Chapter Text
Kiyoomi entered the cafeteria after practice, Komori following him with an almost annoying amount of energy. The sudden influx of chatter and the wafting smell of the dishes in the room made Kiyoomi cringe. The things he put up for volleyball.
His eyes snapped over to where a dark haired first year sat, table occupied only by him and another player from Miyagi. Kiyoomi strided over, he did not stomp like a child be quiet Komori , and caught the tail end of their conversation.
“...took down Shiratorizawa and they’re heading to Nationals now, right? That’s amazing.” The curly haired player mused, fiddling with his chopsticks.
Karasuno’s setter, Kageyama Tobio, nodded in response and continued to place food into his mouth.
“We lost in full sets at the finals...we thought we had it in the bag…”
When Kiyoomi saw the ravenette at the entrance of the camp, he had looked every bit of a setter that could defeat Wakatoshi. Sharp, intensely blue eyes, rather tall for a first year (not taller than Kiyoomi though), slender hands, and a muscular build.
“Oi.”
But when the setter looked up at him with clear, guileless eyes, they seemed softer than what Kiyoomi saw, and a scowl-that-could-be-classified-as-a-pout, Kiyoomi couldn’t see the terrifying player he was painted to be. Not as clearly as on court.
The curly haired player next to Kageyama stuttered out a choked exclamation of Kiyoomi’s name, but Kageyama just looked at him. Waiting for something.
“I haven’t had a chance to watch the video replay yet, but...why’d Shiratorizawa lose? Was Wakatoshi-kun having an off day?”
Kageyama blinked, slowly placing down his chopsticks. “No. He looked like he was in perfect form to me.”
What . Kiyoomi felt like he was just touched by someone he did not like. Wakatoshi was strong, undoubtedly. His spikes resounded like cannon shots when he was at his best and this first year was telling Kiyoomi, that Wakatoshi still lost.
It was unthinkable.
“If that’s the case, then why’d he lose? What’d you guys do? Was there someone to slow him down??”
Kageyama’s eyebrow twitched but when he answered, his voice was still calm and even. “...Ah, yeah...I guess we slowed him down.”
Someone blocked Wakatoshi? That’s how they won? Kiyoomi could feel his eyes narrow dangerously but he was well past his usual disposition of blank irritation.
“Give me a name...what year, describe him, which middle school-” He leaned towards Kageyama with every order, the younger one radiating an equal amount of irritation.
“Ignore this guy!” Komori popped up from behind Kiyoomi, waving his hands in the air, “He can be a reeeal downer. He just has a tendency to fixate on anything he perceives as a potential threat.”
Kiyoomi sniffed in disdain, “I take exception to that downer comment...I just believe in being cautious.”
The setter nodded absently, still staring at Kiyoomi with single minded focus. His eyes suddenly narrowed at Kiyoomi, “You’re still holding back, aren’t you?”
“...Say what now?”
This little setter was so infuriatingly calm as he shattered whatever Kiyoomi thought was normal. His face was a blank mask and Kiyoomi resented his inability to recognize the emotion glinting in the setter’s eyes.
Kageyama’s fringe shadowed his eyes a little, causing the blue to reflect the light almost eerily. “How do I put this...I feel like you’re actually a lot more...average...than the reputation everyone seems to have of you.”
Kiyoomi felt like lightning struck him, like the realization that Wakatoshi lost at top form, but ten times worse. His eyebrow twitched and he scowled deeply. Not that Kageyama could see it under his face mask, but he was sure they could feel his irritation. He could see the other player sitting at the table hide his face in second hand embarrassment. Good, he can be embarrassed for the obviously shameless setter blinking up at Kiyoomi.
Kiyoomi jolted out his darkening thoughts when Komori started to excuse both of them out of the increasingly awkward conversation. He whipped around, muttering something about taking a bath before everyone else. Kiyoomi would kill a man if he knew someone infected the water with their germs right after this irritating conversation.
“ Tch , average.” He scoffed as he leaned back in the heated water of the bath.
“Sakusa-senpai, what toss would you prefer? How could I fix it?” Kageyama gripped a volleyball and he peered up at Kiyoomi. Kiyoomi shook his head and walked off. Kageyama was so much more different than Atsumu, that little show-off bastard.
Why did Hoshiumi and Atsumu talk to Kageyama after practice? Whatever they said caused the little setter to look even more irritated than usual.
Kageyama frowned at the back of the ace and hurried after him. Practice was finishing up and Kageyama wanted to practice Kiyoomi’s ideal toss before the practice ended.
“Sakusa-senpai.” Kageyama reached to grab his jersey before jerking back. “A-ah sorry, I know you don’t like people touching you...but please tell me.”
Kiyoomi blinked down at the setter and let out a deep sigh. He missed his mask. Protected him from a few unwanted germs and helped block his emotions more. At least Kageyama didn’t touch him.
He ended up telling the blue-eyed setter his preferred toss.
And ended up practicing with said setter for a good hour until he realized he was unnecessarily practicing.
The tentative smile Kageyama had after a good set was kind of cute though.
Komori was going to scream when he realized that Kiyoomi actually practiced with the kid that had called Kiyoomi average, instead of taking a bath. Kiyoomi felt his mood plummet at the reminder. Why was it so irritating?
After they both received food, Kageyama called out a soft parting word and trotted off to join the other player from before, Chigaya. Kiyoomi shook his head and spotted Atsumu waving him down, Komori and Hoshiumi seated next to him. Great.
“What, Miya.”
“Nothin’, nothin’. Just wanted ta know why ya came back so late with Tobio-kun.” Atsumu nonchalantly waved his hands in the air but his eyes were hard, glinting with curiosity and something else.
Kiyoomi raised an eyebrow, “Tobio-kun?”
“Kageyama.” Komori helpfully piped in.
“Yes, I know- never mind.” Kiyoomi sighed, quietly muttered a thanks and began eating.
Hoshiumi huffed loudly before beginning his long, loud rant about something Kageyama had apparently said. Something about how Kageyama didn’t care for his jumps and said how he was a good reference source.
“What does that even mean??” Hoshiumi cried out, throwing his hands in the air. Atsumu snorted, shoving rice into his mouth.
“ That’s what you were lookin’ so scary for? Yer jumps?”
“Well, what did you say to Kageyama-kun. He looked pissed as shit when you left.” Hoshiumi scrunched his face up towards Atsumu.
“Called him a goody-two-shoes.” Atsumu shrugged.
“Who even says goody-two-shoes anymore, you fucking grandpa.” Hoshiumi sneered at Atsumu and the setter slammed down his hands.
“You wanna fight?”
“No fighting.” Komori snapped and they both sat down immediately. Cowards. “And stop bothering Kageyama-kun, idiots. It’s kinda weird how focused you guys are with him.”
“But he's interestingggg.” Atsumu whined.
“Shut up and eat your rice.” Kiyoomi grumbled, eyes narrowed at the setter.
Atsumu suddenly leaned forward towards Kiyoomi, “Hey, why’d ya practice with Tobio-kun? I thought ya don’t like being sweaty or somethin’?”
Kiyoomi didn’t deign that with a response and continued eating. Komori’s eyebrows furrowed and he chewed on his lip. “Didn’t he call you average yesterday?”
Hoshiumi and Atsumu fell into a flurry of uproarious laughter. Atsumu pounded the table, wheezing and almost falling out of his chair. Hoshiumi threw his head back, his laugh drawing other people to look at the table. Kageyama glanced over but looked back when he realized it was Atsumu laughing. Good, he should ignore the bastard.
Kiyoomi sighed and stood up, done with both the conversation and his dinner. Komori tugged him down, careful to grip only the edge of his shirt. “No, tell us.”
“I’m just more willing to work with Kageyama than Miya. He has this face that makes you want to do your best. It’s annoying.”
“Wow, ya hurt me, Omi-Omi.” Atsumu stuck his bottom lip out in a mock pout. “Do I not make ya want to do yer best?”
“No.”
“Oof, harsh.” Hoshiumi ran his fingers through his hair, causing it to stand up even more than usual.
Kiyoomi sighed and slipped on his mask. “Are we done here? I’m going to go take a bath and wash off whatever infections you have, Hoshiumi.”
“I DO NOT HAVE INFECTIONS!!” He screamed, slamming his palm into the table again. Kiyoomi quickly exited the room, everyone’s eyes on their table were uncomfortable.
As the training camp went by, Kiyoomi was roped into extra practice with the other second years, Chigaya, and Kageyama. Nonetheless, Kiyoomi couldn’t deny the thrill of slamming a perfect set right in front of the other team.
Kiyoomi was forced to join that group of players during meals and he had to deal with watching Kageyama’s eyes light up whenever they talked about volleyball. And the stupid dad jokes Atsumu told. Kiyoomi did not enjoy sitting next to anyone except Komori but at least Kageyama was courteous of his personal space. So Kiyoomi stayed closer to those two instead of the overaffectionate and loud others.
As such, Kiyoomi noticed that sometimes Kageyama turned and opened his mouth, before closing it when no one was there. Did he normally talk to someone? He really should watch the game tape when he gets back to his house. His safe, not germ infested house…
“Tobio-kun, I’ll catch ya later at Nationals, ‘kay?” Atsumu waved to Kageyama as he left the camp. Kageyama nodded with a quiet affirmation.
Kiyoomi stared the setter down, intent on beating him if he ever played against Karasuno during Nationals. Hoshiumi seemed to have the same train of thought, though his glare seemed more of irritated interest than a challenge. Komori just waved to Kageyama.
When he finally was on the train with Komori, Kiyoomi thought he was free from any more monster volleyball players. Until his phone buzzed rapidly from texts coming through. Opening the messaging app, he sighed when he saw Komori’s number amongst other unknown ones. His cousin looked away, as if not seeing Kiyoomi would hide him from the spiker’s wrath.
“Komori, what is this.” Kiyoomi pointed to his phone, not even attempting to make it sound like he asked a question.
Komori was silent for a second before sighing. “It’s a group chat for the players? Or the ones we talked to the most.”
Kiyoomi slowly blinked and almost left the group, before realizing that Kageyama and Chigaya were there too. He sighed, he really does have to play defender for the first years.
“Tell me the names for each number.”