Eagles, be damned
The entire court was buzzing with cheers, jeers and excitement. Scores started appearing at random times showing the results of the different matches that played all throughput the stadium. A bunch of close calls and obvious losses. But, the crowd was bustling for one match that went on for hours. Kitagawa Daiichi vs Shiratorizawa Academy.
The players from both teams panted, sweat dripping from their faces to their entire bodies. But, one player from Shiratorizawa left no trace of sweat in his body, not even sweating despite the countless hours that went by. It was Ushijima Soutaru. The formidable new ace of Shiratorizawa and the eldest son of Volleyball legend, Ushijima Wakatoshi.
Beside him followed a red headed guy who was his younger brother, Ushijjma Wakajino. Unlike his older brother, Wakajino was sweating dreadfully to an extent. But, he still had his signature grin planted on his face. His eye twitched. The reason? The setter of Kitagawa Daiichi, Iwaizumi Hatoru.
Hatoru had been the one who kept the the game going for Kitagawa Daiichi with his brains and leadership, despite how much his teammates lacked. It was his motto, to bring the best out of each and every one of his teammates. Even if it meant not playing to his very potential or even yet, exceeding far beyond his limits.
The referee finally cued for the game to start. The first to serve was Ushijima Soutaru. Kitagawa Daiichi or actually just Hatoru, prepared himself for the serve, because he knew about Soutaru's amazing ball control, with Soutaru being a lefty.
The match was so close, 22-21. Shiratorizawa was just one point away from winning the game.
Hatoru tried to focus, but was caught off guard when one of his teammates to his right all of a sudden rand straight forward trying to catch a ball that wasn't even thrown yet! Hatoru was flabbergasted resulting in him slowly losing focus.
"What are you doing!" He whisper-shouted.
"Trying to receive the ball! What else?" His teammate countered at him while rolling his eyes. Hatoru's eye twitched in disbelief.
When Shiratorizawa finally tossed the ball hard towards the direction of Kitagawa Faiichi, Hatoru couldn't react and the ball flew right through Hatoru, meeting with the floor and making Shiratorizawa get the winning score.
Cheers scattered all throughout the court, as it was announced that Shiratorizawa had won the battle. Fury and frustration filled Hatoru but, his frustration couldn't even compete with the emptiness he was feeling right now as he watched his one chance of making it to nationals slip so effortlessly and march over towards the eagles.
Then, one of his teammates said which made Hatoru fume even more, "Ah.. Sorry. Guess we lost now." His teammate scratched the back of his head acting all regretful as the rest went over to comfort and reassure him.
Hatoru was annoyed. They brushed it off so easily like that. Do they have no shame in doing this infront of him who has worked hard for the entire team? The least they could've done was comfort and reassure him too! But none. None could be felt. Hatoru felt tremendously offended when they didn't even cry or look somewhat devastated. As if they were okay with all this. Was he the only one in his team that was even serious about volleyball and the whole going to nationals thing?
He rejected his team's offer to go with them to celebrate.. Celebrate about what? He thought with his expression all darkened.
Then, he flinched and halted when he heard a familiar voice speak. "Toru." It was Ushijima Soutaru. And to no surprise, ofcourse that jerk Wakajino was there too with that absurdly wide and mocking grin of his, that always triggered Hatoru.
"What do you want, Ru-chan?" He spat. Then, he continued while clenching his fist, "Are you here to rub your victory on my face, huh?"
"Well, I would if I could." He heard Wakajino say under his breathe while rolling his eyes and placing his hands on the back of his head.
"No." Then, Soutaru approached closer. "I'm here to tell you,"
"Come to Shiratorizawa, Hatoru. And your abilities will not be wasted just like what happened earlier with those good for nothings blocking the path for something much greater for you." Hatoru's eyes widened at his words.
Hatoru laughed which made the olive-haired boy and the red-haired boy taken aback. That was when hatoru finally had the courage to face them head on.
Hatoru's expression darkened as he says, "You think I would easily join your team Ru-chan? We might have known eachother since we were in diapers but, it doesn't mean I'll willingly go with you and join Shiratorizawa just like that."
"I know what I'm capable of. I know how incredible I am. And I'm not afraid show off."
"I'm my father's son."
"So, I'll do whatever I want. And what I don't want, is being associated with a team like yours that solely relies on your abilities and yours alone, Ushijima. I'm a team player,"
"and I'll stand by that." Hatoru finishes off, before turning around and walking off without a care and without an ounce of regret.
Wakajino relaxed his eyes and broke a cold sweat as he stared at Hatoru who slowly disappeared from his line of sight. "How scary.." He comments while Soutaru nods in agreement.
Hatoru lays on his bed in blunt tiredness etched on his face. He rolls over to the side and stares at the wall blankly.
He closes his eyelids and felt a rainfall of tears slowly drip from his eyes and onto his cheeks. He was sobbing uncontrollably as he reminisced what had happened in the game. No one was on the bleachers cheering him and his team on. His family wasn't there but his teammates' families were there to congratulate them and reassure them. Even the Ushijimas were there to support Wakajino and Soutaru. Even so, uncle Satori comforted him and told him that it was a good game and that his parents would be so proud of him.
He recalled the days his parents were barely present for his matches while they always had time for his brother's matches. He soon realized what it was all about. He wasn't that good at volleyball. There would always be those much stronger than him. He wasn't a genius. He wasn't some volleyball monster or prodigy like Soutaru was. He was just Hatoru. The younger brother of a genius, the youngest son of the Japan national team's athletic trainer and the Argentinian national team's setter.
He cursed those wretched eagles for making him realize this cold harsh reality that he confined himself upon. Eagles, be damned.