On Black Wings

Chapter 5: Make Me Believe

A/N: Time for some character development! In this chapter there's a surprise guest, well maybe not so surprising but certainly needed for later chapters. Interactions with the Karasuno duo.

"Errraaaahhhhhh!" Hinata threw his arms up to the sides of his head and groaned loudly in frustration, he sat back in the computer chair and was promptly hushed by several people close by; most of them had been readers disrupted from the perpetual silence.

"Quiet, if you keep that up you're going to get us kicked out of here; we've already been warned five times dumbass." Kageyama scolded in a whisper, he then brought his clenched fist down on Shoyo's head and made the shorter yelp aloud and rub his sore cranium.

"I can't help it." Hinata ran his fingers though his orange locks a few times before folded his arms and grunting in discontent. "We've spent hours sitting here and we haven't found anything that would help the Grand King play again; all of the sports models are fit for running and even climbing but not for jumping and sliding, not to mention the prices are ridiculous." He sank back into his seat and made and upset expression with his lips quivering and eyes drooping, a light growl came from his stomach and he visibly cringed from hunger. "And I'm hungry, we even skipped out on lunch for this so can you really blame m-ooof." The orange-haired shorty zipped his lips immediately as the setter elbowed him in the side and directed his eyes towards an older woman walking towards them, he quickly readjusted himself in his chair and sat up straight with an almost normal expression. This could be it, he could have just earned the ticket that would throw them out. He hoped not. Mentally prayed not or otherwise he was going to get a beating from an already distressed and somewhat pissed Kageyama, the hit he just got on the head was more painful than usual; the coaches and frustrations must still be egging him on.

Kageyama moved back over in front of his monitor and adverted his gaze as the librarian moved up to them behind the desk and placed her hands on her hips. "Excuse me gentlemen, but this is the seventh time that I've been told that the two of you are being disruptive."

Hinata did his best to hide a forming grin, it fell flat though as his partner shot a nasty glare at him from his side; now was not really the time to point out that Kageyama miscounted the disruptions even though he really wanted to. Shoyo rubbed the back of his neck and made a weak smile. "We're sorry," He apologized. "We're just not having any luck on our research is all, it's a little frustrating."

The librarian adjusted her glasses and brushed a thick lock of frosted brown behind her ear. "Well I am sorry to hear that, but this is a library and people are here trying to read in peace and quiet. I'll give you one last warning, if I get one more report of disturbance from either of you then you're out. Are we clear? I don't mind letting you use our computers but you're getting too loud, quite possibly the loudest visitors we've had in months. So please mind the people around you and keep your voices down."

Tobio nodded even though he was annoyed since Hinata caused most of the commotions, and he didn't even get as near as loud; but then again he did cause a few himself but certainly not as loud as the shrimp.

"Yes ma'am." Hinata said and sighed as the woman walked away. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk and planted his cheeks in his hands. They were having no luck whatsoever and now they were getting close to being forced out, well staying wasn't going to help much anyway at this point but to give up so willingly and soon without anything to help them was upsetting. It was not so much as giving up than it was just failing horribly, they could try any library in Japan and still come out emptyhanded. Maybe they were just looking the wrong way? Surely they could find a prosthetic manufacturer that sells the best of the best right?

"You're right."

"Hmm?" Hinata tilted his head to the side a bit after hearing Kageyama speak, he wondered if the setter was reading his mind suddenly. "Right about what?"

"The prosthetics. All that we've found is very expensive and none of them are what we need, not for a sport like volleyball. But after all; prosthetics can't replace a part of the body and work just as well, they're merely extensions with limitations." Kageyama's frown deepened and he folded his arms. "We might as well be wasting our time here."

Hinata let his arms fall and he pushed himself back before standing up, he clenched his fists. "We can't give up yet, there has to be something out there that we've overlooked or just haven't seen yet. I'm only suggesting a break, then we can come back and look some more; we don't have to stop for the rest of today."

"I know, but what we're looking for is a replacement leg that can be angled properly and move fluidly without hindrance; one that can hold up the body during receives and be quickly moved and readjusted throughout the game. It has to basically function like a leg and preform like one at all times, but even with modern technology on the subject; it's going to be tough to getting something even remotely close to the real deal. Affordable on top of that assuming that we find one. It might take weeks of searching to find something even decent enough to play on or work or suit him." Kageyama's frown deepened. "That doesn't include how we're going to get Oikawa-san back up and find the will to even try." He got up from his seat and pushed his chair back to the desk, the tone of his voice deflated and lowered. "We may be way in over our heads in this but if there's a way; any way, I'll take it. No matter how long it takes."

Hinata nodded. "Then what do you suggest we do now?"

"I guess we go home, we'll go to the nearest library closer to home tomorrow after practice and search again; we'll eventually stumble on something good. I haven't seen or known anyone in volleyball who wears and uses prosthetics nor anyone from any sport for that matter so I don't have a starting place to begin searching properly, but I'm sure that there's some people out there who do have them and play sports as well as anyone else can. We just need a better starting point and then I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for. I can start searching old sport rosters of any team of any sports clubs and official teams in all of Japan, I'll see if I can find any handicapped and hopefully get a contact. It may take a while though, there's lots of teams and barely any handicap that play."

"Well- I guess you're right, I am kind of tired and hungry too." The shorter of the Karasuno volleyball players yawned lightly and stretched his arms out behind his head. Maybe we should go home and rest up for now, or practice at the house for a little while; you know- to make up for skipping out on today's practice? But first- I would like to stop by and check on the Oikawa-san, if it's okay with you?"

Kageyama blinked but didn't disagree, his cobalt gaze trailed the walls and bookshelves until it landed on a clock. "It's been three and a half hours since we got here, the coaches and the team have likely had enough time to talk to him so now would probably be the best time. If anyone's with him then I'd say it would either be his parents or Iwaizumi, if we're lucky it'd only be Iwaizumi."

"That'd be okay, the less amount of people the better since a lot of people are conflicted with you around." Shoyo beamed.

Ignoring that needless and not completely true statement Kageyama turned around and began heading towards the doors.

"I have the starting point that you are looking for."

The out of nowhere voice made Tobio stop in his tracks and turn his head to see one of Aoba-Johsai's volleyball players; and formally one of his teammates from Kitagawa Daiichi, standing up from one of the computer desks two rolls up and adjacent from his and Hinata's. "Kunimi?" He questioned, he blinked and noticed that the quiet guy had a piece of paper in his hand and it was being held out towards them.

"What's this?" Hinata asked as Akira moved closer and handed him the paper.

"It's a compiled list of websites and contacts that make customized prosthetics, almost all of them are top-notch companies that make only the best in quality and build just about anything to the specified request; with the right amount of pay that is. There's also a few training specialists listed in there that teach amputees how to properly use and function with prosthetics, I thought it was necessary. I don't know much about these companies and trainers personally but I hope it's better than nothing." He handed the paper over to Hinata and he glanced over it and he beamed.

"Whoa, there's a lot. Customizable? Why haven't we thought of that Kageyama?" He asked now turning towards his friend.

"What are you doing here?" Kageyama, not too comfortable with talking to his former teammate moved up to Hinata's side and snatched the paper from his hands. His eyes move down the list and most of the names had 'customize or customizable prosthetics' somewhere in it, he couldn't believe that he hadn't thought of tailoring prosthetics himself; they could design their own and have it made specifically for volleyball. This is was exactly what they were looking for as much as he didn't want to admit to himself; although it didn't explain why the guy was there in the library with them nor why he did his own research just to help them out. "Why are you helping us?" He questioned again, noticing that Kunimi was returning the same uncertain and somewhat tense stare.

Akira pocketed his hands and shrugged lightly, he then seemed more relaxed as he moved his eyes to nothing in particular and thought about it. "I don't know, but maybe it's because you at least tried to help and stood up for our captain; even if your argument with our coach was unethical and disgraceful. I don't have much hopes for Oikawa playing again to be honest but what you did sort of merited it."

"You didn't have to." The shortest of the three said. "But how did you know where to find us and know what we were looking for? You left right before the rest of the team showed up."

"It's kind of obvious what you two were wanting, Tobio made that point clear enough when yelling at our coach. Not to mention that the two of you were talking over the subject and the directions to the library quite loudly as you left the hospital, Kindaichi and I were just a few feet outside the front doors talking and you seemed too focused to even notice us."

"Kindaichi, he's alive at least so try not being so upset. I'm just as disappointed with the coach's decision as you are but we can't change the fact that Oikawa can't play anymore, we must get over this and learn to play without him. I mean, we're going to have to by the end of the year anyways so why not get a head start?"

"It's not that easy." The taller of the duo stated with a downcast tone and a weary posture, he pocketed his hands in his school jacket and lowered his head. "He's more than a point-maker and team composer, he's our Captain; the bringer of confidence and respite. Having him as a setter is like an honor! I wanted to be on the same team with him for as long as I possibly could because I know that is unlikely that either of us will be on the same collage volleyball team as him, this is our last chance to play with him on the same side even if there's no more tournaments. This is the one thing that we could look back to someday and say that we played on the same team as Oikawa Toru, wouldn't that be great? He's one of the best and the greatest supporting teammates that I've ever known, so missing out even one game is upsetting, but now its worse knowing that he'll never get to star on a university team and finally bring down Ushijima. We lost our chance for revenge at the Spring-High Prefecture, but now Oikawa will never get the chance again ever because of that accident."

Akira understood and nodded respectively. "I know, it's the hardest part to accept too. We can't change nothing though, all that we can do is give the best moral support we can and do our best to win on our own. It's what he wants, he's told us plenty of times that we were going to have to get better before he's gone so that we can hold our own and keep Aoba-Johsai High as a top school in the prefecture."

"I just wish he never got hit, it'll never be the same without him." Kindaichi finally lifted his head and forced a small smile despite his distress. "But- I will keep playing even if he's done, he's taught us too much to let our talents go to waste right? He did always say 'Hit it until it breaks', maybe he also meant us to go until we break too... But in a good way! "

Kunimi groaned quietly, remembering all the times that Oikawa said to reserve his strength and save it for when the rest of the team starts to lose theirs. He had to learn in conserving and then going all out before the end of matches, which was great; but also a pain. "That he did."

"Hey, I'm going to head home now."

"Hm? Already?" Akira raised a brow. "Don't you at least want to see him again today?"

The taller swayed his head back and forth. "Na, Oikawa needs some time alone for now; of course after getting to speak with the rest of the team."

"I doubt they will anytime soon, the coach did say that they needed to be alone and discuss his future regarding the volleyball club. I suppose he'll tell the rest to come back down as soon as they get up there."

"But why didn't Irihata keep them down here instead of letting them go all the way up just be sent back down? He knows about the discussion doesn't he?"

"He does. The coach did say that we'd get to see him, he didn't specify how long or if we'd get to speak to him once he's awake. Oikawa has an important talk, we can wait on them but even seeing him for a brief moment might put everyone at ease, or at least their fears for him anyway. Besides, it might just take the majority of our own team to get the Karasuno crows out of there."

"I guess you're right, Kageyama is as stubborn as ever; but for once I can appreciate him for who he is… or who he has become I mean. I used to think that I would never see him any differently since Kitagawa Daiichi; cold and commanding, demanding, and self-centered. Now he's changed, he actually cares and for someone on a rival team at that; supportive even as strange as it sounds. 'His' rival, and also his own team. But I've never seen him so- worked up and riled over someone who doesn't care about him at all. And he wants him to keep playing in spite of losing a leg? I of course want the same thing and I'm sure everyone else on the team does too, it's almost like he's still a part of the old team from junior high; like me, you, Iwaizumi, him, and Oikawa were; back when he was different. I wonder why he changed in the first place, he used to be so quiet and nice and then suddenly turned into a take-charge dictator that wanted us to go with his every move and play as if our lives depended on it."

"There's no telling really, although I just figured it was because his obsession with victory and being better than everyone else. I could be right, but then again; I could be wrong. I can't say much about him, all that I know is that he's not the same and that's good I suppose. He's finally part of a team and perhaps something better." As soon as Akira finished speaking he blinked, the hospital doors were pushed open with the said player and his partner going through and exiting the building. Kageyama looked upset, his frown was deep and his eyes narrowed tightly; even his posture from pushing a door clearly revealed his irritation. The two stopped just a few feet from the doors before turning their heads towards downtown and away from Kunimi and Kindaichi.

"Six blocks from here heading west?"

"East." Kageyama corrected the shorter player and pointed. "We're facing east right now, we go down the street here take a turn at the fourth; it'll be two more blocks and across the road. Big building, probably hard to miss."

"Well at least the library isn't too far away, just a little walk, that'll give us plenty of time to search for a leg for Okawa-san." Hinata beamed with anticipation, not surprisingly more upbeat and excited than Tobio.

Kageyama began walking and pocketed his hands. "Then what are we waiting for, let's just go already."

"Right!" Hinata quickened his pace after him until he was at Tobio's side, the two continued onward without a single glance back but continued to talk although their exchanged words became harder to hear after gaining some distance.

"Whoa, talk about timing, Kageyama looks pissed." Kindaichi noted, not all that surprised. "I guess the guys got them out of there."

"And it looks like they're going to try and help our captain after all."

"Yeah, that should be us too." Shallot-head said more bitterly with a downcast tone of voice. "Should be; although it wouldn't change anything, not after what Sadayuki said. He won't play again."

Kunimi knew how much of a captain that Oikawa was to each individual on the team, he also knew that Kindaichi looked up to him the most; he had to be pretty bummed out to not even consider in trying to help Toru himself. Then again the coach was pretty harsh and said that there was no way Oikawa would play again, even on a fake limb. Still, what those Karasuno players were doing- what they have done so far since their arrival; he didn't know what it was but something inside him sparked a small desire for assistance. It was peculiar, so beyond him and yet there was a tiny spark of hope. Not for Oikawa playing unfortunately, but rather being able to walk again and show up for the games and be a supporter from the sidelines; that would cheer Kindaichi up and maybe enough to keep the fighting spirit alive in the last matches. It wouldn't be exactly normal, nothing would ever go back to being the same as it once was; but coming close is all Aoba-Johsai's team would need to finish the year proudly.

But helping Kageyama? It wasn't something he would normally want to do, in fact he really didn't for the simple reason of being around his former teammate for any length of time. Perhaps it was a form of resentment from their past days in junior-high? He didn't necessarily hate him, he just didn't like him and didn't know if he'd ever be able to. But he had to remember what the stoic guy was here for, not for opposition to an opposing rival, but to support. It was so unlike him as hard as that was to accept.

Besides, the two crows gained a sense of respect from him. Just a little, not much to really count as something significant.

"I'm going to head home now, you going too?" He blinked and waved his hand in front of Kunimi who was still staring at the Karasuno duo getting further and further away. "Kunimi? You there?"

The dark-brunette wing spiker turned his gaze towards his friend but didn't move much. "Maybe later, I'll probably grab a bite to eat first. Plus, there's something I'd like to do while still in town. Now since coach canceled practice today, I could come over later to your house and practice with you if you'd like? It's not like I don't have time, the gym is closed for now with Irihata-sensei holding the keys."

Yutaro scratched the back of his head from his friend's unusual decision of going off alone when he'd normally accompany a friend, the guy doesn't get out much and is usually dragged to places to his annoyance. "Oh, okay. The next game will be this upcoming weekend and without our central control tower it's going to be a tough game so we need to get in as much practice as we can, so I'll go home and get a head start and maybe rest up a little for the evening until you come. Maybe we can do what the Karasuno guys did at the first few Spring-High Prefecture playoffs, maybe we can try different things and temporarily switch roles; you know? We can better ourselves in different positions and be ready from any angle of the court, wouldn't that be helpful and cool?"

"It's worth a try I guess?" He lightly shrugged. Akira wasn't too enthusiastic about copying the crows even though it's not actually mimicking them; it would be something that would take tons of practice and have many failures, not something to try out and improve in when there was only a month and a half of games left before the year ended. He at least wanted to help the third-years, including Hajime to finish out good before leaving the team. "It's not something to get too comfortable with, not this late in the year; but we could try a few times for the upcoming year. Outside of matches for now. I'll be over around four-thirty or five this evening, don't go and wear yourself out too soon."

Shallot-head made a small smile and closed his eyes as he beamed for a brief moment. "I won't, I'll save the energy for when you come by, I'm also going to try and get Hanamaki and Yahaba to come over too." His smile flattened a bit and he turned around and stood upright while staring at the hospital building. "Matsukawa, and Watari won't be able to make it, and Kyotani of course would rather practice alone unless Iwaizumi comes but he probably won't be leaving the hospital anytime soon. The other third-years won't practice unless it's in the gym, picky bunch. Actually, maybe we could just go to the park and practice there, more space and less vehicles huh?" He turned back around and Kunimi was facing him this time.

"That sounds good, doesn't matter who shows up since regular practice begins again tomorrow. Whoever shows up today shows up, doesn't matter to me."

"You're right. Well, I'm off now; I'll see you later okay." Kindaichi waved as he began down the street in the opposite direction of the Karasuno duo.

Kunimi raised his hand a bit to signal a flat goodbye and watched him leave for a short minute before turning back and facing eastward, Kageyama and Hinata were gone and out of sight now. He knew where he was going and what he was going to do even though devoting his time was mostly for Oikawa and for his friend Yutaro's benefit; just a little intention was reserved for Tobio and his friend.

"I don't like either of you, especially not you Tobio; but I have my reasons for being here, for why I followed you two." Those slipshod brown orbs returned to the indigo ones, his expression was flaccid as ever but those orbs held tenseness clearly. "I don't have to explain myself Ki- Kageyama." He stopped himself from saying King, only because he knew how much the guy had become a team player; not that he was going to acknowledge it aloud.

These words made Kageyama narrow his eyes a bit, he knew this much but a reminder was very unnecessary and rude. Even something that took place a while ago had his former teammates still holding on to a grudge, the sad part is that is what entirely his fault and brought it upon himself; but these guys didn't know how to let go apparently. Well beating them in the Spring-High Prefecture and robbing them of playing against Shiratorizawa again might have caused tempers to flare up once more. At least Kindaichi; his supposed 'partner' back in the day accepted his changes but still saw him as an enemy but wouldn't accept his apology, which was surprisingly more better than Kunimi; who disliked him more and didn't want anything to do with him up until now. It was kind of difficult to pick who disliked him the most actually.

"I know that." He bitterly replied.

Hinata gaped while looking back and forth at them, Akira didn't like Kageyama but helped anyways? But why act this way now? "Can't we get along?" He suddenly spoke; tearing the glares from each other and onto himself, the pair's eyes softened when he folded his arms and gave them a questionable look. "You want to help us, and you did even though you don't like us. You don't have to like us or help but you did because of respect, we're not here on our own behalf but for Oikawa-san. Save the attitude for the court and keep him the main focus."

Kunimi was the first to slacken up and nod, he had no intention of getting into a silent quarrel to begin with; he was here for Oikawa mostly. "Good point." He looked away slightly and placed a hand on his hip, looking aloof as Kageyama.

Tobio wasn't too thrilled to just let the conversation end on that page but he knew that he wouldn't do any good if he continued; they were lucky to even get help, even if it was from an old teammate that despised him. He couldn't really blame Kunimi for his attitude though, he himself was much more harsh in middle school; he was the reason they stopped trusting him and come to hate him. Sighing heavily Tobio put his arms to his sides and lurched forward into a bow, he once again swallowed his pride; he had to respect anyone that would help him with such a cause. "Thank you for taking the time to help us, we'd take whatever we can and appreciate it."

Aoba-Johsai's first-year's wing spiker was taken by quite the surprise and even had the expression though it was short-lived, he expected something more along the lines of some backtalk or a cold glare and given the silent treatment out of spite or even a stiff posture and pout of annoyance; not this. Apparently Tobio changed and more than just from a teammate standpoint, or so it appears for now. It was too soon to assume anything just yet. Akira nodded, he wasn't too happy to reply to Tobio but chose to for the benefit of keeping the shrimp content and not so loud. "No problem." He stated simply and Kageyama lifted out of his bow.

"Well, at least now we have a start." Hinata began aloud, but then his expression fell as his stomach groaned aloud. "Could you perhaps help us with just one more thing?" He asked, now clutching his gut with his left arm.

Akira blinked. "Hmm?"

"Do you know any close place around here to eat at?" He muttered through half lidded eyes.

"First helping us out and now eating with us? We must be growing on you." Hinata said excitedly as he plucked chunks of beef and rice out of his ceramic bowl and shoved them into his mouth with a mirthful grin from enjoying the savory taste. He and Kageyama was sitting on one end of a small table in the restaurant with Kunimi sitting on the other and eating alone and rather quietly.

The alone Aoba-Johsai volleyball player finished another bite of rice before setting his bowl back down and taking a sip of his hot tea. He placed his drink to the side and stared at the food on the table; not at all used to eating out with people he barely knew. Kageyama didn't count. "I was hungry too and planning to eat out after following you to the library, I just didn't expect you guys to be that invested and take so much time in your search. I was able to read a three-hundred and forty page book before deciding to help. The both of you kept causing commotions and getting loud in your frustrations, I was surprised that you stayed as long as you did. Besides, I might like being alone but I don't like being alone in public if I don't have to; like I need sympathy from strangers."

Kageyama had something to say for that but decided it was best to keep his mouth shut, there was likely no way to repair a sort of bond between his teammate of old like he wished he could, but there was definitely no reason to build a bigger wall in between and create more animosity. Instead he chose to say something a little more positive even if it felt weird to someone who could barely stand his presence. "If we find what we're looking for, then you'll get credit for it too. This much we can do for our thanks Kunimi."

Karasuno's number ten was taken aback a bit and paused on his chow-down; it made sense to but this was an 'out of nowhere' topic, one they left behind back at the library. This made Hinata wonder if Kageyama secretly wanted to rekindle the bond with his past teammate, he doesn't normally be polite unless it's to a stranger, his elders, or someone he respects. He also noticed that the setter wasn't eating much; he's just staring at his bowl and poking his chopsticks here in there at the noodles absentmindedly, and pork curry was his favorite too! Hinata looked back at his bowl, somehow not feeling so hungry anymore, even if it was his second serving.

Again, Kunimi was a bit surprised, although he wasn't looking for gratification in getting a star setter up and moving again; he really just wanted things to go back to normal, Kageyama was making that difficult acting the way he was now. He's not so much of a hothead at the moment. "Thanks, I guess. I'm not doing much though, just getting you going in the right direction is all." He said lowly.

"We could still have nothing if you didn't though, we were looking in the wrong places for hours. Wasting time and volleyball practice for nothing."

Kunimi shrugged and took another drink. To skip on practice and use up personal time was pretty admirable, although he didn't want to be thankful for the crows, but he was; silently… sort of.

"So-" Hinata suddenly spoke up to clear the awkwardness between the ex-teammates trying to be on 'decent' terms. "How come Kindaichi didn't tag along? You two are like inseparable." He took another mouthful, his eyes and ears awaiting a response from the silent guy.

Brown eyes finally peel from the table and land on Shoyo. "He's not taking the loss of our captain too well. His expression and hopeful words only cover up how he really feels, I know him enough to see through him and his pains. I've seen it before in our loss against Shiratorizawa and even you guys this year. He said that he's going to go and practice real hard to make up for the current loss of our supportive captain but he'll probably take the frustrations out on himself and keep them to himself so that he doesn't plague the rest of the team. He's probably heading home now to deal with it mentally so that he doesn't distract the rest of the team that will be coming over later to practice with us."

"Oh, that's pretty tough."

Kageyama understood that feeling and he wasn't even on the same team as Oikawa anymore, to watch someone you respect and admire crumble and fall out of your favorite sport was certainty painful in some degree; it all depends on how much you respect that person. Kunimi obviously felt this same pain, perhaps even as much as Kindaichi; he just wasn't known for showing emotions so it's always hard to gauge how he felt. It seemed like tamed anger and cynicism was all he could show, well except for moderate joy when they won. "It's understandable." He began and actually took a bite of a noodle, he chewed and swallowed before resuming with the now not so antagonistic gaze on him. "I can also see where he holds onto hope, it's too bad the coaches can't see like we do." He returned his solemn gaze, showing that he's completely serious in comparing himself to his old partner but still being separate with his own beliefs. "He's strong, but to be stronger he has to believe. I believe that Oikawa-san will play again, Hinata does too."

Shoyo smiled. "Yeah, if there's anyone who can play on a single limb then it's the Grand King."

The wing spiker raised a brow and gave a rather questionable expression. "Why do you believe in him that much? Did you not see how he reacted to waking up with one leg? He was frantic. I can only imagine how he took the talk with the coaches, he's no longer apart of the volleyball club in Aoba-Johsai; they're removing him."

"That may be so, but we're going to prove them that taking him out was wrong!" Hinata frowned and fought to keep his composure. "He'll be playing again before you know it. We believe because it takes dedication, skill, and a strong love for the sport to play against the odds." His gaze faltered and he sank back onto his seat, he glanced over to Kageyama to see him with a suppressing his eagerness to speak out, they've said enough for today. "We're going to try and succeed, just you wait; he'll be up again."

"Hmm, I see. Still, I don't have the same hopes you have; but even getting Oikawa walking again will be enough to make me content. Just so long as he can drop by the gymnasium or pop up before a game to give us an encouraging word as he normally does before a match, it's what Yutaro needs the most. To you Toru may be a menace, but to us he's not just a control tower but a pillar of support and a creator of confidence."

"Well, if that's how you see it then you just have to wait on us." Kageyama began. "If everything goes our way then he'll be up and playing; hopefully in time for the last few games before his third year is over. I- I respect Oikawa-san too much to let him waste away from volleyball." Kageyama admitted reluctantly.

They sounded so confident, it was almost unreasonable and yet Kunimi couldn't find a comment to shoot them down; it would be pointless with their determination. They had the hope that Kindaichi wanted to have, why tear them down when his friend's hope was torn down and he didn't even try to help keep it alive? What kind of friend was he? Akira wondered briefly. If there was any possibility out there of Oikawa being on the team one last time then why not see if these crows could pull it off or even place belief in them too? It was a long shot and odds were stacked against them, but just hearing them speak out reminded him that where there's hope and grit, there may just be a way after all… odds were still slim but a single glint of light was better than sitting in the despair of complete darkness. These two were something else, even Kageyama was something new, something Kunimi never thought he could see; he was… normal.

Kageyama was normal, no better, or at least a little better… as a person! He suddenly didn't seem like the old King of the Court that he once was personality wise, no that was just a shadow of his former self; nothing like the person he was now. Even back in the hospital Tobio was showing a side that he didn't want to acknowledge or accept, but here the guy was; just across the table from him with a faltering expression still going at it. Akira couldn't tell if the guy was upset or just so determined to do something right then and there. Hinata appeared the same way but with a smile on his face, he was obviously the more confident one.

These guys were not just strong volleyball players but great people, losing to them and hearing that they beat Shiratorizawa didn't seem so bad anymore. They were more tolerable now if anything.

He could almost smile. Almost.

Kindaichi should have been here, he needed the confidence boost the most out of the team. Although he would be stunned to know that it was coming from his old partner Kageyama, what Kageyama and Hinata said to the coach was no show or gimmick; it was genuine for if it was an act they wouldn't remain so committed and spend nearly four hours wasting time on trying to find a new leg. He wondered if Oikawa would even believe this.

"Thank you."

Both Kageyama and Hinata stared and gaped lightly in shock.

"You guys are really serious about this, but I want to see you keep to your word and pull this off or at least take it as far as you can. I can't say that I believe like you do but-." He grabbed his tea and stared at his reflection for a short second. "But for the team's sake, Iwaizumi's sake, Kindaichi's sake, … for our captain's sake, just do the best you can."

Hinata and Kageyama shut their mouths and both nodded at the same time."Of course!"

Not much more was spoken after that, Kunimi was the first to finish his meal before saying goodbye and leaving the table. The Karasuno crows said their own farewells to the Aoba-Johsai player but remained to finish up and talk amongst themselves on what to do when they got home.

Kunimi exited the restaurant and ambled down the street at a steady pace, his mind still wondering on the possibilities of having his captain back again; Kindaichi wasn't the only one who wanted him back and supporting the team. He let out a quiet sigh and stopped at a crosswalk sign, as he waited his mind trailed back to the Kageyama of Kitagawa Daiichi, or more like the King of the Court; he remembered well how much louder and aggressive Tobio used to be. He wasn't like that at all back to the restaurant and the hospital; well maybe at the hospital but for the right reasons.

Actually, now that he thought about it, Kageyama wasn't such a bad person anymore; he's become tame, mature, and actually responsible as a player and quite possibly as a friend to some of his teammates. Finally, there was a reason to actually like him just a little bit more than before, but just a little.

...

Iwaizumi ran a hand through his short hair as he moved down the street, he was tired for the evening and homebound. Tired of arguing and dealing with Oikawa's sudden mood shifts. One minute the guy could smile but the next he would talk as if he were down at an all time low and almost depressed, Hajime knew that he couldn't bring enough comfort after having the coaches strip the school's most popular name off of the club roster and talk about how limited he would be if he tried prosthetics. He respected his coaches but could not agree with most of what they said, he even wanted to argue back just to make Toru feel even a little better. It's a shame that they have no faith in the setter, whether he could actually do something was depending on his own will.

Aboa-Johsai's ace could have gotten a ride home easily but the much needed fresh air was what he chose so he was walking home, taking the time to get the negativity out of his head so that he might just fall asleep tonight. All he needed was a breather and some time to think alone.

"Hajime? Iwaizumi Hajime!"

The simple call of his name had him lifting his head and searching around for the familiar voice, it was then when he spotted two forms from the corner of his eye. Iwaizumi turned his head towards the other side of the street across from him and saw Shoyo and Tobio just standing there.

"Hey, do you think you can help us?!" Hinata said aloud with an occasional car passing by, his smile wavered and he rubbed the back of his head. "We're kind of lost."