When the Sun Sets (KageHina) Kageyama X Hinata
Chapter 7
August passed without Kageyama noticing. It happened so fast and he wished he could slow down the time ticking. After that incident with Hinata, Kageyama never left his side. He even asked to leave temporarily while the world cup's ongoing. After all, he's confident Miya Atsumu could handle the team well, knowing that he's a setter that can bring 100% of his teammates. Every day, Ushijima and Hoshiumi would update him of their matches and training like Kageyama is their journal.
A lot changed since then, and it was as though Kageyama became a resident in the hospital—it seems the doctors and nurses already know him, greeting Kageyama with a smile whenever he visits Hinata.
There wasn't a time when Kageyama broke his promise. After several weeks, he already got used to Hinata's panic attacks, helping him overcome it every night—with Hinata clinging on to his arms as Kageyama lulled him to sleep, telling him that he will be alright.
Hinata has changed a lot since then. He would be sleepy throughout the day but could barely sleep on nights—making his dark circles grow bigger. Still, the feelings he felt whenever he's with Kageyama were there.
His body became gaunter than ever, losing many pounds every week. He would say jokes at random times—and his now frail, high-pitched tone that almost sounded like a whisper can still be heard throughout the room whenever there's dead silence between him and Kageyama.
The past weeks were hard. Making up a conversation that could make Hinata livelier, averting his attention to Kageyama and not caring about his disease was hard. Even so, Kageyama did his best.
Seeing Hinata alive is enough for him. Weak, but alive. He feels his heart lighter even if Hinata's sleeping, he's still there. And he would wake up in Kageyama's arms, spending the rest of their lives on another day with smiles shown on their faces.
But it was before. Kageyama's biggest concern is if Hinata could handle the snowy and cold winter coming for them. Hinata would tremble with just the air in the room, and it worsens even when Kageyama opens the window. And he would just sleep for another day, still experiencing the hell he'd been through since day one.
The only thing on Kageyama's mind was to keep Hinata from being bored. Sometimes, Hinata would tell him that he could see someone he's never seen before, and whenever there's silence engulfing the room, Hinata could hear voices among them.
Kageyama thought about having someone accompany Hinata so he could prevent himself from his worsening hallucinations. Even for a little time. Even if no one does, he will be the one to take care of Hinata.
"I see you've brought guests other than Kuroo-san and Kozume-san." Hinata's attending nurse, Hitomi, chuckled as she approached Kageyama after she left Hinata's room. Kageyama was right by the door, holding sunflowers—Hinata's favorite as he looks like the sun.
Kageyama glanced at the new visitors, Ushijima and Hoshiumi then he laughed after, "Yes. I suppose someone needs to cheer for Shoyo, he could be bored and tired from seeing me every day. Same goes for Kenma and Kuroo-san too. So I thought I'm gonna need another loud person." His lips formed a grin as he laid his eyes on Hoshiumi, now raising his eyebrows then frowns after.
"It's because it's been a long time since I've seen him! Of course, I want to at least visit him after playing matches! Right Ushiwaka?" Hoshiumi protested with his arms crossed.
"Yeah..We've never really heard about you lately and the others were worried about you so Hoshiumi insisted on visiting to check you too." Ushijima agreed, wearing his same, usual expression.
Kageyama always updates the two about Hinata's condition since Hoshiumi would never shut up about it—obviously worried about a person he barely knows but an instant friend of him and Ushijima. He already talked to his coaches and the other team members about it, asking to keep the situation private. Avoiding the media looking for him and temporarily avoiding volleyball. If he wants, he could leave the team he worked for all these years just to be with Hinata, but he knows he won't do that, or at least Hinata won't like him leaving the sport again.
But it's been hard for them lately—Hinata especially. So this is the perfect time for Hoshiumi and Ushijima to visit when Kuroo and Kenma couldn't come along.
After all that they've been through, Kageyama flashed a genuine smile on his face. "Thank you, guys." He said, including Hitomi.
"Well, I've only realized I'm on your way...Hinata-kun is waiting for you inside...but he might really need you—your help." Hitomi slipped through and smiled at Hoshiumi and Ushijima.
Kageyama glanced at the sunflowers bunched up together before opening the door, revealing an atmosphere he's never felt before and he could feel shivers on his spine when he saw Hinata sitting on the hoisted bed, looking far beyond the window. He seemed like he was deeply contemplating.
Kageyama wants to rush to him and tell him he's there now and there's nothing to be afraid of anymore.
"Hinata!" Hoshiumi came rushing to the cancer patient. His voice resonated throughout the room and instantly fought with the gloomy atmosphere surrounding a Monday morning. Hinata slowly turns his head as he hears the familiar voice he's never heard since the match against Brazil.
Somehow, Kageyama's head feels lighter seeing Hinata's eyes lit up. It was bright like the sun now illuminating through the window and made the room serene.
Hinata's smile was genuine seeing Ushijima and Hoshiumi visit him. "Hoshiumi-san, Ushijima-san! And...hmm, you're late." Hinata left a chuckle when his eyes stayed on Kageyama, bantering about it and a pout formed in his lips after. Hinata does this at random times, but Kageyama would like it, considering it has become so rare now.
"These guys wanted to see you, especially this one." Kageyama beamed when he points at Hoshiumi now sitting at the bed in front of Hinata. Ushijima came closer to greet Hinata too, "We've brought some fruits and gifts too." Ushijima said, Hinata flinched a bit finding and recalling what Ushijima's voice sounds like. Months were like years to Hinata especially while experiencing major headaches, but it seems to pass when someone was there to accompany him.
"Thank you, Ushijima-san, Hoshiumi-san." Hinata's eyes were seldom seen because of his smiles despite his pale snow face. That statement carries a double meaning, thanking them a million times in his head for coming on another "hell-like" day.
"I'm getting bored just by seeing Kageyama's face every day." Hinata proceeded with a wide grin as he averted his attention on the latter who's now filling the vase with the sunflowers he brought near the window. He'd always brought a set of sunflowers for Hinata every day, to light up the room's atmosphere and Hinata won't be bored or alone whenever he's in pain and that he could take care of it and make it a hobby every day.
It was just a simple thing. But it was a big help to Hinata and for Kageyama, now that things are getting worse.
"Oh? But you seem to miss me when we came earlier, 'you're late' huh?" Kageyama banters back, imitating Hinata.
"Hey, hey! We're being left out here, lovebirds! We're the special guests here!" Hoshiumi waved his hands in the air, riveting.
Laughter escaped all of them and the room was different from before. It found a new kind of atmosphere and their voices could be heard from the neighboring rooms, mainly Hoshiumi since he was the most talkative and Kageyama when he was bantering with Hinata.
The four of them talked, keeping Hinata company making him feel like he found new companions—new friends and it was as though he knew Hoshiumi and Ushijima for a long time, setting aside the cruelty of his fate.
"Man! If only you saw Bokuto-san doing a chest receive! It was so cool and his razor-line shot was awesome too! And oh! Have you seen Atsumu doing a setter spike?" Hoshiumi's mouth was non-stop. Hinata had no choice but to listen, he finds it difficult to form words now but it's mainly he forgets what he wanted to say but can't clearly say it because of Hoshiumi. He wanted to say compliments, questions but he'd just admired the stories and try to visualize them as long as he could.
Ushijima then demonstrates how Atsumu did it and the two were full of amazement.
"Ushiwaka's aces against Canada were so epic, he literally crushed them on the final set!" Hoshiumi complimented Ushijima, he doesn't know what to do or say at this moment so he just describes his spike for Hinata, making Kageyama burst into laughter as Ushijima imitates the face he made while doing powerhouse serves.
"Hmm, but you know...there's something incomplete whenever I play." Hoshiumi glances at Kageyama who's wearing a flabbergasted expression to him.
"Is it because I'm not there?"
"Aside from that obviously," Hoshiumi said, "It's just..giant players don't seem to faze me anymore. I'm not afraid to play against them because I wanted to beat them, even if 8-feet ghosts were my opponents." Their eyes were laid on Hoshiumi as he turned to Hinata and the conversation started to slip and change direction.
A small gasp escaped Kageyama. "Tall players are boring to face now and it's hard to find a worthy opponent. Nothing intimidates me more than you in volleyball, Hinata." Hoshiumi confesses, and it's probably the same for Ushijima too when he nodded.
Kageyama reminisces himself in Hoshiumi, feeling the emptiness inside whenever he plays. His spikers weren't the same as Hinata, and he'd always find him in them—but they'd never be Hinata.
He stared at Hinata, seeing the view of his eyes widening as hard as they could. Kageyama went closer to him and held his hands.
"H-Hoshiumi-san," Hinata uttered.
Hoshiumi's lips almost twitched, he sniffled and stood up looking straight into Hinata's eyes. Their eyes met, and their emotions were almost the same— the four of them are.
"But I will wait for you until we can play together again! I know all of us here wanted that, but I want to play against you and give our all in every play we do. So, when that day comes, I will defeat you!" Hoshiumi was bleary-eyed, recalling the time when Hinata said he lost his passion for volleyball. Still, he believes on the bright side.
Hinata once again shines bright as the sun, reassuring Hoshiumi, Ushijima, and even Kageyama too. "I...won't lose..."
After the two acquaintances—friends bid their temporary goodbye to Hinata when Hoshiumi decided to leave before the atmosphere worsens. At least, he doesn't want to bring up Hinata's condition, that's why they're here in the first place, and to finally give Kageyama and Hinata some time on their own.
"I mean it," Hinata said not too long after Hoshiumi and Ushijima left, his attention came back on the window, looking at the sun now setting. It was afternoon already but it felt like minutes for Hinata, and he'd wish it could be longer—and he'd wish time would just stop at this point.
Kageyama sat on the chair beside the bed, facing Hinata—his head against Kageyama, "What do you mean?"
Hinata turns his peripheral on Kageyama, "If I...would be g-given a chance to live...I—will definitely play with you again..." Hinata's eyes were full of courage, hope, and relief for something different.
Hinata tries to move closer to Kageyama and he'd let Hinata bury his head onto his body, brushing Kageyama's hair with gentle strokes. Kageyama personally liked it, mainly because Hinata wouldn't see his emotions when he cries a million times.
What did he ever do to deserve this?
Hinata clears his throat when he feels the emotional feelings crawling over his head.
"Maybe, just maybe someday... there will be a time wh-where I... could play volleyball with you again..." Hinata said that sounded like a whisper but it still rings on Kageyama's ears, replaying the same thing over and over again.
Kageyama heaved out a sigh, then he looked upon Hinata, and their eyes met with nothing but endearing comfort found on it. "Someday... that someday feels like forever..." He muttered and willingly buried his face on Hinata's body again.
He can't help but feel Hinata's ribcage symbolizing that he's sick— matched with his arms that stopped brushing Kageyama's hair that almost weighs like a feather now.
"But I look forward to it.." Kageyama continued before falling asleep on Hinata's body, finding peace by his side. Kageyama wanted to reminisce about the moments when they first played together, but instead something—probably his imagination flashed on his mind, that he would conclude a dream.
But it was so clear it almost felt real.
Someday, we will see each other on the court playing with their 120%. Without GBM brain cancer, without pain, no regrets, just happiness. Is it impossible to dream about that?
A dream where they fulfilled their promises and played together like they wanted to. It isn't a fully detailed dream, but one thing that caught Kageyama's attention will always stick with him. Something he desperately wants at this point in time. Aside from playing volleyball again with Hinata, it was the clear vision of Hinata wearing a jersey—his face was brighter than ever, the same for his tangerine hair too. A sunlight exposure Kageyama likes.
A dream where Hinata is healthy, energetic like anyone else—stronger than what he is now and lastly, he is alive.
Comments
yanroe
Just amazing- ✋🏻😩💖
2021-08-20
0