Before Everything Else

Abel, Lucie, and Wei got all galled, then they gasped, then felt relieved as if they were an audience in a movie as Shinomiya shared the full story of what happened between him and Amy.

The audio wasn't too clear, the volume was soft, but they could hear the blackmailing part, which is more than enough for the three to cuss with the most despicable terminologies one can hear in French. Shinomiya straightened them back to focus on the matters at hand with some final reminders before he takes off.

"I don't think she'll do anything, but I'm leaving it all to you, Abel." Shinomiya tried to gauge any possible backlash from what he did, but he and Abel have planned it all too well that they can manage anything at this point.

"Yes, Chef." Abel answered as he made backup copies of the recording. Not that they'll need it, but they can never be too prepared.

Megumi hasn't spoken a word since they arrived at the restaurant, even as Wei tends to her wounds, or even after hearing Shinomiya's side of the story of what happened here in his office.

"Megumi-chan, take it easy then try to disinfect again when you get home, alright?" said Wei keeping the first aid kit.

"Thank you, Wei-san." said Megumi seated on a chair, still numb of her surroundings.

"Megumi-chan, should we all go home together?" Lucie offered.

Megumi turned to Shinomiya who's still packing up a few documents into a bag.

Why are you making me lose you again?

"I'll stay here for a bit, Lucie-san. Thank you..." she replied trying to spark a little energy.

"I'll take care of her. You can all go ahead." said Shinomiya as he walked out of the office with his staff.

Megumi saw Abel, Lucie, and Wei wave at her before the door closed.

With nobody else in the office, Megumi was left alone again with her thoughts.

She stood up and approached one corner where a few awards were displayed. Notable accomplishments indeed. Half of them awarded to Shino's Tokyo, and the other half to Shinomiya himself. He has many more in his office in Paris, and there's room left reserved when he achieves his current goals.

She moved to another corner where a few pictures were framed on the wall. Two of them, she saw herself beside him along with his staff.

She reminisced those days with them in Paris. It was so much like hanging out with the good folks in her hometown. The people at Shino's Tokyo too, now has a special place in her heart. All these lovely cooks she met through her senpai, including Herve and Rebecca, his rivals in Paris, the storeowners of his favorite hangouts... There were too many to mention.

If they end things now, does she need to say goodbye to these people? Since when did his world conquered a huge part of her?

"They're asking how you are, by the way."

Megumi flinched. She was so focused that she didn't even notice him enter the room.

Shinomiya now back on his desk rechecking everything he required to bring with him for tomorrow's flight. He fastened the last lock on his bag.

"I'm done here." he said still eyeing on the lock.

Every second that ticked, the awkwardness exalted itself, and it was killing him. "Megumi, you have to say something. I don't want to leave things like this with you."

Megumi's hands overlapped together ashamed. "Sorry, senpai... I'm just embarrassed..."

"I'll be the only one to hear it, so go on." he said, his attention now on her.

Megumi hesitantly faced him. She took a deep breath, then opened up all the sources of her shame. The interview, how she got so upset she deleted their messages, how and when her memories returned, the incident at the ryokan and why she ran. These revelations were making her relive through all the disgrace, but her senpai listened to her without interrupting her.

"How embarrassing..." she covered her face as soon as she's done.

She was already bracing herself for his scolding. He'd probably blame her for acting so impulsively without even talking to him properly.

Instead, that familiar warmth blanketed her. She peeled her hands from her face as she's being taken into a possessive embrace. Her upper body was being pressed against his as he tightened his hold.

"What will it take for me to make you feel better?" he asked. She heard a hint of his desperation earlier waking up again.

Megumi separated from him, taking a few steps back.

"I..." Megumi avoided his gaze. "I want to know if you still feel the same about me as back then..."

Because at this point, she liked him too much to be absorbed into his world like this. It wouldn't hurt so much if it was just another person passing by her life. A crush? Puppy love? Someone she likes? All these labels were too shallow to describe how much he significantly transformed everything around her, and how much her world now relies on him in so many ways to have more meaning.

"My feelings for you back then is nothing compared to how I feel for you now." he said firmly.

Megumi swallowed with anticipation, eyes on him. "Then..."

"I love you, Megumi." he said with much yearning, but more certain than anything else. "Even if it's not the right time, that's how I feel. If it makes you doubtful then, I'm making it clear to you now."

Megumi couldn't process what she just heard, and somehow, she wanted to cry, but not out of pain. Her happiness spilled.

Before she could say anything else, he was already moving forward towards her.

"Hey..." He grasped on her shoulders upholding her so she can still stand in one piece.

"I'm just too happy..." Megumi now wiped her tears with a sleeve before it could further slide down her face.

Shinomiya lightly chuckled. He bent over to her, their noses almost touching, sending shivers all over her spine. Megumi gulped as she realized that they are now sharing her personal space again. Her energy drained at the idea of him possibly closing the almost non-existent gap between their faces, and if he did, there was no one else here in the restaurant to stop him.

"Senpai... This might not be a good time..." She muffled her excuse, even though she wasn't against what might happen. Her cheeks now pinkishly flared.

"Tell me what to do then." Still holding her arms, his eyes intendedly pierced through her, dictating her to confront him. "I already told you how I feel. If it's not the same for you, I'll stop everything now and you won't have to hear from me again."

"N-no... Please don't say that..." she quickly replied. It wasn't fair that he's playing a mind game where she can't win nor escape.

Her head crouched and she pawed on his chest clamping on his shirt near his collar, hard enough that she might have to say sorry if it left a wrinkle later. "Please don't go..."

One hand now transferred up to trace the lining of her jaw with his fingers. The light touch trickled down then stopped on her chin to tilt her face up to once again align her vision with his.

"Hn." she whimpered as his fingertips slid on her skin. It was barely a syllable, but it was the sound of a hidden unpure urge to answer his tease, convincing her to tell him that deep down, she wants this too.

His gaze is asking what he should do next. "We don't have much time left. I am leaving tomorrow after all."

Tomorrow... but what about now? How long will it take for them to have another chance like this?

How can I answer him?

She could barely articulate anything. With this, Megumi turned to something beyond her words, and so she took a chance allowing her mind and her heart to drive her fists to nudge on his shirt, slowly pulling him towards her; Her eyes closed, she narrowed the few inches left between them until their lips finally tipped on each other, then softly mingled.

Shinomiya really was just teasing her, but then the second she pulled him in, he conceded. He blinded himself to further feel the tenderness of these pink luscious lips that tempted him a few times before, and he can now taste the enslaving sweetness of it. Wanting more, he parted his mouth to fully lock it with hers which innocently quivered. He could tell she has not done this before, and he had more than the pleasure to take the lead, but... Is this right..?

It wasn't, but he bargained with himself.

Just for today... It's just a kiss...

He continued to fervently relish on this newfound sweet craving as their longing for one another found its way through their arms. He ungripped her hands on his shirt guiding her to cling them around his neck then he enveloped her waist.

She rose up to her toes in response, and somehow it aided him to kiss her harder, her heart pounded wildly, making it difficult for her to breathe. She attempted to break their kiss by opening her mouth for some air, but his tongue entered not sparing her to catch a breath, and it danced with hers in a way that she thought there could never be anything more blissful. Heat welled up inside her. Her mind now swims into a dizzy world, her legs weakened the deeper their kiss progressed.

There was nothing she could do.

There was nothing more he could ever want.

They melted against each other's desires, intertwining themselves into that hunger to share each other's affection, all thoughtless of what happened, or what will happen.

Still, it can't last. After some time, Shinomiya's hold on her waned, then he slowly yet unwantingly broke off their heated passion now having a view of Megumi in a drunk-like state. It had to stop, because being alone with her in his office, late at night, and her having no resistance against him... All these extremely dangerous waters reminded him that he should have more control before he does anything beyond regretful, and unlawful, moreover, stupid. Nope. He can't be stupid.

Too lost to realize that they're still in his office, Megumi's hands pawed again on his chest. She never thought that a kiss could feel this heavenly.

Shinomiya slid a hand up to caress her reddened face, his other arm still around her. This would probably be the most fragile expression she's shown him, but in a good way. "You still haven't said anything."

"Sorry..." she whispered still in a dreamy state.

He brushed her wet lips with his fingers. "That's not what I want to hear..."

"Senpai..." His fingers on her lower lip have their way of drawing out her honesty. "I love you..."

Shinomiya tinted a smile then gently planted a kiss on her forehead.

Author's Note:

So this chapter happened.

I've read it a few times, and I'm not exactly sure how to feel about it. Did I hold back enough? Is it too much?

I am not sure, but let me know what you think.

The only thing I know is that there are only 3 chapters left to upload. They're half-baked at this point, but the story is complete, and the remaining chapters will be up one at a time over the next few weeks. Good thing too, because I'm in the middle of a heartbreak, so I am not completely set to coming up with new ideas.