A Co-Captain's Doubts

Home at Last

"How're you holding up?"

Daichi observed Sugawara's pale face and gingerly gripped his uninjured wrist as he pulled it over his shoulder to keep the setter upright. They'd been tossed around Saeko's car like a salad and the result had Suga shaky and dazed. The heat coming from him, despite the chilling cold around them, concerned Daichi.

"Uh..." He cleared his throat and swallowed as if he were holding back the urge to be sick. Daichi wouldn't blame him, after that experience he felt queasy too. "I just want to sit on something that doesn't move. How did your sister even get her license?"

"Rumor has it the instructors were too afraid to get in the car with her for another test. I think they passed her so she wouldn't come back."

Daichi's expression was one of horror. "That's just a rumor though... Right?"

Tanaka shrugged. "Who knows? She beats the snot out of me every time I ask."

Shaking his head, Daichi blew out a breath through tight lips. "We're walking next time I don't care how far it is. Could you get the door, Tanaka?"

"Got it."

"There's a key beneath the planter, don't dump the flowers or my mom will kill me," Suga said, his steps slow as they climbed the few concrete stairs to the door.

The topic of Suga's parents irked Daichi, but he knew his friend would not speak poorly of them even if they deserved it. Voicing his ire on the situation typically made Suga uncomfortable so the captain kept his opinion to himself while in his presence. Although this was the case, it wasn't a secret to most that Daichi didn't care for them.

As Tanaka searched for the key, the steady breeze picked up and whisked a flurry of snowflakes around them. Sugawara, who had already been shivering, shuddered as the cold seeped through his warmups and chilled him to the core. Daichi chaffed his side with a reassuring hand as they waited but was relieved when Tanaka announced he found it and made quick work of unlocking the door.

"The light is on the right-hand side," Suga informed with chattering teeth, following Daichi's lead when he walked them forward.

As they stepped inside, white light flooded the room and illuminated the pristine and orderly furniture. Dachi had visited the Sugawara residence many times, but the lack of warmth always surprised him. Not unlike their hair, the décor was soft grays and accented with black and silver, the walls decorated with a few photos of colorless abstract art. It was very minimalistic with ebony-colored hardwood floors, and to Daichi, the home felt more like an office lobby than a place of leisure or comfort.

He preferred to be in Suga's bedroom when he was over, at least his space was more welcoming. His shelves overflowed with books, volleyball gear organized in cubed cubbies by the door, and music was always playing. When his parents were home, it was usually something soft and classical, but when it was just the guys, Daichi found Suga listened to a wide variety of pop or rock. He'd thought the habit strange, but when his father came home early and opened the door with distaste consuming his features, Daichi understood. Sugawara's smile turned terse and schooled as he spoke with his dad, his demeanor changing entirely. It was hard to watch as he wordlessly went to his music speaker and changed it to something mainly comprised of piano, it was as if the light had been sucked right of out him. Although he smiled the kind smile he always did, Daichi and Asahi could sense his regret and embarrassment.

Tearing his mind from the unpleasant memory, Daichi drew his shaking friend inside and used a foot to push the door shut behind them. When they were fully inside, they toed their shoes off and left them in a neat line.