REACHING BEYOND THE NET

The Lingering Presence

Family gatherings had always been a mixed bag for me. On one hand, there was comfort in the familiarity of home, the warmth of being surrounded by those who had known me long before I became an athlete in the public eye. On the other hand, there was the pressure, the expectations, and the constant reminders of the path I had chosen. Today was no different. I had been told to visit my family before the upcoming match, a tradition we maintained—one where they would wish me luck and send me off with their best hopes.

As I walked up the steps to my childhood home, I could already hear the muffled voices inside. My mom was likely bustling around the kitchen, preparing food for the occasion, while my dad's deep laughter rumbled through the walls. My sister, with her usual energetic enthusiasm, would be the first to greet me.

But even as I pushed open the door, my thoughts weren't fully with them. Instead, they kept drifting back to that bright-haired boy I had met earlier in the day. Shoyo Hinata. His name had a way of echoing in my mind, replaying over and over like a song I couldn't get out of my head.

"Kageyama!" My sister's voice broke through my reverie as she nearly tackled me with a hug. "It's been too long!"

"Yeah," I muttered, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Hinata as I returned her hug. "Good to see you too."

My mom emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Tobio! You're just in time. We were about to sit down to eat."

My dad gave me a nod of approval from his place at the table. "Ready for the big game, son?"

I forced a smile. "Of course."

But even as I answered, my mind was elsewhere. I could still see Hinata's face, the way his eyes had shone with that strange mix of passion and melancholy. I hadn't been able to shake the image of him since we met. It was like a vivid painting burned into my memory—one that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to focus on the present.

We sat down to eat, and the usual chatter filled the room—questions about my training, updates on family news, the latest gossip from the neighborhood. I answered automatically, nodding at the right times, smiling when expected, but my thoughts were a million miles away.

"So, any special plans after the game?" my sister asked, her voice cutting through the haze.

I blinked, realizing I had zoned out again. "Uh, not really. Just the usual team stuff."

She gave me a curious look. "You seem distracted, Tobio. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied quickly, but I could tell she wasn't convinced.

My mom set down a plate of food in front of me, her eyes warm with concern. "You know, it's normal to be nervous before a big game. But we believe in you, Tobio. You've worked so hard for this."

I nodded, grateful for her words, but the truth was, it wasn't the game that had my mind in a twist. It was him. Shoyo Hinata. There was something about him that I couldn't get out of my head, and it was frustrating. I had never been one to lose focus so easily, especially not before an important match. But here I was, sitting at the family dinner table, completely unable to shake the image of that bright-haired boy with the captivating eyes.

As the evening wore on, I tried to push the thoughts away, to immerse myself in the comfort of my family's presence. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept circling back to Hinata. I found myself wondering what he was doing right now, whether he was thinking about volleyball, or maybe even about me.

It was ridiculous. I barely knew him. But there was something about the way he looked at the court, with that mix of longing and determination, that resonated deeply within me. I wanted to understand it, to understand him.

"Tobio," my dad's voice pulled me back to reality. "You sure you're alright? You've been awfully quiet."

"I'm fine, Dad," I assured him, forcing another smile. "Just got a lot on my mind."

They accepted my answer, but the concern lingered in their eyes. I hated making them worry, but I couldn't help it. I was supposed to be focused on the upcoming game, on representing my country, but instead, all I could think about was a boy I had just met, with hair like fire and eyes that shone with unspoken stories.

After dinner, I excused myself early, claiming I needed rest before the match. They all wished me luck, their words filled with love and support, but as I walked out of the house, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.

As I headed back to my apartment, I wondered when I might see Hinata again. The thought of it sent a spark of excitement through me, mingled with a touch of confusion. I didn't understand why he had such an effect on me, but I knew one thing for sure—I wanted to see him again. And when I did, I was determined to learn more about the boy who had so unexpectedly captured my attention.