Haikyuu!!: Can a reclusive genius fall in love?

The volleyball hall was filled with an even more enthusiastic atmosphere than usual on Friday afternoon. With a week of rigorous training coming to an end, Iwaizumi organized a formal intra-team scrimmage to allow the players to test the results of their week's training.

"Come on, come on! Let Oikawa-sama see how much you've improved!" Oikawa Tetsu jumped around easily in front of the net, his brown hair flying with his movements, and his face wearing his signature bright smile.

Yukimura Tsukishiro stood on the opposite side of the court, his emerald eyes intently observing Oikawa Tetsu's movements. A week of training had gradually made him familiar with the setter's habits and rhythm. Although he still rarely communicated with him, he was already able to predict Oikawa Tetsu's passing intentions quite well.

Midway through the second set, the score remained close. Oikawa Toru's side was slightly behind, but he continued to orchestrate his attacks with ease.

"Iwa-chan! Get ready!" Oikawa Tetsu shouted, leaping up to prepare to tip the ball. Iwaizumi Hajime was already ready to attack on the left, while Kindaichi Yutaro on the right was also poised to strike.

Just as Oikawa Tetsu reached the peak of his leap, he leaned slightly to the right to adjust the angle of his pass. At the same time, Kunimi Hideki unconsciously took a step back to receive a pass that was slightly off-center.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment.

As Oikawa Toru landed, his right foot landed squarely on Kunimi Hide's instep, which he hadn't fully retracted in time. With a heart-stopping thud and a painful groan from Oikawa Toru, he fell heavily to the ground, clutching his right ankle tightly with both hands.

"ah--!"

The noise in the training hall abruptly ceased, and all movement froze. The volleyball rolled limply to the sidelines, the sound of it hitting the wall particularly jarring in the sudden silence.

"Oikawa-senpai!" Kunimi Hide's face turned pale instantly, and he stood there helplessly. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."

Iwaizumi was the first to react. He rushed to Oikawa Toru's side, squatted down with a serious expression, and said, "Don't move! Let me see."

Oikawa Tetsuya's forehead was beaded with sweat from the pain, but he still managed a weak smile: "N-nothing... I just twisted it a little..."

But his voice trembled with pain, making his statement utterly unconvincing.

The team members quickly gathered around, and the once vibrant gymnasium was instantly shrouded in a gloom of worry and anxiety. Matsukawa Kazushige had already run to get the first-aid kit, while Hanamaki Takahiro helped to disperse the surrounding crowd, making room for Oikawa Toru.

Yukimura Tsukishiro stood on the periphery of the crowd, not rushing forward like the others. His emerald eyes were fixed on Oikawa Toru lying on the ground, his face still bearing its usual indifferent expression, but his slightly clenched fists betrayed an unusual tension. His gaze fell on Oikawa Toru's pained and contorted face, then moved to his ankle, which was clearly beginning to swell.

Iwaizumi carefully examined the injury, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper: "It might need ice. Matsukawa, do you have ice packs in the first-aid kit?"

"Yes! Bring it right away!" Matsukawa Kazushige quickly returned and handed over ice packs and bandages.

Iwaizumi skillfully applied an ice pack to Oikawa Toru's swollen ankle and then secured it with a bandage. His movements were professional and swift, clearly indicating that he had received relevant training.

"How are you, Iwa-chan?" Oikawa Tetsu tried to ask in a relaxed tone, but the pain made his voice weak.

"It's badly swollen." Iwaizumi's answer was concise and direct. "It's best to go to the hospital for a check-up to rule out the possibility of a fracture."

Upon hearing the word "fracture," Kunimi Hide's face turned even paler: "I'm so sorry, Oikawa-senpai! I..."

"It's okay, it's okay~" Oikawa Tetsu waved his hand with a forced smile, "Accidents are common in competitions, it's not your fault."

But his words of comfort did little to dispel the somber atmosphere in the arena. Everyone understood that if Oikawa Tetsu's injury was serious, it would have a huge impact on the team. He was the soul of Aoki, an irreplaceable setter.

Hanamaki Takahiro and Matsukawa Kazushige carefully helped Oikawa Toru up, allowing him to hop on one leg to the sidelines to sit down. The team members silently made way for him, their faces filled with worry.

Yukimura Tsukishiro remained standing in place, his gaze fixed on Oikawa Tetsu's movements. When Oikawa Tetsu gasped in pain, his fingers unconsciously tightened, his nails digging deep into his palms.

After Iwaizumi finished making arrangements for Oikawa Toru, he stood up and faced the entire team: "Today's training is over. Matsukawa, Hanamaki, you two take Oikawa to the infirmary for further examination. The rest of you... you may leave."

Despite saying this, no one left. Everyone watched their commander with worry, and an uneasy silence filled the hall.

Oikawa Tetsu tried to break the heavy atmosphere: "Hey, hey, stop looking so gloomy! Maybe I'll be jumping around like a baby tomorrow!"

But his jokes didn't have the same effect as before.

Yukimura Tsukishiro slowly walked to the sidelines and picked up his backpack. He took out a small first-aid kit from a side pocket, hesitated for a moment, and then walked towards Oikawa Tetsu.

Amidst everyone's surprised gazes, he silently took out a tube of ointment from his medical kit and handed it to Iwaizumi: "This... will help reduce the swelling."

His voice was soft, yet clearly audible in the quiet hall. His emerald eyes didn't look directly at anyone, but were focused intently on the tube of ointment, as if it were the most important thing in the world.

Iwaizumi took the ointment, glanced at the label, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "This is... a prescription-grade anti-inflammatory ointment. Where did you get it from...?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the question was already obvious. It was indeed unusual for a high school student to carry such professional medical supplies with him.

Yukimura Tsukihiro did not answer, but simply turned her head slightly to avoid everyone's gaze.

Oikawa Tetsu laughed, though his smile was distorted by pain: "Wow, Yuki-chan really has everything! Thank you~"

He took the ointment, his fingertips accidentally brushing against Yukimura Tsukishiro's hand. Normally, Yukimura Tsukishiro would have immediately pulled his hand back, but this time he didn't move; only his eyelashes trembled slightly.

"You're welcome," he replied softly, then quickly stepped back a few paces to a safe distance.

Finally, supported by Matsukawa and Hanamaki, Oikawa Toru left the gymnasium. He turned back to wave to everyone, and even winked at Yukimura Tsukishiro: "Don't worry, Yuki-chan! I'll definitely be fine before next practice!"

But his assurances seemed weak in the face of his visibly swollen ankle.

The team members left one by one, leaving only Iwaizumi Hajime and Yukimura Tsukishiro inside the gym. Iwaizumi Hajime was tidying up the scattered equipment, his expression serious. Yukimura Tsukishiro quietly helped pick up the volleyballs that had rolled around, his movements slower than usual.

"You know this isn't Kunimi's fault, right?" Iwaizumi suddenly spoke, his voice echoing in the empty arena. "These kinds of accidents happen all the time on the volleyball court."

Yukimura Tsukishiro nodded slightly and placed a volleyball into the basket: "...Hmm."

Iwaizumi stopped what he was doing and looked at Yukimura Tsukishiro: "Your ointment... is very professional. Do you often treat injuries like this?"

Yukimura Tsukishiro paused almost imperceptibly before continuing to collect the volleyballs: "...It's just a habit to be well-prepared."

Iwaizumi didn't press the matter, but a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. The two silently completed the tidying up, leaving only the dull thud of the volleyball falling into the basket in the hall.

As the last volleyball was put back in its place, Iwaizumi sighed: "The practice match against Karasuno next Monday...it seems we'll have to adjust our plans."

Yukimura Tsukishiro raised his head, a complex emotion flashing in his emerald eyes. He didn't speak, but his tightly pursed lips betrayed his worry.

The setting sun streamed through the high windows into the empty gymnasium, casting long shadows of the two men. The space, usually filled with laughter and joy, was now permeated with an unusual heaviness and unease.

Oikawa Tetsu's unexpected injury cast a shadow over everyone's hearts like a sudden gloom.