The Cat and the Crow

Road To Recovery

It was decided that Kei would stay in Tokyo while he recuperated. They'd be close to a hospital, in case of relapse, and the doctor who took care of him was there. The squad unilaterally decided that staying in Tokyo would be best because Kei would have round the clock care... but mostly because they couldn't stand the thought of him leaving. They had officially closed ranks around their youngest member, and they weren't going to let him go. Not yet, anyway.

With the help of his teammates, Takeda-sensei, and mom, Kei was able to use the time to catch, and keep, up on what he'd missed in school. His teachers sent emails with classwork and homework. Tadashi, and a few other classmates, sent notes to add to his own. Once he caught up, teachers sent videos of their classes.

Tetsu, Keiji, and Koutaro made sure he didn't push himself, even in regards to schooling. They made sure he rested, ate, and exercised enough to rebuild what he'd lost from being on strict bedrest in the hospital. As his strength returned, and his health was pretty much back to normal, they helped him with his volleyball training. Coach Ukai would come down to work with him, and sometimes a few teammates would join him.

Takeda-sensei even managed to get the school to allow a field trip for the whole team, including the outgoing third years. Of course, it also helped to have the backing of Coach Nekomata, requesting the team's presence for a winter "training camp" between Nekoma and Karasuno. No one had to know that it was just an excuse for everyone to see each other again.

Overall, Kei had ended up staying in Tokyo until after Tetsu's graduation in March, and because he wouldn't make it back in time to see Daichi, Suga, Asahi, and Kiyoko graduate as he'd originally planned, Tadashi videoed the ceremony and sent it via email. In return, the squad sent back a congratulations video, complete with photos of the third years' at the training camps they'd attended.

But because it was nearing time for the new school year to begin, Kei had decided to go home. He had to finish his high school career at Karasuno. He couldn't leave his team, and under no circumstances would he even think of playing for another school. Even if it was Nekoma. Staying forever in Tokyo was not an option. At least, it wasn't right now. However, living in Tokyo helped him make a few solid decisions that he might need later on.

"Are you ready to go?" Tetsu asked him, slinging Kei's backpack over his shoulder and holding out his jacket for Kei to slip into.

"I hate leaving you, you know that," Kei told him. "But we talked about this last night."

"We did. I just... I was hoping maybe you'd change your mind."

"I know. But, if the situation was reversed, would you have left Nekoma?"

"You asked me this last night."

"Yeah, and you still haven't answered me." Kei looked him dead in the eye. "You're stalling."

Tetsu sighed and scrubbed a hand through his unruly dark hair. "No, I wouldn't leave Nekoma. I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else."

"Same goes for me."

"I guess we should head for the station. We'll be late for your train if we stand here much longer."

"I guess so."

Neither of them moved. Keiji and Koutaro had already left for the station, knowing they'd want to be alone, even for just a small amount of time. Some of that time was spent packing the stuff Kei was taking back with him, and putting away the stuff he was leaving behind. With the Spring Interhigh coming up, Kei would be coming back in just over a month for an actual practice camp.

The backpack hit the floor, breaking the silence that had fallen between them, and they were wrapped up in each other's arms, foreheads pressed together.