As it turned out, Ukai didn't forget a thing the next morning. The memory was crystal clear in his mind. As he went to the first floor cafeteria for breakfast all he could do was hope Takeda didn't remember. The chances were low, but he felt a wave of anxiety hit him as he stood in line and got breakfast. Takeda had his head face down on the table, his food beside him was untouched. Ukai set down his tray and sat across from him,

"You have to eat, or the painkillers won't kick in," Ukai suggested. Takeda groaned, propping his head up with his arm. He looked strange without his glasses,

"Easy for you to say, I bet you feel absolutely fine," Takeda replied, reaching to take a bite of his rice. His eyes were half closed as he absentmindedly rubbed his temple with his other hand. Absolutely fine? Not quite, Ukai thought,

"Well, tell me you at least remember some of Nekomata's defense advice from last night," Ukai said, figuring this would be a safe way to see if he had any recollection of his near fall.

"Bits and pieces, not much though," Takeda admitted, stretching and putting on his glasses. Ukai breathed a sigh of relief and began eating as well. There was nothing to worry about, he was just being paranoid. It's not that he couldn't see himself with Takeda or anything, but he didn't want their friendship to transform into something more. It might cloud their game sense and end up costing the team in the long run. They both finished their food and started walking out to the gyms. Today was the last day of the Tokyo training camp and both coaches were determined to make it count.

"Thank you so much for allowing us to come again," Takeda repeated, bowing to the other coaches.

"Please, at this point it wouldn't be the same without you," Nekomata smiled. Takeda looked up, beaming. He turned to Ukai,

"Tell that grandpa of yours to stay healthy, wouldn't want that old crow flying away just yet," Nekomata teased. Ukai exhaled,

"Yeah, I will, thanks again, tell Naoi I said goodbye too," Ukai waved as he walked towards the bus where the team was waiting. The assistant coach had gone to lay down that afternoon and had not returned. He was suffering from an excessive hangover though he'd never admit it. It was now evening; Takeda had hoped to start the drive back sooner but their last match against Nekoma ran late. Nekomata turned back to Takeda and began walking with him to the bus,

"Keep an eye on him, knowing his grandpa is so similar, I'm surprised you haven't quit," Nekomata chuckled. Takeda laughed,

"He's amazing," Takeda admitted. Nekomata raised his eyebrows, "Amazing coach," Takeda clarified, looking down. He was certain Ukai was out of earshot.

"Of course," Nekomata agreed with his all-knowing smile, "Till our next practice match then, where we'll win," he finished, bowing.

"Till then," Takeda bowed and entered the loaded bus.

...

The drive home was uneventful. Ukai decided to choose a radio station that Takeda did not consider school appropriate, but he didn't argue. Takeda always tried to make efforts to be the cool teacher, but none of them ever really panned out.

"Are you sure you're okay with this sensei?" The setter asked leaning into the isle, he was also a stickler for rules.

"Yes, I'm cool with it," Takeda replied nonchalantly, focusing on the road. The setter shrugged,

"Okay," he replied as he returned to his book.

Takeda suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, and he quickly reached for his heart. This caused him to swerve slightly. Only Ukai really noticed,

"Hey, hey Takeda, everything okay?" He asked, leaning over his seat.

"It was nothing," Takeda replied as the pain faded as quickly as it came, "just after effect from last night," he glanced back reassuringly.

Ukai frowned, "if you say so," he huffed, stirring back down.

Upon their return to the school Ukai had everyone gather in the gym,

"Okay, the spring national qualifiers are coming up and as you know we have about a month to prepare, so we'll be working hard with you to polish your attacks," Ukai announced, "You all have made a lot of progress, but we still have a ways to go if we want to make it to nationals," he glanced at Takeda signifying it was his turn.

"We have a practice match next week against Date Tech, so I suggest you all get some rest," Takeda added, "and remember to complete your summer assignments," he finished, smiling.

They all bowed and promised to follow their instructions.

"Nothing the crazy first years back in the day, huh" Ukai commented as they locked up the gym, "I remember how difficult it was for them to study,"

"You should've read their book reports," Takeda laughed, "But yes, everything is so different now, they've all come so far," he looked off in the distance, reminiscing. Ukai glanced down at him, "hey, don't go getting all emotional on me," he stated seeing his friend's eyes begin to water.

"I'm not!" Takeda defended, wiping his eyes and turning away. Ukai began to laugh slightly as Takeda frowned but eventually joined in. All of a sudden the streetlights turned on and both were reminded of the previous night. They stopped laughing,

"Anyway, I'll try and schedule more practice games before the qualifiers," Takeda offered, scratching his neck nervously.

"Yeah, and I'll hold a few last practices this week before school begins," Ukai replied. They both stood there awkwardly for a moment, "well, see you then," Ukai finished, walking back to the store and waving.

"See you then," Takeda replied, walking to his car.

"Nice job" Takeda said to himself driving home, "being hungover, nearly having a heart attack, and crying in front of him all in the same day?!" He dragged a hand across his face. He barely remembered the night before, only that he almost fell and some kind of angel caught him. Putting two and two together only one person could've saved him. It didn't take a psychic to see that the incident had changed Ukai's perception of him. As Takeda parked he realized he was ready to collapse from exhaustion and embarrassment, "I am just so smooth," he said to nobody, slumping so his head was on the wheel. The horn went off and he quickly shot up.