Waifu Wars: A Food Wars Fanfic

Ch. 61 Are We There Yet?

Training with Saito had kept Torrey occupied for most of the weekend, but that didn't stop time from dragging on at a painfully slow rate. It felt anti-climactic. He'd been fully invested in helping his friends achieve success on their exams, and now that the it was finally time to head to Hokkaido, he just wanted it all to be over with.

            Thanks to Azami's threat hanging over his head, it was difficult for Torrey to see the big picture. There was no telling how things would end. He was committed to Central, but part of him still wanted to see the Resistance succeed. It was undoubtedly a tough position to be in.

            Sunday's routine was nearly identical to Saturday's, and, like clockwork, Saito dismissed Torrey from his apartment promptly at 7:30 pm.

            "Good luck with the thieves," said Torrey, on his way out the door.

            "Thieves? What thieves? Do you know something?"

            "Huh? No, I meant...never mind."

            "You'd tell me if you knew something, wouldn't you?"

            "Yeah..."

            "Mhm...naturally," said Saito, nodding as if to convince himself.

            On that awkward note, Torrey went back to his place to fix himself something to eat. He'd barely gotten started when he heard a knock at the door, giving him an eerie sense of déjà vu.

            Nene Kinokuni always knocked twice, then hesitated before knocking a third time. Because of this, Torrey wasn't the least bit surprised to see her when he opened the door.

            "Hey Nene," he said.

            "Hey is for horses," she replied brusquely. It occurred to Torrey just then, that were it not for her attitude, one might find Nene Kinokuni to be attractive.

            "Charming as ever, I see."

            "I'm not here to be charming. I'm here on important Council business."

            "Well you got here pretty quickly- I only just got home. Did you rush over, once you heard me come in?"

            "No! It was just a coincidence."

            "I bet you were anxiously awaiting my return."

            "I was doing no such thing! In fact, I was actually making dinner."

            "I see. It's not a coincidence at all, then. You wanted to invite me over for dinner. But you don't do invites. So instead, you came here under the pretext of 'important council business' just so you could talk to me. Aha!" said Torrey, pointing at Nene in dramatic fashion.

            "What a childish fantasy! I have something important to discuss...and I wouldn't be opposed to discussing it over a bowl of noodles."

            "I'm certainly not opposed either," said Torrey, his stomach rumbling as if on cue.

            "Y-you're not?"

            "Of course not. The soba you made me last time was delish! I'd never be able to make something like that."

            Nene's demeanor changed somewhat, and her pale cheeks now had a slightly rosy tint.

            "W-well I do work hard to perfect my craft. Hurry up and get changed, and I'll see you shortly," said Nene.

            "What, you don't like my outfit?" said Torrey, holding out his arms in mock disbelief. He was still wearing his loincloth and headband.