I realized that I keep switching between "nii-san" and "elder brother" when it comes to what Isami calls Takumi. I don't know which one to keep.
Isami learned that the second years did not get to rest during the Autumn Elections.
What they had to do was similar to what they had to do during the summer. However, instead of the beach setting they were put in groups and set upon various cities. Their task was to run a shop for a week with each other. That meant they had to set up the work shifts, food, and the environment in what was a relatively quiet part of whatever town they were in.
Someone had been watching the second years to see who associated with who and made sure to put virtual strangers together. So Isami vaguely knew who he was grouped with. Of course, they knew him. Having a brother with the looks and status as Takumi, being good friends with several other well-known people in the school, and being a former rebel from the Central regimen would make anyone stand out. There were two girls that found out too quickly that they shared an interest in Takumi and harassed him half the time about his brother. There was also another male on the team who just disliked him just because of his popularity. The guy found fault in basically every single thing that Isami did and made sure that half Italian knew it. Isami spent a lot of mental energy to keep his usual easy-going persona around his hellish partners.
It only took two days for word to spread that students from the greatest cooking school in the world had stationed in the city park. Crowds soon popped up. Isami somehow got the downtime hours, which were longer shifts. His asshole partner had been the scheduler, thinking that he was punishing the half Italian with the increased hour slots. However, Isami learned that it was one of the best things that could have happened during this event. He still occasionally helped during the busy shifts, which was hard because of how his partners were. However, most of his shifts were spent alone, as the other three were resting before their times. There was no rush to make food, so he was able to be a bit more creative with the menu.
The customers that came around during his shifts were also very nice. His favorites were an elderly couple that took a daily walk in this park. They always sat at the table nearby and included him in conversations while he was making their food. He couldn't help but admire the way that they were sweet on each other and how easily they made each other laugh. They were just comfortable in their relationship.
He hoped that he and Megumi would be like that in many years to come.
Takumi had called him in the middle of the week so that they could exchange updates on their situations. The Elite Ten was in their own sort of hell as well. Not only did they had to oversee the first years, but they also had to feed whatever guests had come with the judges, which numbered in the hundreds, and keep up with the normal tasks required of them all while staying at the same hotel the guests were in. His brother was even nice enough to tell him about the status of everyone else in the Elite Ten other than Yukihira. He had his brother give a bit more detail on Megumi's condition, as the only updates that he had from her was a single emoji each night. Turns out the poor girl had been singled out by many of the foreign guests to make their food because of her "hospitality specialty" and was exhausted to the point she fell asleep in whatever position she was relaxing in. Either Yukihira or Isshiki had to carry her to bed.
The last day was awful, as they had their biggest crowd yet because word had gotten around that they were leaving. All four of them had to work the whole day, and of course, he had to deal with the asshole partner with high stress for hours. They easily made their goal, but Isami could feel that he was on his last nerve. At least he got to talk to his favorite customers one last time, which calmed him down enough to say polite goodbyes to his team when they reached the campus. The asshole walked off without a reply, which was fine by him. Isami also cut off any more questions from the fangirls as he got into the school car to take him back home.
Takumi had returned a day earlier and was working out with their free-standing boxing bag in their apartment when the brown-haired brother came home. The older Aldini took one look at his brother's disheveled state and gestured towards the bag. Isami dropped whatever he was holding and silently walked up to the black mass. A few more moments of silence passed before he let out a scream and whaled on the equipment in front of him. Once he felt his arms unable to move, he glanced at his brother.
"I'm tired." He said in a flat voice.
The younger twin then proceeded to fall to the ground and was unconscious for the next five hours.
Two days later, the twins were walking to Polar Star in the cool early autumn air. Yesterday, they had decided to stay in and do various recreational things that did not have to do with cooking or associating with other people. They needed to recharge. They would have done the same thing again today if Yukihira had not texted the both of them to come over for another Polar Star party. Of course, they immediately agreed to the time that was suggested to go over there.
"I noticed something." Takumi broke the brief silence that had fallen between them as they waited for someone to open the door. "It's a bit earlier than the usual time we meet up for these events."
"Maybe they want to start earlier?" Isami shrugged.
"Just saying." The twins turned their attention back to the entrance as the door opened. Isami brightened at the sight of Megumi being their greeter.
"Afternoon." She opened the door wider to let the boys in. They both said their greetings as they passed her. Isami could immediately tell something was up by how quiet the house was. He knew Takumi could sense it as well as his expression changed.
"Everyone is in the dining room."
"Why?" The twins asked simultaneously.
"Soma didn't tell you?"
"All he told us was to be here around 3." Isami showed her the text on his phone.
"Hey! You guys coming?" The red head in question strode up to the trio.
"You didn't tell them?" Megumi folded her arms, disappointment clearly on her face.
"Nah. I wanted them to be surprised."
"Yukihira…" Takumi was about to go off on him, but the words died on his tongue as the red head grabbed a hold of his wrist.
"Let's go!" He said, dragging the blond towards the dining room.
"L-let go of me!" Takumi stuttered, successfully pulling his wrist free. "I can walk myself."
Megumi sighed, and Isami was able to catch the exhausted expression on her face before she went after the duo. Isami followed, managing to catch her hand for a quick squeeze before they joined the others. He was able to catch the smile on her face as she squeezed back before they let go to enter the dining room.
The rest of their friends were sitting at the dining table, chatting amicably among themselves with cups of tea in front of them. Well, almost the rest of their friends. Isami immediately noticed the absence of the non-Polar Star residents, even though it was mentioned that they were to be invited. He stood by his brother at the entrance as Soma and Megumi went to join their dorm mates at the table. Their chatter stopped almost immediately and expectant gazes were shot their way. Isami could not help but feel slightly nervous as they stared awkwardly back.
"What happened?" Yoshino broke the silence and leaned forward until half her body was over the table, somehow not spilling the cup in front of her. "Did you guys agree?"
"To what?" The younger twin tilted his head.
"'To what?' What do you mean 'to what?'?"
"Soma didn't tell them anything." Megumi clarified. Annoyed grunts and moans came from the rest of the group as the orange haired female glared at Yukihira.
"You said that you would take care of it!"
"I did. I told them to come over at this time and they did."
"Yes, but you should have told them why they were asked to come earlier than the rest of the guests." Isami could discern Sakaki's voice among the jeers and whines sent towards Yukihira. The redhead remained unfazed, though.
"That would have been nice to know." Takumi hissed.
"Now, now." Isshiki interjected, effectively calming everyone down. "I'm sure Soma did the right thing in not telling them in text. Announcements like this should be told in person, don't you guys think?" Mumbles of agreement came from the rest of the residents.
"I'm confused." Takumi confessed.
"Me, too." Isami waved a hand to grab everyone's attention. "How do we join the club that knows what's going on?"
"Ha ha!" With two spins, the apron-clad senior was directly in front of them. "It's easy. All you have to do is join Polar Star!" He exclaimed. The twins peeked from behind the eccentric brunet. The rest of the dorm residents watched them with hopeful expressions.
"You're asking us to move in with you guys?" Takumi said it slow, as if he wasn't completely sure if he got the message.
"Yeah!" Sato confirmed. "You guys are practically two of us."
"We tried to ask Nikumi as well, but she said that where she lives is better to get her supplies." Yoshino pouted.
"They still have to pass my test if they want to board here." Fumio interjected. "No exceptions."
"So, when are you moving in?" Yukihira had sidled up to Takumi and was nudging the blond with his elbow.
"Don't just assume that we're moving in!" Takumi huffed, pushing Yukihira away. "W-we haven't even thought about this yet."
"But we've talked about it before. You even agreed that it would be beneficial to us." Isami reminded him.
"But-" Isami caught the glance his brother gave to a certain redhead and connected the dots to the sudden hesitation.
Oh no. Oh hell no.
Isami was not going to let his brother's tsundere side take over this decision.
"Please, Nii-chan? I want to, and it will be weird not to have you here."
Takumi was also a walking disaster when left alone for too long but Isami was smart enough not to say that out loud.
The blond stared him down for a few moments before sighing.
"When can we start the cooking test to move in, Fumio-san?"
