Chapter 1: All Alone
Hey guys, this is my first attempt at writing fiction & I hope this will be a successful one.
[Italics represent the personal thoughts of the character]
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.
1: All Alone
The sun was scorching and causing a certain redhead to sweat profusely. The added weight of the charcoal grill he was carrying didn't help the situation much. Finally, he reached his destination, a building so old and creepy, it was a wonder no one had declared it as a Class 2 Heritage Site. This was his beloved Polar Star Dormitory.
"Konbanwa, Fumio-san," said the 17 year old boy to the ancient caretaker, "What's for dinner?"
Daimido Fumio greeted Yukihira Soma, First Seat of the Totsuki Culinary Academy Elite Ten Council."If you were expecting me to bow down, I assure you that's not gonna happen," was her sharp response.
Soma just smiled and went up to his room, the room which previously belonged to his father, the man called The Demon. He placed the grill on the table and ran his finger along a certain burnt portion of the floor. The mark left by a certain previous owner of this room. Soma hadn't called his father for some time now. Making a mental note to call him soon, he proceeded to take a bath.
At the Totsuki HQ, Director Nakiri Senzaemon had a surprise visitor.
"Is this true?" the question was directed to the man standing in front of him.
"Yes," was the deadpanned reply of Dojima Gin, former First Seat and current Head Chef of the Totsuki Resort.
"But that's not the only reason why you're here?" asked the Director."There's something you should know," he replied as he sat down.
"I've been summoned now? Look at the time," murmured a disgruntled Soma as he made his way to the Director's office.
Hisako sold me out I guess. I shouldn't have forced her to try my squid in mango chutney. Man, I'm in deep trouble.
Walking under the starry skies, he took out his phone and dialled his father's number. I gotta let him know. There's a new worst dish ever in the market. He smiled."The number you're calling is switched off. Please try again after sometime," a mechanical voice replied. That's odd.
Nakiri Erina was late. These reports were supposed to be submitted to the Director two hours ago.
Damn that Yukihira and damn his excuses. This is his job.
Increasing her pace, she arranged the stack of papers in her hand.
I am the Second Seat, and yet my status has been reduced to that of a delivery boy of that lowly commoner. I should throw these here and leave and let him face the aftermath.
"What the-," the blonde stopped as she saw her reason of frustration standing outside the Director's office and banging his head on the wall beside the door. Then the door opened and he went inside.
What the hell?
She went into the room beside the office, intending to leave the reports there.
"If this is because of Arato, in my defence, it was only a joke," she heard him say.
So, that's why Hisako took a leave due to sickness. He's responsible.
Erina's blood boiled, to think of the audacity of that man.
"Yukihira-kun, please sit down," said a deep voice.
Dojima-senpai? What's going on?
"Yukihira Soma," Nakiri Senzaemon questioned the boy, "what is the name of your father?"
If Soma was surprised to see Dojima Gin, this question disarmed him completely. The guy who couldn't shut up for a minute was rendered speechless.
"Eh? Yu-Yukihira Joichiro. But what is all this?" He turned towards Gin, a little caution dawning over him.
"Please," the Director's voice was softer now, "his real name."
Soma was still staring at Gin; caution overpowered his senses completely accompanied with a flicker of betrayal. He took a deep breath.
This was bound to happen sometime.
"Saiba Joichiro," he said quietly.
His confession was followed by a significant period of silence. Senzaemon continued to look down while Dojima was looking at Soma.
Soma was preparing to break the silence with a lot of questions, suddenly Dojima Gin spoke up."I received a call some time ago," he looked down, "I'm so sorry Soma-kun."Soma was bewildered, he began to stand up. Gin continued.
"Your father is no more."
Nakiri Erina forgot to breathe. She had to lean onto the wall for support. Tears were building up in her eyes, but she couldn't make a sound. Biting on her tongue as hard as she could, she stood as silent as the grave while her grief was tearing her body apart.
Then she heard him, in a voice that no one has ever heard from the Son of the Demon, a voice filled with so much pain."How?"
That one word destroyed her resistance, tears flowed out uncontrollably. Her whole body was shaking. She couldn't take this, it was too much. She ran out.
Well, chapter 1 is up. I know this is a short one. No worries, they will get longer subsequently. Thanks for reading it. I'll be waiting for the reviews.
Upcoming Chapter: Flowers & Futility
~(SibylStorm) Signing Off
