His Warrior Queen: A Haikyuu!! Novel (Tsukishima x OC)

Chapter 23: Frustration

Nakano's special dessert was coming along nicely.  Baking was underway, and early enough that she was able to help prepare the teriyaki chicken to go along with the sesame soba noodles Eri prepared for lunch.  She saw Asahi enter the cafeteria, and immediately went to join the ace.

"Hey Asahi!"

"Hey Nakano!  What did you make us for lunch?"

"Well, we have sesame soba noodles and teriyaki chicken.  I helped make the chicken."

The ace smiled.  "Extra chicken for me, then," he said, grabbing a plate.  The girl blushed and playfully punched his arm.  "Stop it," she said, "you're making me blush."  She started preparing a plate for herself.

Just then, Kageyama stormed into the room, looking like he was ready to punch something or someone.  He looked at the food, but then turned away and plunked himself down at the end of one of the tables, dropping his head to the surface with an audible clunk.

Tsukishima joined the queue behind Nakano.  "Hey, Roses," he whispered to her, giving her a gentle shoulder check as he grabbed a plate.

"Hey," she said, still looking at Kageyama.  "What happened to Kags?"

Tsukishima clicked his tongue.  "Apparently, His Majesty is still having some trouble getting this new combo with the Shrimp just right."

"And let me guess," Nakano said, "Shoyo isn't exactly being patient about it, is he?  Ugh, those two.  Hinata trusts Kags completely...so much so that he doesn't get the fact that Kageyama can't instantly do something as tricky as what they are trying to pull off.  And of course, that doesn't make it any easier for Kags."

"They're both ridiculously irritating," Tsukki commented.  "Did you make the soba or the chicken?"

"Chicken," Nakano replied.  "Hey, would you be willing to do something mushy and couple-like for me today?"

Tsukishima stopped putting noodles in his bowl and looked at her, a doubtful expression coming across his face.  "Like what?" he asked skeptically.

"I'd like to bring this plate to Kags, but I want to eat with you and don't want to go through the queue again.  Would you be willing to share a bowl with me?"

He rolled his eyes.  "I bet you want me to sit with the King, too.  This is asking a lot Naka-chan."  He fixed her with a smirk.  "What exactly will I be getting in return?"

She continued to put food on the plate she now planned to give to Kageyama.  "Well, aside from showing everyone at the camp the fact that you've got an amazing girlfriend...why don't you try taking a deep breath through your nose, Tsukki?"

He did so.  A mélange of delicious food smells assaulted him.  He caught just a hint of Nakano's familiar scent.  And underneath it all, another smell, that instantly made his mouth water.  He turned to her, his eyes sparking.  "Do I smell..."

"Uh-huh.  Do this for me, and I'll make sure you get a double portion."  Man, she thought, good thing I made quite a bit extra of the cake base.

He considered this, grabbing two sets of chopsticks as the pair moved away from the food line.  "That's nice, Naka-chan, but I know you'll make the same thing for me any time I ask.  So I think I'm going to need to ask for something else in addition to your offer."

"I did notice you grabbed two sets of chopsticks.  So what else do you want of me?"  She threw him a suggestive look as they walked toward where Kageyama was sitting.

"I don't know yet.  Let's just say you owe me one again."

"For that to be true, I want to add another condition.  Control your sassypants self, okay?  I'm trying to make Kags feel better, not piss him off more."  She smiled at him.