CH 5 - Preparation

2nd POV

Your face, for some reason, flushed so hard. His eyes widened when he saw how you froze in your spot and barely breathing.

"S-Sukii! Say something!" He panicked as he grabbed both your arms and shook you lightly.

Both of you felt chilly when Osamu slowly turned behind him and saw Kita staring at him.

"Kita-san!" He immediately stood up straight with his towel behind him.

"What are you doing? I told you to take a break," Kita coldly said to him. He turned to you as you looked away.

"Sukii, come with me," Kita said and turned away to walk back to the benches.

"And wipe your own sweat, Osamu."

Osamu shivered. You flashed him an apologetic smile and a small wave before catching up to Kita.

"Pft! What a loser," Atsumu smirked widely with sarcastic eyes after Osamu returned to him and Suna with his shoulders low. Suna smirked in amusement and tease.

"You twat-" Osamu started to kick Atsumu.

"You wish you were me?" Suna stared down at him with a malicious smirk, teasing him.

Osamu scowled at him as Suna cackled, Atsumu ended up getting chased by his twin.

•

"Sukii, can you hear me? I said - can you do it?"

Your brows furrowed as you gulped.

"I-I think I can... somehow," You bit your lower lip as you stared back at the ground.

Match training... meeting him again.. Out of all teams in the goddamn prefectures - we're up against them? His team? You started to shiver.

It has only been a few years, and you were fated to meet him again. A certain guy that led to you breaking his heart.

Things are going so well, why did it have to come to this point again? You thought, feeling extreme guilt and fear.

"I don't plan to press any further on what your deal is with him anymore when you cut things off two years ago," Kita sternly said, "Focus up, Sukii. You need to."

You just nodded with low energy. He sighed as his eyes softened.

"It won't be just him. Itachiyama has a lot of players. I'll make sure to not leave your side when we get there, okay?" He softly said.

"I can do it. I can do it.. yeah, I can," It came off as a reassurance for yourself more than it did to reassure Kita that you'll be fine.

"It was 2 years ago already, I'm sure he moved on by now," You nervously laughed and gulped.

He nodded and you both walked to the coaches who had confusion in their faces. Kita told them it was nothing and it was just your nervousness getting to you which the coaches just chuckled at and patted your head.

"Cheer up, Sukii-chan. I'm sure we'll do fine especially if we have you by our side," The coach gave her a fatherly smile.

You smiled weakly and nodded, "Yes, coach. I'm glad."

How will things turn out? You worriedly asked yourself as you looked back at the team. You saw the twins running around and Suna lazily recording them with a small smirk. Aran was practicing his best as usual, and the other members were focused.

Protect me, gods.

•

A week later

"What's up? You seem worried."

You turned to Suna who walked beside you to class. His gaze had concern in them as he walked with his hands in his pockets.

"Nothing. Just nervous about going to Itachiyama next week," You chuckled nervously.

Suna scoffed, "Please, spare me the bullshit. You're worried about something. What is it?"

"Just drop it, Rintaro. It'll just make me more nervous about it," You sighed as he opened the door for you.

He sat on his seat and turned his body to you as you plopped your face down your desk.

"I'm telling Osamu," He said.

You whipped your head to him, "What? Why?"

He rolled his eyes, "Ever since you went a little more quieter than usual last week he has been worried. Atsumu was also a little annoyed when Osamu kept telling us that he's worried for you. It doesn't happen often, y'know?"

"Why would he be that concerned? It has nothing to do with him," You frowned as you fiddled with your fingers.

Suna snickered, "You don't get it, don't you? Me, Atsumu, Aran, and Kita have already noticed. You're smart - I don't get why you don't."

Confusion was written all over your face.

"People that are a little bit harder to read bothers you right? Osamu is a bad match for you," He sighed and leaned back on his chair.

"I really don't get it. Please just tell me, you jerk," You said as you pinched his arm.

"Ow, ow! Jeez, calm down woman," He grunted and rubbed where you had pinched him, "It's just the fact that Osamu has never acted this way to any girl before. It's weird."

"I'm not saying he likes you, don't let the thought feed your ego," He teased, "I guess ever since the twins are kids, they're more susceptible to be comfortable with people who take care of them."

"Like how?" You asked.

He shrugged, "I'm pretty sure they just have attachment issues. But Osamu and Atsumu - they see you as someone who won't hesitate to take care of them. It makes them soft."

"Even I get affected sometimes but not as deep as the two idiots," Suna rolled his eyes and regretted what he said when you looked at him with the a teasing smile.

"Oh, great. You won't stop talking about this for the whole day, will you?" He winced and took out his notebook when the teacher entered the classroom.

"Maybe," You chuckled, "It's nice seeing you talk so much, too."

Suna smirked at you, "When I'm comfortable, yeah."

You just shook your head with a small smile and proceeded to listen to the lecture.

Osamu cares a lot, huh. You smiled.

•

"You cook so well, Sukii."

You grinned at Osamu who was happily munching the lunch box made just for him. Atsumu was gobbling his own at a fast pace and Suna was just eating while using his phone.

The rooftop has become the four of you's lunch spot. You were surprised when they didn't mind, honestly. You figured it was one of their escapes from the girls at the canteen.

The janitor who always noticed your routine every lunch took action on it, he set up a comfortable foldable bench with chairs for the four of you. Happy is an understatement for you when he grinned that day and told you and the others about it.

So now you are seated with the twins and Suna. They were happily eating the food you made.

It has become a daily routine for you to make them lunch, they stopped bringing their own food when you offered to cook for them. They put up a fight to ask you everytime - they would ask you what you wanted in exchange. But your answer would always be no.

Seeing them happily eat your food down to the very last crumb is always more than enough for you. Despite your fear for people fearing you, you found comfort in them to the point you started to love everyone in the club.

Caring for people has always been something about yourself that you aren't ashamed of. Giving them unconditional care is one of the best feelings in this world.

Because of that, Osamu just becomes more and more attached to you. Every meal and snacks you gave him made his heart flip in every way possible. You figured it was his love language - to be fed by someone.

Osamu's fear of having a manager that knew nothing but to flirt slowly leaves his mind knowing he has you. He felt a certain affection from you that he couldn't find from others.

Because of that, he eventually grew a crush on you. It wasn't anything deep at first, but he couldn't help it. Every food you feed him only fueled the thought that was once silly, gradually turned into something sweeter. Only Atsumu and Suna know, probably Aran and Kita as well, but not you.

He has always liked a girl who is strong, cooks well, handles herself, and is extremely caring. All of that which he specifically found in you.

Osamu still remembers as clear as a sunny day of what had happened few days ago. He almost let the cookies he had baked in home economics class fall if it weren't from you.

The teacher had other students from other class tastes test the baked goods that his students made, and the twins specifically chose only you and Suna to taste them, with the exception of the teachers.

He couldn't figure out what was lacking or missing in his work. Atsumu was just annoying for him given that Atsumu would just taste everything, even if it wasn't cooked yet. He mistook flour for powdered sugar and ended up choking for minutes.

You and Suna approached the twin's table. He was a little nervous when you took a bite from one of the many cookies he made, especially to try and impress you. He knew from there, the thought itself gave it away to him that he indeed developed a small crush on you.

"Maybe try lessening the ratio of the egg and add more milk, the sugar will depend on the ratio you measured your liquid mix to be, and your dough mix overpowered your vanilla flavoring so maybe add a bit more."

His eyes sparkled when he realized you were right. The cookies ended up tasting too good that he and Atsumu (who barely contributed anything aside from cracking eggs) ended up having the highest grade in the class.

Once the cookies were done, he made sure to pack some for him, Atsumu, Suna, his parents, Kita, and you.

His heart almost fell when Atsumu accidentally hit the tray that just came out of the oven, almost letting it hit the floor and Atsumu catching it.

You had gently moved Atsumu aside and caught the tray with your own hands. It didn't seem to bother you that it was too hot. You only set it on the table and quickly turned to Atsumu whose arm had a slight burn. Suna quickly grabbed your bag as you requested and you pulled out some your handcloth, you ushered some cold water and ice from Osamu who was quick with it.

Atsumu calmed down with a sigh when she immediately suppressed the burn's pain with cold for a few minutes. Luckily, because of that, it didn't leave a scar that would stay for months. As for you (thanks to your fast healing and strong body), you remained unharmed. You reassured the three that you're used to baking and it didn't hurt you.

Osamu saw how deeply you cared for people and prioritizing them before yourself especially his twin, while also not neglecting to save the cookies he and his twin baked.

"Always, Osamu!" You beamed at him as you ate your 7th dango.

Suna groaned, "I could eat these for days and not get bored."

"I knrow mright," Atsumu said with his mouth stuffed with rice and curry.

You were happy to watch them eat, and caught Osamu staring at you. You tilted your head and he looked away with a small blush. Suna slightly nudged Atsumu with his elbow and motioned for him to look at Osamu. Atsumu snickered and ended up choking.

Alarmed, you immediately gave him your water. He thanked you after he drank liquid and stopped choking. Osamu rolled his eyes at him.

"Slow down, you hungry pig. Enjoy the food," He said and shoved a spoon of curry in Atsumu's mouth. Atsumu whined when he said the spoon hurt his lips.

Suna turned to you, "Dinner must be so fun at your house all the time."

The dark haired boy wasn't really thinking that ahead and how it would extend the thought, you gasped and an idea popped in your mind.

"You're right! You guys should visit my home sometimes.. I want you to eat food that I make!" You smiled as they simultaneously choked.

"W-Wait, I didn't mean that," Suna coughed and hit his chest with his fist.

"That would be nice, thank you," Osamu smiled widely, recovering fast. He must have been used to it by now given that he loves eating so much.

Atsumu was choking again. Worried, you stood up and gave Suna some water, then went behind Atsumu to pat his back with little force to help him. After he thanked you, you sat back down.

"You're such a baby," Osamu scrunched his nose and smacked Atsumu at the back of his head. He glared at him and continued to eat again.

"The day after the match with Itachiyama, you guys should come by my house. Mom will be at work and my little brother would be sleeping after his games," You said as you drank your warm tea that you packed aside.

"Game?" Osamu asked in curiosity.

You nodded and patted your mouth a tissue, "My brother also plays volleyball. He's 12 years old."

"We can play with him before dinner," Atsumu gasped at his brilliant idea. Suna just frowned.

"I'm too lazy," He whined and put his cheek on top of the table.

"You don't have to, me and Atsumu will play with him," Osamu said, finished eating. Atsumu just nodded as he drank water.

"Oh yeah? Then I'll go help Sukii prepare dinner," Suna sarcastically gasped to tease Osamu. Atsumu almost spit out his drink and held back his laughter.

Osamu glared at him.

"You can! Thank you, Rintaro!" You smiled at him.

Suna smirked when he saw Osamu's eye twitching.

"Nah, I'm kidding. Me and Atsumu will play. Osamu can go help you - I'm not really good with cooking food," Suna said as he helped you clean the lunch boxes.

"Jesus, Sukii. Does lunch consume half of your bag?" Atsumu raised a brow when you started to stuff the lunch boxes inside your bag.

You nodded, proud, "My bag can get by with 30% storage."

Osamu just laughed and helped you as well.

The three of you cleaned the table of where you had eaten together at and went back downstairs to return to class.

Next week, Itachiyama... Worry started to flood your stomach again.

"Sukii."

You stopped walking as you turned to Osamu who had a small smile.

"We'll do good against Itachiyama next week. So make sure you're watching, yeah?" He grinned.

You returned his smile, "I'm counting on you."

He watched after he waved at you, your figure and Suna's getting smaller as you both went to your class.

Atsumu put his hand on Osamu's shoulder and dramatically sighed, "Oh, what youth crush."

Osamu slapped him away and chased him to class, Atsumu's cackle echoing in the emptying hallway.

-