HINATA
I am excited to get to practice today, to see what more of what Kageyama has in store for me as well as my team mates. I think about Saturday and how I got hit with the ball when I was practicing solo. I felt like such an idiot. Almost felt worth being in his arms. I feel my face heating up. He smelled so good and despite him wearing a coat I could feel his body heat. The way his eyes looked at me.
"So, what kind of combos you think he has in store for us?" asked Sugawara as we completed warm up. I shrugged still trying to come out of my thoughts. "Did you need some water? You rather flushed at the moment."
"I'm fine" I replied shaking my head no. I watch as coach and Kageyama walk into the gym. Kageyama is frowning as always and coach looks serious.
"Team, I am going to let Kageyama lead the practice" exclaimed Ukai. "Do everything he says and treat him with the same respect you would give me." He steps back and Kageyama waste no time barking orders. The first thing he is working on is our rotations on the court. I don't know why we never thought of this stuff prior to him being here. We start to go over combos and this is what I am most excited about. I love hitting the ball. The stringing in my hand afterwards, the sound of the ball hitting the floor, even the squeaking of the sneakers on the court.
"Hinata" said Kageyama calling me over. I jog over to him not knowing if being singled out is good or bad.
"Oi" I say once in front of him.
"I am going to need you to stay in your area." I looked him puzzled. "You are always running back and forth on the front line. You also sometimes cut your team mates off to hit the ball. That can't happen anymore. Especially if you want to take the win this year at the tournament and I know you do." I nod.
"I don't try to take the ball from anyone" I explain. "I have powerful hits and if I know my impact is going to benefit us I am going to take the shot." Kageyama gives me a hard stare but I don't back down.
"You don't get it" he replied. "You are just a kid after all. I know you want to win, I can see it. Do what I say and that will happen. You need to trust your team."
"I do trust them!" I exclaimed shocked by his words. I love my team. I have a reason to do everything I do and here he is just trying to take a giant shit on it.
"I am not going to go to back forth with you" he replied folding his arms. "Just do what I say. I don't want to have to go to Ukai about this." I bit my lip knowing the coach will sit me out if I am not listening. That would hurt my team even more. I can feel Sugawara looking over this way a bit concerned. I walk back to get into rotation on the court. We start practicing the combos and I am following his advice although I don't want to. Sure, my wing setter hits a good ball here and there but is so far from being consistent. This is why I need to step in sometimes and land the hit.
I was glad when officially practice was over. We hit the showers and head out. I am sad to see that it has started snowing. Not unusual for January. I won't be able to bike in this. I take a deep breath and start walking. I see a car come up beside me but I ignore it since no one I know at school has a car.
"Hinata" I recognized the voice. I look towards the car and I see Kageyama. "Do you want a ride." I growl remembering what he said to me earlier today.
"No thank" I decline politely while still walking.
"Don't be ridiculous" he exclaimed. "You idiot, you're going to get sick."
"I walk in the cold plenty of times" I explain rolling my eyes.
"This is snow, it's colder, wetter. Look, let me just drop you off home."
"I said no thank you" I replied more annoyed at him being so persistent. I see him stop the car and he is getting out. He jogged over grabbing me by my shoulders, almost shaking me.
"Listen to me!" he screamed. "I am not letting you walk in this. Do you want to get sick? Do you want to miss games!"
"No" I reply quickly.
"Then get your ass in the car" he demanded taking my bike from me. I climb into the passenger side as he loads my bike in the back. I folded my arms glad he is giving me ride but too stubborn to want to admit he may have been right about my moves with my team mates. He gets inside the car. "Where do you live?"
"In the next town over, Furudate" I reply looking out the window.
"What is your address?" he asked. I gave him the address. I could hear him keying it into his phone. We are now in on to my home. I start thinking this would be the perfect time to ask him questions, anything I want about the game but I am not in the mood. I just want to get home quickly. We are half way there when I hear my phone go off. I see it is my mom calling me.
"Hello" I greet answering the call.
"Shoyo, are you still up at the school?"
"No" I replied. "Um Kageyama is giving me a ride home."
"Oh thank goodness. I am actually in front of your school. I didn't want you biking in the snow."
"I'm so sorry mom" I apologized. "I did not know you would come to pick me up."
"It's okay. I was picking up dinner while I was out. I was not in the mood to cook so I grabbed some sushi to go. Would you like to invite your guest over for dinner?"
"Not really" I reply quickly. "I am sure there are plenty of others things he must be getting too."
"Okay then, I am on my way back to the house. Would you please set the table?"
"Yes mom" I reply. She says her good bye and I end the call.
"I can see I am not the only one not wanting you to walk in the snow" stated Kageyama.
"It was my mother" I explained. "That is how mom's are." I can see his face getting tight. "Well most moms." His face doesn't soften. I feel like bringing up moms somehow rattled him. I decide to bring up the one thing that does make him happy. "I read your stats, they are pretty impressive. You are almost good in everything."
"Not everything" he replies.
"Seriously" I reply getting excited. "Your good at reading the game, have speed, and stamina to play for long periods of time. I mean I watched you in the finals years ago, you were great! I mean obviously, you won." I see him smirk.
"I was younger than, still hungry for the game."
"Are you not now?" I asked curious about why he would not want to play anymore. We pull up in front of the house. He gets out not saying another word. I may be just 17 but it is clear to me that something happened. As much as he loved the game why would he stop playing. I get out of the car seeing the snow continue to fall. At this rate I wonder if we would be able to go to school tomorrow. I watch as he sits my bike on the ground. "Thank you."
"Your welcome" he replied as I see my mom pulling up. She parks the car and Nasu waste no time running over to me. She hugs me tightly.
"Look at all the snow!" she exclaims. "I hope we get a snow day tomorrow and we can make snow angels."
"And hot chocolate!" I add.
"Yeah!" she exclaims before noticing Kageyama. She looks up at him letting me. "Are you a giant?"
"Nasu!" exclaimed my mother joining us. "I apologize for her. You know how kids can be."
"I do" replied Kageyama.
"Thank you so much for bringing Shoyo home. Would you like to stay for dinner? It's the least we can do."
"Mom" I say feeling embarrassed that I never asked him to begin with.
"Thank you but-
"We got great sushi" said Nasu. "We have plenty to go around since papa is working late tonight. Can't you stay please giant man."
"His name is Kageyama" I correct her. I noticed he agreed since my sister asked him. He still looked nervous and slightly uncomfortable. I am starting to wonder myself how is this dinner going to go. We head inside and I get everything ready for the table as requested by my mother. Nasu is more entertained by Kageyama. He is surprisingly good with her. As mean as he looks I am surprised to hear my sister laughing and playing with him.
My mother informs them that dinner is ready. I am actually nervous about having him here slightly. I don't know why. I am still the same person I have always been. Kageyama is handling my mother very well. He doesn't smile but he can hold a conversation which is a total plus.
"Shoyo, you are so quite this evening" she stated clearing the table since we are done eating.
"I'm just tired" I replied. Somewhat true. I just can't stop thinking about Kageyama. I mean he looks so sad, not his face but his eyes. I just really want to know what happened to him but he is older than me. I can't just ask him these things. I hear a knock at the front door and I walk over wondering who could it be, Kageyama just left. I open the door and he is standing there.
"I'm sorry but could I possible stay the night?" he asked face flushed. "My car is stuck."
"Um I am sure my mom won't have a problem with it" I reply. I head into the kitchen. "Mom Kageyama car is stuck. Is it okay for him to stay the night?"
"Of course. I would not want him sleeping in the car. Go ahead and show him the guest quarters and ensure he knows where the bathroom is." I head back into the front room and I see him on his phone texting.
"My mom said it is fine. I can show you where you will be sleeping." Kageyama follows me as I show him the bathroom and then the room he will be staying in. I cut the lights on going to the closet to take down extra blankets since the temperatures are dropping.
"Thank you" he replied. I appreciate the kindness your family has shown me tonight."
"I am sure you would have done the same for me" I smiled. "Has school been cancelled for tomorrow?"
"Not as of yet" he replies sighing. "If so I will let you know." I find myself staring at him a little too long. His eyes meet mine and he looks away with his ears turning red. "I am going to get settled in."
"Yeah" I reply looking away. "Let me know if you need anything."
"I do need a charger" he states.
"What kind of phone do you have?" I asked turning around. He is sitting on the bed.
"I have the iPhone 7"
"I have that phone as well. Mine is charged so you can take it for tonight, let me grab it for you." I quickly walking out of the room trying to make sense of what I am feeling. I grab the cord and head back to the room. Kageyama is shirtless causing my heart to explode. He is pulling another shirt out of his bag. He pulls this shirt over his head and his um six pack of abs. He takes a deep breath before noticing me. "Sorry, here is the cord." I toss the cord at him and ran out of the room.