Note:
Hello, hello. Troublesome-monkey-dono signing in!
So, now that I'm done with school (officially), I can devote more time to finish this fanfiction. Honestly, now I'm just trying really really hard to finish this particular fanfiction so I can focus on two forgotten stories that are very dear to my own heart. In order to do that, I need to remove the pull this story has on me so I can focus my brain on churning plot lines for the others. Still, I also wish to leave this story without feeling like I utterly rushed it and gave it an ending it deserves. This adorable couple deserves that much. I imagine this fanfiction to be just about ten or so chapters. So let's get on with it yes?
Chapter 7: Conflict
Soma Yukihara likes to think that he is not a jealous person. He doesn't get jealous of people's looks, taste in clothing, or innate sense of self. He cares not for their economic status in life, their political affiliations, nor their booming social network. He doesn't even care for their mastery in cooking style, their expertise in certain culinary techniques, or their razor sharp and revered palate. He thinks he is a simple man with individual tastes. He is an individual, an entity that differs from the masses of Totsuki. He is a unique and creative chef.
Correction.
In the depths of his heart and mind, Soma knows that he is not anything he calls himself. Soma Yukihara is an inherently jealous person. He knows he is a sore loser, perhaps more than most in Totsuki Academy. He is jealous of a lot of things. He is jealous of certain people's mastery of their own cooking style. He hates that Ryo Kurokiba and Alice Nakiri as masters in their own field. He yearns to have mastery of culinary techniques as Akira Hayama seems to have mastery in the use of herbs. He wishes that his own tongue, while sensitive and adept, is as sharp as Erina Nakiri's whose renowned golden palate was worshipped and feared by the culinary world. And he is jealous of his own father, whose experiences seem to have shaped a better chef than he could ever hope to live up to. He is a very jealous man.
But, Soma is also idealistically understanding of his own feelings about the matter. He is jealous of many things that involve cuisine simply because he wants to better himself. He knows his own style more than anybody else. His style is simply a myriad of styles, mixed in one with the added spice of his own brand. In a way, he is Subaru Mimasaka, who mimics his opponents cooking styles and habits like well-rounded clone. Soma himself is a facsimile of every chef he has ever met, where he blends styles he learns into his own productive cuisine. It's not mimicking per say, but he learns just the same. He always aims to perfect his style, to beat his opponents in their own game. That is his way.
Still, the jealousy will always be innate. He needed to better himself. Be better than the others. The competition always drove him like no other. Cooking was his life after all. And, he thought, that is where the jealousy ended. He is not jealous peoples' economic status, political affiliations or social network. He was not born to the elite bourgeoisie like Alice or Erina Nakiri, nor was he born to poverty stricken streets like Ryo Kurokiba or Akira Hayama. He was born to a relatively middle class family, happily bought up in a humble home, a quaint restaurant, with a dare- devil loving Satan of a father. He worked most of his life and honed his craft in a steady and very stable place. He knows he is a lucky boy.
Even more than that, never had he even thought of being jealous of other things such as looks, fashion sense or personal character traits. He wasn't the best looking boy in the world, but he was sure he wasn't ugly – not that he ever thought anyone could be described as ugly. Fashion sense was something he never understood either. You wear clothes; a shirt, pants, socks, shoes. You do well to remember to wear clean underwear as well. His hair, he didn't even bother with, learning quite early in his life that it was a wild unruly mess that just happens to sit atop his head. His mother loved his hair, so he loved his hair. That was that. More than that, his mother and father loved and cultivated his personality. And that was that. He had no reason to be jealous of anyone else for things like that.
That is until he finally found a reason.
"I'm not jealous," he tries vainly to convince himself. Of course not. Yukihira Soma is not jealous of something as petty as looks, fashion sense or personal character traits. No matter what he may have thought a couple of days ago about being jealous were officially retracted in his mind. He was better than that. Of course he wasn't jealous. Especially so of someone like Takumi Aldini. Of course not.
"Takumi-kun! You look great!" he hears his girlfriend gush just ahead of him as she rushes to her new friend in delight. Her sky blue dress rushes behind her, jumping up slightly to give him a view of her creamy thighs. Giggling softly, she keeps a steady hold of the light straw hat that sits atop her head as the wind rushes past her soft braids gently. "Were you waiting long?"
"Ah not at all Megumi-chan," Takumi Aldini greets with a wide grin before casting his blue blue eyes to Soma's direction, "And hello to you, Soma-kun." There is a glint of something there that Soma understands simply by glancing at his direction. It is a sense of competition, one that the two always had in the kitchen. But to have it here now…
He's probably overthinking things.
"Yo!" he greets just as amicably, throwing off a lazy wave and grin his direction. He takes in the Italian, probing him more than ought to be necessary. In casual attire, Takumi looks every bit as the Italian model his fan club revers him to be. He's in a crisp dark denim blazer, black and white pin stripped fitted undershirt, white fitted khakis, and authentic black leather shoes. His blonde hair looks just about the same, thought it looks a bit tousled as though he ran his hands through them for a few moments. The smile on his face is every bit as modelesque and conniving, convincingly fitted on his face. All on all, Takumi was a good looking guy and he knew it. The bastard.
And while Soma held himself in rather high confidence, he didn't want to stand near the guy at the moment. To be honest, he felt severely underdressed next to the Italian. Currently, he is wearing a black long sleeved shirt, dark denim jeans, and black and white sneakers. There was nothing remotely great about it. It was a comfortable and reliable outfit. And right now, it made him look like a washed out background character next to the two friends in front of him. With Megumi looking like some spring goddess, with pink dusting her cheeks from exertion and excitement, and Takumi looking like that good looking bishounen in some anime, he was just so….unimportant. And really, that was a great morale boosting moment for him.
"Isami went to buy fresh cream for the gelato," he heard Takumi report dutifully as he turned to lead the two into his own dorm room. They made their way in the Aldini kitchen, with Megumi throwing compliments left and right at the decorate ambiance of the house. Soma didn't really notice as he trailed behind them, seemingly more interested in the reducing space between said Italian and his gushing girlfriend as they walked. He was less than an inch away from her really, taking in personal space as though it was his to occupy. He could just brush his hand, just a mere few centimeters and he would brush against her soft dainty fingers. Just a few, just a brush and he would hit end game. And seriously, who does he think he is?!
With narrowed eyes, Soma's cool face seem to melt into a downright pout as he watched the two interact. He wasn't happy. He really, really wasn't happy. Of course he wasn't. His girlfriend was happily talking to another man, cooking with him, and generally being the adorable cloud of rainbows she was. And…he wasn't jealous. Of course he wasn't. No, she was allowed to talk to another people. Really, this is a good thing for her. She was generally such a shy girl with very little friends outside the dorm family. So for her to cultivate a friendship with someone was a good thing. Even better, she was learning for this friendship and that was the best thing for her. Of course, he shouldn't be jealous of it. Of course not.
"This is where I set up our equipment," Takumi said as he called them over, pointing gracefully at the equipment placed upon the granite island counter. He gestured them over almost giddly, grinning as he went through an explanation on the traditional techniques his own Nonna would use to create the delicious gelato from his childhood. And Soma tried, he really did, to listen to the poor sap because he generally was talking about interesting stuff. If only his piercing gaze didn't catch the Italian loop his arm around Megumi to steer her to one of the tools he placed and linger for more than a few minutes around her waist as he prattled on. If only he hadn't kept his arm there for such a large number of seconds that Soma was forced to push away any sort of amicable energy in him to glare at the Italian for his forced flirtation. Because seriously, what was he trying to accomplish here?
He could have been just a friend, lost in his own world of Italian gelatos that he didn't even notice his arm around the petite girl. Megumi could have easily tensed under his touch, flushing profusely before forcing herself to relax and listen because she was just so excited about the prospect of making Italian ice cream. And he, he could be idiotically obtuse boyfriend in the background, watching idly with a grin as he waited for ice cream to be made for consumption. Yes, he could easily be that guy because he wasn't jealous of Takumi Aldini.
But who was he trying to convince here?
Soma Yukihara was jealous, so intently jealous of Takumi Aldini that he had the itching urge to smack the guy in the back of the head and kick him in the balls for good measure. He tries his very best to reel in the pulsing rage that roars within him as his brain links his thoughts into action. The adrenaline that spiked came into fruition so quickly it left a buzzing throbbing ache in his head, leaving within him an itch to do something. He wanted to yell, to scream, to hit, punch and bite. He wanted to rip the guy away from his girl. Still, he contains his rage into a shiver, allowing only his arms to clench and unclench as if it was enough to defuse his fury. Grumbling silently to himself, he casts his eyes to the white marbled tile, glowering as he did. Jaw clenched, eyes wide, and rage pooling dangerously in his gut he simmers in his spot as silently as he could.
"Fratello!" a voice cuts hard through his doldrums enough to make him jump. Isami Aldini's voice carried down the lighted hall, casting notice on his arrival. "I'm home!" he calls out through the rummaging of plastic bags, undoubtedly being carried by the younger Italian. Megumi perks at his voice, before turning to the elder Italian and offering to help Isami bring the groceries in. She flounces away, not without a fleeting smile thrown Soma's way, before greeting the younger brother in the foyer.
And suddenly, the two were alone.
Soma wasn't sure if this was a godsend or some sort of curse set upon him by some entity who wishes to see the two finally give in and give each other a smack on the face. He just isn't sure what to make of the situation. He's not sure if this was just some sort of coincidence. He's not sure if this was Megumi's way of allowing him to deal with this, as she has sensed his darkening mood as they interacted. And to be honest, he's not even sure if Megumi thinks his darkening mood is because he just doesn't like her being with Takumi Aldini or because he's just not interested in making ice cream and was forced to be there. But, regardless of all of that, he is alone with the Italian who is rummaging in the refrigerator to get milk.
"Well," he finally speaks as he places the glass pitcher of milk on the counter, "this is unusual. You've been awfully quiet." He takes a gander at Soma, his assessing eyes roaming to his self-assigned rival as though he could dissect to cause of his pissy mood. He's not an idiot. He's caught wind of the chef's growing discontent the moment his emo self-dragged his way towards him in the beginning. Megumi has spoken openly about Soma's withdrawn attitude, wondering rather worriedly whether it was an issue about cooking that he wasn't willing to confide with her. So she had dragged to boy with her to make ice cream, thinking rather passionately and adorably that eating ice cream could lighten his mood. But, perhaps that is not the real reason for his rival's sudden depression.
"What's the matter?" he teases for a moment allowing a wicked grin catch his face when he finally comes to a realization, "Finally realized you're a mediocre chef?" He doesn't mean to really tease the sullen boy. He knows now what the cause of his simmering anger was, but he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the thought. How cute.
Soma takes his word for a second, his defensive stance hardening and tensing as he finally straightens himself from the slouching position he sat in for the duration of this entire debacle. Takumi rarely sees Soma like this, a serious steely predator with sharp amber pupils glinting behind narrowed eyes. He looks almost like a hunting lion. Almost. For a second, Takumi considers treating him as such, prodding him just to see how he would react. Would he pounce?
And finally, Soma makes his move. He squares his shoulders and stands erect, crossing his arms against his chest defiantly as the glinted glare zooms in on the handsome Italian's face. The well placed frown almost solidifies on his face before he melts it into a bitter smile, looking more and more like a snake as he considers his actions.
"Stay away from her," he finally says. His voice is husky, raunchy and hoarse as though he is forced to keep it at bay. Inwardly, he wants to start yelling and screaming to make his point but he is more than adept at keeping his composure if it meant keeping other people from interrupting this banter.
He almost expects Takumi to laugh at him. Perhaps he has overthought everything and is being completely irrationally jealous at the moment he can't even keep a straight face. Perhaps this was one whole big misunderstanding and his own insecurities are just bubbling forth like a heated witches cauldron for all the world to choke in. And perhaps, perhaps he was right and the Italian had all the plots done in his mind to steal Megumi away from him because he was just so inadequate as a lover. Perhaps.
Excepts he doesn't expect the answer that flies out of the Italian's mouth. Takumi looked almost amused, choosing instead to cock his head in consideration with his arms flexed just as defensively as he stared at him. For a mere second, he looked completely disappointed in him – an action that Soma understands causes him to inwardly flinch – before shaking his head as a smirk makes its' way on his lips.
"You have no right to dictate who she may make friends with," Takumi says almost fluidly as he turns away almost bored as he starts hunting the cupboard for sugar and vanilla bean.
Before Soma could even open his mouth to rebut, the Italian turns his head to look back at him for a moment before throwing another off handed comment, "Megumi doesn't say anything about the relationships you've cultivated with other girls, so why should you?"
There is a split second where Soma's jaw tenses to answer before it slackens when his mind finally makes sense of what the Italian says. His neurons fire to and fro, his body and mind completely ready to go on a spiel about how he wasn't entire comfortable with their close friendship and wanted to voice opposition before any viable form or romance formed between the two. He was completely ready for it. He had a speech. Hell he was ready to propose for an unofficial Shokgeki just to beat the damn Italian at his own game. He can make a better gelato then him dammit! He was ready!
But not for this.
….What? What relationships?
It was awkward. That was the word that Megumi was looking for. She had entered the room happily with Isami trailing behind almost bursting with energy and motivation. She had all her wonderful friends here to teach her make a delicious Italian dessert and she had Soma, her boyfriend (she still blushes profusely at the thought), who she can share hers with. Admittedly, while she has been enjoying her time with the Aldini brothers she also started to miss her time with Soma. So this became a wonderful opportunity to do both.
Well, she supposed she was hoping for too much? Curiously, she peeked between the two cooks she previously left and wondered what had exchanged between them to create such a brooding atmosphere. She turned to examine Soma, who had propped himself on one of the bar stools, placed his head between his crossed arms and was indefinitely muttering to himself darkly. He seemed to have been beyond irritated, bringing his head up just enough for her to see the confusion and irritation in his face. He caught her stare with a slow blink before his faced scrunched into one of guilt before burying itself way from her gaze.
"Soma-kun?" she ventured to ask as she walked closer to him, "Is everything okay?"
Crouching low, she barely caught the muffled response Soma gave. "I'm fine," he prattled on before forcing himself to look up at her almost tiredly and he gave a weak sigh. "I'm just…a little confused."
The situation would have easily been deflated had it not been for the derisive snort that Takumi gave from the other corner of the room. Megumi and Isami glanced over at the Italian blonde who was busying himself by measuring out the ingredients he would need. The narrowed glare of his icy blue irises did little to settle Megumi who thoroughly concluded that the two had a disagreement of some sort. "Did you two…," she trailed off trying to find the right words without starting another point of argument between the two, "…have some sort of disagreement?"
At her question, Takumi takes the time to look up, giving her almost a softened look before turning his head to cock at his opponent before smirking. "We came at an understanding," he said shortly with a small shrug. He said it so offhandedly that Isami couldn't help but let out a fit of giggles, who finally understood what had occurred between the two.
"Neh, Megumi," Soma whispered almost darkly as he picked himself up from where he sat, "I actually have something to do. Do you mind if I leave for a bit? I'll meet you back at the dorm okay?"
Megumi blinked, feeling the torrent of confusion whirl harder and harder inside her stomach at Soma's abrupt withdrawal. It just wasn't something Soma Yukihira did, certainly not when facing his proclaimed rival. All in all, she just felt like he was hiding something from her. While she respected Soma's privacy, she had expected a certain degree of trust that came with their newly formed relationship. So for him not to confide in her both stung and fidget with worry. "A-are you sure?" she ventured to ask as she neared him. She got close enough to look up at his forlorn face, letting a hand brush a stray eyelash she spotted on his left cheek.
At the motion, she was surprised to find Soma flinch before stepping back and stare back at her equally confused. Blinking, she opened her mouth to inquire of the motion before Soma gave her a tight smile and a small peck on the forehead.
"Yeah," he said jovially, "I just have to asking Isshiki – senpai something."
"Can't that wait until -"
"No, it's alright! Have fun!" With that he backed away, rambling a hurried farewell to the two brothers before bolting to the front door. And just like that, he was gone. Megumi wasn't sure what to think of it. But there was one thing she was certain of, she could probably get the answer from one blonde Italian chef in question. Turning almost stiffly back to the two silent Italian brothers who seem to be speaking to each other through heated glares, she crept close to the counter and gave a large sigh. "U-uhm….what - ?"
"Your boyfriend's an idiot Megumi."
He fucked up.
And he only realized it now. He was sure he wasn't thinking straight when he ran out of the Aldini household to look for Isshiki – senpai for advice. This only led to twenty minutes of dawdling about the Polar Storm Dormitory playing some reckless game of hide-and-seek. When he couldn't find the man, he simply resolved to corner him at night and bombard him with questions that night. He had expected him at least clear the bombardment of questions in his head before he had to guts to talk to Megumi about it. He was sure she would be indefinitely confused with his behavior. But he just had to know. Were other girls attracted to him? Did he somehow lure in girls without him noticing? And if he did, did Megumi notice? Why didn't she say anything? How come he never noticed? How will this affect their relationship? Is that the reason why Megumi seems hesitant to open up to him? Is this another example of him being a negligent turd of a boyfriend?
Sighing, he ran a frustrated hand through his sweat stained red locks. He could probably answer the last question without Satoshi's help. It was a resounding and disappointing yes. Clicking his tongue in frustration, he paced about his bedroom floor before flopping himself in bed. He seemed to fucking things up repeatedly hasn't he? Undoubtedly the event that transpired this afternoon was not going to help him either, for it was both confusing and disdainful for his part. And it was all because he was too irritated and confused to think straight without wanting to smack Takumi in the face just to ease his nerves. Perhaps that was the only good thing he's done correctly.
What he hadn't expected was Megumi to follow him afterwards a short while after his departure. He had expected her to stay with Takumi who would eventually divulge their little confrontation. He was sure she would leave him alone until evening when she was sure he cooled off and was willing to approach her about the issue. Then, perhaps they could talk about this rationally like two consenting adults. But, he really didn't expect her to trail after him. He certainly didn't expect her to knock softly upon his door, creak it open, and glare at him from the doorway.
There were very few times Soma has really witnessed Megumi be outright furious with him. This isn't some sort of adorable moment where he gets the pleasure of witnessing Megumi Tadokoro give a pouting face, cheeks puffed up, amber eyes glistening with tears and looking like a vengeful puppy. This time he is staring at an almost blank face, mouth set in a hard line, jaw clenched, amber eyes darkening into a flinching glare, and an overwhelming sense of apathy he was surprised to know the girl even had in her loving conscious.
"Megumi? What are you doing here?"
"Can we talk?" she whispered loud, hoping that she was loud enough for him to hear without arousing suspicion from anyone who may be eavesdropping in the hallway.
"Ah…yeah…," he answered awkwardly as he sat from his bed, glancing at the wooden floor as he rubbed the back of his head. "Come in."
Megumi took the chance to slip in silently, closing his door with a click and locking it for good measure before bounding across the room to stand in front of him. It struck him as odd that seemed to be even more irritated as she stood in his presence so he dared to look up, only to flinch at the hard glare she threw back. She seemed really mad.
"Uh…here," he offered hurriedly as he stood up abruptly and pulled his desk chair to face the bed, "take a seat." Shuffling awkwardly, he plopped himself down on his bed in front of her, choosing to avert his gaze to his lap. Somehow, he had both the feeling of impending doom and pitiful irony.
Nodding with thanks, Megumi simply fluffed out her dress before letting out a small sigh as she leaned back against the cushion of her seat. "Takumi-kun told me about what you said."
Steeling himself, Soma cleared his throat and made a mental note of the list of points that rushed into his head. "Uh…look Megumi," he began to speak, choosing to glance up at her for a moment before resting his gaze on her uncovered knees, "I can't say what I did today was cool and I know that I wasn't acting like the best guest, and I'll apologize to Takumi and Isami when I see them, and…"
"Takumi said you were being idiotic."
He flinched. Okay, that hit a nerve there but he can admit it. Yes, he was acting immature and impolite. He gets it. "I know, I know. I won't condone my behavior and –"
"He was also hurt that you would take off so abruptly before trying out his Nonna's gelato recipe."
"..Uhm yeah. I'm sorry about that. I'm sure it tasted good and knowing him, he'd make me try it sometime –"
"He was also nice enough to let me leave early without cleaning up so I could come talk to you. She cuts him abruptly once more, staring at him with such determined amber eyes he feels like he's being cut. "He even let me –"
And he can't help it. He blows up before he could even begin to register that blubbering rage and irritation he's kept inside him spews over and brings itself to the surface. "Can you please stop talking about Takumi Aldini for just one moment?! Please?! That's all I've been hearing for that last few days! Takumi this! Takumi that! You'd think that you were dating the guy and I was the gay best friend you came to for advice! I get it! I fucking get it Megumi! You like him! And I-"
He stops belatedly once his brain manages to make a neural link to his tongue and allows it to curl in his mouth just enough to shut him up. Gaping , he stares fish-eyed at his bewildered girlfriend sitting demurely in front of him, leaning back in fright at his sudden outburst as though she expected him to hit her. And it breaks his heart. He's never seen Megumi direct such a face at him before. But sitting here, right in front of him, she's staring at him with such a heart broken, confused and utterly frightened expression that he can't help but stare back in equal fright. Because, what the hell has he done?
He's never openly yelled at her before. He's annoyed and irritated her, made her angry, made her laugh, and has generally spent the majority of his first year with her because that is what boyfriends do right!? But, boyfriends don't yell at their girlfriends to the point she's looking at him like he's some abusive piece of trash. Shivering, he can't help but inch back further into bed at the pure shame that follows his initial stumped moment. He's felt shame before, but never like this. Nothing that makes him want nothing more than to curl in the ball and just cry. He feels the adrenaline pump its way back into his poor fluttering heart even faster and he's sure this time he would die of cardiac arrest. He sputters for a moment, trying to regain some sense of the situation when he feels his throat just constrict and he finds it harder and harder to draw breath. Gulping, he flinches at the sudden dryness of his itchy throat and opens his mouth to try again.
"I…I'm sorry I-I didn't…"
Pathetic. His voice is coming out as pathetic. It's hoarse and gritty, too dry and rough. Clenching his fist, he forces himself to break his gaze upon her stricken form and closed his eyes. He needs to save this situation. He's scared her. He doesn't know what he's saying. He's just an asshole. He doesn't know what to do about it. And she's just going to hate him. Yep, she's going to break up with him now for being a brute and hate him for the rest of her years. And he's…he's….
He doesn't know. God, he doesn't know. All he knows is, he's really fucked up now.
"He also told me that you were incredibly jealous of him," she says it with such finality and gentleness he can't help but wince before bringing himself up to glance at her direction. He expects some kind of animosity from her, but he finds so much love in her gaze that he jumps up and stares. Because, what? What has he done to deserve that?
Blinking sluggishly, he doesn't realize she's leaned it and cupped his face until she's inches away from him. Smiling gently, Megumi allows herself to ease forward from her seat until she's reached a comfortable distance between them, letting her fingers caress his face with all the care and love that she could exude. "And I'm sorry for not realizing that I was hurting you sooner Soma-kun." Granting him a small chaste kiss on the left cheek she added with a small whisper, "I'll try harder, I promise."
Letting out a muffled nose from his throat, he all but grabs at her and pulls her in against him. Sighing at the closed proximity, he eases her into him before reaching down to cup her face with his own clammy hands and provide her with heated kisses. She shouldn't be the one apologizing. She shouldn't be the one promising to try harder. It should be him. He knows this all too well.
"No," he says pathetically slow as he buries his ashamed face into the crook of her neck, "No I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I should have told you it bothered me. I shouldn't have let it blow up so badly like I did. I'm sorry. I'll try harder, I promise." He nuzzled closer to her, drawing back just enough to shower kisses into her collar bone before adding, "I won't stop you from being friends with Takumi. I'll just…I'll try harder to make you fall in love with me."
He doesn't expect her to give off such a flirtatious giggle until he feels the vibrations of her throat against his cheeks. Dazed, he glances up at her again to see her shoot him such an amused grin. Running her dainty fingers into his hair, she lets out another airy laugh. "I've never had a crush of Takumi-kun! There's nothing going on between us! Don't be silly!"
His tense form relaxes at her admission and he can't help but bury his face back against her in shame. Of course, she didn't love him. Of course there was nothing between them. This was just him and his overly imaginative, stupid brain again. Seriously, he's played himself into a stupid corner for nothing. But….just in case. "What about Isami?" he murmurs against her neck before turning a childish pout her way.
His expression makes her laugh again before she places a well-earned kiss on his forehead for being such a lovable twit. "Nothing with Isami either," she promises lightly.
"Okay…good. Good…," he sighs with content. "Thank god…"
"Today was exhausting," Megumi muttered aloud.
"Mmmff," her sleeping companion hummed in response. Turning to her side, she spied Soma facing her in his sleep. He seemed barely awake, just clinging on to the vestiges of reality before slipping further and further into a fruitful REM cycle. Still, he seemed to be coherent enough to at least vaguely answer her. Smiling softly, she shifted in his arms to draw herself a bit closer to study his face. In the light, he seemed rather peaceful. The soft light of the moon managed to dance along the bridge of his nose, melting along the curves of his mouth, with shadows meeting evenly at the tips of red hair tapering down his jaw. Handsome, perfect, peaceful.
Her hands itched up between her body, bunching up the fabric of their shared blanket as she forced herself to stare unwaveringly at him. Even in sleep, he seemed to make her feel flustered, naked, and so very loved all at once. She can't even recall a time where she felt so overwhelmingly adored all at once. And the promises they made each other tonight seemed to just seal her happiness, allowing her to wallow in it as she thought back to the events tonight unfolded.
After that awkward fiasco, the two spend a quiet evening alone in a small café determined to enjoy each other's company. As it turned out, the two missed each other's presence more than they thought. The quiet understanding between the two was enough to content them as they sipped their tea. Megumi was quite content on just sitting close to him, even more elated when Soma curled his arm around her and bought her even closer to him with a giant grin.
"I think we have to promise something to each other Megumi," he whispered to her as the steeling glint of determination seemed to reawaken in his gaze. She watched him curiously, fingering her delicate braids before nodding for him to continue. She watched as his face practically shined with elation as he bought one hand to cup against both his before planting it solidly against his chest. "I promise," he began sternly as he gazed at her with such intense ferocity that she felt compelled to sit straighter from her perch, "to stop holding things in. I promise to be honest with you about what's bothering me."
Smiling brightly, she copied his motions and placed her other hand against his before bringing it close to her own heart. "And I promise to do the same to you. We need to be honest with each other...to make this r-relationship better." She blushed at her last statement, feeling suddenly embarrassed and giddy all at once.
At her reaction, Soma simply laughed and cooed at her cuteness before bringing her close to give a chaste kiss. "We're different people Megumi," he said under his breath, "it seems normal for us to fight sometimes. And it's even stupider to think that we won't."
"You know what I think?"
The two jumped at the interjecting voice that cut across their moment like a freezing block of ice. They turned swiftly to the side, a flurry of unwinding limbs and embarrassing squawks when the realized how uncomfortably close they are at showing public displays of affection. That is if they weren't already. Flustered, they looked up to see Alice and Ryo staring back at them. Alice was clutching into Ryo's arm, a mischievous grin playing in her face. Ryo didn't seem all that interested in them, seemingly more interested in balancing the tray of drinks he held with his other arm.
After another awkward flurry of greetings and invitations to sit, the couple in question sat in front of them sipping their own drinks. "So," Alice says waving away the air of awkwardness that threatened to permeate around them, "what were you two fighting about?" She leans back and leans even closer to Ryo who all practically left the conversation, choosing more to zone out and stare blankly at the ceiling. That was all fine, but it didn't help that Alice seemed to be even more probing, with the cursory stare she directed at the couple she questioned. Raising one finely groomed eyebrow, she let out another smirk as she watched them fidget undr her gaze. "Let me guess? Jealousy? A certain Italian boy with a sexy butt? Perhaps jealousy for a certain Italian boy with a sexy butt?"
Well, she certainly hit the jackpot on her first try. At the uncomfortable flinch Soma gave, Alice gave another chuckled before sipping her own drink and nodding. "Let me give you a piece of advice…"
"No thanks," Soma quipped. While he certainly responded quite well to advice, particular from a couple he knew had experience, he wasn't sure that actually getting and acknowledging their advice now would help Megumi and his relationship. Especially since it was fragile and barely holding itself together at this point. The urge to hide his face in utter embarrassment didn't help either.
"Don't be a baby!"
"I'm not being a baby! I'm just –"
"Stop being so damn agreeable with each other all the fucking time." Soma blinked. He wasn't sure what was most surprising. The fact that somehow the two managed to track them down and offer to give relationship advice or the mere fact that said advice came out of Ryo Kurokiba's mouth. He merely gazed at the chef in question, noting once more that the red bandana was nowhere to be found. Yet, he was glaring at them ostentatiously enough to know that he was fired up.
"Uh…," was the only intelligent answer he could possibly give back, earning hard glare from the panda – eyed chef.
"You said it yourself," Ryo snarled from his seat as his arm curled around the smiling Alice nestled close to him, "you two are different people. Stop agreeing with each other about crap you feel different about. Stop saying sorry about it. It's you right?" At this he directed his pointed glare directly at the meek blue haired girl across from him. Megumi jumped at the attention, feeling suddenly threated and all together flustered. Lip curling, Ryo let out a feral grin in response and nodded with a flippant wave of his other hand, "Except of course you're willing to live the rest of relationship lying to each other's face. Then, if so, the hell with it. Good fucking luck."
Megumi shuffled from her position and let out a sigh. Somehow, even now, she felt like Kurokiba had especially zoned into her when he made that comment. It left her confused. What did he mean? Stop being so agreeable? But…isn't that what couples do? They compromise right? They fix themselves so that each one felt loved, appreciated and respected. So what did he mean?
Stealing another glance at her lover, Megumi couldn't help but crack a small smile. Somehow, Soma had caught wind of it faster than she could.
"Megumi!"
"Soma-kun?"
The two were walking at a leisurely pace, enjoying the coolness of the night as they walked back to the dorm. Curling his hand around hers, Soma intertwined their fingers together and turned to face her fully. "I was thinking about what Ryo and Alice said."
Cocking her head to the side, she couldn't help but give in a small smile in return. While she wasn't quite sure what Ryo meant, she did understand to a point about what they encouraged. They needed to trust each other, right? Wasn't that it? Feeling like that was what Soma was going to bring up, Megumi nodded and steeled herself for his speech. She had quite a similar speech in her head as well. It was simple of course. Trust was the basis of every relationship right?
"I love you," he blurted out so suddenly that even he seemed taken aback by his firm voice. There was a certainty there that astounded Megumi to the core. The emotion that Soma bought forth seemed to slip into her ear, making her feel as though she was suddenly in the clouds. That somehow, all the energy were zapped from her legs and she was floating into an abyss of happy nothingness. She was stumped.
She barely opened her mouth to say something back when Soma took her hands in his and gave her an elated grin. "I know it's early. We're barely together and we haven't had the best run of it, but I can't describe my feelings for you any other way. I…you…don't have to say anything now. I'm just…I just wanted you to know."
They are left in another row of uncomfortable silence as Megumi struggled to find an answer she could possibly throw back to match his sudden confession. Love is such a strong, strong word and she feared to use it. She was sure he felt the same way. They love to cook. They love their family, their friends. Those were easy things to confess because they were true. And now, now Soma is using that word for her. She's not sure what to think of it except she feels like she might be dying.
Grinning at her flabbergasted expression, Soma takes his time to cup her face and bring her into another kiss. They've been doing it a lot it seems, but he's grateful. She makes to no move to stop him, which he is even more thankful for. "You know," he begins breathless as he pulls away from her, "I've always envied my parents' relationship."
"…Mm?" she practically purrs back when she feels his wandering hands glide smoothly across her neck, graze her ears and into her hair. She seemed drunk from his affection, something he can attest to as plausible and real.
"It's funny," Soma says as he brings her close to mold herself against him, "Dad once said that the trick to being a good chef is finding a woman to devote all my cooking to. He said to look for someone who makes me want to cook even better, for her. " He brings her closer with a small squeeze and laughs, "I thought it was funny because I always thought being a good chef meant making people in general happy to eat my food and have them wanting more. But now…I think I finally understand."
It was a solid moment before Megumi detracts herself from his grasp. Solemnly she stared back at him and bit her lip. "…I… I make you want to be a better chef?"
"Yeah of course! Everytime I cook something and watch you eat it, you're face just brightens up and –"
Megumi would have thought of this as romantic, if it weren't for that sharp pang of guilt that suddenly ran through her body. She doesn't mean to tune him out, but she can't but fight the urge to suddenly run away from him and cry. He's never once actually cooked a dish especially made just for her.
She somehow manages to slip away from his grasp and make her way to the girl's shared bathroom down the hallway. Even then, she can do little for her own shivering pathetic form before she collapses in a pathetic pile on the white tiled floor. Sniveling for a moment, she takes time to take an intake of breath before breaking down. Shaking, she feels the anger and resentment fester inside her as the soft trails pour from her blinking amber eyes. It's shimmering with misery and resignation, her lock thick eyelashes clumping together as they are soaked with tears. Softly, she lets out soft gasps, trying vainly to cease her crying. It only manages to make it louder somehow as it bounces off the tiled walls. The color of her cheeks and tip of her nose darkens red as she fights for self-control.
She hopes and she wishes no one will find her like this.
"I don't want Soma to see me like this," she thinks to herself before violently shaking her head. It was like the promise of being honest to each other had not just happened tonight. She really was such a pathetic girlfriend.
She just never thought heartbreak would be this painful. How naïve she was.
Note: Mmm..mmmm. I feel like I made a Spanish telenovela. Well…okay. That turned out fluffier than I imagined it to be. So uh…I bet someone will review that Soma has in fact made a dish especially for Megumi (discounting all the times he makes those yucky squid/octopus dishes he does because that's a running gag by now). And he probably did? I'm not quite sure. But in this story, he didn't because….yes well I needed to point out stuff. Sorry about that.
Anyway, sorry for butchering the English Language. And thank you very much for all the reviews, likes, follows, and for reading. I truly appreciated it.
Also, please, please review on what you guys thought. I often feel like I'm totally going out of character with them (it is expected of course, but I like to try and stay near their personality zone). So Soma, turns out so unSoma-like that I often go back and rewrite what he says. So please tell me what you think.
Anyway, Troublesome-monkey-dono signing out!