"You have enough money for groceries yet?" Tsukishima asked as he walked back into his flower shop. Yamaguchi was sweeping the main floor area as they neared closing time.

"I will after today." The dark haired male flushed. Tsukki paid him on a day to day basis with cash from the register. He told him that it would balance out when he did the books at the end of the week. He felt bad that his friend had to float him as much as he did because of his fluctuating job.

"Good, you need to be able to eat Yamaguchi." Kei chided. "Honestly, you have a job here whenever you need it."

"I know." He was embarrassed enough for the night. "I just hate admitting that I need help."

"How long have we been friends?" The blond sighed. "You can trust me."

"Thanks Tsukki." He quickly finished sweeping while the shop owner worked on shutting down the register.

"I think that guy, Kuroo, who keeps coming in to buy flowers is interested in someone in KYUU."

Yamaguchi looked up at the offhand comment. Tsukishima wasn't known for his sudden revelations or commentary on others' lives.

"Really?" Tadashi asked politely. He had no interest in the topic.

"I saw him in the KYUU offices today leaving behind the bouquet he bought this morning. When we went in for the meeting regarding the King." Kei keyed in a few commands on the register the drawer soared open.

"That's interesting. It seems like everyone we're meeting lately have a tie to KYUU, or they're KYUU themselves. It must be fate." Yamaguchi joked.

"Fate," Tsukki scoffed. He pushed a wad of cash and a few coins across the counter to him. "Your pay."

"Thanks, I'll go get food now." He pocketed the money.

"Turn the sign on the door on your way out."

"No problem." Tadashi agreed. He flicked the switch for the electronic "OPEN" sign and turned the plastic sign hanging from a chain and suction cup on the class door.

Yamaguchi's breath crystalized when it hit the cold wall of air outside the shop. He looked back to see Tsukishima finishing his work with the register before he'd lock the front door for security. He smiled. Once upon a time he'd had a crush on his best friend from childhood, but he'd grown out of it when they went to University. Kei politely made Yamaguchi aware that he knew how his best friend felt about him, and despite that Tsukishima was also gay, he didn't feel the same way. He apparently found himself attracted to someone else on campus, but Tsukki hadn't had the chance to introduce himself. The conversation allowed Tadashi to think over his feelings and decide whether or not he really like Tsukki that way. After a few days of contemplation he'd realized that it was the novelty of marrying a childhood best friend that led him think he liked Tsukishima that way.

Yamaguchi yawned and pushed his thoughts away from his best friend as he trudged down the street. He needed to make a grocery list so that he put his money to good use. Milk, eggs, and bread were general items people bought on a fairly weekly basis. Tadashi also knew that he needed to refill his stash of aka miso, but if Tsukishima stayed over for dinner as he tended to do, then he's need shiro miso instead. He could get a small package of it, to save a bit since he wouldn't use shiro for his own dishes.

He also needed cabbage. Yamaguchi sighed. He should've made a physical list before he went to work at the flower shop that morning.

Once inside the small store, called Shimada-mart, he wandered up and down each aisle to find things that he needed. After he'd collected the necessities, he returned to the aisles for a second time to get a few luxuries.

Yamaguchi didn't pay attention to the cashier at the end of the long line since there was only one person. He yawned as he came closer to checking out. Working at Tsukki's shop was more intensive than he expected.

"Long day?" The man asked when he set his basket on the counter.

"Yeah," he shrugged and glanced up at the other person. The cashier was a male with glasses and dark black hair that clung to his head. Tadashi found himself captivated by the person's casual attractiveness.

"Hopefully you can get enough rest tonight." He smiled and it took Yamaguchi longer than it should have to reply with:

"Y-you too."

"Ha, thanks." The man replied. "Your total is one-thousand and seventy-five."

Yamaguchi pulled the wad of cash from his pockets and started to count out the amount for the man across the counter.

"You're three-hundred yen short." The cashier told him.

"Uh," Tadashi reached for his wallet. He hoped that the mysterious three hundred would appear in his wallet at the last moment. When he opened the zipper for cash, he stared at the empty pocket. His emergency cash was at home and he contemplated calling Tsukishima for help with the last three hundred.

Yamaguchi looked up at the cashier and opened his mouth to explain, when the worker jumped in. "I can cover you that three-hundred, as long as you promise to pass on the favor."

The cashier adjusted his glasses and reached for his own wallet.

"I can pay you back." Yamaguchi tried to tell him.

"Don't pay me back, pass the favor on." He smiled.

"Thank you so much!" Tadashi bowed and narrowly missed the counter with his head.

"It's no problem. I'm Shimada, by the way, Shimada Makoto."

"Yamaguchi Tadashi, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well." Shimada bowed politely as Yamaguchi grabbed his groceries and left the store.

Tadashi walked quickly to his apartment. He was eager to get out of the cold. As he set the groceries on the table, his phone notified him that he had a text. He pulled out the smartphone and looked at the illuminated screen.

From: Nishinoya

To: Suga, Ennoshita, Tanaka, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, Kageyama

Drinks Tonight?

Yamaguchi shook his head and tapped out a quick reply.

To: Group

It's Wednesday. WTH are you thinking?

It was a few seconds before he received a reply.

From: Nishinoya

To: Group

I'm thinking that I want to get wasted since I don't have work tomorrow.

From: Suga

To: Group

You don't, but everyone else does.

Yamaguchi laughed at the teacher's reply.

From: Kageyama

To: Group

I'll come, but I'll only have a couple drinks to take the edge off.

From: Tanaka

To: Group

Kageyama knows what's up!

Yamaguchi set his phone to the side as it continued to provide messages. He needed to eat dinner first.

From: Ennoshita

To: Group

How are you doing since the press conference today?

From: Kageyama

To: Group

Fine. My boss is thankfully understanding of what happened. Have to wait a few days to see what happens.

From: Tsukishima

To: Group

I'm ready for drinks.

From: Suga

To: Group

That's unusual for you Tsukki.

From: Tsukishima

To: Group

Yamaguchi, did you get groceries?

Tadashi laughed at how his friend ignored the message from their parental figure.

To: Group

I did, fixing dinner right now if you want to drop by.

From: Tsukishima

To: Group

Already eating. I'll pay for your drinks tonight.

From: Tanaka

To: Group

Ooh, are you two gonna date?

The next text Yamaguchi sent arrived at the same time that Tsukishima's answer did to Tanaka's familiar ribbing.

To: Group

No

From: Tsukishima

To: Group

No

From: Suga

To: Group

Stop teasing them. We'll meet at Kirin City at eight.

The finality of the text gave Yamaguchi the impression that the conversation was over. He finished making his dinner and ate in a rush so that he could make it to Kirin City on time.


Shimada was locking his grocery store for the night when he received a text. He turned away from the glass doors, after testing if they were locked, and checked the message.

From: Kuroo

To: Shimada

Yooo, Shimada, Kirin City at seven thirty.

The man smiled and typed a quick affirmative reply before heading directly for the bar. He would buy food at the bar, even if it was more expensive. When he arrived at the bar, Kuroo and Kenma were already sitting at a table and the taller of the two stood to wave him over.

"It's been forever man." The artist greeted.

"We just met up on Monday for drinks." Shimada raised an eyebrow at his high school friend.

"Well Kenma wasn't there." Kuroo defended. The man with half-dyed hair was enthralled in a hand held video game and wasn't paying attention.

"You got me there." Shimada said good naturedly.

"You chose the corner tonight?" Daichi asked as he slid into the booth. Kuroo pointed at his childhood friend as a response and the officer nodded. Kenma liked darker places.

"Anyone else ordering dinner?" Oikawa asked as he jumped into the booth with Hinata and Iwaizumi behind him.

"I am. Just closed the store." Makoto raised his hand.

"I will pay for you."

"What? No, Oikawa," the grocer tried to push his friend away.

"Don't be silly, I'm feeling generous today, Shi-ma-da-kun."

"He'll drive you up the wall until you agree." Hajime leaned across the table to their friend.

"I'm famous, it's what I'm here for." Oikawa winked.

"You became famous to feed your own ego." Daichi mumbled.

"What was that?" Tōru turned on him.

"Nothing." The officer gave his friend a placating smile.

"Hey," Yachi greeted as she showed up with Asahi and Kiyoko.

"The gang's all here." Kuroo waved for an attendant to come and serve them. "What has everyone been up to since Monday?"

"Daichi met someone." Oikawa teased his friend.

"Tell us more," Asahi leaned forward on the table.

"Hey, I met someone too." Kuroo defended.

"Yes, well, you've told everyone about it except the object of your affections. We're well versed in your newfound flower knowledge." Tōru told the ex-middle blocker blandly.

"Tsukki, you're actually on time?" A voice asked as a group walked past their table.

"I was trying to be late, but I walked too fast." The blond replied.

"Come on Tsukishima, you know you love hanging out with us." A small ball of human landed on the taller man's broad back.

"Noya, don't climb him like a tree." An exasperated voice berated.

"He's a monkey, Suga!" The bald one exclaimed. Kiyoko flushed red as she realized who the person was. Their group watched in surprise as the objects of their recent curiosity walked to a nearby booth.

Daichi ducked down into the booth so he couldn't be seen and groaned quietly. Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow. "You okay Daichi?"

"The silver haired one would be the person that I met while on duty."

"That small one with the blond strip of hair was the one that I fixed the car for." Asahi nodded at Hajime.

"I recognize multiple people from that group." Hajime nodded.

"Ennoshita-san!" Yachi called over to them.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kuroo panicked. He tried to pull her back into the booth, but it was too late. The whole group had turned and were fully aware of their companions in the bar.

"Ah Yachi-san," the man greeted. "It's good to see you again today."

"I didn't expect to see you all tonight, at least here." Her eyes glanced over the group and she shuddered at the cold glare that Kageyama sent Hinata's way.

"It was Noya's idea." Suga explained. "I've been made the designated driver for this sorry lot."

"Same here," Daichi pulled himself up from the table so he could be seen. "I have work in the morning."

"Same, high school's aren't closed on Thursday's."

"Your class was really interesting today Shimizu-sensei." Tanaka complimented the beauty at the edge of the booth. His face was completely red and she flushed in response to his compliment.

"Thank you, I didn't think that front entrance designs would go over well with the class, but it's a necessary aspect."

"That's the student who shouted after you in the hallway?" Asahi asked louder than he meant to and he turned red. He tried to bury his bulk in the booth, but he had no room to sink under the table.

"Would you like to get a larger table and combine our two groups so we can talk easier?" Yamaguchi suggested.

"Yes," Oikawa slammed his hands to the table. "Let's do that."