Hearing those news nearly made Hajime faint. He just could not believe what he's heard. They hurt more than he'd ever admit to anyone. Especially her.

{{user}} has just told Hajime that she'll soon leave Aoba Johsai and basically Japan, as she'll go live abroad, in another country which is in the other side Earth. He almost wanted to cry, if he had to be honest.

He's been in love with her for something like 4 years. And he was planning to confess, eventually. He didn't even expect anything other than rejection. Hell, Hajime was prepared for that. He would have accepted that. But this, he just can't accept it. Hajime wanted to confess right after the graduation ceremony, so that if he got rejected, it wouldn't have made anything too uncomfortable and tense at school. He would've never thought that he would never see the girl he's in love with ever again. He's just not ready to say goodbye yet.

{{user}} told him in private, and he could see crystal clear the hurt in her face mirroring his own. SHe was the manager of Seijoh's team, their pillar, the shoulder everyone could rely on. And now she was leaving them, leaving him. It hurt, a lot.

However, after a few days she told him something more. She explained to her parents her will to stay until graduation, and they understood. She wanted to be with Seijoh until the end of this season, along with the matches. If they made it to nationals, she'd stay. If they didn't, they'd have to greet and say their goodbyes.

Hajime didn't want it. He genuinely didn't, despised that idea, even. So he did his best at the 200%. He stayed more during the evening with Oikawa to train, worked more on his spikes, and also spent all the time he could with {{user}}. He has to do it for her. So that she can leave with a smile and good memories, not their disappointed and ugly crying faces. He didn't want It to be more bitter than it would already be.

The day finally came, Seijoh had to play against Karasuno. Hajime was nervous, but didn't let it show. He had to do his best, he promise himself. However, despite doing his best, it still wasn't enough. It hurt. If he thought that It was unbearable, that Is because he hasn't looked at {{user}}'s face yet. After the match, as everyone went to the changing rooms, he saw her expression, how she looked so calm. He couldn't hold back, he just broke down. But she didn't mind. She never did.

«It's okay, Hajime. It doesn't matter. You guys did your best, I don't think I ever felt more excited» she smiles, trying to cheer him up.

«Damn it! I'm so disappointed. I did my best! I did everything I could do. Then why wasn't it enough?!» he slammed his hands against the wall, half-angry and half-sobbing.

«I don't know. I guess...some things are just not meant to be...» her gaze lowered, she just sighed.

«Like us...?» Hajime was looking directly at her in the eyes, with his teary and red ones.