**A Glimmer of Hope**

The days that followed were a blur of therapy sessions, medication, and gentle conversations with Hinata. Kageyama slowly began to open up, sharing his fears and doubts with his partner, and with each passing moment, he felt the weight of his emotions lifting. It wasn't easy, and there were still times when the darkness threatened to overwhelm him, but with Hinata by his side, he felt like he could face it. As they sat on the couch, watching TV and trying to distract themselves from the reality of Kageyama's struggles, Hinata reached out and took his hand. The touch sent a spark of comfort through him, and he felt his heart swell with gratitude. One evening, as they were walking out of the hospital, Kageyama spotted a familiar figure across the hall. It was Tanaka, his former coach, and he looked like he had just walked out of a textbook on stern expressions. "Kageyama," Tanaka said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I heard you were struggling. I wanted to come and see for myself." Kageyama felt a twinge of anxiety, but Hinata stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in Tanaka's imposing figure. "Coach," Kageyama said, his voice neutral. Tanaka's gaze flickered to Hinata, and for a moment, Kageyama thought he saw a flash of understanding in his eyes. "I see you've got someone looking out for you," he said, his tone softening. "That's good. You need people like that in your life." Kageyama nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Hinata. He knew that Tanaka was trying to be supportive, but it was hard to shake off the feeling that he was still being judged, still being seen as a failure. Tanaka cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "Listen, Kageyama. I know you've been struggling, but I also know that you're not one to give up easily. You've got a fire in you, and I want to see it burning bright again." Kageyama looked down, feeling a pang of shame. He had let his team down, and he knew Tanaka still believed in him. "I'll try, Coach," Kageyama said, his voice barely above a whisper. Tanaka nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I know you will, Kageyama. You're a talented player, and I believe in you. Don't give up on yourself, okay?" As Tanaka turned and walked away, Kageyama felt a sense of resolve wash over him. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but with Hinata by his side and Tanaka's words ringing in his ears, he felt like he could face the challenge ahead. Hinata squeezed his hand, and Kageyama looked at him, feeling a sense of gratitude and love. He knew that he still had a long way to go, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he wasn't alone. That night, as they sat in their hotel room, Hinata turned to him with a curious expression. "Kageyama, can I ask you something?" "Anything," Kageyama replied, his heart beating slightly faster. "What's your favorite memory of playing volleyball?" Hinata asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Kageyama thought back to his time on the court, to the thrill of competition and the rush of adrenaline when he was at his best. He thought about the friends he had made, the teammates he had supported, and the victories they had shared. And then, like a flash of lightning, it came to him. A memory, long buried, but still shining bright in his mind. "It was during nationals," Kageyama said, a smile spreading across his face. "We were down by a set, but I managed to pull it together. I made some crucial plays, and we won the match. It was like everything just clicked into place." Hinata's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you." Kageyama felt a warmth spread through his chest, and for a moment, he forgot about his struggles. He forgot about the voices in his head and the doubts that plagued him. All he could think about was the thrill of competition, the rush of adrenaline, and the sense of pride that came with knowing he had given it his all.