Chapter Text
The small sushi shop looked stunning in the morning, the natural light filtering in from the windows, a cozy, warm glow. The air was still as Multi sat and ate quietly, the subtle warmth of air and light luring her into a sense of security. Ms. Myoden sat at the end of the sushi bar, closer to the door, computer open and typing quickly and quietly.
Bird yawned as he walked down the stairs of the upper floor into the main restaurant part of Komaba Sushi. Ekusu followed slightly behind Bird, looking equally disheveled. Bird took a seat at the sushi bar to the right of Multi. He grabbed a bowl of cereal while Ekusu sat with Bird. In front of Ekusu were 5 plates of his favorite red bean and cream sushi.
The ex-pro glanced over the trio, each eating breakfast. The boys had just gotten up and looked the part, while Multi was more put together. Ekusu mindlessly stuffed a piece of red bean and cream sushi into his mouth, head resting on his hand. Ms. Myoden typed swiftly, pulling up images on the screen for Team Persona at the sushi bar. "Your next match is still undecided, as the All-Star Battle just took place. However, we could arrange a meet-up with a team you've battled against before, like Zooganic."
Ekusu perked up at the mention of blading, all tiredness completely forgotten. "Yeah, I can't wait to battle again! Battle, battle, battle.." Ekusu cheerfully exclaimed, tapering off in a sing-song voice about battling.
"Biiirrrddd! Do you wanna battle me?" The blader exclaimed, looking at Bird with excited eyes.
"Yeah! I want to get even better for any match that comes our way!" Bird looked at Ekusu, excitement pouring from the duo in waves. Multi turned from the ever-optimistic bladers to the screen, a fond smile on her face.
She lifted the toast to her mouth and took a bite while analyzing the screen and its contents. 'Ekusu is awful about getting up in the mornings, except whenever blading is involved…' Bird observed as he watched the pro blader eat another red bean and cream sushi. A lone grain of rice was somehow left on his face. Bird mindlessly swiped the rice off Ekusu's cheek, earning the gaze of Multi and Ms. Myoden on the boys. They both turned to the screen a few moments later.
"Why're we competing against a team we've already gone against? I know that B4 hasn't decided if we're going for the Title Match or not, but why does that affect going against new teams?" Bird inquired, turning to Multi and placing a hand on his chin. The split-haired boy took a pause, eating another red bean and cream sushi. Bird mentally recoiled at the blader's preferred choice of food when Multi spoke up. Both of the boys turned to her, awaiting what she had to say.
"Going against a team before B4 assigned one to us could be considered street battling. It doesn’t matter if they’re pros or not.” Multi sighed, "B4 can be really particular about what’s allowed or not. Street battling has its risks for a pro team, especially now with how close we are to the top of the X." Her posture slacked slightly, elbows resting on the table. Her plate lay empty on the counter. “Remember, Bird, this wouldn’t be an official B4 match. More of a meet-up between friends.” Ms. Myoden looked to Bird from where she was sitting, taking over Multi’s explanation.
"A battle or meet-up with Zooganic would do great, as fans have wanted more content of both teams together for a while. Pro bladers should get to know one another on good terms. It shows the audience that you’re capable of having good relationships outside of the competition." Bird nodded his head along with everything Ms. Myoden was saying, putting the pieces together in his head.
"So, what you're saying is that a collaboration would do well for both of us? Even if it isn’t a battle?" Bird questioned, tilting his head back and looking up at the ceiling. “Aw man! I wanna battle! Battles are always the most fun!” Ekusu whined, upset that his opportunity for battle had possibly been ripped away. Bird's messy, somewhat fluffy hair caught Ekusu's eye, lingering a little too long on his teammate to be normal. His fingers minutely twitched, and he turned back to his sushi. The split-hair boy crammed what must have been the 15th piece into his mouth with a small frown. Multi said nothing about how he was acting, but turned her head from where she was looking at her teammates.
"I've been thinking of asking for a collab for a while now, but there are so many potential ideas for streams I don't know what to ask," Multi looked down at her plate in thought.”A battle should be the best. Maybe something else afterward, but if a battle is what the fans want, it's what they’ll get!" Multi shone with determination at increasing Persona’s fanbase.
“Yaaay! We get to blade! We get to blade!” Ekusu’s voice tickled Bird’s brain, a warm feeling spreading in Bird’s body. Anyway, I should be the first blader, Bird, you should be second, and Ekusu, you should be third." The girl looked to her two teammates, who were now both brimming with excitement at the idea of a collaboration. "Oh! Can we get sushi after? " Ekusu perked up; the prospect of getting to battle and sushi always rejuvenated him like a freshly watered plant.
"But wait.. I normally blade first, though." Bird observed her plan as Ms. Myoden pulled up another part of the projection. "Based on their past battles, the chances they switch up to try and shuffle is increased. It makes it so that the bladers they go against would be less prepared if each team member didn't properly prepare. We should adapt to their strategy and use it to our advantage."
"I guess that makes sense.." Bird stated, bowl empty on the counter. 'Not everyone can live off of sushi..' Bird watched as Ekusu finished off a fourth plate of sushi. The slightly golden morning light combined with the peaceful air of Komaba Sushi lit Ekusu in all the right ways, Bird feeling drawn to the other blader.
"Also..." Multi spoke into the room's quiet. "CAN YOU TWO START CARING ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE MORE!?" She screeched to her teammates, who jumped at the sudden loud noise. Bird scrambled up to put his dishes away and ran up the stairs to get ready so as not to anger the streamer anymore.
Unknown to Bird, the blader whom he admired would make glances at him throughout the morning, eyes darting away almost as soon as he made contact. This observation didn't go completely unnoticed, as Ekusu scurried away after Bird, crying for him to wait up. Multi watched the boys with a neutral face, curiosity shining in her eyes.
She started to put away both her and Ekusu's dishes, as in his hurry to follow Bird, he neglected to clean up after himself. Ms. Myoden continued to type at her computer, not looking up at the boy's sudden departure. After Multi had cleaned up and retreated to her room, the ex-pro got up and walked away, leaving the main room of Komaba Sushi seemingly undisturbed in the morning light.