Chapter 12: A broken heart
Heyyy there, welcome back everyone!
Chapter 12 already, huh? Wow, time sure flies fast, don't you think?
So… where do I even start…?
This chapter is, again, a drama part, but maybe you should just see for yourselves what I have instore for you?
As always, I really can't thank you beautiful people enough for writing me so kind and lovely reviews, you're all soooo awesome, I can't thank you enough!
When I posted the first chapter, I thought that surely no one would read what I write, let alone comment on it, but now, I have found so wonderful friends here, and one of them is even helping me put together even better chapters for you to read! I couldn't be more grateful, or happier, or honored, or flattered, or… you know what I mean, right? This is truly amazing, so thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
Jellyann and maddiesmt, you guys are so awesome, thank you for always sticking with me and not giving up on me, and writing me every single time! I love you guys soooo very much, thank you for everything!
And of course a huge thank you to my amazing friend lamperouge rolo! You're so awesome my girl, I'm so grateful for all your help, and that you're my friend, I love you soooo freaking much hahahah! I love your suggestions, and everything you do, thank you so very much!
Well, with me pouring my heart out again (you guys are used to that by now, right?), let's jump straight into the new chapter! Maybe I should ask you to have a few tissues ready too…?
By the time Yukihira Soma got back to Polar Star Dorm, the sun had already set, leaving him exposed to the darkness of the night as he rode through the last stretch on his bike.
After Nakiri had left him standing at the front gate of the mansion like that, he had aimlessly walked around for a while, his heart aching and his mind all over the place, torn between guilt and regret. He regretted agreeing to bring her to the diner, he regretted not stopping her from prodding about her father's past, even going so far as to encourage her to go through with it despite the uncertain expression on her face. He regretted wearing that goofy smile as he asked her where her mother was, regretted asking her at all…
To find out that she went through so much as a child was literally more than his heart, or soul could handle. Now he would never be able to forget the pain shining through her amethyst eyes, the tears streaming down her beautiful face, and worst of all, the shaking of her voice when she thanked his father for telling her everything.
There was nothing to be grateful for in his opinion, not after hearing something so messed up.
Maybe he should have intervened…, put an end to her suffering by leading her out of the room, but… he couldn't. Which was why he felt so incredibly guilty right now. He didn't want his father to stop talking. He actually wanted to hear the rest of the story, wanted to learn about the old man's involvement with her mother, wanted to know how things ended, and now… now he paid the price for his curiosity. He had never tried to hurt her on purpose, but the strong-willed girl is now nothing but a broken shell of her former self nonetheless. Vulnerable, lost, …empty.
And he knew better than anyone that a heart torn into a million tiny pieces could never beat the same way again.
Walking for what felt like hours, Soma eventually felt like he would burst any second. His head spun as he thought deeper about Nakiri's condition as a child, and her current inner turmoil.
Even though he couldn't imagine how horrible she felt at the moment, he still is familiar with the pain of losing a loved one. He is ready to give his best to help her get through the darkness that once consumed him, in one way or another. Feeling a new spark of determination to make her smile again, he knew that he has reached the point where seeing her sad for another day without doing anything will make him lose his sanity. And knowing that the sadness was partly his fault didn't exactly help matters either.
Eventually, the young chef had found himself in one of the older big kitchens located in the main building of Totsuki. The room is usually used for self-study sessions and research purposes but had often been empty, only a few students working on new dishes or exchanging tips have been visiting.
However, Soma hadn't cared for any of that when he went in. He, himself, has been wondering what he was doing here anyway. It felt like some switch kicked in and made his legs move towards the kitchen all of a sudden. The boy didn't understand, but his gut told him to cook something- anything- just so he could get his thoughts sorted out somehow.
Needless to say, it didn't work. Nakiri's face never faded away, and he ended up making one egg dish after another. Again. But this time, instead of getting angry about it, he had just smiled tiredly at the food in front of him before offering each dish to the other students and leaving the kitchen in utter disappointment.
And now he was standing in the big foyer of the dormitory, exhaustion evident in his eyes and hunger rising in his stomach.
"Oh, w-welcome back, Soma-kun. I'm so glad I got the chance to see you before I leave. How was the trip back home?"
Looking up towards the staircase, he saw Tadokoro rushing down to meet him with a happy smile on her face. It vanished as soon as she reached him, noticing the paleness of his skin… or the defeat shining through his eyes, he couldn't tell.
"Oh my- Soma-kun, w-what happened? A-are you okay?"
"I'm… to be honest, I don't know anymore…"
He wasn't surprised to hear his voice cracking at the end, a hand raised to rub the back of his head as he closed his eyes, unable to offer the worried looking girl so much as a smile like he always had.
It started to get tiring to say that he was fine when he so obviously wasn't.
"Would… would you like to talk about it? I-I can head out a bit later, it's no problem at all."
"Nah, don't worry 'bout it, you just go ahead and get back home. I'm sure your folks over there have missed you a lot. Don't make them wait. I'll be okay."
"N-no, no, it's okay, really. They wouldn't mind, I'm sure."
"Seriously? C'mon, you're being way too considerate right now. I'm telling ya, I'll be fine, don't worry."
Seeing how she wasn't convinced just yet, he managed a small grin after all, keeping it short however as he feared it would only end up looking more like a grimace than an actual smile.
It was pointless arguing with the bluenette when she was determined to take care of someone anyway, so he had no choice but to accept her wish to help. Maybe it would take his mind off things…
"Actually… I was on my way to the kitchen just now. I'm starving!"
"O-oh, d-do you mind i-if I make you something? I-I mean, y-you would probably create a far more delicious dish than me, b-but… it's just…"
"Hey, c'mon Tadokoro, relax. If you want to cook, that's fine by me. I'm kinda beat anyway, to be honest."
She blushed a deep shade of red, eyes shining brightly with something he had already seen a few times before, but wasn't able to place. For some reason he felt like he should know what that look meant, what she wanted him to understand, yet Soma couldn't bring himself to think about it right now, his energy spent and his heart too heavy to concentrate on anything other than what he had witnessed this morning.
"I-is that so? T-then you can leave it to me! I-I think I know what dish could make you feel at least a bit better."
"Really? That sounds awesome! Thanks a million, Tadokoro."
"Of course!"
With that, he followed the girl into the kitchen with his eyes glued to the floor, unwilling to meet the sincerity in her yellow ones. She was doing her best to cheer him up, he appreciated that more than she might think, but even so, there was no way for him to switch to a better mood right now. Not even for his friend's sake.
So he kept his gaze down as he sat at the table near the workstation, arms crossed over his chest and a guilty look on his face.
"S-so, ehm… a-are you sure you don't want to talk, Soma-kun? M-maybe I can help?"
"Thanks, but… I don't think I should involve another person in this."
As she pulled out a few vegetables and held them under the tap water, her expression slightly changed, now showing the kind of anxiousness that only Tadokoro Megumi could make. Concerned, panicked and caring all at the same time.
"S-so it's about someone else? Are they alright? Wha-what do you need to do to help them?"
"That's, eh…-"
"O-oh, I'm so sorry, you told me you couldn't talk about it and here I am trying to butt in! I-I'm really sorry!"
With the kitchen knife in hand, she bowed repeatedly towards him, her braids flopping back and forth with each rise and fall of her head.
Soma stood up and waved his hands slowly in order to calm her down. Otherwise that knife in her hand can do terrible things to her face, or other parts of her body for that matter, and he couldn't let her injure herself when she is about to go visit her family.
"No, it's okay, really. You're not butting in, I promise!"
She stood still for a moment, eyes filled with uncertainty. Her hesitation made him realize how pitiful he must have looked back then in front of her. He couldn't help but wonder what Nakiri felt when she noticed the same kind of doubt for the first time, and she most definitely did notice it, seeing as he never showed her, or anyone else, this side of him. Hell, he wasn't even aware of the fact that he could actually feel so miserable again after such a long time.
"I-I'm not?"
"Of course not! The one I want to help out is actually, well… Nakiri, I guess."
"What? I-is her father causing trouble again?"
'You have no idea…'
"Kinda. It's complicated, and… I dunno, it feels like I'm running straight into a brick wall when it comes to her. The talk with Dad didn't help as much as I'd hoped it would, and on top of that, I think I'm partly to blame for her agony, you know?"
"I… I-I'm not sure I understand, Soma-kun. Y-you talked to your father about her? …But why?"
At that, the young chef realized he had been rambling on and on without making any sense. He just felt that his mind was starting to break down, begging him to release at least some of this unbearable heartache, and being the naive guy that he was, Soma hadn't noticed that what he was trying to explain went way over the girl's head. He needed to start from the beginning, so that she could actually follow.
However, the only question now was how to open up to Tadokoro without disclosing any of the details to her. After all, he didn't want to dishonor the heiress by giving her past away, to no matter who it was, and talking about his own distress would certainly lead to talking about her…
But Soma found himself unable to deny that he needed to get these feelings out in the open somehow, before it could consume him for good. And seeing as how the conversation with his father didn't provide much clarity, he figured it couldn't hurt to try explaining it to his friend as well.
"It's… yeah, we talked about her…"
"S-so… w-what happened?"
"It's… well…"
As he thought of a somewhat satisfying way to tell her about the most recent events, he didn't take note of her already approaching him with a tray in her hands.
It was not until after the pleasant aroma of sautéed chicken and vegetables filled his nostrils that he realized how long it had actually taken him to come up with a decent explanation, and how long she must have been waiting for him to speak up again. It only added to his guilt.
Sheepishly taking the tray out of her hands, he gestured for the bluenette to go take a seat at the table, a simple sign that he was ready to answer her questions now. And she understood, stepping aside wordlessly as she glanced in his direction and flashed that warm smile of hers. Patient as always.
For the second time, Soma hated himself for comparing the one now sitting before him to the one probably crying herself to sleep this very second. He hated that, once again, no smile, or blush, could catch his attention as quickly as hers did. The way her soft lips curved up whenever she wasn't able to hide her amusement lingered in his head for far longer than what he considered healthy, and Soma knew that there must be more to it than just admiring a pretty face. That much he had learned from his father.
"Okay, eh… the thing is… I'm sure you noticed how I couldn't seem to focus on anything lately and, well… it's sorta because of her… She's in my head wherever I go, or whatever I do, and I still have no clue why. Seeing as my cooking got worse with each passing day, I figured it was time to go ask Dad for some advice, ya know? I thought about how worried you and the others were, so… I guess I had to change something."
He decided not to mention the kisses they shared, or that big argument he had with her, feeling like they were details the bluenette didn't need to know.
"Apparently, Nakiri had something to discuss with the old man as well, so… we ended up going together. Remember how she would space out on us each time we talked to her, or how she woke up in the middle of the night a few days ago? Apparently, she was having nightmares on a regular basis, and… I still can't believe she never told any of us about it! I found out that these dreams were partly the reason she wanted answers that only Dad could give her, but… what she learned was not what she'd expected, so now she's… she's…"
He stopped himself, uncertain of how to describe the heiress' current state properly. Trying, and failing, to find the right words he just sighed in frustration.
"Anyway, I know I can help her with this, I have to, but… I'm not sure how, let alone if she would even let me."
"W-why wouldn't she?"
Her voice failed her at the end, as if trying to stiffen a sniff. He abruptly glanced up from his sauté, shock written all over his face as he saw that shattered look in her eyes.
"H-hey, hey, it's alright, Tadokoro. I'll fix this, I promise you. Nakiri will be fine, and I… I'm sure I'll figure something out. There's no reason for you to cry, alright?"
"T-that's not…"
He never thought he would see that forced smile ever again, not after what happened the last time he did. Challenging Chef Shinomiya Kojiro to a food battle had definitely not been one of his brightest ideas back then, but even so, he had to jump into the cold water for his friend. And if someone asked him today, he would say that it had been worth it, and that he would do it again without hesitation. He never had siblings of his own, yet in a way, Tadokoro somehow managed to become a sister figure for him, someone he would take care of, encourage to do their best, talk to whenever he felt down…
But this particular look she gave him right now said something else entirely, and Soma realized he was actually a bit scared to find out what exactly it was.
"N-never mind… I-I guess my concern for Nakiri-san just got the better of me after all. Don't… d-don't worry about it, Soma-kun."
Somehow he doubted that, but didn't say anything out of respect for her wish to pretend like she wasn't sad over something entirely different.
"A-and as for your plan to… to help her. M-maybe it would be best to just leave her alone for a while? I-I mean, from what it sounds like she heard something she had trouble c-coming to terms with, right? My mother told me once that… s-sometimes people need time for themselves to sort out whatever it is that's putting a damper in their mood. It could be just what Nakiri-san needs right now as well, don't you think? Although I don't exactly know any details, I can tell that it's quite serious… right? You… y-you can't even make a relaxed face like you usually do when something's wrong."
He had to smile at that, her close observation astonishing him for a second before he composed himself. She was right, he couldn't be relaxed right now.
"No… not this time."
Perhaps he should consider giving the blonde some time before doing anything else. Although, thinking back, he couldn't remember a moment when he hadn't been surrounded by people who helped him get through his own grief. The time around his mother's death had been the worst of his life, and Soma wished it could have been this easy to get over something so… crushing.
'I hope that's all it takes this time…'
Lost in thought, he once again didn't notice Tadokoro standing up and walking towards the exit of the kitchen, wiping her golden orbs as she did so. She stopped at the doorframe, eyes barely dry when she turned her head to look at him. He was surprised, but other than that, he didn't feel any different from just a moment ago, his heart still conflicted on what to do and his brain remaining a tangled mess- full of thoughts he didn't want to have right now. He failed at opening up to his friend, and now it was too late to try again as she had to leave as well eventually.
Maybe Nakiri had been right; he really was bad at telling people how he felt…
"S-Soma-kun?"
"Yeah?"
"A-about that other thing…, don't… don't worry about it too much. You'll know w-why you think of her so often when the time comes. B-but if it helps you… I'd say you're in the right direction o-of figuring it out. Keep… just keep trusting your instinct and you should be getting your answer soon."
"What, really? You think so?"
"Y-yes. Don't worry! You got this! Y-you're Soma-kun after all… you can do anything, I'm sure."
"Thanks, Tadokoro. I'll see ya when you get back, alright? Have a nice holiday!"
She smiled, genuine yet somewhat bittersweet in his eyes.
"You too!"
And with that, she left him alone in the kitchen, almost running out as soon as her last words were spoken. He didn't know what got her so riled up all of a sudden, but Soma found that perhaps this wasn't the best time to think about that as well, seeing as his brain was slowly but surely reaching its limit, unable to add another question to the list of all the things that remained unanswered.
Patience.
He wasn't so sure he still had any of that left…
Looking down again, his eyes found the sauté placed before him on the table. It had to be cold by now, but who was he to complain when all he had been cooking lately were egg dishes? With her smiling face watching him…
Another sigh escaped his lips as he sat back down and stared blankly at the food before him.
'I really hope that's all it takes…'
…
It was foolish of him to think he would get at least some shuteye last night, the dark circles under his reddened eyes proving that fact the moment he stood in front of the mirror hanging in the men's bathroom.
Despite having slept for less than two hours, Soma felt surprisingly better compared to how he did the previous day. Something in his gut told him that, today, things would be a lot calmer, not only because most of the students would be on vacation over the summer break, making the school look emptier than it really was, but also because he came to the conclusion that his blue haired friend had a point, that he indeed should let Nakiri be for a while. At least until he came up with the perfect way to cheer her up again.
Not seeing her would also give him the optimal opportunity to think some things through on his own, like what his father had wanted him to contemplate when they were having that oddly serious talk two nights ago.
But he didn't know where to start. His mind drew a blank each time he tried to decipher what this strange feeling inside his chest was whenever he saw her. The wish to just shrug everything off was unimaginably high, though Soma realized that his father's words made kind of sense, that they were true no matter what he told himself. If it felt good, why would he go out of his way to get rid of them?
'Well then, let me ask you this; would those feelings actually be a hindrance to your cooking or rather beneficial? You have to decide that for yourself first before you can start climbing two stairs at once…'
That, he would love to know as well.
The conversation had pretty much ended with him shaking his head like a helpless child, not having a suitable answer to satisfy the old man.
He supposed, he had no choice but to just wait and see how his cooking turned out when she wasn't near him, and based on that, he would hopefully find the right course of action. That should be enough, right?
With that new determination within him, and the sense of ease he had been missing for the last couple of days, he washed his face, brushed his teeth, and took a quick shower. All the while, feeling at least a bit relieved that he had finally been able to form a half decent plan in his head; even if said plan wasn't exactly foolproof, it was still better than wandering around aimlessly in the dark all the time.
With that in mind, Soma's enthusiasm increased, to the point where he thought he could go and try to cook again in one of the kitchens he had been in yesterday. His fingers were practically itching to create a unique dish, something without eggs. For some reason he was optimistic this time, thinking that perhaps today his luck would change, for either the worse or the better remained to be seen though.
However, right now, as he managed to smile to himself while throwing the towel he had wrapped around his waist to the side, the young chef didn't know that he would come to regret his optimism pretty quickly…
…
It was when he stood in the dormitory's small parking lot, staring at the blue motorbike in front of him for presumably five minutes or more that Soma decided to take a different road to his destination this time, which compelled him to walk. A need for a change of pace, his mind suggested.
With that, he put his bike keys away again, turned around, and slowly strolled down the road towards the school's main campus with a fire in his eyes and high expectations in his heart.
It would work this time… it had to.
He would be able to cook freely, just like he used to before a certain blonde had found her way inside his head, confusing him to no end without even doing anything special.
But not today.
Like they said; out of sight, out of mind… right?
He was confident. With what he was about to create in a short while, the young chef even felt motivated enough to make the heiress taste his food in hopes of it getting her at least a small step further towards recovery, the way his Tempura don did.
It was not until after Soma was about to enter the massive building at the other end of campus that he noticed two people walking in his direction rather quickly. As he turned his head curiously to see who it was, the fine hairs on his neck started to rise with each step they took, one looking quite angry and the other more than concerned.
What is going on?
"There you are, Yukihira Soma!"
"Nakiri? Arato? What's up? You guys were looking for me?"
"Don't play dumb with me, buddy! Where the hell is my cousin?"
His heart stopped and his eyes widened. A sudden dread spread inside him, making him break into cold sweat under the gentle sun.
What…?
"I-I don't get it, why are ya asking me?"
"Because you were the only person who accompanied her in that stupid trip she went on two days ago! You know what happened and why she has not acted like her usual self ever since. Now, I will ask you one last time, where is Erina?!"
The white haired girl seemed beyond furious, her jaw clenching dangerously and her red eyes filled with rage. He was certain that if looks could kill, he would be dead a hundred times over.
"Wait… y-you mean she's… not at home?"
"Would I be asking you if she was? Stop avoiding the subject and give me an answer already! I won't repeat myself."
"I-I…"
Risking a quick glance to the pinkette next to her, he noted how stiff she was, head kept down as if trying not to draw any sort of attention to the fact that she was also there. Her behavior was more than a bit suspicious in his opinion, her face telling him that she felt indeed guilty about something. Couldn't Alice see that?
"The driver left us right in front of the mansion… I even saw her go in. She couldn't have… left."
The word stung in his throat, a different kind of fear he wasn't acquainted with took over all his senses as soon as he said it. He didn't know what this was about, but Soma had the feeling it wouldn't leave him alone for a while. Not until he made sure she was still here…
"So… what you're saying is… you haven't seen her at all after that?"
Alice' demeanor switched from furious to desperate in a matter of seconds, her eyes closing, and her shoulders falling in defeat.
"Can you at least tell me where she went in the first place? What happened to her?"
"I-I… I wish I could, but… sorry, Nakiri, it's not my place to talk to you about that…"
He had thought about it at first, but then his own guilty conscious kicked in and he was left without any other options. How could he just go ahead and give away what his father had revealed to them as if it was nothing?
"Not you too, Yukihira, give me a break!"
"…What?"
"Hisako here said the exact same thing! Apparently Erina confessed everything to her last night and asked her not to tell anyone."
With both hands placed on her hips, she sent a glare towards the quiet girl, causing her to flinch visibly. From what it looked like, Arato was conflicted whether to betray the blonde's trust or continue to stay silent and let their friends worry about her. He could read in her eyes that she had no idea on what to do, that she was in full knowledge of how much her answer would make an impact should she actually decide to talk.
In a way, he could understand how she felt, he wouldn't have wanted to break a promise to one of his close friends either, but in this case, he was rather tempted to take Alice's side. They needed a clue, at the very least, and she was the only person who could give them one.
"Honesty, I'm starting to feel like this is all just some sort of sick joke to you. She's my cousin, for crying out loud! If anyone deserves to know what's wrong with her, it's me! C'mon guys, say something, I'm freaking out here!"
"I-I'm truly sorry, Miss Alice, I… I really can't…"
Now he was starting to panic as well, the cold shivers intensifying with each shallow breath he took.
His heart told him that there was more to the story than just the blonde's sudden disappearance, something very crucial, something he was sure he would most definitely not be prepared for.
He looked at Alice, saw the flicker of hurt in her red eyes before she turned her back to them, and stormed off.
"Fine then, have it your way! I'll find Erina and ask her what her deal is myself!"
He waited for the girl to be out of earshot before turning towards Arato again, his voice shaking as he struggled to form his next words.
"S-so she's r-really…"
Without wasting any more time, Soma ran after Alice with the same objective in mind. He needed to find the heiress immediately, his heart reaching the limit of what he could withstand, warning him about the consequences if he indeed didn't find her right now. However, a quick hand on his shoulder prevented him from taking a step forward, his movements stopped by none other than the loyal pinkette herself.
"You… you shouldn't go, Yukihira."
"What? Why not?"
"Look… I know everything that happened between you two, a-and I don't… I don't think it would be a good idea for you to go look for her."
"…You know where she is, don't you?"
Her expression showed a certain discomfort, eyes darting from left to right with the intention to avoid direct contact with his amber ones.
'Of course she would know…'
He waited impatiently for what felt like hours before she finally gazed up at him, lips parting to give him the information that would make his blood run cold.
"She… she's going to leave soon, Yukihira."
Nothing was said for the next couple of minutes, the words reached his brain way too slowly for him to make any sense of it, and he knew, lowering his head and looking blankly at the ground didn't help matters either.
Yet he couldn't do much else at the moment, his mind empty, his ears deaf for anything that happened around him, and to top it off, his vision began to blur due to a bunch of memories suddenly flashing in front of his eyes.
The times they had shared laughing, the times they had shared arguing, the times they supported each other in their own ways to overcome the challenges in front of them. All of it came back to him in those silent seconds he stared at a random dot on the asphalt underneath him.
She would leave them?
She would leave… him?
As the meaning behind these words finally hit him, Soma felt his head spinning dangerously.
This can't be happening. He won't let her walk out of his life. How could he? She was too important to him, his motivation, his destination, his obstacle, his… friend? Somehow, that didn't sound right anymore. Was she really still his friend? After what had transpired between them? He doubted it.
Still, he couldn't accept this cruelty she was about to put him through, it wasn't fair for her to just get up and leave without so much as a word. Aside from the fact that he would miss her terribly, he felt like there was something else inside him that refused to be without her. She hadn't even said that his dishes were good yet!
"Would… you tell me what this is all about then?"
His mouth was too dry and his throat too scratchy to go above a whisper, yet Soma still managed to put his thoughts into a half decent sentence as he felt the need to see the blonde increasing drastically.
"I… Miss Erina means a lot to me, and, to be honest I… I-I don't want her to leave. Like you heard Miss Alice say, she hadn't been herself when you guys came back yesterday, so… the decision wasn't exactly made under the best conditions. But… as it is, I can't watch her suffer like this, she doesn't realize what her departure would do to all of us, or the school itself. Her grandfather would be devastated…"
He gulped audibly. Of course, Gramps would be worried sick if she were to leave, how couldn't he have thought of that?
"Which is why… I have no choice but to ask for your assistance. Even though she told me not to tell you anything, I feel like you're the only one who can help at this point. As much as I hate to say this, involving Senzaemon-dono would make matters worse, so you're the next best option."
Her eyes found his once more, a silent plead hidden within.
Stop her.
And that was all he needed to know.
Now more determined than ever, he nodded his agreement; a promise, which he sensed was redundant to say aloud, made between them.
There was only one thing left to find out before he would go.
"Where is she?"
"Not now, Yukihira. There's a specific time, and place she chose in order to avoid drawing too much attention to herself. You should wait until then."
"Are ya kidding me? Why would I wait when I can go talk some sense into her right now?"
"Trust me, she won't listen to you if you do it now! I'm betraying my best friend here, so don't make me regret this, Yukihira Soma! This isn't exactly easy for me, alright?"
He closed his mouth again, the objection dying on his tongue instantly. She had a point; going against Nakiri's word sure seemed to take a toll on her. That was another thing he hadn't considered, which he now felt quite guilty for. He knew, he would have felt the exact same way if it were him in her shoes.
Sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, he turned around to face her again, figuring that an apology was in order before the silence would drive him up the wall even further.
"Yeah… I know. Sorry 'bout that, guess I got too carried away there, huh?"
"You could say that. Though, for what it's worth, I'm glad you showed at least some concern for her. That's a good start in the right direction."
"What d'ya mean?"
She sighed in exasperation as her head shook from left to right. If it weren't for the abnormally loud thumping in his chest, he would have sworn he heard her utter the words 'hopeless' and 'densest human being alive' under her breath. But since he couldn't be sure, it was left uncommented.
Things like that were irrelevant at the moment anyway, for he had much more important matters to focus on, like the soon to be departure of a certain blonde and how he would prevent her from doing so.
"Hey, eh… Arato? If you don't mind… could… you tell me what exactly it was that she talked to you about yesterday?"
"Why do you want to know? It could harm your cooking even more. Isn't that the whole reason you made her feel so incredibly guilty in the first place?"
The harshness in her tone caused the young chef to flinch, his own words now stinging bitterly as he was reminded of that night on the banquet hall's terrace. He now knew how much his speech had actually hurt her and no matter how much he tried, he would never be able to take them back.
"I-I didn't mean to! It's… I don't know… I honestly believed that…-"
A raise of her hand silenced him immediately, her eyes boring into his without mercy. She must have sensed his struggle to find the right thing to say, and chose to end the rambling before he would end up embarrassing himself, which he couldn't blame her for, considering he had no idea where he was going with this in the first place.
"Fine, I don't need to hear it. I just hope you won't stutter like this when talking to Miss Erina…"
A second sigh escaped her lips as she gestured for him to follow her inside the building he had intended to cook in half an hour ago.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to fill you in on what we talked about. Just remember that everything you're going to hear is confidential, meaning that no one is to find out about Miss Erina's personal affairs."
"Arato, do you seriously believe I would do something like that?"
His voice was low, its tone showing that he wasn't going to tolerate any further insults, no matter who they came from.
Looking her dead in the eye, he could see the instant regret appearing on her face. She didn't intend to upset him more than he already was, he knew that, but there was a line between what needed to be made clear and what went without saying. To him, she had crossed that line, whether it was intentional in a moment of grief or by pure accident, he wasn't sure, but it definitely had hurt his pride regardless.
"I-I'm sorry, Yukihira… it's been a long day."
"Hey, no worries. I understand."
They shared a small smile despite the circumstances, and continued to search for an empty classroom… or kitchen, whichever came first.
Along the way, Soma felt his heart starting to beat out of control, the shivers never stopped running down his spine, and the memories filling his mind to the point where he found himself vividly reliving each moment he had with the blonde heiress. The number of times she had unknowingly given him a deeper reason to perform better, to surpass his own expectations of a new dish. And with the most recent events in mind, Soma started to wonder whether the amount of panic he felt right now was even justified or not.
Was he allowed to get in her way if she truly wished to leave?
After all, his father had done it, and still managed to be known all around the globe, though for completely different reasons…
'No, I won't let her go, I can't…'
And with that thought, he silently followed the pinkette through the empty hallway with an uneasiness he had yet to understand the meaning of.
…
At about nine in the evening, the red-headed chef stood next to the large gate of their dorm, hidden behind a tree and staring intently at the black Bentley currently parked in the middle of the road a short distance away.
Just as Arato predicted, the blonde had come here to get a few things from her room before heading straight to the airport… or train station, whichever she chose. For him, either one of those words left a bitter taste in his mouth, his stomach twisting uncomfortably as he placed a shaky hand above it.
He couldn't let that happen, there was no way Nakiri was going to leave him.
Anxious, and filled with concern, he waited for her to come out, counting the seconds that passed without taking his eyes from the road.
After a few more minutes, he finally spotted two figures slowly approaching the gate. His movements were halted when suddenly Isshiki's voice filled the silence around them, a deep sadness that Soma was not familiar with was radiating from it.
Didn't Arato say that no one knew about Nakiri's departure?
"Are you really sure about this, Nakiri-kun? Leaving the school is a pretty big step, you know. Perhaps a simple vacation over the summer break would be just as efficient to get your mind off things, don't you agree?"
"I-I know how all of this looks, a-and I'm truly sorry about that. However, as much as I hate to say this…, with the state I'm in now… there is just no way I could attend this school, let alone direct it. I don't… want to disappoint any of you, but I have no reason to go on anymore. A simple vacation won't solve anything…"
By now, they were standing right next to the redhead, who was unable to believe what his ears were telling him, the hammering in his chest increasing with each word the heiress said. She sounded so lost, so sad, so broken…
Was this even the same girl that had wanted him to fail at the start of their first year?
No way.
There was nothing left of that harsh, haughty, princess from one year ago. The one before him looked like she was drowning in her sorrow with no way of escape.
His heart ached for her…
"A-anyway, thanks for keeping this to yourself, Isshiki- senpai, I really appreciate it."
"No, no, don't thank me. It's the least I can do when you're looking so down in the dumps. But… allow me the indulgence to tell you something before you go. We're all going to miss you terribly. And, I don't know if you're aware of this, but… there is a certain young man who will be utterly heartbroken about this. Although he doesn't realize it quite yet, deep down Soma-kun knows that you mean a lot to him. Wouldn't you at the very least consider talking to him one last time before you go? Maybe he could-"
"No. I'm sorry, but… there is nothing I have left to say to him. It's for the best if he continues his studies without any interruption, without further disturbances… My father's recent actions have done more than enough of that as it is; he shouldn't be put through a similar amount of trouble by me either."
"Alright then… even though I don't agree with you, and it saddens me to see the Rebel Alliance's strongest pair part like that, I can't force you to do something that doesn't seem right to you. I just wish you would think things over and not rush with your decision."
"I-I… I'm… I can't… Take care of yourself, Isshiki-senpai. Tell everyone that I will miss them, and… please watch over him for me, would you? Knowing Yukihira, he'll probably get himself into another situation without even noticing it."
"Will do… I'm sure we'll meet again someday, Nakiri-kun. Until then, I wish you the best. And thank you for everything you did for this dormitory, we wouldn't be here without you."
With that, their upperclassman made his way back through the gate, leaving the heiress behind. Her hand circled around the handle of a small trolley placed on the ground beside her before she hesitantly walked towards the car that waited for her in the distance.
Still a bit dizzy from what he had overheard just now, Soma stepped in front of the tree, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest and a serious expression on his face as she passed him by.
"So you have nothing left to say to me, huh? Don't you think that sounds a bit too anticlimactic after all that's happened to us? C'mon, Nakiri."
She froze, her legs glued to the ground, unable to move any further. Her body turned around in a way that made him think she was going to faint right then and there, and if it weren't for the darkness surrounding them, he would have believed her face was paling with each passing moment. Like she was confronting a ghost that came back to haunt her or something, and even as he stood there, gazing into her shocked eyes, he found that he couldn't blame her for it. She had counted herself safe, with only two people knowing her intentions, whereas one of them was her best friend and the other a quite trustworthy person in nature, it had looked like she could actually get away with what she was planning.
Her lips parted, as if intending to reply, but closed once again when his stare intensified, silently asking what the hell she is thinking about?
"I expected better from you, Nakiri. What's this about? Do you really think you can just get up and leave without saying anything to any of us?"
He was well aware of the fact that he had to choose his words wisely, or else she would disappear from his life without even so much as giving him a second glance. And yet… Soma couldn't stop the sheer force of his emotions, boiling over and threatening to burn anything in sight. He was worn out, defeated by his own feelings. He needed to let all of this pent up stress out in one way or another, he had to let her know how much it pained him to see her with a little suitcase in hand, how lonely he felt despite her standing right in front of him. It was unbearable.
"Wha… w-what are you doing here, Yukihira?"
"You're all packed and ready to leave the academy, yet you still ask me what I'm doing here? C'mon Nakiri, you can't be serious."
"I-I… I don't understand. H-how did you…"
"Alright… don't freak out now, but… I had Arato tell me the whole story."
"What?"
For a second he thought he saw something flashing in her amethyst eyes, something he would recognize no matter how dark the night sky was.
Annoyance.
The primary trait she tended to direct at none other but the red-headed chef himself.
He wasn't sure if he should feel happy or disturbed by this though…
"Hey, relax, would ya? She only did it because she was worried about you and wanted to help."
"How would telling you about my departure be of any help to me?"
"Nakiri… Look, I know things are tough right now, but… I know you're not the kind of person who gives up without a fight, are you? I told you I would be behind you, a-and listen whenever you need me to, so you… you don't have to go. What can possibly be solved by leaving, huh?"
"It is not about solving anything, it's about… Why would you even care? Just let it go already, I don't want your help, nor do I need it, alright? This is something I have to do alone, so respect my decision and leave me be!"
She intended to turn back around again, the wind blowing through her hair with an intensity that forced her to close her eyes, as if denying the fact that it seemed like not even nature itself wanted her to go.
Meanwhile, Soma used this delayed action to his advantage, grasping her soft hand in fear before tugging lightly to get her to look at him again.
"Don't ask me why I care, I just do. You can't leave like that, Nakiri, it's not who you are."
"How could you possibly know anything about me?"
"I know that you're stronger than this. I know that you love what you do here, even though it's challenging. You live to overcome obstacles. I know that because I feel the same way, and I sure as hell wouldn't want to run away from all this and quit having fun with everyone else at this school, no matter what happens. And don't start denying the fact that you do have fun when we're all hanging out together."
She flinched at the sincerity in his voice, the truth behind his words hitting both of them equally hard.
He hadn't thought about that before, but now that he had blurted it out the way he did, there was nothing he could do to unsee the obvious. They were similar in so many ways that it was almost comical he had never paid attention to it before.
"L-like I said, this is something I must do, s-so don't interfere. E-even if I wanted to stay, there is no way I could, not anymore…"
"Why the hell would you think that?"
"Do you honestly believe after what I did to my mother I deserve to take her rightful place as the academy's headmaster? How could Grandfather give me that position when he knew that I… t-that I-I…"
"…So your best bet is to run away? Seriously?"
"What do you want me to do, Yukihira? Come to your room and pour my heart out like before? Do you honestly believe it would be that easy this time? I hate to break it to you, but some things can't be solved just by eating one of your ridiculous dishes!"
Her voice was loud yet shaky, her eyes filled with pain as she pulled her hand out of his grasp. There had been only one time he had seen Nakiri look like this, and it was not a pleasant memory. Witnessing how her father gave her the cold shoulder that day on the rooftop in Hokkaido had caused his stomach to clench in utter disgust and loathing, to the point where he had no choice but to intervene in order to at least prevent more tears from running down her cheeks. He hadn't liked watching the heiress suffer back then, and he's sure that he hates it even more now. He just wanted to erase her sorrow, to make her remain by his side…
But… how could he make her understand that what she was about to do would have terrible consequences? Not only for Totsuki, but for herself and for him…
"I-I don't know. We'll find another way. You don't have to leave, Nakiri."
"…Why? Why would you go out of your way to help me again? I don't think it's accurate to call us friends anymore, so why do you keep on insisting that I should stay?!"
"Well, b-because I… it's…"
He sighed, feeling the same lump threatening to stick in his throat as he had this afternoon when Arato had asked him a similar question.
Was it really normal for someone to have this much trouble revealing their feelings?
"Y-you… I-I haven't… even made you say that my food is delicious yet…"
What?
Where did that come from?
He watched with growing horror how her eyes started to lose all emotion as she closed her mouth in understanding. She turned around swiftly, her back now facing him and her expression well hidden.
"I see… Well if that is all it takes to get rid of you, then so be it… Your food is delicious, Yukihira Soma, it always has been. Rest assured my opinion has never differed from anyone else's, so there is no need for you to seek my approval anymore. Now please leave me alone already."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Were his ears deceiving him or something?
The girl that he tried to impress countless of times with his cooking just offhandedly commented the words that he longed to hear. This couldn't be right… she couldn't give in that easily. There was no way she meant what she said, the monotony in her voice clearly indicated that she didn't. Yet Soma was still somewhat awestruck for a moment, his heart beating with joy before clenching with disappointment. It didn't exactly help that there was another foreign feeling getting mixed with all the others. He felt more than just disappointment, he felt… unsatisfied? Heartbroken? Or perhaps… agitated?
He didn't know, but something told him that if he had more time to think about it, he would solve this mystery no problem. The only catch was; he had no time right now.
"Don't do that, Nakiri."
"Don't do what, tell you the truth? This is what you have wanted from me all along, isn't it? Your objective is completed, and now you have no reason to annoy me anymore, which means… it's time for us to go our separate ways."
"I-I don't… want you to go."
"I… I-I have to. You said it yourself that you want to stay away from me because, apparently, I'm bad for your growth as a chef. If you think about it, I'm doing you a favor here. This should fix all of the problems I've caused you."
"You can't seriously be thinking that. What about your grandfather? Or the school? What about your own future? Have you given any thought to that when you came up with this stupid idea?"
"I-I… can't look at Grandfather the same way anymore. With what I did… he must be hurting even more than I am about the loss of his precious daughter. I may not remember my mother, but he does, and I'm surely not making things easier for him by taking her place. It's not fair to anyone…"
"That's bullshit. You wanna know when Gramps will really be upset? The moment he finds out that his beloved granddaughter left the institution without even saying anything to him. He'll probably blame himself for allowing you to talk to my dad in the first place, and nothing else. You guys are family, and he loves you. So don't start thinking differently now, got it?"
"I'm sorry, but… there is no way he…"
"God damn it, Nakiri, why do you have to be so stubborn all the time? What happened was not your fault, so you have no reason to blame this all on yourself! Don't carry this weight alone!"
She didn't answer him right away, her silence tugging at his heartstrings the longer he stared at her coated back.
With each breath he forced himself to take, Soma slowly began to realize that he was fighting a losing battle. No. He had already lost the moment he had found out what the heiress was planning to do.
Tadokoro had been wrong, giving her time to herself would only be worse for her. And for him. He couldn't let her be alone…
Trying to clear his vision, he rubbed continuously over his eyes, wishing that they wouldn't continue to mist over like that. There had to be more he could say, more he could do to make her see that he didn't want to lose her. But what?
He hated not being able to think straight whenever she was involved, he despised not keeping his cool around her, he loathed feeling helpless every time she was sad… It pained him more than he'd care to admit.
"I'm sorry, Yukihira… I… I-I need to sort this out somehow, and leaving is the only option that gives me the freedom to do that. I-I… I have hurt too many people as of late, s-so I have to-"
As she turned around to look him in the eyes again, her words were stuck in her throat, a sharp intake of air the only sound reaching his ears.
What she saw before her was something he knew she hadn't witnessed before, so he couldn't really blame her for having such a strong reaction.
Because right now, Yukihira Soma was bowing his upper body so low, he had no chance of seeing her face, even if he wanted to. His eyes were closed shut, a fear radiating from him that he was certain she could sense as well. But… he didn't give a damn. If bowing was what it took to make her stay then bow down he shall, no longer caring about the confused state of his mind. He had a point to make, and she needed to understand what he wanted from her.
"Please… don't say stuff like that again. I don't… I'm not sure I would be alright if you leave like that. Totsuki won't be the same without you, s-so please, Nakiri… don't go."
Another few minutes passed without her saying anything, or him moving an inch.
He started to panic at the sudden sound of footsteps echoing in his ears, scared beyond words that she would be on her way towards the waiting car again while he had kept his head low and his eyes closed. That would mean he had ultimately failed…
"P-please raise your head, Yukihira. This doesn't suit you."
Hesitantly, he opened one eye at a time as if not believing that she indeed stood right in front of him instead of moving far out of his reach.
The first thing he noted were her shoes, then her long, slender legs inside a pair of designer jeans, and eventually his eyes landed on her face, the sad smile she gave him delivering a message that, for some reason, her eyes didn't seem to agree with.
He smiled in return, not sure what that message was just yet.
"You're one to talk. This behavior doesn't fit you either, ya know."
"Yes… I suppose that is true. I-I still don't understand why you felt like you had to do that though. Did Hisako tell you that I have a problem of turning people down when they go that far as to bow their heads in order to convince me of something they believe in?"
"Eh… actually, no… not quite."
He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, not knowing how to tell her that he was acting out of desperation at the moment.
"So… you can't refuse a request from someone the second they bow to you? Who would have known?"
"I-I guess so… It's a weakness I hadn't had the time to get rid of yet, so I make sure no one knows about it. But seeing as you happened to figure it out on your own, I think I have to work on that sooner than I have anticipated."
"So… that means… you're staying?"
He couldn't help the flicker of hope filling his voice, neither was he able to resist the urge to smile a little brighter than he had a few minutes ago when their eyes met again. Even in the dark, he could see a certain glint in those amethyst depths that told him not to let out a content sigh of relief just yet, the thought doing rather uncomfortable things to his stomach as the cold shivers threatened to come back with full force.
"No… not exactly…"
At that, his heart dropped once again, the smile vanishing from his face as soon as those disappointing words left her mouth. The message her eyes attempted to deliver now becoming painfully clear to him.
Please stop trying.
And he refused, just as stubborn as the princess herself was.
"I… I-I still have to get my head straight again, a-and I need some time on my own to do that. Away from Totsuki… I can't promise you to stay right now, but what I can do is at least tell you that… I won't leave for good. Maybe not sometime soon, but… I'll come back to take on the duty of headmaster, if Grandfather still wishes me to do so. To be honest, I never had planned to be gone forever to begin with, but… I feel like only time can tell when I'll be ready to set foot into this institution again. I'm sorry, Yukihira, I don't know if this appeases you or not. However, I can't offer you much else at the moment."
Her voice shook, as if ready to break anytime. She seemed conflicted yet unwavering in her decision. As dense as he could be sometimes, Soma sensed right away that it took all out of her to say this, that she had a hard time keeping it together despite the determination in her glistening eyes.
She was right; her promise to return was anything but appeasing to him, for he had wanted her to remain here, and not leave for who knows how long, then come back when perhaps he was no longer there. It sounded wrong to him, as much as he could understand her reasoning, he still felt troubled by all this.
He didn't want to understand, he didn't want her to go, he wanted… he had no idea what he wanted, but it sure wasn't this.
"So you're really leaving the school without Gramps knowing about it?"
"I-I couldn't bring myself to let him believe that I was a coward, so I… I left him a letter, asking for his consent. I just hope he'll forgive me…"
"And me… what am I supposed to do when you're gone? Who am I supposed to get to taste test my new dishes? Who is going to tell me that I need to improve, that I shouldn't be so overconfident all the time? Whose level am I going to try to reach now? I'm… you're the only one pushing me forward, Nakiri. I can't… I would feel your absence in every step I take, there'd be no one else I would want to impress, damn it!"
"Yukihira…"
Her eyes were wide, her mouth agape. He must have shocked her with what he said, and to his own surprise…, every part of it had been the truth. He had found a challenge in her from the moment they met. She had become his friend the longer they wasted time bickering instead of cooking. Their bond strengthened with each new side they discovered about each other. And now, it would all vanish… just like that…
"I-I'm sure you will be just fine. There are plenty more chefs out there who can help you thrive. You will meet so many new people, so many new talents that getting me to like your food won't be of any importance anymore. Trust me, the stronger they are, the better you will perform as well, so there is no need for you to worry about lagging behind. Like I said before, whether I approve of your cooking or not has barely any significance in your growth as a chef overall, so what I say shouldn't be important to you."
"And like I told you before, what you say is important to me. Going on without you here… it just feels wrong."
"Your friends will be right next to you, support you, and give you the right words of motivation to keep at it. I don't recall ever telling you to do your best before; one measly 'good luck' won't make any difference."
'But it did!'
"There'll always be one person missing…"
"After a while, that missing piece will be filled by new acquaintances and the longing will fade away from your memory, don't worry. You will be fine, I promise."
He lowered his head again, his bangs concealing his eyes so that he didn't have to look at her, the pain spreading from his heart over his entire body. It became harder and harder to breathe without allowing the tears to be set free- the first out of so many more to come, he was sure.
Why was she doing this to him?
Why couldn't she understand?
He never cried for things like that, never knew how attached he really was to her until she decided to throw it at his face by leaving him alone. Was this really the end of their story? 'The Rebel Alliance's best pair' as his upperclassman had stated earlier…
"My name."
"What?"
"You said it that night, remember? Can… can you do it again?"
"I-I don't… where did that even come from?"
"I was freaking out about it before. I thought it was out of character for you, and I didn't like it. But now… I want to make sure of something, s-so… could you do me this favor at least? Please…"
"I…"
Heaving a long sigh, she turned her gaze away from him, face reddening by the second.
"No… you have to look at me for that, Erina."
She hesitated for a moment. Her body stiffened as her eyes found his. The stars had started to come out, reminding him of a conversation they shared inside the Totsuki train cabin, by the window as they reached a clearing in Hokkaido. Soma was certain that in the future, even as he meets new people, there would be no other pair of eyes that could rival the way her deep amethysts shine right now. If it was because of the moment or based on something else, he couldn't tell...
"A-alright then, as you wish… S-Soma…"
There it was, the stopping of his heart for what felt like minutes before it started racing uncontrollably inside his chest. The same way it had that night before.
However, this time he didn't feel himself panicking, nor could he say that it sounded wrong to his ears. It was… overwhelmingly pleasing, addicting even. He liked how his name rolled off her tongue, he liked how she looked when she whispered it, he liked the way his heart did one summersault after another at watching her shy demeanor, probably because he isn't used to seeing this side of her. A side he wouldn't get the chance to further explore after tonight.
He wasn't sure why he enjoyed hearing her say his name. But for now, it had been satisfying enough to just know that he did, he supposed.
"Thanks… I think I have my answer."
"S-sure…"
They gazed into each other's eyes in silence, trying to memorize as much detail of their respective faces as possible. Neither of them wanted to let go of this moment, because the second they did, they knew it would be over.
Never in his life did Soma feel so miserable, so… weak.
The previous problem of Nakiri distracting him seemed now like a silly perspective of a boy trying to find excuses for avoiding a girl who had stirred his feelings. And he wished, oh, he so wished he had kept her close instead of pushing her away. He wished he could have done things differently, so that she had fewer reasons to be heartbroken, and perhaps even no reason to leave.
And now… he is not ready to say goodbye. He couldn't bear the thought of not seeing her again, even if it was temporary. Never would he have imagined that this haughty princess could unleash so many emotions all at once inside him, not after he thought he had freed himself of them after his own mother had passed away.
It hadn't been easy then, and it sure wasn't now…
"So… is this...?"
"T-this is it…"
"And you're not changing your mind?"
"I… No. I'm not…
"Do… you know where you're heading from here?"
"I-I… I'm not quite sure, but… maybe Kamakura would be a good place to start. I think now is a good time to pay my respects."
He didn't dare to comment on that, the implication of what she was saying hitting too close to home for his liking. He understood right away what was located in Kamakura, knew what she intended to do there, and with each memory of his own mother's funeral, Soma felt himself wishing he could be by her side when she needs someone. Drying her tears alone will most certainly not be an easy task. He knew that from experience.
"I guess… I-I've avoided going there for long enough, so… Take care… Soma. I wish you the best as you go on."
He clenched his hands into fists as he whispered the words he would eventually come to hate.
"I'll miss you..."
"I-I-"
She sounded a bit taken aback, eyes widening as a small blush adored her face. The one that always made him feel fuzzy inside… Would it still be that way when they met again? For some reason he hoped so.
"... me too. But I'm sure we'll meet again, Yukihira Soma. Just keep doing your best, and don't lose your first seat to anyone, you hear? I will be disappointed if you do."
"There is no way in hell I'm giving up that seat! I haven't beaten you yet so come back soon or I'll search for you and show ya how much I have improved in a Shokugeki!"
"Alright then, I'll hold you to it!"
A small laugh was shared, another quick glance was thrown, and with one genuine grin, filled with so much more he could have said, Soma watched her turn around and walk on shaky legs towards the car. She looked back at him one more time when opening the door, her sad smile and the tears streaming down her face were the last things he saw before she got inside and closed the car door behind her, leaving nothing but a constantly growing emptiness within him.
As he stood there in the middle of the road, watching the Bentley drive into the night, getting smaller in the distance, the first tear started making its way down his left cheek.
And with that one tear descending to the ground, Soma knew… she wasn't going to come back.
Dammmnnnn, what a chapter, huh? And even though I know you will hate me for this, I still have to ask you… PLEASE DON'T HATE ME FOR THIS!
I swear to you this isn't the end of the story, but I can definitely promise you that this will be the end of the drama part (At least for my two adorable protagonists)!
They suffered enough, and I think now is as good a time as any to bring some light into their darkness, right?
Let me tell you guys, writing this chapter broke my heart ten times over, and I guess it didn't help much that I listened to some extremely sad music to set the mood either. Please let me know what you thought of it! Was it good, was it bad, was it perhaps even close to what you had predicted before- if you made predictions that is? I'd really love to know if you guys still enjoy the story and where it's going so far, so please let me know! I'm always so happy when I get to talk to you!
So until next time,
Take care!