New Beginnings (HaikyuuxTPN)

Gathering Players

1 month after leaving the hospital

Shoyo's Pov

I've gotten closer to the Hinata family,  after a few months. I especially like Natsu. I love taking care of little kids. As I was thinking this I felt something bump into my foot. I leaned down to pick up the ball and looked up to see someone waving their hands. I tossed the ball over to him and he yelled thanks. I started walking again and out of the corner of my eye I watched as someone jumped and hit the ball. It fascinated me. It looked so fun. I looked down at my hands and before I realized it I was running over to them asking if I can play. They were much older than me, probably in their late twenties, but nonetheless, they agreed. I went on the team with fewer players to even out the court. I wasn't really sure how to play, but I figured I'd figure it out. A boy on our side of the net hit the ball and a boy on the other side of the net made a v with his arms and bounced the ball off of his arms to another boy who bounced the ball off his hands to another person who jumped and hit the ball to our side. That's what I wanted to do. A person on our side made the same v shape with his arms and the ball went to another person on our team who bounced the ball off his hands. I ran and jumped, doing the same motion the other guy did. However, instead of hitting the ball, I missed it completely. But the jumping and the motion of hitting the ball was an amazing feeling. It was like I was normal. I wasn't some weird person who knew nothing.

Ever since I escaped I realized that I would never truly fit in. People had more experience living in this world than I do, it is a constant catch-up game I will never win. And if I ever get close to winning, a new big discovery will be found and I will be back at square one. I was so excited to do it again so I jumped and this time the ball seemed to be moving in slow motion. I spiked the ball down and I got a surge of adrenaline. It almost felt like killing the demons, but this time I wasn't fighting for my life and somehow it made the feeling even better knowing it was from having fun and not out of fear. The feeling was addictive. I wanted more and more, so I jumped and spiked the ball again, but it wasn't the same as the first time. Part of me knew it wouldn't feel the same, but I wanted it to, so I kept spiking the ball hoping to get the adrenaline rush again. It didn't happen again that day.

As I was walking home, I ran into someone. He had black hair and looked to be around my age. "Oof, watch where you are going," He says in an aggressive tone as he looks up at me. 

"Sorry," I say.

"Wait, are you new around here?"

"I've been living here for a few months."

"No way, really? Well my names Koji Sekimukai. 2nd year at Yukigaoka Junior High."

"No way! That's the school I'm going to next year."

"Cool, we should hang out, what's your number?"

I gave him my number and we went our separate ways. 

That night I told Ms. Hinata about the guys I played volleyball with and Koji, she was very happy that I was meeting new people. She also mentioned joining the volleyball club at the new school.

A few months later

My therapist had told me multiple times that since I was a third year many cliques have already formed making it harder to meet people, but me Koji and his friend Izumi have been hanging out a lot over the past months. It was really fun hanging out with them, but whenever I was with them I had a lingering sense of dread that they would disappear like my other friends. So I still kept most of myself hidden. I didn't want to lose them. Once I arrived at the school I remembered how big it was. It was like a maze, and even though I had walked through my schedule a few times I was still worried about getting lost. But thankfully I found my classroom right as the bell rang.

Koji pov

"I'm here!" a voice spoke.

I turned and saw Shoyo, who looked out of breath. I laughed a little.

"Sorry I'm late, this school is a lot bigger than I thought, I'm Hinata Shoyo, nice to meet you all."

He smiled while introducing himself.

"Nice to meet you." he greeted. "Let's see now, you can take a seat next to Kogi." Hinata stood there for a moment and lost his smile for a second.

"Ok!"

His head was down as he walked over and when he passed by me to take his seat I heard him mumble 'It's not the same.' I was confused but thought nothing of it.

Shoyo pov

I hated my seat in homeroom. It was in the same place I would sit at the orphanage. The room was similar to it as well.

When lunch started, I went to find Izumi and Kogi because Izumi said he'd set for me at lunch.

"Hey!" I shouted as I ran over to Izumi with a volleyball tucked under my arm and my lunch in my free hand.

"Hi, Sho-chan." Izumi greeted me. Koji was sitting nearby eating his lunch.

"Rember your promise," I say.

"I don't think you'd let me forget." Izumi laughed while standing up.

Izumi promised to set for me, so we did that most of lunch. 

As we heard the bell ring signaling that lunch is over I say, "Can I talk to you two after school."

"Sure," they both say in unison.

"Great meet me by the gym."

"We'll see you there!" Izumi called as I headed to my next class.

After School

"So, what do you want to talk about." I jump when I hear Koji's voice. I must've zoned out. The three other first years on the volleyball team were serving the ball to each other.

"Right, so there is a volleyball tournament towards the end of the year and I really want to play in it but we only have 4 players at the moment...So I was wondering if you two could be our last players."

"Sho-chan... I would really love to help, but me and Koji don't know the first thing about volleyball." Izumi says, sympathy laced in his voice.

"I would teach you everything you need to know. And you serve to me every day. You're pretty good." I say, trying to convince them. "I really want to play in a real volleyball game before I graduate. Then I will at least have some experience when I go to high school."

Koji and Izumi exchange glances before looking back at me. 

"We'll do it," they say together.

"Really!? That's great! The tournament is in at the end of the second semester, before then I'll brief you on all the rules. Thank you so much!" I say gratefully.

"It's no problem," Koji says as he puts his hand on my back. Izumi follows suit and pats me on the back as well.

"Of course, we'd help you out, you're a great friend!" Izumi smiles.

I feel tears form in my eyes. "Thanks, guys." 

"What's wrong?" I hear Izumi ask.

"Nothing, I'm just happy I found good friends like you."

"Don't be so cheesy." Koji teases. I smile as we walk home together and part ways. Now that I have 6 players I need to register for the tournament and teach everyone the rules and their roles. I have plenty of time.