Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Competitors

Competitions were not a new thing to Mitsumi. But piano competitions were. They were infamously known for toxic environments, high stakes, and harsh critics. It wasn't a place for the weak in mind and heart.

Kuroo was reserving seats in the auditorium with Shimura and Riza. Those who weren't in the class had decided to come to support Mitsumi in the competition. Suga was on the phone with a panicking girlfriend on the other line. His heart desperately wanted to run backstage and hold her. However, it was restricted access.

"Chie, is there anyone around you?" He wasn't sure if she was alone or not.

"No." Mitsumi was breathing heavily. Her breaths could be heard through the phone. Thankfully, there were no tears this time. "I-I'm alone in the piano lounge." She was just finishing warming up when her anxiety hit her. It had come out of nowhere. She had been doing well all day and seemed to have stolen Bokuto's confidence and then some.

"I need you to breathe with me for a moment." He instructed clearly. They spent a few moments taking some deep breaths over the phone together. "What can I do for you? Do you have your emergency pill?"

"I have it. But I don't want to take it." Mitsumi could feel her body calm down enough to talk. "I just really need a long hug."

He mentally sighed. Of course, she wouldn't want to take more medication. Then she would have to notify her doctor. "Chie, I can't come backstage. But, I can give you one after."

A soft and disappointed, "Okay..." came through the line. It was just enough to shatter him.

"Is your warm-up time up?" He had an idea.

"Yeah... I have to go back to the green room." Mitsumi knew that Reiko would be coming up to warm up next. And she was the last person she wanted to see in this state.

"Mei should just be getting off the stage. That means you have five performances. I'll text her and have her give you something that will help. Can you walk okay?"

"I can. Um... thanks for this, Koushi." Mitsumi ended the call and snuck back into the green room. It was filled with music majors of various emphasis.

The way the competition was set up was to ease everyone's schedules. Everyone would perform on the same day. However, they would only be judged against their own instrument type. Needless to say, it was chaotic. Especially since a few of the piano majors were also accompanying some of the other instrumentalists. Mitsumi was glad that the programming was in her favor. She had already played for the cellist she accompanied in the morning. That was the least stressful performance ever.

Mitsumi sat down at the booth her bag was at. She looked into the mirror and sighed in relief. Her makeup hadn't smudged. Mei came up to her, holding a jacket. "Sugawara asked me to bring this to you."

The brunette took the jacket and immediately pulled it on. The familiar vanilla scent enveloped her and helped her to relax. "Thanks, Mei. How did it go?"

"Meh, it could have gone better." Mei shrugged honestly. "Are you doing alright? You look pale."

"I'm great! Never been better!" Mitsumi said in the most enthusiastic tone she could muster. "I am just a bit chilled and I forgot my sweater at home."

"Oh, well I have to change and get ready to be a collaborative pianist for the resident Prima Donna." Mei was still in her pink recital gown. She needed to change into her all-black outfit.

Mitsumi snorted a little bit. "Break her leg." She pulled Koushi's jacket tight around her. This was the closest thing to the hug she wanted.

...