I didn't come to wave or take pictures - For Fragrant_Hitachiin

[saltinourstars]

Most paparazzi keep away from Kei. Hitachiin Legal loves a restraining order, and that’s enough for a semi-normal life.

But public games are public, and Kei spots at least three in the stands. Nondescript hair, clothes, faces. So plain they scream among the colorful crowd. One even has the nerve to smile, when he catches Kei’s glare.

Ugh.

Never mind.

Exhaling, he shuts them out. Settling into the tempo of his team. The rhythm and flow of defense, rising to a higher crescendo each time. It feels good. Kei's spent four years building with Todai, and they're contenders for Nationals. Maybe even favorites.

This is what matters.

Not the paparazzi with their gossip and grins.

Comments

[saltinourstars]

"That's still only a few players. In all of Japan. I need to get my degree, not wait for some miracle."

He's got too little time for that. Besides Nationals prep, Kei's facing down a Senior Thesis, Finals, and the Grad School decision. Plus a wedding to plan.

Now comes this monkey wrench.

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Kaoru considers this. Again, trying to be careful and thoughtful.

"Even if you weren't thinking about getting scouted, or 'waiting for the miracle', you earned this," he points out. "You worked just as hard at volleyball as anything else, and these people noticed. So now you can do both, if you want, right? Get a degree and keep playing?"

"What team is scouting you, anyways?"

[saltinourstars]

Does he even want this? Kei's had a solid vision for the last several years. Finish undergrad, earn PhD as fast as possible, get a field research position. It looks a bit (or a lot) like the museum photoshoot Kaoru ran. Professional and calm, putting new worlds together.

Now that vision's gone shaky.

To keep playing...

Kei sticks with existing facts.

"Two have contacted Coach - Sendai Frogs and Hokkaido Busters. There may be more, if there's rumors going about me. Coach said he wouldn't be surprised."

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Kaoru considers these two options. "Hokkaido's pretty far, and cold, but Sendai's right near your family. I mean, we never really talked about you moving back there, but it's not impossible. Tohoku University has an amazing natural history museum, too."

Is Kaoru trying to convince him to play? He isn't even really sure. More like, he's trying to coax Kei into being honest with himself. If all Kei is focused on are the things in his way, he'll never consider the offer for all its potential benefits.

"And you never know, maybe a Tokyo team will scout you, and then you won't even have to move."

[saltinourstars]

Ugh, but honesty is messy.

At the reminder of moving, Kei groans. Presses both temples. Kaoru's right to at least consider locations. It's just a lot.

"Why does anyone like surprises? They're such a pain."

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Kaoru makes a sympathetic noise and reaches across the table to pat Kei's hair. "I'm just saying, it shouldn't have been a surprise. You underestimate yourself and how other people see you. You deserve this attention, because you're incredible."

Then he leans back and picks his fork up again, though he doesn't immediately eat. "But just because you're good enough, doesn't mean you have to go for it. You can turn them down if you don't want to keep playing."

[saltinourstars]

Kei only half swats at the pat.

"All right, all right."

Nothing needs to be decided tonight. He'd prefer things settled, but there just isn't enough information. What it's like to make this kind of life choice.

Of course... He could ask. He does know a ridiculous amount of players. One in particular comes to mind.

Kei wades in after dinner. Bracing for the flood of emojis.

Hey

it's Tsukishima
You busy?

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Hinata doesn't immediately answer Tsukishima's text, because he's in the shower when his phone chimes with it. It isn't for another twenty minutes that he emerges, squeaky clean and rosy cheeked, and absently checks his phone to see if he's missed anything.

I know who you are duh!!
Whats wrong?

[saltinourstars]

Look it's not like they talk every day - !

Okay.

Not trying to start an argument first thing. (Witness the maturity.) In fact, he's not even going to pretend nothing's wrong.

I'm getting scouted to go Pro

it's weird

[fragrant_hitachiin]

WHAT
WHO
WHAT TEAM???
NOT MY TEAM??
NOT BAKAGEYAMA'S TEAAM????

[saltinourstars]

That amount of capslock should be illegal.

Wouldn't you have HEARD if it was yours?????

and not everything is about your boyfriend

calm down

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Coach doesn't tell us who theyre scouting!! Just whos new on the team!
I'm super calm!! Anyways you ignored my actual question WHICH TEAM

[saltinourstars]

BEFORE you declare war

I haven't decided about talking to anyone


Busters and Frogs

[fragrant_hitachiin]

OHHHHH
Thosere good teams! :O

Why wldnt you talk to them?

[saltinourstars]

Because I didn't plan on going pro????

that's why it's weird

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Oh. But ur rlly good!
You like playing now don't you?

[saltinourstars]

Yeah


I need more information

What's it like?

As a job

[fragrant_hitachiin]

It's great! You get to play volleyball every single day!
Well except for when coach says its a mandatory rest day
Practices can be really tough tho bc you never have an excuse not to give it ur all
I know that's hard for you

[saltinourstars]

Wow was that SASS

Cute


Okay but the non-playing parts. Like the press in your face and asshole fans.

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Careful or youll make your rich bf jealous

Oh that stuff is fine!
Mostly they just want you to sign stuff and talk to them after games
Which sucks sometimes when you lose and you wanna be alone I guess
But they're pretty respectful
And when they're not the team managers deal with it!

[saltinourstars]

Pfffft

Sure


Speaking of him

The paparazzi sucked in high school. Keep thinking about that.

Look at him, voluntarily bringing up emotional problems. Amazing. Kei would still rather gargle glass.

But Hinata was there. Making it slightly less awful to talk about.

[fragrant_hitachiin]

Ohhhhh
I guess that would really suck if they came to games and hounded you
But they'd probably get bored of you pretty quickly right?
They can't stay interested forever if you're just playing

[saltinourstars]

Wow now I'm boring??

So fickle!

For all the snark, it's a good point. The paparazzi want drunken socialite limo orgies. Not a guy doing his job.

[fragrant_hitachiin]

You've alwaaaaays been boring!!
Especially watching you play
You're not flashy or interesting at all!!

[saltinourstars]

With that much punctuation? Doubt it.

Remind me

WHO still has a higher contact point than you?

Yes, Kei is petty enough to know those stats. Even now.