Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Deal with the Devil

It was the end of the first week of camp. Mitsumi was currently playing a game as a setter. She was really enjoying switching up positions. The set before this, she was a middle blocker. Which was absolutely miserable. She was the shortest one in the camp. She couldn't block to save her life. But, she could spike surprisingly well. Out of all the positions, she was finding her groove as a setter. Her natural ability to read the court and her newfound ability to adjust to different players made her seem like it was her role after all. Although the stress of it was making her panic with every move on the inside. She really didn't want to mess up. The setter was the one who got blamed the most if a mistake was made.

"Mitsumi!" Tsukibahara was running up the left side. It was too risky to send the ball that way. The blockers were already tagging her. So, Mitsumi set it back to the right side, where Aimi was waiting. Saki was currently in the front row. She wasn't exactly the best at reading blocks, and that was still the case. She made the call to move to the right side of the net.

Aimi came charging from the back and slammed the ball across the net to the left. "Matchpoint!"

"Nice kill!" One of the other girls called from the back row.

Tsukibahara gritted her teeth. She had asked for the ball a few times now, but it was sent to her only once this set. Everyone else had gotten their turns. Something about Chie just ticked her off. Sure, there was at least one person that was bound to piss her off at some point. But, it was Chie who was really making her blood boil.

Their team won the set and celebrated with high fives all around. "Psh, try-hard." Tsukibahara clicked her tongue and refused to high-five Mitsumi.

Mitsumi tried and failed. It wasn't her fault though. She guzzled down some water and wiped the sweat off of her face. "A try-hard? So original." She said under her breath.

Coach Momo looked at everyone and crossed her arms. "Good work today! I'll be making rounds during personal practice hours. But for now, Group B, three laps of diving suicides. Group A, please join me in serving some balls." She had a twisted sense of humor. It must be a trait of those who played for Kyoto University. Although, it kept things interesting and light-hearted. Everyone was far too serious on the court.

"I wish I could pelt these at you, Tsukibahara," Mitsumi grumbled as she hit some serves. She just imagined the volleyball was her bully's face. How else was she supposed to cope with the demon's incessant taunts?

Hotaru felt like she was going to die. Her thighs were giving out for the day. She wasn't used to diving this much even after how many years of playing the sport. Part of her was grateful that she wasn't a libero. "Tsukibahara! What the heck is that look for?" For some reason, she was the only person who could hold a conversation with the unfriendly giant. She got up off the ground and brushed herself off after finishing her punishment laps.

"Your dives are worse than a beginner's." Well yikes. That was one way to treat another player. "We need to fix that." Tsukibahara watched as Hotaru huffed and puffed. 

Saki laid down next to Mitsumi on the court and stretched her back. "Mitsumi, I have an idea." She swung one leg across the other one.

"What is it?" Mitsumi did the same as her friend. Her whole body was aching. Thankfully, she was able to snag an appointment with the on-site masseuse. It would be her third time seeing her this week. And it was magical every single time.

"Let's meet that crap eater on the orange court."

"Yeah right! I'd have to beat you at Nationals first." Mitsumi snorted a little bit as she switched legs.

Saki glanced at her best friend. "Then let's make a deal. If Miyagi wins, I'll take care of her. If Tokyo wins, you have to."

"Deal."