Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Thank you for taking the time to give me an interview."

"No problem, Hinata. Actually, you're more than qualified for the job, and top of your classes at your University, so I think you'll be an excellent addition to Karasuno. Plus, you have a fun and energetic spirit that most teachers don't have, so you'll be great with the kids."

"I'm honored, thank you. I'm not sure if I'll fit in, but I hope to get through them- the kids, I mean. After all, I know what it's like to be in their position."

"Indeed. So how have you been?"

"I've been well, and you?"

"Ah, ah. Don't think you can change the subject so quickly, Shouyou. I want to know how your life has been for the last four years."

"My classes were interesting...enough, and I kept in touch with Yamaguchi and Tsukkishima who attended the same school as I did. It was freeing to be somewhere different and experience various life lessons as well as activities. But the best feeling is when you return home, where it all began."

He smiled softly. "I know what you mean. What about Kageyama, how has he been? Him being in Tokyo must have made it harder to see each other..."

He stood on the platform looking longingly at the sky.

"Actually, I- um-" /didn't visit him/ "We haven't seen each other for-" /four years/ "-a while."

"Oh, well that's unfortunate. I'm sure you'll have time to see him soon enough. Speaking of time, here is your schedule, your student list, ..." the rest of their conversation was a blur but he somehow made it out with a smile and coherent thoughts.

Once he made it to his car, he blinked and swept his hand through his hectic hair. "I'm a teacher."

"I'm a what?!"

"Sorry, but we already have a setter. You'll have to settle for spiking, temporarily."

'Great, just great,' Kageyama sighed and slumped on the bench. He was starting to regret accepting the Nippon offer; he was far away from home, from Hinata.

He hated seeing the way his friend looked at him when he announced his sudden departure.

"I'm moving to Tokyo."

He didn't miss the split-second of desperation in the other's gaze.

"Oh." It was but one word, but it spoke volumes to him.

As in, I see, so all these years meant nothing? Or maybe, I'm happy for you, that you're following our dream /without me/. Looking back, it was probably a fusion of the two.

He hated seeing the fleeting look of hurt and betrayal on his lover's face. Were they lovers?

He cringed as another memory made its way to his heart, "You know what they say, long-distance relationships don't last."

"Oh." There it was again—'Oh.' This time, it really was Kageyama's fault. Ending their relationship was the absolute last thing he wanted to do. If he was asked why he shot their notion of love down, he would make things up about time and money, not to mention the actual distance itself. The bottom line, however, was that he was scared. /Just like Hinata's father/ Scared that he couldn't make Hinata happy, scared he wouldn't be a good partner or invested enough, scared of everything. It wasn't fair to Hinata, or to him either, frankly. But what was done, was done. He couldn't go running back to Hinata, or try to mend things between their friendship. But he didn't want to cut things off either.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later, he would learn of his parents' demise which would set off a ticking bomb inside his heart.

Hinata couldn't believe he was late to his own class. He never was punctual, but he supposed he would have to be for this job. During his University years, he had developed a working schedule, but coming back to Karasuno subconsciously made him fall back into a routine.

As he quickly jogged through the familiar halls, he bumped into a looming figure.

"I am terribly sorry, I-"

"No it's okay, I didn't watch where I was going."

The new teacher found the other's gaze and involuntarily gaped at him.

Damn.

He had shoulder-length hair as dark as a raven's wing, everchanging hazel irises, and broad shoulders that could rival even those of Kageyama in his third year. Wait, why was he comparing him to Kageyama? That managed to break him out of his trance.

"I'm sorry, I must get to my students. Don't want to be late on my first day!"

"Wait!" the stranger—teacher—called out. "I didn't catch your name."

Hinata smirked, "I didn't throw it."

Kageyama was a middle-schooler again. People were giving him nervous glances, whispers were being conspired around him, and he found himself brooding on the gym benches when he wasn't in a game. His first year of University went well until he lost everyone he'd ever known—he shut down. Shrugged the consoling hands on his shoulders, yelled at his teammates when they tried to bench him more often than not, even secluded himself from his roommate and the small group of 'friends' he'd made in his first two terms.

He had to think. How did he fix his attitude and problems after middle-school?

Hinata. That's right. His best-friend—ex best-friend—changed him for the better. He made him set to others, to him, breaking his walls of solitude and even managed to make him smile.

Hinata flattened his hair to impersonate Kageyama, "I wish I could receive, toss and spike, all by myself."

He smiled to himself at the memory.

What would Hinata say if he could see him right now? What would Shouyou do?

Hinata heard the bustle of chattering children before he saw it. Some were on their phones, others were gossiping, etc., etc. He cleared his throat, which earned him everyone's attention.

"I apologize for my tardiness. Pleased to meet you all."

The group gave a monotonous reply of 'Good morning, sir.' and Hinata finally got the door unlocked.

Once everyone picked a seat, they began playing ice-breaker games to get to know one another.

Shouyou had a feeling that it would be a nice semester—polite students, a new job, a mysterious teacher he wanted to get to know, and no thinking of Kageyama.

If he looked on the horizon, it would be sunny and clear. A little further, however, and it would become murky.

But who doesn't like a good twist?