Serve's Up! (A Haikyuu!! Fanfic)

Melting Raindrops | Chapter 1 | Takeda

"Sensei... Are you okay?" Coach Ukai raises an eyebrow at me as I stare blankly down at my notebook. In order to be a better motivator and help the Volleyball club I promised I would take better notes on anything new I learned at practice, but even though so many terms were flying over the court tonight (the team was practically on fire) I couldn't seem to even lift my pencil to my notebook. I just leaned against the wall staring at a blank page.

"I'm fine. I just had a long day is all." Fortunately, even though I was spacing out so much, I was able to hear and respond to his words. Somehow he always sort of brought me back to reality, though right now I really didn't want to be reminded of anything going on in my life.

"I can imagine." He let out a sigh as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. "I have a hard time just dealing with the boys of the Volleyball Club let alone one entire grade of them."

I was actually able to smile at that. It's probably been the first thing today that I've been able to be happy about. "Actually these kids are probably the best things in my day."

He frowned at that. I guess he didn't quite understand it, or maybe he was slightly disappointed in something? I couldn't really understand what, though. "I don't think I'd ever be able to teach them anything besides volleyball. I'd be a terrible sensei..."

"That's not true." This conversation was actually lifting my spirits. I was able to set my current predicament aside and comfort someone who seemed to have a low confidence for someone of his nature. "You spark a certain drive in them. With enough training I think you'd be a great sensei."

"As if I'd take the time to go back to college and do that..." He complained as he put his fingers around his whistle. In an instant he pointed toward Tanaka who had completely missed the spike he was aiming for. "Oi! Don't aim for thin air!"

"Sorry!" Tanaka called back, and then he looked over at Suga demanding another set. He was determined, at least. They all were when it came to Coach Ukai's methods.

"See?" A chuckle made it's way past my lips. "You made him want to try again, and that's all a sensei can ever hope to achieve."

He let out a groan of annoyance. "If it's so damn noble, then why are you laughing...?"

I can't help but pat his shoulder gently in order to reassure him, and it makes him stiffen just a bit. Instantly, I retrieved my hand though it didn't seem to make the situation more awkward. "Sorry... I just thought it was amusing is all... the way your methods always tend to involve force and mine are like the exact opposite."

"We are quite different, aren't we?" This seemed to make him think more than it should have and he ended up just kind of leaning against the wall without anything left to say in response.

When the silence dragged on for longer than a few minutes I felt as if I should say something to kind of ease the moment, though I didn't feel as if there was a rough tension or anything, but I felt as if there was more of an underlying denial in his tone. Denial of his own self-worth maybe? I didn't want him to feel as if he should be competing against me, or anything. "Everyone is different, Ukai-kun. That's what makes everyone unique. What's important is that we find a productive way to use our differences to create a world in which everyone understands each other a little better."

"You sound like an old man..."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to preach." I don't find it odd that he would say that. After all I am older than him so he has to be aware of my age- even though it's just by a few years. Maybe we both need to realize that we're getting much older. "Life's too short to not say what you feel, you know?"

That made him seem... uneasy. My kind smile turned back into that distant frown I had decorated my face with earlier before this little talk with Ukai-kun. "Speaking of that... Do you think I could talk to you about something later?"

He shifted his eyes toward me so gracefully I thought my heart would burst out of his chest. What was with that seriously determined look he was giving me right now? Like some sort of hungry lion... "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head as he turned to look back at the players on the court. "Nothing's wrong. I just... I felt speaking to you might clear something up is all..."

Interesting... What kind of expression was this he was making? So calm... And was that a blush just barely rising to the surface of his cheeks? If it was it kind of looked cute on him, though I probably shouldn't ever say that out loud or he'd probably yell at me. "You can speak to me anytime. You know that."

He seemed unsure, but he nodded anyway. Doesn't he know he can talk to me about anything at any time. "Are you free after practice? I know you're probably tired, and it won't be long..."

My mind was yelling at me to refuse. I was completely exhausted and miserable in my current state. I didn't want Ukai to see me like that. However, how could I refuse him when he's asking so nicely? When he's looking at me as if I'm his savior? So, instead of listening to the nagging at the back of my mind, I nod and give him a slight smile. "I can spare a few extra minutes."

*A few hours later*

About all that was left on the court was some scattered volleyballs and the net itself. Ukai had told everyone that he would clean up afterword and sent everybody home. Well, everybody except me. Since I couldn't just stand and watch as he did all the hard work I began to help him gather all the volleyballs and placed them in the back room.

When everything was completely cleaned up we turned off the lights and locked the gym doors behind us as we began to stroll down the pathway that leads to the front gates of Karasuno High School. As soon as we reach the front gates he stops, and I stop to look up at him.

"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" I asked, pushing my glasses up to my face.

For a few moments he just stared at me as he shifted uncomfortably in front of me. It was dark so I couldn't exactly tell what sort of expression his face held, but I had a feeling it would've made everything clear if I would have seen it. "I know it's none of my business but..." He pauses, clearing his throat. "Are you gay?"

My eyes go wide. So blunt... I never expected THAT to be what he was concerned with right now. I thought he was having some sort of family issue and he pulls out that card? "W-Why do you ask?"

"Why?" He scratches the back of his head- awkwardly looking away from me. "Well, I saw you holding hands with some other guy the other day... I was totally going to buy it off as something else, but when he kissed you I kinda had my suspicions..."

"By the other day you must mean yesterday, huh?" I asked, memories of yesterday returning to me. "That was a... one night sort of thing..."

He blinks in confusion. "So what does that mean?"

"It means I thought I found someone, but it turns out he was only looking for a one-night stand." I was always saddened by the fact that I always opened my heart to other people and they always crushed it. It was the main reason why I was so distraught right now. Why did he have to bring this up? "So, yes, I'm gay. Does that bother you?"

Sometimes I would lose friends and acquaintances- especially of the male sex- just by telling them that simple fact. I know Ukai isn't the type of person who would shun me because of something like that, but it might cause him to drift away from me. That's definitely something I don't want. "Not really... I was just curious is all..." He let out a sigh, and I could tell he felt bad about tearing open old wounds. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make a mess out of this... I just..."

"You wanted to know?" I guess I could understand the logic. Curiosity is one of the plagues of humanity, after all. Still, it put me in a sour mood. "I'm still the same person. It's just a label..."

"I know..." He seems really uncomfortable now, but I hope that he'll treat me as he always has regardless of knowing the truth. "I'm sorry for bringing it up like this. I'll..." He gives me a small wave. "See you tomorrow?"

I wave back. "See you."

And, just like that, he leaves me to the silence of the night. I slide my hands in my pockets and let out a sigh as I walk home. Hopefully things will be okay tomorrow.