Haikyu one shots

"The Space Between Us" Kageyama

Karasuno High, where the familiar sounds of volleyballs thumping against the gym floor echoed throughout the halls. Kageyama Tobio, the talented setter of the Karasuno volleyball team, was deep in thought as he walked to practice, his mind running through strategies and plays.

Despite his intense focus on volleyball, there was one person who managed to break through the walls he'd built around himself: Ami Ueno. Ami was a cheerful and spirited girl, always ready with a smile that could brighten even the darkest days. She was a close friend of the team and often came to support them during practice and matches.

As Kageyama entered the gym, he spotted Ami on the sidelines, her hair pulled back into a messy bun, cheering enthusiastically as the team warmed up.

"Hey, Kageyama!" she called, waving her arms dramatically.

He couldn't help but smile at her energy. "Ami," he replied, trying to sound casual. "What are you doing here?"

"Just came to watch you all practice! You know I can't miss seeing you guys in action," she replied with a wink.

Kageyama rolled his eyes but felt warmth spread through him. "You could at least act a little more serious. It's practice, not a show."

"Maybe it's both!" she teased back, sticking her tongue out at him.

As practice began, Kageyama focused intently on his teammates, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Ami. He appreciated her presence, the way she brought a certain lightness to his otherwise serious demeanor. It was a feeling he wasn't quite used to and didn't know how to navigate.

Moments of Connection

After practice, Kageyama grabbed his water bottle and walked over to where Ami was sitting, her sketchbook open on her lap. She was drawing, her brows furrowed in concentration.

"What are you working on?" he asked, peering over her shoulder.

Ami looked up, her face lighting up. "Just some sketches of the team! I thought it'd be fun to capture all of you in action."

"Really? You think I'd look good in a sketch?" he asked, a teasing smile creeping onto his face.

"Definitely! You have this intense focus that's really interesting to draw," she replied, biting her lip as she tried to suppress a laugh. "And a very serious expression!"

Kageyama scowled. "I'm not serious all the time."

"Sure you are," she laughed, nudging him playfully. "But that's part of your charm, you know."

"Charm?" he echoed, feeling a bit flustered. He'd never thought of himself that way.

"Yeah! You're like a rough diamond, you know? You just need a little polish," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Kageyama blinked, caught off guard by her words. "I'm not a diamond," he muttered, looking away to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Maybe not yet, but you will be!" she insisted, her tone encouraging. "And you know what? I think you should try smiling more. It would really suit you."

"Yeah, right," he scoffed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Just give it a shot! I promise I'll draw it next time," Ami said with a grin, her enthusiasm infectious.

A Shift in Feelings

Days turned into weeks, and Kageyama found himself looking forward to Ami's presence more and more. They developed a routine: she would come to watch practice, and afterward, they'd sit together while she sketched and he vented about the day's frustrations. With every conversation, Kageyama felt a strange warmth blooming in his chest—something he wasn't sure how to label.

One afternoon, while they were sitting together, Ami turned to him with a serious expression. "Kageyama, do you ever think about the future? Like what you want to do after high school?"

"Not really. I just want to focus on volleyball and improve my skills," he replied, shrugging.

"I get that. But there's so much more out there," she said thoughtfully. "I mean, you could play professionally or coach someday. It's all really exciting, right?"

He looked at her, appreciating her perspective. "I guess I never thought about coaching. I just want to be the best player I can be."

Ami smiled, her eyes shining. "And you will be! But just remember that you can have a life outside of volleyball too."

Kageyama nodded, but the thought of branching out made him anxious. He was comfortable in his routine and didn't want anything to disrupt it—especially not feelings he didn't fully understand.

The Moment of Truth

One evening, they found themselves sitting on a park bench after a long day of practice. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Ami was sketching a scene of the park, and Kageyama watched her intently, feeling a tug in his heart as she concentrated on her art.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" Ami asked, looking up and catching him staring.

"Just thinking," he replied, trying to sound casual.

"About what?" she pressed, tilting her head curiously.

"About... us," he admitted, feeling the weight of the words hang in the air.

Ami's eyes widened slightly. "Us? What do you mean?"

"I mean, I like spending time with you. A lot," Kageyama said, his voice steadying as he spoke. "But I don't know if it's just because you're my friend or if it's something more."

Ami's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she processed his words. "I like spending time with you too, Kageyama. You're... different from anyone I've ever met. You challenge me."

"Challenge you?" he asked, genuinely confused.

"Yeah! You're so intense about volleyball, but you also have this softer side that you don't show very often. I think it's really interesting," she said, her voice earnest. "And I feel like we have a connection."

Kageyama took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "So you think we could be more than friends?"

"I hope so," she replied, her gaze steady. "I want to explore that possibility."

Just then, a breeze swept through the park, rustling the leaves around them. The atmosphere felt charged, filled with unspoken emotions. Kageyama shifted closer, his heart pounding as he took her hand in his.

"Ami, I—" he began, but she interrupted him.

"I know this is all new, and it might feel strange, but I think we could really work. If you're open to it," she said, squeezing his hand gently.

"I'm willing to try," he admitted, feeling a sense of clarity wash over him. "I really like you, Ami."

A bright smile broke across her face, and for the first time, Kageyama felt the weight of his insecurities lift.

"Good. Then let's take it slow, okay?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Slow sounds good," he replied, relieved that they were on the same page.

A New Chapter

As they sat together, hands intertwined, Kageyama felt a sense of peace settle in his heart. They may not have all the answers, but he knew one thing for sure: this was just the beginning of something special between them.

In the days that followed, their bond deepened. They found comfort in their shared moments—whether it was during volleyball practice, sketching in the park, or simply enjoying each other's company. Kageyama realized that Ami had become a crucial part of his life, and he couldn't wait to see where this slow burn would lead them.