Some more background information about Kageyama Hiroto:
Kageyama Hiroto is the oldest out of three siblings and was born in Brazil as Shouyou and Tobio lived and played volleyball there at the time. At two years old he became a big brother to his sister Sora.
Since Shouyou and Tobio had made a deal to move to Italy for the last years of their careers they moved there when Hiroto was five years old. After two years in Italy, Hiroto’s and Sora’s brother Haru was born. They lived there for another two years before finally moving back to Japan. Because of this Hiroto is fluent in Portuguese, Japanese, English and can make himself understood in Italian.
Hiroto has never had any problems getting friends, but due to being rather sensitive and having moved around a lot, he becomes rather insecure and anxious about being liked. Because if this he got pushed around a lot in Italy and never felt at home there. This got better as he moved to Japan and got back the sense of security that he had felt in Brazil. During the first year in Japan, Iwaizumi Eiko, who he had met a few times in Brazil and Argentina (since they lived in Latin America at the same time) helped him acclimate. He also found it nice to really get to know the children of his fathers friends, especially his current best friends Asahi Minato and Miya Yumi.
Similar to his parents, Hiroto lives for volleyball and he wishes to become a professional player in the future. While he loves all types of volleyball he actually prefers beach volleyball. His absolute dream his to go pro in Brazil but would be happy as long as he gets to play professionally.
Not too surprisingly, Shouyou and Tobio placed a volleyball in his hands the moment he was able to sit up and hold it. So far, he has tried and played all positions but prefers to play middle-blocker even though he isn’t the tallest. Hiroto strength as a player is that he is a very good overall player, there isn’t one position he cannot play, and he especially excels in defence. However, due to not being as good as a jumper like Shoyou or a genius like Tobio, he has a big inferiority complex and often compares himself to them and his sister (who is a prodigy).
Hiroto is and has always been a lively, kind and caring kid that never makes a fuss about anything. He is a real people pleaser (for both good and bad). Ever since he was little he has loved the outdoors and outdoors activities, especially snowboarding, surfing and camping. Due to always having a bright smile on his face and having difficulties saying no when asked to do stuff, he comes forth as a rather extroverted person when in reality he is an introvert who needs his alone time, whether that be going on a jog, hike, practicing serves or any other physical activity.
At the age of nine, Hiroto had his first crush on Ushijima Ryouta when Ryouta rescued him from a couple of bullies. Later on, and as of now, he is crushing on his best friend Asahi Minato. He identify as pansexual. He is also on the asexual spectrum something which he bonds over with Minato. However their experience it differently. Hiroto does not feel any sexual attraction or things as lust etc. However, unlike Minato he is not grossed out by sex and would be open to try some sexual things if the person he loves would want to (and under the terms that they would respect his boundaries) But sex is not something he desires.
Just like his fathers, with the exception of PE, English and Japanese, he is struggling academically. Due to having moved so many times, transferring school makes him slightly anxious. But now with safety of his friends, he finds it rather fun. Also, being the sunshine that he is, the teachers love him and the same goes for most people.
When he first started Hiakawa High School, some older boys started to pick on him after he accidentally ran into them in the corridor, spilling both his and their drinks all over them. Consequently they made Hiroto their personal assistant, forcing him to go and buy them drinks every break. At first he tried to hide it, but then when his parents started asking him where all his pocket money went, he decided to tell Eiko. And even though Eiko was ready to go destroy the bullies herself, she thought that it would only make it worse for him if a girl took the fight for him. So instead, she told Ryouta who together with Reo and Taishiro, made sure to take care of it. Since then no one has dated to mess with him.
Hiroto is closest with Shouyou since they communicate much in the same way while he has a harder time doing the same with Tobio. However, when it comes to volleyball, even with Hiroto being a middle blocker, Hiroto and Tobio share a more similar mindset and while he looks up to Shouyou just as much, he is more concerned about impressing and earning Tobio’s respect than Shouyou’s.
His relationship to his siblings are complicated. Being as different as day and night, he and sora does not get along very well. Or rather, Sora gets annoyed with him for being so insecure and “soft” and Hiroto backs down because of it since he doesn’t want to fight with her. That and also because he feels rather inferior to her even though he is older. He is constantly comparing himself to her, wishing he had the same confidence and natural talent that she has. He wants to be someone she can look up to but doubts that that ever will happen.
His relationship with his little brother Haru is better, but with him also having a natural talent for volleyball, something which Hiroto doesn’t, he worries that Haru sooner or later will look down on him as well.
Due to getting to know Eiko from when they both lived in Latin America, they have a sibling-like relationship which he finds very soothing considering his strained relationship with his sister Sora. The same can be said about Akina and Sumiye who immediately took him under his wing when he moved to Japan.
He really admires all the older guys and Kaoru but finds Reo and Renji a bit intimidating. He loves how care-free and funny Taishiro is and looks up to Ryouta more than anyone else.
His best friends are Minato and Yumi, the former who he has a big crush on. He is not as mischievous or rebellious as they are but shares the love for adventure and volleyball with them.
Secret talent: he has a beautiful singing voice but does not feel too confident about it.
