Chapter 16: Where Do I Go from Here?

"Sōma Yukihira... w-w-why are you here?"

Sōma grimaced as he took in the form, frown and puffy red eyes of Hisako Arato as he climbed into the school black sedan car that was going to take them towards the first stage of the Stagiaire internships.

Sitting cross-legged in her seat, with her arms folded across her chest, Hisako looked as if she had just been slapped in the face with a wet fish. As much as he tried to get to know her better, Sōma continued to find himself given the cold shoulder by Erina Nakiri's secretary.

He wasn't offended by the rebukes to his offer of friendship, on the contrary her actions only increased his resolve to finally breakthrough to her that he wasn't what she believed. Or more appropriately, what Erina believed him to be. He was perfectly aware that the tenth seat of the council didn't like his cooking style and that he had come from a low status family eatery. They were probably the reasons why she held an intense dislike and disdain towards him. Or so he believed, and for some reason, Hisako was being bound to follow her friends example.

Sōma was at a loss to understand why Erina was soo hell bent towards having him expelled, as well as why she held all low ranked restaurants in disdain. Also, he could tell that his presence annoyed the God Tongue profusely. But for the sake of his culinary adventure, and his wish to take the top spot at Tōtsuki, he had banished that line of thought to the back burner of his mind. Choosing instead to concentrate on his cooking and progressing as far as possible through Tōtsuki to gain a seat on the Council of Ten.

However, whilst these goals remained strong and stable, since his loss at the Fall Selection and then subsequently realising his feelings for Megumi, he had gained an even more important goal.

He wanted to stay and graduate Tōtsuki alongside his girlfriend; and the rest of their friends. This new decision resulted in him being more restrained in food war situations: agreeing when he really wanted to participate or declining when he felt that the odds were too far stacked against him. Which could lead to him having it leave Tōtsuki. And Megumi.

Moreover, since finding out from Subaru Mimasaka, before the food war against Takumi, about Hisako's culinary style, Sōma had been greatly intrigued by the rose haired girl. Medicinal cooking certainly had certainly piqued his attention, and it was clear to all that Hisako possessed great skill. Of which he had tried many times to show his acknowledgment of, through smiles and positive words of encouragement but Sōma had still been unable to get her to change so much as smile or frown at him. At best Hisako Arato was a begrudging acquaintance, and at worst she was totally indifferent.

Also it as clear to Sōma that she was similar to Megumi, in regards to unconsciously holding themselves back due to their adoration of someone else. For Megumi it was her brother, Kenosuke, and for Hisako it was Erina. And the redhead boy was determined to help bring out both girls culinary potential.

Sitting down next to her in the back seats of the car, Sōma placed his rucksack in the well by his feet and looked at Hisako with a quizzical expression on his face. "I thought that was obvious Miss secretary", he responded to her shocked flustered question.

"I'm here for the Stagiaire, and as it turns out you're my assigned partner". The look he received back from Hisako was one of prolonged thoughtfulness to withering acceptance. "Please ensure that your seatbelts are done up", the driver exclaimed before he began to edge the car out of the main school car park and on to the main road towards downtown Tokyo.

"Hey...", Sōma asked Hisako, "do you know where we are being sent?" Usually Hisako was very good at ignoring the redhead boy but today she found that her mind was too preoccupied. Her loss to Akira Hayama, her subsequent resignation from Erina's side; the manner of which it occurred. Erina's angry outburst and her unanswered pleas for her to talk, were weighing heavily on her mind. It was taking all she could do to not break down in tears.

"Hello..." Sōma spoke waving his hand in front of her face, dragging her out from her sadness and into mild annoyance. "Could you please keep your hands out of my face! Sōma Yumihira!" She snapped. The car suddenly braked sending her and Sōma jolting forwards in their seats fortunately they were held back by their seat belts, but her bag fell from her lap and spilled open on the floor revealing its contents, among other things was a practice resignation letter, written on stamped Tōtsuki paper.

Leaning forwards and picking up the fallen items, Sōma caught sight of the letter but before he could try and pretend he hadn't, he heard the girl beside him burst into tears. Handing over the bag and its contents, the young man kept his expression neutral. "Hisako...", he began but found himself cut off by the girls short sharp interjection, before breaking into tears. "Don't you dare!" She yelled, "don't you dare pity me! I lost same as you in the Autumn Elections..."

Her outburst took him by surprise, 'Pity... Is that what she thinks I'm being to her' he was shocked.

"Hisako... you and I, we aren't realy that close. And when ever we see each other it's usually with Erina around, but know this I have never pitied you", he replied firmly. "You are a really good chef... your medicinal cooking style is totally amazing! When I saw you cooking that Hard Shell Tortoise burger, I was blown away by your skills and how collected you were. You are incredible skilled". Sōma grinned as he spoke, trying to show his genuine respect for her cooking. "Seriously, you have to teach me some of your techniques!"

Hisako blinked, wiping away her tears on her jacket sleeve, and looked at the red haired boy before her in a new light. There was no trace of deceit in his words only a passion for food and a large amount of empathy towards her. "Hisako, I'm sorry about you having to leave Erina..." she lowered her head as soon as she realised he had seen the letter, and no doubt put it and her fall selection defeat together. Although she decided that it was best to not tell him that his new relationship was involved in the termination of her secretarial post.

"Did you talk to her? I know I'm not exactly Erina's favourite person, and I would never claim to speak for her but even I can see she wouldn't want her best friend to leave her".

Taking a deep breath, Hiasko looked up at Sōma and saw a soft kind smile on his face staring at her. Genuine kindness and a determination to try and help her. Renewed tears started falling down her face, at realising that the boy was nothing like the 'unsophisticated, ingrate brute' that she had taken him for. So without any regret she began to explain her feelings of shame and about letting Erina down and no longer feeling worthy of being by her side.

"It's just like Akira said", she cried. "Everything about me is 'second rate'. I say that I want to follow Erina and join the Council of Ten but my cooking lacks the ambition to back up my words", she wept. "I've gotten content in my place beside her and... I-I-I don't know how to move forwards. Erina told me that she doesn't work with failures... and she told me to leave".

Without realising it she leant her head down against Sōma's shoulder, continuing her tale. "All I ever wanted was to be with Erina, and now I'm nothing but a disgrace in her eyes..."

Hisako suddenly stopped as she felt an arm wrap itself around her shoulders, and a voice whisper into her ear. "You don't know how Erina feels", Sōma contrasted, "get through whatever this Stagiaire internship turns out to be and then go talk to her. Prove that you are still capable of moving forwards". Suddenly Sōma broke off the hug and picked up his rucksack. "Here I promised Erina that I would somehow get to her the latest copies of a certain manga, and my girlfriend happens to read the same. So if I give them to you, then tat give you an excuse to go and see her".

Taking a paper bag from his rucksack he handing them over to the rose haired girl, smiling as he noticed tears of happiness spilling down her face. Seeing the light returning to her face, a look of renewed conviction, was felt so right.

"I-I-I thank you... Sōma", Hisako exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in tearful happy exuberance. "I'm sorry for how I've been treating, and acting around you", she spoke hugging the manga close to her chest. The keys to once again getting close to Erina. "It's okay, miss secretary", he japed making her elbow him, laughing as she did.

"You know what Sōma", she whispered, "I'm kinda jealous of Megumi right now... but I know a strong relationship when I see one. So I'll be happy with just this". Leaning forwards she placed a gentle kiss to his cheek, laughing as she noticed a blush spread across his surprised face.

"Thank you, Sōma. You're a real friend".

—-

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R.I.P Dame Vera Lynn