^Sunshine^ Haikyuu | Daichi x Hinata

Chapter 8:

"I just need that one person

who will stand by me no matter what."

     Hinata was alone again. He was alone in the bathroom crying in an empty stall. He didn't want anyone to see him like that. He looked like a mess. He didn't look like that smiling boy everyone was used to. He looked like a stranger to himself and everyone around him. But that's the thing. He was alone. There was nobody there to help him.

     He shook and sobbed and let the glossy tears fall. He let his feelings go. He didn't even know why he was crying. Today was perfect. He had fun with his friends like he usually did and went to all his boring classes like normal. Why is he crying?

     He sat there on the grimy bathroom floor rubbing his eyes. The only thing that was left was just an empty shell of a boy. It was almost surreal how this could happen. One moment, he felt like he was on top of the world fully aware of the perils beneath. The next, he was engulfed in the dread and terror at the one place he never wanted to be.

     Then there were footsteps. He heard their pace down the line of stalls and stop in front of his. "I know you're in there," The voice echoed through the empty bathroom.

"Go away." Hinata's voice sounded frail and vulnerable.

     The door opened and a certain boy crouched down next to Hinata. He smiled softly and took a couple of squares of toilet paper and dabbed the tears on Hinata's cheeks.

"Stop crying. Nobody wants to see those ugly tears, Shrimpy." Tsukishima chuckled lightly.

...

     Daichi ran a hand through his hair as he checked his phone for the millionth time. Where is he? He sat stiffly on the bench. It was the same bench he and Hinata sat on yesterday. They were supposed to eat here again today, but where's Hinata?

...

Hinata looked into his eyes. "Tsukishima? What are you doing?"

"Helping you. What does it look like?" Hinata blinked at the sarcastic comment.

"Thanks, I guess."

"Whatever," Tsukishima stated blankly. "Are you okay?" His voice was laced with what seemed to be genuine sympathy.

"What does it look like?" Tsukishima laughed at his dry retort.

"Just answer the question, Shrimpy."

"...No." At that single word, Tsukishima's eyes turned kind.

"What's bothering you?"

Hinata stared down at his hands, fidgeting with them. "I-I guess it's just been stressful. I don't know... It just feels like I shouldn't be sad. Almost like I don't have a good reason to be."

"Listen to me carefully, Shoyo," The tall teenager began, "You don't need a reason to be sad, you can just be sad. It doesn't matter whether the day was good or bad, you can still be sad either way. Don't let it get to you, okay?"

     Hinata nodded and looked back up, catching the somewhat kind golden-brown eyes. He stared at them, seemingly frozen by the boy kneeling next to him. Tsukishima caught on and his eyes softened and his hand lifted Hinata's chin, leaning closer until their lips touched.

     Hinata was caught in a delicate kiss. With that, his cheeks reddened and he melted into it. He felt so light and airy compared to the heaviness he felt a moment earlier. He closed his eyes and leaned in further, reluctantly letting go.

"What the hell." Their eyes snapped up to a Daichi Sawamura with a pissed-off expression.

    Daichi angrily pulled Hinata up from the ground dragging him out to the bench. Hinata was scared and he couldn't deny it. He's never seen his captain this angry. Ever. Sure he's seen him sternly scold the team when they acted out inappropriately, but never this level of anger.

"What the hell Hinata!?" Daichi yelled at him.

"What are you so mad about? I don't understand!" Poor Hinata trembled confused and scared.

"What do you mean you 'don't understand!?' You were kissing Tsukishima in the bathroom!" By then, Tsukishima was out there watching, and people were starting to stare.

"Yeah, I did! What's so bad about it? I really don't know why you're making such a big deal out of this! It's not like you and I were dating! We're just living together because you found out I was being abused!" At that, gasps were heard around them. "Oh, shit.." Tears sprang to his eyes.

     Tsukishima immediately sprang to his aid, placing a hand on his cheek. Hinata let the tears fall as he recalled what he just said. He didn't want anyone to know besides the team. That's all who knew. Why did this have to happen? He was pulled close to Tsukishima's chest, letting the tears fall from his eyes ungracefully.

     Daichi was at a loss for words. Did he really feel that way? To be fair, the way he acted was uncalled for. Sure, he was upset, but that doesn't mean what Hinata did was wrong. And a valid point was made. They weren't dating. He took a step back, ashamed of his own actions and thinking he shouldn't be there.

     Tsukishima hugged Hinata protectively, mainly trying to shield him from Daichi who yelled at him harshly only moments before. It hurt him to see the small boy like this. Although he would never admit it vocally, he cared a tremendous amount for the boy that was sobbing into his shirt.

How did this happen so quickly?