CH 9 - Flavor

2nd POV

"You know Sakusa Kiyoomi, right? The one you played against at Itachiyama yesterday."

He nodded and waited for you to continue.

"We used to hit it off before.. we were both 15. I have a tendency to detach myself from someone once it gets good," You sighed as you stored the chicken fillet in the freezer, "I wasted my opportunity with him multiple times already all because I feared that he will leave me like other people did in the end, or mostly for the fact that I wouldn't be able to manage it if things between us changed because of my fault."

Osamu wanted to tell you that it doesn't always work like that, but he let you continue.

"Of course, I was still a kid and so was he. But back then, I realized I was much more childish than he was.

I let my fear consume me and once again I was engulfed in my unhealthy mindset to leave someone before they leave me. I would tell myself that it saves me the risk of prolonging the inevitable pain.

As you know, I am born with strength and heightened senses that I didn't ask for. I'm stronger than girls and guys my age.. I have resilience of a soldier, and an appetite of a blue whale's.

Sometimes strength can be one's own undoing. I understand that perfectly well. Most people have been scared of me all of my life simply because I chose to be who I am.. it's harder to make connections that way. But then it hit me.

If I avoid people and remain a stranger to all of them, then they won't be able to fear me.

It seems cocky, isn't it? To think that I can make a lot of people feel afraid of my own existence. It has bugged me for as long as I breathed. My fear of attachment and the idea of people leaving me got worse when my late father saved a train full of his passenger and fell from the train attempting to avoid the impact of the speeding transportation. He didn't make it."

"I'm sorry..," Osamu whispered.

"I'm alright, don't worry. That's why I didn't let Kiyoomi pursue me. I was far too great of a flaw and he valued greater things. He talked to me the moment practice ended and we managed to clear things up. In the end, he still is the good person and understood me completely while I broke his heart for the second time. It's hard to have me around," You laughed weakly, "But somehow, the club doesn't make me feel nor think that way.. I'm glad."

".. You fear that something will go wrong, don't you?" Osamu asked, making you stop cutting fruits.

You looked at him with sad eyes and he immediately got his answer.

He smiled at you, a smile that was impossible not to soften at.

"Your existence is a blessing, Sukii. Don't ever think your abilities are what makes you flawed. Your strength, your intelligence, and even your love for eating - I love them all."

Your eyes widened as you blushed, he continued.

"Your gifts are nothing without you, but even without them - you are still you. Either way you will always become special. To me, you are a very amazing person," Osamu grinned, "I never thought that I'd meet a person as awesome as you are, but here you are standing in front of me, making me, my brother, and my best friend a very delicious dinner."

"You never asked for anything in exchange. I have always appreciated how you do things unconditionally. And I still will. It proves that you are a genuine person and I hope you come to see yourself the way I see you - the way me and the others do. Excuse me if I'm too selfish for saying this but.. I don't think I'll allow you to leave me- I mean us and the club, if your fear eats you again. I'll eat your fear, I'll make it so you live as freely as you want," He finished.

By that moment, you weren't cutting any onions. But goodness - you started crying again. The tears fell from your eyes like a faucet with its switch on.

You washed your hands and dried them with tissues before you suddenly wrapped your arms around Osamu. His shirt crimped under your slightly trembling grip. Quiet sobs filled the room and Osamu just held you gently while rubbing his hand on your back. He whispers reassuring things that made you even softer.

'He seems nice.' You recall Sakusa's words about Osamu.

"Yo, could I have wa... ter," Suna trailed off as he stopped when he saw you crying on Osamu's chest. The silver Miya glared at him and motioned him to get out - to which Suna immediately did.

You sniffled as you looked back to where Suna was but he already disappeared. You turned to Osamu with a weak smile, "Sorry. I got carried away."

"No, no. I'd prefer it if you're always expressing your feelings, especially with me. Don't hold back, Sukii. I'm always here," He said as he ruffled your hair.

"I appreciate you so much, Osamu," You sighed as you caressed his hand, "Oh, sorry."

He shook his head when you let go of his hand and held yours again.

You smiled at him before turning to the fruits, "I should finish these. Go give Suna water and take the donuts with you."

"Yes Ma'am," He said as he did just that.

Your heart continued to flutter as you recall Osamu's words and his touch. Your shirt was squeezed as you attempted calm it down by clenching your hand close to your heart. It has been so long since Sakusa to have someone understand you in this depth.

Minutes after, you finished with your fruit salad and placed them inside the freezer. The Chicken teriyaki and rice was next.

You allowed the cold Chicken to slightly lose its cool as you worked on the teriyaki sauce. Simultaneously, you were boiling some Miso with dashi and mixing your mochi recipe.

The recipe was derived from one of your late father's notes. He once made a brew from a red spider lily and have made it a mixture in mochi. You still remember your mother's panic when she scolded him that it was poisonous, though her shock and fear was funny when she saw you eat 10 of them when you were 5.

Of course you weren't a psychopath so you didn't use that for the mochi you'd be feeding your friends. Instead. you brewed a gumamela flower and have added it to your mochi mixture. After your dinner with the boys, it should be ready to eat.

Your head looked up when you heard Osamu come again. He had a small smile and helped you cook rice, as well as the other food you planned to make from your agenda. His eyes were sparkling all throughout the time that you and him helped each other.

"What are the two doing back there?" You asked him.

He put the rice in the cooker and toggled its switch before sitting down on a stool in front of you.

"Suna turned the TV off and is now playing on his phone. 'Tsumu fell asleep on the couch," He said as he watched you cook the teriyaki chicken.

You hummed, "Did Atsumu recover completely?"

He nodded. You blew softly on a spoon that had a small portion of teriyaki sauce to try and brought it up to Osamu's lips. He tasted it and smiled at you.

"It tastes really good! Maybe add a little more sugar? 'Tsumu and Suna like their teriyaki a little sweeter."

You nodded and did what he suggested. It was a little flustering to feel his eyes on you while you cook. He had become your taste tester and he is more than happy to be so, with compliments every testing he did.

Almost an hour passed and finally you finished the meals. Osamu's mouth was watering with hunger for every food on the plate he can see.

"Call the others, I'll set the table."

"No, I'll tell them to set the table. Don't touch anything," He said as he hurried to the living room. You chuckled as you thoroughly washed your hands dried them with new tissues.

Maybe, just maybe.. You pondered back to what Osamu said about you leaving.

It's difficult to say whether a person will leave or stay. Them deciding to do was never your obligation nor did you have any say on it. There's a colossal difference between begging them to stay and them actually staying by their own decision.

"Sukii!!" Atsumu beamed as he stretched before walking over to you.

"Good evening," You teased.

You pointed to the cupboards of where things were put away to Suna and Atsumu who followed. After that, you proceeded to make red iced tea in one big glass pitcher, with 2 slices of thin lemon inside. They began to set the table as Osamu made his way to the seat beside the head seat, hoping you'd sit there so he'd be close by. And you did.

You all said your thanks before digging in.

A moment of silence engulfed the room.

"..Holy shit!" Osamu exclaimed first and started to eat faster.

Atsumu took a big bite and chewed, "Sukii! This might just be your most delicious food that we've eaten yet."

Suna sighed, "This is so fucking delicious, Sukii. Thank you."

It was a satisfying sight for you. They were all chowing the food as if it's their first and last meal at the same time. A smile crept its way into your heart. These boys never fail to make you overjoyed with the slightest things that they aww to ii

"Please, eat a lot today! Good job the three of you, you did amazing during the match," You smiled at them all before standing up and giving them all a pat on the back.

A giggle escaped your mouth when they all smiled. You moved the fresh, cold fruit salad with condensed milk and ice towards the center of the table and ushered them to eat.

"This is so refreshing," Osamu hummed, "I'm surprised you didn't put raspberries."

You glared at him and he laughed, "No thanks. I don't want my hair turning all red."

"That isn't too bad. I'm sure you'll look great with it," He grinned and continued eating.

"Woah, woah, woah," Suna stared in disbelief as he took a picture of you blushing.

Atsumu bursted out laughing, "Your face is as red as your hair! BWAHAHAH!"

Osamu hid his blush when he realized you are, in fact, blushing from his comment.

"Rintaro delete that!" You whined at him but he just pinched your cheek and said no.

The rest of the night was spent playing games after eating until eventually you cooked some extra homemade instant noodles for you four using 10 packets. It was perfect for the weather and some nice warm tea.

"You guys have a match tomorrow, right?" You smiled at Osamu as they exited the house.

He nodded, "Yeah, it's just some practice match before we actually play for eliminations."

"Goodluck, Osamu," You smiled at him. Atsumu and Suna yelled at him from gate to hurry up.

Osamu grunted, "These idiots don't know how to be patient."

You snickered. The three of them gave you a hug before they departed and you waited until their figures were small before going back to the house.

You saw Osamu look back one last time and flashed you a smile. Your heart churned in some emotions that you thought you shut out a long time ago.

-