Disclaimer: None of these fine characters belong to me. It's called Fanfiction for a reason ¬_¬
It was a smooth ride to the restaurant as Yukihira, I guessed, opted the scenic route: crossing a bridge with red arcs over the wide mouth a gentle river and traveled on a winding road that hugged the coastline, keeping the sea on our left. I appreciated the views out in the sea, my vision drawn to a distant blue container ship traveling parallel to us, nostalgically wondering if we could overtake the ship.
Then a thought struck me: perhaps it is because I was always engrossed with Erina-sama's schedule whenever we travel, looking into her appointments, that I never took the time to just... look out the window and enjoy the scenery.
I quickly brushed that thought away: my duty was to be of service to her.
"In ancient Chinese imperial courts, the emperor had a dietitian who provided him with medicinal cooking. In my case, the Emperor is Erina-sama." I recalled my declaration.
Well, it is either that or doing the family business…
Soon enough, the sandy beaches came into view, for which I had to squint my eyes as the overhead clouds rolled open for the sun to bask the sand into a bright glow. "We're reaching soon," Yukihira finally broke the silence, as we rode past a sea-side onsen, pointing out our destination, "looks great, doesn't it?"
It was a simple coconut thatched two storey hut which, in my prior research, had a premium water front location and was strategically close to the campgrounds. What makes it even more outstanding is that its height and roofing option, which made it stand out to the surrounding low lying buildings. Just like his store in Tokyo, Mitamura-san really has an affinity for restaurants with good locations.
As I mused that perhaps Mitamura-san could go into the restaurant real estate business if he chose to, we pulled into the graveled drive way. "Right, we're here," Yukihira took off this helmet, ruffling his messy hair, "I'll take care of the produce while you go settle in. Mitamura-san should be in the kitchen," he gestured to the rear entrance while unloading the trailer.
I gathered my trolley bag and bento before heading to the door…only to find it locked. "Hey," I looked back to Yukihira and mentioned the problem.
"Ah, I guess Mitamura-san must be out then. Hang on, I'm coming over"
Now, maybe you have heard of that stereotype that men would stubbornly insist on making one trip to carry in grocery bags? Well, evidently Yukihira just reinforced it by carrying bags that occupied both his hands with some bulk that even encumbered his steps. "Why don't you make a second trip?" I sighed.
"A second trip?" he playfully threw a look, scandalised, "You mean the walk of shame?"
I groaned at his humour; of which he actually took pride in.
His pride evaporated in his attempts to reach for the keys by sparing his index finger and thumb to fiddle for the key. I simply stood there, outwardly unimpressed but inwardly lightly amused at his antics.
He finally gave up.
"I don't think we want to have sand on the kitchen table," he said with slight apology in his voice, rustling the bags with a shake of his arms while nodding to the fine sand at our feet, "The key's in my right pocket, can you get it?" he then rotated the pocket towards me and lifted his right arm to allow access.
If I didn't know him like I did, I would swear that he was doing this on purpose.
I considered him for a tick before grudgingly complying with a "Fine," wanting nothing more than to get it over with. It was after I placed a hand into his pocket that I realised that he was wearing a pair of baggy beach slacks…. which means that the aforementioned key had slid into the deepest parts of his pocket…
Which means I had to reach deep into it to fetch that set of keys. He is not doing this on purpose.
Is he?
"Ah, Arato-san, it's great to see you again! And thanks for getting the supplies, Yukihira." Mitamura-san's cheerful voice from behind us cut into the moment like a parent unceremoniously barging into your room. We both looked back towards him, as if caught in the act. With my hand in his pants (his pocket, I mean), you imagine how our current position looks like to an outsider looking from the back. "Oh… err, I'm sorry if I've interrupted both of you." Mitamura-san, who was carrying a small box of cleaning materials, looked profusely apologetic.
I looked up to Yukihira and our eyes met in close proximity.
Wow, he has really brilliant yellow eyes.
Oi, hold on.
Jumping back into the present, I immediately fished out the keys out his pocket and turned to Mitamura-san for a quick greeting and a spluttered explanation of the situation. To which he simply interrupted with a chuckle, "Oh, no need to explain, it's perfectly fine with me." His beamed at us, "After all, It's just part the joys of youth."
He then walked past us to unlock the door and headed in while I stood there, dumbfounded.
There was a slight pause while we looked to each other. "uh…", Yukihira cleared his throat, "shall we?" and followed Mitamura-san into the kitchen.
The kitchen was typical of a small eatery: compact but efficient. There was a four burner gas range oven across a wide workspace with a service window. However, the passage between the two work stations was so narrow that my trolley bag and I barely passed Yukihira who was settling the groceries. Not intending to bring my bento into my room, I placed it on the counter, slightly away from the groceries and met up with Mitamura-san.
"We're ready to open for business tomorrow. All that's left is some last minute clean up." Mitamura-san explained as I followed him into the opened air sheltered dining area. It was simply furnished with wooden tables and white stackable plastic chairs, providing a very casual atmosphere despite the bare walls, "This area is strictly for non-smoking customers."
We crossed the room and out the entrance to the sitting area shaded by large beach umbrellas, "And this is where we seat the smokers." He then pointed out to the beach, 'I'm expecting for this location to have a lot of foot traffic. "
We turned back into the restaurant. In front of the dried coconut leaf roof, there was a large signboard which bore the "Western Restaurant Mitamura" logo with "海の家" dominating the sign. I noticed the additional "Napolitan style Yakisoba" tagline.
Ah, so that's the focus of the restaurant.
"My plan is that I'll do the cooking for the first few days while you and Yukihira-san handle the front of house to familiarise with the crowd." Mitamura-san said, "I'm intending to get part-timers next week to cater to the festival crowd, with both of you taking charge of them."
"There's going to be a festival?"
"Yes, and a fireworks show. The biggest in the prefecture so it's going to be really busy." Mitamura-san grinned, "But I'm sure that won't be a problem with both of you at the helm." Mitamura-san then checked his mobile, "Oh, it's almost time for a meeting with the town council. My apologies, Arato-san, I have to go. I've already briefed Yukihira on other details so both of you can take your time today to settle in." I nodded in acknowledgement. "I'll see both of you tomorrow."
Hang on… "Tomorrow? I'm sorry to be direct but: aren't you staying here?"
"Oh, no, I've actually got a new house in town which is why I thought to open this shop." He explained, "Not to worry though, I've renovated the accommodations before both of you arrived, so everything should be in working order."
That's not what my concern was about….
"Mitamura-san, the kitchen is stocked and ready for service." And here comes the reason for the concern.
"Excellent. Thanks, Yukihira. I've briefly orientated Arato-san of the restaurant and the staffing plan. I'm now needed at a meeting so I'll leave the shop to both of you to settle in." He drew up a key bunch and handed it to me, "Here's your set of keys. And with that I'll see both of you tomorrow." He bid us a good evening and left.
"Well," Yukihira started, as Mitamura-san disappeared into the hut, "This is a great location, isn't it? The beach is just at the store front, there isn't a competing store near us, and…" he pointed to a shop down the line with an excited grin, "we can get beach supplies over there!"
I allowed him a light smile. It was liberating to face the wide expense of the sea; it hugely contrasted to the clutter of the everyday urban landscape. The light sea breeze breathed an assuring light salty scent that calms the nerves.
I frankly cannot recall the last time I was at the sea-side, busy as I was with coordinating schedules and school. Speaking of which, I wonder if Nissim Foods Group have agreed to our terms…
Hey! It's summer. A little part of me protested. Work comes secondary in summer.
Well, maybe I'll attend to the mails at night.
Looking around, I noted the crowd at the sand area, which gives me the assurance that there should be a comfortable customer stream for our shop if the nearest other shop one lot away, advertising the sale of cool treats to beat the summer sun, is any indication.
"I wonder what they have there," Yukihira remarked. I looked to him and found him referring to the same shop. "Maybe we can check it out."
"That's our competitor," I reminded him, the business part of my mind came to the front, recalling the cut—throat reality of the F&B industry from the meetings I had the opportunity to sit in with Erina-sama.
Instead of an expression of agreement, Yukihira laughed, "I won't say we're competing, I'll say that we would be working in parallel with each other. Who knows: we may just find a mutual arrangement to boost sales."
I considered his words and dismissed them as naivety. I mean, why would another stall be willing to corporate with you? I simply hummed a non-committal fashion.
"Alright, let me show your room." Yukihira said, leading me back into the restaurant.
He wordlessly grabbed my luggage, like it was a natural thing to d as we passed it and took it with him to the rear of the shop. I didn't protest as we both knew it how encumbering it was. Behind an unassuming locked door with a simple "Staff Only" sign, we went up a narrow flight of wooden steps that gave a deep wooden "thunk" for every foot fall.
A low table on hardwood floor greeted us as we removed out footwear at the landing. The bare white washed walls and varnished wood fittings made the place feel like an empty canvas, silently waiting for residents to imprint their character in it.
"Your room is the one on the left, nearer to the kitchenette. I'm on the right, closer to the bathroom. And, this is quite awesome: the door between the rooms leads out to a balcony!"
Yukihira lifted my luggage into my room, of which was rather…compact: A single bed dominated the room with a night stand beside it, a small horizontal hanging rack and open shelf for my wardrobe.
Simply furnished, indeed.
However, the great view of the sea out the window more than made up for it. "I guess I'll hit the beach while you settle in." he said with a smile and left me to my devices.
Speaking of devices, by force of habit and against that little voice in me, I should check if there were any new messages on my... hang on… wait a minute… where is… OH MY…
WHERE'S MY PHONE?
I dug into the places I may have placed it in: pockets, sling bag, luggage… or could I have placed it in the bento container?
My mind was in a panic. That phone was too precious to be lost for it contains sensitive information… lots of sensitive information!
From contact numbers of illustrious people, to Erina-sama's schedule, of which each of her tastings may shift the landscape of the culinary world. Such information is beyond priceless for people who knows what to use them for their purposes.
While there was password protection, it barely provided me any comfort. First though, I need to see if I can locate it.
And to do that, I will need to ask Him for a favour.
Rushing out to the beach, I found Yukihira chatting with a big chested beauty in a bikini. Without ceremony, I pulled him away. "Ara-ara, so you've a girlfriend …" I heard the girl say airily as we went out of ear shot. I was too flustered to correct her.
"Yukihira! I need your phone."
For his part, he seemed concerned instead of peeved at his missed chance with the beauty, "what's wrong?"
As soon as I explained the situation, he immediately offered his phone, and I dialled my number.
The call was placed and I hoped for some miracle that I would hear my ringtone sounding somewhere in the shack; but with every cycle of the call tone that hope seemed more and more unlikely.
Dread and frustration creeped up to me as I knew the end of the call attempt is approaching…
"Hello?" A familiar voice, courteous and confident, came over the phone. "Sorry this isn't my phone, may I ask who are you looking for?"
It was that handsome guy on the train! A wave of relief washed over me, "hey, it's me, I believe we met on the train?"
"Of course! I was wondering how to get this back to you." I could imagine his gentle smile over the line, "So, where are you at? And not to be rude but I don't believe we've exchanged names."
A grin tugged at the side of my lips, "I'm Arato Hisako," and told him of my location.
"Oh, that's where I'm heading in the next few days for the fireworks festival... perhaps I can bring it down to you then?"
Surprised at his generosity, I debated the merit of his suggestion: on one hand, I won't want to make it too much of a trouble for him to do something for my sake; On the other hand, I would like to have the connection that my phone provides to Nakiri-sama...
That being said, from my experience of past summers fruitlessly checking my phone every few minutes, expecting calls or messages that never came, I considered it that a few days without my phone will be fine.
After all, he seems trustable.
"Great! By the way, if there's any incoming calls, would you like me to redirect them to this number? Or, if you rather, perhaps I can input a call forwarding?"
Alright, I'm not THAT trusting with a phone containing all the sensitive information and whatnot to let a stranger unlock it, "While I appreciate the offer; just forward them to this phone." With Nakiri-sama overseas and rarely contactable, I'm sure there won't be any calls that needs immediate answers or cannot be returned in a few days.
He hmm-ed over the phone, which I took as an acknowledgement, "Alright then. So, Arato-san, I will drop you a call"
"Yes, thank you very much." And a realisation came over me, "Sorry, I haven't got your name." I apologetically said.
A short pause, perhaps amused by my hurried apology, "Aida Shon."
"Alright, Aida-san, thank you again for hanging on to my phone. I'll see you in a few days."
I hung up the call, feeling bliss from the fact that my phone was safe.
"Everything alright?" Yukihira asked, taking back his phone.
I nodded in response, thanking his assistance. "please let me know if there are any calls for me."
"Alright." there was a short pause, "So, Aida-san sounds like a nice guy,"
There was something in the way he said it: his usual tease lacked a little volume to it, perhaps being tactful in bringing my private conversation? HA, this is Yukihira, class joker extraordinaire. "Yup, he sure is," adding just a little dreaminess to my voice, intent on dismissing him with a joke.
"That's great! Perhaps Mitamura-san would allow you some time off when he's here." He chuckled, his jovial self has returned: see, it's just part of him.
I rolled my eyes and announced that I'm returning to my room. And left him to his devices.
It was early evening when I finished unpacking. Grabbing a cup from the kitchenette, I brewed some tea. Cradling the warm mug between my hands, I walked out to the balcony to enjoy the view.
Being an East facing coast, the sun had already passed overhead at this hour, casting an orange glow on the wisps of clouds in the sky, promising a sunny day for tomorrow. Taking sips from my mug, I scanned the area as I enjoyed the soothing rhythm of waves lapping the shore. I took some time to admire the view, wondering if I can spot a certain mass of red hair.
There he is...with the same blonde from earlier. They were chatting animatedly, perhaps in continuation of their chat before I came between them. She was listening intently to him, twirling her hair between slender fingers. Yukihira then said something, and she laughed, playfully slapping his arm.
Can't imagine what's could be so funny to warrant that kind of contact.
Yukihira, for his part, didn't mind her, grinning away with a bright smile on his face.
His demeanour made me gag a little.
Having my fill of such a display, I drained my tea, ignoring the ball of near scalding warmth spreading within me, and turned back to the room, perhaps I could take a walk on the beachfront path to take a look around.
What Yukihira does on his own free time doesn't concern me.
Really.
Walking out into the beach, warm, pristine fine sand caressed my toes as they slipped onto my flip-flops. The beach crowd was thinning as the sky got darker, save for couples who were sharing the views of the fading sunlight.
Speaking of couples, not wanting to get between Yukihira and his… flirtations, I head to the directions away from where he was.
The beachfront stalls lit up the front with their night illuminations, warmly inviting visitors to their wares. The varieties were typical and down to earth, clearly catering for the mass-market: From inexpensive eats to standard beach items, there was anything that you need for a great day of sun and sand...
"Hey, cutie, wanna hang out?" and of course, here comes the obligatory beach lout: breath smelling of cheap beer, giving unwanted attention to girls who passed by. I ignored his catcall and quickened my pace to distance myself from him.
Unfortunately, he was the persistent type, "Aww, come on, I'm a nice guy if you know me better." He jogged up to keep pace with me. He wasn't doing anything illegal so I ignored him. But he didn't take the hint as he pattered on about how fun it will be to hang out with him.
"No, not interested," I began to hiss, gritting my teeth with every suggestion he made, conscious of on lookers.
"Come on, don't be shy," he must have thought I was trying to coy with him as he reached out and grabbed my upper arm, intent on pulling me to where he wanted.
"Not interested!" I finally snapped, whirling around. However, he pressed his offensive, tightening his grip. I immediately saw red and that was when my training took over: I seized his wrist and twisted, he immediately fell to his knees, begging to be let go.
The commotion has drawn in the beach patrol and bystanders whom, thankfully, was there to corroborate my version of events.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one he had harassed.
The sun was already down by the time the matter was settled, clearly too late to continue my walk… my mood was soured anyway, so I headed back.
As I approached the restaurant, the lights suggested that Yukihira has returned. I could just imagine him cooking up a storm in the kitchen enthusiastically in preparation for tomorrow. So imagine my surprise that I nearly bumped into the blond whom he was chatting with this afternoon.
Now, I've personally knew many blondes: one of whom was, of course, Nakiri-sama whom dispels the notion of a ditzy blonde; however, there's something about this well-endowed specimen that was disagreeable... I guess it may have to do with that cross between a smile and a smirk that she offered as she passed me.
Or more likely it was the way her eyes flashed onto to my chest just before that smile. Yeh, I saw that.
Witch.
Granted, that wasn't exactly the word that come to mind at that time.
Sounds like it though… Go figure.
"Irasshaimase!" Yukihira chirped as soon as he saw me while clearing the table he was using. Well, someone had a better evening than I did. "How was your evening?"
Thinking back of the incident at the beach, I narrowed my eyes in displeasure; the place where I was grabbed throbbed a little, a lingering reminder… to be fair, it wasn't Yukihira's fault though. "Some guy tried to make a move on me and I had to take him down." I shrugged as I walked into the kitchen.
At that, Yukihira paused his motions and looked at me with concern, "What?
I casually explained to him what happened while returning to the table with my bento and a drink.
Sitting across the table, Yukihira asked, "Where did you learn to do that?" referring to the moment I got the man on his knees.
"Bodyguard training," I said dismissively as I consumed my bento, pretty sure he won't take it as me being rude as he had evidently already eaten.
He observed me with a short silence, I could almost see his mind putting the pieces together before running a hand through his hair "man, being Nakri's right hand sure is tough, isn't it?"
I didn't see it as a big deal so I made an indifferent grunt. With what happened, I wasn't really enjoying the bento as much as I would despite every ingredient being seasoned perfectly.
"You know," Yukihira shifted slightly forward in his seat, "The more I learn about you, the more interesting you get." he beamed at me.
Those words surprised me.
However, I'm not the type for attention so I steered the conversation off me, deciding against looking deeper into his words. If only I can do something about my warming cheeks. "Enough about me, how about you; did someone catch your attention?"
You'd expect the easy-going Yukihira would crack a joke or something. Instead, he got flustered; as in actually rosy-cheeks flustered and rubbing the back of his head.
"No… Well- I mean, that's not... I won't say she isn't attractive…"
Now this is a side of Yukihira that I've never expect to see. That usual bravado was replaced with something amusing. If I didn't know better: is he shy about it?
Huh, guess the master of culinary improv wasn't so good with this kind of thing. Seeing this side of him was… dare I say it?
Cute. In a childish sense.
Perhaps I should help him out, "It's perfectly alright if you're not ready to answer that,"
Or not: "Although, she was an enlightening insight to your preferences." I looked straight at him, a light smile playing at my lips.
He laughed at that. "I don't know, to be honest." He had a faraway look, "I've never thought about it."
I was really curious on what that girl did to cause Yukihira to be smitten, "So what changed that?"
"She was very forward about her intentions."
"What do you mean?"
With a chuckle, "She told me that she likes me."
What?! All it took to get to the dense cooking prodigy was to be straightforward to him? Oh, Ikumi Mito, the way you pined for him was wasted on him; if you only knew it was that simple.
Yes, Ikumi, it was that obvious to all of us.
"Well, just take it in stride." I suggested, after all, this is all new to him.
Looking back, if we had known how things turned out for him, I may have said something else.
A/N: Wishing all a Happy New Year!
Summer is a time to let loose, so why not have some summer love in the mix? Not to worry, it won't be NTR in this story; After all, challenges adds more depth to our two characters!
I've taken some time to plan and decided for 4 arcs to this story to follow the progression of the relationship between Souma and Hisako.
Thank you very much for your feedback! Please let me know how you think I can improve and it'll be a great help. I look forward to your reviews as it helps me keep in touch with you, and keeps me motivated in writing!
Cheers to all!