This…. Is a bit long coming.
A bit? LMAO! Nah It ain't a bit no?
I'm honestly surprised that some of you are waiting for this story to update
I ALSO waited myself to update this story lol. Reasons? I'm caught up to Black Clover and somehow the manga diminished my inspirations to update this story.
But don't worry, I won't be making Black Clover fanfic soon. I decided to keep this story alive and give it a proper ending. I invested too much in this story, it's a waste if I left it like this.
I know the feeling of reading an abandoned story with such an amazing plot
I mean, I don't see mine to have an "amazing plot" tho HAHAHAHA, but I assure you it ain't abandoned!
Anyways I have more to share at the bottom hehe ON TO THE STORY!
Disclaimer: SNS ain't mine
Chapter 5: Walk the Night
Asahi and Erina froze to see the redheaded chef in front of them. No words escaped from their mouth.
If someone saw the three of them, they might think they have a staring competition, but also might run away from such heavy atmosphere around the three known chefs.
But the latter can't be said the same for Soma, as for him though, he looked at Asahi first then unto Erina. Not sure why the two of them are looking at him like that. He figured that maybe because of his injury.
"Ah" Soma spoke first, letting Asahi and Erina break out from their trance. "If the two of you are thinking about my injury, it's okay the nurse said I'll be fine" the redhead said nonchalantly.
Asahi then looked at his "rival's" injury. "O-Oh uhm…" but couldn't speak freely, as the atmosphere was weighing down at him so he blurted out "Erina and I are half-siblings"
The honey-blonde haired princess winced. Not sure what to speak.
Soma just tilted his head and chuckled "Not surprising!" as he moves forward towards the two "Both of you looks awkward so I guess that explains a lot!" Soma announced cheerfully
It ticked the young God's Tongue herself as her cheeks puffed "I don't look awkward!"
"You are!" Soma rebutted back while smiling. Asahi smiled at the two.
"So are you not bothered by us being siblings?" The raven haired guy asked Soma, mentally preparing himself for the redhead's answer.
For some reason, Soma tried his hardest not to drop his small smile on his face. As he remembered the reason why he planned all things out.
A tool
Not letting his eyes falter in sadness for a second, he relaxed a bit as his posture changed.
"No, why would I be?" Again, in a nonchalant way. Soma said it naturally.
Erina scanned Soma's golden orbs, to which she found that there were no lies nor frustrations. But she did find an unsettling barrier.
She guessed that barrier might have been from his mother death anniversary. Which was still fresh of a day.
And now that her family is complete, she didn't want to unintentionally let Soma see it that way. Besides, he's the reason why Erina accepted Asahi as his elder brother. She smiled at that thought.
Part of her was relieved that Soma didn't mind it that much, but also there's a small part of her that he'll get defensive considering his encounter with her older half-brother.
Why would she think about Soma getting defensive? Maybe because of the fantasies Alice provided her about, Soma protecting her like a knight would do for a princess.
She cursed Alice for that wonderfully embarrassing of a fantasy.
Her cheeks were starting to redden as she heard Soma speak.
"It seems that you two have something to do, I might as well be going now" The redhead said as he raised his uninjured arm to bid farewell at the two half-siblings.
"Okay I'll see you soon!" Erina blurted out unknowingly. Soma just looked at her amethyst eyes as he chuckled a bit.
"Seriously little sister?" Asahi grinned, amused by his lil sister's action.
"W-what!? There's no hidden meaning behind it!" the princess squealed as Asahi laughed.
"Did I even mention if there was?" The ex-Noir chef grinned mischievously
"Waaahh!"
Asahi, for his part, was glad that their interaction turned out well. And if his little sister was going to be this flustered towards the boy, whom he had also called as his little brother. He wouldn't mind that piece of entertainment. And moreover, he's looking forward for his new life as part of Nakiri Clan and to the part where he may meet Joichiro and interacting with his son as well.
It is still class hours, like any usual days, classrooms are filled either with boring lectures or filled with multiple aromas of dishes prepared by students.
Some of these spicy aromas escaped from the windows and faintly lies on outside air. In which such aroma that the scarred brow chef can smell.
He was now on a bench, trying to get some sleep like he usually would. But again, he was left spaced out.
So while he's like that, he tried to think deeply. His encounter with Erina and her newfound half-brother made him realize that she'll be alright. Soma is after all, not entitled to her.
His heart might say something like wanting the princess' attention, but he tried to set that beside.
He doesn't believe that he's important to Erina anyways.
That phrase still lies as truth that he doesn't belong here and isn't meant to be here.
Few days passed and weekend is almost there. Alice was excited about the vacation because one, it is fun to hang out with the group again and two, as her aunt Mana-sama had also invested to it – the plan to bring Erina and Soma even closer than before made the white vixen's excitement rose more.
She was giddy at the thought of it that Ryo was looking at his lady a bit concerned. Then again, his ojou is after all, problematic in some ways. Something that is apparent in this family.
These past few days were also smooth to Soma, he still enjoyed the moments he had with his friends. Although he still can't cook, not that he wants to anymore, he spent his day going from places to another to either space out and re evaluate himself. He can still go to lecture classes but he found those boring.
Usually when he had such free time, he would cook for Erina many times.
But that won't be happening.
The sky began to show stars and the streetlights were on.
Soma began his trek towards the Polar Star Dorm. Accomplishing the day with nothing but heavy thoughts.
Since the PSD kids are more connected than usual. The nights were lively and loud. All trying to get that stress from their classes away. They got even more enthusiastic that tomorrow they'll be having a vacation to whatever place that Alice had told them to.
"Finally, a vacation! This semester's subjects are hard!" Yuki moaned
The others agreed with her as they let themselves relax for minutes. Although the two knuckleheads, Daigo and Shoji were roughhousing on the corner.
As the others talked. Megumi went to talk to Soma "It was really hard Soma-kun, I wish you were there, but then you'll find some of those tasks exciting though" the pigtailed girl stated as a matter of fact sipping the "juice" on her cup, only to wince from the taste of it.
"Hah, do I?" the redhead exclaimed, trying his best to be optimistic. Fortunately for him, Megumi missed it.
"Of course! You're always like that!"
Not anymore
They talked more about what they'll do during their vacation. And they even planned some activities with it too. For which they video called Alice about it.
The white-haired princess was agreeing to every exciting activities the dorm kids had laid out.
On the last hours of their night, they had spent packing their stuff for the weekend vacation.
This gives Soma an opportunity to pack too, without them knowing its initial reason.
A bit of hang out was later established in Marui's room again. Where everyone passed out from the "rice juice" they had. Except for a certain redhead who only had drank a bit.
He sighed as he went out.
A slight buzz was heard as he felt his phone vibrated on his pant's pockets. He took it out and see that he received a message from his friend. Stating that his truck is already in place.
He texted his friend back to lay down a bit.
His middle school friend, Kugenin was just waiting around the block. Soma had told him that he must not wait at the entrance of the dorm since it might cause suspicions.
But no matter, Ms. Fumio isn't around, his dorm mates are heavily sleeping, and if he goes to his family's diner, it'll be okay for him since his father isn't there.
Joichiro was out somewhere in America, being a guest chef on multiple restaurants.
As the redhead went outside, he immediately goes where Kugenin was at. He saw the car and Kugenin beside it.
"Hey, I hope you don't mind me letting you out this night" The scarred chef greeted.
"Nah it's no sweat, besides, it is a deal"
"Let's start now and don't worry, I have only less stuffs in my room"
Soma's arm was still recovering, since he has few stuffs at his room. It'll be easy for him and his friend to move his things out.
As the last of his stuff was moved out, his room which he had been living as a chef in training, was now the same as he first moved into. His lifeless golden eyes stared at every corner of the small room.
So much memories filled in his mind, especially the one where a certain honey-blonde haired princess came in.
Making less noise due to the tubes, he let out a sigh.
His heart filled with no regrets. As he placed a piece of paper on the bed. Then walked away, leaving the door slightly opened.
His friend knew nothing of what significance of why Soma decided to move out. For the redhead had also lied to his friend about his reason of "moving out". Only giving him the details of "dropped out from a prestigious school."
The night was chilly, golden orbs stared at the distance while his friend drove the car all the way to Sumiredori Shopping District.
"So, now you're dropped out from that school, that means you'll also be transferred in our school, right?" the redhead's friend smiled in enthusiasm, excited that Soma would be his classmate again.
"Hmm" Soma hummed, making his friend think that might be the case.
The car stopped at the front of Soma's family diner. The two got off the car as Soma rummaged through his pockets for the keys with his free, uninjured arm.
Soma's things were just three boxes in total. For Kugenin, he bears no mind handling it all. He's strong so he doesn't mind.
"Just put it on the side"
"Okay"
After Kugenin put down the boxes on the corner. He felt Soma's gaze.
"I would cook a food for as a thanks, but I'm still injured, I hope you don't mind" Soma told his friend, with a half lie, since he's actually glad he won't cook anymore.
"Hey don't sweat it man, like I said I don't mind!" Kugenin said as he patted Soma's shoulder and bid goodbye to the redhead as well.
As his friend went out, he heard the engine running and it fades away.
The night was still young to Soma. For he proceeds to went outside as well.
Some few blocks away from the shopping district, there are stores that are still open for the night. He went from the nearest store and purchased a new sim card.
Once he did, he went back from his house and unto his bedroom.
He lied there for few more minutes as he sighed deeply.
He began to reminiscence every moment he had in Totsuki. Meeting people along the way, creating rivals. Entered a lot competition and creating savory dishes.
All of those were bittersweet.
Just for a reason that such dream of becoming a chef isn't meant for him, and for him being there is just nothing but a mere tool.
He does believe anymore. He was there and just as he wants to deny it, those were the truth.
His own father…. Erina…
He shouldn't be even on the same place as his friends at Totsuki…
Soma opened his eyes.
He clutched the small bag with his. Leaving the place where he grew up and walking the night away.
Minutes passed, or was it hours? Yet it is still night. With many transportations he went to ride to. Until the smell of the ocean along with the cool breeze with it. Silently leaving cold touches on his skin. Letting the breeze caress his red hair.
He stepped unto the small cruise. His golden eyes gazed at the city lights as it was slowly getting further from the horizon. He slid down and proceed to stare at the night sky.
Stars were shining at him. Not caring what they meant, for he did not look at the stars, but only the dark void which painted all over.
No longer was he going to be in an endless wasteland, no longer should be prove his best.
While it was fun being there, it's probably best if he'll be somewhere instead of there.
Author's Note:
Not a long chapter I know, but it slowly rekindled my inspiration to update this fanfic.
Like I said, I don't want this to be abandoned.
Some Sorina fanfics weren't updated and I had started reading more Astelle fanfics.
I feel kinda guilty not updating this fic.
So after binging SNS again and reading some fics that made me happy and cry. It reminded my that "push" to make this very first fanfic of mine.
This story has more to it and isn't completed yet.
Anyways, now that Soma officially departed from his home country, well… uhmm you know what?
See you in next chapter!
