Warmth.

It's what flooded my body as the fleeting fatigue desperately fought to keep its hold on me, weighing down both my eyelids and limbs.

And I was keen to let it win.

"…Shoko…"

The raspy voice, tinted with tiredness, graced my ears as vibrations kissed my sternum, courtesy of the pillow soaked in the scent of a rich, comforting olive wood.

Wait, pillows can't talk.

…SŌMA!

The fatigue previously weighing on me was no more as I forced my eyes to look down, an idea of what awaited them already manifesting in the recess of my mind.

"Oh my god…"

His arms wrapped around my waist, Sōma was positioned a bit lower than me, his eyes level with my chest as his legs tangled themselves with mine.

He was just so goddamned

"Adorable…"

Seeing him sleep so soundly filled me with dulcet joy, watching his body rise and fall, free of the anguish previously assaulting it, was almost rapturous.

"He's so adorable and he's mine."

My friend of course.

He's my…friend.

Reaching outward, I extended my right arm outward, wrapping it behind his head and pushing my…friend closer to me.

"For his comfort of course."

And I'd be lying if I said it wasn't partially for mine too.

Lying there with my friend, our bodies, sticky from the sweat built up from dancing, tangled together as supple daylight peaked through our windows,

It was damn near serene.

And it was something I didn't want to end.

But like all good things,

It had to.

Very very carefully, so as to not wake the redhead, I went about separating our bodies, the unwashed sweat from the night prior acting almost as an adhesive, trying its hardest to keep us together.

"Finally free."

But it didn't feel like freedom.

Instead, it felt like a prodigious cold washed over me, freezing my skin despite the morning heat.

Rising from our shared mattress, I gave Sōma one last look, drinking in his perfect skin, his unruly red hair, the sight of his washboard abs peeking out from under his shirt-

"Nuh-uh nope. I rebuke."

Thinking about that was definitely not how I wanted to start my day, especially considering his relationship with my master.

"I wonder how Erina-Sama is doing. Knowing her, she's probably killing the test right now."

And, to be honest, looking around our barren apartment, I think we're quite a ways off from getting there.

"Bad thoughts, Hisako. You've gotta be positive."

And what better way to feel positive than to get a head start on my day?

Creeping away from the mattress, I headed out of the bedroom, making sure to close the door as carefully as possible, before making my way to the kitchen.

It was my turn to cook breakfast.

And I'll make sure it's so good he forgets all about last night.

"That smells amazing, Hishoko."

"Thank you!"

I hadn't even turned around yet but I could feel the heat from the grin I just knew was stamped on his face warm my body, fueling me with a sense of accomplishment I'd never gotten when making a simple shaobing.

But hearing him speak such a simple compliment made me feel as though I was making the best shaobing in the world.

A dish I'd only make for him.

Only for the man that belongs to me-

Wait wait wait wait.

WAIT!

That's NOT ok.

He's my friend, of course, but above all else,

He's the lover to my empress, my master, the woman I've dedicated my life to.

I couldn't possibly DREAM of getting in the way of their love…

Because she loves him.

And he loves her.

And that's just the way things are.

But, I'd be lying if I didn't somewhat wish that was different.

And quite frankly, judging from their previous interactions, it may have very well changed.

"…-Sako?"

"Wha?"

"Are you alright, Hisako? You've been staring at that tea cup for a couple of minutes now."

"O-Oh! Yeah! Just thinking."

For a little bit, Sōma seemed to purse his lips, not unlike a kid who was dissatisfied with a punishment, before relaxing his face.

"Oh, ok. If there's anything you wanna talk about, I'm here for you."

"I know, thank you…and if there's anything you'd like to get off your chest, I'd be happy to lend an ear."

Almost quicker than I could catch, Sōmas face twitched, almost like he was conflicted about something but didn't want it to show.

Equal parts interesting and concerning.

"Thank you, Hisako. That means a lot to me."

What followed was a smile so bright and sincere that I'd nearly jumped the counter to grab him.

And I would have.

Had the face of my empress not flashed through my head.

Instead, I turned back around, steeping our breakfast tea as I patiently waited for the oven timer to ring.

"Is this your first time having Shaobing?"

"Is that bad?"

"Where I'm from yes."

I couldn't help but laugh at the guilty look creeping on his face as he fought to avoid eye contact with me.

It was adorable.

"Don't feel too bad, better late than never."

Sliding the plates onto the table, a sense of contentment began to overtake me.

Standing here with Sōma, in our little apartment as we live day by day is something I know I'll miss when it's over.

But until then, I can't help but smile as I sit down, giddy not just to share one of my favorite meals with him,

But to share another day with him as well.

"Thank you for the meal."

"Thanks for the food."

Quick prayer finished, we both began to eat, the light bite of the savory beef contrasting nicely with the earthy tea paired with it.

I really outdid myself.

"This tea is really good!"

"You like it? It's made with six different herbs! The foundation of the mixture is called Si Wu Tang which helps with blood production. But, when you add peach and safflower, you get Tao Hong Si Wu Tang which does wonders for fatigue. I thought we could use it to help us get going for today."

"Wow…you're so smart, Hishoko."

Warmth.

It's like every time he opens his mouth, or looks at me, or laughs, or does anything, it floods me with warmth, with contentedness, with so much joy that I can't help but want to grab the sides of his face and-

"T-Thank you."

No.

Not about my friend.

Not about my master's lover.

Rising from the table, I grabbed my dishes before placing them into the sink.

"I'm gonna wash up, would you mind getting the dishes for me?"

"Of course not, it's the least I could do after such a great meal!"

Fighting the fluttering in my stomach, I nodded in response before walking toward our bedroom.

I needed a shower.

A very very cold one.

"So what's on the itinerary for today?"

"I'm glad you asked. Today we're going, drumroll please."

I could feel the excitement leaking from his golden eyes as he slapped the table, that infectious giddiness spilling out and into me.

"Couch shopping!"

"Yayyyy!…why?"

"It's really quite simple; the purpose of the test is to see if students can live off of what they've learned during their time at the academy."

"Rightttt."

"Which means, we need to prove that we can actually live, not just survive in a barren apartment."

I could instantly tell that my explanation had gotten through to him, mainly due to that mix of rumination and determination fueling the golden embers that were Sōmas eyes.

Eyes I could never get enough of.

"So to prove that we can live comfortably off our cooking we just need a kick-ass apartment!"

"Mmhmm! And that starts with the living room."

Seeing him so energetic, passion raging behind his eyes, brought me far more joy than I'd care to admit, especially to Erina-Sama.

But, after seeing him so…defeated last night, I can't help but be glad that the Sōma Yukihira I've come to know, come to enjoy spending time with, is back.

Even if for a little while.

"Let's hurry and get our new sofa!"

Nodding my head, I went about collecting my things, eager to spend another day with Sōma.

And, as the man himself said, I was also eager to get started on making us a kick-ass apartment!

"I meant to ask back at the apartment but uh, do we have enough money for a couch?"

"Yes actually. In fact, we made quite a bit at the festival."

"Really? How much?"

Digging through my pants pocket, I pulled my wallet out and opened it, removing a thick wad of bills.

"About double our starting budget. 395,957 yen to be precise."

"DOUBLE WHAT WE STARTED WITH?!"

Seeing that dumbfounded look on his face, I couldn't help but giggle.

It's like everything he does was handcrafted by a god to be the most adorable thing ever.

"We got a lot of customers at our stand. I'm not surprised we made a nice chunk of change off of it ."

"I consider that a lot better than a nice chunk of change. That's more than what my dad's given me in the last three years!"

I honestly don't know what possessed me to do what I did, and quite frankly I didn't really care about finding out.

Because when I took Sōma Yukihira's hands into my own, all felt right in the world.

"Well, now that we're working together, you don't have to worry about small allowances. Together, I know we can pass this test with flying colors!"

The mini-speech served its purpose, driving fierce determination to the front of his eyes as he squeezed my palms.

Something I didn't hate-

No.

Something I adored.

"You're absolutely right, Hishoko! We're gonna crush this test! Now let's go get our couch!"

Hand in hand, we entered the furniture store, our eyes peeled for the section housing the sofas.

Before long we found it, the section of the store characterized by a massive array of sofas ranging from wayyy outside our budget to less than half of it.

"How about that one?"

Following his finger, I was met with a murky brown couch; and, to be honest, the color alone put me off of it.

"24,000 yen…"

"Yup! If we get this one we'll have plenty of cash to spare."

While I appreciated the sentiment, a 24,000 yen couch seemed like a deal too good to be true.

"Let's check it out first, make sure there's nothing wrong with it."

"Alrighty."

With my sole free hand, I checked the couch, running my fingers along the material, checking the stitching, etc.

The results of each test yielding a single conclusion.

"No."

"It's really that bad?"

"Yes."

"Awe man."

He sounds…disappointed?

I don't like that.

Not at all.

"Don't feel too bad, you were trying to help us save money for future expenses. Blame whoever made this couch."

What followed was a delightful chuckle, one that caused my stomach to churn pleasantly as my face heated.

This is bad.

Really bad.

But, no matter how hot my face gets or how much my stomach eats itself.

I refuse to let go of Sōmas hand…

And I refuse to let go of Sōma himself.

Whatever that means now or in the future.

"Can I help you two with your shopping today?"

"Yes actually. We're looking for a couch in the low to medium price range. Is there anything like that you'd recommend?"

The store attendant pursed her lips as she ran her eyes along the various sofas on display, eventually settling on one.

"How about this one? It's 120,280 yen and includes a pull-out mattress for any potential guests."

A pull-out mattress.

Separate beds for me and Sōma.

Me and Sōma sleeping apart.

Looking toward him, I could tell that Sōma was on the same thought path as me, and it seemed like he was drawing the same conclusion as well.

Absolutely not.

"Sorry, we're not really looking for a sleeper. Is there anything else you'd recommend?"

"Of course! Um…how about this one? It's a little small but it's only 81,200 yen."

Turning toward the couch, I couldn't help but feel like this was it.

This was the couch that'd help our little apartment feel more like a home.

"We'll take it! Do you take cash?"

"Who doesn't?"

"So what are we doing now?"

"Well, we have to wait for the couch to be delivered so until then I thought we could go clothes shopping.

"Clothes shopping?"

"Yeah. We've been pretty busy so you might not have noticed, but we're running pretty low on clean clothes so it made sense to grab some more."

"Ohhhh. That makes sense."

"I found a clothing shop a street or two away. The clothes are nothing fancy but they're well within our budget."

"Then lead the way, Hishoko."

And so I did, guiding Sōma through the streets of Kamurocho hand in hand as we made our way to the shop.

Now I hate sounding pretentious, but the quality of the storefront before me was something I'd rarely, if ever, engage with.

My family history paired with my work for Erina-Sama has accustomed me to the finer, more refined things in life.

Clothes included.

So to be pursuing a store I'd never dream of being in, with the boy I'd initially despised upon meeting was more than a little jarring.

But, much like Sōma himself, it wasn't as bad as I'd thought.

Rather, it was really fun.

"Hey hey, Hishoko, what about these?"

"Huh?"

"For sleepwear. I figured we wouldn't want to get our new clothes dirty by sleeping in them."

I really have to stop zoning out like that, especially around him.

And especially considering my tendency to think aloud.

"They look nice. Make sure to try them on to make sure they fit."

"Right!"

I don't like lying, especially to Sōma, but I honest to god did not see the pajamas he was trying to show me.

Argh!

I'm a mess!

So caught up in my own head, I can't even pay attention to the activity I suggested.

It's embarrassing!

Completely unbecoming of Erina Sama's secretary!

"How do they look?"

"They look-"

Holy.

I had to have been extra good this year because ol' Saint Nick has come down and blessed me with the sigh of Yukihira Sōma in low-rise pajamas.

That, paired with the one-size-too-small Yukihira eatery shirt exposing a sliver of the waist, was like a hot, very hot, meal lying on the table.

And I'm a very hungry girl-

"They look what?"

Oh god, he's close!

"T-They look great!"

"Really? That's great!"

It took more determination and strength to avoid closing that teasing amount of distance than any competing in any Shokugeki ever.

And I still almost lost.

"Oh! How about we get matching ones?"

Matching Pajamas?

"Why?"

"I uhhh. I just wanted to match with you. If you don't want to I totally understand."

Wait wait wait!

I did NOT say that.

"What? No! Nonononononononono! I…I'd like to match with you, Sōma."

"O-Ok…"

God, I'm such a mess.

Blushing in a bargain store because Yukihira Sōma wants to match pajamas with me.

When, how, did he get such a hold on me…

And do I even want him to lose it?

"Is there anything specific you'd like for dinner?"

"Um, I was actually planning on eating some more of that killer Shaobing you made for dinner."

You even compliment me while answering a question?

Jesus.

"That's fine with me. I'll heat them up while you wash off."

"Thanks, Hisako. You're the best."

"It's really no problem. Now hurry and take a shower, you're all sweaty."

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Yeah yeah. Oh, and Hishoko?"

"Yes?"

"No peeking~"

"W-What?!"

Before I could even retort properly, the bathroom door shut, obscuring Sōma from my vision.

Despite that, I could feel the smug little grin stamped on his face while he was in there.

Undressing.

Exposing, his toned, sweaty body.

Maybe a peek wouldn't hurt.

*Ping*

"Wha?"

Is that my phone?

Checking it, I didn't see any notification so it couldn't be.

*Ping*

Wait.

If it isn't my phone.

And there's only two of us here.

Then…

Turning to the direction of the sound, I could see his phone, in all of its severely cracked glory.

*Ping*

Who could possibly be texting him that much?

I could reach over the table and find out.

But that'd be a gross invasion of his privacy-

*Ping*

No, but seriously, who the hell is texting him at this hour?

Invasion of privacy be damned, I just have to know who's assaulting his phone-

"Erina-Sama?!"

Oh.

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

That isn't my business, whatever's in those messages is between Sōma and my master.

But still.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to take a look.

Whatever happened between them has clearly left Sōma rattled.

It'd be logical to figure out the source of that disturbance, to make sure my partner can perform his best during the exam.

Totally logical.

Not at all nosey.

Nope.

"Now what would his password be- oh there's no password…."

Messages, messages, messages- ah!

"There we go."

Wow, they've been texting a lot.

Like a lot.

"They are lovers after all. It's to be expected-"

Wait.

What did that message say?

"Do we really have to break up? What? What does Sōma mean-"

Oh.

Oh.

I see.

"So the whole time, Sōma and my master have been…split."

I should be mad.

I want to be mad.

Mad, sad, pitiful, anything.

But I'm not.

And I don't think I ever will be.

"Hey, Hishoko."

"Yeah?"

"Whaddya think about watching a movie tonight? It'll help us break in the new couch!"

"That sounds…really nice actually. I'll grab my laptop."

Excitement.

The way it overtook me was almost frightening as it propelled me forward, adding a spring in my step as I all but skipped to our shared room.

Now where did I- found it!

Bending down to get it, I couldn't help but notice the Yukihira eatery shirt draped over my torso, washing me in the scent of olivewood.

The scent of Sōma.

Never in my life have I been happy to forget to buy T-shirts.

"Time to get back to Sōma."

And I did, with just as much gusto as when I'd left, if not more.

"So what're we watching?"

"Y-You're letting me pick?"

"Of course! I trust that you'll put on something awesome!"

I uh.

This is uh.

Back at the mansion with…Erina-Sama, I usually just watched what she wanted.

So to be given the freedom of choice, by the man who embodies freedom, especially in cooking.

Was really refreshing.

"If it's ok with you, I'd like to watch a personal favorite."

"Of course! What's it called?"

Opening my laptop, I couldn't help but smile a bit as I typed in the movie.

"Roman Holiday."

"Hey, Sōma, are you awake?"

...No answer.

He fell asleep.

I don't think it was because of the movie in all honesty.

If anything, I'd say it was because of all the shopping.

He'd been all but bouncing off the walls the moment he woke up so it's only natural he'd be tired by now.

"You're so pretty when you sleep, Sōma."

Wow, that was creepy.

But right now I couldn't care less.

Because feeling his defiant red hair under my fingers and watching his body rise and fall as he lay in my lap,

Made all feel right with the world.

A small part of me does feel like this is wrong, getting close to my master's ex-boyfriend,

But it's small for a reason.

Besides, it's not like we're doing anything wrong.

Just two friends watching a movie and one of them fell asleep.

And, on the very slim chance we did do something.

It's not like he's taken anymore.

Right?

So everything would, hypothetically, be fair game.

Right?