Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Some Things Never Change

The busy volleyball season seemed to get even more exciting when Mitsumi got a video chat request from a familiar blueberry. She was currently in California for a game. And with such a large time difference between her current location and home, she furrowed her eyebrows. Wondering what her friend needed, she swiped up on the green circle to accept the call.

"Kageyama! It's been a bit! What's up?" Mitsumi had grown attached to Kageyama over the years. She had somehow adopted him as her unofficial son. He was on the Men's national team and the Schweiden Adlers. He was just as busy as she was. It was rare that they talked during the season. Unless something had happened.

Kageyama was in his Tokyo apartment. "The Adlers are playing the Black Jackals according to the new schedule the league sent out." He knew who was on the opposing team well and was already nervous about it. The game was still months away.

"I guess it's been a while since you've seen Hinata. Hm?" Mitsumi smiled gently. "He messaged Koushi when he got back from Brazil. It was a bummer that we didn't get to greet him at the airport." She scratched her head a tiny bit. All of Sugawara's friends had somehow become her friends over time. There was a deep sense of care in her heart for his former teammates. Of course, part of it was that she had met them in high school and somewhat stayed in contact over time. 

"Yeah, we've talked a couple of times." Kageyama nodded, "Miya said that he is a total beast." He ran his hand through his hair, "It'll be a good game, right?" Ah, Miya Atsumu. Mitsumi had only met him a handful of times when she would be down in Osaka for training. But she did know that the blonde had a reputation for having a bit of a loud mouth. This is why she avoided him like the plague when visiting the sister training center. 

"You literally played against teams far scarier than the Jackals, and now you are quaking in your boots?" Mitsumi hassled him a little bit. She raised an eyebrow with all intent of helping him feel better. He fell quiet in embarrassment. "Come on, Mr. Olympian, you're playing with friends and against friends. It's nothing more than a friendly game." She had developed a motherly tone when speaking to the setter. 

He blinked a few times. These were the people he knew in high school. When had he forgotten that?

"You sound a lot like Suga-senpai when you talk like that." Kageyama let out a small sigh.

"What can I say? I am getting married to him." Mitsumi smiled with a wink. "Seriously though, Kags, you're going to do great. It'll be a great game. Just focus on the JNT for now and worry about the V. League season later." She wished that she could read through the screen to pinch his cheek. 

He could definitely feel the pinch though and rubbed his cheek as if she actually did pinch him. "How is the JNT holding up in America?"

Mitsumi gave a thumbs up. "We are doing great! We went out on some excursions today." She flipped her camera to reveal a t-shirt with the different California skylines. "Do you like this? I found it at a shop."

"Yeah, it's nice." He nodded gently.

"Good because this is yours." She flipped the camera back to her face and grinned. "Tomorrow's the game, and then we fly out early the next morning."

"So it goes, Mitsumi." Kageyama rested his phone against the wall. "What are you up to when you get back?"

"Getting hitched." Mitsumi deadpanned with a serious expression to match his.

"Besides that, idiot!" He shouted which made her laugh.

"The Red Rockets have a practice game the week I get back." Mitsumi said seriously, "But we should grab lunch sometime, Tobio." She could sense he was struggling with something. It was her gift to spot someone in need of a deep conversation. Yet it was very rare for her actually to sit and execute one. It took too much energy.