Haikyuu Imagines

Peas in a Pod (Ushijima)

It was a bright Sunday morning, and you welcomed the steady stream of sunlight into your room.  You'd just relocated to the countryside for your new job and were pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and charm of the town people.  

Your house was small but cute with wooden sliding doors, tatami mats, and huge windows that flooded each room with natural light.  You'd started decorating yesterday and meant to finish hanging things up today, but first, you were curious about the weekly farmer's market.  It was something your neighbor had mentioned when you first moved in, and you were positive the produce would be leagues better than what you had back in the city.

Slinging a tote bag over your shoulder, you headed out for the town square.  But as you were stepping out, you noticed your neighbor locking up her own house and waving you over.

"You're up early!  Would you like to head to the market with me?  I can introduce you to some of the farmers.  They're great at recommending what's in season!" she grinned.

You nodded instantly, chatting with the older woman about your move and your new job until you reached the square.  For the past week, the town had seemed quiet.  Not in an eerie way.  It felt like the tranquil ripples of a pond or the soothing gurgle of a brook.  What you hadn't been expecting to see were tents splayed across the asphalt with people weaving between stalls.  In between produce tents stood food trucks that served up piping hot treats that you could smell from where you were standing.  

"I highly recommend you try the bao truck!  They have different flavors, and eating the freshly-steamed bao in this cold weather will warm you right up," the woman said.  "Let's start there and then work our way through the fruits and vegetables.  It's dangerous shopping on an empty stomach!"

You laughed and followed her lead, quietly observing the way aunties greeted each other and clustered to catch up on the week's events.  Some of the farmers abandoned their stalls momentarily to grab a bite to eat or talk with the crowd to teach them more about the season's harvest.  

The woman handed you a red bean bao and a curry bao, ruffling your hair. "It's on me today," she winked.

You gratefully took the steaming hot buns and bit into them.  She was right.  Instantly, you forgot about your cold fingertips and the shiver in your legs.  

"I'm going to go check out the tangerines before they sell out, but I'd recommend starting back there at Wakatoshi Farms!  They're always very popular and super friendly."  The woman gave a small wave before leaving you to secure her oranges.

Meanwhile, you waded between parents and children and couples and siblings until you made it to Wakatoshi's stand.  There, you spotted an older man and woman happily chatting with the customers while a guy around your age seemed to be prepping fruit at the counter.  

He must have felt your gaze on him because he immediately looked up and held out a slice of something orange.

"Want to try a persimmon?  We picked these just last evening," the man said.  

"Thank you," you whispered, accepting the slice.  You'd tried a persimmon once before, but it had been sour and bitter.  Not a flavor you particularly enjoyed.  But this one was sweet, tangy, and syrupy.  

"It's like candy," you giggled, licking your fingertips.

The man smiled.  "Would you like to buy a bag?"

"Yes please!" you beamed, fishing out your wallet. 

The man handed you a paper bag, and that's when you realized you would have to select the persimmons yourself.