Kageyama did not know why he continued to watch the practices. He was basically torturing himself with every practice he attended. Watching the team move around, calling out cheerful encouragements as they all strove to improve made his chest ache with the same desperate longing. He wanted to play with them. He missed the easy camaraderie he had when he first started playing back in elementary school. He longed to set up beautiful plays that gave nothing away to the opposing team, one that would steadily rack up points for his team. He wanted to show off the spike serve that he had learned by watching Oikawa. He wanted to be surrounded by volleyball, the sport that consumes all his thoughts. The squeaks of sneakers, the thump of a successful spike, the cries of jubilation and determination as each team strove to win, to become better. No matter how hard he tried, Kageyama could not resist the sirens call. He could not resist volleyball. So he returned to each practice, carefully observing the team. He wrote down suggestions and ideas, and handed them to Daichi-san or Sugawara after practice. He never actually participated, and was careful to interact with the team as little as possible, scared of making some awkward blunder that would drive the team, his only link to volleyball, away.

Kageyama continued his routine. Wake up. Morning run. Shower, breakfast, then school. Watch Karasuno practice. Go home. Watch a recorded volleyball match. Work on the speed of his toss. Practice his serves. Make a half-hearted attempt at his schoolwork, get distracted, and then sleep. His routine was shattered the day that Takeda-sensei announced that Aoba Jousai had offered to arrange a practice match.

The doors of the gym burst open, and Takeda-sensei arrived, doubled over and panting.

"We have a practice match! Aoba Jousai has offered us a practice match!"

The cries of excitement from the team burst forward.

"Wait! There's a condition! Kageyama has to be the setter!"

Kageyama scowled. "I'm not even part of the team!"

Hinata turned towards him, bubbling with excitement. "But you could join! A practice match!" He drifted off.

Kageyama's scowl deepened. "Not interested. Besides, you guys have an experienced setter already. You don't need me." With these parting words, he left the gym.

Tsukishima sneered "It seems like the King of the Court is too scared to play. Perhaps the rumors are untrue."

Daichi cut in with a disapproving stare, "Alright guys, let's just focus on getting ready please. Takeda-sensei, would you mind explaining that Kageyama isn't a part of the volleyball team?"

Takeda nodded, and left to contact Aoba Jousai's coaches, Irihata and Mizoguchi.

- The Next Day -

The team started warming up, and were running drills when the doors of the gym opened. A tall teenager dressed in a turquoise and white uniform walked in. All activity stopped as everyone turned to stare.

"Hello everyone. I'm Iwaizumi Hajime. I'm here to discuss the practice match with Karasuno's captain."

"That would be me." Daichi stepped forward. "Why don't we go outside?"