Work Text:
1.
It was Kageyama's free day. Not voluntarily of course, if it was up to him, he would be playing volleyball at their school gym or in his backyard. But they had a practice match against Seijoh yesterday and Daichi threatened to kick Kageyama and Hinata off the team if they even thought about practicing. Kageyama doubted that he would actually go through with his threat, but it's best not to try his patience. His captain could be very scary when he wanted to be and entirely capable of suspending both of them, if he thought that it was the best for them.
So, Kageyama found himself in a mall that was swarming with people and noises and made a turn for the sports equipment shop. He has needed new kneepads for quite some time now, so this is the perfect opportunity.
There are so many options he could choose from, ranging from varied brands, sizes, and prices of the products. The only kneepads he’s looking for though, are the ones his grandfather used to buy for him. Although they aren’t one of the popular brands, they’re high quality for a fair price. Those are the ones he always comes back to.
Lost in his thoughts, Kageyama doesn’t notice a girl coming up to him, until she was tapping him on his shoulder. “Hi, excuse me, but are you by any chance Kageyama Tobio?”
Kageyama started and dropped what he was holding in his hand on the ground. After a second, he picked it up and looked at the girl with narrowed eyes. She had long pink hair that slipped down her shoulders and a school uniform with a turquoise sweater. She was vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place where he had seen her before.
“Yes,” he paused, “why?”
She remained unfazed, “my name is Momoi Satsuki and you’re the king of the court.”
Huh, no wonder she was familiar. A manager of the generation of miracles. While volleyball is and always will be his biggest passion, it doesn’t hurt to keep up with the world of other sports as well. Basketball in particular interested him after he learned about the basketball prodigies, the generation of miracles, and their data collecting manager. She really is a terrifying opponent, even if not on the court itself, then off of it. He mentally shuddered at going against someone like that during a volleyball match. Oikawa-san was bad enough already.
Kageyama looked at her with the meanest glare he can muster up and shouted, “don’t call me that!”
Momoi-san continued to be unperturbed. There must be something wrong with her, Kageyama thought. Normally, people are already running away and screaming. Hinata is the perfect example. He, however, is a scared loser, so maybe normal people don’t have such severe reactions to him. Oh, she was speaking again.
“I apologize if I insulted you in any way, Kageyama-san. I am merely a huge fan. When I saw you here, I just couldn’t resist and had to speak with you.” Momoi-san uttered excitedly. Is she always this energetic?
“it’s fine. Goodbye.” Kageyama moved to the cash point to pay for his stuff, thinking that the conversation was already over. As it turns out, it was not. After he handed the cashier money for the kneepads, he almost toppled over someone as he was leaving the shop.
That someone was Momoi-san.
Kageyama is not a person who assumes anything about anyone. His grandfather taught him better than that. So, he was all the more surprised when she interweaved her hand with his and declared that they were going to get something to eat and asked him his favorite food.
“Pork curry with an egg on top.” Kageyama was still immensely confused, but he’s just going to go with the flow. ”Okay,” she chirps.
Momoi-san lead them to a food court and sat him in a booth. “You wait here.” Kageyama could only nod, but she was already gone. While he sat there, he looked around and noticed the people in the area, chatting with each other. The fact that he was sitting next to a curry place and that Momoi-san was already coming back with two bowls of steaming pork curry with an egg on top. Well, at least he got free food out of all of this.
The manager sat down across from him and set down the plates for both of them. "Eat."
Kageyama didn't need to be told twice and began to wolf down the food. Momoi-san kept staring at him with a calculating look in her eyes. Seizing him up and storing every detail she’s gathered so far about him into her mind for a later use. She smiled at him sweetly. Innocently. Unlike the question that followed. "Kageyama-kun, tell me about yourself."
Mind clouded in panic, Kageyama gulped down the remains of his portion. He wasn't expecting her to actually talk to him. Nobody's really interested in what he does or how he's doing, besides what they already know or have assumed about him from his junior high days.
That he's a tyrant, a dictator. He's also cruel, angry, commanding, snappish. A king. "I play volleyball." He eventually forced out.
She just continued to smile softly at him. Either not noticing his delayed response or just not acknowledging it. “I already know that, silly. I meant something more personal." When Kageyama continued to stare blankly at her, she went on. "Where do you go to school? How long have you been playing volleyball? What do you like about being a setter?"
Kageyama scowled at her. “I don’t understand why you need to know that. We don’t know each other.”
Momoi-san gasped in mock offense. "Kageyama-kun, I'm hurt. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other. Besides, I'm just curious."
"Alright, but I get to ask the questions too." Kageyama said reluctantly, knowing that there was no point in arguing with her. It also wasn't that bad, it has been some time since he spoke like this with anyone, much less a stranger.
"Deal." She held out her hand, which he shook. "Excellent, so what do you like about being a setter?"
“I love it because it’s the position that has the most control over the ball. My team relies on me to deliver them the perfect set.” He made a face and murmured so lowly, ears red, that Momoi-san was sure if she hasn’t been sitting opposite of him, she wouldn’t have heard him. “And also, because I once saw my senpai from middle school setting during a practice and realized that was what I wanted to do too.”
He picked up his gaze from the table - and when had that happened – to look at Momoi-san, gauging her reaction as if waiting for ridicule. Instead, Kageyama found her looking at him intently without a hint of judgement in her eyes.
“Was he pretty?” she questioned mischievously.
“W-what?” he responded, uncomprehending.
“The boy. Your senpai.” She gave him a look, as if he was being preposterous and not her for asking such a question.
“I suppose so. What kind of question is that anyways?”
Kageyama’s face showed realization. “Hey! I was supposed to ask a question this time.” His lips formed a pout that Momoi-san found absolutely adorable. She let her approval be known with a thrilled squeak that escaped her lips.
“What?” Kageyama sat in the booth bemused, not understanding what had happened just then. Momoi-san shook her head, long strands of hair falling into her eyes and prompted him. “Go on. Ask your question then.”
Kageyama thought hard, nothing really coming to his mind. Best to go with the safe choice. “I know you managed the Generation of Miracles in middle school, so you went to Teiko then. What high school do you go to now?”
“I go to Too. It’s mostly because of Dai-chan. It was the only high school that was willing to put up with him not showing up for practice. And whenever he goes, I go. It’s always been like that.” Momoi replied. What an uninteresting question! He could have chosen whatever and this was the one he went with? Fine! Time for some fun.
“My turn now! Have you ever played basketball?”
Kageyama shifted in his booth, looking at her curiously. “Not really.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
She suddenly looked very serious, thankfully it passed after a second and then she beamed at him. “I think you would be great at it. I have an eye for these things after all. You have the power and control to be able to shoot perfect threes. It’s not that different from setting. “
“Even if that is true,” he blushed, unused to compliments, “I don’t really know have to play basketball. I don’t even know if I would like it.” Volleyball is his passion after all. He’s been doing it for most of his life.
Momoi was, however, undeterred. Managing the Generation of Miracles was a tough job, especially in their third year, one met with pain and rejection. “Not a problem. I’ll teach you. We can meet up at the basketball court nearby.” Seeing his hesitant expression, she added, “c’mon, it’s going to be fun. What do you have to lose?” she used her best puppy eyes “Pretty please?”
Kageyama scowled, not nearly as annoyed as he was pretending to be. It could mean learning a new skill that could come in handy during a volleyball match as well. “Fine. Stop looking at me like that!”
Momoi squeaked, “Yes! Give me your phone, I’ll put my number in there and you can call me when you have time.”
Kageyama reluctantly handed her the phone, not sure whether he was being pranked. He would like to think that wasn’t the case, but it’s not like any girls, besides Yachi and Kiyoko-san, talked to him.
After she put her number in it, she snapped a quick selfie of herself and put it as the profile picture. “Done. I’m really excited about this. I have to go now though, practice starts in 20 minutes. Call me whenever.” She gathered her things and left the booth, throwing a quick wave and a smile over her shoulder.
After she left, Kageyama sat there for another 10 minutes. Just staring at the profile picture she took, trying to comprehend what the hell just happened. And whether he might have just made a new friend.
2.
Under the sunlit afternoon sky, a street basketball court buzzed with the rhythmic echoes of dribbles and the occasional swish of the net.
Momoi found herself at the court, overseeing a friendly match between the Generation of Miracles. It has been a few weeks since all of them have seen each other and today was the perfect day, because Akashi-kun had something to take care of in Tokyo and dragged Mukkun with him.
As Momoi was engrossed in the game, she suddenly noticed a familiar figure approaching. It was Kageyama Tobio, a boy she met about a week ago in the mall. He was rather intriguing and also a potential new friend. A surprised smile lit up her face.
“Kage-chan, is that really you?” she shouted at the first year who was approaching the court, not paying attention to his surroundings, looking deep in thought.
Kageyama, pausing in his tracks, looked slightly bewildered.
“Momoi-san? What are you doing here?” he replied, confused to see the girl.
“Just watching these guys play. Hey, meet the Generation of Miracles. You mentioned knowing them.” Momoi jogged over to him and gave him a possibility-of-suffocation-hug. Because of her shorter statue, she only came up to the middle of his torso.
The Generation of Miracles, who paused their match to see what the commotion was about, turned their attention towards the newcomer.
Akashi-kun came forward, ever the diplomat. “If you would be so kind as to introduce us to your friend, Momoi.” The smile he shot Kageyama felt vaguely threatening.
“This is Kage-chan, a fantastic setter from Karasuno.” She intertwined her arm with his. “Kage-chan, these are my old teammates.” She said their names while pointing at each of them.
Kageyama nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness in the presence of the basketball prodigies.
"Karasuno, huh? You're the one Satsuki was talking about?" Dai-chan raised an eyebrow, acting all unimpressed. But Momoi has grown up with him. She knew that Kageyama had caught his attention, if the smile on his face was anything to go by.
Kageyama nodded again and bowed to them all. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you all."
Momoi smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You could play with them, Kage-chan. Remember? You promised last time.” She pouted and blinked up at him with her puppy eyes.
Kageyama, slightly taken aback, raised an eyebrow.
"Kage-chan?"
Ah, so he finally noticed. She had been wondering. It just couldn’t be helped. The boy looked so cute when he was being teased. The full-face blush he was sporting was enough of a proof. "It's cute, isn't it? Mind if I call you that?"
Kageyama, after a moment of surprise, found himself nodding. His face still felt hot.
"Sure, if you want."
When the pair established that, Kise decided to butt into the conversation. “So, Kage-chan-.” He was momentarily interrupted by Kageyama who told him to call him by his last name. “So, Kageyamacchi, have you ever played basketball?”
Kageyama looked puzzled over the nickname, so Momoi explained. “Ki-chan adds the suffix -cchi to people he respects. And to answer your question Ki-chan, no he has never played basketball. I’ve already asked him that last time.”
The blond didn’t seem too bothered by that answer and threw an arm around Kageyama’s shoulders. “Don’t worry Kageyamacchi. We’ll teach you. Here. Let me show you the basics.”
The blond was now walking towards the court, talking Kageyama’s ear off, while all he could do was shoot Momoi a look that screamed ‘Help’ (with a capital H). She only smiled sweetly at him and waved to him.
The other members of the Generation of Miracles joined the two players on the court and started teaching the boy. Meanwhile, Akashi came closer to the girl and quietly said to her, “he looks like a nice guy.” Momoi looked at Akashi-kun, “we haven’t known each other for long, but I think so too.”
They took a break to drink some water after a while and Aomine decided to take the chance to engage Kageyama in a conversation.
"So, Kage-chan, what do you think of basketball?" he threw an arm around Kageyama’s shoulders and smirked at him.
Kageyama tried to shrug his shoulders, but his ability to do so was hindered by Aomine’s arm. "It's different from volleyball, obviously, but I like it. The intensity is impressive."
Aomine grinned, amused by Kageyama's straightforward response. "Maybe you should try a game with us for real sometime."
Kageyama, though unsure, felt a spark of enthusiasm at the prospect. Despite only knowing the so-called Generation of Miracles for a very short while, he liked these people. They reminded him of his own team. He would be honored to play a game with them sometime. He’ll have to perfect his basics before that can happen, though.
"I might just take you up on that."
They played a few games, mostly with Kageyama just watching on the sidelines and talking with Momoi about different strategies, until it started getting late.
“I’ll have to head home. It’s getting late already.” Kageyama said. “But it’s been nice getting to know you. Thank you for teaching me how to play.” He bowed his head.
“The pleasure was all ours.” replied Akashi.
Momoi started pouting at the prospect of her new friend leaving already. "See you later, Kage-chan! We'll have that game someday."
Kageyama, now at ease with the newfound nickname, waved back.
"Looking forward to it, Momoi-san."
3.
It has been a few weeks since Kageyama last saw Momoi-san. He greatly enjoyed their last encounter and wanted to talk to her again. He just hasn’t had the time.
Everything has been hectic lately, what with him and Hinata still not talking and him trying to get the hang of the new toss that Ukai suggested he learns. He’s embarrassed to say that his drills haven’t been going all that well. Which is the reason why he wandered into the local library today, specifically the sport section, looking for some books on volleyball techniques.
Fortunately, he found what he was looking for and went to sit at the table in the corner of the room with his book, trying to read in the pleasant quiet of the place.
*
Momoi found herself wandering through the aisles, searching for a particular book on sports psychology that Akashi-kun had recommended. It was a really interesting topic that she was engrossed in at the moment. It could really help her while analyzing data of other teams. The library was serene, a welcome change from the bustling streets outside.
As she turned a corner, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure hunched over a table, deeply engrossed in a thick volleyball strategy book. Her heart skipped a beat, and a bright smile spread across her face. It was Kageyama Tobio, the intense first-year setter she had met twice before.
Without a moment's hesitation, she approached him, her footsteps barely making a sound on the soft carpet. "Kage-chan, is that you?" she called out softly, not wanting to disturb the tranquil atmosphere of the library too much.
Kageyama looked up, slightly startled, blinking at her with his wide eyes, but then his expression softened into a rare, barely there, smile when he saw her. "Momoi-san? What brings you here?" he asked, closing his book, sitting up straighter and turned all of his attention to her.
"Just looking for a book Akashi-kun suggested. It's about sports psychology," she explained, holding up a slip of paper with the book's title. "What about you? Studying volleyball strategies?"
Kageyama nodded, a spark of passion in his eyes. "Yeah, always trying to improve. It's kind of my thing." He brushed his sweaty palms against his shorts and licked his dry lips.
Momoi laughed, a light, melodic sound that seemed to fit perfectly in the library's ambiance. "I can see that. Mind if I join you?" she asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down without waiting for an answer.
"Sure," Kageyama replied, still a bit bewildered by her sudden appearance but not entirely displeased. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise.
“How has your team been doing?” he asked.
“Well, we had a practice match against Seijoh yesterday. There were some new techniques we wanted to try out before we used them in an actual match. They’re getting the hang of it.” Momoi smiled at Kageyama.
“Dai-chan went all out against Ki-chan. I’m so glad to see him having fun again playing basketball, not just doing it as a chore, y’know?”
“I think I understand, Momoi-san.” Kageyama’s eyes gained a nostalgic light, thinking of his former teammates. He still wasn’t quite comfortable talking about it with other people, but he has processed what happened between them.
“Kage-chan,” the pink haired girl pouted at him, “I told you not to call me so formally. Call me Satsuki. Or give me a nickname or something. It’s only fair.”
Kageyama looked confused. “I don’t think you mentioned that before.”
“Well, I’m saying it now. Call me Satsuki.”
“Alright.” The tips of his ears went pink. “Satsuki.” She smiled up at him through her eyelashes and sent him a sly, pleased smile.
As the evening wore on, Momoi suddenly remembered something. "Oh, by the way, Kage-chan, have you heard of the new sports complex nearby? It's supposed to have amazing facilities. I was thinking of checking it out one of these days. Want to join me?"
Kageyama's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "That sounds great. I've heard about that place, but I haven't had a chance to go yet."
Momoi's smile widened. "Awesome! How about this weekend?”
Kageyama frowned. "Unfortunately, I don’t really have time right now."
“Oh, well, that’s okay. You have my number, so shoot me a text if you ever have time.” Kageyama nodded.
The library's closing announcement echoed through the building, signaling the end of their impromptu study session. As they packed up their things, Momoi gave Kageyama a friendly hug, which he returned with a slight awkwardness but genuine warmth.
"See you around, Kage-chan. Good luck with your training and text me when you have the time!" she called out as they walked toward the exit.
Kageyama waved back, a small smile playing on his lips. "You too, Satsuki."
As they parted ways at the library entrance, both felt a sense of contentment and a hint of anticipation.
4.
It was their first match of the week for the Interhigh preliminaries. It was against Tokonami High School. If they won this one, they’d move on to compete against Data Tech.
Kageyama didn’t want to be arrogant, but he felt like this would be an easy match. Last night, they had a strategy meeting as a team, where they watched Tokonami’s previous matches and it seemed that they were quite unexceptional and would be easy to defeat.
As they walked onto the court to start their warm ups, he caught sight of pink hair in the bleachers. A closer look revealed it to be Momoi-san with the Generation of Miracles. In that instant, it was apparent that she had spotted him as well. Her lips split into a wide smile and she waved enthusiastically. Kageyama returned it with a shy smile.
They hadn’t seen each other since their last encounter in the library over a month ago. That, however, hasn’t stopped Kageyama from thinking about her regularly. It’s just nice to have a friend outside of his volleyball team.
Kageyama ducked his head and went back to warming up. While he was in the middle of a toss, Hinata and Tanaka sneaked up to him.
“So,” started Tanaka. Kageyama could already tell that he wasn’t going to like what would follow. “Who was that lovely lady up in the stands? Perhaps your girlfriend?”
Kageyama started and dropped the ball right onto his forehead. “Of course not, you idiot! What are you even talking about?” he sputtered out, completely red in the face.
Of course, that is the moment Tsukishima decided to butt in. “As if the King could even get a girlfriend.” He snickered from behind his hand and looked at Kageyama with that stupid, smug smirk that always made him want to punch the bastard.
“Shut up, you beanpole!” Kageyama started walking threateningly towards him, but was stopped in his pursuit by Daichi. “Alright you two, break it up. We don’t want to be disqualified because you two were fighting.”
Kageyama glared at Tsukishima, but listened to the obvious order. He resumed his tosses and after a few minutes, when the match had already started, everybody put this little incident out of their minds.
Kageyama's focus was solely on the game, but he couldn't shake off the thought of Momoi watching him from the stands. He felt an extra surge of motivation to perform well, knowing she was there.
*
They won. As Kageyama predicted, it wasn’t a difficult match. Despite that, the other team played well and he made sure to tell them that while they shook their hands at the end.
While they were walking out of the sports hall and to their lockers, Kageyama was high on the adrenaline of the game, feeling fuzzy and proud of himself. In his state, he didn’t exactly notice the blur of pink coming towards him at an incredible speed, until Momoi barreled right into him. She hugged him with all her might.
“Kage-chan, you were incredible. Those tosses! They’re amazing. You’re amazing.”
Kageyama blushed crimson red and uttered a quiet “thank you” for the lack of having anything better to say in his flustered state.
Momoi, realizing what she just said, let go of him and turned scarlet as well. “W-well, I mean,” she stuttered, “I meant that your tosses were really great. That’s not to say that you’re not great, but-“
“Alright, alright, break it up love birds. We have to go or we’ll miss our bus.” Their intimate moment was interrupted by Tsukishima’s smug face. Kageyama glared at him, which was somewhat ineffective, due to the fact that his whole face was red.
“Ah, it’s alright Kage-chan. We’ll see each other some other time.”
“Goodbye.” And then softer, “Satsuki.”
After they both said their goodbyes, not quite managing to hold eye contact, Momoi returned to the Generation of Miracles. “I don’t want to hear a word Dai-chan.”
“Aww, are you embarrassed about your crush?” Dai-chan was mocking her. She didn’t like being mocked. In retaliation, she elbowed him between his ribs and walked faster to get ahead of the group. ”Not. A. Word.”
Kageyama was immediately swamped by his own teammates talking all over each other. Asking him about Momoi-san and how they knew each other. He speedwalked into the changing room to escape their well-meaning but intrusive questions and snide remarks.
Hinata and Tanaka teased Kageyama relentlessly on the way back to the hotel, but he didn't mind. He was far too busy thinking about Momoi and how she had called him amazing. If a goofy smile appeared on his face, none of his teammates noticed or mentioned it.
5.
The smell of sizzling patties and fresh fries filled the air as the lunchtime rush at Maji Burger reached its peak.
Kageyama stepped through the door, his Karasuno tracksuit still on from his earlier training session. The familiar sight of the busy fast-food joint didn’t faze him, but his stomach growled in anticipation. It had been a particularly grueling practice.
Kageyama felt tired and sore and really, just once wouldn’t hurt. It’s not like he eats fast food that often and he’s craving a hamburger and some fries.
Moving to the counter, he said his order to the girl behind it. After receiving his bag, his eyes scanned the crowd for an open seat. Just as he was going to give up and go outside to find a bench to eat on, a voice called out. Light and cheerful, but unmistakably familiar.
“Kage-chan? Over here!”
He turned, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly to locate the speaker. At a corner booth near the window, Momoi Satsuki was waving enthusiastically, her bright pink hair looking ethereal in the sunlight streaming in through the glass. She was alone, sipping a milkshake.
“Satsuki?” he asked, making his way toward her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well, here I am!” she said with a laugh. “What about you? Didn’t peg you for a Maji Burger kind of guy.”
“I was hungry after practice,” Kageyama replied simply.
Momoi grinned as he approached, patting the seat next to her. “It’s been a while! Come sit with us.”
“Us?” Kageyama repeated, confused. His gaze briefly scanned the table again. He didn’t see anyone besides Momoi. Maybe she was joking? Deciding not to question it further, he slid into the booth.
The moment he sat down, though, a soft voice startled him.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kageyama-kun.”
Kageyama jerked his head to the side, his blue eyes widening slightly. Sitting in the corner, blending so perfectly into the background that it felt like he’d materialized out of thin air, was a pale, blue-haired boy.
“Wha—” Kageyama blinked at him, startled. “Where did you come from?”
“I’ve been here the whole time,” Kuroko said plainly, his expression unreadable.
Momoi burst into a fit of giggles at his reaction. “I should’ve warned you. This is Kuroko Tetsuya. He’s my old teammate from Teiko. He’s pretty good at being overlooked.”
“Good at—what? That doesn’t even make sense,” Kageyama muttered, still staring at Kuroko as if trying to process how he had failed to notice him entirely.
“You’ve met before actually. Remember that impromptu street basketball match you played with the Generation of Miracles? He was also there.” She angled her head towards Kageyama.
“I think,” Kageyama frowned, “I recall something.”
“I’m not that hard to notice,” Kuroko said politely, tilting his head slightly. “People just aren’t very perceptive.”
Kageyama frowned, his competitive instincts kicking in at the remark. “I’m perceptive. I just wasn’t expecting someone to… not have any presence.”
Kuroko didn’t seem bothered at all. “I take that as a compliment. It’s useful for basketball.”
Momoi leaned forward on her elbows, smiling. “Tetsu-kun’s amazing on the court, Kage-chan. He’s like a ghost—he appears where you least expect him and delivers perfect passes. It reminds me a little of how you surprise blockers with your quicks.”
Kageyama perked up slightly at the comparison, his ego soothed. “Really? You’re a passer too?”
Kuroko nodded. “I was the sixth man on my team. My role was to make my teammates shine.”
Kageyama’s expression turned thoughtful. “Interesting. In volleyball, the setter’s kind of the same. We’re supposed to set up the spikers so they can score. It’s… important.”
Kuroko tilted his head again, his interest piqued. “So, you’re the one who controls the flow of the game.”
“Exactly,” Kageyama said, his tone sharp with pride. “The setter’s the brain of the team.”
“Brain, huh?” Momoi teased, leaning back with a playful smile. “That’s a lot of responsibility, Kage-chan.”
In that moment, Kuroko slurped his milkshake loudly. Kageyama frowned at him. “You know, those are not good for you. As an athlete you should take care of your body.”
Kuroko remained stoic on the outside, however you could tell that he wasn’t happy about this criticism. ”You shouldn’t be judging Kageyama-kun, considering the fact that you’re here as well.”
Kageyama turned indignant. “This is a once in a while scenario. I haven’t been here since we went out as a team after a match and that was like 3 months ago.”
Momoi giggled again, the minor spat temporarily paused as their food arrived. She eagerly unwrapped her burger and took a bite before turning her attention back to Kageyama.
“So, Kage-chan,” she said, her tone softening slightly. “How’s volleyball going? Karasuno still climbing the ranks?”
Kageyama shrugged modestly. “We’re doing fine. Hinata’s been improving a lot, so our attacks are faster now. But we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Momoi’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Hinata-kun is the orange-haired one, right? The one with the crazy jumps?”
“Yeah, that’s him,” Kageyama confirmed, relaxing a little. “He’s still kind of a pain sometimes, but... he’s not bad.”
Kuroko chimed in, his voice calm but curious. “Do you find volleyball to be mentally challenging, Kageyama-kun? Basketball games can change in an instant because of strategy. I imagine volleyball has similar pressure.”
Kageyama nodded, leaning forward slightly. “Yeah, it’s a lot of pressure. One bad set can ruin the whole play. But… I kind of like it. The responsibility. It makes me feel like I’m in control.”
“That’s admirable,” Kuroko said simply. “Sports can be unpredictable, but people like you keep the team steady.”
Momoi smiled at Kuroko’s compliment. “See? Tetsu-kun’s a great judge of character.”
Kageyama rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. “Thanks, I guess.”
The three continued chatting, the conversation drifting between volleyball, basketball, and their shared experiences with their teams. Kageyama found himself growing more comfortable around Kuroko, even if the boy’s lack of presence still threw him off occasionally. Momoi, as always, acted as the lively bridge between them, her energy bringing the group together.
As they finished their meals and prepared to leave, Momoi clapped her hands together. “This was fun! We should do this again sometime.”
Kageyama nodded, surprising himself with how much he meant it. “Yeah. It was… nice.”
Kuroko gave a small smile. “I agree. It’s not every day I meet someone who understands the importance of teamwork the way you do, Kageyama-kun.”
Kageyama blinked, then gave a small, rare smile in return. “You’re not bad either, Kuroko-san.”
Momoi beamed at the budding camaraderie between the two. “See? I knew you two would get along!”
As they stepped out of the restaurant, the afternoon sun shining down on them, Momoi waved goodbye enthusiastically.
“See you soon, Kage-chan! Don’t forget to text me!”
Kageyama sighed, his expression exasperated but fond. “Yeah, yeah. See you, Kuroko-san. Satsuki.”
+1
Two weeks had drifted by since their unexpected encounter at Maji Burger, and the relentless rhythm of Kageyama's life—a cycle of grueling training, school, and obsessive focus on his new toss—finally offered a momentary pause, creating the perfect window for him to act on the lingering thought of the vibrant, pink-haired girl.
He found himself standing before his locker after an exhausting afternoon practice, the familiar scent of sweat and liniment a comforting constant, yet his mind was miles away, recalling the easy camaraderie and playful teasing that defined his interactions with Satsuki.
The past few weeks had been particularly hectic, what with the ongoing tension with Hinata, the pressure of mastering a complex new skill suggested by Coach Ukai, and the internal frustration over his slow progress in drills. This moment of stillness felt like a luxury he had to capitalize on. With a hesitant hand, he retrieved his phone, the image of her bright, smiling selfie she'd set as his profile picture, a small, persistent reminder of their burgeoning friendship.
He unlocked the screen, staring at the cheerful image, contemplating how someone so naturally energetic and perceptive had managed to insert herself so smoothly into his intensely focused world. Unlike most people, Momoi-san—Satsuki—didn't seem intimidated by his usual demeanor, nor did she hold his past "King of the Court" title against him. Not like others did.
She treated him like an interesting puzzle, someone worthy of attention and conversation. Finally, taking a deep breath that momentarily swelled his chest, he composed a concise, almost clinical message—a simple inquiry about her availability—and hit send, his heart unexpectedly thudding against his ribs with a force usually reserved for the tense, final moments of a tie-breaker set. This is just to practice my social skills, he tried to rationalize, though the truth was he genuinely missed her easy presence and perceptive compliments.
*
Momoi received the text while diligently reviewing scouting reports on her tablet, a faint, focused frown momentarily creasing her brow. She was studying a rival school’s formation patterns, noting every minute change in their setter's wrist flick. However, the moment she saw the sender's name—a simple "Kageyama"—her concentration evaporated, replaced by a delighted, infectious smile that practically radiated through the Too Academy gym.
"Dai-chan, look!" she chirped, almost vibrating with excitement, holding the screen toward Aomine, who was begrudgingly running laps as punishment for skipping practice.
Aomine paused mid-stride, wiped the sweat from his brow, and glanced at the text and the accompanying flurry of ecstatic blushes on Momoi's cheeks.
"The King, huh?" he drawled, ever the unimpressed observer. "Took him long enough to text you after your little impromptu strategy session at Maji Burger. What'd he say? Just asking for tips on his quicks?"
Momoi elbowed him playfully, refusing to let his cynicism dim her mood. "He asked when I'm free," she declared proudly. "He remembered to text me, just like I told him to!" She knew Aomine was just teasing; despite his gruff exterior, he had seemed genuinely intrigued by Kageyama and even commented that he looked like a nice guy.
"Go on," Aomine advised, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips. "Before he changes his mind, and remember what I told you about those cheesy compliments when you inevitably try to analyze his facial expressions." Satsuki merely rolled her eyes, her fingers already flying across the keypad, formulating a reply that was both eager and surprisingly thoughtful, suggesting a meetup not at a noisy mall or a distracting sports court, but at a charming, quiet café near the city park, a place she felt was specifically designed for conversation and connection, far from the intensity of the court.
The designated Saturday afternoon arrived, painted in the golden hues of late spring, and Kageyama, uncharacteristically nervous in attire that didn't involve a school uniform or tracksuit, arrived precisely five minutes early at the appointed café, feeling acutely awkward in a clean, simple dark shirt. He had spent twenty minutes obsessively going through his closet and texting Yachi for fashion advice, and then another ten minutes debating whether to iron the shirt, a task he’d never before considered, and another five staring at his reflection, wondering if he looked "normal."
He was accustomed to the predictable, physical chaos of the court, where his role was defined and his actions were immediate, but this setting felt foreign, the subtle, complex dynamics of a casual date far more challenging than a quick attack.
He spotted her immediately through the window. Satsuki was already seated at a small, corner table, her pink hair adorned with a delicate clip that caught the light, and her attention raptly focused on a book, looking serene and completely different from her usual, bustling energy. This calm composure made him pause; it was a side of Satsuki he had only briefly glimpsed but found deeply compelling.
Taking a deep breath, steeling himself with the kind of focused intensity he used for a pre-match serve, Kageyama pushed open the door, the soft chime announcing his arrival. Satsuki looked up, her expression transforming instantly into one of radiant joy. "Kage-chan! You made it!" she exclaimed, her voice a little louder than the café's quiet murmur, a trait she didn't seem to notice.
"I was just reading this fascinating book about the psychology of team dynamics—it explains how even the slightest change in an athlete’s routine can affect their overall performance. It's so relevant to setting, don't you think?" she added, smoothly transitioning into a topic she knew would instantly engage him, a clever way to bypass the initial awkwardness.
Kageyama pulled out the chair opposite her, his initial awkwardness melting away as he focused on her words, the familiar pull of sports analysis instantly grounding him. "It is," he affirmed, leaning forward slightly, the setter's intense focus back in his eyes.
"A routine is just the physical manifestation of trust. If a spiker relies on a certain angle or timing, and I give them something even slightly different, that's a break in the rhythm that costs us the point. I've been reading up on techniques too, specifically looking at how different approaches to the net affect the timing of the set."
The conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from the technicalities of volleyball strategy to Momoi's detailed analysis of the Generation of Miracles' emotional state in their third year, a difficult time she described with an unexpected, yet mature, wistfulness. She spoke about how vital it was to understand the person behind the athlete, a concept that Kageyama, having recently been forced to confront his own shortcomings in that area, was beginning to truly appreciate.
After their drinks arrived—Kageyama sticking to cold milk, Satsuki indulging in a vibrant, sweet-smelling fruit tea—Satsuki fixed him with her warm, scrutinizing gaze, a look that always made him feel seen, not judged. "Tell me, Kage-chan," she began, her voice soft but direct, "with all the pressure you're under now, learning the new toss and dealing with... well, Hinata-kun's endless energy and the entire team's reliance on your control, what truly makes you happy on the court?" She paused, adding with a sincere warmth, "I mean, beyond just winning. The feeling."
Kageyama hesitated, unused to such a personal, profound question being delivered so earnestly in a social setting, but he found himself unable to lie or deflect. Oddly, it reminded him of their first meeting.
He looked down at his glass, tracing the rim with his finger, his ears flushing pink. "It's," he murmured, speaking slowly as he articulated the feeling. "It’s the moment when the ball leaves my fingertips, arcing perfectly, with the precise amount of spin and speed, and I know, absolutely know, that the spiker—whether it's Hinata's crazy jump or Tanaka-san's power—is going to hit it with everything they have, and it will score. It's the perfect set. It feels like I've solved an impossible puzzle, and for that moment, everything is in sync. It makes me feel like the brain of the team." He paused, gathering courage, and then met her eyes, a small, genuine smile gracing his lips. He was expecting the usual reaction—mockery or bewilderment—but Satsuki's gaze remained free of judgment.
Satsuki’s face softened, her eyes shimmering with genuine understanding. She recalled what Kuroko had said about Kageyama's ability to maintain a steady presence for the team.
"Kage-chan," she whispered, her usual teasing tone completely gone, "that's a beautiful thing to love. You don't just set the ball; you control the flow of the entire offense, and you create a chance for someone else to shine, and that takes tremendous control and selflessness. I think that's why you're amazing. It's the same reason I love what Tetsu-kun does—making his teammates shine." Her words, heartfelt and sincere, resonated deeply, touching a chord of pride and warmth within him that was usually dormant.
In turn, Kageyama pressed her about her own passions outside of basketball. "You spend so much time analyzing data. Is that what you want to do? Is it just about Aomine-san?"
Momoi laughed, a bright, melodic sound. "Dai-chan is my anchor, that's true. But no, it's not just about him. Analyzing is my way of playing the game, Kage-chan. I love the thrill of prediction. Of watching the opponent's movements and finding the one pattern, the one weakness, that no one else sees, and then presenting that data to my team so they can crush the opposition. It's like playing chess with twenty people at once. And you're a fascinating piece of data yourself, you know," she added, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Your ability to instantly calculate the necessary force and trajectory for an ideal quick attack—it's mathematically stunning."
As the afternoon light began to fade, casting long shadows across the café, Kageyama realized he hadn't felt this relaxed, this comfortable, with anyone outside of his immediate team in a long time. Even with them, he still experienced moments of doubt.
They rose to leave, and as they walked toward the city park's exit, he turned to her, his expression resolute, having made a clear decision. He had been planning this moment, a simple, perfect finish to their afternoon. "Satsuki," he said, using her first name naturally and without hesitation this time, his voice calm. "I know a place nearby that sells the best popsicles - my favorite kind, the blue-striped ones. It's not Maji Burger, but it's important after a good practice." He caught her hand gently, his large palm engulfing hers. "Want to go get one with me?"
Satsuki's smile was dazzling, a triumphant yet tender, beam that answered his question before she even spoke. She squeezed his hand in return, her heart swelling with a mix of excitement and a deep, unexpected fondness for the surprisingly sweet boy.
"I thought you'd never ask, Kage-chan. That sounds like a perfect idea." As they walked, their hands intertwined, the intense first-year setter and the genius data manager, the final, perfect piece of their evening clicked into place: Kageyama Tobio, the 'King of the Court,' had finally found someone who didn't just understand his passion, but shared it, and he had finally given Momoi Satsuki her winner popsicle.