Chapter Text
***
A new manager. Or, well, a replacement manager for when Shimizu left at the end of the school year. It was something none of them had really thought about until Shimizu came to practice one day with a tiny first year tucked behind her. They all went to crowd but Daichi pulled them back. Not in time to stop Hinata though but maybe that was a good thing because he was bright and bubbly and borderline friendly to a fault.
“Hi, I’m Shouyou! Or, Hinata, I mean,” he laughed at the stumble. “So, what do you know about volleyball?”
“Uh, oh, um, I…” Yachi, had Shimizu called her?, panicked before managing a high pitched, “nothing!”
She looked terribly embarrassed but Hinata’s smile remained as breezy as it had been. “That’s great! What are your usual interests?”
Yachi blinked before reaching into her bag and pulling out a display folder. Hinata zipped to her side, gesticulating widely and gushing with praise. Everything from her sketches to her class notes were ooh-ed and ahh-ed over, Yachi quite overwhelmed by the time Hinata pulled back. Her cheeks were flushed high and Daichi thought he understood. There was little else one could do when faced with the full force of Hinata.
“And, um, what about you?” Yachi tentatively asked. “What do you…I mean, you have positions right? What do you do Hinata?”
Hinata spread his arms wide. “I fly!”
Yachi blinked, looking to Shimizu for clarification when Suga stepped up, clapping his hands and having Narita toss a ball his way. “Come on, we’ll show you. Hinata, really high, right?”
Hinata nodded fervently. “As high as you can.”
Suga grinned before shifting back to the net. The set was high, ridiculously high, but what was even more so was the speed in which Hinata shot from the side of the court and around into an arch. Then he was up, using one of those super high jumps he kept in reserve.
(Daichi understood why, they all did - those jumps had to put enormous strain on Hinata’s joints - but it was so, so satisfying to see Dateko so assured they had Hinata cornered only to have Hinata bust out that jump and easily soar over them. He’d levelled Aone a look.
“I’ve been getting round tall for years. And so?”
It was said in such a cool, calm tone that Daichi knew Hinata must have frequently said it against opponents - it being in Portuguese was the other clue - but everyone knew what it was. A challenge. Bait. And Dateko had fallen for it like Daichi knew so many others had.)
Yachi’s jaw openly dropped. Like any of them had been any different when Hinata had shown it off in that match against the Neighbourhood Association.
“Amazing…”
It slipped out, unbidden. Hinata didn’t hear but he turned, bounding back over and slinging an arm around Yachi’s shoulders - a move he always tried with them but could never really pull off because of the height difference. Yachi fit perfectly. “So? What do you say? We’re going to Nationals so we need a national level manager. That sounds like you to me.”
Yachi squeaked before taking a tiny step backwards. “Uh sure, let me think on it.”
She ducked out lightning fast and Hinata frowned. “Was it something I said?”
“Intense,” Tanaka said commiseratingly, slapping Hinata on the back. “You’re intense sometimes, you know?”
“Oh, am I?”
Daichi snorted, ignoring the looks everyone but Suga sent him. Because he knew that tone, that faux innocence. In fact…His eyes met Suga’s and his boyfriend quickly looked away. Yes, he knew who the main culprit was and he’d been caught red-handed.
***
“Um, is Hinata here?”
Hinata jerked up, so unused to hearing his name being called during lunch hour that he literally dropped his pen. It was picked up before he could reach for it, Yachi holding it out. “Thanks.” He hooked a foot around the chair in front and dragged it over. “Sit down?”
She did so. “I’m sorry for the way I ran out yesterday.”
Hinata winced. “I’m sorry for coming on too strong. I do that sometimes.”
Yachi quickly shook her head. “It just means you’re passionate. I…I’ve never been passionate about anything but I think, I want to be. Yesterday, you made me feel wanted. I don’t…I’ve never felt that way before. So, I think I might like to join but before I did…”
She looked away but Hinata coaxed her back with a wave. “I promise I don’t bite. You can ask anything.”
“Well, the club’s looking for donations. Shimizu wanted me to make up a draft poster and I wondered if I could perhaps photograph you doing that jump again? And have you check over the poster for me, since you’ll be on it I mean?”
“Is that all?” Hinata rocked back in his chair. “That’s easy. Nothing I haven’t done before.”
Yachi blinked, uncomprehending, and Hinata swore, waving his hands quickly. “I mean, it’s, uh…”
“Hinata…are you famous overseas?”
He cringed, quickly looking out the window. “Um, a little. In some places. But not a super lot!”
“Oh gosh, I’m talking to a celebrity!”
“Yachi, you’re not, I swear!”
“No, you are, look! Here’s a poster with-...Brazil? You played for the country?”
Hinata lunged for her phone too late, instead just dropping his head onto the table and groaning. “Please, keep this between us. It’s…a lot.”
“Okay, Shouyou.” His neck snapped up. Yachi was blushing but her expression was adamant. “It’s the name you prefer, right? You introduced yourself as Shouyou and all the posters have Shouyou.”
“Yeah.”
She gave an emphatic nod. “Then, you’re Shouyou. And I’m Hitoka.”
Hinata felt warmth flood his body. “Yeah, you are. So, wanna do those photos today? Or would tomorrow be better?”
“Which suits you?”
He ran over his timetable. “Tomorrow.” He could do tomorrow if he cancelled on Oikawa. The setter would get over it. Feign betrayal but get over it.
“Then it’s a date.”
Yachi then flushed scarlett, stammering out a denial and Hinata just laughed. Maybe, finally, after five long months, he’d made his first real outside of volleyball friend. Although, he doubted she’d be out of volleyball for long.
***
Madoka opened the door, unbuckling her heels and making for the kitchen when she heard muffled giggles from the lounge room. Poking her head in, she nearly reeled at the sight of a boy lying on the floor beside Hitoka, her laptop propped up in front of them.
“I like this,” he said, pointing to something, “But here, I don’t know which text to read first. The colours are great though!”
Hitoka poked her tongue out, concentration absolute as she tweaked something. “Better?”
“Mm.”
“But?”
He sheepishly scratched at his cheek. “Well, my Japanese isn’t the best-”
He was certainly fluent enough though.
“-so I find this font really hard to read. But if it’s aimed at adults, it’s great! Kids and second language people might struggle but-”
“No, you’re right.”
Madoka carefully crept back out of the room, unsure of what she had just witnessed. But, more than anything, she realised that maybe, maybe, what Hitoka needed instead of her being harsh, was for her to be positive. She seemed to thrive better under praise than criticism and maybe that-
Her thoughts were caught off by Hitoka saying, “You’re such a big help Shouyou!”
And was that a first name? Oh, no, her Hitoka was not on a first name basis with a boy Madoka had never even met. She abruptly spun back on her heel. It was high time introductions were had.
***
By the time the Miyagi Preliminary rounds rolled around, everyone felt far more confident than they had going into InterHigh. They were attuned into each others’ rhythms now, had practiced far, far more, and were more versatile in their plays. Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita rotated onto the starting line up for several practice matches and there was a sense of relief that came with having a back up player for every position.
And yes, every position because Hinata had been shifting more and more into being a replacement libero because when it came to receiving, there was no one like Nishinoya but Hinata was as close as they could get. Nishinoya didn’t mind either, was more likely to slam his hands against Hinata’s in a high five than anything else.
Ohgi Minami went down in two straight sets, though not without Hinata and the captain getting into a bathroom squabble that ended with Hinata yelling, “Do you really need a reason not to want to lose?!”
It had fired up their opponents but Karasuno hadn’t minded. Because they wanted a serious opponent. They wanted someone who chased every point as rabidly as they did. Wanted a team that wasn’t willing to roll over and die.
Kakugawa went the same way, Hinata getting let loose onto the court in the second set and his grin, when leaping above the blocks of Hyakuzawa and his six-foot-seven height, had held a little too many teeth. Karasuno had never seen Hinata so voracious.
His jumps, along with his application of dinks - a new trick he was all too happy to utilise since it was banned in beach - had secured them an ungodly amount of points and what he didn’t get, Asahi did. It was something else to see Asahi, who’d once cowered before Dateko, square up to the blockers and either simply blast through them or aim for the ceiling, clipping their fingertips on the way. There was one guess as to who had taught him that little technique.
Their celebrations had bled into more training, more training camps, more practice matches, more, more, more, until the Qualifier rounds arrived. Boarding a bus funded by the money Yachi had crowd-sourced with her posters, they made the trip into Sendai. Takeda secured them a place for their gear and somewhere they could sit between matches before Hinata ducked out for the restrooms. He was nearly there when a sing-song voice pulled him up.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my little one.”
Hinata stepped into the hug easily, laughing when Oikawa hoisted him up.
“Oi, fall and get hurt and you’ll be sorry.”
Oikawa pouted, Hinata giggling. “Iwa-chan is always so mean to me, right, chiquito?”
Iwaizumi snorted in response, Hinata’s mouth open to speak before it snapped shut. Both Seijoh players frowned, turning to follow Hinata’s gaze. They went equally rigid. “Ushijima.”
He gave them a cursory once over. “Seijoh. And Hinata. Please enjoy your final matches of the year.”
Oikawa and Iwaizumi growled while Hinata bristled. “We’ll be going to Nationals,” Oikawa snapped.
Ushijima had the gall to simply raise an eyebrow. “But there’s only one Miyagi spot available.” Oikawa seethed and Hinata’s shoulders hunched up as those cold eyes turned his way. “And you. You lack conviction.”
“I do not!”
“You refuse to do what it takes to win.”
“You mean I’m not like you,” Hinata scoffed. “I play as a team, Ushijima. I don’t need to score every point myself.”
“Precisely why Karasuno will never win. You won’t let them.”
Hinata folded his arms tightly, chin jutting out. “I won’t see myself as the only player that’s useful, is your meaning. When I step onto that court, five other people step onto it with me. We play together or not at all.”
Ushijima bowed his head ever so slightly. “Then do not get mad when ‘not at all’ is the result.”
With that he walked off, Hinata snarling and lunging after him. It was only Iwaizumi’s hand in his collar that held him back. Oikawa was no help, actively egging him on while Iwaizumi yelled at him to “shut up Shittykawa! He’s hard enough to control as is!”. Which was exactly the situation Karasuno walked in on, Suga baulking and hauling Hinata into his own arms while Daichi apologised profusely.
“Just what is happening here?” he demanded.
Hinata shook off Suga’s grip, spinning on his heel and marching for the arena. “We’re going to win and win until we make Nationals.”
Daichi frowned while Oikawa huffed, flicking his hair off his face. “Couldn’t have said it better myself, chiquito. Iwa-chan, let’s hurry.”
“Don’t-...You’re the reason we’re late!”
“Let’s not focus on details, okay?”
Daichi looked to Suga, thoroughly lost. “Any idea what that was about?”
Suga shook his head. “Still, I guess we’d better help Hinata with his goal.”
Daichi allowed himself a smile, unbidden. “Yeah, guess so.”
***
25-21, 25-20. Karasuno VS Johzenji.
A match that switched gears and tone when Hinata stepped up, delivered five no touch aces in a row, had a sixth wobble precariously over into a let serve that looked accidental but everyone in Karasuno knew wasn’t, before making a final, softer serve and slamming a spike down over the net.
“Is it fun now?” he’d demanded. “Is it fun to lose?”
Apparently, it wasn’t and Johzenji very much let them know it.
***
25-20, 20-25, 25-20. Karasuno VS Wakutani Minami.
A match in which the delayed spikes should have disrupted them but didn’t because Hinata had taught them about time-lag, had had Tsukishima share everything he’d learnt from Kuroo and Bokuto, had had Ukai drill Karasuno on them.
A match where, when Daichi went down, Hinata was subbed in and solidified his position as a solid receiver, both to Wakitani and to everyone in the arena because Hinata didn’t drop a single ball.
***
25-23, 26-28, 26-24. Karasuno VS Aoba Johsai.
Hinata wasn’t meant to be in the game; not really. He’d stepped off starting line up so Ennoshita could play, was gracious and let Kinoshita fill in as the pinch server, but then he got subbed in. Subbed in because Tanaka hadn’t had any time out yet and they were working on managing stamina now that they could swap out.
Then Kyotani stepped onto his field.
One insane cross shot had Hinata’s head whipping around, eyes locking on and Ukai swore. The next rally Hinata leapt so he was practically on top of the net, Kageyama managing the impossible set, all so Hinata could slam it straight down, right at Kyotani’s feet. He landed and the two practically snarled at each other from either side of the net.
Ukai groaned, Takeda floundering. “Ukai, are you ill? Did you need me to-”
“He’s found a challenger.” The teacher paused. “Once Brazil gets that look in his eyes, he won’t budge. He’s very clearly saying “this one’s mine”.”
Takeda frowned, taking in the court once more. “Oh, but Hinata’s not really like that, is he?”
Ukai barked out a laugh. “Teach, he’s the worst. That boy is the most competitive person I’ve ever met. So, sorry Tanaka, but I think I’m gonna have to let him have it.”
Tanaka just waved him off. “Too easy. Besides, Ennoshita looks set to puke. I can cover him!”
Ennoshita whipped around, glare eerily reminiscent of Daichi’s and Ukai hid a smirk behind his hand. They’d be fine. And, when one rally ended and Hinata turned, facing them all, arms spread after slamming a point home and declared,
“As long as we’re here on this court together, we’re the greatest!”
Ukai knew they’d be absolutely fine. It was game, set, and match for Seijoh from that moment on.
***
The buses were all in a line. Naturally, because of that, Oikawa weaved his way into Karasuno as they waited to board. He was met with less suspicion than he once would have been, Hinata accepting the side hug and showing him his phone. Oikawa hummed at whatever was on the screen.
“El Gato will have to work hard to meet you.”
“He will,” Hinata assured, neck snapping around when Nishinoya hissed.
Perhaps he was right to as Shiratorizawa descended the stairs. One of the players waved at them mockingly. Ushijima’s eyes landed on Oikawa.
“So now you see where your petty pride got you.”
“I should have come to Shiratorizawa, I know,” Oikawa drawled. “And what? Set for you and no one else? A waste of my talents, frankly.”
“I thought you wanted to win.”
All of Karasuno rankled there, Oikawa merely sniffing, turning his nose up. “I do and if you think my volleyball career ends here, you’re mistaken.”
Ushijima regarded him before nodding once. “I see. Hopefully the next time we meet you will put aside you pride and realise that whatever team I’m on is guaranteed to be the best.”
Suga did a double take while Oikawa’s teeth grounded together audibly. “Why thank you for that little tidbit.” The moment Ushijima was out of sight, he whirled around, grabbing Hinata’s shoulders. “Shouyou, ground him into the dirt for me.”
Hinata’s hands curled around his wrists. “I will. We all will.”
***
There was a different air in the arena the next day. It felt like a bomb ready to detonate, both teams on edge as they glowered at each other during warm ups. The Shiratorizawa cheering squad was larger than anything Karasuno had ever seen but it had been a shock to turn around and see, next to their local supporters, that Aoba Johsai’s cheering section had also turned up, Oikawa waving at them from the front. He and Hinata had flashed each other thumbs up from across the room and Ukai had never been more grateful for their friendship. He felt like they were probably going to need it today.
The camera crews, too, were new and Asahi and Yamaguchi looked particularly put off by them. The announcers were yet another little surprise for Karasuno, something they’d never experienced before. Ushijima’s introduction, “Number one, representative for Japan, Ushijima Wakatoshi” had a couple of them sweating nervously, being made vividly aware of the gap between them, but then, not a minute later,
“Number ten, representative for Brazil, Hinata Shouyou.”
A few impressed noises came from around the arena. Hinata stumbled a tad before waving and jogging into position.
“Who…How did they know that?” Takeda demanded, looking almost alarmed.
Ukai held up a hand. “It was Little Miss Yachi’s idea. Apparently she knew they were going to do it for Ushijima so she provided the information. We, technically, never said what Hinata was a representative of and even if people look it up, it’s not as though we’re lying. It’s an adjacent sport and he has represented Brazil. Multiple times.”
“But why?”
“Because this match is as mental as it is physical,” Shimizu said gently.
Ukai nodded. “You betcha. Plus, look at them.” He nodded to the team. “Some of them have already relaxed at the reminder. And, Hinata’s always pulled himself back to not be overpowering. Today he has explicit permission not to.”
“It’s a level playing field,” Takeda breathed in realisation.
“It is. But we have an advantage.”
“We do?”
“Yeah. Because Shiratorizawa rely on Ushijima. Hinata relies on us. In the end, that’ll make all the difference.”
Or, at least, he desperately hoped it would.
***
Suga winced when the first spike from Ushijima slammed into Nishinoya. The libero got under it but it wasn’t enough, the ball skittering out of bounds. Nishinoya growled, resetting his stance and shooting a look Daichi’s way.
“Three receives,” he declared. “That’s all I need.”
Daichi nodded, turning to focus on the next serve but Suga saw the way Ukai grimaced, glancing between Nishinoya and Hinata uncertainly. Because they’d discussed going into this match with Hinata as their reserve libero but if they did, he would be trapped in that position all game. And as much as they needed a good defence, they needed Hinata’s serves, blocks, and spikes more. But Suga could see, now, how much Ukai was questioning that decision.
“Three receives,” Suga repeated firmly, Ukai whipping around. “That’s what he says he needs. I trust him. Do you?”
Ukai huffed, grumbling under his breath as he turned back to the match, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Because they did, they all did, and it wasn’t as though Hinata hadn’t helped Nishinoya either because he could, apparently, albeit not perfectly, play left-handed and he’d done several practices with Nishinoya demonstrating that.
They were, now, as ready as they could ever be.
***
Tendou’s guess blocking would have come as a surprise, had Hinata not told them about it. Hinata himself just grinned, that grin of his with the too many teeth, and dived, picking up balls Tendou slammed down and sending them back into play. Tendou scowled down at him and Hinata met him with a steely look of his own.
Of course, Tendou knew everything about Hinata too and where once he would have been able to slip into the background, get lost in the crowd, he couldn’t here, Tendou always predicting exactly where he would turn up. From there, it simply devolved into who was stronger at the net.
***
Set 1, 19-25.
***
“We came into this knowing they had an advantage over us,” Ukai stated, Karasuno gathered around him for their time out. “Not only have they seen Brazil play, everyone on that side of the court has played with him. Multiple times. But!” His hands clapped together sharply. “They haven’t seen him play with you. Show them what a difference that makes.”
They roared in agreement, jogging back on just as the siren sounded.
***
The ball was up but barely so, Ushijima blasting it home. Nishinoya managed to clip it, just, Tanaka getting a foot under it and launching it up on the worst trajectory imaginable. They both apologised but Hinata was already running. He jumped, sliding right and spiking the ball just before it sailed completely out of reach.
Hinata rolled on the landing, scampering back to his feet and silencing Tanaka’s and Nishinoya’s apologies with a look.
“The ball went up. That’s all I need.”
They all then froze, whipping around, because Ushijima had said the exact same thing at the exact same time. It was hard to say who looked more horrified, Hinata or Ushijima. In the end, Tendou cackled loudly while Tsukishima snickered behind his hand.
Honestly, they were ridiculous. Both of them.
***
Set 2, 29-27.
***
Tsukishima jammed his finger not two rallies into the third set, Ukai subbing him out for Narita long enough to put some ice on it and splint it. Another rally had him substituting Kageyama off for Suga, not particularly because he’d done anything wrong or was getting flustered but because they’d all seen Shirabu get a little too panicked and cost Shiratorizawa the second set. While Kageyama wasn’t at that point, better to rest him before he got anywhere near it.
And besides, which member of Karasuno didn’t want in on this match?
It was something else to see Suga jog onto the court and immediately step back so Hinata could take over the role as setter. The ball went up perfectly, Suga spiking it with everything he had and screaming when it landed just in of the side line. Asahi cheered alongside him, Daichi slapping him on the back good-naturedly.
Suga’s eyes flicked Hinata’s way and he got a thumbs up in return. Another serve, another receive, his first chance to participate in a synchro attack and yes, Suga didn’t think he’d ever had so much fun on a volleyball court before.
For the first time since first year, he stood at the back line, ball in hand, ready to serve and thought,
‘I want to play. Please, let me stay on the court for as long as possible. I want to play.’
***
Set 3, 22-25.
***
They passed each other as they swapped sides of the court, Ushijima’s eyes cold.
“You already can’t commit between one sport and the other. Why try to hybridise them? What’s tried and true will always win.”
Hinata met his gaze easily. “Those who don’t take a risk don’t have a snack. And, I’m hungry. We all are.”
“Enough!” They both whipped around, stilling as Washijo glared at them. “I didn’t realise this was a grade school tournament! Both of you, same team for the next three weeks, no exceptions.”
Hinata whined, loudly, while Ushijima did his best to not react. The little twitch in his right eye gave him away though.
“You know,” Tanaka said thoughtfully. “I feel like I’ve seen their dynamic before.”
Ennoshita looked between Kageyama and where Oikawa was squirreled away in the stands. “Hmm, no idea what you mean.”
Daichi had to quickly look away while Asahi coughed into his hand, Suga the picture of innocence behind them. Good to know he wasn’t wrong then.
***
“Ah, so that’s him. The runt I’ve heard so much about.”
Ukai watched his old students turn, catching sight of him and hastily bowing. He waved them off, settling into a chair and watching as the fourth set got under way. He whistled lowly at the jump number ten then showed off, stomping the ground and launching high above the net. It was a message, loud and clear.
“Huh, kid really can fly.”
“You haven’t seen him in action before?” Takinoue asked. “I thought you attended the training camp.”
“I only stayed as long as necessary. The second Keishin returned, I was outta there. I’m not made for this anymore.”
Although, admittedly, he’d ducked out even earlier, aware he’d be leaving the next day. He and Nekomata had gotten more drunk than was probably advisable and the only reason he’d actually managed to find his train the next day was because that pretty little thing of a setter from Aoba Johsai had helped him. His smile had been as fake as his kindness and Ukai just knew he’d be an absolute monster on the court.
Speaking of the devil, the kid was three rows down, curled into the side of a darker haired boy and showing no signs he understood the concept of personal space.
“That one,” he said, pointing to the setter, “Why’s he here?”
Shimada followed his line of sight. “Ah, Oikawa. He’s a friend of Hinata’s, actually. His cheering section doesn’t hurt either.”
Ukai’s eyebrows shot up. He’d wrangled Aoba Johsai all on his own? Well, that wasn’t terrifying at all.
“Ukai?”
He sent his students a smile and they shivered. “He’s one to watch. He’ll go far, trust me.”
They looked set to question him on why when Yamaguchi delivered a jump floater serve that had the entire gymnasium screaming. Ah, right. They were here for Karasuno. And, as Keishin called out some more instructions, had Nishinoya run back on and whisper a few messages, Ukai decided he was glad he’d come.
And then, when the old codger who still came to their games finally vocalised his support for Karasuno, well, Ukai was really glad he’d come.
***
Set 4, 27-25.
***
The fifth set wasn’t in their hands, they weren’t a point away from winning or had outstripped Shiratorizawa in any way, but they were holding steady which was a lot more than they’d ever expected. Hoped for? Yes. Expected? Not so much.
Then Ushijima slammed a spike, absolutely throttled it, and Tsukishima’s finger, already splinted and bound, fractured. There was no noise to accompany it but the way Tsukishima went silent, clutching his hand to his chest, said enough. He was rushed off court, Ennoshita running in to take his place. It left their defence considerably weakened and every rally saw Hinata sprinting for the net. He jumped and blocked everything he could, sweat dripping down his face. Ushijima on the other side was no better. One of Hinata’s bullet serves got sent back and Ushijima tried the same move again. Hinata blocked it, wrist snapping back with the force.
Asahi went to demand if he was okay but Hinata was already moving onto the next rally, launching into a minus tempo that Taichi had no hope of keeping up with. Kageyama gave him a once over and Hinata gave him a fist bump and that was that.
They went back and forth, Ushijima and Hinata forefronting every rally until Tsukishima finally returned at 14-13, Karasuno holding set point.
“If I block him,” Tsukishima murmured, “You end this, got it?”
Hinata nodded, looking to Kageyama even as his shoulders heaved. “Corvo.”
Kageyama straightened in surprise before giving a concise nod.
Daichi served and Ushijima spiked it back, of course he did. But Tsukishima blocked it, just like he said, his call of “one touch!” echoing across the arena. Nishinoya got it up, got it up and Hinata got under it. Ushijima’s eyes widened, moving but it was too late. Hinata set the ball and Kageyama spiked it down, barely a second in between. The ball landed just in of the back line but it landed to the sound of incredulous applause and screaming.
They’d done it. Karasuno had won.
Hinata dropped to his knees, head thrown back, and laughed. Winning against Ushijima had never felt so good.
***
The second the whistle blew they rushed each other, Suga flying onto the court before Daichi even thought about moving. Asahi was right there alongside him and then they were crying, all three of them. Crying, laughing, hugging each other frantically because this was everything they’d ever dreamed of. The chance to go to Nationals and play on centre court. To restore Karasuno to what it had once been.
Pulling back, Daichi saw his team in similar states of ecstasy, hugging each other, exchanging high fives, and very much ignoring the fact that they were crying.
And then there was Hinata. Hinata who’d secured them nearly thirty-five points on his own.
He was seated on the bench, one Pocari already downed and another in his hand. He’d tugged his Karasuno jacket back on even though there was no way he could be cold. Daichi wanted to thank him, congratulate him, but what could he say? How could he possibly express everything he wanted to? And then it came to him. Came to him when he suddenly remembered every match they’d had against Seijoh, against Nekoma, against Fukurodani. The one thing Hinata did but they never did. The one thing he always initiated.
“Hinata.”
The redhead looked up, only to squawk when Daichi pulled him to his feet. He then froze as Daichi bundled him up in the tightest hug he could. There was a moment and then Hinata broke, latching on and sobbing.
“Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
Hinata’s fists tightened in the back of his jacket. “Thank you for letting me join. Turns out, I really want to play volleyball after all. I want to win and win and win!”
“You will,” Daichi promised, tucking Hinata under his chin. “Karasuno will.”
He felt Hinata nod against his chest and then Suga was joining, wrapping his arms more around Hinata than Daichi. Nishinoya joined next, then Tanaka, then Kinoshita, and soon all of Karasuno were a mess of limbs and laughter. A hand on his shoulder made Daichi look up and ah, there was Ukai. He went to thank him but Ukai shook his head. He nodded at Hinata.
“He did more than I ever could.”
And, well, what could Daichi say to that? It was true after all.
***
“Chiquito!”
Hinata looked up from where he was headed to the bathroom. Oikawa and Iwaizumi were there, Oikawa giving him a critical once over before pulling him into a deserted stairwell. Hinata cowed under the severe look.
“And so? How bad is it?”
He suddenly found the ground very interesting. “I don’t know what you’re-”
“Hinata.” He flinched at how cold Iwaizumi’s voice was. “We saw that rally. Answer.”
Hinata ever so reluctantly held out his hand, both Seijoh members hissing at the swelling hidden by his jacket’s cuff. “Just a sprain. It’s not broken. I know what that feels like.”
Oikawa’s gaze was sharp, accusatory. “And you didn’t think to come off when it happened?”
“I…” Hinata slumped. “Maybe I was a baby but I didn’t want Ushijima to win. And I…I wanted to beat him myself.”
Oikawa drew him in, sigh heavy. “I know that all too well. Still, you shouldn’t lie about your health! Mr. Refreshing would worry.”
“It’ll be fine in a week,” Hinata assured. “We should be taking a break after this so it’ll be fine.”
“But did you consider, I don’t want to see you hurt at all. Don’t be so hard on yourself, chiquito.”
Hinata smiled, dropping his head onto Oikawa’s shoulder. “You’re a good friend, Tooru.”
“Ah, did you hear that, Iwa-chan? I’m the best friend in the world! Be honoured you know me.”
“He said nothing like that,” Iwaizumi scoffed while Hinata giggled. He then blinked owlishly as Iwaizumi took his hand, reaching into his shoulder bag. “Let me put some salonpas on, at least. Just until you get home.”
“Ah, I have cooling strips too!” Oikawa exclaimed, taking it upon himself to reef through Iwaizumi’s bag and pull some out. “Use these, okay?”
“Oi, when did those get in there?”
“Since I put them in there!”
“Carry them yourself!”
“But I don’t want to carry a bag. I look better without frumpy weight hanging from my shoulders.”
“Can you believe this guy?” Iwaizumi grumbled even as Hinata bit back a smile. The spray helped immensely and the gel strips felt nice. Iwaizumi looked up at him searchingly. “Is that better?”
Hinata nodded, jerking away when an announcement for the awards ceremony sounded. He thanked them both with a quick hug before sprinting off, jacket pulled back down to his fingertips. Oikawa watched him, mouth turning down.
“Iwa-chan, why is my chest feeling this way?”
“Because, despite everything, you’re not actually total shit and you don’t like that one of your friends is hurt.”
“...do I ever make you feel this way?”
Iwaizumi frowned at the serious tone, not to mention the unusually dour expression that went with it. “Oi, what’s-”
“Hm, maybe I’m not a good friend to Iwa-chan after all.”
With that, Oikawa left and Iwaizumi stood there, feet glued to the floor. What the hell had just happened?
***
There were preparations to be made before Nationals and perhaps none were so highly anticipated than the final measurements. There was some competitiveness between the first and second years over who had grown the most but the main event was definitely the spike height measuring. Because they all knew Hinata could jump. But how high was still very much in the air. Quite literally, almost.
Dusting his hands, Hinata went to run up before pausing. “Wait, Coach, should I do a boing jump or a dun jump?”
Ukai blanked before pinching the bridge of his nose. “High. The highest you’ve got. Whichever the hell that one is.”
“Got it!”
Hinata grinned before sprinting forward. His feet gathered under him and then Hinata was up, soaring. Karasuno actively heard the basketball players stumble, slapping the members that weren’t watching to make sure they suddenly very much were. Hinata’s hand slapped against the backboard with a satisfying whack!, chalk dust billowing out.
“How high?!”
The demand came from all over the hall, Hinata stunned speechless before giggling. Suga ruffled his hair playfully as Yamaguchi and Yachi hurried with the measurement. Yachi’s cheeks were flushed with exhilaration when she announced,
“Eleven feet, seven inches!”
Karasuno stared, shocked, as Hinata whooped. “That’s higher than I ever managed on sand! I got a new record. Sweet!”
“A monster,” Ukai muttered. “We have an actual monster.”
“Hey!” came a call from across the hall. “Ever thought about basketball? You can hold the ball longer. Make sure it actually goes into the hoop. We’ll put you on starting line up!”
Daichi whipped around, the basketball team quickly slinking off, Hinata fisting his hands on his hips. “I don’t even like basketball. If anything, I’d play soccer.”
There was a beat before Tanaka tentatively asked, “You’re not internationally famous at that too, are you Hinata?”
Hinata poked his tongue out at them but it wasn’t a no.
(It was but Ukai didn’t bother to tell them that. Let them suffer a few minutes longer.)
***
Takeda put the schedule between them, Ukai taking a long drag of his cigarette. He traced the dates with a finger again, mouth twisting.
“I don’t like this. I mean, I don’t think we can stop any of them but being without a complete team for three weeks right before Nationals isn’t what any of us would call ideal.”
“No,” Takeda agreed, assessing some of the forms. “Tsukishima wouldn’t go if he wasn’t pushed. I might be able to persuade Kageyama not to go either.”
“You couldn’t,” Ukai cut in. “Not when this,” he tapped at one invitation, “Would get him closer to catching Brazil. And I’m not going to deny him something as important as this. Being recognised at this level is insane. It’s what got Ushijima to where he is.”
“Then…”
They both looked at the two weeks highlighted in orange. They shared a commiserating look.
“We can’t ground Ninja. He’s got three tournaments he’s competing in. Not to mention his flights are booked. His manager organised this months in advance.”
That was all very true, Takeda grimacing. “We really will just have to work with a partial team, won’t we?”
Ukai nodded. “Actually, let’s do practice matches. At least two, while Brazil’s away. I need to see the kids playing without them knowing that he’s ready to come in and win back the points for them. I think there’s a bit of nonchalance there.”
“As in, if they drop a point it doesn’t matter because Hinata will get it back?”
“Something like. Or just a, ‘if we face a strong opponent, it doesn’t matter because Brazil will handle them’. He won’t; not always. Or there’ll be someone he can’t beat. And then what? What if he gets injured? I need to see what they do then.”
Takeda set his jaw firmly. “Right. I can do that. I’ll make some phone calls.”
Ukai snorted. “Yeah, don’t doubt it. Now go, don’t you have a house you actually, you know, live in?”
Takeda flushed but didn’t deny it, just gathered his belongings and slipped down the door of Sakanoshita. He then did a double take at seeing the setter from Nekoma and their captain waiting at the corner. They were sans uniform and squinting at a bus timetable in the fading light.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
The setter jumped. The captain just turned, smile as wide and as catlike as their school name would suggest. “Just tryna get to Shouyou’s. We’re taking him to the airport tomorrow night.” He jerked a thumb at the bus route. “This the 104?”
“It’s not.” A quick consultation to his watch. “And the 104 isn’t due for another hour, you just missed it.”
Kuroo groaned while Kozume buried his face further into his PSP. Takeda took pity on them, pointing to Sakanoshita.
“If you want to stock up, there’s no shops out Hinata’s way. Give me ten and I’ll be back with my car. I wanted to wish Hinata luck anyway.”
The two exchanged looks before Kuroo shrugged. “Sure, sounds good to us. But if you murder us, I’ll tell Shouyou it was you.”
“You’d be dead,” Kozume deadpanned
“Like you’re aren’t already texting him,” came the humoured drawl. “Now go, pick out something you like.”
Takeda watched them go with a fond shake of the head. It was good to see that Hinata had such reliable friends.
***
Warm.
It was the first thing that hit Hinata. It was warm, borderline hot.
And it felt like home.
Shrugging his bag higher, Hinata impatiently worked his way through Customs before bursting out the gate. Heitor was there waiting, a giant poster board in his hand. Hinata poked his tongue out at seeing it, ducking under the offending cardboard and nearly bowling Heitor over with the force of his embrace. His friend didn’t even mind, just squeezed him until he wormed free.
His gear, a good three bags worth, had already been collected by their managers and, with a nod, they headed to the taxi stand. They’d barely pulled away from the rank before Heitor was running over everything with him.
“Starting Tuesday night is the Rio de Janeiro Locals Tournament. Then we have a demonstration match against the Olympic team. That shouldn’t be…”
Hinata let the words wash over him, the Portuguese soothing to his soul. It was so, so good to be home.
***
He spiked the ball down, strike sure and true except.
Oh.
“Ah.” Heitor cringed. “Yeah, that’s gonna be a problem Shouyou.”
***
Calibration. A term Hinata had borrowed from Ukai. He’d used it back when Hinata had taken several plays to shift from beach to indoor. It had never occurred to Hinata that he’d have to switch back. The summer tournament hadn’t been so bad, not when he’d only been playing indoor for a couple months. With a near nine months under his belt now, the shift wasn’t so easy.
Another ball landed out, taken by the wind, and Hinata screamed, throwing himself onto the sand and slamming his fists down.
“Hey,” Heitor said, crouching beside him. “Shouyou, it’s cool. You’ll get your groove back.”
Hinata sent him a watery look. “Heitor, we play tonight. Half my shots still miss and I’ve dinked a couple of balls. That’s gonna cost us so many points.”
“And I’m okay with that,” Heitor promised. Hinata wasn’t but his partner dragged him back, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Do you remember when we first met? When I was dodging practice? I never did any training except when I was with you and, Shouyou, I cost you so many matches early on. Because I was lazy. You’re not.”
“It’s…” Hinata shifted so he could slump against Heitor, appreciating the warm arm that wrapped around his shoulders. “I get it and I never held those matches against you. But this is a lot more than that. If I mess up here, you might miss States, then Nationals. Maybe you…if you got a different partner-”
“No way. Shouyou, I’m not going to give up on you.” Heitor got back to his feet, checking his watch. “We’ve got four hours left. How many serves and spikes can you do in that time or are you gonna quit? Like a preguiçoso de merda?”
Hinata stared at him for a moment before taking the outstretched hand. “Nah, let’s get this down!”
***
Kuroo wheezed so hard he nearly fell off his chair. Kenma ribbed him none too gently while Bokuto was in a similar state at his feet.
“He just said “nice serve” before realising he literally had to serve. Who did he think was gonna do it? Sawamura?”
Then Hinata did serve and suddenly Kuroo wasn’t laughing anymore. Because that was fast, faster than he’d ever seen from Hinata. He then frowned. Actually, that looked a lot like the serving technique of that Aoba Johsai setter. Well then.
“Kenma, we’re gonna have to watch that.”
The hum he got in return was thoughtful. Good. That meant Kenma understood the gravity of the situation too.
***
“Alright! We’ve got seventy-two hours until the Futures tournament kicks off.”
Hinata and Heitor nodded as they were shuttled up to Brasília. Heitor barely fit in the economy class seats but a ninety minute plane ride beat a fifteen hour drive, especially when they wanted as much practice time as possible at the location. To get to know the feel of the court, the compactness of the sand, the strength and direction of the wind, were all vital in pulling ahead.
“We’ve got a few new moves we’d like to trial before then. There’s no pressure to use them but…”
“It’d confuse our opponents,” Hinata finished determinedly. “I’m always open to new ideas.”
Heitor sent their coach a sloping smile. “I don’t pick things up as quickly as Shouyou but I’ll give anything a go. Just give me more than one practice run.”
Hinata rolled his eyes. “No one can get things right on the first try.”
“Not even your Kageyama?”
“First, he’s not mine. And secondly, especially not Kageyama.”
Heitor bit back a smile but nodded sagely all the same, very much ignoring how pink Hinata’s ears went. Maybe he’d touch that when Hinata was older.
***
Suga’s eyes widened at the move Hinata had just executed. He’d thrown his entire body into the spike, legs and arms snapping forward to increase his power and momentum. It sent him sprawling back onto the sand but he was quick to roll it off and it wasn’t as though the fall hurt, the sand soft enough to cushion his fall. Nishinoya whistled over his shoulder.
“Holy shit. Imagine Hinata pulling that out at Nationals. No one would know what had hit them.”
Suga shot him a look. “I think with your receives, you could make it so that Hinata never had to resort to something like that, Noya.”
The libero perked up at that, turning to the second years to boast about his skills. Suga let him, closing the laptop with a sigh. He started when a hand clasped his shoulder. It said a lot though that Suga didn’t even have to look to see who it was.
“Alright?”
Suga nodded. “Just reminding everyone not to put everything on Hinata.”
Daichi smiled down at him. “Don’t worry. We won’t.”
He said it with such assurance and Suga wanted to believe him but all he could think about was their match about Shiratorizawa. Because they’d said the same thing there, believed it and gone into the match thinking it, but when push had come to shove and Ushijima had threatened to overpower them, they had. And Suga didn’t know how he felt about that.
***
They passed like ships in the night, Hinata arriving back in Miyagi just hours before Kageyama and Tsukishima had to leave. He went to jog onto the court for afternoon practice before Ukai called him back, having Hinata sit with him as he filled him in on everything they’d been honing. It took less than ten minutes for Hinata to fall asleep, Ukai shrugging his jacket off and wrapping Hinata up in it.
“Right!” he said, calling practice to order. “Brazil’s flight got in at 4AM and he was told in no uncertain terms that he had to attend school today. First one to wake him up, ten laps of the gym.”
They all gulped.
***
It was high. No matter how one looked at it, it was high. Hoshiumi’s jump was borderline impossible. Except, it wasn’t.
“Hey,” Hoshiumi demanded. “Where’s your surprise? Why aren’t you gaping at me in shock?”
Kageyama gave him a once over. “What’s your vertical jump height?”
“Eleven-foot-five!”
“Then that’s why. Our middle blocker jumps higher than you.”
Hoshiumi screeched while Miya and Komori burst out laughing. With a shrug, Kageyama turned to prepare for the next rally. It looked as though there was nothing to learn from Hoshiumi then. He’d have to pay attention to the other players instead.
***
The door to the gymnasium opened and Tsukishima couldn’t help the way his nose screwed up. Hinata looked all too at home, walking in at Washijo’s side. Several players stiffened, eyes widening ever so slightly.
“This is Hinata Shouyou,” Washijo introduced, as no nonsense as always. “Anyone with a brain knows him from the beach volleyball circuit. He’ll be observing you this morning and then coaching you all, individually, this afternoon. Tonight, you face Shiratorizawa. Show me what you can learn.”
He stepped back and Hinata stepped up. He was all stone for a single second before the facade cracked and a smile bloomed across his features. He bowed deeply. “Thank you for allowing me to work with you today! Let’s split into two teams. And really go all out, okay?”
Tsukishima didn’t like the look he got there. He begrudgingly stepped up to the attack line, Hinata bright orange in the corner of his vision. Fine. He supposed he could play his best just this once.
***
They took the bus down to Nationals. They had to - all their gear was too oversized for the bullet train - but it was especially irritating to have Oikawa and Iwaizumi beat them down by two whole hours. Where once they would have baulked at the company, it was now a sort of comfort, a security blanket. Plus, having more supporters from Miyagi could only help, even if Oikawa still made it his mission to rile Kageyama continually.
“You just have to ignore him,” Hinata coached as they began their warm ups.
Kageyama scowled. “If he was less in my face, I could.”
“He’s in your face because you react,” was the reply and wow, that was shockingly mature for Hinata.
But then, he’d been a little off since he’d returned from Brazil. A little less easy going which, Suga supposed, may have been because of the losses he’d been handed over there. Not that Hinata and Heitor had done terribly, but they’d been in those upper echelon tournaments and it had to have been so different from the level Hinata had gotten used to. One Ushijima? Fine. A pair of them? Day in, day out? That’d temper anyone.
But perhaps they needed it. Needed someone to ground them because they were all nervous stepping onto that court. All except Hinata. Or rather, he was but hid it so much better. He gave the cameras a lazy wave and a smile and asked Daichi if he’d pre-planned any answers.
(He hadn’t and Suga snorted at the way he’d started sweating bullets.)
Everyone followed Hinata’s lead, giving curt nods or short bows before stepping onto the court. Warm up time wasn’t long enough, wasn’t anywhere near, and that became apparent when several of Kageyama’s sets were off. Tanaka and Asahi flubbed a few, Hinata managed to salvage others left-handed but when Kageyama went to apologise, Hinata was there first.
“Calibrate.”
Kageyama blinked, uncomprehending.
“It’s what I have to do when…transitioning between beach and indoor. Calibrate between this court and our court.”
Kageyama mulled that over before giving the barest of nods. And that was that.
Within the hour, the first match was theirs, Ukai smiling from the sidelines at the perfect set Kageyama had ended the match on. “Calibration complete.”
***
It was Tanaka who’d made the suggestion. After seeing some of Inarizaki’s matches, he’d cottoned onto the cheering section and their antics. Which, in turn, had reminded him of some of Hinata’s matches and even though Hinata had buried himself in his jumper’s hood when they’d pulled them up, he understood the point Tanaka was making. It wasn’t just about setting the mood, it was about timing as well and if Inarizaki could do it, why couldn’t they?
And so they’d stepped onto the court the next day, Daichi the first serve of the match, to the thundering of taiko drums and the corresponding,
Boom-boom-boom, “Daichi!” Boom-boom-boom, “Daichi!”
The faces of the Inarizaki players had soured, Karasuno sending malicious smiles their way. Because yes, they’d picked up on their game and knew how to turn it to their own advantage. It also had the added effect of stirring up everyone sans Tsukishima, who just looked irritated. To Hinata and Tanaka though, it made them shiver with the thrill of it all. For Hinata, it probably felt like home.
That wasn’t to say that the match was easy. They’d very much dropped the second set, the pressure on Nishinoya near breaking. But he’d never faltered and Hinata had adjusted perfectly, shifting back so that the weight of defending was shared between them when possible. It meant he had to run a bit further to the net every so often but it stopped them from getting completely bulldozered so it was a win in their book.
It also didn’t help that Hinata seemed to enjoy beating down the Miya twins with a tenacity that almost put Oikawa to shame. Jump floater serve was returned with jump floater serve. One no touch service ace from Inarizaki was met with one no touch service ace from Karasuno. And if they’d thought the reverse minus tempo was going to shock them, well, Hinata had been practising that with Kageyama for months. It was when Hinata threw a ceiling serve at them - something he’d never tried in any of the Karasuno practices - that Ukai pulled him out.
“I don’t care that it went in,” he snapped during the changeover with Suga. “You’re getting reckless and we don’t try things on the fly.”
“They do,” Hinata countered, pointing to the Miya twins.
“Yeah, and it doesn’t always work. Stick to what you know.”
“But I don’t know I don’t know it.” He gestured back to the court. “I tried it and even if it didn’t work, it would have only been one point! One point!”
Ukai’s eyes flashed. “One point here can be the difference between winning and losing, Brazil. You’re off until I see an inch of teamwork back.”
Hinata turned affronted before storming off to the substitute box. Takeda watched him go nervously. “I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know but he’s getting fired up. I need him cooled off. I need that level head of his.”
Two balls slammed past Nishinoya in quick succession and Takeda frowned.
“And I think we just lost two points because Hinata wasn’t there to receive. Ukai, we need him.”
“Yeah.” Ukai’s face twisted into a grimace. “And that’s exactly the problem.”
***
They did eventually claw back the third, Hinata returning to the court and nabbing them no less than four aces in a row. The final point had gone to him as well, a setter dump landing perfectly between Atsumu and Osamu.
The upset has shocked the arena and it had certainly made Karasuno a team to watch on the next day. They had quite the crowd with them when they faced off against Nekoma. Despite it being Nationals, despite it being the precursor to the quarter finals, there was something almost calming about going up against Nekoma. It wasn’t an unknown powerhouse of a school, a source of stress and nothing else. No, it was a team they had good, strong bonds with, whomst they’d become friends with and whose history meant a lot to both of them. Kuroo and Daichi took the match personally, Kenma and Hinata were actively scheming on how to best the other, Nishinoya and Yaku excited to see what the other had learnt in their time apart.
It was a long match, a gruelling match, one that left them exhausted and sweat soaked but it was fun. The most fun any of them had had in a long time.
They’d congregated together for lunch, souvenir shopping, and naps, even though Nekoma was now eliminated. They relived plays and talked about Kamomedai and what they’d seen of the players. Hinata, Kuroo, and Oikawa devolved into dissecting beach volleyball, Hinata bright red between them once Kuroo showed off his signed jersey from Ninja Shouyou and Oikawa, in retaliation, showed off his signed one from Jose Blanco. A gift from Hinata apparently, who’d run into the man in Brazil.
The others snickered and the mood was light when Karasuno returned to the court. Kamomedai were waiting and they were certainly a force to be reckoned with. Hoshiumi was eyeing them all with the subtlety of a freight train before he locked onto Hinata, storming over.
“You! What’s your vertical jump height?”
Hinata’s head cocked to the side. “Eleven-foot-seven. Why?”
Hoshiumi howled in despair, Hirugami just laughing and dragging him off. They all exchanged confused looks before Kageyama stepped up. “He believed he had the highest jump. I told him my teammate jumped higher.”
Hinata’s eyes flashed in understanding before doing a couple of warm up bounces. “Let’s go prove it then.”
Kageyama held a fist out and Hinata bumped it. They were ready.
***
Kamomedai were good. Very good. Of course they were, they’d made it to the quarter finals of Nationals. Everyone on Karasuno knew it and so they put one hundred percent into their game play. They all did. It was expected. Until Suga realised what one hundred percent looked like as Hinata wound up for a shot. He was already sprinting, Ukai snagging him before he could enter the court and earn them a penalty.
Then came the loud thud.
Ukai whipped around, the entire court freezing, as Hinata hit the ground and very much didn’t get up again.
There was no stopping Suga there and he was at Hinata’s side within seconds. He threw up a hand when Daichi went to shake him. “He landed on his back and hit his head. You can’t move him. You could make it worse.”
“I don’t…” Nishinoya shifted from foot to foot. “What happened?”
“It’s a new spike,” Suga murmured even as Takeda arrived, medical personnel close behind. “He learnt it in Brazil but on sand. The sand…”
Takeda sucked in a harsh breath. “It lessens the impact.”
There came a groan then, Hinata’s eyes fluttering but not opening. Takeda slipped a hand into his, asking Hinata simple things such as to squeeze his hand or answer if he could hear him. It took a couple of goes before a slurred response came. It wasn’t coherent though, nowhere near, and the paramedics exchanged worried looks.
“It’s Portuguese.” They snapped around to see Oikawa there. It didn’t matter how because he was already rifling through Hinata’s bag for his phone and placing a call, putting it on loud speaker. “That’s his mother. She might get something out of him.”
Takeda accepted the phone, quickly explaining the situation before Mrs. Hinata began to ask questions. Hinata answered them blearily but he answered them. Apparently his brain was too scrambled to translate but he was slowly regaining consciousness and alertness at least. After a few interpreted requests from the paramedics, a stretcher arrived.
“It’s a concussion,” they said, ending the call and giving the phone back to Takeda. “The hospital will be able to tell us how severe. They’ll also test for head, neck, and spinal injuries. Is there someone to go with?”
Takeda went, Oikawa’s face souring but from the way he immediately looked to the stands and Iwaizumi started gathering their gear, Karasuno imagined he wouldn’t be far behind.
The stadium was eerily quiet in the wake of Hinata leaving. The other courts were the first to resume play, slowly, in dribs and drabs, and then the umpire shot them a look. Ukai grimaced, fingers itching for his cigarette box.
“Right. We have a game to win. Let’s give Hinata some good news when we go and see him.”
Karasuno nodded and stepped onto the court but it felt wrong, it felt so, so wrong. And, when they lost in the third set, Suga almost felt as though it was deserved.
***
“How is he?”
“He’ll have to stay in overnight, maybe two, and then no volleyball for a week. It’ll be a lot of bedrest and quiet, outdoor time, I think.”
Ukai looked over the bed, hating how small Hinata looked in it. He was always such a big presence, moving, jumping, bounding, that to see him so utterly still felt wrong. His mother’s face showed she was thinking the same thing and even Natsu, the little sister, was tucked up against the window and looking at Hinata like she’d never seen him before.
“I have to apologise,” he said. “Hinata was in our care and this happened on our watch.”
She shook her head. “Shouyou always goes all out. This isn’t the first time he’s been hurt in a game and I'm sure it won’t be the last. I just…” She quickly looked away but Ukai wasn’t blind to the tears she was blinking back. “When my husband…passed, it was sudden. All I got was a phone call. I couldn’t go to Shouyou’s games after that because it reminded me of him too much. But then today, there was a phone call, again. I know it wasn’t bad, Shouyou wasn’t hurt like that, but I can’t help thinking…”
“What if he had been?” Ukai finished. He watched Hinata’s chest move up and down with each breath. “It might not be my place, but he wants you there. I think having his family there, supporting him, means more to him than he’ll ever admit.”
There was a swallowed sob. “I know. I’ve always known but I…I’ll try. I think, after this, I need to be there. Even if I don’t want to be, even if it hurts, because Shouyou’s hurting too. He’s hidden it behind a smile but I think this past year, it’s been so much for him. Too much even.” She bowed lowly. “Thank you, for taking care of him where I couldn’t.”
Ukai cringed. “Yeah, don’t thank me too much. Not when this is the end result of my coaching.”
Another protest was set to come when there came a quiet knock from the door. Turning, Ukai sent the third years a long look. “Only three visitors at a time and you were supposed to be packing for the trip home.” He consulted his watch. “The bus leaves in two hours.”
“We’ll be quick,” Daichi promised.
“And quiet,” Asahi assured even as Suga slipped to Hinata’s bedside, face paler than usual.
“We just needed to see him.”
“How did you even know where he was?”
“Oikawa.” Of course. “He’s down in the cafeteria but told us the room number. He and Iwaizumi will be up after us.”
Like he hadn’t already been up and had had to be shooed out when Hinata’s mother had arrived, harried and beside herself, Natsu clutching at her skirt. Ukai had no doubt Nekoma had a few players about to come and visit too.
“Has he woken up?” Daichi asked.
“On and off,” Hinata’s mother murmured. “And never for long. But the doctors say it’s good for him to rest.”
Which, of course, was why Hinata chose that moment to stir again. He messily scrubbed at his eyes, gaze slightly vacant as he looked around the room. They eventually locked just to the left of Daichi.
“Hi,” he whispered. “Did we win?”
Daichi looked away, Asahi’s hands clenching into fists. Suga took a seat on the bed, placing a hand on Hinata’s thigh over the blanket. “You know, we all tried really hard! Hoshiumi was just fast. I know we’ve played against you but never seriously so it was a bit…Hinata? No, no, Hinata, don’t-”
The room went quiet as Hinata sobbed. Tears dripped down his cheeks and Suga rushed to thumb them away. Hinata knocked him away though, burying his face in his hands. Suga turned frantic, shushing him and trying to brush his hair from his face when Hinata gasped,
“I’m sorry!”
“Hinata?”
“Hey,” Daichi said, approaching the bed and laying a hand on his shoulder. “You have nothing to be-”
“But you wanted to win!” Hinata cried, head snapping up to meet their eyes. He then wobbled and Ukai shot forward but Hinata ignored him. “This was your last chance and you wanted to win Nationals. I tried but I messed up and now you’ve lost. I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry!”
Suga tried to reassure him but Hinata’s mother cut between them smoothly. “Sorry, but I think you’d better leave. Shouyou needs some time to calm down and rest. He can see you at another time.”
They didn’t want to but the third years left all the same, Suga making it to the end of the hall before curling into Daichi’s arms. His own tears were impossible to hold back, Daichi sighing and dropping his head atop Suga’s.
“We messed up, didn’t we? This is what you meant, us relying on Hinata.”
“He thought every win was his responsibility.”
Asahi looked equally pained. “We should have realised. That’s too much pressure for anyone.”
“We only ever talked about winning,” Daichi murmured. “We never told Hinata it was okay to lose.” He stared back down the hallway. “And this is where we ended up. I think, maybe, I wasn’t a good captain after all.”
Asahi went to protest but Suga cut him off with a look. “It’s not that I agree,” he said severely. “But I don’t think any of us are thinking clearly right now. When you’re ready to hear it Daichi, you were the greatest captain Karasuno could have ever asked for. But for now, I think…” His face crumpled. “I think maybe I wanna cry.”
They all did and, so, they did.
***
The decision had them all standing stock still in shock. It was unexpected and it was something else to hear it said out loud. Hinata was not joining the volleyball team in second year. Kageyama stiffened, Yachi looking close to tearing up.
“Why?” Tsukishima’s tone was as indifferent as always but his confusion was clear.
“It…There’s an opening,” Hinata admitted. “They’re starting a professional Under 19s Japanese beach volleyball league. And the Under 20s is gaining popularity. I…I have a potential partner for both leagues come July.”
“You mean Oikawa.”
Hinata was undeterred, thrusting his chin out. “We can make the first Under 19s tournament. Do well enough, we should get into the Under 20s. We will. And we have similar goals come graduation. It makes sense.”
“That’s two years away,” Kageyama snapped.
Hinata laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry Kageyama, really, I am. But I think Ushijima was right.” And wow, that had to hurt Hinata to say. “I need to pick a sport. Combining the two doesn’t make me a better player; it hurt me in Brazil and it hurt me in Nationals. I want to keep playing with you, really, I do but…”
“Indoor isn’t where your future is,” Yamaguchi finished for him sadly. “And you’ve always known that.”
“I think we knew,” Ennoshita spoke up. “That we were just a place holder. A holding pattern you could be in until graduation, until you moved back to Brazil. That’s your plan, isn’t it?”
Hinata nodded weakly. “Yeah. Always.”
He jumped at the hand on his shoulder, Ennoshita’s smile sad but kind. “You’re running yourself ragged between us and tutoring and everything else you do. Focus on you. It might sound selfish but it isn’t. You need to do whatever it is in life that makes you happy. And Hinata, you’re never happier than you are when on a beach court.”
“I still want to play with you all,” Hinata mumbled. “And I wanna see Kenma and Aone and Akaashi.”
“You can pop in for coaching assistance,” Kinoshita promised. “You helped all of us plenty. And I’m sure we could arrange some practice matches after our official practice matches in which anyone could play.”
He added a wink there and Hinata grinned, cheeks flushing with the thrill of the idea. “Really?”
“Of course!” Nishinoya declares. “It’s not like you’re moving across the world again. You’re still at Karasuno. Stop by whenever, you know where we’ll be.”
Hinata nodded, bowing lowly before exiting the gym. There were footsteps behind him and he turned, unsurprised to see Kageyama there. He was expecting an argument, a challenge, a berating, but what he wasn’t expecting was for Kageyama to bump his shoulder against his and mutter,
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your first class.”
Hinata stared, speechless, before a scowl got sent his way. He then quickly did as asked, falling into step beside Kageyama. Maybe leaving the club wasn’t all bad after all.
***
Rio, 2016
“Ya hoo, chiquito!”
Hinata whipped around, downright beaming when he saw Oikawa there. He was barrelling the setter over in a second, Oikawa barely managing to keep his balance.
“Oi, Shouyou, play nice with the opponents,” Heitor chided.
“He’s not in our sport so it doesn’t matter,” Hinata countered.
Oikawa cuffed him over the head none too lightly. “It does, actually, because if you cost me my match against Tobio, I’ll never forgive you.”
Hinata laughed, taking the paper from Oikawa’s hand and reading over it. Your game’s at seven? I should be able to make that; we play at five.”
“Hmm, and if you do where will I find you? Supporting Japan or Argentina?” He waggled a finger. “I don’t take lightly to traitors you know.”
“Japan, obviously,” Hinata replied, if only to watch Oikawa splutter. “You’ll have Hajime supporting you, won’t you? Kageyama needs someone.”
Oikawa very much ignored the Hajime comment, even if a hand flew to the ring under his shirt. “I see how it is. But, I expect to see you there regardless, alright chiquito?”
“Only if you watch me.”
“Oh Shouyou, I’d never do anything but.”
With that, he left and Hinata shivered. Heitor patted him on the back a bit too roughly. “Remind me again why you’re friends with him?”
Hinata pretended to think before sending him a crooked grin. “Takes a demon to know a demon.”
“...you know what, I shouldn’t have asked. Come on, let’s head down to the practice courts. Maybe buy some holy water on the way.”
“Oi!”
Four hours later, Ninja Shouyou stepped onto the court, representing Brazil in the finals of the Olympic Games unaware of just how many people in Japan had crawled out of bed at five AM to watch him play. His time with them may have been short, but his impact had lasted a lot, lot longer. And, to them, that meant more than he would ever know.
***