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The bell rang for lunch, so Ishigaki packed his books into his satchel and left his class with the rest of the students. He listened in on conversations in the crowded hallway and slung his bag over his shoulder. Lunch had finally come around, though Ishigaki didn’t feel as desperate for it as usual. That morning’s math class had gone smoothly, and so had languages before that, so Ishigaki could enjoy his pleasantly easy day. He had plans to go sit with Tsuji and Mizuta this lunch to study and talk so he went quickly when making his way to the cafeteria.
After a brisk walk down a flight of stairs he turned the corner into the cafeteria that was already crowded. A line had started in front of the registers with chattering students. Ishigaki peered over their heads as he got in line and saw the special drawn on a sign sitting on the counter; grilled salmon and rice. Ishigaki pulled his wallet from his uniform blazer pocket with a light grin. It had been awhile since they put out a special, and it was fish, too. He would have to get some.
The line slowly moved forward as lunches were bought and passed over the counter. Ishigaki checked his phone to pass the time and kept his wallet in his other hand. Tsuji had sent him a text telling him a text telling Ishigaki to meet him out in the courtyard, and that Ihara might be joining them. Ishigaki texted back that he didn’t mind then pocketed his phone again with a little smile. He liked hanging out with the team, too. It had been a while since they had all gone out together for an outing. Midousuji was usually… wary, of going out with them all. So their weekend trips were usually done without him, though Ishigaki did his best to invite him and make sure he felt welcomed. He could never be sure if his efforts were working but he tried anyway.
Just as Ishigaki stepped forward again with four people left in front of him, some movement caught his attention. To his surprised, the aforementioned first year was standing just across the room.
Midousuji stood facing the wall. His satchel sat on the floor leaning against his leg. His hands were busy digging around in his pants pockets, then shifting to his blazer pockets. His shoulders hunched and his hair bounced as he fidgeted and moved impatiently. He pulled his pants pockets inside out, looked at his hands, then let his shoulders fall loose. Ishigaki blinked from his spot in line as he watched Midousuji struggle. Something was evidently wrong…
Midousuji suddenly bent and picked up his satchel. He tossed it over his bony shoulder, then turned on a dime. His face was grim, the corners of his mouth pulled down in annoyance. Just as he was taking his stiff walk away from his spot near the wall, he happened to catch eyes with Ishigaki who couldn’t help but stare. It only lasted a brief moment before Midousuji snapped his eyes away and hurried off faster. He pushed past a few second year students and disappeared around the corner.
Ishigaki sat in even more amazement. Midousuji didn’t even snap at him. He didn’t tell him to stop staring, or even say “gross” when he passed. That was strange. Something really had to be wrong.
… Midousuji hadn’t bought lunch.
Someone else ahead of him left the counter and the three others stepped forward, Ishigaki was quick to step up as well. Ishigaki had seen Midousuji getting lunch here a few times already, though the first year was often quick and didn’t let himself be seen by Ishigaki, intentionally or not. He knew Midousuji often ate his lunch in the courtyard, too, but in his own little secluded spot near the back. He often did eat the school lunches, but for some reason he hadn’t gotten one today.
Ishigaki stepped forward again when someone else walked off. From the looks of it, he probably forgot his wallet. Ishigaki frowned with a pang in his chest as he got his wallet ready. He had done that a few times himself. Going the rest of the day hungry really sucked, too. Ishigaki stepped finally forward to the counter and met eyes with the woman standing on the other side.
“What can I get you?”
“...Two of today's special, please.”
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Midousuji was sitting just where he thought he would be; tucked away at the other end of the courtyard. He sat on the ground with his back against the cement seating around the base of a tree. Ishigaki could just see his head poking up over the edge from how he sat hunched over. After a quick conversation with Tsuji on the other side of the courtyard, Ishigaki left his lunch with his bag and had made his way over.
“Midousuji-kun?”
Midousuji perked right up when Ishigaki spoke. He looked over his shoulder to Ishigaki then pulled himself to his feet in one smooth movement. Though smooth didn’t really describe it well: Ishigaki could hear a few popping joints just from where he stood. An open binder was left on the ground just in front of where he had been sitting alongside his satchel and a closed text book.
“What do you want? I’m busy.” Midousuji’s tone was immediately sharp and harsh. Ishigaki offered up an almost guilty smile while he held the container of food in both hands, a pair of chopsticks under his thumb. He could see Midousuji’s eyes flicking between what he held and Ishigaki’s face. Ishigaki had gotten used to his short tempered nature and liked to think that he had some sort of grip on dealing with it by now. Holding out the container of food slightly, Ishigaki tried to look friendly.
“I accidentally bought lunch today when I already brought my own. Did you want it?”
Midousuji’s eyes narrowed. The bridge of his nose wrinkled as he studied Ishigaki’s face.
“...No. Go away.”
“I didn’t even touch it or anything, I promise,” Ishigaki said as he held it out further. Midousuji shrank away from him and bared teeth. He reached out and pushed the container back towards Ishigaki’s chest with a finger.
“No, gross small fry. I don’t want your food. Go bother someone else.”
“Midousuji-kun…”
Midousuji raised a brow to Ishigaki’s sudden change in tone. Ishigaki gave a more playful challenge to his gaze, but tried to keep serious.
“You didn’t have a lunch today, didn’t you?”
“Go away.”
“Eating is important to keeping yourself healthy, Midousuji-kun! You’re still a growing first year!” Ishigaki scolded him while Midousuji stared on in disbelief to Ishigaki’s nerve. Ishigaki held out the box again, however, his other hand went to his hip. “It’s fish, too, which is very healthy for you. If you’re going to be riding as our ace, then you need to take good care of your body.”
Ishigaki held out the box of food further. Midousuji stood in a stunned silence, his eyes flicked between Ishigaki’s face and the box again.
“...Please?”
Midousuji’s nose scrunched up. Finally, with a frustrated hiss and his scowl, Midousuji snagged the box from his hands and took the chopsticks, too.
“Fine! If you’ll shut up and go away, fine.”
A new grin split over Ishigaki’s face. “Thank you, Midousuji-kun! Please take care of yourself!”
Midousuji grumbled, no longer able to meet Ishigaki’s eyes. His teeth came together with an audible clack as he turned around again and dropped himself back down to a sit. He hunched his shoulders and crossed his legs with the food container in his lap. Ishigaki began to back off, his smile still lingered even after Midousuji’s sour attitude. He was happy that Midousuji had accepted the food at all, without as much of a fight as Ishigaki would have expected, too. Even if Midousuji was stubborn and a bit mean, Ishigaki cared about all of his teammates.
Ishigaki peeked over his shoulder as he walked away. Midousuji had already opened the container and began to eat, hiding himself behind the plant base. Ishigaki contently jogged back to Tsuji, Mizuta, and Ihara to enjoy the rest of his lunch.