Four out of Six

~Chapter 13~

Four and a Half Years Later

Daichi sighed into his coffee. Asahi was late. Not necessarily a surprise, considering it was a busy time on his family's farm. But since it was the only time they could meet up for the month, Daichi wanted to enjoy every second of seeing his old friend.

"Is this the place?" a very loud voice asked from the doorway, making Daichi look up.

"Nishinoya," he said, standing to shake the shorter man's hand. "I wasn't expecting to see you. It's been a while. How have you been?"

Noya grinned as he dragged Asahi in behind him. "Fine, fine!"

"You still playing volleyball?"

"Of course! College is awful, but at least I can play. Only reason I went and all."

Daichi smiled. Good old Nishinoya. He hadn't changed a bit.

Behind the little libero was Azumane Asahi. His hair was shorter now, no longer in its old ponytail, but he'd kept the beard.

"Hey Daichi," he greeted. "Sorry I'm late."

"I'm sorry I made you drive all the way out here."

"Don't worry, you didn't! I drove this big baby here because he doesn't like driving on crowded streets!" Noya declared with a laugh, thumping Asahi on the back. The older man coughed at the contact.

Daichi laughed. Of course.

Noya stood on his tip-toes, pulling Asahi down. "I'll come pick you up in two hours, 'kay?"

"Okay."

Daichi couldn't help gritting his teeth when the two pecked each other on the lips. He knew it was a selfish thought, but he couldn't help but think it should've been him and Suga having those easy interactions.

Noya left with a wave. Asahi sighed as he and Daichi took their seats.

"Have you gotten anything yet?" Asahi asked.

Daichi shook his head. "I asked them to wait until after you showed up."

He turned around and called a waitress over. They ordered sandwiches before settling down.

"How was the drive over?"

Asahi paled. Daichi noted his reaction through his tears of laughter.

"That bad?"

"He said Tanaka's older sister helped him practice." Asahi shuddered. "I don't want to think how poor Ryuu feels. No wonder he's the most careful driver I know."

"I could hardly imagine that."

"Me neither, until he started picking up our deliveries. So, how's your new job?" Asahi asked.

Daichi groaned. "It's a job, all right. It makes college seem like a joke. But it's a nice company, and our boss is reasonable."

Their conversation petered out as lunch came. The two ate in companionable silence, ordering coffees after they'd finished. For the next hour the two caught up about Asahi's job and the zucchini disaster from the year before, Noya's semi-pro outlook, Kageyama making the national team, and Daichi's weird coworker.

As always, their conversation veered to Suga by the end.

Asahi sighed. "It really doesn't get any easier, does it?"

Daichi laughed humorlessly. "No, it really doesn't."

"Is it weird if I say I feel like it should be the three of us getting coffee together? Like, I feel like Suga would be here telling me I should grow a backbone and learn to drive in the city."

"Are you kidding? He would tell me to grow a backbone because I drive so slowly. Koushi would have been the type who would always speed. Didn't he seem like the type?"

"He did, didn't he?" Asahi asked with a smile.

Daichi nodded seriously. "No doubt about it."

"He'd also be the one with the crazy roommate stories. I could imagine he'd refuse to live at home with his parents. Unlike us."

"Unlike us."

Asahi sighed wistfully. "His life would've been something incredible, huh?"

"Yeah," Daichi agreed, voice soft, "it would've been."

They were interrupted by Daichi's phone. The former captain ducked his head slightly in apology before pulling it out. It was a number he didn't recognize. Daichi frowned a bit.

"Who is it?" asked Asahi.

"I'm not sure. Give me a second." Daichi answered the phone. "Hello, this is Sawamura."

"Daichi-kun?"

He almost dropped his phone in surprise. He recognized this woman's voice. "Sugawara-san?"

Asahi's eyes were wide open in shock. He went to say something but Daichi held up a hand to stop him.

There was a relieved sigh from the other end. "Oh, thank goodness I have the right number. I went to your mother's house the other day to ask her for it. I'm sorry for calling you out of the blue like this."

"No no, it's fine."

"Are you busy right now? I can call back at another time."

"It's fine. I'm having coffee with Asahi right now."

"Oh!" Hiromi's voice seemed happier at that. "You and Asahi-kun are still in contact! I'm glad to hear that. I know Koushi would be too."

There was a moment of silence.

"Well, the reason why I called you was because we—that is, my husband and I—had a proposition. We were wondering if you could help us...take care of some things. In Koushi's old room."

Daichi froze at that. "What?"

He heard the shuddering breaths from the other line. It took her several moments before she spoke again.

"I know it's a bit of a different request. But we have decided to empty the bedroom. We were told it would help with coping, but..."

"I understand," he said quickly. "Does Sunday work?"

"Sunday is perfect. Thank you, Daichi."

"Of course. I'll see you around noon, then?"

"Okay. Oh! I'd nearly forgotten. Koushi said he had something he left there he wanted you to have."

"He did?" Daichi was put off by those words. "Do you remember what it was?"

"He never told us. But he said he wanted to give it to you before... Well, he never did. But it's somewhere in his room. And we didn't look for it because we figured it was private..."

Daichi could hear her crying on the other line.

"H-Hiromi-san—"

"Besides, I know he would've been okay if it was just you in there."

Daichi nodded, taking everything in. "I'll be there. I promise."

"Thank you, Daichi-kun. Please say hi to Asahi-kun for me."

"Of course! Bye."

"Goodbye."

Daichi hung up. Asahi was quick to ask questions.

"Was that...?"

"Koushi's mom? Yeah, it was."

Asahi looked worried. "What was that all about?"

"They're going to clean out Koushi's room. She wanted me to come by this weekend and help. That, and they said Koushi left me something."

"What?"

"Yeah..."

Asahi nodded. "What do you think it is?"

"I'm not sure. He didn't tell them. Knowing Koushi, it could be genuine. Or a complete gag gift." Daichi sighed. "Whatever it may be, I'll look for it."