Nng... [Hinata isn't extremely heavy, but heavy enough, nothing but bone and skinny muscle. Tobio lets out another grunt, and he tries to escape the hands coming down for his head.
To no avail.
He's surprised when Hinata does little more than ruffle his slick, straight hair into something disorderly. What's Hinata freaking laughing at, huh?
Tobio grabs both of Hinata's wrists to keep them from doing any more damage.] Cut it out, twerp! [He shoves one of Hinata's arms with his hand and quickly snatches his up to try to smooth out what he can before he has to go back to probably holding Hinata's wrist again.]
You've got three seconds to get off me, or you'll regret it.
[Shouyou makes a big show of considering it, with an exaggerating "HMMM", before grinning down at him again.]
What're you gonna do if I don't? Give me the creepy smile again?
[Threats from Kageyama aren't as effective as they used to be, when he's been getting used to them for the past seven or so months. Besides, anything that's remotely shaped like a challenge only makes him more difficult to deal with, as Kageyama should know by now.
Shouyou shakes Kageyama's hands off so he can reach down again, this time poking his index fingers to the corners of Kageyama's lips and pushing up into the approximation of a smile.] Oooh. Scary.
[At the questioning accusation, Tobio makes a peculiar face. He gets so much hell for his damn smile. He hates it, thanks! It's not like he can really control the fact he looks intimidating when he--
His hands drop, and Hinata reaches out. He's quick to reach back up, but all he can grab at this angle is Hinata's forearms near the elbow. Two fingers smash into each side of his mouth and then push. His lips peel back, his teeth bared in a smile that doesn't at all match the expression on the upper half of his face.
Confusion, irritation. His eyes darken.] You--! [His fingers grip Hinata's skin, and he jerks his knees up, shoving both of them into Hinata's butt. He bucks his hips to try to toss Hinata off-kilter over his head, but he rolls as he does it, attempts to turn the tables.] --little tangerine idiot!
[The two of them should probably be a little more worried about the disapproval they'd get for rolling around in the grass and squabbling like kids. But there's no one around right now, and Daichi isn't here to stare at them in the terrifying way he does, so Shouyou pays no attention to anything else.
The wind gets knocked out of him as he lands on the ground--seriously, rude--and he just lies there for a moment, but only a moment.]
Stupid Kageyama. [Rather than jumping back onto Kageyama and latching on like the jerk deserves, Shouyou rolls onto his stomach, plucks a handful of grass from the ground beside him, and then sprinkles it all onto Kageyama's head, where they mix in with the soft, black strands.] You ready to practice or what?
Disgruntled, Tobio quickly reaches up to scrub the grass out of his hair despite missing one or two blades that get stuck between.] I said cut it out, dumbass. What's your problem?
[He grabs Hinata's wrists again, folding the arms down and pinning them on the ground.] You're the one wasting time. You'll always have shitty tosses if keep rolling on the ground and throwing grass on someone else. [One hand comes up and instead latches onto Hinata's entire head. He gently but vigorously shakes it back and forth.]
Sounds like not much is there anyway.
[And then he lets go so he can climb back to his feet. Only--he's a soft fool, and he extends his hand out to offer Hinata help up.]
It doesn't count when you're the one I'm doing all that with anyway!
[Just...go with it, Kageyama. That made a lot more sense in his head. Surprisingly, Shouyou doesn't even dodge when Kageyama grabs at his head. Though he's at least aware enough not to point out that Kageyama's wasting just as much time by doing this as he was before.]
Your grades are just as bad as mine, stupid. [Shouyou sticks his tongue out at Kageyama again, but he takes the hand that's offered with half-hearted grumbling.
Once he's back on his feet again, though, his whole attitude changes. Shouyou gives a little hop of excitement, pumping both fists in the air, before darting off to retrieve the ball.] Let's practice!
Tch. [Hi expression is clearly screaming HINATA BOKE as he hauls the orange-haired boy up.] No one asked you, dumbass. My grades are fine. [Finely average.]
I'm coming. Stop bouncing around and hurry up.
[While Hinata chases down the ball, Tobio actually gathers up both of their bags to sling over his shoulder and cart them along. Stupid Hinata. At least it's late enough to both be cooler and free of a lot of people.
All they need is a good, even clearing.] There? [He lifts his hand and points a few yards away from them. No people. No trees. Wide and level.]
[Doubt!! So much doubt, as Shouyou's expression says clearly enough. You needed the tutoring from Yachi as much as he did, don't lie. Still, Shouyou's feeling gracious enough not to pursue that line of teasing. Well, okay, it's mostly because volleyball's on his mind again and he'd rather think about that than their grades.]
Yup, that's perfect. [Shouyou declares when he glances at what Kageyama's pointing at. And, instead of zooming right off like others might've expected, Shouyou tugs his bag out of Kageyama's grip and walks with him the rest of the way. With a grin, he bumps shoulders with him playfully, ready to dart out of the way if Kageyama makes another grab for him.] At least we're all warmed up already.
[Then, hopefully, eagerly, as always--] You'll toss to me, right?
[Without incident, Tobio hands over the other boy's bag and continues walking toward the patch of clearing they'll claim as their practice grounds.]
Hm. [Hinata knows he's going to be a butt about it, right? For a long moment, Tobio gives Hinata a kind of once-over. Clinical. Scrutinizing. And then he looks away again.] I don't toss to losers who can't make good serves.
[This has nothing to do with how good Hinata is receiving tosses, but listen. He wants Hinata to be challenged.]
[What is this betrayal... at first, Shouyou just wilts, because, yes!! He knows his serves suck, okay. And then he's puffing right back up again, like an orange blowfish.]
Stingy! Stingy-yama. [With a huff, Shouyou bumps his shoulder into Kageyama's again, this time more indignant than playful.] Fiiiiiiiiine, let's work on serves! But you have to toss to me afterward. No excuses!
[Then, just as suddenly as his annoyance had come, it vanishes, Shouyou lighting up with an idea.] You should teach me how to do a jump serve! [That's kind of like a spike...sort of.]
[Great. He is gonna have to suffer through terrible jump serves. Ah well. At least it’s just practice even if Tobio is still kinda of the mindset Hinata should focus on being only the spiking decoy. It’s fine.
It’ll be fine. Right?] Only when you give me a good normal serve maybe. [He drops a hand on Hinata’s head and squeezes gently. And then he hustles the rest of the way to the clearing to drop his bag off along the side of their invisible court boundaries.]
[What if he just lobs the ball at Kageyama again? Seriously, he's considering it.]
Stop changing the rules, Bakayama! You said we should work on serves--why not the jump serve!
[Still, Shouyou still follows Kageyama the rest of the way, eyeballing the clearing until he can kind of imagine the lines that would dictate where the court begins.]
Ugh, fine. I'll show you my best serve yet! [Grumbling, Shouyou tries to do a showy little flip of the ball before he serves, like he's seen Kageyama and Oikawa do. Only, he ends up fumbling, nearly dropping the ball instead.]
[No matter where Tobio stands, he'll be able to get to the ball--or so he thinks. He does position himself kind of in the middle of the "court," making it easier, plus there's only the two of them.
He's ready.
Oh... Hinata practically drops it on the ground.] Stop trying to show off, idiot. We're volleyball players, not basketball players. Stop trying to dribble it and serve it! [He's not even going to give Hinata a "don't mind," because MIND IT.] Do it the normal way. You can't just go straight into a jump serve.
[As much as Shouyou wants to be stubborn about this, he did just almost drop the ball, and he doesn't know if he'd survive the mortification of actually dropping it in front of Kageyama. Of all people.
So, while he's still grumbling at the unfairness of it all, he throws the ball up and gives Kageyama the serve he wanted. A perfectly boring, normal serve.]
[Since they aren't in a legitimate game, since they're practicing, Kageyama simply reaches up and catches the ball with both hands after the serve. It lands firm and with a delicious whomp in his palms.
His arms bend back, ball to his chest, and then he throws it across to Hinata.] Again. [As if one serve is going to cut it. Think again, Orange Creamsicle.]
[The ball's easy enough to catch, and Shouyou hugs it to his chest as he pulls a face at Kageyama. The challenge has him all fired up, though, as it always does when Kageyama taunts him like this.]
As if! I'm just getting started! [He smacks the ball with more force this time, sending it toward Kageyama again. That makes two good serves in a row.] Unless you're the one who's running out of steam already. Is Tiredyama making another appearance??
[Tobio's face buckles ugly under the return fire. This little freaking idiot is the sassiest thing he's ever had to deal with!! He can't believe--after so many people just take him lying down, and this orange-haired bastard is going to always square up to him.]
Again.
[His knees bend; he hunkers down, ready and focused, arms bent and lifted with his palms slightly cupped and waiting for the catch.]
You're just going to make me serve over and over again? [Despite the complaints, Shouyou does as he's asked, eyes narrowing as he tries to increase the power behind his next serve. Three!]
Oy, when are we gonna switch to something else?
[Maybe Kageyama will change his mind if he purposely serves the ball into his head? Hmmm he's totally considering that now.]
Practicing makes you better, idiot. Are you just going to give up because you think you're better after three or four serves?
[The ball thumps his palms harder than it had before, and he's pleased. Hinata is getting the drive he admires and rallies behind.
But instead of tossing the ball back to Hinata like he had before, Tobio does something different. A little showoff-y, but it's fine, he's making a point. Carefully, he throws the ball up into the air and forward a bit, just enough he can hustle to leap when it falls.
He slams the ball with his palm to send it careening across to Hinata, landing back on his feet and ready. How's that for a jump serve?]
I never said I'm giving up! [Huff! Damnit, as much as Shouyou wants to practice spiking, he's also soooo easy to manipulate into a corner when he senses a challenge. Like the one Kageyama just gave him. So he screws up his face and prepares to catch the ball and serve again--except that's not what happens.]
Geh!! [Even with his quick reflexes, Shouyou has to scramble to reach the ball. It's all for naught, though, as the ball pings off his arms and rolling off to the side with his botched receive. He stares after it, frowning.]
Kageyama... [Suddenly, he's all smiles, jumping closer so he can shake his partner's arm excitedly.] That was so awesome!! C'mon, you have to teach me that! Please, please, pleaaaaase.
[GREAT. This moron is going inspired, admirant turbo on him. Grunting when Hinata grabs his arm, he raises his other hand and quickly smashes it gently over Hinata's face, curling his splayed fingers.]
Cut it out, dumbass. We're in public.
[Which is evident when laughter erupts several yards away. Tobio snaps his head up, already growing somewhat embarrassed... but it's... not random passersby, giggling about their current antics.
It's baseball players, clad in dirty uniforms, sneering at the missed, forgotten ball and the two of them being idiots. Quickly, he jerks his arm out of Hinata's grip and pushes past, expression darkening. Look, Hinata is an idiot, but Hinata is his idiot.]
[It's amazing, how quickly things can get out of hand. Shouyou knows how Kageyama can lose his temper sometimes, and yet that sudden flip from grumpy to angry still surprises him. But not for long. Scrambling after Kageyama, Shouyou manages to catch up before he reaches the baseball players. Well! If his partner is going to pick a fight, then it's only fair that Shouyou back him up.]
Yeah! [It's only because Kageyama's taller frame's shielding him that Shouyou can scowl out at the newcomers like this. He grips one of Kageyama's sleeves in one hand, peeking out over his shoulder in what he hopes is an intimidating way. (It's not.)] What's the big deal? We're just practicing here!
[The baseball players nudge each other and nod their heads, grin mischievously and wickedly. There’s only three but Kageyama doesn’t seem put-out by a group small or large in number.]
Mind your own business. We’re practicing.
[The discarded volleyball gets picked up by one of them, rolled and tested in the hands. Kageyama’s arm tenses under Hinata’s sleeve clutch, but he doesn’t make any kind of move.
“Orange Juice has a long way to go then if he can’t serve,” another one says as the ball holder grins. “You a first year and a junior?”
It’s all it takes. It’s enough. He feels insulted because Hinata is insulted. A swelling wave of indignant anger curls up inside his chest, and he tears away from Hinata without warning. He doesn’t stop moving, almost running, until he gets to the boy holding the ball. He’s not a baseball player, but he could be with a swing like this. He sucker punches the boy so the ball is dropped. The hit isn’t terrible, just jarring enough to stumble the boy back and put a rather shocked, unsure expression on all their faces.]
His name is Hinata, and because we’re teammates, he can become one of the best Karasuno players the team has ever had. He doesn’t have to learn to serve to help us win the game. What he does now, spiking what I give him, is enough. Give us our ball back and go work on your pitches.
[It’s probably the look on his face that does more than the words. The boys book it in a scramble, leaving the ball behind, leaving them both behind.]
Kage-- [Before he can even finish saying his partner's name, the baseball player's stumbling back from Kageyama's punch, and Shouyou's mouth is falling open in shock. Sure, Kageyama's always had a bit of a temper on him, but even at his scariest, all he's ever done is loom menacingly over Shouyou or grab his head and shake him a bit.
Even more than that, though, he literally just punched someone to defend Shouyou's honor (not that he needed the help, thanks). No one's done that for Shouyou before, not even Tanaka or Nishinoya.
Chest feeling oddly tight, he walks past Kageyama to pick up the dropped volleyball. Then he turns around, clutching it to his chest.] Did you really mean all that?
[The look he's giving Kageyama now looks pretty damn close to the shiny, wide-eyed one Kageyama got after they got their new quick right for the first time, when Shouyou had realised all over again just how amazing Kageyama actually was.]
[Now that it's over with, Tobio feels a little worse for having done something so brash. He's not exactly the type to go wildly swinging on people he didn't know. It's just...
He's trying to get better. About being the "king of the court." About thinking Karasuno is simply made up of him, and his skills, and his accomplishments. That means Hinata is just as much Karasuno as the rest. That means protecting Hinata's honor like he would the team he serves.
The bad part is getting that to come out of his mouth. Well, nicely. He still has the terribly dark face, replaying what just happened over and over.] What you do is pretty good. [Maybe it's growled some.
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To no avail.
He's surprised when Hinata does little more than ruffle his slick, straight hair into something disorderly. What's Hinata freaking laughing at, huh?
Tobio grabs both of Hinata's wrists to keep them from doing any more damage.] Cut it out, twerp! [He shoves one of Hinata's arms with his hand and quickly snatches his up to try to smooth out what he can before he has to go back to probably holding Hinata's wrist again.]
You've got three seconds to get off me, or you'll regret it.
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What're you gonna do if I don't? Give me the creepy smile again?
[Threats from Kageyama aren't as effective as they used to be, when he's been getting used to them for the past seven or so months. Besides, anything that's remotely shaped like a challenge only makes him more difficult to deal with, as Kageyama should know by now.
Shouyou shakes Kageyama's hands off so he can reach down again, this time poking his index fingers to the corners of Kageyama's lips and pushing up into the approximation of a smile.] Oooh. Scary.
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His hands drop, and Hinata reaches out. He's quick to reach back up, but all he can grab at this angle is Hinata's forearms near the elbow. Two fingers smash into each side of his mouth and then push. His lips peel back, his teeth bared in a smile that doesn't at all match the expression on the upper half of his face.
Confusion, irritation. His eyes darken.] You--! [His fingers grip Hinata's skin, and he jerks his knees up, shoving both of them into Hinata's butt. He bucks his hips to try to toss Hinata off-kilter over his head, but he rolls as he does it, attempts to turn the tables.] --little tangerine idiot!
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The wind gets knocked out of him as he lands on the ground--seriously, rude--and he just lies there for a moment, but only a moment.]
Stupid Kageyama. [Rather than jumping back onto Kageyama and latching on like the jerk deserves, Shouyou rolls onto his stomach, plucks a handful of grass from the ground beside him, and then sprinkles it all onto Kageyama's head, where they mix in with the soft, black strands.] You ready to practice or what?
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Disgruntled, Tobio quickly reaches up to scrub the grass out of his hair despite missing one or two blades that get stuck between.] I said cut it out, dumbass. What's your problem?
[He grabs Hinata's wrists again, folding the arms down and pinning them on the ground.] You're the one wasting time. You'll always have shitty tosses if keep rolling on the ground and throwing grass on someone else. [One hand comes up and instead latches onto Hinata's entire head. He gently but vigorously shakes it back and forth.]
Sounds like not much is there anyway.
[And then he lets go so he can climb back to his feet. Only--he's a soft fool, and he extends his hand out to offer Hinata help up.]
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[Just...go with it, Kageyama. That made a lot more sense in his head. Surprisingly, Shouyou doesn't even dodge when Kageyama grabs at his head. Though he's at least aware enough not to point out that Kageyama's wasting just as much time by doing this as he was before.]
Your grades are just as bad as mine, stupid. [Shouyou sticks his tongue out at Kageyama again, but he takes the hand that's offered with half-hearted grumbling.
Once he's back on his feet again, though, his whole attitude changes. Shouyou gives a little hop of excitement, pumping both fists in the air, before darting off to retrieve the ball.] Let's practice!
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I'm coming. Stop bouncing around and hurry up.
[While Hinata chases down the ball, Tobio actually gathers up both of their bags to sling over his shoulder and cart them along. Stupid Hinata. At least it's late enough to both be cooler and free of a lot of people.
All they need is a good, even clearing.] There? [He lifts his hand and points a few yards away from them. No people. No trees. Wide and level.]
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Yup, that's perfect. [Shouyou declares when he glances at what Kageyama's pointing at. And, instead of zooming right off like others might've expected, Shouyou tugs his bag out of Kageyama's grip and walks with him the rest of the way. With a grin, he bumps shoulders with him playfully, ready to dart out of the way if Kageyama makes another grab for him.] At least we're all warmed up already.
[Then, hopefully, eagerly, as always--] You'll toss to me, right?
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Hm. [Hinata knows he's going to be a butt about it, right? For a long moment, Tobio gives Hinata a kind of once-over. Clinical. Scrutinizing. And then he looks away again.] I don't toss to losers who can't make good serves.
[This has nothing to do with how good Hinata is receiving tosses, but listen. He wants Hinata to be challenged.]
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Stingy! Stingy-yama. [With a huff, Shouyou bumps his shoulder into Kageyama's again, this time more indignant than playful.] Fiiiiiiiiine, let's work on serves! But you have to toss to me afterward. No excuses!
[Then, just as suddenly as his annoyance had come, it vanishes, Shouyou lighting up with an idea.] You should teach me how to do a jump serve! [That's kind of like a spike...sort of.]
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It’ll be fine. Right?] Only when you give me a good normal serve maybe. [He drops a hand on Hinata’s head and squeezes gently. And then he hustles the rest of the way to the clearing to drop his bag off along the side of their invisible court boundaries.]
Ready when you’re ready, dingus.
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Stop changing the rules, Bakayama! You said we should work on serves--why not the jump serve!
[Still, Shouyou still follows Kageyama the rest of the way, eyeballing the clearing until he can kind of imagine the lines that would dictate where the court begins.]
Ugh, fine. I'll show you my best serve yet! [Grumbling, Shouyou tries to do a showy little flip of the ball before he serves, like he's seen Kageyama and Oikawa do. Only, he ends up fumbling, nearly dropping the ball instead.]
I...I meant to do that!
[Hrnghhhh so uncool!!]
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[No matter where Tobio stands, he'll be able to get to the ball--or so he thinks. He does position himself kind of in the middle of the "court," making it easier, plus there's only the two of them.
He's ready.
Oh... Hinata practically drops it on the ground.] Stop trying to show off, idiot. We're volleyball players, not basketball players. Stop trying to dribble it and serve it! [He's not even going to give Hinata a "don't mind," because MIND IT.] Do it the normal way. You can't just go straight into a jump serve.
Show me a regular one first.
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[As much as Shouyou wants to be stubborn about this, he did just almost drop the ball, and he doesn't know if he'd survive the mortification of actually dropping it in front of Kageyama. Of all people.
So, while he's still grumbling at the unfairness of it all, he throws the ball up and gives Kageyama the serve he wanted. A perfectly boring, normal serve.]
See? I know how to serve!
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His arms bend back, ball to his chest, and then he throws it across to Hinata.] Again. [As if one serve is going to cut it. Think again, Orange Creamsicle.]
Unless that's all you've got, twerp.
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As if! I'm just getting started! [He smacks the ball with more force this time, sending it toward Kageyama again. That makes two good serves in a row.] Unless you're the one who's running out of steam already. Is Tiredyama making another appearance??
do your other tags kami you slacker
Again.
[His knees bend; he hunkers down, ready and focused, arms bent and lifted with his palms slightly cupped and waiting for the catch.]
rude
Oy, when are we gonna switch to something else?
[Maybe Kageyama will change his mind if he purposely serves the ball into his head? Hmmm he's totally considering that now.]
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[The ball thumps his palms harder than it had before, and he's pleased. Hinata is getting the drive he admires and rallies behind.
But instead of tossing the ball back to Hinata like he had before, Tobio does something different. A little showoff-y, but it's fine, he's making a point. Carefully, he throws the ball up into the air and forward a bit, just enough he can hustle to leap when it falls.
He slams the ball with his palm to send it careening across to Hinata, landing back on his feet and ready. How's that for a jump serve?]
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Geh!! [Even with his quick reflexes, Shouyou has to scramble to reach the ball. It's all for naught, though, as the ball pings off his arms and rolling off to the side with his botched receive. He stares after it, frowning.]
Kageyama... [Suddenly, he's all smiles, jumping closer so he can shake his partner's arm excitedly.] That was so awesome!! C'mon, you have to teach me that! Please, please, pleaaaaase.
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Cut it out, dumbass. We're in public.
[Which is evident when laughter erupts several yards away. Tobio snaps his head up, already growing somewhat embarrassed... but it's... not random passersby, giggling about their current antics.
It's baseball players, clad in dirty uniforms, sneering at the missed, forgotten ball and the two of them being idiots. Quickly, he jerks his arm out of Hinata's grip and pushes past, expression darkening. Look, Hinata is an idiot, but Hinata is his idiot.]
Hey! Is there something funny?
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Yeah! [It's only because Kageyama's taller frame's shielding him that Shouyou can scowl out at the newcomers like this. He grips one of Kageyama's sleeves in one hand, peeking out over his shoulder in what he hopes is an intimidating way. (It's not.)] What's the big deal? We're just practicing here!
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Mind your own business. We’re practicing.
[The discarded volleyball gets picked up by one of them, rolled and tested in the hands. Kageyama’s arm tenses under Hinata’s sleeve clutch, but he doesn’t make any kind of move.
“Orange Juice has a long way to go then if he can’t serve,” another one says as the ball holder grins. “You a first year and a junior?”
It’s all it takes. It’s enough. He feels insulted because Hinata is insulted. A swelling wave of indignant anger curls up inside his chest, and he tears away from Hinata without warning. He doesn’t stop moving, almost running, until he gets to the boy holding the ball. He’s not a baseball player, but he could be with a swing like this. He sucker punches the boy so the ball is dropped. The hit isn’t terrible, just jarring enough to stumble the boy back and put a rather shocked, unsure expression on all their faces.]
His name is Hinata, and because we’re teammates, he can become one of the best Karasuno players the team has ever had. He doesn’t have to learn to serve to help us win the game. What he does now, spiking what I give him, is enough. Give us our ball back and go work on your pitches.
[It’s probably the look on his face that does more than the words. The boys book it in a scramble, leaving the ball behind, leaving them both behind.]
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Even more than that, though, he literally just punched someone to defend Shouyou's honor (not that he needed the help, thanks). No one's done that for Shouyou before, not even Tanaka or Nishinoya.
Chest feeling oddly tight, he walks past Kageyama to pick up the dropped volleyball. Then he turns around, clutching it to his chest.] Did you really mean all that?
[The look he's giving Kageyama now looks pretty damn close to the shiny, wide-eyed one Kageyama got after they got their new quick right for the first time, when Shouyou had realised all over again just how amazing Kageyama actually was.]
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He's trying to get better. About being the "king of the court." About thinking Karasuno is simply made up of him, and his skills, and his accomplishments. That means Hinata is just as much Karasuno as the rest. That means protecting Hinata's honor like he would the team he serves.
The bad part is getting that to come out of his mouth. Well, nicely. He still has the terribly dark face, replaying what just happened over and over.] What you do is pretty good. [Maybe it's growled some.
RIP Hinata. He's... trying.]
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