- TWO YEARS AGO -

"KANPAI!" Megumi and Souma clinked their wine glasses together before taking a sip of the sparkling wine that one of their patrons generously gifted them with. The jubilant pair was sitting on the rooftop of the building where they had just successfully held their first overseas Restaurant Yukihira pop-up dining. They sat on a picnic blanket beside the rooftop pool, their chef pants rolled up and their bare legs dangling in the water.

As it was past three in the morning, several establishments had closed for the night. Other twenty-four hour venues had turned the music down and their lights on, softening the Middle Eastern city's party vibe in preparation for morning's arrival.

"Eat up!" Souma uncovered one of the bento boxes, revealing salmon sashimi with ginger and hot sesame oil. "Brut goes best with Japanese dishes."

The distinct aroma of citrus-soy filled Megumi's nostrils, coupled with the fizzy headiness brought about by the intoxicating Michelle Brut, made her giggle. The night felt perfect: the flawless execution of their three-course Japanese-Lebanese fusion cuisine, the outpouring compliments for the two young Japanese chefs, and now, celebrating their hard-earned success over meals and wines that reminded them of home.

"Did you see the look on that sheik's face?" recounted Souma excitedly as she sipped her flute glass' contents straight. "He was blown away by how tasty the marinated cucumbers on his Asian salad were! I wish he brings the rest of his wives before our final night here."

"Who would have thought I would be cooking for rich and famous people like them?" she sighed dreamily, putting down her glass momentarily. "When back in school, I would have given everything just to not get another E from our teachers."

He picked a sashimi piece and dropped it straight into his mouth. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: you've always had it in you, Tadokoro. You just needed to have a little more faith in yourself."

"That's why I'm grateful, Souma-kun, that you believed in me first," she chirped, feeling deliciously warm despite the chilly desert breeze. "If you hadn't, I don't know if anyone else would've done so. I will never forget you, Souma-kun."

"Oi, don't talk like that," he scolded lightly. "It sounds as if you're saying goodbye."

"But it's true!" she protested, unaware that she was swaying slightly. "I will never forget you, Souma-kun! Never ever! Even if I grow old and demented, all I'll need is a taste of your cooking—even juuuust one bite—and I will INSTANTLY remember you!" She reached for the wine bottle. "I like this, Souma-kun! It's not too dry or too sweet. We should start stocking these up."

One look at her flushed face and glossy eyes, and Souma was quick to snatch the bottle from her hand. "You're drinking too quickly, Tadokoro!"

She flailed her arms, wailing at the same time. "So mean, Souma-kun! I want another glass! You're really like a bossy big brother!"

He lightly tapped her head with his knuckle. "We also have to talk about that, Tadokoro. What's with the 'he's my adopted older brother' line you fed the reporter last night?"

She sighed exaggeratedly. "Souma-kun, you know how people here feel about two people of opposite sex who are not related by blood yet stay under the same roof!" She leaned closer to him and cupped his face with both her hands. "Why, am I unacceptable to be deemed Yukihira Souma's little sister?"

She thought she saw his Adam's apple move ever so slightly, but just as quickly, he brushed her hands away. "I will never accept you as my sister, Tadokoro. And don't get drunk on just two glasses, you idiot!"

"Meanie."

"Try to drink less and eat more," he advised, wishing he decided for shot glasses instead of the customary flute glasses tonight. "It'll help."

"How about you, Souma-kun? Who's someone you'll never forget?" Under normal circumstances, she knew she wouldn't have managed to ask that aloud, but not tonight. Tonight was perfect. A bento of sashimi. A bottle of Domaine ste Michelle Brut. Just her and Souma on top of the world, studying the sprawling city like self-satisfied overlords. She took another sip.

"Huh? Why—"

"Just answer it!"

He raised his hands up in mock surrender. "ALRIGHT! Someone I'll never forget, huh?" He frowned thoughtfully as he scanned the horizon. She felt his eyes were travelling much farther than what her own eyes could see, though—he was crossing seven thousand kilometers of sea and land, back to Tokyo, back to Totsuki Culinary Academy.

She took yet another sip, longer this time. It was amazing, she thought idly, how her glass somehow magically emptied itself in that brief time.

"That woman." He started to grin, but ended up laughing quietly to himself. "That stubborn woman who couldn't accept me. The person my father warned me about. The only one who I want to give all my food to. The reason why I want to become the best person I can be to be worthy of her."

An awful realization dawned on her when her foggy mind was able to piece together who he was talking about. It felt painful, as every inch of dizzying happiness slipped away into void. Of course, she thought miserably. Deep inside, I've always known it was her. But why does it still hurt like this? Why? She balled up her fists in attempt to ward off the threat of tears welling up in her eyes.

I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry, I'm not—A little sob escaped her throat, and Megumi knew there and then that it was a battle lost. But there was no way she was going to let Souma see her like this and leave him wondering.

"That person is someone I'll never forget, no matter what— WHOA!" Souma yelped when he saw his friend sway and fall onto the pool. Without thinking twice, he leapt to the warm swimming pool as well and pulled her up to the surface. "Tadokoro! TADOKORO!"

She opened her eyes slowly, and found herself staring at Souma's worried face. Forcing a carefree laugh, she self-consciously wiped the tears that have mixed with the pool water. "Sorry, Souma-kun! I am such a klutz, huh?"

"Never mind that!" he snapped anxiously. "How are you feeling? Does any part of your body hurt?"

My heart. But she forced a cheerful smile instead. "Nothing! I feel great! Wonderful! Perfect—" She suddenly placed her hands over her mouth, face blanched.

"OH, HELL NO!" Souma frantically lifted her into his arms and carried her out of water. They had barely made it out of the steps of the shallow end of the pool when she curled up and hurled her entire dinner on her dismayed friend's shirt.

Chapter 4

A/N: Surprise! It didn't take me a month to post the next installment, yay!

"I think that's the last of that." The elder Tadokoro zipped her duffel bag shut, and then turned to her daughter, who was seated on the bed, watching her sadly. "Megumi, are you sure you can manage for a while on your own?"

The pig-tailed female nodded and tried to flash her bravest smile. "I can't wait to try everything I've learned so far to our very own family restaurant, Mother!"

Seeing this, Mrs. Tadokoro instinctively embraced her daughter tightly. "Thank you, Megumi. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your sacrifice."

"There's nothing in this world that I can't do for you, Mother," she said lovingly. "Safe travels!"

"And what about Yukihira-kun?" the older woman asked softly.

"Oh! He will have to leave within a few days, too. Restaurant Yukihira has been invited to the United States to be part of the world's largest food festival, and he can't miss that—"

"Megumi," said the woman, hushing her at once. She cast her eyes on her lap, lips quivering.

"It's been five years. Don't you think it has been long enough? Shouldn't he at least know how you feel?"

She gave her mother a forlorn smile. "And burden him with my feelings? That's unfair to Souma-kun. After the kindness he has shown me, I don't want to selfishly leave him with guilt."

"Is he in love with someone else?"

She nodded with herculean effort. "She is beautiful, talented, smart, and fits him to a T."

"And what do you plan to do then?"

"Support them in the best way I can." She forced a sunny smile on her face. "They're both kinda dense, so I imagine it's going to be tough for Matchmaker Megumi should that time come."

"Well, if that's your decision, then I wish you the best of luck, my love." Her mother reached out to fondly mess her hair. "By the way," her mother added, "before you left Japan, your schoolmate dropped by and left something for you. I kept forgetting to tell you about it, but it should be in your closet. I tried to tell her you were leaving, but she said you can have them for as long as you want."

"Thank you, Mother. I'll check it later." That got her curious: not a lot of people would make the all-day trek to her home just to lend her something.

Just then, they both heard a knock on the door. "It's Yukihira. Your escort is waiting for you, Tadokoro-san."

"Come in!"

The door opened, and the red-haired chef entered with a grin. "May I help you with your things?"

"That will be wonderful, Yukihira-kun. Please." The woman gestured to her duffel bag sitting on the middle of the bed.

"Just one?" he asked, mildly surprised.

"It will cause unnecessary questions in the community if I bring more," the matriarch explained. "They are under the impression that I'm going on a business trip." She then gave Megumi one last embrace. "You take care of yourself, my love."

"You, too, Mother. I love you!"

The woman smiled, and then got up. Megumi tried to follow, but her mother was quick to raise a hand to signal her not to do so. "I've had enough tears for the day, my love. I don't want any more. I will see you."

She bit her lower lip to obediently keep herself from crying and worrying her parent. "See you again, Mother."

And with that, her mother disappeared on the doorway. For the first time, the Shōkeien Ryokan was left without its queen.

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After her mother left, Megumi decided to inspect the package that her mother was talking about. She opened the closet doors, and on top of her neatly folded dresses sat a familiar-looking black bag. Isn't this the same bag I returned to my dorm mates over at Polar Star?

She carried the bag to her bed and carefully opened it. To her surprise, she found copies of Noblesse Oblige Volumes 1 to 9 inside. There was also a piece of paper taped on Volume 9, which simply stated, 'When you're done with them, call me.'

"You remembered. You're amazing as usual," she whispered to herself as she hugged the books to her chest. "Nakiri-san."

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.

.

The Squire looked up from the bushes where she was hiding, and a few seconds later, the princess emerged, along with her personal maid. Both looked frantic, scared that the ubiquitous eyes of the evil King will learn about their rendezvous.

After scanning the surroundings, the Squire, too, stepped out of her hiding place. The princess' forehead creased in disbelief. "A-Are you really his squire? You look smaller and frailer than I imagined."

The Squire knelt down reverently before the royalty. "Your Highness, the Sire was gravely wounded by his last battle, and if this keeps up, he will… he may not… "

The Princess looked troubled. "What should we do then? I cannot stop Father."

"You can, Your Highness!" The Squire rose and grabbed her hands, startling even the maid. "I just need you to take of your clothes—"

"HOW DARE YOU!" The maid slapped the squire hard, sending even the latter's cap flying to the distance. Both women gasped when they saw the squire's plentiful mass of dark hair fall over her shoulders, not unlike the Princess' own raven mane.

"I have a horse prepared for you near the walls of the castle," the Squire continued, as if nothing happened. "The Princess must go alone and head for the south until she reaches the waterfalls. Behind it lies the Sire. If you two shall meet, the Oracle's prophecy shall happen, and maybe then, we can defeat the King."

"W-What about you? And my maid?" the Princess asked anxiously.

"I will pose as you, and will need your maid to keep up the masquerade," explained the Squire. "I will do my best to buy you time so you can reach the Sire."

"B-But Father… the King will execute you if he finds out!" cried the Princess. "You can't, Squire. You'll die!"

"Your Highness," said the Squire calmly, "every time I see the Sire harmed, I die a little. And when his wounds worsen each day and I can only sit by his side helplessly, I die a thousand times more. There's nothing left in me to kill anymore."

The Princess' eyes widened. "My dear squire, by any chance, are you… do you…?"

The Squire removed her armor, and then her top. "Whether I do or I don't is immaterial, Your Highness. Please switch clothes with me at once. Our allies in the castle have put so much on the line just to make this meeting happen. We can't let this end in vain."

"The Knight doesn't know about this, does he?" whispered the Princess as the maid fussed with taking off her royal gown. "He will never approve of this plan."

"Yes, I am well acquainted with his kindness and nobility, Your Highness. And it is precisely why I ended up serving him," replied the Squire. "But I can't let him die, Your Highness, not when there's something I can do for him." She put on the fine clothing handed to her by the maid. "Hurry, Princess. Please save him and the kingdom."

"Oh, my dear Squire!" Putting on the squire's cap, the disguised Princess stepped towards the latter and embraced her tightly. "God speed!"

"Take care, Your Highness. And please take care of the Sire, too. Please tell him that I know no greater honor than to fall to the sword for his sake."

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"What are you reading?"

Startled, Megumi shut the manga close and looked up. Souma was standing on the bedroom doorway, looking nonplussed. He let himself in to the room and sat on the floor, arms folded behind his head. "I've been calling outside, but you aren't responding, so I had to climb a window to get in. Luckily, I managed to fit in, but I'm not sure what your neighbors think about that. I'm just frankly surprised no one has called up the police to the scene yet."

She smiled at him sheepishly. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't realize I've been reading for quite a while."

"Well, as long as no one's going to get jailed tonight for breaking and entering, then it's all right, I suppose." He gave the manga she was holding a quizzical look. "I thought it's only Nakiri who reads those stuff."

"Ahahahaha!" She hurriedly stashed it under her pillow, trying desperately to hide her panic. "T-Thanks again for helping Mother to the station again, Souma-kun."

"No big deal! We chatted a lot about you along the way."

"NO WAY!" Her face burned, fearing that her mother might have slipped and said something about their last conversation. "D-Did my mother tell you a-anything w-weird?"

"Oh YEAH, she did. I can't believe you're actually like that!"

"L-Like what?!" She was near to tears at this point. Does he know how I feel for him now? Is he going to avoid me from here on? Will I lose Souma-kun's friendship because of these stupid feelings?

"JUST KIDDING!" He flashed her a peace sign. "We didn't really talk much about you—she was asking me about Restaurant Yukihira, my dad… hey, are you crying, Tadokoro? H-Hey?"

"W-What?" She was surprised when she felt tears streaking down her face uncontrollably. "W-Why..."

She heard him curse under his breath, and in a flash, he was beside her, frantically wiping her tears with his thumbs.

"Please, please, Tadokoro, don't cry," he begged. "It was really crappy of me to crack a godawful joke at a time like this—I am really sorry, Tadokoro. Don't cry, please."

Souma-kun! She saw clear distress on his usually laidback, grinning face. "D-Don't apologize so much, Souma-kun! I-I'm not sure why I started crying, and why I can't stop right now, b-but really, it's not you… it's me."

"Why do we sound like we're a cliché couple breaking up?" he said with a small smile, trying to lighten up the mood. He did look immensely relieved that she smiled at his quip, though.

"You're silly. Should I fix you some snacks, Souma-kun?" she asked instead, now that she had her composure back.

"Nah, let me cook for you. Anything you want, even one that's not on the menu," he declared, patting her shoulders. "Just please don't ever do that again. You scared me back there, Tadokoro. What if you didn't stop crying? What would I tell your mother? What would I tell your neighbors? They'll never let me out of your village alive!"

She giggled softly at that.

…

TO BE CONTINUED