Chapter Text
Some days later, At the precinct
“I can contribute, Daichi--”
“No, Yui. Don’t get involved.”
Daichi’s voice was cutting. Even Yui was taken aback.
Shimizu and Daichi were able to pool in enough money to bail out their team members. Tanaka, Noya, and Kageyama exited quietly. Shimizu marched ahead of them with Yui and Daichi at her heels. Once they safely stepped outside the station’s doors, Shimizu spun around to face them.
“How did you get involved in this?” She asked Kageyama, her tone demanding.
Kageyama’s eyes looked shifty as he avoided Shimizu’s gaze.
“Tanaka and Noya asked if I wanted a chance to really kick Oikawa’s ass. I was in a terrible mood, and I let that be a deciding factor.”
“Whose idea was it?” She looked at him, and at Tanaka and Noya behind him. She had an idea already, but she needed to hear it from them.
“We all agreed to it!” Tanaka spoke up, “I’m sorry, Shimizu, Sawamura, but what Oikawa did was absolutely despicable! I wouldn’t want that for any woman. If that had happened to Saeko, I would have gutted the asshole with my bare hands.”
“This was never your concern!” Shimizu’s voice rose, which stunned them all into silence. And she knew she was going to have choice words with Sugawara soon.
“We’ll settle this at practice on Monday.” Daichi’s voice took on a scary kind of deadpan as his eyes flared.
As he said that, the doors opened. The Seijo boys slowly trickled out, but were somber and without Oikawa at the helm. Shimizu looked away when she caught glimpse of him a the door. From the corner of the eye she saw him hesitate, then walk on.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Daichi turned to the rest.
“Figure out how you’re getting home. I’m dropping the girls off.” Daichi ordered, his voice snippy. “Come on, Yui, Shimizu.”
The cab ride home was silent. Ten minutes into the ride, Shimizu heard her phone ping. She checked, to find a message from Sugawara in the group chat.
“Yui and Daichi a close second to... Those Two.” Read his message.
Shimizu heard Yui sigh.
“What will you tell him when you next meet?” She asked, her voice soft.
“I don’t know if I’ll want to say anything,” Shimizu said, “I just want that god-awful party over with so we can all focus on Nationals.”
Meanwhile, Iwaizumi and Oikawa walked back home together.
“You didn’t even try to talk to Shimizu there.” Iwaizumi told him.
“She doesn’t want to talk.”
“But again, you didn’t try.”
“Let’s just forget this day ever happened.” Oikawa groaned, “That was all shitty. I didn’t think things would got worse than losing the chance at Nationals...but now we’re here. That Kageyama didn’t land a hit, did he?”
“Tohru, you don’t fool me.” Iwaizumi sighed, “You’re feeling all mixed up because your crush is mad at you and a bunch of boys – including your arch-rival - turned on you for leading her on.”
Oikawa was about to talk, but Iwaizumi stopped him,
“Don’t try to say something about being able to fight them off, just don’t. This is our fault. You got cocky, I egged you on. I’m owning up to it.” Iwaizumi sighed, “I’m going to Karasuno tomorrow to talk to Sawamura and Sugawara. You can go with me—hell, you should go with me. Please, at least do it for the team. And when you stop being a wuss, you can try talking to Shimizu on your own.”
He left before Oikawa could say another word.
Shimizu knew that Yui must have intervened when Sugawara showed up at her desk with a cold can of peach soda during lunch. She chose to stay in her classroom instead of go out, not being in the mood to socialize with anyone, especially Sugawara.
“Kiyoko-chan--”
“Go away, Suga.”
“Oikawa needed to answer to being an asshole to my best friend.”
“At what cost? Nationals? And over a personal matter? Sugawara, were you even thinking?!”
Sugawara looked ashamed, “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I’ll see you at practice. Leave me alone till then.”
Practice was punishing. Ukai and Daichi wasted no time in screaming at everyone and having them do penalty dives across the court. Daichi was also extra aggressive, calling out even the slightest off play.
Kiyoko noticed that he wasn’t talking to Sugawara.
Thankfully, the rest of the team knew better than to even try to talk to her. Practice ended early, and the chatter was quieter than usual. Tanaka, Noya, and Kageyama made a fuss over helping Kiyoko pack up – which she allowed them to do. Sugawara lingered, she felt, and she decided that she’ll talk to him tomorrow.
If Sugawara felt like he had have someone beaten up, that means that it was definitely bad news.
And this was all because she wouldn’t really listen to him, wasn’t it?
“Suga. Walk me home later.” Kiyoko called out as she rolled up the net.
Sugawara blinked. “Sure!” He said, enthusiastic.
“Everyone.”
They turned to find Daichi in the doorway, next to Iwaizumi. There was a stunned pause.
Iwaizumi went up to Kiyoko, and bowed deeply.
“My apologies.” He told her, “I had a hand in what turned the team against Oikawa. I shouldn’t have encouraged him.”
He turned to Tanaka, Noya, and Kageyama and bowed.
“I’m sorry for dishonoring your manager.”
Daichi stared hard at Tanaka, Noya, and Kageyama.
Tanaka looked at Daichi, but then finally bowed before Iwaizumi, followed by Noya and Kageyama.
“Apology accepted.” Kiyoko said softly, “Thank you Iwaizumi.”
“Thank you.” Daichi echoed, “It’s a small gesture but we appreciate it.”
Iwaizumi straightened up and looked at Kiyoko.
“Is there anything you would want to relay to Oikawa?”
Kiyoko pursed her lips. Her gaze hardened.
“Tell him and that girlfriend of his to stay out of our way at Steve-san’s party.”
There was a shift in the atmosphere as she said that, and even Tanaka had to laugh nervously.
Iwaizumi nodded, “I’ll make sure of that.”
The walk home was quiet. Sugawara didn’t bother trying to chat with her, sensing that Kiyoko was still upset. He checked his phone as he walked.
“Well, the campaign for DaiYui worked thanks to the Karasuno Women’s Volleyball team.” He commented.
“Two captains dating, it’s a shoujo manga waiting to happen.” Kiyoko remarked, “And Yui can be a shoujo protagonist.”
“Poll ends on Friday and the party follows after. Are you going? Or is that a stupid question?”
“I’m going.”
Sugawara was surprised, “Oh you are? Are you sure?”
“I’m going and I’ll need Yui and Mai’s help. I need to look gorgeous.”
“You already are, Shimizu. What do you mean by gorgeous?”
“As in drop dead gorgeous.”
Sugawara grinned, “Let’s do this.”