Volunteering

Thursday November 26th, 2020

Kaya sits in the passenger seat of Toru's Tesla, looking out the window as they approach the Dekalb county family shelter. The Atlanta streets are eerily empty, only a few cars passing them here and there as they approach, Toru telling her they are only a block away. Kaya looks over at him and gives a big smile, excited to help and feeling peaceful about joining her new friend in his holiday tradition.

At first Kaya thought that Toru's volunteer work was something he did every year to offset the fact that he's stinking rich and never wanted for anything. However when they pull up she sees several people quickly recognize his car, waving with familiarity and excitement. "I'll get the door." He reminds, Kaya nodding her head and looking at the faces of those surrounding the car.

A beautiful woman with long red hair and big green eyes approaches Toru as he makes his way to the passenger side. Kaya watches as he points to her car door, the woman's face changing from one of happiness and excitement, to hesitation and intrigue. Toru gives her a quick hug, releasing her with a large smile on his face before making his way over to the passenger side.

Toru opens the door, and offers Kaya his hand, helping her up from the car, several more people making their way over to the pair, the woman from before looking at Kaya with a surprised face. "Mr. Oikawa, so good to see you again. Thank you so much again for the generous donation." A man in his early 50's greeted as he stopped in front of him. "And you even brought us another volunteer." He smiled.

"Haruko, I've told you before you can call me Toru. I've been coming here for years now, surely you can manage that much." Toru insisted with a sigh. "This is my good friend Kaya Moniwa. Kaya, this is Director Haruko Ono." He introduced, pulling Kaya's eyes away from the woman who was watching her. "It's lovely to meet you Mr. Ono." She greeted, holding her hand out. Haruko looked at Kaya for a moment, as though she were an illusion, his eyes blinking as his eyes and ears tried to accept the answer he'd just been given."

"The pleasure is all mine Ms. Moniwa. It's good to see young Mr. Oikawa here with a…friend?" He questioned. Kaya chuckled nervously, to realize half a dozen people surrounded them, watching her and sizing her up. "Come on now, give the little one some space. Don't want to scare off a new volunteer." The woman who'd been watching her chuckled. "Come on, let's get inside, there's a lot to be done." She tells them, everyone nodding and making their way in, Kaya falling at Toru's side.

The group enters through a large bay door, with 'deliveries.' written over top of it, Kaya looking at the large warehouse area where they store dry goods, clothes, shoes, and toiletries for the shelter. Toru places his hand on her mid back, giving a slight push to let her know she was starting to lag behind, her response a quick apologetic look to which he gave a warm smile.

Just through the warehouse area was an industrial kitchen. It was hot inside and smelled like Thanksgiving dinner, four volunteers stood at a large stainless steel table carving turkey's a large pan placed in front of each one where they placed the sliced meat that was ready. Another table was covered in pies, a large rack full of trays of food next to it.

"Ah, Toru made it after all. We were afraid something came up." A man said, looking up at Toru. "Sorry, I didn't want to make my friend get up too early since she was up late last night helping her brother in law make desserts and side dishes for later. Add that to driving over from Athens and I wasn't able to make it early this year like usual." Toru told him easily, a jolt of guilt hitting Kaya to realize she'd caused him to be late.

"You brought along a friend from Athens? Where is he?" The man asked, several others looking towards Toru, a few having their eyes land on Kaya. "Pretty sure he said 'she' Shigeru." A tall man with his parted on the left and swept to the right chided. "Hey there captain, nice of you to join us." He teased. Toru picked up two aprons from a shelf, handing one to Kaya then putting the other one on, giving the man a sly smirk.

"I don't recall asking for your commentary Akira. Hajime isn't here to save you." Toru retorted, Akira becoming quieter as he looked back at his former captain. "Anyway, we have a lot to do and I made a promise to be back in Athens by 6, so there's no time for a million questions. Everyone, this is my friend Kaya. Be nice, or else." He warned, giving Kaya a small wink to which she giggled at.

The woman from outside watches the interaction between Toru, his former teammate, and his new friend, going over to Kaya giving her a large smile, her eyes still seeming to watch her intently. "I'm Mina, Kaya. It's nice to have you with us this year. Not many of us women folk after all. Come on, let's start setting up the drinks while the men have their little bicker time." She offers, closely paying attention to Kaya's face as she reacts.

Kaya gives a quick glance to Toru, his back to her as he talks with the one called Shigeru a moment. The woman seems friendly enough, despite making Kaya feel as though her every move is being watched with interest. Whatever her connection to Toru is, she doesn't seem to hate Kaya as some random women do immediately. And seeing as Toru actually acknowledged her when they'd arrived she figures she can trust Mina.

The women walk off together, the sound of laughter ringing behind them as Toru hits Akira with a towel. "How was the ride from Athens?" Mina asked, making pleasant conversation. "It was ok, I had to ask him to slow down a few times though." Kaya answers, shaking her head at Toru's tendency to break the speed limit. "Lead foot that one, I'm sure he went a lot slower than he would have had you not been in the car though." Mina told her with a chuckle, leaving Kaya to wonder how much faster he drove than 90 as that was the highest she'd seen it.

"He told me he was just in a hurry or he would have kept it no more than 8 over the posted limit." Kaya replied in disbelief. Mina gave Kaya a sideways glance, a smirk gracing her face. "I think I believe him. No one would have guessed he'd have not shown up early like he usually does, I'm willing to bet he was just eager to get here. Before the two of you leave for Athens I plan to determine for myself what it is about you that keeps him there so much." Mina stated, handing Kaya a large sleeve of plastic cups.

Kaya forced a dry swallow, feeling more and more like she was somehow being interviewed by his friends today, Mina seeming to lead the charge. "So, tell me your feelings towards Toru, Kaya. I mean all of it. From the time you spit into his coffee to the time you find yourself here with him on a major holiday, plans to spend the evening with your family back in Athens later this evening." Mina asked as though it were a casual question about the weather.

Kaya looked at Mina, her mind working to find the answer as it was something she hadn't really put much thought into. "Well, to be fair, he deserved the thing with the coffee." She started, Mina's mouth twitching into a smile at her answer. "I haven't really considered how those feelings have changed since then. To be honest, I'm still not happy that he's running my late grandfather's company instead of Kaname and I.

He seems to be perfectly capable despite being…well a fuckboy." Mina stifled a giggle and motioned for Kaya to continue. "Honestly I'm confused myself. I still feel a rage towards him, but at the same time defend him against my fiancé. He makes my skin crawl and I want to punch him in the face, but I'm intrigued and want to learn more about him. There's something he's hiding about his past. Perhaps you know what it is, but I don't.

I don't want you to tell me either, I'd much rather he tell me when he's ready. He's told me before that he will tell me one day, but he thinks I'll see him differently. I tried to ease his mind, but I have no idea if he took what I said to heart." Kaya finished, having been handing Mina cup after cup to fill with tea as she spoke. Mina remained silent a little longer, seemingly contemplating Kaya's response.

Mina finally gave Kaya a smile after a moment. "I do wonder how your answer may change after some more time to think it over and spending the day with him here and his friends. At any rate, welcome!" Kaya smiled back at Mina, feeling something about her seemed familiar that she couldn't place and wondering if she'd seen a picture of her somewhere before.

An hour later Kaya found herself standing in the line next to Toru, dipping out servings of green bean casserole for all who passed by. Many of the people who came up to the line recognized Toru easily, what was more surprising was how many of them he knew as well. Kaya listened as he greeted person after person by name with a smile on his face, giving kids a little extra sweet potatoes, telling them they haven't grown nearly as much as he would have thought and to eat up with a little wink.

Everyone finally made their way through the line, Mr. Ono giving an announcement that there was still plenty of food left over if anyone wanted to get seconds. A few people stood from the tables that sat first, making their way up to the line again, thanking everyone again as they came through, one person taking a moment to stop in front of Toru with a nervous look on their face.

"Toru." He called to him, hesitantly. Toru looked at him with interest. "Hello Daisuke, how've you been?" He asks. "Much better, thank you." He answered before taking a deep breath trying to gather his strength before he continued. "I um, I was wondering, might you join me to visit Aimi?" He asked, hand rubbing at the back of his neck. Toru's eyes downturned a moment, so quickly that Kaya missed the look of despair on his face.

"Thank you for asking as always. Tell her hello for me." Toru told him dismissively. "It would mean more coming from you. Surely she deserves that much at least." Daisuke responded angrily. "What could possibly be more important?" He spat at him. Toru's face hardened as he listened. "Enough!" Toru bellowed. "Is she nothing to you now?" Daisuke shot back.

Kaya stood feeling helpless, seeing anger wash over Toru's face, she reached her hand out and tried to rub his arm soothingly, but he pulled away from her touch. Mina stepped in and pushed Toru away from the line then directed her attention to Kaya as he stormed off. "Please go to him." She begged before turning back to Daisuke. "Why must you provoke him? You know how hard it is for him to go there." Kaya heard Mina tell Daisuke.

Kaya rushed off in the direction Toru had gone off in, finding him in the industrial kitchen, his back towards her as he stood at the sink. She heard a sob escape him and wasn't sure if she was intruding and thought maybe she should give him some space. Recalling how he'd come to her and wanting to be as good a friend to him when upset she swallowed hard and took three steps closer before calling his name gently.

Kaya felt her heart break when Toru turned to face her. The tears streaming down his face didn't come close to causing her to wash over in empathy for the man before her as the broken look on his face did. Toru tried to wipe the tears hurriedly from his face and replace the pain with a fake cheerful smile, but Kaya closed the distance between the two of them and wrapped her arms around his large frame without hesitation.

Toru began to sob again and allowed himself to relax into Kaya's embrace. "We don't have to talk about it. But I'm here. I'm here for you Toru." Kaya whispered, her tone surprising even her. Her soft words full of affection for a man she barely tolerated most days. Though they had plenty of good moments together, it was still difficult for her to respect him, and she'd learned nothing about him that changed her mind about him entirely.

Toru raised his hand to her head, running his fingers through it and groaning at how soft it was. Though still upset, he couldn't help but be happy to have her in his arms, her words reassuring and not a hint of pity in her voice caused his heart to flutter. Toru looked down at Kaya, who moved her hands to his face and cupped his cheek with a soft smile on her face. "Even if you never talk about it, I'm never going anywhere. I promise." She told him.

Toru wrapped his arms around her more firmly, "Thank you Kaya. I don't deserve you." He told her softly, thinking of all the ways he's mistreated not just her, but countless women over the years. Guilt hitting him that she was fully there and he was still keeping her on the outside. "Bless your heart.*" She let out softly, Toru's heart feeling full at her counter. "Yes, his poor little heart.*" Mina let out behind them. "Perhaps you two can start clean-up in the kitchen?" She offered.

Toru reluctantly pulled away from Kaya and wiped his face. "Is Daisuke ok?" He asked with an apologetic look on his face. Mina nodded at him with a soft sad smile. "He's fine. Been drinking again, like always." She sighed. "What about you? Are you ok my sweet Toru?" She asked lovingly. Kaya felt an unfamiliar feeling in her gut grow through her entire body to hear him referred to as Mina's, telling herself she just felt awkward being around during an intimate moment between the two.

"Yeah, I'm ok." He tells her, Mina looking at him suspiciously to gauge how much she believed him. After a moment she smiled at him widely, then looked at Kaya with a glimmer in her eyes. "Look at that, he's actually ok. You're like some kind of miracle." She tells her with a happy smile before walking back out towards the front, her hand up in the air with a wave. "You kids be good now." She told them in a sing-song voice.

Come 3:30 the kitchen was cleaned up, the food packed back up where it belongs, and the volunteers stood around by the bay door telling everyone their plans for the rest of the day. Mr. Ono came out, closing up the door and getting everyone's attention. "Thanks again for all your help everyone. It means a lot to the community. Before we go, I wonder what everyone here is Thankful for this year." He asked, smiling.

The volunteers took turns saying the things they were grateful for, ranging to family members, to work, to pets. Shigeru talked animatedly about his dog having given birth and that the puppies had done a lot to ease his seasonal depression. Akira said he was thankful for another year with his ailing grandmother, and Toru simply said friendship.

Mina looked at Kaya and smiled brightly at her. "I'm thankful for Kaya Moniwa. Thank you for caring for Toru." A lot of agreement erupted from her statement, Kaya looking around at everyone then at Mina, wondering why of all the things to be thankful for, it would be that she's befriended a tall man with messy brown locks.

Everyone said their goodbye's Mina walking with Kaya and Toru back to the Tesla, Toru's arm draped over Mina's shoulders. At the side of the car, he pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her cheek, closing his eyes tight. "I love you mom. Tell everyone I said hi and I'll see you guys soon." He told her, Kayas jaw dropping.

Mina smiled up at her son, her eyes shining with love as she reached up and messed up his hair. "Of course my sweet Toru. Dad and I love you too. Have fun with your friend back in Athens, ok." She ensured, before turning her attention to Kaya. "Don't be mad, he's forbidden from calling me mom in public. Besides, this allowed me to get to know you without you knowing who I was. I better be seeing you again as well." She softly threatens.

Kaya nods at Mina enthusiastically. "Yes of course Mrs. Oikawa, it was a pleasure to meet you." Mina rolled her eyes, "Please, it's Mina. I never did take my husband's stupid sounding last name anyway." She laughed. Kaya returned the laugh and agreed. "Mina it is then. Sorry for stealing your son on Thanksgiving." She added guiltily. "Not at all. Toru grew out of our yearly dinner party at 13. He hates it." Mina giggles.

Toru rolls his eyes as he opens the door for Kaya and offers his hand to allow her to take her seat. Mina smiles approvingly and Kaya feels more that it was his mother who'd taught him to be a gentleman and smiled softly at her while Toru made his way to the other side of the car getting in. "Safety First." He reminded, Kaya looking away from Mina and putting her seat belt on just before they drove away.

*Bless your heart is a kind southern way to call someone stupid for what they said or did.

**Mina is not only agreeing that Toru is stupid, but saying he's REALLY stupid.