A Co-Captain's Doubts

Keeping a Promise

To all you kind people who leave me comments, thank you so very much for your kindness! Fanfiction doesn't let me respond to guest comments, but I appreciate you all and am so happy to cheer you up with my story and give you something entertaining! I'm doing well, even if a bit crazy trying to keep up with life and thank you guys for asking. I hope you all are doing well and wish you health and happiness as well! Thank you for your patience as I got around to writing this next chapter, sometimes it's hard to divide my time up between real life and all the stories I have going, but I promise I have no intentions of abandoning this story, I already have the ending figured out and am just as excited as the rest of you to see how I get there XD Thanks again for the continued support, your comments and love make me excited to write more!

On the court, the air had become tense again. With their vice-captain suddenly forced to leave, Karasuno was back to being on edge. Surveying his teammates as they got back into position, Daichi noticed how distracted their minds were, he could see the stiffness and it made the captain even more aware of how much they relied on Sugawara. The other setter often kept them in line from the side of the court, watching for mistakes the opposing teams made, as well as the stuff they were doing wrong. Coupled with raising everyone's spirits and guiding the younger players, there really was a tangible difference without the other boy behind them exuding support and fierce encouragement. Sugawara could do all those things from the sidelines, but that didn't even include the moments he stepped onto the court and completely changed things up. They were at a disadvantage because he couldn't play in his current condition, but even more challenged without him at all.

Daichi couldn't blame his teammates for being affected by Suga's absence, especially considering he himself was weary, but it was his job to keep the team together. Aside from that, he'd assured his friend he didn't have to worry as he went to the infirmary, and he couldn't make a liar of himself twice in one day.

"It wouldn't kill you to rely on your brain instead of your instincts for once, it must feel great to send the vice-captain to the infirmary."

Head jerking to the side, Daichi found Tsukishima giving Kageyama an irritated side glare, the ink haired boy gritting his teeth as he glared back and snapped at him.

"Shut up."

"Why? Because you're struggling with a guilty conscience?" The blond prodded, and just as Daichi was about to tell him this wasn't the time to pick a fight, an unexpected voice chimed in.

"Tsukki, you don't need to do that. He feels bad enough, I think."

Head turning once again as he followed the direction of the comment, the captain was thoroughly surprised to see it was Yamaguchi catching a ball from Hinata as they traded places, and then approaching the serving position. Watching the younger player as he gripped the ball between two hands and stared intently at the pattern, Daichi saw there was no fear or nerves as he spoke.

"We're all worried about Suga-San, but we don't have time to fall apart and mess up, he wouldn't want that. He believes in all of us and I know he doesn't blame Kageyama, he's not that kind of guy!" He yelled, fingers digging into the ball but then seeming to remember himself somewhat, cleared his throat and lowered it to look at his teammates.

"He told us what we need to do, it doesn't change just because he can't be here. We have to do everything we can to win, we can't let him down!"

Stunned into silence, Daichi checked to see how Tsukishima had taken the scolding and was even more shocked to see he'd lost some of the hard edge in his eyes. Shoulders relaxing, the tall boy let out a small breath and turned to face the net once more, his silence an acknowledgment of Yamaguchi's words.