The Cat and the Crow

Back To Nationals

[HOLY SHIT. THEY WON!]

[Did you honestly think they wouldn't?]

[TBH, THERE WERE TIMES I THOUGHT THEY MIGHT LOSE]

[Not a chance. Not with this team]

[HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE BEFORE?]

[Hard to explain, but this year's team had everything going right for them, and you are looking at the result]

[THIS ISN'T THE END RESULT, THO]

[Good to know you caught on to that.]

[I'M HAPPY FOR THEM! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM AT NATIONALS]

[Me too]

[ARE YOU GOING TO MEET TSUKI?]

[Yeah, once things settle a bit. They have to set up for the ceremony, too]

Kei left the restroom and stopped. Tetsuro was leaning against the wall, waiting for him. Without a word, he took the few steps needed to cross the hall, and was wrapped up in his love's arms.

"Congratulations," Tetsuro said softly. "How does it feel to know you're going to Nationals?"

"I'm happy, of course, but it's kind of surreal. I mean, we somehow beat the team everyone thought would win. Even Shiratorizawa thought they had this game in the bag. And yet... we won. We're going to Nationals."

"Amazing feeling though, isn't it?"

Kei nodded against Tetsuro's shoulder. "Yeah." After a few minutes, he leaned back and gazed into those dark honey eyes he loved so much. "Thank you for coming."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Tetsuro replied. "I wish I had been here to watch you beat Aoba Johsai. Instead, I had to settle for live streaming."

"It's okay. I'm happy you're here now."

Kei would have been happy if they could have stayed that way for a while longer. As it was, he had to go to the ceremony, and that was starting soon.

"I need to go. When do you go back?

Tetsuro sighed. "This evening. I can't stay. We have practice every day until our prelims start, and I can't miss any more."

"Are you able to at least eat dinner with us?"

"The team or your family?"

Kei shrugged. "Either. I mean, the team is pretty much family, you know. But we could go home, if you want."

"A cat amongst the crows," Tetsuro looked thoughtful. "I want to, but if it's going to be with your team, I'd better not intrude. This is your moment, your time to spend with them."

He understood. He really did. "But even so..."

Tetsuro put a finger lightly against his lips. "As much as I want to celebrate with all of you, I'd be the interloper. It wouldn't be right for me to crash your team's celebration."

Kei would have said something else, but he heard Tadashi calling for him. "Come on, Tsuki! The ceremony's about to start. We gotta get out there!"

"Dammit!" he whispered. "See you after?"

"Yeah, definitely." Tetsuro leaned in to kiss him deeply. "See you after."

"Love you more," Kei said as he backed away.

Tetsuro smiled gently. "Love you most. Now, hurry up and join your teammates."

Kei smiled, blew a kiss and winked. He stayed just long enough to see Tetsuro's wide eyes and flushed face. Then, he turned and left, laughing as he went.