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[saltinourstars]

This is Tsukishima, leave a message.

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[recutement]

Wanna go for cake tmrw??

First thing in the morning bc Im skipping school

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Sure.
7:30






Do you want some music?

[Tsukki does not try to talk Nagisa out of this decision. Better to stick with something he can manage. It doesn't feel like enough... but he wants to offer something to hold on to until tomorrow.]

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Sure 🙂

[The tiniest of emoji smiles, but he's trying.]

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I might have had this on repeat, before I talked to you about everything.

For two weeks.

[It's not exactly a cheering-up sort of song. But it's bright, at least. Better then diving too deep into melodrama.]

whoa surprise mtrench outta left field

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[Silence from Nagisa's end for about the length of the song, and then:]

Idk whether to laugh cry or send it to Makochan........

[Huge toss under the bus there but damnit, Nagisa needs something to joke about. He'll apologise to Makoto in his head later.]

It's too good

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It fits a lot of situations.

Here. This whole album is good too. The singers are both queer.

[Which really puts the happy and the breakup songs in context. That should be enough for tonight, at least.]

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Ah even the songtitles are sad........
Thanks tho Keichan, I dont have much sad music at all and happy music is just gonna annoy me for awhile I think

This is the saddest on my phone
Too sad tbh

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You're welcome. They made me feel less like I was alone and crazy

Try "I Was A Fool"

"I'm Not Going" is a bit much right now.


Are you okay if I go to sleep?
I'll stay up if not.

[Otherwise timeskip to breakfast/scrimmage? Up to you!]

[recutement]

["Do you remember I searched you out? How I climbed your city's walls?" Oh, this is gonna hurt...]

Yeah Im okay
Its kinda like having you here when I listen to this

[We can totally skip ahead now! Might as well bring in Nekoma too, to brighten things up. My poor sad bab needs to brighten up again.]

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Yeah?

That's good

See you tomorrow.

[The next couple of weeks are not easy ones. If there was a way Tsukki could switch places - Well, it's no good thinking that way. Everyone has to carry their own feelings. He can't navigate Nagisa's life. What he does or doesn't choose to discuss with his friends.

He keeps sending music, though. And then a few Wednesdays later - ]

Hey
I don't know if Kuroo told you

Nekoma's coming to scrimmage this weekend

Coach says people can come watch if they want.

[recutement]

[No one takes to pain well, but Nagisa can be particularly graceless under its weight when it finally crushes him, snapping at people out of nowhere and then hiding out to lick his wounds instead of apologizing properly. Haru covers for him at first, and then Makoto joins in, but that only leaves Rei so hurt and confused that taking sides no longer works as an option.

When the team appears ready to fracture completely, which would harm Nagisa and everyone he cares about most, he finally comes clean with Rei. And the funny thing is, he does prove to have been right about something he once said to Tsukishima: it takes much more than a difficult confession to drive away a true best friend.

They're still working through it as a team and circle of good friends when Nagisa gets the text from Tsukki and feels like he could pass out with relief. This is absolutely a distraction he needs right now.]

He did but I DIDNT KNOW THE LAST PART
Omgomgomg
This is gonna be great

U sure u want us both in the same gym with u?

[Yeah, Nagisa's getting back on form.]

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No

But I'll be around him AND Kotarou in Tokyo.

I'll practice ignoring distractions

[This is the cover story. Really, it's hard being a bystander. Getting pieces of the story. This is something he can actually do. Offer a distraction, even if it means putting up with Nagisa and Kuroo in the same physical location.

Some things are worth the sacrifice.

Oh and did Bokuto's first name just slip in there it certainly did.]

[recutement]

👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

Him and who again

[SO FAMILIAR, KEI-CHAN. Also, now they're Kei-chan and Ko-chan, it's too perfect to be believed.]

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What??



Oh





Fine, yes, Bokuto asked me to call him Kotarou

[Not exactly like Tsukki can deny what's in writing.]

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Kochan... 😏

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No


Are you coming?
Because it sounds like you're busy making up dumb nicknames

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Im ttly coming!!! I only got to meet Kurookun when I was at Nekoma

He had a friend w/him for a bit but ig the friend had to leave before the meet ended ☹

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All right.

The game starts at noon. You can come earlier, but we'll be practicing.

[Thanks to a brainwave from Yachi, Saturday has turned into something of an event. The game moving from Karasuno to a community college gym. Tokyo will be expensive, and Nekoma is one of the heavy favorites - what better fundraising opportunity?

Whenever Nagisa arrives, the place is buzzing. There may still be a chance to talk to the players, though. If he's quick about it!]

[recutement]

[Nagisa falls in love with the space's energy the moment he arrives. This is the kind of buzz that his team keeps failing to build up and maintain, the kind of buzz that would get them the new members they always need - he's felt it at larger meets, of course, but always known it was meant for other, more prominent teams. Only now does he realize how much he craves it for himself.

He's still drinking in the mood when he hears Jinchou-chan!! cut through the noise in a very, very familiar jovial drawl, one that Tsukishima will likely take note of as well (provided he's not too busy with other things.) Nagisa hurries over to greet Kuroo and... well, he thought Kuroo had a friend beside him, but the other boy's gone by the time he gets there to say hello. Strange.

After greeting a few Karasuno members he's gotten to know semi-well through Tsukishima, he finally approaches Tsukki himself with a beaming smile.]

This is so cool, Kei-chan! It feels like a professional match!!

AHAHAHA Kuroo calls him Penguin OF COURSE

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[It's something you could get used to. People flowing in, chattering, excited to see your team play. It wasn't really that long ago Karasuno flew high. The hope of it is infectious. Catching up team and fans alike.

Even Tsukki finds himself smiling. A tiny bit.

He does catch the nickname, and is not surprised. In the least. He lets the Schemers catch up. Not feeling like being in the middle of their reunion/plotting.

Sinking into a stretch, he closes his eyes. Letting the familiar warmth flow into every muscle, paying special attention to his hands. The ache has faded from Shiratorizawa. However, he's planning on stopping Kenma today. Finally outwit Nekoma's sleepy-eyed, clever Setter. Everything needs to be working.

It's going to be interesting.

When Nagisa wanders up, there's a nod.]

It's bigger then I thought. Yachi did a good job.

[Whoah now unprompted compliments, who knew we would ever see this day! He must be excited!]

OBVS

[recutement]

[Nagisa could absolutely tackle-hug the wind right out of Mildly Excited Tsukki's lungs, he's so cute... but there are already some teammates nearby whispering about "Kei-chan," so maybe not.He just smiles big and bright enough for both of them - and then hugs a very red-faced and confused Yamaguchi instead.]

Kei-chan... can you do me a quick favour? I just need you to watch me for a sec, it won't get too much in the way of warm-up.

[The smile has slipped from Nagisa's face, and he's got his eye on Kuroo and a handful of other Nekomas nearby. Oh dear, what's happened now...]

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[Fortunately it's only Sugawara and Daichi whispering. Both fixing their faces into Perfect Innocence when Tsukki shoots them a look. They won't shout it across a court, anyway.

But suspicion has been aroused.]

Mm? What are you up to?

[Wow, trust issues much? (Absolutely.) But Nagisa'a had a rough time of it, so Tsukki will humor him. This once. He straightens up and settles a hand on his hip.]

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Just watch this. I need to know if I'm imagining things or not.

[With that stunning non-explanation, he jogs over to the cluster of Nekomas, which prompts Kuroo to call Lev over for an introduction - and then clamp a hand onto the back of Kenma's jersey as he tries to escape. Kenma's visibly nervous as he finally turns around to meet Nagisa, all while Kuroo delivers what appears to be a scolding for being so rude.

That's when spectators are asked to leave the court, so Nagisa doesn't get to check back with Tsukki right away, but Kuroo making a big deal of it has confirmed his worries: that's the disappearing friend, who appears to be afraid of Nagisa.

Now that Nagisa's seen him at close range, he also knows that the disappearing friend is really, really pretty. The level of pretty that makes Nagisa flustered, not flirtatious.

He gestures toward Kenma's back as they split, Nagisa headed for the bleachers and Nekomas for the opposite side of the court, as if to say: See? Did you see that?]

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[Well. Kenma is strange. Tsukki can't remember exchanging a dozen words with him. If it isn't a video game - or Hinata - the guy seems to just disappear in Kuroo's shadow until game time. Perfectly content to be there.

The only answer to the query is a shrug.

Then Daichi's calling the team to circle up. Whatever Nagisa's worried about? At least it doesn't seem to be connected to Rei. That will need to do for now.

Tsukki has some Cats to outwit.]

[recutement]

[Not only is Kenma strange, but Nagisa's proven too be Too Much for people with far better social skills than Kenma. It could very possibly be nothing. Nagisa just hates the idea of anyone not liking him, so he can't shake the nagging worry that he's done something to frighten Kenma before even being introduced to him.

Not helping at all is the fact that he can't seem to tear his eyes from Kenma once the match starts, despite the boy easily being the least electric presence on either team. He plays as though sleepwalking, and yet Nagisa can tell that he's really good by the frustrated reactions from the Karasuno side of the net - mostly frustrated with themselves, like they've been fooled over and over again. He slouches, doesn't pull back his hair, barely opens his eyes... why is he so entrancing?

For a brief moment, Nagisa's able to make out Tsukki's expression behind his sports glasses and sees that he's scrutinizing Kenma with incredible focus, which only confirms Nagisa's impression that he's important in some way Nagisa doesn't know volleyball well enough to figure out. He ends up standing with his hands on the front rail when the next service happens, more wrapped up in a match than he ever remembers being in the past.]