Akaashi's 18th (and the events that followed...)

49. Butterfly Effect

3-person POV:

HINATA:
It was probably the first time Hinata had worn a tuxedo before - all the other formal events he had been invited to in the past had required him to wear a kimono - and he wriggled his shoulders in distaste at the stiff shirt and jacket he had already begun to sweat through. Kimonos were stiff, too, but at least they weren't made of whatever horrible fabric his suit had been thrown together from.

"Looking good, Hinata-kun!" Bokuto grinned at him, giving him a thumbs up, and Hinata scowled as Atsumu-kun burst out laughing at his discomfort. The two of them looked perfectly natural in their formal attire, despite Bokuto's large arms - which were wrapped around Akaashi's shoulders - straining the jacket's seams to the breaking point.

At least, Hinata reminded himself, there was dinner.

A feast, in fact. The coaches had both worked together to provide a full, multicultural spread for the international players - fluffy rice, curries, pizza, steamed vegetables, and of course, barbecued meat! Hinata drooled at the sight of it all laid out before him. Being a professional volleyball player truly was the best thing in the entire world.

Hinata grabbed a plate, piling on the food. Well, he did deserve it after all. He was about to sit with his team when he was beckoned over by not only Ushijima and Hoshiumi-kun, but also Heiwajima-kun, Hirugami-kun, and Sokolov-san from the Adlers. And - much to the surprise of Kageyama, if his mildly stunned expression was anything to go by - Hinata blended seamlessly into the banter of the team.

Occasionally, his gaze flitted over to where Kageyama was sitting, slightly behind the rest of the team, but still within arm's reach. He appeared far more at ease with this social situation than he had used to, Hinata mused. Far more at ease than Hinata himself felt. Just like Bokuto and Atsumu-kun, Kageyama appeared perfectly comfortable in a tuxedo, and had clearly been to these post-match dinners before. His suit didn't seem stiff at all, but rather perfectly tailored to his form - sleek and elegant, just like his volleyball playing. It was too perfect; it made Hinata's stomach churn.

"Did you see that spike from Bokuto-kun?!" Sokolov-kun exclaimed, eyes wide. "It was so cool - we couldn't have blocked it in a million years!"

"We could've done it with more practice." Hirugami-san rolled his eyes.

"No way - that power could match one of Kageyama's or Ushijima-san's serves," Solokov-kun replied dismissively. "Maybe even beat it!"

"Neh, Kageyama," Hinata interjected. "Your serves are even better than they used to be!"

"'Course they are, boke! I've been practicing! You have too, obviously." Hinata glanced at Kageyama's face, which had suddenly become a little withdrawn. The silent implication of the words 'without me' was left hanging in the air.

"Hinata-kun!" Nicollas, also from the Adlers, waved with a cheery smile. "I'm so glad you've come to sit with us! It's been ages since I last saw you - I was so pumped when I heard you'd joined the Jackals!"

Hinata beamed.

"Wait - you knew Hinata had joined the Jackals?" Kageyama's withdrawn face grew even more sour.

"Yeah, we met him on that day you refused to see him- I mean," Nicollas bowed his head, sheepishly.

"Oh right." Kageyama dropped his head between his knees.

Hinata's heart plummeted into his stomach - had Kageyama deliberately avoided him that day? He stood up, taking Kageyama by the arm and dragging him standing, catching the attention of several other team members. "So you did know I was there - you weren't ill!" He pointed a finger at the setter accusingly.