but despite this he strives to win and he wants to do it on his own terms (with the team he built). He trusts they are capable of winning and this is maybe why he tries so hard, because he wants to prove it to everyone else, through a public victory. +

Yet he grew from that. He's never acted so desperately again. He kept working hard towards his goal and didn't shy away from the emotions and harsh truths of the sport he dedicated his life to, +

asking for advice when he felt like it all became too much, when his all-or-nothing attitude (pride?) made him consider not playing anymore. What we've seen of him in the actual manga timeline was the Oikawa that had already learned and applied what his mentor told him here. +

This is why reducing his character to a tragic inferiority complex-ridden person feels unjust to his journey, especially after we've seen him in Brazil, thriving, determined and still working toward his dreams.

hq 397 they're so cute noooo