After their final game, which ends in a loss, is a scene of Iwaoi walking home like they have probably a million times over since they were childen, and Iwaizumi is the first to break their somber silence with a statement that is charecteristically teasing yet true. "You probably won't be truly happy until you're a geezer," To which Oikawa charecteristically replies with "The hell? What kind of a curse is that?" "No matter what kinds of tournaments you'll win, you'll never be completely satisfied. You'll be that annoying guy who chases volleball forever." After which, Oikawa adds, "You always have to throw in an insult, don't you?" Which to me signifies that he understands Iwaizumi is being honest and doesn't mean it badly, but he just has to be mean, even if it isn't to hurt Oikawa, because that's how things have always been. Then, Iwazumi dips into his usual reassurance phase, by saying "But keep going without a second thought,". Iwaizumi gets it. He gets how obsessed Oikawa is, and validates it, and asks him to go for it. The next few lines are what made me remember this as one of my favorite scenes in Haikyuu. Iwaizumi is seen constantly insulting Oikawa, the perfect foil to the other's exceeding (and fake) confidence, but when it really matters, after all the comments about how he hates pretty boys who get the girls, he goes and says "I couldn't be prouder to have you as a partner," and that Oikawa is the "absolute best setter, even if we end up on different teams, these facts will never change." Iwazumi must know best above everyone how insecure Oikawa is about his setting ability, even having berated him about not being confident in being above Kageyama in that aspect, and the fact that the usually gruff, insulting person at his most honest moment says that Oikawa is the absolute best setter would mean so much to Oikawa. Then after a moment's pensieve silence, he reverts back to saying that he would give his all to defeat Oikawa and Oikawa smiles right back, and then comes the iconic montage of them being partners in every sense, enjoying a game of volleyball together, and celebrating together through the years (both pictures of Junior High and High School show them in their #4 and #1 jerseys), before they fist bump one last time, after their final match as partners. It is so wholesome that Oikawa, the setter known to bring the most out of his players, the ultimate team player, made the final set (several players were standing in between, Oikawa could have made an easier set, but he chose specifically to Iwazumi, knowing that his partner had the best chance of carrying it through) in his highschool career to the kid who had been in it with him right from the start. One last time indeed. Whether you ship it or not, it's a beautiful exploration of the classic flamboyant flirt / grumpy down-to-earth person pairing. Oikawa can be exceedingly charming, bring the best out of everyone else and is a very charismatic person who can deal and adapt to almost any other person. Iwazumi gets ticked off slightly easier, has a shorter patience, is more gruff and reserved but not unaffectionate. But he's always there, steady, reliable, reassuring with a kind of childishly presented wisdom (the yelled-at motivation about six strong players are stronger together). So when Oikawa's being foul, when he is unable to be untouchable, when he loses himself in his flaws and is stupidly mean to somebody else, it's Iwazumi who grounds him. He is always honest, teasing or not. He is always looking out, gruffly or not. And he will always be there for Oikawa and it's such a gorgeous pairing, I just aughhh :(( Love Iwaoi bro Happy Iwaoi day :D
