Haikyu one shots

Back to You" Daichi Sawamura

The last time Daichi Sawamura had seen Airi Nishimura, they were still kids, running around the neighborhood without a care in the world. Airi was the girl next door, always up for an adventure, always laughing. They had been inseparable back then, spending summers climbing trees, riding bikes, and staying out until the streetlights flickered on. But things changed. High school came, volleyball took up all of Daichi's time, and Airi moved away before they even had a chance to say a proper goodbye.

He never thought he'd see her again.

So when she showed up in their hometown one day, standing outside Karasuno High's gym in a jacket that was too big for her, Daichi felt a mix of emotions he hadn't expected. His heart skipped a beat, but then reality sank in. It had been years—would she even remember him the way he remembered her?

Daichi, now the captain of Karasuno's volleyball team, wasn't sure what to say at first. It wasn't like he had been waiting for this moment, but seeing Airi after all this time brought back memories he thought he had buried a long time ago.

"Airi?" he called out hesitantly, unsure if it was really her.

The girl in the oversized jacket turned around, her eyes widening as they landed on him. "Daichi?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she was just as shocked as he was. Her gaze softened, and before he knew it, a warm smile spread across her face. "It's really you."

Daichi felt a surge of warmth in his chest at the sound of her voice, familiar yet different, more mature now. He walked up to her, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's been a long time," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "What brings you back?"

Airi looked up at the gym, then back at him. "I'm working here for a bit. Temporary transfer for my job. I didn't think I'd run into you so soon."

He chuckled softly. "Small town, remember?"

"Yeah," Airi said, her smile turning a bit nostalgic as her gaze drifted off. "I guess not much has changed here."

Reconnecting Over Old Memories

Over the next few weeks, Daichi found himself thinking about Airi more than he expected. After that first encounter, they had exchanged numbers, casually promising to catch up sometime, but the days slipped by without either of them making the first move. Daichi, always busy with volleyball and school, figured it wasn't a big deal. Still, he couldn't shake the thought of how easy it had been to fall back into conversation with her, despite all the time that had passed.

One evening, after a long volleyball practice, Daichi's phone buzzed with a message.

Airi: Want to grab coffee sometime? I could use a break from unpacking.

Daichi stared at the screen for a moment, a smile creeping across his face before he quickly typed a reply.

Daichi: Sure, how about tomorrow? After practice?

The next afternoon, they met at a small café just off the main street. It was one of those places that hadn't changed at all since they were kids, and Daichi found comfort in the familiarity of it.

Airi was already there when he arrived, sitting by the window, stirring a cup of tea absently as she stared outside. When she saw him walk in, she waved, and for a moment, Daichi's heart did a strange little flip in his chest. She had changed, of course—she was no longer the carefree girl who lived next door, but there was something in her eyes that was still so unmistakably Airi.

They talked for hours, reminiscing about their childhood and catching up on everything they'd missed in each other's lives. Airi had moved to the city for university and stayed for work, while Daichi filled her in on how volleyball had taken over his life.

"You always loved volleyball," Airi said with a soft smile, leaning back in her chair. "I remember you dragging me to the court, trying to teach me how to serve. I was terrible."

"You weren't that bad," Daichi laughed. "But yeah, I guess volleyball's been my main thing. What about you? What made you come back?"

Airi's smile faltered for just a second, but she recovered quickly. "Work mostly. But I think... I needed a change. Things in the city were getting a bit overwhelming."

Daichi nodded, sensing there was more she wasn't saying, but he didn't push. They weren't those same kids anymore, but that didn't mean they couldn't rebuild what they had lost.

Second Chances

As the weeks went on, Daichi and Airi began spending more time together. It felt natural, like slipping into an old routine, but there was a new layer to it now. They weren't kids anymore; they had grown, changed. And yet, the connection between them was undeniable.

Daichi found himself looking forward to their coffee chats, their evening walks, and the moments they stole in between his volleyball practices. And Airi, for her part, seemed more at ease than she had been when she first arrived back in town. It was like they were slowly rediscovering parts of each other that had been left behind.

One evening, after a particularly grueling practice, Daichi and Airi sat on the bleachers in the empty gym, the sound of a distant breeze the only thing breaking the silence.

"I missed this place," Airi said softly, looking around the gym. "I missed home. I didn't realize how much until I came back."

Daichi glanced at her, seeing a hint of something vulnerable in her expression. "I missed you," he found himself saying before he could stop the words from spilling out.

Airi looked at him, her eyes widening just a little in surprise. "You did?"

Daichi nodded, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah. I mean, I didn't realize it back then, but after you left... I thought about you a lot. I just didn't know how to reach out."

Airi smiled softly, her eyes warm as they met his. "I thought about you too. A lot, actually. But I wasn't sure if things would be the same if I came back."

"They won't be the same," Daichi said, his voice steady. "But that doesn't mean they can't be better."

Airi blinked, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of unspoken feelings hanging in the air between them.

"Daichi," she started, her voice barely above a whisper, "do you think... maybe we missed our chance? You know, back then?"

Daichi shook his head, smiling softly. "I don't think we missed anything. I think we're just getting another chance now."