Picturesque

“...ru... Tooru... Tooru!” I heard a shout and I looked up, pausing the volleyball match that I was watching before hanging my headphones around my neck. My mother's brown eyes bore into me as she had her arms crossed in front of her chest, frowning.

“What?” I asked, keeping my voice monotone. Ever since my accident, I had been severely depressed. Coach Irihata had offered me a position to manage my former team, but I just couldn't; I didn't want to be on the sidelines when I should be in the game.

Mother stood in her spot before she sighed, “Why don't you go out and spend time with Hajime-kun today?” I knew that she didn't want me to be sitting around for a long time like I had been doing these past few days.

A frustrated sigh left my lips and I snorted, “Can't. He has practice today and then he also has to discuss something with Irihata-san afterwards.” He had taken over my duty of being captain after my injury and lately, his life had been quite busy with the Interhigh matches coming up.

“Oh...” She said softly and I had taken notice that she was wearing her work clothes, bag hanging off her shoulder. As usual, she was leaving me alone and as I was about to slip my headphones back on, trying to conjure up a possible strategy to share with Iwaizumi, I heard her say, “What if I invite your oniisan and Takeru-chan over?”

“Aniki has to work today and Takeru has class with his teammates and their new coach,” I muttered, taking the video off pause and listened to the squeak of tennis shoes.

“Tooru-chan,” I heard her snap and I looked up at her, knowing that she meant business. My eyes met hers and she continued, “I know you're upset, but you can't mope around forever. I've been letting you stay home so that you don't strain your knee anymore than you already have, but I'm sick of watching you sit here, staring at your computer all day. Tooru, get out of the house because you can't let this injury throw you down into the mud.”

I wanted to tell her that this injury wasn't just nothing. I was a fault during this, but so was that boy. He was the reason this even started and he was the reason that I was falling apart mentally. I loved him and I lost my love for volleyball because of him.

All I really wanted at the moment was his comfort, but I knew that, that was never going to happen; I wouldn't let him end up like me.

Tears pricked my eyes and I blinked them away, feeling my mother's fingers run through my curls as I pulled my headphones down once again, eyes looking up at her. She leaned down, placing a kiss on my forehead and mumbled, “Cheer up for your okaasan, please, Tooru. If I get home early, we'll go out to eat; your choice.”

I nodded my head, giving her a frail, fake smile and said, “I will. Be careful. I'll see you when you get home.”

She sighed, heading out the door and I looked down at the screen, my eyes still burning.

I didn't even notice the tears until I broke down and cried.


Not long after that, I was invited to join the school's yearbook staff; apparently, my friends felt the same as my mother as they saw me wandering around on my crutches instead of being in a club.

I swiveled back and forth in a chair, designing a page for the third years with one leg propped up. Due to my injury, they didn't ask much of me unless they needed a layout made; I had already been told many times that I was good at that kind of thing. I wanted to get out there though, as I was tired of just sitting around, twiddling my thumbs when I had nothing else to do.

One of the girls that invited me into the club stood by a cabinet, pulling out a camera to go take a couple of photos of other club activities. I stared at it for a long moment before asking, “Haruka-chan, is there any way that you could teach me how to use one of those? I just need to get outside and breathe before I end up going insane; the doctor also said I need to try to walk around a little when I get the chance.”

She smiled, nodding her head before I stood up and she handed me the camera before saying, “Put the strap around your neck please, Oikawa-san. If you happen to lose your grip, we don't want it to end up breaking.”

I followed her instructions as we began to head out of the classroom, walking down the hall. Both of my hands held the camera, one on the side and one under the lens as I followed Haruka's instructions carefully with each stop.

Before long, she was showing me how to take clear shots, make sure that the subject wasn't exactly in the center, and how to adjust the lighting if need be. Though my pictures weren't one hundred percent perfect, they still turned out decent enough to be considered for our publication.

A genuine smile crossed my lips as we walked back to the clubroom and I talked to her about how I'd like to take more photographs in the future.

“Have you thought about doing photos for any of our sports teams? I know that you're close with volleyball, but would you be interested in doing that kind of thing for us?” She asked, a somewhat bright look in her blue eyes.

This was a chance to reconnect with my team, this was a chance to be on the court without being in the game. Did I want to do this though? If they needed a sports photographer, I could help, but would it depress me even further?

I frowned, looking down at her before muttering, “I can't do all of the photos, but I can cover my team during their upcoming matches and potentially nationals... I-I just don't want to lose my team.” My eyes found the floor as I felt her staring at me.

“That's fine,” she said softly, “I'll let out adviser know, Oikawa-san.”

A small smile lifted my lips as I thanked her, leaning on my crutch for a moment. My knee was starting to hurt, but I never wanted to admit it out loud. Haruka studied me carefully before I sighed, “I'll catch up in a moment; I just need to sit down.”

She stood there for a long moment as I leaned on a windowsill before she walked away. I picked up the camera scrolling through the photos that I had took before staring at them closely in admiration.

Maybe this was my new volleyball.


“Are you ready for tomorrow?” I asked Iwaizumi as I lifted a piece of sushi up to my lips, biting into it.

The other male stared at me for a moment and I could see the stress in his eyes. He had working his team nonstop these past few weeks to the point that I never saw him. Truthfully, I was lucky to even be having dinner with him this evening; we were spending the night at his house so we could get up early and go to the tournament.

He was silent for a long moment, taking small bites of his food before he said, “Karasuno is going to be there tomorrow, you know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know, Iwa-chan,” I said quietly. I was slightly offended by the way he suddenly brought the topic up as if I couldn't take care of myself. “You act as if I won't accept the fact that Tobio-chan will be there.”

“I wanted to make sure that you knew. I don't want you to go out there and end up upset because of a stupid first-year like you did in junior high, Shittykawa. I know that it's hard for you to even be attending tomorrow's match with not being able to play. You always said that we'd end up on the national stage together anyways,” he muttered, taking a sip of his drink. His eyes trailed over me and I sighed, wiping my mouth when he kicked my shin, causing me to slightly choke.

“Mean, Iwa-chan!” I shouted when I caught my breath and he smirked.

As we finished up dinner, my childhood friend insisted on paying the bill before we walked home; I couldn't help but notice his mood perk up slightly; maybe he really did miss hanging out with me.

“I'm sure you're finally glad to be off of those crutches,” he said softly, watching my pace so that he could stay in step with me and my limp. It wasn't a far distance from the restaurant to his house, but it was just enough to bring out a slight twinge of pain.

“I hated them. It's always a pain on two, then it was just a nuisance on one, but now it's so much better. I wish I could walk like a normal person though,” I sighed, glancing down at the black, mechanical-looking brace on my knee.

His gaze joined mine as he muttered, “Of all the geniuses ever to play volleyball, it just had to be you.”

I furrowed my eyebrows and questioned, not understanding his statement, “What, Iwa-chan?”

His face burned red before he snapped, “Nothing. Shut up, Trashykawa,” forcing the rest of our conversation to be subdued into silence as we made our way home.


I sat up in the stands, setting up my tripod and questioning if I really needed to have it out. In the very few times I had used the stand, I didn't enjoy it; I liked to have the camera in my hands, able to get in on the action. Due to my past with the team, and the possibility of injuring myself though, I wasn't allowed to take photos on the gym's floor.

“Always focused on the task at hand,” Someone said and I turned around to meet Coach Irihata, a small smile on his face.

I sent him back a quick grin as I said, “I had to find something to preoccupy myself. It's weird not being down there with them.” My eyes trailed over my former teammates as they came out onto the court to practice for their first game. Iwaizumi's gaze caught mine for a moment before he pulled the team together to say something.

“I wish your injury never happened, Oikawa. You were a brilliant player, but your new club adviser has shown me some of your photographs and I have to say that this kind of thing is your new calling,” he said and I blushed furiously.

“Th-Thank you. I'm flattered that you would say something is great even though I literally just took up the hobby,” I stuttered and he pat me on the shoulder.

“I'm glad you could come. Half of the time, you're the only reason why Iwaizumi can keep his composure, and I thank you for that. I have a feeling that he's going to need it today.” With those last few words, the coach wandered off to join my team and I found myself watching the gym floor intensely, lifting the camera and turning it on before snapping a quick picture.


The first team didn't even have the slightest of chances. Though they put up a weak fight they lost both sets to us, barely even making enough points to be considered “halfway there.”

I walked down the hall, in search of a restroom when I saw a familiar kid whistling as he was walking out. He glanced around the corridor before his eyes landed on me, looking like a deer in the headlights. The younger male froze for a moment before shouting, “I-It's the Grand King!”

I smirked, walking towards the boy saying, “You know, Chibi-chan, it took me a while to figure out what you meant by that nickname, but it finally came to me when I was laid up in bed, refusing to even leave to go to school. I may have been a king when we first met, but you watched my throne crumble on that same day.” His nose scrunched up as I made a joke about his size and he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“I don't even get close to understanding why Kageyama looked up to you. Even though your throne doesn't exist anymore, you're still pompous. Just so you know, Oikawa-san, your team doesn't even stand a chance against Karasuno,” he boasted, the expression in his eyes suddenly morphing into something dark.

There was determination in his amber orbs and I couldn't help but scoff, “I highly doubt that--”

“Dumbass! Get over here! Daichi-san is looking for you!” A voice shouted and the younger male snapped out of it as he yelled back, “I'm on my way, Bakageyama!”

Looking back, I met Tobio's blue eyes staring at me as the shrimp rushed towards him, attempting to continue their bickering. Tobio ignored him, and it took almost everything in me to walk away, completely forgetting my original intention of coming out here, while I drug my right leg behind me.

My hand clutched the front of my shirt, right above my heart, as I knew that today was going to be longer than it already was.


23 – 25

The two numbers stood out to me as they were on the scoreboard. I thought that this match was going to be easy, that we would wash Karasuno away like the first team, but no. The crows had put up a fight and there was a chance that they would surpass us.

I clutched the camera tightly in my hands as I had taken a photo of the scoreboard a moment ago before looking down at my team through the viewfinder. Iwaizumi stared at me as I pulled the camera away, noticing him give me a small thumbs-up. Quickly I gave him one back, faking a smile that I knew he could see right through.

I couldn't help, but allow my eyes to wander over to the other team, watching them all crowd around each other. Shrimpy-chan was talking closely with Kageyama and I had already noticed their amazing quick that completely baffled me. From what I had heard from Kindaichi, Kageyama couldn't work with anymore, but this proved otherwise.

“You're watching them rather closely, aren't you?” A girl's voice said from beside me, snapping me out of my trance before I met blue eyes.

“Haruka-chan!” I said smiling brightly as I looked over at her, “What are you doing here? I thought you had an exam today and wouldn't be able to make it?”

“The teacher ended up moving it and our adviser said that you may have needed a hand. You seem to have everything together on your own though,” she said, glancing down at the camera in my hands.

I held it a little bit tighter and chuckled dryly, “I like to believe that I do. I'm here to cheer them on though since I've been benched for life.”

She nodded her head before we heard the tweet of a whistle, a signal that the final set was about to begin. I saw my team take their places and caught Iwaizumi's eyes once again before I nodded my head, it was a gesture that said he wanted to see me immediately after the game.

“Oikawa-san,” Haruka said, glancing up at me and I hummed in response, watching the first serve of the game. My focus was locked on the match when I heard her say, “Why does that setter from the other team keep watching you?”

My eyes found their way to Tobio as he sent the ball to their lanky ace, Shrimpy-chan playing decoy as per usual. As they earned another point, I caught Tobio's eyes looking up at me, his gaze dropping slightly as if he was glancing at the brace that was covering my knee.

“Let's just say we have a past; an interesting one at that,” I muttered, listening to my camera shutter as I took another photo before gripping the railing tightly. I unconsciously shifted my weight to my left side as I thought about the younger male, trying to keep my heart from fluttering away.

Had he always looked over at me that much before? Had I held his attention always after he set the ball? Was it because of what I had taught him or something else?

“Well, it must have been something important to both of you,” she said softly before allowing me to numbly stare at the game, lost entirely in my thoughts.


My team crushed Karasuno as they fought neck in neck, ending up eight points over the usual winning score. I saw the crows drop to their knees, Shrimpy-chan and Tobio looking the most horrified all because they couldn't save a ball.

Haruka stood by me, cheering as I quickly tired to pick up my gear. She looked confused on to where I was going before I said, “I'm riding home with Iwa-chan and the others; they're leaving pretty quickly. Will you be back here tomorrow for when we play Shriratorizawa?”

She shook her head, sighing, “I won't be able to, but I'll be cheering them on in spirit.”

When I finished packing up, I rushed out to the corridor, bags in hand as I saw my childhood friend leaning against the wall, waiting on me. Slowly, losing teams were walking past us, going home with depressed looks on their faces. I happened to glance over at them before sighing to the older male, “Congrats, Iwa-chan. You've won your first two matches as captain.” I gave him a bright smile before he rolled his eyes.

The two of us began to head out of the building before Iwaizumi quickly pulled me down an empty hall, hidden from other people as I stared at him in confusion.

“Iwa-chan, I--”

His lips sealed over mine as he pushed me against the wall, feeling his grip tighten around me, and a soft moan left my lips. His fingers wrapped up in my hair and I pushed up against him, breaking away for a moment. I stared up at him, my words breathless, “Isn't it a little too early to be celebrating just yet?”

As soon as I spoke, I heard the squeak of sneakers, a flash of black and orange leaving my peripheral vision. I pushed Iwaizumi away, leaving my bags just where I had dropped them on the floor as I ran after the boy.

Tobio saw us. He must have came after me, but saw Iwaizumi and I kissing an... No... He couldn't think that we were together and I wasn't going to let him – the exact same thought that I had, had over so many other things pertaining to him.

My limp caught the best of me as I saw the murder of crows leaving the building and I tripped, hitting the floor. People looked at me, none offering to help as tears ran down my cheeks and I cried out, “K-Kageyama!”

He stood with his team as though he had never went after me, head hung low and shoulders shaking. I wanted to reach out for him as I knew that he too was shedding tears; tears that I knew had nothing to do with the loss of his match.

Shrimpy-chan has his arm wrapped around the taller player before his amber eyes turned around, staring at me with a compiled look of envy, jealousy, and rage. He looked as if he wanted to take my head off and then I knew that his heart also longed for Tobio.

I laid there until Iwaizumi picked me up, trying to wipe away my tears even though he only made them worse.

Why had I never thought that this was another consequence of loving the younger male? I never thought that I'd be the reason for tears in those blue eyes.