Chapter Text
Everything had seemed to go so well the past week, where did he go wrong exactly? What did he do wrong?
…
It all started the Thursday of last week…
Flashback: the beginning
It was a pretty good day in autumn for the Miyagi Prefecture. Not too cold, no wind and the rain didn’t seem to come. If you squinted your eyes enough, you could even see the sun shining through the clouds in the blue sky.
The team was gathered inside the gym as they always are around this time of the day. In contrast with their normal activities, which consist of practicing or strategizing, the team sat before their head-coach and club advisor. Daichi was seen standing beside them this time, making his announcement.
“I would normally not ask for your attention when we could be practicing, or with our coaches here, but I have something important to say today”, Daichi starts. Naturally grabbing the attention of all the teenage boys present. He clears his throat before continuing. “As some of you might know. We third years have a camp at the beginning of next week till that Thursday we have to attend. So I, together with the coaches,-”, he looks at Takeda for a moment. Who nods back at him encouragingly, “-have decided that our next captain, Ennoshita, will take the lead for practices next week in our absence”, he says.
“Normally, there would be another person to help Ennoshita. But because the second years haven’t selected a vice-captain yet, he will take on the duty alone for now. The other second years are of course, with permission of Ennoshita, allowed to help out”, Ukai finishes for Daichi. Glancing at Ennoshita for a moment to make sure the boy is okay.
This is a signal for the brunnete to take his stage and he begins speaking too, turning the attention from their coach to himself. “I promise to do my best the upcoming week, I hope you’ll have me”. And to that, the team gives their approval.
That brave façade began to fade, however, once the second years made their way home together after practice ended. He had gotten his list of tasks to take over from Daichi, as well of any additional information he might need the upcoming week. And to say it overwhelmed him was to put it lightly. He was holding back his tears while they were walking, Tanaka could just see it in his eyes, and when he and the others asked about it the dam broke. There was just so much to do while the third years were gone. And he was alone to shoulder the responsibilities due to having no vice-captain. It broke Tanaka’s heart to see his friend like this. And so did it to the other second years, because even Nishinoya had stopped rambling about his day.
“We can always jump in and help, remember? Coach told us that it was possible”, Narita said to Ennoshita once the boy had calmed down. Hand rubbing soothing circles into Ennoshita’s back. “heck yeah! Leave some cool stuff up to us too!”, Nishinoya exclaimed. After which Ennoshita immediately retorted with a breathy “absolutely not.”.
End of flashback
*He was so scared back then..*, Tanaka thinks to himself. Almost smiling at the thought, because his friend had grown so much in just this past week. Before realization dawns upon him that *Crap.. I am sentimental again!!*
Luckily, Ennoshita had given in to their extended hands. Reaching out when necessary. And Tanaka takes pride in the fact that he has helped out the most, too.
Flashback: last Monday, after practice
“Hey… Tanaka? Can I talk to you real quick?”, Ennoshita had asked him when he was storing away the last balls inside the storage room. “Yeah, of course!”, he had said with a smile.
Practice went fairly well for a first time without the third years. Some small teasing here and there, but nothing too big this time. They were extremely lucky. So he couldn’t really imagine what Ennoshita wanted to talk about with him, but shrugged it off and followed the guy home once they parted with the other trio.
The sky was already decently dark when they walked down the familiar path when Ennoshita spoke up. “Do you remember that list of tasks to cross off that I showed you guys last week?”, he asked. Subtly introducing the topic as he always does. “The one from Daichi-san, right?”, Tanaka answered, asking for confirmation. “yeah.”, the boy next to him answered as he looked into the distance before them. “what about it?”, Tanaka asked, looking sideways to Ennoshita. “I was looking through it and…”, he trails off and Tanaka noticed his change in mood. Ennoshita’s face falters for a moment, displaying some kind of vulnerability before trying his best to mask it again. “… and I don’t think I will be able to do everything on my own…”, he whispers the last part. Almost as if scared that Tanaka will receive it in a wrong way. This is when Ennoshita turns his head to look him in the eyes. His eyes searching for any kind of discomfort, asking if Tanaka wants him to continue. To which Tanaka just nods encouragingly. “and.. I wanted to ask whether you would be okay with helping out a bit?”, he asks carefully. “I mean-“, Ennoshita clears his throat, “I’ve already asked Narita and Kinoshita. But they have told me that they could only help so much with the preparations, since they have those upcoming tests this week and all”.
“And you came to me for help?”, Tanaka asks incredulous. It’s not like he doesn’t want to help, he feels honored even. But nobody really comes to him for help with this kind of stuff, especially Ennoshita. (the guy loves doing things on his own).
“well-“, Ennoshita blushes lightly in embarrassment. “Noya had told me you were more than capable to help with this sort of thing. And there are a few thing to do with long, emotional?, conversations. To which I really don’t have time for”.
*ah, that’s why..*, Tanaka thinks to himself while turning his attention to the road ahead again. Spotting Ennoshita’s house coming into view. “I really don’t mind helping, you know?”, he decides while shrugging his shoulders. Hoping to ease Ennoshita’s nerves a little. (the guys has been overworking himself again lately, okay?). “text me whatever it is I need to do, and consider it done by the end of the week”, Tanaka confirms to his friend as they reach Ennoshita’s house. “you can count on me!”, he says while pointing a finger to himself. To which the tension within Ennoshita’s shoulders disappear and a smile forms on his face. “of course I can.”
End of flashback
Which is why Tanaka has been running around, getting shit done in his life for once.
Coming with Ennoshita to a captain meeting? Consider it done. Asking Yachi to make promotional posters for the upcoming year for their club, and brainstorming with her for idea’s too? Yessir. Talking to that scary teacher that keeps failing him on purpose, because Hinata had gotten in trouble with him? Well.. of course. (with some reluctance).
There were some obstacles on the road for certain tasks though…
Which is exactly why he is currently writing two essays after school on the Friday that the third years have come back, even though he could be practicing. But hey, anything for his underclassmen.
Meanwhile, in the gym.
“we’re back!!”, Sugawara calls out while sliding the doors to the gym open to reveal their first and second years doing their warm ups under command of Ennoshita. “it seems like he is holding out on his own”, Daichi comments while he walks into the gym too, Kiyoko and Asahi in tow. “he does. And it seems that Yachi has grown more accustomed too”, Kiyoko says as she spots her on the bench next to the scoring board, seen finishing up her notes.
“Daichi-san, Suga-san, Asahi-san!”, Hinata claims out excited, and is seen jumping to his feet immediately after spotting the third years. “great to see you doing well, Hinata”, Asahi comments softly with a small smile.
The group of boys are sitting in a circle again within a few minutes, questioning their upperclassmen about their trip. “and then- I jumped out of those weird runes to scare the shit out of Hiko-sensei. You guys should have seen her face!”, Sugawara tells them with much joy. To which Nishinoya and Hinata laugh. “seems like you have had more fun than we did the past few days”, Tsukishima comments with a bored tone, which earns a chuckle from Yamaguchi. And the attention of the room shifts to the duo.
“You didn’t enjoy yourselves the past week?”, Daichi says incredulous, but with a small tease in his voice. “yeah! Did you guys miss me that much?”, Suga chimes in with a mischievous grin which earns a chuckle from Asahi and a glare from Daichi. “well- yeah, I suppose”, Yamaguchi answers vaguely. And Tsukishima adds, “it was quite boring this week.”. The tall boy inspects his nails uninterested. “there was no real event that stood out. As much as I hate the noises, his majesty and shorty were having this weird silence. Tanaka was all weird and certainly didn’t do much this past week. He was kind of useless, too”. Yamaguchi nodded to his best friends words, seemingly agreeing. “I kinda missed your chaotic energy too, Sugawara-senpai”, the green haired boy adds.
Silence develops the gym at Tsukishima’s (and to an extent Yamaguchi’s) admission. Shocked faces can be seen on every member, minus the duo.
If you look closely, though, you can see the second years eyeing each other. The words stung, after all. Narita dared to look at Ennoshita and his hurt face shifted to one of panic at the sight.
*how dare this arrogant long jerk?! Does he have clinical memory loss or something?!*. thoughts courses though Ennoshita’s head as his expression turns more sour as the seconds pass by. This led to Kinoshita sharing worried glances with the other two before speaking up. “actually, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi. I think it’s best if you two just… take those last sentences back..”. Tone lased with worry, as he was well aware of Ennoshita’s temperament.
Kinoshita was met with confused faces before Tsukishima spoke up again. “and give me a good reason why, again?”.
But that is what snapped the threat that Ennoshita was holding onto and anger gets the best of him.
“you two have no reason to judge him, or say anything for that matter. You arrogant and blind fucks. And Tsukishima, are you even capable of considering any other perspective than your own?”, he yelled out, forcing everyone’s attention onto himself. “because I bet my own fucking limbs that Tanaka has done more in this week than you could even get done in a goddamn month.”
…
Only Ennoshita taking in a deep breath could be heard from inside the gym, everyone else effectively being stunned into silence.
“I am sorry for such vulgar language. But I for now, will not take back my words. As my point still stands. Tanaka has lifted a ton of burdens off of me this past week, in order for me to do the upmost necessities while doing my classwork. And I absolutely cannot stay silent while you insult him like that.”, Ennoshita explains himself once he calms down enough. “especially when he isn’t even here to begin with..”, Sugawara adds in agreement while looking around in search of Tanaka. “speaking of which, where is he exactly?”.
The first years shift uncomfortable under the tense air around them, not being used to this kind of behavior from their upperclassmen. The second years, however, are grateful for Sugawara’s attempt at a distraction from Ennoshita’s outburst. And so Nishinoya gladly answers him.
“he had told me he has work from Tsutoko-sensei to do after class. Why he needs to stay late is unknown me, but he said not to worry about it”, Nishinoya answers, having the same class as Tanaka at the end of the day.
“that’s weird..”, Sugawara comments before Daichi asks. “if Tanaka was so busy, had any of you talked to him about said tasks other than Ennoshita?”. The current captain was quite intrigued about the rather out of character behavior from both Tanaka and Ennoshita. “well.. I’ve talked to him about some promotion posters that will be made for next year, and an art exhibition the school plans on going to with people that are interested..”, Yachi admits embarrassed, but with a loud volume. Ennoshita perks up at that. “oh! Have you decided on whether or not you wanted to go to that exhibition?”, he asks the first year. “a-ah! I have… but I don’t think I will go, since… no-one I know well enough goes too”, Yachi admits, looking to the side.
Hinata notices Yachi’s uncomfortable expression and quickly draws the attention towards himself instead. “I’ve talked with him at least twice this week! Once that time I’ve gotten detention and once paired with Kageyama!”, the ginger boy admits. The former immediately drawing both Daichi’s and Ennoshita’s attention, but not in a good way..
“oh god.. what have you done this time?”, Daichi asks with irritation in his voice while pinching his nose. At the same time Ennoshita asks “you’ve gotten detention this week?”. The gym is silence once again. But this time because Ennoshita genuinely seems surprised at Hinata’s admission. “well, yeah..”, Hinata comfirms with hesitation. “I thought you had send Tanaka-senpai?”. “I did not.”, Ennoshita answers before looking at the ground in thought. “what did he talk about with you two?”. The question came out genuinely, the group knowing that Ennoshita had administered his defeat.
“uhhhhh”, Hinata started with rosy cheeks while looking at Kageyama for answers. “he- he asked us to knock out with the fighting during practice”, Kageyama answered embarrassed, looking quite uncomfortable. “is that why you guys have been so quiet this week?”, Tsukishima said mockingly.
“well- he was weird as hell!”, Kageyama spit out, trying to defend himself. “he was glaring at me the second time we talked, too! Like a weirdo!”. This, for some reason, offended Hinata. “Tanaka-san isn’t weird, Bakayama! He was scary!”, the short boy tried to correct the taller. “Nu-uh!”, Kageyama responded, locking eyes with the boy next to him. “of course you would think that, scaredy cat!”. “I am not scared!”.
Soon enough the two were fighting again, leaving the rest of the bunch dumbfounded. “Tanaka, scary?”, Sugawara broke the silence with a snort after a few minutes. “that cannot be true”. Kinoshita, Narita and Ennoshita had to agree to that. “yeah.. he can be weird, but scary?”, Narita said with a smile.
Not everyone seemed to agree on that, however. Because Asahi and Nishinoya did not seem to share that thought… For Asahi, this was not something new. But for Noya?
“hold on dude, you are scared of Tanaka?”, Kinoshita looks at Nishinoya’s worried face and immediately bursts out into a laughing fit, “what the hell man?!”.
Nishinoya quickly shook his head at that, trying to sort out his thoughts. “not all the time! But you guys have never seen how he actually gets when he is seriously pissed off. It is indeed terrifying.”, the brave boy admits. Feeling shivers run down his spine at the thought.
“yeah right!”, Narita doubles over in laughter, joining his friend in the mockery of Nishinoya.
*Ka-bang!*
Suddenly, the gym doors burst open with a loud bang, someone nearly ripping them apart. Scaring everyone inside to hell and back.
“Hinata Shoyou and Kageyama Tobio, I thought I had told you two to knock it out!!”, Tanaka’s pissed off voice can be heard echoing through the gym. A voice that normally is full of energy and cheerfulness is now completely deprived from it as the owner is looming in the doorway.
The two boys that had gotten called out froze immediately at the voice, heads turning to the source.
There, standing in the doorway, is Tanaka. Muscles tense and puffed out, fists balled and gripping onto the paper and bag he was holding, face fallen to a serious expression that is on the verge of breaking out in rage, eyes blazing. The complete opposite of his normal demeanor.
You can hear both boys gulp down nerves as they immediately let go of one another. Before both bowing in front of their upperclassmen in the silent gym.
“so what are you two even fighting over this time?!”, Tanaka continues. This time he had lowered his volume so that he was speaking normally again, but the anger was evident in his voice. “K-Kageyama called you weird and I disagreed with him!”, Hinata squeaks, voice trembling slightly with fear. “well, the dumbass called you scary!”, Kageyama countered, boys now standing full length again. Glaring at each other.
“insulting me too, I see..”, Tanaka mumbles under his breath, clearly irritated. Before speaking up again. His voice lowers two octaves, eyes glaring daggers intended with death at the duo in front of him.
“I think you both know darn well the consequences I’ve laid before the two of you if I encounter you two fighting again during this week.”, he starts. Effectively shutting the two first years up again, shivers running down the spines of everyone present at his voice. “so I suggest that you two better start running those 20 laps around the school if I were you. And don’t even think about uttering a word towards each other, or coming back earlier for that matter.”.
It was quiet for a few seconds before you can hear a “yes senpai!” being spoken and two figures running out the door as fast as they can.
Tanaka is now seen beside the door, having stepped inside as the duo had sprinted out, and watching as the two first years disappear.