I watched him play against Shiratorizawa and win. The boy who was cold and bitter made his team run well, like a well-oiled machine. Though I was on my school's side, I ended up cheering for the boy I used to know. It made me feel better.

We lost touch after the school year ended, it was my fault, really. In middle school, advanced classes had been a cakewalk, but the academic prowess of Shiratorizawa was nothing to sneeze at. I devoted most of my time to studying and what little free time I had, I spent with my new friends, new boyfriends.

I saw him playing on that court and I saw neither the boy, dejected and mourning into his diploma nor the excitable child eager to earn his place alongside his elders. I saw a young man, with clear eyes and precision like no other. I almost did not recognize him. He was someone who had earned the trust of his teammates and respected them. He did not want to lose, but he was now competing in a more healthy way. He had matured on his own and without any help from me.

After their victory, I caught sight of Kageyama on his way out. He was talking to his short, spiky-haired teammate. Though it looked more like friendly banter.

"Ah, Kageyama-kun!" I called out without thinking. I cursed under my breath. I wasn't prepared to say anything to him. It was almost reflexive to want to talk to him. As if after this game we would head over to his house and work on homework and eat milk-flavored popsicles like we always did. As if nothing had changed.

He looked around for a moment to see who called before his sharp, blue eyes landed on me. "Mai? Is that you?" He asked, walking closer. "I hardly recognized you!" He was smiling a little and his eyes were happy. It was rare to see him smile. Even after all of those years in middle school, I had only managed to get him to smile a few times. Perhaps that was only because he had just won a game, maybe he wasn't smiling because of me, but at me.

I pulled Kageyama into a tight hug and had to pinch my eyelids shut to keep from letting the tears fall out. I forgot how much I missed him, how much I needed him. My closest, and maybe my only friend. A brother? Perhaps.

"Hey, hey, who's this?" The orange-haired boy asked. He bounced excitedly and looked at me inquisitively as I let Kageyama go but hesitated to let go of his hand.

"This is Mai, she's my friend." He said somewhat proudly.

"Woah! Kageyama has friends?" The boy gasped. There was a new light in his eyes.

"Hinata-boke!" He growled.

I giggled. Both of their attention turned towards me before they could further their altercation. "I should be the one saying that." I drew him into another hug. "You are the one who's changed the most."

I stepped back again and gave him a glance. "I couldn't be more proud of you, Kageyama-kun." And then the tears began to flow freely.

"You made her cry!" The orange-haired boy, Hinata, Kageyama's friend, whined.

"Shut up!" Kageyama barked before turning back to me. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He turned to me, not knowing what to do.

"Hey, it's time to get on the bus." A short boy with wild blonde and brown hair called followed by a taller, bald man. "Oi, what's going on?" He demanded.

"Kageyama made her cry!" Hinata blurted.

"Kageyama!" The bald man glared. "You dare call yourself a man!"

I couldn't stop the tears, I was sniffling and causing a scene. Soon, other members of the Karasuno volleyball team were gathered to see what the commotion was.

"Mai, what's wrong?" He grabbed both of my hands away from my face.

"I'm," I sniffled, "just so happy you made so many friends!" I sobbed, collapsing into him once more.

After I had calmed down and my tears were dried, I looked around at all of his teammates, all of the people Kageyama had surrounded himself with. I knew he was going to be okay.

We parted ways that evening with promises that we would meet up next time we were able to, like the old days. My heart was full of love and pride as I saw him board the bus with his teammates.

I knew from the last moment I saw him that day on the court that he would be alright from now on. 'The king is dead, long live the king," I thought to myself.