"Calm down, you're just eating lunch - it's not a test or anything," Nijimura reminds Natsuko for the umpteenth time. Yet the overly grim nod she offers him in response only seems to emphasise just how terrified she is. Nijimura cannot help but sigh in exasperation. Their recent visits to the Home Economics kitchen have been consistently thwarted by the cleaning lady's presence, and it has now become evident that she has since adopted a new cleaning schedule - which, rather unfortunately, clashes with their lunch break. While they could turn back to the classrooms to eat lunch there, Nijimura has formulated another idea in mind.
"You want m— me to join you and eat with the basketball team?"
"Yea." It's a win-win situation, Nijimura thinks. He can keep an eye on Haizaki, not to mention the rest of the first-stringers, while ensuring that Natsuko still has company. But Natsuko's first reaction is to balk.
"Nijimura-san, I don't think that's a good idea…"
"Why not? We can't eat in the home economics kitchen right now, so we can wait it out in the canteen. Plus, with me there, you wouldn't feel too out of place." And after the beating he gave Kise and co last week, he doubts they will say much in response to Natsuko's presence. Not to her face or in his earshot, at least. Either way, he's determined to shut them up should they have anything unecessary to offer.
"The thing is..." Natsuko stares pensively at Nijimura, as if waiting for him to catch on. When Nijimura returns her appraisal with a bemused stare, Natsuko hesitates for a second more before continuing.
"The thing is, Nijimura-san, you're always really gentle and kind, but—" Somehow, Nijimura finds himself stirring uncomfortably at her words. Natsuko isn't phrasing it like a compliment exactly, but the straightforward way in which she dispenses such flattering comments (which are honestly rarely, if ever, applied to himself) makes him feel a little uncertain. He doesn't consider his behaviour anything remotely praiseworthy, though Natsuko seems determined to think the best of him.
"But I don't think your friends... will see me the same way." The forlorn way that Natsuko finishes her words tugs at something in Nijimura's heartstrings. Somehow, for some reason or other, he finds himself softening in her presence. Something about her that makes him feel strangely concerned. Either way, Nijimura can't quite imagine having this level of patience with anyone else, though he tells himself it is a good quality to pick up.
"Hey," Nijimura tries to make his voice sound as gentle as possible. It's oddly reminiscent of trying to call out to a bird and hoping it doesn't take flight. "I know it's intimidating to meet so many new people at once, but you'll have me. How about we give it one try? And if you don't like it, we can find a new spot for lunch."
Natsuko peers up at him, as if weighing his words. There is a few seconds of silence - Nijimura is starting to debate what to say next - before Natsuko gives a firm and decisive nod.
"Nijimura-senpai! You're here—?" It would have been a normal lunch time greeting like any other day, if not for the figure hiding behind Nijimura's back. Kise can already see the tuft of orange hair sticking out behind him. Is it the girl from the closet? The very one that was (indirectly) responsible for the beating they received last week? Kise is about to exclaim in surprise and say as much, but something about the look in Nijimura's eyes makes him think better of it. Unbeknownst to him, Midorima and Akashi heave an internal sigh of relief when he stops himself in time.
"Tachibana's joining us for lunch. Now make space." Nijimura says shortly, determinedly ignoring the curious looks brimming in his teammates' eyes. He automatically walks to Midorima's side (he's the one least likely to comment on this new arrangement), ready to take a seat, only to turn around and realise that Natsuko had not followed him.
Instead, Natsuko has hesitantly shuffled over to Kise and Akashi's side and planted herself in between them. Nijimura cannot help but stare. He'd been more than determined to make her feel comfortable, but now, not only did she not sit next to him, she'd chosen to sit in between Kise and Akashi instead, who have immediately made space for her. It's just a seat, Nijimura tells himself. Yet he cannot quell the sensation that Natsuko had chosen someone else over him. Nijimura sits down hastily before anyone can comment on his reaction. At the end of the day, he should be happy that Natsuko is taking some initiative with her lunch time ventures.
"Eh, what's this, your food looks cute!" Kise's eyes widen when Natsuko unveils her bento box.
"What are those? Rice balls?" Aomine looks a little envious, still clutching a different lunch box issued by Momoi.
"They look like a very nutritious dish." Akashi comments mildly, which Nijimurs privately takes as his best attempt at a polite conversation.
"R— Really?" Natsuko looks a little flustered at the sudden attention her bento has received. But today's feline-themed bento, the main stars being the three cat-shaped rice balls nestled atop a bed of greens, did look very eye-catching. It's complemented by the fish-shaped soy sauce bottle tucked at the side and some paw-shaped croquettes. Trust Natsuko to have an eye for this level of detail. Even Nijimura, who's as far removed from the word 'cute' as one can possibly be, has to admit that it looks appealing.
"What about you, Nijimura-senpai?"
"Hm?"
"I'm asking you what you're having for lunch today—-" Kise's enthusiastic voice trails off when he catches sight of the exact same cat bento placed in front of Nijimura. Maybe it is the visual dissonance, or the sheer bizarreness of seeing Nijimura bite into a cat-shaped onigiri, but somehow, the atmosphere dies down into a rather awkward silence. Nijimura is quite unperturbed by it. After all, good food is good food — one of the rice balls is even his favourite fried rice shaped into a tabby cat. But Natsuko seems to be the first to notice their reactions.
"S— Sorry, a cat bento doesn't really match Nijimura-kun, does it…" She fidgets awkwardly, scratching her right cheek with her finger in an apologetic expression. "I made it because I just borrowed a book on character bentos yesterday. Maybe I could make a basketball one instead…?"
"A basketball bento? What's going to be in it!" Kise practically leaps at the words. Nijimura briefly wonders why he's being so friendly. Despite his cheery demeanour, he knows Kise isn't the type to give just anyone this much attention. He has to appraise and respect them first (whatever that counts as in his book). Or maybe he's just curious to know what type of person (a girl, at that) Nijimura has brought along? Either way, whether it's politeness or for his own entertainment, Nijimura privately considers him the most ideal conversation partner for Natsuko out of all the oddballs he's currently sharing the table with.
"I was thinking maybe… basketball tsukune meatballs? And…"
"Ehhh, that sounds great! To keep up with the orange theme, why not add something orange-flavoured?"
"Oh, that's a good idea…"
Watching Natsuko and Kise bounce ideas off each other is a sight he never expected to see. Especially when Kise practically has sparkles in his eyes like a seven year old kid while Natsuko has whipped out an old notebook to religiously jot down whatever he's said.
Nijimura supposes they actually do make quite a compatible pair. Kise has an eye for aesthetic design and Natsuko is a firm believer that besides taste, appearances are an integral aspect of food. But seeing them getting along so well irritates Nijimura suddenly.
"Look," he interjects, as he moves on to polish off his last rice ball. "Whatever you make tastes great, so just continue being yourself." Nijimura's about to take a bite of his special fried rice ball when he realises that everyone is currently staring at him after his words, Natsuko included. Yet while she looks taken aback by what he's said, everyone else (sans Midorima, whose eyes are hidden behind his glasses) is fixing him a particular look - one that suggests a certain level of sappy fondness that makes his skin crawl and his face flush.
Nijimura dearly wants to tell them to shut up (although they haven't said anything) and to stop thinking whatever it is they're thinking (though he can't bring himself to put into words what they're probably thinking). But he can't do it without admitting to anything incriminating, so he has to settle for shooting them a withering look (all the while hoping the slight flush in his face doesn't diminish his authority).
"Hey, Tachibans-chi—" Tachibana-chi? Is Kise already at the '-chi' suffix just from a lunchtime exchange? Nijimura is honestly bewildered by it "Make me a lunch box too!"
"Hey, if you're making Kise and Nijimura one, make mine too." Aomine finally pipes up at that. Momoi has been 'making him lunch' for the past week (Nijimura privately wonders if she's doing it for the newest ghost member of their team), and the results have been less than stellar. Nijimura has actually come to feel a little bad during the times he's brought out the bento box Natsuko has made him in front of Aomine. Though that only intensifies his private relief and gratitude to the girl.
Natsuko looks a little caught off guard by the sudden food requests. Nijimura feels like he can already see the cogs spinning in her head, clamouring for the best way to pull it off.
"Hey, if you're already making it for me, Kise and Nijimura, maybe you should make it for the whole team—"
"That won't be necessary."
Everyone turns to look at Nijimura, who's done with his meal. Nijimura's only reaction is to wipe his hand calmly before elaborating. "Natsuko's busy enough as is. She doesn't have time to make lunch for the entire team. Go and get your own food."
"Ehhhh..." Kise whines. But before he can say much more, NIjimura has fixed him with a steely look that immediately shuts him up.
"Oh? What's this? I think I heard something good..."
It is at this moment that Haizaki passes by. Nijimura glares at him. He'd thought the boy was absent, given how he was conveniently missing from the lunch table, but it now seemed clear that he simply didn't want to be there. Though as long as he turns up for practice, Nijimura doesn't care where he eats. He can't keep an eye on him forever, and although he's never shared this with anyone, not even Natsuko, something in his gut tells him that with the rate at which Kise is progressing, Haizaki might not be on the team for long.
"Tachibana, are you going to make us lunch?" Haizaki drawls. He positions behind Natsuko and leans down to address her. The way he is practically draping himself over her makes her stiffen, and Nijimura tenses. "Let me steal some now for a taste test..."
"She's not," Nijimura states firmly, knocking his hand away. "Don't take her food." It's a bad habit Haizaki has, taking and grabbing what's not his.
"Fine, if you really don't want to share her." The way he's sneering, combined with his tone, sends Nijimura into a quiet fury. He's about to ignore everything, stand up, and slug him, when Natsuko suddenly speaks up.
"I'll make you food..." Nijimura stiffens. He's about to protest and assure Natusko that she doesn't have to acquiesce to his demands when Natsuko continues.
"… If you turn up for practice regularly and train properly."
"Huh?!" Her words catch even Haizaki by surprise - he actually straightens up in indignation. "Why would I do that? Basketball is a pain."
"Why would you ask me to do something that's also a pain then?"
Everyone falls into a stunned silence. Natsuko isn't looking at Haizaki, given how he's still hovering behind her, but the message is clear. At this point, Haizaki seems to have lost all desire to tease her and Nijimura. Instead, he gives a derisive 'tsk' and stalks off. The bell rings to signal the end of the break, and everyone hastily moves to make it back to class and break up the awkward tension.
"S— Sorry, Nijimura-kun..." Natsuko has immediately reverted back to her shy, bird-like self as they walk back to their classrooms. If he didn't just see it happen before his very eyes, Nijimura wouldn't have expected her to be capable of standing up to Haizaki. Yet within his stunned stupor, he can feel a keen sense of pride. Natsuko, despite being a stammering nervous wreck most of the time, actually stood her ground. Against Haizaki.
"I guess lunch time with them wasn't a good idea. Sorry I said stuff I shouldn't have..."
"No, you did great."
"Eh?"
Nijimura turns to look at her. She's giving him that wide-eyed clueless look again. The one that made her look like a soot sprite when they were trapped in the cupboard. Without thinking, he extends his hand and ruffles her hair gently.
"You did great."
Last notes: I genuinely had trouble thinking up what could go into a basketball themed bento box, and that last scene was one of my favourite moments so far. What are yours?
