𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖

lxxxiv - blending

The bus dropped Kageyama and Crow off right in front of Aoba Johsai high and then went on its way. Crow had donned a teal shirt and white shorts with black stripes on the side while Kageyama had on a black shirt and white pants. "You look constipated, loosen up," Crow jabbed his elbow into the setter as they made their way onto school grounds.

"R-right, sorry," He murmured, his frightening aura retracting a bit. There were no issues, only a few people looked their way before dismissing them and going back to talking with their friends, and so the two made it to the volleyball gym. Kageyama pressed himself against the wall as they got closer to the ground-level window, and it was at that moment a voice sounded from inside.

"Okay, we're about to start," Oikawa called. "We're gonna be swapping members next," He declared as Kageyama and Crow got into position to observe them through the window. Instantly, Kageyama let out a startled breath as Oikawa switched to the other team, which looked to be a college team. "I'm Oikawa," He introduced himself to his new teammates. "I look forward to playing with you!"

"That's Seijoh's captain, right?" One of the college players asked his friend.

"He's pretty gaudy," The other snickered before heading over to greet him. After that was done, the game began. It didn't surprise Crow how well Oikawa blended into the team of people he'd only known that day, but it definitely got Kageyama on edge. As he played with them, all of the college spikers were visibly playing better than before. He communicated well and before they knew it, the practice match was over and Kageyama and Crow had to make a timely escape.

"So," Crow asked once they were on the bus. "Your thoughts?"

"I don't think I'll ever be like Oikawa-san," Kageyama muttered solemnly.

"Of course not," The ravenette almost rolled his eyes. "Anything else?"

"...He really does bring out the absolute best in everyone he plays with," The setter said. "So much so that it's scary."

"I agree," the second year nodded before patting Kageyama's shoulder. "Don't worry, just because you aren't Oikawa doesn't mean you aren't a good setter. Remember that he's a year older than you, has more experience, and has a passion for this sport. So tell me, Kageyama," Crow narrowed his eyes at his setter. "What can you do to close that gap?"

~*~

"They live!" Hinata laughed as Crow and Kageyama returned to the gym. "How was it?" He asked as he jogged over, smiling in anticipation.

"I.." Kageyama started. "I may never be able to defeat Oikawa-san."

"What are you talking about? Stop joking around!" Hinata instantly got mad. "Did something happen?"

"I think Seijoh was playing a practice match against a college that some of their alumni attend," Kageyama informed him quietly. When we got there, they were on a break, and during that break, a different type of match with swapped team members started up. Oikawa-san joined the college team as their setter. It didn't look like he knew any of them, but after just a few plays, Oikawa-san had completely blended into the team.

Even I could tell how lively the spikers felt. The way he can draw out 100% of anyone's potential.. There's no guarantee that'll happen even if you dedicate tons of time, yet he can do it even if the spiker hates him or they have weird habits. I'm sure," Kageyama's eyes hardened. "He could command them at will."

"...So," Hinata scowled at him. "You're saying that the great king freaked you out again?"

"Yeah," He admitted, his face twisting into a smirk. "I'm really freaked out. Seijoh is the team they are now because they've had Oikawa-san for the last three years, and spring nationals is our one and only chance to go up against them. We're going to beat them together," He glanced at Crow, who was tying his hair back up and putting his incognito glasses away. "As a team."

"AHHHHHHHH DEFEAT THE GREAT KING!" Hinata hollered as he did a random lap.

"That's my line, dumbass!"

"If you're gonna yell, do it outside," Crow sighed, flopping onto the stage for a bit of a rest before going home. Then, before any of them knew it, they were all back in the Kanto region at Nekoma high school.

"So with the prefectural qualifier in October, counting this trip, we'll only be able to go to Kanto for practice matches two more times," Takeda told the team. "Let's make the best of the opportunity."

"Hai!" The team echoed. With that, everybody went inside.

"Hey, Tsukki!" Bokuto greeted. "Block some balls for me! Hey hey hey!" He beamed, and his teammates all deadpanned.

"This episode is titled Bokuto is Rejected by First-Years from Another School," Fukurodani's libero announced, only for Tsukishima to bow.

"Okay. Thanks for working with me."

"Great!" The owl cheered as Akaashi and Komi's jaws dropped. "Crow, you come too!"

"No."

"Awwww come on! The more the merrier!"

"CROW IS OURS TODAY!" Shinzen surrounded the ravenette, almost growling at the Fukurodani ace as he gaped. "BACK OFF BOKUTO!"

"Pppft, fine then!" He huffed, stomping off. Tsukishima's eyes narrowed as Crow began speaking with the team around him, but eventually, he went with the Fukurodani setter to get started.

"Thanks a lot, this will really help me out," Eikichi Chigaya smiled at Crow, who nodded to him.

"No problem. It's been a while since I've practiced against left-handed hitters, so we're both getting something out of this. Do your best," He said as he lowered himself on the other side of the net, where three of Shinzen's players also got ready for blocked ball retrieval. On Chigaya's side of the net was his setter and another two people, making it a four on four.

The plan was to start play off with a hit from Chigaya, and if Crow didn't shut it down, to play it out until one side scored. Since Shinzen had been doing penalties that day, they decided not to have a punishment for losing during this practice time.

At first, Crow was only getting touches in, meaning his teammates were having to go chase things down. Eventually, he got used to the middle's tendencies, so he was able to shut him down several times. After maybe ten in a row, Chigaya decided to call it quits for the day, sheepishly apologizing to his teammates for his lack of capability.

The ravenette thought that was bullshit, since it usually didn't take him that long to shut just one person down. Eikichi Chigaya was a good player and his team was lucky to have him.