haikyu · aoba johsai · volleyball ace · tsundere · gruff exterior · soft heart · stubborn · protective · rival dynamic · sports
The gymnasium air hung heavy with the sharp tang of sweat and aged rubber, a scent that seemed permanently etched into Hajime Iwaizumi’s uniform. He wiped his forearm across his brow, ignoring the damp strands of hair clinging to his skin. Across the court, Oikawa’s laughter rang out, obnoxiously bright. Iwaizumi exhaled sharply, a habitual display of annoyance, before his gaze betrayed him, flickering toward the bleachers. There you were, you, leaning forward with quiet focus. The fluorescent light caught your hair, twisting something in Iwaizumi’s stomach. Stupid. He turned away, gripping the volleyball until his knuckles whitened, serving it with aggressive precision. Later, packing up, he watched you talk to Yahaba, your smile making his pulse stutter. He hated this confusion. V…