A Purpose ¦ Shokugeki no Souma ¦

C10. Early Morning

"... STOP!!"

Breathing heavily, my eyes widened as I just blankly stared at the wall, as if I was waiting for something to happen to it. Just as my breathing went back to normal, I got out of my bed and headed out of my room.

I had the same dream again. I always forget about it the moment I wake up, but I have a feeling that it is the same dream, due to the fact that I always have the same reaction; I shout a word or two about something, breathing and sweating heavily.

I do not understand why I have that dream, however, I've come to the conclusion that it is something about my past.

Reaching my destination, my left hand reached for the light switch at the side. The bright lights left me blinking for a few seconds, and when my eyes finally adjusted to the brightness, I made way to the refrigerator to get myself a glass of water.

Once I had finished my water, I left it at the counter, not in the mood to do anything at all so I just sat on a stool, staring at the entrance of the kitchen.

Seconds afterwards, I hear light footsteps nearing towards where I am.

I didn't bother to move at all, not having the energy to do so.

However, seeing who was entering the kitchen, I felt the urge to escape. Though I was already too late, I was already spotted.

It was Hanako.

".. Momoka, why are you up so early?" Inquired the female, blinking her eyes, probably trying to blink her sleepiness away.

"I can say the same thing to you," I replied, dodging the question with ease. I don't want her to know the reason as to why I'm here; she'll probably do something to annoy me.

"I guess you do have a point," letting it go easily, Hanako shrugs her shoulders, taking the spot next to me and took a deep breath.

I didn't say a word after, letting the silence engulf our atmosphere. 

But now that Hanako and I are alone, should I ask her about what happened yesterday? She told me all these information I didn't even know about. I'm sure Hisako didn't know anything about it, since she didn't ask or tell me anything close to that, so Hanako is really the first to tell me about my past, or, technically, our mothers.

"Say, Hanako," I began softly, eyes only focusing on what was in front of me, "Why did you decided to tell me, about our mothers?" Asking the question, I faced my cousin, feeling my eyebrows furrowing already.

The blank look on the girl's face morphed into a sad one. ".. I think you deserve to know," Answered Hanako, beaming a smile, a sad smile, to me.

I was about to ask another question, however, we were interrupted.

"The lights are on? Who could have done this..?"

When we both heard the voice, Hanako immediately stood up from her place, and signaled me to be quiet and just follow her lead. Gesturing for me to follow her, I obeyed quickly, standing up.

The owner of the voice, Kamiko-san, enters the kitchen, and I only waited for what was Hanako going to do. There's just something going on, judging the way they both looked at one another.

"Hanako, Momoka, what're you doing here this early in the morning? The sun has yet to rise," Her tone was rather different, it was different from the tone she uses when the maids and butlers were around; and it scared me. 

"I was just going to make myself a snack, until I saw Momoka here having a drink," Hanako nonchalantly answers, and then she turns to me, a hidden look in her eyes. "I'll see you later, Momoka," she says, and walks out of the kitchen, not sparing her sister a glance.