After a minor visual search, Mina was able to locate Kuroo – it was always easy to spot that bedhead of his. On the way to her target, she slipped past many overgrown teens, and managed to steal some pieces of meat in the process. By the time she had reached the Nekoma captain, her plate was stacked in meat. Once she was closer, the events unfolding ahead had created an opportunity for her. Kuroo and Daichi appeared to be force-feeding Kenma and Tsukishima. Poor Kenma resembled a frightened cat nibbling away at his food, whereas Tsukishima's expression made it seem he was plotting their murder. Creeping up behind the two captain's, Mina picked up a thinly sliced piece of meat, allowing it to hover over the plate until she was close enough to lob it onto the Nekoma captain's face.
"Uhh." Daichi twitched as his eyes went from the meat connected to Kuroo's face to the person responsible for the childish action. "…Saito? What did you just do?"
The brunette wore a devilish grin, watching her victim's reaction transfer from bewilderment to amusement.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to!" Feigning innocence was the only method she could think of to escape her Captain's rage. However, Kuroo would not let her off so easy.
Removing the sticky meat from his face, the ends of his lips began tugging into a sinister smirk, one that indicated danger. Mina instinctively backed away from him as she held out the meat plate as a peace offering.
"No, that won't be necessary, little bunny. You can repay me by eating this." He held out the meat strip towards her, prompting her to shake her head vigorously.
"No way! I don't want food marinated in your sweat! Anyway, you deserved it for taking away Kenma's game system! Don't think I didn't notice." Shuffling away from him, she purposefully found cover behind Daichi, who was seconds from lecturing her.
"Sorry about her, she doesn't always think before she acts." The Karasuno captain may have apologized on her behalf, but his eyes were sending daggers over his shoulder. Mina shivered at the icy glare before peaking out from behind him, sticking out her tongue at Kuroo.
"Ah, so this was for Kenma's honour? Say, Kenma do you know what Saito said about you yesterday?" She may be physically safe from him, but there were other ways to exact his revenge. Kenma wore an uninterested expression as he questioned internally why he was dragged into their childish exchange.
"I said you were a pretty setter, Kenma!" Mina saw through Kuroo's plan and decided to own up to her words to destroy his plan to use them against her. That being said, after she belted out her confession, she immediately hid behind Daichi who was seriously exasperated.
"…Oh. Thank you?" The Nekoma setter was not used to receiving compliments, at least not from older girls, and so he did not know what the appropriate response was.
"What about me? Are you not concerned about your underclassman?" The blonde middle blocker had recently developed a new relationship with Mina, sarcasm was the new norm for the two.
"Be quiet, 'Tsuki-dude'." She imitated Bokuto when pronouncing the nickname, causing him to grimace.
It was a healthy and normal interaction between the group, and Mina was secretly grateful. Kuroo had forgiven her for her little theatrics and was now laughing at the first year's reaction. She was certainly lucky to have attended this training camp.
After the barbecue each of the teams had returned to their assigned quarters to retrieve their personal belongings. It was a bitter-sweet moment, as they were sad to see it end but excited to return home with the nationals preliminary just around the corner. Once the bus was loaded, everyone began issuing their final goodbyes.
"Keep in touch, okay?" Mina's bottom lip wobbled, she had forced Fukurodani's setter into an embrace, pressing her cheek against his. "Bokuto and I have already started texting, but I need your guidance in my life, Akaashi!"
"I will, don't worry." He lightly patted her back, withholding a sigh at the similarly between her and Bokuto's vocal delivery of his last name.
Now the only person left was Nekoma's captain.
"You going to insult me again and then storm off?" When she approached him, he raised an eyebrow lazily, half-expecting another trick.
"No, you big log." She had an entire speech prepared and now she was completely thrown off. "I wanted to say thank you." Crossing her arms over her chest, she curled her bottom lip into a pout.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't do much. It was all you." A genuine smile had registered upon his lips, bringing his eyelids to a momentary close. Mina was perplexed at how pure and defenseless he could appear. It was impossible for her to control the impact it had on her heart.
"What…ever." She huffed out the response, afraid that her face would give away how his smile impacted her. "Anyway, you better make it to Nationals. I won't forgive you if you don't!"
"Yeah. We'll be there." A gentle laugh danced past his lips as he solidified his answer with a nod.
Even if the future was uncertain, she believed him.
Not a single person was awake on the journey back from Tokyo to Miyagi, some of them dreamed about participating at Nationals while others enjoyed a dreamless state. Their projected time of arrival was extremely early in the morning, an unnatural time of day according to Tanaka. As per Iwa's request, Mina had forwarded the time to him, unable to see the harm. If Oikawa was persistent enough to call the second she returned, she would simply ignore it. They would meet on her terms. At least that was the plan.
When they arrived at Karasuno High, she considered asking her father for a ride, but ultimately decided against it. It would be rude to disturb his sleep, and Sugawara had already offered to carry some of her belongings on the walk home. A true gentleman despite being half-asleep. The duo chatted about Sugawara's progress and the positive changes in the first years. The conversation was unnaturally brought to a conclusion when their eyes landed on a familiar figure stood outside of Mina's home. The brunette paused mid-step, then spun on her boot heels, and began walking in the opposite direction, leaving her luggage at Sugawara's feet.
"Nope. No. No." She mumbled to herself, as the silver-haired setter sighed. It was way too early for her dramatics.
"I guess I'll take this home with me. You can go after her." He motioned with his head in the direction his best friend was heading.
"Thank you." The Seijoh captain had jogged closer towards the vice-captain, bowed quickly then began chasing after his girlfriend.
"Mina-chan!" Waking up at the god forsaken hour was difficult enough – now he had to run!? The things one had to do for love!
"NO!" The brunette covered her ears, increasing her speed despite the pain surging throughout her legs. Her energy levels were mostly depleted, it was only a matter of time before she ran out of momentum.
"Can you slow down and talk to me!" His plea did not reach her ears, since she was humming to cancel out his voice.
Their game of cat and mouse went on for a few minutes until Mina fell prey to a muscle cramp in her left leg. Reluctantly she settled down onto the sidewalk, pressing her hand against the location that was throbbing. When Oikawa had reached her, he threaded a hand through his hair then kneeled down in front of her. His caramel irises focused on the spot that appeared to be troubling her.
"How bad is it? Did you sprain something?"
"It's fine." She pushed her chin towards her neck slightly, allowing her bangs to hang over her eyes.
"Why did you run?" Hesitantly he reached out to caress her cheek with the back of his fingers, Mina intuitively leaned towards his touch. Oh, how she missed him.
"I don't want us to break up. Even if you want to, well… too bad." She wanted to sound confident, she really did. But even if her voice betrayed her, the determination was clear in her eyes.
"I was calling to apologize, Mina. Not break up with you." He now understood why she was so adamant on waiting until they were in person before speaking. "I really think we need to talk without running away from the problem. Do you think we could do that?" His hand traveled from her cheek to her chin, to lift her gaze. The brunette nodded once, as relief had washed over her system. She had misunderstood the situation once again.
"Okay, good. How about we get some breakfast then, hm?"
A/N: So many emotions! AHH.