Shokugeki no Soma One Shot/Shorts

1 (Hisako Arato)

Reference chapters: 105~107

PART I

Someone who's satisfied with being number 2 would never be a worthy opponent...

Everything about you is limited...

These words, echoed repeatedly inside my head over and over again ever since I lost against Hayama Akira during the last Autumn Election. How could he understand, Erina-sama has been my life, supporting her from behind as her friend was all I ever wanted, and what's wrong with that? Someone like Hayama could never understand, to devote one's work for the sake of another.

However, none of that matters now. Losing is a disgrace that Erina-sama cannot and must not tolerate, whether or not what Hayama said is true does not change the fact that I am no longer worthy of standing beside Erina-sama.

"But... this paper."

Tootsuki Academy: Stagiaire Period 

If there's any hope at all - a chance to redeem myself, it's here, during the stagiaire period. If I can perform well, then maybe - just maybe, I can become a person worthy of being with Erina-sama once more. I just have to make sure everything goes perfectly and survive this test with my partner. 

Hmm, speaking of my partner, I should hurry I'm running a bit late. I bet my partner's already there. 

"So many people in the station today."

It's a bit awkward running with a trolley bag, but whatever, I just hope these people won't get too mad if I bump into them, besides, it seems like I won't to have run anymore, I see someone wearing a Tootsuki uniform.

"Hey!"

I raised my voice towards the student, trying to let him know that I'm doing my best to stay on time. Of course, I'm going to have to apologize to him properly later. I enthusiastically flashed a smile towards his direction, but my expectations suddenly came crashing down, along with my bag, when the face of my partner came into view.

"Yu... Yukihira Soma!"

I stood there, mere inches away from Erina-sama's greatest source of stress, with shaking legs and incredible disbelief. My chance at redemption is slowly fading away right before my eyes. No! This cannot be real! Out of all the students that I could have been paired with, Yukihira! It has to be Yukihira!

"Oh err..."

He stood there silently, staring at my face with a confused expression till he finally remembered who I was.

"IT'S HISHOKO!"

HISHOKO!? That stupid nickname!

"WHO'S HISHOKO!? It's Arato Hisako! Get it in your head!"

Yukihira flashed a huge grin and jokingly repeated my name.

"Arato Hishoko?"

This man is getting on my nerves and it hasn't even been a full minute.

"HI.SA.KO!"

As if he wasn't listening at all, Yukihira simply replied with an arrogant chuckle. To think this man made it farther than I did in the tournament. I really am a disgrace.

"Ahaha, Arato huh? Well, let's do our best!"

Do our best? That's so annoying, I can't even look at him right now.

"Stop joking around! I have no intention of cooperating with you. You'll see, I'll pass this assignment on my own."

But again, Yukihira didn't take my words seriously.