The King's Rival [kagehina]

Chapter 2: Competition

Kageyama arrived at practice early and thought he was the first one there since there was no one else in the locker room. He changed quickly and went to the gym, hoping he could catch Hinata before warm-ups started. However, Kags was in for a big surprise. He stopped dead in the doorway to the gym because it wasn't empty. Coach was there talking with ... a new guy?

The unknown person was young, looked about Kayeyama's age, and was dressed in black shorts and a white t-shirt. His hair was black and yellow, and he was a little taller and a little bulkier than Kageyama. He was laughing and looking relaxed talking to coach. Kageyama was never relaxed talking to coach, and he'd been on the team for months. Kags was tempted to turn around - he did not want to have to actually meet a new person, but coach caught his eye and called him over.

"Oh, Kayeyama, I'm glad you're here. I want to introduce you to Miya Atsumu. He's a transfer student and he'll be trying out for the team. He's a setter, just like you!"

Kageyama was a bit stunned. WTF? Is he after my starting spot? He managed a brief "Hey."

Miya was all smiles and asking Kageyama lots of questions about what year he was, how long he'd been on the team, how old was he when he started playing volleyball, and a bunch of other annoying questions that Kags absolutely did not want to answer. He just wanted to warm up and talk to Hinata, but this guy wouldn't quit.

Finally, after ten very annoying minutes, other team members started to stream in. Kageyama's eyes were focused on the door looking for Hinata. Finally, FINALLY, Hinata came in, talking to Bokuto and Kuroo. Kageyama was so happy to see him, he felt himself flush. He had missed his Tangerine.

Hinata looked pretty happy. His bright smile was plastered on his face as usual, and he was greeting everyone in that friendly way he had. Of course, everyone loves Hinata, how can you not? He's a ball of sunshine, always so positive and upbeat. It is impossible to feel bad around him.

Kageyama started to walk towards Hinata almost without thinking. He had to talk to him, to make things right. And he needed to look in those beautiful brown eyes again, he realized, to make sure Hinata wasn't mad at him any more. When he was a couple of meters from Hinata's group, the redhead looked at him and the smile on his face faded. Kageyama's heart burst into a million pieces. He had his answer, Hinata was still upset. But he had to still try.

Kags: "Hey, Hinata. How are you? How was your break?"

Hinata: "Fine."

The others noticed the tension and were looking around awkwardly when Miya, who had followed Kags (of course he did), went up to the three guys and introduced himself. Again, all smiles and handshakes and charm. Ugh. It made Kags want to puke. He tried to draw Hinata's attention away from the newcomer.

Kags: "Hinata, we have to talk."

Hinata looked at him, a little sadly. "No, it's OK. I get it. There's nothing to say."

Kageyama wanted very badly to reply that there was a lot to say, but he couldn't get it out before Miya started conversing with Hinata.

Miya: "Are you the libero?"

Hinata: "Ha, no. That's Nishinoya. I'm a middle blocker. And yes, I know I'm short, but I can jump really high."

Miya just smiled a crooked smile at Hinata and something like anger rose in Kageyama without him understanding why.

Miya: "I look forward to watching you play."

Kageyama held back a snort as the coach called for warm-ups to start. They were broken into groups and OF COURSE Hinata was put with the new guy. Kageyama was practicing setting with Bokuto with Kuroo blocking and Miya was setting to Hinata. Kageyama felt a pang very like jealousy as he watched them getting along. Miya certainly seemed to be enjoying watching Hinata, and he made no effort to hide it. He was, for sure, outgoing, talkative and comfortable. The more Kageyama watched Miya, the more angry (jealous) he became.

He tried to focus on practice and ignore the high fives going back and forth between the redhead and Pisshead, which he had decided to call the new guy sometime in the last hour. He was not on his game, still thinking about how he really wanted to talk to Hinata. The practice seemed to take way longer than usual, but it was finally over and he tried to catch Hinata before he left the gym.

Kags: "Hinata? Can we talk after you're changed? It's important ..."

Hinata: "Sorry, Kageyama, but I told Miya I'd show him around campus after practice."

Kageyama stood a bit stunned. How was he ever going to fix this if Hinata wouldn't even talk to him? And how could he ever talk to Hinata now that Pisshead was around? He watched Hinata walk away and stood rooted to the spot for a moment, before realizing he was standing there like an idiot. He reluctantly went to the locker room with the others.