Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Concerts and Exhibitions

It was officially the semester's concert season. Mitsumi was all over the music department and campus performing and trying to get ready for her own end-of-semester recital. All of her spare time had been consumed by dress rehearsals and concerts. Kuroo had been draining her emotional energy as he was trying to get back on his feet and she was trying to get used to being back on the court full time again.

"It's lunchtime!" Suga walked into Mitsumi's office to see that she wasn't at her desk. The music office was incredibly lively. The sounds of a jazz trumpet, opera singing, a piano, and a flute were clearly clashing with each other. So this is what she means by experimental music. He thought to himself.

Mitsumi ran back into her office and zoomed behind her desk. Her hair was flying all over the place and she seemed to be out of breath. "I'm so sorry, Koushi. I had to go fill in for an accompanist and we ran over."

This was the first time they had seen each other all week. Suga simply watched her clock out and toss all of her books into her canvas bag. "You really have been busy."

"Concert season. What can I say?" Mitsumi stood up and threw her bag on her shoulder. "Where to?" She followed him out the door. The sudden blast of cool autumn air made her take a step back.

"How much time do you have?" For as much as he wanted her to take a break, he didn't want to take too much of her time. Suga knew how much pressure she was under to perform well. Even at volleyball practice, the coaches were calling her out more.

"I have about an hour before I have to be at Piano Masterclass." She joined him at a table inside the student union. It was far warmer there than it was outside. "What are you doing tonight?"

The silver haired setter pulled out two bentos and a thermos. "Well, the qualifiers start tomorrow. So we have the night off. How about you?"

"I have a gig after practice." Mitsumi was practically inhaling the food in front of her. She hadn't eaten anything but a protein bar and an energy jelly pouch all day. She had forgotten that the qualifiers were that weekend with how hectic things had been. But she didn't want to say anything about it. "When is your first game tomorrow?"

"10 am. We are the first to play. When is your exhibition match?" Mitsumi knew that was this weekend for her as well.

"Sunday night in the Stadium here. I'm open on Saturday, so if you guys make it I'll come watch you guys." Mitsumi was relieved that she could at least make it to the second day of their games. Maybe it would give her the break she needed before the big game on Sunday. Tokyo University was kicking off the National Exhibition matches, so she needed to be ready to be on the big screen.

Suga's face sank a little bit. "Well, I'm sure we will make it." He could tell that she forgot. But who was he to blame? Right? "Am I still good to stay at your place tonight?"

"Of course! I feel bad for being so busy." Mitsumi smiled apologetically. "Plus you won't have to walk all the way from your place early in the morning. I'll even make Mapo Tofu for dinner tonight." She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. Was she completely wiped out for the day, yes. But, she needed to do something for her boyfriend. Her stress was his stress, and his stress was hers. Things would eventually even out. She just needed to make it through the rest of the week.

...

"Heck yeah! Nice kill!" Mitsumi was running on her fifth cup of Dr. Pepper by the time practice rolled around. They were playing a scrimmage against their teammates. Matsuki had barely missed Takahashi's spike. Her and Yuki flashed a big thumbs up. They had perfected the fake set that would hopefully take the world by storm.