Me Or Volleyball

Chapter 17- A New Beginning

The days that followed my decision to break up with Hinata blurred together in a haze of regret and resolve. Each morning, I woke up hoping it had all been a bad dream, only to remember the harsh reality I'd created. The halls of Karasuno High, where I'd spent barely half a year, now felt like a minefield of memories and avoided gazes.

As a first-year student, I had thought I was embarking on a grand high school adventure. Instead, I found myself hiding in empty classrooms during lunch, unable to bear the pitying looks from the few friends I'd made. Yachi, a fellow first-year and Hinata's teammate, had tried to reach out a few times, but I gently pushed her away. It was easier this way, I told myself. A clean break.

But nothing about this felt clean.

A week after our break-up, I found myself unconsciously walking towards the gym after school. The familiar sounds of practice drifted through the air - the squeak of shoes, the sharp commands of Coach Ukai, the satisfying smack of a well-hit spike. I hesitated at the corner, torn between the desire to see Hinata and the knowledge that I shouldn't.

It was in that moment, listening to the echoes of a life I was trying to leave behind, that I realized something had to change. This daily torment, the constant temptation to run back to Hinata, it wasn't fair to either of us. I couldn't keep orbiting his world, always on the verge of colliding.

With a heavy heart, I turned away from the gym and headed home, an idea forming in my mind. It was drastic, perhaps even cowardly, but it felt like the only way to truly give Hinata the space he needed to focus on his dreams.

That evening, I sat my parents down for a difficult conversation.

"I want to transfer schools," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

My mother's brow furrowed with concern. "Sweetheart, you've barely started at Karasuno. Is everything okay? Is this because of that boy you were seeing?"

I nodded, fighting back tears. "I thought I could handle it, but seeing him every day... it's too hard. And I'm worried I'll weaken, that I'll go back to him even though I know it's not what's best for his future."

My father leaned forward, his expression serious. "Are you sure this is what you want? Changing schools so early in your high school career is a big decision."

"I know," I replied, my resolve strengthening. "But I think it's necessary. For both of us. And... maybe it's better to do it now, at the start of my high school life, rather than later."

After a long discussion, my parents reluctantly agreed to look into transfer options. The next few days were a whirlwind of paperwork and meetings. Before I knew it, everything was arranged. I would be starting at a new school across town next week.

The hardest part was yet to come. I knew I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Hinata, no matter how much it would hurt.

On my last day at Karasuno, I waited by the gym after practice. When Hinata emerged, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Y/n," he breathed, taking a step towards me. "I've been wanting to talk to you-"

I held up a hand, stopping him. "Hinata, please. This is already hard enough."

Confusion flickered across his face. "What do you mean?"

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself. "I'm transferring schools. Today was my last day at Karasuno."

The color drained from Hinata's face. "What? But we've barely started our first year! Why? Is it... is it because of me?"

"It's because of us," I said softly. "Because I care about you, and that's getting in the way of your dreams. I thought I could handle seeing you every day, but I can't. And I'm afraid that if I stay, I'll weaken and come back to you, even though I know it's not what's best for your volleyball career."

Hinata's eyes filled with tears. "But I never asked for this! We're just starting high school, we have so much time ahead of us!"

My heart shattered at his words, but I forced myself to stay strong. "I know. But sometimes we have to make hard choices for the people we care about. You have an incredible future ahead of you, Hinata. You're going to soar so high, and I can't be the one holding you back, especially not at the start of your high school career."

"You never held me back," Hinata protested, his voice cracking. "You pushed me to be better!"

I smiled sadly. "Maybe. But the team was right. I was a distraction. This way, you can focus entirely on volleyball, on achieving your dreams from the very beginning."

Hinata reached for me, but I took a step back. "Please," I whispered. "Don't make this harder than it already is."

For a moment, we stood there in silence, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us. Then, gathering all my courage, I spoke again.

"Goodbye, Hinata. Fly high. I'll be cheering for you, even if you can't see me."

Before he could respond, before I could change my mind, I turned and walked away. Each step felt like I was leaving a piece of my heart behind, but I forced myself to keep going. This was the price of caring for someone whose dreams were bigger than just the two of us.

As I reached the school gates, I allowed myself one last look back. Hinata stood where I'd left him, a small, dejected figure in the gathering dusk. The sight nearly broke my resolve, but I steeled myself and walked on.

That night, as I packed up my room, preparing for my new school and my new life, I came across a photo of Hinata and me at one of his first high school matches. His face was alight with joy, his hand raised in victory. I traced his smile with my finger, a tear slipping down my cheek.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to the photo. "But one day, you'll understand. One day, when you're standing on the world stage, you'll know this was for the best."

I tucked the photo into my journal, a reminder of the brief but intense connection I was leaving behind and the reason for my sacrifice. As I closed the book, I made a silent vow. No matter how hard things got, no matter how much I missed him, I wouldn't go back. Hinata deserved the chance to reach for the stars without anything holding him back, right from the start of his high school journey.

Tomorrow, I would wake up in a new bedroom, put on a new uniform, and walk into a new school. It would be hard, starting over when I'd barely begun my high school life. But it was necessary.

As I turned out the light, I whispered a final goodbye to the brief chapter of my life at Karasuno. "Fly high, Hinata," I murmured into the darkness. "Fly higher than anyone's ever flown before."

With those words, I closed my eyes, ready to face the uncertain path ahead. Love, even at this young age, I was learning, sometimes meant making the hardest choices imaginable - even if it meant walking away from the one person who had made my brief time in high school so bright.