Rigid Crow

Put Some Life Back

     Our later first term this year begins in just a couple of days. I have to say, I'm not looking forward to it at all. Volleyball practice will start up again, but we'll be without four people who really held our team together. Instead, new first years will arrive in their places.
     What will we possibly do without our powerful ace, our responsible, encouraging sub setter, and our instructive captain that kept our team together and at its best?
     And what about the fourth that shouldn't have left us at all? How can we manage without our sunshiny decoy, my other freak quick half, the person who brings about the best of me, both physically and mentally?
     I sit next to him alone now, watching intently each time his fingers twitch. I brush them gently, desperately wishing that I could put some life back into them.
     His face is blanched, and his hair color is so dull. He's lost muscle mass he acquired over his volleyball training. I never thought it would be possible for him to be any lighter in terms of body weight, but here I am, looking at Hinata's lifeless, pallid figure.
     "Oh..." I sigh, trying to choke back my sobs. That's it. I've lost him. I've lost my best friend. It's been almost two months now. With every day that passes, the doctors say we have less and less hope of seeing him awake ever again. A few of them have even told me how sorry they are, that's how certain they are that he's gone for good. I know they're awaiting the day when Hinata's parents tell them that they're done. That they need to face terms with their grief and just end it.
     Tears stream down my cheeks. Why him? Why Hinata? How could he leave us behind? How could he leave me behind? I hiccup and cry, not trying to hold back my sobs anymore. I don't care anymore. I have lost something very important to me. I deserve to cry, to wail until my voice grows hoarse. Please, please come back...
     I steal another look back at his face, aware of the pain it will cause me, but I have to imagine his smile on it one more time.
     Oh.
     Oh gosh.
     Oh my- no- no way- he- oh- oh.
     His eyes are open.
     As I push my heart back down to keep it from soaring, I remember what one of the doctors told me. He said that some comatose patients can open their eyes. However, they wouldn't be responsive.
     "Hinata!" I shout, worry tracing the way I call out his name. I grab the railing on the side of his bed and desperately peer over at him.
     He blinks slowly. His eyes are dull. Just as I begin to lose hope, they start to focus on me. Fear lights in them as Hinata weakly tilts his head back, looking up at me. "Ka...ma?"
     I stare in shock. He- he said my name! I begin sobbing with relief. I hold onto his hand, never wanting to let it go. He's here. He's actually with me! Hinata's alive! "Hinata! Oh, Hinata, you're alright, thank God. You boke, you had us so worried."
     The fright doesn't leave my best friend's eyes. "Ka...ya-" he trips over his sentence. I think he's frightened that he doesn't have control over his speech. I see effort in his face as he tries to move, but it only causes him to tremble.
     "Hold still," I tell him softly with urgency in my voice. "Are you hurt? Hinata, can you tell me what's the matter? Just squeeze my hand if you're in pain."
"Betsu... ni," Hinata struggles out, each syllable a task.
He's alright. He's alright. He's not in pain.
"Hinata, are you able to move? Um... You can squeeze my hand twice for 'no', if you can."
His gaze is still terrified. He trembles, and in what little mobility he has in his hand, he squeezes mine twice.
Oh no.
What do I do?
"I'm sorry. We're going to get you better, okay?" As soon as my concern leaves my expression, I can't keep a smile from replacing it. "I'm so relieved you're here."
I should call the doctors right away, but I know they'll take me away from him as soon as they know he's awake. But I need to be with him not for just a little longer. I think he needs that too.
I have to share this news with someone. Someone who will rejoice with me through my overwhelmed tears.
Suga. He's the one who has comforted me through this time. He's talked with me through sleepless hours of the night, he's given me words of encouragement, and he was the one to first be there for me after Hinata was injured. And I know how much he cares for Hinata too.
"Hinata," I tell my pale, sickly friend, "I'm calling Suga. Then I'll call the doctors and your parents, but I have to stay with you for just a few more minutes, as long as that's okay with you."
He grips my hand once. Yes.
I dial Suga's number and hold my cell to my ear. Pick up, Suga. After a few rings, he does.
"Kageyama-kun," I hear his calming voice from the other end. "Is everything okay?"
"Suga-san!" I grasp the phone tight as my voice breaks, tears falling down my cheeks. "Hinata's awake," I gasp out, smiling. "He's awake, Suga-san!"
The line is dead silent for a split second. Then Sugawara replies in a voice so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear for a moment. "WHAT?! Are you serious? He is? Oh, thank goodness! Are you with him?"
"I am. He's having trouble with his speech and mobility, but otherwise, he says he doesn't feel any pain."
"Put me on speaker!" Suga demands, his voice relieved and eager. "I want to talk to him."
"Hinata-kun?" His voice grows louder as I turn the phone on speaker. "It's Sugawara! Kageyama-kun told me you're awake! I'm so, so happy! We, your teammates, and your friends and family have been so worried about you!"
"Su...ga," Hinata croaks, and the fear in his eyes begins to fade, as it is replaced by comfort and familiarity.
Suga makes an indiscernible noise from his end. "Hinata!" he shouts delight filling his voice. "Was that you? Oh my word, I'm so glad to hear your voice! Oh, guys, I can't express my relief. I'm sure everyone else and your parents were so relieved to see you okay as well, weren't they?"
     I feel heat rise to my cheeks. "Oh, I um, actually haven't called them yet- Hinata just woke up a few minutes ago. I don't know what I was thinking, I just needed to talk to you right away and-"
     "Bad Kageyama!" Suga-san snaps. "Hang up this instant and call them! For heaven's sake, call the doctors too! But I'll be over as soon as possible. I'll take the bullet train and be there by evening. Daichi lives nearby, so I'll call him and he'll come too."
     "Sumimasen," I apologize. "I'll call the doctors now."
     "Good," Suga huffs, but it sounds like he's smiling. "Keep him safe, Kageyama. I'll see you soon." With that, he hangs up.
     I see a labored smile creep upon my best friend's face. "Bad," he repeats weakly.
     "Hey!" I retort. "You were fine with me calling Suga first!"
     I push the button to alert the doctors. I have quite a few calls to make. I can't wait to hear everyone's reactions to this miraculous news. I'm sure they'll be the most happy calls I'll ever make.