We Need Our Ace (Asahi x Nishinoya)

Chapter Three

TRIGGER WARNING!!!! IMPLICATIONS OF SELF HARM!

Nishinoya's POV

I walk out of the bathroom, bandages on my left wrist. The boys look at me, confused. I keep my head down, running my fingers through my hair, as Daichi-San brings everyone together.

He speaks about how we need to stick together, and then has Ryū take me out of the room. I know he's telling them all what happened, and not to bother me. He didn't need me to leave.

"Yū. Let me see your arm." Ryū says, sadness clear in his voice.

I shake my head, hugging it close to my body. Tanaka gently pulls my arm towards him, and unwraps the bandages. Tears roll down my face, as he inspects my arm.

"Noya..." He whispers, his voice cracking.

He hugs me close, and I break down in his arms. I can tell he's struggling to keep it together, but I know he's doing it for me. I appreciate that.

"Noya..."

After Daichi-San finishes his speech, he has all of us meet in the gym. He tells us that Kageyama is our official setter, and that without Asahi, we're going to need a genius. He stammers as he says it, clearly extremely nervous. For good reason too. I watch Suga-San's face fall, and he silently begs his boyfriend not to do this.

"S-Suga, follow me."'

The two leave the gym, and we all warm up while they're gone. I save almost every ball spiked, but I just can't save anything from Hinata. It pisses me off. I miss another one, and snap.

"STOP DOING THAT!" I scream, my face going red.

"S-Stop doing what?!" Hinata stutters, looking terrified.

"Stop spiking so well!"

He looks confused, and then Kageyama walks up behind him, "Hinata. He was able to save all of Asahi's spikes. He's getting frustrated."

I look up at the first year, tears welling up in my eyes. Kageyama looks down at me, concerned.

"Nishinoya-San?"

I shake my head and continue playing, trying my hardest to save at least one of the balls from Hinata.

After almost thirty minutes, Daichi-San and Suga-San still haven't come back. We're all getting restless, and no one knows what to do. I walk outside, and they're nowhere to be seen. I walk up to the dorms, and find them cuddling in Daichi-San's bed. Suga-San is crying, and it makes me feel like shit. (Since he's the captain he got a bed fight me)

"Daichi-San?" I call quietly, not wanting to bother him.

He sighs, and sits up, stroking Sugawara-San's hair.

"E-Everyone is asking for you. Are you going to come back?"

He gives me a look. The kind of look you give someone when you're trying to figure out if they're serious.

"I-I-I mean! Y-You don't have to! I-I-"

"Noya. Calm down."

I nod, taking a few deep breaths.

"Kōshi and I are going to stay here for the rest of practice. Have them do a practice match."

I nod, about to turn around.

"And-And tell them that my decision is final. Until Asahi comes back, Kageyama will be setting."

I can hear Suga-San begin crying harder, Daichi-San nervously comforting him.

I walk back to the gym solemnly, and tell the boys to start the match. Without them noticing, I sneak out and go back to the dorms, and fall asleep on my mat, tears rolling down my face.

I just want Asahi back.

When I wake, two boys are in the corner of the room, whispering. I pretend not to be awake, and listen in on their conversation.

"What the hell is wrong with Nishinoya-San?"

"I don't know."

"Is he okay?"

"I hope so."

"Have you seen his arm?"

"No, why?"

"He hurts himself."

"What?!"

"Shh!"

"Sorry, but, what?"

"He hurts himself, Narita-San. I don't know how, or why, but he hurts himself."

I can make out at this point that it's Kageyama and Narita talking.

I sit up, rubbing my arm. It's sore, and they've reminded me of it. Neither of them have even noticed that I'm awake, and I don't think they will unless I say something. I stand, and quietly walk over to the two.

"You know, it's considered rude to talk about people behind their backs."

They whip around, looking at me. Both of their eyes fall to my arms, and I scowl, crossing them.

"Noya. Bro. You don't need to do tha-"

"Shut up! You don't understand!"

I race out of the room, and slam into Daichi-San.

"I was coming to check on you. Are you alright?"

I shake my head, tears rolling down my face.

He hugs me, telling me that it's alright. I tell him what happened, and he tells me to go cuddle with Ryū in his bed while he takes care of the boys. I nod, and walk down to find Tanaka. When I find him, I sheepishly grip onto his wrist, asking him to lay down with me.

"Why would I say no? Come on. You look exhausted."

Tanaka leads me down to his dorm, and we climb into his bed. I moan happily as I lay down, smiling into Ryū's shoulder.

"I love you, bro."

"L've you..."

Suga-San and Daichi-San wake us up hours later. They tell me us are going to be going to leaving in about an hour. I go to get packed up, getting my stuff together. It's much easier for me to fit all of the clothes into my suitcase, because I'm so much smaller than everyone else. I can fit at least two times the amount of clothes in my bag than everyone else. (Except for Hinata, of course.)

After I'm packed, I walk down to the van, and put my stuff in the back. We all pile in together, and Daichi-San immediately curls up to Suga-San. I smile at the cute sight, and sit in a corner by myself. Tanaka sits next to me and tells him that if I ever need anything, he's here.. I shake my head, and tell him I'm fine. He smiles and pats me on the back, moving to sit next to Ennoshita.

I don't know why, but Tanaka moving away from me hurt. Am I really that annoying? Is Ennoshita really that much better than me?

I sigh, lowering my eyes to my phone. I try my best to stay occupied, but I just get bored. After about an hour, I put the phone down, and start writing down strategies.

By the time we get to the school, I am struggling to stay awake. I rush to the court, since my parents are not home, I have all the time in the world. Suga-San comes down to the gym, and tells me to go home and rest. I shake my head, and keep playing. Suga-San gives up, and goes home. I play for about an hour, before going home, and practicing more.

If I get better, Asahi will come back.