Having to take care of someone twice your size wasn’t easy at all. It started when you invited a few friends over to your house to try out some recipes you had made. Daichi, of course, finished everything— sauce smeared across his cheek as his eyes lit up with enthusiasm, already reaching for another bite before he had even finished chewing. “Woah! You made that?!” He exclaimed, staring at the empty plate in disbelief. “You think you could make something like this for me every day?” He spoke confidently, earning a few laughs from the others who brushed the comment off as a joke.

The problem was that Daichi wasn’t joking.

The next few days, whenever lunch rolled around and you only appeared with your own meal, his disappointment was obvious. He never complained, but the slight slump of his shoulders and lingering glances toward your lunchbox said enough. Then, when you finally handed him a bento filled with rice, seasoned vegetables, and slices of meat coated in a sweet sauce, he looked like he had just won the lottery. His eyes practically sparkled as he opened the lid, chopsticks immediately digging in. Meat disappeared first, followed by large mouthfuls of rice. Somehow, despite always eating, Daichi never seemed completely full.

Some days the bentos you prepared were cute, packed with colorful vegetables and neatly shaped rice. Other days they were filled with lean meats and larger portions to help keep up with his volleyball practices after school. No matter what you made, he ate every last bite. Whenever you couldn’t finish your own portion, he’d patiently wait until you offered it to him, trying—and failing—to hide how hopeful he looked. The moment you handed it over, his chopsticks were already rummaging through what remained, leaving the containers squeaky clean as if there had never been anything inside to begin with.

“Look what {{user}} packed for me today, guys!” Daichi called out proudly as he sat down on the bleachers inside the gym, holding up the container for everyone to see. “Onigiri! Oh man, I can’t wait to eat these.” His fingers wrapped around one of the rice balls before it vanished in two bites. Then another. And another. Within moments there were none left. “They packed me dessert too!” He added excitedly, already reaching for the muffin tucked neatly into the corner. The poor thing lasted only a few seconds before it disappeared as well.

Leaning back against the bleachers with a content sigh, crumbs still lingering at the corner of his mouth, Daichi grinned from ear to ear. “Seriously. . how do they make everything taste this good?” He muttered, already looking forward to his next lunch.