Rule the Court - Haikyuu x Reader

Chapter 29 - Crow-like

Seijoh High School Gym

The collision causes an echo across the gymnasium, you cover your mouth in horror as Kageyama slowly moves and emits a thunderous, blood-red aura.

Shoyo stands on the brink of death. He's only fourteen and has dreams and a future ahead of him, such a tragic story...

Two of the Karasuno boys laugh their hearts out as Kageyama marches towards a pleading Shoyo. Kageyama appears on the verge of throwing hands, or of throwing Shoyo. You turn your head away, grieving the loss of your spunky friend.

"The end of the set, the end of a life. I can't watch."

Hajime slaps you on the back, ignoring your slight stumble and walking past you to where the rest of the team has started lining up for end-of-set formalities, "Then don't."

"But I kind of want to!" Unfortunately, once you've fallen in line it looks like Kageyama has already cooled off. You deflate, "Aw. They're only talking."

"You're disappointed??"

"Come on, Kunimi! We were so close to witnessing a boxing match!"

Kindaichi looks mildly horrified. "The short one was about to be murdered."

"Should I be worried you see possible-murder as a form of entertainment, senpai?"

You think their priorities aren't set straight. "Possible boxing match, my dear kouhai."

Right on time, Karasuno gathers themselves sufficiently, lining up and bowing. Both teams are migrating to their respective benches when you witness Ryuu cross his arms and give a, by the looks of it, awe-inspiring speech. It makes you grin. "Adorable."

Your shoulder is bumped, and it's Yahaba next to you. "Adorable?" he's looking at Karasuno dubiously, then to you, and his expression quickly melts into exasperation when your grin sharpens maniacally.

"Yes. Reminds me of ants." Yahaba sighs. "That I crush."

"Thank you for clarifying."

"With my feet."

"Wow. What crucial information."

"I liked it better when you were too polite to be sarcastic with me."

Most of the team is running to the water bottles you've graciously readied for them, so you weren't expecting Hajime's voice by your ear, "You weren't doing much crushing, just now."

"Hajime!" He should be ashamed of causing a heart attack. When you spin around, hand clutched dramatically to your chest, he doesn't look near sorry. "Were you waiting to scare me?"

Hajime rolls his eyes and resumes walking to the bench, you follow curiously. It's true you poke fun at Tooru when he trails after Hajime like a loyal puppy, but you're also aware Hajime affects you the same way. He says, "I want an answer."

"Answer to what?"

"Why did you hold back?"

It's the little things that make you pause. You're no stranger to Pissed-Hajime, since it's one of his most forthcoming moods, but you know him better than many. You can differentiate the Hajimes most people would group into the Pissed-Hajime category.