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Heartstrings Unraveled

Summary:

5 times Hinata failed to confess to Kageyama, and 1 time he succeeded.

✮ ⋆ ˚。𖦹 ⋆。°✩
A different perspective or continuation of "Illusions of Affection"
⤷ Can be read on its own!!

Notes:

Hellloo, please check out "Illusions of Affection" if you haven't!!
🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

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1

 三三 RACE ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that Hinata and Kageyama are competitive. Their lives revolve around competition, and their entire relationship is built on a constant need to outdo each other.

5 a.m. might seem early for many, but not for this duo. For the blueberry-haired setter and the tangerine-haired spiker, it was the perfect time to start their daily race to school. 

Taking a deep breath, Hinata stood up, his shoelaces now perfectly tied, a flimsy symbol of the order he wished he could impose on his chaotic thoughts. He has a goal in mind today. He needs to confess to Kageyama. He could no longer contain the feelings in his heart. Sometimes, Hinata even found it hard to fall asleep because of the overwhelming emotions that surged around Kageyama. The intensity of these emotions left him restless, his mind racing with thoughts and his heart pounding in his chest. The mere presence of Kageyama made his feelings impossible to ignore.

As Hinata jogged uphill, the rhythm of his shoes hitting the rocky road echoed through the slumbering neighbourhood. With each step, he approached Karasuno High School, edging closer to the familiar spot where he and Kageyama typically met.

“You’re slower by 5 minutes today Boke.” Kageyama’s grumpy voice could be heard from a distance. 

Hinata huffed and slowed down his pace, stopping right in front of his setter. “No, I wasn’t, Bakeyama.” Hinata poked his tongue out childishly at Kageyama, which earned him a light smack in the head. 

They both stood in silence after that interaction. Enjoying the gentle breeze while waiting for one or the other to start a conversation. 

“Kageyama, I have something to tell-” Before Hinata could even finish that sentence, Kageyama started bolting. 

“LAST ONE TO ARRIVE OWES THE OTHER ICE CREAM!”

“HEY THAT’S UNFAIR YOU HAD A HEAD START!!”
… 

"I... I won," Kageyama panted, the two leaning against the railing, trying to catch their breaths outside their locker room. The door remained locked, as they were the earliest to arrive. Like always. 

“N-no fair you cheated.” The shorter one between the two responded. 

“Did not.”

“Did too.”

“Did not.”

"What were you planning on telling me anyways?" Kageyama interrupted Hinata before he could resume their banter. Hinata felt his pulse quicken once more, though this time it had nothing to do with their race earlier. Anxiety and nervousness surged through him, tightening his chest as he took a deep breath. "This is it. I am going to confess now, it is now or never,” he thought to himself. 

Hesitation lingers in Hinata’s voice as he starts, “I really-”

“As expected, the two of you already arrived,” loud chuckles followed by the jingling of keys interrupted Hinata mid-sentence, causing Hinata to turn around, finding himself face-to-face with his two chaotic seniors – Tanaka-san and Nishinoya-san.

"Good morning, Tanaka-san and Noya-san," the two first-years shouted in unison, stepping aside to allow Tanaka to unlock the locked room. 

“Energetic as ever. Good. Let’s pop off during practice later!” Both Tanaka and Noya cheered as they entered the locker room to settle down before their practice session later with the team. Kageyama turned to face his spiker, “Sorry Hinata, maybe next time?”

Dejected, Hinata just nodded and entered alongside Kageyama. 

Hinata sighed, sinking into the comfort of his bed, replaying the morning's interaction with Kageyama after his unfair loss. Once again, he felt his chest tighten, a sensation becoming all too familiar in Kageyama's presence.

"Did you do it?" Kenma's voice broke through in the background, reminding Hinata of their ongoing call. 

"I didn't manage to confess. Tanaka-san and Noya-san interrupted," he sighed.

Kenma responded with a hum of understanding. "It's okay. There's always next time."

"Yeah, I guess so," Hinata replied, the weight of the missed opportunity lingering in his mind. Hopefully, it will be successful next time. He really couldn’t contain these feelings anymore.

 

2

𐙚‧₊˚📒✩  STUDY BREAK ₊˚☁️⊹♡

“Why do we have to get an A in the exam to prove that we’re smart, I could both fail and be smart at the same time.” Kageyama immediately raised an eyebrow after hearing what Hinata said. The setter set his textbook down and looked at the pouting spiker sitting in front of him. “Are you a dumbass? Dumbass.” Kageyama almost got a pencil thrown at him from that comment. 

Currently, the freak duo sat in an empty classroom, desperately trying to cram as much material as possible before their upcoming retest. It was well past school hours, but they had no choice. After all, neither Hinata nor Kageyama wanted to miss a game just because they failed a few subjects. 

Thud.  

Hinata's forehead hit the table with a loud bang. "I can't do this anymore..." he whined, missing the fond smile that spread across Kageyama's face. 

"Study break?" Kageyama suggested. 

"Yes, please," Hinata's reply was incoherent, due to the fact that his face was still very much pressed against the surface of the table. However, Kageyama understood him. Like he always does. 

A moment of silence passed, filled only with the faint rustling of papers and the soft hum of the classroom lights. Hinata lifted his head off the table and made eye contact with Kageyama. Kageyama’s blue orbs seemed to carry so much fondness that it made Hinata’s heart tighten painfully.  

Time seemed to have paused itself. The surroundings faded into nothingness, leaving only the two of them in the quietness of the classroom. Hinata felt a surge of emotion as if the immense force of his feelings for Kageyama had reached a breaking point, similar to the long-awaited collision of the Andromeda galaxy and our own Milky Way. 

As the ‘staring contest’ resumed, Hinata thought to himself, “Ah seriously… I can’t do this anymore…”, this time no longer referring to the abandoned schoolwork scattered across the table. 

The moment felt perfect — too perfect. Hinata hesitated to break the silence, fearing that any words he spoke might shatter the delicate balance they shared. He knew that once he confessed, things would change irreversibly. Yet, he also understood that if he didn't speak up now, he might never find the courage and the opportunity again. The truth was, Hinata was afraid. He cherished his relationship with Kageyama above all else, but he could no longer deny his feelings. Still, was he ready to lose Kageyama in the process of being truthful? He wasn’t sure.  

“What’s on your mind boke?” Kageyama’s voice pierced through Hinata’s train of thought. The spiker smiled slightly, allowing himself to melt at the warmth and care that was present in Kageyama’s tone.  

The smile vanished from Hinata’s face as quickly as it had appeared. Hinata released a shaky breath, already bracing himself for the reactions he anticipated from his setter the moment he revealed what was on his mind — his heart. 

"Kageyama... I... I want to be honest with you..." Hinata's gaze drifted away, fixing on the sunset outside the window. Taking a deep breath for courage, he pressed on, "To be honest, I..." 

"I left you two alone for a few fucking minutes, and you're already slacking off. No wonder you both are failing." Before Hinata could even finish his sentence, the classroom door slammed open, revealing a familiar, towering, and infuriated blonde. "Seriously, don't waste my fucking time if you're just going to slack off," the blonde continued, with Yamaguchi standing beside him, trying in vain to calm the tall middle blocker.  

"Damn it, Tsukishima," Hinata cursed internally. 

"Shut up, beanpole. Maybe if you were a better teacher, we'd actually learn something!" Kageyama fired back. 

"Your brainless heads wouldn't learn a damn thing even if the teacher was a Guinness World Record holder, for fuck’s sake," Tsukishima retorted. 

As Tsukishima and Kageyama continued their argument, oblivious to the slightly dejected Hinata sitting on the sidelines, Hinata quietly opened his phone and sent an email to his Nekoma partner, Kenma. 

"Tried and failed again :/ Don’t think I’ll be able to get his attention anytime soon. Next time :("

 

3

🃜 🃚 🃖 GAMES  🃁 🂭 🂺

“Bathroom~ Bathroom~” Hinata sang as he skipped around Karasuno High School during lunchtime. Like always, Hinata was as energetic as ever. This time, he was particularly cheerful after his bathroom break, singing his famous bathroom song with a satisfied grin. 

As Hinata skipped along, he noticed a suspicious figure leaning against the corner of the school's vending machine on his way back to his classroom. The person was shaking intensely and seemed to be in the middle of doing something. Cautiously, Hinata sneaked up on the intruder, curiosity and a hint of apprehension driving his every step.

Just as he was about to jump the person, Hinata noticed the familiar dark hair hue. The figure was completely occupied, engrossed in the game playing on the console in his hands. Recognizing the person, Hinata's initially focused face turned into a fond smile.  

“Kageyamaaa, what are you doing? What game is that?! Why wasn’t I invited to play with you?!” Hinata rambled. A grunt responded, giving Hinata the green light to continue talking, reassured that Kageyama was listening. 

“You know, my classmate accidentally slipped today in class and went PA-TAK. It was so funny!! OH OH! And today, the teacher went SCREEEE — you know what I mean?!” Hinata exclaimed with delight. He was met with the sight of Kageyama's constant head nodding, sometimes even accompanied by a hum of approval. 

"I knew you would get me!" Hinata beamed, his face brightening up. After all, Kageyama was the only person who truly understood him. Hinata knew they were on the same wavelength and felt grateful to have someone like Kageyama by his side. His rival, his schoolmate, his partner, his other half, his setter, and maybe, just maybe…even his soulmate. 

Overwhelmed with such thoughts, Hinata began to feel emotional. Consumed by intense feelings, he started to get slightly teary, his heart picking up speed as he recalled the emotions he had been keeping to himself. It felt unfair — both to himself and to his setter, who he knew cared about him deeply, despite not showing it often. It was unfair to Kageyama, that his partner was holding back such important feelings from him, and unfair to Hinata, who was choosing to be selfish. He wanted to maintain their relationship the way it was, not wanting to regret losing someone so close, someone who he had been making so many memories with. Yet, deep down, he wanted to try and let his feelings out and be bold about it. He wanted things to change. He wanted to feel loved. Loved, like how Tsukishima would drop everything and anyone for Yamaguchi. Loved, like how Akaashi-san always watches Bokuto-san attentively, dedicating both his time and effort in order to make the older feel needed. Hinata craves that feeling. 

If Hinata had to be honest, just by choosing to keep all these feelings inside himself and not tell Kageyama, it was sucking the life and joy out of him like a black hole. Hinata's breath hitched. He hadn't had the chance to properly get Kageyama alone and unbothered; there was no other chance. Sweat started forming on both his palms and the crown of his head. His eyes wavered, and his lips twitched. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, as if it had decided it was finally going to jump out of his body and run off. 

His hands trembled slightly as he balled them into fists, trying to steady his nerves. His mouth felt dry, and he swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. Every muscle in his body felt tense, like a coiled spring ready to snap. The closer he came to speaking, the more the room seemed to close in around him. 

The fear of misunderstanding gnawed at him, but the need to finally release the burden of his secret was becoming overwhelming. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. His throat felt tight, as if his emotions were physically blocking the words. He took another deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew he had to do.

Although Kageyama was still very much preoccupied with the game he was playing, Hinata still decided to continue. Maybe his reaction would slightly differ because he was so distracted by the game. Nonetheless, Hinata knew the reaction wouldn’t be anything positive. 

“Kageyama…this might not be the best timing, but I’ve been trying to get you alone for months now to no avail,” Hinata began, his voice trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heartbeat.

Kageyama didn’t look up from his game, but Hinata could tell he was listening. He continued, “I’ve been thinking a lot about us…about how we work together. You know, as a team.” Hinata paused, searching for the right words. “We’re always pushing each other to be better, and it’s like you understand me in a way no one else does. It’s really important to me, you know?” 

Kageyama grunted in acknowledgment, his fingers still moving deftly on the game console. 

Hinata swallowed hard, his palms sweaty. “These days, I feel like there’s so much I want to tell you, but I’m scared it might change things between us. We have something really special, and I don’t want to mess that up.” He looked down at his feet, trying to steady his breathing. “But keeping it inside is tearing me apart. I just…I need you to know how much you mean to me. How much I value what we have. But… things have to change between us because-” 

“FUCK.” Hinata jolted when Kageyama suddenly threw his console and groaned. A few incoherent grumble was heard until Kageyama turned around, and screamed.  

“BOKE WHAT THE FUCK. WHEN DID YOU GET HERE?! JEEZ TELL ME NEXT TIME, YOU SCARED THE LIVING HELL OUT OF ME”  

Hinata stood there, dazed and confused. What was happening??? As Hinata was still trying to process the reaction, he noticed Kageyama taking off something from his ear. It seemed like the puzzle had been pieced together. 

Ah. Guess my attempt was a fail.

 

4

˚₊‧꒰ა  HUG  ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

“Thank you so much for playing!!!” 
 

“Kenma!! How was the practice match just now? Fun, wasn’t it?!” Hinata called out excitedly, running over to his Nekoma partner.

Karasuno is currently in Tokyo, once again having a practice match with Nekoma. After an intense game, Nekoma won with a score of 23-25. 'As expected, I have so much more to learn and improve on,' Hinata thought while still talking with Kenma. 

Fond smiles and excited glances were exchanged between the two, alongside the ongoing conversation about Lev finally mustering the courage to confess to Yaku. Hinata bitterly wished that he had that courage too. He did not let that emotion show though. 

“Hinata. Can we talk?” It seemed like the universe had responded to Hinata’s prayers when he was suddenly called upon by none other than his setter, Kageyama. Kenma, who was in the middle of explaining Lev’s promposal to the tangerine-haired player, paused mid-sentence and stared at the other setter. Kageyama returned the intense gaze. (It wasn’t actually a glare — it’s just that these two setters are… well… horrible at expressing themselves.) 

Hinata turned to look at the blueberry-haired setter and back to the pudding head, heart picking up speed as he desperately looked at Kenma, signaling for help. Kenma however, just nodded in return, which somehow gave Hinata a sense of relief. It felt like Kenma was sending him courage. With a gulp, Hinata maintained his expression with a fake smile, turning back to his setter, “Sure! Where?”  

 

Hinata's mind raced as panic set in, his breath coming in shallow, rapid bursts. His heart pounded in his chest, so loud it seemed to echo in his ears. Every beat felt like a drum, relentless and overpowering. His hands trembled slightly, and sweat began to form on his forehead. The world around him blurred, his focus narrowing to the immediate sensation of strong arms wrapping around him. Kageyama’s embrace was firm and secure, yet it only heightened Hinata’s anxiety. He could feel the heat radiating from Kageyama's body, his own heart hammering against his ribcage. Each heartbeat felt like it was screaming to be heard, and Hinata was terrified that Kageyama might actually hear the frantic rhythm. Desperate to calm himself, Hinata tried to steady his breathing, but the closeness of Kageyama, the unexpected intimacy of the hug, made it nearly impossible. 

How did it escalate to this? Hinata wants to know as well. Despite being the person present at the crime scene, he wasn’t very…mentally present-  

One second, Kageyama was telling him something, that Hinata had no recollection of, and the next, he was engulfed in a hug. The sudden proximity overwhelmed Hinata, the scent of Kageyama's sweat and faint traces of cologne making his head spin. The earthy, slightly musky aroma seemed to wrap around him, intensifying his already chaotic emotions.

Panicked thoughts swirled through Hinata’s mind as he tried to piece together what had happened. His heart raced, pounding so hard he was sure Kageyama could hear it. The world around him seemed to blur, his focus narrowing to the sensation of Kageyama’s arms around him. The unexpected intimacy left him breathless, struggling to steady his breathing and his rapidly beating heart.
 

“Seriously Kenma, it felt like my brain short-circuited. Even if I wanted to confess right there on the spot, I could barely form words. Hell, I didn’t even remember my name.”

“It’s been a month since you promised me you’d confess though…Seriously Shoyo… I’m getting tired of waiting…”

“I know but… next time. I swear!!”

 

5

(๑`^´๑) FIGHT ︻デ═一

"I-I just wanted to t-tell him how I f-feel," Hinata choked out between sobs, his broken voice echoing through Kenma's room. Hinata's body shook and trembled in Kenma's embrace, seeking solace in his partner’s comforting touch and whispered reassurances. Yet, despite Kenma's efforts, Hinata couldn't shake the memory of his recent interaction with Kageyama. It left him feeling utterly helpless, worthless, and heartbroken, consumed by the weight of unspoken emotions.


3 hours ago……

"Kageyamaaaaaaaaaaa!" Hinata's voice echoed through the court as he skipped in, the sound of volleyballs bouncing against the walls confirming his suspicions about the whereabouts of his setter.

Hinata stood by the door, silently observing the blueberry-haired setter as he tirelessly practiced his serves. He understood that Kageyama was still burdened by the pursuit of perfection, reminiscent of Oikawa's relentless drive for excellence. In a way, Hinata couldn't help but feel a pang of envy towards his teammate. Growing up alongside such a brilliant setter, renowned for his powerful spikes, and an aggressive spiker unbound by limits, both relentlessly pursuing perfection, Hinata knew he couldn't afford to fall behind. 

After a moment, Hinata realised he had yet to get a response from his setter. He frowns. “Bakeyama,” Hinata tried again, this time choosing to approach the occupied setter. 

Ignored. 

“Bakeyammmaaaaaaaa!” the tangerine-haired spiker yelled, standing on his tiptoes to scream into the blueberry-haired setter’s ear. Kageyama flinched, slipping just as he was about to jump, completely missing his serve.

If humans could catch fire the moment they felt frustrated and enraged, Kageyama would be reduced to ashes by now. Similarly, if looks could kill, Hinata would have been long gone. 

Kageyama's anger and frustration surged within him, like a volcano on the brink of eruption. His mind spiraled back to the relentless goal of surpassing Oikawa, an obsession that consumed him entirely. He had poured countless hours into practice, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, yet every serve that fell short was a reminder of his perceived inadequacy. In that moment, Hinata's interruption was the final straw. The broken concentration felt like a spotlight on his failures, and all the bottled-up emotions exploded. His eyes blazed with fury as he clenched his fists, the weight of his unmet expectations pressing down on him, suffocating and relentless. Kageyama's face twisted in a mix of anger and despair, every ounce of frustration from his unending quest for perfection erupting in a fiery outburst.

Yet, Hinata, being the oblivious soul he is, failed to notice the change in demeanor of his usually stoic setter. He remained unaware of the tension mounting around him, as intense as an asteroid hurtling through space. Time ticked by like a ticking time bomb, each second adding to the building pressure. But Hinata turned a blind eye to it all, oblivious to the signs, and continued to ramble on, unaware of the brewing storm within Kageyama.

"Ah, don't mind Kageyama. Anyways, want to get some buns on the way home at Coach Ukai's store? I have something to tell you. Ehh, Kageyama, are you listening? Kageyaaammmaaaaaaaa. Earth to-"

Hinata's words were cut off as Kageyama's strong grip lifted him off the ground.

"Shut up, Hinata! You're so annoying," Kageyama snapped, his frustration boiling over. "Can't you see I'm trying to focus here? I don't have time for your nonsense."

Hinata's heart sank at Kageyama's harsh words, feeling the sting of rejection from his other half of a teammate. He swallowed the lump in his throat, hurt evident in his eyes as he struggled to find the right words to respond.

“I just wanted to tell you what I’ve been trying to say these few months…”

"Shut up. Shut up. Shut the fuck up. You’re the reason why we lost our match with Aoba Johsai just now. You embarrassed the fuck out of me in front of Oikawa-san and Iwaizumi-san. Seriously why can’t you just be better, Hinata?!”

Hinata stood frozen, stunned by the venom in Kageyama's words. Each syllable felt like a knife to his heart, slicing through the bond they had built on the court. The weight of Kageyama's disappointment bore down on him, suffocating and overwhelming. Tears welled up in Hinata's eyes, his throat constricted with the effort to hold back his emotions. The hurt was palpable, a tangible barrier between them as the harsh reality of Kageyama's words settled in.

Suddenly, the room felt suffocating. Hinata felt small, powerless, and worthless. The weight of Kageyama's words crushed him, leaving him feeling like a burden, an unwanted presence in the space they shared. His heart ached with a mix of hurt and shame, and he struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. The confidence he had moments ago evaporated, replaced by a profound sense of inadequacy.

“I- I-” Words failed to leave Hinata’s mouth as he stood there, still hurt and confused about the situation. This wasn’t what he planned, nor was it what he expected. Despite being the older of the two, it was no surprise to anyone that Hinata was way more insecure and sensitive. It wasn’t long before Hinata’s head started being flooded with thoughts. Thoughts such as, “Am I seriously worthless?”, “Maybe Kageyama was right. I wasn’t helping the team get better. Instead, I was dragging them down.” 

“Wait— Hinata— I didn’t mean it— I was just—” Kageyama quickly let Hinata down, taking a few steps back. 

Hinata's tears started falling at that moment, causing Kageyama to halt. Kageyama never wanted to see Hinata cry. He had made a promise to himself some nights ago under the moonlit stars, swearing he would never be the cause of Hinata’s tears. But sometimes, things just don’t work out the way you want them to huh? 

Kageyama watched, pain evident in his eyes, as his spiker — the only one who matched his level, speed, and intensity — nodded and turned to run off, leaving nothing but traces of teardrops on the court’s floors. As the sound of Hinata's shoes grew more distant, Kageyama slid down to his knees, the ache in his chest intensifying with every step Hinata took away from him.

“Fuck. What have I done…”

 

+1

⋆。゚☁︎。⋆。 ANNIVERSARY  ゚☾ ゚。⋆

Peacefulness lingered in the air, a soft, calming stillness that enveloped the room. The gentle rustle of leaves outside and the occasional distant hum of a passing car were the only sounds breaking the silence. Hinata's rhythmic snores added a comforting cadence, a testament to the calmness of his rest. His chest rose and fell steadily, each breath a reminder of the deep, undisturbed sleep he was enjoying. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, casting warm, golden hues across the walls and floor.

This serene atmosphere was suddenly disrupted by a series of sharp knocks at the door. The sound echoed through the quiet room, jolting Hinata from his slumber. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he lay there in confusion, the peacefulness of his dreams clashing with the abrupt intrusion. As the knocking continued, more insistent now, Hinata groggily pushed himself up, blinking away the remnants of sleep. The peacefulness that had blanketed the room was shattered, replaced by a sense of urgency and curiosity about who could be at the door.

“C-coming,” Hinata mumbled, quickly wiping the drool he hadn't realized was on his face. He stumbled to the door, still groggy from his interrupted nap.

When he opened it, he was met with the sight of his setter, standing there with a bouquet of flowers. Confusion and adrenaline rushed through Hinata’s mind, leaving him frozen in place. He stood there, mouth agape, staring up at Kageyama.

“W-what?” Hinata finally managed to stammer, his brain struggling to catch up with the unexpected situation.

“What do you mean what dumbass. It’s our 7th month anniversary. Did you forget?” 

No response.

“Seriously boke, I texted you a few hours ago that I would bring you out on a date to celebrate.”

“I want to break up.” The words tumbled out of Hinata's mouth before he could stop them. His eyes widened in panic as he realized what he had just said.

“W-wait, no— I— I meant—” he stammered, desperately trying to backtrack. But with the words flying across quicker than his consciousness, he saw Kageyama’s expression droop, face being painted with both confusion and a sense of alarm. 

“What the hell are you saying?!” Kageyama's voice was a mixture of shock and hurt, his grip tightening on the bouquet. Hinata's heart sank as he watched the change in his setter's demeanor, knowing he had to fix this misunderstanding fast.

"Look, Kageyama... I— I have to be honest with you," Hinata stuttered, the sleepiness he once had, is now completely gone, replaced with an immense feeling of guilt and hurt. "These past few months, I have been so consumed by guilt. You deserve to know the truth, but we never had the time and— and I was scared..."

"Cut to the chase, Hinata. What are you trying to say?" Kageyama's grip around the bouquet tightened, his composure breaking. His face showed traces of hurt and confusion, yet he was trying to contain it all.

"I fell out of love."

"What...?" The bouquet was long forgotten, hitting the floor. Kageyama's face, which he was trying so hard to keep neutral, broke, and his eyes started getting teary.

Hinata could feel his heart swarming with guilt and regret. This...this was why I was so afraid, Hinata thought. Yet, he knew this was the right thing to do. After countless attempts to approach Kageyama and tell him the cold hard truth, countless sleepless nights as he recalled the time he was dating Kageyama, feeling guilty, he knew confessing that he had not only fallen out of love with his partner but also fallen in love with someone else is the right decision.

"It's just... we are so competitive. The only time we spent together was honestly just volleyball, and you never used pet names on me and just... Kageyama, if I have to be truthful, I didn't feel loved. I didn't feel enough. I didn't get the feeling that you truly loved me."

Tears started pouring from Kageyama's eyes, and Hinata hated seeing that. He hated the fact that he knew those tears were caused by him. He hated that he had to end things like this. But it had to be done. He could no longer lead Kageyama on anymore. Kageyama didn't deserve such lies, and Hinata deserved to be loved properly.

"When? When did you fall out of love?" Kageyama was still trying to maintain his composure, but Hinata knew that Kageyama was just as shaken by the truth.

"It was honestly along the days I hung out with Kenma. I realized how much Kenma cared for me and..."

"And you decided he's better than me?" Kageyama interjected.

"No, I just... I think he loves me right, you know..."

With no reply, Kageyama just nodded, retracing his steps and turning to leave the room. Hinata stood there, knowing that there was no point in chasing after Kageyama. Hinata burst out in tears. He expected this, but he wasn't ready to face reality. It was the end of their chapter. Even if Hinata wished they could stay as they were, he knew it was only going to hurt the both of them further.

It was better to end things now than to pretend, Hinata knows that. But why does it hurt so much?

Notes:

Thank you for reading! ♡ᰔ૮₍ ˃ ⤙ ˂ ₎ა
Honestly, I wasn't as emotionally into this story as I did for "Illusions of Affection", so I don't know whether the feelings of the character were properly delivered, so do leave a comment on your thoughts if you like 𖤐⭒๋࣭ ⭑

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