it was a relief that he was still alive and that was what truly mattered. It was still horrible to see the ace setter like that but it's not too bad now that he knew Oikawa was going to be okay. He was a little pale, had a few small bandages on his right cheek, he had some puffy scratch marks that looked a bit faded and clean, and there were a few long bindings wrapping around his arms and head; mostly covering the spot where the nurse had patted away at it the night before. A faint smile formed on his face. Hajime spotted a chair next to the bed, he casually moved over and took a seat next to his friend and buried his hands in his coat pocket. There was still a breathing tube in place and the heart monitor indicating a steady heartbeat, the beeping wasn't so bad this time around.
"What kind of shit did you get yourself into this time Trashykawa?" He asked quietly as he leaned back in the chair and stared at nothing in particular for a long minute. He looked back over at his unconscious friend and carefully placed a hand over the bandaged one that was lying on top of the covers, he gently picked it up and rotated the limb slightly; it was probably busted up good with the amount of wrappings covering it. He also saw the two broken fingers he was told about by Sadayuki, it was the index and middle finger of Oikawa's left hand; they were both wrapped up with a small metal and cloth clasp that held them in place. He gently laid the hand down and sighed. "Damn, recovery is going to be a pain in the ass huh? I can already hear you whining and griping over everything. You're alive though and that's all that matters."
He looked over at Oikawa's face to see a neutral and surprisingly peaceful expression, too bad it would be short-lived; Oikawa never looked so at rest before. It was also funny because Oikawa snored and often slept with his mouth open, and he even drooled at times. He wasn't exactly a sleeping beauty, Haijme wondered how Toru's many fangirls would flop if they saw him sleeping. The big dummy tossed and turned and messed up the sheets so unruly, sometimes he spoke in his sleep and even at times end up halfway off the bed; probably often dreaming of playing volleyball and moving around a little too much unconsciously. The sleepovers they had as kids revealed a side of the portentous guy that he never would have believed if he hadn't been woken up by the disorderly sleeper and seen himself years ago.
The memories were enough to make him chuckle gently.
"They're waking you up tomorrow idiot, I was also told that the team was going to come over in the morning; maybe if we're lucky you'll be awake by then and get to talk to them. I guess we'll have to see. If not then I'll make arrangements for later in the day. You'll also probably be hungry, a whole day without food is even too much for you to handle. I'll be sure to sneak in some milk bread, I just have the feeling you're going to hate hospital food; you'll probably complain and annoy everybody."
He never expected a reaction or reply, he just wanted to speak to Toru and so he did even though he wasn't going to get any response; he was just glad to have his best friend alive.
His smile slowly faded, he remembered that tomorrow was also when the coach had to have that important talk with the setter; it was going to devastate Oikawa and Iwaizumi knew he had to be there and be prepared to try and keep him calm when possible. It looked like he was going to have to cut his visit short and get some rest himself, it was going to be a long day tomorrow and he had good enough conformation that Toru would be fine. He got up from the chair and slowly made his way to the door, he stopped at the foot of the bed for a second and grinned. "Get that good rest while you can Oikawa, you almost look innocent. … Tch, innocent my ass; even unconscious I can see through your mask. I'll see you tomorrow." He then left the room and headed for the exit, Saturday was going to be a long day.
…
Kageyama yawned loudly as he rested against the side of Tanaka's residential household, he was wearing his usual Karasuno volleyball club jacket with his hands shoved in the pockets. He arrived earlier than planned but only because he had trouble finding sleep the night before and woke up early only to fail and fall back asleep, he had been restless and impatient as he awaited a text by Ryunosuke's older sister. He could have waited until his alarm went off in the morning and check his messages then but he was too impatient for that, not when he wanted confirmation of a ride to the Miyagi Trauma Center; nearly an hour and a half away, fifty-sixty minutes at best depending on downtown traffic. He finally got it real late last night but still found it hard to sleep after she said that driving them was no problem. He almost feared what he might see today and it bugged him for hours in bed until he finally got up, now he was feeling groggy and slightly irritated.
Small thuds tore his attention away from the ground at his feet and from his thoughts, he looked up to see Hinata running up the street swiftly with fog from his heated breath forming in the cool air of the early morning. It was only seven-thirty and Hinata was coming, that sort of surprised Karasuno's pinpoint setter; he sort of didn't expect him to show up but the short guy proved him wrong and even came early too. In a way, Kageyama was actually kind of glad to see Shoyo; even outside of games the little decoy- ace-in the making brought him some relief. For some reason that idiot always did.
Hinata slowed his pace as he made it closer to Tobio, he then leaned back and rested against the house and gasped for breath once he was next to the taller guy. He too was wearing his volleyball jacket and matching black shorts, how typical. Kageyama thought, he hoped that their club uniforms wouldn't upset Oikawa too much. Although he doubted that their uniforms and appearance wouldn't affect him as badly as having a missing leg.
"You're early?"
Hinata blinked and looked up at Kageyama. "Yeah, I live the furthest away from school and also the furthest away from Tanaka's. I left real early just in case you decided to leave early." He flashed a toothy grin with his eyes closed.
"You ran all the way out here?"
"Yeah." The shorter of the duo used his forearm to wipe the sweat off of his forehead. "I don't know how long we'll be gone and I knew you were going to run here too, I had to go the greater distance so I think I won this time."
"As if, I got here first idiot. Distance doesn't count, we've went over this already; you even agreed yourself to keep distance out of the races from your home because you want to beat me at with a disadvantage." Hinata lost his smile and his eye twitched a few times before he let out a disappointed moan and shrank back against the house in defeat. He must have forgot his own words. Sometimes it disturbed Kageyama how much him and the Shoyo moved on the same wavelength and were often so in sync both mentally and physically; they've been around each other too much apparently. It wasn't exactly a bad thing though. Pushing that thought aside Tobio sighed and crossed his arms as he waited, it was a little cold but that's not was bothering him; he was eager but not so much at the same time to see Oikawa. Actually, he just wanted to visit the annoying setter and just be done with it already; although a part of him knew that it wouldn't be so easy or be as fast. He also knew that he couldn't leave Toru as a crippled mess and that be the end of it. Everything he was thinking on was riding on the setter's condition, both mentally and physically and what he was going to do after he was released from the trauma center.
He really shouldn't care so much about that conceited and haughty bastard, but he found it nearly impossible to not 'not' give a damn; not when he's injured so badly and left lying in a hospital bed. He used to be his teammate once, one he once admired and still sort of did now in a different sense. Then there was respect. ...
"It's still bothering you isn't it?"
Again, same wavelength and same thought patterns. Kageyama looked towards the smaller teen and then tilted his head to the side a bit. "Like it matters? I can't help feeling edgy, I've never known anyone that went through a tragedy like this so I am nervous. It doesn't help the fact that it's Oikawa-san. It's so hard to believe- that it was him."
Hinata nodded. "Yeah, I've heard a few times of people having to stop playing a sport but not ever actually know someone personally until now; the Grand King is someone who is good at playing and that I know sort of. He sure made matches more difficult when he was on the court, like on our first practice match with Aoba-Johsai. We did so well until he came along, honestly he made the game more interesting and challenging; it was both terrifying but thrilling in a good way. I've learned a few things when playing against him, playing in the Inter-High games helped us grow better as a team; when we lost and then later won against them in our matches." Shoyo beamed brightly and scratched the back of his head. "I actually have a good level of respect for him and his team now that I think about it. Good team opponents; like Nekoma, Ubugawa, Shinzen, and Fukurodani, they helped us grow. We can also say the same for Aoba-Johsai! And Datekougou too! Even Shiratorizawa!"
Kageyama noted this and nodded with a faint smile as he looked away. "You're right. Tough teams had helped us, Aoba-Johsai was one such team that really got us into the fighting spirit when we lost to them in the Inter-High Prelims, just the first stepping stone that made us push harder and put us further than before. I would be lying if I said that I didn't learn anything from them or want to get better after that first loss, Oikawa-san really makes a difference on the team and he's difficult to match on the court with his level of skill." His gaze met the ground for a long second. "I wish to be like that. Skilled, strong, cunning, and omnipotent with everyone on our team."
Hinata clenched his fist and shook with enthusiasm, he regained Tobio's attention with his sudden outburst. "Man, setters are so cool!" He shouted aloud and pointed to his friend.
A bit surprised himself from the words flying out of Hinata's mouth; Kageyama gaped for a moment before grinning faintly. "Well duh." He cocked his head back a little and resisted shouting himself, he was feeling a little boastful. "The setters bring the best out of the players and set up swift shots that usually gain points or make hard to receive shots. They are like composers of an orchestra, the better the maestro- the better the ensemble- the better the play. Both I and Sugawara conduct the group, depending on how we set mostly determines whether a point will be made or not. We are also like the tacticians in war, without proper guidance or strategy then our side will eventually break apart and fall."
"Well setters are really cool and all but nothings cooler than the ace! They're like the heroes!" The orange-haired teen countered, excitement was still showing on his expression. "Without the point-maker then the team can't break through the defenses and win!"
Even though shrimpy was halfway right, Kageyama still felt agitated by the statement; the 'point-makers' can't function without the setters and vice versa. Plus, the setters were the coolest obviously. "What did you say?" The taller teen lost his grin and gave an uninterested scowl. "Fine 'ace', I'll like to see you make points without me setting for you." He said coldly and jabbed Hinata's side with his hand. The shorter of the two yelped quietly and shrank down a bit in pain, he still managed to keep his smile though it wavered on joy and discomfort. "You're not even the team's ace yet anyway!"
"Ow, you don't have to be so mean." Shoyo whined and held his side while softly rubbing the tender spot.
"Mean? Setters typically are." The raven-haired teen said as he grabbed Hinata's jacket by the collar and sloppily shook the guy who flopped limply back and forth with no resistance."
"But not Sugawara-." Hinata dragged out the name as he whined.
"Well- Err … … He's the only exception!"
"Kozme isn't mean at all."
"So there's two?! Who cares?!" He shook harder.
"Akaashi isn't all that mean either."
"Shut up!"
Hinata groaned. "I thought you said that setters were like composers, I thought composers of an orchestra had composure. Oikawa-san sure does."
"I DO HAVE COMPOSURE!" He shouted aloud and shook more violently.
"You two sure are loud aren't you?"
"Huh?" Both Kageyama and Hinata paused in their movements and blinked in unison.
The feminine voice caught both of the boy's attention and they turned to their side to see Saeko standing just outside the door, she closed the door behind her and spun her car keys on her index finger while wearing a large grin. "Ready to ride?" She winked.
The two simply nodded.
…
"So, you two want to go to the trauma center to see a friend huh?" Saeko asked as she stirred the wheel some coming across a turn; not driving as fast or as wild as she normally does in her car, she was too interested in making conversation after not seeing the loveable volleyball dorks in a while.
Both of Karasuno's volleyball players gave a 'meh' look, kind of weirded out by the query. Kageyama was more tense about it and Hinata was just lost in thought.
"I would say more of an acquaintance." Shoyo murmured from the passenger seat. "We don't talk to him much and when we usually do it's on the court… and it's normally of a negative kind of talk. Mostly between Kageyama and him."
"Bad blood huh?"
"No, it's not like that." Kageyama corrected as he exhaled loudly and massaged his temples. "It's a rivalry, but it's not that bad." He then leaned back some and shrugged lightly. "I wouldn't call it hate exactly; at least not from my perspective but rather exasperation and intolerance that we have for each other. It's been that way for a while now."
"And you want to go and see how he's doing after getting struck by a car?"
"-And ran over." Hinata added with dismay, even the thought of being hit and then mowed down had him feeling momentarily uncomfortable; especially while riding in a vehicle.
"Yeah." Kageyama confirmed reluctantly, like he needed that reminder.
Saeko's smile grew and she suddenly reached a hand over and ruffled Hinata's hair, he only grumbled lowly and winced like it hurt. "Aw, you guys are so sweet. Maybe too sweet. That guy is lucky to have friends like you two."
"We're not friends remember, rivals." The setter corrected awkwardly.
Saeko then cackled loudly when she tried to grab for Tobio's hair in the seat behind hers. He evaded her skillfully. Hinata fluffed his orange mess and beamed, watching Kageyama trying to avoid the woman was nearly hysterical. He hid his laugh and smile behind a hand, that was until he heard a vehicle honk from the side; his eyes widened and he shouted as he grabbed his seatbelt and held tightly.
"The wheel!"
Swiftly reacting; the woman grabbed the stirring wheel and swung the vehicle back onto its lane. She waited a moment as the two passengers caught their breaths and lose the strong look of anxiety before she spoke again. They were still terrified of her driving apparently. "Friends or not, it's something friends would do for each other you know? You care. Admit it." She shot a glance at the back seat from the rearview mirror and smirked at Tobio and he only crossed his arms with a deep frown. "Am I wrong?" She raised a brow.
He only huffed to himself. Hinata however swung his head from side to side in hesitance.
"I thought so." Saeko said haughtily and laughed a little. "But really friends or not; I believe that having you two around changes things dramatically, which may actually be a good thing. Like you do in a volleyball game." She watched the road carefully but snuck a side glance at the short player who gave her a curious look that read 'what do you mean?' "The match really doesn't seem to have that 'spark' or 'fire' like it does without the both of you in it, even with one sitting out it's merely the same as when you both are off court. But- with the both of you there it's like the hero of war is there and complete; ready to kick some ass and take victory."
"Where are you going with this?" Kageyama couldn't help but ask, he was puzzled as was the shrimp.
"What I'm saying is that you two always seem to make things better ya know? I've watched some of your matches and have noticed this, I actually believe that it'll be the same way off of the volleyball court too; at least to a close degree. When you two work hard and sync up; you bring excellent results by giving a good fight and putting up so much effort. I'm not sure if it's a mental connection or just plain mirroring and friendly rivalry but when you two work for something together and put forth so much effort to achieve it... it's like you've already won."
"The point?" The younger male prodded again.
"The point is, the two of you are great and really fight to get the end result desired; thus if you're going to visit and check on someone in the hospital then I know that you will have a good ending result if you try work hard enough for it; hopefully it's whatever you're looking to get out of the guy. And if not... well I can't really see either of you as quitters of anything anyways. I just know that you'll bring joy to the poor hurting guy some way or another."
'Us... bring joy ... to Oikawa-san?' Kageyama thought with much doubt and it showed on his expression, it sounded ridiculous. 'Only losing to him and/or suffering public humiliation would do that.' Hinata's face wasn't much different from his, probably thinking something along the same lines although he showed more attentiveness in his gaze.
"Well sure. If it was me on the hospital bed then I would probably pick the two of you to come and visit me first for encouragement over anyone else, the both of you are supportive, strong, kind of cute-" This made the boys straighten up and blush slightly. "-funny, but mostly determined." She made a large and sincere grin. "I don't know that if you realize it yet but you really do change things, I'm sure that you could even get me feeling better in the toughest of times. -But you'd have to compete with my brother Ryunosuke, he's a hell of an alert guy and being my brother really makes him tough to compete with. You two though, you would be a great change over my over-protective and attentive sibling. That change, that victory you somehow manage to bring at the very brink of defeat, sometimes it's all someone could need. Effort, timing, patience, persistence, a good setting, and at last the end result."
"The end result." Hinata repeated quietly.
"Well sure. Just going to see the guy is proof enough that you have the effort to change something."
"Actually, we were just going to see him and check his condition... but now that you mention it-"
...
Iwaizumi blinked in shock, out of anyone that would come to see Oikawa in his current state it had to be two of the small handful that he least expected. Now if Ushijima came then then he could say that the least expected had shown up, but that would only happen if Hell froze over. So far no one but the Aoba-Johsai's team, the coach, and Oikawa's sister and her kid came to see him today and now it was Kageyama and Hinata all the way from Karasuno's little corner? How did they even know about Oikawa's condition? They came out of their small town to check up on the rival setter? He didn't even know how to begin a conversation at the moment, nor what he should say as he watched the two at the doorway move in slowly.
Kageyama took a few steps in and gaped in silence before coming to a halt. He stared intently when his deep blue orbs found the victim, it was stunning to hear what had happened by coach Ukai, but to see the damages in person was much more terrifying. To see even such an expression on Oikawa was sickening alone, it wasn't anything like him at all and that was what made the form on the hospital bed before him seem so foreign. That face was too peaceful and soft despite the bruises and the bandages along his forehead and the red-tinted scrapes all across the right side of his right cheek, even with the eyes closed there was no tenseness around them or the mouth; no face of malice nor prideful gleam, no sorrow, no anger, no joy, and no annoyed look he wore causally upon finding the guy. It was just peaceful and nothing more, the anesthetics and the fact that the volleyball setter was still unconscious revealed something Kageyama had never seen before. It was actually quite frightening. The expression was almost one of someone who had passed away peacefully in their sleep, no distractions and no pain. No care in the world.
Oikawa laid on his back with his arms lying over top of the bedsheets at his sides, the obvious damages were noted; most of his right arm was wrapped up as was his hand. The discoloring of skin was mostly on his right side; quite possibly the side he was struck on, bruises lined his flesh in several places with only a few on his left.
Kageyama's eyes dilated and he grimaced at the sight of the greatest damage of all, the sports-career ending kind; everything was missing just a few inches below the kneecap of Oikawa's right leg.
'Damn it, why isn't he awake yet?'
Hinata first took notice of the Grand King's legs hidden by the bedsheets when he walked in; or rather the single limb he saw poking through the covers. He had chills running up his spine, Oikawa looked like a complete mess but nothing could make him feel as terrified as someone missing a part of themselves; missing a part that kept them moving and playing and enjoying a game of volleyball. No more jumping, no more running, no sliding and serving; Hinata could only imagine how limited he'd feel and yet he didn't want to give up. He clenched his fingers tightly looked away for a brief moment until other forms in the room captured his attention.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here!?" Kindachi suddenly pointed at them with a shocked expression. His friend Kunimi also showed surprise but remained silent in curiosity.
Hinata remained still, the voice came from shallot-head, him and his shorter and quieter friend were standing on the opposite side of the bed along with Iwaizumi and Aoba-Johsai's coach sitting in chairs a few feet behind them.
"Hajime?" Hinata blinked when the opposing team's ace gave him a questioning look of surprise, it didn't last as Kindaichi moved over and blocked his view and made a deep frown. He had his arms crossed.
Sadayuki didn't look so happy himself, he too crossed his arms and frowned deeply.
"We're here to see Oikawa-san, we overheard our coach talking to yours late on Friday and we just had to come and see him after we heard he had been hit and was in a critical condition. The lady at the counter said that he was taken off of the sedatives and would be waking up soon, we want to speak with him."
Aoba-Johsai's coach sighed softly and leaned back in his chair, after Ukai called him back yesterday he was told that none of Karasuno volleyball players wouldn't be visiting; kids that don't listen to their coach annoyed him and these two were no exception despite being exceptional players in the sport.
"So! We're rival teams! Besides, Oikawa wouldn't want to see- and certainly not talk with either of you anyways!"
Hearing that made Hinata frown deeply, it was mostly true; the opposing team's setter probably wouldn't want to see them but they came here regardless and with good reason. "You don't have to be on the same team to care about somebody. We respect Oikawa-san very much and are grateful for the games we've played against each other, he at least deserves a supporting shoulder from us." He countered a little more loudly, he noticed that Kageyama wasn't paying too much attention to the conversation until he spoke up, Tobio was still shaken by the Grand King's condition; the words though made him cast his deathly glare at the two standing players.
Iwaizumi understood that reason and accepted it, he was still wondering why they cared 'that much'; Toru was only ever annoying and malicious to Tobio so why care enough to skip practice and come all the way from their small town?
Kindaichi blinked and lost his scowl, the little guy had a point and so did Kageyama's terrifying gaze that pierced his very soul and gave him chills. Really though, all it took was one word to have the very right of coming; respect. He couldn't argue against that so he straightened his posture and rubbed the back of his head. "Well now that you put it that way- I suppose it's a good reason, bust still-" He then crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes a little. "Oikawa wouldn't want you here and he probably wouldn't want no support from you either."
"He has us and that's enough. When he finally wakes up we'll be here for him as will the rest of the team when they get here later." Kunimi spoke, finishing his friend's sentence.
"How much is enough when you can't simply replace something as irreplaceable as a leg?! It'll kill him to know that he's missing his now, there's not enough shoulders in the world to lean on with tragic news like that for someone so invested in a sport! I know Oikawa-san wouldn't want to see us; especially me, but I can't just leave. Not when he's like this. I have to speak with him, to hear him say that he won't give up." Kageyama snarled, he still wasn't even sure of what he could do now that he thought about it. How do you even begin to console somebody that can no longer play the sport they loved nor even stand up on their own? But it can't end that way, Oikawa must continue playing volleyball somehow!
"I thought you hated him Kageyama, you always seem cold and angry when the two of you talked; even during games it's like you two are going against each other purposely whenever possible." Kunimi placed a hand on his hip.
"That's because we were." Kageyama squeezed his fists and lightly scoffed, he hid his eyes with his head lowering a bit; he caught another glimpse of the bedridden form as he looked to the floor and he unfortunately spotted the empty space where Oikawa's other leg should have been. "I never said that I hated him, his attitude is very annoying and he taunts me yes, but he's my..." The tense teen gnashed his teeth and spoke more quietly, he's hands lightly shook as he swallowed his pride. "He's my senpai and I his- his kouhai."
Hinata's jaw dropped as did Kindaichi's and one of his eyes twitched in complete and utter shock. It amazed the short orange-haired teen that the ever stoic and begrudging teammate of his could ever willingly show a level of respect to a guy like Oikawa and call him a senpai, it was difficult for him to say it to Tanaka for the longest time and actually mean it with sincerity.
Iwaizumi gaped lightly in surprise for a long second before the words settled in his mind, now the reason for Tobio's arrival was making more sense. He remembered back to the time when both he and Oikawa had knew that Karasuno was going against Shiratorizawa next after they lost to the crows, it was one of the very few times that Oikawa actually gave any praise to Kageyama for getting so far; the cocky setter even went as far as referring Tobio as his kouhai to seem much greater than Ushijima because his rising apprentice might trump the powerhouse player to represent Japan. The idiot talked off and on about his encounter with his greater rival after their loss in the Spring-High Preliminaries; often saying how he wouldn't care who lost the match, well that was until he realized how much of a fool he would look like to 'Ushiwaka' if Tobio lost to him; especially after making a threat on Tobio and his team's behalf.
"You cannot understand the level of respect that I have for him." Kageyama began again, still looking down at the white flooring tiles with his fists tightly clenched. "I don't even expect Oikawa-senpai himself to understand either."
Hinata gaped and gave his friend a solemn gaze. For the word senpai be used twice in the same day by the hot-headed guy was almost alarming, as if he was breaking down piece by piece from the horrid condition of one that many would love to hate. "Kageyama-." He wasn't sure how he could comfort his friend at this point.
"He may not even consider me his kouhai, maybe I'm not even worth as much as the dirt underneath his heel to him; but he's a mentor to me and I must surpass my teacher if I am to ever become the best setter of volleyball!" He finished with his head now held high; true determination was in his blue orbs for the first time it seemed.
Hinata knew that powerful and incredible feeling and nodded accordingly, Kageyama finally had that determination and willpower that his partner had been running on the whole time on Karasuno's volleyball team.
"He does not even know how much I envy him, how much respect that I hold for him; he can kick me to the side but nothing changes. I aspire to reach and surpass his own skills and perfect his techniques on my own, even if he doesn't want that to happen; it's what I must do. Back in junior-high he was my idol, making shots that I wish I could; jump-serving and spiking like he was a few grades higher than he should be. He's also smart and cunning, pulling off even the most ridiculous of moves to score a point. He does it like it's nothing and that's what I want to be able to do as well, I want to learn from him and playing against him in matches was the best way. I even watched a few of your team's matches from the stands, but... now..."
Hajime understood, he just didn't expect Tobio to go that far and admit so much aloud; he's just as prideful as Oikawa or close in a sense only he's slightly more modest and humble. It had to take this tragic incident to break it down and pull it out of him. What was ridiculous about the whole thing was Oikawa was jealous of Kageyama, and Kageyama was jealous of Oikawa. It was a strife to be the best setter in the Prefecture. Oikawa was best serving and serve-spiking; and being very consistent at setting a ball to all of the other players from any spot on the court, Kageyama however; was better at setting with his accuracy and fast pinpoint tosses that even someone with their eyes closed could hit the ball and in a quick at that.
At least Kageyama was understandable, but Hinata too? The short-stuff did say that he respected Oikawa but was there more to it? He wondered.
The shorter of the Karasuno players knew such jealousy, he was once jealous of Asahi. He knew what it was like to be in second place and want to do better; he wanted to be an ace to begin with and started out as a middle blocker and decoy, he still wasn't complete ace material yet but strived and yearned for it. He wasn't going to stop learning and fighting until he could compete in mid-air like the Little Giant. He and Kageyama weren't much different from each other when it came to improving and fighting, he had Tobio's back on this matter.
"It's over. His time of being a volleyball player has ended."
Everyone in the room other than Oikawa was now looking towards the coach after hearing the haunting words. Aoba-Johsai's ace didn't want to have to go through this talk again but it seemed as though he was going to hear it a couple of times more today, he's already tried arguing the facts but it was pointless after the coach nailed the reasons in his head. He knew Kageyama was right, there couldn't be enough shoulders to lean on when volleyball was his friend's life; he wondered how much help he could be for the soon to be distressed Toru.
Kindaichi and Kunimi looked taken aback by the words despite already knowing the guy's removal from the team, the second time of explaining Oikawa's uselessness on the court hurt as bad as the first. Both of the boys tensed up and avoided eye contact with their coach and the Vice-Captain.
"What do you mean?" Hinata blurted out with a small fist partially raised.
"Is it not obvious enough? What is a volleyball player with one leg? He'll no longer be able to play and let alone move like he once did. As sad and as unfortunate as it is to say; he useless now. He'll be removed from the club's roster later today."
"But Sadayuki-sensei?" Kindaichi fought back his silent anger and plead, still trying to think up any counter reason for doing such a thing. He not only looked up to Oikawa but he felt comfortable with the setter even in his presence, even if he wasn't playing on the court with the guy. Oikawa's attendance alone made the difference, he was a figurehead of motivation and self-confidence; no one on the team ever gave him more compliments and pats on the back than the team's captain. To some the guy was rude, haughty, stuck-up, self-centered, annoying, and just plain nasty, but to the team there was no one who supported most and brought most of the smiles.
"Isn't that a bit harsh, we know he can't play but he's- we need him."
"Akira, his time has now passed; it's time to move onward. He's on his last year, the season's end is coming soon anyways."
Kunimi went silent and stood looking at nothing in particular, there's no convincing the coach it seemed but to remove Toru from the club was still punishment in his book. It's not like Oikawa went and purposely got hit so why should he be taken out? He didn't even know how his captain would feel about it until he was woken up and told himself.
Kageyama walked further into the room until he was standing before Sadayuki's chair, his visible teeth were gnashed together until he spoke. "You can't do that!"
"I can and I will, you have no right telling me what I can and cannot do first-year of Karasuno. It is not your place." Aoba-Johsai's coach countered with narrowed eyes as he leaned up in the seat and gazed piercingly back at the young Karasuno player.
...
"Either as a flying crow or crippled crow; you're still apart of the team, a part of the flock. … But who knows? You may even be able to fly again even if it's not as good as before, wings aren't exactly replaceable but there's some good substitutions out there to help you get off the ground.
...It's all about support."
...
Remembering his own coach's words Hinata quickly moved over to Tobio's side. "He's still part of the team isn't he? Even if he can't play you'd pull him out just because he's taking up space? I know nothing of Aoba-Johsai's volleyball team but I do know that my own coach would support me regardless! I would find a way to play and prove you wrong if it were me on that hospital bed." Hinata pointed at Oikawa.
These words unsettled Kageyama but he silently agreed to every one of them.
Kageyama grit his teeth as suddenly remembered something. "Wait, what about a prosthetic? Can't he play with one of those?"
"Yeah, can he?" Kindachi immediately hopped on board with the idea and agreed eagerly, he wanted nothing more than to have his captain back; it was the same way for Akira who showed an expression of optimism.
Iwaizumi was taken aback by the prospect; he hadn't thought of that but he didn't have much hope for it, knowing Oikawa and his need for perfection.
Hinata gaped and suddenly remembered too when he had the meeting yesterday at the end of practice, coach Ukai's words never left him.
...
"We're all human and we all have boundaries, Aoba-Johsai's number one setter has just had his seriously limited; it would be a great feat to just walk again on a prosthetic leg, but to play ever again is a whole different story. It's very unlikely."
...
'But it's not impossible.' Shoyo said to himself.
"His volleyball career is over." Sadayuki exhaled loudly as he raised a hand up clasp his head, the fuss was giving him a headache. "He'll never play again. Do I need to repeat myself? Do you need more information than that? A fake limb wouldn't improve his game, he'll never be able to put forth the best effort and go the extra mile like he used to. He'd be strictly limited, perhaps to the point that even his famous jump-serve would be considerably faulty and useless; he won't be able to jump as high and have the right form for maximum height. And his speed, it'd be cut back a lot and nor would he be as mobile to receive good enough. Going pro wouldn't even be a thought in a university."
Hinata felt anger bubbling up within, it annoyed him how Oikawa-san's coach was so quick to suggest such a thing, surely it can't possibly be the end for the Grand King. He was about to speak his mind before he heard Kageyama growl aloud and make a face mixed of rage and shock, he looked like he was about to throw an explosive tantrum or strike the coach and this scared the shorter Karasuno player.
"How can you possibly say that?! You won't know unless you try!" Kageyama barked sharply which surprised Iwaizumi, he's never seen the guy ever speak out against a coach and in such a manner. But then again, he's already tried arguing. "Oikawa-san is not a quitter, he works extremely hard and volleyball is his life!" He clinched his fists tightly and snorted in disbelief, Oikawa was alive and he knows that the arrogant player would never give in no matter what. He would find or make a way to keep on going.
"As I've said, he's done on Aoba-Johsai's team."
"And what excuse do you have to remove him even if he could play or not?! I thought clubs were for everyone with no prejudice, Karasuno has no such thing. I could be leg-less and still be on the volleyball team, although I wouldn't be able to participate in games but at least I could become a manager or assistant. Our school doesn't have specific rules for specific clubs. Sure, we are small and have nowhere as near as much funds as Aoba-Johsai or Shiratorizawa; but we do have equality and fairness." Kageyama sneered and moved back towards the bed, his blue orbs once again landed on Toru and his peaceful form. He wished that the setter would just get up already and greet him with the usual blank-spoken 'hello and goodbye Tobio' with a light wave of the hand like he normally would in his habitual routine that he had at Kitagawa Daiichi, he needed to hear Oikawa's take on this.
What he really needed to hear though was Toru say that he wasn't going to quit volleyball ever, even with a missing leg. The guy already trains hard enough, if anyone could prosper on a fake limb then it'd be him without a shadow of doubt.
Sadayuki could have easily countered the statement since their school was different from Karasuno with specific requirements and regulations regarding clubs, but the black-haired setter made an interesting point; he wasn't too thrilled about pulling Toru's name off of the roster although he knew that Oikawa would never settle for second best like a manager or assistant coach and sit around while everyone else plays. He could at least offer the spot before taking any drastic actions. It was something to think about in the meantime, of course it would be a hassle to pull some strings with Aoba-Johsai's student council; even then there's no guarantee of accomplishing anything.
Just silence, the peaceful expression never changed before Kageyama. Impatience began to eat away at him, it didn't help that he was pissed off and ready to storm away after hearing Toru's removal from volleyball and having no chance at going professional. "Come on Oikawa-san, just wake up! Please!" Tobio said while in a bow. "Please!" He shouted again and then looked up, nothing changed... he stared for a few hopeful seconds and his eyes widened when Oikawa finally showed signs of growing conscious. The older setter's eyelids knitted more tightly together and his head rocked to the side a bit. "He's actually waking up?" Kageyama whispered, he was sort of surprised that Oikawa was actually listening to him for once without a hassle or rejection.
Hinata showed a more hopeful expression and ran over next to Tobio to peer down at the third-year.
Also noticing some slight movement had Hajime leaving his chair and rushing over to the other side of the bed, he clasped his hands on the bed's railing and stared intently at the resting form.
"He's waking up?" Kindaichi and Kunimi moved over on Iwaizumi's right.
"I believe that it is time for you two to go," The coach began as he notified the Karasuno players that glanced over at him, he stood up from the chair and walked to the foot of the bed. "It would be best if either of you weren't here when he wakes, I am already going to have to suffer another argument; and it's always painful to tell a student that they can no longer play a sport and will have no chance of playing in the future leagues." He took both Hinata's and Kageyama's attention but both of them were not happy to be sent off so fast. "It's going to be tough for him and he'll need his space. Kindaichi, Akira, I want the both of you to leave as well, you may wait in the lobby on the first floor. You can wait until I am done up here and I want you to catch the rest of the team so that they don't interrupt our talk."
"But coach? We have to be here for him." Kindaichi gave a look of disappointment but hardened his expression after a few seconds, even if he couldn't immediately be there it was okay; he would see his captain soon and follow his coach's order respectively. "Alright. Let's go Kunimi." The two didn't argue and made off towards the door without even as much as a word, they did however glance back as they made it to the doorway.
"Iwaizumi, I need you here; he'll need you here." The team's ace nodded, he wouldn't leave now even if he was told to. "Be off you two, at least be respectful enough to give Oikawa his space." The coach scoffed quietly. "Quickly now." He added as the setter started to move a little bit in place. "Go." He whispered and gestured to the door.
Hinata hesitated but decided that he should come back later to see the Grand King, plus he didn't want to make it hard on the stressed out coach nor Oikawa-san. He pulled himself away from the bed and quietly moved towards the door, he noticed that Kageyama however; wasn't budging.
Shoyo put up a hand to the side of his mouth and whispered. "Pssst- Kageyama, come on. We'll come back later." He narrowed his eyes when the hot-head of a partner of his didn't move. "Kageyama?!" He whispered more loudly.
Kunimi and Kindaichi peered through the open door when they heard the shrimp's voice raise a little, they didn't even get a few steps down the hall before the coach and the Karasuno boys got real quiet; curiosity got the better of them with the door still being open and all.
"Leave now!" The coach shouted in a whisper.
Oikawa began to open his eyes and adjust to the hospital's bright lighting, he brought up a clothed hand to rub at his mahogany orbs.
"Kageyama?!" Hinata whispered loudly again."
Tobio refused to move, he decided that he wasn't going to until he got answers; he had to make sure that Oikawa was not going to give up and accept the loss of going pro.
"Is he not moving?" Kindaichi asked quietly from the doorway.
"I'm not sure he is." Akira said blankly at his side.
All of the annoying whispers had gotten the better of the ace and he felt a vein pop up on his forehead, it didn't help that Tobio wasn't listening and that his teammates were stalling. Oikawa didn't need this kind of shit right now! "Why don't you all just leave already?!" Iwaizumi found himself shouting aloud unconsciously, he then regretted letting his anger get the best of him.
The loud voice had startled Oikawa abruptly awake and his eyes flung open wide, he swiftly sat up from the bed while grimacing from fright.
"Oikawa-san?"
The voice came from his right and he dared to turn his head enough to see who called out to him. He blinked, the form had short dark hair and deep blue eyes. "To-Tobio-chan?" He blinked again and the slightly blurry form took shape of that stupid-face Kageyama. "GAAAHHHH!" He suddenly went ridged and raised his hands and arms up before him in a teakwondo fashion as if to defend himself.
