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Chapter Text

The truth was, Oikawa and Hinata had never officially been friends.

Their only connection had been as “Chibi-chan” and “The Grand King,” two fierce rivals on the volleyball court with a net separating them during high school. Yet, they shared the same burning passion for volleyball and an unrelenting drive to win nationals. Like branches from the same tree, swaying in opposite winds.

In a way, they were two sides of the same coin-chasing similar dreams with tireless devotion and passion.

So, when Oikawa randomly stumbled upon Hinata on a beach in Brazil many years later on, it didn’t feel like pure coincidence. Like two mirrors reflecting the same flame.

It made sense.

They were both chasing victory—always had been, and found comfort in growing as a player in another country.

-

Oikawa has never felt more consumed by loneliness.

As he walked down the ocean at night, his mind was empty of thoughts.

He shivered as the wind blew stronger on his back, a constant reminder that he was alive-but not enough.

He sighed.

It was freezing, his feet always meeting where the ends of every powerful wave finally hit the sand.

He couldn't sleep and felt like running far away again, to someplace where nobody would remember him, to someplace where he could start anew, to somewhere else to feel alive again.

That's how Oikawa Tooru ended up spending most of his nights.

After countless tiresome practices, strong drinks, and hot hook-ups, he ended up by the sea-side.

Listening to the sound of the waves, and the wind whispering in his ear, the quietness of the beach at night felt comforting to his soul.

Carrying burden after burden without ever relying on anyone, because that's the norm he was used to.

He suddenly stopped walking, hearing the sound of a familiar yet unknown laughter.

When was the last time he had heard something so pure?

It drew his attention, like the gentle chime of bells whispering the arrival of Christmas.

Gosh, he used to love Christmas as a child, having all the family under the same roof and spending time together. Oikawa loved opening his gifts with the rest of his cherished ones around him. It's been a while since he’s seen them, he realizes.

As the strangers approached, he saw two men. He knew one of them.

Such uncommon hair color was eye-catching no matter what time of the day it was.

The shorter man stopped and stared back at him upon feeling Tooru's prying eyes on him.

The red-haired man recognized him in a breath—and smiled.

When was the last time anyone had genuinely smiled his way?

Hinata giggled at his reaction and it made Oikawa feel younger again.

The other man left as it turns out he had an important call to take.

Hinata took Oikawa's hand and they ran away, their feet splashing everything around them, disrupting the peace Oikawa had tried to find by coming by the beach-side in the first place.

Eventually, they stopped.

Bend in half and out of breath, Oikawa listened to Hinata tell him about how awkward his night had turned with the other man they had seen earlier. What Hinata had thought of only as a one-night stand, as the stranger was trying to make something more out of it.

Oikawa chuckled, there really was only Hinata who could get himself into such dire situations. He was grateful that he had met him at that moment, but he explained how he had been by the sea's side while they were running away and got drenched in water, while Hinata ran on the sand, remaining mostly dry.

Hinata began stuttering apologies his way.

“I know a way you could repay me,” Oikawa grinned, grabbing Hinata by the waist, and bringing him closer to his chest.

Hinata gasped.

Oikawa then pushed him into the water.

They ended up playfighting in the water like little kids.

The smell of the sea, salt, and happiness everywhere around them.

It dawns on him, that maybe simply being alive was enough.

-

From that moment on, their rivalry took on a new dimension.

They competed in everything: volleyball, drinking, dancing, and even flirty exchanges. That's pretty much how competitive they were when it came to each other and winning the other over. They were the funniest sight to behold.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, Oikawa fell for Hinata.

Harder than he should have, knowing full well Hinata would eventually return to Japan, leaving him all alone in Argentina again. 

So Oikawa convinced himself that he was being subtle.

He thought that he was being discreet with his pinning, his playful comments on Instagram and Twitter. His voice hid his desperation to actually talk to him in person whenever they called. They text and sext at any given opportunity too. The heated late-night calls were all cleverly disguised. 

Or so he thought.

Since everything about their relationship was casual, right?

(Oikawa, who had suggested replacing Hinata's one-night stands, started hating himself for making that suggestion when his feelings for him developed. He had opened Pandora's box without realizing it.)

They had always just been friends with benefits.

Of course, Hinata didn’t know about the real attachment the setter felt for him. He didn’t want to risk being pushed away by his crush like all his other fuck buddies had been when they tried to share something more with the ginger.

Oikawa knew all too well that the road to heartbreak was paved with unspoken words, but he couldn't bring himself to confess if it meant risking to lose what he currently shared with Hinata.

Around Hinata, Oikawa was like a hormone-driven teenager, unable to hide his desire.

And then an idea struck him: why not use music to express the feelings he couldn’t bring himself to confess? Why not leave songs to the feelings that he couldn't bring himself to confess?

Surely Hinata would join in the fun and they could keep their relationship thriving with flirtation. It was like dancing on a tightrope, thrilling yet dangerous.

It had to work. 

He desperately needed it to.

It would be playful and safe, and it gave them an excuse to keep their dynamic alive. It was his way of keeping the wolf at the door—of staving off the fear of losing Hinata.

It gave Oikawa hope that they wouldn't lose what they had.

Hope, fragile as glass, was all he had to cling to, for he had always been far too greedy with what he wanted in life.

A flirtatious game to keep their complicated relationship thriving, even if it only masked the truth of how much he really wanted Hinata from the other side of the world.

Chapter Text

1. “Can I call you tonight” by Dayglow

In typical “Hey, I’m paying extra attention to you, but I’m pretending it’s casual” classic Oikawa energy, not so subtly testing the waters at the beginning of his international teasing towards a certain ginger.

Whereas, everything started on a random Wednesday afternoon when the Argentinian national team had just finished a friendly match with a traveling team.

As usual, many interviewers want to ask the official starting setter a few questions and Oikawa indulges them, maybe even a little too much.

(“What Iwa-chan am I not allowed to enjoy myself?”

“You're talking as if you don't already always do that Shittykawa.”

Oikawa sticks his tongue out, as Iwazumi sighs.)

He starts chatting up with them as the subjects easily slide from one to another.

One of the interviewers leans in, their curiosity obvious.

“Oikawa-san, you’ve had the chance to play with many talented athletes over the course of your career. If you had to choose someone who stood out to you, who would that be?”

For a moment, Oikawa doesn’t answer.

For he could name so many people.

His former teammates at Aoba Johsai.

Particularly players like Ohtsutsuki, Kyotani, and Hanamaki who were supportive friends throughout his high school years. While their relationships are sometimes complicated, they shaped Oikawa’s leadership skills and his approach to team dynamics. He often forgets about them, and then finds himself missing the old days by their side. They were a sort of found family, one that he thought he could always go back to.

Then there was Iwaizumi Hajime.

Iwaizumi, Oikawa’s best friend and one of the most undoubtedly important people in his life. They have a deep, long-lasting bond, built on trust, rivalry, and mutual respect. Iwaizumi has always pushed Oikawa to be better. Despite their occasional disagreements, they truly value each other. Even with the distance, their friendship remains strong, and they remain strongly in touch.

He considers himself lucky to have met all of them.

He then remembers where he is.

He no longer is a weary traveler, burdened by the weight of his own journey, he might be a shadow of the person he once was, forged in the fire of his own choices. But there was something reassuring in knowing he had always followed his heart, for he was like a mosaic of broken dreams, pieced together by the price of ambition.

He made it this far.

His motivation to change countries was to train alongside Fernández and improve his skills, to refine his technique and approach to playing at an international level. 

Yeah. 

But if he were to be completely honest here, only one person could get his heart pumping so fast and remind him that volleyball could be fun. A concept that may seem obvious to anyone, but for a tired perfectionist setter like him, was long forgotten.

His eyes lower as his smile fades to make way for something more thoughtful in his eyes. Almost as gentle as the way he looks at Hinata. He lets the silence stretch out as if he were carefully weighing his words. Like wind rubbing against his face.

“Well... there is someone,” he finally admits, his tone light, though the faintest trace of warmth seeps into his voice. “Bathed with endless energy in sunlight. We played together for a while—even though it was more of a coincidence than anything else, really.”

“Ah, you mean Ninja Shouyou?” she smiled almost immediately, as if she knew.

Oikawa chuckles softly.

“You’ve done quite a bit of research. Yeah, it's him. Playing with him is... refreshingly ineffable. He’s unpredictable in the best way. Always so full of life and drive, it kind of reminds you why you fell in love with the sport in the first place.”

The interviewer tilts their head, intrigued. The gesture itself reminds him of Hinata. Only his artful puppy eyes are missing.

“So, he’s your favorite?” Comes the question almost as pushy as the redhead always was.

Oikawa shrugs, the corners of his mouth curving into a small, perhaps secretive smile. “I wouldn’t say that, or my current teammates might never let me hear the end of it. But... yeah, there’s something about the way he plays. It’s infectious and dazzling.”

The interviewer smirks knowingly. “Sounds like someone’s got a soft spot for the recent MSBY wing spiker.”

Oikawa laughs at this, but there is a twinkle in his eyes that betrays his usually composed demeanor. “Okay, enough about that.” He rocks slightly on the spot, clearly trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

But the interviewer doesn't give up. “It's clear that you have a connection with him. I'm sure he'd appreciate knowing that.”

Oikawa’s expression softens as his thoughts briefly drift to Japan, to sunlit beaches, and a red-haired beauty that always manages to make him happy. 

“If he heard this, I’m sure he’d find some way to tease me about it, but...” They both laugh anyway.

“You could leave him a message if you'd want? Or a song maybe?” The offer is tempting, yet Oikawa hesitates.

“Wouldn't that be a bit weird?” he jokes.

“Only if you have bad taste I'm afraid.”

“Then the song ‘Can I Call You Tonight?’ by Dayglow.”

The interviewer raises an eyebrow. “Really? That’s the one you choose?”

Oikawa gives a sly smile, his usual confidence returning. “What can I say? The song’s about missing someone... and, well, I think he’d get it. He always seems to.”

With that, the interview moves on, but Oikawa finds himself humming the tune in his head long after, wondering if, one day, he’d be able to say those words to Hinata directly.

Gosh, was he sappy.

But the fans were much worse.

In only a few days the #Oihina was trending everywhere.

Hinata's curiosity was clear when he came across the comments under a certain recent Oikawa interview.

Iloveninjashouyou: OMG OIKAWA IS SUCH A BOLD FLIRT "Can I Call You Tonight?" IS LITERALLY THE INNOCENT VERSION OF  "Hey, I'm into you, but maybe let's just pretend I'm not?" Pls he's so obvious. Something clearly happened between them in Brazil.

1.1M likes  650.7k shares  502k comments

Oihinasupremacy: IS HE AWARE THAT HE WAS BEING RECORDED AND NOT ONLY TALKING TO A PRETTY INTERVIEWER???😭😭

701.3k likes  426.5 shares  277k comments

Oikawagoat: uhM heLLO?? U CANT tell me he's hiding anything at all here!!@!#$%? 

586.6k likes  483.7 shares  308k comments

Strawberryshoyocheeks: Sadly I am interpreting this however I want 😭🙏

1.3M likes  875.3k shares  661k comments

But more than Oikawa's words, Oikawa's ear was the real culprit behind the sudden rising ship's popularity.

You see, Oikawa's ear is a popular TikTok editor whose edits carried the duo's romantic rising fame. With songs like "Electric Love" by BØRNS, with many clips of Oikawa being visibly extra flirty and touchy with the shorter, to embarrassing quotes of how Hinata reminds him of his love for volleyball or the sun, and blah blah blah, all while flipping his perfect hair.

To say Hinata had one of the strongest laughing cramps in his life would be an understatement.

Even Sakusa scoffed, when he asked what was so funny and Hinata showed him his phone in answer.

That's why he took the bait with pleasure. 

2. Hinata counters: “Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae

Hinata answers in an implicit celebratorily way, “I see what you’re doing, but I’m not falling for it. (Yet.)”  

By discreetly hinting that he “really liked this song” and that “Oikawa should listen to it” in one of Atsumu's Instagram lives, fans reacted with just as much ardor.

Yoga&tea: He's soo playful, and innocent, but just enough to make me rethink this “bound” of theirs. 🤭

743.4k likes  294.9k shares  325 comments

Hinatassunglasses: I'm livingg for their cheeky dynamic!!

1.2M likes  869.5k shares 656.4k comments

That same evening, Hinata calls him, which should be considered a defeat, but that's not how he feels when he hears the sound of his voice on the other end of the line.

“Shouyou? You called?”

Big brain Grand King.

“I do hope only because you're on the other side of the world you didn't forget that I speak Portuguese and a decent bit of Spanish, Oikawa.”

“Hah. So you saw it.”

“Of course I did. Kinda hard to miss to be honest,” he chuckles and Oikawa's heart can finally relax.

“So, how have you been doing?”

They talk about everything and nothing, as if no lapse of kilometers and jet lag separated them, as if they had never left each other's sides.

That night Tooru feel asleep with his mind at peace and his heart feeling full.

They were still okay. 

Hinata didn't hate him for it.

He instead joined in the fun like he hoped he would.

Oikawa was glad.

Chapter Text

3. Oikawa's song “No One Noticed” by The Marias

He missed Hinata, so of course, he tried to clear his mind while working out, but he only ended up thinking about him in the end.

Oikawa posted a gym selfie with his playlist showing “No One Noticed” by The Marías playing in the background. A few days later, Bokuto posted a blurry locker room pic, and you can just barely see the same song on his teammate—Hinata's phone screen.

The rabid fans noticed instantly, dissecting every pixel like detectives on a mission, but instead of helping, their overenthusiastic theories turned Oikawa’s subtle message into a full-blown conspiracy—leaving him staring at his phone, wondering if he’d just played himself.

He missed being able to hold his tiny hand in the busy and calm streets, being able to watch the sunrise and sunset together while talking about sweet nothings. Their compatibility was undeniable, and he missed having him there. 

Oikawa missed not having to dream of Hinata to see him.

He missed those pretty brown eyes always shining, and sparkling whenever they looked his way. No one could read him as easily as Hinata. It's not like anyone had ever cared to try to understand or learn him either.

For all his credit, Hinata did talk a lot, but he loved listening to Oikawa talk as well. And knowing that, knowing that his words meant something to someone like Hinata, made Oikawa feel a warmth in his chest that he couldn’t quite put into words.

If eyes are “the windows of the soul,” then Hinata has spent enough time staring through Oikawa’s to grasp out every colorful storm and quiet skies in them.

No other organs of the body have such power, and no other person had such power over Oikawa.

True love doesn’t need words, doesn’t need to make sense—Oikawa could be standing on the other side of the world, smiling for cameras, and Hinata would still know if that smile didn’t truly reach his eyes.

The eye is a masterpiece—beautiful, expressive, and undeniably powerful. It is often used as proof of the divine, a creation so intricate that chance alone could never have shaped it.  

Perhaps that is why Oikawa’s eyes betrayed him so easily.

No matter how well he masked his words, no matter how effortlessly he pretended to only casually care, his gaze told the truth. The way he lingered when Hinata wasn’t looking, the way his stare softened in moments of quiet, the way his eyes flickered with something unspoken —his teammates saw it all.

This was no fleeting indulgence, no meaningless fling. It was something deeper, something undeniable. Oikawa could fool the world, but not them. And certainly not himself.

4. Hinata indirectly responds with “Lover, You Should've Come Over” by Jeff Buckley

During Science Week an unexpected youtube video with professional volleyball players got numbers, what starts as a mini quiz about nonverbal communication quickly turned into a unintentionally comedic masterclass.

When the host casually introduces a game about reading facial expressions and body language, the MSBY team splits into groups of two, each competing to get the most correct answers. 

At first, it seems like a fun game, until Hinata starts answering every single question right.

“Shouyou-kun show me how yer cheatin',” Sakusa pokes him in the ribs with his elbow. “I mean doing so well?” questions Atsumu.

“Hinata would never cheat Tsum Tsum!” comes Bokuto's reply, but as the game goes on, the other players exchange looks of disbelief when Hinata starts in-depth explanation of how to read people just by watching their eyes.

Sakusa, frustrated, finally groans, “Didn’t you say you nearly failed all your classes and almost couldn’t play volleyball because of it?”

Hinata just shrugs with a grin. “Yeah, but I’ve always been good with people.”

Bokuto, absolutely thriving, claps him on the back. “So socially smart, I knew it! Also, finally—FINALLY beating Omi-omi at something!”

Atsumu and Hinata burst into laughter as Sakusa grunts, and Bokuto admires the final score.

The cameraman, intrigued, asks if he can give a real-life example to help fans understand better. Without hesitation, Hinata goes “Oh, Oikawa is a great example.”

Silence. The entire team turns to look at him.

“When Oikawa lies, he tends to look up and to the right. And he blinks a little more than usual, especially when he’s trying to sound confident. It’s really obvious before a match.”

Online reactions flood in:

Loverslovewinning: Hinata knows Oikawa better than Oikawa knows himself????

585k likes  283k shares  421k comments

Hinata'shotthighs: The FBI should hire him immediately.

2.2M likes  982k shares  716k comments 

Hippopotamiousyaoi: Did Hinata just casually took Oikawa as an analysis?? 😭😭

1.4M likes  742k likes  235k comments

OikawaTooru'sabs: One day, he’s just gonna look at someone and guess their credit card number.

839k likes  291k likes  470k comments

Meanwhile, Oikawa tweets: “I. Am. Not. A. Science. Experiment. HINATA.”

But it’s too late—the FBI comparisons have begun.

The hashtag #Hinatathehumanliedetector explodes in popularity and memes.

For the second part of the video, the MSBY team test a well-known theory: our pupils dilate when we look at someone we love.

A specialist is brought in to analyze their reactions to seeing pictures of their dear ones. 

Atsumu’s pupils react promptly when he sees his twin brother.

He insists this is normal.

Meian just sighs “Knew it.”

Sakusa's shown his cousin Motoya Komori and there's a slight dilation. The expert confirms a genuine bond.

Oriver simply nods, as if saying “Of course.”

The moment Bokuto sees his fiance, Akaashi, his pupils explode. The expert doesn’t even have to finish analyzing before Bokuto yells “I KNEW IT!!!” 

The test that gets way too much attention is Hinata with a setter for Club Atlético San Juan in Argentina. Immediate response. His eyes soften, his pupils widen. His smile says it all.

Fans analyze every millisecond of the footage and make dramatic edits with their eyes in the background.

When the expert announces that Hinata’s pupils did react upon seeing Oikawa, the internet goes into chaos, and so does the MSBY Black Jackal players. 

Having seen everything unfold, Atsumu and Bokuto, both grinning like maniacs, immediately start singing “Lover, You Should've Come Over” by Jeff Buckley in the most horrible harmony possible.

Hinata's face turns bright red as he desperately tries to stop them as Tomas Adriah starts giving high-fives around.

“My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder. Ooh, it's never over!” Atsumu pretends to clutch his chest dramatically.

“All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter. It’s never over! She’s the tear that hangs inside my soul forever.” Bokuto drops to his knees like he's in the middle of a Broadway show.

Inunaki just laughs, teasing them, while Sakusa rolls his eyes, trying to hide his amusement.

The camera cuts showing the whole's team laughing and making fun of each other

Proudblfan: Did they really just sang one of the most romantic and yearning love songs ever to roast Hinata over his reaction upon seeing Oikawa?!!? THEY KNOW SOMETHING WE DONT!!🤭🤭

821k likes  501k likes  377k comments

Myangelhina: HE LOVES HIM. IT’S SCIENCE.

1.3M likes  902k likes  565 comments

Mermaidkawa: Oikawa, run before Hinata psychoanalyzes you again!!😭

490k likes  765k shares  529k comments 

But if you asked Oikawa, Hinata was the one who carried his emotions in his pupils.

His eyes softened when they made love, laughed, or when Oikawa kissed him at unexpected moments.

Eyes, in their silent poetry, speak the truth of every thought. 

The world never saw these moments for what they were—just a hug, a glance, an inside joke. But to Hinata, even their simple talk where shared with eyes that told stories of a love that was deeper than words. Hinata missed when they used to talk for hours without any phone call contract limit, their voices weaving into one another until there was no separation between them.

They harden with anger when Oikawa tells him about the things he has done or said in the past that he regrets, but Hinata remains on his side all the same.

(“You know, I still have that pic of Tobio-chan bowing to me when he came and asked for advice back in his first year,” shamelessly admits Oikawa.

Hinata hits him playfully. “Your 'kiding”, but they both end up falling from the hotel's bed laughing like idiots when Oikawa shows him the picture.)

Or that time Oikawa nearly slapped Kageyama in frustration in middle school, only to be stopped by Iwa-chan.

(“You were about to knock him out, huh?” Hinata had teased with a grin, his own eyes shining with mischief. The setter smiles hearing him.

“But I'm glad, Iwaizumi-san didn't let you drown in that.” Oikawa nods. “Yeah, I'm glad too.”)

They widen in fear when at first Hinata was not yet accustomed to the freedom that the South offered to same-sex couples. With its open acceptance of love, it felt like a whole new, overwhelming yet accessible world to the ginger. 

The trepidation of not knowing that he was allowed to be kissed openly, or share even more intimate moments in hidden corners, to hold his hand in public without the suffocating weight of judgment—simply truly be, with a man without judgment.

In Oikawa’s arms, he found peace, and slowly, the apprehension ebbed away, replaced by trust. 

They shrink with suspicion when Oikawa promises not to have forgotten to book their seats at the restaurant in advance as he promised. 

(“I forgot our reservation once, Sho,” Oikawa whines.

“Yeah so? I still remember because, you said you had “all the night planned” and I was so excited!” Hinata confesses, rolling his eyes as Oikawa, ever the charming trickster, flashes a guilty smile.

“You’re just lucky I’m so good at improvising,” he replies with that teasing smirk.

“But please stop reminding me every time we go out to eat,” Oikawa begs, only half-joking and half-embarrassed.

Hinata giggles, swinging their hands faster.

“Alright, but you'll have to make it up to me later with some ice cream,” he taunts, his tone low, almost sly.

Oikawa raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curling into a smirk. “Sure, strawberry flavored, right? But you know I’m always up for treating you, even without the ice cream,” he replies, his voice laced with a playful, suggestive edge.

Hinata snorts and it only makes Oikawa feel cheekier.)

They roll in exasperation every time Oikawa gets caught up in the competition of the sport or he recounts the arguments he had with his best friend. As if Hinata wasn't just as competitive and worse when he was on call with Kageyama.

(“You’re such a show-off,” Hinata mocked, rolling his eyes as Oikawa, tried to flex his volleyball serves while starting to share yet another legendary quarrel between him and his “Iwa-chan”.

“How old are you again? And why do you keep calling him that?” Hinata asked, raising an eyebrow.

The older man grinned wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Why? Jealous?”

Hinata sighed. “You wish.” Oikawa was clearly enjoying this too much.

The volleyball hit the sand with a soft thud, but the player wasn’t done. He moved behind Hinata, slipping his hands around his waist, pulling him in closer.

“I do, actually,” Oikawa whispered, his breath warm against the skin of Hinata’s neck. “Want me to show you just how good I can be to you?”

Hinata folded his arms, trying to act unaffected, but there was a curious spark in his eyes and voice. “Do whatever you want.”

Oikawa chuckled, nipping at his ear. “I must say, Sho, I never took you for the possessive type when it comes to sex.”

Hinata’s eyes narrowed playfully. “I'M NOT INTO THAT, OKAY?? YOU PERV!”

Oikawa laughed, pulling away just enough to admire the hickeys he'd left on Hinata’s neck the night before. “But you did like it last night, didn’t you?” he teased, his grip tightening on Hinata’s hips, refusing to let go.

Hinata leaned back slightly, his body tingling from the contact. “It’s not like somebody’s stopping you,” he whispered, voice low and full of challenge.

Oikawa smirked, leaning in closer, brushing his lips against Hinata’s ear. “What was that?” he asked, clearly having heard him.

“Nothing!” Hinata burst out, making the other laugh, but he couldn’t hide the flush creeping up his face. Oikawa paused, sensing an opening.

Once he calmed down, the taller pulled back, eyes gleaming. “But you know, if you’re up to try something new, there's no way I’d be against it. You make everything more thrilling.”

Hinata laughed, low and teasing, “Tooru, is that your way of telling me you have kinks you’re hiding?”

It's Hinata's turn to laugh as Oikawa turned away to pick up their ball, but not before giving Hinata a suggestive smile.) 

But then there were the moments when those eyes would freeze, locked in a stillness that told of unspoken worries, of fears they couldn’t share or stop imagining. Like the day Hinata told him he would have to return to Japan soon, the weight of the distance between them pressing in.

Oikawa regrets every day not haven insisted that Hinata stayed.

And then there were the moments when his eyes would well with tears—not from sensitivity due to sex, or joy because Oikawa tickles him, but from sadness when they separate at the airport for good.

The painful ache of separation clung to the air, as they held onto each other for just a few more seconds before parting.

No teasing, no laughter, no playful remarks this time, which was so unlike them—just the raw ache of goodbye.

Oikawa had whispered, “Come visit soon.” And Hinata, with eyes wet and heart full, had nodded silently, the pain too real to put into words.

(“You better not forget me.”

“I could never forget you.” They hug for a while longer, until Hinata's flight gets called for the last time and he needs to get going.

“Do your best, I'll be cheering you on.” Hinata nods spilling a few more tears in the process.

They part exchanging uncertain tiny smiles.)

Eye language is as eloquent as verbal language, but if the two conflict, remember that it too can lie.

But Hinata knew how many times Oikawa normally blinked, and that if the number varied too much, he might be lying. 

He understood what it meant when Oikawa’s eyes twinkled with mischief, or narrowed with calculation. He knew exactly what a tear in his gaze meant, what it said when Oikawa blinked in rapid succession, and when he just stared—waiting, wanting.

However, both expert liars and psychopaths are extremely hard to detect; so are people who believe their own lies.

And so, Oikawa couldn’t help but believe, deep down, that Hinata would eventually change his mind.

He must be a psychopath for wishing that Hinata was lying and would stay.

That he would stay, that he’d never really leave.

It was a lie he told himself over and over, despite the ache in his chest, despite the way his own eyes betrayed his hopes.

As the Eagles sang that “you can't hide your lyin' eyes” Oikawa belived that Hinata would eventually change his mind and stay, but of course he ended up leaving. 

To the world, Oikawa is unpredictable, a proud setter wrapped in arrogance. To Hinata, he was the closest thing he had once had to home when he had felt so alone and lost in Brazil—one he’s memorized by instinct alone.

Chapter Text

They used to organize such impossible dates and make so much time to see each other that it had become a kind of habit for them.

Only a 4-hour flight, by travel 5-hour, and nearly 30 minutes.

But since Hinata had returned to Japan, Oikawa felt even more desolate walking on those quiet beaches at night, knowing that if Hinata were here with him, there was no way it would remain so noiseless.

Hinata's presence brought Oikawa a sense of comfort like no one else could.

He couldn't remember the last he had had so much fun since his high school years.

Hinata's joy, and lust rubbed off on him. Oikawa found himself having the most mind-blowing sex with the redhead. He was just so lewd, in any daring position they tried, so sexy too, always leaving Oikawa hungry for more. They complemented each other’s energy and desires seamlessly.

Hinata made anything pleasurable and was the kind of person you could always count on to have a good laugh.

He filled the setter's days with rays of sunshine and was his human serotonin boost.

5. Iwazumi exposes Oikawa with “Symphonia IX” by Current Joys

Iwazumi and Oikawa were on Instagram Live, casually answering fan questions when the conversation took a turn.

“So, Iwa-chan, what song do you think describes me best?” Oikawa asks reading a fan's comment, leaning into the camera. “For you, this one is kinda hard, because your music taste often changes-.”

“What are you on? It’s really easy.”

Oikawa blinks. “Huh? No way. How so?”

“I mean you're definitely 'Symphonia IX' by Current Joys.” Oikawa definitely didn't know what song he was talking about, judging from the face he was making, but still confidently answered him.

Oikawa frowns, because what the hell is that?

He definitely has no idea what song that is, but he refuses to admit it so openly. “If you say so.” 

Oikawa looks at him, a mix of surprise and skepticism.

Iwazumi smirks. “You know, the one that goes ‘The need to be the best, before the need to rest’? I think it describes very well your high school self, and your -well, supposedly more mature self right now too.”

Oikawa blinks. Oh. Oh.

Oikawa stares at him, eyes and mouth wide open.

“It literally describes your entire personality. Always overworking yourself, chasing after something bigger. How it feels when you give your all into something, but it's still not enough. But the truth is you've always been enough. You've kept winning in aspects of your life that you weren't even aware of. I mean, your ‘wait’ was Nationals, even though that never happened. And now you’re aiming higher than ever for the Olympics. I think it’s actually beautiful how you never give up—”

Oikawa actually softens for a second. That was… kind of sweet?

“—It was always about victory, and upon recently Hina—”

He cuts the Live off instantly upon hearing that first syllable.

Iwazumi texts him a quick apology. 

Oikawa says it's okay, but what if the fans find out?

Oikawa is still staring at his phone, pressing his lips together.

A notification pops up.

Sho-kun: If you’re gonna act all perfect now, at least admit you’re into me.

Oikawa drops his phone onto his face.

Me: Iwa-chan has sustained permanent brain damage from knowing me too long. Ignore him.

Sho-kun: Oh, I do ignore him. But I don’t ignore the way you ended that Live so fast.

Oikawa presses a hand to his face, groaning. Why was Hinata so good at reading him?

Me: You’re imagining things.

Sho-kun: Mmm. Let’s test that.

What does that mean? Oikawa blinks. What? How?

Me: ???

Sho-kun: If your not ‘Symphonia IX’, what song are you?

Oikawa leans back against his pillows. 

Me: I’d like to think I'm something as beautifully chaotic as Let Down by Radiohead

Sho-kun: That'd work, if not The Winner Takes It All  or Please,Please,Please, Let me Get What I want by The Smiths?

Oikawa gasps.

Me: ur too good at this, it's getting scary

Sho-kun: Right? Meanwhile Iwazumi is more of Real man by Beabadoobee

Me: I take offense, why is he the one getting that song??

Sho-kun: Okay you can both be Real man by Beabadoobee

Me: What about you, then? What song are you?

Sho-kun: Idk

Oikawa throws his head back, laughing. Of course, this absolute idiot would say that.

Me: Your so That's so True by Gracie Adams

Sho-kun: That's so cute Tooru!

Oikawa stares at his phone, smiling softly.

His soul leaves his body.

His first name.

His actual first name.

Not "Oikawa." Not "Trashykawa." Not "Grand King." Not even some dumb nickname.

Just Tooru—soft, casual, like it belonged to him in a way that Oikawa wasn’t sure he even deserved.

Like Hinata had been saying it his whole life.

And Oikawa? He cannot handle it when it comes out of Hinata's mouth, and he's heard it so many times before that when Hinata texted him, it's like he heard Hinata himself say it.

He physically recoils, gripping his phone like it's personally betrayed him. His ears are on fire. His brain short-circuits. 

Me: WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?

Sho-kun: Say what, Tooru? Your confusing me

Oikawa throws his phone across the bed like it just bit him.

Because here's the thing—no one calls him Tooru unless they’re family, or they’ve known him forever. It’s too personal. Too affectionate. It makes him feel seen in a way he’s not used to, like he’s not just Oikawa the athlete, the perfectionist, the annoying rival—just Tooru. 

Of course here in Argentina people call him by his first time all the time, but for some reason hearing it from Hinata of all people?

Yeah, Oikawa is absolutely never getting used to it.

Me: STOP IT

Sho-kun: Stop what, Tooru? ;)

Oikawa is fuming. His hands shake over the keyboard. He nearly throws his phone again but settles for shoving it under his pillow, pressing his burning face against it, feeling like screaming into the mattress.

Me: If you want to play like that okay. Goodnight. Conversation over.

Sho-kun: What? No final thoughts?

Me: Nope. I’m deleting my Instagram, blocking you, and never speaking to you again.

Sho-kun: Okay, okay, okay, wait—

Me: Goodnight.

Sho-kun: Tooru, come on, don’t leave me hanging—

He can hear Hinata teasing him all the way over here. Oikawa shoves his phone under his pillow, presses his hands to his burning face, and screams.

6. Oikawa escalates with “Sweet Talker” by Years & Years

After being left on delivered for a few days, he decides to be his usual dramatic self.

(He knows that Hinata didn't mean to hurt him, the ginger had even warned him that his team and he would be busy with many practice matches back to back just so he doesn't get worried, just so Oikawa wouldn’t get all needy. But does that stop him? No.)

So when a small volleyball media outlet pulls him aside for a post-match interview, the setter sees an opportunity.

He glows and smirks way too much during the reportage. It's not even really one; just a small label that gets posted on short reels. 

“How would you describe your performance today, Oikawa?”

Oikawa sighs and ruffles his hair. “I'd say mid. I feel like a totally simp waiting for a reply back and checking my phone every two seconds.”

The interviewer hesitates. "Uh—right. I meant, how would you describe your volleyball performance?"

Oikawa shrugs. “Oh! That.”

His teammates chuckles behind him. They know what he’s doing.

He tilts his head, looking way too pleased with himself. “Well… let’s just say I had something—” He pauses for dramatic effect. “—someone—on my mind the whole game. And that was very… distracting.”

One of his teammates, Ezequiel Palacios, immediately slaps a hand over Oikawa’s mic. “Don't let him rant his love-life problems to you. You don't need to feel bad for him, either. They always find a way back to each other anyway.”

The interviewer’s eyes light up. "Oh! I see! So your girlfriend—"

Oikawa barely bites back a laugh.

She didn't seem to noticed the way they were both smiling and nodding way too many times, almost as if they were finding something really funny, and were barely containing themselves to listen to her.

“You must care a lot for her to always linger in your mind.”

“Oh yeah, whats all he talks about! He got himself, this hot redheaded, with gorgeous abs—”

“Okay they get it—” Oikawa side-eyes him, warningly. But Ezequiel keeps going.

“I mean ass, Japanease cutie, you know—”

“OKAY, ENOUGH!”

“Has him wrapped around the finger. Such a sweet talker over the phone, someone should record him actually. He's so pathetic when it comes to Hin-.”

Oikawa lunges. 

But the damage is done.

The clip goes viral, and the fans lose it.

The interview abruptly ends in complete chaos, with them nearly strangling each other, both trying to cover each other's mouth so they can talk over the other, while the interviewer just laughs.

Everyone was trying to find this mysterious Japanese girlfriend of his.

The ship Oihina trends.

The number of edits multiplies.

This was Oikawa's way of doubling down, cranking up his charming antics. He’s not admitting anything yet—just layering in the drama to fluster Hinata and the fans in the same go.

Hinata sees it a few days later when he finally catches a break from volleyball matches.

He's sitting cross-legged on Kenma’s couch, scrolling through his phone. Kenma, beside him, is actively playing on his Switch, but still listening to whatever Hinata is saying.

Then Hinata gasps.

Kenma doesn’t even look away from his game. “What.”

Hinata turns his phone to him, completely red. “I think Oikawa called me his girlfriend during an interview?”

Kenma looks. Stares at the video. Then stares at Hinata.

“…And?”

Hinata malfunctions. “AND?! THE INTERNET THINKS WE’RE IN A SECRET RELATIONSHIP—”

Kenma snorts. “Well, you kinda are.”

“THAT’S NOT THE POINT.”

“But am I wrong?”

Hinata short-circuits. “KENMA??”

The CEO smirks. “I’m just saying. Y'all call each other nearly every day. You flirt constantly. He literally flies to Japan for you.”

“THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING!”

Kenma is fully enjoying himself now. “Sure… so you mad about the girlfriend thing, or the fact that he kinda outed you?”

Hinata grabs a pillow and smacks him.

That’s when the chaos escalates.

Because in the next room, Bokuto and Kuroo—who were deep in a justdance session—suddenly hear the screaming and burst the door open.

“I THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE WITH HIM?!” screams Bokuto.
“I ALSO THOUGHT THAT,” joins Kuroo.

Hinata panics. “I THOUGHT SO, TOO.”

Kenma, completely unfazed by their usual screams, leans back like he’s watching live entertainment. “Yeah, no, you didn’t.”

At the same moment, Hinata's phone rings, startling everyone, as they see the bold name saved in his contacts as 'Tooru.'

Had he added a heart next to it, Hinata wouldn't dare face any of them again.

Instead he chucks another pillow at Kenma. But before it lands, Bokuto picks up a pillow except, unlike Hinata, he immediately starts wailing on him.

“YOU TRAITOR YOU DIDN'T UPDATE ME ABOUT THIS!!” his teammate scolds him.
“BOKU STOP—”
“He also let Oikawa call him 'his girlfriend.'”

“You, WHAT??!”

Kenma, now lying back in full amusement, watches as Hinata fights for his life while Kuroo slowly picks up a pillow too, grinning.

“So… when’s the wedding?”

Hinata screams while getting attacked in this pretty much one-sided pillow fight with his best friends.

Chapter Text

7. Hinata replies with "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" by Soulja Boy ft. Sammie

He definitely dropped this initially as a joke during one of Bokuto's vlogs, but secretly meant it.

Why? Because Hinata is feeling cornered.

He loves and is loved by many people, but he's never experienced a love like this one before. This is him pretending it’s all a joke, but his over-the-top delivery betrays how real his feelings are becoming for this situationship of theirs.

The fans are quick with the edits, once Bokuto posts the video. 

(They were chilling in the gym, answering questions and just talking after one of their practice when they started vibing with music.

At first it was simply fans enjoying making recommendations and seeing their reactions at mostly new kpop songs that had apparently just dropped. When “kiss me thru the phone” started playing.

Bokuto screamed, “YO THIS SONG???”

Hinata grinned like a menace, then proceeded to belt the lyrics so chalantly, dancing with Bokuto, throwing hand signs like a popstar mid-breakup ballad.

The comments explode:

HinataShouyou'sHotDimples: HINATA WITH SOULJA BOY??😝🩷 MY LIFE IS FINALLY COMPLETE 🤭🙏

3.1M likes 987k shares 508k comments

CallMeByYourName: WHO’S IT FOR MY YEARNFUL SILLY KING (that person is incrediblyyyy lucky)

657k likes  435k shares  319k comments

GoodLuckBabe!: oh he’s feeling that to his core 😭😭

2.3M likes  884k shares  751k comments

Bokuto laughs so hard that he drops the phone. When the camera rights itself again, he turns to Hinata and asks: “Okay, seriously though. Who were you singing that for?”

Hinata just smirks.

“They’ll recognize themselves.”)

8. Oikawa confesses : "Adore You" by Harry Styles

Oikawa tries to be subtle. But it’s Oikawa. Subtle is not his love language.

And when he casually drops “Adore You” in his story after an MSBY game, fans collectively lose their minds.

It was after the famous MSBY vs Adlers match. The stadium was raining with national championship energy. The gym is packed. There’s press, fan banners, camera flashes every time Hinata breathes.

Oikawa is sitting on a beachside patio with his Argentinian teammates, watching the match streamed live on a projector they set up in the sand. It’s late at night due to the time difference. Everyone has drinks. Oikawa's bouncing his knee, stressing. The game is close.

Then…

Hinata acts as a decoy and Bokuto makes the final point.

MSBY wins.

Hinata is radiant, beaming, with messy hair, screaming joy with Sakusa and Bokuto. 

Nothing could compare to his shining smile.

And Oikawa loses it. Jumps up. Shouts.  “LET’S GOOOOO, SHOUYOU!!!” Nearly knocks over someone’s mojito.

Everyone stares. Of course, they all had guessed what team he was cheering for, but why was he celebrating so much?

“Bro what??”

“Dude, that your man or something?”

Oikawa is completely unbothered and still too happy for Shouyou to properly hear what they were saying, “YES!!?”

“Say less!”

“CONGRADULATIONS!”

“Omg let's call him!”

Everyone cheers with him. They toast to him and Hinata like they just got engaged.

That Night Oikawa posts an Instagram Story.

He posts the final score of the MSBY vs the Schweiden Adlers match with the song “Adore You” by Harry Styles.

The caption surprises everyone:

“Can’t stop replaying that game. Some things are worth watching over and over.”

The fandom is SCREAMING.

And the comments flood about the celebratory post on all apps:

Patroclus'Wife: IS THIS WHO I THINK IT’S FOR?? 🤭🤭#Oihinaisreal

1.1M likes  763k shares  829k comments

StrawberryShortcake: Adore you? 🙈🩷 toru, just say you’re in love

938k likes  553k shares  284k comments

FineLikeHinata'sAss: you cant convince me he's not down BAD!! GUYS YEARNING IS OFFICIALLY BACK

834k likes  827k shares  983k comments

*

Hinata watches the clip on his phone in silence. The caption says feels too close, too personal. It's almost over-the-top romantic, leaving Hinata no choice but to realize, “Wait, I don't think he’s kidding anymore.”

Kenma’s the one who breaks the silence. “Was he ever?”

Kuroo, looking over Kenma’s shoulder, lets out a low whistle, hearing that.

*

The song choice screams, “Oh, I’m just nice to everyone! Except...maybe not this nice.”

There are so many new edits of him being protective of Hinata, or jealous when someone else is around him or touching him.

Gosh, these are really hard to watch with a straight face. Is he actually that touchy with him?  How long could even compilations be?

Oikawa to the eyes of all these shippers wasn't able to hide anything, and he was just starting to notice how obvious he's been all this time.

Which has Oikawa and Iwazumi talking on FaceTime about the same subject as ever : his endless situationship with Hinata.

“Okay, but if you’re into him, just SAY IT!” 

“I can't just tell him!” explains Oikawa.

“Like hell you can't! What are you even afraid of?”

“Iwa, it really isn't that simple.”

“No, that's just what your making it,” resonates Iwazumi.

The line goes silent for a while.

“So what you want me to just text him and confess ONLINE?? As if we were freaking teenagers?”

“Yeah, you know at this point just buy a plane ticket there-”

“See! It's very compli- BUY WHAT? Iwa-chan, I'm not doing that. I am NOT flying to Tokyo just to possibly get rejected on a random Tuesday. Just imagine what happens if I get dumped, or he tells me he's not ready to officially start dating, seeing how long distanced we would be. It would ruin everything.”

“Yeah, but you can't really predict how he'll react. Also, don't you think that he deserves to know? Or will you just wait on the sidelines for your feelings to start fading? Breaking your own heart either way?”

Oikawa groaned, “I hate how you always sound like you’re right.”

“That's because I am.”

*

[MSBY VLOG: After-game chaos, that fans entitled “A very suspicious jacket.”]

Host: Bokuto (of course). Guest stars: Hinata, Sakusa, Atsumu, Meian.

It’s the official MSBY post-game vlog, and it’s unhinged right from the start.

Bokuto is filming everyone in the locker room, yelling “WE WON!!” every ten seconds like he still can't believe it. Hinata’s sitting on the bench holding his hoodie, laughing at Atsumu's jokes.

“And that's why next time we win we need to make a SUII to celebrate!” demonstrates the setter.

“You know what, hell yeah,” smiles the still giggling wing spiker.

Bokuto leans in with the camera directly at Sakusa's face:

“So Omiiiii-”

“Back off Boku,” he immediately complains.

“Sorry! Today’s win was brought to you by the team’s emotional instability.”

“It's my seasonal allergies' fault.”

“Are you sure about that?” asks Meian.

Bokuto then shows the rest of the changing room and how every player is blissful with happiness in the aftermath of victory. They sing, laugh and scream all together.

The fans zoom in on Hinata’s hoodie and don't hold back:

HinataShouyou'sCuteFreckles: WAITTTT ISNT THAT OIKAWA TOORU’S JACKET?!

5.4M likes 3.2M shares 2.2M comments

The post spreads. The edits and arguing starts. The camera pans to the logo of the hoodie at many times.

WatchMaurice: Yep. Argentine NT hoodie. Slightly oversized. The same one Oikawa was wearing in a post three months ago.

1.1M likes  548k shares 892k comments

Atsumu asks offscreen, “Did he leave it on your floor or something, Hina?”

Hinata turns red and panics, “He-what no, it’s not even his, it’s mine, it’s-I bought it!”

Meian, who's already scrolling through the mass of comments, isn't impressed. “Unfortunately for you, the fans have already figured out that the Argentina NT never sold those to the public. So you can't really use that excuse.”

Sakusa scoffs, “You absolute disaster.”

Hinata yells, “IT'S NOT EVEN LIKE THAT!!”

*

[#HinataHasOikawasJacket]

Within hours, Twitter/X is a battlefield of theories. Edits pop up showing:

Side-by-side of Oikawa and Hinata wearing the same hoodie.

Old, slightly blurry pics from Brazil suddenly resurfacing, one where Oikawa is clearly cropped out, but people recognize his customized shoes.

A fan zooms in on a selfie of Hinata at a hotel where there are clearly two toothbrushes in the reflection of the mirror. 

Timestamp comparisons: “They posted at the same time?? Same beach background?? HELLO???”

It's 11:44 PM, and Oikawa should be sleeping, but instead he's watching edits on TikTok.

He’s laying in bed, phone held above his face, blank stare.

The edit plays for the fifth time, he can't force himself to scroll past it. It has soft music. Fade transitions. Hinata’s Soulja Boy performance, Oikawa’s “Adore You” clip, the hoodie moment. And the caption being a sweet double edged sword: “They never said those three words to each other… but they clearly need to.”

He pauses it.

And calls Iwaizumi immediately.

“Hajime.”

“Toru.”

“Have I been obvious this whole time?”

“You comment under any content that remotely concerns him.”

“I thought I was being vague!”

“You always add a red heart emoji when you text him goodnight.”

Oikawa whispers, “…Shit.”

“Also stop sending me edits of the two of you, it made me spit my coffee. Do you want to keep ignoring your feelings for him or do you want to get married? You need to choose already.”

Oikawa groans and covers his face. “Do you think he actually likes me back?”

“You guys text every day. You video call like you’re in a long-distance relationship. So yes. I think he likes you back.”

“Okay, but he never said anything. You know like not in words-”

“Neither did you!”

Oikawa hangs up and keeps scrolling on TikTok.