Highly recommend reading "Kageyama Tobio and Stupid Life Decisions" but here's a brief summary: Kageyama has been bullied to the point of running away from training camp in the middle of the night. He maps a route from Tokyo to Sendai, but along the way he strains his body, grows exhausted, and has a bad experience with passerbies. Meanwhile, coaches and teams at the training camp are scrambling trying to find him, contact the police, reach his parents, etc. Finally the Karasuno team heads back and Kageyama feels like he's going to die. He doesn't want to die.

You should really read "Kageyama Tobio and Stupid Life Decisions" by: giyuuwu before proceeding.

https/s/13679221/2/

"COACH! SENPAI! She found him!"

Everyone jumped at the loud disruption of what had been an empty, absolute silence. Coach Ukai had been the only one to jump all the way to his feet. Now he was glaring at Tanaka suspiciously. "What did you just say?" the coach asked slowly in a disbelieving almost wistful voice.

"Saeko-eh-my sister! I texted her early this morning. She's been driving roads for several hours now. She found him! She found Kageyama!" Tanaka shouted a huge smile on his face.

"Everyone be quiet!" Ukai roared over the commotion. "Where are they?"

Tanaka relayed the location his sister had sent him which Ukai relayed to the driver. "We're about 30 minutes away, sir," the driver responded.

"Tanaka, is he okay?"

He took a moment to text, but changed his mind and tried calling his sister instead. "Nee-san, we're on our way to your location. How is Kageyama?" Tanaka asked frantically as he turned his phone to speaker.

His sister replied in a whisper, "I had to step away because whenever I ask about you guys or why he left he becomes almost inconsolable. I've got him calmed down and I think he might be falling asleep soon. Nothing seems too serious at face value, but he's far from in good shape. His hands and knees are a scraped up mess and I had to help him to the van. He said something about a pulled muscle and being dizzy. He keeps dry heaving, but I don't think there's anything in him to vomit. I have him slowly drinking the water I have in the van, but it's not much. If ya'all don't have extra water with you, pick some up before you get here-"

Ukai whispered they had enough water they could continue to their location and Takeda-sensei was on the phone with someone else.

The hushed tone over speaker continued, "He's really sunburnt. I don't know if I've ever seen someone this red. And he flinched when I reached around his back to help him to the van, but I don't know if he hurt his back or if it's just more sunburn. I need to get back to him before he gets upset again. Seriously though, get your shit sorted out before you get here because the idea of facing you guys has him inconsolable." With that the line disconnected and the silence was only interrupted by Takeda-sensei's quiet words.

When the teacher got off the phone he stood up next to Coach Ukai. "I've informed the police Kageyama has been found and is safe. I just got off the phone with the school so they have been updated. We still have not been able to contact his parents. That is all you need to know about the phone calls," shortly after his statement the teacher returned to his seat. Almost immediately the bus erupted into questions and shouts of all varieties.

"Quiet!" Ukai yelled for the second time. "Everyone sit down!" The coach waited until everyone sat down before he continued. "I think we all heard what Tanaka Saeko said. Even the idea of seeing us is overwhelming to Kageyama right now. Our ONLY priority is to keep him calm. He's uncomfortable enough with everything he's been through. We are NOT going to worsen things by overwhelming him even more. Do. You. All. Understand?" His question was drawn out and more serious than anyone had heard from him before.

"Understood!" they all answered in unison.

"Until I give you an instruction you will remain seated. Asahi, please bring all the water up to the front seat across from Takeda-sensei and I. Suga, gather any food we have on the bus and bring it to the front. Tanaka, I want you to keep communicating with your sister and inform us of anything that seems like it even MIGHT be important for us to know. Daichi, find a pair of clean clothes for Kageyama. Yamaguchi or Narita would be the closest match. You or Tsukkishima would also work. Asahi's clothes might work in a pinch. Just find something. Hmm-" Ukai hesitated while the appointed members did as they were instructed.

When everything was collected, Ukai needed another moment before continuing, "Suga and Ennoshita, given everything I now know, I truly believe Kageyama will feel the least uncomfortable with you two." Everyone had the decency to look down ashamed of their previous actions. "I know this is a lot to put on you boys, but would you be willing to take care of Kageyama moving forward?"

"Yes, coach!" both boys answered immediately.

"Takeda-sensei, do you have any advice on how we should proceed so we don't hurt Kageyama any further."

"Oh, well-um," the teacher stammered as he staggered to his feet once again. "Well, the most important thing will be to not overwhelm him, obviously. Not overwhelm him with noise or questions or emotions."

Coach interjected at that point, "Okay, everyone will be staying on the bus when we get there. Ennoshita and Suga, you may accompany Takeda and I but hang back a bit initially. If he ends up coming on the bus with us-"

The coach was interrupted when the team erupted in shouts and questions causing Ukai to once again shout, "BE QUIET!" When everything was silent once again the coach continued more calmly. "This is EXACTLY the type of thing that will NOT happen IF Kageyama chooses to ride the bus back with us. The boy felt the need to flee the training camp and wander over 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) to get away from us. And before you say anything else, yes, he was trying to get away from all of us whether consciously or subconsciously. Otherwise he would have come to someone before it came to this. His comfort is the priority right now. If he doesn't want to take the bus back with us we'll ask Tanaka Saeko if she'd be willing to drive him back but also offer for Takeda or I to accompany him by taxi. What he needs is what we do. Is that understood?"

"Yes, coach!" the team replied in unison.

"As I was saying before I was interrupted, if he comes with us on the bus, Suga and Ennoshita will be helping Takeda and I care for Kageyama. Not being overwhelming also means not fussing too much. Once the immediate details are straightened out, Takeda-sensei and I will be stepping back," Ukai looked to Takeda for affirmation and the shorter nodded. "Not overwhelming him means not bombarding him with questions. If you have questions, they can get relayed to Suga or Ennoshita who will decide if, when, or how the question will be posed. NONE of you will be any pressing if Kageyama does not want to answer. There will be no overwhelming shouting or screaming. Asahi and Daichi, would you be available for the others emotionally. Again, I know it's a lot to ask, but-"

"We'll be happy to help anyway we can," both boys answered. Exchanging soft smiles at their display of telepathy.

"Okay, you ALL need to know Takeda-sensei and I are here to help any of you. PLEASE come to us whenever you need to talk. But, I know sometimes it's easier to talk with friends so Daichi and Asahi are available if you need to process emotions. That goes for Suga and Ennoshita as well. Daichi, Asahi, if anything comes up that you don't feel equipped to handle you need to let one of us know. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," the boys answered.

"So we've covered not being overwhelming. What else can we do for Kageyama, Takeda?"

The shy teacher almost physically squirmed with all the attention once again on him. "Well-this might seem counter intuitive, but someone should stick close to Kageyama. Despite the fact that he may seem uncomfortable in social situations, being alone leaves a person feeling not only alone but vulnerable and embarrased."

At this point, Ukai once again stepped in to give instruction, "Suga, Ennoshita, your mission-should you choose to accept it-is to stay close to Kageyama and try to make sure he's comfortable and safe in social situations moving forward." There was an unspoken question in his words but when both nodded the coach continued. "If he chooses to ride the bus I want at least one of you sharing a seat with him and the other staying close. The one close but not sharing a seat would be good to relay questions through. If Kageyama chooses a different mode of transportation, Takeda-Sensei or I will be accompanying him and we'll also be encouraging him to choose one of you to be there as well. All of you should take note of the fact that people-especially those not comfortable in social situations- can feel embarrassed or uncomfortable if left completely alone. Takeda?"

"Well-focusing on the event can make things-ummm-awkward, uncomfortable, even-well-overwhelming. You should try not to keep things too-too heavy," Takeda supplied.

Coach Ukai seemed to think about that for a bit. "Okay, why don't we do this. Takeda-sensei will go over anything else that might help. After that and while he and I are talking with Kageyama, you may compile a list of things you'd like to know. From that list, Suga and Ennoshita will decide which ones are worth pursuing. Beyond that, let's try not to bring it up or push Kageyama. I know this might sound counterintuitive, but try to behave normally...yet with caution. I know this is so confusing. It's confusing for me too. You're not alone. Please talk to Takeda or I if you want. How are things sounding so far, Takeda?"

"I-it sounds good and I have been taking n-notes so I can summarize things at the end. For now I want to add that we should all be aware he may need reassurances that whatever he is believes that caused him to run away is not true. Some of the more obvious things he might be believing would include that he is a bad setter or that he isn't wanted around. Based on the messages I read, it would be understandable for him to feel a lot of pressure from you all. But those are just guesses. Try to keep things vague. Kind comments about things that may seem insignificant to you can make a huge difference.

"We're going to have a more extensive conversation about bullying in the future but I'll leave it at that for now. So I'll give a list to recap. 1) No overwhelming shouting or talking over one another. 2) Submit your questions to Suga or Ennoshita. 3) Process things with someone-myself, Coach Ukai, Asahi, and Daichi are all available for that purpose. 4) Make an effort to include EVERYONE in social events. 5) Keep things natural but put some extra focus on compassion and kindness. 6) Offer reassurances, compliments, praises even if they might seem silly to you. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Takeda-sensei!" came the unanimous response.

Coach Ukai took the floor to add, "I hope it's been made clear that things are not magically fixed by finding him. And they won't even be better once he heals from the physical injuries he's sustained. I hope you can understand that.

"Finally, I need you ALL to here me when I say PLEASE find an adult to talk to if you are struggling with ANYTHING. Parents, teachers, coaches, it is our JOB to help you any concerns. More importantly, Takeda-sensei and I WANT to help you figure out any concerns. Please trust us, and if not us someone. Thank you, all."

After a short conversation with the driver Coach Ukai informed them, "You have the next 15 minutes to ask questions. I know this is a stressful situation, but I expect you to practice the not overwhelming part even now before we get there. Takeda-sensei and I are available too."