Chapter Text
Tsukishima wasn't the nicest, he knew that already. It's just the way he was raised. His mother was the same, and his brother may be sweet on the outside but he's just as much of a shit as he was. The comments leave his mouth without much thought no matter who it's to. But there's one person he's constantly insulting.. a little excessively, if anything.
He doesn't really notice it, but his eyes are always on the orange haired sunshine, eyes narrowed as if scrutinizing. Hinta was an idiot. So much so that he just can't look away. Like being unable to look away from a car wreck.. yeah, that's the way to explain it. The erratic feeling in his chest was annoyance, nothing else. Tsukishima's eyes followed Hinata as he ran into the locker room. Practice was over, and they were all getting ready to head home. He turned his eyes away from him, pulling his shirt off as Tadashi observed quietly. It felt off. Hinata always wanted to stay behind with Kageyama, always wanting to spend time with the annoying king. It irked Kei.... no, it didn't. And it shouldn't. (Sweet, sweet denial can last a little a longer.)
It was still oddly quiet, though, Hinata not starting an argument with Kageyama over something stupid, or voicing his over exaggerated onomatopoeia of his favorite sport. Was the stupid shrimp sick or something? He scoffed, not bothering to look at him. "It's nice to hear the shrimpy so quiet for once, a pretty big change from his usual screeching." He smirked, pushing his glasses up on his nose as Hinata gasped, indignation lacing his very being. "You!- take it back! My voice is angelic thank you very much. I could say the same about you, Saltyshima! I don't wanna listen to your salty comments!'' He waved around his arm that held his jersey, comical as always. Tsukishima just snorted. It was so easy to rile him up.
"Sure it is. And you must be tall then, huh? It's good that you're a decent volleyball player, otherwise how else would you find anything to do? No brains and you look like a tangerine?" He sighed dramatically, putting his things in his bag. "I'd almost have to feel bad for you." He wasn't looking, but he swore he could hear his breath catch. Hinata swallowed thickly before answering. "At least I'm kind- lot's of people like kind people. Because they're kind! And nice!" His eyes flickered around the room, Tsukishima finally looking over. The shrimp looked nervous? No.. just, off? His brows furrowed a bit before he just brushed it off. "Sure, shrimp. Whatever you need to help you sleep at night." He huffed, slinging his bag over his shoulder and walking out without so much of a goodbye. He didn't care anyways.. he had homework. And if he knew any better Hinata would beg him for answers tomorrow. He couldn't let him down, seeing as he was his only smart friend after all.
Tadashi was left behind, his mouth hanging open slightly before he looked around. Someone else had to notice, right? He knew Kei. Excessive mean streak equals utterly whipped and too much of a tsundere to admit it. He met Daichi's eyes as Daichi just smiled slightly, shaking his head. Tadashi groaned softly, glancing back towards Hinata, who was.. quiet. Eerily so. His shoulders were raised slightly, his mouth set in a firm line as he shoved his things inside his bag. No banter, no smiles, no nothing. Oh, poor, poor baby crow. If Tadashi was anything, it was a good friend to Tsukishima, and kind. He gathered his things quickly, saying a quick goodbye to the team parents (they still tried to refuse the title) before running to catch up with Tsukishma. They were so going to have a conversation later. A very forceful one, if needed.