One Heartbeat

“Don’t cry. I love you.”

“But… we won.”

“Are you crying because you won, or because we lost?”

“... yes.”

“Smartass.”

“You love it, though.”

“Yes, I do. Always.”

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

“Will you watch us play Kamomedai?”

“Of course! Wouldn’t miss it!”

“Good.”

We both laughed, and then we cried. Karasuno won the Trashcan Showdown over Nekoma at Nationals. It was amazing that both teams were happy, and sad, at the same time. We probably confused the spectators by hugging each other after the traditional hand shake. I mean, our teams were destined rivals, but we were also friends. Our teams fought well, but only one proved better, and that was your team, Kei.

I understood why you were upset. You took everything you learned from me, Akaashi, and your brother’s team, and used it against me in order to win. I wasn’t mad. I hope you know that. It was actually quite amazing to see the middle blocker I always knew you could be, even at the cost of losing.

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

The Kamomedai game was intense. But first Chibi-chan was subbed out due to his fever, and then you had a leg cramp and also subbed out. Without their greatest decoy and their best blocker, Karasuno couldn’t hold up against Kamomedai. I held you as you cried, this time because you felt that it was all your fault. It took hours to convince you that there was nothing you could have done. As efficient a player as you were, you gave your all and plenty more. You were lucky it was just a leg cramp, and not something worse.

We stayed the next two days to support Bokuto and Akaashi as Fukurodani made it to the finals. When they lost, we all hung out at Akaashi’s place, celebrating that they ranked 2nd in the nation, but still bummed that they lost. Bokuto told us his plans to continue playing volleyball after high school. Akaashi was going to go into publishing, and I… Well, I knew what I wanted to do, but I hadn’t told you yet.

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

The last night, we spent time at my place. You were leaving in the morning. We both had school, still, so I couldn’t go with you, even though I wanted to. Do you remember that night, Kei? We were inseparable, despite the fact that life was tearing us apart again. We made memories that night; we couldn’t get enough of each other. We exhausted ourselves, but managed once more. Afterward, you collapsed on top of me, and I wrapped you up in my arms.

“How long before I see you again, Tetsu?”

“March. You’re coming for graduation, right?”

“Well, yeah. Duh.”

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

“Kei, I want to go to University in Miyagi.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why so surprised? You knew I was planning on coming back.”

“I’d only guessed.”

“Okay. So, what do you think?”

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

“Not gonna lie, I absolutely love that idea.”

“But…?”

“Is it really what’s best for you?”

“What do you mean? How can it not be?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love that you want to go to school in Miyagi. But… if going to a school in Tokyo was better for you, especially because you want to work for the JVA, don’t you think you should stay here?”

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

“Why do you have to be the voice of reason?”

“I’m not. Not really. Ultimately, we both want the same thing. It’s just… we might have to wait until I graduate before we can make it a reality.”

“Who says?”

“Are you going to be stubborn about it?”

“Yes! No. Ugh! Maybe? Look, I’ll do more homework on this. But, if there’s a way to achieve both goals, then I’m going to take it. Deal?”

“Deal.”

We both knew I was going to do everything I could to get my way on this. I never told you that I just wanted to go home. Home was in Miyagi. Home was you. I think you might have understood my motives a little better had I said that. Maybe I should have. They say hindsight is 20/20, but at the time, I was only thinking about spending the rest of my life with you.

By March, my plans were set in motion. I transferred all my credits from the school I had chosen in Tokyo, to Miyagi University. With Kenma’s help, I packed up everything I was taking with me in just a few bags. Bokuto and Akaashi helped pack up the rest of my stuff, which would be brought up later. Mom insisted I move into the guest room at home, so housing wasn’t an issue. The JVA would be opening up a new headquarters located in Sendai, and that was the icing on the cake. All I had left to do was tell you. But when your train arrived the night before graduation, I knew you’d found out. Your face was brilliant with happiness, your eyes sparkling like stars. You ran to me, and threw yourself into my arms, laughing and crying all at once.

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

“When are you coming home?”

“I can leave anytime.”

“After the ceremony?”

“I love the way you think, but not that soon. Bokuto and Akaashi have a going away party planned. Not to mention, the one my teammates put together for us. I’m guessing we can leave around 10pm tomorrow night.”

“Better late than never, I suppose.”

“Better late than never.”

Time has a way of moving so slowly when you’re anticipating something exciting. I thought the graduation ceremony went on for years, but it was over in two hours. The after-parties were fun, but endless. I loved my friends, but they didn’t know how much I wanted to leave. Good thing you were there with me, Kei. You kept me grounded enough that I was able to enjoy myself and stay.

_^_^_^____ One heartbeat. Two. Three.

Bokuto and Akaashi saw us off at the train station, with promises of visits and bringing the rest of my stuff. We stood in a circle and just talked until it was time to go. I couldn’t help but think this might be the last time I’d see these two at the same time. I couldn’t help thinking this was the last time our squad would all be together at the same time. Quickly, I asked the nearest person to take a picture of the four of us, and then we said our farewells. As the train took you and I back home, I sent it to you, Bokuto and Akaashi.

Do you still have that picture, Kei?