Play Hard

Tokyo Dome

After the whole ordeal, everything seemed to settle down and that only left one thing to discussion for the evening. It had been a couple of weeks since they had parted ways in such an undignifed manner, yet one of the main things they forgot about was the upcoming runner-up tournament. Atsumu was one of those runner-ups and was still on the roster to compete against the remaining players. Sakusa seemed to have forgotten to have him removed from the line up and it was way too last minute to remove him without risking paying a fee of sorts. 

"So what do you guys plan on doing? I mean it's in two weeks and Atsumu really hasn't played a video game since," Komori said. 

Sakusa who sat cross-legged on the couch just frowned down at the coffee table. 

"I'm not so sure myself either. I'm completely fine paying the fee when it comes to quitting last minute since this is all on me, but it's not my choice to make." 

Sakusa then turned to look at Atsumu who realised what the raven meant and warily stared back. He was right. This was now Atsumu's choice to make whether or not he wanted to continue on and compete. But the more the thought lingered, the more Atsumu began to feel the walls around him cave in. The memory of that night when he played a game alone in his apartment came to mind. 

The sheer terror he had felt and how his body felt suffocated, it all still felt much to fresh and raw. 

Yet. . . Atsumu did not want to ride on his fears for too long. He wanted to feel what it felt to be free again. Feel what it felt to no longer fear things that were remotely new or adrenaline inducing. It almost reminded him of that time many years ago. The time that he stood on the volleyball court ready to serve the ball for his team and how at the last second froze. 

The previous day he had gotten into an argument with Osamu about their future volleyball career only for the other to say he no longer wanted to play. So on the day they had their final game together as a duo and Atsumu felt numb on the court. Scared of what was to come after losing his volleyball buddy. 

But Atsumu knew better. This was his chance in a way to redeam himself. A chance to finally make everything right for himself and Sakusa. 

So with a heavy heart and a fearful mind, Atsumu took a deep breath and finally looked up from his lap, staring directly at Osamu. 

"I'm going to do it. . . I'm going to play in the tournament." 

Osamu and Sakusa were visibly stunned, mainly expecting Atsumu to quit. However, something in Osamu's mind told him that Atsumu was not going to pull out either, and it brought a slight smile to his face as he nodded at his older twin brother. 

"If that's what you want, Tsumu." 

And with that, Atsumu and Sakusa used the spare time they had each day to practice and learn new gaming techniques. Even through the tired state that Atsumu was in, he never complained or pushed back against training. Taking all the time he needed to improve and even adopting some of Sakusa's own techniques to better his game play. 

Sakusa was visibly surprised by his improvements and would find himself at night watching him from a distance, smiling slightly and watching how the colors of the screen reflected off of Atsumu's tired face. 

Even when the blond fell asleep with the controller in hand, Sakusa would always gently pry it out of his hand and carry him to bed. Ensuring that he rested well and was undisturbed the the world around him. And sure, he was worried about him, but there was only so much he could do. After all, Atsumu was dead set on competing and bringing down the individual tormenting them both. 

-

Two weeks later, after strategizing with Osamu, Suna, and Komori. Atsumu and Sakusa set their plan into motion to expose the person who had been sabotaging them. Their scheme revolved around Atsumu competing in the runner-up gaming tournament and being in the main arena while the others guard around or keep watch for someone suspicious at the key points in the venue. Then they'd trap the individual and possibly get answers out of them before getting them arrested. Something only a select few—Kenma and a handful of organizers—knew about. The plan wasn't as elaborate as Sakusa wanted it to be, but the simplicity made it easier to follow considering the number of people involved.