A/N:
@foxchick1: Hahaha. Nice award!
@CAD270895: Someday. It's the reason why Tsuna can't soak in the bath since he's worried Soma will see them and ask about them.
Disclaimer:
Any anime songs, series or movie mentioned is not mine.
Anyway, go on. Don't mind me here.
Chapter Eight
Tsuna closed his notebook with a sigh and pocketed his mechanical pen as he stood up. As the students pour out of the rooms with him, he raised his hands to the air and stretched like a cat. The class was boring. Good thing his next one has a pack of good entertainment.
"Tsuna-kun?"
He looked back to see Erina Nakiri staring at him. He must have passed her without thinking. Well, it's his first time seeing her again after the Don RS Shokugeki. The last time they talked was in the ceremony which was two months ago. It must have been hard for her, huh? Being an Elite Ten member with a busy schedule other than her own classes to attend.
"Nakiri-san. Good morning." He greeted.
"Good morning. How's your classes?" She asked with a small smile.
"It's good." He answered politely. "How are you and Sir Senzaemon?"
She blushed a little, surprised with the question. "I-I'm fine. Ojii-san has workloads but he's faring well."
"Oh. Good to hear." He nodded before bowing a little. "I shall get going, Nakiri-san."
"A-Are you angry?" He stared at her nervous squirming. "I know I've been hard on Yukihira."
"I'm not." He responded. "I admit I was a little annoyed since you wanted to kick him out, but knowing Soma's personality outside our little circle, he can be a good test of patience. I just want you to take it easy on him. He is still a student of Tootsuki with fine culinary skills, Nakiri-san."
"I-I will try." The lady nodded, flushing still.
Tsuna pursed his lips before smiling to the lady, letting go some of his sky flames to calm her. She did. "See you in the training camp, then?"
"Yes." Nakiri replied with a smile of her own. "And please call me Erina. I don't want you to get confused."
"Sure, Erina-chan?"
A flush. "Thank you."
Tsuna beamed before waving goodbye.
He continued on with his day, before meeting Soma in their last class together. It was one of the three classes he had with the redhead. When they got back to the dorms, Soma reminded him to pack his things for the trip. He almost groaned. He didn't want to go. But like Kyouya Hibari, Soma was a force of nature himself and made him pack willingly.
Shun was laughing at him when the former passed by his open door. Surely enjoying his and the redhead's antics. Who wouldn't when either one of them forces the other to do something almost willingly. (He once forced Soma to run with him in the early morning. It was hilarious because a sleepy Soma is a clumsy Soma.)
The next morning, Tsuna did his usual routine with a short run so he could come back to the Polar Star for a last check up on his things (his bag, luggage tag with his name written on it, the pills, contacts, gloves, headphones and phone) and a bath. He wasn't feeling tired like the first two weeks he runs, so he was pretty much active on bantering with the redhead as they made their way out of the dorm.
"Tsunayoshi-kun." Isshiki-sempai called out from the threshold.
"Yes, Sempai?" He asked, hoisting the strap of his duffle bag higher on his right shoulder.
"Take care of them. Especially Soma." The upperclassman said.
Tsuna almost laughed. Even in the life he's walking now, he'll still be the responsible one who needs to look out for the others. Maybe it comes with the previous job description? "Sure thing, Sempai."
"Be careful and come back home safely!" The sempai bid with a smile.
"We will!"
"Tsuna! We're going to leave you if you stay longer!" Soma shouted from afar.
"Will you?!" He shouted back as he ran, earning the redhead some tease from the others.
When they got to the gates, there were a lot of buses parked. It was pretty crowded too. He jerked in surprise when he felt a warm hand slid into his. He looked at Soma who grinned at him cheekily. He bumped his shoulder on Yukihira's but didn't take his hand away. It's a precaution. They want to be in the same bus.
After a few minutes of waiting, they were told that they were arranged by name. Tsuna's hand tightened around Soma who squeezed his in assurance as they waited. Both sighed in relief when they heard that they're on the same bus. They went on board and sat on a pair of empty seats. He let the redhead take the side with the window while he's on the aisle. He just has this feeling that he needs to take that side.
He pulled out his phone and the accompanied headset as other students settled in. Putting on the buds, he clicked 'shuffle' on his music app. He was going to lean back when a hand reached for his other bud and took it out. Soma put it on his ear and took his phone.
"Eh. I didn't know you're in anime." The cook commented while checking his playlist.
"You recognize the song?" He queried, a little astonished.
"Yeah. Gundam, right? It was a good series." Then the redhead bobbed his head to the beat. "This is a great opening sound track."
"I know. It has that action vibes." He agrees, a little happy that someone can relate to his little addiction.
The next song slid in.
"Ah. Your lie in April." Soma guessed.
"Did you say Your lie in April?" The girl in front asked them, twisting in her seat to look at them. There's a glim of interest and happy relate in her eyes. "It was one of the saddest anime I ever watched!"
"Yeah! I really thought she was going to live! Then bam! She died! Do you know how painful that was?" Soma dramatically leaned his head against the window with dejected look and aura. "I even had a crush on her. Why?"
"Little busters was as sad as it is." Tsuna chirped.
"Oh no." The guy from the other side of the aisle shook his head, pain written all over his face. "Don't remind me of how painful it is for a group to split up."
"Like that one time-"
The students in the bus groaned, cutting him off. It made him chuckle.
"Oh. Naruto!" Soma snapped his fingers in remembrance when they started to hear the opening instruments of Blue Bird.
Tsuna laughed and let their bus mates talk about anime with Soma as the vehicle drove away from the school premises. He chirps here 'n there to remove some tensions and give a new subject to talk about. It was fun. At least in his presence, the students' anger on Soma gets forgotten. Some of the boys even sang along with the redhead at most songs, forming a little band while the girls acted like fans and hummed with them. It was really fun.
It was a long ride and the talks were still in there. His playlist isn't even over yet when they got to their destination. Their peers patted their backs and greeted them goodbye when they passed to get inside the hotel. The two only smiled back in return (Soma sometimes greets back).
"Sawada! Yukihira!" Sakaki shouted for them with Yuki waving her hands at them.
Tsuna laughed when Soma took his hand again before they ran for the group. He grinned at Shun who smiled a little. Another Kyouya Hibari too.
"How was your trip?" Shun questioned, sliding next to him as Soma talked to the girls.
"It was eventful." He answered before waving at a group of boys who shouted his name to get his attention. "Had a good time remembering anime shows."
"You're into that?" Shun blinked through his bangs. Tsuna got tempted of telling him about his dame days, but he backed down. No one needs to know that. "You don't give the impression of such."
"It's probably the face." The brunet joked, earning a snicker from the auburn.
"As expected from a rich school." Both looked at Soma who said that with an exasperated expression. "They even have a great hotel like this one."
That was the time Tsuna looked at the building Soma was pertaining. He blinked and marvelled the huge establishment. It is grand and looked so maintained that it could almost hurt his eyes. Damn. If it was a brand of weirdness, he won't bat a eyelash. But this kind of grand? The only time he saw such was when he visited Nono in his hotel.
"Tootsuki is the parent organization of all hotels and Ryokan of this area." Shun informed causing Tsuna to make an 'o' with his mouth.
"I see... Nothing I hear surprises me anymore." Soma nodded sagely.
Tsuna sweat dropped. "Of course. They even have exaggerated buildings in the academy."
"True true." The redhead agrees.
"Dozens of inns are managed by a brand named Tootsuki resorts. There are a lot of cases of academy graduates finding employment on the cooking department of these resorts. Only on this season they don't accept guests and they're used for training camps." Shun elaborated further.
Tsuna raised a hand to gain the auburn's attention. "In normal days, how much does a room cost?"
"One night costs eighty thousand yen." Shun answered nonchalantly.
Tsuna's mouth went gape as Soma and Yuki shouted their reactions. "Damn."
"Eh! We're really staying here?! I'm getting excited!" Yuki exclaimed as they got in.
Tsuna removed his bag when a bellhop took their bags. He said a small 'thank you' that he knew the man appreciated with the way he beamed.
"Only if we can survive today's assignment." Shun remarked to Yuki's excitement, causing the latter to deflate and Tsuna to laugh.
"You whisper things that can ruin the mood, Ibusaki." The orange haired girl scolded the auburn who looked at her with deadpan.
"I'm a realist." Shun countered that agitated Yuki more. "Look, we have to gather soon."
Tsuna was about to follow the two when he remembered that Soma, Tadokoro and Sakaki weren't with them. He was about to turn around when he felt his intuition telling him to dodge. He stepped to the right. Soma came flying, hugging himself in mid-air. The redhead staggered forward before stopping and looked back to him.
They stared at each other.
When the door opened, Tsuna went for a run just in tune to Soma, who chased after him. He dodged around then went behind Shun who sighed. The brunet laughed when the redhead tried to get him from both sides, almost hugging the auburn. What he didn't expect was when Ibusaki ducked just as Yukihira tried to reach him again. The girls laughed when he shot a betrayed look to Shun while Soma tapped him on the shoulder.
Pouting a little, he let Soma gain some distance before he started to run. Soma went comical and tried to run faster but he got him. He laughed breathlessly, slinging an arm around the redhead and give the top of his head a noogie with his knuckles.
"You're it!" Tsuna said with triumph.
"Okay okay!" Soma laughed and looked up to him. "I'm sorry. You were so defenseless that I wanted to startle you."
"Uh-huh. And it worked perfectly."
"Sheesh-! Oh. Hey! It's Nikumi!"
The pertained 'Nikumi' turned around to see who called her. Tsuna recognized the lady as Ikumi Mito. He let go of Soma so the latter can greet the girl, who blushed at the attention and embarrassment. But Soma didn't really let him go. The redhead took his hand and tugged him forward to present him to the lady.
"Tsuna, this is Nikumi. She's the one who I cooked against in the Shokugeki." Soma introduced with a beam. "Nikumi, this is Tsunayoshi Sawada. Tsuna is okay for him."
"Nice to meet you." The brunet greeted with a small bow. "I watched your showdown. You really did good, Mito-san."
"A-Ah." The lady flushed. "Thank you."
"No, Tsuna." Soma shook his shoulders. "It's Nikumi."
"Yukihira! Why are you calling her by her nickname?!" Yuki questioned from their left.
"Maybe he had her consent?" Tsuna suggested as he looked at the ranga. "Right?"
"I had her consent, right Nikumi?" The redhead said as he looked at Mito with a beam.
Mito blushed. "Like hell you did!"
Tsuna was about to reprimand Soma for taking someone for granted when he noticed the stares and murmurs directed to them. The urge to protect tugged him when he heard his name and Soma's being uttered as if they're doing something wrong. He slung an arm around the redhead's shoulder and pulled him closer whilst looking around.
He didn't see the way those yellow eyes looked up to him in shock and appreciation. The way those green eyes and blue ones looked at him in respect and admiration for protecting Soma. Nor how his eyes went amber in threat and protection.
"Be careful for me, Soma." He whispered and looked at his friend. "You're the only one left for me."
"I will." Soma whispered in return.
"Promise?" He queried and raised his right hand pinky.
The ranga snickered. "So childish. But yeah. I promise." And he looped his own pinky to the brunet's.
They didn't see the way Yuki and Mito smiled.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen." They all eyed the stage where Chapelle-sensei stood.
Tsuna let go of Soma but the latter, like always, slid his hand to his. The redhead squeezed his hand reassuringly that he answered back with a soft squeeze.
"Pay attention to the stage. I'm going to explain the outline of the training camp." Chapelle-sensei said through the mic while giving them stern gazes.
The students stopped talking among themselves and payed attention.
"Now, the friendship and rapport training lodging is scheduled to be five nights and six days. Everyday you'll be given an assignment related to cooking. The contents of these assignments vary every year. On the first day, the nine hundred eighty-one students will be separated into twenty groups. After this explanation is done, each of you must go to the place you're appointed to." The teacher paused as he surveyed them before continuing. "If the lecturers' evaluations go below a certain line, that student is disqualified. Those students will be forcibly sent home on board of the buses that go to the academy and they will be expelled.
"About the judging, we invited guest lecturers." That announcement elated some murmurs. "As busy as they are, they gathered here just for today." Another survey from the teacher. "They're the Tootsuki Academy alumni."
Tsuna and Soma glanced at each other when the students went murmuring about how great the Academy's alumni. The brunet shrugged, accepting that fact as he remembered what Senzaemon Nakiri said about plucking out the gems among normal people. That there's only one percent who will reach the top and be exemplar on their chosen cuisine.
The door opened on the right side of the stage. Chefs ranging from boys to girls, ages and nationalities came walking in. Tsuna shuffled closer to Soma who squeezed his hand again.
"You're incredibly nervous today, Tsuna." Soma hummed.
"Can't help it. One wrong move, we're expelled." He murmured back.
"Hmm." They looked back to the stage and to the male chef with magenta hair and black glasses. "You on the tenth line starting from the front."
Tsuna did a quick math and landed on Soma.
"The boy with a scar on the eyebrow." The chef said. Soma, the ever innocent and naive one, pointed at himself causing Tsuna to tense up. "Ah sorry sorry. The one next to him." The brunet relaxed when those brown eyes shifted to the boy next to Soma. "That's right, you."
A bout of silence as the kid pointed at himself.
"You're expelled." The chef said with no pretense. "You may go home. Your hairdresser has a citrus smell. That may overshadow the food's aroma." He elaborated and raised a finger with a kind smile on his lips as if he was teaching. "Being stylish is a must. If the person who makes the food is out of style, the food won't have any sensuality. But starting next time, you should pick a free-scented hair liquid."
"Wa-Wait! Please! What expelled? Just because of this-"
The man glared down at the student with so much ferocity. "You can lose a client just because of that. Do you want to shut down my shop?"
The student froze in his place for a sec before he slumped down in defeat.
The chef turned around. "Good job, student."
Tsuna took a deep breath. That scared him. He thought it was Soma the chef was pertaining. He's not being clingy with all honesty. But what he said to Soma was true. The redhead is all he has right now. He doesn't have anyone to be with. He's all alone. And being expelled will not get him anywhere. Once he's out there, he'll be a target of assassins. He also knows the danger of pulling Soma in his life. But for once, before he can stand up on his own again, he wants to grasp to that only hope he can have. To the only person he can be with before he gets dragged to his life again.
So if Soma gets expelled, he'll quit. That's that.
Focusing on what's in front of him, he listened to the whispers of his peers. He gathered that the alumnus who expelled the student awhile ago is known as Kojirou Shinomiya, a French restaurant owner with the name 'Shino's'. There are more chefs too that excels in different cuisine, like Fuyumi Mizuhara that has an Italian restaurant.
He laughed when Tadokoro got caught up with two different chefs, Gotouda Donato and Hinako Inui. He does agree to their opinion, Tadokoro is a definition of simplicity.
"Welcome to Tootsuki Resort." A bald man in suits said through the mic. Tsuna could practically feel the authority and charisma of the man as the latter smirked at them challengingly. "All the alumni that gathered today are all chefs of their own shops. For the six days of this training camp, they will be treating you as if you are employees of their shop. Do you understand what this means?"
Tsuna cringed at the next sentence.
"People whose work can't satisfy us are fired." With an emphasis of beheading with his thumb crossing his neck horizontally. "As you could see, you maybe forced to leave immediately depending on the lecturers' discretion. I wish you the best of luck. Now," He moved his head to the door. "start moving!"
The students rushed.
"See you!" Yuki shouted as she moved.
"Yeah!" Shun agreed as he walked for the lecturer who called his name.
"Yeah! We're having a card tournament at Marui's room tonight!" Soma announced, still holding his hand.
Tsuna snickered when Marui complained. "We don't have to gather in my room in times like this, right?!"
"See you, Marui-san." He bid as the studious one among them went off with a pout. He, then, raised a brow on the redhead beside him. "Are you going to let go of my hand anytime soon, Soma?"
"Hmm." The ranga hummed, tightening his hold a little before slowly letting his hand go. "Just taking some of your luck and happiness."
"What did you give me in return then?" He asked, eyeing Fuyumi Mizuhara who called his name. Lucky.
"My unwavering strength and enthusiasm!" The redhead answered with cheer.
Tsuna grinned. "Okay then. Survive?"
"Survive."
Then they high-fived before parting ways.
