For the regular Totuki student, without any school-intrinsic fame to their name, blending back in wasn't too much of a challenge.
Yesterday chanting "C-C-C-Central" at the top of their lungs, today avidly chatting about all the Shokugekis (currently in the prime of their resurgence) that would transpire later that day.
While there had been reported cases of students leaving the school on their own accord after the Regiment de Cuisine's conclusion, the large majority still thought that holding on to even the faintest illusion of the official Totsuki logo on their graduation paper had more worth than any commitment to the ideals they had let themselves get seduced by last year.
Now, with Senzaemon Nakiri back in the headmaster's chair, it was all back to thrilling challenges and hellish classes. From how the other students talked, or wailed, someone could have almost assumed that nearly half of the last school year didn't happen at all.
However, Nene Kinokuni knew better.
She noticed how the others subtly backed out of her tracks in the corridor, how they averted their faces as she walked by - only to feel the many pairs of eyes burn right into her back once Nene had passed.
Having been amongst the six front runners, Nene now served them as a walking reminder for the regime that previously held the school in its grasp. And that made them feel shame, Nene presumed.
How ridiculous.
From the symbol of a new, glorious future to a shadow of regrets and guilt. Could any of them even imagine what she must feel like?
She softly sighed and went for the next door to exit the building, away from all the prying and out into the fresh hair.
Part of Nene envied the seniors for having an easy escape from all this through graduation.
But as her head busied Nene with thoughts about what food she'd make for dinner later, her feet unconsciously, perhaps out of old habit, carried her to a place that she had no reason to be at anymore.
The Elite 10 building somehow had never looked taller to her than it did on that afternoon. As the sun had already begun its slow setting, Nene found herself in the edifice's shadow. Her neck began to hurt as she tried to set sight of the building's top. She knew, from memory, that the council room and the first seat's office as well as personal kitchen space were up there.
She shouldn't be thinking about this.
In another universe, one where she hadn't fallen to the temptation of making a change, in some other dimension, she surely would be filling out countless documents right now.
Not in this one. But it wasn't like she had anyone but herself to blame.
—
The other day, Nene decided to spend her afternoon with Shouko and Julio after the latter had unexpectedly invited her into the Italian RS' kitchen to try one of his new creations. It surprised Nene that the research society had accepted the boisterous blonde into their ranks despite his former alignments but spending some time in privacy sounded better to her than to walk home with the large majority of the crowd, where all their eyes would follow her. So she didn't press on it.
While Nene and Shouko waited for the Half-Italian to finish up, seated on the Research societies' couches, Nene could hardly help the light scowl on her face when eyeing Shouko, whose seating position took up more space than any mannerly person would allow. Whether or not Shouko minded or even took notice of wasn't clear, as she merely continued drinking her apple tea. The clear air of indifference, made Nene feel rather ridiculous in turn and she was quick to avert her eyes again to focus on Julio instead. She knew that part of her was still bitter about how Shouko ended up in the council back then, as it was Nene who had rejected to move up to the 5th seat because it had not felt right to her to simply take it for free. Rather, she thought it only made sense to allow one of the remaining third years to have their second shot (Nene had suspected Central's takeover would result in some uprising, so some more upperclassmen power could not hurt) - without considering the chance that one of her own classmates would weasel herself in and take the free seat up for grabs, just like that. It had annoyed Nene more than she would have liked to admit. Originally, she had planned to earn the fifth seat back from Shouko after the Regiment de Cuisine because she simply could not allow any other first seat in waiting other than herself - but, well, she never got the chance to.
"So, here we go ladies!" Julio cheerfully sing-songed, as he arrived with two plates. "Gee, am I not lucky to have my cooking evaluated by two such distinguished graces?" He cheerfully added as he placed his work down.
"Don't be annoying about it." Shouko cut him off.
Nene hadn't interacted too much with either of them back then, so she wasn't quite sure about what their relationship really was. Julio had pronounced them to be the best of friends earlier, but Shouko had instantly denied. So that hadn't exactly made Nene all the wiser.
"Aw, come on Shouko-chan, learn to take a compliment." Julio pouted, as he turned and went to get his own plate. Shouko merely rolled her eyes before grumbling. "I told you not to call me that."
Once he had sat down too, Nene and Shouko clapped their hands together and thanked him for the food. Then they started to eat.
"Hmm." Nene hummed after the first couple of bites. "This is good, Shiratsu." Julio's face lit up like the sun itself. "Thank you, Kinokuni."
Next to Nene, Shouko closed her eyes as she chewed. She shifted her head to the left, and then to the right. Until finally, she said. "I feel that I recognise this… " Julio proudly pointed at her. "Brilliant catch, Shouko-chan!" "Don't call me that." "This is indeed something I made before, way back when we were all training on the train. But this is an advanced version of that!"
Shouko nodded. "Well, it's go-" "It was lightly inspired by one of the dishes I've seen Tsukasa-senpai make." Julio jollily continued, to which Shouko's frown returned. "If Tsukasa-senpai ever gets to taste this, don't tell him that."
Julio let out a loud gasp. Then he wailed. "Why must you always wound me so, Shouko-chan?" "I'm just being honest. And how many times do I have to tell you to not call me that?" Shouko grumbled before she continued to eat.
"Say, would any of you two get back into the Elite 10…?" Nene suddenly heard herself asking. "If given the chance?"
Immediately she internally questioned herself for why she had said that.
Julio only looked up from his plate in surprise but Shouko on the other hand had her answer immediately. "Hard no."
This wasn't what Nene had expected to hear. With a very light frown, she asked. "Why not?" In return, Shouko only shrugged. "All that hype the council gets, yet it feels like no one bothered to even do as much as remember my name." She clicked her tongue. "So why should I bother a second time?"
Julio lifted a finger, swinging it like some scolding parent. "Maybe the people would remember your name better if you weren't hiding your lovely face underneath that edgy cap all the time!" He was about to reach out for said cap but Shouko promptly slapped his hand away, almost hissing as she did.
So Julio, instead, decided to shift his gaze to Nene.
"I am fine to keep working in the Italian RS for now. Help it to more prominence." He puffed out his chest and Nene thought to imagine sparkles around him for a moment before she quickly shook her head. "Isshiki wiped the floor with me back at the Regiment de Cuisine." Julio theatrically sighed. "All with nothing but the power of friendship." Suddenly, he was wiping a single tear from his eye. "I think his skillful handling of eel contributed." Shouko deadpanned next to him. But Julio just vehemently shook his head. "I've realised that rivalries alone don't make me grow as a chef. If I ever want Donato-sama to notice me, I have to go out, connect and improve myself and I am happy that the Italian RS has taken me in despite all."
"Corny." Was all Shouko had to say about this moving speech.
Julio huffed. "Speak for yourself. I'm not blind, I've seen you go in and out of the kitchen which I know that future hotel chef has secured to himself, what was his name again..? …Hans?" When Shouko promptly flushed red at that, the widest, happy grin spread on Julio's face. "For 'connecting' I assume."
"Wha…..What are you a stalker?!" Shouko grit her teeth while pulling her hat deep into her face. Nene only tilted her head.
Julio, of course, kept on talking despite his friend sinking further and further into the couch. "It's nothing to be ashamed of Shouko-chan! This is what our precious youth is for after all, as Isshiki would say!" When all the reply he got was "ughhh", he continued. "Besides, it's probably good for us to have some distraction right now. I have barely seen Eizan in class around even- He's probably doing more consulting work than ever!"
Now that Julio had mentioned it, Nene realised that she had seen very little of her delinquent classmate in recent days as well. And Julio was likely right on the money with his assumption. But how the school was back tolerating such flippant attitudes despite everything was beyond her. Maybe he was paying someone in the administration off-
"Oh by the way, what are you up to right now, Kinokuni?" Julio's question snapped her out of her thoughts so abruptly, it was as if she was being splashed in the face with a bucket of freezing cold water.
Nene averted her gaze to stare down at her tea and scratched her mug, which made for a way louder and uncomfortable sound than anticipated by her. The image of the Elite 10 building spooked in her head for a moment.
"Oh…" Her voice came out hoarse. "Oh, you know…" After clearing her throat to stall for time, she answered. "Oh you know there's always something…new for me to study…"
"Always the avid student, of course!" Julio heartedly laughed. But Nene could only grip her cup tighter.
—
After one week in which Nene had just mechanically gone to school and back home, somewhat good news reached her at last as the ban the larger Culinary Elite had temporarily laid on her, seemingly got lifted in the form of an invite to a known restaurant's anniversary party.
It wasn't something she would have gone to a few months ago. But now, with no real other work or documents keeping her company in the lonely evenings, she decided she could just as well show up.
Nene straightened her back before exiting the town car that had brought her to the brightly-lightened restaurant. She stabilised the fine line her glossy pink lips were forming and lowered her long eyelashes to a level that made her look distant, and even a little disinterested.
Sharply, she sucked in the refreshing evening air one last time before stepping through the door.
She had nothing to fear. Being invited at all was already a good sign for things moving on.
Nene entered the dimly lit seafood place. Faint Jazz played in the background, barely heard over the chattery of the people. All the restaurant's regular tables, both on the upper floor and lower floor, had been moved away for the night, to make place for some buffet tables instead. Nene knew because she had been here before. The head chef was a loyal partner to Totsuki and sometimes gave seminars on fish there. One of Nene's first tasks in the Elite 10 had been to help out in here when the owner had requested some of Totsuki's assistance. Somei Saito had been sent with her too. She had felt so proud back then.
Nene shook her head.
There were several coat hangers, but Nene didn't expect to stay too long or have all that much conversation, so she kept her light jacket on and walked past them.
However, her assumption seemed to be proven wrong when a familiar voice suddenly called out her name. "Kinokuni?"
Surprised, Nene turned her face to the side and upwards to meet the piercing, yellow eyes of none other than Etsuya Eizan. He wore the usual, half-heartedly put-together suit: all opened jacket, no tie but loosened collar with the stupid trademark-gold chain glistening between it. The style she had seen him sport on a good many fancy events before and that made him look more like Yakuza than respectable businessman. What was somewhat striking though was his hairstyle. Instead of the usual two strands of lonesome hair, much more of it fell into his face in the form of visible bangs. Nene didn't know whether or not that was result of him using a tad less gel, or why that made for a good look, or what must be wrong with her to have any thoughts whatsoever on Etsuya Eizan's hair at all - has she gone silly? - There were other matters to ponder about.
"Eizan." Nene greeted, in her characteristic plain and frosty manner. "You're here too? What a coincidence." Had she cared more about him, she would have remarked on how little they've seen each other in school as of late, but how was that her concern? Even if part of her found it weird, seeing how much more frequently they were together when-
No.
She would not be thinking about that tonight.
"A future client brought me along because he said he preferred 'a more casual, light-hearted environment' for negotiation." Etsuya made quotation marks in the air before scornfully clicking his tongue. "I think he just aims to make me drunk." He added bluntly.
Nene's lips twitched in a light grimace. "How charming." She answered drily. Lovely sounding people he chose to spend his time with.
Etsuya didn't seem to mind that tone, seeing that, in turn, he just confidently smirked. Something that only deepened Nene's frown. "Of course, I won't let him."
"Good luck with that." Nene deadpanned in response, mentally noting that it would probably be wise to not stick around Etsuya too much for this night if he was to hang with what sounded like very shady company.
Not that this was out of the norm for him though….it seemed like truly everyone had been able to settle right back in….
"Thanks." Etsuya answered, unbothered by the lack of emotional investment in her voice. Rather, his smirk grew with even more vainness. It made Nene want to roll her eyes. "Not that I will need any."
"Of course." Nene muttered. "Well, please excuse me, Eizan, but I still need to greet the host." And without giving him much of a chance to respond, she turned and walked on.
Luckily, she found the host, Tokinori Gero, rather quickly and immediately congratulated him on his restaurant's anniversary as well as thanked him for the invitation.
"I am happy to have you here, Kinokuni-san. I wouldn't want such great support as you and Saito-kun were missing from this festive." Tokinori smiled, and for a moment a bit of happiness gleamed in Nene's chest. "Too bad that he was much too occupied to come, but those are the young adult responsibilities, I suppose. That makes me all the more glad that you could make it, though! I know that the third year on Totsuki can be quite the busy one." And just like that, something in Nene twinged yet again and quenched the brief flicker of warmth immediately.
Her voice quietened when she answered. "I did not want to miss this occasion."
"I see that your reliability can still be counted on." Tokinori laughed, and it sounded friendly to Nene's ears but somehow puzzled her mind. Were there things about her that could not be counted on anymore?
She blankly stared at Tokinori, whose shoulder was already being tapped by another guest, while she tried her best to chase that one faint voice out of her head.
Tokinori gave her one last smile before turning his head to the other guest. "I hope you enjoy the party." And despite not having any of his attention anymore, Nene absently nodded at him before she retreated.
While she strode past the other guests, Nene tried not to shake her head as she internally told herself: "You're ridiculous, stop being stupid, stop overreacting and get yourself together, Nene, will you…!" over and over. She did not even fully register that she walked right up to one of the buffet tables. Only when she was half a meter in front of it, the girl finally came to a halt.
For a moment, Nene stood still. A bit perplexed, she looked down to the impressive assortment of delicacies. Then, at last, she decided to make the best of it and quickly took one of the little plates that had been provided alongside the food - anything else would have looked weird anyway.
Picking out the most appealing of the horsd' œuvre turned out to make for a nice little distraction. But then, just as she had finished putting together her small selection, a new voice called her from the side. "…Kinokuni? Kinokuni Nene?"
When Nene shifted her head into the direction it had come from, she found the sight of a woman in Kimono. She had violet eyes and wore her dark hair up in a bun. Nene immediately clocked her as Shigeno Kuraki, the current president of the renowned Kuraki restaurant.
"Kuraki-san." Nene called out and quickly bowed her head. "Go...Good evening, what a surprise to see you here too."
"Ah, so you remember me!" Shigeno giggled, while politely holding her hand in front of her pink lips. "Good evening to you too."
"But of course." Nene answered and tried not to stammer. Shigeno had been the judge she had most wanted to impress way back during her Autumn Election premlins. "I feel like I should be the one saying this."
"How could I ever forget the Kinokuni heiress?" Shigeno jollily chirped. "I still remember how much the Soba you made that day reminded me of your father's cooking… A chef whom I admire greatly!"
Again, Nene felt a gleam in her chest. Warmth sparked in her cheeks.
She quickly bowed her head again. "Tha…That flatters me to hear, Kuraki-san."
"Speaking of…", Shigeno continued, "…will you be at the soirrée that your parents have invited to in a month?" Originally, she didn't want to but now Nene felt compelled to say: "Yes."
"Splendid." The woman in front of her beamed. "I would love to taste some of your Soba again. I will look forward to seeing you there, then. Because tonight I still have some business to discuss, so I'll be on my way. But it was nice to meet you again, young Kinokuni." She gave an appreciative nod. One that Nene returned. "Likewise, Kuraki-san."
Once Shigeno had passed, Nene was left to feel a lot lighter. The appetisers on her plate looked all the more enticing than before. The faint jazz had a more joyous quality to it. The restaurant's lighting looked a lot warmer.
At that moment, Nene allowed herself a small smile.
—
The horsd' œuvre were delicious. So much so, that Nene got herself a second serving. But after delighting in that, she decided to better check the clock. It told her that she had already spent a lot more time in here than she had originally anticipated - a small little success, if she could say so herself. But now it was probably time to call it a night.
She planned to order herself another car right after she had gone to the bathroom. It would leave her with some room to properly goodbye Tokinori.
As she sat there in her cabin and thought about the classes she'd have tomorrow, she suddenly heard the door opening.
"Aah…what does that Jinguu-fellow not understand!" Immediately, Nene recognised Shigeno's voice. "I have made it clear as day that I don't have any interest in his advances!"
Another feminine voice giggled at that. "You might have to slap it into him." "I might as well will!" Shigeno huffed, and Nene couldn't help but smirk to herself at that.
Then, however, the other female voice spoke up again. "By the way, Shigeno-chan, I saw you talking to the young Kinokuni earlier…"
"Yes." Shigeno confirmed casually. "What about it?"
"Nothing much." The other said. "I just don't get why… I haven't heard the best stories as of late."
Nene stiffened.
"Ah, come on now. She's just a teenager, not internationally sought after by the government." She could practically imagine Shigeno making a waving-off motion with her hand from the tone she had used. "Besides, you are going to show up to that soirrée that the Kinokuni family is holding too, I know it."
"Which we both know they're doing for damage control." The other voice argued.
Nene gripped her knees, as she felt an icy cold crawl up her spine.
"Listen." Shigeno sighed. "I've had a dish of that Yukihira-kid before too. It is difficult to match such sheer boldness and originality. To simply say that that fellow thinks out of the box does not nearly cut it to describe his approach."
Nene's nails dug through the fabric of her dress.
"I think, I just felt…., you know,…..a bit of pity."
Nene could feel her heart explode.
Insurmountable pain reaping through her body one last time, before all of it numbed.
"Hm…I guess that's fair." The other voice mused. "That girl had the potential for a first seat after all. What a shame."
They then went on to talk a bit about their makeup and Shigeno's upcoming trip to Singapore, and Nene could only sit in freezing coldness and stare at her cabin's door until the two finally left after all.
And still, Nene was paralysed.
Her face and her mind, both were completely blank.
There was no feeling in her body. She hardly registered the strength of the grip that she had on her knees. It was as if she was floating through ice water.
Nene didn't know how many seconds, or minutes or maybe even hours had passed until at last one thought settled back into her mind.
I need to get out of here.
And just like that, she could sense the blood pump in her again - racing to wake up the rest of her body.
I need to get out here. Now.
She jumped up, suddenly feeling entirely electrified.
Fast as lightning, she adjusted her clothes and rushed out of the cabin to wash her hands after. Then she nearly fell to the door.
The step back into the restaurant made her entire body tingle with nervosity. Everywhere, in every corner, under every lamp, there were people. And they were all clinging classes and talking.
Talking about what?
Talking about the last year?
Talking about Hokkaido?
Talking…..about her?
She needed to get out of here immediately. Get out without showing an ounce of fear. For that would only fuel the ridicule.
And so, her face hardened as her steps hurried.
Fortunately, the main door was not all too far from the restrooms making the swift escape that she needed possible. Thank the heavens that she didn't give up her coat earlier, so she didn't need to waste any further time.
However, right as she had her hand on the handle - her whole body was made to jolt as she heard her name being called from behind her.
"Kinokuni?"
Slowly, Nene turned. Every mental shield she had, she pulled up. Neither her eyes, nor her lips, nor anything else shall betray her.
She turned and was met with the sight of a frowning Etsuya - whose presence at this event she had wholly forgotten about. Not that she had much time for him now. So, she coolly raised an eyebrow to signal him to ask whatever he wanted to ask and make it quick, all the while her hand continued gripping the door handle as if it was the last remaining firm thing to hold onto in the midst of a storm surge.
His frown deepened a bit. "Are you leaving already?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" She snarked.
The ends of Etsuya's curled in mild indignation, but he kept them firmly pressed together to prevent himself from full-on grimacing. Instead, he took a glance outside the window near the door and raised an eyebrow. "Don't see any car waiting out there." He observed.
Shoot! She forgot about that.
"And how is that your concern?" Nene frostily countered.
"Well." At that, Etsuya averted his gaze to the side. Almost as if he was, for the lack of a better word, nervous to say the following words. "It's quite late. Not the best idea for you to stand out there all on your own."
For a moment, Nene could only stare at him.
Seriously? In all of the 17, nearly 18, years that this guy had walked earth to spread terror wherever he could - this was the moment where he suddenly decided to take a shot at being a gentleman?
She sighed, because she had no time for whatever phase he decided to go through.
She needed to go out. She needed the air.
"I can handle myself, Eizan." Nene insisted firmly.
Etsuya's sharp eyes turned back to her, momentarily flickered down to the door handle, and then met her's again. Nene bit the inside of her cheek to keep her lips the in perfect straight line she needed them to be.
For what must have been three of Nene's very fast heartbeats, Etsuya didn't say anything. Then, he sighed. "Listen, I've told my driver to wait by a nearby café. He should be here quite quick." He scratched the right side of his head, as his gaze shifted somewhere to the side again. "We can take you home."
"That won't be necessary." Nene protested. And it alerted her how her voice was beginning to weaken as she did. Probably from how tight she held on to the door still.
Etsuya looked back at her again, one eyebrow raised and ready to argue. "What? So you prefer to stand out in the cold for twenty minutes? Alone, at this hour? No, Kinokuni…" Deciding, as he spoke, the man had the audacity to just step forward, lay his larger hand around Nene's, and pull the handle down himself. Nene could only watch, deeply outraged of course. But, luckily for him, Etsuya was quick to remove his hand again and rather used it to give the opened door an additional push.
Finally, Nene could pull her hand away as well (which lightly hurt from how hard she had gripped onto the iron this entire time), once the breeze of the chilly night swept through her hair.
Etsuya stepped out first and, while still not exactly pleased with how this had gone down, Nene followed.
Immediately she took a deep breath to calm both her nerves and heart. Hearing the door shut behind her, and all of the chattery with it, made her eyes close in relief.
For a brief moment, Nene allowed herself to enjoy that peace. Then, she turned her head up to Etsuya - only to see that he was already holding his phone to his ear and talking to his driver. From how his face darkened in just that one-minute phone call, Nene could tell he was getting annoyed. It cumulated when he spat "Fine!" and then pressed down on the hang-up button so fiercely that Nene wouldn't have been surprised had the display cracked.
Etsuya angrily stared at his phone as if it had bit his ear. "'Let me finish my Cappuccino'!" He then barked in a mocking voice. "Goddamn, how I hate these useless ninnies!"
Nene could only watch that passionate outburst with one of her best annoyed looks before she sighed. "Is it to my correct understanding that I could have very well just ordered my own car, then?"
Etsuya shifted his head back to her, and maybe the darkness of the night was playing mind games with her, but it seemed like his features softened a bit as he did. But only a bit. "Why are you so obstinate in turning down something that's for free, Kinokuni?" He grumbled. "It's just a coffee…" , one second ago it hadn't been 'just a' coffee but Nene let him keep talking for one, "…and he's still much closer than most other services you could call right now."
It pained her, but seeing that she was indeed ready to be home at last, Nene decided not to argue further back. So, she abruptly turned her head away from him - not wishing to see the triumphant smirk that would surely spread on his face when he noticed her giving in.
Instead, she decided to keep him busy so that she could space out. "How did things with your client go?"
Etsuya didn't respond immediately - maybe the question had surprised him, who knew? Then he began. "Oh yeah…I was able to sort that out…" It didn't sound entirely honest to Nene's ears but, then again, when was Etsuya Eizan ever honest?
So Nene just let him trail off into some of the details (he had always liked to tell her about his businesses for some reason, she did not know why), while she retreated into her thoughts.
But as his voice became distant, and her focus on her own self became clearer, she noticed how heavy and empty her chest felt at the same time. While she had been thankful for it at first, she now started to be more and more cold in the freezing night air - making her pull her coat tighter.
With a blank stare, Nene fixated an ad for Instant Ramen on the other side of the street as her head began swarming.
Maybe she should make herself some Ramen tomorrow.
It had been some time since she had worked with Ramen.
Something new. Something fresh.
That would surely spice up her life a bit.
"Oh by the way, what are you up to right now, Kinokuni?"
Spice.
She has not cooked much with chili either, now that she thought about it.
"I know that the third year on Totsuki can be quite the busy one."
Next time she would go shopping, she should definitely get more chili.
She was certain there was much horizon to expand on.
"I see that your reliability can still be counted on."
Could she make good Ramen using chili?
"Always the avid student, of course!"
There sure must be ways for that…
"That girl had the potential for a first seat after all."
In fact, she remembered seeing Ramen be made with a lot of Chili…
"I think, I just felt…., you know,…..a bit of pity."
It was, back then…
During the….
"…Kinokuni? Kinokuni!"
Suddenly, Nene felt a hand on her shoulder and heard Etsuya's voice somewhere close to her. She thought he sounded somewhat alert. Slowly, the rest of the world around the Instant Ramen ad was beginning to come back clear to her again as well. She registered that it had gotten windier too, as a strain of her hair narrowly got caught between her lips.
Slowly, she turned her head up to Etsuya in confusion.
His brows were furrowed, his eyes sharp as he looked down on her.
She wanted to frown right back. Ask him what his deal was. But somehow she found herself unable to as she suddenly noticed a strong, unbearable burning in her throat.
Then, Etsuya spoke, in both an observant and bewildered tone. "Kinokuni….You're crying…."
Nene's eyes widened, her lips parted for a gasp that never came, as only then could she feel the big, wet pearls that were trailing down her cheeks.
Author's Note:
This was certainly a bit of a 'new' thing for me to write as well.
The Hans, who Julio mentions, is an OC of my pal kingcrown (with a dot between "king" and "crown") He has recently taken a step back from online activities, but I still want to recommend his little One Shot collection "Diary of Feelings" to you! It has four characters reflect on their falling into love - in a unique 1st person perspective. I like it a lot!
(And King, if you read this, thank you for all the laughs and making so many of my EtsuNe musings less lonelier.)
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So, I hope you liked both this little prelude and the first chapter.
See you next time (whenever that is)