Tastes Like Home | Various!Blue Lock

Fifteen

"He's ignoring me, isn't he?"

Hyoma Chigiri did not want to disappoint the fair lady sitting in front of him, for she was crushing tea leaves so diligently that it almost seemed as though she was projecting all her frustrations on the act.

Still, he could not deny that his dear friend, Yoichi Isagi, was acting far more immature than their other dear friend-Seishiro Nagi-ever did.

Despite Seishiro being the one to dramatically throw a tantrum the day before due to (Y/n) putting up with her boyfriend's blatant mistreatment, he did not really hold a grudge and had taken it upon himself (after some coaxing from Reo) to apologize to her before they all went to bed.

As surprising as it was to all his friends, he acknowledged that, despite how her willingness to continue being a victim frustrated him, it was not okay for him to meddle with her personal affairs. And (Y/n), as lovely as she was, instantly forgave him with a kind smile and even went as far as to make him some lemon tea.

The two parties directly involved in whatever conflict there even was had made up before the sun went down! So why was Yoichi acting like such a child?

"It appears to be so," Hyoma sighed. "Though I highly disagree with his decision to do so. What happened yesterday, if you don't mind me asking?"

(Y/n) shifted slightly, her fingers curling against her sleeve as she searched for the right words.

"I'm... not entirely sure," she admitted hesitantly. "We all thought Nagi was the one we needed to keep an eye on-the one we had to satiate. That's what everything seemed to point to."

Her gaze lowered, brows drawing together. "Mikage and I saw Yoichi go after Nagi when he stormed off, but... we didn't hear what they talked about. We don't know what happened between them after that... but whatever it was... it must've been bad enough to change everything."

Hyoma sighed, getting up to sit next to her, comfortingly rubbing her back.

"Well, sometimes men are simply more emotionally complicated than women, it seems," he hummed. "Nevertheless, you are not at fault, so I hope you do not beat yourself up much over it."

(Y/n) cracked a tiny smile, hinting that she may perhaps be intending to do otherwise.

"Thank you, Mr. Chigiri... though I really am quite directly involved, so that might be a little difficult to promise."

"As long as you try your best, that is all that matters." Hyoma chuckled. "And... I've been meaning to tell you this for quite a while now, but I'd prefer if you addressed me more informally."

(Y/n) looked perplexed, her head tilting to her side as she inquired, "...And by that you mean?"

"Call me Hyoma from now on. It just feels odd to be addressed so informally by someone my age."

(Y/n)'s mouth held agape, "...Well, that is only because we are host and guest-"

"-and I see you as someone I have befriended." Hyoma nodded curtly. "I'm sure the other guys also share this same sentiment. You are our friend, (Y/n), not just someone who is meant to serve us during our stay at your establishment."

(Y/n) was speechless. It wasn't as though the concept of friendship was foreign to her-no, she had plenty of friends. Perhaps it was more accurate to state that, as of late, she had been far too engulfed in the culture of 'I must do my best to make things easier for others, even if it is at my own expense'.

It was wrong, but it's just how she felt she was as a person. Her sense of duty was an important part of her person... and whenever it felt she was more of an inconvenience rather than a helping hand...?