We Need Our Ace (Asahi x Nishinoya)

Chapter Four

I stumble into class, after three nights of not sleeping. The cutting is getting worse, and I almost passed out last night, but I willed myself to stay awake. (Hawaii (Stay Awake)) Tanaka runs over to me, leading me to my seat, and asking me a bunch of questions. I blink up at him, confused. I don't understand a word he's saying.

"Wha-?"

He sighs, and rubs my back, going to sit down. The professor begins teaching, and I don't understand him either. I ask to use the bathroom, and walk straight into a giant.

I'm knocked out for a second, due to my lack of sleep and loss of blood from the night before, but quickly come to. I look up, and who do you think is standing over me?

Azumane Asahi.

"Noya! Are you alright?"

I look up at him slowly, muttering to myself, "H-have to g-go to-- to-? Wh-What?"

I'm so confused. What's happening?

Asahi guides me to my class, and helps me into my seat. I stare ahead, not understanding a thing being said.

Wait.

Where'd he go?

I hear the bell ring, and slowly make my way down to the court. We warm up, and I fall over twice. Both times, Daichi-San suggested I sat out, but I refuse. We begin a practice match, and each time I try to save a ball, I end up passing out on the floor. it's only for a split second, so I don't feel the need to tell anyone. We continue the game, and Kageyama tosses to Hinata. I dive to save the ball, completely miss, hit my head on the ground, and blackout.

When I come to, the whole team is standing around me, and someone is holding me. I crane my head, and see...

Asahi.

"Oh, my God! Noya! You could have killed yourself! What's going on?! Noy-"

"Asahi, calm down! Noya will be fine."

I turn my head and see the blurry outline of Daichi-San.

Asahi sighs, standing up, and taking me with him. He carries me bridle-style out of the gym, and carries me to his house. My head is pounding, and I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open, so I close them, and fall asleep in his arms.

When I wake up, I'm in Asahi's bed. I bolt up, before the pain in my head causes me to collapse back into the pillows.

"Hey, Noya. How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts..." I groan, burying it into the pillows.

"Oh, Noya..."

I feel the bed dip, and Asahi begins to run his fingers through my hair.

"Noya, why are you doing all this?"

"A-All what?"

"Noya. You're not sleeping, you're not eating, and you're hurting yourself."

Tears well up in my eyes, and begin to fall onto his pillows.

"P-Please come back..."

"I-I can't. I'm n-not good enough..."

"Please!"

"Noya-"

I sit up, ignoring the pain in my head, "You're our ace! You're the best player on our team!"

He looks at me, shocked.

"Please, Asahi!"

He sighs, looking down.

"Okay..." He mutters, almost too quiet for me to hear.

"Thank you, Asahi..."

He looks at me, and smiles, ruffling my hair, "Just promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Stop hurting yourself."

I smile weakly, "I'll try."

"As long as you try."

I pull his arm, causing him to fall backwards, onto my lap. He laughs, and smiles up at me. A strong urge overtakes me, and I lean down.