Disclaimer: YnM belongs to Youko Matsushita-sensei.

"Eh. Hisoka, why are you here? It's your day off."

Hisoka paused before answering, "I don't have elsewhere to go, Konoe-san."

"Nonsense," said his superior. "You can relax at home or go out. You shouldn't work all the time. That's what day offs are for." Konoe was ready was ready to order the young man out of the building if he had to. Hisoka did work too much.

"I know," said Hisoka, not mentioning that he didn't like going out and being around strangers. He couldn't understand though why he felt restless being alone at home. "But I prefer being here, Konoe-san."

Konoe harrumped loudly. "Now why can't your partner be more like you."

Hisoka smiled a little bit then said, "Should I be more like Tsuzuki...?"

"Heaven forbid!" Konoe exclaimed then fell silent, seeing Hisoka's ploy. "... Very well. Very well. You can stay here, but no working, understand?"

Hisoka nodded. "Hai, Konoe-san. I'll just read my book." He gestured at the large book he was carrying under his arm. Konoe grimaced. Studying was still work.

***

At his desk, Hisoka stood, puzzled. His chair was missing.

"Good morning, Hisoka-kun." He turned to see Wakaba walking towards him with a warm smile on her face and a large box in her arms. He immediately went to help her.

"Thank you!" Wakaba looked at him affectionately. "You're such a gentleman. I wish Hajime-chan could be more like you."

"Thank you," said Hisoka politely, "but I'm sure Terazuma-san would have helped you as well with this."

Wakaba's expression gentled. "Yes," she said, agreeing with Hisoka. "But then he would scold me for cooking again for Tsuzuki-chan."

Hisoka stared at her blankly then opened the box. It was full of pastries.

"You spoil him too much!"

"Hisoka-kun, don't make such a scary face."

***

In the dining area, Hisoka helped Wakaba arranged the dishes on the table. The table, large enough to accommodate eight people was half-occupied by Tsuzuki's lunch, which was twice as large than usual.

Hisoka stopped then looked at Wakaba. "... Did you cook all of these?"

"Hai," Wakaba replied and moved further up the table to two bento boxes.

"Wakaba-san, you didn't..."

"Oh no no," Wakaba immediately reassured him. "These are Watari's and Tatsumi's. They are eating lunch together with Tzusuki-chan today."

"Oh." That was unusual, at least to Hisoka's point of view. Watari usually ate his lunch in his laboratory. Hisoka wasn't sure where Tatsumi ate lunch.

Wakaba nodded as she placed glasses, drinks and utensils. "Yes, Tsuzuki invited them."

After a few moments, Hisoka backed off from the table.

"... Hisoka-kun?"

Slightly pale, Hisoka warily eyed the food. "Tsuzuki invites when he's cooking." Looks good, smells good, but Tsuzuki's cooking was deadly when digested.

"... Yes, his cooking does need improvement," Wakaba said, then reminded him, "But I told you I cooked all the dishes here, so it's all right."

Hisoka gained back his color. "Oh yes." He was very relieved. "It's more than all right. Your cooking is delicious, Wakaba-san."

"Thank you, and though I thought you wouldn't be here today, I did cook extra." Wakaba opened both Watari and Tatsumi's lunch boxes, took out generous portions and piled them on an empty plate.

Hisoka tried to stop her. "Thank you, Wakaba-san, but I ate before I came here."

She made him take the plate. "I've seen you eat, Hisoka-kun, and you don't eat enough." She began taking from Tsuzuki's side. Hisoka stood and watched uncomfortably.

"There won't be enough for Tsuzuki," he said when Wakaba handed him another plate, this time brimming with cakes.

She was not deterred. "I'm sure Tsuzuki-chan won't mind sharing with his best friend."

For some reason, Hisoka's face turned red. "He's my partner," he said quietly.

"And your friend as well," said Wakaba gently with a look that sisters reserve for younger siblings. "Tsuzuki-chan will be so happy to see you today. I think he invited Watari and Tatsumi to eat with him, because he felt lonely without your company, Hisoka-kun."

Hisoka ducked his head, refusing to look at her in the eye. Wakaba was about to say something else when they heard a familiar bellow.

"Kannuki, where are you?!"

"Oh!" Looking a little flustered, Wakaba ran for the door. "I almost forgot. I'll see you later, Hisoka."

"... Wait! Aren't you eating with us?"

At the door, Wakaba paused and turned back. "No, Hajime-chan and I have a suspect to investigate. We already ate our lunches early. Please tell the others I hope they enjoy their food."

"... Okay, Wakaba-san, and I'm sure they will."

Somewhere, Terazuma shouted again. "Kannuki, we're going to be late!"

Wakaba waved merrily at Hisoka before going off.

...

I can't eat with them. Hisoka stood there uncertainly with two heavy plates in his hands. He could imagine the trio, especially Tsuzuki and Watari, teasing him. Hisoka may have worked with them for years, but he still felt apart from their group. If Wakaba or Terazuma or both were eating with them, he may have felt secure enough. There was safety in large numbers.

Hisoka sighed, contemplating on returning the food when his stomach suddenly rumbled. He jerked, surprised that he was indeed hungry. He did ate before coming here.

... Wakaba-san is right. I don't eat enough. Hisoka walked towards the door, deciding that he would eat Wakaba's cooking. After all. it does look and smell good; and Hisoka knew it would taste good too. Leaving the dining area, he headed towards the library.

I'll share with the Gushoshin since I can't eat this much alone.

***

Tsuzuki and Watari were dragging Tatsumi towards the dining area.

Tatsumi---"I don't want to eat with you two!"

Tsuzuki---"But why not, Tatsumi-san? It will be fun!"

Watari---"He's afraid, Tsuzuki-san."

Tatsumi---"I am not afraid!"

Tsuzuki---"Tatsumi-san, that was decades."

Watari---"You should forgive and forget already."

Tatsumi---"No way. What you two did was awful."

Watari---"So you are afraid."

Tatsumi---"I am not! And if you two ever do that again, I will suspend your salaries!"

Tsuzuki---"Don't be mean, Tatsumi-san. It was only for fun."

Tatsumi---"It was not fun."

Watari---"It was. For me and Tsuzuki-san."

Tsuzuki---"Yutaka, we should relive it for old times' sake."

Tatsumi---"Stay away from me!"

Watari---"Yes, good idea, Asato."

Tatsumi---"Let me go!"

They have arrived.

***

In the dining room.

"Somebody has been eating my lunch," said Watari somberly.

"Somebody ate all my shrimp," said Tatsumi darkly.

"There's still enough for me," said Tsuzuki merrily.

End?

Author's note: I'm still deciding whether to continue it or not.