Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Surprises

The JNT won the bronze for the first time ever in the team's history. The women had surpassed their coaches' expectations. Mitsumi was home exactly a week from the time she left. The day she returned, she was back on the court playing with her school team. The men were off in Shibuya for a practice match for the day, so the gym seemed a bit empty. The women were up in Sapporo for a special practice match. The TokyoU ladies flew up for the day but were slightly stuck due to their flight being canceled. So, Coach thought it would be good to rent out the airport conference room to do their debriefing while they waited a few hours for the next flight. 

"This upcoming weekend, we are headed out to Kyoto!" Coach Yamata announced proudly. "Kyoto University is getting ready for their prefectural qualifiers. So, we have to show them that we are still the boss this year." The goofy grin on his face made it seem like he had a bit of an ulterior motive. Sure, his high school friend and close colleague was the coach there, but that didn't mean anything. Right?

Uehara and Yuki snickered in the back. "Coach is just excited to see his girlfriend again."

"Girlfriend? I didn't know Coach was dating." Lucy said with a serious tone.

Riza couldn't contain her laughter. She had never seen Coach Yamata so flustered in his life. She wiped a tear that formed in her eye and moved out of the male's chopping range. He turned his head to try and hide his face, "You guys are worse than the high schoolers."

"Oh come on. At this point you know we like to stir the pot when it comes to these things." Takahashi redid her ponytail.

Coach let out a grievous sigh. "Heaven help me." He prayed as if he were dying. "Anyways, be here at the gym at 12 p.m. on Saturday."

"Mitsumi, don't you have some beef with their assistant coach?" Ishida decided to cool down with the libero who still seemed to have a lot of energy.

Mitsumi shook her head, "No, not anymore. Tsubakihara apologized and moved on." She went into the splits and laid on her stomach with her arms crossed. "This weekend will be a fun reunion."

"You really don't get a break, do you?" Mei looked at Mitsumi with a sigh.

"I just had a break. Two days actually." The brunette walked herself up slowly. "If you ask me, it's quite a bit." Mitsumi yawned and cracked her neck. Regardless of how much she released whatever was pent up in her muscles, it was never enough. It was also just fun to watch her teammates shiver and squirm at the uncomfortable sound. 

Kizano could hear the snaps and shivered at the sound. "Could you help me with some digs tomorrow during personal practice?" She didn't want to keep her playing counterpart up later than she had to be.

"Yeah, of course. I'll be here in the morning since the JNT is off until after training camps are done." Mitsumi nodded in agreement. There was a lot to do to get ready for Nationals again. And everyone was ready.

...

Suga, Kuroo, and Bokuto were all walking home from the izakaya they frequented with their team. They had just finished a successful afternoon practice match at a nearby school and made a pit stop on the way back for food. They were now weaving through the busy streets towards the train station to turn in for the day. They were all worn through and grateful their Coach decided to send them home. 

"So, any news on your girl?" Matsuda called over at Suga from the front of the group. 

The setter hadn't heard anything since earlier in the day when she was whining that her flight was delayed and eventually canceled. Apparently, the managers managed to get everyone rebooked on another flight, but it was supposed to arrive much later in the evening. He wasn't even sure she even boarded a plane. Although it was entirely possible she sent a text he only decided to skim over.