Chapter Text
Friday:
Hinata stared blankly at the man sitting before him.
The man’s face was impossibly perfect, as though carved from stone—sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and lips pressed into a hard, unreadable line. His dark hair fell in slight waves, framing his face with just the right amount of untamed messiness, giving him an effortlessly intense look that was both captivating and intimidating. His eyes were cold, his scowl unwavering. Hinata couldn’t help but swallow nervously as the man before him eyed him down. He felt shivers as he watched him narrow his steel blue eyes in annoyance.
He lounged in his chair with careless grace, one arm draped over the backrest, the other stretched across the table in a way that subtly flexed his bicep beneath his shirt. His legs were sprawled out confidently, an air of indifference radiating from every inch of him. But those piercing, unyielding eyes remained fixed on Hinata, scrutinizing him.
Moments like these made Hinata wonder, with a sinking feeling twisting in his gut, How the hell did I end up here?
But deep down, he knew exactly how. It started with a cheating ex-boyfriend, followed by the painful twist of receiving an invitation to that same ex’s wedding. And as if the universe hadn’t already dealt him enough pain, the ex was marrying the guy he’d cheated on Hinata with. That revelation had sent Hinata spiraling: late nights spent drinking, sobbing, asking the Gods ‘ Why?’ until he’d passed out on his couch or the living room floor, feeling hollowed out.
Then one morning, when his head was throbbing and his mouth dry, he saw the notification that his RSVP to the wedding had been submitted. Apparently, in a moment of drunken, spiteful courage, he’d hit accept .
The days that followed were a blur of venting his heartache to friends, family—anyone willing to listen. It wasn’t until Yachi, his closest friend and, surprisingly, his level-headed confidant, had blurted out a wild suggestion over drinks: hire a model to play the perfect boyfriend, make your ex jealous, and regret his whole life!
Hinata had laughed it off at first, thought it was ridiculous… until the idea wouldn’t leave him alone. And now, somehow, here he was, in a small, quiet coffee shop, staring across the table at the result of that one impulsive decision.
He glanced down at the portfolio he was clutching in his hands, his fingers tight around the edges. The name printed neatly across the top read, Kageyama Tobio. He looked up, and there he was—the model himself. Kageyama looked even more striking in person, his expression unreadable, his dark blue eyes piercing and intense, and there was a quiet confidence about him that made Hinata feel both curious and slightly intimidated. The cafe buzzed softly around them, but Hinata’s attention was fixed solely on the man in front of him.
He fidgeted with his hands, aware of how small and jittery he must seem compared to the composed, intimidating man across the table. Kageyama was exactly what he’d requested from the model agency: tall, dark and handsome. But he hadn’t anticipated just how… scowly the model would be.
The silence between them stretched unbearably, and just as Hinata opened his mouth to try and break the tension, Kageyama’s voice cut in, as blunt as a hammer.
“I’m not having sex with you.”
The words landed like a slap, and Hinata flinched, heat rushing to his face. He couldn’t decide what was worse, the fact that he said that, or the fact that that was the first thing he had said to him since sitting down.
“N-no, of course not!” he stammered, heart hammering in his chest. The bluntness of Kageyama’s tone had thrown him completely off balance. “That’s not part of the deal—at all,” he managed to get out, his voice barely rising above a murmur as he tried to keep his composure.
Kageyama’s face remained as stoic as before, not even a hint of humor breaking through the icy façade. The silence that followed felt thick and unyielding, pressing down on Hinata as he struggled to keep his voice steady and his hands from fidgeting too much.
“So… did your agent walk you through the details?” Hinata asked, forcing a casual tone to mask his nerves. He shifted in his seat, desperate to break the ice that seemed to freeze the air around them.
Kageyama gave an exasperated sigh, his eyes rolling ever so slightly. “Why the hell do you think I’m here?”
“Wow, okay.” Hinata raised his hands in mock surrender, trying to play off the sting. “Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.”
Kageyama leaned forward, folding his arms over the table, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “You ordered a three-day contract,” he said, his voice flat and clinical, as if he were reading instructions off a label. “I’m here to pose as your boyfriend for three days. Nothing more.”
“Right,” Hinata nodded, swallowing hard. “Glad we’re on the same page—”
“The wedding is next Saturday.”
“Yeah, but it's out of town so we’ll need three days-”
“Don’t expect any excessive PDA,” Kageyama cut in, his tone like a warning.
“Of course not—”
“And don’t even think about falling in love with me,” he continued, raising an eyebrow as if daring Hinata to object. “I don’t do drama.”
Hinata managed a weak chuckle. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem—”
“And I’m not having sex with you.”
Hinata blinked, caught off guard. “I thought we just established that!”
Kageyama’s stare intensified, his blue eyes piercing and unyielding, studying Hinata as though he were some suspicious character in a lineup.
“Just making sure…” Kageyama murmured, his voice low and almost challenging.
Hinata swallowed, his cheeks flushing as he held Kageyama’s gaze for a moment too long. Kageyama’s scowl softened just a fraction, barely enough to notice, before he settled back in his seat.
Hinata tapped his hands nervously on the table.
What the hell did he get himself into?
“I’m not sure about this, Yachi…” Hinata admitted over the phone, pacing the tiny stretch of his apartment that wasn’t cluttered. “You should’ve seen this guy. He was such an ass.”
“Really?” Yachi said with a chuckle. “How so?”
“He was so rude and condescending,” Hinata explained recalling the way that beautiful man scrutinized him with those piercing blue eyes. How he seemed to scoff at everything Hinata said as if he was the dumbest man to walk the earth. “He acted like I wasn’t worth being in his presence!”
“Sounds like a typical model,” Yachi snickered, unfazed. “But come on, tell me—was he at least handsome?”
“I mean… of course he was!” Hinata exclaimed, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled Kageyama’s cool eyes and the way his chest filled up his shirt perfectly. “You should’ve seen his jawline. And his biceps? Seriously distracting.”
“Wow! I almost wish I was into that,” Yachi chuckled softly. “But hey, sounds like he’s perfect for making your ex eat his heart out.”
“He was so mean, ” Hinata whined. “Like, I don’t know if this is even worth it anymore. It’s probably a terrible idea…”
“Well, it’s a little too late to back out, don’t you think?” Yachi pointed out, reminding him of the date looming over him like a storm cloud. “The wedding’s next Saturday. You already RSVP’d and everything.”
Hinata groaned, flopping onto his couch. “I should never have RSVP’d while completely drunk. Now I’m stuck. Maybe I should just fake a sudden accident or, I don’t know… fake my own death?”
“Drama queen,” Yachi teased, but her voice softened. “Honestly, I think this could be good for you, you know?”
“How?” Hinata practically wailed. “How could any of this be good? My ex is marrying the guy he cheated on me with, and I just spent a chunk of my savings on a really hot, really rude male model to be my fake boyfriend.”
Yachi paused, her voice gentling as she finally replied, “This might be the fresh start you were looking for!”
“You think so?”
“Yeah! A new start that’ll allow you to reclaim who you are! You’ll go there and show him what he’s missing—and don’t let anyone, especially your jerk of an ex, make you feel small ever again.”
Hinata’s heart suddenly swelled and he felt a small lump in his throat.
‘Hinata?” Yachi called out, likely wondering why he’d been silent for so long. “Did I lose you?”
“No.” Hinata snapped out of it quickly. “I just really needed to hear that. Thanks.” He said with a small smile.
Saturday (1 Week Before the Wedding):
Hinata woke up the next day to a loud, insistent knock on his door, the kind that rattled the frame and jolted him out of his sleepy haze.
Groggy and still in his sweatpants, he stumbled to the door, rubbing his eyes. "Wha—?" he mumbled as he swung it open, only to yelp in shock. Standing there was a very tall, intimidating, and unfairly gorgeous man.
“You didn’t answer my calls,” Kageyama growled, his voice low and threatening, blue eyes flashing with irritation. Hinata’s heart thumped wildly, and he suddenly felt painfully aware of his messy hair, sweat pants, and the fact that he was completely shirtless, especially next to this model-perfect man.
“I… I don’t understand. It’s still early,” he stammered, scrambling to grab his phone and blinking when he saw the three missed calls.
“It’s ten in the morning,” Kageyama snapped, shouldering his way into the apartment without waiting for an invitation. His gaze swept around the place with a mixture of curiosity and disdain, his lip curling slightly as he took in the cluttered space.
“Wait—” Hinata scrambled after him, trying to process the unexpected visit. “Why are you here? The contract doesn’t start until next Friday.”
Kageyama turned to him, his gaze icy. “ Why am I here? ” His tone was scathing, as if deeply offended. “Did you not read the contract?”
Clearly, Hinata hadn’t, and Kageyama’s expression darkened as realization dawned.
“God…” Kageyama pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. “I’m supposed to get to know you. I’ve been trying to arrange a time to go over things, but you didn’t answer any of my calls.”
Hinata blinked, feeling more and more like a deer caught in headlights. “I’m sorry—I didn’t realize it was that urgent—”
“Urgent!? I take pride in my work!” Kageyama’s voice rose, his tone fierce. “If I’m going to do an assignment, I’m going to do it right. I don’t show up to jobs half-prepared.”
Hinata shrank under his intensity, nodding rapidly. “Right, right, of course! I just… didn’t expect such commitment for a… well, you know, a fake relationship.”
“How many times did your mother drop you on your head!?” Kageyama cried out. “I need days! Days of preparation to get this right. Thats why we need to go over everything” he said firmly. “So stop wasting my time and actually read the contract next time.”
Hinata’s cheeks flushed, both embarrassed and a little peeved. So now he was stuck with this guy, who clearly thought he was a total idiot. But he nodded quickly anyway, realizing Kageyama wasn’t about to let him off the hook.
“Wait—” Hinata trailed after him, his confusion only growing. “I don’t get it. I thought yesterday was our meeting to go over everything?”
Kageyama stopped in his tracks, his expression a mixture of exasperation and outrage. “Yesterday was not for ‘going over everything,’” he corrected, his tone dripping with irritation. “Yesterday was just to confirm if you wanted to proceed with me . Since you didn’t contact my agency to replace me, I’m now assigned to you. ”
Hinata froze, a sinking feeling hitting him in the stomach. He’d missed the chance to switch this grouchy guy out for someone… nice. Warm, even. He cursed himself silently for not calling the agency and asking for a model who didn’t look like he wanted to pummel him into the earth.
“Oh… right,” he mumbled, mentally kicking himself.
Kageyama’s eyes narrowed as if he could hear every one of those regretful thoughts. “What’s the problem? I meet every requirement in your ridiculous list.” He let out a scoff, muttering under his breath, though Hinata could’ve sworn he caught something that sounded an awful lot like “ dumbass ”.
“Excuse me?” Hinata said, a mix of confusion and irritation.
“We need to go over the details of our relationship,” Kageyama said ignoring Hinata’s question.
“Oh…right,” Hinata said scratching the back of his head. He was still trying to process everything, and this beautiful storm of a man who burst into his home on a Saturday morning made his mind seem to move in slow motion. “Wait… how did you get my address… and my phone number?” Hinata asked, a wave of bewilderment sweeping over him.
“It’s on your file , dumbass!” Kageyama shot back, clearly unamused. Oh, Hinata was definitely not mistaken this time. “You’re my client now. I need to be able to contact you.”
“Right…” Hinata mumbled, swallowing his irritation, but his cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
“Ugh…” Kageyama let out a sharp sigh, his gaze flickering around Hinata’s cluttered apartment with barely concealed distaste. “I wanted to go over the details of how you want to present the relationship.” He raised an eyebrow, his mouth set in a thin line as he continued scanning the apartment. “But I’d prefer a different setting.”
Hinata felt annoyance start to bubble up inside him. “I didn’t even invite you in—”
“That’s because you didn’t set up a proper appointment or a call. You left me no choice but to come to this shack,” Kageyama retorted smoothly, not missing a beat.
“Fine,” Hinata grumbled, realizing any further argument was pointless. “Just give me a sec to get dressed. We can go somewhere… better.”
As he turned to gather his things, he muttered under his breath, “Stuck-up, model.”
“I heard that,” Kageyama shot back, a smirk barely visible as he crossed his arms, clearly enjoying Hinata’s frustration.
Hinata glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at him. This was going to be a long week, he thought, already regretting every choice that had led him to this moment.
Kageyama was tapping his fingers against the table in a steady, insistent rhythm, each tap somehow more irritating than the last. His sharp gaze darted around the small, slightly worn-out restaurant, taking in the chipped paint and dim lighting with a look of deep disappointment.
Hinata swallowed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “This was the best I could do on short notice, so could you maybe, I dunno...stop glaring at everything like it offends you?” he mumbled, his cheeks reddening under the weight of Kageyama’s deadpan stare.
Kageyama’s eyes narrowed before he sighed dramatically, finally breaking eye contact to pull out a small notebook. With a firm click of his pen, he looked at Hinata, his expression dead serious. “Tell me about yourself.”
Hinata blinked, thrown off by the formal tone. “Uh...what?”
Kageyama’s patience was already razor-thin. “Don’t I need to know who you are if I’m going to be your boyfriend?” he snapped. “I can’t just walk into a wedding not knowing anything about you.” He gestured at Hinata with a vague wave of his hand, as though the entire situation was his fault.
“Oh. Right.” Hinata felt himself start to sweat. What was he supposed to say? He tried to think of a cool, impressive fact about himself, but his mind went blank.
“Do I have to do everything, dumbass?” Kageyama muttered, his tone laced with exasperation.
Hinata huffed, folding his arms defensively. “Do you talk to all your clients like this?”
Ignoring the comment, Kageyama tapped his pen against the notebook and sighed. “Fine, what do you do for work? Let’s start there.”
“Oh! I’m a Junior Marketing Consultant,” Hinata said with a hint of pride. “And I coach youth volleyball for kids, too.” He gave a small smile, fondly remembering his team of energetic, eager kids.
Kageyama froze, his usual expression of superiority replaced by a flicker of genuine surprise. His brows lifted slightly. “Seriously?”
“What?” Hinata repeated, frowning, puzzled by the reaction. “What’s wrong with that?”
“N-nothing.” Kageyama stammered, turning his gaze down as he scribbled something in his notebook. It was the first time Hinata had ever seen him genuinely flustered.
Hinata leaned forward, grinning with a hint of mischief. “Wait, were you expecting something else?”
Kageyama shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his ears turning faintly pink. “Y-yes,” he muttered, pressing his pen harder into the page. “I thought maybe you were unemployed. Or, I don’t know, a homeless person or something…”
“How is that a job?” Hinata barked. “And how could I be homeless? You were literally in my apartment earlier!”
Kageyama ignored him, clearing his throat. “Moving on,” he said brusquely. “Where did you go to school?”
“I graduated from college. Got a degree in Marketing,” Hinata explained, feeling a bit proud.
Kageyama’s eyes slid over him skeptically. “They’ll let anyone graduate from college, huh?…”
Hinata glared. “Moving on,” he shot back, crossing his arms. Two could play at this game.
Kageyama tilted his head in faux contemplation. “Hobbies? Interests? Or do you just stumble through life cluelessly?”
“Hey!” Hinata’s indignant tone quickly softened, though, as he started to answer, enthusiasm creeping in. “I still play volleyball whenever I can. Oh, and I’m learning to cook,” he added, grinning. “My friends say I’m... improving.”
Kageyama raised an eyebrow, amused.
“What’s with that face?” Hinata asked crossing his arms in defense.
“I just can’t picture you in a kitchen without setting something on fire,” he said, struggling to hide a smirk.
“Are you going to ask me questions or just keep insulting me?” Hinata teased, leaning forward with a glint of challenge in his eyes.
Kageyama let out a small chuckle—an actual chuckle, quiet but unmistakable. Hinata's eyes widened slightly, both surprised and intrigued.
“I can multitask,” Kageyama drawled, his smirk vanishing as he slipped back into his usual frosty demeanor. He leaned forward, meeting Hinata's gaze with that intense stare. Just as Hinata was about to snap back, the food had arrived.
“So, what about you?” Hinata asked as the waiter took their empty plates away. Kageyama’s eyes narrowed as if the very question grated on him.
“What do you mean?” he replied, clipped and guarded.
“Well, I just told you everything about me," Hinata persisted. "Seems only fair I get to know something about you too.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Hinata caught the faintest hint of surprise flicker across Kageyama's face. The way his brows lifted, just for a second, almost made him smile—Kageyama must not get that question very often.
Kageyama paused, leaning back in his chair with a slight frown like he was carefully calculating how much he wanted to give away. Hinata watched him, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and awe. Even his most mundane gestures seemed so precise, so controlled, yet so effortless and angelic. Hinata couldn’t tell if he was envious of Kageyama’s beauty or drawn to it. Maybe both, he decided, feeling his heart skip a beat.
Kageyama finally let out a breath and crossed his arms, his gaze as unyielding as ever. “I’m whatever you want me to be,” he answered coolly, his voice low.
Hinata blinked, taken aback by the cryptic response. Was that his way of being mysterious, or just plain difficult? He couldn’t tell. “Uh, yeah… that’s not an answer,” he replied, leaning forward, his voice a little teasing. “Are you always this vague, or just with me?”
Kageyama’s mouth twitched, a shadow of a smirk appearing at the corners. “I’m not here to make friends,” he replied, his tone as serious as ever. “I’m here to do a job.”
Hinata rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the grin spreading across his face. “Oh, come on. Tell me something real. Do have any hobbies? Like I dunno, scaring children or kicking puppies?”
Kageyama’s eyes darted away for a split second, clearly caught off guard by the question. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, Hinata wondered if he’d struck some nerve. After a tense silence, Kageyama finally muttered, “I like…” He trailed off, his gaze flickering between Hinata and the notepad as if deliberating. The hesitation was so unlike him that Hinata could barely contain his curiosity.
“The suspense is killing me, Kageyama,” Hinata teased, leaning forward with a grin.
Kageyama glared, but there was something lighter in his expression. “I liked… playing volleyball.”
Hinata’s eyes lit up immediately, a genuine smile breaking through his usual playful smirk. “Volleyball, huh? No way—I’d never have guessed!” he laughed, clapping his hands together. “Oh, come on! You’re just repeating what I said earlier!”
Kageyama scoffed, folding his arms as if the accusation were beneath him. “If that’s what you want to think,” he muttered, a scowl marring his features.
Hinata tilted his head thoughtfully, tapping his chin. “Honestly, I was expecting something more intense from you. Like…powerlifting or maybe stone-carving-”
“Or kicking puppies.” Kageyama finished which threw Hinata into a fit of laughter.
Kageyama shot him a flat look, but there was the slightest flicker of amusement in his eyes, betraying him for just a second. “You really are a moron,” he said, deadpan. But somehow, the insult didn’t carry its usual sting.
Hinata chuckled “Well, at least we have one thing in common,” he said, reaching out to tap Kageyama’s notebook with a grin. “Who knows? By the end of the wedding, we might actually get along.”
Kageyama rolled his eyes, but he didn’t pull the notebook away. “I doubt that”
—
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Kageyama stated matter-of-factly as he dropped Hinata off at his apartment door.
“Listen, you really don’t have to do this,” Hinata protested, rubbing the back of his neck. “Your contract doesn’t start until next Friday.”
Kageyama raised a hand to silence him, his expression unreadable but firm. “I need to properly prepare before the assignment,” he explained quickly as if that settled everything. “I need all the material I can get.”
Hinata couldn’t help but chuckle. “Wow, guess I’m really getting my money’s worth,” he said with a playful grin.
Kageyama responded with a deep, glowering scowl—the kind that could make even the bravest of souls want to shrink away. Hinata felt a shiver run down his spine, but he wasn’t about to back down. “Okay, okay! Sorry, sorry! I know you take pride in your work,” he backtracked, hands raised defensively.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Kageyama reiterated, his tone brooking no argument. “And wear a shirt when you answer the door next time.”
Without another word, Kageyama turned on his heel, striding away with a practiced air of indifference, leaving Hinata standing there, half amused and half bewildered. He watched Kageyama’s back disappear down the hallway, shaking his head in disbelief.
Sunday:
The next day, Kageyama and Hinata found themselves at the local amusement park, surrounded by a crowd of families, couples, and groups of friends enjoying the lively weekend atmosphere. Colorful balloons drifted above the stands, and the smell of popcorn and caramel wafted through the air as they walked toward the entrance.
“Wow, it sure is packed today,” Hinata remarked, glancing around with wide eyes as he tried to keep pace with Kageyama’s long strides.
“Of course it is.” Kageyama snapped, never missing a beat. “It’s Sunday. This is when everyone comes.”
“Uh, well… what should we do first?” Hinata asked, bouncing slightly with excitement, his gaze darting from the towering roller coasters to the cheerful game booths lining the main pathway.
Kageyama came to a sudden halt, catching Hinata off guard as he pulled out his phone and raised it, snapping a selfie with Hinata standing beside him. The photo’s flash startled Hinata, who blinked hard in surprise.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Hinata demanded, blinking away the spots in his vision as Kageyama scrolled through the photo, his face twisted with clear dissatisfaction.
“You blinked,” Kageyama muttered, barely glancing up from his phone. “This is useless.”
“I didn’t even know you were taking a photo!” Hinata protested, eyebrows furrowing. “And why are you taking photos, anyway?”
Kageyama shot him an annoyed glare, crossing his arms with an exasperated sigh. “Do you have no brain cells?” he accused, his voice laced with irritation. “Do I really have to explain everything?”
Hinata bristled at the jab, crossing his own arms defensively. “You can’t expect me to read your mind!”
With another eye roll, Kageyama lowered his phone and leaned in closer, glaring down at Hinata. “Listen up, genius,” he said through gritted teeth. “If we’re going to convince everyone that we’re a couple, we’ll need some kind of proof. When people at the wedding start asking for photos of our ‘dates’”—he gestured air quotes around the word with an almost painful grimace—“we can’t just show up empty-handed. Got it?”
“Uh… yeah, I guess that makes sense.” Hinata shifted on his feet, feeling a little sheepish under Kageyama’s intense gaze.
Kageyama straightened, pocketing his phone with a sharp nod. “Good. Now, let’s go take a few real photos. And this time, don’t blink.”
Hinata tilted his head up, peering at him curiously. “Wait… so is this a date?”
“A fake date,” Kageyama corrected flatly, his voice edged with impatience.
Hinata pressed on. “So why’d you pick an amusement park for our ‘fake-date’?” Hinata gestured air quotes around the word to mock Kageyama’s earlier motion.
Kageyama’s hand dropped to his side, his eyes narrowing as though Hinata’s questions were physically draining him. He heaved a sigh, the kind that made it seem like he was holding up the weight of the world. “Because you seem like the childish type,” he replied with a dismissive snarl, one eyebrow raised in challenge.
But instead of snapping back or rolling his eyes, Hinata threw his head back and let out a genuine, hearty laugh. The sound was bright, unrestrained, and filled the space between them, catching Kageyama completely off guard. For a split second, his expression faltered, the edges of his scowl softening as he looked at Hinata with something almost resembling surprise—but the moment was gone in an instant, replaced with his usual stone-faced expression.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Hinata admitted, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. “I do like amusement parks.” He grinned, unabashed as if daring Kageyama to say otherwise.
Kageyama simply stared at him, his mouth a thin line, as if he couldn’t quite decide what to make of Hinata’s openness. Without another word, he turned and started walking toward the roller coasters, his back stiff and his steps quick.
“Let’s go on some rides while we’re here!” Hinata called out, chasing after Kageyama with a gleeful grin. “I haven’t been here in forever!”
“Absolutely not, dumbass!” Kageyama snapped, his pace quickening as if he could outrun the mere suggestion.
“Why not? Scared it’ll ruin your hair?” Hinata teased, darting ahead to hop into the line for the Ferris wheel. He threw a mischievous look back, a challenging sparkle in his eyes.
Kageyama scoffed, crossing his arms with a defiant look. “I don’t get scared, especially not of some rust-bucket rides.”
Hinata stifled a laugh. “Sure, sure. I’ll bet you scream the loudest once we’re actually on it,” he said, inching forward in line. “Come on, don’t be lame.” Hinata teased poking him at the sides.
Kageyama glared at him, but after a long, resigned sigh, he joined Hinata in line. “Fine. But if this ride is unbearable, I’ll be holding you responsible.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way!” Hinata shot back, beaming as the line moved forward.
The Ferris wheel carriage rose steadily, giving them a sweeping view of the amusement park below. Hinata gazed out in awe at the sprawling cityscape visible beyond the neon lights, his eyes wide with wonder as he pointed out little details. The chilly breeze brushed over them, making him shiver slightly, but it only seemed to add to his excitement. Hinata leaned forward, breathing in the crisp air, practically vibrating with joy.
“Woooooow!” Hinata cried out with enthusiasm.
Kageyama, meanwhile, sat stiffly across from him, scowling as if the ride was some form of punishment. His eyes were narrowed, arms crossed tightly over his chest as if he were warding off any enjoyment that dared come his way.
Hinata couldn’t resist capturing the moment, holding his phone up to snap a photo of them both. He glanced at the screen and let out a groan, his face scrunched in mock dismay. “Do models never smile?” he asked, frowning at Kageyama’s expression in the picture.
Kageyama gave an exasperated sigh, his brows furrowing even deeper. His expression curled into a pout. “It’s not my best look.”
“Oh, come on!” Hinata protested, nudging him with his elbow. “We’re supposed to be a happy couple!” He grinned at Kageyama, eyes sparkling with a playfulness that only seemed to annoy him further.
Kageyama finally relented, holding out his phone for another selfie. Hinata moved closer to him to lean into the photo. His lips stretched into what could barely pass as a smile, though it ended up looking more like the unhinged grin of a serial killer. Hinata’s grin vanished as he stared at the screen in horror.
“Uh… maybe smiling isn’t necessary,” Hinata stammered, trying not to laugh but unable to hold back a snicker.
Kageyama simply grunted, returning to his usual glower as he pocketed the phone. “Told you so,” he muttered, settling back in his seat.
The Ferris wheel jerked gently as it came to a stop at the top, the two of them now hanging in midair with nothing but the city stretching out before them. The view was spectacular: skyscrapers glinting in the sunlight, a river winding like a silver ribbon through the streets, and the rooftops sprawled below them like a patchwork quilt of life happening in miniature.
“Look!” Hinata pointed towards downtown, eyes wide with excitement. “I think that building over there is my office!”
Kageyama squinted in the general direction of Hinata’s finger, brows knitting in annoyance. “That's downtown! There are dozens of buildings over there. How the hell am I supposed to know which one you’re pointing at?”
Hinata huffed, deflating just a bit. “It’s, you know, the one between the two tall buildings?”
“They’re all tall, dumbass,” Kageyama muttered, crossing his arms.
“Whatever,” Hinata said, lowering his hand in defeat. “I totally think that’s my building.”
A silence lingered between them, broken only by the faint sounds of the amusement park below. Hinata’s eyes flicked to Kageyama, who was staring at him with a mix of boredom and irritation.
“So, why do you need a fake boyfriend, anyway?” Kageyama’s question was blunt, his voice cutting through the chilly air.
Hinata squirmed, suddenly regretting this whole arrangement. The last thing he wanted was to spill his personal life to this guy who barely even tolerated him. He could feel Kageyama’s gaze on him, sharp and unyielding.
“Let me guess,” Kageyama continued, his tone laced with something that sounded almost like mock sympathy. “Ex-boyfriend?”
Hinata nodded, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Y-yeah…” he sighed, looking away. “He’s, uh, getting married…to the guy he cheated on me with.”
Kageyama raised an eyebrow, barely pausing before delivering his verdict. “Well, you seem like the type.”
Hinata’s mouth dropped open. “Sorry?”
“The type to get cheated on,” Kageyama said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. His words were blunt, almost clinical as if he were diagnosing a common cold.
Hinata stared down at his hands, a sharp pang tightening his chest. He felt the words sink into him, not just for their cruelty, but because some part of him feared they were true.
It was almost unbearable, how those simple words from Kageyama felt like they confirmed something Hinata had been avoiding—an uncomfortable truth he’d been burying. He could feel his cheeks flush, a mixture of shame and frustration welling up inside him. Part of him wanted to fire back, to deny it, to prove Kageyama wrong. But another part, quieter and heavier, forced him to look away, wondering if maybe Kageyama was just saying what everyone else already thought.
Hinata could’ve sworn he saw a flicker of something in Kageyama’s eyes—a small, almost imperceptible softness that looked almost like empathy. But just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone, buried beneath his usual scowl.
“What an idiot,” Kageyama muttered, breaking the silence.
Hinata let out a groan of frustration, tossing his hands up. “I know, I know! I never should’ve RSVP’d to the wedding. I never should’ve booked the hotel. I never should’ve—”
“Not you , dumbass,” Kageyama interrupted, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. Hinata blinked, taken aback by the unexpected kindness in his tone.
“Your ex,” Kageyama clarified, his gaze fixed somewhere over Hinata’s shoulder like he didn’t quite want to meet his eyes.
Hinata opened his mouth to respond, some retort or bit of awkward thanks on the tip of his tongue, but before he could find the words, the Ferris wheel began its descent, breaking the fragile stillness between them. The ground rose up slowly, and with it, the moment dissolved, slipping away as if it had never been there at all.
Hinata looked out at the city sprawled below them, the words Kageyama had said lingering in his mind like a hazy warmth that somehow made the cold air feel just a little less biting.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Kageyama stated flatly, standing at Hinata’s apartment door.
“Oh, wait—” Hinata called out, just as Kageyama was about to turn away. Kageyama stopped, eyebrows lifting slightly in mild curiosity as he looked back with his usual unreadable expression.
“I won’t be here tomorrow,” Hinata explained.
Kageyama’s eyebrow rose, his gaze sharpening. “For what reason?”
“I’ll be coaching volleyball after work,” Hinata said casually as he unlocked his door.
“I see.” Kageyama’s eyes narrowed a fraction, clearly curious. “Where do you coach?”
“Oh—uh,” Hinata stammered, realizing Kageyama should probably know this if they were going to pull off being a couple. “At the community center down the street. I coach kids there a few times a week.”
Kageyama gave a slow, considering nod, his face unreadable. “Very well. Goodnight,” he said with his usual clipped tone. He turned on his heel and walked down the hall without another word, the soft echo of his footsteps fading down the corridor.
Monday:
The gym buzzed with excitement as Hinata knelt beside one of the kids, a bright-eyed boy who was eagerly waiting for his turn to spike. Hinata demonstrated a perfect spike motion with exaggerated movements, his voice full of energy.
“Alright, Kaito!” he grinned. “Remember, swing your arm back, keep your elbow high, and snap your wrist when you hit. Like this!” Hinata jumped up, pretending to spike an imaginary ball, and the kids around him cheered, laughing at his goofy antics. He loved how easily he could get them excited about the game.
Hinata stepped back, watching as the boy gave it a try, sending the ball soaring across the net. It was a bit clumsy, but Kaito’s face lit up as he nailed the motion.
“Nice one, Kaito!” Hinata called, ruffling the boy’s hair, and Kaito beamed with pride. The rest of the kids gathered around, clamoring for their turn. Hinata’s focus was on each of them, offering high fives and words of encouragement as they practiced. It was easy to see how much they adored him—every tip and trick he shared brought wide-eyed fascination and a sense of pride to each kid’s face.
In the corner, a small group of moms gathered at the edge of the court, chatting quietly among themselves, their eyes fixed on Hinata. A couple of them exchanged glances, and then one of them, a cheerful woman in a bright pink jacket, stepped forward.
“Excuse me, Coach Hinata,” she said, flashing him a friendly smile and a bat of the eyes. “I just wanted to thank you for everything you do with the kids. They’re so lucky to have such a passionate coach.”
Hinata turned, caught a little off guard but quickly recovering, and gave her a polite smile. “Oh, thank you! I’m really lucky to have them, too. They’re awesome,” he said, nodding toward the kids, who were still gathered around, showing each other their best attempts at a spike.
Another mom joined in, tilting her head with a playful smile. “It’s impressive, you know. You must be an incredible player yourself to teach them all this.”
Hinata rubbed the back of his neck, flustered but grinning. “I try my best,” he laughed, glancing back to the kids. “I love the game, so I want them to love it too.”
The moms laughed, clearly charmed by his enthusiasm, and Hinata felt his cheeks flush a little. As they continued to chat, he realized the kids were watching, some of them stifling giggles and whispering to each other, entertained by the moms’ attention. Catching their glances, Hinata turned back to his group, clapping his hands.
“Alright, break’s over!” he called, feigning sternness as he flashed the kids a grin. “Back to spiking practice! Who’s ready?”
A chorus of eager “Me!”s rang out, and Hinata went right back into coach mode, smiling to himself. The energy of the kids, their trust, and excitement made him forget all about the fake dates, the wedding stress, and the roller-coaster mess he’d somehow tangled himself in with Kageyama. Right here, surrounded by the game he loved and kids who looked up to him, he felt completely at home.
As practice came to an end, Hinata clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone, let’s finish with a quick stretch! Make sure you’re nice and loose.” The kids followed his lead, laughing and chatting as they stretched, gradually filing out of the gym one by one, waving to Hinata and calling out their goodbyes.
With the last of his students gone, Hinata let out a satisfied sigh, turning to collect the stray volleyballs scattered across the floor. He was crouched down, scooping up the last ball, when he caught a movement near the bleachers and looked up, startled to see a tall figure standing there.
“Oh! Kageyama,” he called out jumping in surprise. The shock was evident in his voice. “How long have you been here?”
“About an hour,” Kageyama replied smoothly, his voice low and even. He watched Hinata with an unreadable expression, though his usual icy demeanor seemed softened somehow.
Hinata felt a pang of nervousness creep in. Great. Kageyama had probably been watching him fumble around with the kids, and he was surely about to get some critique. “Uh, sorry about that,” Hinata began, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I get so focused when I’m coaching, and I didn’t even realize you were there.”
“Yeah, I noticed” Kageyama replied, but his tone wasn’t harsh or scolding like Hinata expected. There was something warmer in his voice, something that made Hinata pause, glancing up at him in surprise.
“So, erm…” Hinata started, his nervousness creeping back in. “What brings you here?”
But just like that, the floodgates opened, and Kageyama’s angry scowl returned in full force. “ Seriously? ” he hissed, his annoyance palpable. “To prepare! I’m here to prepare, you idiot!”
“Oh, sorry, sorry!” Hinata raised his hands in defense, feeling the heat of embarrassment wash over him. “I just thought today’s session was canceled because, y’know, I was coaching.”
“That’s no excuse,” Kageyama snapped, smacking the back of Hinata’s head with a surprising amount of force. “The wedding’s coming up this Saturday, and we still have a lot of ground to cover.”
“Okay, okay!” Hinata proclaimed, his eyes widening in the realization that he had hired a drill sergeant instead of a boyfriend. “Alright, let’s get out of here. We’ll take you somewhere that’s worthy of your presence.” He began to move, but he was startled when he felt a hand grip his wrist, holding him back.
Hinata froze for a moment, staring at Kageyama’s hand on his wrist, the contact sending an unexpected jolt through him. “Is everything okay?” he asked, glancing up at Kageyama, a mix of confusion and curiosity on his face.
“We can stay here,” Kageyama said, his tone more serious now, the earlier frustration fading slightly.
“Are you sure? There’s a nice ramen shop just down the street,” Hinata suggested, hopeful for a change of scenery that might lighten the mood. But Kageyama shook his head, his gaze steady.
“I like it here,” he stated simply.
Hinata blinked, taken aback. The gym had always been a place of work for him, filled with echoes of kids' laughter and the thud of volleyballs hitting the floor, but he had never considered it as a backdrop for something more personal, especially not with Kageyama.
“Okay, then,” Hinata replied, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face. “If this is where you want to be, I guess we can make it work. Just don’t expect me to pull out a fancy dinner menu.”
Kageyama didn’t respond, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—maybe acceptance, or perhaps something else that Hinata couldn’t quite put his finger on. At that moment, surrounded by the familiar smells of sweat and polish, he felt a strange comfort settle in.
Hinata chuckled nervously, trying to fill the silence. “So, what do you want to prepare for this wedding, then? Are we going to practice some poses?” He struck a mock-serious pose, hands on his hips like a superhero, trying to lighten the mood further.
Kageyama rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement lurking beneath his scowl. “You’re an idiot,” he said, but Hinata could hear the lack of venom in his voice.
Hinata and Kageyama found themselves seated on the bleachers, the evening sunset filtering in through the gym's high windows. Kageyama held his notepad, scribbling down a few notes about the nature of their ‘relationship’ as they sorted out the story they would tell everyone.
“How did we meet?” Kageyama asked, looking up from his notes.
“I was thinking… blind date?” Hinata suggested, shrugging as he took a sip from his water bottle.
“Good idea,” Kageyama nodded, jotting it down.
“Is that a compliment? ” Hinata exclaimed, feigning shock. “Did you hit your head? Is everything okay?”
Kageyama’s face darkened, a scowl forming. “Because no way would I ever willingly go on a date with you unless I was blinded.”
“Ah– there it is,” Hinata placed a hand on his chest, feigning relief before he laughed, throwing his head back in delight. “I almost thought we’d have to send you to the hospital! Phew - all is well!”
Kageyama responded by hurling his pen at Hinata, who barely dodged it in time.
“Hey!” Hinata cried, watching the pen tumble down the bleachers. He shot Kageyama an indignant look.
Kageyama pointed at the pen. “Go get it.”
“You’re such a meany, Meany-yama” Hinata protested. “Throwing things at me and then asking for them back!”
“Maybe if you didn’t say such stupid things, I wouldn’t have to,” Kageyama gruffed, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth.
Hinata sighed dramatically but got up to retrieve the pen. “Can I pay extra for you to be nicer to me?” he called over his shoulder.
Kageyama raised an eyebrow. “You can’t afford it; I saw where you live.”
Hinata spun around hands on his hips, a playful pout on his lips. “Hey, it’s a nice place! Just… a little cozy, that’s all.”
Kageyama rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile that broke through. “Cozy? The same way a shoebox is cozy?”
“Okay, okay,” Hinata laughed, shaking his head as he picked up the pen. He returned to Kageyama, handing it back with a flourish. “There, your weapon of choice is returned. Now, can we get back to planning how to make this blind date believable?”
Kageyama took the pen, glancing at Hinata with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
“Well similar to our first meeting.” Kageyama drawled. “I’d say our first date was at a coffee shop.”
As they finalized the details of their story, Kageyama looked up from his notepad, a serious expression crossing his face.
“Why are you coaching volleyball?” he asked, his tone unexpectedly probing.
Hinata was taken aback, caught off guard by the question. He shrugged, trying to downplay the significance. “I enjoy it.”
“But you’re not terrible,” Kageyama clarified, his brows furrowing slightly. “Your spikes, your jumps—I'm surprised you settled for coaching.”
Hinata’s eyebrows rose in surprise at the unexpected compliment. “It’s kinda embarrassing,” he admitted, not wanting to delve into the real reason he had chosen this path. “I played up until college. I stopped after that.”
Kageyama nodded, his expression shifting to one of understanding. “You could’ve gone further.” It wasn’t a question; it was a statement grounded in the confidence of someone who knew talent when he saw it.
“Well, you seem to know a lot about volleyball,” Hinata replied with a teasing grin. “Are you secretly a huge fan?”
Kageyama crossed his arms, the playful banter fading. “Forget it.”
Hinata’s eyes widened. “Wait, no way!” he gasped. “You used to play too!”
“Yeah, so what?” Kageyama replied, his tone defensive. Hinata internally cheered at his stellar observational skills.
“Nothing, I just think it’s surprising.” Hinata couldn’t help but notice the slight flush that crept up Kageyama’s neck. “Do you still play?”
“No.” Kageyama’s answer was curt, the finality of it hanging in the air.
“Why not?” Hinata pressed, his curiosity piqued. “We can play right now! Let’s 1v1!”
Kageyama hesitated, his gaze dropping to the notepad in his lap. “I…I can’t,” he admitted, his voice quieter now.
“Oh…” Hinata’s heart sank, sensing the weight of Kageyama’s words.
“I injured myself and I was never able to fully recover,” Kageyama continued, the admission laced with a hint of bitterness. Hinata winced at the thought; he knew all too well how devastating a career-ending injury could be.
“I’m sorry,” Hinata said sincerely, wishing he could somehow ease the pain that lingered in Kageyama’s eyes.
Kageyama nodded, the subtle flicker of pain behind his stoic facade revealing a depth of emotion that he rarely allowed to surface. “I was good… I was even on the Junior National Team back in high school,” he stated, his voice heavy with a mix of pride and regret, each word laced with the weight of dreams deferred. “But a stupid move in practice ended it all.”
Hinata felt a sharp ache in his heart for Kageyama, a swell of empathy rising within him. The thought of all the hard work, the years of dedication and sacrifice, abruptly stripped away in an instant felt unbearable. “That’s… really tough,” he said softly, choosing his words carefully. “Is that why you went into modeling?”
Kageyama tilted his head back, eyes searching the gym ceiling as if looking for answers among the fluorescent lights. “After my injury…It was a low point for me, I’ll admit,” he replied, his voice quieter now, stripped of bravado. “I thought my life was over. But one day, I got scouted.” The way he spoke of that moment, a glimmer of hope amidst despair, hinted at the transformative power it held for him.
“And you became a model,” Hinata echoed, his admiration growing.
Kageyama nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “If it wasn’t for modeling… I think I would’ve lost myself,” he confessed, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features.
“Oh!” Hinata exclaimed, his expression brightening. “That’s why you’re so intense when it comes to your assignments.” He nudged Kageyama playfully with his elbow, a teasing grin spreading across his face, only to earn an immediate retaliation—a swift elbow to his ribs.
“Ow!” Hinata winced, laughter bubbling up despite the pain.
Kageyama’s face twisted into a smirk, but it was fleeting, replaced by a more serious demeanor. “That’s what you get, dumbass,” he snarled playfully. “But yes…” he relented, the warmth returning to his voice. “My life ended when I couldn’t play volleyball anymore.” The admission hung heavily in the air, a profound revelation that revealed the depth of his struggles.
Hinata couldn’t help but be captivated by Kageyama’s intensity as he reminisced, his features illuminated by a bittersweet nostalgia. At that moment, he looked almost ethereal, like an angel drawn from an oil painting, and Hinata felt a flutter of butterflies in his stomach, the kind that danced with both admiration and something deeper.
“But modeling gave me a new life. A new purpose,” Kageyama continued, his tone shifting to one of quiet determination. “It was a chance to start fresh. I owe my life to modeling.” His gaze drifted into the distance, a hint of hope gleaming in his eyes as he spoke, and Hinata could sense the weight of Kageyama’s journey, the struggles he had faced, and the resilience he had found in the process.
Suddenly, like a breeze whispering through the night, Yachi’s voice rang through Hinata’s thoughts once more: ‘This might be the fresh start you were looking for!’
Maybe she was right.