"Rekindling the Rivalry"

The dimly lit alleyway gave way to a quiet, upscale bar that Oikawa had frequented during his volleyball days. He led Kageyama inside, the warm glow of the bar's lighting a welcome respite from the chill of the night air. They took a table in the corner, ordering drinks as they settled into a silence that was slightly more comfortable than the one they'd shared outside. As they sipped their drinks, Oikawa couldn't help but think about the volleyball matches that had once defined their lives. "So, Kageyama, have you been keeping up with the sport?" he asked, his eyes locked on his former rival. Kageyama nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I still watch some of the matches. The level of play has improved so much since we last competed." Oikawa chuckled, a sense of nostalgia washing over him. "I know what you mean. The new generation of players is incredibly talented. I'm thinking of getting back into coaching, actually." Kageyama's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That would be amazing. You'd be great at it." As they discussed the future of volleyball and potential matches, Oikawa couldn't help but notice that Kageyama seemed...off. He was distant, his responses laced with a hint of sadness that Oikawa couldn't quite understand. It wasn't until Kageyama accidentally knocked over his drink, spilling it all over the table, that Oikawa saw a glimmer of the truth. As Kageyama frantically apologized and began to clean up the mess, Oikawa caught a glimpse of his wrist. The scars were there, etched into his skin like a map of his inner turmoil. Oikawa's heart sank as he realized the truth. Kageyama's struggles with mental health had taken a darker turn, one that involved self-destructive behaviors. He felt a pang of guilt and concern, wondering how he'd missed the signs. "Kageyama, can I ask you something?" Oikawa said, his voice low and gentle. Kageyama looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. "What is it?" Oikawa hesitated, unsure of how to broach the subject. "I've heard rumors...about your behavior. The drinking, the...other things." Kageyama's expression hardened, a mask slipping over his face. "What are you talking about, Oikawa?" Oikawa reached out, placing a hand on Kageyama's arm. "I'm talking about the scars on your wrist, Kageyama. I'm talking about the way you're acting. You're not okay, and I want to help." For a moment, Kageyama seemed to waver, the mask slipping to reveal a glimmer of vulnerability. Then, he pulled away, his eyes flashing with anger. "You don't know anything, Oikawa. You never did." The tension between them was back, but this time it was laced with a deep sadness. Oikawa realized that he'd only scratched the surface of Kageyama's problems, and that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. But he was determined to be there for his former rival, to help him find his way out of the darkness and back onto the court.