Chapter 3
Shouyou Hinata sat slumped over in his classroom, staring blankly at the empty desk in front of him– after a long time of screaming. The sun had long set, leaving the room dimly lit, mirroring the heaviness he felt in his heart. It had been a few days since his beloved mother had killed herself, and the pain was still fresh and raw.
Hinata had been trying his best to put on a brave face, but the weight of grief was overwhelming. His once energetic and cheerful demeanor had been replaced with a sense of emptiness, and he found it difficult to find joy in the things he used to love, like volleyball.
As he sat there, lost in his thoughts, he didn't even notice the sound of the classroom door creaking open. It was only when he heard a familiar voice calling his name that he looked up.
"Hey, Hinata, we've been looking for you everywhere," said Nishinoya, his spiky-haired teammate from the Karasuno High School volleyball team, as he and Kageyama entered the room.
Kageyama, the team's setter, looked at Hinata with concern. "Are you okay, Hinata?" he asked softly.
Hinata tried to put on a brave face, but the tears that had been threatening to spill earlier over finally broke free. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed, the grief that had been building up finally overwhelming him.
Nishinoya and Kageyama exchanged worried glances before quickly moving towards Hinata. Nishinoya sat beside him and patted his back comfortingly, while Kageyama crouched down in front of him, offering a reassuring presence.
"It's okay, Hinata. Let it out," Nishinoya said gently, his usual energetic demeanor softened by the seriousness of the situation.
Hinata let himself cry, the tears flowing freely as he let go of the pain and sadness that had been festering inside him. Nishinoya and Kageyama stayed by his side, offering silent support as he grieved.
After a while, Hinata's sobs subsided, and he wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He looked up at his friends, his eyes red and puffy, but also filled with gratitude.
"Thank you," Hinata whispered hoarsely, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nishinoya gave him a reassuring smile. "Anytime, Hinata. We're here for you, no matter what."
Kageyama nodded in agreement. "You don't have to go through this alone, Hinata. We're a team, remember?"
Hinata managed a small, grateful smile, touched by the unwavering support of his friends. They sat in silence for a while longer, the atmosphere in the room feeling lighter despite the lingering sorrow.
Eventually, Nishinoya spoke up. "Hey, why don't we go get some food? I'm starving!"
Kageyama chuckled, and Hinata managed a weak laugh. Though the last thing he wanted to do was eat, it felt good. It was a small step, but for the first time since his depression started, Hinata felt a glimmer of hope. With his friends by his side, he knew he could get through this difficult time.
As they left the classroom together, Hinata felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew he would still have moments of grief and depression, but he also knew that he had a support system in Nishinoya and Kageyama who would be there for him every step of the way. With their help, Hinata felt that he could find his way back to the court and continue chasing his dream of becoming a top volleyball player, knowing that he can get through this.