Chapter 7
"Huh? Where are you going, we haven't figured the Don recipe yet!" Soma exclaims as I stretch my arms over my head, the moistness in my eyes evident as I release a breathy yawn.
"We've been at this for hours. I'm just gonna grab some drinks." I offer a lazy, backward wave as I head out of the room as they all begin to talk again.
I find the vending machine with ease, pressing a few buttons and inserting a few coins before leaning my back on the hard surface of the machine, closing my eyes in complete exhaustion.
We've been at this for days, and there's a very good chance my brain is fried from looking at all those Don recipes.
A cold can touches my cheek, causing my eyes to snap open at the sudden sensation.
"You're drink came out." The unfamiliar blonde says as I blush slightly at the fact I looked pretty much asleep against a vending machine. His deep blue eyes stare at me in a bored manner.
"Ah. Thanks." My fingers wrap around the can before I awkwardly turn and enter a few more coins for the other drinks.
"You were the one at the entrance ceremony, aren't you?" The last few coins needed are placed in the slot by the stranger's fingers before I can finish with my change as I blink in surprise.
"Not a good think to be known for, I know." I chuckle, attempting to relieve the awkward atmosphere.
"You better keep a leash on that red headed friend of yours."
My eyes immediately narrow, my fingers tightening around the can. "Are you sure he's the one who needs the leash? Maybe it's me." I bite out, immediately regretting it afterwards once I see his slightly shocked expression. Curse my hot temper.
"U-um...you know what? Sorry. Here." I hurriedly shove the remaining coins in my hand to the shocked boys' before blushing scarlet. "I let my temper get the best of me again. Sorry again!"
I walk a fast pace out of the vending area before his voice stops me.
"My name's Takumi!" His voice breaks slightly as if he were nervous, the words coming out rushed. "Takumi Aldini. Have we met before...?"
My mind recognizes that name.
I tilt my head in confusion as I look back at him. Huh....have I met him? No...before this, I only had-
Wait.
Don't tell me... Realization smacks me in the face as a pair of the very same blue eyes flash in my memories. Holy...there's no way.
"U-uh...I'm Sayuri! Just call me Sayuri." I avoid the familiar sapphire eyes who just stare at me in confusion of my changed state.
I get the hell out of there.
--
Out of all goddamn culinary schools in the world.
Takumi Aldini is attending this very one.
I stare off into nothing as I'm brought back to my past.
"Sai-Chan! You're papa let you come play again?"
No.
"My brother's here this time! I hope we can all be friends!"
Please..
"W-what do you mean you don't like us anymore, Sai-Chan? Stop playing!"
Tears brimmed both boys' eyes as the blonde ten-year old girl turns her back on them, her lips moving in words she never wanted to say.
"I'm too good for you. You are nothing to the Hatoshi family name." The words came out monotonously. Rehearsed. Burned in her mind.
Nothing is ever good enough for a Hatoshi. Her father had repeated time and time again.
The small girl turned back to smile one last, dazzling smile at them.
"After all, nothing is ever good enough for a Hatoshi."
The tears flooded her eyes and fell down in cheeks as she walked away, hearing the boys' pained cries as she forces her legs to keep on walking.
Papa would get mad, after all.
I didn't notice I froze in place until I don't feel my legs moving anymore. My eyes were hot. Way too hot for a memory I've been trying to forget for years.
I was nothing but my father's little robot.
The Aldini's. Their bright faces the only source of light in my life for a long while next to Ryuu. Next to my passion for cooking.
I want to hug both of them. I want to make excuses and let them know how much they made my life better. I want to be friends with them again. I want to be those three little kids who would meet in secrecy in that flower field.
But...I can never do that to them. I don't deserve it. I hurt them when we were mere children, the most sensitive parts of our lives. I wonder if they still remember...did they live a good life?
I'm still in a daze when a pair of fingers snap loudly in front of my face as I look up glassy-eyed at Soma's red ones.
"Hey...are you crying?"
"What? No." I say in a hurry, wiping the stray tears on my cheeks. "Allergies."
Soma gives me a look, but doesn't push it before he gently takes the cans out of my arms and places them on a nearby fountain.
"What are you-?"
Warm arms embrace me fully as that suddenly breaks the wall I put up around myself. The tears leak out and the sobs force their way out as if they were meant to be heard in the quiet corridor.
Soma's hands stroke my hair as his grip tightens when I continue to cry, clenching his shirt in my fist.
Soma...
"Those are some pretty bad allergies. You might have to go see a doctor." He chuckles lightheartedly. "Whatever happens from here on out, I'm not letting you go to a vending machine ever again."
What would you do...
"Hey, it's okay. When you finish crying, we can get back to trying out Don's to kick that crazy lady's ass, okay?"
If I hurt you?
"Yeah." I manage a weak chuckle as I stop abruptly, forcing myself away from my wretched past and feelings. "Let's do just that."
"I think the drinks are warm now." He says quietly into my hair as I release his shirt from my clutch.
"Yeah."
"They're probably waiting for us." His grip on me doesn't loosen, however.
"...yeah."
"Hey...do you think they'll kill us if we took a few more minutes?"
I breathe in my best friend's scent, a small smile making it's way into my face.
"Yeah."
--
The blonde haired boy watches from behind one of the pillars as he stared at the all-too familiar porcelain-like face, tears streaking her rosy cheeks.
He leans his back against the pillar as he clenches at his clothed chest, closing his eyes.
He knew right away when she snapped at him.
The only girl to ever snap at him. The only girl who lost her temper around him.
It was her.
His Sai-Chan.
How long was she going to pretend as if those years meant nothing to her?
--
"Jeez, get a job or something." I joke as I walk in a day later, grocery bags in hand. "I bought more ingredients for testing."
"You're a lifesaver!" Megumi gushes as I smile brightly, placing said ingredients on the counter before looking over Soma's shoulder.
"Are you still modifying it?"
"Yeah...we need to do something to add color to this." He says in deep thought before I shrug and sift around in the grocery bag I brought. I pull out a jar of pickled plum paste as Soma suddenly grabs my wrist, taking me off guard.
"Huh?"
"Can...can you make a homemade version of this?" Is he referring to the plum paste? I bought it on a whim to make some dishes to send back home.
"Uh...yes." I say slowly as his eyes suddenly sparkle.
"I think we've just won our shokugeki."
--
To say that Soma was right was an understatement.
I was absolutely shocked that we just won that damn shokugeki we poured three good days into.
"Best regards from now on, Nikumi-Chan!" Soma says brightly to the now flustered woman as I wipe some sweat on my forehead.
I can't take much credit. The whole idea was Soma's. I still don't understand why people have food-gasms in the most sexual way possible, but hey, as long as they like it...right?
Mito looks over at me before clicking her tongue, walking over to me before sticking her hand out.
"You are certainly of Hatoshi descent." She grumbles as I smile a friendly grin.
"Actually...I'm just Sayuri. I've decided my last name isn't going to affect how people see or treat me anymore."
She gives me an odd look before releasing a bark of laughter, patting me on the back. "Let's get along, Sayuri-Chan."
I walk out to greet my dormitory mates as they all congratulate mine and Soma's win.
"Come on...I didn't really do anything. It was mostly him." I blush as Ryoko shakes her head.
"I've never seen someone who works so fast in my life! Without your prep, Soma might have fell behind."
"Sure. Let's go with that." I snort as Hatori rests an elbow on my head as we all walk back to the dormitory.
"How attractive. A princess that snorts."
"Soma...can we go back to those three days where we didn't have to come back to this maniac?"
"I'm right here!"
"Yukino? Did you hear anything?"
"Nope!"
"How about you, Ibusaki-San?"
"Are you hearing things, Sayuri?"
"Okay, I get it. Just don't ignore me!" Hatori whines as I capture him in a head lock as we walk along, all of us falling into a fit of laughter.
For once...it feels as if I've found a home away from home.
Sapphire eyes flash in my head again as I walk along, my mind forcing it out in every attempt possible.
A/N:
Childhood best friend? Whoa.
Takumi
Soma
Hatori
...
Multiple endings?;)