Mouse Turned Dog

Chapter 5

     Mondays are by far the worst thing in the universe, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. It's not just because they are the being of the week but the coaches decided that they will be our morning practices...double dose of sucking. I'm not a morning person, unlike Toru who wakes up at the crack of dawn with a smile on his face. Both Hajime and I prefer our slow nights to our grumpy mornings any day, not only that but it takes us forever to actually wake up and get out of bed.

     Sadly today is a Monday...and my bed is calling me back already. Hajime and I always go to this little cafe, that's halfway to the school, and get some coffee so we can function...barely. Yawning as we trudged toward the gym.

"Remind me again on why I'm your manager," my eyes teared up from the power of my yawn.

"Cause you love me, and don't want me to suffer by myself," Aniki mumbled trying to keep his eyes open. Hooking my arm through his, hoping to get some support to keep from falling asleep as we walked. Glaring at nothing, we continued to drink our coffee and make our way to the gym. Hopefully, Toru was there already with the doors open and was starting to set up the nets...okay the last part probably not but can't blame a girl for dreaming.

"I do love you, but I don't think I can do this early morning. The sun isn't even up!!" pointing to the horizon where the sun WASN'T at yet.

"You say that every Monday." He yawned before taking another large gulp of his black coffee.

"And I mean it every time." Leaning my head into his shoulder.

"I know, I'm starting to think we should start pulling an Oikawa and come late to morning practices."

     Straightening to take a drink out of my coffee, black coffee with a splash of creamer just enough to change the color, "You say this now but come next morning practice we'll be doing the same thing as today. We're too stubborn to come late to any practice," I heaved a heavy sigh in disappointment, "even the dreaded morning practice."

     Hajime unhooked our arms only to throw his over my shoulders, pulling me into a tight side-hug, "If it makes you feel any better, next year you'll be suffering by yourself." he snickered as he held me tighter so I couldn't get away from him to hit him.

"You, my dear brother, are an ass." I laughed lightly shoving him

"But you love me so it's okay."

"Good morning~~" Our eyes locked onto the smiling and waving Toru

"That's just unnatural," I mumbled at the happy morning person.

"Agreed," Haji started to turn us away from the gym and back toward home.

"Iwa-chan!! Ume-Kun!!" He yelled running after us. "Come back!!" We kept walking, "My mom made you guys muffins!!" Stopping we turned and looked suspiciously at the setter... this wouldn't be the first time he's promised us baked goods.

"Do you believe him?" I whispered

"It's too early for him to risk his health, he should be telling the truth."

"Keywords should be." Turning back toward the taller male, Hajime and I slowly made our way back to him.

"Where are the muffins?" Aniki growled, clearly not trusting the taller male.

"I have them in my gym-"

"Where's your bag?"

"By the gym door."

    Hajime and I shared a look, this may actually be the first time he's gonna give us our promised food. Taking the chance, I slid over to Toru wrapping him in a good morning hug awhile trying to keep my coffee safe. Toru slowly drug me back to the gym with Hajime following, at the door, I all but tore he's bag apart and sure enough there were some muffins.

     Stars and hearts seemed to float around me as I hugged the promised food, Hajime coming over with a look of pure awe. Handing him one muffin, I started shoving the food into my mouth...what can I say the trek up to the school takes a lot out of me.

"Hey, don't choke!" Aniki snapped, patting my back. I was too caught up with my thoughts it seemed as though I forgot to chew my food. But you have to understand, Mama Oikawa makes the best-baked good on the planet; her pies are to die for, cakes you'd kill for, cookies you'd beg for, and her candies...oh her candies are perfect, not too sweet but addictive. So...yeah her sweets are delicious. Moving on.

     With our muffins gone, To-Nii opened the gym doors and we started setting up our nets. And by we, I really mean Hajime and Toru, cause I do not have enough coffee in my system to even think about functioning correctly. I mean, you saw I choked on my own food cause I was too engrossed to even think about chewing. When the time to start practice got closer more of the team started to appear, Mizoguchi-sensei came half-way through setting up with his own coffee in hand. The 3rd-years, SeiSei-san and Hiro-san, appeared after the coach with the 1st-years beating the 2nds.

    Now with the team, all gathered, I could relax for a while as they did their warm-ups. Simply sitting on the bench as the boys ran their laps. But sitting soon became laying on the bench, which in short became me sleeping on the bench...until Toru-nii took it upon himself to wake the sleeping bear. You'd think he'd know the saying, "Let sleeping bears lye," especially being raised with both Hajime and I. But I digress. 

    Waking up to finally start taking stats of their practice matches, I was able to start waking up for the day. Lord knows that Mondays are the longest day of the week. Practice seemed quicker than usual, maybe I should nap at practice more. The team got their criticism from the coach and they started to clean up. Once finished they all showered and I started my way to class...yeah.

    Making my way (downtown) to class, I spotted a familiar figure when I walked past a window. A certain blonde was waiting at the gates, snickering to myself as I continued on. It seems like the game of Cat-and-Mouse has begun.