Drabble Thirty-Seven: Realisation
A/N: Italics is flashback.
"Satsuki-chan!"
"Eh? What's wrong, Natsuki-chan? You sound frantic."
"Uh... I have a question."
"Hmm? What's that?"
"…What is love?"
"No no, I'm just their errand girl, Riko-chan!" Natsuki denied cheerfully, subtly batting the vitamin bottles away, instead putting the salt bottle within reach of Riko. The girl, too distracted by the conversation (a possible manager of Shuutoku!), hummed and palmed the bottle of salt, putting three shakes into the soup.
"Not their manager? I see…" She seemed to realise that she had failed to add the 'ingredient' she desired, since the girl yelped and dropped the bottle. Natsuki caught it with an expert hand, before settling it gently on the counter.
"Ah, crap, did I add too much salt?" The coach cursed and started looking for the bottles of vitamin which the blue-eyed girl hid in the pockets of her apron.
"You didn't! That was just enough." Ignoring the obvious searching motions of the girl, she taste-tested the soup, before deeming it ready. "I think we can let the owner try this to see what she has to say, but otherwise we're done here." The rice cooker went off with a beep, distracting the Seirin coach from her search. The small girl heaved a relieved sigh, stashing the bottles in the cabinet behind her. She didn't know the kitchen expedition was actually so dangerous.
"I'll serve the soup, Riko-chan. You can do the rice portions!" Natsuki suggested, getting to work immediately.
"Don't you have to help out your own group, Natsuki-chan?" She asked curiously, reaching for a rice paddle.
"Ah… The owner was up early, and we made breakfast together. Their breakfast is on the table already." Riko blinked, a little surprised.
"Whoa, you must've been up pretty early."
"I arrived at dawn, that's why," the girl said sheepishly, serving the last bowl of soup. "Ah, speaking of which, I should be getting back. Shintaro would be worried…" The girl set the last bowl down.
"Sorry I couldn't help you bring these to the dining room."
"No, it's fine! You helped me lots already!" The coach said gratefully.
Natsuki grinned back hesitantly, palming the cabinet behind her, before pulling out the bottles of vitamin. Feeling brave enough to be a little playful after the eventful cooking expedition with the girl, she winked and placed it on the countertop.
"Vitamins should be taken with water, not inside the food," the blue-eyed girl reminded gently, and disappeared from the kitchen, leaving only a brief whiff of sunshine.
Riko blinked, a little bewildered as she reached for one of the bottles. "Right…it'll be more potent with water…" she muttered to herself, sure of the conclusion she came to, before pocketing the bottles.
Hyuuga then peeked into the kitchen. "Is the food ready, Coach?" He took a whiff of the aroma, before smiling. "Seems like you did a great job, Riko."
The coach gained a satisfied blush from the compliment before pulling the basketball player into the kitchen. "Thanks, but help me bring these to the table!"
"…I think, it's wanting to care for that person. Wanting the other person's attention, wanting to get to know them more and spend more time with them. Wanting to be of help to them; to be a part of their life. …What's with that sudden question, Natsuki-chan?"
"Ah- um, nothing, Satsuki-chan! Er, thank you for your answer…"
"Hm, if you say so! Good luck, Natsuki-chan!"
"Ah, thank…you?"
"Hehe, anything for you, Nacchan!"
The girl was red in the face, her eyes wide and her phone clutched to her chest. She looked up into the smiling picture of her parents on the altar.
"I... I think I like Shintaro." She covered her mouth, turning redder at the realization. "W-What should I do, tou-san, kaa-san?"
The flame on the candle flickered brightly, unnoticed by the girl.
A/N: This chapter turned into sort of a mess because I haven't written in 239045 years orz. Time to start flexing my finger muscles! ouo hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I would be glad if you leave a review heh