[Haikyuu!!] Eternal Enticement Eloquent III

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Third Person's Point of View

~One year ago~

Shoyo

So... run this by me again?

Hinata asked, squinting at Kageyama.

Tobio sighed, putting his chopsticks down.

Tobio

My Mom is holding her annual summer barbeque, and my whole family is gonna be there, and she asked if maybe...

Tobio

...you and your family would like to attend?

He asked, watching Hinata earnestly.

The boy nodded slowly.

Shoyo

Your... whole family? Like cousins and---

Shoyo

Cousins and aunts and uncles and brother-in-laws and nephews and sisters and---

Shoyo

The whole family...?

Tobio

Yeah! I mean, it could be fun, and... you've met my Mom and my Dad and my elder sister, but they've never met your family, so...

Kageyama looked down at his lap.

Hinata smiled, leaning his head on Tobio's shoulder.

Shoyo

I'll ask them.

He finally said, earning a sigh from Kageyama.

Tobio

You know. I lied.

Tobio

I was the one who asked my Mom if your family could come, not her.

Tobio

I just wanted you guys to be there.

Tobio

Plus my family have been asking about my fiance, so you know, it's about time.

He added quietly. Shoyo nodded, closing his eyes.

Clearly, he didn't think about how much of an issue this was going to be.

He already forgot what Tobio's family was like.

And so, Shoyo was going to talk about the event with his Dad, resting his hands on the counter, leaning over as he watched his father cook.

Dad (Hinata)

You'd have to ask your mother, but I think that would be fun.

Dad (Hinata)

We've never met his family, have we?

Dad (Hinata)

But you've been together for years, haven't you?

Shoyo bit his lip, looking down, his cheeks flushing.

He didn't like talking about his relationship with his parents.

Mom (Hinata)

I have no objections to meeting Tobio's family.

His mother called from the table, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Mom (Hinata)

I need to find out what kind of family the boy who stole my son's heart has sooner or later anyway.

Shoyo resisted the urge to smack his head on the counter.

Shoyo

I've shown you their pictures, Ma.

Mom (Hinata)

I can't judge them properly from blurry iPhone pictures.

Shoyo

I don't want you to judge them.

Natsu

Who are we talking about? Tobio-chan?

A new voice entered the conversation, and she stood in her shorts and t-shirt, scratching.

Shoyo

None of your business, Natsu.

Natsu

Jesus, okay, calm down. I was just asking.

Natsu held her hands up, rolling her eyes at his brother.

And so, yes, Shoyo didn't think he would end up being so anxious about the barbeque.

He'd met the Kageyamas before, and he didn't know why he was so scared.

Maybe it was because he was terrified his family was going to f*ck it up.

Tobio's family had been nothing but loving and welcoming, and the last thing he wanted was for his mother or his father to make them feel uncomfortable.

And so they sat in the car, his mother sat in front, her sunglasses on, entirely in black like she was attempting some Maleficent costume.

He was embarrassed already.

Mom (Hinata)

Let's go honey, I can't wait to meet them.

She said, grinning.

And that just made Shoyo feel worse.

Tobio seemed to be feeling the same strain as he answered the door.

He was stiff as a board as he spoke,

Tobio

Babe!

He cried with some sort of temporary relief as he focused on him, and only him.

He pulled Shoyo into a hug, stroking the back of his head.

Shoyo could hear him sigh contently, and he smiled.

And then Mr. Hinata coughed, and Kageyama seemed to realize where he was and he pulled back, holding his hands stiffly at his sides.

Tobio

Mr. and Mrs. Hinata!

He smiled stiffly too.

Dad (Hinata)

Now, now, don't be so tense.

Shoyo's father smiled, greeting him with a handshake, his mother trailing, trying to maintain her air of grandeur.

Tobio

Are your parents mad at me or something...?

Tobio whispered, and Shoyo just shook his head.

Shoyo

They're just being... I don't know.

Shoyo

They're okay, don't mind them, let's just meet your family.

Tobio nodded and led them inside.

The Kageyama residence follows the traditional Japanese style, with all the woods and classical interiors.

Shoyo didn't know what he was expecting.

There was about seven children, running about madly, obviously engrossed in a game of tag.

Their backyard was huge, yet it was absolutely teeming with people.

Shoyo's parents was pulled away by Tobio's, leaving the couple wandering through the yard.

Tobio

This way first.

Tobio led Shoyo, nudging him gently towards a quieter corner of the garden.

A few of the older members of the family were gathered there.

Tobio

Grandma!

Tobio called, slumping down in one of the sofas.

The old woman sitting at the head of the coffee table looked up, her white hair pulled back in a tight bun.

Tobio

This is Hinata Shoyo, my fiance.

He said, pulling Shoyo into the seat next to him.

The old woman watched him thoughtfully.

Grandmother (Kageyama)

So you're... the boyfriend?

She asked slowly and Shoyo nodded, watching her.

Grandmother (Kageyama)

A volleyball player as well?

Shoyo

Yes, I'm a middle blocker....

Grandmother (Kageyama)

Ah. I see.

The old woman raised her eyebrows, impressed.

Shoyo couldn't help but feel anxious.

This was Tobio's grandmother, the head of the Kageyama family, one of the most difficult old women in Tobio's life (apparently).

Getting her expectations up for Shoyo was only going to lead to disappointment.

He wasn't as amazing as he was making him out to be.

Grandmother (Kageyama)

What do you plan to do in the future?

'Marry your grandson, duh.'

Shoyo

I'm a professional volleyball player.

He said, side eyeing Tobio, unsure of whether that was the right or wrong thing to say.

Tobio was just smiling and nodding--this little sh*t.

The old lady just nodded.

Grandmother (Kageyama)

Marrying Tobio, that's probably not a bad choice.

Grandmother (Kageyama)

But he's a handful.

'Was that positive....?'

Tobio

Are you really my grandma? How could you say that to your favorite grandson?

Tobio was frowning and glaring at his grandmother.

He was pouting and it took everything Shoyo had to stop himself from leaning forward and kissing him.

That probably wasn't going to be a good introduction to the family.

Shoyo

I'll uhm, go get a drink, do you want anything Kage--

He stopped himself, inhaling.

Shoyo

Tobio...?

Tobio's face lit up, and he grinned, before remembering the question.

Tobio

Uhm, yeah, sure.

Shoyo smiled back quickly, before turning, trying to locate the drinks.

He saw the alcohol, and was tempted at one point to mix something in with his juice just to make the time flow faster.

But then he saw his mother across the yard, nursing a large glass of wine with Mrs. Kageyama, and his father on the other side with a bunch of the other dads.

He was turning back, two cups in his hands.

But he ran into someone else.

Miwa

Oh d*mn, sorry, I didn't see you there.

She murmured, running her hands through her hair.

Shoyo looked up, and his mouth almost dropped open.

She was wearing a dark blue dress, her silky black hair hanging in soft curls over her shoulders.

Shoyo

Miwa-nee-san!

Shoyo gleamed in happiness and shock to see Tobio's elder sister.

Miwa

Long time no see, Sho.

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