Food Feelings

Chapter 1

You walked down the familiar street of the Sumiredori Shopping District looking for a certain restaurant. "If only he would just answer his damn phone I wouldn't have to be here..." You muttered while looking at the shop signs trying to remember where Joichiro's restaurant was, it's not like you don't like seeing him, in fact, you quite enjoy seeing him it's just that you've been really busy lately with no time to spare. Notice how it's 'remember' and not 'search for', this isn't the first time you've had to go to his restaurant because he wouldn't reply to your emails or texts. As the S seat, you have to keep in contact with the Totsuki Academy alumni to make sure things are going well, helping them if needed, inviting them to join the academy events and notify them about transfer exams into Totsuki Academy if they have children. Seeing as it was dark you'd prefer to get this out of the way as soon as possible and return to the Totsuki grounds.

After walking for a bit you found the familiar red "Restaurant Yukihira" sign and entered the restaurant. It was as rowdy and lively as you remember. Everyone was currently surrounding the bar seating area so you walked up and stood in the corner to see what was going on, it looks like a food war and a middle school girl is judging. "This one!" the girl says and the crowd cheers for Joichiro, you grin 'That's him alright, same as always' you thought. Joichiro and his son talked for a bit and you're eyes widened while listening '489 losses? This guy has passion to be able to keep on going'. The son went to the girl holding something 'What is that?' you thought trying to get a closer look. He lifts what was in the box using chopsticks for her to eat 'Squid and peanut butter? I pity that girl's taste buds', "Nooooooooo" she cries after eating it, 'Ah there it is'.

"So what are you doing here?" at this voice you jump and see Joichiro speaking behind you. He smirks and laughs a bit after seeing you jump, "Did I scare you?"

"What do you mean 'what am I doing here?', you haven't picked up your freaking phone in a month and replied to me. Since you didn't respond I had to take time out of my already busy schedule to come to talk to you," You huffed and pouted, "and no, you didn't scare me I was just surprised when you snuck up on me."

"Ah, sorry about that" he smiles awkwardly and scratches the back of his head, "So anyways what are you here to talk about?"

"No, no, I'm sorry. I've just been really stressed lately with the new year at Totsuki beginning soon" You sigh and put one of your hands over your eyes and forehead, "I'm here to check up to see how things are doing and if you need any help."

"The restaurant is doing well, don't worry no help is needed here." You look over to see his son cooking for the customers 'Hm, I wonder'.

"Say Joichiro, what year of middle school is your son in right now?" you ask while observing the customers sigh in delight because of Joichiro's son's food.

"3rd year of middle school, why?" Joichiro responds following your gaze to look at his son. "Ohhh, do you have a crush on him is that why?" at this, your face snaps toward Joichiro.

"What?!? No that's not it!" You shout with a bit of blush on your face at the idea. Because of the loud shout, everyone turns their head in the restaurant to look at you, including the topic of your and Joichiro's conversation and you make eye contact with him 'He has nice eyes' at this you shake your head trying to get the thoughts out of your head and the blush on your face spreads like a wildfire because of the embarrassment. You turn back to Joichiro and continue what you were saying but quieter, "As I was saying, that's not it. Your son will be going into high school soon and I think Totsuki would be a good choice after seeing all the customers' faces after eating his food. The transfer exam is coming soon and I feel like he has a good shot at passing. Totsuki will help him grow as a person and help his cooking."

Joichiro puts his hand on his chin and thinks, "Maybe, I'll think about it."

"Ok, that's all I have to say so I think I'll head out. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything," You say, "also don't forget to text Gin every once in a while, he worries about ya you know?" Joichiro nods.

You two say you're goodbyes then you walk to the door but before you get to the door someone calls out to you, "Hey wait!" You see the redhead run up to you. "I see you here often but I haven't gotten the chance to talk to you. You haven't eaten here before, why not sit down and have some food?" He grins and before you have the chance to decline he grabs your hand and brings a blushing (Y/n) to a table. You go along with it because you haven't eaten supper yet and you're quite hungry. "Here's your table," he lets go of your hand so that you can sit down for some reason you miss having your hand in his, "what would you like to eat?"

"Um, I'll have whatever you recommend" you responded unsure of what they have.

"Ok, coming right up!" He heads to the kitchen. While your meal is being made you look around the restaurant more. 'This place feels so home like' you think while looking at the decorations and viewing the people laughing and talking to each other. A thought comes into your mind while looking around the restaurant 'What if he serves me that peanut butter squid' your eyes widen and you start to panic a bit 'It's too soon for my young taste buds to die' you cry and close your eyes.

"You're welcome!" you open your eyes to see he placed a plate of the rice dish he served earlier in the food war. 'It looks even better up close, and oh dear, the smell is amazing'. You take a bite and instantly feel as if you were in heaven and the bright warm sun was shining on you 'Mmmm this is so good'.

"Ahhh~ Joichiro's cooking is so good" you say as you eat more.

"Actually I made it" The young redhead smiles and you're eyes widen a bit 'He's so good I thought it was Joichiro's cooking, it must run in the family'.

"Thank you so much!" and for the first time since you got in here you smiled and boy did the redhead think it was one of the most beautiful things in the world. He returns your smile with an even bigger one then returns to work cooking for the other customers. You continue to eat and think about how great he would fit in at Totsuki and how the transfer exam would be a piece of cake for him.

As you're finishing up your meal the boy returns with you're bill. "I've been meaning to ask you, how do you know my dad and what were you guys talking about?" You try to figure out a way to respond without talking about how it's your duty to keep up with the alumni because you're the S seat and it's supposed to be a secret.

"Oh, my parents were friends with your dad and we were just catching up" You responded not telling the whole truth looking down a bit. You weren't lying, you're parents really were friends with Joichiro before they passed away, they met at Totsuki Academy. "I think I'll be taking my leave now, I have to get home." The redhead walked you to the door, "Wait I forgot to ask you something. What's your name?"

"Oh yeah, I guess we did forget to exchange names. I'm Soma Yukihira, and you?" Soma replies.

"I'm (Y/n) (L/n)" You respond.

"Well (L/n), it was nice to meet you! Make sure to come again!" Soma says cheerfully.

"(Y/n) is good, it was nice to meet you as well. See you soon Soma" You say with a small smile on your face. You had a bad habit of often calling people by their first name even if you had just met, but with Soma, you knew that you would become friends after seeing his passion for cooking. You opened the door and left Restaurant Yukihira with one last wave goodbye. By "see you soon" Soma thought you meant that you were gonna go to the restaurant again and he was excited about that because he wanted to give you more of the food he makes, but in reality, you were hoping that Joichiro would send Soma to Totsuki Academy and you would see him there.