FWOOSH! BAM!
The shrill pitch of a whistle cut through the squeaking of dozens of sneakers on the gymnasium floor, announcing not only the end of a practice match between Karasuno and Fukurodani, but the last practice match of the day.
"Whoohoo! We did it, we won Kageyama, we won! Did you see that, did you?! We won!"
From the other side of the net a loud moaning could be heard, accompanied by a heavy sigh and some murmured reassurance.
Sniffing indignantly, the ink haired setter from Karasuno pried Hinata's fingers off as he excitedly groped the fabric of Kageyama's shoulder, doing little to contain the short boy's excitement as he continued to vibrate with cheers.
"Stop celebrating you idiot, they beat us thirteen other times, we're still the losers." He snapped, crossing his arms and looking away with a scowl, although he didn't look as bitter as he had previously.
Rubbing the back of his head, Daichi sighed as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his forearm and passed by his underclassmen on his way to Yachi and Kiyoko offering water bottles.
"While I'm glad we don't have to do another flying lap, Kageyama isn't wrong… We only managed to take two matches from Fukuradani. We've got a ways to go if we don't want to be eliminated early at Nationals."
Shoulders sagging, Hinata ceased his cheering.
"Yeah, I guess you're right…"
"Daichi, what's with the negative energy? You're being a wet blanket!"
Sidling up alongside them, Suga punched his captain in the stomach and shook his head admonishingly, Daichi sputtering a cough and clutching at his gut.
"Do you have to hit so hard?..."
"Let the guy enjoy a win, he scored the final point with that wicked cut shot after all. Way to look like an ace, Hinata!"
"R-Really?!" Hinata beamed, reviving instantly and eyes twinkling as Sugawara ruffled his hair with a grin turning up the corner of his mouth.
"I guess I did look pretty cool! When the ball went FWOO I was like WABAM, and then it was like BOING-OING-OING! Man, my palm is still stinging! Scoring with a spike is totally awesome, but making the winning spike-" Hinata clenched his fists beneath his chin with watery eyes.
"That's the best feeling in the world!"
"Idiot, nothing you say makes sense." Kageyama muttered as he walked by to retrieve a water bottle, Sugawara tipping his head back with a lighthearted laugh.
"It was a good play, you're right." Daichi admitted, rubbing at his stomach but smiling gratefully at Kiyoko as she handed him a bottle. Pulling the top up and taking a long drink, Daichi wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a breath.
"I'm not saying we can't enjoy a win, just that we shouldn't let it go to our heads. We've seen a ton of areas where we can improve, this training camp would be a waste if we didn't take those things seriously."
Pouting, Sugawara let out a sigh and loosely crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well when you put it that way it almost sounds like you're right to be a buzz kill."
Daichi rolled his eyes and used his water bottle to bonk Sugawara lightly on the head.
"Don't tell me you didn't notice, you of all people should see where we could use some work."
Affronted, Suga's eyes went wide with a touch of hurt.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Seeing his friend's change in demeanor, Daichi quickly waved a hand in front of him.
"Don't get worked up, I was talking about teamwork. Since you're our best example of a team player, I thought you'd notice how much we need to work on it. Our first years seem to struggle with the concept." Daichi said, glancing over to Tsukishima who was currently goading a red face Hinata, and shook his head.
"You're someone who actively contributes to the team to help complete tasks, meet goals or manage projects. To be a true team, it's essential we all understand that our success together is also our own success. Wouldn't you say you're the best one to show them we share responsibility when the team experiences difficulties, and that we work together to solve it?"
"O-oh." Suga blinked and dropped his arms, completely blindsided by Daichi's observation and left momentarily speechless as a faint pink tinted his cheeks. Reaching up to rub at the back of his neck sheepishly, he nodded. "Um- Yeah, I did notice. You really think all that, Daichi? That's some real praise coming from you."
Laughing lightly and giving his vice a kind smile, Daichi shifted his weight to one side and put a hand on his hip.
"And why's that? Because I'm the captain? I only say it because it's true, you've stuck with this team through thick and thin."
Jumping into the conversation, Asahi joined the duo with his shoulders hunched and his head bowed.
"I think Suga means because you're usually serious and making a real scary face, so it's strange to see you look so… Uh… so…"
Chin pulling toward his chest, Daichi glared dully up at the cowardly spiker with a brow raised.
"Look so what? Finish you're sentence, ace."
Gulping loudly, Asahi ducked behind Sugawara and peeked over his shoulder.
"That's it, that's the face I'm talking about… Scary."
Snickering under his breath, Suga patted Daichi on the shoulder and pushed him to start walking toward their coach where the rest of the team was gathering.
"Your feathers are so easily ruffled, Daichi, you make it too easy to pick on you. You'd better lighten up, one of these days it's really going to get you into some trouble."
Turning his incredulous stare to his other friend, the captain crossed his arms as they walked.
"What would you like me to do, change my personality? I can't help who I am, Suga. Maybe the rest of you should try being a little more serious, I could use a break every once in a while- TANAKA! Why do I have to keep telling you to stop growling at people, Knock it off!"
Grabbing the second year by the back of his practice jersey as they walked by, Daichi huffed an irritable breath out of his nose and drug Tanaka along with him as he continued to bare his teeth at a player from Date Tech. Apparently a first year had gotten too close to Kiyoko as he retrieved a ball and as a result was looking rather startled as Daichi apologized over his shoulder.
"Watch where you're stepping next time, punk- OW!"
Flinching as Sugawara slapped him on the back of his head, Tanaka whined.
"That hurt!"
"Then stop acting like a rabid dog, you're going to get me in trouble, not that you care." Daichi muttered, pushing the younger boy ahead of him and shoving him in the direction of the others.
Pouting, the shaved head boy trudged toward the rest of the team who was turning their attention to Coach Ukai calling their attention.
"Alright, nice job! We managed to not lose every match today, things are starting to come together." Coach Ukai said as he nodded his head sagely and crossed his arms over his chest. "We're still in dead last for the week and we've had more penalty laps and sprints than everyone else… But we've had the chance to go head to head with a bunch of powerhouse schools, this camp hasn't been a waste. I expect you all to reflect on the things we can improve, I'm sure you've all got ideas of your individual strengths and weaknesses, but don't be afraid to open your eyes a little wider for once! "
Tilting his head to the side in obvious befuddlement, Hinata frowned as he pushed between Kageyama and Tsukishima's arms to better see.
"Uh, Coach, what do you mean by that? You don't think we should work on our individual skills?... What else are we supposed to do then?"
"Get off me you idiot." Kageyama snapped as he knocked the decoy away from him and into the taller boy.
"Hey, watch it, King. You shoved your servant into me."
"Don't call me that."
"Hey, I'm not a servant!" Hinata sputtered angrily, Coach Ukai giving an irritated groan and raising a hand to rub his temples.
"Oh right, you're much closer to a monkey than a servant, aren't you?" Tsukishima sneered, Yamaguchi snickering beside him.
"At least I don't have an ugly face like a monkey!" Hinata retorted, getting on his tiptoes to yell up at Tsukishima.
"Hey, Tsukki isn't ugly!"
"Shut up Tadashi."
"Sorry Tsukki."
Ukai watched them with annoyance, a hand moving to his hip and clearing his throat to get their attention, but it didn't seem as though anyone heard him. Attempting to break up the underclassmen's bickering, Sugawara leaned his head in with a calming smile.
"Come on guys, can't we do this later? Coach is trying to talk-"
"What was that shorty? You're so close to the ground I could barely hear you." Tsukishima retorted, flicking Hinata in the forehead and making him stagger back.
"Ouch!"
"What's wrong with being short? Hinata could kick your ass if he wanted to!" Noya snapped at the tall blond from his other side, leaning around Yamaguchi. "You'd better watch your mouth, four eyes!"
"Guys, cut it out." Daichi warned from beside Sugawara.
"Y-yeah! I could totally kick your butt if I wanted to, you're lucky I don't!" Hinata stuttered, stepping behind Kageyama hurriedly as Tsukishima leaned down to get level with him.
"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try."
"Dumbass! For the last time, get off me or I'm going to kick your ass!" Kageyama growled, shaking his arm to try and rid Hinata clinging to it.
"KNOCK IT OFF! What are you, a bunch of damn animals?! This is what I'm talking about!"
Turning to stare blankly at the blond-haired man, the team blinked wide eyes at Ukai's outburst. Staring back at them, the man let out another sigh and shook his head in disbelief as he took in their lost expressions.
"Honestly, are you really this dumb?"
"Um Coach," Takeda attempted, leaning out from behind him and gripping his clipboard with a sheepish laugh. "I think maybe they need a better explanation."
Ukai muttered peevishly but straightened once more as he crossed his arms again. "Shouldn't need an explanation, it's as plain as day. You morons need to learn how to connect! You're so busy challenging each other, spouting arrogant trash talk, and arguing, you don't work together like you need to! Take a look at the other teams, they don't butt heads nearly as much as the lot of you!"
Looking around the gymnasium, Fukuradani could be seen trying to cheer up their captain who was taking their recent defeat rather harshly. Akaashi was patting Bokuto on the back as the others took turns pointing out his more impressive spikes, the owl eyed boy slowly beginning to grin once more.
To the left, Nekoma was cleaning up stray volleyballs using an organized system that had each of the players lined up and bumping balls down a line to their setter who stood beside the cart. Looking bored, Kenma caught each one and dropped it into the container, shaking his head as they laughed at Lev who took a ball to the face by mistake, but quickly scooped it back up and sent it to the next person in line.
Aoba Johsai was across from Nekoma, and even they seemed to be sharing a team bonding experience over razzing Oikawa for fussing with his hair. He'd run his fingers through it repeatedly in an effort to restore it to its usual flawless tousled, only for Iwaizumi to grab him in a headlock and roughly noogie it to oblivion. The captain flailed and yelled profanities as the rest of his team bent over in laughter.
Date Tech was a little different as they seemed to be having a competition amongst themselves, but were still laughing and cheering as they had convinced Aone to hold his hands up as high as he could, and were taking turns trying to jump up and give him ten. The usually stoic boy didn't look as though he understood the point of the exercise, but he was grinning at each failed attempt.
Finally, a glance over to Shiritorizawa showed Ushijima giving instruction to his teammates. The underclassmen were standing attentively, engrossed in the few words their captain had to offer as a few of the other third years nodded, inserting advice and reassurance. As they stood in a loose circle, the feeling of respect was nearly tangible.
Ducking their heads at the obvious difference between Karasuno and the rest of the teams, the group of boys looked wearily to one another and remained silent. Putting his hands on his hips, Ukai leaned forward looking to them expectantly.
"Well? You see it, don't you?"
Refusing to answer, the first years avoided eye contact as the upperclassmen bowed their heads or rubbed at their necks uncomfortably. Getting along had been the last thing on everyone's mind, improving skills having taken up almost all their time. Looking them over for a long stern moment, Ukai eventually let out a sigh and relaxed his posture.
"Look, I'm not asking you to sit in a circle and make friendship bracelets, but clearly there's room for improvement. Teams are built on trust and respect, just look at your upperclassmen! Daichi, Sugawara, Asahi!"
"Yes sir!" The three boys stammered but bowed their heads, stepping forward as their names were called.
"The three of you have the strongest connection on this team, when Sugawara steps onto the court the entire dynamic changes, anyone with eyes could see it. A lot of that is shared experience, but I'm willing to bet the rest comes from getting to know one another. You don't have to agree with a person or like them to understand them, it just means you keep an open mind and learn how to work together in a way that's tolerable."
Looking to one another blinking, Daichi, Suga, and Asahi stared for a moment, but then broke into grins and nodded. They hadn't known each other before high school, but volleyball had brought them together and made their bond strong. Even if their personalities differed, the trio always managed to balance each other out.
Locking eyes with each of the third years, Ukai directed his orders at them.
"I'm glad you agree, because I'm expecting you to get this message through the thick skulls of your underclassmen! I'm sick of losing all my bets to the other coaches, pull your asses together and learn how to get along!"
"Uh Sir, losing bets?" Daichi questioned, brow dipping at the slip up.
Frowning and looking away momentarily, Ukai waved a dismissive hand at the captain.
"Never mind that. I want you focusing on fixing the shitty attitudes on this team. I don't care if you sit up all night telling scary stories or hold hands singing Kumbaya! Figure it out or I'll will, and trust me…" Ukai said, eyes narrowing and hands tucking into the pockets of his jacket as he leaned forward to whisper menacingly.
"You're not gonna like what I come up with."
Letting out a collective shiver, the group of boys gulped as their coach turned on his heel and through up a hand as he walked away.
"Dismissed."