Kagehina Coffee Shop AU

Chapter Eight

 Kageyama stared at his coffee cup for an uncharacteristic amount of time trying to discern what it said, an uneasy feeling of deja-vu falling over him. This time it wasn't supposed to say his name, He wasn't really sure what it was supposed to say. His best guess was a phone number, since he could tell the scribbles were in groupings of three and four with dashes in between. But knowing what it was supposed to be didn't get him any closer to actually said. He leaned over towards the seats next to him, pointing out the writing to Tsukishima and Yamaguchi.

"Do you have any idea what this says?" He waited as Yamaguchi studied the cup, as Tsukishima just shrugged and went back to spacing out.

"Is it supposed to say anything?" Yamaguchi squinted.

"It's a phone number," Kageyama said bitterly, feeling oddly protective of Hinata. Tsukishima snickered.

"So you got his phone number and now you can't read it? Tragic," Yamaguchi gave him a disapproving look, causing Tsukishima to sigh, "Go back, ask him to type it into your phone instead"

Kageyama took the que that the conversation was over, leaning back in his seat and trying again to decipher what was on the cup, as if if he stared at it long enough the answer would magically reveal itself. He would come back to the coffee shop the next day, he'd show up at four o'clock and walk Hinata home again, he just didn't want to admit that Tsukishima was right. Kageyama felt himself getting more excited by the moment, he had proof right there that Hinata liked him at least a little bit. It would be perfect.

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Kageyama had jinxed it, at least that was what went through his mind when one of Hinata's coworkers said that the boy didn't have work that day. The coworker in question was the same gray-haired one that had told him when Hinata's shift ended in the first place. The nametag he was wearing said "Sugawara" In big blocky text.

"Do you know when his next shift is?" Kageyama asked awkwardly.

"It's on Monday, He gave you his number didn't he? Why didn't you ask him if he was working?" Sugawara was definitely a nosy coworker.

"That's the thing," Kageyama scratched the side of his head, avoiding eye-contact, "I can't read it." He held up the cup for Sugawara to see, whose eyes immediately widened.

"That's Hinata's handwriting?"

"You've never seen it before? Don't you work together?" Sugawara shrugged.

"He hasn't worked here that long?" But the way he phrased it seemed more like a question.

"I am slightly concerned but that's not what I'm here for," He waved off the topic change. "If I come in on monday he'll be here, got it," Kageyama turned on his heels and started making his way out.

"Kageyama?" Sugawara said, his voice sweet, "Break his heart and I'll break your legs," Kageyama got chills.

"I um, I won't" He cast one more terrified glance behind him before walking out the door.

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Kageyama laid on his back, tossing a worn volleyball in the air before catching it, then repeating the process, absorbed in thought. He wanted to talk to Hinata.

He was surprised at how much of his thoughts were occupied by Hinata despite the short amount of time they had known each other, he felt a certain feeling of protectiveness towards the boy. Maybe it was his size that made him seem fragile at first glance, or maybe it was the fact that he'd witnessed his mental breakdown after getting slapped by Karen, he couldn't really place the feeling. It was like playing pin the tail on the donkey but he didn't have a pin.

Kageyama would just have to wait until Monday.