ONLY ME || Haikyuu x Male

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

Hasegawa Ren had never been one for formalwear, but seeing as this was his high school graduation ceremony, he accepted the black suit without uttering a word of complaint. Instead, he merely followed his fellow third-years around the auditorium, accepting their diplomas wordlessly. It was a rather solemn event with a mass of speeches and quite a few snores from the audience, but as soon as the main gathering was over, everyone moved into the Karasuno hallways and incredible noise ensued.

So many people, so many smiles, so many tears. He roamed around the school, bidding heartfelt goodbyes to the third years he'd gotten to know so well and granting stiff embraces to the underclassmen he wasn't quite as familiar with. His family was there too, mother and brother trailing after him with wide smiles and pride written all over their expressions. They stuck close by him for a majority of the post-ceremony celebration, but when he made his way to the gymnasium for a final farewell, they separated, allowing him some privacy for what was sure to be a sentimental moment.

The Karasuno Boys Volleyball team was assembled within, waiting for their third years to arrive. Ren, Nishinoya, Tanaka, Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita all came at different times, but once they were all gathered, the peace was shattered by ear splitting wails of anguish and pleas for them to remain together forever.

A mass of first years leaped at Ennoshita, enveloping the captain with hugs and aggressive sobs. Tanaka and Yu were in shambles alongside Hinata, the three most energetic members of the team crying into one another's arms. Yamaguchi and Kinoshita were partnered in a respectful yet emotional conversation, whilst Tsukishima and Narita spoke calmly without a single tear shed from either of their watery eyes.

Ren watched the spectacle unfold, an overwhelming mixture of relief, pride, and grief hitting him all at once. This team had truly changed the trajectory of his life. He evolved from a mess of a player who had absolutely zero confidence and no control to becoming the ace, taking over Asahi's title after the former player had left the year prior. There was so much he owed to this school, to these people, to this team, and he had no idea how to express it all. So he remained standing by the sidelines, watching and relishing all the glorious memories he'd made during his time here.

"How come you're not joining the others?" Tobio's deepened voice swept over Ren in a soft wave, the now-second year setter standing before him with an expression of immeasurable curiosity and strong nostalgia. "Don't you want to say goodbye? They'll—we'll—miss you. The first years look up to you, and the second years really respect you. You're a pillar in our team, you know? What will we do without our ace?" 

"You'll do great." His reassurance seemed to surprise Tobio, and if he was to be entirely honest, it surprised himself. He used to be so anxious, so unsure of both himself and the abilities of his team. But now he had the utmost faith in their strength, and he spoke without a silvery of doubt in his voice. "You don't need me to hold you all together. Each and every one of you are perfectly capable of fighting on court without me. And I have a feeling that Captain Yamaguchi will be just as amazing a pillar as I've been—perhaps even more so."

Tobio sighed, a sweet, saddened smile crossing his face. "Maybe. But I still need you even if our team will eventually move on. Who will be my reliable hitter without you there? Who will be the friend I can always lean on? Who will understand me if not you?"

Laughter bubbled up in Ren's throat, and he pulled the setter into a tight hug, giving Tobio a few comforting pats on the back as a gesture of reassurance. "It's not like this is a permanent farewell. You'll still see me from time to time, and you can always text me if you need anything. We're not going to be separated forever. Just think of this as a 'see you later'."

He could feel Tobio physically relax in his arms at that, and his body also eased at the feeling. No matter how torn up he was over saying goodbye, he was even more upset at the thought of his teammates being absolutely devastated over it.

Their hug was splintered by a bright call of Ren's name, and he glanced up to see Yu waving him over. Formulating a quick excuse to Tobio, he made his way towards the libero—former libero—with a smile on his face. Eagerly, they embraced, excitement bubbling out of them and seeping into the atmosphere. "I can't believe we made it, Yu!"

"Me neither! Gosh, it feels like it was just yesterday when we met in this gymnasium. Now look at us, graduating!" Yu pulled away, positively beaming as his hands squeezed Ren's biceps. "Don't forget about me when you head off on your volleyball scholarship! Remember to keep your promise of texting me everyday."

"And you better keep your promise of responding." Ren reached out a hand, stroking it through Yu's tousled locks. "You're still one of the most important people in the world to me. That will never change, no matter how much distance comes between us."

"Ditto! I know that we won't be able to see each other for a bit after this, but promise me that you'll come back to Miyagi when you go on break! I'll be here waiting for you, and you always know where to find me." Yu bounced up and down in place, his teary eyes betraying his overly joyous facade. Ren didn't comment on it though, opting instead for another hug. He didn't want to cry either, and burying his face into Yu's shoulder seemed like an adequate way to hide his distraught state.

"Ren! Hurry up! Mom says that you have to be faster if we want to make it to our dinner reservation on time!" Hideyoshi's youthful cheer permeated the emotion-laden moment, and Ren looked up to see his brother pouting at the gymnasium doorway. He bid Yu one last warm goodbye, smoothening down the locks of hair that he'd ruffled before walking over to where his family stood, waiting for him.

Before he left, however, he turned back around to cast one final look over his former school. Tobio was rubbing away the tears that had broken free as he waved goodbye to Ren. Yu was grinning in spite of the rivers flowing from his eyes, and the rest of the team had begun to face him to say their own goodbyes.

I promise that we'll all reunite again. No matter what happens, we will find our ways back to one another. Everyone here has played such an important role in constructing who I am as a person, and I will never forget all the kindness they've granted me.

"See you later, everyone! Thank you all for showing me that it will never be only me."