Four out of Six

~Chapter 4~

By August it was very clear Suga wasn't doing as well as before.

He wore the wig most of the time now. He'd lost weight. He was also out of school more often now, having to visit the doctor more often. Daichi asked about it, but to no avail. Suga would simply smile and brush it off like he always did.

It wasn't brought up again until after they left for Tokyo. The bus ride went smoothly, but Suga was up at the crack of dawn groaning. It woke Daichi, who was sitting next to him.

"How are you feeling?" Daichi asked.

Suga looked pale.

"I'm fine," he said firmly.

"Are you sure you're okay to go to the training camp?" Daichi asked, his voice laced with concern. "I'm sure we can arrange for you to go home early."

Suga sighed. "All I can do at this point is what I can. I want to be there, Daichi, and I'm going to stay for the whole week."

"It'll be tough. And hot, I heard."

"My parents already called and found all the hospitals in the area. Worst case scenario I can go to the nearest one there." Suga patted Daichi on the arm. "I'm fine. Don't worry so much."

"But--"

"He'll be okay," Asahi said, leaning over the aisle.

"His health, though..."

"He just said he'll be fine. I'm sure he will be. And worst case scenario, Suga will sit out for a while and go to the hospital."

"I'm right here, you know," Suga grumbled. "Also, sorry for waking you, Asahi."

"It's fine," he said with a yawn. "We're almost there anyway. I think."

That they were. Within two hours they'd arrived safe and sound in Saitama. They were greeted by Nekoma. Excitement was in the air.

Suga stood aside from the group a bit. He was already sweating, and the humidity wasn't helping in the slightest. Even the gym was unbearable. The whole team changed quickly. Suga tried to ignore the way his ribs were beginning to stick out, or how his hair kept getting caught on his shirt.

"Huddle!" Ukai called.

"Suga," said Asahi, "your wig's slipping."

"Ah! Thanks."

He quickly adjusted it before joining the huddle. Ukai was looking through his notes as the team gathered.

"Sugawara."

"Yes?"

"You're not to play more than fifteen minutes at a time. And you are exempt from any punishment the team may face today. Doctor's orders."

Suga bowed slightly. "I understand."

"Just take it easy, alright?"

After that came general announcements, what to improve on, what to look for, and the starting lineup. Suga ended up on the bench for most of the day, until Hinata and Kageyama fell out of sync. He was in for a long as he could be.

The first day went smoothly. As did the second, and the third. Daichi continuously tried to get Suga to eat more with each meal, to which the setter would push the plate away and tell Daichi to calm down.

"I'm fine, Daichi," he would repeat. "Stop pestering! You're worse than my mom!"

"I'm just worried."

"And I can take care of myself."

The captain and vice captain arguing didn't sit well with the team. That, on top of the multiple losses, the strained relationship between all the first years, and the heat, really wasn't good. By day four everyone was antsy.

It didn't help when, towards the end of the day, Suga fell to his knees in the middle of a practice match.

"Suga!"

The setter was on his knees, hands over his mouth. He was definitely greener than usual. Coach Ukai was the first to jump into action.

"Give him some space!" he barked at the crowding teammates. They reluctantly moved aside.

Takeda-sensei kneeled down beside Sugawara. "Are you okay, Sugawara-kun?"

Suga looked conflicted, but in the end he shook his head.

"Alright. Let's get you outside, okay? We'll go straight to the hospital. I'll drive you. Ukai-kun, call his parents. If someone could please gather Sugawara-kun's things and leave them in the room. We'll grab them when we get back."

"You heard him!" Ukai barked. "Kinoshita, grab his things. Narita, you're out. Kageyama, Hinata, take their places."

Kiyoko handed Suga a bottle of water. He took it, but didn't drink any. Takeda lead him out of the gymnasium and towards the parking lot. It was the last anyone saw of their setter that day.

Two lost sets later, the day was over. Karasuno carried out their punishment with their usual dignity.

Dinner was a silent affair. No one felt like practicing after the events that had transpired except for Hinata and Kageyama. Both went to their separate areas and worked harder than before, until Daichi scolded them for over exerting themselves and sent them off to bed.

It was later, during the captain's meeting, that Suga's condition was finally brought up. He hadn't returned from the hospital yet. No one had gotten any updates on how he was doing either.

Daichi was obviously tense, having spaced out multiple times during the meeting. Despite not being the true vice-captain for Karasuno, Asahi was quick to fill in the spot. He took down notes dutifully and spoke when Daichi wasn't.

"So what's up with Sugawara-kun?" Kuroo asked Daichi as they all settled down to play cards. "Is he sick? I overheard the coaches saying he'll be in the hospital for the rest of the week."

Daichi didn't reply, so Asahi did for him.

"Cancer."

Everyone was silent, giving Daichi and Asahi sympathetic looks.

"I'm sorry," Kuroo said quietly, patting Daichi's hand. Daichi nodded in acknowledgement.

"He's getting better though, right?" asked Akaashi.

Asahi expected the usual 'Of course!' from Daichi. It never came. He turned to see the captain staring down at his lap with a tight jaw.

"Daichi?" he asked.

It seemed to snap the teen out of his. He blinked slowly and looked up.

"About that... Suga didn't want me telling anyone, but I think I should be honest with you..."