Forget Me Not

Six | 六

Six

The bells' rings echoed throughout the school building and loud squeaks of chairs being pushed followed almost immediately. Conversations started to amplify, overlapping each other into a jumbled up group of noise. [Name] skipped energetically out of her class with her two sets of lunch box in her hands. She held onto the lunch boxes close to her as if they were her treasure with an excited grin on her face.

She hopped up the stairs, humming one of her favorite songs. Making her way to the rooftop where she would meet Oikawa and Iwaizumi, she felt incredibly thrilled. After all, she made the boys boxed lunches. It's been a long time since I made one for them, I hope they like it. She giggled to herself as she approached the doors leading to the rooftop.

Pushing the door open, she stepped into the rooftop where the bright sun was shining down upon the white tiles. A cool summer breeze blew right at her face, lifting her hair away from her face. She glanced around the open area and spotted the two volleyball players sitting on a table-bench by the tall green fence.

"Tooru-chan~! Hajime-kun~!" She waved, nearly tripped on her own foot. Both boys jumped to their feet, worried about her but remained where they were when she managed to stabilize herself on both feet once more.

"Be careful, [Name]-chan." Oikawa chuckled nervously as he scooted deeper into the bench, allowing [Name] to slide next to him. She laughed it off, telling them not to worry. "Where's Fuyuki-san?"

"Sakura has to attend an urgent meeting for the baseball club. She can't join us today." [Name] explained, recalling the fierce second year's words: "Make sure you and that annoying pretty boy face don't do anything alone, got me?" She shivered at the memory of Sakura's face.

"What's that?" Iwaizumi pointed at the lunch boxes in her hands.

"Don't you remember?" She raised it up before her, covering her head behind it. "It's lunch boxes! They're the same ones from last time." Iwaizumi swallowed, cringing a little at his mistake. "Has it really been that long ago?..."

"Well!" Oikawa chimed in, attempting to save Iwaizumi's slip-up. "I can't wait to see what you have made for us."

"Right!" [Name] perked up once more, opening the lunch boxes carefully. "Taadaa~!" She showed off with pride as she presented the lunch before the boys, light radiating from the lunchbox.

Oikawa and Iwaizumi leaned in curiously. They widened their eyes, clearly impressed with the homemade meal: neatly rolled sushi, appetizing egg rolls, sausages cut and fried into an octopus shape, rice balls and mini onigiris.

"Sorry it's so plain..." [Name] apologized, sticking her tongue out playfully. "I couldn't really wake up early enough to make more..."

The two felt a certain feeling hit their insides, getting them deep down. "Thank you so much, [Name]-chan." Oikawa pulled his face into a slightly forced smile. She smiled back at them in return, handing them disposable chopsticks.

"Well, then..." Oikawa took the chopsticks and skillfully laced his fingers around them. "Ittadakimasu (Thank you for the food)." The vice-captain followed his lead, mumbling his thanks for the food before picking up a sushi.

As soon as the food entered their mouths, they couldn't bring themselves to chew more than once. Their faces turned blue and their eyes turned blank. An imaginary lighting struck in the background.

THERE'S NO TASTE AT ALL.

They exchanged glances, making sure that they had not lost their taste buds. Slowly, they made themselves to chew the food and swallow it.