KAGEYAMA, AUGUST
I have my clipboard in hand ready to see these youngsters try out for Meiji volleyball team. I walk back and forth in front of the net that is set up. I only need to see them do the basics for the first rounds, second rounds I will be looking at what positions they want and see how they perform., 3rd rounds will be the following day. I want to team them up and see how pairs well with each other and senior players.
I have them all wearing numbers. The assistant coach Daichi Sawamura and captain Tanaka Ryunosuke will be helping me. I have the last say but they have a good eye to provide me who to cut.
"Welcome," greeted Daichi. "When you signed up you should have received a paper with instructions on how this is going to work. If you did not read it you already don't need to be on this team. You should be warmed up. Line up and we are going to get started on receives." So far I like being a head coach. It's nice to have people under me that care about this game as much as I do. I am young to be a head coach but I think Meiji University could see and remember my passion for the game. Tanaka is more of a clown but has passion none the less. I am fiercely looking at everyone making notes of the yes, no's, and maybe's. Nobody stands out so far until I spot that familiar patch of red hair. My stomach starts to turn as I watch him walk up.
"Isn't that the small giant?" asked Tanaka.
"It is," replied Daichi. "Let's see what he can do."
"I feel we don't even need to see him," explained Tanaka. "Did you see him in the spring tournament this past year, holy shit!" Daichi gave Tanaka a look and he stopped talking. I haven't talked to Hinata in months. I felt bad not even reaching out to him for his birthday but I couldn't do it. I swallow the sorrow that I feel. I actually look away from him because it hurts to look at him. I look back up when I hear sneakers squeak and the sound of him falling. I look up and he is on the ground. My body is reacting before I could even think.
"Hey," I said squatting down. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said angrily.
"Look," I say low enough for only him to hear. "I know you are pissed off at me. Please don't blow your chance because of me." I could see Hinata fighting back tears but he has that determined look in his eye I see when he gets focused. I stand up offering him my hand. He takes it and I feel alive for the first time in months. I make sure to have on my usual face as I walk back over to my team. I can see Tanaka is surprised that I went over to say something to him.
Hinata ends up doing well for the rest of his tasks for the first round. We are now in our small conference room where we compare notes. I feel my heart speed up when they bring Hinata.
"I want him!" exclaimed Tanaka.
"I think he is great. He has room to grow in certain areas but he could help take the team in a new direction" explained Daichi. "What do you think Kageyama?"
"I agree," I replied. "Let's see him in the next round and see how he compares."
"Yes!" exclaims Tanaka. We move on to the next number. By the time we are done with the list I am actually a little tired. One more session and we could call it a day. Seeing Hinata light up like a Christmas tree when he saw he made it to the next round warmed my heart. I think I almost smiled.
We watch the second round which goes by a lot faster since we actually line them up on the volleyball court in 2 pairs of 6 to play each other up to 5 points. This allows us to see what we need to with them in the positions they want to play. Hinata does well in this round as well but he is not able to truly show his skills. I think he is well on his way to making the team.
"Happy hour?" asked Tanaka.
"Not tonight for me," I replied. "I would like to finish up a few things here."
"I'll join you," said Daichi. "I could use one drink."
"One," whined Tanaka. "Come on you have to do better than that." I watch them leave my office. I am looking at the remaining members trying out wondering how they would do against the senior members. I am tempted to see them in action but that would have to wait until tomorrow. I hear a knock on my door.
"Tanaka, if you forgot I swear…" I stopped talking when I see Hinata pop his head through the door.
"It's me," he said in a small voice. Despite what happened between us I am happy to see him. He looks so much more lively compared to earlier. "I just wanted to apologize for earlier today."
"Close the door," I tell him. "I apologize as well for cutting you off." I recall that being the last thing he wanted but I had to do it. He was underage and I was just doing things I shouldn't have been doing. I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself so I did the next best thing. I can see Hinata tearing up again.
"Um how did I do today?" he asked.
"Tanaka loves you," I chuckled. "You did good after I give you a good kick in the ass." Hinata laughs. I notice that silent tears spilled down his cheek.
"So, how have you been?" he asked sniffling. I get up from my desk and walk over to him.
"Why are you crying?" I asked. "Please stop crying."
"I'm fine," he said. "I just missed you is all." I smile because I missed him too. "Did you just smile?"
"Did I?" I say as if I don't know what he is talking about. Hinata laughs slapping me in the arm. I am glad he stopped crying.
"Why didn't you tell me you got a job here?"
"I didn't really tell anyone except for close friends and family," I explained. "I only told one person about me interviewing with them but that was it."
"Okay," he said softly. "What are you doing now?"
"I was doing some last-minute things regarding the tryouts but I can do it at home" I reply wanting to leave before I do something stupid.
"Did you eat yet? We could get something to eat" offered Hinata.
"Thank you for the offer but I have to decline," I can see the disappointment come across his face. He doesn't say anything. He gives me a small smile before heading out of the office. I take a deep breath because it took everything in me not to embrace him. If he is going to be on this team I have got to get it together. I close up things in my office and head to my car. I wonder where Hinata is staying? I get close to my car and I see him standing by it with his kick stand holding up his bike. "What are you doing here?"
"I don't know," he said quickly. He is actually looking off instead of at me. I am trying to think of what to say.
"Do you need a ride?" I ask. Hinata nods. I load his bike in the back and climb into my car. I am happy to be able to talk with him a little longer. "Where do you live?" I asked. Hinata looks embarrassed.
"I live in the slums" he explained. "It was all I could afford on my own." I look at him horrified. The slums are where not so fortunate people live, it can also be very dangerous. Hinata gives me the address and I follow the instructions. He is trying to keep the conversation light but I am still pissed off he lives in such bad conditions. I pull up to the building and take one look and feel uncomfortable. There are people hanging around outside, kids actually running around as if there is no school in session. "It's not as bad as it looks." I frown.
"I want to see your living quarters," I demand. "Where do I park?" Hinata gives me the instructions. We climb out and I notice he has to take his bike up the stairs because they don't have elevators. He is on one of the middle floors. He unlocks the door which I hold open so that he can carry his bike inside. I can see a small kitchen to the right, a bed straight ahead and a bathroom to the left.
"This is home," he replies. "It's one of the smaller living quarters but I couldn't get anything bigger not that I really need it." I hate that he is living here. He can't even leave his bike outside without danger of it being stolen or toyed with. "Did you want to stay for dinner? I have been learning to cook from my mom and Natsu. To think I am being schooled on cooking by a 7 year old." He starts to laugh.
"Sure," I reply. "You can cook whatever you want and I will eat it." Hinata smiles. He walks over smoothing out the covers on his bed.
"You can sit here and choose whatever on the TV," Hinata skips to the kitchen as I start to flip through the channels. I did not have to go through this. I lived on campus with a full scholarship. I did have to give it up when I quit the team my 3rd year but I was at least able to move in with Oikawa and room with him. I can smell Hinata dinner and it seems pretty good. Pretty soon Hinata comes into the room pulling a little table closer to the bed. I join him on the floor to see he cooked baked fish over rice. "It's not the greatest but it's good."
"Thanks," I replied. "Thank you for cooking." I can hear my stomach grumble and I know he does too as he releases a laugh. I laugh along with him although I am embarrassed.
"You should take better care of yourself," stated Hinata pulling out his phone. He is doing something with his TV and phone. Soon I am staring at YouTube. "I hope you don't mind but I wanted to go over this with you." I chuckle seeing he pulled up videos of the Meiji team from last year. As we eat we are going over the team. I have already viewed these videos but it is interesting hearing Hinata point of view on things. He was not the greatest at understanding the game. I wonder if I rubbed off on him. He seems to be trying to understand the game and how everything comes together.
"Are you in touch with your old team members?" I asked finishing my last bite.
"A few," replied Hinata. "Sugawara try outs was last month at his school. He made the team so he is very happy. I am sure we will end up playing him." I smile on the inside because he is having full faith he is on the team.
"It will be interesting indeed," I replied. "I should get going. You need to get your rest for tomorrow. It will be more intense than today was." Hinata smiles as he stands up.
"Thanks again for the ride home."
"Sure," I respond reaching the door. Hinata hugs me tightly. I sigh because I was waiting for him to do this, I also wanted him to so I didn't have to. I wrap my arms around him breathing in his scent. I lay my head on top of his head which is slightly uncomfortable since he is so short. We stand there for I don't know how long just hugging. Hinata pulls back pulling me to his lips. The kiss is needy but soothing at the same time.
I sigh into the kiss feeling the need to touch his skin. I slide my hand under his shirt as my tongue invades his mouth. Our kissing soon turns into grunts. I need to be focused on tomorrow not this, this is a distraction.
"Kageyama," moans Hinata. Fuck, I pick him up and he wraps his legs around my waist. I walk over to the bed laying down Hinata with me on top on him. I know he is inexperienced and this is what makes me slow down.
"Hinata, we shouldn't be doing this," I say in a raspy voice.
"Why?" he whines from under me. "I want you and I know you want this too." He grabs my waist pulling me towards him. I groan.
"You have a big day tomorrow," I reply with my eyes closed. It's too hard to look at him right now. "You need to be focused."
"I will be focused," he replies. "It would help more if you made love to me." I blush at the word love. I do not need this right now. Love, do I love him? Surely there has to be more involved when you love someone. Hinata thrust his hips at me.
"Ahhh," I moan. I grit my teeth pulling away from him breathing hard. "I must go, I will see you tomorrow." I run towards the door grabbing my sneakers. I don't even put them on in the apartment. I am afraid he will attack me again and I know I am not strong enough to resist him a second time. I get inside my car and I am looking down at my cock that is clearly angry with me at the moment. "I will deal with you when I get home," I hiss at it.