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They lose the match. This shouldn’t come as a surprise - they’re the fallen crows, after all. Even their captain had looked weary before the match.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, maybe, but Daichi’s chest still aches.
“Dai-chee!” Suga sings from behind him, injecting as much fake cheer as he can into the word. Daichi turns around to the first year.
At his expression, Suga’s smile crumbles. “What a match, huh.” It’s not a question.
“Not much of a match,” Daichi mutters, the words slipping out before he can swallow them down. Suga tilts his head. “We were cornered and then the other team was just - playing with us, as if we weren’t even worth defeating quickly.”
Suga leans forward, patting his head consolingly. It almost makes Daichi laugh at the sheer absurdity because Suga is slightly shorter than him. “Suga?”
The setter doesn’t respond, face turned down.
—
They lose the match. This comes as a little bit of a surprise - Karasuno had won the first set with ease.
It’s a little bit of a surprise because Koushi had been substituting for his senpai and the feel of a volleyball on his fingertips feels like muscle memory but still, but still, they lose.
“It wasn’t your fault. You know that, right?” Daichi pops up behind him, a solemn look on his face.
Koushi shrugs. “It wasn’t my fault, but I didn’t help either.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Daichi replies, face open and honest. “You were really good.” Koushi lowers his head, though he’s not sure if it’s from shame or to avoid the gaze of his best friend. They’re second years and still the feeling of loss makes him feel like a little kid - he wants to cry and kick things and scream about how unfair it is, about how Itsuki-senpai practiced so hard but didn’t even get to toss to his teammates in the match.
Instead, Koushi laughs as Daichi pats him on the head, a familiar action echoing of losses and grit and hopes - next time, maybe, definitely.
—
They lose the match.
It’s - Daichi isn’t sure if it’s a surprise or not. He just feels tired, his breath catching and arms aching. This is - was - their last chance. This was their last chance and they lose the match against Seijoh and maybe it’s a sign, that he won’t ever succeed because -
Well, he’s not sure why, actually. Maybe the universe just has a vendetta against him.
This is - was, goddamnit - this was their last chance and last match maybe and they should give up the club to the first and second years. Daichi knows this. He knows he should focus on his studies and leave the club.
But his arms ache and his breath catches and it screams for volleyball, for one more receive, one more try. Once more.
Suga is already standing by the bus, head tilted back. He looks like he’s in deep thought but Daichi knows he isn’t here, not really - he’s still replaying tosses and serves and trying to find every flaw.
Daichi tries not to cry.