Chapter 14

Hinata had already bought the lottery ticket before he headed to Sakanoshita store. He had said that it was a lucky number picked by his sister, but the store employee didn't ask any questions. He had seen his fair share of weird things people did before buying a lottery ticket and this was quite sweet and normal, compared to any of those.

It cost him ¥300 yen, which was nothing in front of what this could potentially bring him. Sakanoshita was a bit far from his location, and he took his time biking towards it. Now that he'd bought the ticket, he didn't have any reason to rush and he decided to just enjoy the breeze. It took him a while to reach the store, but he enjoyed the ride.

When he entered Sakanoshita store, there was a spring in his steps and he looked quite excited.

"Oh? You're quite early today. Practice doesn't start till evening.. You know that right?" Ukai asked him.

"I know.. But it's noon already and I was alone at home today, so I decided to come early and help out a bit."

"That was nice of you.. I'll take any help I can get. You already know what to do."

"Yaa.. Ohh and Mom asked me to get some groceries while I'm here, so I'm going to get them packed right now.. just in case I forget later."

Ukai rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Tell your mother that I'm not giving any more discounts."

Hinata just snorted.

"You say that everytime, but always end up giving them anyway." Ukai glared at him, and he quickly scurried off to get the things he wanted.

He sighed, internally regretting the day he first met Shoyo's mother. She was quite an attractive lady, who came across as a very kind and sweet person. The hair aside, the resemblance between her and her children was remarkable. She had thanked him sincerely for allowing Shoyo to practice with them, and for taking care of him.

Yes, very nice.. but also very determined, just like her son. She was also quite capable at smelling weakness. When she'd come to pick up her son a month after he'd started training with them, she had immediately noticed the soft spot he had for her son. She had pounced on it without any hesitation.

After all, there were few things that mattered more than discounts.

Since then.. Hinata became Shoyo, his mother became Miss Hinata, and the little orange demon that sometimes accompanied either of them became Natsu.

Now, Hinata being sent to pick up groceries before practice, and Ukai giving out discounts left and right, had all become part of a routine.

"Is your mother picking you up again today?" he called into the shop, where orange hair was barely peeking out from behind a shelf.

"No, Natsu is at her friends house and mom has an emergency at work today."

Ukai sighed again. "Let me guess, you're planning on biking over the mountain alone today as well."

"Maybe?"

"Practice would end around 10 Shoyo. That's no time for a kid to bike over the mountain at night."

"I'll be fine.. I've done it before."

Ukai just closed his eyes in defeat. "No need.. I'll drive you back."

Orange hair popped into his vision and he saw Hinata sporting a wide smile.. which looked a bit too smug for comfort. "Thank You!" he exclaimed.

Ukai rolled his eyes and waited for him to finish, while thinking if he should throw something extra today as well. A small cough drew his attention near the door, where three high schoolers were standing, with steamed meat buns in one hand, and money on the other.

He could feel the tips of his ear burn in embarrassment. It was bad enough that his teammates bullied him about having 'fatherly tendencies' and now these high school regulars had to witness an episode of it too?

"Uh.. we'd like to pay." one of them, a teen with long brown hair and a sturdy build, that came in every other day with his friends, said. Ukai cleared his throat and packed them up quickly, even throwing a free bun on top of it for good measure.

When they left, he felt himself relax considerably. He was supposed to be this tough unapproachable shop owner, not some dork that drove kids home after dark because he was worried about them.

While he was waiting for Shoyo, his phone rang and picked it up to answer it.

Hinata had just finished picking everything he needed and was walking towards the counter, when he heard Ukai's voice rise.

"I'm telling you- I can't just get a delivery out on short notice!" He heard Ukai protest loudly on the phone. When he reached the counter, he noticed Ukai's back was turned towards him, but he looked aggravated. "No, it doesn't matter if he's your old friend- Gramps!"

"Look just-" Ukai turned around and blinked in surprise when he saw Hinata standing there, in front of the counter. He just smiled at him and Ukai returned a tired smile of his own. "I don't know what a favour would help me with. It's not like I need-" he suddenly paused, with his eyes on Shoyo.

"Wait a second" Ukai put the phone down and looked at Hinata thoughtfully, before picking it up again.

"I'll do it. But tell the old coot that he'll have to let someone into his training as compensation. That's my favor. Got it?" The person on the other end seemed to agree, and Ukai just nodded, before wishing them goodbye and hanging up.

He then cleared his throat. "Shoyo!"

Hinata instinctively snapped to attention.

"I have an emergency task for you. You'll have to deliver some 'Sake' to an old acquaintance of my grandfather, and in return, you'll get a chance at some special training. Is that okay with you?"

Hinata was surprised he even had to ask. While he didn't understand anything of what was going on, he wouldn't miss some special training.

"Thank you for the opportunity!" he leaned forward and bowed in gratitude.

Ukai asked him to finish his lunch while was strapping the crate of alcohol to his bicycle. Hinata didn't intend to waste time and quickly gobbled up his lunch.

The next thing he knew, he was on his way to deliver the alcohol with with a poorly drawn map in his hands. He didn't know what happened but special training sounded awesome. Could this day get any better?

He didn't bother checking the name of the person.. he could do that once he got to his destination. He looked at the terrible drawing and somehow willed the doubts away. He should put more trust in Ukai.

It took him almost half an hour, but after taking the wrong path for the 2nd time, he finally saw the pet shop that Ukai had marked, right next to the intersection that lead to the building he was searching for. He sighed with relief.

He looked around and couldn't help but wonder why the area looked vaguely familiar. He walked around the corner, and then down the street before he abruptly came to a pause. He felt his whole body freeze.

He now understood why the neighborhood felt familiar. It was because he had memories of it, or more accurately, he had memories of the giant building streched out in front of him. Because at the end of the street, in the exact spot that Ukai had marked for him, stood Shiratorizawa Academy.

He glanced down to read the name of the recipient he'd ignored till this moment.

Tanji Washijō - It was the Demon Coach himself.

'Crap!'