Haikyuu!! One-Shots

The Only Reason (Yamaguchi x Reader)

It's a {character x reader} one this time. Don't expect a happy ending. (Sorry! xD I'll work on making the next one happy. I swear!)

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Why was I still playing volleyball?

I knew I was the worst in Karasuno, the worst in the world, even. I would always be found on the bench as the rejected pinch server.

Please, pinch my arm and wake me from this nightmare.

I would never run like Hinata, be a genius like Kageyama, spike like Tanaka, power though with my strength like Asahi, understand everyone like Sugawara, encourage the team like Daichi, keep the ball connected like Nishinoya, or critically think like Tsukki, no matter how much I practiced. My love for the sport quickly faded. I stopped trying, contrary to what I told Tsukki.

What was I doing here?

I never get to touch the ball anymore, to feel the sting of a good receive or serve.

A warm tear seared its way down my freckled cheek. My lanky figure shuddered in the cold as I stifled these silent sobs.

Did anyone see the note I wrote? I was quitting today.

Why did it take me so long to leave?

It was useless to ask so many questions. I knew the answer to all of them. I stayed because of (Name). She was the only reason I stuck around all this time. Whenever a match finished, she would always be on the side with Kiyoko, presenting chilled bottles of water on humid, summer days and thermal metal containers brimming with heated, creamy soup.

What was (Name) doing now?

Sniffling, I furiously rubbed my eyes dry with the hem of my black jersey. I would never wear it again, after today. But I wouldn't dispose of it. Something so precious could never be replaced. Rivers of sweat, tears and love from my teammates gave me my limited will.

Right. Past teammates.

Suddenly, my fingers clutched the edge of the sink table, my cries drowning out the pounding of my heart. The overwhelming desire to leave without evidence. I didn't want to cause (Name) pain. I loved (Name) too much.

I retched, the sickening feeling in my stomach weakening me to the core, forcing ragged gasps out of my mouth. Nervously, I swallowed the lump in my throat and washed my face with the cool tap water.

As I stumbled out the bathroom, I happened to pass by the Karasuno gym. Bracing myself, I allowed my senses to relax. The sharp squeaks of skidding sneakers and the resounding smacks of palms against volleyballs stirred a strangely painful, tainted nostalgia in my heavy heart. The twinge forced one last bead of water from my eyes. I longed to walk in, to have the captain pat my shoulder and welcome me into the game. Most of all, I wanted (Name).

"Yamaguchi?" The soft voice sounded hurt. "Yamaguchi... Why?"

Flooding with guilt, I couldn't bring myself to make eye contact. My sight trained on the familiar note in her hand. A strange force pulled my gaze onto her face, and my lips quivered and my legs shook.

"You're so beautiful, even when you're sad," was my only thought.

With four weak steps, I fell onto her body, hugging her shoulders tightly. I whispered, "I'm sorry, (Name)... I couldn't handle it any longer. I would have left earlier, but...

You were the only reason I stayed."