you can fly even higher

recognition (iwaizumi)

Iwaizumi Hajime

"Iwaizumi-san!", someone calls, and Hajime's first reaction is to stop to see if he heard right. Did someone call him?

He looks over his shoulder and finds that one of his classmates is running to him calling his name again. He blinks a few times, just to be sure that he is seeing correctly. His cute classmate just called him and that, for some reason, makes him feel nervous.

"Ahhh, y-yes?", he asks, once you are in front of him.

You put a hand up, asking him for a moment because you came running and you are out of breath. Hajime gives it to you, feeling nervous and a little weird because they are in the middle of the hall and some eyes are looking at him. Not to say that he is running late to practice.

"Sorry about that", you say, looking at him with a grin and something in your hand. Hajime simply nods, because he is afraid he'll say something stupid. He is not very lucky when cute people stand in front of him. "I just want to ask you something", you say, looking at the paper in your hand.

Suddenly, you look a little nervous and when he looks at the paper and sees some heading that has to do with the newspaper club, it hits him. Is kinda disappointing but is the usual situation he always finds himself in.

"If you want to ask Oikawa something, he should be in practice already", he says, and you look at him blinking a few times.

"Oikawa? Oh, no. I want to ask you something, not him. He is the captain and has a lot of fans, but I want to interview you", you make an annoyed expression when you talk about Oikawa, but then you end your sentence with a grin. A genuine grin that makes Hajime's heart almost stop.

On the other hand, he is shocked now. Do you want to interview him?

"You want to interview me?", he asks, pointing at himself like he doesn't believe it.

"Yes", you answer with such confidence and happiness that makes Hajime even more confused.

"Why? He is the captain of the volleyball club and the best player".

"Well, I differ", Hajime lets out a surprised gasp that almost makes you laugh. "Oikawa is the captain and is a very talented player and has a promising future in volleyball and blah, blah, blah, but I think that you're just as cool and a good player as him", you say this with your hands in your back and a straight posture with a tone that people giving facts use. "You're the ace, the most important offense piece of every volleyball team, you're the dude who scores. And yeah, that is thanks to the setter and defense is also important, but to me, there is nothing cooler than a good ace. And you're the cool kind and I think you deserve the recognition that Oikawa is always stealing".

You are standing there, in front of him, in the middle of the hallway, complimenting him, telling him that he is just as cool as Oikawa like is the most normal thing, like is a whole damn fact proved by the Scientific Method and approved by NASA or whatever.

And for a few seconds, Iwaizumi Hajime stares at you with pure shock like he is hearing all this for the first time in his life. And he doesn't know what to say or do more than getting red as a tomato because, indeed, no one has told him something like that before. He always thought that he was just a normal average volleyball player and that the glory will always be for Oikawa.

You somehow are proving it wrong, and Hajime feels both happy and surprised.

"So, because you deserve to be well known just as Oikawa, especially now that is your last year, I was thinking, if you will allow me, interviewing you for the sports section of this week. Is nothing fancy, nothing serious, just a few questions so other students can know you. I even have them here", you say, putting the paper you have been holding all this time in front of you, offering it to him like he is some type of god or something.

Hajime swallows, getting redder than he already is. He blinks a few times and extends his hand to take the paper. He clears his throat and starts reading it. The questions weren't weird nor unusual ones. They were the typical things of, when did you start? what you love most about volleyball? What's your funniest memory of it? why did you start in volleyball? and a few more personal ones like, which is your favorite food? What is your favorite hobby? Or what do you want to do after graduation?

For a few seconds, it made Hajime feel like he is a sports celebrity and he is getting ready for a TV interview. And that makes him feel even more nervous and happy.

"What do you think? Can I interview you?", Hajime looks at you again. You're looking at him with a big grin and big eyes.

"Y-yes. I don't have a problem", you grin even brighter, if that is even possible.

"Awesome! When we can do it? I need it before next Thursday".

Hajime opens his mouth to answer when suddenly he hears a noisy voice and a very known nickname he hates with his life.

"Iwa-chan! I finally find you!", Hajime doesn't have to turn around to know that is Oikawa and he doesn't hide the face he makes. "What is taking you so long? The practice is about to – ", Oikawa stops talking just as he stops beside the dark-haired teen. When he sees you, his mouth turns into an O, and his expression changes completely. "Oh, hi".

Hajime elbows him just before he can say something embarrassing, and you almost laugh at the face Oikawa does.

"So, answering your question, is okay if we do it after practice?"

"Of course, I have time", you answer, and you smile, he mirrors you, and then Oikawa eyes the two of you.

"Since when are you two dating?"

"Shut the fuck off Shittykawa!", Hajime says before punching him in the stomach again.

"That was unnecessary!"

Hajime and you start walking then, talking about some things while Oikawa yelled behind for both of you to wait for him.

You two ignored him completely.