PLEASE read my comment after this chapter it's VERY IMPORTANT to the story

I know, I'm sorry, I have no excuses for how lazy I am and I'm mad at myself for not being active. Enjoy this very due chapter.

The walk home seemed like it would be a quiet one. I'd never seen the team so defeated like this. Kageyama seemed the most irritable. He sulked in the back of the group with his head to the ground. I made the decision to pull him out, but I think Coach Ukai would've done it anyway. Even knowing this, I felt like a total insensitive person.

Kiyoko-san had been walking next to me. Even she seemed to be upset. "Are you alright?" I whispered to her. I didn't want my voice to be an awkward break of silence.

"Yea, I suppose. I just can't help but feel like... I don't even know. I'm fine, though. Don't worry about me." I looked down at my feet. Maybe I'd crosses my boundaries? "But are you okay? You seem to have something on your mind."

"W-what? No. I'm just thinking about the game." That was a lie, I was thinking about a jerk who's phone number was in my pocket. "Just strategies and stuff. And.. Kageyama,"

"Kageyama?" She asked, quirking her eyebrow.

"Yea, like how he started to break down towards the end? I can't believe that Oikawa had so much effect on him." I glanced back at him. His faced was still dark and twisted into dismay.

"Well he learned so much from Oikawa, and he's still better. I'm sure he feels anger and envy every time he sees him."

"So, Oikawa's like the bane of Kageyama."

Kiyoko-san nodded sadly.

As we grew farther from the school, team members began to branch off down their own streets and routes. Tanaka, Noya, and I lived the farthest away, but they had told me earlier that they were going to study with Sugawara-san, so they'd already left. Hinata was the only one walking with me now.

I hadn't talked to him since after the game. Like Kageyama, Hinata looked terrible. I couldn't take the depressing silence any more. I nudged him with my elbow, and he looked up without a word.

"Hi" I smiled slightly.

"Hi, (l/n)-san." A tiny smile formed on his lips, and I felt grateful to make him at least a little happy.

"I know you're not alright, so I won't ask you," I said quietly. "But I don't like to see a sunshine boy so sad."

He giggled at my nickname, and I smiled. "Yea, I know," he said. "And I'll be alright you don't have to worry about me."

"Okay. I'm here for you, though. We're friends."

"Uwahh?" He exclaimed. I laughed at his overdramatic expressions. "W-we're friends?!" I nodded, still giggling a bit.

"Of course silly!" His eyes shined and he had a wide smile now. I preferred this over his sulking by a mile. "I can't believe you didn't know we were friends, hah."

"Y-yea, well you are my senpai after all."

"So what." I smiled. "Oh, Hinata!" Isn't that your street?" I pointed a few yards back.

"Oh, man! Yea, but will you be okay walking home alone? Tanaka-san and Noya-san aren't with you tonight," He worried.

"Pfft. I'll be fine. Do you really think those idiots could protect me? They'd get knocked on their asses before even throwing a punch!"

"Okay, just be careful, alright! And if something happens you can come to my house."

"Alright, goodbye Hinata-kun." He smiled and waved as he began to walk away.

I stood in the street until he was no longer in sight, then continued the trek to my house.

The street lamps lit up the cement with an eery, yet sort of calming tone. My steps and the chirping of crickets were the only sounds in the night. I looked up at the sky. The glow of the stars we're faded because of the light pollution, nothing like where I was born.

The stars we're one of the only things I missed from that place. The rest of the memories, I'd still like to forget.

I stuck my hand in my pockets as I turned my head back down. My fingers touched the crumpled piece of paper that'd been in my pocket since the brief run in with Oikawa. My heart thumped a little louder, and I closed my eyes to find anything else to focus on.

WHOOP WHOOP!
also a very important change to the story: I'm going to have (reader) call Tanaka and Nishinoya by their last names as opposed to first names for multiple reasons. I'm going to tie a storyline into it, and I think it'll be easier for both me and you.