The night before the big match, the atmosphere on campus was electric. Kuroo sat in his dorm room, surrounded by textbooks and a pile of crumpled notes. Despite the looming exams and assignments, his mind was racing, completely preoccupied with thoughts of tomorrow's game.
"Hey, Tetsuro!" Bokuto called out from the other side of the room, where he was rummaging through his duffel bag, clearly looking for something. "Do you think we should have a pre-game ritual? You know, something to hype us up?"
Kuroo leaned back in his chair, trying to focus on his notes but failing miserably. "Like what? Chanting in a circle and holding hands?"
Bokuto's eyes lit up. "Actually, that sounds amazing! But maybe we should just stick to snacks and hype music. Everyone loves snacks!"
Kuroo chuckled, shaking his head. "You and your snacks. Fine, we'll do a snack ritual, but it's definitely not going to replace my game plan."
"Game plan, shma-me plan!" Bokuto laughed, plopping down next to Kuroo. "You need to loosen up! This is going to be fun!"
Just then, Konoha knocked lightly on the open door before stepping inside. "Hey, is this a party I wasn't invited to?" he asked, a teasing smile on his lips.
"Not yet!" Bokuto exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "But you're just in time for our snack ritual!"
Konoha raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Snack ritual? You mean stuffing your faces and calling it a strategy?"
"Exactly!" Bokuto replied with a grin. "You should join us!"
Kuroo chuckled at Konoha's bemused expression. "We might actually need your expertise if we're going to get this right."
"Expertise?" Konoha said, his curiosity piqued. "In what? Eating?"
"Of course! It's all about fuel for the body!" Bokuto proclaimed dramatically.
As the three of them settled into the evening, Kuroo felt the tension of the day slip away. They tossed ideas around about their strategy for the match while munching on an assortment of snacks. Bokuto animatedly recounted previous matches, punctuating his stories with exaggerated movements that made Konoha laugh.
"Okay, but how do you guys handle the pressure?" Konoha asked, genuinely curious. "Especially with the rivalry between you and Daishou?"
Kuroo leaned back, contemplating the question. "Honestly, it's like a game of chess. You have to stay one step ahead. But it's more than just strategy; it's about keeping your cool when everything feels chaotic."
"Right," Konoha nodded, absorbing Kuroo's words. "I guess it's easy to get overwhelmed."
Bokuto chimed in, his voice serious for a moment. "That's why we have each other's backs. No matter what happens tomorrow, we're in this together!"
Kuroo felt a surge of camaraderie wash over him. "Exactly. Whether we win or lose, as long as we give it our all, that's what matters."
After a few more rounds of playful banter and snack-fueled strategizing, Bokuto suggested they watch highlights from past matches to get hyped. As they crowded around Kuroo's laptop, the screen lit up with clips of their previous games, filled with dramatic spikes, triumphant cheers, and the thrill of competition.
Konoha leaned back, watching intently, but he couldn't shake the feeling of something stirring between them—a connection growing stronger, like the bonds of friendship interwoven with the undercurrents of something more.
As the night wore on, they eventually settled into a more relaxed vibe. Bokuto started to hum a catchy tune, and soon Kuroo found himself joining in. The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and the warm glow of camaraderie, but Kuroo's thoughts flickered back to Daishou.
"What do you think Suguru is doing right now?" Kuroo mused aloud, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Probably plotting your downfall," Konoha replied playfully, nudging him. "Or scrolling through social media like a typical college student."
Bokuto laughed. "Or maybe he's practicing in secret! You never know!"
Kuroo snorted, shaking his head. "Whatever it is, he better bring his A-game. I plan to wipe that smug grin off his face tomorrow."
"Spoken like a true rival!" Konoha grinned, and Kuroo couldn't help but smile back.
As they wrapped up their late-night snack ritual and settled into bed, Kuroo felt a strange sense of anticipation building within him. Tomorrow would not only test their skills on the court but also challenge the dynamics of their friendships and rivalries.
With the sound of Bokuto's soft snoring in the background and the faint glow of the laptop still illuminating the room, Kuroo closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off, thoughts swirling with strategies, friendships, and a glimmer of something deeper that was yet to be discovered.
The night may have been calm, but a storm was brewing just beneath the surface, waiting to unfold in the morning light.
To be continued...
