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1. first (willing) setter
Hinata hates to admit it, but he knows he barely has the sufficient experience nor skills in volleyball to pass the tryouts for a powerhouse school like Inarizaki. It’s not like he wanted to go here though. He was supposed to go to Karasuno to become the next little giant! But there are things he knows he can’t control so he’s gotta try fulfilling his dreams in Inarizaki. So, here he is in Inarizaki, at the side, waiting for a setter to partner up with him for the set-spike drills after his partner from the receive-pass drills left him when he performed horribly during the drill.
But as more seconds pass by with no one looking his way to partner with him, the more fidgety he gets. If no one approaches me in the next 10 seconds, then I'll approach them! And as he counts down the 10 seconds in his head, a shadow looms over him menacingly (intimidatingly?) startling him from his reverie.
“Scrub,” the guy in front of him calls with his arms akimbo. A bit dazed from the sudden appearance of the guy (and maybe from his handsome appearance itself too, Hinata admits in his head), he lets out a ‘me?’ while pointing at himself. The guy sighs then stares down at him even more before answering, “who else, scrub?”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh. Anyway, yer probably not gonna get a partner for this drill if ya keep standing here at the side. ‘Sides, the tryouts this year are uneven, so I’ll be yer setter for this drill, scrub.”
“T-Thank you, uh,” Hinata then notices the jersey the guy was donning before ending with, “senpai.”
“Senpai, huh. Gotta tell this to ‘Samu. So, scrub, ready to hit my sets? Ya better not be as bad as ya were during the receive drills or else I’m leavin’ ya.”
Finally getting a setter, and a good one it seems if the jersey was any indication, Hinata replies with a loud enthusiastic, “I’ll do my best, senpai!”
--
“Yer fuckin’ amazin’, scrub! Well, ya suck at timing, your form is shit, yer all over and yer a scrub at everything technical. But yer jump and speed is amazin’! Not to mention, ya look like ya ain’t that exhausted yet for someone who’s been jumping around. That’s some potential there. Scrub, who are ya again?” Atsumu exclaims while resting his arm on Hinata’s shoulder.
“I’m Hinata Shoyo! And I’m gonna be the next little giant!”
“I don’t know who this little giant guy is but I’m gonna make sure ya get to fly in this team, scrub. And I’m gonna set to you in an official match one day. But first, ya gotta prove yerself to the coaches. Oh, I’m Miya Atsumu, by the way. See ya in training.”
“Thank you so much for being my setter, senpai! I've never really had anyone to toss to me nor have I played with an actual setter before, so thank you for setting for me! I’ll make sure that you’ll get to set more for me!” Hinata thanks and bows at Atsumu, not noticing the other with an indiscernible but certainly not unpleasant expression on his face.
--
It’s later during their first meal as a team that Hinata discovers Atsumu vouched for his potential during member selection when the coaches were doubting if he should be accepted in the team, telling the coaches that he’d be a great addition to the team with proper training and it’d be a great loss of he didn’t make it to the team.
2. first (real) volleyball team
Volleyball training is great. Hinata never disliked volleyball training. He’s even often found staying behind late for some extra practice with Atsumu, sometimes with Riseki and Gin (but never with Suna, Hinata laments) with Osamu eating his packed onigiri on the bleachers if he felt too lazy to practice more.
But if there is something Hinata had a problem with it, it would be him feeling too lacking for the team despite all the proper training and extra practices. The Inarizaki volleyball team is great, sometimes too great, Hinata thinks. He knows he has improved a lot. His receives are a lot better even if they’re not as good as Kita-san’s yet and his jumps are higher and he can time spikes better and sync with Atsumu-san better now. He knows because his senpais tell him, the coaches too. But he also knows that despite the big improvement, it’s not enough to make it to the official lineup. Not when there are better players, the other first and second years with more experience and taller heights, than him. Not when the only thing he can add to the team are his jumps and speed that aren’t even fully developed yet.
So, yes, Hinata has a problem. A problem that seems to be getting the best of him as the practice match with another school that would determine which players would be given jerseys and put in the lineup looms over his head like a stormy cloud.
And while he simmers in his worries at the side of the court, Kita approaches him and lands a comforting hand on his head then speaks up.
“What’s wrong, Hinata-kun?”
Hinata swallows the knot in his throat before answering,“Um, I’m fine?”
Hinata internally winces. If that sounded like a horrible attempt of a lie in his head, then he’s sure that Kita-san knows it’s a lie too.
“Hinata-kun,” Kita starts. “If my hunch, and Atsumu’s, is correct. Then I will tell ya now. You are doing great, for yerself and the team. I believe that all the hard work you’ve put in upto now will fruit into what ya want. Just as long as ya keep yer head high, and do what you’ve been doin’ during training, then you’ll do great. You’ve done what ya needed to do to bring yerself to the condition yer in. Now, it’s just a matter of making a habit of all the good practices you’ve done. You’ll do well, Hinata-kun.”
Hinata blinks away the tears in his eyes, touched at his captain’s words. “Kita-san… Thank you.” He sniffles. “I’ll be sure to keep in mind what you said.”
“It’s nothing, Hinata-kun. I can’t have ya and Atsumu in a bad mood too ya know?” Kita teases as he walks away before adding, “Well, now that ya out of yer turmoil, it’s back to practice, Hinata-kun.”
Barely processing the teasing tone in Kita’s voice, Hinata can only reply a ‘huh?’ in return before running after his captain.
--
Hinata cries as he gets a jersey a week after the practice match when the coach announced the lineup for the games.
“Welcome to the team, scrub! I’m so excited to win the games with ya.” Atsumu says as he slings an arm around Hinata’s shoulder. Hinata tearfully thanks Atsumu before looking at his jersey. A number 19 printed in white against the black of the jersey. I finally have a real volleyball team, Hinata tearfully grins with Atsumu at his side boasting how he now had a wing spiker and Osamu calling him a slave driver which ended up with a chase between them.
“Congratulations, Hinata-kun.”
“Thank you, Kita-san!”
3. first win
Hinata thinks that the Inarizaki banner was cool. We don’t need memories. It means a fresh start for everyone every game, that the wins and loses of yesterday doesn’t matter today. And he’s always lived by that saying since getting in the team. Telling himself that it doesn’t matter if he received a ball to the face during the practice match. What matters is that he doesn’t receive a ball to the face in this official match. His first official match in his first volleyball team.
Inarizaki’s banner says that they didn’t need memories. But Hinata thinks it would be such a waste to forget this moment in time. The exhilarating feeling of soaring through the air with his team around him and the crowd roaring. With Atsumu-san at his side giving him the best set he’s ever received, the sets that made him see the other side of the tall walls. Then feeling the sting on his right palm after slamming the ball past the blockers who jumped too late, too slow for Hinata’s speed. The feeling of relief and joy at looking at the scoreboard that displayed a 32-30.
Hinata loves and lives by their school banner. But just for today, he will forget about it and keep this day, this match, this moment in time, in his memories to look back on. His first win with his team.
As soon as Hinata lands from his jump, he is swept up by lean arms in a huge and tight hug then spun around as laughter and shouts fill his ears.
A bit dizzy but happy nonetheless, Hinata’s feet are placed on the floor once again with the arms still wrapped around him.
“Atsumu-san?”
“Ya were great, Shoyo-kun! Fuck! That was so damn amazin’! Ya were soarin’ real high like a bird! And that spike! It was so fuckin’ great! Shoyo-kun, we won!” Atsumu shouts at Hinata merrily, his arms still wrapped around the spiker. “I knew ya could do it. Knew ya woulda been a great teammate. I’m so proud of ya, Shoyo-kun.” Then as if the day couldn’t get any better for Hinata, Atsumu sends him a big bright smile. An expression he's never seen on his setter before. Not even when they've properly timed and synced their fastest quick after a month of practice.
(Hinata feels a rush of warmth and something more electrifying in his veins from the smile.)
And as Hinata sends his own huge smile back as they're both swarmed by the other members in a joyful huddle, Hinata realizes that if this is what winning feels like, looks like, then every win will be a memory unforgotten.
--
Once the team settles in a small ramen house after the match, Hinata relaxes and ponders the happenings of the past few hours. With the adrenaline of scoring the winning point for his first match with his team ebbing away, Hinata takes time to observe his teammates and coaches. Everyone looks exhausted, no doubt after the long, tensing rallies and seemingly never-ending deuce throughout the game. But at the same time, everyone seems happy, even with the loud one-sided argument Atsumu seems to be having with Suna.
Hinata silently thanks his past self for not giving up on volleyball despite all odds because volleyball really is awesome, especially when you're surrounded by amazing people.
4. first fellow volleyball addict
In a sport like volleyball, winning is never assured to any team, no matter how many consecutive championships or high ranked players they have, because after every game, every team works to improve themselves more, whether they won or not.
Winning matches isn't everything for Hinata. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to win all their matches, not when it meant staying on the court for a bit longer, playing with his teammates a bit longer, feeling the adrenaline and excitement in his veins a bit longer. If winning means he gets to experience those things, then he needs to win. And for him to win, he needs to be better.
Very few share the same sentiments he has. Yes, his teammates love volleyball. They love playing on court with their teammates-turned-friends and winning with them. But they don't have the same desire as he does. The desire to become stronger and play more, more, more.
But that's okay, Hinata realizes. No one shares the same love he has for volleyball but that doesn't mean his team doesn't love the sport. They just experience volleyball differently.
All except for one.
There are a lot of things Hinata has to be thankful for. Like his family, his team, his school, and his friends. But if there is something he's really thankful for, it is Atsumu-san.
People think that Hinata exaggerates when he says that Atsumu is the first person who believed in him. He doesn't. Sure, Atsumu calls him a scrub all the time before they won their first match with him in the team but Atsumu is also the one who helped him the most in volleyball. Atsumu helps him fly. His very first setter that pushes him for more, who believes in him and what he can be in the future.
All because Atsumu shares the same love, the same hunger for volleyball as Hinata. Atsumu knows what it feels like to want to improve yourself more no matter how many achievements you've attained. To feel restless about your current state even if everyone around you tells you that you're already great. Atsumu shares the same sentiments as Hinata and therefore understands him the most. And that's something Hinata is thankful for.
"Scrub, come hit my sets!"
Hinata turns around to the voice's direction then pouts. "Atsumu-san! I thought I wasn't a scrub anymore! You even called me by name already! Why am I back to scrub?" Hinata whines.
"Ye, ye, Shoyo-kun. I was just teasin' ya. But seriously, c'mere and hit my sets. I'm feelin' something great about today's sets. I've been setting real good since morning training too. Not that my sets aren't always great." Atsumu boasts. "Now, come on. Can't believe ya lettin yer setter wait for ya. If ya hit our super fast quicks consecutively for 10 times, I'll teach ya how to do one of my serves after training."
"Really, Atsumu-san?!"
"Of course, that is, if ya hit all the sets consecutively." Atsumu smirks in challenge.
"Bring it on, Atsumu-san!"
Hinata’s heart never beat so loudly before. But then again, he thinks he’s never ran that fast towards someone before.
--
"If I didn't know better, I might think Atsumu is turnin' Hinata into a volleyball slave." Gin says beside the other onlookers watching Atsumu, who had his arms crossed, telling how shitty Hinata's form was in serving.
"More like, Atsumu finally found a long lost volleyball freak." Suna comments.
"I agree with Suna-san. Hinata's head is just full of volleyball. I don't even know how he passes our classes when he answers volleyball terms on the tests he doesn't know the answer to." Riseki almost cries at the last part.
"I think they're great for each other though. They push each other for the better and help each other to get there." Kita says as he joins their viewing.
"'Tsumu's been more annoying though. Always talkin' about Shoyo-kun this, Shoyo-kun that. Never shuts up about their practice together as if I wasn't there with them." Osamu complains. But he's thankful his brother found someone who shares the same amount of passion as he does.
5. first feelings outside of volleyball
It's in his second year in Inarizaki that Hinata realizes there are things beyond volleyball. He has never really given any attention to other things aside from volleyball, not even his classes if his grades are anything to go by.
So, maybe, Hinata has a one track mind. But that doesn't mean he isn't curious about other things. Especially things everyone is talking about lately.
Relationships.
Now that Hinata's thinking about it, he doesn't remember ever having a crush? Sure, he thinks Yuri-san from the class beside them is cute, but then so did everyone else. So, he doesn’t think that counts as a crush.
But now that his curiosity is sparked, Hinata can’t help thinking about it even as he and Riseki walks to the gym.
“Seki?” Hinata starts. Beside him, Riseki turns his head towards his friend. “What is it, Shoyo?”
“How do you know you have a crush?” At the question, Riseki startles a bit; he never expected his volleyball obsessed friend would have any interest in matters outside volleyball.
“Hm. I heard it’s different for everyone. Sometimes, ya get real nervous around yer crush or maybe ya feel real giddy? Or warm? Seeing or thinking about someone. It’s really different for people. Why’d ya ask?”
“Hm. Not much really. It’s just that everyone seems to be buzzing about crushes and relationships, I guess it sparked my interest.” Hinata responds. With how Riseki describes it, it doesn’t seem like he’s ever had a crush. He did feel warm seeing someone before though. But he’s not sure that’s a crush.
“Huh. Maybe try asking Gin-san? He seems to be in a relationship? Or at least like someone. Maybe he can help you or something.”
“Oh, there’s Gin-san! Wow, talk about coincidence.” Hinata exclaims before approaching Gin with the rest of the now third year Inarizaki players while pulling Riseki behind him.
“Gin-san!” Hinata shouts and waves.
Gin, a little surprised from being called, raises a questioning eyebrow at the smaller player, briefly fleeting his eyes towards a certain twin before answering back. “Uh, Hinata-kun?”
“Gin-san, do you have a girlfriend? Or boyfriend?”
Gin trips, then chokes on his spit and coughs, “W-What? No, but why do you ask?”
“Oh, what’s this, Sho-kun, do ya like our Gin here? Or someone else? Who is it?” Atsumu inquires suddenly from beside Gin, peeking curiously at Hinata.
“It’s certainly not you.” Suna intervenes. “Yeah, yer too ugly for Shoyo-kun.” Osamu adds.
“We’re twins, we literally have the same face, ya shit.” “Huh? I’m an only child.”
“Anyway, Hinata-kun, why were ya askin’?” Gin asks, turning the attention back to Hinata. “Oh, everyone was talking about it and I was just curious.” Hinata replies.
Unbeknownst to him, the others, aside from him and Atsumu, share a knowing look before Atsumu speaks up again.
“Think about that later, Sho-kun. Today, we’re knowing something way better than crushes and all.”
“I’d quit the team if Atsumu becomes captain.” Suna pipes.
“Hey!”
Well, Atsumu-san is right. He should think about that again later because today, Coach Kurosu is announcing who will be the new captain of the team.
--
When the announcements are done, and Atsumu is chosen as team captain, to which the third years groaned at, Atsumu is asked to give a speech to the team.
“Uh, well, I didn’t really expect to be the captain. Even holding the jersey with the number 1 right now, I still can’t believe I’m captain. And uh, I know I can be a real jerk sometimes and a bit of a tyrant, but I do want the team to be better. I want the team to go out of a match, whether we won or not, with no regrets, with the feeling of having done everything from training to the game itself that the results don't matter. I want to push the team to better heights, I want to make a team that would make everyone in Inarizaki proud of. So, uh, I hope ya take care of me and we all have a great year with me as a captain. I’ll even try to be less of a jerk.”
It’s when Atsumu has sat back down and the claps and hoots fill the air after his speech that Hinata feels warmth enveloping him. He looks towards Atsumu, who was grinning with a faint blush to his cheeks, being clapped in the back by the third years, that Hinata realizes.
Is this what a crush feels like?
And as if realizing his feelings, more warmth washes over him and a zap of electricity runs up his spine as he and Atsumu make eye contact. Huh, he faintly remembers feeling this before. Maybe, he’s had a crush on Atsumu-san long before? Well, it doesn’t matter now. Doesn’t he need to congratulate his crush first for his captaincy?
Mustering the biggest and brightest smile he has, Hinata looks Atsumu in the eye and says, “Looking forward to this year’s games with you, Captain.”
+1. Atsumu’s first boyfriend (REAL)
“Ugh.”
Osamu swears to anyone higher being there is, if Atsumu shifts one more time in his bed, he’s gonna kick his ass, match tomorrow be damned.
The bed below him stills before a voice rings in the dark of their room. “Samu.”
“What.” He replies, extremely irritated because he just wants to sleep but no, Atsumu refuses to let him.
“I like Sho-kun.”
Osamu rolls his eyes behind his closed eyelids. “Do ya want me to congratulate ya on that?”
“Hey!” Atsumu replies a little loudly, indigent. “This is serious, ya shit!”
Osamu opens his eyes and sighs before replying, “Everyone knows ya like Sho-kun except for the man himself. I don’t get what ya want me to do.”
He feels his brother sit up from below before he hears a groan. “Everyone?”
“Everyone.”
He imagines his brother’s horrified face as he hears him flop back down on his bed.
“Look, we have a match tomorrow, right? Just ask him out after or something if we win.”
Atsumu makes a strangled noise. “I-I can’t just do that! That ain’t cool at all.”
“Look, that sounds like a you problem. And there’s not point agonizing on it now. We have a match tomorrow and if ya don’t want to lose yer first match as a captain then settle down and let me sleep.”
“Fine.”
--
They win the match. And Atsumu is ecstatic, because he led his team to victory. And Hinata scores the winning point again. Atsumu thinks this is his best day yet.
That is until when he accidentally blurts out a “will ya go out with me, Sho-kun?” after he puts his spiker down from their now turned tradition, spin hug.
His teammates near him stills for a bit and he freezes up, arms still around Hinata.
Fuck. Fuck. Why did I blurt that out?! What do I tell Sho-kun? Fuck, what if he hates me-
“Yes.”
Atsumu snaps out of his slowly crumbling mental state before realizing what he heard. “What?”
“I said yes, Atsumu-san.”
“W-What? Ya like me too, Sho-kun? Ya mean it? Yer not kidding?” Atsumu is pretty sure he’s messed up so why is Hinata saying yes?
“Of course, Atsumu-san. Or should it be Atsumu now? Since you’re my boyfriend now? Anyway, I wouldn’t say yes if I didn’t like you, Atsumu.”
“Oh my god. Sho-kun…” Atsumu sniffles a bit before hugging Hinata tighter and burying his face in Hinata’s shoulder. “I like ya so much, Sho-kun.”
Atsumu hears and feels Hinata’s merry chuckle and thinks maybe the confession isn’t so lame if it all turned out alright.
“I caught that all on cam, Atsumu!” Suna snorts. What the fuck? Never mind, it is lame.
“Ugh.” Atsumu lifts his head up from Hinata’s shoulder before looking him in the eye. “I’ll ask ya out again properly without all these jerks around, Sho-kun. I promise.”
Hinata laughs at him. “Ok, Atsumu. You’ve never broken your promises before, so I’ll look forward to it, boyfriend.”
“Sho-kun…”