A Little Rivalry is a Healthy Thing

21:50 - Antwerp, Belgium - Four years post-Totsuki

"Are you really okay with this?" Hisako takes a sip of her martini, frowning. There's a sea of reporters crowding their table at present, and she'd snuck away with Alice to get a drink – or rather, to get away from it all.

The blonde Nakiri shrugs, lighthearted as ever. "Why wouldn't I be? Ryou deserves all the attention he's getting, and it's not like it's making me any less successful."

"Right." She swirls her drink around its wide-rimmed cup, watching as the olive inside follows suit.

She'd arrived in Antwerp three hours ago with Akira, with just enough time to check into their hotel, shower, change, and jump into the Uber. Ryou was due for yet another accolade – the culinary world's version of the Pulitzer, the host had announced in his opening speech. It was Kurokiba's third award in as many years – Breakthrough Chef, Best Concept Restaurant, and now, Best in Restaurant Operations Efficiency.

Akira had wondered aloud if they'd made up that award just for him. Now, looking at the amount of press coverage Ryou's appearance has garnered the event, Hisako is inclined to agree.

"Is Hayama really okay with this, though?" It's Alice's turn to slant a sidelong smile at her, the expression upon her face at once knowing and smug. "If I know anything about that little shit, I know he's not going to stay put for long."

She can't help but to scowl at the blonde. As dense as Alice could be at the best of times, she could also be strangely perceptive.

"We're trying to make it work." Her answer comes out a little clipped. "Once I finish up my year at Harvard, we'll be free to go where he wants."

Alice raises a brow. "I thought you wanted to continue on. Get your PhD. Or is that no longer in the cards?"

She downs her martini and motions to the bartender to make another. It's her fourth of the night, but their hotel isn't too far away and she kind of likes the way her boyfriend becomes extra-attentive when she's even the slightest bit inebriated. "I do. I did. But he gave up Gaggan and Bangkok for me, and now it's my turn to give up something for him."

"Well…" Alice looks down and purses her lips, clearly testing the waters. "There's another option. Stay where you are and let him go."

"What would you have said to anyone who dared suggest that to you?"

"I'd have told them to fuck off." Alice grins.

She's about to respond, but a passing reporter holds up his camera, and the blonde, ever-ready for a photo op, grabs her by the shoulder, poses (chests out and eyes bright!), and sends the lad on his way a little dazed and more than a little charmed.

"So, fuck off then." She glances back at Alice, and can't help but smile when the blonde laughs.

"I'm just saying, Hishoko – you don't want to be responsible for holding one another back. The whole glued-at-the-hip thing may work with Ryou and me, but our dynamic's been like that since we were kids. We push one another, we always have."

She feels her throat tighten. "We push each other too. That was the promise." The insistent tone of her voice comes off more pathetic than she'd thought, but it can't hurt to try – even if Alice will see right through it.

And see right through it she does. "Of course." There's a touch of pity in her voice. "But sometimes that isn't enough, is it?"

She watches as Alice is pulled away for more pictures, slightly aghast. Akira waves at her across the room, and his smile, at first slightly forced amongst reporters and videographers warms. She doesn't know how it had happened, with him being the cockiest bastard of the 92nd generation and all – but somehow, she's got him wrapped around her finger.

And it pains her to no end that Alice might just be right, after all. That she isn't enough for him right now, that she's not what he needs to be the great chef he was meant to be, no matter what they try to tell themselves at night.

So she downs her martini and makes for her boyfriend's side. And when he raises his brow in question, somewhat confused and somewhat concerned, she shushes him with a kiss. And all the while, in her mind, the words repeat themselves: let me have him just a little bit longer.