ᴛᴀᴘꜱ ~ ᴋᴀɢᴇʜɪɴᴀ

Chapter 7

"Nice spike Asahi! Hinata! Remember to angle your hands!" Daichi shouted. Hinata nodded and went back into position.

Asahi served the ball and it soared to Tanaka, who hit it back over. One of the neighborhood association members hit it back over and Kageyama set it. Hinata smirked and ran, jumping up to hit the ball. This time, he kept his eyes open and hit it in one of their weak spots, straight towards the ground. "LET'S GO!"

He plopped down on the ground, panting heavily. "Good job short stack." Tsukishima said and yawned.

"I thought I told you not to call me that?" Hinata mumbled.

"Sorry didn't quite catch that shorty."

Kageyama looked down and lowered the ball in his hands. He walked over to the smaller boy and crouched down despite everyone telling him to serve. He tapped on Hinata's knee twice and looked him straight in the eye. "Did you hurt something?"

"Woah... He's being so gentle." Noya whispered.

"Watch him do his work." Tanaka whispered back.

Kageyama set the ball down and sat down in front of him. A few of the neighborhood association members started to get impatient and tried to yell at Hinata to get up. Kageyama put his hands over his ears and blocked them out, realizing how lost the boy looked.

"HEY! Don't yell at him! Kageyama is trying to help ease his anxiety right now!" Daichi yelled back.

Tobio gently grabbed his hands and pulled him into his arms. "It's okay. You're okay Hinata."

Hinata rested his head on Kageyama's shoulder and sighed. "Tsuki called me short stack."

"Did he?" Kageyama tapped his back twice gently and turned to Tsukishima. He glared straight at him and the blonde backed up. "If he tells you not to call him that, don't."

Tsukishima glared back and went to his position. "Over protective much?"

"THE HELL DID YOU SAY?! I-"

"K-kageyama s-stop..."

"AM JUST LOOKING AFTER HIM! YOU DON'T NEED-"

"STOP IT! Stop yelling... P-please... Stop..." Hinata started to rub his eyes, hiding his tears. "Please stop..."

Kageyama turned around and bent down, picking him up carefully. "I didn't mean to yell, I promise I didn't. Give us a minute please."

Kageyama exited the gym and sat down, being completely silent as he rocked Hinata. "I'm sorry... God I need to stop crying like this... Kuroo yells during games... I should just not go..."

Kageyama sat him up roughly and glared at him. Hinata stopped crying momentarily and stared back. "Don't you dare say that again. You're the reason we win. We need you to win. I need you to win. Hinata, don't say things like that."

"I..." He looked down, ashamed. "I'll do my best!"

"Good, now get your knee off of my hand." Kageyama said and Hinata stood up quickly.

"Sorry!" Hinata started to laugh lightly and sniffed. "Sorry about that..."

Kageyama shrugged and stood, taking a good look at Hinata. Since when did he have a larger size in clothing? And why was he moving slightly slower than usual? "Hey uh... Aren't you getting warm in that?"

"Hmm?" He looked at his clothing and shook his head. "I feel fine."

"But you're-"

"Hurry up!"