The Cat and the Crow

The Squad

In order to keep from being seen leaving, Akaashi put phase two into action, as soon as Kei met them in front of the gym. Kuroo had already texted him with the plan.

"We'll go first," he said quietly. "You wait until we go around the curve, and then you follow behind us. We'll wait for Kuroo there."

"Okay," Kei replied. Sneaking around was making him more nervous than he should be. Everyone seemed to have everything under control. He was just along for the ride. "You've done this before, haven't you?" he asked, his voice heavily laced with suspicion.

"Well, yeah. Duh!" Bokuto answered with a grin. "Anyways, see you in a few minutes!" He grabbed Akaashi's hand and took off running.

"Not even a little conspicuous, Bokuto." Kei said sardonically as he watched them go, deciding he wasn't going to run. Walk fast, maybe. But definitely no running.

He found a dark area and hid there, keeping his eyes on Akaashi and Bokuto. When they finally disappeared from sight, Kei assessed his surroundings, made sure no one was around, and followed. He grinned, thinking himself cast in a spy movie, or something. Hands in pockets, he walked quickly until he rounded the curve. What he found made him avert his eyes politely. Bokuto and Akaashi were kissing, deeply.

"You didn't say I'd have to announce my arrival," he said loudly. He heard them break apart, and when he deemed it safe, he looked at them.

Akaashi gazed at him curiously. "You don't seem surprised."

"Should I be?"

"I guess not," Akaashi replied with a smile. He glanced down at his watch, and then pulled his phone from his back pocket. The phone was bright, indicating he'd received a notification. "Kuroo is on his way."

[No words]

[YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIS FACE!]

[Bokuto, anyone would have reacted that way.]

[I'M LAUGHING INTERNALLY!]

[Your face says you're laughing externally, as well.]

[What happened?]

[Tsuki caught us kissing.]

[And he was surprised?]

[No, not really. See you when you get here.]

Kuroo picked up his pace just a little. He'd purposely waited a few minutes longer before making his way to his friends, but now he was curious. And he really wanted to see Tsuki. That alone made him want to run the rest of the way, but he kept his cool. Only a little further to go.

When he rounded the curve, he stopped dead in his tracks, held up his phone, and snapped a picture. Then, zoomed in and took another. Even in casual attire, they were all looking good. He immediately sent both photos to Akaashi and Bokuto, and then walked toward them to join the group. He stopped next to Tsuki, and showed him the pictures, too.

Akaashi was dressed in a red and white diagonal striped shirt, a black blazer with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, dark navy jeans, and black shoes with stark white laces. He wore a watch on his left wrist and a gold necklace with volleyball, owl, and cat charms on it.

Bokuto wore a grey, long-sleeved shirt (also with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows), light blue jeans, and suede boots with leather cords tied around the ankles.He'd made a bracelet out of another leather cord, which hung loosely around his right wrist. His gold necklace matched Akaashi's. On various occasions, Bokuto would leave his hair down. Clearly, this was another such occasion. Kuroo wondered how he'd managed to get it done in the time it took to leave the cafeteria and the school.