Notes: Finally got around to moving this to . I originally made this for the Shokugeki no Soma OTP Week 2018 in tumblr and the prompt for this chapter was Future/Soulmates. Still haven't gotten around to editing this properly but I did change the name of the titles so that there'd be a proper sense of continuity.
Disclaimer: Although I like to dabble in creative works, I would never have been able to come up with something like Shokugeki no Soma. They all belong to Yuuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki & Yuki Morisaki sensei.
Musubi
Chapter 1: Awake
Written by: M. Mondsichel
田所 恵 xタクミアルデイニー
When Megumi was little and still living in a small, yet cozy, port town somewhere in Tohoku, she always had vivid dreams about a person she knew nothing about. It happened almost daily since she entered primary school, and for several years it had continued.
It always involved a person, a man, with bright blue eyes that spoke to her soul. In her dreams they had talked about a lot of things, and would participate in various activities but every time she woke up, she would forget everything they did except that she was in his company and that he had gorgeous eyes. Always his eyes.
She had told her mother about it once, and the older woman had suggested that maybe it was someone from her past life, also adding, that it was best to not mull over it.
The dreams though, that plagued her consistently for years, abruptly came to a halt a year before she was set to enroll at Totsuki Academy for Junior High. She eventually forgot about it and instead, focused on her studies.
It wasn't uncommon for hormone driven teenagers to gossip about who was hot and who was not in campus. Having crushes were the norm as they served as an inspiration to the burnt-out students. Admiring someone made school life bearable. It made you think of something else aside from the heavy work load and promotional examinations.
"He's such a babe." One of her classmates said longingly as the girl, and a few others, poked their heads out the door.
"Do you think he'd give me his number if I asked?" Another one said as she let out a dreamy sigh.
She knew of whom they were talking about without having to see him. She had been informed about the presence of a half Japanese, half Italian student who had been dubbed a total hottie by the entire female population of the school.
She's seen him from a distance, and she honestly could not care less if she was given the opportunity to meet him face to face. How could she be when her grades were barely hanging by a thread? Staying in Totsuki was her first and utmost priority. Thinking about love would only serve as a distraction and she could not risk getting expelled as it would shame her family.
Megumi dropped her school bag on top of her desk and sat on her chair, tuning out the mindless gossip in the room. Instead, she tried to visualize the various French techniques that had been taught to them the other day.
It didn't take too long before the bell rang, signaling the start of homeroom period. It would then be followed by a 3-hour class on French culinary techniques & cuisine. She knew her schedule by heart even if it was only the second day of her second year in junior high.
Homeroom was short and ended in less than 15 minutes. The teacher simply took the class' attendance and reminded them to do well before taking his leave.
"Tadokoro-chan!" Ryoko approached her desk with a grin.
She stood up and gathered some of her things. They would be changing rooms since their first class would be held in the kitchen laboratory.
Megumi smiled, eager to prove to everyone that she would not be the same mess that she was during their first year.
The two dorm mates then proceeded to go to their designated area, happily chatting about their expectations for the school year. On the middle of their transfer, the blue-haired girl stilled and a look of panic crossed her face.
"Ryoko! I left the recipes in the classroom, go on ahead without me!" She frantically said before turning on her heel and making a run for it. Her friend was about to protest but let it go. Megumi had already turned at the hallway and was out of her sight.
It didn't take long before the girl with braided pigtails reached the now empty classroom. She grabbed her clear file and browsed through the contents. Once she was able to find what was needed, she took it out and raced towards the door in urgency.
Eager to reach the kitchen lab before their teacher arrives, she hurriedly approached a corner and accidentally crashed into someone. She winced and closed her eyes on impact, papers flew in the air as she landed butt first into the ground. She could not help but mentally chastise herself for being so careless.
"Scusa." She heard someone say, making her eyes snap open
Yellow clashed with blue.
And for a moment she had to tell herself to breathe.
The accidental encounter felt like a half remembered dream. This man, whoever he was, made her feel as if she had known him since forever. There was something familiar in his gaze and for some reason, she knew that he felt the same familiarity she was feeling. A look of recognition briefly passed in the depths of his eyes.
She felt it, a gentle tug at her heartstrings.
He smiled as he extended a hand to help her. She delicately reached out to it, and when their skin touched, it had been electric. It didn't take much effort for him to pull her up.
"Thank you." She squeaked out.
"Don't worry about it…" He replied, as he helped her pick up her recettes from the cold marble floor. It didn't take too long for them to gather the needed papers that now rested safely in her arms.
"Have we met before?" He asked, and she blushed prettily, completely forgetting that they both had classes that they were probably already late for.
She shook her head.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you." She embarrassingly said after bowing. She had completely forgotten her manners.
"I'm the one who's at fault." He bowed back. "I'm Takumi Aldini by the way, what's your name?"
She was about to answer but their moment was interrupted by the sound of the second bell, indicating that they were already 10 minutes late.
"I'm really sorry!" Whatever magic that occurred between them had ended as she quickly tried to move pass him, obviously in a state of panic.
Takumi watched her scurry away. It didn't matter if he was unable to get her name. He'd see her again soon. He'd make sure of it.
つづく
