A Co-Captain's Doubts

Homeward Bound

The bus engine rumbled low and constant in the background as they made their journey back to the school. While some of the teens fell asleep to its guttural cadence, others listened to music with headphones or watched the dark landscape pass by outside their windows. Occasionally, yellowy streetlights cast a dim glow over the occupants of the bus as they drove past, and it was with this light Daichi watched Sugawara's bruised face periodically scrunch and slowly smooth out again.

He wondered if Suga was having a bad dream. If he was, should Daichi wake him or let him sleep through it? There was no question the fair-haired teen needed rest, he needed more than that. He needed a doctor to make sure his head injury wasn't more than a concussion, and someone to stitch up the gash across his knuckles. While the captain thought this, the bus jumped as they drove onto a bridge, then thumped again as they drove over the other side. Sugawara shifted with the second bump, and before he knew it, Daichi had the sleeping setter piled in his lap. The vice always slept heavily when he was worn out, so it was no surprise he didn't stir as he changed positions. Not even an eyelid fluttered as Daichi draped an arm over Suga to prevent him from sliding onto the floor in case they hit another bump.

Stare settling on his friend whose head, and shoulders rested on his thighs, Daichi watched as pale silver hair slid away from his face and revealed his troubled expression once more. Sugawara's thick brows twitched uneasily as his split bottom lip pressed into the one above it, but his eyes did not open, and he remained asleep. It wasn't a pleasant thing to watch the other teen sleep so restlessly, but he figured it would be better than no sleep at all. At least he wasn't in pain when he was unconscious.

From the seat across the aisle, Ukai watched the young captain's brow furrow as he observed the boy on his lap, and he stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets as he slouched down in his seat. He spoke to the third year in a voice low enough to not disturb any dozing players, but it carried to the other seat and Daichi picked his head up to look at his coach.

"Takeda and I are going to look into that team and what happened tonight, we're gonna make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

Daichi gave a firm nod, his eyes casting down to Suga again as the setter's breath hitched momentarily, then relaxed as he let out a low moan. When he was sure he was still sleeping, Daichi turned his attention back to the coach who was also watching Suga.

"I think that's a good idea. From the way things went tonight, I don't think this was the first time they've done something like this. Suga said they were after Hinata, which means they knew about the combo he and Kageyama do and wanted him out of the picture. They're probably researching teams ahead of time and plotting ways to give themselves an advantage."

Nodding, Ukai pulled a hand from his pocket and rubbed at his chin as his eyes drifted to the side. After a few moments of silence, he let out a sigh but agreed.

"I hate that you could be right, but I think you are. What kind of scum bag allows his players to pull such dirty stunts? It makes me sick. Sugawara got in the middle of a nasty situation; kid didn't deserve that." Ukai said, eyes falling back to the injured setter and lingering on the arm draped protectively over him. Giving a soft crooked smile, his gaze rose to Daichi.

"You two are pretty close, huh?"

Daichi was suddenly grateful for the minimal light on the bus as his cheeks warmed, and he rubbed at the back of his neck with his free hand as he answered in a low voice.

"Yeah... I guess we are." Daichi murmured, giving a light chuckle, and letting his eyes return to Suga in his lap as he spoke. "We met as first years and we've been friends ever since. Not a lot of people know this, but Suga's probably one of the most dedicated guys you'll ever meet. From the beginning when we stayed for hours after practice when no one had faith in us and we lacked a coach, to now when he stepped aside to allow Kageyama the starting position. Suga has never once considered quitting, not even I can say that. He talked sense into me right before the spring tournament, I was having doubts and second-guessing myself, but he doesn't get near as much time on the court as he deserves... and he was the one convincing me to stay."