Never the Same

Chapter 1

Standing on the edge of the huddle, Kageyama Kaito has tears in his eyes as he balances on his left leg. His coach stares him dead in the eye as he speaks to the rest of the team.

"Being sore is no reason to not play at 100%. Some players here are sore constantly, they're in pain and yet they give it their all. No, they give it more than their all. They constantly give 105%, 110%, 115%. Being sore is not a good enough reason to not play well. It is just an excuse that costs our team to lose."

Kaito looks down, biting his lip to keep from sobbing out loud. He knows why his coach is saying this. It is a subtle, yet not subtle, way to blame him for his team's loss. It was his fault for telling the coach that he was not feeling his best, his knee was bothering him, and he was sore. In all honesty, him being sore is an excuse. He didn't jump high enough, didn't run fast enough. In plain simplicity, he just wasn't good enough.

But it didn't change the fact that Kaito had begged for a sub. It didn't change the fact that he was sobbing on the court as the coach refused to take him out. How his knee continuously failed him throughout the match, giving out more times in ten minutes than it had in his entire life.

Letting the coach go on his spiel about the loss not being acceptable, Kaito zoned out trying to block out the pain he was in. His knee could barely bend, unable to fully rest on the ground. It felt as though his knee had been locked into position and there was nothing he could do to get it to move.

He couldn't help the guilt that came crawling up his throat. If he hadn't been playing, or if he had just stood his ground and refused to play in the first place then the third years wouldn't be disappointed with how their last game ended. Instead, they could have been celebrating having another day in the inter-high qualifiers, one last chance to prove themselves to be the best team in the prefecture.

Feeling a nudge from his right, Kaito noticed everyone putting their hands in for one last cheer. The final cheer for the third year. After this game, they would be retiring to prepare for college.

Making sure to lift his left arm, the arm closer to their hearts, Kaito puts his hand in the middle. Kaito wasn't sure when it became a tradition to raise their left arm, it has always been established since he joined the club.

With a quick clear of his throat, the now former captain spoke, "Daisen after three!"

He started to lead the chant, "One!"

"Two!"

"Three! Daisen!"

Throwing their hands in the air, the team of high schoolers slowly moved away from each other and off the court. The next team to play was getting antsy, wanting as much time to warm up as possible.

Putting the slightest pressure on his toes, Kaito tried to back up and get away from the rest of the team. He didn't want to worsen the mood that the others were in, making them even more miserable with his presence. Instead, he wanted to try and find the assistant coach or another adult, in hopes of them knowing where a trainer is.

With that, he set off with the mission of trying to find a single person that will be able to help. It was a bit of a struggle, having multiple games going on at once left the gym in pure chaos. Some teams had been on the court in the middle of their matches, while others were warming up or stretching just outside of the court.

The sound of volleyballs being hit, crashing into the ground, or rebounding off of someone's arms echoed around the gym. Everyone had been brought here today for one reason. To win. Kaito found it admirable that many people found a passion or even a hobby in this sport. It brings people together, a way to rejoice and celebrate with people who love volleyball.

Volleyball was supposed to be fun, a happy pastime for all. So why can't Kaito find the good in the sport as well? Why is it that every time he feels good about the sport and how he is performing, something manages to ruin it?

Not being able to stand it anymore, Kaito hobbles to the wall and slides down it. He doesn't care that a team in orange and black was looking oddly at him. He doesn't care that he isn't supposed to be there right then. All he knew was that he was in pain and he couldn't stand walking on his knee any longer.

His knee felt as if it had been set on fire, burning more with each step he took. The constant giving out did not help in the slightest while in search of an impossible-to-find trainer. He knew that there was supposed to be a room that he could wait in, the designated trainer's room. When the trainer gets back to the room would be a whole other question. It had become common practice for them to wander around where the injuries are likely to happen, making him more likely to find them in this chaos than in the room they were supposed to be in.

Clutching at his knee, Kaito watched as a silver-headed player from the team he was next to, came over. He seemed a little wary of Kaito but stood before the injured player.

Crouching down a little, there was a small pleasant smile placed on the stranger. "Hey, uh I just, you seem like your knee is hurting pretty bad huh? Me and my teammate, Daichi, were also hurting, still kinda do but our coach is going to get the trainer if you want to come sit with us for a little bit?"

Kaito looked at the strange player in front of him. There was no way the silvernette was not going the tiniest bit crazy. Who would invite a stranger to sit with them right before an important match?

As if he could sense the unease from Kaito, "You don't have to!" He raised his arms, almost like he was defending himself. "I was just offering and well I kind of found it strange that us three all are aching in the same knee. Just a weird coincidence so I thought that it might make you comfortable but still the offer stands if you want."

Watching as the other rambled on, Kaito started to make his way in standing up. If moving would put the other at ease, then who was he to deny that? He didn't get very far when once again his knee collapsed and then felt the need to lock. With a small thump, Kaito fell to the ground, having his hands catch the upper part of his body. It was obvious that he would not be moving any time soon, not without help. At this rate, his team might even leave him here because he is taking too long to get over to the buses.

"Ah! Actually, let's scratch that. How about I sit here and wait with you?" The silver-haired teen looked nervous, clearly understanding how hurt Kaito truly is.

"It isn't like I am going to stop you," Kaito gritted out, not wanting to say anything more, preferring to grit his teeth to tame the pain.

Watching him slide down the wall, Kaito can't help but wonder what the other's name is.

"Sugawara Koushi, but you can call me Suga," with a small nod of the head, the now-named Suga looked on at him.

"Kageyama Kaito."

So uh, if you follow me because of a story I wrote awhile ago.... I am so sorry!!!!! It was really really really bad. I had no idea where I was going with it and it wasn't my story to begin with. I asked someone to continue it and well uh it just did not go well... Sorry to that person as well.

I am trying something knew and I hope you enjoy, this time I promise not to randomly get rid of the story without warning.