Chapter Text
Cale's POV:
The plan was set.
The whistle blew signaling the end of the break, watching the players go back on court, I start observing once more.
***
Tetsuya's misdirection is wearing out, this isn't good for the team. "This could cause a wrong play no doubt" I thought to myself, watching Tetsuya more closely. Waiting for the time the clock hits 10 minutes before switching him out, let him have a 5 minute break to keep the misdirection from not working fully.
"Are you okay Tetsu-kun?" I ask him, handing him a bottle of water and a fresh towel. "Oum, I'm alright Cale-kun. Kaijō was just starting to get used to me." The blue haired boy stated, his eyes gazing over the opposing team's members.
"Rest for now Tetsu-kun, you'll need all the energy you can get for the laast 5 minutes of the game."
"To say this lightly, even I don't know what'll happen in those last few minutes. It could be close, it just depends on how they'll work together."
I thought to myself. "Realistically speaking, Kagami and Seirin alone can't win." I pause...
"It's a whole 'nother story when Tetsu-kun's involved."
***
The game was, intense. To say the least.
It feels like a war against each team's aces. Suffocating but infectious, causing both teams to push themselves harder to win.
Until 5 minutes have passed, finally letting Tetsuya back on the court. "Do your best, Tetsu-kun." Stating words of encouragement, my right arm halfway lifted, with my hand curled into a fist.
...
The court went quiet, thought I didn't pay it any mind.
"Mmm... Arigatou, Cale-kun." Tetsuya thanked me. As confused as I am, I let it go. "Some things just aren't meant to be understood I supposse."
***
The match resumed, immediately starting with the same intensity it had earlier. It had an overwhelming sense of anticipation due to the scores having a close gap between them.
Thankfully, the team was following my advice the best they could. Working together as one whole rather than relying on ones own capabilities. This should be the basic foundation for any sport. How could a building hold itself up when it was built by carpenters, each with different engineers telling them what to do?
"Cale-san, their holding up their ground quite well, way better than earlier!" Riko said to me-
"Of course. No matter how tall and grand a tower may seem, if its foundation was built unstable and uneven. How could it expect to stand against another, who's not as tall, but studry enough to withstand tsunamis and earthquakes. That tower will ultimately end up falling apart, becoming shorter than its counterpart." I answer her, simply stating my own opinion. My own truth.
"That's true..." Was her only response before turning her head back to watch the game. "I'll be stepping out to go to the bathroom for a while, Riko-kun. Please continue to work hard." I tell her before walking off after I receive a nod.
...
"Shintaro-kun..?"
***
Midorima's POV:
*Earlier that day*
"Takao! Hurry up the pedalling, I can't miss this game!" I yell at the black haired boy.
"Hold on! Why can't we just alternate taking turns in pedalling?!" Takao complained- "It's because you lost against me in rock paper scissors!" I hit him back, remembering a little earlier when I had asked him to join me in watching the match against Seirin and Kaijō. He had been reluctant to join me, so I offered him a ride if he could win against me in rock paper scissors, and obviously I won. So now he's forced to watch the game with me, while having to be the one to pedal my cart.
"Ahh fine fine... You've been acting weird, like why do you even have a single flower? Don't try to say it's your lucky item when I already know it's that damn duck." Takao said defeatedly, deciding to ask a question instead.
"Why bother asking when you know I wouldn't tell you anyways." I responded- "Well, I tried I suppose..."
*Present time*
"Shintaro-kun..?"
I hear that familiar voice call out, immediately turning my head to look at the direction the voice came from.
"Cale-san..." Replying to my previous manager.
"Long time no see, what brings you here?" He asks me- eyeing the yellow rose I had on my hand.
"I came here to watch the match between your school and Kaijō. It's nice to see you again."
I tell him, closing the distance between us. "Oum, I see... The game is ending soon though Shintaro-kun, you can go ahead inside, I was gonna go to the restroom for a while before I saw you anyways."
"Then, I'd like for us to talk for a little more. It has been months since we last saw each other." I quickly say, hoping I didn't sound too desperate, not noticing the weird look I received from my companion behind me.
"Are you sure Shintaro-kun? I wouldn't want to keep you here if you wish to watch the match..." Cale says to me, his voice laced with seriousness. "It's really alright Cale-san, I don't mind." I respond back, holding out the yellow rose towards him.
"Ah... This is for me?" He asked me, looking down at the rose in my hand.
"Mmm... I had brought it thinking you would be here, thankfully I was right. I believe it's a nice contrast of color from your hair and eyes."
I say truthfully, looking at his eyes as I told him my thoughts.
...
"Arigatou Shintaro-kun... It's beautiful."
He thanks, slowly but steadly taking the flower from my hand. My heartbeat becomes uneven and my breath hitches as a soft smile appears on his face. Mentally storing this in my head, I give him a small smile in return-
"Of course, Cale-san. I'm glad you like it."
(Drawn by yours truly!🤍 Please don't use(without consent) or steal! Thank you!❤️🌹)