Archive of Our Own

"You should go first."

The moment Shoyo heard those words from Kageyama, he froze instantly, completely caught off guard by the suggestion.

Slight frown appeared on Shoyo’s forehead, signaling his confusion. He looked up at Kageyama, searching for his face for an explanation before finally asking, "Why can’t we just go together?"

Kageyama, on the other hand, looked uneasy at the question. He rubbed the back of his neck and averted his gaze. "I don’t think.. it’s a good idea for us to show up together... after last night," he mumbled softly, especially at the last part.

Shoyo tilted his head, still a bit puzzled, but then he noticed the way Kageyama’s ears had turned red. It didn’t take long for him to connect the dots.

After last night. Shoyo thought giddily. How adorable.

Kageyama had finally confessed his feelings last night during their walk home after practice. It was a moment Shoyo had somewhat expected, especially after noticing subtle changes in Kageyama’s behavior over the past week. The way the taller kept stealing glances at him when he thought Shoyo wasn’t looking, or how Kageyama would open his mouth as if to say something, only to clamp it shut the moment Shoyo turned his full attention toward him.

Shoyo had sensed something was brewing, but he didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Yet, as they walked side by side under the dim streetlights, he could feel the tension building between them. Then, just as they reached a quiet spot near Kageyama’s house, Kageyama had stopped walking. With a deep breath and a slightly shaky voice, he had finally blurted out what had been weighing on his mind.

"I like you," Kageyama said with a trembling voice, just enough to let Shoyo know how serious he was. "I think I’ve liked you for a while, but I only realized it during Spring High," He continued, this time more steady, as if confessing had given him a bit more confidence. "I couldn’t stop thinking about you the moment you fell during our match against Kamomedai."

Kageyama, once again, took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Shoyo's, no longer able to hide the depth of his feelings. "I like you, Hinata, I really do."

A wide grin instantly spread across Shoyo’s face as he nudged Kageyama’s arm playfully, leaning in closer to his boyfriend.

"Are you shy that we’re dating now, Kageyama?" Shoyo teased with a light and playful tone.

"It’s not like that!" Kageyama quickly snapped, just as Shoyo had expected, his face flushing even more. "I just..." He trailed off, his deep blue eyes darted around, clearly searching for the right words, but the more he struggled, the more flustered he became.

Shoyo couldn’t help but chuckle, finding Kageyama’s flustered state both endearing and amusing. 

"I just think it might be better if we keep it lowkey for now," Kageyama finally managed to say, though his tone lacked conviction. "You know... just to avoid any unnecessary attention."

Shoyo raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "Unnecessary attention? From who, exactly?" he asked, his teasing tone making it clear he wasn’t buying Kageyama’s excuse.

Kageyama fumbled with his words, his usual confidence completely gone. "From... everyone! You know how they are, always nosy about everything," He mumbled with his infamous pouty face.

Shoyo wanted to tease his boyfriend a little more, but he could tell Kageyama was already at his limit. If he pushed him any further, Kageyama might sulk, Kageyama will sulk, and that could lead to him refusing to toss the ball to Shoyo during practice, which would be a disaster.

"Kageyama," Shoyo finally said, his voice softening, "Even if you want to keep our relationship a secret, I won’t complain." He then looked up at Kageyama with a small smile.

Kageyama’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly at Shoyo’s words, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. "It's not like I want to keep it a secret," he murmured, "I just.. need more time to get ready to tell them."

"Okay, if you say so," Shoyo grinned, the playful sparkle returning to his eyes. "But just so you know," he added, "Both of us are not very good at keeping secrets. So don’t be surprised if people figure it out anyway!"

Kageyama’s lips twitched into a small smile, and he shook his head in exasperation. "Dumbass." he replied, his voice holding a trace of affection.

"What are you two doing in front of the gate?"

Both Shoyo and Kageyama froze the moment they heard a familiar voice behind them. They slowly turned their heads to find their senior, Ennoshita, watching them with a curious expression.

Shoyo quickly opened his mouth, ready to come up with an excuse, but Ennoshita was quicker to cut him off. "Don't tell me..." Ennoshita began, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

Shoyo could practically feel Kageyama tense up beside him, his whole body going rigid in an instant.

"Don’t tell me you guys are already at each other’s throats this early?" Ennoshita finally finished with a hint of amusement in his voice.

While Shoyo blinked in surprise, completely caught off guard by his senior’s reaction, Kageyama’s tense shoulders immediately relaxed, as if a wave of relief had washed over him. 

"We’re not fighting," Shoyo answered, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "We were just discussing strategy!" He added to make it more convincing.

Ennoshita gave them a skeptical look but eventually shrugged it off. "If you say so," he replied with a nod. "Just don’t start bickering in front of the school gate." He added, turning to walk away. As he continued down the path, he called back over his shoulder, "And don’t be late for morning practice!"

"We won’t!" Shoyo and Kageyama replied in unison.

Once their senior was out of sight, Shoyo could feel Kageyama’s gaze on him. "He didn’t catch on, did he?" Kageyama asked, there was a hint of concern in his voice.

Shoyo chuckled as he wheeled his bike toward the bike rack near the gate. "Even though we’re dating now, showing up together for morning practice isn’t going to reveal anything. That’s what we’ve always done, remember?" he said, parking his bike with a grin.

Kageyama lingered by the bike rack, still processing Shoyo’s words. He blinked several times as he realized Shoyo was right.

"Oh, that make sense." Kageyama admitted.

Shoyo, noticing the shift in Kageyama’s mood, grinned even wider.

"Exactly! There’s nothing to worry about."

In fact, there really was nothing for them to worry about.

Morning practice went as smoothly as ever. Ennoshita didn’t bring up their little encounter at the gate, and everyone settled into their usual routines. Nothing really changed.

Except for the fact that Kageyama was being a little more.. affectionate toward Shoyo than usual. A lingering pat on the head after Shoyo nailed a high jump and a firm high-five that seemed to carry more warmth than usual were the example.

It was kinda funny when Shoyo thought about it again, considering Kageyama was the one who insisted on keeping their relationship low-key, yet he was also the one who kept doing PDA unconsciously. Luckily for them, no one seemed to bat an eye at the slight shift in his behavior.

Well, maybe almost no one.

Because Suga raised his eyebrow with a mischievous grin after seeing them. He casually draped his arms around Shoyo and Kageyama’s shoulders right after that, "You two are behaving yourselves today, huh?" Suga praised.

Shoyo tried to laugh it off, feeling a little flustered, while Kageyama mumbled something incoherent under his breath, his ears turning one shade redder.

And then there was Tsukishima, who, as usual, shot them a series of disgusted looks whenever they exchanged a high-five or got a little too close. But that wasn’t exactly new, Tsukishima’s disdain for anything remotely affectionate was practically a team tradition at this point.

For now, it seemed they were doing a pretty good job at keeping their relationship under wraps.

But Kageyama insisted they should still be careful.

So when the lunch bell rang, they decided to spend their break hidden away behind the gym, away from prying eyes.

As Kageyama unwrapped a convenience store bento, Shoyo couldn’t help but notice the contrast between their meals. While Shoyo’s lunch was lovingly prepared by his mom every day, Kageyama’s parents were too busy to do the same, leaving him to grab an instant bento from the nearest minimarket whenever he was too tired (or too lazy) to make his own.

"I could make you a bento if you want," Shoyo offered, watching as Kageyama took a bite.

Kageyama looked up at him, one eyebrow perfectly raised in disbelief. "You’re going to cook for me?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

"Hell no," Shoyo shot back with a grin, "I can’t cook, yet. But I could ask my mom to make an extra lunch. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if it’s for you." He added the last part with a smile, before popping a piece of tamagoyaki into his mouth.

Kageyama's brow furrowed slightly, his concern was clear as he spoke, "Wouldn't that be a nuisance for her? She already has to make two for you, doesn't she?"

Shoyo’s smile grew wider when he noticed the flicker of worry in Kageyama’s voice. It was obvious that the offer of a homemade bento piqued Kageyama's interest, but he was hesitant, clearly feeling like it might be too much trouble.

And, as the good boyfriend he was, Shoyo knew he needed to ease Kageyama's concerns. Without hesitation, he slid closer, closing the distance between them.

"Making an extra bento is no big deal for her," Shoyo reassured. He leaned in even closer with a playful glint in his eyes. "And besides," he continued, "She’d be thrilled knowing I'm feeding you something better than convenience store food. She likes you, you know?"

Shoyo wasn’t exaggerating either, ever since Kageyama had visited his house, his mom couldn’t stop talking about how much she liked him. Sometimes, it felt like Kageyama was the real son in the Hinata household.

So, before Kageyama could come up with another argument, Shoyo swiftly popped a piece of tamagoyaki into his open mouth, cutting off whatever he was about to say.

Kageyama’s eyes narrowed in a mock glare, but he still chewed the tamagoyaki anyway. Shoyo stifled a laugh, watching his boyfriend trying to look annoyed while clearly enjoying the food was such a sight to see.

"It’s good, right?" Shoyo teased, knowing full well that Kageyama wouldn't deny it.

Kageyama’s lips formed an involuntary pout as he nodded, clearly torn between his desire and his concern.

"So, is that also a yes? For the bento?" Shoyo asked again.

Kageyama hesitated for a moment longer before sighing softly. "If you’re sure it won’t be too much trouble…"

Shoyo’s grin only grew. "I’m absolutely sure! In fact, knowing my mom, she’ll probably pack you double what I get just to make sure you’re well-fed." He leaned in closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You might even start looking forward to lunch more than practice."

Kageyama snorted, trying to hide the smile tugging at his lips. "Now you're just being dramatic."

Shoyo chuckled, he then held out a piece of tempura, waving it slightly in front of Kageyama. "Here, try this one too!"

As Kageyama leaned in for a bite, a voice suddenly interrupted, sending both of them into a frozen state.

“There you guys are!” Yachi’s cheerful voice echoed through the quiet space behind the gym, causing Shoyo’s hand, which was still holding the piece of tempura, to halt mid-air in front of Kageyama’s mouth.

For a split second, the world seemed to stand still. The three of them were locked in a tense silence, with Shoyo and Kageyama exchanging wide-eyed looks, both convinced they were busted. There was no way Yachi hadn’t caught on, considering Shoyo feeding Kageyama was about as intimate as it got. Right?

Shoyo, too, could hear Kageyama's breath hitched. Knowing his boyfriend, Kageyama might already bracing for the inevitable questions, the teasing and the awkward explanations. Shoyo could almost hear the words forming in his boyfriend's mind, trying to come up with some sort of excuse that wouldn’t sound ridiculous.

But to their shock, Yachi didn’t react at all to the situation. Instead, she blinked once, then twice, while her expression remaining perfectly neutral as if she hadn’t just walked in on what was clearly more than just a casual lunch between teammates.

"Oh! I’m sorry if I interrupted your lunch!" Yachi finally said. "I didn’t mean to intrude, but Kiyoko-san asked me to find you both. She needs you in the gym to get your measurements for the new jerseys."

Shoyo and Kageyama stared at her, their minds struggling to process her complete lack of reaction. Was she serious? Did she really not notice anything unusual? Or was she just pretending?

"Uh, right," Shoyo finally stammered, lowering the tempura and glancing quickly at Kageyama, who was equally stunned. "We’ll be there after this."

Yachi gave them a bright smile, apparently oblivious to the tension hanging in the air. "Great! I’ll let her know. Enjoy your lunch!" She waved cheerfully and hurried off, leaving Shoyo and Kageyama completely drown in confusion.

As soon as she was out of sight, Shoyo let out a long breath, his shoulders sagging in relief. "That was close," he muttered, more to himself than to Kageyama.

Kageyama nodded stiffly, still tense as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. "Do you think she…?"

"Not sure," Shoyo interrupted, shaking his head in disbelief. "But knowing Yachi-san, she’d be freaking out if she knew."

"Yeah," Kageyama agreed with a nod, "Maybe we’re safe?"

"For now, I guess." Shoyo’s lips curled into a small, relieved smile before his mischievous side kicked in. Grinning, he lifted the tempura again and waggled it in front of Kageyama’s face. "Now, where were we?"

Kageyama huffed, the tension slowly melting away as he rolled his eyes. But the corner of his mouth twitched upward as he leaned in, finally taking that bite.

Tobio was genuinely baffled.

He couldn’t understand how everyone around them seemed so oblivious. Just like Hinata had said, they both were terrible at keeping secrets, and Tobio was certain they might (or might not) acting recklessly over the past week. Yet, no one seemed to notice anything. Sure, he had been the one to insist on keeping their relationship under wraps, but still... Was everyone really that blind? Or did he and Hinata not look like a normal couple? 

The thought gnawed at him, especially considering the number of girls who had openly shown interest in Hinata since Spring High has increased.

And as much as Tobio hated to admit it, he was, for in fact, a jealous person.

And knowing Hinata, he’d probably be over the moon if he knew about all the attention he was getting.

Unlike Tobio, who couldn’t care less about the spotlight, his little boyfriend thrived on it. Hinata loved being the center of attention, basking in the cheers and admiration from everyone around him.

That dumbass would probably be thrilled to see girls cheering for him. The thought made Tobio pout. They should know that Hinata is already off limits now.

"This is weirdly confusing." He muttered under his breath, feeling frustration bubbling up.

"Nothing's weird about English, King," Came a drawling response from in front of him. Tobio’s eyes widened in surprise, having completely forgotten that he was supposed to be studying with none other than Tsukishima Kei, the last person he wanted to overhear his thoughts.

Damn it, Tobio cursed silently. Of all the people.

Tsukishima’s lazy stare met his, one eyebrow quirking up in mild curiosity. Tobio fell silent, momentarily caught in his thoughts.

But he’s smart, isn’t he? Tobio thought, He should've caught on what’s going on, shouldn’t he?

After a few seconds of internal debate, he decided to take a chance. Setting down his pen, he leaned a bit closer to Tsukishima, lowering his voice to ensure no one else would overhear, even though there was no one but them in the club room.

"Hey," Tobio started, watching as Tsukishima’s eyebrow arched even higher. "What do you think about me and Hinata?"

Tsukishima gave him a long, calculating look, as if trying to decide if this conversation was even worth his time. "What do I think?" he echoed, as if testing the question on his tongue. "Why, are you expecting an answer saying you're better than him?"

"I am better than him," Tobio snapped, "Just answer the damn question!"

Tsukishima didn’t even blink. "Weird," he replied immediately, his tone flat and unbothered. "Annoying. Irritating. Pisses me off. Take your pick."

Tobio clenched his jaw, his fists tightening around his pen. "You know what I meant," he ground out, though Tsukishima’s casual dismissal only seemed to stoke the flames of his frustration.

Tsukishima just shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Does it matter what I think, Kageyama? You're both a pain in the ass, together or apart. So if you're looking for validation, you're barking up the wrong tree."

Tobio scowled, but there was no arguing with Tsukishima when he was like this. "You're such an asshole."

"And yet, here we are," Tsukishima replied lazily, turning back to his work with an air of finality, leaving Tobio stewing in his irritation.

Tsukishima lazily tapped his pencil against the textbook, "You know, if you're done sulking, maybe you should hurry up and finish your homework," he said, not bothering to look at Tobio. "The sooner you’re done, the sooner we can go to practice. And honestly, I’d rather not spend any more time alone with you than absolutely necessary."

Tobio shot him a glare, but the comment only made his irritation spike. "You think I enjoy this? The only reason I’m even here is because Takeda sensei thinks you’re the best tutor to help me study!"

Tsukishima rolled his eyes, finally meeting Tobio’s gaze. "Yeah, well, the feeling’s mutual. But unless you want to be stuck here longer, stop whining and get to it."

Tobio’s scowl deepened, but he knew Tsukishima had a point. Grumbling under his breath, he picked up his pen and forced himself to focus on the homework in front of him. "Such a pain," he muttered, scribbling down the next answer.

"And yet, you’re still here," Tsukishima retorted, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied look. "But don’t worry, King. The faster you finish, the sooner you can run off to Hinata."

Tobio quickly straightened up when he heard that, his eyes locking onto Tsukishima, who was still focused on his textbook.

“What did you say?” Tobio asked, there was a hint of surprise in his voice.

Tsukishima finally looked up, meeting Tobio’s gaze with a frown. “What?” he repeated, sounding slightly annoyed. “That’s what you always do. Why do you sound so surprised?”

Tobio blinked, and before he realize it, he let out a disappointed sigh, shaking his head as he returned to his homework.

“Why are you sighing, you fucker?"

“I expected too much from you,” Tobio sighed again.

“The hell does that mean?!” Tsukishima snapped, clearly offended.

But Tobio didn't bother responding, letting Tsukishima grumble to himself while he focused on finishing his homework.

Tsukishima eventually huffed and let it go, the room settling into a peaceful silence as they both worked in their own worlds.

"Done," Tobio finally declared after a few minutes, slamming his notebook shut and shoving Tsukishima’s notes back at him. He stood up quickly, eager to be out of Tsukishima's company.

"Finally," Tsukishima muttered, rising from his seat with far less urgency. "Let’s get this over with. I’ve had enough."

Tobio was already halfway out the door, not bothering to look back as he muttered, "The feeling’s mutual."

It was always like this between them, trading insults and barbs. But if Tobio were honest, Tsukishima’s presence was one of the most comforting for him, second only to Hinata and Sugawara.

Despite Tsukishima’s knack for getting on his nerves, Tobio never really minded. There was an unspoken understanding between them that made their interactions bearable, even enjoyable in a twisted way.

As soon as they entered the gym, Tobio's ears were greeted by the familiar sound of a volleyball being spiked forcefully. The sharp thud echoed in the spacious room, drawing his attention.

Tobio scanned the court, and his gaze quickly landed on Hinata, who was beaming with that wide, infectious smile of his. Sugawara stood beside him, affectionately ruffling Hinata’s hair while showering him with praise for his impressive spike. It was clear that the loud smack of the ball had come from Hinata’s powerful hit.

"Your set feels sooo good, Suga-san!" Hinata exclaimed with pure excitement, his voice ringing out across the gym.

Sugawara couldn’t help but laugh, the sound warm and genuine. In a playful gesture, he squished Hinata’s cheeks, making the shorter boy giggle in return. The scene was adorable to anyone watching, but to Tobio, it stirred something unsettling deep inside him.

Tobio couldn’t quite put his finger on what he was feeling, but whatever it was, it wasn’t pleasant. It wasn’t that he was jealous of Sugawara’s attention, he knew it was innocent, just a senior appreciating his junior. But seeing Hinata’s bright smile directed at someone else, and hearing that gleeful laughter, triggered an emotion Tobio wasn’t used to: possessiveness.

Tobio couldn't help the annoyed scoff that escaped him. Didn’t he say my toss was the best? he thought bitterly, his eyes narrowing for a moment as he tried to focus on his warm-up instead of the scene playing out in front of him.

He bent down to stretch, forcing his attention away from the others. As he scanned the gym, he noticed Daichi speaking seriously with Ennoshita and Coach Ukai. They were most likely discussing the future of the team since the third-years would be graduating soon.

Suddenly, a loud smash echoed through the gym, followed by a sharp yelp of pain. Tobio's head snapped in the direction of the sound, his heart skipping a beat when he saw his boyfriend wincing and clutching his fingers.

"What’s wrong, Hinata?!" Sugawara’s voice was filled with concern as he quickly approached.

Without a second thought, Tobio bolted upright and sprinted over to Hinata, the adrenaline pushing all other thoughts from his mind. Some of the seniors and both managers rushed over as well, creating a small crowd around the two.

"I broke my nails!" Hinata grimaced, holding out his hand for everyone to see.

Tobio’s brows furrowed as he gently took Hinata’s hands in his own, examining the damage. Sure enough, two of Hinata’s nails on his right hand were broken, and one of them was already starting to turn red, indicating it was bleeding slightly.

"That look hurts.." Asahi said.

"You’ve got a nail clipper, right, Kageyama?" Shimizu asked with a calm voice but tinged with concern.

Tobio nodded quickly, still holding onto Hinata's hands as if letting go would make things worse. "Yeah, I do," he replied.

"Come on," he said softly to Hinata, squeezing his left hand gently before leading him to the side of the gym where they could take care of the injury. Tobio’s protective instincts kicked in, and he made sure Hinata was close, his hand firmly but carefully holding onto his as they walked away from the crowd.

As they settled down, Tobio quickly retrieved the small nail clipper and a pack of wet wipes from his bag. He glanced at Hinata, who was still wincing slightly, and that unfamiliar tightness in his chest returned, stronger than before. He didn't like seeing Hinata in pain, no matter how minor it might be.

"Let me handle it," Tobio said, his voice softer than usual as he positioned himself behind Hinata, wrapping his arms around him to take hold of his injured hand.

Hinata didn’t resist, allowing Tobio to clean his fingers with the wet wipes. Once satisfied that Hinata's fingers were clean, he began trimming the broken nails with precision, his focus entirely on the task at hand.

Hinata remained quiet, watching Tobio get to work. Tobio could feel the tension gradually leaving his boyfriend’s body, especially when he leaned back against Tobio’s chest, allowing himself to relax completely in Tobio’s embrace. 

Tobio, noticing Hinata’s comfort, letting out a small smile. He decided to trim all of Hinata’s nails, wanting to ensure that the incident wouldn’t repeat itself. 

When he finished, Tobio gently blew on the affected area, trying to soothe any lingering discomfort. "Better?" he asked, looking down to catch Hinata's gaze.

Hinata nodded, a small, appreciative smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, thanks, Yama."

Tobio hummed in response while carefully packing away his nail clipper and wet wipes.

"Be careful next time, dumbass," he muttered with a mix of sternness and affection.

Hinata huffed in return, "Why don’t you just take care of my nails from now on?" he teased, a cheeky grin spreading across his face as he looked up at Tobio.

Tobio paused, his gaze locking onto Hinata’s, who was still resting comfortably against his chest. The intimacy of the moment wasn’t lost on him, and before he could overthink it, he leaned down. With a quick glance around, Tobio lifted the wet wipes container, using it to shield them from prying eyes. Then, in a gesture that was both tender and possessive, he pressed his lips softly against Hinata’s.

"I will," Tobio whispered against Hinata’s lips, "Not just your nails, but you too."

Hinata blinked up at him, momentarily speechless at the unexpected kiss. Before he could respond, Tanaka’s voice already broke the moment.

"You guys are awfully affectionate today!" Tanaka exclaimed, grinning as he sauntered over.

Tobio looked up to find several of their seniors, along with Coach Ukai, standing in front of them, observing with curious eyes.

"Aren’t they always?" Noya chimed in, leaning forward with interest.

"You’re right, Noya-san," Tanaka replied thoughtfully, "But today seems a bit different, doesn’t it?"

Tobio could feel the tension building in his chest. This is it, he thought, Screw secret dating.

"Hinata is my partner," Tobio declared with a calm yet firm voice. The statement made Hinata's body tense up in his embrace, his eyes wide with surprise, probably didn’t expect Tobio to tell them the truth.

Their seniors blinked in unison at Tobio’s confession. He braced himself for the inevitable reactions, ready to face whatever judgment or comments might come their way.

Ukai was the first to respond, clapping a hand on Tobio’s shoulder. "Of course," He said, "Hinata has been your partner since the beginning, Kageyama!" He continued with a grin, completely missing the implication of Tobio’s words.

"Ah! that’s why you’re so affectionate with Hinata today!" Tanaka burst into laughter with a nod, the realization dawning on him. 

"You’re worried about him since he’s your spiker, huh? Such a good setter you are, Kageyama!" Daichi added, ruffling Tobio’s hair in a rare moment of approval.

What the fuck?

How could they be so oblivious? He had practically confessed, and yet they still interpreted it in the most volleyball-centric way possible.

Beside him, Hinata was trying to suppress a laugh. And Tobio had never felt a stronger urge to bang his head against a wall.

Shoyo was totally living in this moment.

Seeing his boyfriend keep pouting was such a sight to see, if Shoyo was honest. It was absolutely adorable.

"Is Yama-yama-kun still sulking?" Shoyo leaned in closer, teasingly nudging his pouty boyfriend as they walked side by side while Kageyama pushing Shoyo’s bike along the path.

"Shut up," Kageyama hissed, not even bothering to look at Shoyo. His eyes remained fixed forward, his grip on the handlebars firm. "I just don’t understand why they didn’t get it."

Shoyo couldn’t help but laugh at Kageyama’s grumbling. It was endearing at how much this bothered him. 

"Why did you change your mind anyway?" Shoyo asked, genuinely curious as to why Kageyama suddenly wanted to make their relationship public. "Aren’t you the one who wanted to keep it a secret?"

Kageyama’s voice dropped to a near whisper, "I don’t like it."

"You don’t like it?" Shoyo repeated, making sure he had heard correctly. When Kageyama nodded in response, Shoyo stopped walking, his curiosity piqued. "Why?"

"Because it feels like we’re not really a couple." Kageyama’s voice was low, but the sincerity in his gaze as he looked at Shoyo spoke volumes.

Shoyo’s breath hitched at Kageyama’s confession. He hadn’t expected that answer, and it left him momentarily speechless. 

Ah, Shoyo thought, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. The fact that Kageyama felt this way, that he wanted their relationship to be real and acknowledged, made Shoyo’s heart swell.

Shoyo smiled widely, stepping closer to Kageyam, "We’re dating, Kageyama" he said, "No matter who knows, it doesn’t change that."

Kageyama hummed softly in response. "Is that so?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Shoyo, who nodded instantly. Despite the reassurance, Kageyama still wore a slightly annoyed expression. "But I still feel awful," he admitted, leaning down to close the distance between them. "Make me feel better," he added, his voice taking on a hint of a pout as he brought their faces closer.

"What…?" Shoyo stammered, a bit taken aback by his boyfriend's sudden boldness.

"Give me a kiss," Kageyama clarified, tapping his left cheek with an expectant look.

"But we're in the middle of the street! Near the school too!" Shoyo protested, glancing nervously around.

"It's kinda late, no one's around," 

"Our teammates are around!"

"They’re already at Sakanoshita," Kageyama replied coolly, dismissing the concern.

"But—"

Kageyama sighed in return, "It's fine if you don't want to," he said, not bothering to hide the slight pout that formed on his lips.

Shoyo swallowed hard, scanning their surroundings one more time to make sure they were truly alone. After confirming that the coast was clear, he let out a quiet sigh of resignation. With a quick tug on the hem of Kageyama's shirt, he urged his boyfriend to lean down again. Shoyo then planted a swift, soft kiss on Kageyama's cheek, feeling his own heart pounding in his chest.

Kageyama’s face lit up instantly, the annoyance melting away as he straightened up, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips. "That’s better," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he looked at Shoyo, who was still blushing furiously.

Shoyo couldn’t help but roll his eyes, "Dictator King."

Kageyama chuckled, his hand gently resting on Shoyo's as they started walking again. "And yet, you still kissed me."

"Who kissed who again?"

As they turned their heads, their eyes instantly met those of Sugawara, who was strolling along with Daichi, Asahi, and Shimizu.

"Hinata kissed me," Kageyama said nonchalantly, earning himself a sharp elbow in the ribs from Shoyo, who nearly choked on air at the sudden declaration.

Instead of reacting with surprise or curiosity, their seniors burst into laughter at Kageyama's blunt statement.

"Suga does that to Nishinoya all the time too, doesn’t he?" Asahi chuckled, earning nods of agreement from Daichi and Shimizu.

"Can’t help it, though." Sugawara answered with a light tone.

"Don’t argue in the middle of the street, Kageyama, Hinata," Shimizu reminded them, her tone calm and unfazed, as if Kageyama's words carried no significant weight.

"We're not—"

"Come on, let's keep walking! Ennoshita said he's treating us to meat buns." Daichi interjected, gently urging them to pick up the pace.

Shoyo, however, found himself momentarily stunned by their seniors' reaction—or rather, the lack of one. 

"Told you," Kageyama whispered into his ear, leaning in close. "No one bats an eye," he added with a smirk, as he took Shoyo’s hand in his and continued walking.

As the days went by, Kageyama’s initial frustration gradually faded. He realized there was no point in getting worked up over his teammates’ obliviousness, so instead of stewing over it, he decided to embrace it. This newfound acceptance led him to become more openly affectionate with Hinata.

During team meetings, Kageyama would sit right behind Shoyo, wrapping his larger frame around Shoyo’s smaller one as Coach Ukai explained the new formations for the team without the third years. Or, after practice, he’d casually hold Shoyo’s hand as they walked home together with the rest of the team.

Though these bold gestures didn’t escape the notice of their teammates as well, even if their responses weren’t quite what they had expected.

One day, while they were cooling down after practice, Nishinoya brought up the changes he noticed.

“You and Kageyama haven’t been fighting much lately, huh?”

Shoyo blinked a few times before nodding. “Yeah, we’re good.”

“And he seems more fond of you now, doesn’t he?” Nishinoya continued, a slight frown forming on his forehead.

Shoyo hummed in agreement. “Isn’t that how you’re supposed to act with your boyfriend?”

Nishinoya paused, clearly processing Shoyo’s words. After a few moments, a wide grin spread across his face. “You two see each other as friends now? Good for you, Shoyo!”

Shoyo couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the misunderstanding. He had expected something like this, so he simply nodded and went along with Nishinoya’s interpretation, even though the reality was far more complicated.

As time went on, Kageyama and Hinata’s close interactions became a regular part of the team’s routine. Their affectionate gestures, whether it was Kageyama’s arm around Hinata during meetings or their hands clasped as they walked together, were now so commonplace that the whole team had grown accustomed to it. The new dynamic between them became a normal thing in their team's perspective.

Time had flown by, and before anyone realized it, the day of the third-year graduation had finally arrived.

The entire Karasuno Volleyball Club attended the ceremony, having prepared four bouquets of flowers for Daichi, Sugawara, Asahi, and Shimizu as tokens of congratulations for completing their high school education.

For Tobio, the atmosphere felt unusually heavy. He could see Ennoshita and Tanaka fighting back tears, just like Hinata and Yachi. His gaze shifted to Shimizu, who was gently comforting Yachi in her arms, while Daichi and Sugawara teased Tanaka, who finally surrendered to his emotions, letting the tears flow.

Pretty sure I’m going to miss this team. Tobio thought.

"Thank you so much for everything!" Ennoshita finally said, his voice filled with emotion as he handed the bouquets to their seniors.

Sugawara, with his infectious laughter, accepted the bouquet with a bright smile. "Thank you!" the seniors chorused together.

In that moment, the entire team broke down, wrapping each other in a tight embrace. Except for Tobio and Tsukishima, who chose to watch from the sidelines, silently observing the bittersweet scene.

But as Tobio stood there, something nagged at him.

Where's Hinata?

He scanned the area, searching for his little boyfriend, but couldn't spot him in the crowd.

"He went to the gym," Tsukishima then said, almost as if he could read Tobio's mind.

"Thanks," Tobio muttered before making his way to the gym.

Sure enough, Hinata was there, standing still in the middle of the empty space. Tobio couldn’t quite tell what was going through his mind, but the sight of his usually energetic boyfriend standing so still tugged at something deep inside him.

"Hinata?" Tobio called, trying to get his attention.

Hinata turned toward him, their eyes locking for a few seconds. Then, without a word, Hinata extended his hand, inviting Tobio to join him.

Tobio didn’t hesitate. He walked over and gently grasped Hinata's small hand, but before he could say anything, Hinata practically threw himself into Tobio’s arms, burying his face in Tobio’s chest.

"What’s wrong?" Tobio asked softly, running his fingers through Hinata’s hair.

"Nothing, I just feel… weird," Hinata whispered, nuzzling deeper into Tobio’s chest, as though seeking comfort in the familiar warmth of his embrace.

"Is it because of the senpais’ graduation?" Tobio guessed with a gentle voice. He then felt a slight nod against him.

"When I think about how we won’t be playing with them anymore, my chest feels… I don’t know, heavy? Empty?" Hinata's voice was barely audible, but Tobio could feel the weight of his emotions.

Tobio took a deep breath. He wasn’t the best with words, but he knew he had to say something to make Hinata feel better. So he did.

"People come and go, even in volleyball," Tobio said quietly. "If you want to get stronger, you have to get used to these changes."

Hinata hummed softly, acknowledging Tobio’s words. But then, in an even quieter voice, he added, "But this was my first team…"

Tobio fell silent for a moment, carefully considering his next words. He gently pulled Hinata out of their embrace so he could look into his eyes. Hinata pouted slightly, clearly unhappy at the loss of warmth, but Tobio ignored it for now. Instead, he leaned closer, his eyes softening as he spoke, "This was my first team too."

There was a moment of quiet, where Hinata simply stared at Tobio as if processing what he had just said. Then, without warning, a look of tenderness crossed Hinata’s face. He wrapped his arms around Tobio’s neck and kissed him. 

And Tobio, as always, welcomed it wholeheartedly.

This time, however, the kiss felt different from their usual ones.

Each movement of their lips seemed to carry the weight of emotions neither of them could put into words.

It was soft, sweet, and intoxicating.

Tobio, forgetting entirely where they were, didn’t even think of pulling away. Instead, he angled his head to deepen the kiss, one arm snaking around Hinata’s waist to pull him flush against his body. His other hand gently cradled Hinata’s jaw, controlling the kiss with a quiet but undeniable dominance.

"What the fuck?"

The sharp voice yanked them both out of their trance. Hinata, who was equally lost in the moment, flinched and quickly pulled away, lightly smacking Tobio's chest to snap him out of it.

Tobio frowned in displeasure, casting a sharp glare toward the door where exactly Tsukishima stood, looking absolutely disgusted. Next to him, Yamaguchi and Yachi stared at them with wide eyes, both frozen in shock.

Feeling completely annoyed, Tobio muttered under his breath, "Couldn’t you have at least knocked?"

"This isn't your house, for fuck's sake!" Tsukishima snapped in an instant.

Yachi, overwhelmed by the tension, tried to explain, "Uhm… we.. we… senpai told us to get you both because— WE ARE VERY SO SORRY FOR INTRUDING!" She blurted out, bowing apologetically, barely containing her panic.

"No, Yachi-san, don't apologize. This isn't on us," Tsukishima added coldly, glaring at both Tobio and Hinata.

Yamaguchi, who had remained silent until now, took a step into the gym. Tobio felt a slight wave of unease wash over him as Yamaguchi’s serious expression hardened.

"Hinata, Kageyama," Yamaguchi began calmly, "What the hell was that?"

Before Tobio could respond, the rest of the team began trickling into the gym without warning.

"Why are you guys yelling?" Daichi asked, worry etched on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Ennoshita added.

"Yes."

"No." Tsukishima and Tobio responded simultaneously, confusing everyone even further.

"What do you mean 'no'? There is a problem!" Tsukishima interjected with a sharp tone.

"What’s going on? Yachi-san?" Sugawara chimed in, turning toward Yachi for clarification. She was biting her lip nervously, clearly uncomfortable.

"Uhm.. when… when we went to get Kageyama and Hinata…" Yachi stammered, "we… we saw them k..kissing."

The gym fell into complete silence. Every pair of eyes shifted to Tobio and Hinata. For a few moments, no one spoke. Then, as if in slow motion, the seniors exchanged shocked glances before all eyes landed back on the couple.

"They WHAT?!"

"Yachi-san said she saw them kissed!"

"We saw them kissed, Nishinoya-san. Me and Yamaguchi saw it too."

Tobio exhaled deeply, trying to keep his patience while the whole gym turned into chaos.

"I seriously don't understand," Tobio finally said, succesfully make the whole team shut their mouth. He then gripped Hinata's hand and pulling him closer without hesitation.

"Why is it such a big deal that we kissed? I mean, we're dating, so what's the issue here?" His tone was calm, but there was a hint of challenge in his raised brow.

"YOU GUYS ARE WHAT?!"

The entire team’s collective shout echoed through the gym, making both Tobio and Hinata jump in surprise once again.

"Uh… I think you just broke them," Hinata whispered to Tobio as he glancing at their teammates, who stood frozen, mouths hanging open in disbelief.

"Is that really our fault?" Tobio replied, unfazed by their reactions.

"Hold on, so you're telling us that you guys are dating? Like, dating DATING?!" Tanaka finally managed to get the words out, still looking like he’d seen a ghost.

"Yeah," Hinata nodded as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Since when?!" Asahi asked, looking utterly bewildered.

"Since after the Spring High tournament," Hinata explained casually.

"THAT LONG?!" Sugawara nearly shrieked, flailing his arms in exaggerated disbelief. "And you never told us?! Not even a hint?!"

"What do you mean, Suga-san?" Tobio furrowed his brow, clearly confused by their shock. "We told you more than once," he replied bluntly. "We also made it obvious."

"Yachi-san caught us too." Hinata added, pointing toward Yachi, who looked genuinely taken aback by the revelation.

"Wait, me? WHAT? WHEN?" Yachi asked, clearly puzzled.

"That time you came up to us during lunch break," Hinata clarified.

Yachi furrowed her brow, trying to recall the memory. Her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered the scene. "Was that when I saw you feeding Kageyama?" she asked cautiously.

"Yeah," Tobio confirmed. "We thought we were caught red-handed, but you acted like it was nothing."

"I DIDN'T KNOW!" Yachi exclaimed while putting both of her hands to hide her flustered face. "I.. I just thought it was normal for you two!"

"Wait, wait," Sugawara interjected, "So when you said Hinata was your partner that time he broke his nails, you were referring to him being your boyfriend?"

Tobio nodded, "Yes. And you all seemed to have misunderstood."

Daichi and Tanaka groaned, remembering their reactions back then.

"How could we be so oblivious?" Daichi muttered, rubbing his face in exasperation.

"These past few months, they did seem a lot closer than usual indeed," Nishinoya remarked.

"But if you think about it again," Tsukishima added, "They’ve always been like this, no?" The glasses continued, "The way they looked at each other with those longing gazes, the subtle touches they thought no one noticed. It has already been there since beginning."

Huh?

It was now Tobio and Hinata's turn to stunned, they looked at each other with a frown on their foreheads before looking back at their friends.

"Tsukki’s right," Yamaguchi agreed. "We didn’t notice the changes because they were always like that, only now they’re not hiding it anymore."

"We were always like this?!" Hinata and Tobio exclaimed in unison, both stunned by the revelation.

"You didn’t even notice yourselves?!" Yamaguchi looked at them incredulously.

Tsukishima sighed and slap his own forehead in exasperation. "When did you even realize your own feelings?"

"Right after the Spring High,"

"After he told me I was invincible with him by my side,"

Tobio’s head snapped towards Hinata, his eyes widening in disbelief as he took in Hinata’s flushed cheeks. "That long?!"

"Oh my God," Tsukishima groaned, clearly fed up with their antics by now, "I can’t deal with this level of idiocy. I'm leaving the gym." 

"Don’t leave without us, Tsukishima!" Ennoshita shouted to Tsukishima who was already leaving the gym, "Shall we head out too, Suga-san?

Sugawara nodded, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Yes, let’s go. Hinata and Kageyama too, you’re coming with us."

Hinata’s curiosity got the better of him. "Where are we going?" He asked while tilting his head.

"To the ramen restaurant!" Tanaka exclaimed with a wide grin. "Kiyoko-san said she’s treating us all!"

Shimizu, who had been quiet ever since she entered the gym, smiled warmly. "The original plan was to gather together before we part ways. But now, I think it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate your relationship too."

"You guys.. don't mind with it?" Tobio carefully asked, a bit uncertain with his own question.

"Why would we?" Nishinoya chimed in, his face lighting up with a wide smile. "Seeing you both happy is what matters most!"

Tobio then turned his face to Hinata, who was looking back at him with a wide smile. "See? I told you so!" Hinata said with a beaming face.

Tobio grinned back, using one of his hands to gently rub Hinata’s hair.

"Oh God," Tanaka then said, "I just hope I don’t see that sight too often!"

Then, all of them burst into laughter.