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...
Everyone who had ever eaten with Ryosuke knew, more or less, that he wasn't fond of eating. Even those who didn't know the details could sense the sudden shift in atmosphere.
It felt like facing a formidable enemy...
Akaashi shot a subtle look at Bokuto, who was walking behind them. Bokuto instantly got the message.
He grabbed Ryosuke's shirt and let out a loud shout, startling him so badly he practically jumped.
Ryosuke turned back with an accusatory look, only to see Bokuto suddenly act as if he'd just realized something and shout at the top of his lungs,
"No way! They're serving my most hated button mushrooms at lunch. I don't want to eat!"
Akaashi's plan, step one. Be upfront.
Ryosuke might turn and leave, but more likely, with Bokuto-senpai holding onto his shirt, he would hesitate.
Ryosuke paused, then decided to hear him out.
"Ryosuke, they said if you don't eat properly, they'll call the coach. I remember you don't like button mushrooms either, so how about we just skip lunch?"
Step two. Intimidation.
Ryosuke froze in shock. Call Coach Washijō? That was worse than just forcing himself to eat something he disliked. If that call went through, his peaceful days would be over.
"I think button mushrooms are… fine, actually. Bokuto-senpai, you're just being picky."
Bokuto and the others fell silent.
Ryosuke. Saying that. Doesn't your conscience hurt?
"Yeah, our Ryosuke really isn't picky at all."
In the silence, Yaku added with a smile.
Ryosuke felt even more guilty and shrank behind Sakusa.
Still, the goal was achieved. Ushijima, who had been observing everything, nodded in satisfaction. These guys were actually useful.
Atsumu Miya followed behind, about to say something, but when Ushijima turned and shot him a look, he immediately shut his mouth.
Sigh. The little leopard really was surrounded by wolves.
The group headed upstairs together for lunch. In the end, under everyone's watchful eyes, Ryosuke squeezed his eyes shut, steeled himself, and went "ah" as he ate several bites of the button mushrooms.
From the side, Bokuto shouted,
"Wow, this spinach is amazing! It just melts in your mouth!"
Step three. Spark curiosity. A guaranteed hit.
Ryosuke looked up curiously. A mouthful of spinach was immediately fed to him.
"Wow, this beef is so tender!"
Ryosuke looked up again. Another bite, this time beef.
Sakusa watched Ryosuke's blank, mechanical chewing with amusement. Serves you right for not eating properly all the time. Now you're being targeted.
After the meal, Ryosuke slumped in his chair and let out a small burp. His stomach was completely full. It didn't feel as bad as he'd expected.
Bokuto, on the other hand, looked like he was about to pass out from overeating. Just to keep Ryosuke focused on eating, he had put in a ridiculous amount of effort. Truly, the world wouldn't function without him.
Atsumu Miya glanced over at Ryosuke.
He looked like a well-fed kitten, sprawled out with his belly exposed, just waiting for someone to come over and mess with him. It made people want to… take advantage.
Sakusa frowned in irritation. He really wanted to gouge that fox's eyes out. What exactly was he looking at?
Atsumu Miya raised an eyebrow, then grinned as he sat down beside Ryosuke, casually pinching his cheek.
"Ryosuke, wanna exchange LINE?" His gaze, however, was fixed on Sakusa.
Ryosuke was a little dazed. That Osaka accent. Deep and magnetic. It almost made his ears tingle. He nodded absentmindedly.
Sakusa's vision went dark with anger. He nearly snapped his chopsticks in half.
Ushijima pretended not to see anything. Let them fight. That way, they wouldn't have time to bother Ryosuke.
Akaashi silently broke into a cold sweat. Was Ryosuke some kind of catnip? Why did everyone want a piece of him?
The atmosphere at the table crackled with tension. Those who weren't familiar with them instinctively stayed away from the center of it all.
Hibarida, meanwhile, found the perfect vantage point and watched the show with great interest, commenting as he went.
"Tsk tsk. What a mess."
"That little leopard's got quite the charm. Reminds me of myself back in the day."
As Hosho passed by, he overheard that and quickened his pace with a speechless expression.
"Little leopard"? Who was that supposed to be?
He scanned the crowd, then quickly locked onto Ryosuke.
Lean but powerful muscles. Hidden strength and explosive energy. Long limbs. Built like a natural runner. Like a predator in the wild.
...
Because of that one remark, Hosho remembered Ryosuke and decided to look up his information later.
After eating their fill, the morning training came to an end. One by one, they headed out the back door toward the hotel next door.
Ryosuke watched their departing figures.
Then, a mischievous idea began to form.
"Ushijima-senpai, let's stay with everyone else too. My place is too far away."
Ushijima hesitated. Coach Washijō had told him to let Atobe keep an eye on Ryosuke, but… it really was quite far.
"Then… should I call Atobe and ask?"
Ryosuke hurriedly waved his hands.
"No need, no need. Come on, my brother will definitely agree. Don't worry about it."
Ryosuke clearly planned to act first and report later. He had finally escaped Washijō's control. Of course he was going to train and have fun at the same time. Only an idiot would choose to go home. If he went back, Atobe would watch him like a prisoner. That would just be trading one cage for another.
Ushijima hesitated, about to nod, but something felt off. He had a vague sense he was being manipulated.
"Alright." Ushijima lowered his phone. It should be fine. Just staying at a hotel. And it was owned by the Hanyu family. Completely safe. No problem at all…
"Ryosuke!!"
"Senpai Hoshiumi!!"
The two voices got louder and louder. Ushijima looked at Hirugami, whose face seemed on the verge of losing all hope, and finally realized the problem.
Putting these people together meant there would be no peace for the next week.
In the next room, Bokuto suddenly perked up.
"Akaashi, did I just hear Ryosuke's voice?"
Akaashi hesitated, then put down the blanket in his hands.
"Probably not… I didn't hear anything."
"Oh…"
"Bokuto-senpai!" Ryosuke's energetic voice rang out from outside.
Bokuto's eyes lit up instantly. He knew he hadn't misheard. He dashed to the door and flung it open.
"Akaashi, I'm going out to play!"
Akaashi sighed helplessly. Why was Ryosuke still here? Bokuto was like a child. The slightest noise and he would go check it out. There was no way he'd take a proper nap.
Well, that settled it. No one was sleeping now.
Akaashi followed out and glanced down the hallway. Ryosuke, Bokuto, and Hoshiumi were already sprinting off somewhere, leaving only their backs behind. Atsumu Miya peeked out from his door, head poking through the gap, curiosity written all over his face.
He clearly wanted to join.
"Atsumu! Come on!" Bokuto called out familiarly the moment he spotted him.
Atsumu Miya looked embarrassed, but his hands had already opened the door.
"Ah, this is kinda embarrassing…"
If you're embarrassed, then don't open the door!
In the end, the four of them skipped their nap and wandered all over the training facility, claiming they hadn't gotten a good look last time. They ran wild the entire noon.
Ushijima waited and waited, but Ryosuke never came back. In the end, he could only lie down himself.
"Are we really… not going to get in trouble for this?" Bokuto and the others crouched in a circle, heads close together, whispering as they stared at the watermelon on the ground.
They were in the cafeteria's back kitchen. Their "crime" was currently in progress.
"Hmph. Cowards. Let's see who eats faster!"
Hoshiumi grinned as he proposed.
"Bring it on!" Atsumu Miya's eyes sparkled. Completely hooked. After spending some time together, Ryosuke realized that Atsumu Miya, who always looked so arrogant, was actually incredibly childish. The kind who took the bait instantly.
Honestly, he felt like Oikawa 2.0. Just as childish as Oikawa-senpai.
Ryosuke didn't object either. What was wrong with eating some watermelon in summer?
"3, 2, 1!" Bokuto counted down.
The moment he finished, they all bent down and started devouring.
Ryosuke stuffed his mouth full. Watermelon juice squeezed out, running down his pale chin and dripping onto his clothes, staining a large patch red.
Atsumu Miya froze, staring.
"Uh… uh…" He smacked his lips, still sneaking glances at Ryosuke, practically wanting to turn into a creep and stare non-stop.
The other two were fully focused on eating.
Bokuto's huge mouth swept across the watermelon like a machine, clearing it clean in no time.
"Yeah! I'm done first!"
Hoshiumi dropped his piece in defeat, still burping.
"I knew I couldn't beat Bokuto. That mouth of his…"
"Hey hey hey. I'm the best!"
"Shh!" x3
The three of them glared at Bokuto at the same time, signaling him to keep it down. Everyone was napping.
"Oh…" Bokuto deflated and crouched back down.
"What about our clothes?" Ryosuke finally noticed. He stared blankly at the mess. Everyone's clothes were stained. He didn't even know how to do laundry.
The others froze too.
They looked at their clothes. Then at the floor.
Watermelon juice everywhere. Bokuto still holding a knife.
It looked exactly like a crime scene.
The four of them stared at each other.
Atsumu Miya, experienced in causing trouble, was the first to react. He shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking away, muttering,
"Huh, what's wrong with me? Was I sleepwalking? Better go back to sleep. Ah, Ryosuke must've been sleepwalking too."
Even while making an excuse to escape, he didn't forget to drag Ryosuke along.
Ryosuke chuckled and immediately followed him.
Bokuto-senpai, Hoshiumi-senpai. Sorry!
"Hey. Wait for us!" Hoshiumi grabbed Bokuto and chased after them. None of them had any sense of loyalty.
The four tiptoed down the hallway, afraid of making any noise.
"What are you guys doing?" Akaashi had gone out to look for them and came back just in time to see them sneaking around.
He pressed his forehead. They were definitely up to something again.
Bokuto and the others froze.
Wait. They weren't even from Fukurodani. Why were they feeling guilty?
Atsumu Miya straightened up and tried to leave first with Ryosuke.
Creak.
Ushijima opened the door at that exact moment and came face-to-face with them.
His gaze moved calmly past Atsumu Miya's face, then dropped to his collar. Large red stains.
His brows furrowed.
Atsumu Miya broke into a cold sweat. He was done.
Ryosuke scratched his nose guiltily.
Ushijima and Akaashi exchanged a glance, both taking in the state of the two.
"Ryosuke, go change your clothes. I'll take them back."
Ushijima spoke calmly to Ryosuke. Kids were just a bit energetic. But when he turned to the others, his tone changed.
"Let's go, Hoshiumi-kun."
Hoshiumi stiffened and followed him.
He had been rooming with Hirugami. At this hour, Hirugami was probably already awake and looking for him.
When Hirugami received his "delivery," his blood pressure instantly shot up. Covered in watermelon juice. What was this mess supposed to be? Was he expected to wash it?
Atsumu Miya let out a long breath. Thankfully, he was alone.
Then Ushijima stood in the hallway and called Kita Shinsuke right in front of him.
The relief on Atsumu Miya's face instantly turned into despair.
"Thanks for the trouble, Wakatoshi. I'll make sure to deal with Atsumu when he gets back."
Ushijima even put the last line on speaker.
Atsumu Miya's face went pale.
He was finished.
Ushijima didn't bother with him any further and went back inside.
Ryosuke had already changed and was sitting there a bit nervously. Would Ushijima-senpai be angry?
"Ryosuke, next time just say if you want watermelon. You got your clothes filthy."
That was the first thing Ushijima said when he came back.
Ryosuke's apology got stuck in his throat.
He nodded stiffly.
"...Okay."
Only then was Ushijima satisfied. He still added a few reminders.
"Don't hang around Bokuto and the others too much."
Even if he wouldn't admit it, Bokuto's ability to cause trouble was unmatched.
He went to the bathroom, picked up Ryosuke's clothes, and threw them into the washing machine. Then he fussed around, telling him to change the medicine patch on his knee.
Finally, he opened the suitcase and took out the bag of vitamins Washijō had packed before leaving, watching Ryosuke swallow them.
Ryosuke grimaced as he forced them down.
So that's why Coach Washijō hadn't called to check on him.
He'd been waiting for this.
So sneaky. Way too sneaky.
Ushijima-senpai is a traitor!
...
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