𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 ◦ 𝐡𝐪 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐜

𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

KENJI AND SUGAWARA high fived each other. they then patted tsukishima on the back. "nice toss, tsukishima! it was easy to hit!" kenji commented. the first year adjusted his glasses.

"ossu."

"senpai! that jump was so cool! you went woosh and then bam past the block!"

the brunet chuckled. "you jump higher than me though."

everybody watched as the two conversed. they're so similar yet different at the same time.

it's like there are two hinata's now. coach ukai thought. i don't know if i should be happy and start thinking of strategies or be creeped out...

daichi announced that they should start to clean up. everyone started to run around the gym, breaking up the poles and lowering the net. kenji helped in mopping the floor. you can say this is his favorite chore because he can jog or walk as he does so.

they finished wrapping up and they all went to retrieve their belongings and change their clothes. kenji lingered in the court and sat on the floor, stretching meticulously.

hinata stopped walking as he saw his senpai's scar once again. he knew he was being nosy but he was too curious for his own good. "ne, senpai..." he trailed off.

"hmm??" kenji started to massage his right leg as he looked up at his underclassman. he followed his gaze to the scar beside his hand. it starts just below his right knee and vertically until his mid-shin. it's long and noticeable, but kenji doesn't mind. he's okay now.

"ah, this? i got this from surgery."

hinata and almost all of the players, except the third years, within hearing-range paled. "s-surgery!? are you okay now senpai!??""

kenji chuckled. "don't worry. my doctor said it's okay to play now. i spent almost a year in the hospital doing physical therapy after the accident. i can't pursue a volleyball career now though..." he trailed off in the end.

he smiled nevertheless. "but i'll play while i still can! that's why i'm here with you guys, right?"

hinata was speechless. this guy, even though he's so powerful and good at volleyball... hinata frowns. fate sure is cruel.

"don't worry senpai! i'll play for you!" kenji was silent for a few moments before he laughed wholeheartedly.

[i freakin' loved foreshadowing ;)]

"are you sure you'll go pro? with your receives?" he teased.

"ehhh?? senpai---!!" kageyama, yamaguchi, tsukishima and the other lingering players all sweatdropped at the two. they were just talking about a serious injury but suddenly they're teasing each other. they're like two pieces in a pod, like long-lost twins. they're just so similar it's almost uncanny.

kageyama stared for a moment too long. i wonder...

AFTER THAT DAY, they all continued to practice hard, with the aim of winning the spring high tournament. they would spend hours everyday just to train and practice against each other. slowly, kenji's body got used to the strain. his muscles and bones are being used everyday, so he definitely feels the change in his body. he still experiences jolts of pain for every bad landing and over-practicing, but he just needs cold compress and his brother's massage, the pain immediately goes away.