Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Intermission

As promised, Mitsumi's time off was spent cuddling and making up for lost time with her boyfriend. Thankfully, she was able to keep Kuroo and Bokuto entertained with the video game she had purchased for them. She had four days until the piano competition and she was still feeling a bit jet-lagged.

Kuroo had insisted that she make up some sort of emergency excuse so she could pull out of the competition. And it was getting to the point that Mitsumi wanted to punch him in the mouth. She decided that it would be best to lock herself in the practice rooms for now. Koushi didn't need to ask where she was going after she stormed out of Kuroo's apartment.

"So, she's gone for a month and this is how she is," Bokuto grumbled and saved his game file. "I know music is important to her, but what made her so high-strung? She's got the talent."

Kuroo stared at the front door with a frown. "The performing arts is a stressful business, Bokuto. It's not like sports where there is a definable winner." He ran his fingers through his hair slowly. Unfortunately, the music industry is solely built off of people's reputations and opinions. Two things that Mitsumi was highly conscious about.

"Yeah, besides, she just went through a heck lot overseas." Suga could still feel her anxiety as if it had been ingrained into him. "I'm sure she will sort it out. What did she get you guys?" He smiled a little bit.

"T-shirts!" Kuroo and Bokuto held up matching VNL shirts from each of the games. Each one had a slightly different design that matched the host country.

"And french chocolate." Kuroo had been looking forward to trying the sweet delicacy. Mitsumi always was sure to bring enough sweets back from overseas to last her a whole season. "Last time she played in France, she brought these and they quickly became my favorite."

Bokuto had received some as well. "Yeah, I ate mine already. It was so good, Suga! What did she get you?"

"Probably something sappy." Kuroo sweatdropped.

Suga shook his head. "From France, she brought home a nice cologne she found. And from South Korea, she got me some face masks." He was hesitant to share what she had brought back from Argentina for him. But seeing that the other two males were waiting for him to continue, there was no hiding it. "Somehow, Oikawa talked her into bringing home an autograph." He sighed a bit at that one. But he nonetheless found it somewhat humorous.

"Spoiled." Kuroo acted as if he was shafted. "You got the cool stuff."

"When she goes to America, we should have her bring snacks back!" Bokuto was all in for the food. He was happy being given anything.

Suga checked the time. "I have to get going. I have to go tutor some kids now." He sighed and stretched. His back cracked as he leaned back.

"Have fun with the kids." Bokuto grinned. "Make sure you don't scold 'em."

"Suga is more likely to scold you, dimwit." Kuroo reached for the game controller.

...

Suga fell asleep at the piano. Her arms were across the rack while she rested her head on her arms. She wasn't sure how or when she knocked out, but the knot in her neck was yelling at her to wake up. She groaned and looked around her. The few pages of sheet music she had on the rack had fallen onto the floor. Her colored pencils were also strewn across the place.

"You're back!" A voice startled her as she groggily started to clean up. Oyami was a bit surprised to see his classmate practicing in such a messy configuration. "That game against South Korea was seriously cutthroat. I'm surprised you are already back in the-"

"Thank you, Oyami. Are you here to practice?" Mitsumi cut him off. A dull throb was starting to settle into her skull. She really wasn't wanting to be around anyone at the moment.