Chapter Text
“Now that everyone is paired up, I want you guys to work together and learn from each other’s experiences.” Coach Ukai spoke as he walked around instructing the teams, his eyes narrowed over to the corner where Kageyama and Rin were paired up. By the looks of their faces they were both hopeless in a way. They had probably already figured out that they were paired up together for a reason.
Coach Ukai sighed before he walked over to them.
“We paired both of you guys up for a reason. I know you haven’t been getting along but you’re both more similar than you might think. I don’t care how much you whine about not being partners. You guys need to work together and learn from one another. You’re geniuses in your own right. Just sharing ideas could boost your performances.” Coach Ukai reasoned as the boy’s thunderous expressions sharpened. The mini speech did nothing to quell their foul moods. If anything they seemed to get even madder.
Rin glared at the wall next to him, refusing to even glance over at his partner.
In contrast, Kageyama stared off blankly. ‘How the hell can I work with him?’ ‘What if I disappoint everyone?’ ‘He’s so damn uncooperative’ ‘He’s selfish, just does what he wants’
‘Selfish?’
In a blur, recollection of memories began to reappear, a painful reminiscence of his middle school years full of tyranny and control. The vivid flashbacks of his teammates turning their backs on him filled him with guilt and shame.
Dreadfulness was written all over Kageyama’s face, his internal panic was noted by Coach Ukai. As a simple gesture, Coach Ukai patted Kageyama’s shoulder as a sign of reassurance.
“You’re talented, you can make it work as you did in Karasuno. Now, go.”
Kageyama swallowed his guilt, and headed to their section to practice.
Rin, already positioned to be ready to be served behind the volleyball net, waited for Kageyama to pick up his pace and begin.
Before setting up the volleyball, Kageyama paused for a second. “You know how to serve, right?”
As usual, Rin maintained an uncompromising expression. In a feeling of self-consciousness, Kageyama understood he misjudged Rin as being a clueless beginner.
*** ***
Back and forths seemed like a breeze to Rin, he took it as if this was child’s play. Serving the volleyball straight towards Kageyama, startling him to react quickly. Kageyama ran up to the net, jumping and serving it back to Rin.
A spark ignited, they both knew neither of them couldn’t let the ball fall. With each breath came a cost, not any of them wanting to slow down, possibly showing a sign of weakness. Rin erupted in energy, Kageyama unsure of how he regained his energy, widened his eyes with the realization that he is not the same anymore. Not wanting to submit to fear, Kageyama put in tireless efforts. Kageyama, sensed an unusual presence, almost like a dizzying surge almost strong enough to suffocate you.
From afar, the coaches overseeing the separate groups, Ego’s skin prickled. Ego’s senses felt something off, his gaze locked over to both Kageyama and Rin. He could practically feel the strong tension between them, the way they coordinated almost too perfectly while they practiced; as though appearing like life-long teammates rehearsing their usual routine.
Ego scrutinized their playstyles, down to every little detail during their match. He analyzed Rin’s ego emitting from him, clashing onto Kageyama’s ego, he differentiated the authenticity of their egos. Rin’s felt more natural, closing in on Kageyama’s feeling more forced.
Standing beside Ego, Coach Ukai blew his whistle signaling the other teams. Mid-whistle was intercepted by the sudden seize of his clipboard from Ego. On the clipboard, stored all the Karasuno player’s stats and information. Ego flipped through each paper one by one until he spotted Rin’s teammate.
‘Kageyama Tobio.’
: 2nd year in Karasuno High
16 years old, 181.9 cm (5'11.6")
Setter position in Karasuno High's volleyball team (this info is bound 2 change js ignore this)
Ego determined Kageyama was capable of becoming an egoist of his own.