Sneakers squeaked against the gym floor, shrill and unpleasant.
Yet in the cacophony of noise, there was unity among the team. Hinata soared. However, he seemed to fly his highest when he was with Kageyama. His lithe body contracting to hit the volleyball at a speed that seemed almost inhumane.
Kageyama, ever so calculated and articulate, always seemed to make the perfect sets to match Hinata. They truly must’ve been a match made in heaven. Whether fate or serendipity, they were meant to be with one another.
❀❀❀❀❀
“Oi boke, catch.” Kageyama threw a water bottle at Hinata and proceeded to take a long drag out of his own. He tousled his hair with his towel and began to pack his bag to get ready for the school day.
“Thanks Kageyama,” Hinata mumbled distracted by the group of girls standing by the gym doorway whispering to one another giggling. “What do you think they’re talking about?” He said jerking his head in their direction.
“Why would I know?” Kageyama grumbled, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Besides, it’s none of my business and quite frankly I don’t care. Stop with the dumb questions, we’re going to be late to class.”
Hinata gave a huff but said nothing as he put the rest of his stuff away and got up. They started to walk towards the exit expecting to walk by the girls without issues only for them to be stopped.
“Uhm Kageyama-san?” A small, brunette stood in front of Kageyama looking incredibly nervous as she wrung her hands together. “Today is Valentine’s Day and I’ve admired you for quite a while now. Please go out with me!” She bowed holding out a box of chocolates that seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
“Uhh, I’m sorry but I can’t accept your confession. I sort of have someone else in mind.” Kageyama scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and stood frozen not knowing what else to do.
“Oh...That’s understandable,” The girl looked down at her feet as if her shoes were suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. “In any case, at least take the chocolates. I did make them for you after all.” With that, she handed the box to Kageyama and quickly rushed away with her friends following after her.
“You like someone Kageyama?” Hinata ignored the uncomfortable gnawing feeling he felt at the pit of his stomach and chose to tease Kageyama instead. “Kageyama’s got a crushhh... Who is it? I bet it’s that pretty girl from class 1A. Or maybe it’s Oikawa senpai, he is quite pretty after all.”
“Shut up. It’s neither of those. I only said that to reject her nicely idiot.” Kageyama started to rush away in hopes that the blush on his face would go unseen, “Are you going to just stand there staring at my back? You’re going to be late to class.”
❀❀❀❀❀
School seemed to have gone by in a flash though I guess that’s what happens when one is absorbed in daydreams about your rival who’s also your best friend that you’re secretly not so secretly infatuated with. Shaking his thoughts away, Hinata got up and headed to the gym for volleyball practice. Upon walking into the gym his heart dropped. There sat Kageyama with a pile of gifts threatening to topple at even the slightest breeze.
Kageyama seemed to have noticed Hinata and his intense glare at his pile of chocolates. “Oi Hinata, don’t be jealous, you can have the chocolate you know I don’t like sweets that much. Besides, be glad it wasn’t you. You have no idea how awkward it is to reject a girl then receive chocolates from them after you made them cry.”
Kageyama sighed in reluctance and proceeded to chuck a volleyball at Hinata’s face with scary accuracy when he still didn’t respond. “Oi boke, don’t just stand there. We have to practice.”
Hinata’s frown grew even bigger as he rubbed the blossoming red mark on his forehead. “That hurttt,” Hinata whined while also obeying Kageyama and getting on the court to start warmups with the rest of the team. “I’m still coming over after practice right?”
“Yes dummy now shut up and start your drills. Otherwise, you’re never going to be the best of the best as you always claim you’re going to be.”
❀❀❀❀❀
Practice had ended and Kageyama and Hinata had begun their trek to Kageyama’s house. The walk was shrouded in comfortable silence, one that was simultaneously serene and tranquil yet buzzing with energy. (That’s probably just Hinata’s presence) Crystalline snow fell gently lulling the world to a lullaby as time seemed to almost slow down.
“You know Kageyama, I wasn’t upset over the fact that you got so many chocolates and I didn’t. For a genius, you sure are pretty stupid Bakayama. C’mon, I’m sure you can figure it out.” Hinata stilled and stood there looking at Kageyama tilting his head. His eyes sparkled with admiration and he seemed enraptured by the endearing sight in front of him. Kageyama stood with snow in his hair with a look of utter confusion. It was a nice change to the determined, self-assured look that always seemed present whenever they were on the court.
“Eh? What are you talking about boke? Nothing you’re saying is making sense.” Kageyama continued to stare at Hinata utterly confused. “Are you planning on telling me? It’s cold out here and if you don’t tell me I’m just going to leave you here.”
“Hmph, you really are an idiot Kageyama. Think of what day it is. You’re literally holding a solid five kilos of chocolate. What important thing could I possibly be trying to tell you today of all days?” Hinata stared at the stars above and tried to catch a snowflake on his tongue. “Kageyama,” Hinata suddenly said after a long beat of silence, “I like you. I don’t know for how long but I do. It’s nonsensical and idiotic but I see you and I can’t help but feel happy. Maybe I fell for you when your tosses felt so perfect in my palms. Maybe it was all the nights we spent together practicing rather than studying for our classes. Maybe, just maybe, I fell for you the day I met you Kageyama Tobio.” Hinata finally took a glance at Kageyama. “Maybe Kageyama, maybe I’m hopelessly in love with you.”
“B-boke. You can’t just drop something like that on me without warning. How do you even say that with a straight face?” Kageyama’s face turned cherry red (though if you ever asked him, he would swear on his life it was the cold wind and not Hinata’s confession.) and he buried his face in his hands in a vain attempt to hide how flustered he really was. With a shaky laugh that sounded more nervous than anything Kageyama finally admitted something of his own, “For the record, I like you too. Now come here and hold my hand, I’m getting cold we can talk at home.” Hand extended, Kageyama gave Hinata one of his rare smiles.
Hinata took his hand happily and together they began to walk home. Between them, a single snowflake fell on their joined hands. It melted just as Hinata had melted Kageyama’s heart.
Fin.
Comentarios