Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Countryside

Ever since Mitsumi's large suitcase broke, she had to figure out how she was going to fit everyone's Christmas presents into a smaller suitcase with her clothing. There was no way in heck she was going to bring two bags. It took some shuffling and some world class level Tetris skills to get everything to fit. The trip to Karasuno was only for a few days. But, she had to pack her warmest winter clothing, work out clothes, and all of her other essentials on top of the gifts.

"Finally!" Mitsumi flopped on top of her suitcase after struggling to zip it up. The luggage looked like it was about to bust at the seams. Thankfully nothing inside was breakable.

Suga looked up from the book he was reading. "I assume that is a hidden talent of yours." He put the book into his travel backpack. He had left some clothes back at home. So, he didn't have to pack as much as she did.

"I guess you can call it that." Mitsumi checked her phone. "Megumi says that they are about ten minutes away." Her family was on the way to pick the two of them up. She stood up off of the floor and dragged her suitcase to the front door. It wouldn't stand up on its own, so she laid it on its side.

Suga met her in the middle of the living room and pulled her in for a hug. He was more than excited to introduce his girlfriend to his mother and younger brother. "I hope Nishnoya doesn't decide to hog you the entire trip." He joked and rubbed the girl's back.

Mitsumi wrapped her arms around him gently. Her shoulders shook up and down as she chuckled. "Yu already knows he can't. Besides, you said there are a few places you wanted to show me. Right?"

"Of course!" He pecked her forehead with a smile. "You're about to love Karasuno more than you already do!" He said proudly. They both laughed a bit.

Buzz buzz!

Mitsumi looked at her phone again. "They are out front!"

"I got your suitcase." Suga sat it upright as he slipped his shoes on. "Don't worry, I won't break it."

...

Megumi pounced on her sister as soon as her sister was close to the car. "Chie! I have so many photos to show you!" She was now about a centimeter taller than her older sister. But, the older one decided to not point that out.

"Show me once we start driving." Chie shook her sister off and sighed.

Mr. Mitsumi popped the trunk open and came around to the back. "You both look happy today!" He said as he helped Koushi load the bags in. "How has everything been?"

Suga bowed with a polite smile. "It's been good!"

"Busy is a better term." Chie let out a sigh. "Koushi, do you want the window seat?" She offered the prized spot to him before she hopped into the warm car.

He nodded enthusiastically. "Yes please!" He closed the trunk and climbed in the car. Megumi had already claimed the other seat, so Chie was left sitting in between them. Which wasn't exactly her favorite. But, she could make do for the time being.

Noriko was in the driver's seat. She cranked the heater up onto full blast as everyone climbed in. The ride was full of light conversations and Megumi being in charge of the AUX cord. Out of all of them, she had the best car playlist. Chie was also being bombarded by her sister, who was showing her all of the photos she had taken of Nekoma's various sports teams.

"So, Koushi, you graduated from Karasuno High?" Noriko struck up a conversation with the setter in the back. "That makes the two of us alumni."

Suga's eyes lit up. "Yes! I did. I didn't know you were an alumnus." His focus shifted from the now fading skyline of Tokyo to the driver.