Chapter Text
Tobio prides himself in his ability to come up with strategies. What he now realizes is that the only strategies of his that are successful are the ones related to volleyball. He didn't come to this realization right away—he was quite proud of himself for coming up with yet another successful strategy. But what he realizes is that his strategy used off the court to trick his sister wasn’t as foolproof as he thought.
If you were to ask him, Tobio wouldn’t necessarily call it “tricking” Miwa, he’s simply putting his sister’s worries at ease while also getting rid of a headache that arises every time his sister calls. For the last few weeks, every time Miwa called she would go on an at least 15 minute rant about how important it was for Tobio to meet new people and find a partner. And trying to be a kind younger brother who was attempting to reconnect with his older sister after years, he listened to her rants for the first 2 weeks. Everyone has limits, though. And being officially over Miwa’s lectures, Tobio blurted out that he was already dating someone without a second thought.
Tobio was met with silence. It made him question his decision for a second until he heard Miwa eventually congratulate him a few moments later. All of the doubts that ran through Tobio’s mind during those few seconds disappeared and he suddenly felt like a genius. But he only got to ride that high for a few seconds before Miwa asked who the person was. This was where Tobio’s first mistake came in. Without giving it a second thought, he blurted out Shouyou’s name. It was fine, though, Miwa lived hours away and never came to visit. Even though she had met Shouyou a few times, she probably wouldn’t see him again for a while. And if she did ever visit him and she wanted to see Shouyou, he could just say they broke up! He really was a genius.
Their weekly phone calls continued on without a hitch. And ever since Tobio initiated his master plan to get Miwa to stop nagging him, he was able to look forward to their phone calls just a little more.
His second and biggest problem didn’t reveal itself until around 3 months later when Tobio was laying on his couch while on the phone with Miwa yet again.
”How are you and Hinata doing?” Miwa’s voice came through the speaker phone on Tobio’s chest—low and from a distance. “We’re fine.” This was Tobio’s typical answer. He was no longer phased when Miwa occasionally asked for updates on his and Shouyou’s “relationship,” and Miwa never questioned him any more which only further proved how amazing Tobio’s plan was.
Miwa’s voice came through the phone again. “So I have a favor to ask of you.”
”Sure, what is it,” Tobio replied without a second thought.
“Do you mind if I stay with you for a few days? I’ve been wanting to visit Tokyo and it would be nice to hang out with you.”
“That’s fine,” Tobio mindlessly replied. He wouldn’t mind seeing his sister for a few days. While their phone calls were nice, it would be fun to actually be with her.
”Thanks! I was also thinking me, you, and Hinata could hang out while I’m there. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him and it would be fun if all of us got together!”
Tobio shot up from his position on his couch, his phone going flying. Miwa seeing Shouyou again? That wouldn’t work. Shouyou has no clue that he’s Tobio’s boyfriend, and he’s not supposed to. He can’t imagine the amount of embarrassment that he’d have trying to explain his situation to Shouyou.
But what is he supposed to do? He can’t lie and say that Shouyou isn’t busy because he doesn’t even know when Miwa is coming over yet. He can’t say they broke up either because he just said they were doing fine.
”Tobio?” He heard from the voice now on the floor. Miwa probably heard the thud from Tobio’s phone falling and was worried.
”Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I’m sure Hinata would be down,” he croaked while picking up his phone. He had to get through this conversation first before he can figure anything out.
“Alright! I’ll text you the dates in a bit and you can let Hinata know. I have to go for now. I’ll talk to you later!”
Tobio gave a short goodbye before hanging up and promptly throwing his phone on the other side of the couch.
Maybe his plan wasn't as good as he thought it was. But it’s too late to go back on his word now. He’s been lying to Miwa for months already!
Tobio decides that the only way to get through this is to convince Shouyou to pretend to date him while Miwa visits.
Tobio is reminded of yesterday’s conversation when he gets a text as promised from Miwa about when she was visiting. He’s unlocking his door when he feels his phone buzz in his pocket and he takes it out, forgetting that Shouyou is right behind him waiting for Tobio to open the door.
“Is that Miwa? Tell her I said hi! It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”
“Why are you looking at my screen?! Mind your damn business,” Tobio shouts while finally pushing the door open. He had invited Shoyou over to his apartment after practice to watch some past games he got ahold of.
“Maybe if you didn’t take forever to open the door I wouldn’t have looked,” Shouyou squabbles back while he takes his shoes off.
Tobio drops his bag before copying Shouyou’s motions. “Whatever, dumbass. Just don’t go snooping on my phone like that.”
“What did Miwa want, though? Don’t you guys usually call instead of text,” Shouyou asks while walking over to the couch to plop himself down.
Tobio supposes now is a good time to propose his idea. He takes a deep breath while sitting next to Shouyou.
“I need to ask you for a favor.”
Shouyou notices his change in demeanor. “Sure. What is it?” He stares back with questioning and semi-worried eyes. He readjusts himself to sit up in his spot on the couch to properly face Tobio.
“Miwa’s going to stay at my house for a few days and I need you to act as my boyfriend while she’s here.” Tobio mutters the words as fast as he can, already feeling the embarrassment seeping into him.
Shouyou stares at him for a few seconds that feel like an eternity to Tobio, before Shouyou doubles down on himself and bursts out laughing.
Tobio feels his cheeks heat up even more as he watches him laugh. “What’s so funny, dumbass?! This is serious!”
“That’s seriously the favor,” Shouyou manages to ask him between his laughs. “What situation could you possibly get yourself into that you now need me to act like your boyfriend?”
“I’m being serious okay! I really need your help!”
Tobio continues to watch Shouyou as his laughter eventually dies down. He has to catch his breath before replying.
“Okay, okay, I’m listening. Why do you need my help?”
Tobio lets out a frustrated sigh. “A few months ago Miwa wouldn’t stop nagging me about needing to find a partner. I got tired of hearing it every time we called so I eventually decided to lie and say that I was already dating someone so she would stop.”
He sees Shouyou giving him an amused smile before he speaks. “Okay, but why does it specifically have to be me who pretends to be your boyfriend.”
“I don’t know! Your name was just the one to come out of my mouth when she asked who I was dating!”
“Are you actually into men, though? I mean, you could’ve said Yachi or something, but you said me.”
Tobio’s cheeks brighten again for a new reason. “I mean, yeah. I don’t think I’m interested in women.”
Shouyou’s smile drops a little, noticing the seriousness in Tobio’s tone. “Oh. When did you tell Miwa…?”
“Not long after we graduated high school. We’ve been trying to get closer these past few years.” Tobio looks off to the side awkwardly.
“Oh.” Shouyou mutters. His smile brightens again. “Alright, I’ll help you. Just don’t actually fall for me,” he jokes.
Tobio splutters. “Don’t flatter yourself, dumbass! The only reason I said your name was because you annoy me so much that you stay on my mind!”
Shouyou gasps. “That’s so rude! I’m not annoying!”
“Yeah right! That’s what you think.”
“Whatever! You should be nice to me since I’m helping you!”
“Oh please, if I had the choice I would’ve preferred anyone else but you to help me.” That’s a lie. He isn’t as close to anyone as he is with Shouyou and if he actually had the choice Tobio would’ve picked him to be in this lie with. Shouyou doesn’t have to know that, though.
Shouyou begins to go on a tangent that Tobio doesn’t hear because he suddenly starts to question himself.
Why did he say Shouyou’s name? He guesses it is true that Shouyou is on his mind a lot, but is it really because he’s annoying? It’s not like Shouyou’s there messing with him whenever Tobio’s thinking about him. There has to be another reason why.
He decides it doesn’t matter.
“Whatever, dumbass,” Tobio cuts in during Shouyou’s complaining. “Let’s just watch the games.”
Shouyou scoffs. “If I’m gonna act like your boyfriend you’re gonna have to start being nice to me.”
“Yeah yeah,” Tobio grunts out as he pulls up the recorded game on his nearby laptop.
The two end up watching new and old games for hours, analyzing the different teams’ moves and strategies until it eventually gets dark. When Shouyou decides it’s time to go, Tobio sees him off.
He shuts the door behind Shouyou and sighs, suddenly feeling a wave of tiredness hit him. As Tobio brushes his teeth and lays in bed later that night, he doesn't notice that Shouyou once again occupies his mind before falling asleep.