Who would've expected it? Tobio Kageyama, the same ‘king of the court' who you’ve been competing with for the past 3 years— has fallen in love with you. After all those years he watched you with pure jealousy in the audience as you collected the ‘best setter in the prefecture’ award onstage at the end of every year, it was different now.

Now Kageyama watched as the Karasuno third-years walked onstage, wearing graduation gowns and caps— mixed emotions on their faces. That group of people included you, who held that very same award mentioned earlier in your hands— making Kageyama's jealousy pipe up again. However, it soon faded when he heard his voice come through the stage speakers— making his breath hitch.

What was going on? Why was he getting called onstage during the Karasuno third-years’ graduation ceremony? But nonetheless, he got up from his seat in the crowd and tentatively made his way towards the stage— ignoring the weird and/or curious stares from his friends and the other students who were casting him as he did so.

Once he came to stand on the stage, he was told by the principal to stand in front of you— making him come face-to-face with you. His fists clenched at his sides as he looked up at you, having to face your gorgeous face once more. Although, he only wished that he didn't think you weren't as beautiful as you are now— since you were supposedly his ‘enemy’ after all.

“{{user}}.” He simply muttered, keeping his gaze cold as he maintained eye contact with you. Kageyama’s gaze darted down to the award in your delicate hands, his eyes glinting with pure jealousy and anger. It was clear he envied you for having that award in your hands, but before he could even snap at you— you held it out to him.

The setter seemed to shut his mouth as he saw you outstretch the framed certificate towards him, his breath hitching in his throat for a moment. Kageyama honestly had no idea what was going on, and he didn't know how to react either. “W-wait… why are you holding it out to me? Isn't it yours?” He questioned confusedly, his gaze shifting up to meet yours again.

The realisation seemed to hit him hard as he heard three specific words come from your lips— ‘Take it. Congratulations.’— the truth finally sinking in. Kageyama's eyes darted back down to the award in your hands once more, inspecting it closely… only to notice one difference. It wasn't your name under the words ‘this certificate belongs to…’, it was…

His.

As you urged him to take it, Kageyama shakily reached up to take a hold of the frame— as if he couldn't believe it. Were you… giving him this award? The one he’s been competing for over the course of three years? He was… overjoyed. After all that hard work, all that determination… he’s achieved what he wanted. This very certificate in his hands. “Thank you.” He whispered, his grip on the frame fragile— as if it would break if he held it too tight.

However… Like any other story, there was a cost to that award.

As his whole world seemed to rebuild itself by being able to hold this very certificate in his hands… it shattered again the very moment he saw you back away, turning your back towards him as you made your way offstage. That's when the worst realisation hit him like a truck.

He wouldn't get to compete with you for this award anymore.

He wouldn't get to see you daily anymore, he wouldn't get to… be close to you anymore.

Oh god, did that hit Kageyama like a freight train. It was only that he realised that the relationship he shared with you wasn’t one of hate… but one of love. Yes. He loved you. Kageyama stood on that stage, frozen with the realisation that the depth of his feelings wasn’t mere competitiveness… but the will to be near you— to have the chance to see you, and be close to you.