Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

New Starts

A new semester brought new beginnings. Mitsumi returned home from morning conditioning and realized she had time to take care of herself since she wasn't sprinting to work. She showered and took her time getting ready. Her hair was braided in two, although she would later admit that her boyfriend did a way better job. She wore an olive green, long-legged, romper with a white and black striped shirt underneath. Her favorite part about the outfit was the deep pockets she could shove her phone and other knick-knacks in. It had been a while since she had taken the time to take it easy.

Her first class wasn't for a couple of hours, so she took the time to cook a proper breakfast and prepare a healthy lunch. She decided to send Suga a text with a giddy smile. This was the first time she had the time to cook a full meal of rice, cheesy scrambled eggs, and some sausages. She then packed the leftover rice into bento boxes with the leftover chicken and veggie stirfry she made the night before for lunch. 

Mitsumi Chie: I'll meet you at the auditorium courtyard! I have a little something for you. <3

Sugawara Koushi: Give me a second to dry my hair. I'll be on my way in five. :)

The two of them had grown into the habit of using little emojis at the end of every text. Mitsumi wrapped one bento in a cloth-covered in tiny birds and the other in a polka dot cloth. She slipped them into her canvas bag with her books before heading out the door.

Spring was her favorite season for many reasons. Flowers being one of them. The campus was covered in vibrant Sakura trees. The pink blossoms had exploded overnight. She picked a spot at a table under one of the large Sakura trees and read her piano literature book while she waited.

"Are you giving me your piano literature book?" Suga came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist in a back hug. His lips were next to her ear. "You look refreshed."

Mitsumi blushed a bright pink. Although she couldn't understand why she had such a reaction. "Morning Koushi." She could finally give him a proper morning greeting. "How has your morning been?"

"It's been good. Coach Ueno introduced us to the new physical trainer today. He's pretty cool." He let go of her and took a seat across the table.

She smiled gently and pulled the two bentos out of her bag. "Same with us, she's pretty neat. Maeda is pretty hardcore though. I'll be sore tomorrow for sure." Mitsumi chuckled a bit and handed him the bento covered in the bird cloth. "I have time to cook finally. So, I thought I would make you some lunch."

He grinned at the sight of the delicately wrapped bento. "Is it poisoned?" Suga accepted it and slid it into his backpack. Her disappointed look made it hard not to snicker. "I'm teasing. When do you have class?"

"Not for another two hours. How about you?" Mitsumi put a bookmark in her textbook and set it aside.

"Mm, my morning class got canceled already. Our professor is sick, on the first day too." Suga rested his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his open palm. "How is this new schedule feeling for you?"

The girl laughed. She really didn't know since it was the first day. "Well, so far it's weird. I go to work a couple of days a week. And I suddenly have time to take it easy." Mitsumi glanced down at her watch. "I was going to practice piano. Everyone is in their piano pedagogy class. So, I can sneak you upstairs and you can listen." She hadn't finished the prerequisites for the class yet, so she was the only one not in it.

Suga pursed his lips. He knew she wasn't allowed to let anyone up there. However, he was tempted to listen to her tickle the ivories. "Sure. We have time. Why not?" He stood up and swing his backpack over his shoulder.