the boy who got too close to the sun

15: crashing waves

The next day was just like the rest. And by that, I mean Hinata was acting like he usually does. Having fun with the rest of the team, including Kageyama.

He was currently doing a chicken fight in the water against Tanaka and Nishinoya. Somehow, he was able to drag Kageyama to play with him since he needed to sit on someone's shoulders. The taller boy was reluctant only because he was confused on how Hinata was acting so normal. He didn't even look sad anymore.

SPLASH!

"HEY! I WANT A REMATCH!" Hinata shouted, falling off Kageyama's shoulders after Nishinoya pushed him in. They had bite marks on their body since well... they bit each other. Weirdos.

"FINE, BRING IT ON, LOSERS!" Nishinoya and Tanaka cackled, already triumphing over their win.

Shoyo hopped back onto Tobio's shoulders, and they did their rematch. This time, the two losers were more competitive, and they actually ended up winning against Tanaka and Nishinoya. The two previous winners grumbled at their loss, and cackling at the fact that Yuu got salt water up his nose from when he fell.

"NOYA! TANAKA! COME HERE!" Daichi shouted from the sand, needing the two second years for something. They nodded, swimming off to where their captain was.

Hinata flopped back into the water, and off of Kageyama's shoulders. But, it looked like the raven haired boy had a question he wanted to ask Shoyo.

"Hinata."

"Yeah? What is it, Kageyama?"

"Are you... okay?"

"Yup, why wouldn't I be?"

Hinata giggled, swimming off to the shore of the beach. It looked like he went to go talk to Daichi about something, and he just left the beach. Kageyama's eyes tried to follow where the shorter boy went but, he wasn't able to.

It was strange. For Tobio at least.

Something in his chest was painful. It was like Hinata forgot all about that night but, Kageyama wasn't able to forget about that kiss. It was like the shorter boy did it on purpose. Just so that it would linger around in his mind. He was upset that Sho could forget about it but he couldn't.

So, he swam back to shore, and tailed Hinata. Unexpectedly, and it was kind of funny when he just slipped back into that hole.

Kageyama knew where he was going.

SPLASH!

"AGHHH! KAGEYAMA!" Hinata shouted in horror, feeling a large splash of water hit him. The taller boy jumped down into the hole, knowing that the shorter one would be swimming in here. "What are you doing here?!" he exclaimed, wiping the water from his eyes.

"Listen, I have a bone to pick with you." Kageyama boomed, obviously annoyed with something bothering him.

"What'd I do this time?" Hinata pouted, still treading in the water. Honestly, he had a slight hint of what was bothering the taller boy. It was practically written all over his face, and even an idiot could see it.

But, Kageyama realized how embarrassing it was to actually say out loud. "I can't um...get your k-kiss...OUT OF MY HEAD. Okay there, I said it." He sighed out of relief, kind of just blurting it all out. It echoed in the cave they were in, as it was dead silent with awkwardness.

"Well... how is that my issue? It kind of sounds like a personal problem, Kageyama." Shoyo stifled his laughter.

"It's because you're the one that kissed me!" He retorted, turning a crimson shade of red. "S- So, take responsibility or something!" He demanded, awkwardly treading water. But, his words only hurt Hinata more.

"Listen, what do you want me to do, Kageyama?" Sho sighed, looking up at the taller boy. Kageyama was still flushed of bright red, and somehow, there was a strange longing in his eyes. It made the orange haired boy's heart hurt. "Don't tell me...you want me to kiss you again or something?"

Kageyama's face getting more red gave Shoyo the answer he needed.

"...Are you serious?" Hinata said it such a hurt tone, it startled the taller boy. "You rejected me yesterday, so why are you acting like this?" Pain was written all over his face, and a tinge of guilt struck Kageyama's chest.

"Hinata-"

"Just, stop." Shoyo muttered, going off to swim to the sandy area where the opening was. And with that, he left the cave, and passed the queen conch shell on the shore.

Even if he was pretending to act normal, even cheerful people have their limits.

"...Shit." Kageyama mumbled, burying his face into his hands. Sure, it wasn't his fault (well it kinda is) he rejected the shorter boy but, he really fucked up now.

For the rest of the day, Hinata spent it avoiding the raven haired boy. And after everyone went back to the house for their last night, the shorter boy didn't come back to his room. He was out on the sandy shore, just dazing off into the waters, listening to the waves crashing against the shore since there was no other sound besides it.

From the distance, Kageyama could see him sitting there. He could spot that orange hair from anywhere.

But this time, he didn't go after him.

[...]

The whole team thanked Sugawara for letting them stay at the beach house. Though, they all noticed the elephant in the room. And that elephant was the two closest boys on the team, standing apart. Even on the bus the sat all the way in the back, but apart from each other.

It made the whole bus atmosphere off, but the team still decided to chat and laugh together since well, it seemed like a personal problem. They were still concerned though.

But, one teammate had a clue a what was going on.

'He rejected you, huh?' Tsukishima thought, looking out the window with music playing into his ears.

to be continued...