Under the velvety embrace of the night, Sora and Shoyo strolled homeward, their steps matching the rhythm of their shared thoughts and unspoken worries.
A contented sigh escaped Sora's lips, his limbs stretching freely after the exhilarating match they had just played. "That was a great match, wasn't it, Sho?" he chimed, his eyes reflecting the residual excitement of the game.
Shoyo, however, remained silent, his gaze fixated on Sora. Oikawa's words lingered like a heavy cloud in his mind, casting shadows over his thoughts.
Perceiving Shoyo's unusual silence, Sora's brow furrowed with concern. "Shoyo, are you okay?" he inquired, his voice laced with worry.
Shoyo shook himself from his reverie, his eyes refocusing on Sora. "Ah! Sorry, Aniki," he said, his hand absentmindedly scratching the back of his head.
A hint of confusion flashed in Sora's eyes. "Shoyo, something seems to be bothering you. You've been spacing out a lot," he observed, his tone gentle yet probing.
Shoyo released a heavy sigh, his words hesitant as he broached the topic that had been troubling him.
"Aniki, there's something I can't shake off. Before the Yukigoaka Boys Volleyball Club was formed, when did you find time to practice volleyball?" His voice was tinged with curiosity, but also a hint of suspicion.
Sora's heart skipped a beat, panic fluttering within him like a caged bird. Maintaining a calm facade, he responded, his voice betraying none of his inner turmoil.
'Calm down, Sora, there's no way in hell he knows about you being a reincarnate!' he thought, desperately trying to keep his composure.
"U-Uhm, why do you ask, Sho?" he stammered, attempting to feign innocence.
"You were the one who taught me the basics and the advanced techniques like jump serves," Shoyo continued, his words measured. "It just strikes me as odd, Aniki. You, who had no previous interest in volleyball, suddenly became proficient during middle school."
Sora felt the weight of Shoyo's scrutiny, his mind racing to find a plausible explanation. "I-I just wanted to help you on your volleyball journey, that's all," he replied, his words carefully chosen, hoping they would be enough to quell Shoyo's suspicions.
"I know that. But there's just no way that a newbie would easily know those advanced techniques," Shoyo persisted, his expression a mix of skepticism and concern. "There's also the fact that you became our 'coach' and seemed experienced in teaching us."
Sora was speechless, his mind whirling with desperation. 'Did my interference in this timeline also make him smarter and analytical?' he wondered, feeling a pang of regret for underestimating his twin's perceptiveness.
Taking a deep breath, Sora realized he had no choice but to bullshit his way out of this precarious situation.
"To tell you the truth, Shoyo," he began, his voice steadier now, "I watched a volleyball video and decided to practice the techniques myself. I figured if I could understand them well enough, I could help you and the team improve."
Shoyo raised one of his brows, "So you learned those from a video that fast?"
Sora shifted uncomfortably under Shoyo's piercing gaze, feeling the pressure of the scrutiny intensify.
He cleared his throat, attempting to maintain composure. "Well, uhm, not just one video," he stammered, his mind racing for a more convincing explanation.
"I watched multiple videos, read articles, and practiced a lot. I guess I just... caught on quickly."
Even as he spoke, Sora couldn't help but doubt the believability of his own words. He prayed that Shoyo wouldn't press further, hoping his brother would accept the explanation, no matter how flimsy it seemed.
Shoyo's eyes lit up with a mix of disbelief and admiration, his voice tinged with awe as he uttered, "So... you're saying... you're a genius?!"
Sora felt like a deer caught in headlights, unprepared for Shoyo's wide-eyed enthusiasm. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to play along.
"U-Uhm, y-yeah," he stammered, his grin a blend of sheepishness and feigned confidence, "I guess you could say that!" He absentmindedly scratched the back of his head, trying to keep up the charade.
A wave of relief washed over Sora, grateful that Shoyo had accepted his hastily fabricated explanation. 'Thank God Shoyo bought that,' he thought, mentally patting himself on the back for his quick thinking.
If Oikawa was within their proximity, then Sora wouldn't be surprised if Oikawa would murder him.
"Woah..." Shoyo muttered in awe as he looked at Sora, his eyes wide with admiration and respect.
Sora managed a reassuring smile and gently patted Shoyo's head.
"C'mon, let's go home. Natsu and Mom are waiting for us," he said, trying to sound casual despite the discomfort gnawing at him.
Just as Sora took another step, his left knee buckled unexpectedly, sending a jolt of pain through his leg.
"Shit!" Sora cursed under his breath, his face contorting with discomfort as he stumbled, his balance failing him.
In that split second, as he was about to hit the ground, Shoyo's lightning-fast reflexes kicked in. With remarkable agility, Shoyo swiftly moved forward, catching Sora and providing the support he desperately needed.
Sora winced, gritting his teeth against the pain, but he managed a grateful smile. "Thanks, Shoyo,"
"Aniki, what's wrong?!" Shoyo asked, concern etched across his face as he observed Sora's discomfort.
"My left knee hurts, that's all," Sora replied, attempting to downplay his injury, even though the pain was evident in his voice. He forced a small smile, not wanting to worry Shoyo further.
Shoyo sighed, his worry deepening. "Aniki, when did this start happening?" he inquired, his brows furrowing with concern.
"During the first set against Aoba Johsai," Sora replied, his voice laced with a mixture of pain and frustration.
"I see," Shoyo responded, his mind working quickly to find a solution.
Suddenly, without warning, Shoyo bent his knees slightly and crouched down, surprising Sora. Before Sora could protest, Shoyo scooped him up effortlessly, giving him a piggyback ride.
Sora felt a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude, his arms instinctively wrapping around Shoyo's shoulders for stability.
"S-Shoyo, you don't have to do this," Sora protested, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment that his younger twin brother was the one carrying him.
Shoyo grinned, determination in his eyes. "Well, for today, it's my turn!" he declared, his voice filled with confidence. He adjusted his grip on Sora, making sure his brother was comfortable before starting to walk towards their home.
As they moved forward, Sora couldn't help but feel touched by Shoyo's gesture. It was the first time Shoyo had carried him; usually, it was Sora taking care of his younger brother when he was sick or tired.
At that moment, Sora realized the depth of their bond and silently thanked the universe for giving him a brother like Shoyo.
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When the twins arrived home, their mother and Natsu greeted them with a mix of relief and concern evident in their eyes. Sora tried to reassure them with a smile, but another wave of pain shot through his knee, causing him to grimace and grunt involuntarily.
Immediately sensing his discomfort, their mother sprang into action. She hurried to the kitchen, quickly grabbing a bag of ice from the freezer to help alleviate the pain and reduce any potential swelling.
Meanwhile, Shoyo, with utmost care, gently guided Sora to the couch, ensuring he was comfortable and properly positioned.
Natsu hovered nearby, her worry mirroring that of her mother's. "Aniki, you really should see a doctor," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Sora nodded, realizing the seriousness of the situation. "Yeah, I think I should," he admitted, wincing as he adjusted his position on the couch.
With his family by his side, he felt a comforting sense of support, knowing they would help him through whatever lay ahead.
===============
The next morning, Sora found himself in the hospital accompanied by his mother. Shoyo and Natsu had left for school, the reluctant look on Shoyo's face tugging at Sora's heartstrings.
Despite his own worries, Sora managed to persuade Shoyo to go to school and focus on his volleyball practice, promising that he would be fine and that they would figure things out together. Reluctantly, Shoyo agreed, promising to keep in touch throughout the day.
While in the hospital, Sora took a moment to text Nicholas and Keishin, letting them know that he wouldn't be able to participate in their volleyball and tennis activities for a while. They both responded with supportive messages, urging him to take care and get better soon.
After a thorough examination, the doctor delivered the diagnosis: Sora had "Patellar tendinitis." The word hung heavy in the air, and Sora couldn't help but feel a pang of devastation. However, the doctor reassured both him and his mother that while it was a setback, it was not a serious condition.
The doctor provided them with a detailed plan for recovery, emphasizing the importance of rest, applying ice, and wearing a knee brace or strap for support. Additionally, Sora was advised to perform gentle exercises to maintain mobility without putting too much strain on his knee.
Feeling a glimmer of hope, Sora asked the doctor if he could still attend school. To his relief, the doctor nodded and said, "Yes, you can go to school. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes and avoid strenuous activities. Listen to your body, and don't push yourself too hard."
==============
Both Sora and his mother returned home after the diagnosis. His mother assisted him to the living room, making sure he was comfortable before she headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Following the doctor's orders, Sora propped his foot on the coffee table and settled in, flipping through channels on the TV. The room was filled with the subdued sounds of daytime shows, providing a comforting background to his thoughts.
After a while, the aroma of a home-cooked meal wafted from the kitchen. Sora carefully rose from his seat, taking slow and deliberate steps to reach the dining table where his mother had set their lunch.
Together, they shared a meal, the conversation flowing naturally as they caught up on each other's day. Sora found solace in the familiar routine, his mother's presence easing the weight of his worries.
Once they finished eating, his mother insisted on taking care of the dishes and cleaning the table, leaving Sora to retreat back to the living room. As he sank into the couch, his mind began to wander back to the unexpected injury that had befallen him.
'This injury came out of nowhere,' he thought, his brows furrowing in confusion and frustration.
He replayed the events leading up to the Aoba Johsai matches in his mind. He vividly remembered feeling perfectly fine during the tennis match, his movements agile and pain-free. It was only when the volleyball game started that the discomfort in his knee had surfaced.
'Did I do something wrong or was I not listening enough to my body?' he pondered, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of self-reflection and concern.
He couldn't shake off the feeling that he might have missed some warning signs, a realization that weighed heavily on his mind as he continued to contemplate what had gone wrong.
"I probably did not listen to my body enough, after all, I'm a bit more stubborn than Shoyo," Sora thought, a tinge of self-awareness in his realization.
The thought weighed on him, making him more determined to pay better attention to his body's signals in the future.
"Speaking of Shoyo, I wonder how he's doing," he pondered, his thoughts drifting to his energetic and determined younger brother. He imagined Shoyo's dedication on the volleyball court, a picture that brought a small smile to his lips despite the circumstances
The thought of his younger brother Shoyo crossed his mind, and he wondered how he was coping with the situation. The events from the anime replayed in his mind, reminding him that they should be meeting Nishinoya after the practice match against Aoba Johsai.
A pang of disappointment settled in his chest. "What a shame, it seems I won't be there to witness it," he muttered, his enthusiasm for the upcoming events dampened by his current situation
Then, like a sudden spark of hope, a realization dawned on him.
'Wait...' Sora's eyes widened as he remembered what the doctor had said.
He could still go to school as long as he avoided strenuous activities. A renewed sense of optimism filled him as he contemplated the possibility of rejoining his friends and teammates, even if it meant taking a temporary break from volleyball practice.
With cautious determination, Sora slowly stood up from the couch, his movements deliberate and measured. He carefully made his way towards his room, each step a testament to his resilience and determination to carry on despite his injury.
Inside his room, Sora approached his school uniform with extra care, mindful of the knee braces the doctor made him wear.
He moved slowly and deliberately, taking his time to ensure he didn't strain his injured knee further while putting on the uniform. Each movement was calculated, and he adjusted the fabric gently, making sure it didn't press too hard against the knee braces.
Glancing at the bag hanging on his chair, filled with the remaining subjects' books he hadn't had the chance to use that morning, Sora's determination surged.
As he slung the bag over his shoulder, Sora took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.
As Sora walked out of his room, his mother spotted him and concern flickered across her face. She approached him, her voice gentle with worry. "Dear, why are you going to school?" she asked.
Sora smiled reassuringly and scratched the back of his head. "Well, it's kind of boring to stay in the house," he admitted. "But don't worry, Mom, I won't be doing any intense activities. I'll just be there to catch up on what I missed."
"I see..." His mother replied, her eyes softening with understanding. "Be careful, okay?" she added, her voice filled with a mother's concern and love.
Sora nodded, appreciating his mother's support. "I will, Mom," he said, giving her a reassuring smile.
With her words echoing in his mind, he headed out of his house.
While walking, a thought struck Sora: 'I should text Shoyo.'
He pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message, informing his brother about the diagnosis of "Patellar tendinitis" and his decision to go to school despite the injury.
"That should be okay," he said to himself, a hint of optimism in his voice, as he put his phone back in his pocket.
With the message sent, he felt a sense of connection and reassurance, knowing that his brother would be aware of his situation.
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Author's Note:
How do you think Shoyo is going to react to the news?