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Chapter Text

Chapter Text

For the regular Totuki student, without any school-intrinsic fame to their name, blending back in wasn't too much of a challenge.

Yesterday chanting "C-C-C-Central" at the top of their lungs, today avidly chatting about all the Shokugekis (currently in the prime of their resurgence) that would transpire later that day.

While there had been reported cases of students leaving the school on their own accord after the Regiment de Cuisine's conclusion, the large majority still thought that holding on to even the faintest illusion of the official Totsuki logo on their graduation paper had more worth than any commitment to the ideals they had let themselves get seduced by last year.

Now, with Senzaemon Nakiri back in the headmaster's chair, it was all back to thrilling challenges and hellish classes. From how the other students talked, or wailed, someone could have almost assumed that nearly half of the last school year didn't happen at all.

However, Nene Kinokuni knew better.

She noticed how the others subtly backed out of her tracks in the corridor, how they averted their faces as she walked by - only to feel the many pairs of eyes burn right into her back once Nene had passed.

Having been amongst the six front runners, Nene now served them as a walking reminder for the regime that previously held the school in its grasp. And that made them feel shame, Nene presumed.

How ridiculous.

From the symbol of a new, glorious future to a shadow of regrets and guilt. Could any of them even imagine what she must feel like?

She softly sighed and went for the next door to exit the building, away from all the prying and out into the fresh hair.

Part of Nene envied the seniors for having an easy escape from all this through graduation.

But as her head busied Nene with thoughts about what food she'd make for dinner later, her feet unconsciously, perhaps out of old habit, carried her to a place that she had no reason to be at anymore.

The Elite 10 building somehow had never looked taller to her than it did on that afternoon. As the sun had already begun its slow setting, Nene found herself in the edifice's shadow. Her neck began to hurt as she tried to set sight of the building's top. She knew, from memory, that the council room and the first seat's office as well as personal kitchen space were up there.

She shouldn't be thinking about this.

In another universe, one where she hadn't fallen to the temptation of making a change, in some other dimension, she surely would be filling out countless documents right now.

Not in this one. But it wasn't like she had anyone but herself to blame.

—

The other day, Nene decided to spend her afternoon with Shouko and Julio after the latter had unexpectedly invited her into the Italian RS' kitchen to try one of his new creations. It surprised Nene that the research society had accepted the boisterous blonde into their ranks despite his former alignments but spending some time in privacy sounded better to her than to walk home with the large majority of the crowd, where all their eyes would follow her. So she didn't press on it.

While Nene and Shouko waited for the Half-Italian to finish up, seated on the Research societies' couches, Nene could hardly help the light scowl on her face when eyeing Shouko, whose seating position took up more space than any mannerly person would allow. Whether or not Shouko minded or even took notice of wasn't clear, as she merely continued drinking her apple tea. The clear air of indifference, made Nene feel rather ridiculous in turn and she was quick to avert her eyes again to focus on Julio instead. She knew that part of her was still bitter about how Shouko ended up in the council back then, as it was Nene who had rejected to move up to the 5th seat because it had not felt right to her to simply take it for free. Rather, she thought it only made sense to allow one of the remaining third years to have their second shot (Nene had suspected Central's takeover would result in some uprising, so some more upperclassmen power could not hurt) - without considering the chance that one of her own classmates would weasel herself in and take the free seat up for grabs, just like that. It had annoyed Nene more than she would have liked to admit. Originally, she had planned to earn the fifth seat back from Shouko after the Regiment de Cuisine because she simply could not allow any other first seat in waiting other than herself - but, well, she never got the chance to.

"So, here we go ladies!" Julio cheerfully sing-songed, as he arrived with two plates. "Gee, am I not lucky to have my cooking evaluated by two such distinguished graces?" He cheerfully added as he placed his work down.

"Don't be annoying about it." Shouko cut him off.

Nene hadn't interacted too much with either of them back then, so she wasn't quite sure about what their relationship really was. Julio had pronounced them to be the best of friends earlier, but Shouko had instantly denied. So that hadn't exactly made Nene all the wiser.

"Aw, come on Shouko-chan, learn to take a compliment." Julio pouted, as he turned and went to get his own plate. Shouko merely rolled her eyes before grumbling. "I told you not to call me that."

Once he had sat down too, Nene and Shouko clapped their hands together and thanked him for the food. Then they started to eat.

"Hmm." Nene hummed after the first couple of bites. "This is good, Shiratsu." Julio's face lit up like the sun itself. "Thank you, Kinokuni."

Next to Nene, Shouko closed her eyes as she chewed. She shifted her head to the left, and then to the right. Until finally, she said. "I feel that I recognise this… " Julio proudly pointed at her. "Brilliant catch, Shouko-chan!" "Don't call me that." "This is indeed something I made before, way back when we were all training on the train. But this is an advanced version of that!"

Shouko nodded. "Well, it's go-" "It was lightly inspired by one of the dishes I've seen Tsukasa-senpai make." Julio jollily continued, to which Shouko's frown returned. "If Tsukasa-senpai ever gets to taste this, don't tell him that."

Julio let out a loud gasp. Then he wailed. "Why must you always wound me so, Shouko-chan?" "I'm just being honest. And how many times do I have to tell you to not call me that?" Shouko grumbled before she continued to eat.

"Say, would any of you two get back into the Elite 10…?" Nene suddenly heard herself asking. "If given the chance?"

Immediately she internally questioned herself for why she had said that.

Julio only looked up from his plate in surprise but Shouko on the other hand had her answer immediately. "Hard no."

This wasn't what Nene had expected to hear. With a very light frown, she asked. "Why not?" In return, Shouko only shrugged. "All that hype the council gets, yet it feels like no one bothered to even do as much as remember my name." She clicked her tongue. "So why should I bother a second time?"

Julio lifted a finger, swinging it like some scolding parent. "Maybe the people would remember your name better if you weren't hiding your lovely face underneath that edgy cap all the time!" He was about to reach out for said cap but Shouko promptly slapped his hand away, almost hissing as she did.

So Julio, instead, decided to shift his gaze to Nene.

"I am fine to keep working in the Italian RS for now. Help it to more prominence." He puffed out his chest and Nene thought to imagine sparkles around him for a moment before she quickly shook her head. "Isshiki wiped the floor with me back at the Regiment de Cuisine." Julio theatrically sighed. "All with nothing but the power of friendship." Suddenly, he was wiping a single tear from his eye. "I think his skillful handling of eel contributed." Shouko deadpanned next to him. But Julio just vehemently shook his head. "I've realised that rivalries alone don't make me grow as a chef. If I ever want Donato-sama to notice me, I have to go out, connect and improve myself and I am happy that the Italian RS has taken me in despite all."

"Corny." Was all Shouko had to say about this moving speech.

Julio huffed. "Speak for yourself. I'm not blind, I've seen you go in and out of the kitchen which I know that future hotel chef has secured to himself, what was his name again..? …Hans?" When Shouko promptly flushed red at that, the widest, happy grin spread on Julio's face. "For 'connecting' I assume."

"Wha…..What are you a stalker?!" Shouko grit her teeth while pulling her hat deep into her face. Nene only tilted her head.

Julio, of course, kept on talking despite his friend sinking further and further into the couch. "It's nothing to be ashamed of Shouko-chan! This is what our precious youth is for after all, as Isshiki would say!" When all the reply he got was "ughhh", he continued. "Besides, it's probably good for us to have some distraction right now. I have barely seen Eizan in class around even- He's probably doing more consulting work than ever!"

Now that Julio had mentioned it, Nene realised that she had seen very little of her delinquent classmate in recent days as well. And Julio was likely right on the money with his assumption. But how the school was back tolerating such flippant attitudes despite everything was beyond her. Maybe he was paying someone in the administration off-

"Oh by the way, what are you up to right now, Kinokuni?" Julio's question snapped her out of her thoughts so abruptly, it was as if she was being splashed in the face with a bucket of freezing cold water.

Nene averted her gaze to stare down at her tea and scratched her mug, which made for a way louder and uncomfortable sound than anticipated by her. The image of the Elite 10 building spooked in her head for a moment.

"Oh…" Her voice came out hoarse. "Oh, you know…" After clearing her throat to stall for time, she answered. "Oh you know there's always something…new for me to study…"

"Always the avid student, of course!" Julio heartedly laughed. But Nene could only grip her cup tighter.

—

After one week in which Nene had just mechanically gone to school and back home, somewhat good news reached her at last as the ban the larger Culinary Elite had temporarily laid on her, seemingly got lifted in the form of an invite to a known restaurant's anniversary party.

It wasn't something she would have gone to a few months ago. But now, with no real other work or documents keeping her company in the lonely evenings, she decided she could just as well show up.

Nene straightened her back before exiting the town car that had brought her to the brightly-lightened restaurant. She stabilised the fine line her glossy pink lips were forming and lowered her long eyelashes to a level that made her look distant, and even a little disinterested.

Sharply, she sucked in the refreshing evening air one last time before stepping through the door.

She had nothing to fear. Being invited at all was already a good sign for things moving on.

Nene entered the dimly lit seafood place. Faint Jazz played in the background, barely heard over the chattery of the people. All the restaurant's regular tables, both on the upper floor and lower floor, had been moved away for the night, to make place for some buffet tables instead. Nene knew because she had been here before. The head chef was a loyal partner to Totsuki and sometimes gave seminars on fish there. One of Nene's first tasks in the Elite 10 had been to help out in here when the owner had requested some of Totsuki's assistance. Somei Saito had been sent with her too. She had felt so proud back then.

Nene shook her head.

There were several coat hangers, but Nene didn't expect to stay too long or have all that much conversation, so she kept her light jacket on and walked past them.

However, her assumption seemed to be proven wrong when a familiar voice suddenly called out her name. "Kinokuni?"

Surprised, Nene turned her face to the side and upwards to meet the piercing, yellow eyes of none other than Etsuya Eizan. He wore the usual, half-heartedly put-together suit: all opened jacket, no tie but loosened collar with the stupid trademark-gold chain glistening between it. The style she had seen him sport on a good many fancy events before and that made him look more like Yakuza than respectable businessman. What was somewhat striking though was his hairstyle. Instead of the usual two strands of lonesome hair, much more of it fell into his face in the form of visible bangs. Nene didn't know whether or not that was result of him using a tad less gel, or why that made for a good look, or what must be wrong with her to have any thoughts whatsoever on Etsuya Eizan's hair at all - has she gone silly? - There were other matters to ponder about.

"Eizan." Nene greeted, in her characteristic plain and frosty manner. "You're here too? What a coincidence." Had she cared more about him, she would have remarked on how little they've seen each other in school as of late, but how was that her concern? Even if part of her found it weird, seeing how much more frequently they were together when-

No.

She would not be thinking about that tonight.

"A future client brought me along because he said he preferred 'a more casual, light-hearted environment' for negotiation." Etsuya made quotation marks in the air before scornfully clicking his tongue. "I think he just aims to make me drunk." He added bluntly.

Nene's lips twitched in a light grimace. "How charming." She answered drily. Lovely sounding people he chose to spend his time with.

Etsuya didn't seem to mind that tone, seeing that, in turn, he just confidently smirked. Something that only deepened Nene's frown. "Of course, I won't let him."

"Good luck with that." Nene deadpanned in response, mentally noting that it would probably be wise to not stick around Etsuya too much for this night if he was to hang with what sounded like very shady company.

Not that this was out of the norm for him though….it seemed like truly everyone had been able to settle right back in….

"Thanks." Etsuya answered, unbothered by the lack of emotional investment in her voice. Rather, his smirk grew with even more vainness. It made Nene want to roll her eyes. "Not that I will need any."

"Of course." Nene muttered. "Well, please excuse me, Eizan, but I still need to greet the host." And without giving him much of a chance to respond, she turned and walked on.

Luckily, she found the host, Tokinori Gero, rather quickly and immediately congratulated him on his restaurant's anniversary as well as thanked him for the invitation.

"I am happy to have you here, Kinokuni-san. I wouldn't want such great support as you and Saito-kun were missing from this festive." Tokinori smiled, and for a moment a bit of happiness gleamed in Nene's chest. "Too bad that he was much too occupied to come, but those are the young adult responsibilities, I suppose. That makes me all the more glad that you could make it, though! I know that the third year on Totsuki can be quite the busy one." And just like that, something in Nene twinged yet again and quenched the brief flicker of warmth immediately.

Her voice quietened when she answered. "I did not want to miss this occasion."

"I see that your reliability can still be counted on." Tokinori laughed, and it sounded friendly to Nene's ears but somehow puzzled her mind. Were there things about her that could not be counted on anymore?

She blankly stared at Tokinori, whose shoulder was already being tapped by another guest, while she tried her best to chase that one faint voice out of her head.

Tokinori gave her one last smile before turning his head to the other guest. "I hope you enjoy the party." And despite not having any of his attention anymore, Nene absently nodded at him before she retreated.

While she strode past the other guests, Nene tried not to shake her head as she internally told herself: "You're ridiculous, stop being stupid, stop overreacting and get yourself together, Nene, will you…!" over and over. She did not even fully register that she walked right up to one of the buffet tables. Only when she was half a meter in front of it, the girl finally came to a halt.

For a moment, Nene stood still. A bit perplexed, she looked down to the impressive assortment of delicacies. Then, at last, she decided to make the best of it and quickly took one of the little plates that had been provided alongside the food - anything else would have looked weird anyway.

Picking out the most appealing of the horsd' œuvre turned out to make for a nice little distraction. But then, just as she had finished putting together her small selection, a new voice called her from the side. "…Kinokuni? Kinokuni Nene?"

When Nene shifted her head into the direction it had come from, she found the sight of a woman in Kimono. She had violet eyes and wore her dark hair up in a bun. Nene immediately clocked her as Shigeno Kuraki, the current president of the renowned Kuraki restaurant.

"Kuraki-san." Nene called out and quickly bowed her head. "Go...Good evening, what a surprise to see you here too."

"Ah, so you remember me!" Shigeno giggled, while politely holding her hand in front of her pink lips. "Good evening to you too."

"But of course." Nene answered and tried not to stammer. Shigeno had been the judge she had most wanted to impress way back during her Autumn Election premlins. "I feel like I should be the one saying this."

"How could I ever forget the Kinokuni heiress?" Shigeno jollily chirped. "I still remember how much the Soba you made that day reminded me of your father's cooking… A chef whom I admire greatly!"

Again, Nene felt a gleam in her chest. Warmth sparked in her cheeks.

She quickly bowed her head again. "Tha…That flatters me to hear, Kuraki-san."

"Speaking of…", Shigeno continued, "…will you be at the soirrée that your parents have invited to in a month?" Originally, she didn't want to but now Nene felt compelled to say: "Yes."

"Splendid." The woman in front of her beamed. "I would love to taste some of your Soba again. I will look forward to seeing you there, then. Because tonight I still have some business to discuss, so I'll be on my way. But it was nice to meet you again, young Kinokuni." She gave an appreciative nod. One that Nene returned. "Likewise, Kuraki-san."

Once Shigeno had passed, Nene was left to feel a lot lighter. The appetisers on her plate looked all the more enticing than before. The faint jazz had a more joyous quality to it. The restaurant's lighting looked a lot warmer.

At that moment, Nene allowed herself a small smile.

—

The horsd' œuvre were delicious. So much so, that Nene got herself a second serving. But after delighting in that, she decided to better check the clock. It told her that she had already spent a lot more time in here than she had originally anticipated - a small little success, if she could say so herself. But now it was probably time to call it a night.

She planned to order herself another car right after she had gone to the bathroom. It would leave her with some room to properly goodbye Tokinori.

As she sat there in her cabin and thought about the classes she'd have tomorrow, she suddenly heard the door opening.

"Aah…what does that Jinguu-fellow not understand!" Immediately, Nene recognised Shigeno's voice. "I have made it clear as day that I don't have any interest in his advances!"

Another feminine voice giggled at that. "You might have to slap it into him." "I might as well will!" Shigeno huffed, and Nene couldn't help but smirk to herself at that.

Then, however, the other female voice spoke up again. "By the way, Shigeno-chan, I saw you talking to the young Kinokuni earlier…"

"Yes." Shigeno confirmed casually. "What about it?"

"Nothing much." The other said. "I just don't get why… I haven't heard the best stories as of late."

Nene stiffened.

"Ah, come on now. She's just a teenager, not internationally sought after by the government." She could practically imagine Shigeno making a waving-off motion with her hand from the tone she had used. "Besides, you are going to show up to that soirrée that the Kinokuni family is holding too, I know it."

"Which we both know they're doing for damage control." The other voice argued.

Nene gripped her knees, as she felt an icy cold crawl up her spine.

"Listen." Shigeno sighed. "I've had a dish of that Yukihira-kid before too. It is difficult to match such sheer boldness and originality. To simply say that that fellow thinks out of the box does not nearly cut it to describe his approach."

Nene's nails dug through the fabric of her dress.

"I think, I just felt…., you know,…..a bit of pity."

Nene could feel her heart explode.

Insurmountable pain reaping through her body one last time, before all of it numbed.

"Hm…I guess that's fair." The other voice mused. "That girl had the potential for a first seat after all. What a shame."

They then went on to talk a bit about their makeup and Shigeno's upcoming trip to Singapore, and Nene could only sit in freezing coldness and stare at her cabin's door until the two finally left after all.

And still, Nene was paralysed.

Her face and her mind, both were completely blank.

There was no feeling in her body. She hardly registered the strength of the grip that she had on her knees. It was as if she was floating through ice water.

Nene didn't know how many seconds, or minutes or maybe even hours had passed until at last one thought settled back into her mind.

I need to get out of here.

And just like that, she could sense the blood pump in her again - racing to wake up the rest of her body.

I need to get out here. Now.

She jumped up, suddenly feeling entirely electrified.

Fast as lightning, she adjusted her clothes and rushed out of the cabin to wash her hands after. Then she nearly fell to the door.

The step back into the restaurant made her entire body tingle with nervosity. Everywhere, in every corner, under every lamp, there were people. And they were all clinging classes and talking.

Talking about what?

Talking about the last year?

Talking about Hokkaido?

Talking…..about her?

She needed to get out of here immediately. Get out without showing an ounce of fear. For that would only fuel the ridicule.

And so, her face hardened as her steps hurried.

Fortunately, the main door was not all too far from the restrooms making the swift escape that she needed possible. Thank the heavens that she didn't give up her coat earlier, so she didn't need to waste any further time.

However, right as she had her hand on the handle - her whole body was made to jolt as she heard her name being called from behind her.

"Kinokuni?"

Slowly, Nene turned. Every mental shield she had, she pulled up. Neither her eyes, nor her lips, nor anything else shall betray her.

She turned and was met with the sight of a frowning Etsuya - whose presence at this event she had wholly forgotten about. Not that she had much time for him now. So, she coolly raised an eyebrow to signal him to ask whatever he wanted to ask and make it quick, all the while her hand continued gripping the door handle as if it was the last remaining firm thing to hold onto in the midst of a storm surge.

His frown deepened a bit. "Are you leaving already?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" She snarked.

The ends of Etsuya's curled in mild indignation, but he kept them firmly pressed together to prevent himself from full-on grimacing. Instead, he took a glance outside the window near the door and raised an eyebrow. "Don't see any car waiting out there." He observed.

Shoot! She forgot about that.

"And how is that your concern?" Nene frostily countered.

"Well." At that, Etsuya averted his gaze to the side. Almost as if he was, for the lack of a better word, nervous to say the following words. "It's quite late. Not the best idea for you to stand out there all on your own."

For a moment, Nene could only stare at him.

Seriously? In all of the 17, nearly 18, years that this guy had walked earth to spread terror wherever he could - this was the moment where he suddenly decided to take a shot at being a gentleman?

She sighed, because she had no time for whatever phase he decided to go through.

She needed to go out. She needed the air.

"I can handle myself, Eizan." Nene insisted firmly.

Etsuya's sharp eyes turned back to her, momentarily flickered down to the door handle, and then met her's again. Nene bit the inside of her cheek to keep her lips the in perfect straight line she needed them to be.

For what must have been three of Nene's very fast heartbeats, Etsuya didn't say anything. Then, he sighed. "Listen, I've told my driver to wait by a nearby café. He should be here quite quick." He scratched the right side of his head, as his gaze shifted somewhere to the side again. "We can take you home."

"That won't be necessary." Nene protested. And it alerted her how her voice was beginning to weaken as she did. Probably from how tight she held on to the door still.

Etsuya looked back at her again, one eyebrow raised and ready to argue. "What? So you prefer to stand out in the cold for twenty minutes? Alone, at this hour? No, Kinokuni…" Deciding, as he spoke, the man had the audacity to just step forward, lay his larger hand around Nene's, and pull the handle down himself. Nene could only watch, deeply outraged of course. But, luckily for him, Etsuya was quick to remove his hand again and rather used it to give the opened door an additional push.

Finally, Nene could pull her hand away as well (which lightly hurt from how hard she had gripped onto the iron this entire time), once the breeze of the chilly night swept through her hair.

Etsuya stepped out first and, while still not exactly pleased with how this had gone down, Nene followed.

Immediately she took a deep breath to calm both her nerves and heart. Hearing the door shut behind her, and all of the chattery with it, made her eyes close in relief.

For a brief moment, Nene allowed herself to enjoy that peace. Then, she turned her head up to Etsuya - only to see that he was already holding his phone to his ear and talking to his driver. From how his face darkened in just that one-minute phone call, Nene could tell he was getting annoyed. It cumulated when he spat "Fine!" and then pressed down on the hang-up button so fiercely that Nene wouldn't have been surprised had the display cracked.

Etsuya angrily stared at his phone as if it had bit his ear. "'Let me finish my Cappuccino'!" He then barked in a mocking voice. "Goddamn, how I hate these useless ninnies!"

Nene could only watch that passionate outburst with one of her best annoyed looks before she sighed. "Is it to my correct understanding that I could have very well just ordered my own car, then?"

Etsuya shifted his head back to her, and maybe the darkness of the night was playing mind games with her, but it seemed like his features softened a bit as he did. But only a bit. "Why are you so obstinate in turning down something that's for free, Kinokuni?" He grumbled. "It's just a coffee…" , one second ago it hadn't been 'just a' coffee but Nene let him keep talking for one, "…and he's still much closer than most other services you could call right now."

It pained her, but seeing that she was indeed ready to be home at last, Nene decided not to argue further back. So, she abruptly turned her head away from him - not wishing to see the triumphant smirk that would surely spread on his face when he noticed her giving in.

Instead, she decided to keep him busy so that she could space out. "How did things with your client go?"

Etsuya didn't respond immediately - maybe the question had surprised him, who knew? Then he began. "Oh yeah…I was able to sort that out…" It didn't sound entirely honest to Nene's ears but, then again, when was Etsuya Eizan ever honest?

So Nene just let him trail off into some of the details (he had always liked to tell her about his businesses for some reason, she did not know why), while she retreated into her thoughts.

But as his voice became distant, and her focus on her own self became clearer, she noticed how heavy and empty her chest felt at the same time. While she had been thankful for it at first, she now started to be more and more cold in the freezing night air - making her pull her coat tighter.

With a blank stare, Nene fixated an ad for Instant Ramen on the other side of the street as her head began swarming.

Maybe she should make herself some Ramen tomorrow.

It had been some time since she had worked with Ramen.

Something new. Something fresh.

That would surely spice up her life a bit.

"Oh by the way, what are you up to right now, Kinokuni?"

Spice.

She has not cooked much with chili either, now that she thought about it.

"I know that the third year on Totsuki can be quite the busy one."

Next time she would go shopping, she should definitely get more chili.

She was certain there was much horizon to expand on.

"I see that your reliability can still be counted on."

Could she make good Ramen using chili?

"Always the avid student, of course!"

There sure must be ways for that…

"That girl had the potential for a first seat after all."

In fact, she remembered seeing Ramen be made with a lot of Chili…

"I think, I just felt…., you know,…..a bit of pity."

It was, back then…

During the….

"…Kinokuni? Kinokuni!"

Suddenly, Nene felt a hand on her shoulder and heard Etsuya's voice somewhere close to her. She thought he sounded somewhat alert. Slowly, the rest of the world around the Instant Ramen ad was beginning to come back clear to her again as well. She registered that it had gotten windier too, as a strain of her hair narrowly got caught between her lips.

Slowly, she turned her head up to Etsuya in confusion.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes sharp as he looked down on her.

She wanted to frown right back. Ask him what his deal was. But somehow she found herself unable to as she suddenly noticed a strong, unbearable burning in her throat.

Then, Etsuya spoke, in both an observant and bewildered tone. "Kinokuni….You're crying…."

Nene's eyes widened, her lips parted for a gasp that never came, as only then could she feel the big, wet pearls that were trailing down her cheeks.

Chapter Text

"How about we meet at Gero Tokinori's upcoming anniversary party to discuss the details? In this day and age, there's no need for business to be so stiff all the time, don't you agree? I prefer myself a casual and light-hearted environment for negotiation."

"I'll gladly take you up on that offer." Etsuya mockingly smirked to himself, while using his most amicable voice when speaking into the phone.

He knew exactly what that old fool on the other side was probably thinking to himself. That Etsuya was just a big-headed teenager, one with cleverness and resources, but a teenager nonetheless. Someone whose ego had to be kept in check by the elders, someone who could still be disciplined and shoved into lane, someone you could easily get drunk to score a better deal.

It was difficult for Etsuya not to audibly snicker at that thought. There was only one involved party that was being the naive one at the moment. He, for one, was certain to hold the man in the palm of his hand by just the next week.

But when the day came and Etsuya, as promised, showed up to Tokinori Gero's little party, he had his plans entirely derailed with the appearance of Nene Kinokuni. Because the very moment she entered that restaurant, she had hazied his mind more than any amount of liquor could ever.

Etsuya had only spent minimal time at Totsuki lately, and while he could very well do without most of his dimwit classmates and comments behind a held up hand about "gyoza" or "pizza" or whatever, he was hit with the realisation that she had been a sight that he had missed.

Nene Kinokuni had let her hair down.

And the look stunned him not only in its unfamiliarity but also its beauty. So silky, it spilled over her shoulder like a waterfall.

For the night, she had put on a brown coat and a pink dress - one which Etsuya would have attributed as "simple" had he seen it in the store on a mannequin, but on her, it was made to look like an exquisite ballgown somehow.

However, it was only when they talked that he slowly begun to notice that something was off.

Nene Kinokuni had never made it a secret that she was not too fond of him.

How could she? When she was so prim, so proper and so devoted to all of her rule and protocols? The girl was brought up far beyond any danger, any bad influence and with a surname that was squeaky clean and demanded respect within the industry. From the very first year of middle school on, she had been the picture perfect Totsuki student and every teacher's favorite.

And a guy like Etsuya Eizan was everything that this girl's parents likely taught her to stay away from.

So he was used to the underlying sharpness in her frosty voice. Was used to that hint of a suspicious glare on her otherwise stony face.

Even when they had spent so many hours with one another during the Central regime, Nene had always meant to subtly remind him that she considered herself above him - in seat, in skill, in honor.

And that was what was went momentarily missing that night: The autocratic superiority in her demeanour that she usually met him with and that both infuriated and compelled him.

But no, that night, not only was her hair different but something about her too.

During their first conversation, she still did a decent enough job upholding the usual attitude. However, already then, Nene sounded somewhat rushed and left him standing relatively quick. The suddenness of it startled even him. As dismissive of him as she could often be, Etsuya had seldom seen her make the legit run for it. She enjoyed the sense of elevation his presence probably made her feel way too much for that, he thought.

And half of Etsuya's thoughts continued to hang with Nene and her opened hair, when he met with his contact at the bar and was subjected to an uninteresting lecture about the guy's family history and business aims.

Seriously? After all both him and her had been through the past year? They had sat together on the plane ride to Hokkaido, had spent months together on just a train, he had been close by when he watched her whole world shatter in those beautiful red eyes of her's the very moment that emcee in rock concert clothes announced the rebel's victory…

And now they talked for the first time in months and she reacted like he had pointed a gun at her.

Damn, that girl-

The second time he saw Nene was when she was already making her way to the exit. Her step was even faster now, her movements rigid and automatic, her eyes looked like they had seen a ghost.

Before Etsuya even realised himself, he had told his contact to wait a moment and stopped her right when she was about to leave. During that second talk, that was when he seriously started to notice something being off with her. Instead of the prideful snow queen he knew, she reminded him more of a scared cat then, backed into a corner and desperately hissing as a warning.

It was entirely, yes uncharacteristically, stupid of Etsuya. He had a conversation, a deal and a glass of whiskey, which his shady contact would undoubtedly offer him with a foolish wink, waiting. But still, he followed her outside. At least to have his eyes on Nene for as long she stood in the dark, and make his driver pick her up, it was the least he could do for an old accomplice.

And then all of the sudden she was crying.

And he had no idea what to do.

While this was hardly the first crying face Etsuya ever saw, his experience relied on causing tears, not to stop them.

At first, he couldn't even manage to get her attention when he said her name. Nene looked like she was stuck in a trance. The tears rolled over her cheek like raindrops on a porcelain puppet. Etsuya found himself with not much choice but to grab her by her shoulder. And once she looked up at him with a pair of clouded lifeless eyes, the otherwise so eloquent business man couldn't find anything better to say than a simple dumbounded observation.

"Kinokuni, you're crying."

From the face Nene was making then, it almost looked like she had only realised so herself just now.

Bewildered she raised a hand to grace her own cheek - and then, as if struck by lighting, promptly turned her head away from him.

"No, I…it's just…" She hoarsely tried to deny, her voice laced with disbelief.

Etsuya could tell she was fighting, he heard her quickened breath, saw her shoulders shivering, and took note of how she tried to fan herself air while at the same time desperately attempting to be subtle about it. But it was no use, as a broken sob escaped her.

What was it? The fourth…or fifth time he had witnessed her in tears now? And this time there was no Rindou-senpai to hug her and no sickeningly noble, self-righteous childhood friend whose recognition of equality she had desperately yearned for.

Just that one troublesome man whose company she was entirely too good for.

Etsuya wouldn't get any information out of her, whatever it was that made Nene hide her face into her hands at the moment. Nene would be far too afraid that he'd sell that to the tabloids the next morning and it wasn't like he could exactly blame her for that impression.

But damn it, he wanted to know.

Ever since the day he first met her, when they were just twelve, all he has known from her eyes was frozen dignity and a stern determination to defend it. Whenever they stood next to one another, she had proudly held her head up high and had straightened her back - as if that could make her appear taller than him. And so she had also acted: looking down on him despite the physical impossibility of doing so.

Really, while he had ruthlessly assembled his army of hooligans through intimidation, blackmail, Shokugekis and other not very favourable methods which had gotten him compared to the Yakuza by many of his other classmates, this girl, younger and shorter than him, with her antique circular glasses, perfectly ironed uniform and, back then, proper bob, had all the nerve to continuously counter him. And she did it so calmly, so regally, so cold and so unafraid.

What had caused this much treasured, polished jewel of a girl the cracks?

"Kinokuni…?" Etsuya tried again, but as he should have known, to very little avail. And shoot, he didn't even have a damn tissue to hand her!

So they stood for maybe a minute, with Nene trying to get herself under control, and Etsuya fidgeting in place - getting more and more frustrated, not knowing what to do.

All that pent up frustration finally unloaded on the driver, once that guy finally arrived. "Where have you been?!" Etsuya barked right into the driver's - immediately paling - face, after he had let the car's window down.

The addressed quickly shrunk together behind the steering wheel. "Young Master, I..I…told you I was…"

"Wasting my time, as usual!" Etsuya interrupted, exasperated. He was dead certain that his father rolled off his most incompetent employees on him as another form of punishment for 'going against his back'.

"Stop yelling, Eizan…" Nene spoke up at last, reprimanding him again at last, even if her voice still sounded softer than usual. Etsuya could see her rubbing her eyes one last time before she turned around.

Nene's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were puffy and the pretty make up was running.

Etsuya figured quickly that he should do better than to stare at her for too long, as strange and encapsulating the sight she was giving was.

So he his gaze flicker to the right, grit his teeth and then his eyes flicker back to the left and to the driver. "Well," Etsuya grumbled a bit quieter but still blunt, "get out of yer seat and open the car door for her, will you?!"

He heard a huff from the side and found that Nene had regained some more of her usual strength, straightening her back and lifting her head a bit. But still, she had to quickly, frantically run her eyes free of any left over tears. "Ho…Honestly…can't you do anything yourself?" She asked in a slightly hoarse but stern enough voice as she walked to the car and past him. "Any…any mannerly man of your standing would simply open the door himself instead of terrorising his employees. Why do you always have to be so uncouth?"

Silky green hair whooshed past Etsuya and already Nene had opened the car door herself and sat down.

As ever so often, Etsuya was first stunned into silence. Then he grit his teeth again, threw the stupidly thankful looking driver one of his worst death glares and marched all around the car. Frustrated with her continued hostility towards him and his silly inability to counter her, Etsuya flung the door open and threw himself on the seat. Nene probably would have made some snippy remark about that as well, if she hadn't turned her head away. Still, he let her know that he didn't approve of her comment by giving a loud and indignant snort.

She didn't respond.

After Etsuya had then wrote a quick message to his contact that he 'regrettably' had to leave early due to a sudden, important matter, he asked. "So, where should we take you, Kinokuni?"

Still, Nene didn't turn. But after she had muttered her answer, Etsuya bluntly addressed the driver again. "You heard her!"

"Ye…Yes, young master…" The driver stammered.

As the car began moving, the two young adults spent the first five minutes in silence. Nene's face was practically glued to the window, probably because she suspected herself how messy she likely looked. Meanwhile Etsuya was still sulking a bit.

Then, however, the situation started to slowly dawn on him.

For the first time, in months, Nene and him were alone. No party guests around, no classmates, not even any of the senpais…this was rare.

And even if the conditions were all the more strange, Eizan felt suddenly compelled to not let this moment slip.

Who knows? He had heard from others that distraction could help in moments like these.

"So…", he tried, "What made you go to the party?"

Nene stiffened for a moment, before giving her short answer. "I was invited."

Etsuya tried not to audibly sigh. This was expected of her. He was used to lead the conversation normally anyway. After a bit of thinking, he asked. "Ah, I remember…You and Saito helped old Gero out back in the day, eh?"

At first Nene said nothing. Then.

"Don't call him 'old Gero', he's an alumni, as is Saito-senpai, by the way. Be a bit more respectful." She protectively clenched her fists into the skirt of her dress.

Etsuya frowned at that curious display. Then, without much thinking, he scoffed. "Alumni and needs the help of students!" He had never understood why a longer amount of years spent on this earth was supposedly worthy of his respect. Etsuya had met more than enough incompetent adults in his life to teach him that mere age did not always equate to wisdom.

"Don't say that." Nene spoke, trying to keep her voice as firm as possible. "Gero-senpai is a very skilled and knowledgeable chef."

Etsuya clicked his tongue. Why did she have to sound almost offended on behalf of this random past Totsuki charity case? The girl had to give herself more credit for all the supposed professionals she had pulled out of the mud already just in her one year of time spent in the Elite 10. "Hey- hey… I'm just saying, you and Saito…senpai ought to get some of that praise you're giving that old geezer now! Don't be such a priss."

Nene still kept her head turned from him, but the grip on herself seemed to strengthen. "You-…", she loudly sighed, "…your consistent insistence of being such an insolence is one of the many reasons I cannot get along with you."

Etsuya snorted, as he got more and more frustrated. He had tried complimenting her and even that blew up in his face! "Well excuse me, Princess!" He huffily crossed his arms." "Well, who's taking you home right now, huh?! I even let a deal slip because of you, Kino-" Etsuya quickly bit his tongue as he had talked too fast. And too late did he remember that earlier that night he had told Nene to have secured that very deal.

Nene let out a soft huff. Then she finally turned her head to him, with narrowed, slightly reddened eyes framed by ruined mascara. "Oh. Pardon for intruding on your business talk with some suspicious, irresponsible adult, who intended to get you - a student - drunk!"

For a moment this stunned him. Completely. This somehow….sounded different to how she usually countered him. Then he tried to retort. "I can handle myse-"

"Do yourself a favour and be more careful." Was all Nene said before quickly turning her head away again.

Etsuya clenched his fist, once again rendered speechless with only a subtle "tch" escaping him a couple of heartbeats later. With some undefinable emotions starting to dwell in him, he felt short on what to say more.

What did she know? Little Miss Perfect, who was probably brought up by adoring parents in her idyllic, traditional home safely shut away from the real world and all of its rotten evils. She wasn't like him, who had been brought up in the ruthless world of business since young age. He had to learn and adapt to its mechanism, or otherwise he could have not survived. He had played this game for long enough, and knew how to win. After all he seldom had anyone around close to cower behind.

But Etsuya simply didn't have it in him to vocalise all of that in that moment, for some odd reason.

So a few more minutes spent in silence passed, until they arrived at her place and she quickly got off with a quietly muttered "thank you" and "good night".

Etsuya ordered the driver to stay parked in front of her building until Nene had entered it.

But even as they had long driven off, her voice kept ringing back into this head.

"Do yourself a favour and be more careful."

Etsuya clicked his tongue, grit his teeth and took out his phone.

How ridiculous.

—

Nene Kinokuni woke up with heavy regrets. Not only was the party a complete disaster but then she had pathetically broken into tears in front of Etsuya Eizan of all people. And in vain efforts to maintain the illusion of her stupid pride - she had to continuously snark at him too. Argued with him. Insulted him.

Not that the guy didn't deserve to be set straight. But the timing had not been smart of her.

Etsuya Eizan had seen the proper and the perfect Nene Kinokuni break down during a normal conversation, like some mad woman, and she had been so wise to pick fights with him nearly right after - likely only providing him with even more motivation to use the embarrassing sight she had granted him with against her. Etsuya wasn't the type to let ammunition go unused after all.

After a moment of serious contemplation to ruin her perfect school attendance and call in sick, Nene stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom with the heaviest of hearts. She avoided even a glance into the mirror. The very sight of this mess of a girl, who just couldn't do anything - even the simplest things - right, was too much to bear in this early morning.

Nene dreaded the day ahead of her. She had never felt more nauseous putting on that navy blue school uniform. Knowing herself how childish the thought was, part of her still wished that maybe all of yesterday was a nightmare…somehow.

Every step she took through the apartment and out into the street where an ordered driver was waiting…every step felt like an effort, haunting, every instinct in her screaming to turn right around. It felt like she was lead right to her public execution.

A taunting presence was waiting. One that sensed bleeding wounds like a hungry shark. And what could please him more than seeing the once picture perfect girl, always looking down on him from her throne, broken into shambles on the floor before him?

The corners of her eyes were burning again when Nene sat down into the town car.

When exactly had been the last time, she had looked forward to school?

Once upon a time, Nene remembered looking forward to certain classes, looking forward to the return of tests she knew she had aced, looking forward to calm afternoons in the library… Her school days had been filled with success, with daily praise from the teachers, admiring looks from some of the juniors….but that was all before…before everything went wrong.

Nene sunk together on the car seat. Crushed underneath both anxiety and sorrow.

How far had she fallen that she was now acting scared of the former ninth seat Etsuya Eizan? Who she had always managed to put in place before? Truly she was not much but a sorry mess anymore.

As the car neared Totsuki's gates, Nene began taking steady breaths. She gripped her hands into her skirt and stabilised her face into the emotionless mask she had perfected through the many years.

She could do this…

She could do this…

It was just Eizan…

…hustler, no good at all, loser….Etsuya Eizan…

She could do this…

Besides he was barely in school lately…

…maybe today he would be missing too?

She could do this….

But Nene felt the blood freeze in her veins, and her whole body go rigid as result, when she exited the car and immediately saw Etsuya Eizan, all in the leopard-printed glory of his rowdily assembled school uniform, leaning by the gate, with a victorious smirk on his face - one that only grew as his sharp, yellow, snake-like eyes found hers.

Chapter Text

An eleven year old Etsuya Eizan strode out onto Totsuki's streets like he was already owning them. Because he would. Little of Totsuki's important standing, it's long history, its strict judgements, the self important faces of it's examiners - none of this impressed him. To young Etsuya this school was nothing more but a mere stepping stone. It would score him more connections, more resources and more influence. All what Etsuya would need on his way to the top of the scene.

He took out his phone and was greeted by a couple of text messages from his aunt, asking him how the interview went and to call him when it's over. Etsuya rolled his eyes a little. They had already phoned in the morning!

Deciding to call her later in the car, he put his phone back into his pocket, when a faint sound behind him was diverting his attention. "Aheam."

Etsuya turned his head to the right and downwards.

"You're blockading the door."

His eyes fell on a girl with green, short hair and big, red eyes that looked at him like he had just spit onto her shoes.

Truthfully, like the girl said, Etsuya was only standing half way out of the door in which Totsuki's Middle School Exam had taken place in. Now that he eyed her a bit more closely, he recognised that she had been part of the same Group Interview as him. The dull girl who sat between the loser with an embarrassing bowl cut and the blankly staring nerd with glasses. Just like them she had grovelled, and sung praises for the school, something about its long history and her admiration for it or so. His lips curled into a sneering smirk. After turning to her in full, he positioned himself to block the door completely.

"Am I?" Etsuya raised an eyebrow, amused by the seriousness on her round face - her cheeks looked puffy all clenched like that - and the sternness of her posture - hands on hips and all.

"Yes, you are." The girl asserted, her light voice surprisingly cutting. "And it is very rude." When Etsuya was still not moving away, her face darkened. Her tone dropped in temperature. "The same can be said about your little speech during the interview just now."

"I've been told honesty is a virtue." Etsuya just shrugged. "Interviews are about leaving an impression and that's what I just did." His arrogant grin widened, when he recalled the examiner's speechless faces, even if he had all but voiced what was the true core of everyone's motivation. Praising the school for its history, highlighting its international standing, it was all a social code that concealed an selfish interest of recognition and success. Even choosing to talk about your family restaurant only thinly hid the wish for the school's name to polish one's own. It was an elbow rubbing world, and just because everyone else wanted to be polite about it, didn't mean Etsuya had to be. A sharp, confident way with words could stun even the elders into silence. He didn't want any verbal headpats, didn't want to be told what a "good boy" he was before they turn right around again and rather continue talking to one of the actual adults, no, Etsuya wanted to be the one in control of the conversation. Wanted for them to listen to him.

"What rotten ideals for you to parade as 'honesty'."The little girl chided and Etsuya thought maybe he should have moved out of the way sooner if that would have saved him the preaching. The lass started to be a lot more annoying than funny. "Totsuki Academy has brought up some of the most talented and most respected specimen of the culinary world, its halls echo decades of history and wisdom." She explained, her voice betraying a subtle understanding of superiority that she must have had of herself. Etsuya's smirk vanished, in favour of a peeved frown. Did she think he was stupid? "To deride all that and talk about…all but money…" She made sure to pronounce that last word in an extra snippy manner, before her tone became more formal again, but still all high and mighty. "Wanting to exploit such an esteemed culinary school for nothing but business, well pardon me, but I found it foul." She paused. "The craft should come first and this is the ideal place-"

"Oh, don't give me that!" Etsuya interrupted. He made a dismissive hand wave, as if to throw away all her listed sentiments through that gesticulation. "The craft? Please. We're not at the interview anymore. You can drop that starry-eyed shit."

The girl visibly flinched at the sound of that crude word. "What mannerism!" She huffed, her cheeks glowing pink from indignation. "Don't curse, it's rude!"

"It's honest!" Etsuya retorted and the sight of her blush, and her little, balled fists, brought the taunting smirk back on his face. "The craft can be practised, wherever- but everyone comes here for the prestige, the connection… But all you oh so noble, passionate chefs can't ever think beyond the walls of your precious family restaurants founded by your great-granddaddies, whose legacy you're merely next in line to protect." He chuckled to himself before he fixated the girl's blank, deadly stare with one of his own. "Hence why I will subdue each and every one of you, dollface. The scenery the two of us are looking at are completely different."

Standing with his legs apart and with one hand on his hips, he arrogantly cocked his head a bit to the side, pleased with his little speech. It was clear that girl was not getting out much and here he was, dismantling her entire, little world just like that. Yeah, what was the little Miss going to reply to tha-

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard." The little Miss promptly, and coldly shut his own thoughts down, making his smirk vanish very quick. "You sound like a lunatic."

"Hah?!" Etsuya blurted out, but the girl was only shaking her head. A heavy sigh escaped her.

"I need to stop wasting my time." She said, and from the sound of it more so to herself than to him, which greatly annoyed Etsuya.

With her nose up high - it looked ridiculous - the young girl then set in motion faster than he could react, simply pushing past him and making him lightly stumble against the door frame. Etsuya slowly felt the temperature rise in his head. Angered, he swiftly turned his head back into her direction to see her pridefully stride onto Totsuki's streets.

Who. did. that. girl. think. she. is?

The president's daughter? The princess? The newly crowned empress of Japan?!

"Just you wait, dollface!" He called after her, sounding a bit more upset than he had wanted to.

She only gave him a singular sharp glance over her shoulder. A look that could kill. "I cannot imagine for them to even let a scoundrel like you in."