Can't Live If Living Is Without You

Chapter 3: Kageyama Obito

*Tobio's flashback*

Kageyama Obito was the older brother of Miwa and Tobio. He would be twenty-four years old if he had lived. He was Tobio's hero and best friend. He was also the one who had discovered the secret pathway that connected Kageyama's house to Hinata's and several other homes along the path, including Yamanaka Minato. Kageyama remembered how he had giggled when Obito had shown him the pathway.

Kageyama was ten when his brother died, at the tender age of seventeen. The days leading up to his death was engraved into Kageyama's brain. He still remembered the story his brother told him.

Obito and Minato had met each other one day in the secret pathway, they were both fifteen years old, and they became best friends.

Obito was cleaning out his closet trying to find his favorite sweatshirt with no luck. Yelling, "Mom I can't find my One Punch Man sweatshirt, have you seen it?" His mother yelled back, "Stop yelling you'll disturb the neighbors and no I haven't seen it".

Obito went into the closet to search the back of his closet for his favorite sweatshirt when the door slammed shut behind him. He couldn't see anything in the dark, so he started pushing against the walls trying to open the door. Suddenly a door opened, and he climbed out the closet. Instead of being in his bedroom, he saw stairs leading into the dark. He cautiously walked down the stairs and found himself in an empty pathway. Ahead there was a dim light, so he had chosen to walk in that direction.

After walking for about three minutes Obito came upon a boy sitting down by what appeared to be the back of a house and reading by flashlight. He stopped startled by the blonde-haired boy, who looked up at him with eyes as blue as the ocean. He smiled at Obito and asked softly "are you are ghost?"

Obito blinked, "what?" The blonde-haired boy smiled, "I'm Yamanaka Minato and I live in this house. My family and I recently moved to this prefecture and I discovered this secret pathway about a month ago and I've never seen anyone else down here. So, are you a ghost?"

Obito laughed, "No I'm not a ghost. I got locked in my closet and the wall opened up and led me here. I'm Kageyama Obito and I'm a first year at Wakutani Minami High and I'm in class 3".

Yamanaka Minato smiled, "I'm a first year at  Wakutani Minami High as well. I'm in class 5, college prep".

Kageyama Obito sat down next to Yamanaka Minato, "what are you reading?" Yamanaka Minato smiled "the Twilight Series". Kageyama Obito smiled at Yamanaka Minato, he felt strangely drawn to this boy. He wasn't sure why, but he knew he didn't want to leave his side. They sat and talked for a while before Yamanaka Minato stated he needed to get back inside before his parents start looking for him.

Kageyama Obito asked with a worried look on his face, "how do I get back inside, I have no idea how the closet works". Yamanaka Minato took Kageyama Obito hands and led him into his closet, showed him how to work the closet, told him the secrets of not getting caught going in and out of the closet, and the safeguards he needed to have in place in case he gets accidentally locked out. Kageyama Obito thanked him and turned to leave and Yamanaka Minato followed him. He handed Obito his flashlight , then hugged him "be safe, I'll see you in school'", then he walked back to his house.

The two became best friends, and spent all their time together at mostly at Minato's house, he only visited Obito at his house when his father was away on business. One day Yamanaka Minato came to visit and was hanging out in Kageyama Obito room, they had a school project they needed to complete. However, they got bored and decided to go exploring in the secret pathway. Minato had forgotten the small promise he made.

Tobio rushed home from school excited because Minato promised to play volleyball with him after school. Yamanaka Minato was the setter at Wakutani Minami High and had been invited to participate on the All Japan Youth Team. Tobio was excited to learn all he could from Minato, so he charged up the stairs eager to see Minato and start playing volleyball. However, when he rushed into Obito's room there was no one there. He searched the entire house but couldn't find them.

Tobio called Obito's phone asking where he was. Obito replied "in my room". Tobio rushed back to Obito's room to see him and Minato sitting at the computer doing homework. He stared at them and stated, "I was just in here and you guys were not in this room, where did you come from?"

Obito quickly grabbed Tobio's arm, pulled him into the room and slammed the door. Telling his younger brother to be quiet, "if you promise to keep the secret, I'm going to show you something special". With stars in his eyes, Tobio nodded his agreement. Obito and Minato took him to the closet and explained everything to Tobio who drank in all this information.

When they climbed out the closet and into the secret pathway, Tobio giggled. He was so happy because he now shared a super-secret with his older brother who was also his best friend and his hero. Tobio wrapped his arms around Obito, "I promise not to tell anyone about this pathway, I'll keep your secret. Thank you for trusting. I love you".

Obito smiled at his younger brother, "I know. I love you too".

*End flashback*

Kageyama rolled over to his side and hugged his pillow. He had kept his promise to a point, he had broken that promise only once...the night he showed Miwa the secret pathway. Not even Hinata knew about the secret pathway. Although he loved Hinata, Kageyama knew he couldn't keep secrets and would blab about the pathway the minute he found out about it.

Kageyama could have gone to Wakutani Minami High, but he couldn't handle the memories of Obito and Minato that would linger in that school. They both played volleyball for Wakutani, Minato was the setter and Obito was the ace and their pictures hung on the wall in the volleyball club room. Kageyama chose to go to Karasuno instead to avoid dealing with the emotions that would come with attending Wakutani Minami High.

Kageyama sighed and tried to sleep. He had practice in a few hours.