Author's Note:
So, here we are again...Part two of the three chapter event and, probably, the meatiest one of them!
This has been the longest chapter I've written thus far (I don't see myself doing that again so soon...)
Also...also, now that alerts are seemingly working again after having been down for...ages, hi... If you only now know of this story's update - note that there is another new chapter before this!
Anyway, once again, my heart goes out to everyone who comes back to this. You have my deepest gratitude...and I hope you'll enjoy this one.
Happy Reading!
A search for Akio had lead Hiraku into the upper floors of the Nakiri mansion. However, once he reached the top of the grand stairs, the rarest hint of mild displeasure found its way on the usually so stoic face as Hiraku wasn't met with the face of his loyal assistant but someone else instead.
"Yukihira," Shigeo Eizan called out. "Well, well, color me surprised!" Despite seemingly having intended to go down, Hiraku's bespectacled classmate generously took himself the brief moment to stop in his tracks and lean against the staircase's newel instead. "You know, I just saw Hayama rush by on the other side of the hall. He looked like he was right about to have an apoplexy. My first guess was that you had once again fed him some of your bizarre insults to the art of cooking itself, but since you're here, I suppose that wasn't actually the case. Pardon my fast judgement." Shigeo thinly smiled, not sounding even the slightest bit sorry despite what he said.
"Eizan." Hiraku greeted flatly, while taking in the addressed's outfit: a three piece suit in black and white, with less than 50 shades of grey in-between. The waistcoat seemed to be patterned and he even had a silver brooch with a dangling chain attached to it. "You look…", Hiraku paused and tilted his head a little, "…lacking in color."
"Nothing beats the classics, Yukihira," Shigeo was quick to retort. "And since you have lead us to that topic, I have to say your own get-up is certainly….." He eyed Hiraku, the loosened dark red tie, and the unbuttoned blue suit jacket up and down before he continued with the snippiest of undertones. "…'interesting', to say the least."
The redhead opened his mouth, however, Shigeo was not yet finished: "Not that it matters what I think, of course. All that counts is that it's to the liking of your companion- Oh!" Feigning surprise, Shigeo covered his mouth with his hand. When he lowered it again, he had a sneering smirk on his lips. "My apologies. How forgetful of me…. And that when Umino has told me that you're here without a partner just mere seconds ago."
"Don't see anyone beside you either…", Hiraku grumbled, lightly balling his fists as he did. But he was waved off.
"For once, you've observed correctly. I am impressed. But you see, I have other matters to take care off on such a grande event like this. Ones that simply do not allow me to concern myself with my love life." While speaking, Shigeo had pushed himself off the stair's railing to finally make his way down instead. "There is business to discuss, new deals to struck, connections to be made - as heir to an influential company, I have certain responsibilities. You, however…" Shigeo stopped in his walk for a brief moment, right when he was just one step above Hiraku's. "You hardly know anyone around here or what topics would be of interest to them. And those few who you do know are likely busy themselves. So all you can do is stand and watch, which I imagine must be quite boring."
"Many have asked me out already!" Hiraku declared. "It's just-"
"What? None of the teen royalty, I presume?" When Shigeo passed, Hiraku could hear a chuckle near his ear. "You can't expect me to blame them for having, well, standards." The amusement in his voice doubled. "Some people like to keep their conversations….intelligent, you know?"
Shigeo audibly kept on snickering as he continued to make his way downstairs. And despite Hiraku's best efforts, merely intensely glaring at the back of Shigeo's head did not result in any lasers shooting out of his eyes to disintegrate his snobby classmate.
The Twenty-Third Plate - The Battle of Wits and Hearts (Midsummer Ball II)
Kimiko and Hiroshi had begun their long, exhaustive venture through the many halls and rooms of the Nakiri Mansion in their search for Ran Mimasaka. But it proved to be a challenging task and even after fifteen whole minutes, the two of them still had yet to spot a sign of Ran's rebellious haircut in-between all those powdered noses and satin gloves.
"I think I'm about to go crazy! Jeez! This building is gigantic!" Kimiko complained. "And these shoes keep slowing me down." Her high heels still had her be quite wobbly on her feet indeed.
Hiroshi gave her a sorry look. "Maybe we should move one floor higher?"
"Perhaps." Kimiko sighed, as she let her gaze sweep over the many, many people that stood around either talking or eating from their little plates. It felt near impossible to spot anyone in all of this tumult. However, in the very moment when she wanted to turn her head back to Hiroshi, she actually caught a lucky glimpse of not Ran, but someone else who could potentially help.
"Hiroshi-kun, look!" She gasped, relieved, and pointed ahead. Right behind some guy that seemed to flirt with a waitress, one could spot a tall, black-haired teen who was dressed in a wholly pink suit. "That's Mimasaka Kazuo over there!"
"Mimasaka-senpai's brother?" Hiroshi questioned, to which Kimiko gave one quick, confirming nod. "Yes, exactly!"
Without further ado, she grabbed Hiroshi's arm and pulled him forwards into the direction of Kazuo. Once they had passed the flirting couple, Kimiko noticed that Kazuo wasn't alone but, as ever so often, talking to Takayuki Hojo.
The short boy was wearing a red waistcoat over his white, button-up shirt. Just like with his school uniform, he wore no tie. It made for an almost casual ensemble in Kimiko's mind. Kazuo's suit next to it could not be more contrasting in comparison: the tall, jetblack-haired teen had fancied himself up in an entirely pastel-pink three piece suit. If that wasn't eye-catching enough, he must have picked out the largest, red rose he could find to pin onto his jacket.
"Hey, good to see you two again." Kimiko happily raised a hand as she approached the unsymmetrical duo.
"Yukihira-chan!" Immediately, Kazuo's big signature smile lit up upon seeing the blonde, only to falter a little as the surprise to spot Hiroshi as well mixed into it. "An…And…Hiroshi Aldini-Tadokoro!" Hiroshi, in-turn, looked near equally perplexed when hearing that this boy, he never recalled talking to before, knew his name.
Next to Kazuo, Takayuki was giving Hiroshi one brief, incredulous look before he turned his head to Kimiko, raising his hand as he did. "Hey, Yukihira." He eyed her up and down, before averting his gaze to the side. "Nice dress."
"'Nice'?" Kazuo repeated, sounding offended. He put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. "Takayuki-kun, I believe you were meaning to say 'marvellous dress'!" He flashed one of his widest, happy grins into Kimiko's direction. "You look beautiful, Yukihira-chan."
Kimiko laughed in return. "Thank you! You look very fancy, yourself, Mimasaka."
At that, Kazuo lightly blushed. Takayuki grunted something unintelligible. Hiroshi felt a little bad that the compliment hadn't gone off his lips as easily earlier.
Because when he intended to simply glance at the honey-blonde beside him, Hiroshi found himself immediately mesmerised all over again. She looked not just marvellous, not just beautiful, but downright radiant. The warm colours and her bright smile made her glow golden from head to toe.
Kimiko did not take much note of any of the reactions she had caused, or the look Hiroshi gave her for that matter. Rather, she chose to formally introduce Hiroshi by making a presenting hand gesture in his direction. "This is my dormmate, by the way. Hiroshi Aldini-Tadokoro."
It was only when his name got mentioned, that Hiroshi noticed that he has not torn his eyes from Kimiko yet. He felt himself blush and quickly turned his head to Kazuo and Takayuki instead. "He…Hello, nice to meet you two."
"Yo", Takayuki replied with a frown while Kazuo nodded next to him. "Greetings."
"We're looking for your big sister, Mimasaka." Kimiko explained after. "Hiroshi-kun and I still have some matters to discuss with her." She lightly lifted her head to better meet Kazuo's one, visible eye. "Do you know where she could be?"
"Oh!" Kazuo exclaimed. "Oh yes, she has told me about this. Yes, yes." He nodded two times, likely to confirm it to himself first and then to the others. For a moment, he rubbed his chin while thinking. Then, he answered: "Onee-chan went to greet some of her Elite 10 friends. I'd suggest looking for her on the upper floor. That's where a lot of the more intensive business talks are being done. And early into the ball, many of the Elites probably still stick to their parents as family representatives."
"Yeah, I'd say the same." Takayuki, agreed in a much more monotone tone. Probably to try sound less invested, all cool and unbothered.
Regardless of the act that Takayuki was playing, Kimiko's face lit up. "Thank you, Mimasaka, Hojo!" And as it did, she suddenly grabbed Hiroshi's hand, which made him both flinch and flare bright red. "Upper floor then," Kimiko confirmed, seemingly unbothered by the fact that she had just turned poor Hiroshi into a tomato.
"We..Well," Takayuki began and pulled on Kazuo's suit jacket, "Mimasaka and I also have some business to attend to tonight." He laid a lot of gravity in his voice, to make the matter sound as serious and pressing as possible.
Kazuo, at first, gave him a surprised look. But then, he reluctantly sighed. "Oh, I forgot about that."
Takayuki grit his teeth at that response. The pull he had on Kazuo's clothes became more fierce. "Don't forget about it!" The short teen flared up. "It is of utmost importance!"
Hiroshi could only lightly frown non-understandingly. Next to him, Kimiko let out a jolly laugh. "I see, I see…!" She gave the two other boys a wink. "Well, good luck with that! We'll see you around."
Since she was still holding onto Hiroshi's hand, it was easy for her to simply pull him with her. Hiroshi was only able to stammer a quick "by…bye" to the new acquaintances, before they were already out of reach.
Takayuki yelled "won't need any" after them, while Kazuo tiredly shook his head.
—
"Look Mona, over there!" With a sudden grip on Mona's upper arm, Lola pulled her twin closer. With her free hand she was pointing right ahead. "There he is! Min Jiang!"
The direction of Lola's finger lead Mona's gaze to the sight of a man in his late twenties. He wore his long purple hair up in a ponytail and was dressed in fancy, black Chinese clothing with broad silver patterns.
"Lola, why don't we go to the West side of the gardens. Mom put a whole zoo of LED animals there, I think." Mona muttered, almost sounding a bit pleading. "I want to see what that looks like in the dark."
"Later." Lola promptly shut down her proposal with a dismissive hand wave. "Now it's time for business."
She assertively strode forwards. Mona could not do much but roll her eyes upwards, silently asking the heavens to have mercy, before she reluctantly followed her sister.
Jiang had just finished his conversation with another guest, when Lola struck her chance. Promptly after Jiang let go of the other guy's hand, Lola held out her's to him from the other side. "Min Jiang." Wholly unbothered by the slight frown Jiang wore when turning to her, Lola charmingly grinned. "Let me, on the hostess' behalf, thank you for coming to tonight's ball."
Jiang's frown only intensified at that. "Hostess' behalf?" He asked incredulously.
Lola perfectly imitated the laugh of any fancy committee's president. "Oh, ahaha… Where are my manners!" She lifted the hand she has been holding out to Jiang a little. "My name is Nakiri Lola. I am Nakiri Alice's oldest daughter."
"I see. Of course! I've heard of you." Jiang spoke, as he finally shook Lola's hand. "Nice to meet you, Nakiri Lola."
After taking her hand back, Lola nodded into the direction of Mona, who was standing a little bit behind her. "And this is my sister, Nakiri Mona."
Mona only silently raised her hand as a greeting, which Jiang mirrored. "Good evening to you too." Then he turned his attention back to Lola. "So what gives me the honour of being personally greeted by Nakiri Alice's daughters?"
Lola's smile grew a little at that, confidence pulling at its ends. "Well, it is not every day you meet someone who the headmaster of Shanghai's School for Culinary Teachings allegedly went on his knees for."
"Word of mouth never slows down, huh." Jiang tiredly shook his head a little. "I haven't even cleaned my desk at the SSCT yet."
"It only speaks for your reputation." Lola quickly replied. "I'd be interested to get an impression of your skills. Say, what are your plans now that you quit the SSCT? A restaurant perhaps?"
It sounded like an innocent, casual question but a sharp eye would still catch the opportunistic gleam that sparked in the vixen's red eyes when Jiang denied: "Restaurant? No, that's way too much stress."
Lola made one very surprised face. "Huh…? I see…" Then she faked a great, theatrical sigh. "A bit disappointing of an answer, I have to say. I was looking forward to sample your creations soon enough."
Mona, a little behind, would have loved to frown.
"Ah." Jiang waved off. "I am certain the chance for that will spring up sometime."
"Still, it's a shame." Lola shook her head in pretended defeat before she continued in her best, casual voice. "But tonight might make for other opportunities. Say, have you tried anything from the buffet table already perhaps?"
"Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure to do that yet." Jiang answered with a shake of his head.
Lola effectively acted out a shocked gasp, took a step back and placed a hand on her chest as she did. "Oh but you just have to! It is one of the highlights of this ball!" She cried and insistently balled both of her two hands into fists. "Everything was prepared by both Totsuki alumni that volunteered as well as…", she added some subtle, extra gravity to the last three words, "…the teaching staff."
Jiang's face continued being a neutral facade. "Well, I am sure there will be time for that late-"
"I simply must bring you a sample." Lola interrupted before Jiang could finish that sentence. "I assure that you can trust my judgement. I will personally handpick a selection of treats."
For a moment, Jiang just stared. To Mona, it very much didn't look like he saw the point in Lola doing that. But then he eventually agreed with a slow nod, albeit his voice still could have used a lot more enthusiasm as he did. "Alright then. If it isn't any trouble to you."
"Why would it be? Give me just a minute or so." Satisfied, Lola gave a last nod before she made a quick turn. Mona predictably followed.
"So, what's the big idea?" Mona asked, as soon as the two were far enough away from Jiang's hearing.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lola replied, in a tone that made it sound like Mona's question was a boring one to answer. "If I want to convince him to work as a professor on Totsuki, I will have to give him an idea of the calibre of this school first."
Jiang's tone had not wavered her resolve. After all, Lola was an expert at being stubborn and convincing.
—
After leaving Shigeo behind, it took a little while for Hiraku to come across a familiar face again. Or rather: three familiar faces. Two of them not exactly amongst his first picks of classmates he had hoped to encounter here.
"Tsujimoto-", Yamada's cheeks were almost as flaming red as his hair. Umino, behind him, was tiredly rubbing his temples as he watched his buddy quickly clear his throat before holding out a hand to the blonde French RS president, who wore a pink dress that seemed to have come right off a Barbie doll. "Tsujimoto, the two of us….we- uhm…we have so much in common…-"
"Don't insult me like this!" Harumi bluntly interrupted him. She made a hand motion as if swatting away a fly and scoffed. "And before you even ask: No. Forget it!"
"Hey- How would you know what I am about to say?!" Yamada huffed. "Could that be…some form of…?"
"Don't." Umino muttered under his breath.
Harumi's eyes dangerously narrowed as she hissed: "If you're gonna say 'connection' next, I am gonna cut your di-"
"Wait." Before Harumi could finish her threat, Hiraku decided to enter the conversation. "Did you want to ask Tsujimoto for a dance, Yamada?"
As the three of them turned to him, Harumi was first to demonstratively roll her eyes at Hiraku's sight. She let out a loud groan. "Yeugh- yet another darn idiot…!" With one hand firmly on her hips, her other arm flung out so she could accusingly point it at Yamada. "Obviously, he wanted to ask that. Stupid."
"And since when is any that I do your business, Yukihira, hah?!" Yamada barked. "Better piss off and look for your own date, will ya!" He haughtily puffed out his chest and nodded into Umino's direction. "Yeah, that's right. No need to deny it. Umino told me you're here solo. And Umino always knows what's the up."
A hint of evident surprise found its way on Harumi's face at that. "Wait…for real?" She asked, lightly tilting her head in order to glance past Yamada and catch Umino's eyes instead.
"Yeah," Umino simply confirmed with a shrug.
"I was just surprised you're interested in Tsujimoto, Yamada." Hiraku scratched his head. "Didn't know that before."
"Unfortunately I am not interested in him." Harumi sharply cut in before Yamada could answer this. "But back to the topic at hand: Why the fuck are you here solo? I've must have heard your name a bazillion of times in the school corridors for these last few months!"
"Right?" Umino felt compelled to add his own two cents now, as he conceitedly raised his chin at Hiraku. "Maybe you're not so much of a big shot yet after all."
"All Hayama told me is that I'd have to do at least one dance." Hiraku, replied unfazed. "Can't I still ask someone for that or…?"
Umino grimaced, while Yamada looked down-right baffled by that assessment (despite having done exactly that himself just a minute ago). Harumi merely shrugged before taking a piece of bubble gum out of her bubble gum-coloured purse. "I mean, you could…I guess." She threw the gum into her mouth and gave it its first few chews before continuing. "I am not sure how many of the A-Listers are still available for that though."
"Well, from what Umino told me…", Yamada began, loud and proud. "Out of the three respective queens, there's only one that's still available. Ka-"
Before he could finish, Umino harshly punched his side. "Why are you disclosing that to him?!"
"…Ka?" Hiraku repeated curiously, tilting his head a little as he did. But Umino only turned his head away from him, while Yamada was busy rubbing his stomach. Harumi frowned at that display. "I think they meant Hayma Kaori", she then said. "You know, Hayama's little…"
"…sister." Hiraku finished that thought. Now that he heard the extra info, he was briefly able to recall seeing the girl at a few school events, usually in some prominent position, as well as some mildly displeased looks she gave him in the school corridors for reasons he didn't know. "Yeah, I think I have seen her a couple of times…" Her white hair was always tied into a neat, pretty bun if he recalled correctly - and he could distinctly recall the scent of lavender to be wafting around her too. Akio only seldomly spoke about her but whenever he did, it was in very fond manner.
Harumi looked a slight bit irritated over Hiraku having ran into her words like that, but, after a gruff sigh, she went on. "She's the most popular girl within the 115th Generation right now….but I hear, she's a real Ice Queen too. I'm not exactly surprised that she turned up solo."
Umino quickly added into that. "And I can't imagine she would make an exception for...", Umino paused, disparagingly surveying Hiraku from head to toe before continuing, "…you."
However, Hiraku was only half listening at this point anyway. He still had yet to find Akio after all.
"Speaking of Hayamas…" Hiraku therefore said, not minding how Umino's face darkened even more, annoyed that Hiraku had ignored his insults so easily like that. "You guys haven't seen our Hayama by any chance, have you? I've been looking for him."
"No idea." Harumi shrugged, and based on her unbothered tone it didn't sound like she was going to give Hiraku any more clues. Umino and Yamada just glared on meanwhile.
And so, Hiraku decided to just retreat and continue his quest on his own.
—
Mika could feel her heart pound up her throat, as she waited in one of the private kitchens that Akio had ordered her to.
Her nails dug into her knees. The grip was so strong, that Mika was sure it would leave traces the next day.
Finally she heard the door open - and it was as if a bolt of lightening hit her right in the heart. Against her better judgement, she jumped up immediately and felt completely embarrassed by that display in the next second.
Her cheeks glowed bright red.
She was making herself look like a damn fool!
So Mika tried keeping her hands, balled to fists, stiff by her side instead and straightened her back. Then she quickly ran them through her hair, one time (just to have everything fixed for sure). Then a second time. After that, her blush increased. She stood still again. Then she fixed her skirt.
"Ah, Aldini-san! You're already here!" Akio exclaimed upon entering. He gave an apologetic nod. "I am sorry for the delay."
Pronounced "chill", Mika waved him off. "Ah, it's fi- fi…ahhhh…"
The end of her sentence got stuck in her throat as the dream come true himself, Hiraku Yukihira, stepped into the kitchen from behind Akio.
He cast his unreadable gaze into her direction and Mika felt her entire body turn hot, then cold and then hot all over again.
"So, you're about to teach me dancing?"
Her heart was racing. She could hear its rapid beat way up in her ear and clutched her fists tighter together, in hope it would stop her from shaking.
Mika's throat was painfully dry and she didn't even want to know just how much time had passed in which she just stood there, blankly staring at Hiraku.
Finally, she was able to speak but her voice bordered a rather shrill tone. "Hi- Hi…Hiraku-sa-" Mika coughed and then quickly corrected herself. "Aheam, Yukihira-senpai…" She was finally sounding at least a bit calmer. "Ye…yes. I can try teach you some Waltz." After a pause, to further stabilise herself, she slowly nodded. "Ha…Hayama-senpai told me to. Bu…But don't get the wrong idea...! It's only because I'm bored." Mika dearly hoped for that lie to sound authentic.
Hiraku's face did not betray much discernible emotion throughout Mika's stammering. "Cool", was all he said when she was finally done.
After a slow nod, Mika unclenched her fists and turned around to head for the music box. Quickly she wiped her hands on her skirt, because they had become sweaty.
One and a half hour into the big Midsummer ball and Mika had still yet to spot the redhead.
The floor in the ballroom had, indeed, become busier during that time. Amongst the many pairs that joined were her own parents (drawing all eyes on them as usual with their marvellous elegance and synchronicity), as well as the other senior Polar Star students. They were surrounded by fellow pairs of adults for the most part but there were a few teen couples among them as well. Mika had loyally stood by the side throughout, waiting for and hoping for her own prince to show up.
Yasu was staying close by and tried his best to distract Mika with talks about their summer holiday plans. But he had never been the best at leading the conversation, and it wasn't lost on him that Mika's blue eyes kept hopefully flickering to the stairs and any other existing exists of the hall.
Coincidentally, right when Mika's gaze was sweeping to the east gate for the twelfth time, someone familiar was actually coming right through it. It wasn't Hiraku, however, but Chieko and Yori who were making their return back into the hall.
They could hear Chieko's swooning way ahead and her reddened cheeks were another giveaway that the library had been to her liking. "Oh, it was marvellous!" She predictably gushed once close enough to Yasu and Mika. "It was like right of a dream!" With starry, teal eyes she turned her head up to Yori. "Right, Tanaka-kun?"
Yori, in-turn, has had his eyes stuck on Mika ever since first back in the hall. So, at first he did not fully hear. "Huh?" It seemed to cost him actual effort to tear his head away from the frowning blonde in red.
"The library!" Chieko reminded.
"Ooh…!" Yori awkwardly nodded then. "Ye..Yes, it was….nice, I guess…."
Chieko took back over, excitedly gesturing as she did. "There were books in Japanese, in Mandarin, English…and some of them looked like they dated back to the 19th century! Isn't that incredible?"
"That's great, Chi-chan." Yasu gave her a small, adoring smile.
"Where have the adults gone? I need to tell dad about it!" Chieko asked, right after having cast her gaze to the spot the elders had been standing at previously.
Yasu pointed ahead to the dancefloor, on which Chieko's parents were currently twirling - or rather, it looked like Yuki was twirling while Zenji just held on tight to her arms and had his body pulled along.
"Of course." Chieko faintly chuckled at the sight.
"Have you danced already?' Yori suddenly asked, phrasing it like a question to both Yasu and Mika when really only staring at Mika once again.
Yasu decided to answer anyway, his tone sounding uncharacteristically curt as he turned his head to Yori: "No."
It did not make Yori redirect his eyes, nor did it make his goofy smile falter. "I've heard many say that your parents are excellent dancers, Aldini-san. And looking to the dance floor over there, I must say the people have been right." He first nodded into the direction of Takumi's and Ikumi's mesmerising Waltz before he turned back to Mika and leaned a little forward. "Do you like to dance too?"
Mika answered with a pulled up eyebrow: "I'm not opposed to it." Before Yori could say anything more, she added: "I mean, who is really? In fact, Chieko-chan and I have spent many evenings together practicing our moves for fun." As an extra signifier, Mika nodded her head into Chieko's direction.
The dark haired girl's features brightened with excitement as she replied: "True!" She gave one energetic nod, before sheepishly looking to the side. "I'm not as skilled as Mika-cchi but I think dancing is very fun still."
"Yeah." The glance Yori gave Chieko was fleeting. "It is."
Again, his attention was right back on Mika - whose right eye twitched in irritation. Yasu, as well, pressed his lips tight together as if to prevent himself from saying something. However, to Yasu's luck, before any of them could expand further on the topic, they suddenly heard Yuki's voice from behind. "Ah, Chieko dearie, you're back!"
When the four teens turned, they saw that not only did Yuki and Zenji return, but Shun and Ryoko as well. Yuki practically glowed with excitement and wore a grin that rivalled the sun. Zenji looked a lot more exhausted, meanwhile. Still, he asked: "How did you like the library?"
This, of course, was quick to prompt Chieko into an excited ramble. Her parents, as well as her godparents listened with fondness sparkling their eyes. So did Yasu and Mika, but not before giving first Yori and then each other a secret, little look.
Only once Daigo and Shoji crashed into each other's backs over on the dance floor (Yua and Urara immediately began to try and tear them apart to prevent a fist fight) was when they all got distracted.
—
"Mimasaka-senpai!"
After going up one of the stairs, Kimiko finally spotted the tall, jet-black haired upperclassman among the many guests and called out to her. Hiroshi beside her came to a halt as well and followed the blonde's gaze right to where Ran Mimasaka was standing. She was wearing a simple, but stylish black pantsuit with a belt that looked a bit like two golden chains.
Ran turned around at the noise of the call, a smile on her red-painted lips when she did. "Kimiko-san…Aldini-Tadokoro, good evening." She exclaimed once she was close enough for them to hear. "What a nice sight the two of you are! I hope you've been having fun so far."
"Mimasaka-senpai, good evening." Hiroshi and Kimiko both nodded their heads. Then Hiroshi alone answered: "It's…been a very fine…festive so far, for sure."
"You are quite the sight yourself, senpai." Kimiko cheerily added. "That outfit looks great on you."
"Many thanks." Ran replied, a hint of bashfulness flickering over her face for a brief moment there. She quickly cleared her throat. "Now then, Aldini-Tadokoro", Ran shifted her gaze fully to the pair of big, blue, innocent eyes of Polar Star's very own angel. "Are you prepared for…..later?"
"Please, it's fine if you call me 'Hiroshi', and yes.. indeed-" For a moment Hiroshi side-glanced to Kimiko as if to look for her confirmation, but instantly felt silly for doing so. "I…I am."
"You and the other 9 better get ready, senpai!" Kimiko took a step forward, lifted her finger and almost challengingly pointed it at Ran with a bright grin. "I've had the honour to taste his serving for tonight already and, let me tell you, you won't regret getting this operation rolling."
Heat rose into Hiroshi's cheeks at both the gesture and words. Ran saw how he was already guardedly raising his hands, likely to plead for Kimiko to not exaggerate, but before he could do so, Ran already chuckled. "Sounds promising. I can't wait." She followed it with a friendly wink. "From my side, almost everything has been prepared too."
"I….I…will do my best not to disappoint." Hiroshi stammered, his head growing all the more red which he then tried to hide by lowering it a little. "It's the least I can do to make up for all the trouble that I've caused to you and the other Elites."
"Oh Hiroshi-kun", Ran dismissively waved her hand. "You don't need to worry about this. The lot of us are gourmets, none of us consider a free tasting to be 'trouble'."
"I know for sure that my older brother doesn't." Kimiko commented jokingly, giving Hiroshi a slight, encouraging nudge as she did.
Ran couldn't help but to faintly giggle at that comment. She seemed to want to add onto it, however, then her eyes suddenly started to travel elsewhere. Somewhere behind Kimiko and Hiroshi. The two of them noticed it of course, but couldn't do anything other than expectantly gaze up at her.
Ran began to frown. "Just a moment, please." With a quick, apologetic nod she slid past the two underclassman, who both naturally turned their heads after her as she did.
Following Ran's back, their eyes found who the fifth seat was heading to: sixth seat Akio making his way through the crowd, wearing a dark green, checkered tweed suit and a little flower pin,.
He appeared to be overtly nervous - fidgeting with his hands and repeatedly looking left and right as he walked. Akio had a very quick pace to himself, so much so that he would have almost rushed past Ran if she hadn't stepped right in front of him at the last second. "Mimasaka-senpai!" Kimiko and Hiroshi heard the pink-haired boy squeal out from a far.
Hiroshi wanted to respectfully stay behind and watch from a far of course, but for Kimiko curiosity overweighted. And because he ultimately didn't want to be left alone, Hiroshi ended up following Kimiko as she started to move towards the pair of Elites.
"It's a disaster!" They heard Akio lament. "What am I to do?"
"Hayama-kun…Breathe..." Ran tried to calm the young man down. "Breathe and tell me what exactly happened."
"The Sendewara-sisters!" Akio blurted out, without taking Ran's advice for a breather. "They opted out as judges for the premlins- just now!"
"…What? Oh that's"…
"A CATASTROPHE!" Shocking even himself over having raised his voice like that, Akio quickly covered his mouth in embarrassment, glancing around as he did. After confirming that he hadn't caused too much of a disturbance, he continued in a much lower voice. "…I have to fix this, but where should I start? …..Oh, and the premlins are so soon-!"
"Hayama-kun…hey, hey-" Once again, Ran made an attempt to calm the young man down. "I'm sure we can solve this somehow… Why did they opt out on such a short notice in the first place?"
Akio exhaled loudly at that, finally regulating his pulse at least a little bit. Then, he explained: "The moment they saw my family…they made a quick approach for my father, asking him for a collaboration. But my father declined, and then…and then…", a light tremble found its way back into his voice. "…then they walked over to me and the older one told me- 'not to count on their presence at the premlins.'"
"Oh…no, what a shame." Ran sighed, earnest sympathy for her underclassman's distress swinging in it. "But, Hayama-kun…this isn't your fault. Just calm down and-"
"We're now short on not one but two judges! And while this ball may be shock-full of important personalities…these people's schedules are so packed…", Akio went on in his plight. "How should I get any replacements on such short notice?"
"I…I may have an idea."
Ran and Akio both gave themselves confused looks then, as neither of them had said that.
Kimiko blinked a couple of times, equally taken aback.
Hiroshi stood right next to her with his arm meekly raised up in the air.
Only when the two Elites, as well as his dormmate, all simultaneously turned their attention to him, he seemed to register that he himself had in-fact been the one talking.
"O-Oh…!" His cheeks flared up, bright red. "Ah…Ahhh- So sorry…I am so sorry, I don't know what came over me. I did not want to disturb you." Hiroshi made a quick bow. "And I apologise for eavesdropping too." He bowed again.
Akio's face only showed more mystification at that. Ran, however, fully shifted into Hiroshi's direction - her expression now a lot more curious than surprised. "You said… you have an idea, Hiroshi-kun?"
Akio lightly tilted his head at the sound of the name. "'Hiroshi-kun'? As in 'Aldini-Tadokoro Hiroshi'? The young chef who is going to cook for us later tonight?"
"Yes, indeed", Ran was happy to confirm.
"Wah-!" Hiroshi nervously waved both his hands up and down, as if that could shoo the attention on him away somehow. "Ple…Please- I was being noisy. You don't need to pay me any mind."
"You looked like you were struck with some enlightenment just now, Hiroshi-kun." Kimiko spoke up next to him, intrigue lingering in her voice. "Come on, tell us what you just thought of!"
"Oh, Kimiko-sama?" Akio called out, now first taking notice of her and making the blonde flinch right away from that honorific. "I see, so this is the boy that you came to visit your brother for the other day?" His leaf-green eyes shifted back to Hiroshi. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Aldini-Tadokoro."
"The ple-pleasure is mine!" Hiroshi stammered before quickly bowing his crimson head. "I am deeply honoured to meet-"
"Hayama-senpai!" Without warning, Kimiko grabbed both of Hiroshi's shoulders drawing a surprised squeak out of him. "First, no need for calling me 'Kimiko-sama'. Second, please hear Hiroshi-kun out if he has an idea. There is a reason for why I advocated for him the other day."
"I.. I mean I could use any help I need right now." Akio conceded, as his gaze bitterly shifted somewhere to the side. "So, if you have suggestions for a solution, I'd be happy to hear."
Hiroshi nervously fumbled with his fingers, lowering his head a little as he did. "Ah well, it's just…one idea- But I might know a couple of people who could possibly…jump in as judges."
—
"Sorry, Mister. But do you perhaps know Hayama Akio?" Equipped with nothing but his usual straight face, Hiraku had tapped an older man's shoulder. As the guy turned his head, he had not much but an annoyed frown to offer in return. "The young Hayama? Of course, I do."
"Great." Hiraku answered monotonously, unbothered by the clearly skeptical scan that the man in the fancy, cobalt-blue tuxedo was subjecting him to. "Have you seen him around somewhere?"
"No." The man replied bluntly, before promptly turning his head away again, leaving Hiraku with no other choice but to walk up to the next person.
"Hiraku-sama!" The next person, a middle school student who was wearing a pale pink dress, squeaked in surprise once Hiraku had walked up to her - way before he could even say anything. Immediately, she looked left and right to see if there was anyone else close who Hiraku could have instead intended to approach. "Wha….What's…the matter?" She shyly inquired after that little check.
"Have you seen Hayama anywhere? Hayama Akio?" Hiraku asked straight away.
"Hayama-senpai…?" The younger girl repeated. She shifted her head to the right and then to the left and then to the right again. "Hm. I… I don't think so." But just as Hiraku was right about to move on and walk up to the next person, she clapped her hands together and exclaimed. "Oh..! Bu…But wait- !" When that made her regain Hiraku's attention, she quickly continued. "I don't know where her brother is… but I've seen Hayama Kaori just a few minutes ago or so."
Hiraku's brows perked up. "Really?"
—
Takayuki and Kazuo were coming up the stairs. With one ear, Takayuki listened to Kazuo's ramblings about the Nakiri mansion's architecture and how it reminded him of the last romance novel he read, while his other ear was high alert for any mention of the name 'Min Jiang'.
Finally, after many frantic turns of his head, Takayuki suddenly began shaking his buddy's arm with one hand while pointing ahead with the other. "Look Mimasaka! There he is!"
"Oh, so that is Min Jiang?" Kazuo asked after turning his head into the direction that Takayuki's finger was pointing to.
"The future sous chef of Hojo-Ro's Tokyo branch, yes." Takayuki confirmed, his tone oozing with a self-assurance that made Kazuo feel a bit of worry. "Just you wait, Mimasaka, I'll have him convinced in no time!"
"That's the spirit." Kazuo softly laughed, not sounding entirely convinced. Regardless, he offered his best buddy an encouraging smile. "Still, I wish you luck."
"Just watch." Takayuki promised firmly and then proceeded to walk straight up to Jiang. Kazuo chose to stay behind to marvel at the mansion some more.
"Min Jiang! Man, I've heard quite plenty of stories about you already." Upon arrival, Takayuki extended his hand to the former SSCT teacher. "I am happy to make your acquaintance."
Jiang, meanwhile, looked rather curious when he was made to not only turn but lower his head as well. "And who are you?"
With resounding confidence, Takayuki answered. "My name is Hojo Takayuki."
This made a bit of intrigue wander into Jiang's eyes and he leaned a tad bit closer for a moment, possibly to better take in the short boy's features. "Hojo…? You're a Hojo?"
Takayuki kept his stern professional face, but could not resist to proudly puff out his chest at least when he nodded. "Yes, indeed."
"Ah- now I remember! Hojo Miyoko's little boy." Jiang first pointed at him and then held a hand up in the air to signalise height. "You were about this tall when I last saw you." Notably, the hand hovered at a point that wasn't much lower than Takayuki's current height. The gesture made Takayuki's smile falter for a moment and his shoulder also slumped a bit. But he admirably managed to gulp down most of the rising frustration and stuck to his amicable tone. "Well-"
"Say, is your older sister here too?" Jiang asked before Takayuki could continue.
Takayuki's shoulders sunk down further. "Uh yeah…but-"
"Fantastic! Could you introduce me to her?" Jiang exclaimed.
By now, Takayuki could not uphold the ends of his mouth any longer when he answered. "Uh… I would love to, of course, but- you know…. She's having a date with her tonight."
"Aw, so she's busy?" Jiang deduced with a disappointed sigh. "Shame. I've heard quite the many promising tales about her finesse in the kitchen. She's part of that important school council you have here, right?"
"The Elite 10, yes, and yeah, she is." Takayuki answered rather curtly, most eager to change the subject. "But-"
Before Takayuki could make his third attempt at saying what he wanted to say, however, Jiang's gaze suddenly began to wander to something, or someone behind him. Following Jiang's eyes, Takayuki turned his head and was met with the sight of the one and only Lola Nakiri, who was approaching with a plate stacked with delicacies in her hands and Mona Nakiri loyally by her side.
In his right ear, Takayuki heard a passing Jiang say: "Oh, I'm sorry. There's someone I've kept waiting."
And just like that, the poor boy was left standing with an open mouth after Jiang had waved him goodbye and walked on towards Lola.
Angrily clutching his fist, he made an abrupt turn and hurried back to Kazuo who was currently admiring a pastel flower arrangement in a porcelain vase. Excited enchantment was glowing in his one visible eye. But Takayuki had little consideration for that at the moment.
"What business does that Nakiri-vixen have with Min Jiang?!" Takayuki began ranting as soon as he stood in front of his best buddy. "She totally rained in on my discussion with him!"
At first, Kazuo only reacted with confusion until he casted a glance into the direction Takayuki had come from and immediately understood. "Don't sulk now, Takayuki-kun," he tried to soothe after. "I'm sure another opportunity will come up later."
"But what does she even want?!" Ignoring Kazuo's well-meaning reason, Takayuki resorted to stomp on the ground instead. "Shouldn't she be by her mom's side?! Waving and greeting- or something like that?! Since when does she have any interest in Chinese cuisine, huh?!," Being so enthralled in his angry tirade, it made him not notice that Lola was eying him with a frown from a far as well.
—
Following the direction that the young girl in pink had pointed him to, Hiraku made his way past the many tuxedos and gowns and clinging glasses, looking out for Akio's little sister. So long, that he eventually reached the other side of the wide room he'd been in.
But right then, just as he stepped outside of the fancy crowd, he caught sight of a figure with light purple hair standing by the windows with a glass of water and with her back turned to him.
Thinking that this could be her, Hiraku was about to try and call out a "hey", however, right before he could do so, the figure turned around on her own and he was left standing with an opened mouth.
Instead of her usual bun, Kaori wore her hair open with an exception for a small braid on the right. She had decorated said braid with a bunch of small flower pins, while on top of her head there rested a large violet butterfly-hair clip. Another butterfly, shaped out of crystal, hung from a necklace that adorned her collarbone. Her gown was white and fluttery, all tied together with a violet waistband. Prints of lavender sprouted from the hem of it with singular, small flowers scattered across the rest of it. She wore a larger, yellow flower around her wrist on a bracelet. Behind long eyelashes she sported dark violet eyeshadow and her lips were painted in maroon.
Hiraku, all of the sudden, faintly remembered Alice reading "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to him, Kimiko and his cousins when she was visiting. He couldn't recall many of the plot details, nor did he ever have the most vivid imaginations when listening to stories anyway, but at that moment he was somehow reminded of the fairy queen Titania.
Though he wasn't quite sure if Titania was able to glare as darkly as Kaori did once their eyes had met.
She only took herself one second to frown at him, before Kaori abruptly turned her head and started to walk away already. The sight of that was what made Hiraku snap out of the rare state of being flabbergasted. "He…Hey- wait…!"
Kaori didn't even consider stopping. Rather, she only seemed to accelerate her speed, leaving Hiraku with no other choice but to do the same and catch up with her. "Hayama…", a cloud of lavender scent hit Hiraku right up front as he lined up with the girl, robbing him off his breath for a brief moment. Rather hoarsely, he asked: "…You're Hayama's little sister, right? Hayama…Hayama…?" Hiraku frantically searched his brain for the name he had been given earlier.
"Kaori," Kaori replied. "And what gives me the honor of your attention?" Her voice was dripping with cold sarcasm. To Hiraku it felt like he was hit straight in the face with a snowball. Perplexed, he blinked - once, twice - before continuing: "Uhh…I just wanted to ask you something…"
Kaori demonstratively rolled her eyes and then she suddenly stopped just as abruptly as she had originally began walking. Hiraku stumbled a few more steps forward before noticing her absence next to him. He halted and turned back around to Kaori, who was eyeing him with crossed arms and her best royally unapproachable expression. "Make it quick, senpai."
"I…just…-" Hiraku cleared his throat to stop himself from the uncharacteristic stammer. But something about Kaori's icy stare and that iron wall of an attitude, and that lingering lavender fragrance too, made the forming of even the simplest of words difficult for a moment. "I wanted to ask if you know where your older brother went."
Kaori's brown eyes narrowed. "He is occupied with a pressing, important matter at the moment." Her tone sounded sharp enough to cut through steel. "I'm afraid whatever new, exciting task you have for him will have to wait." Again with that frosty sarcasm! When Hiraku only proceeded to gawk at her, she started to turn away yet again. "It wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience to you, I hope."
Before Kaori could fully retreat, however, Hiraku started moving himself. "So…how long is that gonna take?" It only took him a couple steps to get around to her again. Her face darkened as he did.
"I do not know." She asserted. "A little while, I presume."
Hiraku's gaze flickered to the ground.
This was the slightest bit unfortunate to him. Because as much as Hiraku hated for Shigeo Eizan to be right on anything, there was a small truth to the fact that Akio Hayama had been his best bet to have both someone to talk and a guide through this whole ordeal.
As Hiraku thought back to that conversation, and the one after that which he had with Harumi, Umino and Yamada, another matter sneaked back into his head.
Hiraku raised his eyes back to an impatient-looking Kaori. An expression which he failed to register as a warning. "And what are you up to?"
"What am I up to?" Kaori's frown intensified as she repeated his question. "How is this any of your concern, Senpai?"
Hiraku shrugged in return. "I don't know. You just looked a little….alone, I think."
Kaori opened her mouth, wanting to gasp, but found that Hiraku's sheer audacity had robbed her off the ability to even do so. She could feel raging heat race into her head and decided to better take a quick step back because it wouldn't be a good look on any fine lady to jump at someone's throat.
"Again, I don't think that this is any of your concern, senpai." She finally spat. After one deep breath, Kaori re-stabilised her composure and coldly continued. "I do not mind keeping to myself."
"Really?" Hiraku wondered, sounding a bit surprised. Who wanted to spend a ball all on their own? Even his antisocial cousin Mona usually stuck to her sister at least. "So… are you telling me you aren't interested in dancing tonight at all?"
Kaori tightly clasped her hands together, to keep herself from balling them to fists. She was no rowdy after all. "What is the matter with you? Why are you asking me all of this?"
"Well." Hiraku kept a completely straight face when he replied, plain and simple. "I was thinking that maybe we could dance together."
A moment of silence ensued in which Kaori just silently stared at him with widened eyes and slightly parted lips. Hiraku firmly held her gaze, while the unrelated chattery and the faint classical music from downstairs continued to brim around them. Then, at last, she finally replied. "I beg your pardon?" It sounded like a whispered shout.
Hiraku remained non-chalant. "Well, I was just thinking that we don't know each other very well. So, like that we could-"
"No." Kaori sharply interrupted him, both of her hands now gripping into her dress. "The answer is no."
The firm, frosty certainty in her voice stunned Hiraku. Again.
This girl really had her ways at throwing him out of concept.
She was his pal's little sister. Where would be the issue in sharing one polite dance to have some small talk and get to know each other a bit better, when they've so rarely conversed otherwise? Didn't it work that way on these types of events?
A prolonged realisation that Kaori did not like him was finally starting to fully dawn on him. But as Hiraku began thinking about it and every rare, prior occasion that he had ever seen Kaori Hayama in, he could not pinpoint any instance that explained this strong of an animosity to him.
A question started to burn on his tongue with a rising need to know why.
However, way before he could even start to ponder on how to formulate his inquiry, Kaori had already decided on her own that this conversation should come to an end. "Is that all?" She almost sounded a little challenging. "Because if that's all you wanted to know, I'd very much like to take my leave now." Kaori curtly nodded. "Thank you very much."
And after she gave Hiraku one last glare, she stormed off - leaving him both incredibly confused and with a rising curiosity. The scent of lavender still tickled in his nose.
—
"One step forward, yes, and now one step- ouch!" After the pained outcry, Mika quickly bit her lip when she felt Hiraku's shoe crush her's once again.
She heard Akio momentarily stop typing somewhere on the side, probably due to him looking up.
"Oh…Sorry, Aldini." Hiraku apologised, once he registered where his foot was standing.
It had been the eighteenth time.
Frankly, he was the worst dance partner Mika ever had to deal with.
But it would be a lie to say that Mika didn't think that getting to hold Hiraku's hand throughout has made it worth it.
And she could see how his brows furrowed just the slightest bit. It was difficult to catch but it told her that the mistake had bothered him.
To think that she could ever be this close to him. To see him this up close and watch the faintest traces of movement in a face that was otherwise so unreadable. It made Mika's heart flutter.
Sometimes, she had to be careful not to do a wrong step herself because of how weak her knees felt whenever she got lost into the mysterious depths of his violet eyes.
Just what might he be thinking of? The next dish…? The next glorious battle…?
It strangely did not even bother Mikq how quiet he was through most the lessons, rather it further intrigued her.
He did not need all that much bravado, all that much bite or threat. He focused wholly on the craft and let that speak for herself. Something that Mika couldn't help but to admire. Especially on a school with so many that loved to bark but lacked the bite.
When he set his mind to something, he really seemed to be determined. As she could tell by that light furrowing of his brows whenever he stepped on her shoes again. He intended to learn.
And so she said: "Wa..watch my words, Senpai. Now one step back."
This time Hiraku managed. And with each correct step they did, Mika felt yet another butterfly coming to life in her stomach.
Even after Mika's parents had grown bored of showcasing the perfect Waltz, the perfect Tango, the perfect Salsa and so forth over on the dance floor and made their way back to where their friends stood, Mika still did not spot even the trace of Hiraku's flaming red hair anywhere.
Yasu continued to loyally stand by as Mika impatiently scratched her glass while bouncing on her leg. The one point, in which he briefly turned his head away, he immediately caught a knowing look from his mother. And, of course, she immediately had to take over the initiative. Yasu could not even hope to stop her.
"Don't you kids want to dance at some point too?" Ryoko asked into the group, pronounced casually of course.
Yuki next to her was immediately alert. "That's right!" And in a lot less subtle manner, she immediately turned her head to her daughter. "Chieko, dearie, it's a ball- why have I not seen you and Tanaka on the dance floor yet?"
Chieko looked up from the floor she had been staring at. "Hm? Oh…oh, yes! Tanaka-kun and I can dance later, right…Tanaka-kun?" She lightly tapped the shoulder of her companion for tonight, who was currently busy talking about his family's barbecue place with Takumi and Ikumi of all people. Relief seemed to flicker on their faces, when Chieko's inquiry distracted Yori for a moment.
"Hm?" He shifted his head down to the shorter girl beside him, as if he forgot she's there. That display made Yuki frown immediately.
"Dance..." Chieko unsurely repeated. "You know, it doesn't have to be Waltz or anything!' She hastily gestured a cross into the air with both of her hands. "We can also wait for a faster song and then just all dance together…maybe!" Her voice sounded rather soft and shy as she made the suggestion.
"Together?" Yori asked and couldn't even stop his eyes from flickering to Mika for this one second.
Yuki exchanged a suspicious look with Ryoko, before she said. "You kids, this isn't a disco. When else do you get the chance of performing a Waltz in a scenery like this?" She spread her arms but her eyes remained very intent on her daughter. As a mother, Yuki knew exactly what her child has dreamed of on so, so many nights and what she yearned for the most at this very moment.
Zenji, meanwhile, was blankly staring at Yori and so was Shun, even if not visible through his bangs.
"I agree." Takumi chimed in. "You don't get into the Nakiri-mansion everyday and this is truly a lovely ballroom they have."
"I saw you and Ms. Aldini earlier!" Quickly, Yori's head swung around to Takumi, startling the man a little. "Your dance together looked marvellous! No wonder they speak about Aldini Mika's dancing skills so highly, if she was taught by two such great talents!" He laughed and nodded his head into the direction of a visibly irritated Mika. But no one joined into the laughter.
"We…We still have time." Chieko spoke up. "Maybe we wait for Kawashima and Aoki to return too…! I should look for them actually! They were at the buffet tables, right? I could get us some drinks, Tanaka-kun…" She tried to meet the guy's eyes, tried to find the attention that had been her's alone way back when he first spoke to her in Totsuki's library. But the glance she received was once again fleeting, lost in different thoughts.
"Sure, why not?" He casually said and Chieko felt her throat burn. The atmosphere started to feel weird with how silent everyone else had become, when they were all so happily chatting earlier. So, she nodded and muttered an "okay", before she turned to hurry away. Her hands clutched into her large skirt as she held it up in order not to trip over it while running.
What was the matter?
Ever since they arrived here, Yori had started to act so different from how he talked to her before. Just now, in the Nakiri's library, Chieko felt like he had barely listened to her when she had a look through the many shelves, pointing at every book that caught her interest.
What had changed from their date at the night market to today?
She was already one step on up on the staircase when, for some reason, she felt the sudden pull from deep within to look back again - see what he would do now that she was gone.
Chieko's breath hitched.
That night she wore contacts, and at that very moment she cursed how good their prescription was. Because she could clearly make out Mika dragging Yori somewhere to the side.
—
"'White chocolate is the best chocolate'- do you hear yourself?!" Hideyoshi gestured around so passionately that he almost spilled the apple juice that he had filled into a champagne glass. "Milk chocolate is superior, forever and always."
Daisuke met him with firmly crossed arms and a little, disapproving sulk on his lips. "How can someone be this addicted to being loud and wrong all the time?" He demonstratively shook his head before continuing. "White chocolate…it's…well, it's- light and gentle. Like- like…", Daisuke thoughtfully scratched his head for a moment before exclaiming. "…a soft cloud!"
Hideyoshi, however, showed himself not the least bit impressed by Daisuke's attempts at being poetic. "A cloud?! You sure you aren't talking about cotton candy? Please, be serious for once! Milk chocolate is the way to-"
"Kawashimaaa, Aokiii!"
The quarrel was interrupted by Kimiko's voice.
When Hideyoshi and Daisuke then simultaneously turned their heads into the direction it had come from, Hideyoshi first let out a loud gasp while Daisuke's own breath hitched as the two were met with the sight of not only Kimiko approaching, but with Hiroshi and a pair of Elites, Ran Mimasaka and Akio Hayama, a little behind her.
The two young idols, under influence of an ancient instinct that only people who grew up together could have, swiftly stepped close to one another - just like children trying to hide whatever mess they accumulated during playtime from their parents.
Kimiko questioningly frowned a little upon seeing that, but overplayed it with a large smile and jolly greeting once she was close enough to be heard. "Hey, you two!"
"He- He-Hey…." Daisuke stammered. In the meantime, Hideyoshi was, of course, quick to shift his attention to the school's big names. "Hayama-senpai, Mimasaka-senpai… What honor to make your acquaintance." He dramatically nodded his head. "You may have heard my name before, it's-"
Kimiko took over: "These two are Kawashima Hideyoshi and Aoki Daisuke."
Hideyoshi's perfectly-practised popstar smile twitched for a brief moment over having been robbed to say his own name like that but then he overplayed it by making a sweeping, introductory hand gesture. "One of Totsuki's most eligible Shokugeki hosts." Daisuke next to him shyly raised his hand. "It's…it's a…pleasure…"
"I remember you from my Shokugeki against Yukihira-kun, yes." Ran brightly smiled at Hideyoshi, whose eyes grew to the size of snow globes as a result. "You did an excellent job, thank you." She nodded appreciatively.
"Eh..." For the briefest of moments, Hideyoshi found himself in the rare state of being at a loss of words. His cheeks caught the faintest hint of pink even. It took a good couple of seconds for him to try regain his usual attitude. "But of course- I am…you know, I always bring- only my best…haha!"
Daisuke, still half-paralysed, helplessly searched for Hiroshi's eye-contact, yearning to understand what was even going on. Ever the saint of course, Hiroshi not only picked up on the unspoken pleas but obliged too. "Kawashima, Akio…could you two arrange a talk with your respective mothers?"
"M…My Mom?" The two of them blurted out in confusion at the same time.
"Ye..Yes…!" Hiroshi slowly nodded with a little side glance to Akio. "Ehm… Hayama-senpai here wants to discuss something with them."
"Indeed." Akio confirmed, once Daisuke and Hideyoshi shifted their baffled looks to him. "I am in need for two more judges for the Autumn Elections and Aldini-Tadokoro here recommended Kawashima Urara and Aoki Yua to me." He explained. "I'd like to discuss the matter with them if it's possible."
Hideyoshi's jaw dropped at this. Daisuke's eyes looked like they were right about to plop out of his skull.
For a whole minute, all they did was stare at Akio, turn their heads to stare at one another, stare at Hiroshi, and repeat.
"Judge…for the Autumn Elections Premlins…my mother?" Hideyoshi slowly recollected the information that had been provided to him once he found his voice again. As soon as his brain fully registered everything that he had just said, bright stars began to spark up in his eyes. "But of course! Of course, Hayama-senpai!" He exclaimed and gave several quick nods. "I am sure my mother would love to help out!"
Hideyoshi turned his head to Daisuke then, who was still carrying the look of a deer right in front of a car. "And- eh, I am certain so would Aunt- er, Aoki Yua! …Right?" He expectingly leaned a little bit closer to his best rival and childhood friend. When no answer came right away, Hideyoshi simply elbowed him. "Right?!"
Indeed it helped to wake Daisuke out of his trance, if only a little slowly. "H…Huh- ooh…Oh! Yes, of course!" Daisuke began to nod. "My…My mother will surely cherish such an opportunity, senpai." However, once he had found his voice again, the words only kept on spilling. "Lately, neither my mom nor Aunt Urara have any gigs waiting-" Right then, he got Hideyoshi's elbow back into his side. And after it had initially brought Daisuke to talk, it effectively shut him back up again.
"I've last left my mom in the ballroom." Hideyoshi grinned into Akio's direction. "Just wait up here. I will get both her and my aunt Yua, so that the three of you can talk in peace."
—
"…Everyone always talks about Hall Chandra, but all of our Shokugeki arenas are a sight to behold. Oh- like the Arena of the Reborn Phoenix! You just have to see it one day." Lola happily chatted while Jiang was eating one of the watermelon canapés she had delivered to him. Mona continued to silently stand by her side.
"Ah yes, the famed 'Shokugekis' of Totsuki, I've heard of them," Jiang replied and Lola took immediate, sharp notice that his tone did not sound nearly as impressed as she wanted it to yet. "Makes sense that you'd have multiple arenas on campus."
"Well, yes of course." Lola sweetly smiled. "Totsuki Culinary Academy reflects the competitiveness of the industry at large unlike any other. The Shokugeki and the arenas are symbol to that. And as I've said, only the most eligible architects have been hired for their conception throughout the centuries ."
Lola wanted to move the conversation to the size of the Institute for Chinese cuisine next. But before she could do so, her name got called from the sidelines all of the sudden: "Lola-sama! Is that you?" A turn of her head directed Lola's gaze to the sight of a happily waving girl in a bright yellow dress, who Lola immediately clocked as the granddaughter of one of Totsuki's board members.
She bit her cheek in irritation, so that she could keep her overall expression controlled. Even if she would have much rather grimaced in earnest. Because Lola was familiar enough with the girl to know that simply ignoring her would only prompt her to come over, and disturb the talk that she was having. It was near impossible to escape.
With a roll of her eyes in spirit, Lola decided to deal with this inconvenience as quick as she could.
And so, she turned her head to her unsuspecting, younger sister.
"Mona, why don't you tell Min Jiang a little about Totsuki's Institute for Chinese Cuisine? It's one of the campus' largest after all." Lola kindly and innocently asked as she lightly pushed her very surprised twin a step forwards.
Without giving Mona much chance to protest, Lola quickly redirected her gaze back to Jiang. "You'll have to excuse me for a moment. Someone has been calling out to me."
With that, Lola swirled around and made her way to the board member's granddaughter, who seemingly hasn't stopped waving in all this time.
What followed were eight minutes in which Lola was subjected to questions about this year's Autumn Election and what "celebs" would be present for it's finale. All of which, Lola answered with a charming flutter of eyelashes and a sharp, kind reminder that the Elections were within the Elite 10's responsibilities.
It took Lola a lot of restraint to not let out a loud groan of relief once the girl finally got the message and decided to bother someone else.
Oh, how she hated to do small talk on these kind of events! Everyone was fake and always in for something, and they all knew that very well themselves yet somehow they all had to pretend that they were the best of friends still.
But as Lola turned around to get back to the important matter of Totsuki's future - with a ready smirk on her lips, at first - she was made to freeze once she saw Mona standing frigid and lost by the side while Jiang was engaged in a vivid conversation with Takayuki Hojo.
Quick, Lola stalked over and discretely pulled her sister out of the hearing radius of the newly formed duo. While doing so, she caught note of the fact that the two were talking in Mandarin. She grit her teeth.
Not too stupid of that little midget.
"What happened?" Lola immediately asked, once her and Mona were far enough away from the budding crowd.
Mona stared back with the usual blank face. "I don't know." She shrugged. "I told Min Jiang that the Institute for Chinese Cuisine is really large and has many rooms and then I didn't know what else there was more to say. So we stood there for maybe a minute and then Hojo Takayuki showed up."
"Mona!" Lola threw her hands in the air and groaned. "How could you allow this? Why didn't you remark on the variety of the subjects or the equipment?"
"Uh…"
"Hojo already talked to Min Jiang earlier." Lola held her chin with both her thumb and pointer finger. Her eyes narrowed, as she reached a conclusion: "He wants something from him as well."
"What if he is just a fan?" Mona suggested but Lola shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
In search for answers, she let her gaze sweep back to Takayuki and Jiang, who were still avidly talking, much to Lola's frustration. However, a closer study of the surroundings made her eyes widen. "Ooh, look over there!" She called out.
Lola pointed to the middle of the room, where Kazuo Mimasaka was standing right underneath the chandelier with the same awe as that of a child. And just like a child, he was also completely unbothered by the puzzled and estranged looks that the other guests were directing at him.
"That's Mimasaka Kazuo! Hojo's best buddy." Lola identified. "He probably knows what's up."
Deciding as she spoke, she set into motion. Mona predictably followed, though not without rolling her eyes. She wanted to see the LED zoo already.
Once the two twins were close enough to their enormously tall classmate, Lola chirped. "Mimasaka Kazuo, right?"
Kazuo seemed to be surprised when he diverted his gaze from the chandelier. "Oh…!" He gasped. "Oh! The Nakiri-twins! What an honor!" With pink cheeks, Kazuo took a couple steps back before falling into a dramatic bow. "This…this is a wonderful ball that your mother has planned. I …I am starstruck to put it simply."
"Ah." Lola clapped her hands. "I'm so happy to hear you're having fun." She came to a halt close in-front of him. "Say, I don't think the two of us ever had the pleasure of conversing. It is rare to see you without Hojo Takayuki."
"Oh, well…" Kazuo shyly laughed. "Takayuki-kun is my best friend after all. But right now, he's a bit busy, so I've resorted to marvel the architecture of this beautiful building instead. I must say, I am truly envious of you two for waking up in here every day." He had a look around, marvel and wonder brightening his features. Then he gushed: "It is like out of a fairytale."
"It has been the heart and soul of the Nakiri clan for decades, yes," Lola quickly nodded before redirecting the conversation to what interested her. "I wonder what does occupy your dear friend this night though? The buffet…or the dance floor…?" She tapped her chin, pretending to actively be pondering on that question.
"Oh, no, no. Takayuki-kun doesn't dance." Kazuo waved off with a soft laugh, some of his nervousness easing out of his voice at last. "He's right over there actually." He kindly smiled as he pointed to where Takayuki and Jiang were talking.
Lola pretended to gasp. "Oh, with Min Jiang?" She exclaimed innocently. "I've had the pleasure of talking to him earlier. A very nice man. Say, is Hojo-kun a fan of his too…?
"I suppose you could say so…?" Kazuo lightly tilted his head to the right and then to the left, while tapping his chin throughout. "Takayuki-kun is planning to recruit him for Hojo-Ro."
"Oh?" Lola exclaimed, the ends of her mouth twitching. "How very interesting."
After a short moment of silence, she then declared. "Ah- I just remembered…! My mother requested me to inquire on one of our special guest, the Danish countess. You know, ask if the ball is to her liking." She playfully hit her head as if she had just remembered that. "My mistake! But it was nice to meet a fellow classmate between all the many grown-ups. I hope we can chat later again, maybe."
Lola gave a last quick and polite nod before making a rather fast turn and striding off. Mona's eyes narrowed a little as she watched her sister leave. She then turned her head back up to Kazuo, whose jaw hung open. "There's a countess here?!"
"Lola plans something." Mona stated straight away. "She wants to recruit Min Jiang too. As a teacher for Totsuki."
"Oh." Kazuo looked surprised. "Why didn't she say so?"
"Because that's how Lola is." Mona simply sighed.
—
"I know exactly what you're doing, Tanaka!" Mika declared with a sharp, accusatory tone.
She had pulled the guy away from the rest and pushed him into the most quiet corner that she had been able to find this quickly. Yori has followed her without protest - he'd have followed her to the end of the would after all. However, if Yori had expected a secret make-out saison, he was in for a horrid wake up call once Mika swirled around to him with a look on her face as if he was nothing but an especially penetrant mosquito.
"And if you seriously considered that this would work, you're much more damn foolish than you already look."
At first, Yori could only blink - startled by both the aggression in Mika's voice and her flamed gaze of pure rage. Quickly he skipped through all the jokes he had made throughout the evening - trying to figure which of them he should have kept to himself. "What's…what's the matter, Aldini?" He squeaked like a mouse.
That question seemed to make Mika only angrier. "Don't play dumb with me, you little worm." She hissed. "I'm talking about your supposed 'date' with Chieko-chan."
Yori blinked again. 'Chieko-chan'. A name that rung faint bells somewhere far in the back of his mind, right where that name had faded into after he first saw Mika's long eyelashes and the red roses in her golden locks. "What do you mean?"
"You're not the first one with the genius idea to get close to me through my best friend-", she put a lot of emphasis in the words 'best friend', "seriously, the sheer stupidity of some of you idiots continues to astound me! But you!" Mika pointed an accusing finger at Yori. "You- You practiced that damn stick on a fucking Olympic level! You don't even have the slightest idea of how much she looked forward to this day! She wanted to be at this ball ever since she first heard about this!" With each sentence her voice became louder. "How dare you to toy with her dreams like that! And doing so with the laughably stupid idea that I'd be interested to date you after you've broken my friend's heart!"
Instinctively Yori made a frightened jump backwards, right into the wall.
The longer he upheld eye-contact with Mika, the more he began to sweat. "A…Aldini…!" He stammered and raised his hands into the air. "I…swea- swear you got it wrong…"
Mika clicked her tongue before she disparagingly continued. "Do not give me that kind of talk. I'm not stupid."
"Yo…You see-" Yori gulped as he desperately tried to find anything to say that could save this precarious situation. "I got here with Marui, yeah that's true. But, uhm, then…then you came along and honestly? I just thought we instantly hit it off, Aldini. You're the daughter of the Meat General, herself, and I am heir to the greatest barbecue place in Sumida. I think we understand each other, so as sad as that is for Marui-"
"You disgust me!" Mika interrupted him harshly. "I don't want to fucking hear one more word out of you!"
"You can't honestly blame me..!" Yori shrieked. It was his last ditch effort and yet he still had no better idea than to spout panicked flattery. "I just felt drawn to you the moment I saw you, Aldini, I mean it! You just got…got that everything on you. In comparison, that bookworm-"
"Bookworm?"
A new voice emerged in the quarrel.
More quiet. More tender.
More….heartbroken.
All anger evaporated from Mika's face in that very moment, being replaced instead with both surprise and deep pain as she turned into the direction the voice had come from. Yori looked the same way too.
There standing was none other than Chieko Marui.
"Chieko-chan…", Mika hoarsely said, seeing the evident hurt that dimmed the girl's turquoise eyes.
Chieko slowly began shaking her head, the motion getting faster with each turn. "I see how it is…" She whispered.
And then she ran.
"Chieko-chan!" Mika called out for her, as she watched the petite, shattered girl make her escape around the corner. "Look at what you did!" Mika hissed at Yori one last time, before she left too.
—
Takayuki had been listening to near half an hour of Jiang narrating some of his travels by now, and so far he had practiced admirable self control to refrain from rolling his eyes. He was certain, or hopeful, that he'd only have to carefully listen for a little bit longer - and then he could surely direct the conversation to the topic of Hojo-Ro.
After another couple of long, dry minutes, the opportunity came when Jiang finally took a little breather at the end of the fifteenth anecdote. Takayuki jumped at the chance immediately. "How interesting." He wanted to grit his teeth when he noted that his voice could have used a bit more enthusiasm. After adapting a somewhat friendlier tone, he proceeded to ask. "So, uhm, you've gotten around a lot, huh? Can I ask which of the Four Traditions you enjoy to work with the most?" He followed it up with the most endorsing smile he could muster right after. Only to have it slightly falter again when Jiang took a hold of his chin and had his gaze trail off to the chandelier. "Which of the…? Ah, let me think…!"
This time Takayuki had to bite his tongue, not to impatiently blurt out: "What is there to think?!" However, before he could say something else, or before Jiang could actually answer, another voice suddenly emerged from the side. A voice incredibly familiar to Takayuki, but one he certainly did not expect to hear right now.
"Takayuki."
It wasn't even a loud nor particularly scary voice, but it made Takayuki flinch and swirl around immediately. "Mom!"
His mother, Miyoko Hojo, was making her way through the crowd and right towards him. She was dressed in a dark red qipao that was decorated with prints of golden flowers. As she passed, many of the guest's eyes followed her in reverence but she payed them little mind.
Miyoko only came to a stand once she was in front of her son, crossing her arms and pulling up one eyebrow on her otherwise stony face.
Takyuki gulped.
"Oh, the Hojo matriarch." Jiang noted next to him, before respectfully nodding at Miyoko. "What an honour to meet with you again."
"Likewise." Miyoko politely but sternly greeted back. "I've seen that you've made acquaintance with my youngest, Min. What did you two talk about?" Her gaze flickered down to Takayuki as she asked, but he was avoiding her eyes.
"Oh", Jiang dismissively waved his hand. "We just had a pleasant, little conversation about my travels."
At first, Miyoko didn't say anything. Then she conclusively nodded. "I see. How nice." She laid a hand on her young boy's shoulder, who only shrunk together further. "I'm afraid, however, that I need to bring him back with me. It's not everyday you're in the Nakiri mansion after all, and I want to show him something."
She sounded firm enough for Takayuki to know that his endeavour had found their ends for good here.
Jiang raised both of his hands. "Ah, in that case I don't want to keep you two occupied of course. I've got carried away with my tales anyway." He let out a faint laugh. "I still have to meet with someone myself."
This made Takayuki frown, while Miyoko only nodded. "Sure." And as she proceeded to turn around, and her son reluctantly did the same, she quickly and dryly added. "I've heard you stepped down from your position as teacher at the SSCT. I wish you luck for what's ahead."
What Jiang replied narrowly made Takayuki bite his tongue.
"Ah, thanks but I already have a place I will move onto. No worries."
"Oh, good on you." Was all Miyoko responded, before she began to stride away.
Takayuki could only give Jiang one last, quick nod over the shoulder. "It was nice to meet you." Then he hurried after his mother.
As soon as they were far enough away from Jiang, Miyoko quietly sighed. "Takayuki…I know you want to help, but I really don't need any new chefs right now. Especially none whose skills I have yet to see with my own eyes, rather than being told through gossip."
"But Mom, he's Min Jiang…I thought that-" Takayuki tried to protest but gave up in the midst of the sentence, realising that what his mother had said made sense. "Ah, nevermind." He sighed. As it turned out just now Min Jiang was occupied anyway. "How did you know what I was doing?" Takayuki chose to ask instead.
"A classmate of yours walked up to me and roped me into some conversation…", Miyoko muttered. "The older one of the two Nakiri twins of all people. Very assertive, young woman- I didn't know you two knew each other before…"
"WE DO NOT!" Takayuki exploded with rage right next to her. He balled his shaking fists. "That damn-"
"Takayuki." Miyoko put a quick halt to his outburst.
"Sorry…." He grumbled. But the fire within him had most definitely been lit. And the flames only stirred higher, when he caught sight of Lola standing somewhere by the sidelines, triumphantly smirking. He barely caught his mother's mention of the LED zoo that she wanted to show him.
—
"Oh, I see that Auntie Miyoko has escorted Takayuki-kun off." Kazuo noted, from the other side.
"Probably Lola's doing." Mona mumbled next to him.
"Hm. I think I should probably follow." Kazuo wondered aloud, while rubbing his chin. He could see his best friend balling his fists from a far. "Takayuki-kun, could use some cheering up right now."
Mona didn't quite know what she could reply to that. After a couple of seconds, she merely settled with. "Okay." After one more, she added. "Have fun…?"
It sounded both dry and uncertain to Mona's ears, but Kazuo responded with a resounding, happy: "Thank you!" And he didn't leave just yet.
"Actually, this has been on my mind this entire time now but can…can I just say, that I am in love with your dress?" Kazuo praised, ending his sentence with one of his widest smiles.
"Hm..?" Mona glanced down on herself, as if she had to remind herself what her dress looked like. "Thank you," she said quietly, after looking back up.
"You're welcome! It's marvellous!" Kazuo cheered before making excited gestures at her gown. "I love the sleeves and the neckline, the choker with the ruby completes it just perfectly- and oh, is that black nail polish?" His one visible, red eye practically glowed with excitement. Mona only silently nodded in return, but her lack of expression did not waver Kazuo one bit as he swooned. "You look so cool! Like a royal…witch!"
"Oh…", Mona felt a rising need to say something nice too. Admittedly, she had to blink first to adjust her eyes to such an onslaught of pink hues. "You look…nice too." She then slowly, uncertainly, said. "It's a… very unique assemble." Mona paused to study Kazuo's face, hoping that it was the right thing to say.
Kazuo looked like his birthday, New Years and Valentine's Day had all been put on the same day.
"Thank you so much, Nakiri-san." He beamed. "You're so kind."
Mona took too long to figure out what to say in the face of so much radiant enthusiasm. Long before, she could think of something more, Kazuo had already caught sight of Miyoko and Takayuki having reached the stairs anyway. "Oh, I should probably go now…But it was nice getting to know you, Nakiri-san," He said, before waving the still perplexed Mona goodbye with his large smile. "I see you around."
Mona watched him leave, thinking about how she had already done more conversation this year than the other.
She then turned to look out for her sister and saw Lola predictably already on her way to Min Jiang, more confident than ever.
However, as Mona stood by and watched the two talk, the victorious smirk vanished from Lola's face rather quickly as the conversation seemed to be rather short-lived.
—
"Min Jiang." Lola sing-sang as she approached her target yet again. Of course, she had waited a couple of seconds after Takayuki's mother had dragged her son off the stage (a hilarious sight to Lola), but she couldn't risk Min Jiang getting away before she could even elaborate on her offer.
But she was long too late already.
"Oh, it's you again." Jiang greeted her, already sounded a lot more hectic than before, "I'm sorry little Miss Nakiri Lola, but I'm quite frankly a bit short on time right now." He apologetically shook his head. "I still need to meet with a contact from my new workplace here."
Lola believed to hear a loud shattering voice in her head at that.
Jiang clapped his hands together. "It's been nice. Thank you for the appetisers, earlier. Please do extend my gratitude for the invitation to your mother."
"Su…Sure…" Lola surprised herself when she took note of the disgustingly uncharacteristic stammer in her voice. She had admittedly, against her will, been stunned just how immediate the stop to her endeavour had been.
Really, Jiang only had one more nod left for her, before he already turned around.
And Lola didn't dare to keep standing there long, looking lost. She quickly puffed out her chest to regain composure and made her way back to Mona.
To anyone else, Mona's expression would have looked as unreadable and blank as usual, but as her twin, Lola was able to pick up on Mona's eyes subtly telling her "told you so". It made Lola pout in return. "What's with that look?" She demanded when she arrived in front of her younger sister.
"I don't know what you mean." Mona dryly replied. But the subtlest of smirks appeared on her face as she then asked. "Can we go to check the LED zoo, now?"
—
After having his motifs revealed and having Mika blow up in his face, Yori found himself with no better alternative than to quietly retreat to his group of friends.
"So, no success, huh?" One said.
"And that's what you've been ghosting us for these past couple weeks?" The other laughed.
"I've told you from the start what a dumbass plan this was." The third one sighed.
"Whatever." Yori rolled his eyes before taking a disgruntled sip from his glass. If he couldn't take home a princess, he wanted to at the very least enjoy the remainders of the ball. "How about you rather tell me whatever else went on today?"
His friends took him up on his offer and while he was subjected to a few more quips and jokes in-between they lessened the further the conversation went on. Yori began to ease down from the sheer state of shock he had been in after being confronted by a raging Mika. He listened to his friend's stories and laughed at the best ones. It made for great distraction.
Such great distraction that Yori did not even notice someone stalk straight up to him. At least, not until he was splashed right in the face with something wet and sweetly sticky.
His friends immediately shut down. So did most of the other surrounding guests, save for some hushed whispers and restrained giggles.
Yori stood stunned as he felt cold droplets run down all over his face. One glance down his body revealed that his 444 thousand yen suit had been ruined with what seemed to be orange juice. When he lifted his head just slightly higher, he stared right into Chieko Marui's big, teal eyes. Her brows were furrowed and her bottom lip trembled. In her hand, equally shivering, she was holding an empty glass.
She didn't say anything. But it was not like she needed to.
As the surrounding commentaries grew louder, she turned around again and ran past all the curious eyes. Ran past all the faint laughter, as her eyes began to burn. Ran past her parents and godparents, who had originally been on their way to the buffet but stopped to watch the scene with deep worry.
"Oh no…" Yuki muttered. "…Chieko."
It seemed like the bells chimed early for this Cinderella - ending her enchanting night, way before she could even have her dance with the prince.
—
Mika's head hung low when she returned to Yasu. It only shot up briefly, as both of them watched Chieko's scene with the orange juice - and afterwards it was only lower.
"Poor Chieko-chan…" she muttered between gritted teeth. "This feels like it's my fault."
At first, Yasu didn't respond because he was still staring ahead to the scenery of Yori dripping in orange juice with clenched fists. "Wha…What?" Then he shot Mika a quick glance before intensifying his non-visible glare at Yori. "No..no, Aldini. This isn't on you. The only one who is at any fault here is that douchebag", Mika couldn't help but to flinch at how uncharacteristically sharp Yasu's voice sounded, "Tanaka Yori!"
"I should have handled the matter better though…She should have never heard any of that. I wanted to run after her, but she was too quickly gone…" Mika recalled, and hugged her arms with a sorry sigh. "But I'm not sure if she wants to see me at the moment."
"You can't atone for this guy's actions." Yasu assured.
After Mika didn't respond for a whole minute, and the two teens only listened how, a bit farther away from them, Mika's parents had to restrain Daigo and Shoji from "having a little talk" with Yori. They didn't know where their respective wives had gone to. Yasu then wanted to try say something more. But just as he opened his mouth, he heard his mother's voice coming from the other side.
"Yasu!"
Yasu turned his head to see not just his mom but also his father, Yuki and Zenji approaching. All four of them looked the most worried they individually were able to look and Yasu immediately knew that they had become witness to Chieko's orange juice scene as well.
And sure enough, his mother cried out: "You have seen it too, right Yasu?"
In response, Yasu grimly pressed his lips together and nodded. He could sense Mika next to him making a half turn away and it made him feel a faint sting in his chest. But he knew that Chieko was going to need his help right now as well…
"I started to sense that this guy was up to no good!" Yuki proclaimed in a loud and shrill tone that made clear how highly upset she was. She had her fists already balled and now firmly stomped a foot on the ground. "He ruined my daughter's night!"
Zenji had his eyes closed. "I did not trust him from the very start….That…" His brows were deeply furrowed and he too had his fists clutched by his sides. From how his bottom lip lightly trembled, Yasu was sure that it cost his godfather a lot of effort to keep himself restrained…likely to avoid being reported to authorities for what he'd otherwise like to say instead. "…that…little brat."
Yasu firmly nodded in agreement. "That guy is pathetic. A shrivelling coward..!" He wanted to add onto it, but his father spoke up then.
"She was no match for him anyway." Shun sternly concluded with crossed arms. His voice became a tad bit softer when he sighed. "It was bound to fall apart. I had just hoped for a softer blow…for her to realise that she's too good for him on her own."
With a downcast look in her eyes, Ryoko agreed. "Truly. Dear Chieko needs a gentleman. Someone more eloquent. Someone just as intelligent as her who can keep up with her talks. And who loves her exactly for all that compels her. This boy was much too frivolous and superficial for her. She could do with someone more mature…more assertive…" She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. Then she lifted her head again. "Whatever… While I'm certain that the perfect man will knock on her door someday, what matters is tonight- Yasu." Ryoko looked straight at her son. A pleading tone found its way into her gentle, warm voice. "She needs some cheering up now…"
Yuki nodded and from the face she was making it looked like her heart was probably twisting itself in pain right now. It was an unbearable sight to Yasu.
"Yasu…", Yasu already wanted to say 'yes' before Yuki could even ask the question, "…How about you invite her to a little dance, at least? Let her have a bit of fun now. Then we all talk."
—
When Hiraku found Kaori again, she was engaged in conversation with one of Totsuki's most respected professors for Chinese Cuisine. But as her name had once again escaped his short tracked mind, he wasn't sure how to gain her attention. He had no better idea but to simply call out what was his strongest association with her: "Lavender!"
Hiraku watched Kaori lightly flinch and interrupt the conversation. Then she slowly turned her head, like so many of the other surrounding guests did as well.
Once again, her face was carrying a dark frown when their eyes met.
At first, she was subtly, and warningly, shaking her head at him to try signalise that she had no idea who he had been calling out to. But Hiraku kept his gaze so firmly set on her that it left little doubt for the people around them. The other guests had also begun to eye the lavender printed on Kaori's skirt. They curiously looked at Hiraku and then back at her.
Finally, Kaori was left with no other choice but to mutter "Excuse me for a moment, please" to the professor before walking up to Hiraku, with a perfectly straightened back, a head held up high, and a look that could kill on her face.
"Senpai." Kaori greeted frostily. "I did not expect to see you so soon again." Deadly bolts of lightning seemed to flash in her brown eyes. "And I have already told you that my name is Hayama Kaori. Please do remember it to save yourself future faux passes." After a subtle nod into the direction of the teacher, she quietly hissed. "As you probably noted I am quite occupied at the moment, so please, do make it quick."
By now, Hiraku had at least somewhat adjusted to the tone she meet him with, so he asked the question that's been on his mind ever since she first left him standing straight away: "So, why don't you want to dance with me?"
"Excuse me?" Kaori responded, her voice becoming a bit louder and more outraged - more so than she had seemingly intended herself, because she was quick to glance around right after. Indeed, some of the closest nearby guests had thrown them a few intrigued looks. A fact that seemed to only displease Kaori further, but left Hiraku characteristically unbothered. "You didn't say why, so I wanted to know."
By all accounts, it didn't made much sense to Hiraku. Most other students of the school would have agreed, he was sure, and him and Kaori had not even talked much prior to tonight. So, he didn't see why she would reject him as firmly as she did.
"You want to know why?" Kaori's brown eyes narrowed. When Hiraku silently, and naively, nodded, she continued in a voice sharp enough to stab. "You treat all of this as a joke, don't you?
This made Hiraku tilt his head, as he didn't understood what that was supposed to mean right away. But Kaori was glad to elaborate.
"You let yourself be revered left and right but can't be bothered to even show up to class or meetings on time, or at all." Kaori uttered. "I've heard stories - they're a slap in the face to anyone like me…- or my brother, who you keep subjecting to whatever nonsense randomly occupies your head too. Unlike you, the two of us have always treated our studies and this school seriously. Not like some playground."
She balled her fists and raised her chin at him. "So forgive me, but I refuse to fall in line and sing you mindless adulations and praise. To some of us here a seat in the Elite 10 is a privilege, an honor, and something to put effort in. You, meanwhile, would trade yours for a toothpick if you got enough thrill out of that - And I simply cannot stand for that." Hiraku opened his mouth then, but she was fast to cut him off as she raised her pointer finger at him and spat. "And that. That is why we won't dance."
Then she turned and strode off, just as prideful as she had approached him, leaving Hiraku behind once again, with just a faint cloud of lavender to keep him company.
—
Chieko had finally found herself a quiet place in the massive garden of the Nakiris. With her head already hanging, she lowered the rest of her body and sank down on one of the benches close to the giant gate. A terrible burn itched in her eyes and she had to tightly clutch her fists into her large, pretty blue skirt to keep the tears from falling.
Oh…that large, oh so pretty blue skirt. Just a few hours ago, she had been the happiest person on earth when first putting it on:
It almost did not even feel real. But no matter how many times she blinked, the sight in front of her did not change: The sight of a beautiful princess dressed in one of the most enchanting of ballgowns, looking right back at her through the mirror.
Chieko could not help but to hold her breath for a moment, in rare reverence for her own reflection. The dress had drawn her into its spell when first laying eye on it - once her mother found it after an almost six hour long hunt through half the city which had turned her father's complexion more and more ghostly. But now that she had put it on, with her hair done and the make-up, it stunned her all over anew.
"Ah, look at you!" Yuki, who had pulled the dress' zipper up, appeared next to her in the mirror. "My little star! Oh, you look marvellous, dearie, you're gonna be the belle of the ball in this- …Zenji! Zenjiii, will you come over here and take a look at your daughter?"
Chieko's father came out of the bathroom, adjusting his tie as he was walking - only to instantly halt as soon as his gaze fell on the two most important women of his life. His grey eyes widened a little before a happy smile gleamed on his face. "Wow." Zenji eyed his daughter up and down for a moment before walking up to her. "…your mother is right to call you 'marvellous'!"
"Oh- here he is, your big writer-dad!" Yuki giggled. "Two published books with countless of words, and your get-up stuns him so much that he can only manage one 'Wow'." With a sly grin, she came closer to her husband and playfully poked his cheek. "Your glasses really are just for show, aren't they?"
That all-too familiar tease made Zenji softly chuckle as he placed his hands on Yuki's hips, the end of his mouth lightly curling in rare smugness. "Well, they work well enough for me to tell that you too look nothing short of dazzling, Yuki."
Chieko softly smiled at her parent's banter. "Thank you two…", she mumbled before turning back to the mirror, "…for everything."
She was only given a few seconds to study her reflection all over again and contemplate the realness of it, before her father's showed up next to it. "Oh Chieko, you know it's thanks to you that we are going to go", he smiled down at her, while affectionately placing a hand on her shoulder. "We are so proud of you."
Looking up into his kind and wise, grey eyes, Chieko didn't take notice of her mother approaching from the other side and was a little startled by the tight hug she got pulled into in the very next second. "Indeed!" Yuki grinned. "We're going to have the night of our lives! I am so excited!"
When Chieko met her own reflection's eyes again and appreciatively ran her hand over the large skirt of her dress, she truly felt like agreeing with her mother's words. It was as if everything was set for a truly perfect night: she was going to the ball that she had dreamed of since she was a child, in a beautiful dress none or less, and she even had somewhat of a date.
At that thought, Chieko felt a little bit of warmth gleam in her cheeks when she recalled how Yori Tanaka had sought her out that first time in the library. With a sweet, charming smile, he had asked her for help with his homework, had claimed to having asked around and everyone pointing him to "the best of the best". He had attentively listened to everything she said, had sweetly laughed how 'the people really weren't kidding' before thanking her for her help. They had talked every day since then, and on the fourth day he first tactfully complimented her hair.
She still remembered the time they had lunch together in the school cafeteria and the funny joke he had told her then. Remembered the tingle on her skin as their hands brushed for the first time when they both reached for the same book. Remembered his smile and the eagerness in his voice when he told her about the night market. Remembered how she clutched the flyer of it to her heart in the rare privacy of her dorm room. Remembered all the care with which she picked her outfit for that night. Remembered the sparkles in his eyes when she invited him to the ball later on-
…and that all turned out to be some big scam.
A sob escaped Chieko, as the memories faded into the winds and she found herself back in the here and now, on a hard stone bench in a chilly summer night. Left all alone on what should have been her special day.
In all other areas of life, it usually was her intellect that shone the brightest. But when it came to men, her big brain seemed to shut itself off.
How could she fall for this…?
How could she be…this stupid?
But then… Just as she was brushing the single tear that rolled down her cheek away, a hand appeared in her vision.
"May I have this dance?"
—
Kimiko entertained Ran and Akio with a few middle school anecdotes about Hiraku while the small group waited for Hideyoshi, Daisuke, Urara and Yua. They had all gotten something from the nearby buffet tables in the meantime as well. Every spot had been covered with little plates that presented all kinds of wondrously bizarre creations of the field of Molecular Gastronomy. Tiny artworks of food which Kimiko could have never dreamed of in her wildest dreams. She herself had picked something that still looked somewhat familiar, a plate with three strawberries - only to find out that they didn't taste very much like strawberries at all.
Just as Kimiko finished her tales about the time Hiraku and her got lost in Shinjuku, Hideyoshi and Daisuke finally came up the stairs again, with both Urara and Yua right behind. Hiroshi spotted them first. "Lo…Look..!" He pointed to the approaching group of four.
Hideyoshi had visible bounce in his step. The big grin he had on his face right now glowed brighter than the chandelier. Comparatively, Daisuke's smile was much more subtle but he looked unmistakably excited as well, from how happily he chatted with his mother. Yua looked a bit more nervous, fumbling with her fingers as she walked. Urara, meanwhile, was confidently glancing around, catching whatever pair of eyes she could catch and rewarding it with the most charming of smiles. She looked a lot like a film star on the red carpet.
"Hayama-senpai, Mimasaka-senpai," Hideyoshi proudly announced once the group of four was close enough. "Please allow me introduce you to my mother, Kawashima Urara, as well as my auntie, Aoki Yua."
When arriving in front of the group of teenagers, Urara's popstar grin melted into a much thinner, autocratic smile. It remained polite but expressed an air of maturity at the same time. "Go ~ od evening, everybody." She chirped.
Yua waved, and with a much softer voice, she said: "Nice to meet you."
Akio took a step forward. "It is my pleasure to meet the two of you." He gratefully clasped his hands together and made a light bow. "Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with my colleague and me."
"It's our pleasure to become acquainted with the two of you in person." Ran added, to which Akio gave an agreeing nod. He seemed to want to say something more then, but Urara was faster.
"So you two are part of the current Elite 10, right? Mimasaka Ran and Hayama Akio, right?" Urara inquired and tapped her chin. "You know, back in the day, I hosted your father's matches in the Autumn Elections," she used the finger that she had tapped her chin with to point at Ran and then afterwards directed it to Akio, "and then, of course, I also hosted the battle your parents had against one another, as well as your father's follow up match." After that, Urara tilted her head and dramatically laid into her open palm while wistfully sighing. "It was unfortunate that they said they didn't require any hosting for the finale…"
"Eh…" At first, Akio only blinked, clearly not knowing what to reply. Then finally, he stammered. "Ho…How interesting…"
Urara leaned a bit closer, raising an eyebrow a little. "The fact you're standing in front of us right now feels like a small miracle. I have seen the looks your parents gave one another back then." She chuckled. "Oh, how far they have come."
"Urara-chan!" Yua worriedly hissed next to her, already fearing for their gig to be lost in Urara's boldness.
Hideyoshi and Daisuke exchanged curious looks.
Akio still evidently didn't know what to say, so he just chose to awkwardly laugh.
Kimiko, meanwhile, pulled Hiroshi slightly to the side and whisper-shouted. "Wait, did Hayama-senpai's parents make it into these Elections?"
Hiroshi tilted his head to the side, pondering the question for a few seconds before he murmured back. "Yes, I think so. Hayama-senpai's father even won in the end, I believe."
"Wha-" Kimiko nearly blurted out, but then contained herself. This wasn't what the talk was supposed to be about after all. But a part of her already felt annoyed that this made for ammunition that Kaori Hayama could potentially flaunt with. Then again, if Kimiko had to give her anything, so far Kaori had strictly talked about herself and her skill (as annoying as that already was), not so much her lineage as so many of the others liked to.
"Anyway, enough with those old stories." Urara decided to close the topic with a dismissive hand wave. After an elegant hair flip, she expectantly smirked down at Akio. "I heard you wanted to talk to me and my dear friend Yua about this year's premlins?"
"Huh…Oh- Yes!" Akio nodded twice, the second one being much more firm. "We have…shockingly come short on two positions on the judging panel." He then pointed behind Urara and Yua, to an assortment of tables standing close to where the larger buffet was. "I would like to discuss this matter in detail with you over there, if you don't mind."
Urara's brown eyes flashed with something…near victorious. "It would be our pleasure."
Yua clasped her hands together. "Thank you for considering us," she said with so much sweetness and humbleness that, for the briefest moment, it made Urara's right eye twitch.
Akio was really just relieved. "Let's go ahead then," he suggested with a content sigh.
But as the two adult woman already turned around to walk to their destination (not after exchanging smiles with their respective sons), Akio looked into Hiroshi's direction first. "Thank you so much." He nodded, earnest and appreciative, before following the former Shokugeki hostesses turned future judges.
Hiroshi was looking at the floor, but then Kimiko lightly punched his shoulder and he had to lift his head up to meet her encouraging grin. Before either of the two could say something though, Ran appeared next to them.
"You really helped us out of a pinch there." She said to Hiroshi, the usual warmth of her voice mixing with genuine thankfulness.
Hiroshi raised his hands defensively, lightly blushing as he did. "It…It was no big deal, really!"
"For you, maybe." Ran responded. "But it saved much more stress than you can imagine." Before Hiroshi could say anything more downplaying (he had already opened his mouth), Ran quickly set into motion as well. She bid Hiroshi and Kimiko goodbye with a friendly wink. "I will send a text once it's time, by the way." Then, she turned her head and set course to the table that Urara and Yua had managed to reserve for themselves.
Hiroshi's blue eyes dimmed.
Something in his chest felt heavy suddenly.
Once Akio and Ran were out of hearing radius for good, Hideyoshi and Daisuke, who had properly and proudly stood by their moms' side before, excitedly hurried closer to their two dormmates.
"Isn't that great?!" Hideyoshi's voice was a half squeal. The boy was pumping his fists up and down in the air like some child who was seeing their favorite superhero in action on-screen. It was almost a little strange to see the usually so self-absorbed primadonna be this excited for someone other than himself, but Kimiko presumed that everyone, even Hideyoshi, needed some form of idol. And for Hideyoshi that seemed to be his mother. "My mom will sit at the judging table during the Autumn Elections…!" He grinned one of his brightest grins at Hiroshi. "Thank you, Tadokoro!"
Daisuke joined into the excitement. "I am so happy!" The brown-haired teen rejoiced and clapped his hands together. His eyes were practically sparkling. "Thi…This is such a big deal! My mom…might even see me do the hosting! Ah, it's great!" Daisuke gave a quick, grateful nod into Hiroshi's direction. "Thank you, Tadokoro. You truly are an angel."
Then, the two childhood friends turned to each other, much too happy to even argue at that moment.
"We should tell the others about it." Hideyoshi's suggested.
And a stunned Kimiko became witness of a rare instance in which Daisuke Aoki just gladly agreed to something that Hideyoshi Kawashima was saying. "We should, we should."
Uncharacteristically quick, the two hosts had made up their minds and confirmed it to one another with a determined nod. It looked almost strange, really. But before anyone could comprehend this sight in full, the two were already making a run for the stairs. Kimiko could only watch their retreat in awe.
"Man, they sure got hyped." She acknowledged with a whistle and then turned her head to Hiroshi. "Quite the good deed you did there, didn't you?"
But Hiroshi wasn't next to her anymore.
Kimiko blinked. Only to fully realise that he wasn't beside her indeed.
"Hiroshi-kun?" With a confused frown, she began to look left and right. After not spotting him anywhere, she decided to make a full turn.
It took a few seconds and a lot of squinting, but then, Kimiko finally caught sight of an all-blue boy, at the other side of the hall, currently making his way through glass doors, out onto what seemed to be a balcony.
—
"She ran into the directions of the garden, I believe", Ryoko noted between multiple, quick breaths as she hurried to keep up with Yuki, who was currently dragging Ryoko's son through the halls at admirable speed, despite her heels.
"My poor baby…", Yuki loudly lamented, once again not caring about anyone hearing, "…she must be in shambles, ugh- if I got that sorry shrimp into my hands!" She demonstratively balled her fist while marching on.
"I've been saying-", Zenji was wildly gesturing at Shun meanwhile, as they walked just a little behind, "She's too young for dates! Boys at this age are still way too immature for anyone's good. Chivalry is dead-" His buddy just nodded along in silent support.
Yasu let himself be strung along by his aunt - not minding it for once, as he was way too occupied with the concerns for his best friend he had on his own. The look on her face after having splashed that idiot with orange juice had said more than enough, and Yasu wanted nothing more than to give her a tight, comforting hug right now. He had heard her go on and on about this ball ever since she was six years old, with all of those early rambles of course being accompanied by multiple crayon drawings of her in the dresses she saw in her dreams. Yasu just could not let this night end without her having at least one dance - even if it was only with her best friend.
With Yuki's quick steps it fortunately did not take too long for them to reach the doors of the gardens. "Ah, there's-", but before Yuki could end that sentence she abruptly stopped right at the gate.
Yasu, not prepared for that, crashed into her the next second. "Aunt-", he wanted to ask but as soon as he lifted his head, he too froze.
When Ryoko, Shun and Zenji arrived, they were quick to follow suit.
"Wait-"
"That's…"
The color began to fade out of Zenji's face.
"Oh no…anyone but him-"
—
"May I have this dance?"
Chieko's breath hitched as the hand was held out to her. Her head jerked upwards and her wide, teal eyes met with the piercing, yellow ones of none other than Shigeo Eizan. All decked in the finest of fabric that assembled his three-piece-suit and, of course, with a disarmingly, charming smirk grazing his lips.
"Shigeo-senpai", Chieko began, trying her best to keep a firm voice as she tried to rub the last remaining traces of tears out of her eyes. "What…what are you doing here?" Instantly realising how silly that question probably sounded towards someone who has likely attended balls ever since he could speak concrete sentences, Chieko quickly added: "In…this garden, I mean…"
"It's a ball, Marui." Shigeo smoothly reminded. "I am nothing but a fine gentleman, asking a beautiful, fine lady for a dance - and oh my, you do look ravishing, if I may say so. A true enchantment on the eye." Chieko could feel how his wordy compliments drove the blood into her head. But the girl just got one lesson of not letting herself be lulled in by sweet nothings behind her. And if there was anyone more prone to effortlessly letting lies drip from his lips like sweet honey - it was the man right in front of her.
"Cu…cut the flattery, senpai." Chieko muttered. "Don't you have any business moguls to entertain with your empty adulations upstairs?"
Despite the tartness of her voice, Shigeo's smile did not falter the slightest. Instead it only seemed to grow. "See, this is the Marui that I've come to know." He turned the hand he had been offering to her around so he could point at her face instead. "Full of wit and with burning fires in her eyes. A true testament to your fighting spirits." Shigeo leaned in a bit further, and for the briefest of moments his expression became a bit more serious. "A girl like you should not have any business shedding tears over some feeble fool."
The smile and the held out hand returned. "So, may you grant me this honour, Marui?"
Chieko lightly frowned as she eyed the offer in front of her. It could have been a moment like right out of a dream of her's: a handsome, mysterious heir approaching her in the full moon's spotlight, all amidst the countless of flowers of the castle's romantic gardens and courteously offering his hand for a waltz. But she should probably be careful not to dance with the devil.
"What would you get out of this?" She asked with a frown.
"Your attention, of course." Shigeo replied with a smooth chuckle. "Which would delight me more than anything on this lovely night, even if it's only for three minutes."
Chieko could feel her heart almost jump right out of her chest and her face was burning. The endless amount of charm that this man had about himself truly was diabolical. Even though she knew that she would do best to stay away, a small, dangerously curious, part of her could not help but to feel deeply intrigued whenever met with that mischievous, alluring pair of yellow eyes. With his piercing gaze, minty hair that he made sure was always perfectly in place and, of course, that well-known, confident smirk, Shigeo was undoubtedly dashing and, his perhaps most scathing quality, remarkably intelligent.
To make matters worse, he himself was perfectly aware of all of that.
Usually she was trying her best to remain immune to both his good looks and his trained eloquence, but today on this special night she could sense her guards being weaker than usual. This, after all, was the ball that had been stage to countless of dreams of her's, this was the night that she was wearing her most enchanting dress… This was what should have been her real first date - was it all really supposed to end with her crying on a bench all alone?
The held-out hand, ready to lead her to the dancefloor by the side of a handsome gentleman, began to look more tempting than ever before.
Just one dance.
One dance on this special night…
She could still run away after that.
"No more than one song, senpai." Chieko tried to sound as steady as possible when she laid her dainty little hand into his.
"That is more than enough for me." Shigeo smirked victoriously.
She felt her heart pumping right up to her throat when he pulled her off the bench. And she couldn't help but to gulp as his alluring, mind-numbing cologne tickled her nose.
—
Three hours into the ball and still without a dance partner, Hiraku had taken a seat next to a large painting of a boat in water with a line-up of colourful houses behind it. In his hand he held a glass of Cola and he stoically watched the ice cubes cling as he shifted it around in boredom.
It was only then, when a voice that Hiraku had previously searched nook and cranny for finally emerged somewhere to his right. "Hiraku-sama!" Looking up, Hiraku was at last met with the leaf-green eyes of Akio Hayama. "There you are! I was looking for you…! You know, Mimasaka-senpai told me the meet-up for the evaluation is soon. She has just gone to check with your aunt, maybe we should go too…"
"I was looking for you as well." Hiraku answered, before taking a sip of his cola.
"Oh!" Akio exclaimed. "Sorry, I was-"
"Yeah, your sister told me you were busy. No worries." Hiraku simply shrugged.
This made Akio pause for a second, evident surprise making its way on his face. "You talked to Kaori?" He then asked.
Hiraku rose to his feet first before he gave a confirming nod. "Yep." When Akio didn't immediately answer, he continued. "I don't think we talked before, actually."
Akio scratched the back of his head. "Well, she…"
"She doesn't like me." Hiraku bluntly concluded with his usual straight face. It made Akio momentarily stop his scratching before he proceeded even faster while also diverting his gaze to the side. "…she is…rather introverted and not too keen on…uh, small talk."
"I see." Was all Hiraku said, before changing the topic to the other matter that hadn't been leaving his head. "I haven't danced yet, by the way."
This, again, seemed to surprise Akio as he turned his eyes back to Hiraku. "You didn't?" When Hiraku shook his head as a reply, Akio questioned. "I thought you would ask Aldini-san." His tone sounded like this had been an obvious answer but Hiraku's eyes still widened at the suggestion. "Aldini-san?"
"Ye…Yes, I mean- You have experience dancing with her already, she likes you and intel suggests she isn't here with anyone else tonight either…"
"She likes me?" Hiraku tilted his head, at which Akio could only stare back in bafflement for how incredibly clear that had been from Mika's blushing faces and all the nervous running through her blonde hair. Apparently not to Hiraku. "Really? But she kept on insisting that she only helped me because she's bored."
"Believe me, she's fond of you." Akio assured dryly.
"Hmmmm…." Hiraku began scratching his chin as he evaluated all that Akio had listed. "Now that you say it, it really couldn't hurt I guess. Besides, the lessons were nice." Making his decision, he turned around. "Yeah, you're right. I should ask her-"
"Wa…Wait, Hiraku-sama!" Akio hectically called after him while flaying his arms. "You can't ask her right now….It would take too long to look for her. The evaluation of Tadokoro Hiroshi is going to begin soon, remember?"
—
"What does he want from her again?" Ryoko asked in a hushed voice.
Upon being confronted with the sight of his precious, little gem of a daughter being offered a hand from a young man with such mischievous glint in his eyes, and baggage to his surname, nearly made Zenji faint right on the spot. And so, his wife, friends and godson were quick to escort him back into the ballroom where he could sit down.
"I'm not so sure either….", Yuki frowned, as she fanned air at her pale, raggedly breathing husband . "I think they first met at that one inauguration party for the new library wing, two years ago or so. Ever since then, he's been…interested in her, I suppose?" She shot her godson a glance. "What do you say, Yasu?"
Yasu showed uncharacteristic restlessness as he walked back and forth. 'He wants her as his assistance for his shady gang of thugs' wasn't exactly the answer he could give, without subjecting his parents and godparents to an exhaustingly long rant about Totsuki's made up social hierarchy and it's insane cliquing. "Yes, I guess you could say so- Whatever it is that guy wants from her, it can't be anything good… He is notorious in several ways and I don't trust him."
"He looks, walks and talks like some playboy!" Zenji croaked, discontentedly making random, dismissive gestures towards the doors that lead into the gardens. "What if he only toys around with her? No…No, no- No!" For even more emphasis on the word "no", he vigorously shook his head. "That's the last thing she needs, especially after what just happened!"
"True…true…" Ryoko muttered and Shun gave a nod, one much firmer than usual. After which, Ryoko then tried to offer some ease to the group. "But Chieko's a smart Girl-"
"Exactly!" Yuki loudly agreed. "She'll know what to do!"
Right as they were saying this, a few of the people's that stood closest to them started to turn…..and whispers emerged:
"Look…!"
"Is that…?"
"…the girl from just now! With the orange juice!"
"….and at her side?"
When Yasu took note of the noise around him he turned his head too, as did the rest.
All eyes fell on a couple that entered through the gates that lead to the gardens: a young lady in a gown that seemed spun with the night sky itself, sparkling from head to toe and holding the hand of a young cavalier, dressed in the finest of suits and with the smile of someone who had the entire universe in his palm.
"Everyone's staring at us…", Chieko muttered and tried her best to resist the urge of covering her, increasingly pink, face with her free hand.
"Is that so surprising?" Her designated dance partner chuckled, before leaning in a little closer to her ear. "The two of us…I say that makes for quite a sight to behold."
Leaving the gardens behind for good, the pair made their way to the nearest dancefloor - the surrounding people parting the way for them as they did. The very moment they passed, they became an instant topic of the conversations that had gone on around them. With each step Chieko took, she heard the whispers and murmurs around her become louder.
Mika's eyes were wide with terror when she caught the sight.
On the other side of the ballroom, Yori Tanaka's heartbeat momentarily stopped as he choked on air.
"Are you seeing this, Ibusaki…?!" Hideyoshi exclaimed, when both him and Daisuke rushed to their fellow dormmate. He was pointing at the obvious with his finger. "Isn't that crazy?"
Yasu, meanwhile, stood tense with his arms crossed. He only spared his two buddies a fleeting glance before shifting his eyes back to his childhood friend, as if afraid the man who's hand she was currently holding onto could snap his fingers and make her disappear. Like some evil magician.
Zenji and Yuki were close by, holding onto each other as their equally intense stares followed their cherished daughter who they usually knew as oh so much more careful. Ryoko next to them was occasionally softly murmuring whatever assurances came to her mind first while Shun kept himself ready to catch Zenji in case he should faint for real.
"For Marui-chan to dance with Shigeo-senpai…I can't believe it." Daisuke murmured.
"Oh, I can." Hideyoshi chimed in and promptly earned a glare from Yasu for this, or at least it seemed to be a glare based on the hard line that his lips were forming. "What?" Hideyoshi shrugged. "Yes, he's a red flag, but, let's be real here: He's a good looking red flag. There's a reason why Marui so often blushes whenever he's talking to her. And I mean, cut her a little slack. Marui just got done splashing orange juice into some dude's face - right in front of everyone. That's right, we heard on our way here even. I know that I wouldn't want to be remembered as 'the dude who made a scene with orange juice' after this night and I am sure neither does she. So why not take the hot, rich, evil bachelor for a dance instead? That will be sure to stir up some new talk."
"Your line of thinking never fails to astound me…" Daisuke frowned and of course, it made Hideyoshi persist even more on his theory: "All I'm saying is that Marui's a clever girl. Not limited to books only."
Chieko meanwhile continued to let herself be lead past all of the curious stares.
She tried her best to keep her head up high throughout it all, despite her utter unfamiliarity with this kind of situation. She wouldn't let herself come across as intimidated. Oh no. She would not give them the meek wallflower that they all took her as. And she was happy to know that the length of her skirt was eclipsing the slight wobbliness of her feet.
"I like that look of yours right now. " Chieko heard Shigeo's playful-sounding whisper next to her. In response, she looked up at him with a frown - something that made his smirk widen a little. "It's so full of determination."
"Oh, shut up, senpai." Chieko let out a huff, which Shigeo promptly followed up on with a charmed chuckle. A familiar rhythm between them that carried the two of them through the last few steps to the half-empty dancefloor.
They halted in the center of it - the current song fading right as they did. "Perfect timing." Shigeo observed in a pleased hum. With a certain sense of careful gentleness, which Chieko wouldn't have imagined for him to possess, Shigeo reached for her other hand and spun her around to fully face him. "Ready, Marui?" He asked in a low whisper, meeting her eyes as he did.
It was a sharp, confident gaze, one that could bring a person to their knees if met with it unprepared. But Chieko would not let allow for him to see her falter: "Ready as I'll ever be, Shigeo-senpai."
Shigeo smirked at her response. "Here's to a good show then."
The first, faint chords of a new song began. After stepping back and momentarily letting go of her hands, Shigeo made one flawless bow. The sight of it, elegant and courteous, had Chieko so captured for a second that she nearly forgot to follow suit with a curtsy. She lowered her head more than required once she made up for it - hoping no one would catch how tightly she was pressing her lips together as a means to keep the nervousness that was pumping through her throat sealed. A part of her was still not fully comprehending that this was indeed really happening.
Many of the other guests huddled around the floor like penguins, murmuring and gossiping. Chieko did her best to ignore them when she lifted her head back up. Instead, she focused fully on the man in front if her and the dance they were about to share - a dance akin to one on a rope tied between two high cliffs. All eyes would be on her in that moment but if she was not going to be careful enough, she could easily fall into her demise.
The music picked up into another well-known, classic melody. With a serious look on her face and her chin up in the air, Chieko stepped forwards. Shigeo did the same, and in just a couple of Chieko's accelerated heartbeats, the two were right back in-front of one another.
Chieko's breath hitched as she sensed a hand on her back. Her knees lost strength for a moment, so when her arm shot up to grab onto Shigeo's shoulder it was half formality, and half a need for support. With unnerving slowness both of their free hands intertwined and Chieko's own heart continued to ring loud in her ears as she watched her dainty, little hand which she had laid into his palm be near devoured as his fingers closed around it. Her skin felt ablaze, so much so that it surprised her that Shigeo was able to take her hand at all without getting a burn from it.
The music quickened. She tensed a little.
"Ah, no need to be so nervous now, Marui." Shigeo smiled, a melodious, annoying complacency lingering in his voice. The sound of it brought green fires to flare back up in Chieko's eyes.
"I am not nervous!" She fiercely made clear, demonstratively straightening her back as she did. Shigeo's smirk widened once more before he made the first step.
Chieko's large skirt quietly rustled over the marble floor as she followed his lead. Her dance partner was experienced, she could tell as much within only the first few seconds. Not that this should be any big surprise, considering his upbringing in the Culinary Elite. But Chieko was not planning to look like a klutz in comparison.
She matched his rhythm as they circled underneath the chandelier. The layers of her dress continued to swish and swoosh back and forth. With each correct step, her breath became steadier and the surrounding, watchful eyes blurrier. Only his gaze on her, sharp as a polished knife, remained clear. And Chieko met it, both with her own fierce and an underlying fascination.
"To speak in your language", Chieko suddenly asserted. It made Shigeo raise an eyebrow in both surprise as well as amusement. A look so attractive on him that Chieko's heart skipped a beat.
"My language?" He repeated, curious what she was about to say.
Chieko lightly shook her head, bringing her thoughts back into order, before she continued. "This right here is of transactional nature." She laid a warning edge into her voice. "Do not get the wrong idea."
Shigeo responded with yet another resounding chuckle. He masterfully spun her around and caught her in his arms then. Now, with her back turned to him, he leaned towards her ear while they swayed left and right to the music. "And what does that 'transaction' contain exactly?" He muttered, the smirk audible in his voice.
Chieko turned her head half-way and met him with a scoff. "Isn't that obvious?" She huffed. "I get the benefit of distracting the guests from my earlier faux pas with a dance. Having a personality significant to both Totsuki and the Culinary Elite by my side is sure to distract the gossip for tonight. And in exchange for that…" She paused and shifted her gaze elsewhere, wanting to signify indifference. "You may entertain me with your… offer of working as your 'assistance' for three minutes."
"Heh." Shigeo cooed. "What do you take me for? Using a dance with such a charming, young lady to discuss business. Now, that wouldn't be very mannerly of me at all, Marui."
He gently pushed her forwards, only holding onto one hand of her's as he ended up twirling her around.
Once Chieko faced him again, he was confidently grinning down at her. "Besides, I have a feeling that the day comes on which you'll take up my offer on your own accord."
She scoffed in return. "What makes you say something this absurd, senpai?"
In response, Shigeo leaned in a bit closer. Something that was hard to define for Chieko sparked in his eyes. "Because you might suffocate from all your potential otherwise."
Chieko's eyes widened, her red lips parted so she could respond - only to find that she didn't know what to say. After a melodious chuckle, Shigeo merely continued. "Your intellect eclipses most of the student body by far, and you've got fierce too - which the world deserves to see. And deep down, I believe, you wish for that too. You yearn for you and your talents to be seen."
Chieko near stumbled backwards, but Shigeo held her firm enough, catching her in a dip. Both her head and heart were racing.
"Work for me." Shigeo offered. "I will make sure to let not only the world but the whole universe become witness of your talents." Promise for glory and peril flashed in his yellow eyes. The smirk on his face looked almost thrilled now.
Chieko could only stare up at him with furrowed eyebrows and slightly parted lips. But the words still wouldn't come and her feet felt wobbly again as he let her put both of them back to the ground. So, they twirled in silence for a few moments, before Shigeo quietly laughed. "Well now, look at what your charming self made me do. Talk about business after all-"
"The answer is no." Finally, Chieko had regained her speech. "Don't act like you know me, Shigeo-senpai. I've told you plenty of times that I don't want to be associated with your dealings!"
"Oh, Marui. You always make me sound like some…criminal." Shigeo chuckled. "You do know that I am heir to a well-respected, legal and trusted company, right?"
"I don't want to hurt anyone." Chieko retorted. Green fires flickered in her eyes as she did. "And that is what you and your lot do on this school. And besides…" Her eyes travelled away for a moment, to their intertwined hands. She swallowed. "What good could I call my studies and my cooking if I need someone else, someone questionable at that, to elevate it. No, Shigeo-senpai…."
With that, she met his eyes again. So unreadable yet the only clear sight while the rest of the world continued to spin around them.
It was captivating.
"I do not want your 'help'." Chieko said in a final, firm tone, while raising her chin. "I wish to prove myself on my own."
Her green eyes practically glowed with determination at that moment.
And…..something seemed to spark in his, but Chieko could not tell what it could be.
