(Name)'s POV
The weeks leading up to the festival I spent at Shiomi RS, working with Hayama after classes in preparation. We settled on curry which was unsurprising, but I didn't protest since I knew firsthand how amazing his curry was. I did, however, suggest a variety of curries for our menu such as buns and noodles. Hayama agreed with this suggestion, and together we prepared a basic menu.
In the process, he also taught me the basics of spice and how to handle it. Balance, contrast, harmony, and all of the various ways to use smell to my advantage—it was difficult keeping up. But I did my best to soak up as much information as I could. Hayama also proved to be a decent teacher with his patience even when I struggled to grasp some concepts. Luckily, I was a fast learner overall.
I wouldn't say we were buddy-buddy just yet, but he was gradually warming up to me. At least I hoped.
"Oof, time for a break." I placed down my notes and stretched. Jun was busy with her most recent project, and Hayama was busy testing spice combinations in the kitchen. That left me to my own devices until he finished.
I walked around the room to stretch my legs and skimmed over the many potted plants. They're looking kind of dry. I think Hayama usually waters them around this time..?
Sure enough, the clock read 5 PM: watering time.
It seemed redundant to interrupt him just so he could come in here to water the spices, so I went ahead and did it for him. I'd seen him do it countless times and followed his example, alternating between the spray bottle and the watering can.
There we go. Happy, healthy plants! I nodded in satisfaction and looked around. Hmm, the shelves are looking a little dusty now that I think about it.
A half-hour later, Hayama entered to hand me a clipboard of his notes. I reviewed the papers as he walked the perimeter of the room, looking up when he stopped suddenly.
He ran his finger along one of the spice racks. "Did Jun dust these shelves?" He mumbled to himself. He immediately shot down the idea. "No, that's not possible."
I lowered the clipboard and answered his confusion. "I hope you don't mind, Hayama-san. I dusted the shelves and returned everything to their places while you were out submitting the paperwork. And watered the 5 o'clock spices."
Now that I said it out loud, I realized how my help might seem like overstepping. What if he thought I was trying to replace him? But I was also a member of the research society now so it should be normal for me to help, right?
Hayama blinked in surprise. "No, it's fine. You didn't have to do that. But... thank you." He rubbed his neck and took the seat across from me.
"No prob. These are the booth locations?" I referred to the papers he gave me. He'd highlighted where our booth would be located. "This is the Main Street, right? Looks like a pretty good spot."
"I'm sure Jun has already explained it to you in how it's different from ordinary festivals." Hayama held a hand to his chin, and I nodded in confirmation. "You said this is your first Moon Banquet Festival?" I nodded again as he reached out and took the clipboard back.
Something I'd learned in the past week was that Hayama often struggled to convey his feelings. But I'd also learned to recognize his little ticks that showed when he was embarrassed, lying, or otherwise. You get better at reading others when they don't tell much in the first place.
He closed his eyes, something he only did when admitting something that embarrassed him, and sighed. "In that case, I'll help you." When he opened his eyes again, he kept them glued to the clipboard as if unable to look at me.
"Let's make this a good festival, Homura." There was a subtle lilt in his voice, one he used when he was in a good mood.
I softened a little. He was finally warming up to me! "Hayama-sensei...!"
"Stop calling me that!"
*~*~*~*
The morning breeze pushed against my face, causing my hair to fly back due to the increased speed. I'd finally accepted Soma's offer to ride with him and Megumi to school. Megumi had recently purchased her own bicycle and Soma a motorized scooter, leaving me the option of walking or hitching a ride from them. But I'd rejected their offers up until now. The reason? I needed a helmet, of course.
Maybe next time I'll buy my own bike. Or even a pair of skates. I thought to myself as I considered my daily walk to the Shiomi RS and to the dorm. I don't know how much more my legs can take.
"Yeoogh!" I yelped as we went over a bump. I never knew how rocky the road was until now; it could almost be its own ice cream flavor.
"Hold on, Homura. I told ya' it'd get bumpy." Soma laughed in front of me. Megumi rode alongside us and giggled as I gripped his shoulders tighter. Falling off didn't seem particularly fun.
"These motorized horses are so much more dangerous. And you have to fill them with gas instead of hay?" I grumbled, causing them both to laugh again.
"So what's the plan regarding your booth? Still going up against Kuga-senpai?" I had to speak up so he could hear me over the rumble of the road.
Soma explained how Hojo went with him to scout the Chinese RS yesterday, and how Kuga had, "like, dozens of bald guys making mapo tofu at once."
"Bald guys?" I tried to picture it in my head, stiffening when another bump jolted my body. I held on tighter.
"Yeah, and all the dishes taste the same! We've got our work cut out for us." He laughed again, but Megumi seemed less than amused by the idea. "Say, (Name)-chan, are you free for taste-testing later—"
Soma was cut off by Megumi's frantic warnings. "Don't fall for it, (Name)-chan! It was too spicy!" She shuddered and raised a hand to her lips. They were looking a little swollen this morning now that she mentioned it.
"How spicy are we talking?"
Megumi and Soma shared a look. A single tear ran down the girl's cheek from the memory alone.
"...Yikes."
"What about your booth? How's working with Hayama-san?" Megumi seemed eager to change the subject from her unfortunate taste-tests.
Soma hummed from in front of me. "Ohh, right. You're working with Hayama. Think you can ask if he's up for another dish-comparison later?"
The request made me click my tongue. We both knew he'd show up regardless of Hayama's answer. I lifted my arm to brush a stray hair from my face and voiced this, receiving an indignant huff from the male. "Whaat? C'mon, just ask him next time you're at the seminar."
"Soma-kun," Megumi chided. "We still have to focus on the festival, remember?"
"What Gumi-chan said. Worry about yourself first, then you can have your playdate with Hayama-san." I shifted my hands down to his torso and pinched his sides, causing him to jump in the seat.
"O-oi!"
Megumi and I giggled at his reaction. The only warning of what came next was how he rolled his shoulders before accelerating abruptly.
"S-Som—agh!" I shrieked as my body lurched back from inertia, barely managing to grip his jacket to keep myself from falling off. Arms shaking, I wrapped them around his middle like a koala to its mother and held on tight, not wanting to risk falling off again. "You absolute madlad!"
"Hahaha!" His chest rumbled with laughter at my distress, earning another pinch to his side. He didn't jump this time, and instead braked/accelerated in attempts to throw me. But my grip on him held tight, and I smiled victoriously when he sighed in defeat and returned to a normal pace.
"Slow down," I hissed, annoyed at how breathless I sounded. "You're making poor Gumi-chan work harder!"
At the mention of the girl, Soma gently brought the scooter to a stop so she could catch up. Poor Megumi panted as she pumped her legs to catch up, and I resisted the urge to pinch Soma's sides again. My arms were still hooked snug around his body, though—I wouldn't risk another one of his tricks.
"Did I scare you?" The boy glanced over his shoulder at me, an innocent grin on his face. In that moment I understood how so many people like Erina could find it to be irritating.
"I can feel your heart beating fast!" He referenced the pounding of my chest which was pressed flush against his back.
He laughed again as I loosened my hold to lean back from him. It was true my heart was still recovering from the adrenaline rush, but for some reason his pointing it out only made it pound harder. I groaned and slammed my head into his back, the helmet thumping against his shoulder blades. "Shush."
Of course I trusted Soma, but there was a moment in which I really thought I'd fall off. Besides, I had a legitimate reason for my increased pulse—so why could I feel his heart beating just as fast?
We allowed Megumi a moment to catch her breath after she pulled up beside us. I even offered to switch places with her, but she assured us she was fine. If anything, she seemed more worried that Soma would pull the same stunt on her.
"C'mon Tadokoro! Homura thought it was fun!" The boy claimed, a half-truth to his words.
I just sent another pinch his way. "Wheel you hush?"
I should really get my own bike.
*~*~*~*
Today Hayama and I were on a mission. A drab, anticlimactic one, but a mission nonetheless.
Through a series of poorly-scheduled meetings and encroaching deadlines, Jun had instructed (begged) Hayama to retrieve some paperwork from one of the administrative buildings for her while she was away on business. Wanting to help Hayama, and also not wanting to be left alone at the RS, I tagged along to keep him company.
"I'll just be carrying papers, but do as you like." He'd said, as if my presence didn't matter either way. Yet he still waited for me to gather my things before we left.
It was pretty uneventful. We walked into the building, talked to some people, got the papers, and left. I was so used to encountering skilled chefs and making risky bets when I was with Soma; now it felt weird when nothing stressful (or exciting) happened.
The walk was unkind on my legs. I'd built considerable muscle from my daily walk between the dorm, the Academy, the RS, and back to the dorm. But it was expected for my legs to burn after a few hours.
What I'd give to have Soma's scooter right now, I thought when in truth, I was hesitant to ride it anytime soon. At least not with him behind the wheel.
"Aren't you tired, Hayama-san?" I asked. He'd been awfully quiet this entire journey. "We've been walking a while."
"I'm used to walking a lot." Hayama's response was curt. He didn't elaborate either, but something about the way his jaw tightened conveyed it was a sensitive subject for him.
So I dropped my curiosities and focused on the clouds above. It helped to distract me from my burning soles. But the sight that greeted me was worrying.
"Hayama-san?" He hummed in response. "I think it's going to rain."
"What? I checked the forecast." Hayama halted to squint up at the darkening clouds. "There shouldn't be--"
A drop plopped on his nose. Then another. Followed by a third.
Instinctively, Hayama lifted the folder in his hands to shield his head. He quickly realized this contained the documents, however, and proceeded to shove it in his jacket instead. He hunched over to protect the precious paperwork and picked up the pace.
I remained in step with him, but while Hayama stressed over staying dry, I indulged in the rain. I held out my hand and allowed the warm droplets to splatter in my palm. They tickled like gentle kisses or a baby goat's sneeze. I giggled at the sensation.
Hayama remained aggravated. "It better not start pouring. We can't afford to damage these documents."
As if cursed by Zeus himself, it began to pour not a minute later.
Hayama broke into a full sprint, and I ran alongside him, unable to contain my laughter. We sought shelter under the trees that lined the path.
"I don't understand why you're laughing." Hayama huffed, brushing his damp bangs from his forehead. "What's so funny about getting drenched?"
"Sorry," I giggled again, "I can't help it." It was probably not the most appropriate time to laugh but, like I said, I couldn't help it.
Maybe it was the sight of Hayama running and frantically shielding the papers that tickled me so. And while I've had my fair share of stressful experiences in the rain, I still found joy in it.
"I like the rain."
Hayama leaned against a tree and sighed. "Can't say I agree."
Silence ensued. Hayama stood there, arms crossed and foot tapping. I teetered on the edge of the canopy's shelter and the rain, hand shooting out to feel the droplets on occasion.
I was well-aware of how stupid an idea it was, but I wanted to dance in the rain. I wanted to run in circles and embrace my inner SpongeBob™. But I didn't want Hayama's opinion of me to decline any more than it has.
And then I saw it. I saw him.
The arrival of the small, slimey, green boy wiped away all hesitation. Instinct took over.
Catch. Frog.
I sprinted into the rain without warning, earning a shout from Hayama and scaring away my friend. The amphibian hopped away, much too fast for me to catch, and I was left to stand fully-drenched in the rain now. Hayama was still yelling at me, but the sound of the water drowned him out.
The rain's warm. I tilted my head up and closed my eyes. If I imagined hard enough, it was like I was back home and frolicking in the mud with HIbiki again. The drops tickled my cheeks and eyelids just as they'd tickled my palm.
Without realizing it, I began to spin and laugh, kicking up the dirt that had turned to mud and soil-ing my clothes. It felt good.
When I finally stopped and looked at Hayama, he was staring at me as if I'd gone mad. Which was entirely fair on his part, but I didn't care.
I called out to him, already knowing his response but still offering. "Join me, Hayama-san!"
"You're crazy!"
I laughed at his instinctual response. "Maybe I am! But the rain feels good!"
He stopped yelling at me after that but continued to shoot quizzical looks my way the remainder of the walk. We proceeded with Hayama under the protection of the leaves and myself skipping in the rain, soaked to the bone like a hearty beef soup.
"You're going to get sick, and I'll have to man the booth alone." He warned after a few minutes.
"So I guess I'll have to not get sick, then."
"What kinda logic is that?"
But eventually I did begin to shiver, and it was at this point that Hayama tugged me back into the shelter. "That's enough. Get over here." I would've laughed were I not too busy shivering like a chihuahua.
Hayama sighed, a habit of his, and shrugged his jacket off to place on my shoulders. It was a kind gesture, compared to leaving me to freeze (from my own stupidity).
"Honestly, what were you thinking? Deliberately getting soaked in the rain like that..."
He refused to look at me as a darker tint colored his face. I was confused by this until he cleared his throat. "Cover up."
I looked down to see my white shirt, the standard school button-up, soaked and transparent, leaving my bra very visible. I'd blush if I weren't absolutely freezing, so I hastily tugged his jacket around myself for cover. It felt a bit warmer from his remaining body heat but still didn't do much. I appreciated the gesture, nonetheless.
"Thanks, Hayama-san." He didn't respond, only giving another one of his famous sighs.
When we arrived back at the RS, we were surprised to see Jun back early from her meeting. The professor greeted us and immediately began to fret over our forms of varying sogginess.
She practically forced me into the shower, ordering that I allow her to wash my uniform and pressing some of her own clothes into my arms. I could hear the woman scolding Hayama over the sound of the water, and Hayama's replies along the lines of, "it was her choice."
Did I hate getting soaked and freezing from the weather? Of course. But did I regret dancing in the rain like a kid again? I probably should, but no.
Shower thoughts took over:
If I'm out in the warm rain and getting wet... why is standing in a warm shower any different? If I had soap, couldn't I just shower in the rain? I blinked out the suds from my eyes. Is that why it's called a 'shower'?!
"Hmmmmm..." I rubbed my chin. Hmm indeed.
*~*~*~*
It was now evening at the Shiomi RS as I'd stayed longer than usual to help prepare for the festival. Jun didn't like when I stayed late, claiming it was unsafe to travel alone in the dark, but today was an exception.
I borrowed Jun's clothes while mine were being washed, and it fit decent despite the professor's small stature—partly because most of her clothes were too long for her. I especially liked her signature 'SPICE' shirt (she had multiple, it turns out), and the woman felt the same because she insisted that I keep it for myself.
I fiddled with the hem of my new shirt, enjoying the soft fabric. In my other hand, I twirled a pencil as Hayama and I reviewed our menu. The male sat across from me on the opposite couch. He worked quietly, only speaking to exchange information, so I was surprised to see him staring at me when I looked up.
"While our menu hasn't been finalized, I'd like to order some basic ingredients in advance." Hayama spoke upon making eye-contact. Heh. He was still miffed by me wearing the professor's clothes, I could tell, by how he cleared his throat.
"Good thinking. We already know we're gonna make curry, but it's the variation we've yet to decide." I scribbled in the margins of our menu, connecting possible combinations with a pencil. "What do you think of a naan-bread bowl? Or a bun-like shape?" I remembered how Hayama used pita bread back during the Elections, thinking we could put a twist on that.
"That could work. It would be easy to walk and eat with, too." Hayama agreed. "Though the bread could overpower the filling. We should test it first." I nodded and starred the idea. It had taken some time, but our menu was growing more each day! I was feeling confident in what we had so far.
"Hayama-kun!" A girl's voice rang from outside the room. "May I come in?"
It wasn't Jun, nor were we expecting company, so we both exchanged a look of surprise.
"A visitor?" I asked as he went to answer. I watched Hayama crack open the door to stick his head out, masking the guest from view.
"What do you want?" He ordered upon opening the door.
I sweatdropped at the cold reception. It seems only yesterday he treated me that way, but at least now he said hello when greeting me (at Jun's persistence). But who is it?
"I have a message." I stood on my toes to peek over his shoulder. Is that..?
"I, Nakiri Alice, have decided to participate in the Moon Festival."
Oh. It was Erina's cousin. Out of all people, I didn't expect to see her here. Did she come all this way to announce her participation? Good for her, but why is she here?
Hayama sighed, indifferent. "Oh, okay."
"But the booth application period has ended." Alice leaned forward and smiled. "So let's put our best foot forward together."
"What?" I scratched my head. What an odd way to word it.
"Huh?" Hayama also uttered, confused.
I slipped under his arm to look at the girl and Kurokiba, his presence not unexpected. "Do you mean you want to join our booth?"
I could feel Hayama's glare as the girl nodded eagerly, taking my words as an invite. "Let's use the Shiomi Research Group's booth location together, with the four of us."
I was yanked back by the collar as Hayama retreated to slam the door in her face. Guess that was a no, then. We exchanged incredulous looks and turned to continue our work.
"I have permission from Professor Shiomi." Alice called from outside.
Hayama flung the door back open. "Huh?!"
Alice revealed a form featuring Jun's signature agreement allowing Alice and Kurokiba membership in our group. I could feel the irritation radiating off of Hayama as he crinkled the paper in his fists. "That Jun!"
Wait, so I didn't have to join the RS to be in the booth? I realized, remembering how Jun had practically forced the membership forms into my hands. I mean, I'm not upset—I like being in it, but still...
"Now do you understand?" Alice continued, undeterred by Hayama's annoyance. "Oh, and of course, I will be the leader."
"That's not a given! To heck with that!" Hayama barked at her. It was an interesting sight to see him lose his cool like this, for he usually acted cool and composed. Alice just knew which buttons to press. "Kurokiba, say something!"
The aloof teen furrowed his brow as he glanced at us. "Once the miss is set on something, you can't stop her."
"Don't give up! Tough it out!" Hayama insisted, still adamantly against their joining. I jumped when he whipped around towards me. "Homura? Are you okay with this?!"
I couldn't help but sweatdrop. Something about this situation feels terribly similar to mine.
I bet Alice tricked Jun into thinking she was pals with Hayama or something. Shiomi-senpai did seem eager for Hayama to befriend others, but she was the one who invited me along in the first place.
Still, I knew Alice was a gastronomy expert, and Kurokiba's skills were on par with Hayama's. I could probably learn a lot from them. Was it selfish of me to think this way? But I don't see the harm in letting two more skilled chefs along.
"I mean, if Shiomi-senpai said so..." I gave a hesitant half-shrug. I was still new to the seminar, so I didn't feel I had the right to speak on Jun's behalf. Hayama rubbed his temple and sighed, disappointed with my passiveness.
I blinked when Alice suddenly seized Hayama and Kurokiba by the wrist and collar respectively, proceeding to drag them down the hall behind her. "Just wait, Yukihira-kun! You too Erina! I'm going to one-up you guys at the festival!"
"Wait, where are you going?" I hurried after them.
Hayama continued to try and talk her out of it. "I'll have you know that our booth location is in the Main Avenue area, so it's not where Yukihira or Nakiri Erina will be..!"
This successfully caused Alice to release her grip on him, still holding Kurokiba by the collar. "What? How tragic."
I stopped once I caught up to the three and huffed. "Is that the whole reason you're joining our booth, Alice-san?"
The albino girl giggled shamelessly. "Yup!"
Hayama and I shared yet another tired look. Perhaps Kurokiba was right, there really was no stopping her.
*~*~*~*
"Wow!" Megumi exclaimed as we took in the Polar Star Dormitory booth.
Isshiki and our friends had set it up in the Yamanote Area. It made sense, I supposed, since Isshiki was one of the Elite Ten. But it was more of a stall than a restaurant compared to other students'.
"Indeed! Our Polar Star Dormitory booth will be serving taro stew!" Isshiki gestured to the setup. "We'll be using a lot of produce grown on the Isshiki farm!"
"So that's why we've been growing so much taro..." I mumbled to myself, earning a dazzling grin from Isshiki.
"The booth's sign's well-made, too." Soma pointed out.
"An Evening of Taro Stew With Isshiki Satoshi." I read the sign which featured a large cartoonish face of the male. "Neat!"
Yuki winked and threw up a peace sign. "I designed it!"
"We built it!" Shoji and Daigo chorused.
"Are you sure using a temporary tent in the high-class Yamanote Area is a good idea?" Soma voiced my earlier thoughts.
"We're hoping to look rustic and approachable." Ryoko answered his question.
"Approachable, huh?" I looked at Isshiki in his signature fundoshi. Muscles bare. Skin gleaming. "...Hm."
"We already have a ton of advance reservations from ladies who attend Isshiki-senpai's cooking class!" Yuki added.
I looked again at Isshiki's bare form once more. ...Okay, that makes more sense.
Isshiki explained how traditional taro stew gatherings occurred on a river bank, and that he was dressed in his fundoshi so he could... plow his own river?! Soma and I sweatdropped as the upperclassman gazed thoughtfully at the nearby creek.
"See you guys!" The three of us waved as we departed to go to our respective booths. It was only a few days until the festival, and I'd agreed to meet with my group at our spot to prepare.
"Tadokoro-san! Homura-chan! Yukihira-kun!" Isami greeted us as we passed by the Aldini booth.
"Isami-kun! 'Pop-up Trattoria Aldini'?" Megumi read the sign featuring a golden script.
"'Trattoria Aldini...?'" I vaguely remembered that name from one of my conversations with Takumi. I snapped my fingers. "Oh, like your family's restaurant!" Isami grinned wider in confirmation.
"You're doing it with Takumi?" Soma asked.
"With all of our classmates, actually." Isami corrected.
"Yukihira! I heard you're going to challenge Kuga-senpai."
We turned around to see the eldest Aldini... and an army of adoring girls behind him.
Right, I think someone mentioned he has a fanclub before... I sweatdropped. I forgot those even existed at this school.
I pursed my lips as the boy's attention remained solely on Soma. We'd barely talked since our visit to the Hot Springs, yet he couldn't even bother to say hello? Then I realized—he's busy making his obligatory 'I-will-defeat-you' speech to Soma.
"Oh, yeah." Soma replied.
Here it comes... I suppressed my amusement.
"Let me say this. You're not the only one who's grown during the Stagiaire. Don't think I'm the same man I was during the prelims!" Takumi lifted his fist and grinned. "I'm the one who'll defeat you!"
And there's our daily Takumi challenge. Tune in for more next time, after these brief commercials.
"Hi, Takumi-kun." I waved. He still hadn't greeted me yet.
"(Name)-chan." He lowered his fist and blinked, intensity dissipating. I wouldn't be surprised if he was so preoccupied with Soma he didn't notice me. "Hi—hello. How... are you? Have you been well?"
"He's making small talk after that?" Soma muttered to himself.
Takumi's fanclub collectively gave me the stink eye. What? I just said hi.
"I'm good. But I think your brother needs something." I giggled, nodding at Isami.
On cue, Isami seized Takumi by the collar and dragged him down the street. "We have to go shopping, Bro."
"Don't forget what I said! You hear me, Yukihira?!" Takumi cried out, enlivened once more.
It's nice to see those two are doing well with their booth, I hummed to myself. As for my own...
"You've got to be kidding me!" A familiar voice shouted nearby. We turned to see the 'Shiomi Research Group Creative Curry Laboratory' featuring a frustrated Hayama. The male looked over and called for me. "Homura, there you are!"
I walked over into what was undoubtedly another one of his and Alice's arguments. "Is this about the menu again?"
Hayama gestured at the girl. "Please tell Nakiri here that she can't change what we already have planned!"
He was right. I tried to reason with Alice, "Hayama-san and I have worked hard to come up with—"
"Why? Why does it have to be curry?" Alice puffed her cheeks, not hearing me. "Homura-chan agrees with me, right?"
They both looked to me for my opinion. Here we go again, always using me as a tie-breaker. I knew it wouldn't matter what I said, so I shrugged lamely.
"We're inviting representatives from Shiomi Research Group's corporate partners! You can't just do whatever you want!" Hayama fired back.
"Then why am I even showing up?!" Alice pouted harder, despite having forced her way onto our team.
An opportunity! I leered. "You don't have to--"
"I have a message from Professor Shiomi." Kurokiba interjected and lifted his phone to reveal a video from Jun.
"I'll manage our corporate partners somehow!" The woman beamed, giving two thumbs up to the camera. "Hayama-kun, go enjoy student life! I trust you and Homura-chan!"
"Jun..." Hayama groaned, unable to protest.
She got us there. I sighed and rubbed my neck. Still, it seems all she wants is for Hayama to have a good time.
"Besides, Professor Shiomi told me to collaborate with you on the menu." Alice continued then launched into another list of elaborate ideas.
I patted Hayama's shoulder as if to say, 'hang in there', and glanced back at Megumi and Soma who watched in amusement.
Soma sent a concerned look and a thumbs up, a silent question: 'You good?'
I mirrored the gesture with a tired smile. 'Wish me luck.' When I turned back around, I saw Alice and Hayama fighting over Kurokiba's phone.
I'm going to need it.
*~*~*~*
A/N: Enter, Alice and Kurokiba! These two are sure to bring chaos in their wake lol, but they're such fun to write. RIP Hayama's sanity >.<
Next Update: September 6th, 2020