𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖

ci - gym entrance

The next morning, Kageyama and Crow walked to Karasuno together, one significantly brighter than usual with a definite pep in his step. When they got there, almost everyone had already loaded their things into the bus, all except for Hinata. "He wanted to clear his head in the gym before we left," Daichi explained, jerking his head towards the gym door, which was open. 

"I'll go get him," Kageyama volunteered, jogging off toward the door. Crow just hummed and went to put his things in the bus before getting in and finding a spot by himself again. After a bit of waiting, the two first years came bounding to the bus, quickly loaded their things, then also loaded themselves and sat together.

Thus, with it confirmed that everyone was there and that everything they needed was accounted for, Takeda closed the bus door and started it up, and so they rolled out. Crow leaned against the window, gazing out with hooded eyes as he went into his thoughts. 

As they got onto the highway, he was broken out of his thoughts by a yell. "YOU GOT TO FUCK CROW-SAN?!" came Hinata's surprised and also very outraged voice. 

"Jesus Christ, chill out."

"YOU KNEW WE HAD A GAME TODAY, WHAT IF HE ISN'T IN TOP SHAPE?!"

"I'm fine," Crow threw a look over at the two troublemakers, causing them to freeze up. "Worry about yourself, Hinata."

"B-but-!" He tried to argue, but one more look was enough to shut him down. With that, Crow went back to looking out the window, pointedly ignoring the stare of his cousin burning the back of his head. He did make sure to throw up a middle finger at him, though, just to be sure that he knew the look was unappreciated. 

It didn't take much longer for the bus to arrive at Sendai City Gymnasium, though it did take a bit for Takeda to find a good place to park, considering how packed it was for the finals. Eventually they did manage to find a parking spot, and so the team was allowed to disembark from the bus and reunite with their bags and gear. As they were unloading, a voice called out to them. "Sawamura!" Michimiya called as she and her two friends jogged over. "We're here to cheer you on!"

"Michimiya! You really came," Daichi turned to greet her with a smile. Suga and Asahi exchanged a look and excused themselves quickly as the two captains of their respective teams got into conversation. After giving Daichi a good luck charm, Michimiya dramatically fell onto her friend as Daichi rejoined his team heading to the stadium, though no one really saw her do it.

Anyway, the boys volleyball team made their way to the gym entrance, where they found someone awaiting them. Ushiwaka stood near the door, looking as intimidating as he always did. He turned toward them as they approached, his eyes immediately finding the person he was looking for. However, that person wasn't the one to step up: the two brats did. 

Since they had made it that far, he supposed he should at least greet them. "Hinata Shoyo, Kageyama Tobio," He addressed the two standing in front of him. 

"We made it to the finals," Kageyama said. 

"We, who grew from the concrete, will beat you and go to nationals!" Hinata announced strongly, causing the rest of his team to grin. Crow looked unimpressed, though, which made Ushiwaka's lips twitch. 

"I look forward to it," He said to them before reasserting eye contact with Crow. "Crow, I have words for you."

"I'm sure you do," The ravenette hummed, walking forward until he was right in front of the ace. The two looked at each other, practically conversing with their eyes, like no actual words were needed. Their eyes said we're here, we can finally play each other like we promised. Then, Ushiwaka actually spoke. 

"It looks like I won't need to punish you for not making it again."

"Guess not," Crow hummed, then watched as Ushiwaka took his hand and pressed his lips to his knuckles. He was silent for a moment as he squeezed his eyes shut, memorizing the feeling of Crow's hand against his lips, before opening them with a purpose. 

"I will beat you, Crow, to show that I am worthy of you."

"And I will try my best to beat you, Wakatoshi Ushijima," Crow returned the promise. "So let's duke it out on the court."

"Yes," Ushiwaka dropped his hand and turned. "Let's."

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!" Kageyama and Hinata demanded of Crow the second that Ushiwaka had gone inside, making him glare at them for their volume. 

"What are you yelling for?" Crow made a face at them.

"WHAT AREN'T WE YELLING FOR IS A BETTER QUESTION!" They once again yelled in unison, which made him glare at them again because the volume was not okay.

"Uh," Nishinoya piped up. "Did you guys not know that Crow was involved with Ushiwaka?"

"NO!" Hinata and Kageyama yelled again, this time towards him, which made him blink.

"Oh. Well, he is. Has been for a while." He informed them, which just seemed to make them angrier.

"WE CAN SEE THAT NOW!" they snapped, then flinched as Crow stepped between them and Noya with a fierce expression on his face that promised dark things if they didn't listen to him,

"Stop yelling before I murder you."

"Y-y-yeah, guys, l-l-lets stop y-yelling now," Asahi agreed, trembling at the threat as he held his hands out placatingly. 

"Alright," Daichi refocused everyone with a clap. "We're gonna make it to the spring tournament, no matter what!"

"Yeah!"

"I said stop yelling."