Chapter 2: Crazy with Worry

PopNina250: Here it is! Chapter 2 is already out! Hope you enjoy!

Anime Show: Shokugeki no Soma

Genre: Romance/Drama

Pairing: Shun Ibusaki and Ryoko Sakaki

Overview: Introducing, Shun Ibusaki! With the dorm becoming so empty, Ryoko isn't the only one feeling the loneliness. Is there anything that can heal their saddened hearts?

The Polar Star Dormitory's early risers were already participating in their morning routines.

Ever since Isshiki had graduated, Zenji, members from his Research Society, and even some of the new freshmen had been the ones tending his garden. Megumi was away on business, to fulfill her duties as a member on the council. Soma was also away, but not due to business. He was traveling around the world to gain more knowledge for his culinary skills, and also get temporary jobs every now and then to save up money for his and Erina's wedding.

Wiping the sweat from his cheek, Shun Ibusaki continued to shred away his logs of wood, as part of his process of creating his first smoked dessert.

"This damn sun won't give up, huh?" Shun muttered to himself. He had been working with his chainsaw for over two hours now. Despite always feeling tired at 7:00 AM, he would never procrastinate and would continue to use all the time he had to create smoked dishes.

Along with his hobby of smoking, Shun always wore turtleneck sweaters year-round. He never liked to show himself off much. His entire image was built around keeping himself conservative, which could be an explanation for his shaggy, long bangs, forever remaining a shield over his eyes.

The feeling of utter exhaustion caused him to shut off the chainsaw for a brief moment of rest. Leaning against a nearby tree, dripping with sweat and breathing heavily, Shun turned his head to the side. He happened to have a perfect view of the garden his former senpai had spent hours upon hours tending to, in the past.

He refused to say it out loud, but he missed Isshiki, even if he was always annoyed by his embarrassing comments and his weird habit of being naked. Beneath what was on the surface, Isshiki seemed to be the only one who could fully see through Shun's mystique and even, at times, understand him completely. Just two unreadable guys with the same intentions and goals. A bond that not even Zenji could attain.

"Screw this," he muttered under his breath. "What am I trying to hide?" Lifting his sweater over his head, Shun revealed his bare chest. Once again, he picked up his chainsaw and refocused his attention back on his work.

Later with Ryoko:

The breakfast wasn't warm enough, but she dared not tell Fumio about it. After gulping it down as fast as she could, she prepared for her morning class.

Because her rice required three more days to fully ferment, she didn't have to go to her workshop and had the time to improve her academic status. It seemed like a great way to keep herself busy, and at the same time, avoid getting expelled, just as her previous dorm mates had been.

Ryoko grabbed her bag and headed out the door, only to find herself leaving with a feeling of instant regret. Walking outside the building to be suddenly face-to-face with Isshiki's garden didn't do her any favors emotionally. What made it even worse was seeing the freshmen tending to it, being all friendly and giddy with one another.

She recalled the times she and Yuki had collected basil leaves together. Yuki would be non-stop talking about random boys from her cooking classes, claiming them all to be irresistible hotties. At the time, Ryoko found her chats about boys quite confusing and even a little annoying, but right now, she needed to hear that bubbly voice of hers more than anything, no matter the topic of the conversation.

Deep in thought, Ryoko hadn't realized she had continued walking until she bumped into someone. The unknown person crashed to the ground, and she, being unable to react quickly enough, lost her balance and fell on top of them.

"Ugh!" Ryoko grumbled and raised her head, just enough to meet her dorm mate, Shun's, eyes. His bangs were completely disarrayed. She stared into his widened, deep blue eyes, until she noticed the position she had placed herself in.

Her body was lying on top of his bare chest, almost fully grinding against it. Both of them blushed at the interaction. Ryoko, being the one on top, was quick to jump off him and squirm backwards.

"Sorry, Shun! I...I should really be more careful and watch where I'm... I'm," The teenage girl interrupted herself, as her eyes wandered to his unclothed torso. Never had she seen him without a shirt on. In fact, not even without his regular sweater or school uniform. From these circumstances, it was made clear to her how he has the strength to carry all those logs. His muscular arms and biceps, his impressive abs. Quite the sight for her to see, this early in the morning.

Noticing her gaze, he quickly rose to his feet, turning his back to her. He regained his composure before looking back at her, still lying on the ground, her gaze fixed upon him.

"Umm, are you okay Sakaki-san?" he asked, staring at her as she remained on the ground. His concern and worry were evident in his tone, but it went unnoticed by her due to her distracting thoughts.

"Sakaki?...Sakaki?...Earth to Sakaki-san?" He waved his hand in front of her face, in an attempt to snap her out of her daze.

Returning her focus, she looked up at him. His hand was already out in front of her, which she hesitantly took hold of. The hand was warm and a bit rough around the edges, but it still had his gentle touch.

Both of them having regained their footing, they stood in front of each other, unsure of what to do next. They both shuffled their feet and kept their gazes downward.

Minutes passed by, and Shun, unable to handle another second of this awkwardness, finally looked up. Ryoko followed his lead and met eyes with him. Time seemed to stop. Her deep orange eyes, too captivating to look away from. Alongside her beautiful eyes was her beautiful body, shaped perfectly as if she was a supermodel. His heart beat out of his chest. His cheeks heated up. 'Has she always looked this immaculate?

"Ryoko, I..." *BUZZ* *BUZZ* *BUZZ*

The alarming sound of a phone broke them from their trance. Noticing the phone, Ryoko reached into her jacket's pocket. Unfortunately, time didn't freeze for her sake. She was going to be late for her first class.

"Shoot! I've gotta run! See ya later, Shun!" Before Shun could get a word out, she was running down the road without hesitation. He watched with wide eyes as she ran towards the dorm's entrance gate. Once her presence had disappeared from his view, he found himself questioning his sanity. But more than that, he suddenly felt lonely again.

"Ryoko, I want to know why I suddenly miss seeing your face? I want to know why I suddenly feel so warmed by you?"

Shun sighed and went inside the dorm.

Concluding Statements: I hope you enjoy my story so far! Sorry if my writing is a bit disorganized! I'm very new to this. I'm hoping to get the next chapter out sometime next week, so be on the lookout for updates!!!