Chapter Text
It all started with a cold.
Nirei had already been out of class for two days, and though he didn’t outright admit it, he was worried for his vice-captain.
Umemiya quickly caught on to his unease.
His brother smiled up at him warmly from his crouched position over a garden plot. “If you're worried why don’t you go visit him?”
Sakura paused to contemplate the idea. Nirei had been one of the first people to come see him when he got sick after the Keel incident. Even when Sakura was at his most difficult his vice-captain always gave him unwavering support.
Maybe it’s time for the class captain to show his support in turn.
He looked back to his brother and squared his shoulders. “You're right. I’m gonna learn how to cook him egg congee!”
“Ahaha that’s the spirit! I know you can do it.” His smile was beaming now, “why don’t you ask Kotoha for help? She made it for you when you got sick right?”
So now here he is, behind the counter of his favorite restaurant with an apron and rolled up sleeves waiting for his sister to start an impromptu cooking lesson.
—
Kotoha almost cried when Sakura asked for help to make egg congee for his friend during breakfast. Luckily she has more self control than that, and instead just gave him a warm smile.
He’s made so much progress. Sometimes it’s like talking to a completely different person compared to the boy she met at the start of the year.
He still puffs up like a cat and blushes at every compliment, but he has become steadier. More self assured. Finally getting the love he deserves has helped him bloom.
She’s excited for the chance to spend time together. Ume tends to monopolize him.
Kotoha might even make him an extra helping of omurice for telling Sakura to ask for her help.
She turns to him after prepping their ingredients with hands on her hips. “So, the first rule when learning to cook is to read the entire recipe before starting. I have it written for you right here so take a look.”
He takes a moment to look it over before nodding, “Okay I’m done.”
“Good. I have all the ingredients already prepped, but if you were at home you would be doing this part first.” She motions towards the counter, “Now we are going to go line by line through the instructions”
Sakura squares his shoulders and nods, looking more like he’s going into a fight than cooking a simple dish.
It’s cute, he always puts 100% into anything to do with his friends.
It’s been almost three months since his accident, and she knows he’s been frustrated that he hasn’t been able to help them like he wants to.
Her little brother has always been a man of action. The recovery might have been more traumatic than the actual injuries.
She looks him over. The cast on his leg has been removed and he no longer needs a sling for his arm. He looks back to his normal self.
“I heard from Ume that you only have one more week of physical therapy and then you’ll be considered fully recovered.” She says in a neutral tone.
Over time she’s learned that Sakura needs to be guided to share his feelings.
“Yeah. I’ll be able to patrol again in a week.” A smile grows on his face, “I’m excited to get back into action.”
“I bet. You've been chomping at the bit.” She says with a grin. “Are your friends excited too?”
He pauses at that, smile dimming slightly. “Some of them are, but most are just worried.” A sigh, “it’s not like I don’t get it. Both the incident and recovery were hard for all of us. Suo especially.” He looks away, “I just want things to be normal again.”
Kotoha’s heart clenches. She can imagine how difficult it would be to watch Sakura jump back into danger.
She can’t say she’s not also worried, but this step isn’t about them.
“They’re going to need time to adjust just like you.” She smirks, “I bet Suo’s gonna be disappointed he can’t spoil you as much anymore.”
Predictably he blushes and sputters, “Hey!”
“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t seen how much he enjoys dotting on you, especially when you don’t have a choice in the matter.”
“You don’t have to say it out loud!” Red as Ume’s tomatoes, he turns back to the recipe resolutely.
She laughs before nudging him over to start showing him how to dice vegetables.
When they are both cackling after Sakura got onion juice in his eyes she can’t help but think; He’s gonna be just fine.