Elevator Escapade: Tsukikage

Chapter Six: Not Alone Anymore

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The bus hummed with excitement as Karasuno's volleyball team celebrated their recent victory. The air was filled with laughter and the sound of teammates reliving their best plays. Kageyama leaned back in his seat, feeling the vibrations of the bus beneath him, but a nagging unease lingered in his chest.

Hinata sat beside him, practically bouncing in his seat. "Kageyama! Did you see that last play? We totally crushed them!" He beamed, his eyes shining with the thrill of their win.

"Yeah, I saw," Kageyama replied, a small smile breaking through despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. He'd played well, but the intensity of the tournament had left him feeling drained, and he couldn't shake the weight of what was going on in his life outside of volleyball.

Across the aisle, Yamaguchi sat next to Tsukishima, who seemed unusually quiet. Every so often, Tsukishima would glance over at Kageyama, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. Kageyama caught him looking and quickly turned his attention back to Hinata, but he could feel Tsukishima's gaze lingering on him, as if he was gauging how Kageyama was really feeling.

As the bus rolled on, the energy gradually shifted. One by one, teammates began to lean against one another, fatigue from the long day catching up with them. Hinata finally succumbed, his head drooping onto Kageyama's shoulder. Kageyama, though surprised, didn't push him away; it was comforting in its own way.

Eventually, the whole team fell into a comfortable silence, each person lost in their own thoughts or drifting into sleep. Kageyama, however, remained wide awake, the remnants of the tournament still buzzing in his mind. He felt shaken, not just from the games, but from the thought of going home to an empty house. With his parents working late, his grandfather dead, and his sister out of town, the loneliness pressed heavily on him.

Tsukishima noticed the tension in Kageyama's posture, his eyes narrowing slightly. After a few moments of contemplation, he sat up straighter and addressed the team. "Hey, why don't we have a sleepover at someone's house? It'd be more fun than going home alone."

The suggestion drew a murmur of agreement from the sleepy team. "That sounds awesome!" Hinata chirped, rubbing his eyes.

"Sure, I'm in!" Yamaguchi added, glancing at Tsukishima with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Kageyama hesitated, the thought of a sleepover sounding better than facing the silence of his home. "I can... I can host it at my place," he offered, surprising even himself.

"Really?" Daichi asked, his expression brightening. "That'd be great!"

"Yeah, we'll just crash at your place," Tsukishima confirmed, though he wore a skeptical expression that Kageyama could see through. "Just don't expect us to clean up after ourselves."

"Shut up!" Kageyama shot back, but the teasing felt lighter this time. There was a small thrill in the thought of having his teammates around, filling the space with laughter and camaraderie.

The bus soon pulled up to Kageyama's house, and the team disembarked, stretching their legs after the long ride. As they entered the familiar space, Kageyama felt a mix of anxiety and relief wash over him. The house felt a little less empty with everyone inside.

"Okay, what do you want to do first?" Asahi asked, looking around. "We could order pizza or watch a movie?"

"Pizza! I'm starving!" Hinata shouted, and the rest of the team quickly echoed their agreement.

As they gathered in the living room, Kageyama took a moment to step back, watching his teammates bicker playfully over toppings and seating arrangements. Tsukishima leaned against the wall, arms crossed, occasionally glancing over at Kageyama with that same concerned expression.

"You good?" Tsukishima asked quietly, catching Kageyama's eye when the chaos settled for just a moment.

Kageyama nodded, though the flutter of uncertainty in his chest lingered. "Yeah... just not used to this."

"Right," Tsukishima replied, a hint of understanding softening his tone. "Just remember, you're not alone. Not anymore."

With those words hanging in the air, Kageyama felt a little weight lift from his shoulders. The night was still young, and despite the earlier tension, he could sense that this would be a night to remember—a night where friendship could overshadow loneliness.

As the team continued to chatter and make plans, Kageyama couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new.

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