Chapter Text
Hinata looked through the window of the bar HOMRA to see who was all there. She was relieved to see that the person she wanted to talk to was there as well. Okay. You’ve got this. Just do what you always do. Be confident and show him that you’re a great match.
She let out a heavy exhale through her mouth before entering the bar with a smile. She first went over to Kyashi, who was sitting at one of the tables and held out a box of muffins for her. “Want one?”
“Sure. Thank you.” She smiled at her before turning her attention back to her book.
She smiled even though she could feel the nerves starting to grow inside of her. She didn’t understand why. This was nothing new. She had done this before. Maybe not exactly like this, but she had shown herself off before. “Hi there, Shōhei, also want one?”
“Yes. Thank you. Did you recently make them?”
“Yeah. Felt like making some muffins and since they turned out this great, couldn’t help but want to share them, you know.”
He took a bite out of it and smiled. “It is good.”
Her expression brightened. “I know, right? Thank you. Baking is a pain in a different way than normal cooking but it’s not impossible. Just like everything, it takes practice and you bet I put my all into learning how to do it. So if you ever want anything made, I’m your gal.” She pointed at herself proudly.
“Thank you. I appreciate it. Have you been cooking for long?”
She sat down on the barstool next to him and moved around on it. “For as long as I can remember. I helped my mum out when I was still living with my parents. It’s a nice sight, seeing all those raw ingredients becoming something delicious. But I only properly started cooking and everything after I moved out. It’s good ’cause Little Miss Love-Sick-For-Yata has needed my help at times.”
Kyashi smiled at her with raised eyebrows before turning her attention back to her book. It was both nice and interesting seeing this side of her friend.
He chuckled. “Again, shows how kind you are.”
She blinked and looked at him surprised. “Okay, I’m not mean but would you really say I’m kind? You feeling okay?”
“Fine. And wouldn’t you say that someone who does something for a friend when they need help is kind?”
“Yes,” she said in a small voice since she was unused to being called that. She breathed in deeply. “But you know, I’d still say you’re kinder. Because you’ve done so much more for your friends, from a really early age onwards. Though I hope that you’re more safe when it comes to doing things.”
Shōhei smiled at her kindly. “I am. Don’t worry.”
Her body stiffened in slight embarrassment. “I’m not worried. I just… The world needs good people and since you’re such a good person, obviously it’d still need you. And Kyashi. And the others.”
“And you.”
Hinata felt like she had fallen into a trap she didn’t know how to escape. None of her casual conversations with him could have prepared her for this amount of kindness, all directed towards her. She smiled. “Obviously, me as well. I’ve got to keep your dumbasses alive of course. And I’ve been doing well so far when it comes down to my residency, so there’s nothing that could stand in our way. We’ll be the coolest team ever.”
“That sounds nice. Should we also have a team name then?”
“Oh, yeah. Good point.” She looked down in serious thought. When she couldn’t come up with anything, she sighed. “Kyashi,” she said in a slightly louder voice.
“Yes.” Even though she was trying her best not to laugh, the amusement could still be heard in her voice and seen in her eyes.
“If all of us form a team, what do you think our team name should be?”
“The Most Awesome People Around.”
She shook her head while smiling at her in slight disbelief. “That’s too long.”
“The MAPA then? Or do you have something you want to connect the name to? Because you’re not really giving me much to work with here.”
“The MAPA should do.” She rested her elbow on the bar behind her, placed her head on her fist and grinned at Shōhei. “What ya say, Shōhei? Aren’t we just the MAPA?”
He looked at her with slight uncertainty but nodded, nonetheless. “Yes.”
Her eyes creased slightly so that she was looking at him fondly as she shook her head. “You’re really cute, you know.”
He was so surprised by the statement that all he could do was stare at her. “Thank you,” he eventually managed to say.
“Though honestly handsome or anything along those lines would also be fitting. Mix that with your generally kind personality and you have one amazing guy.” She chuckled. “But I’m sure you already know that. Just heard a little bird whispering it to me so I thought I should repeat it.”
Kyashi was watching the scene unfold before her in fascination. It was much more interesting than anything her book had to offer.
He smiled. “Thank you, Hinata.”
“I’ll pass your thanks on to the bird. But you know, I’m still great in a lot of other aspects so don’t become too confident.” She blinked, reconsidering her words. “Do but know that this gal here is still awesome.” She picked up one of the muffins and held it in front of his face. “This is just a small portion of what I can do.”
He nodded, unsure of what exactly to say to something like that. All in all, he couldn’t help but think that certain actions of hers were quite odd.
She took a bite out of the muffin. “So why you here alone? Bandō gone off with Aiko to some fancy date or something?”
“Yes.”
“And you really don’t mind?”
“I was never interested in her if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Yeaaaah. And that’d be far too cliché. Sure all of ya are kind in your own way but your kindness is more obvious than the others. So you and Aiko ending up together would just be obvious kindness plus obvious kindness. There’s no spice to that. Bandō’s personality is the perfect match. Can’t explain it, it just is.” Her eyes narrowed. “Though then there’s also a question of, do you have one?”
A shy smile flickered across his lips as his eyes went over to her for a second. “Maybe. I guess it’s only something that time can tell.”
“True.” She took another bite and looked away. “Whatever the case, sure it’ll be interesting to see if it ever comes to that.”
“Yes.”
At the end of the day, Hinata said goodbye before making her way home. Kyashi grabbed onto her shoulder before she could make it too far. “Whattup?”
She was having difficulty talking with how much she was smiling. “You’re such a peacock,” was all she managed to say in a small voice.
“A what?”
“A peacock.”
“Yeah, no, I heard you the first time, I just don’t get why you’re calling me that. Did your brain just come up with something that I don’t understand?”
She shook her head. “Peacock’s show off their feathers, their bright feathers, to impress someone. And you were…” She was having difficulties holding back her laughter. “And you were really going for it when it came down to showing how bright your feathers are.”
Realisation dawned on her. She grabbed onto her friend’s shoulders. “Okay. So this is very important so I’ll only tell you once right and you’ll properly listen. I’m merely interested in him, okay. Nothing more. I want to see how this goes. So don’t go telling him or any of the others about this. Got it?”
She nodded. “It’s so cute.”
“Oh shut up. It’s not.”
“But everything you said to him, how you acted and everything. It’s so cute.”
She groaned. “Please say that you haven’t already imagined us as a couple.”
“You’d be so cute together.”
“Ah, for crying out loud.” She grabbed onto her hand and dragged her along.
“Where we going?”
“My place. Don’t want you anywhere near Yata while you’re in this state.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’ll see something’s up and you’ll talk about it and like I said, that’s something I don’t want. So you’ll wait there until your brain has calmed down and then you can go back home, okay.”
She nodded. “When did you become interested in him?”
“Ended up talking to him a bit at the beach and he seemed like a decent enough guy. I mean, I know he’s more than just a decent guy since you know, he walked me home that day. But when I talked to him during our beach trip, I got an even bigger insight as to what kind of guy he is and I just thought it’d be nice to be in a relationship with him. He’s not like the guys I usually date. I’m not saying they’re all dickheads or somethin’ but Shōhei’s kindness is still something that feels so rare. Can’t explain why, it just is.”
“It is. It is such a beautiful thing.” As were her friend’s feelings but she knew she shouldn’t bring that up. “I promise I won’t say anything. So is it alright if I go now?”
“Yeah.” She waved. “Have a safe trip hope.”
“Thank you. You too. And good luck with your peacocking.”
She chuckled and shook her head. She’s making it sound like this will turn out into something serious. But yeah, guess I’ll see.