[The initial explanation nearly has Iwaizumi rolling his eyes; when Shirabu finishes, however, he’s suddenly thankful that he didn’t.
[The criticism hits him like a brick to the gut. Naturally, his first instinct is to defend himself. After all, it was Ushiwaka that so repeatedly cornered Oikawa, criticized his choices, attempted to undermine his own sense of pride, tried to make him feel less than—- God, even thinking about it makes Iwaizumi’s blood begin to boil, his jaw begin to clench...
[But there’s truth in Shirabu’s statement, and it’s simply undeniable. Iwaizumi would never concede that Ushiwaka had no part to play in their tumultuous relationship - never - but even he and Oikawa had said plainly that the stupid bastard didn’t even realize he was being a jackass half the time.
[Yes, what Shirabu is saying is true, even more so than he realizes. If he were to take every story he’d heard of Oikawa and Iwaizumi openly mocking the hated ace, quadrupling the ridicule wouldn’t even begin to come close to how often they slandered him behind closed doors.
[He’s quiet for a long moment. Many people see Iwaizumi as a bully, and rightfully so; he can be just as cruel as Oikawa when he wants to be. Deep down, the God’s honest truth is, he’d never really want to hurt someone - not once the moment passes, anyway.]
You’re a smart ki—- [He cuts himself off, laughs at himself without an ounce of humor in his voice. He almost looks embarrassed - he feels embarrassed.] You’re a smart guy, Shirabu. And you aren’t wrong.
[That doesn’t mean he’s about to say he’s sorry. He’s not really sure that he is. But he’s not about to act like he doesn’t know what Shirabu is talking about. He’s the one who asked in the first place, after all.
[His eyes flicker back to Shirabu. He’s sure he looks somewhat cold now as he studies him. What is it about this kid that keeps drawing him back?]
I’d be willing a bet a fair bit of people underestimate you.
no subject
[The criticism hits him like a brick to the gut. Naturally, his first instinct is to defend himself. After all, it was Ushiwaka that so repeatedly cornered Oikawa, criticized his choices, attempted to undermine his own sense of pride, tried to make him feel less than—- God, even thinking about it makes Iwaizumi’s blood begin to boil, his jaw begin to clench...
[But there’s truth in Shirabu’s statement, and it’s simply undeniable. Iwaizumi would never concede that Ushiwaka had no part to play in their tumultuous relationship - never - but even he and Oikawa had said plainly that the stupid bastard didn’t even realize he was being a jackass half the time.
[Yes, what Shirabu is saying is true, even more so than he realizes. If he were to take every story he’d heard of Oikawa and Iwaizumi openly mocking the hated ace, quadrupling the ridicule wouldn’t even begin to come close to how often they slandered him behind closed doors.
[He’s quiet for a long moment. Many people see Iwaizumi as a bully, and rightfully so; he can be just as cruel as Oikawa when he wants to be. Deep down, the God’s honest truth is, he’d never really want to hurt someone - not once the moment passes, anyway.]
You’re a smart ki—- [He cuts himself off, laughs at himself without an ounce of humor in his voice. He almost looks embarrassed - he feels embarrassed.] You’re a smart guy, Shirabu. And you aren’t wrong.
[That doesn’t mean he’s about to say he’s sorry. He’s not really sure that he is. But he’s not about to act like he doesn’t know what Shirabu is talking about. He’s the one who asked in the first place, after all.
[His eyes flicker back to Shirabu. He’s sure he looks somewhat cold now as he studies him. What is it about this kid that keeps drawing him back?]
I’d be willing a bet a fair bit of people underestimate you.