Author's Note: Yo I'm back! School is over so I'll be around for the next month before entrance exams start. So, I got bad news and good news.
The good news are that I'll be doing constant fluff, starting with this Ishikuni fluff with a bonus special at the end of the fluff :3.
the bad news, my laptop broke down and I am struggling to get it fixed as soon as possible. The main story's new chapter was like 90 percent done and Unwavering Hearts was going smooth. I was planning to publish the main story today, but ...things happened.
Well, you're luck, at least you got fluff.
PS: This ship needs more attention. COME ON PEOPLE.
…
Why?
Why are you so good everything?
The little four-year old girl peeked at the boy playing the shamizan on her living room.
She pouted at his masterfulness and eargasmic music. But, weirdly, she wasn't angry at him. But more at herself.
Why?Why?Why? Why am I so…
Stupid?
Kinokuni Nene, greatly engrossed in her training, didn't notice the brunet boy who was peeking at her from behind the doorframe.
Satoshi was staring at the girl with dreamy eyes. The usually dull green orbs instantly turning into two glossy emerald irises.
He watched as her hands moved giddily over the dough, and how her eyes danced joyfully at her newly learned mizu mawashi.
How? How could she have this much fun while cooking? Why? Why? Why?...
Why does she look so beautiful?
During their whole stay together, the two developed quite the edgy relationship, one based on hatred and grudge. Well, it's more one-sided though ( From Nene as to say).
His talent and his brains are a danger to her. Every time he puts his hands over one of her things he just masters them.
Like: "Pooof, I am a genius."
This got her into working herself out. Trying relentlessly to beat him in his own game.
And he seemed to be clingy enough ( to her demise) to tune up to her every moment she does.
Today, is one of those days.
The sun was setting on the two kids in the large Kinokuni backyard.
After many near falls and hours of practice, Nene finally managed to do a full loop around a bush on her monocycle. She was grinning and laughing proudly at her success.
And how proud she was! Especially since her arch nemesis was standing there, applauding and congratulating her achievement .
She was so happy that she finally learned how to do something that he still didn't learn. Well, honestly, she wouldn't have rode this bike without his help. He was always holding her hand whenever she might fall and standing by her side since noon to watch over her.
As she was starting her second loop, a breeze came blowing over them, making her rumble over and lose her balance, heading toward the ground face first.
She braced herself for the harsh impact.
But what she felt was not the cold asphalt floor, however she was held by two thin small arms.
Before she hit the floor, Ishikki ran towards her and grabbed her from the chest and towards him.
-" Nene-chan, are you OK? You almost fell down?" she asked innocently for her wellbeing.
The blushing child hastily waved him away and rushed to take her monocycle from the floor and squealed: " It's almost dark out here. We need to get back. I'll continue tomorrow. ALONE." And she stormed towards the house, holding her back to the widely smiling boy behind her.
He truly messed up. Like really messed up.
It's like the fourth chef uniform that he 'soaked' in broth.
He can't help it. The counter is just too high. And when he's reaching for one of the pots; even with a lift, it just falls on the table and stains his uniform.
Likely it wasn't hot enough to burn him. Bearable.
Retreating back to his room, he rapidly took out the uniform before the heat gets to his skin. In the end, he found himself only in his underwear.
Then…
-" Uhmmmm." He suddenly remembered not having a change of a uniform.
"Well, I guess I'll go ask Nene-chan for a … Ohhh." He knew that even that was out of question.
Grinding his brain cells, he noticed a white long apron deep inside one of the wardrobes. It was large enough to hide his front area. And that seemed enough.
Taking the apron, he put it on and happily headed towards the kitchen.
The staff had already left. He preferred that time to practice to avoid the adults oppression. He would be to himself and enjoy the food he makes and maybe sometimes force some samples over Nene-chan.
As the night grew old, the boy continued his work over the newest recipe he got in mind. It was late summer back then, so the wind that blew over his half-naked body did nothing but warm up his feeling and put him to work harder.
In the middle of dishing out his work, he recognizes faint approaching steps. And before he could react, the Kinukuni heiress was standing dump founded at the view before her.
She just came to make herself for a hot cup of milk with cinnamon to help her sleep; not to see this horror scene.
-" Hey, Nene-chan. I thought you slept already. I was just trying this knew udon recipe. Come try it?" he invited her to join him.
Though, he knew something was off when she didn't respond, nor yell at him. She just kept moving her mouth like an eating fish while the color drained out of her face….
To turn into a full ripe tomato seconds later.
KYAAAAAAAAAAAA
Her scream shook the very pillars of the Kinukuni mansion. All the residents came running toward the kitchen only to see a collapsed, traumatized Nene before the door, hiding her face between her joined palm, and the flushed face of a mesmerized Ishikki who was insanely satisfied by the face of flustered Nene.
It was literally the first time he saw her face express something other than hatred and annoyance.
And damn he liked the scenery. A lot.
And he swore on his mother's grave that he will see it again, with this apron as his weapon.
And that was the start of the Naked Apron legend.
-" Well, Satoshi-kun. It's been a fun experience having you among. We hope you liked your staying here." The head of family said the last words of goodbye to the departing boy.
It's been almost a year since Ishikki came was housed by the Kinukoni. He learned a lot. More than he could've expected to.
For him, it was precious experience that he will cherish forever.
Here, he was saved from the darkness of ingratitude and pressure. He was able to find a reason to love cooking and move farther forward.
All thanks to the girl, cutely pouting behind her father's back.
-" Nene, bid a farewell to Satoshi-kun. He is leaving us today. Come on, sweetie." He pushed the hiding girl from behind him and to the boy.
She was angry at him, and he didn't want to talk to him. Him leaving has been her long-awaited wish. He gets on her nerves and his definitely bad for her heart. She might be pouting. But that is just a façade, from inside, she is jumping, fist-pumping and thanking the Gods for their love for her.
She was avoiding to look at him in the eyes. The air around the two was way more tense for kids their age.
-" Nene-chan…" she spoke. " Let's make a promise."
She looked confusedly at him. His all-smiles face ticked her off and she was really fighting the urge to scream at him in front of her father.
-" What?" she grumbled under her breath.
-" That we will meet again, one of those days. That we will cook together and be rivals. Okay?" he held his pinky for her, to seal the deal.
She didn't want to do it, but under the intense look of her father and the giggles from the maids around them, she joined her pinky with his and slightly shook it a little.
That made the boy smile wider and meekly whisper: " That's a pinky swear then."
He joyfully gave her a quick hug, that caught her off-guard, and sprinted toward the limousine before she could punch him somewhere.
In her flushed state, she wished for him to just disappear. To just go.
As the car drove away, the boy went with it. Not before standing on his knees and flashing a last smile and wave to his savior.
While the shadow of the car began fading in the horizon, and the elders returned back to the mansion. The girl finally let out her scoff. A promise, huh, How childish. Like she cares. She was finally freed from the agony of inferiority. She can finally go on her own pace without feeling like a loser.
Letting out a long suppressed sigh, the girl smiled far the first time in a long year.
She will make her way beyond him on her own pace one day.
And time flew by like a flash for both, their promise getting lost within the sea of her memories.
Although, unbeknownst to her, and even with the long years of parting, the promise was kept safe like a treasure in the deepest confines of his mind.
It was ten years later when fate will bring them together within the lands of Tootsuki.
-" Ahhh, Kinukoni-kun, it's been a while." He was first to great.
She cringed when she saw him. God, that dumb smile of his hasn't changed at all. She adjusted her round glasses, readying her heart for the upcoming years of suffering.
i'LL SEE YOU SOON GUYS.