Iâm really serious about beach volleyball Oikawa and Iwaizumi.
Theyâre in college and someone notices just how well they work together as a pair. So they casually suggest they try out beach volleyball instead of just indoor. Â Theyâre both skeptical and Oikawa is kinda set in his ways but eventually they give it a go. Â And theyâre amazing. Â They can beat teams that have been formally training together for years even after just adapting to a different set of rules.
Somehow, they end up with their own coach and a busy training schedule. Â Soon enough theyâre entering international competitions, and doing well. Â Before either of them even realize whatâs happened theyâve managed to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
At this point theyâre still virtually unknowns, and while Oikawa has his own dedicated base of fans, and they do get extra attention as members of the home country, nobody really expects a lot out of them. Â They do some public interest stories- childhood friends turned lifelong teammates is too good of a media narrative to pass up- but they are definitely overshadowed by a lot of the other athletes. Â
In the end, theyâre eliminated in quarterfinals. Â Itâs way better than most people expected, and fans are genuinely impressed, but Oikawa isnât satisfied. Â He stands there staring at the court, fists clenched in frustration as their opponents celebrate their victory. Â Iwaizumi clamps him on the back, and reaches over to unfurl his fingers, clasping their hands together.
Their eyes meet; matching looks of steely determination.
What follows are four years of intense training and competition. Â They enter countless international tournaments, and make quite a name for themselves. Â Other teams are impressed by just how well they work together, how well they know each other and trust one another, how they seem to almost read one anotherâs minds.
Slowly, they gain popularity as they win more and more tournaments and gain international attention. Â Oikawa eats it up, a natural celebrity. Â Iwaizumi struggles more than a little, and can never quite seem to act normally during interviews or meetups. Â Yet Iwaizumiâs awkward smiles and humble attitude quickly endears him to the public. Â Soon his popularity starts to rival even Oikawaâs. They appear in countless commercials together and other promotional events and donât really have to worry about money with all their sponsors, which is great, as exhausting as Iwaizumi finds it all.
Makki and Mattsun are their biggest fans- and biggest annoyances. Â They bother them constantly about the uniform-Â âIf girls have to wear bikinis for range of motion why are you guys in speedos?â- to the point they make a petition to change the uniform every year titled âMANKINIS FOR EQUALITYâ. Â One day Oikawa actually does arrive to a match in a speedo, grinning wildly. Â Iwaizumi throws a water bottle at his head. Â The pictures are all over the internet for weeks.
Occasionally Oikawaâs knee problems will flare up, but Iwaizumi is sure they both keep themselves healthy. and injuries arenât too much of a problem. Â As the Olympics approach, theyâre both in the best shape of their lives.
By the time 2024 rolls around they arenât the unknowns they used to be. Â The media swarms around them; with endless stories about their relationship and success. Â
Itâs a lot of pressure. Â It almost gets to them, but then Oikawa takes Iwaizumiâs hand- squeezes it tightly- and grins that stupidly confident grin of his.
They know they can handle it.
Theyâre swamped with interviews; stories detailing their childhood dream turned Olympic reality are shown worldwide, in dozens of languages; noting their amazingly strong bond and connection.
They put up a strong fight, dominating team after team.
Yet, they still lose to the top-ranked Americans in the semi-finals, after 3 hard fought matches. Â Iwaizumi hangs his head in frustration while Oikawa grits his teeth. Â To come so close-
Itâs the worst feeling in the world; one neither of them are any stranger to.
Still, that doesnât stop them from crushing the Australians in the bronze medal match.
Afterwards, Oikawa tackles Iwaizumi into the sand, tears in his eyes as he presses their foreheads together. Â Here they are, Olympic medalists, when it seems not so long ago they were just kids hitting volleyballs at each otherâs heads in their backyard. Â Iwaizumi matches his smile with a watery one of his own, even as he struggles to free himself.
The media doesnât notice Iwaizumi approaching their coach to grab a small box from his bag. Â Nor do they hear whatever it is he says to Oikawa, face pressed close to his.
They do however see the shiny golden band he slides onto Oikawaâs finger, and the way Oikawa nods his head rapidly, tears in his eyes as he mouths the words âyes yes yesâ before throwing his arms around Iwaizumiâs neck, nearly knocking them both to the ground again.
The resulting clip dominates the Olympic highlight reel for the rest of the games, even overshadowing the Americanâs eventual victory the following night. Â Fans all over the world send them messages of congratulations, and very few people who were watching the match can honestly say they managed to keep dry eyes the whole time.
Oikawa wouldnât trade that moment for 1 million gold medals. Â
Still, it wouldnât be so bad to have one.
2028. Â Team Oikawa-Iwaizumi/Oikawa-Iwaizumi win Japanâs first Olympic gold in beach volleyball.