shoyo hinata, the center of the solar system

the star - hitoka yachi

The morning market was bustling with shoppers and passersby. Stalls lined the street, sprinkling several different colored tents and signs as far as the eye could see. It was a Saturday morning, the perfect day to take it easy and shop around. An orange-haired boy and his shorter blonde friend ambled aimlessly down the street, stopping here and there to gawk at interesting foods or trinkets.

"Thanks again for coming with me, Yachi," Hinata said as he eyed a toy stand. His little sister's birthday was coming up, and unfortunately, Hinata had no clue what to get for her. He figured Yachi would have a broad idea of what to get an elementary school girl as a gift. He liked hanging out with Yachi and listening to her talk about graphic design and other things she was passionate about.

"Yeah, of-of course!" Yachi replied, a bit flustered. She was honored when Hinata asked her to accompany him on this important mission he set for himself. His caring so much for his younger sister made her smile. "I'm happy to help you with something like this, especially since you always help me. Like telling my mother that I was going to be your guys' manager."

"I remember that!" Hinata blurted out with a smile.

She giggled at the memory. Hinata had practically dragged her by the arm all the way to the train station and encouraged her to stand up to her mother about her passions. The girl was flushed and timid when she arrived at the train station in a flash, and she yelled at the top of her lungs to her mother, saying she wanted to be the volleyball team's manager. And that was that. Yachi found Hinata's ability to encourage and support people incredibly inspiring.

Which was why she wanted to return the favor to him. Sure, she tutored Hinata and helped him with his homework, but that never went too far with him or Kageyama....

Regardless, she was happy to help him. She even felt quite sick with the pressure of helping him pick out such an important gift. Natsu was turning ten years old, so the teens were determined to find her a meaningful gift.

"So, I was thinking," Yachi spoke as they meandered from stall to stall, "she likes to draw right? Maybe we could find her a nice little notebook or sketchbook."

Hinata raised an eyebrow at her. "A notebook? Isn't that a little boring?"

"Well, maybe we could also get her colorful stationery."

Hinata continued to stare at her blankly. Stationery. Like pens and erasers? He found the idea outright boring. He dreaded thinking of notebooks since they always reminded him of the difficult classes that he had a hard time with. A shiver ran up his spine at the thought of being kicked off the volleyball team for his horrible grades.

His friend noticed and giggled. He's such a boy. He wants nothing more than to play volleyball and then play more volleyball.

"Maybe you don't like the idea, but I'm sure Natsu would," Yachi suggested. Looking over at him, he had a thoughtful expression on his face. He considered the idea more and his eyes searched for a stall that would carry these items.

Yachi gasped suddenly and waved her hands frantically at him. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to boss you around! I mean, she's your sister! How would I know what to get someone who I don't even know? It's your call, Shoyo." The anxious girl babbled endlessly, thinking she was being a pain.

Walking down the street, she continued to ramble more to herself than anyone else. Her small rant was interrupted by a snort from beside her. Hesitantly, she caught her breath and turned to Hinata, who was looking at her and trying not to laugh in her face.

"Yachi, calm down! I think it's a great idea. And you're a girl so you would know better than me what she would like."

"Yes... but-"

"Yachi."

They stopped walking in front of a food stall and he looked her dead in the eyes.

"Don't ever be afraid to voice your opinion. Knowing you, you always have a good reason behind your thoughts and suggestions."

His smile is too bright, she thought as the embarrassment slowly flooded her face. She cupped her cheeks with her hands and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Okay, I'm sorry!" She yelped, head bowed to the ground.

"Don't be sorry. Live a little!" Hinata replied, grabbing a food sample from the stall before them and tossing it into the air, only to try and fail to catch it in his mouth.

The sample fell with a splat onto the ground. He turned nervously to the old stall owner, who gave him a look of disappointment and judgment. Yachi watched as he quietly bowed and apologized, picking up his inedible mess and looking around for a trash can.

She smiled at her friend's ridiculous boyish behavior. Hesitantly, she stared at the tray of samples before them. After a moment, Yachi reached for a sample and attempted the same antic. Only this time, she caught the food in her mouth. She didn't even chew but looked at her friend in utter disbelief.

With the food in his hand, Hinata stared back at Yachi in disbelief. There was silence, then a burst of shared laughter.

"There you go, Yachi!" He exclaimed, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. Yachi joined in, covering her mouth so as not to be rude. She grabbed his arm to steady herself, and Hinata used her as support so they wouldn't completely topple over.

The two teens could be seen losing their composure in front of a humble little food stall, and their laughter could be heard from tens of stalls away.