Chapter Text
Savory; is a taste caused by amino acids - that is commonly brought on by aspartic acid or glutamic acid. Occassionally, savory is also called "umami" or "meaty." Some scientists think tasting savoriness helps increase our appetite and control protein digestion.
December 2020
Monday; 12PM
With a heavy sigh, Akaashi drops his pen to the table in defeat. His free hands are now lifted to his face - as he buries his face beneath his palms, slowly massaging his own eyes and temple with his fingers and thumbs. With his eyes closed, his other senses starts catching more and more things - the ticking sound of the office’s wall clock, the sound of people lifting their asses off their chairs, the sound of new e-mail from his laptop, the sound of Air Jordan sneakers’ steps getting closer to his table which probably belongs to his mangaka slash the core of his stress today, Udai Tenma.
It’s Monday - so it’s not like Akaashi’s expecting anything else. Just like any other Monday, it’s the deadline for the weekly chapter submission - where editors have to submit the final version of the next week’s chapter by the latest 8AM tomorrow to the digital publisher team and the printing team. Just like any other Monday, it’s the most stressful day of the week for editors like Akaashi. Just like any other Monday, it’s the most unhealthy weekday of the week for editors like Akaashi - who usually double down their cigarette and coffee intake in exchange of skipping breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.
It’s not like Akaashi’s not used to it - three years in the manga industry probably have strengthened the survival rate of his internal organs and body, due to the constant torture. It’s not like Akaashi can do anything about how the industry works, anyways.
Akaashi’s fingers keep massaging the closed lids of his eyes, hoping for a slight relief on the stressed muscles and brain neurons as he unconsciously loses the track of time.
Akaashi used to enjoy feeling lost. Somehow, it helps him relax - because being lost makes him feel like he’s in a different dimension, and he loves the expectant feeling for what could happen next. It’s when he feels lost, that he feels like he’s finally able to escape the constant pressure of having to socialize, of having to know the time, of having to meet the deadlines, of having to find a purpose. He tries to get lost in between his daily routines sometimes; closing his eyes and daydreams during lunch break, sitting on the train for hours with no direction until he’s bored and decides to take the right line to home, taking random walks around the neighbourhood with no direction on weekend mornings.
Yet now, he feels lost, but he feels nothing. It’s just dull, just tasteless. And everyday, it just gets more dull and more tasteless - Akaashi couldn't even tell the difference in between the days and weeks anymore other than the deadlines.
“Here’s your onigiri, Akaashi-san.”
Akaashi slightly opens a gap between his fingers - to take a peek at Udai who just put a plastic bag filled with onigiris on Akaashi’s table.
“But I haven’t told you what I wanted for lunch?” answers Akaashi slowly as he lowers his hands, “I - is it twelve already?”
“..Um, yes? I poked you a few times earlier but you ignored me, so I guessed you just wanted the usual? Which is an onigiri lunch at the table? Because it’s Monday and we’re choked by the deadline…?” answers Udai anxiously, colors vanishing from his face as the fear of having to face the raging version of Akaashi Keiji starts to grow on him, “...Am I wrong?”
Akaashi blinks, as his eyes darts to the four packs of FamilyMart onigiri, then to the rest of his table - at the piling manuscripts and doodles, at the lit laptop screen that showcases the last feedback email from his Editor in Chief, at the calendar that marked December 7 - which is today - with a huge red circle.
Akaashi blinks again, his calm expression stays still - contrasting with the frustrated screams inside his head that got buried in no time.
“No, you’re not.” answers Akaashi, before turning himself around and faces Udai again, “Thank you, Udai-san.”
Udai anxiously swallows his saliva, before he slowly mutters, “Are you okay? I know this Monday is tougher than the usu-”
“I’m okay. It’s fine. I just-” cuts Akaashi, “..I, I just -”
Akaashi already tried so hard to resist, to stop himself from saying the cursed, forbidden word - but it seems like this time, his mind and body have decided to work together against him.
“I..I just need a break.”
Udai blinks in surprise - which Akaashi already understood after working with him for 3 years that it’s not a regular surprise blink, it’s the oh-shit-what-the-fuck blink. It’s the you-know-you-can’t-do-that kind of blink. So Akaashi decided to answer by clearing his own throat as he stands up.
“No, no, I’m not taking a leave and leaving you alone in the middle of all this shit, no. A smoke break. Will be back in a few minutes.” continues Akaashi as he walks towards the door, “And I want the revised panels on my table once I’m back, got it?”
“Unghhhh, sure, sure. Take your time, as long as possible!”
“Say that to my boss and Karl Marx.”
“But seriously, Akaashi-san,” Udai continues, “don’t smoke too much. They said cigarettes kills your appetite. At least bring the onigiris with you?”
Akaashi raises his eyebrows as his eyes stares at the plastic bag with no interest, lips already pursed to hold the unlit cigarette between his lips.
“Don’t think I already had any to kill, anyway.”
***
Another heavy sigh escapes Akaashi’s lips, as his eyes find the smoking area more packed than usual. Quickly his eyes darts at his favorite corner for smoking at the smoking area - a secluded window-facing corner with a counter and barstools, hidden behind pots of monsterras and anthuriums - which seems to be empty for now.
Akaashi lights up his cigarette with another heavy sigh, as he walks towards the pots of plants. His feet were about to take a left turn; before his eyes caught something at the corner that completely stopped his tracks.
The corner’s not empty, that’s for sure. There is this one guy - wearing a plain black t-shirt and ripped jeans, hair covered in a plain black baseball cap; sitting on the barstool in front of the counter. The man was looking down - Akaashi couldn’t get a clear look at his face as the man’s hands were busy shaking up the insides of his jeans’ pocket - before he lifted his head and met Akaashi’s gaze.
“Hey man, can I borrow a-”
And Akaashi freezes - as the man’s grey irises stares right into his own gunmetal blue eyes, as his toned arm reaches out towards Akaashi, as a polite smile was about to curl on the man’s lips along with a question that he was about to throw before his jaw falls slack. A view that is somehow so familiar and nostalgic for Akaashi - that it pulls up memories of fun that Akaashi barely remembers anymore.
The man in black blinks, as the smile starts curling up again on his lips while he breaks the silence - yet this time, rather than polite, it’s warm ; akin to the tone of his voice.
“ Fukurodani’s setter..- Wait, I remember yer name now. Akaashi-kun? Akaashi Keiji?”
Akaashi unconsciously holds his breath.
“....Miya-san? Wait - Miya Osamu, right?” Akaashi answers as he exhales his first puff, then offers Osamu his lighter. “Here. Wow, it’s been a long time.”
“Thanks. When was it, last year? The MSBY vs Adlers match? That was the last time we met?” answers Osamu as he takes Akaashi’s lighter to light his own cigarette. The man let out his first puff before smiling again, his right hand now tapping on the seat on his right - followed with Akaashi taking a seat there. "Ya look good."
“Thanks, you too. And, yeah, like 6 months ago? That was the last MSBY match that I watched too - before my work swallowed me whole.” answers Akaashi as he sits, and takes another puff.
"Hmm, Bokuto mentioned that to me on the last match at Osaka. Yer work's always gets crazier during the second half of the year."
"How's your brother? And the rest of MSBY?"
"Fine, fine. Winning streaks here and there, brand deals here and there. Nothing to worry about."
"Huh." answers Akaashi with a slight nod; before the corner falls back into silence.
“Funny meeting ya here.” continues Osamu, his chin is now resting on one hand as he stares at Akaashi, “I thought ya worked at Shueisha or something, and would look more disheveled than this during weekdays.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but no, I’m not that successful yet.” answers Akaashi as he exhales, “and also, funny meeting you here. I still remember your fake promise of Onigiri Miya’s Tokyo branch back during the MSBY-Adlers match, so I thought you would stick at Hyogo for now.”
“Hey, it’s not fake. I’m really thinking about it. That’s why I’m here.”
“I don’t remember any interior design companies or cooking utensils companies in this building?”
“I’m not THAT rich, Akaashi-kun.” answers Osamu as he laughs heartily, “We’re gonna start the expansion through private group orders or on-demand catering service for offices first. Just opened the kitchen at a small lot nearby, near the intersection. Once the demand for our food's strong enough, we’re gonna open the real thing.”
Akaashi raises his eyebrows as he takes another puff. “Oh, that’s so close, like less than a 5 minute walk? That’s smart, a mobile catering service.”
“Yeah. That law firm on the top floor? We’re handling their lunch and dinner catering - the owner is a fan of MSBY and got a taste of the onigiris during the match last month.” continues Osamu while pointing his thumb at the ceiling, “This is our first day and I’m still experimenting on some menus, so I’ll be staying here for a week before letting my staff takes over.”
“Wow, that law firm got a big head count, didn’t they?”
“Yes, they did. And a crazy, inhumane work hours that requires ‘em to eat all the time. A gold mine.” answers Osamu as he exhales, “at least I can work while making good deeds, ya know. Letting my food entertain their sad souls.”
Akaashi laughs bitterly, as Osamu stares at him with eyebrows raised.
“What’s with yer laugh?”
“Nothing.” answers Akaashi as he takes another puff, “just.. I agree. Sad souls need to be fed well.”
Osamu stares at Akaashi in silence - eyebrows still raised, before he takes another puff in the silence that somehow feels comfortable.
“I just knew that yer office’s here.” Osamu speaks again, as he puts off his cigarette to take a new one.
“Yeah, from the 5th to 7th floor.”
“Ohh, I see another gold mine. Would ya be interested in our service?” asks Osamu with wiggling eyebrows.
“Don’t put your hopes up.” answers Akaashi while chuckling, “We’re not a nation-wide known law firm, you know. Just a rising manga publishing company. A smoke break is already a luxury - and a high-quality catering from vendors as good as Onigiri Miya might be nearly impossible.”
“....Wait, it’s twelve. I thought ya were on a lunch break?”
“No, I’ll.. have my lunch at my table later. Or if I didn’t make it in time, I’ll just eat them during the dinner time,” answers Akaashi as he exhales another smoke, “..at my table too, of course.”
“....Really?”
“Really.”
“That’s not a good habit, ya know.” continues Osamu as he takes another puff - eyes still not leaving Akaashi, yet this time, his gaze is wrapped with worry.
“I know. But I’ve been doing it for years, so.” answers Akaashi, shoulders raised in acknowledgement, as Osamu stares at him - the man in black's eyebrows are now furrowed.
“Why? How?” asks Osamu, somehow sounds pissed, “What makes it so hard for ya to leave yer table just for at least 15 minutes to eat peacefully?”
“Capitalism. Or deadlines, in short.”
Osamu clicks his tongue before he lets out a chuckle. “And whaddaya eat at yer lovely work table?”
“It depends, what would be the fastest menu that I can get.” answers Akaashi as he lights up another cigarette - marking today as the first time he spent more than one cigarette in this smoking area in one break, throughout the last three years that he spent working here, “It can be onigiris from the nearby convenience store, a cup of ramen, McDonalds-”
“Akaashi-kun. Really?”
This time, Osamu didn’t even bother to pause for an indirect request of permission to cut Akaashi, “Really? Fast food? Junk food? Ya don't even like.. eat a proper rice and soup meal?”
“Really. Fast food. Junk food. Not even a proper rice and soup meal.” repeats Akaashi.
“Ya don’t cook?”
“Don’t have the time. The moment I reached my apartment, I would just pass out.”
“So yer saying that yer sad body have been having tasteless lunch and dinner for years?” asks Osamu again, the pitch of his voice gets higher in each sentence.
The way Osamu suddenly got all serious when they’re talking about food somehow looks funny for Akaashi - from how Osamu just stops smoking and let the cigarette hang loosely on his fingers as he asks his question about Akaashi’s horrible eating habit, to how Osamu’s grey irises now stabbing Akaashi’s eyes and soul with a disbelief glare as he listens to the answers.
Akaashi chuckles before he answers, “I had a sushi course last month, so maybe just for the past month-”
“Akaashi-kun, I'm serious.”
“Me too. But oh well, who cares.” answers Akaashi as he rolls his eyes, “As long as this belly’s full and my brain can have enough nutrients to work to its capacity, I don’t mind. As long as my bosses are satisfied with my work and I didn’t miss the deadlines, I don’t mind. If the price is just a taste, I don’t mind.
“Don’t think I can taste and feel anything anymore, anyways.”
Akaashi can feel Osamu’s glare stabbing deeper inside his soul - so deep it actually makes him uncomfortable. A thick silence falls between the two men - the faint sound of traffic jam and burning ends of cigarettes faintly fills the secluded corner.
“That’s it. Ya know what, here.”
Akaashi averts his gaze back at Osamu who just broke the silence, before his gaze moves to the black lunch box that Osamu just slammed on the counter in front of Akaashi.
“What is it?”
“Extra from today’s lunch delivery.” answers Osamu as his fingers unwraps the lunchbox, “I was about to eat this, but ya desperately need this more than me. Eat this. Now.”
Akaashi was about to glare and all ready to send another remark back at Osamu, before the sight of the lunchbox captured his eyes, mind, and soul; making him almost drooling at the sight.
It was a simple lunch box set - three pieces of onigiri with different flavors, two pieces of salmon nigiri sushi topped with lines of mentai sauce, and two pieces of matcha cake roll. Yet all of them were cooked and plated so neatly - no botched edges, no excess ingredients or sauces - everything is just so neat and tempting . Akaashi’s not sure if he’s just hallucinating or not, but he swears he can smell the fragrant umeboshi and salmon from where he’s sitting - so good it spreads warmth throughout his stomach.
“Oh, yer drooling.” Osamu chuckles as he cuts Akaashi’s daydream.
“Here? You want me to eat this here?” asks Akaashi again as he snapped back into reality, “In the middle of this… smoking area? Such a beautiful food in such a shabby place?”
“Yes. I need to see ya eat properly with my own two eyes.”
“Why?” asks Akaashi again as he put off his cigarette on the nearby ashtray, “And also, I don’t eat this much.”
“Then just eat it with me.” answers Osamu quickly before pushing the chopstick to Akaashi’s chest - chin pointing at the food, signaling Akaashi to start eating now.
Akaashi gulps, before he awkwardly grabs the chopstick from Osamu’s fingers, and snaps it into two before holding both in between his folded palms now - head bowing at the lunch box and at Osamu respectfully.
“Itadakimasu.”
“Go, go. Eat it. Eat the sushi first, I’m personally very proud of this one. This is my first commercial sushi.” says Osamu as he scoots closer to Akaashi - their shoulders are now touching as a result, making Akaashi flinches slightly. Akaashi stares at the Onigiri Miya owner, who’s now sitting too close, but maybe didn’t realize it as he’s way too busy staring at the lunch box as if it’s his own newborn.
Osamu is now sitting so close, that Akaashi can smell the faint fresh fragrance of Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua from Osamu’s skin; so close, that Akaashi can see the pretty glimmer of Osamu’s eyes as he stares at his work; so close, that Akaashi can clearly see the veins on his neck and the sharp edges of his jawline.
So close, that Akaashi forgets that he was about to devour a lunch box - not a Kansai man who owns a famous onigiri store. So close, that Akaashi found himself somehow lost at the sight of Miya Osamu.
“Hey, Akaashi-kun, eat it-”
The man of Akaashi’s current daydream suddenly turns to face Akaashi - bringing their nose only a few centimeters apart before both of them flinches and scoots backwards in reflex. Akaashi’s breath hitches - chopsticks gripped so tightly on his chest it turns his knuckles white, heart’s beating so fast it probably have turned his cheeks pink.
Fuck.
“Oh, sorry, did I surprise ya?” asks Osamu calmly after the awkward silence, as if he didn’t just wreck Akaashi’s heartbeat rate out of nothing, “I was about to tell ya to eat, since ya were quiet. Lemme pour the shoyu here.”
“Yes. I am. I will. I’m… going to.” answers Akaashi as he slowly scoots back closer to Osamu, chopsticks now placed in between his fingers, slightly shaking, “I’m eating the sushi. Again, thanks for the meal. Please take some too, I can’t eat all of it.”
“Don’t worry, go ahead.” says Osamu as he smiles and rests his chin on one of his palms again, eyes staring at Akaashi as the latter slightly dips the sushi on the provided shoyu and wasabi before slowly putting it in his mouth.
Akaashi had expected that the savory taste of the salmon, mentai sauce, and rice molded by Osamu’s hands would surely be delicious - but he definitely didn’t expect that it would stun him.
He is completely stunned - as the delicious savoriness spreads across his tongue, sending endorphins throughout his whole blood flow that makes him crave for more food; as his body finally falls back in peace and balanced state after it consumes a good, heartful meal; as his body finally feels like it’s coming back alive.
“God.” Akaashi speaks after he swallows the sushi - eyes staring back at Osamu in a glimmering joy.
“Ah, another sad soul is now happy and beautiful after being fed well with my food. I am a happy man.” answers Osamu with a soft smile.
“This is just- wow. I’m- did you make your own mentai sauce?” asks Akaashi, as his chopsticks unconsciously grabs another sushi while his mouth is still busy chewing, “the sauce doesn’t smell so fishy - yet the umami taste on it is still strong!”
“Of course I made it by myself, who do ya think I am?” answers Osamu as he takes one of the onigiri in the box, “I crafted all of ‘em with my own hands, Akaashi-kun. From the scratch.”
“This is perfect.” asks Akaashi as he bites to the onigiri - which followed by a pleased moan after the rice and its filling is swallowed through his throat, “so, so perfect.”
“Hey, be honest, I need constructive feedback, ya know.”
“I am being honest?” answers Akaashi, “if there’s any critic that I can come up with, if I forced myself to - then it would be the lack of vegetables. The whole set is delicious, but it's too.. savory?”
“Ah, true. Most of ‘em are meat, even the onigiris doesn’t have lots of umeboshi and cucumbers.” says Osamu, as he plays with the bitten onigiri on his hand, "but do ya know what those smart guys said? They said savory foods is good in increasing appetite and pushing better digestion."
"Ah, so that's why I keep wanting to eat more."
“ya like vegetables, Akaashi-kun?”
“I do.” answers Akaashi as he takes the last bite of the onigiri, before his hand reaches for another, “..but I don’t like salad, so I need to cook them. Yet I barely have time to do so….so.”
Akaashi can feel Osamu’s eyebrows rising up again in excitement - before he takes the last bite of his onigiri and continues to the matcha cake; to eat it in a blissful smile. Slowly, Osamu leans closer towards Akaashi to grab the leftover matcha cake - but suddenly he stops; right when his chin is hovering above Akaashi's shoulder.
“This is not going to be the last, Akaashi-kun. I think I’m gonna send another box for ya again, starting from tomorrow - so I'm gonna need 'yer number for delivery purpose.” answers Osamu, with a smile that is definitely wider than the first smile that he threw at Akaashi today. His left hand offers his phone towards Akaashi’s chest with the dial pad displayed as he grabs one of the matcha cakes from the box with the other hand; eyes still not leaving Akaashi, with their noses now only a few centimeters apart as Osamu continues,
“Starting from tomorrow, I’m gonna fix that broken, dull taste buds of yers, Akaashi-kun.”
Akaashi’s eyes glances at the phone, before he lifts it up back at Osamu, who is still staring at him with a big, warm, satisfied smile.
And with a similar big, warm, satisfied smile, Akaashi takes Osamu’s phone to insert his number - before giving it back to him along with the chopsticks.
“You don’t have to do this, you know. Don’t put so much effort on me.” says Akaashi, as he continue to eat the matcha cake, "this delicious lunchbox, especially this matcha cake is already way too extravagant."
Osamu chuckles as he takes a bite of the matcha cake - before going back to his initial sitting position, to eat the cake while staring at the window too.
“Yea, I know - but I wanna.”
***
December 2020;
Tuesday, 12PM
It’s not like Akaashi’s expecting anything from Miya Osamu. The rest of the lunch slash smoke break with him yesterday went in a comfortable silence after their number exchange - before the Onigiri Miya owner bid his goodbye since he must cook the dinner batch. There were loose promises to meet again after Osamu delivered his dinner batch - that Akaashi ended up couldn’t keep due to the sudden major feedback that he received at 5PM.
It’s not like Akaashi’s expecting anything from having Osamu’s number as well. They chatted a bit after the lunch, sharing one to two sentences each - which ended up with Akaashi being left on read since Osamu was busy cooking. The last line of the chat, “idk about the others, but nanohana no karashiae is the core of my life” was sent by Akaashi as an answer to Osamu’s question about what kind of vegetables that Tokyo white-collar workers tends to love.
So, it’s not like Akaashi’s expecting to receive a black lunch box at 11.30PM on the next day - the box was sent wrapped in gold ribbon and a little note saying,
“EAT THIS SOMEWHERE ELSE THAN YOUR TABLE AND SEND ME THE PICTURE - M.O.”
Akaashi’s not expecting anything - yet still, Akaashi goes to the smoking area; to his favorite secluded corner that is always empty, to open a lunch box that is filled with Onigiri Miya’s tuna mayo special and salmon flakes onigiri, three pieces of vegetable-filled tamagoyaki, a pudding, and a portion of nanohana no karashiae inside.
[12.01 PM] akaashik: [photo]
[12.01 PM] akaashik: youre unbelievable
[12.05 PM] miyaosamu: eat it!! Now!!
[12.05 PM] miyaosamu: and send me a selfie of u eating
[12.05 PM] miyaosamu: so i know u wont just go and eat it on ur table once u sent me the last pic
Akaashi lets out a heavy sigh, before grabbing one of the onigiri and put it in front of his mouth - his other free hand holding up his phone to take a picture. The man ponders for a few second - before he decides to smile and take the picture; then ponders again if he should do a retake or not as he realizes how vivid his dark circles are, and how his smile is hidden behind the onigiri.
What the hell am I thinking?
He takes another, making sure his smile is visible - before he presses Send.
[12.10 PM] akaashik: [photo]
[12.10 PM] akaashik: happy?
[12.20 PM] miyaosamu: yes. :)
[12.21 PM] akaashik: thank you so much, miya-san
[12.21 PM] akaashik: really, you didnt have to do this
[12.25 PM] miyaosamu: i said i wanted to
Akaashi snorts in silence before he takes the first bite of the onigiri - letting the savory flavor fills him up once more; letting himself to get lost in the delicious taste. Akaashi enjoys his delightful meal in silence, before another buzz on his phone stops him from chewing.
[12.39 PM] miyaosamu: ure having overtime tonight?
[12.40 PM] akaashik: yeah. got a new chapter assigned
[12.40 PM] miyaosamu: want dinner?
[12.40 PM] miyaosamu: a generous bonus from me in exchange of that selfie.
[12.40 PM] miyaosamu: this time i’ll deliver it in person
Akaashi didn't remember when did the rice got stuck on his throat and why he's choking so hard right now; as he coughs and looks for his water bottle. Quickly he drinks the content - swallowing down the rice and the weird butterflies that were about to fly through his throat; before he clears his throat and type a response.
[12.41 PM] akaashik: why would i reject free dinner
[12.45 PM] miyaosamu: k, any requests?
[12.52 PM] akaashik: no, not really
[12.52 PM] akaashik: anything that you loves to make would be enough
[12.53 PM] miyaosamu: k. btw, thats cheesy af akaashi-kun. :<
[12.53 PM] akaashik: fuck off
[12.53 PM] miyaosamu: dont wanna
[12.53 PM] miyaosamu: expect an awesome dinner coming to u soon ;)
And for the first time after so long, Akaashi can taste expectations on his tongue and lips again; and for the first time after so long, he couldn’t wait for more.