Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Struggle

"We need to watch out for UTsukaba's number 4. Her name is Aimi. I met her at training camp." Mitsumi had done all of the intel work with Riza the night before. "Her spike can kill a man." She wasn't exaggerating the last part either. She remembered the awful pain she felt from receiving her spike over and over at camp. She had been blasted back by the force multiple times. "The whole team really doesn't mess around."

Riza nodded in agreement as they concluded their morning practice. "Today will be the first time in five years we have made it to the finals! Let's make it happen!"

After everyone helped to clean up, Mitsumi decided that it would be a good day to take some pictures outside. She had been scolded by Bokuto the previous night for not having updated any of her social media profile photos in over a year.

Matsuki had found a fun mural outside the stadium and directed the girl on how to pose. She finished snapping several pictures and pulled up Mitsumi's gallery. "Yes, Queen!"

"These are all so good!" Mitsumi was surprised at how good they all looked. "If I had Megumi take these, she'd force me into a two-hour photo shoot." She slipped her phone back into her pocket. "I owe you again."

"Hey, no worries! Let's get one together really quick!" Matsuki pulled her phone out and held it up.

"I can take it for you." Someone had spotted the two players.

Matsuki lowered the phone and passed it over. "Oh! Thanks so much!" She flashed a closed-eyed smile.

After a couple of pictures were taken, Mitsumi glanced at her best friend. "You haven't texted me at all this week, Saki." She said in a tone that made it seem like she was offended.

The pink-clad girl rolled her eyes, knowing that Mitsumi was only being sarcastic. Saki flipped one of her braids over her shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. Mayu, Akira, and I are grabbing lunch together if you want to join us."

"Yeah, let me know where." Mitsumi nodded in agreement.

Matsuki blinked several times. "Bold move, Mitsumi."

"What? Just because we all hate each other on the court, doesn't mean we can't be friends off the court." Mitsumi shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, they are my old teammates."

Saki rested an elbow on Mitsumi's head. "Heck yeah. Mayu and Akira know I'm gonna crush them today. So, I bet they are going to be begging for mercy." She was excited to play against her best friends.

Matsuki could feel herself shrink. She was already intimidated by Miyagi, but watching her teammate interact with her best friend was making her even more nervous. The ravenette was at least happy that she didn't need to break up a fight. But, her nerves were telling her that one was still a possibility.

"We have to go pick up something from the convenience store. I'll meet up with you guys later!" Saki waved and ran off. She had lost a bet and owed everyone on her team some snacks.

...

Mayu and Akira were decked out in their dark purple and silver team wear. They and Saki were sporting their Youth Team pins on their jackets. And hopefully, they would all be gaining another one. Mitsumi joined them on the outside patio after having to break up a scuffle between Kuroo and Matsuda.

"Mitsumi! We all made it to the semifinals." Mayu whined, "That means we have to play against each other!"

Mitsumi rolled her eyes as she bit into her onigiri. "It was bound to happen at some point."

"So cold," Akira muttered under her breath. "Anyways, you guys are playing Tsukuba? The upperclassmen were telling me their match against them last year was a hassle." She was grateful that the stars had listened to her wish and not allowed them to have to play them quite yet.