I.
"Excuse me, Sir," Shawn Aida said, knocking on the door to Nakiri Azami's office.
"Enter."
Shawn opened the door and stepped into the lavishly decorated office that belonged to the Headmaster of the Academy. "Erina-sama is not in her room," he announced, moving forward until he stood at the side of the new Headmaster. "Should I dispatch some personnel to find her?"
"No, no need to overreact like that," Azami said with a shake of his head. "Alice probably took her out in a foolish, misguided, rebellious attempt to help her… A sweet gesture, but ultimately pointless in the end."
"Then what shall we do?"
"Just locate where she went for now, I'm positive that once this little… phase of hers is done, Erina will return to where she rightfully belongs."
"Understood, Sir."
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II.
"… Where are we going, Yukihira Kyou?" Nakiri Erina asked as she followed after Kyou.
The two of them were currently making their way through the thick foliage and forests that covered the enormous Tootsuki property. The moon had sunk lower and lower in the brightening sky as they trekked; until the first whispers of dawn began to peak over the distant mountains.
"We are going to a… a neutral place, where we can continue our conversation without fear of being interrupted."
"A-And where is this 'neutral place' exactly?!" Erina demanded, running a hand through her hair in an attempt to get rid of all the leaves and twigs that had gotten in it. She was beginning to regret following the elder Yukihira brother without preparing a bag or a hairbrush or… or something!
Kyou shoved a particularly large bush out of his way and took a step out of the woods and onto a paved road. He turned and offered a hand to Erina.
As she settled onto the empty, quiet road, Erina realized just what building she was standing in front of. "The… General Education building?"
When compared to the other, more elaborate, modern and ostentatious classroom buildings, the General Education building was plain in comparison. It was only two-stories with a simple, red brick exterior and a few cherry blossom trees and small flowerbeds. There were a total of seven rooms in the entire building: six classrooms – two of which were empty and not in use – and a small library.
Since most – if not all – of the students attended Tootsuki Academy to further their culinary skills and knowledge, very few students opted to take the voluntary, non-culinary related, classes that the General Education sector offered.
Kyou was an exception, and now – like before – his decision to take all the General Education electives would be a boon for him and Erina.
He gestured for Erina to follow him and the two made their way towards the entrance of the building. Once there, Kyou knocked sharply against on the of glass window panes and waited. After a couple, tense, minutes, one of the doors creaked open to reveal-
"Ah… it's good to see you again, Kyou-kun. I just received your message, both of you… please follow me to my classroom."
"… Thank you for helping us, Professor du Tronc."
"Anything for my students, Kyou-kun."
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III.
Kin-tsugi: the Japanese art of repairing broken or cracked porcelain cups with gold.
Nowadays, that's how Kyou felt; a broken, cracked person that was lovingly repaired by his father and brother and friends back at the Polar Star Dorms and by the person he felt jumpstarted his road to recovery, Professor Alain du Tronc.
… But who did Nakiri Erina have? Who did she open up to, if anyone? Or did she carry that burden and fear and trauma around with her everywhere she went?
Alone?
Kyou had carried that yoke of abuse and terror for too long, though not as long as Erina if his hunch was correct…
"So, how can I help the two of you?" Professor Alain du Tronc asked, after the three of them had settled down in his empty classroom.
"We would like to stay here, for the time being," Kyou answered.
Alain hummed thoughtfully. "I see… is if safe for me to assume that you are unable to use your dormitory for certain… reasons?"
"That is correct, Professor."
"And since Erina-chan is here… does," Alain waved a hand in the air, "this… have something to do with the new Headmaster, Nakiri Azami?"
Erina straightened sharply in her seat. "Th-That is…!"
Kyou nodded, golden eyes narrowed. "… Are all the teachers and staff… aware of the history of the current Nakiri clan?"
"Not everyone, no," Alain answered, bringing his hands down to rest on his lap. "Only those closest to the previous Headmaster, Senzaemon-dono, were privy to the true reasons why Nakiri Azami was disowned and, essentially, exiled from Japan."
"And yet you yourself seem to know quite a bit about the going-ons of the Academy, Professor… Would you consider yourself close to the previous Headmaster?"
"Those of us who have previously held the title of the First Seat when we were students tend to have the Headmaster's trust even after graduation; so, to answer your question, Kyou-kun: yes, I was – and still am – close to Senzaemon-dono… though, I wouldn't say I'm as close to Senzaemon-dono as, say, Doujima Gin."
"I see…"
A tense silence filled the room for a moment before Alain clapped his hands together and stood. "Ah! Forgive me and my thoughtlessness. By the looks of you two, you've been up and about for quite some time… would either of you like a drink? I have coffee, tea, juice, milk, cocoa, water…"
"Coffee, please." Kyou said.
"… I shall have tea – rose."
"Of course, one moment please." Alain turned and walked towards the back of the classroom where there was a row of bookshelves – most were filled with books and binders and such while one had nothing but drinks and snacks lining the shelves. He grabbed a tin of tea and a packet of coffee before walking back to his desk where there was a small electric kettle. "Any cream or sugar for your drinks?" Alain asked, as he turned and poured a bottle of water into the kettle and turned it on.
"Three cream, Professor," was Kyou's response.
Erina merely shook her head.
Alain hummed as he brought out two mugs from his desk. As he waited for the water to boil, he asked, "Are you a big tea drinker, Erina-chan?"
Erina started at being addressed so suddenly, but, quickly regained her composure. "… I am."
"What would you say is your favorite type of tea?"
"Why do you think I asked for rose tea, Professor?" Erina said haughtily.
"He was just asking a question, Nakiri," Kyou said in a terse tone. "You know, to make conversation?"
"A simpleton could have figured out my tea preference from my request!" Erina snapped, glaring at the bespectacled teen.
"What if you were just in the mood for rose tea? How would Professor Alain have known then?"
Erina turned away with a huff. "I don't know why I agreed to follow you in the first place, Yukihira Kyou!"
"You know the reason, Nakiri-!"
"Now, now," Professor Alain interjected calmly, placing a cup of coffee in front of Kyou and a cup of rose tea in front of Erina. "Let's all calm down, alright? I was just sating my curiosity, Erina-chan as rose tea is a rather common flavor of tea… however… when brewed with the right ingredients, it can be an effective way to relax and calm ones' self down… I wondered if rose tea is your favorite type of tea because of your… situation or because of your connection to the Arato clan. Regardless… please drink up before your drinks go cold."
As the teens began sipping at their drinks, Alain continued to speak. "I myself am not the biggest tea drinker, although I did have the honor of being able to drink a single cup of Da Hong Pao tea when I travelled to China in my youth."
"Oh! I've tasted that tea before," Erina said, perking up at the memory, "it was a gift for Grandfather from a Chinese business partner."
"Was it from the mother tree?"
"Of course it was," Erina sniffed, "our business associates know better than to give my Grandfather a gift that is sub-par."
"The cup I was fortunate of having was also from the mother tree… I can still vividly remember the taste even after all these years… Such a sharp, thick taste with a fruity, floral aroma and a sweetness that lingers on the palate…" Alain turned to face Kyou and asked, "Do you have a favorite type of coffee, Kyou-kun?"
Kyou shrugged. "Not particularly, no."
"… What is the point of these questions, Professor du Tronc?" Erina asked, putting her cup down with more force than necessary. Some of the tea sloshed over the rim of the cup and onto the desk. "Should… shouldn't you be questioning why I – we – showed up here so early in the morning? Don't… don't you want to know what happened? Don't you want us to tell you?"
"… It would be presumptuous of me to ask – to demand you to speak of something you clearly do not want to talk about, Erina-chan." Alain answered gently, leaning back against a nearby desk.
"B-But if you aren't to make us tell you what's going on th-then… then there's no need for such… banal conversation! You're just…! We're just wasting time! I… I…! I don't know why on Earth I decided to follow you, Yukihira Kyou! I-If we aren't going to talk about how you know- about what you know- what we went through… then… What's the point?! Then why did I leave my father-?! If he-! He'll be-! What was the point of asking us what our favorite type of coffee and tea are?! Father said-!"
"Breathe, Erina-chan… breathe," She heard the professor murmur – she hadn't realized that she was beginning to hyperventilate. Her vision swam for a heartbeat. She willed her hand to stop trembling and picked up her cup of tea. She took a long drink, letting the warmth and flavors whisk her away until she was feeling calmer.
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IV.
She was floating, reclining on a rose-colored and rose-shaped inner tube, drifting down a never-ending river of serenity and stillness.
Her feet dipped in and out of the warm water, gentle waves made the inner tube bob up and down in a soothing, rhythmic motion.
All was right in the world… that's what she was feeling as she continued to drift across the water.
She let her head fall back, the soft kiss of the sun warming her skin and relaxing her even more.
She felt… peaceful – all of her thoughts and worries and fears and concerns just… slipping away, leaving her feeling completely at ease for the first time in a long time.
No responsibilities.
No terror.
Nothing.
Just her – content in her own skin and with the world.
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V.
Erina opened her eyes, the tense, rigid line of her shoulders and guarded expression, gone.
"… This tea…"
"Does it get your stamp of approval, Erina-chan?" Alain chuckled with a soft smile. "I am joking, of course. I know now is not the time to be asking such things of you."
"It's… delicious."
Alain dipped his head. "It is an honor to hear you say that, Erina-chan. I thought I would be out of practice since I don't really make anything anymore."
"If you don't mind me asking, Professor," Kyou said, speaking up, "what was your cooking style when you were a student here?"
"Hahaha… well… I didn't make flashy, extravagant foods like the other members of the Elite Ten council of my year… let's see… well, I've always been told that I've had this non-judgmental air about me – like I could walk up to any stranger and get them to tell me all of their problems without any fear of retaliation or disgust. My food… reflects that. It's a soothing cooking style, one that washes away all your worries and fears and leaves you feeling calmer and level-headed."
"Right… I do recall hearing about your moniker… the Angel of Peace, was it? People said that your food could stop wars if necessary."
Alain flushed and laughed, embarrassedly scratching his cheek. "… I never really liked that title to be honest, but, yes, that's what people called me during my time here at Tootsuki and for some time after I graduated."
"Why did you stop cooking, Professor?" Kyou pressed, eyes flashing with interest.
"Now, now, Kyou-kun… just like I how I didn't pry into the affairs of Erina-chan nor your own during our last meeting… I hope that you will show me the same courtesy and not pry into something that I do not want to share, alright?"
"… Right, sorry Professor du Tronc," Kyou said after being lightly admonished.
"Thank you, Kyou-kun. Now," Alain moved his attention back to the quiet blonde, "Erina-chan, while I was not told all the explicit details on what happened between you and your father, I was told enough to get a broad sense of the terrible things you were forced to endure and I would just like to say this: You are not just your father's tool or pawn, Erina-chan," he said gently, moving and kneeling down so that he was at eye-level with a now wide-eyed Erina. "You are not just the wielder of the God's Tongue. You are not just a member of the mighty Nakiri clan. You are not just the Tenth Seat of the Elite Ten of Tootsuki Academy. You… are so much more, can be so much more, will be so much more than those measly titles and adornments to your name. You are – first and foremost – Erina… You are entitled to your own feelings and your own opinions and your own ideas and thoughts and likes and dislikes. You… are a person, a student, a child and… you matter."
Professor du Tronc smiled and placed his hands over Erina's trembling ones. "…If you do not agree with something; you have every right to speak up and voice your own opinions. If you do not like something, not merely as the wielder of the God Tongue or as member of the Nakiri clan but as you… you have the right to say something… If you are… afraid of something, unsure of something, torn about something - anything… you have the right to lean on others and ask for support. For guidance. And for friendship. And, you have the right to fight for those things as well… Only you get to decide how you want to live your live, Erina-chan, and no one else has the right to take that decision away from you… not Tootsuki, not your business associates, not your friends, not your grandfather, and certainly not your father."
"P… Professor…"
Alain smiled once more and stood, giving Erina's hands one final squeeze of support. He turned his head and surveyed his darkened, empty classroom. "… I know… that I have never been your teacher before, Erina-chan… however… My doors are always open to my students, whether they are in my class or not. You are not alone in whatever you are going through… I am here for you, along with Kyou-kun and your friends."
Erina drew in a sharp breath, her bottom lip trembling. "Hisako…"
"… Feel free to stay here as long as you need to, Erina-chan," Professor du Tronc said, "Kyou-kun has used my office before and knows where everything is."
Kyou stood from his seat and bowed, low and deep. "I… thank you… for everything, Professor."
Alain chuckled softly and moved closer to the bespectacled teen, ruffling the teen's auburn locks affectionately. "I'm always willing to help my students, no matter what… I don't have too many classes tomorrow, so, as long as the two of you don't make too much noise, no one will ever know you're in my office."
Kyou straightened and nodded. "… Thank you."
"… Does your brother know where you are?"
"Not the specifics, but I am keeping him… in the loop, so to speak."
"Wonderful, I know just how much your brother cares for you, Kyou-kun."
Kyou smiled, "Yeah… I know as well…"
"You know where my keys are, Kyou-kun. The two of you, please… take your time to rest and talk and just… recharge. You are safe here, I promise."
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VI.
"Headmaster Senzaemon… what… are you doing in my room?" Yukihira Soma asked, standing at the threshold of his dorm room, as he watched the previous Tootsuki Headmaster flex and stretch in the center of his room. Soma took a step back to study the room number placard that was nailed to his door.
"Do not worry, this is indeed your room," Senzaemon chuckled. "Please excuse my sudden visit."
"Uhh… sure… did… did you need me for something?"
Senzaemon didn't answer, instead, choosing to say, "… It has been sometime since I have last spoken to you and your brother in such a setting… the last time was when I oversaw your enrollment to Tootsuki… Speaking of, where is your brother?"
Soma shrugged. "Don't know, he left earlier today and hasn't come back yet."
"I see… a shame, since I would have preferred the both of you to be here to listen to my story…"
Soma swallowed nervously, the contents' of his brother's message coming to mind. "What… what is all this about?"
The previous Headmaster sighed and gestured for the teen to have a seat. "It's about Erina and her childhood."
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VII.
To: Kyou
From: Soma
Subject: (No Subject)
Time: 9:23 AM
(+ •᷄⌓•᷅ ) / U doing ok?
To: Soma
From: Kyou
Subject: Fine
Time: 9:45 AM
Yes, I'm fine.
I'm sorry if I'm still worrying you.
I'm still on campus, so yeah.
To: Kyou
From: Soma
Subject: (No Subject)
Time: 9:52 AM
(￣^￣)ゞ
To: Kyou
From: Soma
Subject: Old Headm
Time: 7:21 PM
Sooo… the old headmasteR was here
He told me wat happend to nakiri
are u two doing okay?
To: Soma
From: Kyou
Subject: What?!
Time: 8:49 PM
… He did what?!
What /right/ did he have to disclose something /THAT/ personal to you?
Yeah, I /guess/ he's her legal guardian, but still!
You're not even close to Nakiri!
It should have been /her/ decision to tell – anyone what she went through! Like how /I/ was the one who told you and Father about what I went through.
Not his.
To: Kyou
From: Soma
Subject: (No Subject)
Time: 9:01 PM
… Sorry
To: Soma
From: Kyou
Subject: I'm not mad at you
Time: 9:03 PM
I'm not mad at you, Soma.
I'm not blaming you either.
I'm furious at Senzaemon.
To: Soma
From: Kyou
Subject: Your question
Time: 9:05 PM
Sorry, And Nakiri and I are doing fine.
Thank you for asking.
To: Kyou
From: Soma
Subject: (No Subject)
Time: 9:17 PM
can I let the others know ur ok?
To: Soma
From: Kyou
Subject: Please
Time: 9:28 PM
Yes, please.
Thanks.
To: Kyou
From: Soma
Subject: (No Subject)
Time: 11:39 PM
dO u know how long youll be gon?
To: Soma
From: Kyou
Subject: A while
Time: 11:44 PM
I'm not sure…
She… doesn't have someone like how I have you and Father.
She never told anyone what happened. She still hasn't told /me/ everything.
But what she has told me… is helping her. Recovering from trauma like this will not be easy, not for her or for me. But… when she's ready… I'll bring in someone close to her to be her support.
Maybe two people actually… Or more…
I'll keep you posted, Soma.
Stay safe and OUT of trouble, okay?
Heyyy, guess who's back!
From this point on, the story will be going in a different direction from cannon – this is when I can truly put my own spin on this series!
As always, feel free to let me know what you all though via Review or PM!