Shokugeki No Souma (Fanfiction)

Chapter 20

A/N: Contains cursing and foul language. Read at your own risk.
------------------

We sat quietly at the back of the car while we were on our way to the hotel.

The silence is annoying specially when I have to sit with this mongrel.

I clicked my tongue.
"Why did you even bother to get me as your guide if you treat me like this, huh?"

"Where's your respect, brat? I'm still your senpai. And I don't think I need to explain to you anything. You've been the one ignoring me." He spat back.

"Still as mean as ever, eh? Have you forgotten what you did? I bet Abel is already full of your crap." I snapped. I will not act nice to him until he changes his foul attitude.

"Tch. Watch your words, brat. Since when do you care about my staff? For all I know, you were the one who quarreled with him all day." He looked away from me while I faced him.

I glared at him.
"At least I know how to care about my staff, unlike a certain person."

"...."

With that he completely faced me with a serious look on his face.
"Why did you quit SHINO's, Kurumi?"

I raised my eyebrow and straighten from my seat and looked away from him avoiding his stares.
"You really want to know? You're really an idiot." I scoffed, trying to keep my emotions in place.
"I had enough. I was disgusted the way you changed your attitude just because you hit a wall. I was..." I stopped.

Everything that happened that certain night at SHINO's suddenly came rushing back into my mind. All the pent up pain and humiliation...suddenly bursts.

I fought my tears back and put my hands on my face.
"...scared. I-I w-was hurt."
I'm trying to calm myself but I already realized that I'm tearing up.

Because this man that I used to look up to had turned into this insecured monster.

-------flashback------

Another normal day at SHINO'S is already done and it's already 10pm. I packed my knives and changed in to my normal clothes. I went to the kitchen to pick up some of things when I accidently pushed the only jar of holy basil in the shelves which cause it to fall and shattered into pieces just in time when Abel came and saw the mess.

"What the hell did you do, you useless girl?" He screamed at me.

I look at him with horror.
"I didn't mean it. I swear it was an accident." I'm already shivering with fear.

"Useless piece of trash! I don't care if you came from a influencial family but if you keep on ruining everything in this kitchen then why don't you quit already!"

I flinched at every word he gave me. I usually talk back to him with sass but right now, I'm completely scared. That holy basil is going to be an important spice tomorrow for the new dish that Shinomiya-senpai created.

I must have jinxed myself 'cause I saw Shinomiya-senpai standing at the door looking at us. He's furious.

"Abel, I'll handle this. Get out." He ordered him.

"Tch, I still don't understand why do we still need a useless person like her in our kitchen." Then he walked away.

I gripped my case and hung my head low.

"Look at me, brat." He hissed.

I flinched at his cold voice. No, he's not the Shinomiya-senpai I knew anymore, he never talked to me like this before ever since he got the award, he have been so distant and mean after.

I looked at him, trying not to cry.

*SLAP!*

I fell on the floor on the impact. I was so shocked I couldn't move. My eyes widened while I put my hand on my stinging cheeks. I can only comprehend two things; one, he just slapped me. Two, he hissed at me with hatred in his words.

"You fcking imbecile. I've had enough of your acts. Do you fcking know how important that holy basil is? Do you?"

I was speechless.

"Are you fcking mute? Say something you idiot!"

I stood up and grabbed my case, I had enough, I looked at him with empty eyes, I couldn't think straight anymore. I ran through the backdoor. I only agreed to work here because I was avoiding a certain proposal from a certain research facility and my dad agreed to it as long as I'm okay with it.

I won't cry and I won't give him the satisfaction of firing me.

I ran until I came to a mini playground. I sat on one of the swings and touched my stinging cheeks.
I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't cry. I repeated that mantra until I found my courage to phone the facility then my dad.

"I quit SHINO'S and i'll accept the proposal, dad. I'm ready." Then I hang up not waiting for his answer.

I sent Shinomiya a message.

"I quit. Don't bother looking for me." Then I destroyed my phone.

-----------end flashback-------

Ever since that night, I started hating of what he have become. I talked to dad about it and he respected my decision.

While I was in a Research Facility in America, Shinomiya tried to contact me in everyway he can. He even tried to pester Hinako-nee and Mizuhara-senpai but even they didn't know what happened to me, I only knew because Dad told me.

That night, I gave up everything but the dream of seeing Tsukasa again. That night, I changed.
---------------