In the morning, Mina remained behind with Yachi, who had accidentally overslept. On the walk towards the cafeteria, the pair discussed what occurred during personal practice. Yachi reported that Hinata and Kageyama's relationship had not changed, as they were struggling to perfect their new quick attack. The older girl pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a dull ache in her temples. The other Karasuno team members were able to practice and improve as a unit, there was no tension between them. But the two first years were constantly competing with one another, despite being on the same team. It was infuriating at points. Mina considered lecturing them, but once they reached the entrance of the cafeteria, someone had grabbed the back of her shirt, disrupting her thoughts.
"Mina…?" The small blonde blinked at the spot where her upperclassman once was.
Ahead of her, Kuroo was laughing to himself while Mina swatted at the male who was hauling her to the buffet that was arranged.
"Let go! I was in the middle of a conversation! Kuroo!" She tried to keep her whines at a lower volume, careful not to draw everyone's attention.
"Oh yeah? How about you eat and then finish your conversation. Breakfast ends in fifteen minutes."
Once she was positioned in front of the buffet, the blacked haired boy released his hold on her. Mina squinted at him the entire time while adding food to her plate. Kuroo stood at the end of the line, with an eyebrow raised at her. His careless demeanour presented a challenge to her – would she really give him hell for caring about her?
The brunette refused to give him the satisfaction of a win, though. She would turn the tables! When she was closer to him, an overly joyful expression was prepared for the captain, who remained unphased.
"You were worried I wouldn't eat. How adorable. Who knew you had it in you, Tetsuro. I feel so honoured to have sucha amazing friend."
While the reaction was unexpected, it was not enough to stun the male. Two could play this game.
A grin was offered to the girl, as he captured her cheek with his thumb and index finger.
"I couldn't let my little bunny starve. That'd be animal cruelty."
The brunette had to battle every urge to physically attack him, instead, she inhaled and exhaled a few times. The short breaths were oddly endearing, and Kuroo could not help but laugh.
"Chill, okay? I gotta go help set up, but I think some of your guys are still eating. I'll see you later, Saito."
Hearing him call her by her last name was strange, it was usually a nickname or insult. She did not understand why, but it sincerely annoyed her.
"Since when do you call me by my last name?"
The Nekoma captain paused mid-step, then turned to face her.
"Oh, my dearest apologies. I'll see you later, little bunny."
She responded by sticking out her tongue, despite feeling confused why her heart had constricted when he originally abandoned the nickname. Perhaps she was subconsciously anxious that she upset him, or perhaps it was something else…
Karasuno continued their losing streak on day two, yet the boys refused to give up. They took their penalty laps with pride and continued to practice their new techniques. Kageyama appeared to be the most stressed out of the players, it did not take a genius to comprehend what was occurring. Every failed set nipped away at his confidence. When the final match concluded, Mina sought out the first year.
"Hey, Kageyama. I need to talk to you for a second."
"Uh.. Sure." The Karasuno setter exited the gym alongside the brunette with his gaze refusing to leave his shoes.
"You don't need to beat yourself up. You are probably the most talented high school volleyball player I've ever met. I mean, I thought I was pretty good at 15 but you are incredible." The sincerity of her words was also expressed with the soft smile gracing her lips. "And the fact you are still pushing yourself to get better, I'm in awe. I know one day I'll see your name on TV, and think to myself, wow. I kinda mentored that kid." Extending out an arm, she lightly squeezed his arm in a reassuring gesture.
The black haired first year could not mentally grasp what was being said. He was not only being praised but praised by someone who he respected and admired. He blinked wide eyes at her, unsure how to respond.
"Thank you. I … really appreciate … it." A bow accompanied his words. She provided him with the push he required to continue his training with the right amount of confidence.
"Now, go on and practice your little heart out."
Before joining the others for personal practice, Mina decided to check her phone for any missed calls or messages. She and Oikawa only texted a few times the day before, since he was busy with Seijoh's own summer training camp. Today she had only received a good morning message, even though it was well into the evening now. To her displeasure, there was a missed call from her mother and a text.
'I gave your info to a contact in Tokyo. I have made mistakes, but I am still your mother. I want the best for you. So please call me when you see this.'
The brunette stared at her phone, rereading the message. Did she really just use the 'I am your mother' card? A mother who destroyed her family for her selfish ambitions.
"Oi, bunny. Are you coming?" The Nekoma captain had been checking the entrance periodically for any sign of the brunette for the last fifteen minutes when he finally spotted her.
"Yeah, sorry. I'll be there in a minute." It was as though her emotions were a clog in her throat, it was a miracle she was able to respond coherently. However, despite her attempt to mask her emotions, her eyes betrayed her. They were dim, and lacked the spark that Kuroo had become accustomed to.
The black-haired male cautiously stepped closer to her, his features softening in concern for the younger girl.
"Saito. What's wrong?"
"What did I tell you about calling me that?" She mentally directed herself to /not/ breakdown, at least not now. She had to appear collected, even with a storm brewing inside.
"I only said it because I need you to know I'm being serious." Soon he was stood only a few steps away from her, with a volleyball resting against his hip.
"It's nothing. Just some stuff with my mother, okay?" The brunette fought against any urge to cry, to steady herself she stared at the concrete, refusing to catch his gaze.
"Oi. Don't shy away from me." He gently bounced the ball against her head, causing the girl to instinctively lookup. Anger flashed in her hazel irises.
"What do you want me to say? That I'm hurt? That I wish my mother wasn't so damn selfish? That I feel so damn empty when she calls?" The brunette was so consumed by frustration, that she forgot about the sadness that was clouding over her.
"Yeah. Something like that. It's better than holding it in." With the ball still hovering over her head, the black-haired boy pretended to throw it again, but this time Mina had covered her head, waiting for the impact. "You don't have to hide your emotions from me. Alright, knucklehead?"
Once she noticed he had tricked her, she slowly lowered her hands then blew out a breath she had been holding for the last few minutes.
"What happened to you worrying about animal abuse?" The brunette snapped, beginning to feel like her usual self. Vocalizing her pain had eased some of the tension that had weaved throughout her chest.
"Ah, yes. Well… I'll have to explain to them that this was for training purposes. They'll understand, I'm sure." A mischievous grin had found its way back onto his features.
"You are seriously messed up." A weak laugh danced past her lips as she shook her head.
"Hey hey hey! What are you lovebirds doing out here for so long? If you don't hurry up, we're gonna start without you." The Fukurodani Ace had popped his head out and was followed by another male seconds later.
"Yeah! I wanna practice!" Hinata whined childishly before offering the pair a pout.
"You managed to recruit Hinata too?" Mina refocused her consideration on the Nekoma captain.
"Oh, I did nothing. He came on his own. But that does mean we have two troublemakers on our hands now." Kuroo teased with a small brow wiggle.
"Troublemaker?" The ginger echoed, his mind attempting to process his supposed status.
The three upperclassmen laughed at the younger boy's confusion, with Bokuto dragging Hinata back inside. Before following his lead, Mina playfully thrust her shoulder against Kuroo's side.
"Thank you by the way. I guess you're not just a meat-head."
For the first time in two years, the brunette believed that she could overcome the trauma associated with her mother. It would be difficult, but the least she could do is accept it and begin to move on.
A/N: First, I love reading your reviews! So happy that this brings joy to those who read it. Second, it is canon that Kuroo is a caring person, SO NO ONE FIGHT ME.