Soma arrived at Polar Star with an unconscious Megumi in his arms and rang the doorbell with his elbow. The building was large and overgrown with ivy, giving it a sort of 'haunted mansion in the woods' look, but Soma just shrugged. If Megumi could survive living here, he probably wouldn't have an issue with it either.
The door opened, and an older lady with gray spiky hair peeked out from behind the door.
"Yes?" she asked impatiently. "We don't usually get visitors—"
The words froze in her mouth when she looked down to see a younger version of Saiba Joichiro carrying an unconscious Tadokoro Megumi.
"Ah, hello!" Soma said, oblivious to Fumio's reaction. "I'm Yukihira Soma, the new transfer student, and I've come to live here."
Fumio eyed Soma suspiciously. "Oh? And what happened to Megumi?"
"She asked to try one of my failed creations. I knew it was bad, but I didn't know I'd have to carry her halfway here…"
Memories of Joichiro and Jun sprang to the forefront of Fumio's mind. "You sure you didn't force it on her?"
Soma laughed. "Oh, no! I stopped doing that in middle school. The girls in my class kinda beat that habit out of me."
Fumio was genuinely surprised at that. "Well, it looks like you're already ahead of your father…"
Soma sighed. "You knew him too?"
"Of course, boy! Your father, Saiba Joichiro, led Polar Star to its golden age! How could I forget?"
Soma could feel his left knee start to buckle. "Is there a place I could put Tadokoro-san down? I've been carrying her for the past half hour."
Fumio snapped out of her reminiscent state and nodded. "Sure. Her room is 302; take her up there, then come see me in the kitchen."
Soma stepped into the lobby of the large building, and when he saw the staircase, he took a deep breath.
Almost there. Just two flights of stairs…
Megumi opened her eyes just as Soma reached the door to her room. It took her a second to realize that she was being carried, by Soma no less. His manly arms and chest enveloping her… They were so warm…
"Oh! You're awake, Tadokoro-san!" Soma said, putting her back on her feet.
Megumi flushed redder than a tomato. "U-um… Soma-kun… D-did you just… Carry me all the way to the dorm?"
"Well, yeah. You passed out after trying my squid, and nothing I did was waking you up. I'd be a bad friend if I just left you unconscious on the road, and it was getting dark too. So I just picked you up and carried you." He flashed her a warm smile. "No big deal!"
"Uhh… Y-yeah, no b-big deal…"
"Well, anyway, the old lady wanted me to meet her in the kitchen. See you later, Tadokoro!"
Soma stretched his shoulders as he walked back down the stairs. Megumi could only stare. Soma-kun was so… dreamy.
That thought caused her to blush so hard she could swear steam was escaping out her ears.
"Bath…" Megumi whispered. "I need a bath…"
"Bath…" Soma muttered in shock. "I need a bath…"
Fumio had reacted strongly to Soma's cooking. Very strongly. She had taken her first bite, and then she smiled…
Soma had seen some strange things happen when people ate his food. Mostly, back in Diner Yukihira, they'd just start scarfing the rest of their meal down. Then there was that ojii-sama at the transfer exam that shredded his clothes, which was odd, but cool. But that last thing Soma expected from a foodgasm was for Daimido Fumio to plant her lips on his. And in his exhausted state, he was too slow to stop her.
"Ruined…" he said. "My first kiss, ruined…"
Fumio finished the mackerel burger Soma made with a smile on her face. "Well, brat, you're definitely Joichiro's son. That was some damn good cooking."
"About that, Fumio-san," Soma said. "I'd really appreciate it if you could keep that between us."
"Hm? Not proud of your old man?"
"The opposite, actually," Soma explained. "It'll be hard to surpass him if I stay in his shadow and walk the same path he did. I need to make my own name; forge my own path."
Fumio nodded. "Well, that's one thing you've got over that old cat. I'll keep my mouth shut about your dad. Here's your room key; you'll be in 304."
"Thanks, Fumio-san!"
"I should be thanking you, Soma-kun. That was quite a delicious meal. Anyway, go get ready; there's going to be a party tonight."
"A party?"
"Welcome to the Polar Star family, brat. You'll meet everyone else soon enough."
Megumi poked Mr. Duck on the nose and watched it slowly float away in the bath.
Soma-kun carried me halfway up that hill. I know he looks strong, but still… Why am I thinking about his arms and chest so much? Ugh, this is so improper!
Megumi blushed a little. She took a deep breath and sank down to her neck in the hot bathwater.
Stupid me for trying his failure. He told me it was bad. I didn't listen. I ate it anyway. I wasn't ready for…
Megumi shuddered.
That. I wonder what Soma-kun could even learn from something that disgusting…
Mr. Duck came floating back to Megumi and bumped into her chin. She smiled, sat up, and poked the duck again.
You understand, Mr. Duck. You don't distract me with your big arms and muscle-y chest and warm embrace. You don't let me eat food so bad I pass out and need to get carried home…
Yukihira Soma entered the bath, stark naked, at that exact moment. Megumi saw everything, from his manly arms to his defined chest to his six pack abs to his…
Megumi let out a scream.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Marui! Thanks for hosting the party again!" Diago said, slapping the pale man on his back in a 'just us bros' kind of way.
"But you guys are going to make a mess again!" Marui protested.
"Oh, come on Marui," Ryoko said. "Just drink some rice juice and put a smile on!"
"Yeah, Marui!" Soma said. "This rice juice is the best!"
Ryoko blushed a little at the compliment. "You're too kind, Soma. Some people," she glared at Shoji and Diago, "don't understand how difficult it is to make rice juice this smooth."
"You mean sake?" Yuki said.
"Yuki, please. Drinking sake is illegal at our age. This is just rice juice."
"Pass it here, Ryoko," Megumi said, a blank look on her face. "I need to forget tonight…"
Ryoko handed Megumi the bottle, but instead of refilling her cup, the little blunette started gulping down rice juice from the bottle.
Soma and Ryoko exchanged glances.
"That can't be good…" Ryoko said.
"Food!" Soma said. "We need more food!"
"Alright!" Diago said, excited to show off his cooking skills to the new guy. "Just give me 8 minutes and I'll be back with something tasty!"
"A real man should be able to last longer than 8 minutes in the kitchen," Yuki quipped.
Diago got in her face. "What's that you filthy game beast?! I'll have you know…"
Soma turned his attention to Marui, who seemed close to passing out.
"You ok there, Marui?"
"Yeah, yeah," he said, pushing up his glasses and taking another swig of rice juice. "I just don't have the stamina to survive these parties all the time."
"Oh! Is that all?" Soma asked. "Come work out with me. You'll have a lot more energy if you stay in shape."
Marui blanched at that idea. "I tried that with Diago once… It didn't work out so well."
Soma looked at Diago, then shook his head. "Let me guess, you tried picking up something too heavy and got hurt?"
Marui nodded, taking another sip of Ryoko's 'definitely not sake' rice juice.
"Someone with no experience should start out small. I've got a nice beginner's workout from my dad; let's run through it a few times—"
"Ooh!" Ryoko said, crouching down next to Soma. "Soma's going to be working out?"
"W-what?" Megumi said, blushing.
"Well, yeah," Soma said, like it should be obvious. "You gotta keep your body and mind sharp if you want to do anything with them."
Diago came over, flexing in front of the girls. "Dude! I know, right?"
"He said body and mind, musclenuts," Marui said. "You should find a tenant to occupy that empty space you call a brain."
Soma, Ryoko and Megumi burst out laughing, putting a genuine smile on Marui's face.
"Yo, Marui!" Shoji said, laughing. "That was so savage!"
"Y-yeah, Marui!" Megumi said, slurring her words a bit. "You gotta get your *hic* body as sharp as your tongue!"
"Oi, brats!" Fumio called through the speaking tubes. "I got some buri daikon down here. Come and get it!"
"Oh yeah!" Shoji said, heading toward the door.
"Love that old hag!" Diago said, following him.
"She's the *hic* best," Megumi said, taking another swig of rice juice from the bottle.
"Okay, you're done," Ryoko said, taking the half-full bottle from Megumi and downing it herself.
"Hey—"
"Megumi, I'm cutting you off. You've had plenty tonight."
"But Ryoko, I saw Soma—"
Soma put a hand on her mouth. He was blushing furiously. "And that's enough of that."
Ryoko and Yuki both became very interested.
"Oh? What did you see, Megumi?"
"Mmph—" she tried to say through Soma's hand.
"Nothing! Nothing at all…" Soma said, starting to sound desperate.
"Soma-kun walked in on Megumi-chan's bath," Ibusaki said.
Soma glared at the quiet man. "Dude, seriously?"
Yuki and Ryoko's faces were incredibly red. They grabbed Megumi out of Soma's grasp and pulled her away from him.
"Soma! Fist you walk in on her in the bath, and now you… you…" Yuki said.
"It's ok, Megumi," Ryoko said, stroking the blunette's hair, trying to calm her down. "Just tell Ryoko-chan all about it…"
Soma slapped his palm against his forehead. "My life is over…"
"Hai!" Isshiki interrupted, bursting into the room in nothing but a pink Kumabear apron.
Soma's jaw hit the floor.
Just what is it with this school and nudity? First the director, now this…
"Soma-kun, let me officially welcome you to Polar Star by showing off my…" Isshiki paused for dramatic effect. "Naked Apron Technique!"
He turned around, and his bare bottom shook for all of the Polar Star residents to see. It was mesmerizing…
And something in Soma snapped. He would later blame the rice juice.
"Isshiki-senpai," Soma said. "Do you have any more aprons?"
The blue-eyed senpai smiled.
Five minutes later, Soma had returned to the party wearing nothing but Isshiki's pink Inudog apron. Silence fell across the room.
Ryoko and Yuki stared at his ass.
Diago and Shoji nodded in approval.
Marui was long passed out.
Ibusaki just sat there, not showing any reaction.
Megumi finally spoke, completely unimpressed. "Eh, it ain't *hic* nothin' I ain't seen before."
The party had long ended, and Soma stood out on the balcony, still naked under the apron, staring up at the stars. It was a brisk night, and the gentle breeze blowing between his legs was invigorating.
Maybe that creepy senpai was on to something…
Soma heard footsteps behind him, and felt a warm, feminine hand place itself on his back. He didn't turn around.
"Fumio-san, if you try kissing me again I swear—"
Ryoko laughed. "Isshiki-senpai told us about that. It must have been terrifying."
"Oh, hi Ryoko-chan," Soma said. "Out here to enjoy the stars?"
"Mm, that and another view," she said. "I'm surprised how quickly you took to the naked apron. Normally Isshiki-senpai just freaks people out with it."
"I've started seeing a trend here," Soma said. "Everyone's a weirdo. I might as well join 'em."
"You know, Soma-kun," Ryoko said, teasing him. "It's impolite to call a lady a weirdo."
Soma chuckled. "How's Megumi handling her first taste of alcoholism?"
"Yuki's making sure she throws it all up," Ryoko said. "I doubt she'll remember much of tonight."
Soma turned to face Ryoko, her arm wrapping around his neck. He looked down into her bright, shining eyes. "And that leaves you free to… What, 'enjoy the view?'"
Ryoko gave him a wicked grin. "Something like that."
"Well, don't let me disappoint," Soma said.
Ryoko leaned in for a kiss…
And felt Soma turn back to the balcony, facing the stars.
"The view is quite lovely tonight, isn't it?"
"Mou, Soma-kun, that's not fair…" Ryoko said, pouting.
"I think, after that incident with Fumio-san, I may never kiss again."
Ryoko arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Was it that good?"
Soma laughed. "No, not at all. It was so bad that I don't think any girl on earth could fix it."
"You're going to disappoint a lot of girls if you don't let us try, Soma-kun."
"Ah, Soma-kun! Ryoko-chan! There you are," Isshiki called from behind them. "Come on inside, I made some delicious food!"
Ryoko shot a quick glare back at her senpai, then locked eyes with Soma. "To be continued?"
Soma shrugged, turning to go back inside. "We'll see."
"Isshiki-senpai, this Spanish mackerel with Chinese pepper is amazing!" Soma said. "It's on a whole different level than anyone else's cooking…"
"About that," Isshiki said. "I feel I haven't been completely forward with you, Soma-kun. Pleas let me re-introduce myself: I am Isshiki Satoshi, 7th seat of the Elite Ten."
"Elite Ten, huh?" Soma asked. "That makes sense."
"Now I'd like you to get serious, Soma-kun," Isshiki said. "Show me just what you can put on a plate."
Soma smiled. "My pleasure."
Yuki was walking Megumi out from the bathroom when she heard a commotion in the kitchen. Bringing Megumi with her, she came in to see Isshiki, Ryoko, and Ibusaki watching Soma cook in nothing but his headband and Isshiki's spare apron.
Huh,Yuki thought, his ass is a lot nicer than Isshiki-senpai's…
"Ah! Yuki-chan! Megumi-chan!" Isshiki said. "Come, join us! Soma is preparing some wonderful food."
"Let me guess," Yuki said, sitting Megumi down on one of the stools near the counter. "You started this, Isshiki-senpai?"
Isshiki just smiled, but Ryoko and Ibusaki nodded their heads.
"He does this every time," Ryoko said. "But it looks like Soma-kun's making something really tasty. Worth sticking around for."
"You bet!" He said, presenting the finished dishes to his audience. "Five servings of Yukihira secret menu item number twenty. Oagario!"
Everyone dug in to the mackerel rice ball. After their first bite, time seemed to stop.
Ryoko was filled with such warmth that she was absolutely sure she would follow Soma to bed that night.
Ibusaki maintained his stoic composure, but began wolfing down the dish in earnest.
Isshiki started crying it was so beautiful.
Megumi didn't realize she was eating anything until the bowl was half empty.
And Yuki found herself planting her lips on Soma's.
Ryoko tore Yuki off of Soma and tackled her to the ground, screaming "It's not fair! It's not fair…"
Isshiki seemed oblivious to the fight around him. He shook Soma's hand, breaking him out of his shock.
"It was a beautiful thaw, Soma-kun."
Soma smiled at the half-naked, crying man. "Thanks, senpai. Yours was great too."
Megumi lowered her bowl to see Isshiki and Soma, both in only aprons, shaking hands, Ryoko and Yuki rolling around on the floor pulling at each others' hair, and Ibusaki just sitting there watching the whole thing like a creep.
Huh, she thought, thinking clearly for the first time that night. Soma's ass is nicer than Isshiki's.
Omake
Soma, Diago, and Marui were all down in the basement of Polar Star bright and early, where a small home gym was set up in the corner.
This is the day, Marui thought. This is the day I stop being a complete wuss.
"Alright Marui!" Diago said with way too much enthusiasm. "First, we need to see how strong you are right now."
"R-right," Marui said, nervously. "How are we going to do that?"
"Same way I did," Soma said, nodding at the dumbbell rack. "Start small and go from there."
Soma watched as Marui tried curling the 5 pound (2.3 kg) dumbbell. After a few failed tries and some advice from Soma, he finally did his first few repetitions. His arms were on fire, but this new sensation of physical success filled Marui with encouragement.
"Yeah!" He said, dropping the weights on the ground. "What's next?"
Soma smiled. "That, again."
Marui looked confused. "Uh, what?"
"You're doing another set of curls. The repetition, more than anything else, is what's going to make the results stick."
"O-oh…" Marui said, his enthusiasm gone. "That's going to be hard…"
"But worth it in the end," Soma said. "How many onions did you have to dice before you finally got good at—"
"Yo, Soma!" Diago said, racking the barbell for squats. "Can I get a spot?"
"Sure," Soma said. He turned to Marui. "You're going to be doing these once you get a bit stronger. Try to watch Diago's form; it's really easy to hurt yourself if you do these improperly."
"A-alright," Marui said.
Diago put the 400 pound (182 kg) barbell across his shoulders and stood up. With a grunt, he lowered himself halfway to the ground and stood back up.
Marui crumpled to a heap on the floor, exhausted from just watching Diago work out.
Over on the stairs, Shoji, Ryoko, and Ibusaki were snickering at the genius of Polar Star.
"This is too funny," Shoji said. "Totally worth waking up for."
"This can't possibly get old," Ryoko said.
"Mm," Ibusaki said. "Next time I'll smoke some popcorn."
A/N: Hi folks! I appreciate the support so far, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. For those asking, I won't spoil/reveal pairings; I think doing that will ruin a lot of the fun I can have while writing this. I'll have the next chapter up around July 28th.
