He's Not OK [KageHina]

Chapter 1: Caught My Eye

If I'm being honest, Karasuno doesn't seem like much. Especially from the outside. None of that matters, though. I'm only here because old Coach Ukai is supposed to be coming out of retirement (and Shiratorizawa didn't want me, but that's beside the point). The opening ceremony is dragging on. Principal Ogasawara sure is good at putting people to sleep. Only when it's the sports club leaders' turn to speak am I actually paying any attention.

First was the soccer club, then baseball, swimming, and finally volleyball. Only two people stepped forward, the captain and vice-captain I assumed. Coach Ukai was nowhere in sight, however. The one with black hair gave the usual recruitment speech while the one with silver hair watched with his hands folded in front of him.

Dammit! The only reason I came to this stupid school isn't even here! My resolve is already hardened despite the disappointment. Whether or not Coach Ukai is here, I'm still gonna play. Despite that, I can't help but be disappointed. I let out a quiet sigh and the girl next to me elbows my arm, hard. What the hell was that-? Oh right, I'm supposed to be paying attention still. I slump down in the hard metal chair and fold my arms. Maybe he'll be at practice? No, all of the other coaches were there...

"If you're interested in joining the volleyball club, please come by gym 5," The black-haired captain says with a slight smile. With that ends all the volleyball news for now.

To try and pass the time and ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach, I start glancing at the people around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a head of fluffy, orange hair. The color is startling against the other dull brown and black hair. I didn't think we were allowed to have dyed hair? Whoever that person is, they're sitting behind me a couple of rows and down a few people. I turn my head to try and get a good look at their face. Big brown eyes stare back at me and he flashes a quick grin. Is there something on his cheek? I wonder. Maybe I'll try to ask him about it later.

Luckily, or maybe unluckily for me, the orange-haired boy is in my homeroom. Instead of paying attention, I try to think of excuses to start a conversation with him. Through introductions, I learn that his name is Hinata Shoyo. Hopefully, he hasn't caught me staring at him. Our teacher's voice slowly fades out until she sounds far away. There's not much need to pay attention on the first day anyway since they're just going over the rules and curriculum, I try convincing myself.

Finally, the end-of-day bell rings, releasing everyone from their first day. I hurry as fast as I can to the volleyball gym. There I see Hinata talking to the silver-haired guy from the club presentations. He's short.

"Ah, you're here to sign up for the volleyball club too?" Hinata asks excitedly, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. Now that I can see him up closer, the thing on his face definitely looks like a fading bruise. Are those... are those bandages? I have to do a double-take. Peeking out from underneath his red track jacket looked like white gauze bandages. Is he gonna play like that? Whatever. It's not like me to want to pry into someone's business like this. As long as it doesn't get in the way of his ability to play, it shouldn't matter.

"Yeah." I force myself to look him in the eye."Hinata Shoyo, right?"

"Oh! You actually know my name!" His eyes sparkle with excitement. "And you're Kogane- Kuni-"

"Kageyama."

Hinata flushes red. "Sorry. I promise I'll get your name right next time."

"It's good to know that you two already kinda know each other," The boy with silver hair says. "I'm Sugawara the vice-captain, but you can just call me Suga-san. A pleasure to meet you Hinata, Kageyama." He gives us a warm smile.