The Beginning of the End

Chapter 13

A dark blanket of clouds laid gently over an athletics store. Enveloping it in a cool, chilly gust. Rain drops pattered down shyly, as if trying to wash away the turmoil that lingered in the air.

Thunder echoed, boisterous booms rang through the sky. Lightning danced in and out of view, replicating the electricity that was felt between seven fretful boys.

It was dark inside the store, the rapid flashing of light outside provided the only illumination.

Sugawara was trying to stay strong, he wanted to keep his composure. No, he needed to.
Everyone else had fallen into a mass hysteria.

Hinata was curled up into a ball, his face pressed into his knees as his hands cupped his ears. An orange tuft of hair poked out from his small form, which was rocking back and forth.

Kageyama and Tsukishima had deep scowls etched on their faces. They both were determined to not let their worry show, but ultimately, they failed. Kageyama was pacing back and forth across the room, muttering incoherently to himself. Tsukishima glared at the floor with clenched fists. His body twitching, intensely and at random.

Kunimi's eyes were glazed over, his mouth tugged into a small frown. Instead of waiting anxiously for the others, he had been spending the days sleeping. He figured that if he wasn't awake, he could ignore his worry. But his body would no longer sleep due to excess energy, forcing him to confront his concern.

Nishinoya had his face buried into his shirt, screaming angrily into the fabric. The material was coated in sewer water, but he wanted a way to release his pent up frustration, so he ignored it.

Out of everyone, Asahi was in the worst condition.

Asahi's face was a chalky white, so much so that even his lips lacked color. His clothes were drenched from sweat. His body raked with tremors. Asahi was devoid of energy, his physique was frail. He had not eaten in days as he no longer had an appetite.

Sugawara had tried endlessly to cheer the boys up but nothing seemed to work.

He wanted to be a pillar for the boys, a source of support. But panic was making him unsteady.

Suga had believed that Daichi, Yamaguchi, and Iwaizumi would return, no matter the obstacle. But then Oikawa disappeared, and he began to have doubts.

Perhaps his will to have hope was pointless.

Or maybe it wasn't.

Maybe the boys were alive, and had simply been delayed, temporarily hiding out, and waiting for an opportunity to come back.
However, if that was the case, why had days gone by without their return?

Maybe they had left the town, seeking other means of safety and security.
But Daichi wouldn't abandon him, he cared too much for Suga to do that.. right?

Sugawara was starting to become distrustful. If the missing boys weren't dead, why were they taking so long to return?

Suga missed Daichi so much that it hurt. He felt like his heart was slowly shattering to pieces, aching for his lover to reappear.
Or maybe my heart just feels this way because I'm going to have a heart attack and die.

Suga laughed softly to himself at the thought, which was going to kill him first, the heart break or heart disease?
Okay, maybe I am losing it.

He shook himself from his thoughts. His worry was getting to his head and discouraging him. He couldn't allow that to happen.

"Alright!" exclaimed Suga, standing up and pumping his fists in determination. He walked around to everyone, consoling them and removing them from a daze.