Inarizaki's Hidden Foundation

Ch. 7 - Brunch

You woke up to gagging sounds and flushing coming from your bathroom. Oh boy, she' yakking..

Slowly and groggily, you get up from the couch and checking your phone see it's almost noon. You had slept in your black dress and with a full face of makeup, making you feel disgusting. Grabbing a glass and filling it with water from your sink, you tread to the bathroom and knock.

"Mina, you ok? I have water here. Can I come in?" you say.

"Mmmhph.. ok.." a weak voice replies.

You open the door and Mina is sprawled on the floor with her head in the toilet. Sitting down next to her and rubbing her back, you hand over the water and make sure she downs the whole thing.

"Ugh.. I hate drinking.." Mina groans.

"Yeah, I know. Me, too," you agree. She chuckles and grins.

"But at least I got you to agree to the manager position."

"Mhmm, right. You really got me there," you say.

Bzz, buzz. Your phone rings. It's Kita calling. Mina looks at you funny while you answer it, putting it on speakerphone.

"Hey, are you and Mina awake? How are you both feeling?"

You reply, "Yeah, we're alive. I'm fine and Mina should be good too after yakking this morning. We should both have most of the alcohol out of our systems. What's up?"

"Oh, that's good. Because... the Miyas, Suna, Aran, and I are on our way over to your place." Greetings and cheers from several voices sound from the background.

... "What, why?"

"It was the Miyas' idea to make brunch for everyone, and I got assigned to drive since I have the larger car. They just told me they didn't tell you so that's why I'm only calling now."

Mina, having listened to this whole thing, chimes in, "Ohh! That would be awesome actually. How far away are you all?"

"10 minutes. We just left."

You give her a piercing look that said 'I didn't agree to this.' She silently pleads with you, putting her hands together in a prayer gesture. Rolling your eyes, you give in to her puppy dog ones.

"Ok, fine I'll allow it. As long as you don't make a mess here. Also, we both have to clean up so if we don't answer the door right away that's because we are showering."

In the background you hear, "Can I join?"

Kita says, "Shut up, Atsumu. Ok, take your time. See you soon."

He hangs up. You look at Mina and say, "Shower first. I'll get you a change of clothes." She nods and turns on the water.

You get up and go to your room to find her a comfortable dress, her ideal choice of clothes, while you get yourself a T-shirt and shorts. No need to impress anyone in your own home.

Once both you and Mina were cleaned up and semi-presentable, the boys arrived. They came in with grocery bags full of ingredients.

"Hello, ladies," Osamu says, putting down some things on your kitchen island. You hear a whoosh past you and see Mina had sprinted over to his side, embracing him. He kissed the top of her head, saying, "Good morning, princess."

Huh? This is new. He never called her that before.. and what was with that display of affection? What had actually happened last night?

"Ok, first of all it is not morning. It's nearly 1. Second of all, who are you to be calling her Princess?" you interrogate.

Mina looks sheepishly at you. "Oh, uh.. well. Osamu and I have been talking more and more, hanging out and stuff. And then last night we kinda DTR-ed.. so we're dating now." She finishes off that sentence with a smile. You did not return the smile. Was this decision made before the party or during when they were sh*t-faced?

"Yeah, I caught them making out in a room upstairs in the house last night," Suna says. "I thought maybe it was just a fling or the alcohol, but I guess not."

"Congrats, you lovebirds!" Aran adds.

"Thanks, man," Osamu says, grinning.

While the guys are congratulating the new couple, Kita walks over to your side. He observes your face for a bit. "You're upset."

"What, no I'm not. Why would you think that?"

"You're biting the inside of your cheek. If I'm correct, you do that whenever you're upset. At least the few times I've seen you anyways."

You blink. You hadn't realized until he pointed out your habit that it was true.

Sighing, you tell him, making sure the others were out of earshot, "I just.. I don't know. Osamu seems cool but I don't really know him well enough yet. Plus, Mina hasn't had the best luck with guys and I don't think it's a great idea for her to rush into another relationship so fast. Especially if they made the decision while under the influence."

He nods. "Yeah, I'm also a little apprehensive about them dating. It could distract them both and if they ever call it quits.. well that would create a whole another situation for the whole team."

You nod in complete agreement and sigh. Looking over, you see your friend laughing with a lively glint in her eyes that your heart clenches for a second. "But I guess she's happy for now."

The Miya twins started the brunch-making process, washing veggies and starting the rice cooker. Kita helps to cut up vegetables and some fruit. Aran, Suna, Mina and I are in the living room across the kitchen, chilling on the couch and around the coffee table there. You turned on the coffee maker since even though it's not morning, you can't start and get through a day without some caffeine.

"Osamu and Atsumu make the BEST onigiri. You both have to try them," Aran says. "Like seriously, they have to open up their own shop or something. It's a crime to not allow other people to enjoy it."

"Yeah, they're aight," Suna adds.

"Oooh! I'm so excited!" Mina exclaims. She looks over to the kitchen and you follow her gaze to Osamu. Internally you groan. The next few weeks they're going to be in their honeymoon stage and guess who gets to listen to all the stories and lovey dovey dates? Your eyes stray over to Kita, who's on to cutting up apples. The sleeves of his black sweater are pushed up, revealing his toned, muscly arms. Your eyes travel up his abdomen to his neck, collarbones, and focused face. Almost like he can feel you watching him, he looks up and straight at you. A weird feeling blooms in your chest and you look away first.

"So I heard you both agreed to be managers for the team. Congrats! We're glad to have you," Aran says.

"Thanks, Aran. I'm.. actually glad Mina convinced me. I think it'll be exciting," you reply to him. You look over at Mina, and she's grinning from ear to ear.

"Okay, everyone! Come on over to the dining table, food's ready!" Osamu calls to us.

The array that's splayed out is surprisingly amazing. There's a mountain of onigiris, fruits, miso soup, American pancakes, and scrambled eggs. An.. interesting combination of foods but smells crazy good nonetheless.

"Wow, you guys really outdid yourselves! This looks so yummy!" Mina exclaims and Aran, Suna, and you agree. Mina sits next to Osamu, and you take a seat next to Kita.

You say to him, "Thanks for this. It must have taken a lot of effort to get the ingredients and make all this."

"Nah, it's not too bad at all. Cooking is just routine for me at this point," he replies. You smile at him.

Once everyone is seated, you all say in unison, "Itadakimasu!"