And They Were Roommates (A Sakusa Story)

19. Let's Go: To Qualifiers! (Ft. OYA OYA gc, Kuroo, Kenma) + memes

Word Count: 2414
A/N: did I just make Kuroona virus a thing? Yes. Yes I did. please give it a vote!! 🤩

The rising sun wavers on a thread of horizon, its faint glow blanketing Itachiyama in the yolk of early morning. Stifling a yawn, I finish my head count. All of the Itachiyama players have shown up on time- if not early- and with good reason. After all, today marks the beginning of the official spring season.

"Did you bring enough water?" I joke to our team's middle blocker, who forgot to bring his sticker-covered hydro flask to a practice match a few weeks ago.

Matsuda grins before holding it up in triumph. "She's here and she's queer!" He declares.

I take a closer look. "That Kiribaku sticker is rad." The image is done in chibi style, depicting Bakugou and Kirishima from the anime My Hero Academia with their foreheads pressed together.

"Thanks!" Matsuda says, nudging my shoulder with affection.

According to Komori, Matsuda's been out of the closet since junior high. I can't help but admire his bravery. Although his teammates have been nothing but supportive, I know others are far less accepting. But lgbt awareness in the volleyball community has finally gained momentum from Iwaoi's popularity, and with people like Matsuda around, I'm confident that more and more players will be encouraged to own up to their sexuality.

"As Bakugou would say, explode the court."

"Course I will. We did it last year, and we'll do it again."

After chatting with Matsuda a little while longer, I check up on the first years. Despite having participated in fall qualifiers, I know their nerves are high. Daily practices and weekly practice matches have gotten us well acquainted, but even as I smile and tell them not to worry, I can't help but compare them to Kageyama, Hinata, Tsukishima, and Yamaguchi.

When I was Karasuno's team manager, I would toss balls for Kageyama to set, sing a 'bathroom song' with Hinata, force Tsukishima to socialize, and give Yamaguchi a hug before their matches. My relationships with them were deeply personal, strengthened by night runs to Ukai's convenience store and the occasional study sessions. I knew them, and they knew me. History connects us. We practically grew up together.

But I didn't even get to see them beat Shiratorizawa, which was once a goal we all shared.

Now I'm the team manager of the best volleyball team in the nation, but it feels severely wrong. My reasoning for switching sides was that it would allow me to reunite with Karasuno, but what was once a means to an end has become more complicated.

It's been so long since I last saw them, as distance and the woes of everyday life has kept us apart.

I am not prepared for my worlds to collide.

If I had to choose between saving the Itachiyama or Karasuno first years, I would save Karasuno in a heartbeat. But if we end up on opposite ends of the court, who will I cheer for? Will I stand by the team that practically adopted me, a transfer student from the countryside? In other words, will I stand by Sakusa and Komori? Or will my heart reach for my old friends, who I consider family?

I miss them. I miss Kageyama.

But if I closed my eyes at this very moment, I'm certain Sakusa would emerge from the darkness.
...99% certain.

We board the bus at 6:30 am, leaving 20 minutes for the bus ride and about an hour's worth of free time before our first match. I take a seat in the front with the coaches while Sakusa and Komori shuffle towards the back. As they pass, Sakusa nods his head at me and Komori pokes my cheek with enthusiasm.