I'm free this weekend. And from the weather report, it looks like it will be sunny and a bit warm. Perfect for such a project. It would have been unfortunate if it rained...
[He wants to ask if they can run together but decides against it. Sakusa dislikes crowds, he probably wants some time to himself. Especially since they'll be spending quite a bit of it together, getting the garden ready.]
[Running together! Sakusa should have thought of that! But the moment is gone before he thinks of it. Lack of practice. The next best thing, though, is probably...]
Do you have any particular plans for lunch?
It might be efficient to just eat together and leave directly from there.
[Yeah. Because, efficiency. This makes perfect sense.]
Most of the time I do cook for myself and prepare enough for an entire week on Sundays, unless the team's nutritionist has made adjustments to our menus. Either way, I freeze six days worth of meals, and I'll eat out on the seventh day.
So, I can freeze the meal and have it on Sunday instead. It isn't a problem.
Thank you for treating me, although to be perfectly honest, I feel I should be the one treating you.
[Wait until Sakusa learns that Ushijima uses glass tupperware instead of the plastic kind.]
It's usually Saturdays, but sometimes I'll alternate with Sunday. It helps keep my nutrition and finances on track and allows me more time to do other things since I am not constantly grocery shopping or spending time standing over a hot stove.
Alright then. If you insist. Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to it.
[Glass! He will swoon at the discovery! This is fine.]
Yeah, me too.
[Why does that sound so pathetic and plain. He should probably be saying something more interesting, but he tries (and deletes) half a dozen things before admitting defeat.
The weekend does not come soon enough. Not by a longshot. But on Friday afternoon, he finally manages something that is hopefully not stupid.]
Tomorrow, right? [Because Sunday is food prep day. That's probably a whole operation that shouldn't be interrupted.] I can come meet you.
[And that's that. Ushijima doesn't mind the lack of communication, though he wouldn't mind some either. No matter. On Friday, Sakusa's message comes in and he springs to respond.]
Yes. 1:00 pm sound alright? Or would you prefer noon or some other time?
[Wakatoshi-kun is perfect, with his prompt and considerate replies. Sakusa is going to buy him the whole menu. Maybe the entire restaurant, while he's at it.]
Should I meet you at the station, or is somewhere else more convenient?
[Again, brevity is perfectly functional here. A nice contrast to the total lack brevity that is the process of choosing a damn outfit. Or trying to, and then ultimately going out to buy entirely new clothes.
East exit. There are too many people, and he's 20 minutes early. But it will be worth it.]
[And Ushijima, polite and considerate of others' time as always, shows up to the station's east exit fifteen minutes earlier than intended. He's dressed in clean, casual clothes -- something he could freely move in and wouldn't mind dirtying up, but also something that would like presentable and nice. Just because he's helping a friend with gardening, it doesn't mean he can't look his best. At least, that's what he tells himself as he spends a good chunk of time trying to pick out what to wear.
He's mildly surprised to find Sakusa had arrived to the station first. As crowded as train stations tend to be, volleyball players tend to stick out due to their height. A benefit, he supposes.
Tucking his phone away, he approaches, confident but still careful, as he's well aware of how much Sakusa dislikes crowds.]
[Of course Wakatoshi-kun is early. And effortlessly beautiful. Every bit of consternation in his face melts away in a single moment when he catches sight of him, grateful for the way the crowd seems to shift to give them more room. The two of them together stand out even more, even to the people on autopilot goign about their routines.]
[Although one would be hard-pressed to believe that, considering his expression doesn't shift too much when he says so. There is a softening to his features but it's relatively short-lived, as he then turns to gesture toward the small business district outside of the station. Lots of cafes and small restaurants lined both sides of the road. Along with people. Lots and lots of people.]
Ready to go? The restaurant isn't far from here. I called ahead to check their wait times and the staff said they're clear.
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