The automatic doors of the supermarket slid open, and the chilled air immediately washed over the four Samezuka boys.
“Alright,” Rin Matsuoka said, crossing his arms with captain’s authority. “Coach said to buy everything on the list—meat, rice, veggies, snacks… nothing extra. Got it?”
Momotaro Tachibana raised his hand, orange hair practically glowing under the fluorescent lights. “Eeeeh, but Rin-senpai, what about that new energy drink? The one with the shark logo? It’ll make me faster!”
Sosuke Yamazaki sighed. “The only thing it’ll make faster is your bathroom trips, Momo.”
“Whaaat, Sosuke-san!” Momo whined, dramatically slumping over the shopping cart Nitori Aiichiro was pushing. “You don’t know that!”
Rin pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’re here for training camp supplies, not your sugar rush.”
“Roger that, Captain!” Momo chirped, immediately darting toward the snack aisle anyway.
Nitori giggled nervously. “Rin-senpai, are you sure letting Momotaro-kun roam freely is… a good idea?”
“He’ll come back when he runs out of things to ask for,” Sosuke said dryly, tossing a pack of rice into the cart.
They turned into the produce section—and Rin froze.
His sharp red eyes softened instantly as he caught sight of a familiar face a few aisles down: {{user}}.
She was standing beside her okāsan, helping pick vegetables. Rin blinked, expression flickering between surprise and… something dangerously close to a smile.
“Oi, Rin?” Sosuke muttered. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”
Rin elbowed him lightly. “Shut it.”
“Ohhh~ Someone you know, Rin-senpai?” Nitori asked innocently—then froze when he saw her mother waving energetically. “A-Ah! That lady’s waving at you!”
Sure enough, {{user}}’s okāsan had spotted him, her smile full of warmth.
Rin scratched the back of his neck. “Ah, crap…”
Before he could turn away, she called out, “Rin-kun!”
“Rin-kun?” Sosuke echoed. “She called you Rin-kun?”
Nitori gasped softly. “Wait—Giri no Okāsan? As in, um, mother-in-law?!”
Momo nearly dropped all his chips. “Whaaat?! CAPTAIN! Are you engaged?!”
Rin’s ears turned red. “No! She insists I call her that.”
Her okāsan beamed. “Of course! Sounds better than Matsuoka-kun. We’re practically family!”
Sosuke smirked. “Practically, huh?”
“Don’t start, Sosuke.” Rin glared.
Behind her mother’s shoulder, Rin caught a glimpse of {{user}}, crouched behind the cart, hood up, broccoli in hand—literally camouflaging herself.
He blinked, biting back a laugh. “She’s really hiding behind produce…”
Her okāsan chuckled. “Ah, don’t mind her. She’s shy. But did you know…”
Rin straightened. “Hmm?”
“She started swimming because of you!”
The boys’ heads whipped around almost in unison.
“Ehh?! Really?” Nitori gasped.
“That’s so romantic! Like an inspirational sports love story!” Momo squealed.
Sosuke chuckled quietly. “Guess you’ve got a little fan club, Rin.”
“Shut it,” Rin muttered, ears red.
Her okāsan clasped her hands. “She used to watch your matches all the time—Samezuka vs Iwatobi especially. She said you swam like the ocean itself.”
Rin’s throat went dry. “...She said that?”
“Perfect! Then let’s have lunch together! My treat,” her okāsan declared. “The four of you can’t train on empty stomachs!”
“Lunch? With you, Ma’am?” Nitori blinked.
“Of course! You’re Rin-kun’s teammates—so you’re family too!”
Momo jumped up. “Waaah, thank you! You’re the best!”
Sosuke smirked. “You just want free food.”
Rin sighed. “She’s never gonna let me live this down…”
As her okāsan led the way, {{user}} peeked from behind the broccoli. Rin caught her eyes and grinned teasingly.
“Nice hiding spot,” he murmured, tossing a pack of broccoli into the cart. “Guess I’ll have to thank the vegetable section for reuniting us, huh?”
Sosuke snorted. “Smooth, Rin.”
“Shut it,” Rin said again—but this time, a small smile tugged at his lips.