opposites attract ~ a kageyama tobio fanfic

after the match

(june)

slight season 4 spoilers near the end !!

you remember that one scene where they're eating after the match all teary eyed?

yeah. that. right after, tobio called me. didn't even bother to go home, just stood outside the restaurant as everyone left.

"tobio? how was-"

"can i come over."

"to- to my- to my house?"

"yes. please."

i heard the desperation and something else i couldn't place in his voice.

"my entire family is home right now. meet me at hirosaki park. you know it, right? the one with the play structure?"

"okay. hurry."

"...okay, tobio. be careful."

i quickly hung up the phone, putting it in my pocket and quickly yelling to mika that i'd be at the park for a little bit.

i ran to the park. yeah. i ran. i was worried, from the tone of his voice he sounded defeated and hurt, and i hated it.

when i got there, tobio was already there, looking like he barely broke a sweat even though he ran from further away. when he saw me, i saw his eyes widen a little.

"you ran?" he said, a little worriedly. i bent down, my hands on my knees. i nodded, unable to say anything as i catched my breath.

"you... you sounded like..." i swallowed and looked up at him. "...like... you needed me."

i looked surprised at her, realizing how she must've really thought this was important.

suddenly, i felt the regret and rage build up inside me again, and i couldn't look at her. but at the same time, i just wanted her to take all the hurt away for me. i didn't even know why i called her here with me. i knew she didn't know the first thing about volleyball, and she probably didn't-

i couldn't finish my thought before i saw her chocolate brown eyes peering up to meet mine. when she saw she had my attention, she smiled and reached to hold my face in her hands.

his eyes widened as i did so, and that was when i saw the bright redness tinting his under eyes, contrasting against his dark blue irises. i was surprised. and confused. i rubbed my thumb against his cheek and asked, "did you guys... lose? is that why you've been crying?"

when she said this, my face scrunched a little and i knew i couldn't cry again. not in front of her. i wanted to act cool in front of her, thought that i should just play it off.

but when she cupped my face and simply whispered a "daijoubu", i let the tears escape yet again. because it was okay, right?

"it's okay," she said, like she was reading my thoughts. "you can cry." she whispered, reassuring me. so i did. i dropped to the floor, tugging her down with me, and burying my tear streaked face into her sweater, gripping onto her middle as if my life depended on it.

i thought i'd cried my fill earlier while we were eating, but being around her made me feel even more remorse at losing. i wanted to win, wanted to tell her that we won. wanted to look cool for her. wanted to get better, wanted to be as determined as she was.

this wasn't fair.

i didn't know what to do, other than rub his back quietly as he choked out small sobs, his whole body shaking. i knew the feeling of defeat, i knew the feeling of regret. so i just held him, all 182 centimeters of him, in my arms.

when he'd calmed down, and had stopped crying, i rubbed the top of his head, and said "remember this regret, okay? whatever you're feeling. remember it."

she pulled away to look at me, and i was surprised to see such a determined smile on her face.

"remember it. and use it as your power next time."

his eyes widened, and he wiped his face before nodding at me. he stood up, pulling me up with him.

and that was the end of it. i calmed him down. he apologized for ruining my sweater, and i just laughed him off, saying he should give me one of his, then.

he only told me the details of that match much later on when i got enough courage to ask. that was after they'd beat aoba johsai in the qualifiers.

many years after, looking back, i'd realize that she'd been my comfort and my motivation... since the beginning.