Wary stare of his was lifted up to behold the other male, shreds of misfaith would linger more for a prolonged time within him toward that person, a hunch of covert intent, new provocation, would haunt him much longer. Respect was well-deserved, obtained, buried in depts of his being not to pamper Nekoma’s captain ego, however weeks and hours of close contacts granted him more insight of Kuroo’s behaviour, manner of speech, how he delivered his thoughts, unique way that disguised crafty mind behind; though motives were yet to savvy. “I didn’t say it may be poisoned, I’m just wondering ‘bout occasion for such gesture.” That smirk of his irked to the utmost, satisfaction of superiority; one day he’d come to acquire a skill to withstand all attempts to get under his skin, without disclosing openly all inner thoughts on his image. Tranquil voice as a common habit he carried, brows furrowed slightly and his lips parted to free words anew, Tsukishima would never perceive that offer as just a desert with a mere pun. “Everything just feels off.”

          As silence lingered, a mischievous gaze not once left golden hues peering at him, unconcealed distrust merely fueling further amusement than he had truly sought to prompt in himself, the corner of his lips curling up, stretching further and further, so far as it was allowed to. However aloof the younger male always sought to remain, retaining an utmost perfect composure at any notice, cracks over a mask of indifference were all too visible, but a mere touch upon their outlines enough to shatter a constructed persona shielding numerous layers he had yet to unveil. “What if there’s no occasion?” The delight coating his every words, sign that may have triggered a warning in Tsukishima’s mind, reflected in no way intentions that went further than a simple pun. Yet he bore no intention of wasting further energy in assuring his victim of his truthfulness, not when a conversation could be well utilized for further ploys that, he was certain, would not fail to entertain him. “Unless you're more into strawberrisaurus cakes?" Chuckling followed the query, the mention of a topic he knew the blond held dead far from an innocent one, a joke yet again, but also a surefire method to ensure his full attention would be upheld.

          Persistent, intrusive, molesting, irksome, infuriating and completely and entirely unbearable. That man with only one gesture or one line could transform his imperturbable being into radiating exasperation nature, that mentally depictured how thin fingers would clench onto the raven haired male’s neck. Times beyond count he wished for dropping boundaries and forgetting ‘bout seniority, ‘cause his patience grew thin every time he faced with Nekoma’s captain; crafty ways to begot rage within the blond, what without doubt hit his pride heavily. However to resort to violence wasn’t his way of action, yet to beat the other in the same game was one of his top priorities. "Very funny. Maybe it’s perfect for you? I’m familiar with the subject, unlike someone else here.” Was dropped with dry and cold tone, another moment to regret ‘bout his decision to disclose his interest and part of own private life.

     "Oh really? So you are familiar with the subject of gay human-dino lust?" The corner of Kuroo's lips curled up, in the widest smirk sly features allowed him, the amusement in his tone evident upon witnessing the all too familiar displeasure but a handful of his acts and words were able to bring in the blond, as always, an irritation he perhaps would never get tired of provoking. The twist of words had been easy, all too easy, Tsukki nearly begging for the raven-haired male to refer to the book he had previously wished to offer his kouhai (and still did) regardless of the true intentions behind the younger male's statements. "I'm sure you've experienced it yourself, am I right?" Nekoma's captain couldn't help but chuckle, an attempt to conceal a full blown laugh that threatened to overtake him was the conversation to further entertain him. "As expected of you Tsukki." 

          He exhaled after amber optics behind framed lenses ran over lines of the new message that was sent back as a response, thin hand slided down to put device into a pocket, after what both hands placed headphones on his head to deliver tunes of relaxation in a time of his awaiting. Sensation that the other middle blocker was utterly pleased didn’t leave his mind and was confirmed in a moment when amber eyes detected approaching and painfully familiar figure; common smirk and conceited expression beyond doubt ticked him off, music was put on pause and his regard was fully transferred at the birthday guy. However his own features transformed in a trice, once he heard the greeting, or more to say another portion of mockery from the other, that made him question why he wasted almost five hours to get there, when some more important deeds could be given his attention.

          "I’m not your present. Do I look like an object one can give as a gift?" His expression displayed at the moment he was speaking the utmost regret of his decision to arrive there and set self into situation that promised lots of ridicule just from the beginning, as only few first words that escaped the raven haired male’s mouth crushed his desire to provide any entertainment to that man into smithereens. "For you to know, slavery doesn’t work in Japan for centuries already." The blond noted with a cold, yet tranquil tone, that as a general rule lacked any emotions, and proceeded without avoiding looking at the other while he talked. "Spending time today in your company will be fancy enough. I guess, I will be capable to afford visiting cafe or coffee shop."

         "Yes, you do." A teasing voice uttered, the immediate irritation his words had brought in the blond not failing to amuse Kuroo, lips soon parting in a wider smirk as his kouhai spoke, oh so earnestly, of a completely unrelated matter. "So serious, Tsukki! Your presence is my present." Regardless of how tempting further pestering sounded at the moment, Kuroo hardly believed it to be properly fitting of the effort Karasuno's middle blocker made to come to Tokyo, Japan's capital city being at quite a distance away from the Miyagi prefecture, pushing him to clarify the honest meaning behind his words. "Thank you for coming today." Mahogany hues gazed at golden, the smile on the raven-haired male's lips a genuine one, the gratitude one that he hoped Tsukki would take seriously for once, unlike most of his endeavours unrelated to volleyball. 

         "Sure!" Childish excitement was clearly audible in his tone for he was very much looking forward to the time, however short, the blond would be willing to offer him, perhaps the best birthday present he could have ever hoped to receive from him. "Do you know where we're going or do I lead the way?" Kuroo couldn't help but inquire, wondering if he would be able to find his way in Tokyo though he highly doubted so, the way his team-mates had almost all been convinced how a regular steel tower was the Tokyo tower in the first training camp they had invited Karasuno to join them on remaining engraved in his memories, not failing to make him chuckle, if only to himself. "There's a nice coffee shop nearby, we could go there if you want." Even though it was his own birthday, he had wished for a vocal affirmation, as he didn't intend on making the blond's day... too much of a bad one for once. "How did your trip go?" 

          In spite of their ride being of less duration than he expected, it didn’t raise any enthusiasm within the middle blocker, rowdy members of his team happened to be make him irked faster than they had managed regularly. However he retained his commonly aloof expression, when they left the bus that delivered Karasuno team to Tokyo, so they could meet Nekoma and join them in that ridiculous for the blond holiday full of pranks and mischief. "…—" Once again, why did he sign himself to that trip he knew he’d probably never relish, as aureate optics trailed over the other team, aiming to detect that one particular and infuriating person, however the more his search lingered the more he sensed odd tension, what wasn’t anyhow pleasant. Tsukishima even neglected dressing with a spirit of Halloween and didn’t attempt to grab any fitting to that holiday attribute, boldly showing non-availability interest and concern toward the whole event.

         Dressed in a black cat kigurumi, Kuroo had impatiently awaited for their rivals' arrival, his presence, however, not to be found among the other members of the Nekoma team for he had entrusted himself with a mission of the highest importance, one taking precedence over welcoming their guests for what he expected to be an amazing week-end like no other. He had been looking forward to Halloween, for he loved to play tricks and it wasn't often he indulged in activities unrelated to volleyball, the planning their coach had made for the week-end one he was certain to greatly enjoy. As the bus transporting the Karasuno members drew to a stop, he stealthily moved behind it, in its shadow, his presence hopefully concealed from the crows' eyes, a blond one wearing glasses' in particular. But a few steps had been necessary for him to stand behind Tsukki, his hands raising to paws, fingers flexing before a mewl left lips standing as close as the taller male's ears as they possibly could without being noticed, hopefully taking him by surprise. "Nyaaa~"

[To: Kuroo Tetsurou] [Subject: Change your behavior better]

[Text] [22:58] Someone said not long ago it wasn't /fun/. [Text] [22:59] Changed your mind so rapidly? [Text] [23:00] I was pretty good prior till this moment. [Text] [23:01] I can handle it. [deleted] [Text] [23:03] ............................ [Text] [23:04] You need to go to sleep. [Text] [23:05] Nonsense comes out from you already.

[To: Tsukki] [Subject: It's perfect as it is! There's no need to change it!]

[Text] [23:11] It is. [Text] [23:12] We'll see about that. [Text] [23:12] When I see you in a few days. [Text] [23:14] I'm very serious here! [Text] [23:15] Even if you don't agree, I'll do it and send you the game. [Text] [23:17] You're right, it's getting late. [Text] [23:18] Goodnight Tsukki! [Text] [23:20] I'm looking forward to seeing you this week-end!

[To: Kuroo Tetsurou] [Subject: Not that I was captured—]

[Text] [22:37] It's an assumption and evident doubt. [Text] [22:38] ... You're unbearable. [Text] [22:39] I would like to decline. [Text] [22:41] Though it sounds appealing. [deleted] [Text] [22:43] ..... A cat? [Text] [22:44] Are you serious? [Text] [22:45] And no, I'm not intrested.

[To: Tsukki] [Subject: We can always change that]

[Text] [22:50] I will do it! You'll see! [Text] [22:50] It's your loss. [Text] [22:51] I wouldn't want your team eliminated before our match. [Text] [22:52] Yes, a black cat why? [Text] [22:54] If you want, I can make the second playable character a crow. [Text] [22:55] With glasses. [Text] [22:55] What do you say?

[To: Kuroo Tetsurou] [Subject: My desire to ignore you next time is increasing]

[Text] [22:15] Maybe you just not that good at it? [Text] [22:16] Exactly, /my/ work and /my/ team. [Text] [22:18] But what do /you/ have with this? [Text] [22:19] Why did go offering us holiday in Tokyo? [Text] [22:21] Hmm.. I see. [Text] [22:21] Who would have thought— [Text] [22:22] What sort of game anyway?

[To: Tsukki] [Subject: The little crow is gonna escape from the big mean cat?]

[Text] [22:24] Is that a challenge? [Text] [22:25] The more the merrier! [Text] [22:27] And I could give you a few blocking tips by seeing you! [Text] [22:29] You'll need to be at your best when the Spring Tournament comes! [Text] [22:31] It's a small platform game for your phone. [Text] [22:32] It's not finished yet. I only have one level and a cat as the main player. [Text] [22:33] But it's pretty fun. [Text] [22:34] I can send you the link to it if you're interested!