The way that Kita talks about them, his teammates, makes Osamu's chest feel so tight. Not a bad kind of tightness, but an overwhelming rush of emotion all the same.
"I wasn't ready for it to be the last time," he confesses, speaking past a lump in his throat that has nothing to do with the food. "I wanna keep playin' with you, Kita-san. I don't know how we're gonna be a team without you."
Oh, the frustration, the want. Hadn't Kita felt the exact same thing, walking down the stairs? Stopping the Twins' apology?
"I did too," he admits.
"I wanted to keep playin'. But my turn's done. It wouldn't be fair, fallin' apart because one person's gone. I want the next Captain to take ya even further. Whoever it is. That would make me really happy."
Because it would mean Kita did his last job correctly. Building Inarizaki stronger than ever.
Osamu wants to argue. They didn't lose just one person, but all of their third years. One game, one come-out-of-nowhere team, and suddenly Inarizaki's losing more than just incredible players; they're losing the foundation of their team, the upperclassmen who kept them focused and sane and who taught them reliability and strength.
But Kita matters more to Osamu. It would be a lie to say this isn't about losing him, specifically.
"We won't let you down," he promises, deadly serious. "We'll be the team you deserve."
Kita meant it. Every day, every word, he was proud to be Captain. Through the endless mopping and peace-keeping and and diving to cover for missed plays - he would do it all again. But he can't.
"I know. You monsters will have to keep yourselves accountable."
Kita nods. Holds his plate still as he remembers another handshake. Before, it was a vow to about Nationals. To pull Osamu out of his slump, get Kita all the way. Enjoy every bit of the time.
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"I wasn't ready for it to be the last time," he confesses, speaking past a lump in his throat that has nothing to do with the food. "I wanna keep playin' with you, Kita-san. I don't know how we're gonna be a team without you."
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"I did too," he admits.
"I wanted to keep playin'. But my turn's done. It wouldn't be fair, fallin' apart because one person's gone. I want the next Captain to take ya even further. Whoever it is. That would make me really happy."
Because it would mean Kita did his last job correctly. Building Inarizaki stronger than ever.
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But Kita matters more to Osamu. It would be a lie to say this isn't about losing him, specifically.
"We won't let you down," he promises, deadly serious. "We'll be the team you deserve."
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Kita meant it. Every day, every word, he was proud to be Captain. Through the endless mopping and peace-keeping and and diving to cover for missed plays - he would do it all again. But he can't.
"I know. You monsters will have to keep yourselves accountable."
He holds out his hand to Osamu.
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"We should finish our food before it get cold," he points out once they handshake moment passes. "Do you wanna share these noodles?"
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Funny.
It doesn't feel cold at all.
"Thanks for bringin' me."
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"Thank you for agreein' to come with me. The food's amazin', but the company's even better."