(A/N): Before we start just wanna apologize for taking so long for a second chapter. MMA really took a lot of my time but I love it so what can ya do.
I truly wished I could've stayed asleep. Stayed stuck in the moment encumbered by the smell of olive wood and the soft heat radiating from the man next to me. Even if it was only for a few more minutes. But responsibility loomed and I for one refused to ignore it.
"What the hell?" My arms were numb and I couldn't stop the exclamation of perplexion. Looking down I very quickly realized why my limbs lost feeling. I was holding Soma. Quite tightly might I add.
"Hmmm" I was humming to myself as I carefully pulled my arms from Soma in an attempt to avoid waking him. I say attempt because soon after he started to stir.
"Mornin' Ishoko" His fatigue imparted a noticeable slur on his voice and pair that with his half-lidded eyes it was cute- no. It was sexy. Wait? The hell? No no no.
"Hishoko? Heyyyyy? Earth to Hishoko..." His face was so close to mine, something that seemed to be happening a lot, and once again I couldn't help but fantasize about leaning slightly closer and bridging the gap between our lips. No. I shouldn't think like this not when this is the boyfriend of my idol. The woman to whom I've dedicated my life.
"Hisa-"
"SHOPPING! LET'S GO FURNITURE SHOPPING!" He probably thinks I'm weird. Why did I have to scream? Oh god, what is wrong with me?
"Great idea Hishoko but uhhh... shouldn't we shower and eat and stuff?" I forced my eyes to look up and honestly, I don't know if I regret it or love it. Those eyes ever so confident seemed to have the raging flame of wildfire but the comfort of a hearth. I covered my stare with a smile and nodded before turning toward the bathroom.
"I'll wash up first. No peeking" Truthfully I don't know why I added the last part. Sure we aren't the best of friends but I know Soma to be a gentleman as well as a great cook. Soma nodded and headed towards the kitchen or rather the fridge presumably to start breakfast. A small smile crept on my face and I shut the door. Thankfully Totsuki paid for the utilities as well and I was able to enjoy my shower and the scent of coffee and eggs spreading through the apartment. After dressing myself I walked out expecting to see the sight of Soma cooking, in his element, but that wasn't the case. The food was there but Soma seemingly wasn't. He was staring through his phone and his eyes were glazed over with tears.
"The coffee is for you I don't drink it" His voice was hoarse and empty as if it wasn't him talking. That voice sank my innards to the depths of my stomach and stripped the room of any air or comfort. I caught a glimpse of his phone through his tear-glazed eyes and saw blonde.
"Erina" I hadn't meant to say it aloud but Soma's eyes shot to her regardless. I couldn't move and almost couldn't breathe.
"Don't" It was only a word but it seemed to swallow me whole. He soon stood and fixed a plate handing it to me who was rooted in the same spot for what was seemingly hours. I took it and sat but he didn't sit with me instead moving towards the bathroom to wash himself off. I sat and ate and unsurprisingly the simple eggs and toast were nearly perfect.
He walked out fifteen minutes later and sat across from me.
"You still haven't finished that plate?" I could hear the whimsical tone in his voice and it almost made me forget about the state he'd been in moments ago.
"I- It's my second plate" Was my face on fire? Was the carpet always this color?
"I'm glad you like it" His voice forced me to look into his eyes and I regretted it almost immediately. His eyes had that same ragging blaze that I constantly find myself getting lost in but they were softened as opposed to his usual ever-determined gaze. It seemed like they were pulling me into an embrace that I couldn't hope to escape from.
"We shouldn't laze around all day. We need furniture." The sentence was more of an escape if anything and one I'm glad to have uttered.
"You're right Hishoko! We shant squander this day on idiocy and procrastination!" What the fuck?
"Let's just go" I shook my head and grabbed my phone to check first and foremost, what furniture stores were open. Luckily there was one relatively close to us and so with a destination, goal, and cash in hand Soma and I set out to the furniture store.
"Bus stops over there" Soma was somehow walking in the opposite direction and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the smallest bit amusing.
"Thanks. Never really been in Kamurocho before so I'm a little disoriented" I couldn't help but giggle at the look on his face. His eyes took in everything around him in amazement but his body remained tense. Almost like a puppy in a new home. I need to protect him from harm…because he's my friend... Yeah, my friend. Soon enough the bus pulled over and we boarded the surprisingly empty automobile before sitting down. I hadn't noticed Soma was next to me until the familiar scent of olive wood invaded my nose and my gaze shifted to track it. Our gazes met and surprisingly it stayed that way until the furniture store came into view.
"Furniture time" That snapped me out of it.
"No way you seriously said that." I hadn't even registered getting off the bus nor walking into the store.
"I did and what of it" That playful tone was back along with a sly grin that stuck as we entered the mattress aisle.
"Alright, let's find each of us a bed" I wish I knew how wrong I was.
"150,000 YEN?!" Soma voiced my thoughts perfectly.
"No way. That's nearly all of our funds and we still need money to make money." It was obvious we had to look for a cheaper bed but the question was would we be able to get two?
"We offer cheaper options" The sales clerk surprised both of us and we swiveled on our heels to stare at her. Unfazed she continued.
"For 110,000 yen you could grab our cheapest queen." She couldn't be serious. That was the cheapest option?
"We have to buy it don't we?" I barely managed to hear Soma's question.
"That or sleep on the ground," I answered and we purchased the bed set. It was a pain to get it to the apartment but we managed to pull it off and put it together.
"So most of our money is gone. How do we get mooooreeee?" It was hard to take Soma's legitimate question seriously considering he was upside down on our shared mattress.
"You don't read anything given to you don't you" Honestly I'd been wondering this for the longest time because it seemed like he disregarded anything that didn't involve cooking books included.
"Not only do I not know what you're talking about but I'm also a little bit hurt about the lack of faith Hishoko." That stupid name and that stupid smile and the stupid way the hair he'd been growing out hung like a curtain of fire.
"Well if you'd been paying attention to the pamphlet they handed out you'd know that students are allowed to legally obtain money in any way they see fit and the group with the most cash at the end keeps the money made and can ask Senzaemon for a favor" I'd memorized the pamphlet of course but it seemed like Soma had no clue what the entire challenge was about.
"Holy. That's certainly a powerful prize." The look of amazement on his face certainly is cute.
"Yep. Which means we have to find a source of income as fast as possible to recoup lost funds and catch up with the other players." I may have said it confidently but I knew it was easier said than done. And so we sat and brainstormed…and brainstormed.
Growl*
No way. There's absolutely no way.
"We're getting nowhere Hishoko and you need something to eat so let's call it a day and eat" I didn't respond to his sentiment as my face was covered in flames. He walked off to the kitchen and I followed just in case he needed my support as unlikely as that was. He opened the window and gathered the ingredients. wait we have ingredients?
"Yep. Got em from the family restaurant and put them up while you were casing the place." I must've said it out loud. I offered a nod at the explanation and watched him gather what he needed for…another pasta? What's with him and pasta all of a sudden? My silent question would go unanswered as Soma danced around the kitchen at a blistering pace and soon enough the house was flooded with the smell of sardines tomatoes and peppers. The scent flowed through the apartment and out of it as Soma plated the pasta for the two of them.
"Thanks for the food" I muttered and took a bite of the pasta. He's done it again. Peppers and sardines are two things I expect Soma to use for the infamously disgusting competition he and his dad have gong on for crimes against food but this. This is dare I say heavenly. The garlic mixes well with the sardines and peppers but the tomato cuts through the flavors so as to not give them too much prevalence and the olives add an acidity that keeps the tongue wanting more.
"YO!" Booth our eyes shot to the voice outside the window.
"THAT SMELLS FUCKIN AMAZING! HOW MUCH?!" What? Did he think we were a restaurant or something? No that' e improbable so why? Maybe we can work with this? No. Without a license it's illegal. Unless we say we're selling produce which is true it's just in the pasta. YEAH! That can work.
"Uhhhh. If you guys ain't selling guess I can go" No
"NO!" Soma? He grabbed his plate and handed it to the man before walking to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water and handing it to the man.
"3,600 yen" Soma held out his hand waiting for the man to pay and the man did before stumbling off to where he came from.
"I think we found our source of income" He smiled at my statement and turned towards his bookbag grabbing a notebook and marker. Curious, I watched as he tore off a page and scribbled something in bright red marker before walking to the window facing the bars and arcades and taping the makeshift sign to the wall above the said window.
"Think that'll work" He was deathly serious and I couldn't help but giggle.
"If that drunk smelled the food from over there then more can plus are no real food places only bars and entertainment so people are bound to be hungry and when they are they'll see our sign. That and our first customer should spread the word nicely" He looked at me for a few moments and grinned before turning to the pot and spooning servings onto plates.
Surely enough, people hungry from a night in Kamurocho headed to our makeshift walk-through restaurant be it through scent or word of mouth. Soma sold them their pasta and foursome extra cash we sold some brownies quickly made by me. Rinse and repeat and we covered the bed and then some before finally closing up shop much to the disappointment of some customers.
"This can definitely work. So long as we stay consistent we can stay afloat" I nodded at his statement while he was washing the dishes.
"Not stay afloat Soma. We can win" Despite his back being turned to me I could feel the grin on his face.
"Yeah. We can"