Hinata's P.O.V.
I knew Daichi meant well. He wasn't being unfair; he had a dream and determination. So, to get let back into the gym I agreed to practice receives with Kageyama. We had challenged Daichi to a game. It was gonna be us and Tanaka against Daichi and two other first years. I am both excited and extremely nervous, but as agreed for a week before and after school I practiced with Kageyama. On the second day we had a run in with our two other opponents, one a tall blonde with glasses who seemed to not care who won the match and the other, who kept referring to the first as Tsukki, was of an average height and dark brown hair. The second introduced them both as Tsukishima Kei of year 1-class 4 and Yamaguchi Tadashi of the same class. So, it seemed I had no teammates in my class, year 1-class 4, I wonder how long people would fall for the dumb act. So, while we were interacting, I played attention seeker. It was starting to get late; it was already dark outside when we stopped practice. My leg was throbbing. So, I called Kōshi to see if Aunty could drive me home. I know my Mum hates me traveling by myself this late and it's not like I can get home myself with my leg hurting as bad as it does.
"Hey Sho" I hear as Kōshi answers his phone "what's up? did something happen?" he continues.
"I'm fine I was hoping Aunty might be able to drive me home" I replied in a hopeful tone. Hopeful that the pain doesn't show through.
"Why? Where are you?" Kōshi asks in a slightly worried but confused tone. Hoping not to worry him I explained to him that Kageyama and I had lost track of time and Mum worries about me traveling alone after dark. I could hear Kōshi talking to Aunty in soft voices. I remember after the car accident Aunty spent a lot of time at my house and in turn so did Kōshi. She was over to help Mum with me so that Mum didn't have as hard a time. When I was finally able to move around by myself, we were able to go back to a semi normal routine and Mum was able to tell Aunty that she could relax more, that she didn't have to come every day. We were grateful, it had been hard. I was snapped out of my memories when I heard aunty say, "we will be there in five wait outside the gate." Loud enough for me to clearly hear.
My Aunt was like a female version of Kōshi except she was taller with a softer face and sharper eyes. she wasn't slim but she wasn't fat, she has a generous amount of muscle. Her hair was the same shade as Kōshi's and it was long about, mid-way down her back. My Aunt is my Mums anchor the most important thing to the both of them is the family. I wasn't waiting very long when Aunty and Kōshi drove up in Auntie's light blue Nissan, she'd had the car for a long time, so the paint was worn down due to age in some places. As I hobbled to the car careful not to aggravate the stump further Aunty got out of the car to open the back door and to help me remove the prosthetic.
"Hey carrot, you doing, ok?" This was how Aunty always greeted me and there was always a playful tone to her voice as she called me a plethora of different orange things.
"I'm in a bit of pain but thank you for agreeing to drive me home" I replied "I hope I'm not causing too much trouble" there was relief in my voice as I rub pain relief ointment into the stump that was once my right leg.
"We were about to head out to dinner at your house anyway. So, it hasn't put us out." Kōshi stated from the front seat. The inside of Auntie's car was much different to the outside, she had covered the seats with black seat covers that had blue and silver swirling embroidery. The seat covers used to be a light grey, but they were stained by Tenma when he got badly sick and hurled over the back of the front seats. Tenma had felt so bad that he'd replaced the covers with the ones one the seats now. As Aunty drove, we talked about random things, mostly about the first day of school and if I had settled in. We drove passed many fields and trees there wasn't many streetlights, and the conversation drifted to the volleyball team and our thoughts on how this year would go. The drive was short and soon we were pulling into the driveway of my small two-story house. It looks like any other house plain but with a well-tended garden, I can hear Mum yelling for Natsu and Tenma and faintly smell miso soup and katsudon. Dinner was spent in pleasant company with talk about what had happened since the last family dinner. Mum was happy to announce Natsu was attending the near-by elementary, which lead to talk about memories from when Tenma started, from when Kōshi also started and finally when I began elementary. The evening was ended with goodbyes and good lucks to Tenma who was traveling back to Tokyo for university. With Tenma promising to visit and come watch games when he could.
I will miss him, but I know he will keep his promise to me and Kōshi. I walked my aunt and Kōshi back to their car and thanked them for both the lift home and also for coming. The smell of lawn clippings drifted on the wind mingling with the smell of wood and leaves a pleasant smell that calms my mind. The slight breeze is cooling and brisk as I walk back inside locking the door behind me. Tomorrow Tenma would be leaving, and I would continue training with Kageyama, the self-centered king of the court. With renewed vigor I Head upstairs to bath and finish my homework.
As the week passes there is a kaleidoscope of different emotions that course my veins, most predominately are happiness and pain with under lying anxiety and a sense that something big was going to happen during the game. I had been receiving texts from my other older cousin all week wondering why I didn't attend his school, Tōru, thinks Aoba Johsai is the only school worth attending. Must be because of his unnatural ego. I had gotten into a routine of waking early going to school practicing in the gym till the men's volleyball team showed up and moving to outdoor practice, attending classes while practicing with Kōshi during lunch, attending more classes before more outdoor practice and then heading home. It was tiring but if the effort I put in can be of assistance to the team I will do it gladly. Some days I wonder if I will ever be a valued member at Karasuno. I have only been here for a bit less than a week and already I feel I've made myself into a nuisance, how will it be when they find out I'm missing everything below my right knee. Every day that passed while I was in hospital as a child felt like an eternity, the loneliness that filled the room when no one was there. I never want to experience again; I'll do what I can to stay on this team.
Saturday came before I Knew it and I felt unprepared despite Kageyama finally saying he would toss me some sets. I was filled with apprehension what will happen if we lose. I've only ever played one match and the match ended in colossal failure despite my confidence. I don't want to be a hindrance. As I prepared for the game my thoughts were filled with hope. Kageyama had said he would throw the ball to me. But does that mean he trust me? Tenma used to tell me that when a whole team works as one it becomes a well-oiled machine, a beautiful dance of which the music is the sound of feet pounding on the gymnasium floor and the ball being hit by both sides. Of the sound of success and failure. The one saving grace for the start of my day is that what's left of my leg doesn't hurt right from the start. Actually, today I feel great. I run out of the house with a breakfast bar in one hand yelling well wishes to my family as I leave. One of my elderly neighbours, a lovely woman, is walking past with her Shiba Inu. I greet her politely as I do every morning before hurrying on my way.
I'm an innocent little time skip
I had just arrived at school when I heard my phone ringing in my bag, pulling it out to check who was calling I was shocked. Why would Tōru be calling? shouldn't he be at his club's practice? putting my phone to my ear I said "Ohayo gozaimasu Tōru-kun, what's up?" I can hear balls and sneakers in the background so Tōru must be taking a break. "Ohayo shrimpy, are you regretting not coming to Aoba Johsai yet?" Tōru's cocky voice sounds from the other end. I've never understood why but his ego has always been the size of mount Fuji
"Never I've always wanted to follow in Tenma-nii's footsteps and go to Karasuno." I confidently reply "anyway I don't like your sets at all or your ego." After saying this I remember back to when we were kids, and he would drag me around by his whim. "Well shrimp you know how to hurt my feelings" He said with no hint of actually being hurt in his voice "any way I called to wish you luck, but you still should have come to Aoba Johsai, bye shrimpy." Without waiting for a reply Tōru hung up, He can wait I honestly have more important things to worry about today. After locking up my bike I slowly make the way to the gym. As I make my way the gym my mind flashes back to the encounter with Tsukishima and Yamaguchi and how Tsukishima seemed to have it out for Kageyama. Tsukishima went out of his way to anger calling him his former nickname 'King of the court' and bringing up what must be a painful memory for Kageyama. I mean who wants to be reminded of their dark past. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even notice Kageyama running up behind me or hear the pounding of his feet until he had already passed me. So, I started running after him yelling "KAGEYAMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAA" catching up to him just before the gym doors. Behind us our senpai's were walking up talking as they got closer, I heard Tanaka say "seriously are they wasting all of their energy now? what are they gonna do when their too exhausted during the three on three?" the reply he received from all the senpai was "I know right" as they made their way into the gym.
Before Kageyama could enter I grabbed his arm to say "ready to win this?" I knew his changed since I played him last year, he seemed less sure of himself, less trusting. It is almost strange, what happened to change him this much? I can only hope that he becomes able to trust me as a teammate and a rival. "Of course, we are gonna win this." He replied playing at being cocky "What are you scared?" he continued trying to cover up his unease.
"No, as a matter of fact I'm excited" I replied "I've been looking forward to this all week"
"Well, I'm the same, I will not lose" there's the Kageyama I played against his do it alone attitude, is he so sure that he doesn't need a team that he'd push them all away. Just when I was about to comment I noticed Tanaka walking towards us, when he got close enough, He stated simply "Let's go win this you two." Kageyama made his way into the gym with me following close behind. The gym is a simple one court gym with a raised stage at one end, on either side of the gym there is a viewing balcony that can be accessed via a single ladder to each balcony. The other two first years were standing of to one side while the senpai's were setting up the net, I saw Kōshi talking to Daichi off to one side. He seemed slightly concerned and as he noticed me, he said something to Daichi and walked towards me, "hey Sho" He started in a low voice "How are you feeling today? think you will be ok for the game?" concern evident in his tone. There's this one thing about Kōshi he is a big mother hen. "I'll be fine Ko my leg doesn't even hurt today." I reply trying to ease his worries but it's obvious he wants to say more his mouth opening to comment but before he can say anything Daichi speaks up "Alright everyone gather round it's time to get this game started" before continuing he waited for everyone to gather around him "For this three-on-three game Tanaka will be with Kageyama and Hinata while I'll be with Tsukishima and Yamaguchi."
"Is that even fair?" I asked curious I don't really know how strong the captain is.
"I may be a third year but Tanaka beats me in raw strength." he replied so his strength must be in defence, because I remember Kōshi telling me he was the only third year setter. "Are you gonna change into shorts Hinata? you'll get too hot in those pants" one of the second years inquired probably confused as most of the team are already in their shorts. "Nah I prefer to play in sports pants I don't actually own any shorts." I replied which is true I stopped wearing shorts in public a long time ago, I got sick of the pity I got. I hate people assuming that because I'm missing part of my leg that I'm somehow less of a person, I don't want the team to know, at least not yet I want them to know that I'm not a hinderance. "Well, that's ok but don't blame us if you pass out." Another of the second years said before walking over to the scoring board to stand with the observers.
My body started to fill with excitement this is it my first mock game of high school, "Hey Kageyama, Tanaka let's do this ok!" I stated heading towards the court seeing both Kageyama and Tanaka following. On the other side of the net Tsukishima pretended to cover his mouth and said loud enough for our side to hear "The buzzcut or the shorty which to crus... I mean block first?" showing his nasty personality "Oh and I also really want to see when the King loses." Ah so he is a sadist... Figures. Though his name sounds familiar does he have an older brother like me? "Tsukki... Hold on they can hear you; you know?" poor Tadashi is a whimp "that's pretty awful..." he needs a new back bone. Doesn't he know that you trash talk your enemies?
"I said that so I was sure they would hear it though." Tsukishima stated "Be thankful that I made them lose their composure." Beside me Tanaka was giving off a creepy aura connected to his creepy smile. Is he channelling a demon? please say he isn't. "For a guy with such a good personality, you sure do have some mean things to say, Tsukishima" Daichi said with amusement lining his voice not looking at Tsukishima at all, instead his gaze was aimed at Tanaka.
"Not, really. A king who has been abandoned by his retainers and left on his own would be a real sight worth seeing." Tsukishima said peeking at Kageyama's turned back from the corner of his eye. Obviously trying to see what effect his words were having on his fellow first year but with Kageyama having his back to Tsukishima, Tsukishima can't see Kageyama clenching his teeth and glaring. The tension was evident in his expression, whatever had happened to cause his change must have been horrible. Will he be, ok? I don't have an answer for that, but I can hope. "Hey, You Guuuys~" came a strangely playful Tanaka "did you hear that just now~? saying such a thing" Tanaka spoke while posing like a gossiping housewife. "Geez, that Tsukishima-kun. Honestly-" he continues changing how his standing "We'll pulverize ya!" letting off an intimidating aura. With Tanaka's declaration the Three-on-Three match is about to begin.