What I love ✔️

Chapter 9

{I cried while writing about the competition... you'll see why lol}

"Man, I'm so excited!! We're going to watch a gymnastics competition for the first time! That's so cool!" Noya exclaimed as they walked to the bus stop.

"Who else is coming to watch?" Sugawara asked as he walked beside Shōyō and Tadashi. 

"Dad will be there to watch..." Shōyō smiled "And Meng and Akihiko of course..."

"And my parents... we invited them this morning. It was kind of last minute, but they'll make it." Tadashi smiled and Shōyō nodded.

"Oh...! I almost forgot. I have to be with Natsu before the competition starts... she usually gets nervous before. Dad isn't allowed to be with her, but I can." Shōyō explained.

"Alright... but I have to ask you two something... since when were you so close?" Sugawara asked curiously. Most of their teammates were distracted by other things to notice the question.

"It's been a small while..." Tadashi said with a smile that surprised Shōyō. He had told him that he wasn't out to the team yet. Was he comfortable with telling them now? Was it alright with him? He had completely forgotten to ask if he was comfortable... Shōyō didn't want him to be uncomfortable so he let him talk.

"Oh really? That's nice to hear..." Sugawara smiled in response "Congratulations then..." he said as he caught up with Daichi who was walking a few feet in front of them. Shōyō bumped shoulders with Tadashi who chuckled lightly. Shōyō smiled at the sound.

All of them stopped once they arrived at the stop. Tsukishima, Yachi and Kageyama were now standing and talking with Shōyō, Tadashi, Meng and Akihiko.

"So, what sports do you play...?" Kageyama had asked and, for the first time ever, the team witnessed Tsukishimas laugh. His real laugh. It had broken out as soon as Kageyama said the sentence.

The bus ride towards the sports hall where the competition was held was... slightly chaotic. Well, Tanaka and Noya caused more chaos than anyone else but that doesn't matter... it was mostly filled with laughter rather than fights. What matters is that nobody had hit or injured anyone while arguing, thankfully. Ukai and Takeda had prevented it from happening.

Shōyō could feel himself growing more nervous with every passing second. He really shouldn't, considering this wasn't his first competition... but it had been such a long time ago since he last competed... ever since his mom... it's been more than a year. He could feel his stomach aching when he pressed the stop button. His breaths getting slightly uneven. Tadashi held his hand tight and didn't let ago until they were inside and were trying to find their parents. He took a deep breath and brushed his thumb over Tadashis hand.

He took out his phone and texted his dad, Tadashi did the same. They both told them to come to the reception. Tadashis parents were apparently on their way and his dad had arrived in no time. 

"Hey! Nice to finally meet everyone. I'm Hinata Hibiki, Shōyōs dad." Hibiki said as he greeted Ukai and Takeda. 

"Nice to meet you Hinata-san. It's a pleasure to be here and change the scenario every once in a while." Takeda said.

"Oh, please call me Hibiki. And I'm glad that everyone came. And Shōyō, Natsu is waiting in her room like always. Good luck." Hibiki smiled as Shōyō nodded and ran off to find his sister.

"Good luck?" Takeda questioned.

"Yes... it might be tricky to calm Natsu down sometimes..." Hibiki answered. Thank god they had informed both him and Natsu beforehand. Meng's idea.