Chapter Text
Noya’s stomach knots while he sits, cross-legged on the polished surface of the gym floor. He waits for the third years to join the rest of the team with Tanaka, who is attempting to pass the time trying to spin the volleyball on his forehead to no avail. They’ve been there a while and Noya’s legs jiggle from pent-up nervous energy.
“Quit that, will ya?” Tanaka says, smacking one of Noya’s knees mid-jumping bean routine. The ball drops off his face and thuds dully against the floor before rolling away. Noya smacks him back; not in a retaliatory sense, really, but more to have something to do with his hands. Tanaka’s brows crease, one raised as he gives Noya an exasperated scowl. “You’re makin’ me nervous and you know how I get when I need to release some steam. We don’t have the rest of exams ‘til tomorrow. I’d kinda like to enjoy what’s left of my freedom before I get home and it turns into study prison hell.”
“Yeah, sorry, man. I’m just, I dunno--”
“Yeah, I know. I’m gonna miss ‘em, too. Especially winning those games like we did during Inter-High and Spring High.” Tanaka clenches his fists, a mixture of awe and excitement seeping into his voice. “Man, that last game, though. That was such a sweet spike for the match point! Thought the ball was gonna explode on impact. Asahi’s really gotten into his groove after you gave him that come-to-Jesus speech.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You can pull that shit off, no problem.”
“You’re obligated to say that ‘cause of the best friend code, but,” he says with a cheeky grin, “thanks, man. Say more shit like that. Maybe in front of Kiyoko-san.”
“Ah man, I’d be too blinded by the parting clouds and holy angelic music bursting from the heavens to say anything if she’s anywhere within five feet of me.” Noya snorts. “You know my IQ drops like fifty points and I turn into a drooling invalid whenever she’s around.”
Tanaka busts out laughing. “You barely noticed she was there the other day when someone had to take his shirt off ‘cause you ‘accidentally’ sprayed him with the water hose at the fundraiser. I get Asahi’s pretty macho, macho man compared to the rest of us, but you looked about ready to nosebleed. Thought I might have to break out the emergency tampons for plugging purposes.”
Noya groans. “Can we not talk about that? I wasn’t expecting it, okay?! Jeez, who takes their shirt off at a car wash anyway?”
Tanaka doesn’t need to know about the stupid amount of time he spent admiring the slope of Asahi’s back, or the way the water stuck to his sweat-slicked skin, or the way his arms flexed when he rung the water from his shirt, or when he--
“Earth to Noya.”
Shit. What the hell, brain?!
“Huh? What?”
“You spaced out for a sec.”
“Did not!”
“What did I say then?”
“Uh, something about tampons?” Noya ventures absently.
Tanaka rolls his eyes and claps a hand on Noya’s shoulder. “Chill out. You’re not the one graduating. What’ve you got to be nervous about?”
“Exams? The fear of failure? The anxiety of being a part of the oppressive school system in general? I dunno. I vote for a ban on all exams and everyone can just play volleyball as a supplementary activity instead.” Noya feels the flush creep up and he turns away before Tanaka realizes he’s reduced him to something that looks like a walking tomato. There’s no way Tanaka knows what’s been going on in his head, no matter how much their brains sync up or how well Tanaka seems to know him.
“There were a lot of large words in that sentence. Did you swallow a thesaurus or something? What the hell?”
Noya rubs Tanaka’s head affectionately and makes a face when he feels the short hairs bristle against his palm. “Dumbass,” he manages lamely. Looking around the rest of the gym, he finds the other second years idly keeping busy with some of the first years, who seem to have an abundance of energy even with the grueling study sessions everyone’s had the past couple of days. He pushes off the gym floor, shoes squeaking on the polished wood, and heads toward the supply closet, the top half of his uniform already unbuttoned and ready to come off. “Let’s toss the ball around. I need a distraction.”
“Music to my ears,” Tanaka agrees, following suit and tossing the top half of his uniform on the floor. “Thought you were gonna self-implode if you kept sitting there like some kind of nuclear experiment gone wrong.”
Tossing the ball around was a good idea after all, and it takes no time before the other members of the team join them in one collective group. The sound of bouncing balls echoes inside the gym, familiar and slightly comforting. Noya’s brain clicks into focus-mode, the same it always does during their regularly scheduled practices, and he finds it’s easier to keep his thoughts pushed back, to keep his mind on something else. He doesn’t even know why he’s so jumpy, in all honesty. But something inside him makes jumping beans seem like an understatement and the onset of antsiness without knowing the cause makes him confused to all hell.
When the third years finally enter, laughing and ribbing each other like they normally do, Noya is warmed up and exhilarated and completely in his element as he manages to save a serve from meeting its untimely end.
Daichi’s voice filters through the gym’s open doors. “Are you going to tell us who got it?”
“Come on, Asahi. You know you can’t keep it from us forever. We’ll find out eventually,” Sugawara presses, amusement in his voice.
Noya’s ears perk, completely tuned into their conversation, though he’s not entirely sure why. Something about the way Asahi stammers his reply, the cadence in his tone, makes Noya’s stomach knot in a way that bewilders him.
Daichi, Sugawara, and Asahi all stop when they see the rest of the team running back and forth, appreciative smiles forming all around. Daichi claps his hands and motions them all forward.
Noya’s gaze immediately zeroes in on Asahi’s uniform; or rather, he zooms in on the one thing missing from Asahi’s uniform.
Oh, he thinks, a twinge of disappointment. It begins in his chest, a subtle ache that digs its roots in and makes his mouth twitch in response. He must have given it to whoever that girl was after the graduation ceremony.
It doesn’t matter, he tells himself. He doesn’t know why he even bothered to check. He and Asahi are friends; they have been since he started on the team. A mentor of sorts, a big brother maybe. Someone he definitely admires and looks up to in more ways than one.
Not that way, though, he thinks, almost as a reminder. Trying to convince his brain before it starts thinking weird shit again.
As they all gather around, it hits Noya just how much things are about to change. How everything he’s known for the past two years is going to be different when the new school year comes and there’s not a damn thing he can do about it. The realization blindsides him for a moment, enough that he zones out on most of Daichi’s end of year speech, which, from the sound of things, sounds more like he’s trying to console the second years while pumping up the first years into being bonafide senpais come next season.
Hinata seems especially excited at the prospect and Noya fondly remembers the first time the revered title of senpai was given to him. “Hohhhhh I get to be a senpai next year! Kageyama, did you hear that?!”
With a scowl, Kageyama shoves Hinata’s face away even as he keeps a death grip on Kageyama’s track suit jacket. “Yeah, dumbass, I heard you! Can you tone it down before you blow out my eardrum? Tch. Idiot.”
“You’re just jealous ‘cause I’ll be a better senpai than you!”
“What did you say--”
Noya chuckles at the memory as the argument continues before something sharp lodges itself into his rib cage.
“You’re spacin’ out again, man.”
“I was payin’ attention,” Noya counters with a grimace. “Dude, that was my kidney. I kinda need my kidney.”
“Pretty sure your kidney’s somewhere else. I foresee a repeat in Biology in your academically challenged future.”
“Well, it could be there and if it was, you’d have severely fucked it up with your bony ass elbow,” Noya hisses just as Daichi gives him a look that clearly says ‘try to pay attention, both of you’ and that got him to shut up. Or at least make an attempt to before Tanaka nudges him not so gently again.
“You wanna go to Sakanoshita after this is done?”
“Sure,” Noya says, partly listening in on Daichi’s solemn parting. He says a few things that makes Ennoshita’s lip wobble and Hinata looks as though he’s about to burst a water main any second. “Should we ask if they wanna come with?”
Tanaka looks like he’s about to say something else from the way his expression pinches just the slightest bit, but he quickly recovers and shrugs noncommittally. “Guess so.”
A short while later, they’re all piling into Coach Ukai’s store, Noya zooming past the others to get first pick at the ice pops waiting in the freezer. The soda flavor ones are always the first to run out and he whoops in excitement when the last one sits on the shelf - cold, refreshing, and more beautiful than any mirage. He can practically hear the angelic choirs as he stares in full blown admiration. Ever since Tanaka had brought up going to the store, Noya’s thoughts had shut down, all the exams he had that day and the constant studying he’d had to power through finally catching up with him that the ice pop is like a welcome reprieve. To remind him of all the things he can still enjoy while a gray cloud of whatever it is that’s been eating at him continues to hover like an itch he can’t quite scratch.
He closes his eyes to savor the reverent moment, but when he opens them again, he blinks at the empty space where the ice pop had been only a moment before. “What the hell--”
“Oh,” says a quiet voice behind him. A chuckle follows before Noya turns, eyes narrowed at whoever dares to intercept what is rightfully his while he goes through his semi-worship ritual. Asahi offers a sheepish grin, one hand holding the opened ice pop, less the bite Asahi has already taken, and the other clamped awkwardly at his nape. “Sorry, I didn’t know you wanted that. I thought you couldn’t decide and since you’re always the first one to grab this flavor and you didn’t, I thought maybe you’d changed your mind and I was free to take it.”
“I--” Noya stares at the ice pop and suddenly, the image of Asahi putting the thing in his mouth invades his brain like some kind of Rick-roll YouTube video and he feels his face instantly heat to the temperature of a volcanic disaster. He blinks to push the thought away, weirded out by it more than anything, and jovially waves a hand back and forth. “It’s cool, you can have it. I was gonna head out anyway. Consider it a graduation parting gift. I mean, I could even reimburse ya for it if ya want.”
It’s Asahi’s turn to flush, the light pink dusting his cheeks something Noya doesn’t expect. “Uh, well, you see -- that is, I didn’t mean it that way. I just--” He pulls himself together enough to manage a weak, “I didn’t mean for you to give me anything.” He holds out the partially eaten ice pop and gives Noya a small smile. “You can have it if you still want it? I know it’s your favorite, even if it's sorta, uh, got my germs on it now.”
“Nah, I should probably get home so I can cram my brain with more things I’m probably not gonna remember tomorrow. But thanks anyway,” Noya says, glancing around Asahi at Tanaka to signal that he’s leaving, “I appreciate your sacrificial offer.”
“Sacrificial off-- no, oh god,” Asahi starts, following Noya to the exit before he puts a hand on Noya’s elbow to stop him. “W-Wait, how about you let me walk you to the station to make up for it? I- um, it’s the least I could... do.”
Noya narrows his eyes as he watches Asahi fidget while he waits for an answer. It’s getting kind of late, but Asahi’s being nice about it and all, and it really wouldn’t be so bad having some company on the way. With a friend. Definitely a friend. No weirdness in it at all, nope. “How bad do you feel about stealing the only flavor I’d give my right arm for?” Then he adds as an afterthought, “Okay, maybe not my right arm, but something of equal value.”
“Horrible. Really, truly,” Asahi says with a solemn nod. “So... how about it? I promise I won’t, uh, be all creepy and molest you or anything.”
“Molest me?” Noya busts out laughing enough that the others join them, their expressions mildly amused and a little more than curious. “You wouldn’t know what to do with that word if it came with illustrated flashcards, Asahi.”
“He’s right, you know,” Suga interjects, an impish twinkle in his eyes that makes Noya wonder what exactly is going on behind that sugar sweet front he’s always wearing. “I think there’s more chance of you being taken advantage of by Nishinoya than the other way around.”
“I’d have to agree--” Daichi says with a lighthearted chuckle, shooting Asahi an apologetic glance that doesn’t seem the least bit remorseful. “Sorry, Asahi.”
Asahi palms his face, somewhat flustered. “Wh-What? Oh god, this conversation is taking a turn into something probably not appropriate to have in front of the first years.”
“Hey! We’re technically second years now!” Hinata quips from behind Kageyama, who only huffs as he glares at Hinata for the umpteenth time that day. “Or we will be, anyway.”
“If you manage to pass your exams, you half-wit shrimp,” Kageyama mutters under his breath, but Noya doesn’t miss the lack of venom or the worrisome tone Kageyama uses whenever he address Hinata. It makes Noya quirk a grin. Must be nice to have someone watch out for him like that, he thinks wistfully as he steals a look at Asahi.
“So, how about it?” Asahi asks, breaking Noya out of his silent digression. “Let me make it up to you?”
Daichi and Suga exchange a glance and, instantly, Noya’s Spidey senses kick in.
“You shouldn’t turn down an offer from your senior, Nishinoya. I’m sure Asahi would feel better knowing you got to the train station safe and sound,” Suga says with that Cheshire grin.
"What am I? Five?" Noya grumbles with a curl of his lip.
“It’s settled then! Come on, we should all get going anyway. The others have some more studying to do so they don’t fail their exams miserably and end up repeating their first year.”
“Wait,” Hinata hisses as he pokes the back of Kageyama's shoulder, “he’s kidding, right?”
Tsukishima mutters, “At least his appearance can catch up if he does end up repeating,” as he follows Yamaguchi out of the store.
“Tsukki, you shouldn’t say that about him!” Yamaguchi not so quietly reprimands.
Hinata bristles and stalks after them, Kageyama at his heels. “I heard that!”
“I meant for you to,” comes Tsukishima’s response as Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita trail behind, shaking their heads and trying not to laugh.
“Oi! I’m the only one that can say those things about him!” Kageyama snaps, leaving Noya with just Tanaka and the remaining third years.
Noya looks at Tanaka to get confirmation that it’s cool to bail and only gets a casual shrug as Tanaka adjusts the strap of his school bag. “I can walk to the train station by myself, pumpkin. But it’s nice of you to be so concerned.” He rolls his eyes with a laugh and lifts a hand on his way out the door. “Congrats on graduating again!” he calls out to Daichi and the others, and then to Noya, “I’ll Skype you for the study questions. Later, bro!”
Daichi and Suga seem to sense something because they also say their goodbyes and slip out before Noya can protest. When Noya turns to Asahi, the older boy gives him a tentative smile, so Noya does the only thing that pops into his head: he clamps a hand on Asahi’s shoulder, which only seems to startle him into nearly dropping his melting ice pop, before he says, “Looks like you’re walking me then.”
“So,” Noya starts as they make their way toward the train station, a little pissed at himself for feeling so awkward because one, it was Asahi and they’re friends, and two, it was Asahi and he’s nervous enough for everyone else on a regular basis that it borders on irritating sometimes. It's not like they've never walked to the station together before until it suddenly dawns on Noya that they actually... haven't. But still, it proves difficult for Noya to push away the weird discomfort, especially with Asahi fidgeting with his bag strap as they walk. “Do you have any plans now that you’re finally free from the strings of required education?”
Asahi chuckles and Noya hears the slight nervousness behind it, committing it to memory. He’s always liked Asahi’s laugh.
“Since when are you suddenly so formal?” Asahi asks, scratching his cheek.
“I’m not?” Noya glances at Asahi from his peripheral, a brow quirking. “Just askin’ a question. Is that not allowed?”
“Ah, n-no, that’s definitely allowed. It’s just-- I, well, I hadn’t really thought about it, I guess.” Asahi hums while he contemplates his answer. He walks slower, as though he’s consciously trying to match Noya’s shorter strides. Noya finds he appreciates the unexpected gesture. “I was trying to get through today and then I promised myself I’d think about all the other stuff when I got home.”
“Guess that makes sense. I feel the same way about exams, honestly. Are you--” Noya pauses, unsure where his boundaries lay with Asahi, if it’s his place to bring up Asahi’s future. Or lack thereof, in this case. “You’re really not going to university after this?”
It takes Asahi a little longer to answer, the silence that hangs between them too stifling and heavy and imposing for Noya’s liking. He’s about to wave the question away, to change the subject to something less guilt-tripping, when Asahi finally clears his throat. “I hadn’t planned on it, no. I mean, it really wasn’t something I thought was a big deal especially when my grades weren’t high up there, but--” He halts mid-sentence when his gaze flickers to Noya’s face. “I-Is that wrong?”
When it seems clear that Asahi’s obviously waiting for a response, Noya blinks and forces himself to look away. His fists clench at his sides, but he wills away the urge to reprimand Asahi, to lecture him on what he should or shouldn’t do with his life. He can’t exactly explain why he feels so strongly about it, why Asahi’s future matters so much, but it does and the strength of his advocacy baffles him.
He chooses his words carefully when he responds, adding a non-committal shrug to emphasize his point. “Nah, I guess not. University isn’t for everyone. I just worry about you, y’know? Your well being is important to me.” He sucks in a breath and lets out an airy laugh. “I always worry about you. But that’s probably just ‘cause you’re always so wishy washy and skittish that it’s kinda hard not to be.”
“Ah, s-sorry. I don’t mean to be. I guess it’s just part of my charm?” The attempt at the joke makes the both of them laugh, but when the laughter dies, Asahi is silent the rest of the way to Noya’s platform. While Noya is used to keeping the conversation going, to keeping something buzzing back and forth in the form of banter or equally exuberant antics, he finds he doesn’t much mind the contrast of quiet company.
From Noya’s peripheral, he glimpses Asahi’s profile, strong against the dying afternoon light, slightly intimidating to anyone who doesn’t know what a big teddy bear Asahi really is, and reminding Noya of those Renaissance paintings he’d seen once on some show his older sister, Sadashi, was watching. It still doesn’t make much sense why Asahi would have walked all this way when he lives on the opposite end of town, but Noya chalks it up to graduation nostalgia and unresolved ice cream guilt (even if he doesn’t quite believe the latter). He and Asahi are pretty close by anyone’s standards, though Noya had fully expected him to stay behind with Daichi and Suga.
The train pulls in just as they reach the nearly empty platform, their steps quickening so that Noya wouldn’t have to make a mad dash for it once all the other passengers have disembarked. The small number of people who do occupy the waiting area begin to stand and position themselves behind the safety line, expectant eyes trained on the oncoming train still a few minutes away.
“I guess this is it, yeah? I got your number, so I’ll text ya to see if you’re up for hangin’ out during Spring Break. If that’s cool.” Noya grins and boards behind a few older passengers and a businessman loudly yapping away on his cell phone. He tries to backtrack when he sees a flash of hesitation in Asahi’s eyes. “I mean, you totally don’t have to. I get if you wanna take off for a while or whatever.”
“It’s not that,” Asahi starts, but the announcer interrupts him with the boarding call as the train hisses. “I just - I don’t know how to say this and, goddammit, I should’ve probably brought it up sooner, but it was a little awkward, especially since I took your favorite ice cream, and you were asking all those questions and--”
“Asahi, door,” Noya prompts, his head tilting to the side, bewildered.
“That is, what I meant to say was, uh--” Asahi digs into his pocket for a second as the doors begin to move. With the sudden loss of time, he quickly shoves something in Noya’s hand just as the barrier between them hisses to a close. He doesn’t say anything, his expression looking somewhat forlorn and conflicted.
Noya glances down and recognizes Asahi’s handkerchief, lifting his gaze to cock a brow at the taller boy before he distractedly unfolds the fabric. The train starts and knocks him to the side, the ball of his right foot planting firmly on the floor to keep his balance while he watches Asahi disappear from view. When he looks down again, his mouth suddenly goes cotton-dry, his brain short-circuiting for a brief moment as he stares at the handkerchief’s contents.
Right smack dab in the middle is a button. The very same button missing from the second slot of Asahi’s school uniform.