Chapter Text
The sun peered from the cotton-like clouds. Summer had acquired its peak, rays of sunshine dancing in Miyagi just like it always did.
Hinata had packed everything ready the night prior. Nothing could be forgotten on this important trip. The trip of a lifetime.
His mother had pestered him the night before; have you packed spare clothes in case it rains? Have you remembered the sunscreen? What about towels? The weather can change drastically, so make sure to have some extra hoodies, etc.
Yes, that consisted of Hinata's prior night. However, he didn’t have the right to complain. His mother was the sole reason he managed to bring everything he needed. I twas safe to say – he could be very absentminded and clumsy at times. Kageyama was sure to remind him of that on numerous occasions.
Kageyama was a perfectionist on the court; however, the boy could be antisocial, have no communicative skills, and be graceless, too. Kageyama would never admit that, though. But that was fine because he was going to show Kageyama that he could fight on the court by himself. He was going to prevail no matter what. No matter how high the walls were.
Hinata picked up his bag, scrambling to the kitchen where his mother had prepared breakfast and lunch to go. He ate his breakfast in one go, too excited to stay still. This was a special day and he’d barely slept the whole week.
The team was going on a trip to practice beach volleyball!
Hinata's eyes glimmered at the thought. He'd fantasized about all the frivolity, the water, Kageyama truly struggling for once, Daichi berating them to listen, Nishinoya's swift receives on the sand. At last, Hinata could play volleyball with his teammates before the third-years graduated from high school.
It was a bittersweet trip because an era had come to an end. This whole year had blessed Hinata with so much joy and in truth...Hinata was a little fearful of the ending to arrive. He'd grown close to what Karasuno symbolized right now; of all the blood, sweat and tears that had been poured into reaching nationals. After this trip, their team will feel a void, somebody’s missing voice of encouragement.
Sugawara’s encouragement, Daichi’s resilience, Asahi’s trustworthy spikes, and Kiyko’s quiet merriments. It would all come to an end when the principal announces the school year is over. They will bow and say thank you for all these years. And Hinata will cry.
Hinata hid this dread behind his sunshine smile; he couldn't help but think and think, toss and turn that whole night.
What would happen to them after they graduate?
This was Hinata's first friends he could call family, a warmth nobody could ever fathom. He loved Karasuno so much, and he loved volleyball with all his soul. No, Hinata wasn't going to waste this trip on tiresome worries. He was going to play volleyball and he was going to keep moving forward.
He made a promise to Kageyama. They’d compete on the world stage where the lights of cameras would flash and the cheers of the crowd would run wild.
"Shouyo, I packed you a big bento for the bus ride." His mother expressed as Hinata entered the kitchen to sit down and munch on his breakfast, which consisted of tuna onigiri and some regular side dishes the Hinata family loved having in the mornings. "How long will you be on that trip again?" His mother added as she sat down next to him.
Hinata beamed dazzlingly, "I will be gone the whole weekend, but I think I'm sleeping over at Sugawara's place from Sunday to Monday! His parents allowed us to have a night together before they graduate..." His warm smile twisted into a small frown, eyes somberly narrowing at the food.
Hinata recalled when Sugawara first invited them over. He was looking so overly cheerful; however, both Daichi and Asahi expressed something else. It was that dismal smile because graduation was approaching.
No, I have to make it the best experience ever!
The third-years have done so much for us
"Alright, I'm glad you have so many friends, Shouyo." Hinata's mother had ceased worrying about him having a good time in school.
As a child, he was consistently bouncing around with energy, yet he never had a certain group of friends he could call his own. Her son was usually swaying from groups, and she was in distress...but Hinata appeared much happier now that he’d found a real team.
Everything was going to be okay.
After eating a healthy breakfast, Hinata was fueled and ready to take on the day. The bicycle was settled outside the house, ready to swarm the mountain once more.
The mornings were probably Hinata's favorite because the world had fully awakened, the mist lingering beneath the sunlight, the birds singing their remedies, and once Hinata arrived at Karasuno High, he was loaded with joy and pure bliss.
Today was no different. Hinata scurried off on his bike to meet up with his friends. Natsu was still asleep when Hinata left. He wished he could cuddle her goodbye before he departed, but there was no need for her to be up at 6 a.m. He'd have to play with her once he arrived from the beach trip.
As Hinata biked to the school premises, voices traveled from the distance.
"Tanaka, don't yell! It's still early – most people are asleep!" Just before Hinata crossed the corner to the gym, he heard Daichi shout, though he told Tanaka to be quiet…Daichi was particularly loud himself.
Hinata scampered forward and sprang in the air, "I'm here!" He announced his arrival quite noisily (even though Tanaka just got scolded for the same reason)
"Shouyo, hey!!" Nishinoya awarded him identical vibrancy, bouncing in the air to high-five him.
Daichi scowled in fury before he attempted to capture the two-spirited boys, but was halted by Sugawara, who shook his head with a kind smile.
"Morning, everyone." Sugawara proceeded with a closed-eyed grin. "We are just waiting for the coach and manager to arrive." He informed as Hinata made the notion that he was the last player to arrive.
"Oi, what took you so long this morning?" A shadow loomed over Hinata's body, one he knew extremely well. "I got here way before you, again." Kageyama's grimace was evident on his features – terrifying as usual.
To the other players, this might seem like a usual interaction between the two; however, Hinata recognized a distinctive tone in Kageyama's voice. It wasn't the competitive 'I got here before you, so that makes 406 wins for me!' Instead, the setter observed him as if he were trying to figure out why Hinata had stumbled into practice later than usual this week. Which Hinata had…he supposed the thought of graduation was causing some night jitters.
Hinata pouted, biting the inside of his mouth because he hated losing to Kageyama of all people! Having his setter stand before him, looking all gloomy and semi-worried, only made him want to practice even harder. However, a part of him recognized that losing so much sleep wasn’t good for his health. It irritated him more that he couldn’t fault Kageyama for being worried – in his own grumpy way.
"I was just–” He swallowed, “Just trying to get some extra sleep this week so that I can beat you in beach volleyball!" He pointed at his brooding setter.
"Okay, dumbass." Kageyama's expression did not seem to alter, but he (for Hinata's sake) let the topic pass by. "No matter how much rest you get, I'll still be better than you." He offered a calm stroke to Hinata's shoulder, which made his skin boil. It would be better if Kageyama decided to yell and get in his face, rather than act all high and mighty. He knew exactly which buttons to press and that infuriated him even more.
"No way!" Hinata shouted, pointing at his setter with a furious look. "You don't even like the sand. You kept complaining that the sand will get into your eyes and the unstable footing will make your tosses more inaccurate, and the list goes on! I got this in the bag." Hinata showed off his superior grin, knowing it would tick Kageyama off. The spiker has some of his own buttons to press with great pleasure.
Instantly, Kegayama's hand tugged Hinata's soft and newly washed hair. "Say that again, I dare you!" Pressing those buttons wasn’t always a smart idea.
"Ow, ow – Baka-yama, you’re gonna make mebald!!" Hinata struggled against his setter, trying to pry his grip off, but to no avail. Not until Daichi smacked both of them simultaneously, eyes red with wrath. Hinata shrieked two steps away, hands raised before his face.
"Enough, you two." Daichi glared sternly. "I want both of you to sit quietly in the back of the bus for the whole trip. Am I making myself clear?" He firmly crossed his arms. Daichi was mad and that was their cue to stop fighting.
Both Hinata and Kageyama touched the sore spot Daichi had smacked them. If they kept bickering, a pleasant trip wouldn’t be in their cards.
"Clear." They replied to their captain, bowing shortly.
Kageyama offered Hinata a moldy side glare, cursing to him under his breath. Hinata gasped and he yearned to tackle the boy for being such an obnoxious shit, but Daichi's unwavering presence kept him at bay.
"Alright, the trip will take about an hour, so make sure you have everything before we depart." Their captain clapped, gesturing everyone to enter the bus.
Coach Ukai and manager Takada arrived a while later, impressed that the whole team was set to leave for their desired trip.
"Okay, everyone! I hope you have remembered to pack up because we won't be able to head back until Sunday evening at most," Takeda stated after the Karasuno players were settled into their seats.
Hinata gave their manager a thumbs up, giddy and itching to leave already. When was the last time he had swum in the ocean? It had been at least three years, surely. They’d stay at this wonderful beach resort where they’ll drink piña coladas all day long, the mocktail version, of course. Hinata overheard Tanaka and Nishinoya whispering in the clubroom the other day, about sneaking in some alcohol. He had stiffened, praying for their well-being in the case of which Daichi caught them.
"Shouyo! Let's take a picture together." Nishinoya popped his head in front of Hinata's seat.
Nishinoya was sitting with Tanaka whilst Hinata sat in the back next to Kageyama. At first, he disapproved of sitting next to the setter because they always caused too much havoc, and he was scared to get yelled at by Daichi again. He’d already used one ticket and he couldn’t use another one this early in the morning. However, Kageyama had other ideas. The setter yanked his orange hair yet again, forcing him to take the window seat.
Hinata had given up after that and accepted his defeat.
"Come on, Baka-yama! Try smiling for once!" Hinata nudged the other boy with his elbow, propping a peace sign for the camera. Nishinoya flashed a selfie and grinned when he looked at the results.
"Damn, Kageyama looks like those kids who are forced to go to kindergarten by their parents." Nishinoya snorted loudly, his body bubbling in laughter next to Tanaka, who fell into a fit as well.
"Sh–Shut up! I always look like that! It's stupid Hinata's fault for forcing me to smile!" He jabbed at Hinata again, which he somehow managed to dodge, backing into the window with a thud.
"Nishinoya-Senpai, let me see!" Hinata clung to their seats, ignoring the fume Kageyama was emitting.
He had to see this picture immediately and save it to his camera roll. If there was one thing that Kageyama Tobio despised – it was foolish pictures of him that everyone used in order to mock him. Hinata was definitely going to misuse it once Kageyama's 17th birthday rolled around. He did the same thing when the boy turned 16 last semester. Dare he do it again? Well, it was worth all the brawling and hair-pulling.
"I'll send it to you, Shouyo! It's too good." Nishinoya pressed for Hinata's contact info and sent the picture. "Make sure to save it for – you know." Their libero smirked wickedly, because posting silly photos of Kageyama on their social media platforms was certainly not only Hinata’s idea.
"I'll murder you if you post shit like that on my birthday again!" Kageyama fumed so much that smoke might come out of his ears.
Hinata opened his bag, ready to see the picture already. He looked through his belongings. Pens and notes were found – no phone in sight, though. His nose scrunched with puzzlement, thinking he had left it inside his bag last night before going to bed. But as his bag was almost turned upside down, it dawned on Hinata that his phone was indeed left at home.
Oh no…
"What is it, dumbass? Can't find your phone now?" Kageyama frowned, leaning over his shoulder.
Hinata paled. There was no way he could have forgotten his phone on a day like this! His immediate response was to leap onto his feet, crossing Kageyama's legs. Luckily, they had not left the school premises yet. What should he do? He was going on a trip for a whole weekend with no way of contacting his mother.
She will be so worried and Hinata knew better than to risk it. He was also not going to risk his father’s wrath.
"Coach! I need to get off the bus!" He leaped to the front, leaving behind confused and surprised glances from his teammates.
Ukai turned around, staring at Hinata as if he had lost his mind. "What are you saying? We are leaving in five minutes."
"Please, I have to go home and retrieve my phone!" Hinata bowed down respectfully, knowing what this meant. However, he had already made a plan in his mind – hoping his mother would be so kind as to drive him to the beach instead. It was a gamble, but he couldn’t leave.
He’d have to hear it from his father afterward. The last straw might get cut if he messes this up.
"Hinata, are you sure? You are going to miss out on the trip." Sugawara situated himself next to Hinata, eyes narrowed with concern. The third-year knew how much this trip meant to Hinata, as he had been the one to hear Hinata ramble nonstop about all the memories they were going to make. Somehow, the topic of graduation seemed to leave Hinata’s lips often.
He had been an exciting ball of sunshine the week prior; therefore, Sugawara didn’t want him to miss out.
"I know...I know you can't wait for me because of the reservations." Hinata gazed at his upperclassmen, "But I will find another way there. I promise I will come back." His amber eyes offered a sense of resolve – dead set on making it back so that they could play as a team. For the last time.
Ukai sighed wearily, closing his eyes for a moment. "It's up to you first-year. We need to leave soon. Ff you can't make it, then we won't be able to help." Ukai said, arms crossed.
“I’ll find another way.” Hinata didn’t budge.
After that was settled, Hinata's teammates wished him good luck and told him that they would be waiting for him to join later. Tanaka ruffled his hair, while Nishinoya cried, saying he would pay for his drinks once he arrived. Hinata put on a bright smile. He was coming back, no doubt in his mind. This trip was the last for Kyioko, Daichi, Asahi, and Sugawara. Hinata refused to miss this for the entire world.
This was just a little setback.
"Oi, dumbass." Kageyama had grabbed his sleeve just when he was about to leave after picking up his bag. "Make sure to be there." His deep blue eyes were narrowed with intent. He was serious.
Hinata's gaze stiffened, not removing his arm from Kageyama's touch. "I promise I will come to you." Perhaps, he thought if he let the touch linger for just a little longer, he’d get the right courage to join them.
The bike ride home was infuriating none the least. The mountain seemed heavier since Hinata had just ridden through it this morning. He cursed himself a myriad of times. How could he be so foolish and forget his phone? He didn’t even remember where he placed. Maybe Natsu had taken it to play some games or whatever. Still, it was Hinata's fault for not checking everything before he left, even when his mother did ask.
Because she did ask and he was too occupied to check.
A weak smile grew on his face once his house finally came into view. Hinata jumped off his bike, breathless and his muscles were aching once he opened the door.
"Mom, it's me!" Hurriedly, he tossed his shoes off to stumble through the hall and into his room. His mother came rushing towards the unexpected ruckus, finding her son in complete disarray.
"Shouyo, what on earth are you doing back here?" Her face painted with bafflement, she watched as Hinata threw clothes around the room.
"I managed to forget my phone, so I couldn't leave without it!" He stressed, still no phone in sight. His mother then gaped, running off into the hall. She came back a few seconds later with his phone in her hand.
Hinata's face lit up.
"You left it on the couch last night. You had already gone to bed and I decided to charge it in the living room." She placed the phone in his hands, followed by a deep sigh. "I'm sorry, dear. I should have remembered it for you." She apologized with a quick bow.
"No, no. It was my fault for not checking everything before I left home." Hinata frowned sadly. The question now was: how was he going to get back to his team? He wanted to ask his mother for a favor, but at the same time, he did not wish to disturb her.
She also had Natsu at home...
"You need me to drive you there instead?" The question made Hinata blink with perplexity. Had his mother asked that just now?
"Can you, really?!" His eyes sparkled with hope. The images of the beach came to mind and suddenly, it didn’t feel impossible.
"Yes, I can. I know how much this trip means to you. " She put on a sweet smile, settling her hand onto her son's cheek to caress him tenderly.
For so many years, she spent worrying that Hinata would never find a place he could fit in. It appeared to her that Karasuno was exactly what he needed in order to grow.
"And I know how much work you put into volleyball, Shouyo...even if your father believes it is a waste of time, I will support you if that's what you want." Her voice weakened.
Hinata's eyes narrowed, smiling at his mother's kind encouragement.
It was true that Hinata's father never truly supported him in chasing a volleyball career. His father had no objections when Hinata was younger, thinking it was good for a boy to play sports and socialize. However, as time passed, the more Hinata spent training and training, morning and night, he thought it had gone too far. There was no reason for his son to take volleyball so seriously because he wasn't going to become a pro athlete.
Makito Hinata believed that pursuing a professional volleyball career was a foolish childhood dream that Hinata needed to let go.
He had discouraged his son on multiple occasions, leading to many arguments in the Hinata household. Hinata often went to bed in tears, wondering why the world gave him this many drawbacks when it came to volleyball.
He was short, not fit to be a spiker in the long run – and never good enough. But...he kept pushing through those words because he remembered the burning sensation on his hand after spiking a ball. The adrenaline of jumping, seeing the view from the summit and it was all he wanted in life.
That was volleyball to Hinata. Life lost meaning if he couldn’t play volleyball.
"We are going to the top, together."
Kageyama had said on the night they stayed behind to practice. It was shortly after they succeeded their new quick attack. Hinata, still pumped with adrenaline, felt as though he could reach any heights with his partner. There was no mountain bigger than his will to climb it.
Hinata's lifelong dream. He wasn’t going to give up.
After getting everything ready, Hinata sat in the car with his mother and Natsu in the back.
"Are you sure it's okay to bring Natsu? Maybe she should stay with Grandma while we're away?" Hinata peered at his sister with a worried look. It would be a long trip.
"Don't worry, dear." His mother settled into the driver's seat, starting the engine of the car. "It's good for her to get out of the house and explore once in a while, right, Natsu?" She twirled to grin at Nats,u who was munching on an onigiri ball.
"Yess!" Was her response, eyes closing as she raised one hand in the air to show enthusiasm.
Hinata was put at ease. At least he was not burdening his mother and little sister during his time of forgetfulness. To think he could be on the bus with his friends, already on the way to the beach.
Oh well, everything happens for a reason, right?
Another mere 30 minutes passed by as they drove through the forest. Hinata got the address Takeda before driving from Miyagi. Natsu had fallen asleep in the back. She was always a deep sleeper, so Hinata was not surprised she slept like a rock even when the ride would get bumpy. His amber eyes were trained on the infinite blue sky, trying to imagine what the sand would feel like beneath his fingers, how the water waves would sound as they splashed on the shore, and how much laughter would be flying in the air.
He texted Yachi a while ago, asking how far they'd gotten down the road. She still hadn't replied, so she was probably sleeping or in a deep conversation with Shimizu about girly stuff.
Hinata looked at the picture Nishinoya had sent again, a trail of chuckles coming out of his lips.
Nishinoya and Tanaka were both grinning like idiots while Kageyama looked sour as ever in the back next to Hinata, who posed his signature peace sign. It was a sweet picture altogether. Hinata realized he did not own many pictures of his senpais or Kageyama. He needed to ask Yachi to take as many as possible during this trip. Maybe even grumpy Tsukishima would finally join in a group photo? That would be golden.
The car rumbled on the road, driving up higher in the mountains. Hinata's eyes peered at the beautiful scenery, the horizon coming to view and the while cotton clouds towering over the city. He drew the car window open to feel the warm breeze splash his face and hair.
The sun was warm today, so comforting and pleasant on his skin–
"Huh – Sh-Shouyo?"
Hinata was abruptly dragged out of his daydream when his mother slowed down the car. Everything in his body stilled. The air was sucked out of his lounges.
"What's...oh god–" His mother’s features grew white as snow.
Hinata blinked, again and again until his eyes expanded with raw horror once he witnessed what must be a living nightmare.
"Th - That's...no!"