Sugar Cookie

25

During the match, you text Kiyoko several times. Each time, you had come up with a new strategy for the team to try against the opposing team. When you watched the team do exactly what you suggested, you saw an improvement in their play style.

You only felt bad that Sugawara hadn't been put in to play as the setter at all during the game. You wished he'd be able to play, especially since this as his last year in high school. Once you thought about that, you grew sad. A deep frown spread across your face, tears starting to build in your eyes.

"What's wrong, Y/n-chan? Your team seems to be doing pretty good right now, why do you look like you're going to start crying?"

You turn to see Oikawa, quickly reaching to wipe the tears away from you eyes. "It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. You're too pretty to cry. What's wrong?" He stands right next to where you stood by the railing.

"It's just... only one of our third years isn't on the court. He's a setter, but the first year setter is the one that gets to play on the court with everyone. It's sad that someone who's been a part of the team longer doesn't get the chance to play with everyone else."

Oikawa looks over at Sugawara. "That is pretty sad. All the third years on my team are starters, so I don't know what that must feel like."

You don't look at the boy next you, eyes trained on your friend. "On one hand, I'm happy when the guys win. But I'm also sad that Koushi can't play and help them win."

The brunette sighs. "I see. I wish I could do something about that."

"Oikawa! Stop running off on your own!" Iwaizumi comes over, spotting you and connecting the dots. "Hello, L/n."

You glance over at the boy. "Hello, Iwaizumi-san."

The wing spiker looks over at his setter. "We're about to start our own match. Come on, stop running off to spend time with L/n." He drags Oikawa away.

"Wait, Iwa-chan, stop! Bye, Y/n-chan!" And he disappears from sight.

You focus back on the game. You see the team still having problems with the Iron Wall blocking them. You don't know what can be done about that, wishing you could play and help the boys out. Your attention shifts back over to Sugawara, who looks up and makes eye contact with you. You felt the tear build in your eyes once more, this time being unable to stop them from rolling down your face.

Sugawara's eyes widen as he watches you curl into a ball and cry silently on the second floor. "Shit."

Ennoshita looks over at his senpai. "Is something wrong?"

His eyes never leave your form. "I think Y/n's breaking down from watching this. She started crying on the second floor and now she's crouched down and curled into a ball. I wish I could go up there to help her."

Yamaguchi looks up, overhearing what the third year said. "Maybe this game is stressing her out, too. Do you think she can't come up with a way to get around Datekyo's blocks?"

Sugawara shrugged, not moving his eyes away from your curled up form. "I don't know. But this means she's going to be unable to help us."

Coach Ukai called for another timeout, turning to the other manager as the boys gathered around. "Anything from L/n?"

Kiyoko shakes her head, sending you a quick text. "Nothing. I wonder if something's wrong."

Sugawara speaks up. "She looked at me and started crying. Maybe the stress got to her as well."

Everyone looks over at you, seeing you still curled into a ball.

Ukai clicks his tongue. "This is the last thing we need right now. We're in the final set, and our strategist is crying in a ball."

Takeda takes another look to see you hadn't moved. "Maybe we relied on L/n-chan too much. I think she needs time to think."

The coach looked at him. "We don't have the time for that. We need a way around those blocks before they cost us this game."

Sugawara looked at the ground. "We can't rely on Y/n. We have to figure this out ourselves."

Daichi sighed. "Suga's right. We can figure this out ourselves. For now, let's keep doing everything we know that works. We can do this. Karasuno, fight!"

"Fight!" The other guys cheered in unison.

The guys rush back to their spots, either on the court or in the area for the extra players. The game continues, the referee blowing his whistle.

You look up at the sound of the whistle. You stand back up, wiping your tears away. You look back at the court, seeing the guys playing better. You get your phone out of your pocket and see texts from Kiyoko.

Kiyoko: Y/n, we need help. Any ideas?

Kiyoko: Y/n, Sugawara said he saw you crying. Are you ok?

You: Yeah, sorry. I just had a little breakdown

Kiyoko feels the vibration, taking her phone out to check it.

Kiyoko: Any ideas on how we can win?

You: No, that's partially what led to my breakdown

Kiyoko: I see

You: I think our best bet is to use Hinata and Kageyama's quick as a surprise. Make Datekyo forget they can do that. Try having Asahi overpower the iron wall, make sure Tanaka and Daichi also get the chance to get spikes in

Kiyoko: Got it, thanks

Kiyoko shares this with Takeda and Ukai. The moment one of the guys on the court comes over, they tell them the plan. Soon, everyone on the team is aware of the plan. Everyone gives it their all.