「𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝」- 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐊𝐘𝐔𝐔

013

—013.

Around six in the morning, Sugawara-senpai walked in on Shimizu making dinner. Worry painted his expression as he stared at the older's swollen eyes. "...a-are you o-okay, S-Sugawara-senpai...?" Shimizu asks.

Abnormally, the grey-haired man takes a moment before weakly nodding. "Yeah, my eyes are just a little irritated." His smile feels hollow, devoid of emotion as he takes a seat.

Y/N bites his lip. Sugawara-senpai is usually the first to wake up, but he's never looked so tired. "...u-um," he starts, unsure if he's saying the right words. "...y-you can always t-talk to me. I-I might n-not have the b-best advice, b-but I'll b-be there to l-listen..."

Hazel eyes widen in shock before the older laughs, his cheeks turning a shade of pink. He gets up and raises his hand, silently asking for permission. After it was granted, Sugawara patted his head gently. "Don't worry, Y/N. I'm fine, I promise. Thank you for worrying about me."

Shimizu looks at him through his eyelashes, face burning with embarrassment as he nods. "...d-do you want to w-watch me m-make breakfast? I-It h-helps me w-when I'm s-sad."

Sugawara-senpai huffs in amusement. "If you're so adamant about making me feel better, but I need to bathe."

He nods and looks through the kitchen to see what leftovers they have. Deciding he'd make mixed rice, salted salmon, and Tonjiru. It was healthy and would hopefully provide enough energy for their game.

Thinking deeper, he'd go out and buy some light snacks for the road, in case breakfast wasn't enough.

Sugawara-senpai returned when he started with the salmon, the rice already in the cooker. He hummed lightly. "Smells good."

Shimizu paused, removing his glasses to wipe the steam off the lenses. "...t-thank you, S-Sugawara-senpai."

A comfortable silence stretched as Sugawara watched him cook, making soft, off-handed comments every so often. It made him feel warm and appreciated.

Sugawara-senpai asked, a few minutes before his sister arrived, "Do you like Nishinoya?"

He cocked his head in confusion. "...y-yes? I d-don't dislike anyone on the t-team..."

His eyes had a foreign-spaced look, "No, no, I meant romantically. Are you and Noya together?"

What is it with everyone suddenly being invested in their relationship?

As expected, Y/N stuttered over his work, almost dropping the plate he was holding. Blood spread over his face as he shook his head. "...n-no," he mumbles, even though it unknowingly caused his chest to tighten. "...w-we're just friends, n-nothing more."

There's a pause, a lapse in Sugawara-senpai's expression when he answers before his face turns into one full of mischief. "You sure? You're blushing pretty hard right now..."