Lavender | Wakatoshi Ushijima

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Wakatoshi hasn't come to school. Two days, to be exact.

I don't know why, but something inside me is worrying about him. I can't really focus in class today. I want him to be safe, so we can continue our tutoring lessons together.

"Miss Takahashi? Answer question three, please."

I snap out of it.

But I couldn't help but ask about Wakatoshi at practice.

"Hey, Tendo."

"Hello, Hana!"

"I want to ask, where's Wakatoshi? He's been gone for a little while now."

"He told me he's sick, says it's the flu. He told me not to worry, but I know how terrible it can be."

My stomach sinks again.

"He's staying at his mother's house for a few days. I'm going to visit him after school, want to join me?"

His mother's? Maybe his parents are divorced.

"Sure," I smile, wiping all signs of worry off of my face.

There's a question itching my brain that I really want to ask.

"Um, Tendo?"

"Yes?" He smirks playfully.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's Wakatoshi's favorite food?"

"Hayashi rice," he says obliviously.

I rush home after school and I immediately begin cooking. Not for myself this time. I grab a quick granola bar and make do with that. I find myself cooking Hayashi rice. With no pauses, I cook everything carefully. Mrs. Sasaki gave me her Hayashi rice recipe not too long ago, and I'm using it for the first time. I pack it in a Tupperware and slip that into a paper bag with three bowls and chopsticks for the three of us. I stash everything in a big tote bag that has a few other things inside.

After I finish, I get ready. I wear an outfit suitable for the weather, sending a message to Tendo. I wear dark pants and a white knit sweater with my long beige jacket. It's chilly outside.

I'm not actually running late, I'm never late. I quickly slip my shoes on and grab my house key.

I walk over to the address I sent to Tendo, it's a house down the street. I each step down the sidewalk in frustration. My hands are freezing as I hold the paper bag in front of me.

Is Wakatoshi going to be okay?

I don't know why I'm stressing. I'm sure he'll be fine. What irks me is that I feel unusual when he crosses my mind, something happening more often than I'd like.

"Hey, hey!" Tendo calls out.

"Hi!" I say, reciprocating the cheery mood.

"Let's head to his house quickly before the Hayashi rice gets cold," he says, looking ahead and smirking.

"How did you know?"

"Who wouldn't know?" He laughs at my reaction. I grumble in response.

I realize we're striding in the opposite direction of where Wakatoshi told me his house is. "Isn't his house this way?" I point to the direction I know.

"He must've forgotten where his own house is! It's this way," Tendo stutters.

I can tell he's lying, but I keep quiet. Wakatoshi is the topic of conversation on the way. It would be morally wrong to speak of anything else. He tells me more about him, and I realize Tendo is more worried than he shows.