RIP HINATA SHOUYOU

"Yup! He's still in middle school, but he's only a year younger than you. He's *also* a little prodigy." Sugawara's chuckle was warm. Kageyama was going to miss it. He couldn't *really* say that he made friends with all his teammates, but as a senpai, he secretly considered Sugawara his favorite.

"Though, my brother is into debate, rather than volleyball. Our parents are already planning his political future. They're aiming for Prime Minister, of course."

"... That doesn't sound like me at all?" The unsaid question was punctuated with the *bap* of the ball against his arms. His mouth and brows pinched, trying to piece together whatever puzzle Sugawara had presented him.

"Well, two are more different than similar. Like, I think I took all the tall genes before he could get them. He's still so small, it makes me feel really nice coming home to him after spending all day with you giants. I hope he never grows up, he's really cute!"

"Suga-san."

"Dang it, lost the lead again," Sugawara had the decency to at least sound apologetic, even if he was still smiling, after a year, Kageyama still hadn't figured out why Sugawara had so many different kinds of smiles. "You and my brother, you both work so hard, you know? And you inspire me to work hard, to be braver and fight for what I want."

Kageyama's cheeks felt warm. He decided to blame the setting sun, and not the praise. "Ah."

"I fully believe that the both of you can go anywhere you want in life." Sugawara caught the ball and turned his full attention to Kageyama. "I also want you both to remember me once your famous! When you get interviewed, remember to tell them Suga-senpai taught you all you know!"

Sugawara was winking at him. He was pretty sure he was being teased, but in the way meant to show affection rather than disdain. His mind couldn't help but compare the way Sugawara called him cute or made fun of him as a backwards way of praising him, to the way Oikawa would compliment him as a way of antagonizing him.

"You didn't though."

"Cheeky!!"

"Yeah," because he was. He was absolutely being cheeky. Somehow, Sugawara got him in a headlock and was giving him a noogie in retaliation. It wasn't painful, but he's *seen* bruises on Azumane's sides in the clubroom. He wasn't sure Sugawara knew how strong he was.

"Brat! You're such a brat! Just like my brother this way too!" But Sugawara didn't sound angry. It was nothing like the intense scolding he witnessed on the court. This was like when he'd complain to Daichi-san about being lumped with the trouble makers or calling Azumane a coward.

The assault didn't last long. They take a seat in the grass, by a tree. The shadows are growing longer. "You didn't teach me everything. But..." Sugawara's head is tilted toward him, attentive. "...You taught me a lot of very important things. How to communicate and pay attention to the spikers.H-how to earn their trust." Kageyama looked to the ball in his lap. "You didn't have to. We were competing for the same position. And... You made me better. Even though I'm the reason you didn't get to play a lot your third year. I'm sor-"

"Don't you dare apologize, Kageyama."

He felt himself stiffen. He was stuck in Sugawara's furious gaze. Eyes that usually felt so gentle burned him. He didn't shrink away, but he felt a little smaller.

"I got to play. Period. I got to see my team make the national stage, and maybe it wasn't exactly how I wanted it, but you guys... We were there. I've been asked why I stuck around, since I guess from an outside perspective, there was nothing in it for me. But let me assure you, Kageyama, I got *so much* out of this year. Indescribable as it is. So don't you apologize for that. Don't you apologize for your skill, for what you were able to help *our* team achieve. "