Chapter Text
Kazemaru dug through the cabinets that morning, looking for ingredients to make him and his sisters breakfast. He found that he was in a better mood than usual and hoped that today would be one of his good days. His hair was loosely tied back after his post-run shower, it was calm and he felt at peace in the kitchen's atmosphere. It was the day he was going to Teikoku’s dormitories for the Reinforcement Committee Program. The assignments were random with little to no say from Raimons players, and personally, he liked his assignment. Teikoku was a good school and he briefly knew some of the players from previous matches and with Kageyama gone things were bound to be much more tolerable.
Hearing the doorbell, he went to answer it, seeing Endou with Kidou and Gouenji. Kazemaru invited them in and went to the kitchen to turn down the heat to avoid burning the food. “How come you didn’t call?” Endou snickered. “I did! You didn’t answer.” Kazemaru blinked, then looked at his notification station, seeing the missed call.
He wasn’t one to use his phone often, usually busy or occupied with something else. Other than his sister and the occasional message in the soccer group chat, it was rare getting a call or message from him, he tended to just linger in the chats. Even Endou struggled to get a call back half the time.
“Oh..oops?” Endou simply waved it off. “We know you don’t use your phone much. It’s fine.” Gouenji piped from behind him. “Haha, my bad. Sit down, I’m making breakfast!”
Judging by how early it was, it was safe to assume neither of them had eaten breakfast. “Aw you know me so well! Need help with anything?” Endou offered but Kazemaru quickly shook his head. “The last time I let you in the kitchen you almost burnt it down, I think you should just watch.” Kazemaru stated. “Y’know thats probably for the better!” The three sat down and just then, two young girls came running in the kitchen. “Rou-rou! Rumi’s being mean again!”
“Nuh uh!”
“Yuh huh! She said my glasses are ugly!”
The two young girls went back and forth chasing each other around the table where the trio was sitting. “One of you is gonna trip, stop that!” He stopped the two. “Rumi what did we say about that mouth or yours, be nice to your sister.” Rumi pouted and crossed her arms. She had Kazemaru’s hair color with straight bangs that reached just above her eyebrows and two braids tied into loops with white ribbon at the top. The loops reached her chin. “Why is there a seaweed head and vegeta thing with Mr. Endou? Hi Endou!” She waved ecstatically.
“Excuse me?” Kidou stared at the child, unsure on how to properly respond to that. Gouenji just blinked, still processing. Kazemaru scooped her up to prop her on his side with his arm wrapped around her abdomen, holding her. “Hey! Put me down!”
“Not until you apologize and stop being mean to literally everyone you see.” She simply grumbled under her breath and crossed her arms. The other girl tugged at his shirt, bringing his attention away from the stovetop.
“I want new glasses!” She shoved a pair of bulky glasses with thick lenses. They made her eyes larger whenever she wore them and were in a yellow-orange color. “Yui, you know we have to wait for another month. These were the only ones in your prescription, but once you go to the doctors they can give you new ones!” Yui’s bottom lip trembled as she held the frames, reluctantly putting them on. She looked almost identical to Rumi. They both had chubby short faces and rounder eyes compared to the defender. Yui’s hair was in two bubble braids that reached just past her shoulders with the same bangs Rumi had.
Hearing Rumi grumble he glared at her, an expectant look on his face. “Their names are Kidou and Gouenji.” She hesitated and looked at the two back and forth. “...sorry for calling you a seaweed head and weird Vegeta.” Kazemaru looked satisfied and the two dismissed it as Endou stifled any laughter to avoid getting stared down.
“Now why don’t you two go wash up okay? Breakfast is almost ready.” He put her down and the two left. “They seem like a handful. I didn’t know you had any siblings. Are those two twins?” Kidou asked. “They are but they seem fussier than usual and yeah their twins, 5 years old.” He started plating the food and went to the base of the stairs, calling for someone. “Yumi! Get down here! YUMIIII!” They heard footsteps and a young woman came running down the stairs. “I’m coming! I’m coming! You’re too punctual.”
“You’re not punctual enough. Oh this is my older sister Yumi. Yumi, that's Kidou and that's Gouenji.” He introduced her.
She was a good foot taller than Kazemaru and had a lean and muscular build. Her eyes were sharper than his and she had short fluffy hair. She gave an almost masculine vibe. “Hey Endou! Good to see you again kid! And hello to you two!” She ruffled Endou’s hair and shook the other two’s hands. “You’re the genius playmaker and ace striker right? My uncle loves watching Raimon’s games!” She herself didn’t know much about soccer but still was as supportive as she could be when Kazemaru started playing. “Next time you see him tell him I said hi!” Endou piped in.
The Endou and Kazemaru family had known each other for so long they were basically integrated into each other’s lives. “Will do, say hi to your mom for me. I haven’t been able to drop by lately.” She scratched her cheek, an awkward smile on her face. Yui and Rumi had gotten back and were seated at the table. “You don’t have work right?” Kazemaru exited the kitchen and started emptying the pan. “Nope, are you gonna watch the girls?” Kazemaru blinked. “I’m going to Teikoku today, remember?”
“Yeah, later tonight.”
“No, I’m leaving in an hour or so. I told you this.”
“What!? That soon? But I was supposed to take my girlfriend out!” Kazemaru sighed, and placed down the pan to properly face her.
“I told you this!”
“No!?”
“Yes! Oh my god you forgot didn’t you.” She stuttered and tried to defend herself before opting to flip the situation on him. “Now I have to cancel! How come you never flame anyone else for forgetting stuff?!”
“He does.”
“I do.”
“Oh no, he does.”
“No no, everyone gets flamed.” The four quickly proved her wrong and she looked offended. Knowing there was nothing she could say that would help her she decided to pick him up and hold him upside down by his ankles. “Wha-! Hey! Put me down!” She pretended not to hear them and went on to ask the trio about how nice the weather was. “YUMI! Ilagay mo ako!”(Put me down!)
“Okay!”
“Wait-!” She let go and he fell on the floor, a thump causing the girls to start giggling while Kidou and Gouenji held back laughter.
“Talagang papatayin kita, putang ina ka.”(I'm gonna kill you you son of a bitch!) Yumi was hysterical and tried to negotiate when he grabbed the pan and swung to hit her. He started chasing her around the table and they were at a showdown on opposite ends. The ones seated were watching with amusement, while Yumi put her hands up in surrender. “We can talk about this! Pag-usapan natin ito!”(Let's talk about this!)
“I don’t think so. Isang maliit na hampas lang ang kailangan para maging pantay, isa lang.”(Just one small whack, thats all it takes and we'll be even.) Yumi looked towards Endou for help, begging him to do something. “Oh hell no, you’re on your own.” Yumi gasped and feigned offense. “You traitor!” That split second of distraction was enough for him to sprint around the table and whack her with the pan. At his victory, he perched the pan on his shoulder like a sword and had his hand on his hip, staring at her smugly while she rubbed the back of her head. “There, now we’re even.”
“You’re crazy.” Kidou jokingly commented. “Didn’t you almost commit murder? Twice? I don’t think you can talk about crazy now.”
“Fair.”
Finally they all sat down to eat. “Your cooking’s always so good!” Endou shoveled food into his mouth making the words sound muffled and mushed together. “It's delicious, thank you.” Gouenji thanked, Kidou agreeing.
Kazemaru smiled and nodded. “Thank you. I’m glad it’s good.” His phone started to buzz from the counter, almost slipping past him. Answering, he noticed it was his uncle. “Hi Uncle, what's having you call so early?”
“Am I not allowed to say bye to my nephew? I wanted to drop by but damn I’m swamped with orders!” Kazemaru grinned. “Don’t worry about it, it’s nice you called! I’m supposed to be leaving in a little less than an hour. I’ll make sure to call often.”
“You better! That Teikoku is where the Kageyama guy was! He may be gone but still.”
He rolled his eyes, going to answer but being interrupted. “Don’t roll your eyes at me boy!”
“What?! I didn’t!”
“He did!” Yumi yelled from across the table, instigating. “Is that the goalkeeper uncle?” Gouenji asked. “Yeah-“
“Is that Gouenji? Tell him the next time I see him his Fire Tornado better be stronger! It was pathetic the last time I went up against it.” He laughed heartily through the line. “Anyway, I’ll let you get your stuff together. Have fun! And don’t forget about your academics.” After saying their goodbyes they hung up.
Kazemaru stood to clean off the table once everyone had finished but his sister stopped him. “I’ll clean. Go get your stuff together.” He opened his mouth to argue but she shushed him, shooing him away. “We’ll help with your bags.” Endou stood up from the table, the other two following closely behind. “Thanks. I still have to do my hair…” In his room, he tied up his hair into his usual ponytail and collected the last of his stuff into a messenger bag.
Teikoku was an hour drive from the town and they had a dormitory system, making it so that he had to stay there everyday of the week other than weekends and breaks. He had a total of 3 bags and his messenger bag.
“No! You can’t leave!” Yui and Rumi almost instantly tackled his legs, grasping his pant legs and staying latched there. He almost stumbled back and looked at the two. “Sorry you two, but you know I have to.” He crouched down to their level. “It's for school. But I promise I’ll visit and call often, okay?” Rumi sniffled, “But-but you- you can’t leave for so long!” Hugging him, she buried her face into his chest. Yui followed suit, on the verge of tears. “No, it’s too long!” They whined and complained, refusing to let go. “The driver’s here.” Kidou had gone out to check for the driver sent by Teikoku and it was currently waiting on him.
“How about this, you can watch all my matches and I’ll bring you two a bunch of souvenirs if you’re good!” They piped up at the mention of gifts. “…promise?”
“Mhm! And I’ll visit soon. But you have to behave.” He prayed and hoped it would work as he watched the hesitation flash in their eyes before they backed up. “Fine. But come soon!” Yui exclaimed with Rumi nodding in agreement.
He breathed a sigh of relief, finally standing to say a final goodbye to Yumi. “Leaving so soon? C’mere.” She pulled him into a hug, squeezing hard enough to cut off his breathing. “Okay okay, I’ll be fine. It's only a few months!” Pulling away she looked him over with glossy eyes that were filled with pride.
Yumi held his shoulders tight. “You have everything? Medication, inhaler- oh! And your epi-pen?” She started listing things off, fussing. “Yes, I double checked, you’re overthinking things.”
“Are you sure-?”
“Yumi!” He turned pink from embarrassment, ignoring the snicker of his friends near the door. “Okay! I’ll stop! Make sure to call, oh and-!”
“Yumi! I’ve got it!” The snickering turned into full blown giggles.
Yumi squeezed him one more time and kissed his forehead. “Take care of yourself, okay? If you need anything, anything at all-“
“Yumi, really. I’m fine.” He saw a flurry of emotions flash through her eyes while she looked him over, before they settled. “Paalagaan mo ang iyong sarili, huwag mag-atubiling humingi ng kahit ano.”(Please take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to as if you need anything.)
"Alam ko, gagawin ko."(I know, I will)
"Mahal kita."(I love you.)
"Mahal din kita."(I love you too.)
“You’re family’s really sweet, I can see where you get your habits from.” Kidou stated. Kazemaru smiled as he started loading his bags. “Yeah, I’m really glad to have them.” Despite the bittersweet atmosphere there was a question that itched at Kidou and Gouenji’s mind. It seemed to settle between them, creating a clear crack in their good mood.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kazemaru could see the brief concern flash across his face, a look he knew all to well. Debating, he wasn’t sure whether to answer it at the moment or not. Clearly, it seemed to bother the two and he eyed Endou, helping him finally notice the reasoning behind the deafening silence. Looking for an answer, he just shrugged, giving him full authority over the decision. “My mom died a few years ago and I don’t know nor care where my dad is.” Before he could think he found himself answering the question.
Gouenji snapped back to their reality at hearing the answer. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry about your mom.” His voice was sympathetic. “Were you two close?” Kidou asked in a similar tone. Kazemaru shrugged. “I think? Our relationship was…complicated. Not bad, just complicated.” The atmosphere seemed tense but there was a mutual understanding between the three. “What a nice bonding activity.”
Endou looked at the sky, pretending he didn’t say anything but it seemed to work. “Ha ha, very nice bonding.” Gouenji and Kidou seemed to lighten up at the joke and Kazemaru did the same. The tension left them and they finished putting his things up.
“Well, guess this is it. For now at least.” He turned around from the trunk and was instantly pulled into a group hug by the goal keeper. He was always one for physical affection. “Man, I can’t believe we gotta separate for so long!” They all hugged back, ignoring the awkward positioning. “We still have those monthly video calls, it’s not forever.” Kidou reassured as they seperated to face each other.
“Kidou’s right. We’ll see each other again.” This was likely going to be the last time they saw each other in person for a while. And it was going to be the first time too, the Raimon team was such a constant in their lives that having to separate like this felt odd, wrong almost.
“And besides, even if we separate we’re still Raimon’s soccer team!” The wide grin on Endou’s face was contagious, and soon they all smiled along with him. By the end of the week they would have been fully separated and dispersed but suddenly it didn’t feel so drab.
“Well, I’m heading off.” Endou grinned and Kazemaru grinned back. They looked at each other with determination, a silent agreement to play to their fullest as rivals, and to one day play again on the same team.
An acknowledging nod from the other two and it was sealed, their silent vow to be on the same team again.
As he drove away he felt at peace, which was weird. He usually didn't like the idea of something so new, so strange yet his brain was quiet and the air was light. Things were looking good.