Chapter 24: A Dose of Reality

The doctor's words still echoed in Kageyama's mind as he sat on the hospital bed, staring at the small cup of water and the packet of pills in front of him. "This medication will help you manage your pain and anxiety, but you have to take it as directed," the doctor had said, his expression firm but kind. Kageyama had nodded, feeling a mix of emotions as he picked up the cup and the packet. Hinata, who was sitting beside him, handed him the cup and said, "I'll help you, Kageyama. We'll get through this together." Kageyama smiled weakly, feeling a surge of gratitude towards his teammate. He poured the pills into his hand, and then, with some effort, he lifted the cup to his lips. As he pretended to take the medication, Kageyama's mind began to wander. He thought about the game, about his teammates, and about the road to recovery that lay ahead. He felt overwhelmed, and the pills suddenly seemed like a reminder of his weakness. He didn't want to be weak; he wanted to be strong, like he used to be. In a split second, Kageyama made a decision. He let the pills fall onto his tongue, but instead of swallowing them, he let them sit there, pretending to take a sip of water to wash them down. He coughed, trying to cover up his actions, and then looked at Hinata, who was watching him with concern. "How are you feeling?" Hinata asked, his brow furrowed. Kageyama shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all." Hinata nodded, seeming to accept Kageyama's explanation. But as the days went by, Kageyama began to realize that his decision had consequences. The pain and anxiety he had been trying to manage began to creep back in, and he found himself struggling to cope. At first, it was just a dull ache in his head, but soon it escalated into a throbbing pain that made it hard for him to focus. He started to feel irritable and restless, snapping at his teammates and struggling to sleep at night. Hinata noticed the change in him, but Kageyama couldn't bring himself to admit the truth. One evening, as they sat together in the hospital room, Hinata turned to Kageyama and said, "You're not taking your medication, are you?" Kageyama's eyes darted away, and he felt a surge of guilt. He knew he had been caught, but he didn't know how to respond. Hinata's expression was a mix of concern and frustration. "Kageyama, you have to take your medication as directed. It's the only way you'll get better." Kageyama looked down, feeling a wave of shame wash over him. He knew Hinata was right, but he couldn't bring himself to admit his mistake. The tension between them was palpable, and for a moment, they just sat there in silence. Then, Hinata reached out and placed a hand on Kageyama's shoulder. "Let's talk to the doctor, okay? Maybe we can find a way to make it work." Kageyama nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. Maybe it wasn't too late to get back on track. Maybe he could still find a way to heal and move forward. But as he looked at Hinata, he knew that he had to be honest with himself and with his teammate. He had to face the reality of his situation and take the necessary steps to get better.