The office of the Director of Tōtsuki Culinary Academy was a true reflection of the highly respected Nakiri Senzaemon. Natural materials were used as much as possible in the office, with a huge desk in the commanding position, drawing many entrants' eyes the moment they stepped into the tastefully furnished room. No matter how many times I am in this office, mainly in my role as a secretary of his granddaughter, I could not help but be in awe of where I am, in the private sanctuary of a living legend in the cooking world.

I resisted my habit of immediately heading to the side of the room, where I usually station myself.

From a personal perspective: what always impressed me was his usually empty desk; which either suggests an idle person, or, in the Director's case, a person who has effectively delegated work down to his whole team of loyal and capable staff, freeing himself for the most important decisions that have industry spanning consequences.

So when such a person personally summons someone, it is nothing to sniff at.

"Good evening, Senzaemon-sama." I bowed in greeting the imposing man who was standing expectantly in his usual khaki green kimono with black overcoat. Straightening up, I noted his signature stoic gaze, a silent testament for many years of experience.

"Hm," He acknowledged with a deep grunt. if it came from anyone else, it may seem rude, but you would be so lucky to get such a greeting for anyone who has the Director's attention, else he would barely register your presence. Pay it no mind as his reaction is quite understandable when you consider how many people would call for his attention on a daily basis, each with their own agendas, which would quickly make a person tune out things that seem irrelevant. "Have a seat," his intense eyes flashed to the person next to me, adding "both of you."

Soma accompanied me, and was let into the office with me. However, if the tea set for two laid out on the low, traditional tea table was an indication, it was likely that Soma was not expected to be in the meeting.

I could only speculate why Senzaemon-sama decided to allow him in, taking the seat beside me.

Nonetheless, I got to brewing the tea, as the usual practice I always do when I am in here, for the three of us, while a staff member brought an extra cup. The Director observed as I did all the brewing steps until the moment we needed to wait for the tea to steep. "How's the eye?" he went straight to the elephant in the room, asking about my physical well being.

"Much better, Senzaemon-sama, thank you for asking."

"That's good to hear. I'm sure you know what's best to treat that."

"Yes, Senzaemon-sama." I replied with a nod in acknowledgement.

"Hmm," the Director shifted in his seat, "I would imagine this meeting does not come too much of a surprise to you, Hisako."

I could feel Soma looked over, curious of the familial way I was addressed. Over the years, The Director would naturally often see me with his granddaughter, and would call me this way in a personal setting.

Which sets the tone for this talk.

"I would say it would be in regards to the recent events, Senzaemon-sama." I felt a wave of self conscious embarrassment that this incident that stemmed from me had even caught the Director of Totsuki's attention.

"Hmm." There was a short pause as we waited for his next words, "It was a good try for what you intended with the people gathered at the gates today." a glance to my eye, "Although, it seems it did not have the expected results."

A few heavy moments tick by. I wondered where the conversation was going.

"It's a shame how they behaved at the gate," the Director said, arms still folded in his sleeves, "Our security would step in if things got out of hand, of course." he ran a hand through his grey generous beard, "and will continue to do so." At his words, I looked up and met his usually intimidating eyes, to find them a little soft on the edges. "This is not something that any Totsuki student should go through."

The weight of uncertainty immediately lifted off my shoulders. In a show of appreciation, I proceed to pour the ready brewed tea to the cups, offering one to the Director, "I appreciate your words, Senzaemon-sama."

"You're a long time friend of my granddaughter, Hisako…" a sip of tea, "And your parents have asked me to keep a look out for you."

My parents? Ah, right, of course they would.

Senzaemon-sama may have surmised what was running through my mind, "I don't foresee that you'll be stifled and shadowed by security or such things. After all, we are in a private compound." There was a tone of pride in the confidence of Totsuki's security. "So, how are things with my granddaughter?"

A pang of hurt stuck at that question. Erina-sama…. I stared into my tea as I considered how to respond. "I haven't been able to speak with her after she dismissed me." The fact that I was told that my service was no longer needed still hurts. I could not help but wince when that moment replayed in my mind as my eyes watered.

Soma wordlessly placed an assuring hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. Warmth from the spot spread through me, pushing away the sorrow. Then, recalling where we were, it would be improper for the director to see this…

Thankfully, there is a table to block his action from view.

"Hmm." Despite his impassive response, it seems like Senzaemon-sama was not aware about my status with his granddaughter. "Erina was quite vocal in defending you during the board meeting to discuss the trouble at the gates. So I don't think she meant what she said when she dismissed you."

Even if those words were speculations, I appreciated them nonetheless.

"On that note. I trust you understand the board's ultimatum in regards to failing to resolve this issue?" Senzaemon-sama placed his cup back on the table, "and as much as I would like this not to hang over you, we can only bend the rules so much."

Yes, it would not be reasonable to expect the Director of an Elite school like Totsuki to make exceptions. It will only compromise the school's principles.

"If that should come," Senzaemon-sama turned to look over, "Yukihira Soma, what are your plans in that case?"

Soma sat up, and declared, "If she goes, I would too." Soma's reckless personality came through.

"You'll do no such thing." I protested, "You have too much potential to go far with a Totsuki education."

"But what about…"

"I appreciate the thought of solidarity, Soma." I placed a hand on his.

When our eyes met, and a whole conversation was exchanged. Me pleading not to throw away a future for my sake, and him finding injustice should I get expelled for this.

Even so, We finally concluded on the best course of action… with no words needed to be spoken.

Soma broke into a confident smile, "We just have to solve this together, then."

At the other side of the table, Senzaemon-sama observed our exchange in silence. To a layperson he would seem the same, stoic self, but I could see, from the years of being in his presence, that he has faith that we will see this through.

…and, perhaps it was my imagination: I thought that look seemed conflicted about something; something that was directed at Soma.

Walking down the hallways, we made our way back to the dorms.

Even through school restarts next week, there were a few students that came back early, likely for their club activities, or getting a head start for the curriculum. Either way, that meant whispers in the halls as we passed some of them.

I would imagine some of them may have approached us if it was not for the staff escorting Soma and I to our ride back to our dormitory.

It was quite nice to see how close knit the Polar Star dormitory is, nearly everyone was there for supper.

However, Tadokoro Megumi did not join us.

In fact, everyone expressed their concerned curiosity, remarking no one had seen her ever since this morning, ever since the ping pong incident.

Naturally, phone calls were made to her to dispel any wild speculations that the less tactful residents made, and placate concerns to her absence. "I'm sorry, but I'm doing something now." was her apologetic reply before excusing herself to get back to whatever she was busy with.

What could she be busy with?

"So, how was the meeting with Director Nakiri?" Isshiki-senpai asked while Soma and I ate.

"Sanzaemon-sama was just checking in on me." I replied, not intent to elaborate. Nonetheless, I was appreciative when Senzaemon-sama had told me to let him know if there is any support I needed to resolve the issue at hand.

"Hey, it's no small thing to be called by the Director."

"How's he like, by the way?"

"What dishes is he partial to?"

Questions about Senzaemon-sama came flowing, which I sensed was moving towards an intent to a leg up to gain his favor. Of course, I deflected such questions away with plausible tact.

Before you ask further on that matter, even though I may have privy to the personnel as well as the inner workings of Totsuki, I have a reputation and honor as a confidant,

I shall never spill.

"Hey hey ya'll, perhaps it would be more productive to focus on the cause of why Hisako-chan was called, everyone." Isshiki-senpai chimed in, getting everyone back on track. "So what will you do now?"

That is a good and relevant question that I have not had a chance to sit down and think about. I mean, I had assumed that we could just have a straightforward clarification of my lack of relationship with their idol, only for it to fall flat.

"Have you considered, perhaps, giving Aida Shion a call?" Sakaki asked, grabbing all attention to her. "I mean, he should be able to call them off, right?"

That… is actually quite logical. Though, this would mean I need to unblock and call him.

…Ick.

I shuddered as the hairs at the back of my neck stood at that idea.

Why, though? Why the visceral reaction to that thought of speaking with him? It is just conversing with another person.

I glanced over to Soma, and as if reading my mind, he nodded with empathy and gave his support to do it; he trusts that I can handle it, and knows that I perform better if I am left to the task by myself.

It is the logical move, after all.

Well, no time like the present.

I got up and excused myself, mentally preparing for what I am going to do.

Getting to the third floor balcony, far away from anyone, for privacy, I scrolled through the phone to find a blocked number. I never thought I would have to unblock this ever again, leaving this matter all the way back at the beach in Oarai. However, things have got to this…

Just do it.

It took a second for the call to ring… and my heart raced, usually people would pick by the third or fourth ring, and so the dreaded anticipation to connect came…

and went as the cycle of ringtone continued to drone.

…

Huh, maybe he is busy.

I stared at the phone screen when the disconnect sound came. Pretty sure a celebrity would be too busy for a random call to connect on the first try. I then decided to drop him a message:

Hi, I called earlier because we need to talk, please call me back.

Short, and to the point.

…In a moment when I saw the message gone through with a "sent", meaning it got to his phone, the realization hit me:

In sending that message, now I have to walk around with the nagging anticipation of his call. That is an even worse feeling than having the call connected earlier.

Like a band aid that you pulled off yourself, compared to one that someone else does unexpectedly.

Fudge.

I got a knock on my door when everyone had gone back into the rooms for the night; Soma included.

Opening the door, I came to face Tadokoro Megumi.

"Arato-san… may we talk?"

Whoa. She looks…stressed out. I got a feeling this may be her effort to apologise for this morning's incident but am I that intimidating that it stresses her to this extent?

I glanced over to my phone, noting the late hour, and that there was no reply from a certain idol yet.

"Sure." I looked up and offered a friendly smile, intent to assure that I did not hold what happened between us against her.

It was an accident after all, right?

An awkward silence fell between us as we sat across each other on mismatched pillows that were given from the other residents as a welcome gift. I took a moment to observe that she has a small stack of very familiar folders beside her.

"I'm sorry for hitting you this morning. I was… too much into the game." Tadokoro finally said. "I am ashamed to think that may have caused any issue you are having now with the news article."

Seeing how guilty a usually meek girl like her looked, I could not help but hurry to assure her that such things happen, and that I just stood at a wrong spot too close to the game anyway. As for the new article… I am pretty sure that the gossip rag would have found something to gripe about me, no matter how it went.

They just took an issue without context and ran off with it.

"How is the injury now? Does it still hurt? I don't know if it helps but I prepared a few heat packs. From what I read, the treatment is to ice first and heat later?"

The level of concern and mindfulness she showed is the Tadokoro Megumi that I have in my mind. "Thank you. I appreciate these and I am sure they will be put to good use." I should offer some peace too, "Please don't worry about my injury, it should heal soon enough."

An awkward silence returned after my words. I would assume that was all she came to talk to me about if it were not for the fact that she still seemed conflicted, and that there was a small stack of familiar folders beside her.

Of course they were familiar, I had personally picked those out as standard office stationery for Erina-sama's office;

With a familiar series of numbers and letters on the label…

What is this about, Tadokoro Megumi?

"Actually, I also came because I need to clarify some things with you, Arato-san." She must have seen where my sight went. She picked up the top folder, "Would you please brief me on your filing system?"

My filing system? There is only one filing system that I am incharge of and that is…

"W-what does this mean?" Dread, A horrible thought came to my mind.

Tadokoro paused, before continuing, "I am taking over your role as Nakiri Erina's Secretary."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! shout out to ion boi for giving me the kick i need to focus back on this!

I notice the last chapter did not really elicit much feedback and thoughts, though. If you have any thoughts on how I can improve on that front. please let me know too!

Hope you enjoy reading this chapter; A pending call, and a shift in her role... how is Hisako going to take it?!