Chapter Text
Oikawa had told himself that he hated Tobio-chan.
That brat had a smug nonchalant aura, a face too serious for someone with a pretty face, and that irritating, no-nonsense tone that grated on Oikawa's nerves. Not to mention, the ravenette had dared to challenge him. Who did that? Yes, the one and only Tobio-chan.
So yes, Oikawa hated him. Really Really hated him.
That's what he told himself and his teammates.
He walked into the gym with his team, standing tall and proud, ready for the weekend scrimmage between his school, Aoba Johsai, and the other two teams which are Karasuno and Inarizaki. The sound of volleyballs, sneakers squeaking, and the fake-blond's guy with a loud voice that echoed through the court.
And then he saw him. Kageyama Tobio--the prettiest, the most annoying boy alive, after Ushijima, of course, except, Kageyama is the only one that is pretty. He was just there, practicing his toss like it was the only thing that mattered in his life, with the same scowl and same stupid perfect form. What made it more annoying was that he looks good doing it.
Oikawa just rolled his eyes. "How boring."
But the next moment, something ugly crawled up through his chest when he saw Kageyama standing too close to Atsumu. Atsumu was laughing, Kageyama didn't. But Oikawa noticed how Kageyama's mouth twiitched in the slightest. The way awkwardly tilted his head. He was listening to Atsumu. He was paying attention to Him. He.Did.Not.Push.Atsumu.Away.
Kageyama even nodded to the things that Atsumu said. Atsumu was probably just yapping random stuffs that doesn't actually matter or even important. Why the hell would Kageyama listen to him talking about something that doesn't have to do with volleyball? Kageyama loves volleyball, he devoted his whole life to volleyball. Since when did he care about other stuffs? Oikawa tried so hard to pretend that he didn't care. But the longer he looked at them standing too close to each other, he felt like he wanted to throw up from the feeling that he didn't even know what to name.
"Why does Atsumu acting like they are the bestest friends in the world?" Oikawa thinks.
Then, not long after that, Kageyama and Atsumu left together. They were walking side by side.
"Where are they going?" Oikawa muttered before he could stop himself, eyes tracking the two setters as they headed out of the gym.
His best friend, Iwaizumi, raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Tobio-chan...and that blondie." Oikawa gestured vaguely.
"To grab food probably. Why do you want to know?" Iwaizumi asked, wondering why does it matter to Oikawa.
Oikawa scoffed. "Nothing."
He said nothing but his hand tightened around his water bottle.
He said nothing but his stomach twisted just by seeing them together.
He said nothing but he felt so sick that he wanted to throw up.
Was it really nothing?
It was obviously a lie. And Iwaizumi could read him like alphabets book.
Oikawa had told himself that he hated Kageyama, he hated him so much. He's too good at everything, he acted like he was better than everyone. He was annoying, cold, narcisstic and stuck-up. So, why does it bother him so much that Kageyama looked relaxed around Atsumu? Why did it make his jaw clench?
He spent the rest of his evening being distracted by it, his mood was off for the whole evening, and when he finally got home, he didn't even approach his parents and went straight to his bedroom. He hated this feeling, he couldn't even name it. He was too prideful to admit that it was jealousy. But it's the only correct answer, he was jealous, he is jealous. Feelings are complicated and he hated that he had to deal with it since no one would do it for him.
-
During their next practice match againts Karasuno, Oikawa was sharper than ever. He was really brutal and gave no mercy to the crows. He sent every serve screaming in Kageyama's direction, watched him closely with narrowed eyes, calculating and cold.
"You're really aggressive today. I wonder why." Iwaizumi muttered, probably knowing what is going on. He could see how Oikawa's eyes never left Kageyama.
Oikawa himself had just realized that he didn't hate Kageyama all this time. Yes, he might be jealous of Kageyama's skills. He still is. But instead of them just being rivals in volleyball, Oikawa's feelings might be something that doesn't have to do with volleyball.
He wanted Kageyama's attention. Always had.
And when someone else had it, he felt jealous, possessive, territorial even.
-
The ramen shop in Oikawa's neighbourhood wasn't anything fancy--yellow lights, wood counters, the clink of chopsticks, and the steam fogging up the windows. Just the kind of place Oikawa loved to unwind with his best friends, Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, and Matsukawa after practice.
They'd barely ordered anything when the door chimed opened, Oikawa glanced up instinctly and immediately regretted it.
Because why the hell would Kageyama and Atsumu walked in together.
Kageyama had his usual expression--the deadpan face, but the second they found a corner booth, something shifted. Atsumu pulled out a magazine--Oikawa could see the glossy cover where it was written Monthly Volleyball Japan.
Then, Kageyama spoke. He actually talked, not just one to three words. But in full sentences. His eyes lights up and he was excited too. Oikawa couldn't hear any word Kageyama said since he felt too sick to the core knowing how enthusiastic Kageyama is when talking to Atsumu. Oikawa just ordered his food, along with his friends, they ate quickly and immediately left. He had made an excuse that he needed to get a group project done so his friends would agree to leave quickly.
Half an hour later when Kageyama was done eating and talking, he got up to pay. He walked up to the front, waiting patiently as the shop owner tallied their order. Then, the man gave him a smile.
"No need to pay, kid. Yours was covered."
Kageyama blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
The man nodded toward the booth that had been empty for the last fifteen minutes. "A man with fluffy brown hair, really tall. He's one of the guys from the volleyball magazine I think, the one from Aoba Johsai High, the captain."
Kageyama's eyes widened slightly. "Oikawa-san...?"
But then, the owner rubbed the back of his neck. "He said it was just for you, though. He told me clearly, 'Just the pretty one, probably not the blondie.' he said."
"Did I hear that right?" Atsumu asked, wiping his mouth with a tissue, looking offended.
Kageyama looked confused. "I guess so."
Atsumu let out a low whistle, the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
"That's interestin'." He said.
"Maybe I should spend more time with ya since it seems like it gets under someone's skin." He continued with a smirk on his face.
-
Kageyama's grandfather had taught him manners, even though he was blunt and slow, he still has common sense and a thing called manners. His grandfather told him to always say thank you properly and Oikawa had paid for his ramen. He has to thank him, even though he didn't pay for Atsumu. It shouldn't be a big deal, right?
So, he typed the thank you message, in his own polite way.
Kageyama: Thank you for paying my ramen, Oikawa-San."
That's it.
Now, he just needed to wait for Oikawa to reply.