Disclaimer: It's a work of fiction and just having fun with my favorite SNS pairing
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Alone in the residential area during the afternoon break, I was not prepared for that feeling that something was missing. Perhaps after almost three weeks of having a companion near me, the sudden lack of Soma's presence was starkly apparent.
I know, I know: I was the one who had suggested that he went with Kurase to the wholesalers without me. In fact, he asked me a few times if I was alright and sure I was not going with them to the wholesalers;
His confused look is still on my mind.
I reasoned that his scooter can only accommodate two and he seemed to have bought it.
They should be at the wholesalers right now with Soma turning on the charm to get a better price for his purchases.
As for Kurase… I have no idea what she will do.
Lest I get consumed by imagination on what may be happening there, I tried to be distracted by picking up the latest volume of the light novel series Soma bought as his contribution to the collection. I did not have a chance to start on it since I had been busy organising the restaurant's books and coordinating other business aspects. Not that I am complaining; I am actually proud of what I am doing,
Now that things are stable, time to catch up.
Within the book, Soma's bookmark caught my attention as I thought it looked familiar: laminated with a ribbon threaded through the hole as a bookmark would, it was the pair of tanzaku that we wrote for tanabata. I had wondered what happened to them, it seems he put them to good use.
'Wishing to be good friends with Arato. – Yukihira Soma' Soma had written in his usual scrawl.
Those words brought nostalgia of my surprise when he revealed his wishes to me. To see the combination of bold words and his energetic writing style made me smile on how fitting they were to his outgoing personality.
And it brought forth the thought on how far we came.
When I first saw him, my impression was that he was upstart or belittling Erina-sama, and challenging the whole school by calling the rest of the student body stepping stones. Like Erina-sama, I thought he would be eliminated during the Tōtsuki Friendship and Rapport Training Camp, so I was surprised to see him with Erina-sama on the ground, thinking that he did something untoward to her. I recall being extremely flustered towards him.
However, knowing him now, I am sure he would be too gentlemanly to do anything remotely like that.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he would be too dense, or too oblivious to understand it.
Although... I am hardly any more experienced.
Yesterday was the first time he held my hand in a way that I experienced a new emotion as he cradled my hand in his palm; a rush of euphoria with what was akin to butterflies fluttering in my chest.
I highly doubt it was any underlying medical issue (certified personally by the Arato brand).
Besides, it felt comfortable, safe, and assuring.
It just felt… right.
Was that what we can call... a 'romantic gesture'?
The conversation we had yesterday made it clear that Soma is ready to move forward to the next level.
All that is left is my decision to commit.
It was amazing to think that this all started from our stagiaire. Fresh from my Autumn Election defeat, I took my frustrations onto him by belittling his background and experience, starting us off on a rocky road. He took it in stride, even tried to befriend me, and proved how capable he was.
Without his leadership and quick thinking, we may not have succeeded like we did in the challenge. I took it upon myself to back him up to push things through.
He heard my worries when I was at my lowest and knew just what to say to get me out of my slump, and even provided me with an excuse to get back with Erina-sama. I was touched by his kind words and gave him my first heartfelt smile to anyone... including Erina-sama.
I have come to respect him and see him as a casual friend.
Over time, from the common grueling challenges at totsuki, to the interactions during this summer that we are spending together, I have acknowledged that our friendship made progress.
Progressed into one that I actually cared about.
Caring enough to understand, to help, or to simply be a part of: His well-being, his preferences, his past, his present…
And... his future.
Or, to be on topic, should it be "our future"?
That is a thought I would never have expected to come into this summer. I had expected for it to just breeze through like every year before by myself with only the return to the Erina-sama's side to look forward to.
Now, a decision has to be made, based on the question: What do I think about being with him?
Personality wise, we would make an odd couple, won't we? He is extroverted, I am introverted; I'm high strung, he's laid back; He's a risk taker, I'm a cautious observer; he's random, I am order…
However rather than being opposing, we seemed to make our personalities complementary:
He would keep our social life interesting while I bring more scholarly aspects
I would keep us focused and goal orientated while he plays the negotiator.
He pushes the limits of whatever we do while I keep things grounded.
We may be flawed individually, but together, we are stronger by filling each other's gaps.
On a professional level, he would make me a better chef while I would organise Yukihira Family Restaurant. It was amusing to think that I am literally and figuratively invested in Yukihira Family Restaurant. The honest welcoming atmosphere, and camaraderie with our guests makes this a place that I want to be.
Of course, we have similarities too: We are both motivated individuals who have proven to succeed when working together; both open minded to each other's feedback, and able to read the other without saying a word.
Together, side by side, I am confident that we could do anything as partners.
I eagerly look forward to walking on the path of the Yukihira Style and incorporating it into my cooking.
Do I see potential for us to go further?
Yes.
From the bottom of my heart, YES.
I want to continue spending time with him. I want to do all I can for this restaurant. I want to know where this road leads.
Looking down into the opened light novel in front of me, I just realised I was still on the first page. Evidently, I'm too distracted to read. I fished out the other bookmark, the one made from my tanzaku.
'Wishing for Yukihira's wish to come true – Arato Hisako' Mine said.
I could not help but chuckle to imagine the combination of our two wishes may have a hand in what we are now. As I slid my bookmark into my page, my mind shifted to consider the resistances to our relationship.
First and foremost: Erina-sama.
Ma raison d'être. Being brought up to revere the Nakiri family, I was awed by her mere presence ever since I laid eyes. She had proven more than worthy of respect with her ability to systematically break down any dish that dared to lay before her. Admittingly, her sharp tongue may rub people the wrong way, inadvertently causing everyone else to keep their distance from her. That made my role as her assistant even more crucial as I served as her constant companion.
Will I be able to carry out my commitments to Erina-sama while going out with Soma? I'm sure I can handle that. What is beyond my control is her current animosity towards him which would be an issue.
I believe there was once I gave him some of Erina-sama's time in preparation for the Moon Banquet Festival. Perhaps I can look out for more of such opportunities to temper any issues.
No, it does not mean to abuse my scheduling privileges. I am above that.
Next concern is: what will my family say?
I could not remember the last time my parents and I had a heart to heart talk; We are so estranged that I could not even guess how they would react if I were to introduce Soma to them.
Coming from a relatively conservative family, this may be quite an obstacle.
Despite my concerns, I believe they can be sorted out.
After all, I was the one who said: "If there's something you want to go through with, you should stick to it without caring about appearances."
I still have a few days to think things over.
This will be my choice, and I will do what I need to make things go smoothly.
Soma returned a few minutes before reopening for the afternoon service.
Contrary to what I expected, he had a vexed look on his face. Pausing my final preparations before service, I asked "Everything alright? How was the trip to the wholesalers?" I probed with an open question.
"It went alright," Soma replied, pouring himself a glass of water after setting aside some fresh produce, "Got some nice items at a good price." He was holding back.
I narrowed my eyes at him, "What happened?"
Soma took a big gulp before turning to consider me for a moment. A tightening of his lips, "Kurase confessed to me."
… What?
"After visiting the wholesalers, Kurase suddenly said it as I dropped her off." Soma scratched the back of his head, "She said that she... liked me… ever since middle school."
There was a moment of silence between us. "Is that so?"
"You don't seem to be surprised."
"That was… not unexpected." I returned to what I was doing, trying to hide my face. Heat was radiating from my belly. Despite how, just this morning before he left to head out to meet her, I thought it should not be a big deal, I was not expecting this physiological reaction.
For Kurase to have gone on the offensive, I would assume whatever happened after she left with Koganei the day before has lit a fire within her.
Realistically though, I wonder how much of it was due to my presence with Soma.
"So… you knew about it?"
I looked up, finding him close in and seeking answers. "I thought Kurase just wanted to speak with you."
"You said her confession was not unexpected?"
"Soma, even I, who came here just a week ago, thought it was clear that she harboured feelings for you." Not intent as a jab, I titled my head, "and she told me something about that yesterday."
"Why did you not say anything? You even encouraged me to go with her by myself…" a thought made him surprised, "I hope it was not to test me?"
"Not at all." I was getting defensive, but seeing him relax after hearing it made me calm too. "We both have our own past and things to consider. We are just taking some time to settle them before…"
"Before…?" Soma prompted when I trailed off.
Am I blushing?
Soma's eyes widened, following my line of thought. "You've been thinking about us while I'm away?"
I shyly nodded.
He broke into a wide grin which made me even more bashful.
"Elementary school camp," I reminded him of the arranged date.
He blinked and deflated a little, "I have to tell you, Kurase has invited me out tomorrow evening."
That feeling in my stomach flared up again, but I kept it down, "I will admit: I felt heated when you told me that she confessed to you... Save that smirk. You have your own life, you can have your own friends, and I won't be over possessive." I hooked my hair behind one ear.
Soma reached out, gingerly hooking the other side for me, "I'm going to reject her." His closeness and gesture made me quiver a little.
Hearing him declare that made me feel something for gentle Kurase. "I know you are straightforward in a few things, but she is your friend, you may run into her on the streets, and she is a nice girl who liked you for a while now-"
"But, I like you." he cut in.
Despite feeling his words touch my heart, I held a hand up, requesting to let me finish, "find the right time to talk things out with her. Don't leave it awkward."
He gave my words thought and nodded understandingly. "Thank you for being open minded."
I gave him an assuring smile, "Now, let's get ready for the evening crowd!"
A/N: This chapter is on Hisako's perspective and concerns in slightly more depth. I promise next one we will move things along by setting up for the next phase!
Drop a review on what you think will happen!
Once again, thank you for your reviews! They do let me know if I still got your attention and it keeps me writing; as long as there's a healthy amount of interest, I'll continue writing