Chapter Text
He did it again. Couldn't he listen for real for only once? Apparently not. What have I done to deserve this, Futakuchi thought bitter but then he remembered the times he annoyed the crap out of his senpais and how he is a brat to everyone regularly. He eyed the tall boy bowing in front of him with a scowl. Well neither of this could be that bad that I have to deal with this, he huffed. Sakunami and Aone were both standing next to Futakuchi and made sure the situation wouldn't get out of control. „You can stop bowing, it wasn't that bad. But still bad you know...“, Futakuchi tried to explain and Koganegawa stood up in his full height in front of him with the most worried puppy face he had ever seen. Sakunami sighed in relief thinking it was all over now and they could go back to practice but Aone knew it wasn't over yet.
Since the third years retired prematurely nothing seemed to work anymore. The whole team dynamic was out of balance and it was frustrating to everyone. Especially Futakuchi had to deal with it since he also became the new captain. He somewhat felt responsible for the lack of success even though Aone told him that it isn't unusual that it would take some time to get in synch with new members. Two weeks without noticable improvement wasn't enough for Futakuchi and he thought he knew the main reason for it all.
„Stop looking at me like that, Koganegawa!“, he groaned, „you just hit me with a volleyball and didn't break a bone or something.“ Koganegawa blinked at him „For me it is equally bad Fukatuchi-senpai!“ Futakuchi clenched his teeth in annoyance and he could hear Aone and Sakunami chuckle behind his back. „Actually its Futakuchi, but-“ „I'm so sorry! I'll remember it from now on!“ Koganegawa bowed again in apology. Futakuchi stared at him. Sometimes he just didn't get that kid. „Just.. go okay? It's alright for now. Pratice some more with Sakunami.“ The two first years went back to the court and Futakuchi was unusually quiet. Aone was so close to asking him what's wrong when suddenly he turned to his best friend, grabbing him by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes with shock. „I'm losing it.“ Futakuchi whispered fearfully, Aones eyes widened and he started to worry when Futakuchi continued „I'm starting to lose my snark.“ Aone thought that wasn't possible, Futakuchi would have enough snark for even his own grandchildren but when he thought about it his best friends sharp tongue got a little less sharp the last few weeks. Still he shook his head in encouragement. „The first years are stealing it.“, Futakuchi kept going in all seriousness, „it all started since they appeared. There's no other possibility“ Aone could count two immediately but it wasn't as if his friend would listen to it anyway so he just looked at him with an asking expression on the face. Futakuchi frowned then his lips turned into a sly grin „You're right. It's not because of the pressure of me being a captain and the constant losses against other teams. But instead-“ Aone knew he wouldn't come up with a serious or realistic conclusion now „-it was you all along who took my snark! Just look at you trying to hide your smug smile, you pity me!“ He pointed at Aone but he just looked back unimpressed until Futakuchi put his finger down and sighed. „I don't know what's going wrong, Aone.“, he admitted, „We knew everything would change after the third years leave but it all feels just so weird.“ „You just answered it before.“, Aone said quietly, „you know why and so does everyone else.“ They both stood next to each other in silence for a while watching the others practicing. „We're starting to change don't we? I mean you and me.“, Futakuchi said and Aone slowly nodded „We're going to grow up and become even more responsible as senpais.“, he answered. „I'm not ready yet! I don't know how to be a good senpai or captain, I don't-“ the serious look in Aones eyes made Futakuchi quiet. „You have to.“, Aone said watching over the court again, „for the team.“ Futakuchi blinked at him then followed his gaze and he knew that his friend and vice captain was right. He also knew what he had to do first.
„Koganegawa!“, he yelled to get the setters attention. He looked over in surprise and jogged towards his captain. „Yes?“ Futakuchi eyed him before answering „We're going to make you the best setter for the Iron Wall, you understand? You're going to learn how to make the perfect toss for every single player, you're going to learn dump shots and you're going to learn how to block properly.“ Koganegawa gulped but had a fire burning in his eyes. „I'll do my best Futakuchi-senpai!“, he said proudly and excited but Futakuchi also noticed the worry beneath the excitement. He put a hand on the younger boys shoulder. „Don't worry.“, he said grinning confidently, „we're going to make it work together as a team!"