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[closed for 1foxgiven] On the Market
It's sunny out, and there's a subtle, crisp breeze in the air to keep things from getting too hot, so it's the perfect day for a walk through the farmer's market. It was a little bit of a trip to get out here from their apartment in the middle of the city, but Asahi thinks the trek was more than worth it. If not for the fresh produce, which itself is reason enough, then to give Ayane the change to see more of the world.
She loves the train ride that it takes to get out of the city, standing on her father's lap so she can look out the window behind him at buildings, cars, and people as they rush by. She enjoys chasing a bird just outside the train station when they reach their destination. He manages to wrestle on her sun hat and tie it under her chin without too much trouble, even.
And then Asahi picks her up and places her in the baby carrier on his chest, because he knows it's going to be a long walk and a crowded market, and losing her is one of his greatest fears. She still has plenty to look at, even though she fuses about not being able to walk on her own two feet.
The market itself is bustling, and full of incredibly ripe, gorgeous fruits, vegetables, and other natural goods. Asahi almost laments the fact that he can only buy what he can carry home with a baby in tow. It's certainly clear that he and Ayane will be making these weekend treks out regularly during farmer's market season. They wander through the various stalls and displays, with Asahi pausing whenever something nice catches his eye, or if Ayane gets his attention with her tiny cries of "Papa, Papa!"
In all of the chaos, it takes him a moment to realize that Ayane has suddenly become oddly quiet. She isn't even wriggling in the carrier like she usually does. Asahi feels panic rise up in him immediately, but when he looks down at her, all he finds is that Ayane is happily occupied with the reddest, juiciest looking strawberry he has ever seen.
Wait.
"Where did you get that?" He asks, already looking down to see what's within her grasp; unsurprisingly, a display of fresh picked berries and homemade jams.
"Ayane!" He gasps. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I should have been paying more attention to her-"
He's already apologizing before he even looks at the stall keeper, but when he finally does make eye contact with the man, he finds him oddly familiar. It takes a second to place why he knows that distinctive black and white hair, and then all he can do is splutter, "I-Inarizaki!"
Name, name, why can't he remember the captain's name?
She loves the train ride that it takes to get out of the city, standing on her father's lap so she can look out the window behind him at buildings, cars, and people as they rush by. She enjoys chasing a bird just outside the train station when they reach their destination. He manages to wrestle on her sun hat and tie it under her chin without too much trouble, even.
And then Asahi picks her up and places her in the baby carrier on his chest, because he knows it's going to be a long walk and a crowded market, and losing her is one of his greatest fears. She still has plenty to look at, even though she fuses about not being able to walk on her own two feet.
The market itself is bustling, and full of incredibly ripe, gorgeous fruits, vegetables, and other natural goods. Asahi almost laments the fact that he can only buy what he can carry home with a baby in tow. It's certainly clear that he and Ayane will be making these weekend treks out regularly during farmer's market season. They wander through the various stalls and displays, with Asahi pausing whenever something nice catches his eye, or if Ayane gets his attention with her tiny cries of "Papa, Papa!"
In all of the chaos, it takes him a moment to realize that Ayane has suddenly become oddly quiet. She isn't even wriggling in the carrier like she usually does. Asahi feels panic rise up in him immediately, but when he looks down at her, all he finds is that Ayane is happily occupied with the reddest, juiciest looking strawberry he has ever seen.
Wait.
"Where did you get that?" He asks, already looking down to see what's within her grasp; unsurprisingly, a display of fresh picked berries and homemade jams.
"Ayane!" He gasps. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I should have been paying more attention to her-"
He's already apologizing before he even looks at the stall keeper, but when he finally does make eye contact with the man, he finds him oddly familiar. It takes a second to place why he knows that distinctive black and white hair, and then all he can do is splutter, "I-Inarizaki!"
Name, name, why can't he remember the captain's name?
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Things have always been best when there is a system.
He's caught up this flow when a father begins apologizing. Distraught over his child's criminal activities. Then comes Inarizaki.
For a moment Kita reels. He isn't famous. Doesn't get picked out of a crowd like other former members. At last, he manages to splutter out a response.
"Um - Yes, that was my school! Did you go?"
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It's not that Asahi expected to be remembered, far from it! It's just baffling to even think about having gone to Inarizaki, when reality couldn't be any farther from the truth.
He puts an arm around Ayane, mostly as a comforting gesture for himself. It grounds him to have her in his arms. Reminds Asahi where he is.
"I didn't go, no- we played you in volleyball. At Nationals." His explanation is terrible. "When we were third years?"
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All at once the pieces fall into place. Long brown hair, stubble, shoulders solid as a wall. Along with the visual of carrying. Kita's gone against many teams, but this person is -
"Karasuno's Ace. Your Libero fell asleep in the locker room!"
Ayane, with no interest in backstory, begins wiping her fingers along Asahi's arm.
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"Yes, that was us. Me. Wow, it's been so long. You look well!"
And Kita really does. Healthy, glowing skin, broad shoulders, a kind smile.
"Is this your stall? I'm sorry for my daughter helping herself. What do I owe you?"
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As for the question, Kita waves it off. He would have offered one anyway. Kids get so excited over fresh fruit. The difference between a pale, grocery store berry and one that came from the vine this morning? It is night and day. He loves sharing that moment.
There are greater concerns now - Kita searches and searches, but no other information comes up for this person. Besides 'Karasuno.'
"I apologize, it has been a while - What was your name again?"
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"Azumane Asahi," he says, introducing himself properly. He offers his now-clean hand for a shake. "And this is Ayane."
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"Nice to meet you, Asahi Ayane. I'm Kita Shinsuke."
Kita offers a proper bow to his guest.
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Although he isn't always the best at keeping her out of trouble - case in point.
When Kita bows, Asahi starts stuttering. "T-That really isn't necessary, Kita-san! This isn't really our first meeting. Although the last one was under very different circumstances..."
He's rambling a little, as he tends to do when he's nervous. Ayane is unimpressed and loses interest; she's already reaching towards the display for another strawberry. This time Asahi notices, and cups her little hand in his own.
"No, no touching," he says to her, not unkindly. Then to Kita, "I think we'll need to take some home." He asks for a small amount, not wanting any to go to waste, though it doesn't seem like Ayane would let it.
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Kita gathers up a selection. Packing each berry carefully into a cardboard box, with just the right amount of space between.
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"When she finds something she likes, she is," he agrees fondly. "I'm glad it's fruit this time. Your strawberries must be delicious for her to be this excited. Right, Aya-chan?"
She taken hold of Asahi's finger and is waving it around while cooing happily. When Kita's done packing the fruit, Asahi wiggles his finger free so he can accept the box and pay Kita for it, before he takes one strawberry out and hands it to his baby.
"Here you go, see? Thank you for being so patient."
Ayane does not know what this means, but she squeals and begins happily gnawing on the strawberry with her front teeth, anyways.
"Thank you, Kita-san. Are you always at this market?"
You know what's the worst at Farmer's Markets? RAIN...
There's a wave to the wooden sign hung above his booth, then the matching kanji on a nearby signpost.
"I started the market, though. So it means a lot that people come all the way out!"
Oh nooo you wouldn't! (Yes we would)
He really means it. Everything is organized, and spacious. The market and farm were easy to find, and the fruit is incredible, if Ayane's taste is any indication. Anything that makes his daughter this happy, Asahi loves.
But just as he's saying this, a dark cloud rolls in. It feels like the Sun is immediately hidden, and Asahi looks up to the sky with a furrow in his brow.
"Was there rain in the forecast...?"