𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 64: The Managers

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#101823
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Aeris stood beside the counter, her arms crossed as she stared into the almost–empty pantry. Kiyoko was beside her, similarly lost in thought. They had been assigned to prepare lunch for the boys during today's joint training camp, and the reality of it was slowly sinking in.

"Hmm..." Aeris murmured, tapping her chin. "I wonder what Yukie is thinking right now. Probably the same thing as us."

Kiyoko gave her a curious look. "Who's Yukie?"

Before Aeris could answer, the door slid open and Yukie stepped in. Her expression brightened the moment she spotted Aeris.

"Aeris-chan!" she called out warmly.

Aeris smiled back, relieved to see a familiar face. "Yukie."

"You two look deep in thought," Yukie said. "Have you decided on what to cook for lunch?"

"Not even close," Aeris admitted, sighing dramatically. "We're stuck."

Kiyoko stood properly and bowed politely. "Um—nice to meet you. I'm Shimizu Kiyoko, Karasuno's manager."

Yukie blinked, then bowed back quickly. "Ah! I'm Yukie, one of the Fukorodani's managers."

"And this," Yukie added, gesturing toward the girl behind her, "is also Fukurodani's manager—Suzumeda Kaori."

Kaori bowed, calm and proper. Aeris bowed back as well. "Nice to meet you, Kaori-chan. We're figuring out what to serve everyone."

Kaori looked over the supplies, then said thoughtfully, "Since we're feeding what feels like a thousand hungry children, maybe we pick something simple?"

Aeris nodded at that. It was the most reasonable idea she'd heard all morning.

"Alright," Aeris said, clapping her hands lightly to get everyone's attention. "Who knows how to cook? And who's confident buying the ingredients?"

"I can cook," Kaori volunteered immediately.

"Only you?" Aeris asked, her brow lifting.

Before Kaori could answer, the door slid open again.

"Oh! Eri-chan! Mako-chan!" Kaori exclaimed as two girls stepped inside.

Eri and Mako waved cheerfully. "Kaori-chan!"

Aeris straightened as Kaori turned to her. "Aeris-chan, this is Shiro Emi—she manages for Ubugawa High—and Mako is the manager for Shinzen."

Aeris bowed politely. "Nice to meet you both."

"We were just discussing the meal plan," Yukie explained.

Kaori added, "And Aeris-chan is figuring out who can cook and who can handle shopping."

"I can cook too," Emi said, raising her hand confidently.

Aeris breathed out in relief. "Okay, great. So Kaori-chan and Emi-chan will handle cooking. Mako, can you cook rice?"

Mako puffed up with pride. "Rice is my specialty."

"Perfect. Then Kiyoko and I will buy the ingredients."

Yukie stretched her arms out dramatically. "Let's go feed the starving animals! Before they start eating each other."

Everyone laughed except Aeris, who muttered under her breath, "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised."