Chapter Text
You were back at Karasuno High for your final year. You were excited, ready to move on to college and work towards your goal. As usual, you walked to school with your boyfriend of the past 3 years, hands gently and loosely twined. Despite being rather timid, he’d gotten used to the small public displays. The walk was too short for you, however. This year, you had gotten into different classes and you were a little reluctant to be separated from your beloved gentle giant. You’d manage to score a place in Class 5 while he was stuck a couple classrooms away in Class 3.
Being that much closer to your goal, you were quite proud of yourself. He was too, of course. But you were a little more than worried about him. He was in a sort of crisis, unsure of where he wanted to go.
“Asahi, are you sure you don’t want to try out for the volleyball club again?”
“I couldn’t. Not after letting the team down like that,” he’d say every time. It broke your heart to see him hold himself back from what he loved, but you respected that he wasn’t ready and didn’t push him. Instead, you’d give him a reassuring kiss and move on from the conversation.
You had also played for your middle school’s girls’ team but had quit after an injury. By now, you could go back, but your heart wasn’t in it anymore. Instead, you wanted to focus on education and business. Your brother wanted you to help take over the shop, but you wanted to go out on your own. You would help out after school, at least after spending some time with Asahi. Your relationship had been pretty stable, so your mother and older brother were rather accepting of it.
It had only been a few days into the year when your lives got a little stirred up. You had been sitting on Asahi’s desk, chatting simply, when one of the teachers had called you out.
“Oh, Takeda-sensei. Uh, sure.” You shared a look with Asahi before exiting to classroom.
He let out a small sigh before speaking, “I know this might be a little weird, but I’m the faculty advisor for the boys’ volleyball team.”
You felt yourself stiffen slightly.
“I know it might be a bit rude, but could I trouble you to help convince your brother to help coach the team?”
You felt confused, “Keishin? He’s so lazy, he’d never agree to that.”
Takeda bowed rather low, garnering a lot of confused looks from the surrounding students in the hall. You waved your hands awkwardly, unsure of what to do.
“H-hey, there’s no need for that! Please, stand, Sensei.” You heaved a heavy sigh. “Look, I can help you ask but I don’t think it’ll get anywhere. I’m his younger sister, I doubt he’ll listen to me.”
“Th-thank you!”
You were left confused and conflicted after Takeda left. The bell for classes rang, unfortunately, leaving you no time to explain what had just happened to Asahi. You gave him a nervous wave and went on to your class. You were distracted all through classes, however, not absorbing any of the introductory material. You felt guilty for agreeing to help out the volleyball club and you worried that Asahi might take it the wrong way.
“I heard the volleyball club went against Aobajosai in a practice match.”
“Against such a strong team this early on? H-how did it go?” Asahi asked, almost as if he didn’t want to.
“I heard they actually won. Apparently, there’s some interesting first years this year.”
Seeing his conflicted look almost hurt you. You sighed softly and placed your hand over his and decided to change the subject. “Sorry, I know it bothers you. Why don’t you come over tonight? It’s been a while.”
He smiled softly, “Sure.”
When classes ended, you lead Asahi to your place. It was close by the school so the walk was short. You greeted your brother on your way through the shop before making your way to the place.
“Yeah, hey whatever,” came his lazy greeting, not even looking up from his manga. It wasn’t until he looked up to see Asahi that he actually said anything. “Ah, so you’re still with that guy?”
Asahi looked rather nervous at the statement. You gave your brother a look. “I’ve been with Asahi for years, bro. You should have more faith in me.”
He pouted. “Just take care o’ my sister, all right? And no funny business!” he called after you as you left.
You called to your mother upon entering and took Asahi up to your room, quietly closing the door after. He took a moment just to inhale your scent, so ingrained in the room. He found it a great comfort. You set your school bag down and plopped yourself onto the bed, making yourself comfortable.
“Come on,” you said, holding out your arms to Asahi. He smiled at you as he came forward, letting himself fall next to you and letting you pull him into your arms. You laid his head on your chest and undid his bun. You ran his fingers through his long hair, relishing the soft feeling. You placed a kiss to the top of his head. He looked up to you lovingly, as if you were the best thing in the world, before leaning up to pull your lips against his.
You were no stranger to intimate affection at this point in your relationship and you felt no trepidation as you let him deepen the kiss. You loved when he took charge like this. He was rather dominate but always gentle. That’s what made you fall for him. Despite his somewhat scary look, being rather tall and looking somewhat delinquent with his long hair and facial hair, he was the gentlest person you’d ever met. He was also a passionate person, both in your relationship and in club activities. It was easy, however, for him to get discouraged and rather depressed, but you knew exactly how to lift his spirits. Just a small, reassuring touch was enough, especially when combined with the deep look that communicated all your thoughts to him.
You were careful in your relationship. Neither you nor he would make a move before you were sure the other was okay with it. Each stage of your relationship was made with a mutual understanding of trust and consent. You’d began dating not long after starting high school at Karasuno. You’d been in the same class and seated adjacently. Even at 15, he was already quite tall and pretty well built from sports. Other people found him intimidating, though more so now that he was a 17 year old giant with a goatee, but you had a better feeling and actually talked to him more often. You found his gentle personality absolutely endearing and it wasn’t long before you had developed a rather huge crush on him. It had been pretty obvious to you that he also had quite the crush on you, being a man to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he never made a move. Instead, it was you who asked him out after one of his first games of the year. And you’d been together ever since. You were working on your third year together now.
Things got more interesting around your first year anniversary, however. No, it wasn’t a break up or a ‘break’. But you found yourselves alone together more often than in the previous year. And while you were both timid on the matter and built it up slowly, it wasn’t long before you’d had sex for the first time. You were overjoyed that your firsts were with each other. But, of course, being only 16 at the time, you weren’t very smart about it. You had an allergy to latex so condoms weren’t an option for you. So you decided for the pulling-out method and that had been a pretty big mistake. You had a big pregnancy scare not long after. Your period was late and you were terrified. You had taken a test and gotten a negative but you weren’t convinced until you got your period after all. After that scare, Asahi had been too afraid to do anything with you. You understood it, but you missed the close connection that that kind of intimacy had. The following month, you reached out to your brother, afraid to go to your mother instead, to ask if he would take you to the doctor for birth control. You feigned innocence, telling him instead that you just wanted it for lighter or no periods at all because of the cramps and that you were afraid your mother would get the wrong idea. He instantly refused to hear more and took you just to stop your pestering. To your and Asahi’s surprise, it worked. You’d been having sex regularly after that, worry free since you never missed a single day.
You were fixing your clothes before your mother called for dinner and your brother returned. Looking over at Asahi, you felt your heart swell. He always looked so at ease, practically glowing, after sex. You were sure you looked the same to him. As he was buttoning his school shirt, you leaned over, taking his face gently between your hands and giving him a slow and sweet kiss.
You hesitated, but you wanted to tell him, not wanting to hide anything, regardless of how small. “Tomorrow… I want to go see the team. I miss everyone. A-and I want to meet the new members too.” Asahi looked surprised and only a little pained. “I want you to come too, but… I’m not going to force you.”
It was really awkward throughout the day. For once, you actually had no idea what to talk about with Asahi. You were nervous too, not just for wanting to approach the team after Asahi quit during second year, but also because your class had career counseling that day. You never really liked talking to the teachers, but you at least knew what you wanted to do in life. Asahi, on the other hand, who would also be having his counseling in the next couple days, was at a loss. He’d given up volleyball because he felt inadequate as a player and you had no idea how to help him move on from that. You wanted him to join again. And that’s why you really wanted to see the team. You wanted to see just how strong the first years were and to ask Suga for his help.
You were called out during break and gave your plan to your advising teacher. He seemed satisfied after hearing that you would study business and go for a teaching certificate so you could one day open your own preschool.
Unfortunately, classes resumed soon after and you knew you wouldn’t be able to see Asahi again until the following day. He’d decided to go home after school while you went to the gym. You were nervous, standing outside of the gym after so long. Nothing had really changed, but you could hear how rowdy the team was inside. You switched your shoes before entering and awkwardly made your way inside.
The third and second years were currently helping the first years with their drills. Takeda and Kiyoko were the first to notice you and you shyly waved to them. Kiyoko smiled fondly to you.
“Ukai-chan?”
Suga was the first to catch your name, his face lighting up. “(Y/N)-chan!”
He jogged to you and you joined him in a hug. “It’s good to see you, Suga-chan.”
Daichi and Tanaka also rushed to greet you.
“The cute (Y/N) returns!” Tanaka practically shouted. You lightly punched his arm.
Daichi ruffled your hair, saying, “What brings you here so suddenly?”
You shifted your weight awkwardly. “Well, I wanted to see you guys again. I kinda missed you.” Tanaka started crying, shouting your name, but you ignored him. “I heard there’s some incredible new members, too.”
Daichi called out to the younger players, lining them up. You softly chuckled at his commanding voice. He’d certainly become quite a good captain.
Suga introduced the newcomers. They all had pretty distinct first impressions. The tallest brought your attention first, but you weren’t entirely sure how to feel about him. He spoke rather coldly and uncaring, probably the kind of guy to bully others even when he was trying to be nice. The guy next to him was rather cute and waved shyly to you as Suga introduced him. And then he turned your attention to the other two, a small redhead and a guy with a rather scary serious look on his face. That was Hinata and Kageyama. After hearing his name, you recognized Kageyama, having seen one of his games with Karasuno in the previous year. He had quite a reputation from his time at Kitagawa Daiichi. But your eyes lit up when you remembered Hinata from the same encounter.
“I remember you!” you shouted as you pointed to the boy. “Your vertical jump was incredible. Even though you lost, Dai-chan was still hoping you’d end up here.”
His chest puffed up and he excitedly exclaims, “I’ve gotten better since then! A-and I’ll get even better still.”
You smiled, “All you needed was a good team behind you. A proper setter. You’ll do well.” You turned your smile to the second and third years. “Karasuno is a good team, for sure.”
Practice resumed and you bowed an apology to Daichi for interrupting. Of course, he waved it off and reassured you. The guys were all happy to see you again.
As Suga walked you out, you asked, “What about Noya-san? He’s coming back after the ban is lifted, right?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. But then he sighed, “I just hope Asahi would come back too.”
“A-actually…” You gently held his wrist, turning to him. “Will you talk to him? I think if he hears how the team is improving, he’ll change his mind. I just don’t know how I can get him to see it. I know he still wants to play and I think he’d be much happier if he did.”
Suga placed his hands on your shoulders. “I’ll help you. He’s lucky to have, you know.”
You smiled, “I’m lucky to have him too.”
The following day during break, you made your way to Asahi’s classroom, but you stopped short of the door. You hid yourself behind one side of the frame, listening when you heard Suga speak.
“The team is undeniably changing. I hate to admit it but we have an amazing first year setter. And we now have ‘the strongest decoy’. If we add you and Nishinoya to the team, Karasuno can be champions again!”
He sounded almost desperate and it nearly broke your heart to hear that tone in his sweet voice.
A student passed you to peek into the classroom, calling out to Asahi for career counseling. You quickly rushed around him and jogged down the hall, hiding around the corner. You nearly ran into Kageyama and Hinata, who both looked confused seeing you in such a rush. You quietly apologized before practically hugging the wall.
“I’m not here!” you whisper-shouted.
They shared a confused look but continued on only to stop to argue who should go in first. Hinata complained that going into a third year classroom was scary, something you couldn’t help but giggle at. As Suga called out to Asahi again, they both jumped.
“Asahi?!” they both exclaimed.
“What?” he asked as he turned to them.
You peeked around the corner to watch, inwardly squealing as Hinata hid behind Kageyama. Too cute! You kept listening as Suga and Asahi talked casually about the new first years. Asahi even gave Hinata a pat on the shoulder, telling him to do his best.
But what Hinata said next had your heart doing flips.
“Aren’t we going to do our best together?”
Asahi looked confused for a moment. Hinata continued, “I want to be an ace! So, I want to see the real thing in action!”
You held your breath as you waited for Asahi’s answer.
“Sorry…” he said quietly as he turned to leave. You could tell he was hiding how hurt he was. He put on a smile and said, “I’m no ace.”
You couldn’t stop the tears that fell as you lowered yourself to a crouch against the wall.
The next day, you were leaning your face into your hands in a pout, sulking. You had hoped Suga would have been able to encourage Asahi to at least consider joining the team again, but it hadn’t helped at all. You knew he needed to see for himself that the team could really be something awesome and that he isn’t a burden to the team. But it was something only he could do for himself. Even you knew what it was like to feel inadequate. You’d played volleyball during middle school on the girls’ team but had gotten an injury during a crucial match. It hadn’t been your or anyone’s fault, but when your team lost, you felt like it was all because of you. You knew he felt the same after that loss. All of his attacks had been blocked. But you knew in your heart that he was still the ace of Karasuno.
You just had no idea how to get him to see it.
You were snapped from your thoughts, however, when you heard a shout from the classroom down the hall.
“If Asahi-san doesn’t come back then the second and third years won’t be happy at all!”
Hinata?
You heard Asahi laugh as you quickly shot up from your seat to peer out of the classroom. Hinata and Kageyama stood in front of Asahi at the door of Class 3.
“You guys are interesting,” Asahi sounded lighthearted but you know it wouldn’t last.
Asahi looked down, his eyes unfocused as if looking into the past itself. “Sorry, but… the image of hitting a ball only to get blocked is still fresh in my mind. I still remember fearing that we’d have a shutout and I’d fail.”
“You might laugh hearing this from a small first year, but…” Hinata trailed off as he deflated. You took note that he was probably self-conscious about his height.
“Not at all. Go ahead,” Asahi reassured his junior.
“I’m short and not skilled at all, so of course I’d get blocked, but I have this guy tossing for me,” he pointed to Kageyama, “and now even the tallest blockers can’t stop me!” He swept his arm out before continuing, “And when the blockers disappear, I can see the whole other side of the court. Then when the ball is at its highest and I can feel it in my hand, it’s like… so awesome!”
You watched as Asahi looked at his own hand. You knew exactly what he was thinking, knowing he was reminiscing that feeling.
And then HInata surprised even you.
“I’m jealous of you, Asahi-san,” he said. “On my own, I don’t have the height or power to break through on my own, and you have all of that. You’ve probably been blocked a lot but you’ve gotten even more spikes through, right? That’s why… you’re the ace.”
The bell rang, almost cutting Hinata’s little speech off. Kageyama dragged Hinata off, but turned to Asahi before leaving.
“It’s obvious you can’t win on your own. But that’s why there’s six people on the court. But I might not be much for saying that seeing as I’ve only just learned that,” he said, this time leaving for real.
Asahi stared after them.
You were walking home with Asahi after class, hand in hand. You weren’t speaking much as Asahi was clearly going over Hinata and Kageyama’s words from earlier. He stopped suddenly as you walked past the gym. You heard the boys inside already hard at work for practice.
Asahi stepped forward to peek into the gym. You slipped in beside him to look, just in time to witness the first year duo’s amazing quick. The look of pure amazement on Asahi’s face made your heart flip.
A shout came from inside, “Alright! We’re gonna win against the cats with quick attacks!”
Asahi looked up suddenly.
“Nekoma…?” you asked curiously as you shared a look with him.
Daichi was suddenly behind you saying, “There’s a practice match on the last day of golden week.”
Asahi let out a surpised noise, taking a step away from Daichi.
“What’s with that?!” Daichi exclaimed.
“Oi! Don’t run away!” you and he yelled together as Asahi tried to climb the bannister to get away.
“No way! Daichi is scary when he’s mad…”
“I’m not even mad right now,” he sighed. “It does’t even seem real, going against a team we’ve only heard about. It’s not as if the current Karasuno has any connection with them. But they’ve become something of a rival for us so tensions are running high.”
Asahi looked down in defeat, “But… I just can’t face Suga or Nishinoya.”
“Jeez, you really are just as wimpy as always,” Daichi sighed. He laughed as he said, “Completely the opposite of Nishinoya!”
Asahi’s shoulders dropped, looking a little put off as he said, “You could be a little more indirect…”
“Suga and Nishinoya are open-minded so of course they won’t mind.” Daichi turned back to the gym. “Skipping out for a month or being awkward… none of that matters. If you think you might like volleyball still, that’s reason enough to return, because there’s a guy on the team who dreams of becoming an ace.”
Asahi looked at his own hand as Daichi walked away. You took his other hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Suddenly, you found yourself giggling as Daichi came running back just to punch Asahi on the arm and leave again.
The two of you left, again in silence as Asahi mulled over his thoughts. He stopped at the bank of a nearby river and sat down. You sat beside him and laid your head against his shoulder, wrapping your arm around his. You sat there with him for a while, until the sun was beginning to set.
He stood suddenly. You looked up at his impressive height from the ground and your eyes sparkled from seeing the determined look on his face. Even if it might not last long, it gave you hope for him.
He walked quickly back the way you came. You had to jog to keep up with him, but you followed him all the way back to the gym. He stopped, hesitating off to the side of the door.
“Ah!” you heard from the window above. You were shocked to see Hinata hanging onto the bars. “It’s Asahi-san!”
You were unsure how to react as he stuttered, trying to explain himself.
“A latecomer?! You messin’ with me?! What’s your position?!” your brother suddenly shouted from the door.
“Keishin?!” you asked in shock. Your lazy brother was actually getting involved with the team?
“I’m, uh, a w-wing spiker…” Asahi stuttered.
“We’re short, so get in here quickly!” you brother demanded. “Move it!” he commanded, seeing Asahi’s hesitation. You stared, open mouthed, as Asahi got his athletic shoes out. From inside, the other Karasuno boys were also incredulous.
“All that’s left is a setter,” your brother mused.
Suga and Kageyama had a sort of standoff as Suga declared he’d be joining that side. “I won’t lost to you, Kageyama.”
“I won’t either,” the first year returned.
“Let me toss to you one more time, Asahi”
When you saw Asahi on the team, wearing a practice jersey, you felt tears freely falling from your eyes. Seeing him with his team filled you with such relief and love.