Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Love Something

I walk into the volleyball gym the next day, drop my bag, and sit down, taking off my shoes to trade for my tennis shoes. I spent all last night and all of today thinking about what Oikawa told me yesterday. I had no idea that he had that kind of mindset about his own success— that he won't be good enough until he beats Ushiwaka. But now that I know, more of his behaviors are starting to make sense, like the way he acts like he's the best and will practice endlessly unless someone stops him. It's all a bit concerning, but I'm hoping that with the deal we made, I'll be able to help him see that there are better ways to measure his success.

"Don't you love tennis?"

I startle from tying my shoes to see Oikawa two steps away and staring me down with his trademark pout.

"What?" I ask, trying to recover from his sudden appearance. And the way my heart thumps at seeing his expression.

"You said you don't love anything like I love volleyball. Don't you love tennis?"

"Oh." I bend down and finish tying my shoe before standing up again. "I like tennis." I walk around the court getting everything set up for practice.

He follows me.

"I thought I loved it. But then I saw you guys play volleyball. I see how hard you and your opponents fight. I never fought like that. I don't think I can love a sport the way you love volleyball."

He opens his mouth again, but Coach Irihata walks into the gym and yells for everyone to circle around him.

"We have the details for this year's training camp," Coach announces, pulling a stack of folded papers from his pocket.

I feel excitement building inside me. I love training camps. They provide an opportunity for rapid growth in a short amount of time. And they're fun.

"Shiratorizawa has invited us to their annual week-long camp, which will take place in three weeks. They have invited several other schools, all of which are college teams." Coach Irihata gestures to Coach Mizoguchi, who hands each of us a small packet containing a map and an itinerary.

"We will be staying in the dormitories at Shiratorizawa for the entirety of the week," Irihata continues. "All of you are expected to be there. Does anyone have questions?"

No one speaks up.

I don't know why, but I feel a little uncomfortable. Looking around, every member of the team has a deep, drawn look on their faces. It's hard to read, but it's intense. Especially on Oikawa. It reminds me of how he looked when he told me about how badly he wants to beat Ushiwaka. How badly he needs to beat Ushiwaka to feel like he's won anything.

"Good. Go start practice," Coach Mizoguchi dismisses us.

There seems to be an invisible weight hanging over the team. Does even the thought of Shiratorizawa get them in a funk?

I have to help them snap out of it. What is it about Shiratorizawa that messes with their heads so badly?

My encounter with Kageyama flashes through my brain. He came to Aoba Johsai to see Oikawa play because he wants to beat him.

What if I spy on Shiratorizawa like Kageyama spied on us? Of course, I gave Kageyama permission to spy, and I can't expect the same courtesy from any of the Shiratorizawa players. And I'll need to get permission from Oikawa to skip practice. But I think it will be worth all the risks and obstacles. I need to understand Shiratorizawa better so that I can help our team overcome this mental trap. I'll see them at the camp, but whatever I observe there will be influenced by the presence of all the other teams. No. I need to see them practicing on their own, in their natural element, when they think no one is watching.

As soon as practice is over and most of the guys have taken their leave, I approach our team captain.

"Hey, Oikawa-san. How much do you need me at practice tomorrow?"

The look of surprise he gives me only lasts for a second. Then he's holding back a smile and tapping his lip thoughtfully.

"I guess it depends on what you're skipping for," he muses. "If it's for family, you can. If it's for a boy, you can't."

I bark a laugh and roll my eyes. "Thanks, Oikawa-san."

I start to walk away, but he grabs my arm. "Wait! It's just for tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, just for tomorrow," I assure him.

"Good," he smiles. "We need you here, Lil-chan."

Walking forward once more, I say, "I know. That's why I told my boyfriend that we can only go out during the week this one time."

"Wait, what?" Oikawa grabs my arm again and jumps in front of me.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing and widen my eyes with innocence.

His surprised eyes harden. "I just said you can't skip practice for a boy. The guys follow the same rule if they have girlfriends."

I let loose my pent up laughter. "It was a joke, Oikawa-san. You know I don't have friends outside the volleyball club."

His gaze hardens further. "So it's not for a boy."

I guess it technically is for a boy, but that boy is him and the rest of the volleyball team. So I'm not about to tell him that.

"No, it's not for a boy."

His face turns cheerful again. "Okay, then you can skip. Just this once."

"Roger that, Captain."

Moving out of my path, he starts walking alongside me. "So based on your answer about tennis, I'm guessing you would say the same thing about basketball and the other sports you play?"

It takes me a second for my brain to catch up to what he's referring to, but I nod. "You're right. The love you guys have for volleyball is on a completely different level than anything I experienced in my sports."

It's true. And it makes me disappointed in myself. Why didn't I fight to stay on the court as hard as the Seijoh boys do? Why couldn't I give it my all?

Oikawa hums, like he isn't convinced, but I don't defend my point further.

After a couple minutes, he asks quietly, "You really don't have any friends outside the volleyball club?"

I look at him, surprised that he's asking, and find myself even more surprised to see that he looks sad. I shrug. "I spend all my time with you guys."

I don't mention that while it appears that the students here have become accustomed to my presence, they still aren't eager to talk to me. Because it doesn't matter.

"Lil-chan." Oikawa's voice sounds different, but I can't place how. He waits until I make eye contact. "I promise that I'm going to help you find something you love as much as I love volleyball."

The sheer amount of how much he cares shocks me. I can see it in his eyes. He never allows for so much emotion to be plain on his face.

My chest swells and I have to look away. The threat of tears stings behind my eyes for a moment, but I force the sensation to stop.

"Thanks, Cap."