Under the Stars

Chapter #3: You're Hot Then You're Cold

Tsukishima's plans to go pass out are tragically foiled by the captains of Fukurodani and Nekoma. After their last sets, they asked him to help with Bokuto's spike training. Naturally, Tsukishima refused, but he ended up falling for a taunt. After about an hour of training, he stormed out of the gymnasium after having enough of their antics.

Tsukishima is not an apathetic person, not in the slightest. As an honours student, he works hard in school, and puts a lot of effort into the things he loves, volleyball just not being one of them. It's just a club, he thinks. Something pretty to have on a high school transcript for the colleges to see. Why was everyone around him so interested in volleyball? It's not like they got anything out of it. In the end, all it does is hurt you.

It's easy for people to see his attitude towards volleyball, it's not like he hides it. In fact, he likes to make it obvious, he wants for those around him to understand that he sees it as 'just a club' so that they know why he doesn't work as hard as the rest.

But Kuroo and Bokuto didn't seem to recognize that. Egging him on, taunting him, downright insulting him. Honestly, he didn't mind too much, he's always had a thick skin. That is, until it got personal.

"You've got to pick up your slack, Skinny, or else that number 10 is gonna outshine you, can't forget he's a middle blocker too."

Tsukishima had gone silent for a moment before he faked a smile and said, "Yeah, I don't think there's much I can do about that, he's got a lot more potential than me."

Not a moment later, the rest of Nekoma walked into the gym, giving him an excuse to leave. "Well, I think that my job here is done."

Despite Kuroo's protests, Tsukishima left without another word. He could hear Akaashi and Bokuto teasing him for pissing Tsukki off.

Now, he walks with his head down as he continues on his way back to the classroom. Deep in thought about what Kuroo said to him.

Of course Hinata's better than me, he admits to himself. I knew that from the start when I saw how high the shrimp could jump. I don't really want him to be better than me, but what's the point in competing with each other? It's not like the club really matters. Besides, the standard is just going to get higher and higher to the point where it's unattainable and we end up beating ourselves up over not being able to reach it. His mind keeps him busy almost all the way back to the team's room.

The night air is warm, but not overwhelmingly so. Bugs swarm around the few lit lamps, their buzzing audible from meters away. As Tsukishima passes each gym, he sees all the different teams practicing after hours. He can distantly hear the occasional 'nice serve' or 'chance ball', and the cheers of the side who had just scored a point. Everyone's doing something, whether it be serves, sets or spikes. Everyone except him.

Shit, Tsukishima thinks, I left my knee pads in the gym. He grumbles as he reluctantly turns around and heads back to the gymnasium where Karasuno is practicing. He hopes that they don't try to suck him into practicing some more blocks.

Turns out, everyone is too focused on their own practice to even notice him walk in. He spots his knee pads on the floor behind the bench, so he snatches them up, trying to leave as soundlessly as he arrived.

He makes it outside and breathes out heavily, not realizing that he had been holding it in the first place. Finally, I can get back to the room and have some goddamn peace and qui-

"Hey Tsukki," he hears Yamaguchi behind him, his voice even more weary than just an hour ago.

"What the hell are you still doing here."

It wasn't phrased as a question.