The Cat and the Crow

[HE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN USHIWAKA!!]
[Kuroo, you created a monster]
[THEY BETTER REPLAY THE SHIT OUT OF THAT]
[Bokuto, you remember what you told him that night at summer camp?]
[YEAH. THAT WAS HIS MOMENT]
[Yeah. God, I wish I could be down there with him]
[Does he know you’re there?]
[Not yet. I had to catch a later train, so I was late getting here]
[YOU SHOULD LET HIM KNOW]
[I will. Not exactly sure how. And I don’t want him to lose concentration. He’s into the game; now more so than ever]
[TIME-LAGGED CHEER]
[Pardon?]
[YELL SOMETHING AS SOON AS THE REST PAUSE OR STOP]
[That’s… actually a pretty good idea]
[Even I’m amazed]
[AKAASHI!!]

When he’d arrived, he ran into the gymnasium, and looked for any familiar faces. He immediately caught sight of the Karasuno cheering section, and Akiteru was there in front, standing with Yachi, Tanaka’s older sister, and the two guys who had supported the team from the start. Shimada and Takinoue, if he recalled correctly. Tetsuro laughed to himself, realizing he knew about as much about Karasuno as he did his own team.

“Friend of one of the boys down there?” the old man said from beside him.

“Tsukishima,” Tetsuro answered. “The one who just shut down Ushiwaka.”

“Yeah. The kid who’s been conditioning himself to read block since the first serve.”

“Has he?” Another reason to curse his lateness.

“Every time the ball goes up, his eyes never leave it, and he’s aware of everyone’s position on the court. That kill block wasn’t just a spur of the moment thing. And it wasn’t luck, either. He laid a trap for the Shiratorizawa setter to fall into.”

“Wait. The setter? Not Ushiwaka?”

“Collateral damage, so to speak. Kei’s been applying pressure in the form of one-touches and blocks,” Akiteru said, glancing back at them. “Their setter finally cracked. His set was too low, but Ushiwaka went for it anyway. You saw the final result.”

That he did. Akaashi was right; he may have created a monster blocker. And yet, he couldn’t be more proud of Kei. Bokuto was right, as well; he needed to let Kei know he was here. Somehow. The timing needed to be perfect, but between both cheering sections, it would be difficult to make himself heard.

“So, who are you here for?” Tetsuro asked the old man. Apparently, he’d spoken loud enough that the four at the rail turned to look at him like he’d lost his mind. The old man also looked at him weird, but shrugged with a grin.

“I’m here to see how well the team has done since I left. My grandson is coaching them now.”

“Kuroo, meet Coach Ukai, the former,” Akiteru said, introducing them.

“Wait. No. Really?” Coach Ukai was a major player in the story of the Trashcan Showdown.

“You know me?”

“I know of you, sir. You and Coach Nekomata were rivals.”

“Friends, too.” Ukai added. “So, how do you know Nekomata?”

“Coach Ukai, meet Kuroo Tetsuro, 3rd year middle blocker for Nekoma High,” Akiteru completed the introduction.

“If anyone could be considered a spy, Saeko, it’d be him,” Shimada said slyly to Tanaka’s sister.

“It’s okay. He’s even less of a spy than I am,” Akiteru stood up for him.

“Thanks, big bro,” Tetsuro said. “I came to support Kei,” he told them.

No one said anything else, and went back to watching the game. Akiteru took a second to give him a thumbs up, and Tetsuro settled back into his seat.

“I actually came to watch Ginger and the setter.” Ukai spoke after a while.

“Hinata and Kageyama?”

“That’s right. My grandson brought Hinata to me, and I trained him a bit. It wasn’t until I saw him with Kageyama that I realized just how much of a threat those two really are. Especially with that freak quick.”

“You’re right about that,” Tetsuro agreed, having experienced it first-hand. “Hey, Coach Ukai?”

“What is it?”

“Mind if I take a couple pictures with you? I want to send one to Coach Nekomata.”

Ukai practically scrutinized him, but eventually relented. Tetsuro took a photo of Ukai first, and then a selfie with him. He dutifully sent the pictures to Coach Nekomata in email, and then also sent them to Bokuto and Akaashi in the group chat. Kei would no doubt see it later.

That done, Tetsuro thanked the old coach and returned his full attention to Kei and the game. Between the noise the cheering sections and the spectators were making, he couldn’t find the right time to do his own cheer for Kei, so he excused himself and went to stand next to Akiteru. It might have been one of his better ideas, because, during a sub out, Kei looked up in the direction of the Karasuno section, and stopped when his gaze landed on him. Surprise mingled with a little relief, and Kei raised a subtle peace sign. Tetsuro returned it, and smiled.

I’m here for you, my love. Do your best.

[You’re Hurt!]

[DO YOU THINK THEY’LL WIN?]
[It’s definitely looking like they will]
[STILL UNBELIEVABLE THEY MADE IT THIS FAR]
[Not really. Not with this team.]
[HOW SO?]
[Think about it. I need to put my phone up, guys. Ttyl]
[ttyl]

Tetsuro put his phone away, and rested his arms on the rail. His nerves were strung tight, as was everyone else’s in the Karasuno section. It had been years since their volleyball team had come this far, and while everyone clearly hoped for a win, it could easily take a turn for the worse.

They’d made it about halfway into a 15 point set when Ushiwaka slammed a spike. Karasuno’s cheering section went wild; and it appeared the ball had gone out, according to the line judges. But then, the net judge overruled it, saying someone touched the ball first. No one knew exactly what happened, but then he saw Kei.

“Shit,” he whispered, as Akiteru grabbed his arm and pushed.

“Go. Now. Move!”

“Right.” They ran, with Yachi right behind them, and met up with Kei and Kiyoko on the ground floor outside the gym.

Kei’s face showed his pain, and Tetsuro went to him. “Let me see.”

Gently unwrapping the towel, Kei showed him. Maybe it only looked worse than it actually was? The blood was concerning, but that was likely from his fingers being blown back and splitting the skin. Either way, Kei was in pain, and Tetsuro was ready to inflict pain on the Ace of Shiratorizawa.

“I asked Hinata to buy me some time,” Kei said hesitantly. “But…”

“You won’t come back to see us losing,” Kiyoko interrupted with a strong voice. “Trust your teammates, Tsukishima. We’ll win this.”

Chastened, Kei looked at Tetsuro. “Coach sent me to the medical office. We need to go so I can get this fixed and get back out there.”

“Want me to go with you?”

Kei nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay. Let me just take care of something first.”

“Fine.”

Kei left with Kiyoko and Yachi. Tetsuro waited a few minutes before he turned and marched toward the gym. He’d almost made it to the doors, but Akiteru grabbed the back of his shirt, dragging him back.

“You can’t go out there.”

“He hurt Kei. I’m going to hurt him.”

Akiteru tightened his hold. “You know damn well it was an accident! Ushiwaka was trying to avoid the block.”

He did know, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to at least punch the guy in the face. Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed down enough that Akiteru let him go. He stepped away from the door, and turned toward the direction Kei and the others went.

“Let’s go. He needs us.”

“Right.”

They found the office, and Akiteru went inside first, while Tetsuro stayed outside with Yachi. He’d felt his phone vibrate non-stop since Kei’s injury, and he knew he had to tell them something.

[Kuroo, tell us what happened]
[HAVE YOU DONE MURDER YET?]
[No, I was stopped]
[How’s Tsuki?]
[WHAT HAPPENED?]
[Ushiwaka spiked the ball, tried to avoid the block, but Tsuki’s hand got in the way]
[We saw that much. How is he doing? How’s his hand?]
[He’s in a lot of pain. I’ll find out about his hand. Brb]
[DON’T TAKE TOO LONG]
[We’ll be waiting]

Tetsuro put his phone back in his pocket and went into the office. Kei was seated on a bench, his brother and Kiyoko stood off to either side. While he hadn’t said a word, he could see Kei relax a little.

“The pinky is slightly sprained, so I’ll use your ring finger as a splint and wrap them together,” the doctor was saying.

“Am I clear to play?” Kei asked, a look of fierce determination in his eyes. Tetsuro almost felt bad for Shiratorizawa. Almost.

“Yes, but the pain…”

“I can handle the pain. I just need to get back out there,” Kei said.

“Then, you’re free to go,” the doctor said. “Come see me after the game, and I’ll give you a pain reliever.”

“Fine,” Kei replied, standing up. His eyes locked on Tetsuro’s. “Let the guys know. I’ll try to talk later. Do you mind if I go back ahead of you?”

“Not at all. Get back in there and get your revenge.”

“Not revenge. Just a severe need to kick their asses.”

Tetsuro chuckled. “I’ll also mention you swore.”

“Tetsu?”

“Yeah?”

“Shut up.”

Kei walked up to him and grinned. “Wish me luck.”

Tetsuro did one better, leaned in, and kissed him. “Good luck, my love.”

Kei and Kiyoko ran back to the gym, with Akiteru following behind them. Tetsuro quickly informed Yachi about Kei’s hand, and she soon took off, too. She’d report back to old Coach Ukai and the others. Meanwhile, he took his phone back out, and started typing.

[Slight sprain of his pinky finger. They used his ring finger as a splint]
[ARE THEY GOING TO LET HIM PLAY?]
[Yeah. He’s headed back now]
[Actually, he’s just ran back up to Coach Ukai. Glad this is on live stream.]
[OMG IT LOOKS LIKE IT HURTS]
[He’s in a lot of pain, but he wasn’t about to stay out]
[YES! REVENGE!]
[No, and I quote: “just a severe need to kick their asses”]
[Did he actually say that?]
[OMG! TSUKI SWORE?!]
[He did, indeed. Anyway, I’m going back in. Tsuki said he’d talk to you guys later]
[Okay. Thanks for the update]
[WE FULLY SUPPORT KICKING USHIWAKA’S ASS]
[So glad you guys approve. Bbl]