(A/N: A very quick disclaimer before we begin. This book is very inspired by LeoHiggins on because GOT DAMN they're good at SomaSako. Also, I'm stealing their list of things couples do because yes.ALSO sorry in advance to all my female readers because I'm gonna write in 1st person from Hisakos perspective and not many of you may know this but uhhhhhhhh... I'm a guy so when I get everything wrong please don't kill me, please instruct me on how to better the writing that and this is my first time writing in first person so yeah. Also, shout out to any and everyone who has ever written SomaSako you are underappreciated just like the ship is and you're doing gods work. I mean it from the depths of my soul. No, seriously I'm even gazing at the laptop softly with a slight smile as I type aggressively. Now onto the story)
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"C'mon Hishokooooooo. It's tastyyyyyyyyy. Trust meeeeeeeee"
"For the love of- IT'S HISAKO!"
Yukihira Soma. For someone who cooks dishes that range from comfortable to refined, he sure is annoying. His bugging me about a pitch black pasta proves that point even more so. The redhead gave me a small smile and picked up some pasta with his fork before eating it.
"See, I'm not dying or anything. It's good" Soma spoke before picking up another helping of pasta with the fork. "Here," he said offering it to me. I couldn't help but stare at the fork of pitch black pasta absolutely stunned at the offering.
"For the last time, I said no" I chided. It wasn't because the food was visually unappealing, well not anymore at least, no. It was because Soma just ate with that same fork.
"Don't tell me you're scared Hishoko" Soma said with a teasing smile. That damned nickname.
"For the last time. It's Hi-" That damned redhead couldn't even give me the luxury of finishing my sentence as he immediately shoved the fork of pasta into my mouth.
"Tasty right?" He said. I can detect the teasing in his voice but he is right, it's good. The noodles were light and springy, doing well to hold the myriad of flavors within. Squid, onions, squid ink?
"So THAT'S why the pasta's black. Ingenious" The squid ink was barely noticeable taste-wise but had such a profound impact on the dish's visuals. Truly a testament to how unique each ingredient can be. Squid ink pasta huh? Not bad Soma. Not bad at all.
"Hey, Hisako"
I hmmed in response and looked up, my brown eyes meeting his own. Were they always this golden? Was my face always this hot? Was his face always that close to mine? Is it hot in here all of a sudden?
"The school site says we have an exam tomorrow" His face pulled away from mine as he talked about the details and coincidentally everything got much much colder.
"Says here we'll be partnered up and forced to spend ten days out in the city. We'll have a set amount of cash and we can find work to earn more and those who the spectators deem unworthy will be immediately expelled." He rattled off but it didn't really matter all I could focus on was how his eyes seemed to taunt me with the warmth they know they'd stolen from me. "...and you and I are gonna be partners?" That snapped me out of my trance. Soma and I were gonna be living together for ten days...huh?
"Soma, I need to talk to you. Oh! Hey, Hisako" I recognized that voice.
"Erina-Sama!" I managed to sputter out. They say the eyes are the gateway into the soul and the way her eyes looked told me that nothing good was gonna come out of this talk. I turned back to Soma and that feeling only got worse. Those eyes that playfully held my warmth now had their own snuffed out. He gave a solemn nod and followed her out of the kitchen we were using not before giving me a look of apology.
"See ya later Hishoko"
I didn't correct him this time. I sat and ate the rest of the pasta he had made for me, enjoying the dosh thoroughly before finally standing and stepping into the hall to head home. And that's when I saw him. The ever-positive Yukihira Soma, on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. School had been over for quite some while, we got special permission due to Soma's elite ten status, so people seeing him wasn't a problem, well save for me of course.
As if he sensed my presence, Soma's head shot up and his now dull golden eyes stared into mine. We stayed in this state of stagnation for a while before it was broken by a laugh from Soma.
"Now this is just unlucky" And he was right. I just had to finish before he was done crying and I just had to walk out the way I did. "You must be so confused about what to say and that's fine. It's okay to not know how to respond to things Hisako" Was he seriously comforting me? He was balling his eyes out not even two minutes ago and here he was comforting me about my inability to speak. It was infuriating.
"What happened?" He reeled at my question and I realized that I must've caused him to remember what happened. "You don't have to answer of course" I quickly added.
"We're friends right Hisako?" That stumped me for some reason. Initially, I would've immediately said no but now? Now he's someone who I look up to in a really weird way. He's someone I can laugh with but mostly at so yeah.
"We're friends" I gave him a warm smile.
"UMPH-" I cried out. Soma just threw his entire body at me in the form of a hug and despite the initial rib-crushing force...it felt really nice.
"I don't know what I did wrong" he sounded like he was about to cry again.
"I don't know what happened but you're not alone in this. You have loads of friends that'll support you no matter what" It was simple but I think he got the message. We stayed like this for a few more moments. Soma and I were on our knees with me rubbing patterns along his back in an attempt to soothe him. It was...tranquil.
"Thank you, Hisako." I only nodded because I didn't really need his thanks, I'd gladly do it again.
"It's getting late..." I trailed off at the end to insinuate something and it seems he understood as he stood, lifting me up with him.
"Thank you for being there for me Hishoko. Allow me to walk you home" It didn't seem like an offer almost as if he was letting me know he was gonna do it, regardless of what I said and as such I let the argument die in my throat.
"It's no problem Soma" And with that, we walked off to the Nakiri mansion in comfortable silence. Once we arrived Soma grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face him. The warmth is back. It's back and I love it but I hate that I know it'll be gone soon. His grip is so strong and protective, another thing I know will be gone soon even if for a bit and I hate it. My eyes trail down to the signature Yukihira shirt stretched around his torso. I can see the outline of his abs which match perfectly with his strong arms. Almost as if Soma is a perfectly cooked meal with just the right ingredients and just the right textures. And I wouldn't mind a bite or two. Wait what?
"Are you ok Hishoko?"
It fell on deaf ears
He's so close. It'd be so easy to kiss him. So easy to bite him. So easy to take him.
"HISAKO?!" Oh. I must've been staring.
"Wha?" Soma just shook his head at my confusion and gave a slightly teasing smile.
He dug in his pocket and presented his phone. "Your number. Can I have your number?"
I only nodded, took the phone, and input my number. "Good night Soma"
"Good night Hishoko"
I through the gate and into the mansion in search of Erina-Sama but ironically, she found me.
"Hisako..." I made an immediate 360 and faced her nervously.
"Y-yes Erina-Sama?" I don't know why I was scared. I did nothing wrong. Unless...nononononononononononono she can't read minds...right?
"What's your relationship with Soma?" Erina-Sama was always straight to the point I suppose.
"He's a good friend" It was the truth though a small part of me was almost disappointed about what? I don't know.
Erina said nothing and turned and headed into her room and I did the same. As I lay in my bed I can't help but think that my relationship with Soma has slightly improved and I don't really know why but as long as I get that warmth then I'll be happy but for now, sleep.
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Today was the day of the test and I was a mix of nervous and excited. Nervous because it was another chance of expulsion. And excited because I'd never heard of a test such as this before. We were to head to our first-period classes and each pair would receive their money and starting apartment said apartments being completely random in size, quality, and neighborhood to help simulate how different lives could be between people.
"I'm sure you've all read the report but for those who are...lazier... than the rest I'll run through it one final time. Students will be paired randomly and will be given 200,000 yen to spend however they please. Each pair will be assigned a random apartment that has already been paid for by the school and a word of warning, some of you will get better apartments than the others. The rent will be paid for however, if you wish to purchase a new apartment you may do so but the rent will fall on you along with the furnashing that is mandatory for all students." The students seemed to understand the test as a wave of determination flooded the classroom. "Now you should know the pairs but for those who dont they are..." I tuned him out as I already knew my pair and speaking of said partner.
I turned to look at Soma and what I saw confused me. Soma was visibally uncomfortable but...no that wasnt it. He wasnt uncomfortable he was distressed. He was fidgeting in his seat and if her eyes werent decieving her...he had tears in his eyes. But that couldnt be right. He was next to Gods Tongue herslef. The madonna of the school. His girlfirend. So why was he distressed? It didnt make sense. Maybe it had something to do with the talk they had which would explain his tears but what the hell was that talk about.
"Now, go and expereience the joys of life." And with that we all walked up to the front, collected our bags with the cash and info and left for the exam.
"You alright Soma?" My question seemed a bit redundant because clearly he wasnt but still.
"I-...Can we go for ice cream Hisako I dont wanna think right now..." It was something about his eyes. They seemed so innocent, so pure...want to take that purity wait WHAT!?.
"S-Sure!" I shook my head to get rid of those...thoughts and walked to the campus bus stop. We were let off of school early as to get the whole day to get set up and so the whole bus was filled meaning we had to stand.
"H-Hisako is that your hand up my shirt?" I pray that was a joke. I inched my head downwards and see that my hand is indeed up his shirt and grazing his abs but I couldve sworn my hand was on the solid metal bus wall.
"S-Sorry" I quickly retracted my hand and trurned my head to the side. How the hell could that even happen scratch that how the hell are his abs that hard. We stayed in uncomfortably silence for the remained of the ride and all the way up until the ice cream parlor. "What flavor?" I of course needed so I could order for him but I was also curious. What would Somas favorite flavor be?
"Mint Chocolate Chip" Sin
"You're joking."
"Mint Chocolate Chip is heavenly same with pineapple pizza and i refuse to have you comment on it" I could only sigh and smile.
"One Mint Chocolate Chip and one Butter Pecan please" the clerk nodded, gave us a smile and took out a notepad.
"One Mint Chocolate Chip and Butter Pecan for the nice couple" My face was heating up again.
"We're not a couple. He has a girlfirend afterall" A part of me felt dissapointed saying that. Why? Best not to ponder on it too long I guess. I turned to Soma who seemed so downtrodden and I know for a fact that it has to do with that talk he had with Erina-Sama. We got our ice cream and I covered a thankful Yukihira as he somehow forgot his wallet. We sat and ate our ice cream with a comment or two here and there before finally leaving and heading to our assigned apartment and it is there we run into our first major problem.
"Theres only one room..." I said it more to myslef than to him be regardless the issue was pressing.
"I'll sleep in the livingroom" I only nodded at his proclomation. "Small probelm though. We don't have furniture." Soma was right there was no sofa no table no anything. We only had a small kitchen, an empty living room and an empty room along with a bathroom.
"What are we gonna sleep on..." It was a question to myself if anything but regardless Soma gave me an answer.
"You can have my pillows and cover so you can make a makeshift bed to sleep on until we can find some cheap enough furniture or a job"
"You don't have to Soma-"
"If it's for your comfort then I'll be happy to" That warmth was back again. And so we got to it. The whole day was spent cleaning up the rickity old apartment and once we were finally done we decided to go to sleep and deal with the furniture/job problem tomorrow.
"There you go Hishoko"
"Thank you" This Soma was so different from the Soma earlier today. This one is so much brighter and happier than the one I spent early today with. We bid eachother goodnight but I couldnt sleep. Why is the beacon of hope that was, no, is Yukihira Soma so downtrodden and what does Erina-Sama have to do with it.
"I can't sleep" And so I waledk to the kitchen to fill my waterbottle. "God he looks so peaceful" I walked up to him and crouched infront of his sleeping face. I only then noticed he's sleeping on his blazer and bag with no other comfort items and I immedeatly felt bad about causing this. Oh! I dash to my room and grab both of our pillows and blankets along with my own bag and create a small bed for both of us to sleep on.
"C'mon!" God he's heavy. I lay him on the 'bed' before doing the same beside him. Warm. Even wamrer than his eyes. It felt safe. It felt warm. It felt like everything was perfect in life. I guess this is what close friends feel like. Do people typically want to bite their best friends as well? Question for another time because for now...all I wanna do is sleep and Soma makes a damn good pillow.
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OK JESUS. This took me hours to write and I havent been to sleep since 2AM but anyways. If you haven't noticed I changed Soma and Hisako's personality a bit because I like it this way and if you're saying "But Ant, thats not how they act in the anime/manga" then all I have to say to you is...ITS FUCKING FAN FICTION FICTION. So the changes (if you haven't noticed them) are simple. Soma is a lot more sensitive about things outside of food because his whole life its been cooking cooking cooking so when bad things outside of cooking happens he doesnt know how to handle them because well he's new to them. Hisako is also way more down bad and dominte heh and that's because she's been Erinas seceretary for damn near her whole life and being second to somebody your entire life would make you want to be number one in something even if tis subconcious and as such she wants to be the number one in her and Soma's relationship even if she doesnt realize it. And she's down bad because all she does is seceratary work and nothing else...nothing else. Anyhoot. Im gonna go crack every bone in my body from sitting on this bed for hours just typing and thinking on how im gonna bullshit my way through this and then after that im gonna get something to drink and wonder why I cant get a girlfriend or a boyfriend.