Shokugeki No Soma One-Shots! (I TAKE REQUESTS)

Terunori Kuga x Reader -I, Who Loved You First- (Angst)

"We're dating." Tsukasa Eishi had reached under the table to grip yours tightly, watching as the other members of the Elite Ten all take on different forms of shock. You blush lightly, looking away from all of them.

The silence settled around the room heavily before a loud chuckle breaks the silence, Terunori Kuga kicking his feet up on the table.

"Aw. Really? It's about time."

You feel your chest become uneasy as you avoid looking over at the usually loud and rambunctious boy, glancing down at your hand entwined with Tsukasa's. You still feel his eyes on you as the other other members murmur their assent and congratulations.

"Mm." You smile at Tsukasa, who blushes at the interaction before clearing his throat.

"Anyway, moving on-"

The meeting continued. Hazel eyes never wandered away from your face as you find everywhere to look but at him.

Why? Your fingers grip Tsukasa's without you knowing it. Why do you wait until now, to finally see me?

—

"Would you like to join me for a date tonight?" Tsukasa smiles kindly at you at the end of the meeting as the other member rise out of their seats. "I'll cook for you."

"Oi. Don't you have that assignment due tonight?" A sharp flick to your forehead makes you glare in the direction of Kuga, who grins back in response. However, his eyes seemed different from their usual childish glow.

"I can study at Tsukasa's place. No need to worry." You respond quickly, pretending to check your phone. "Ah! I need to get going. I promised Megumi-San I'd help her with some recipes."

"Sweet, as always. I'll see you tonight." Tsukasa plants a warm kiss on your cheek before bidding you farewell, exchanging a rather strained glance with Kuga before leaving to finish some paperwork.

You gather your things rather speedily, pretending not to notice that Kuga was still the only other person in the room with you, his brown eyes seeming to never leave your moving form.

"Guess I'll...see you later?" You bite your lip, making a move to leave before his hand suddenly juts out, enclosing around your wrist tightly. You wince.

"Kuga?" you tilt your head.

"Why him?"

You notice his long bangs are covering his face, so you make a move to brush them away before stopping yourself.

"Come on now." You look away. "You made the message loud and clear." You meet his eyes with a sad smile. "You said it yourself. Being with me would be too much, right? I heard it myself too. Don't pity me." You slip your wrist from his grasp, not allowing the sadness to seep into your voice. "It was never me. So don't pretend like it was as soon as I'm trying to make myself happy and be comfortable with someone who cares."

"When did I not care?" Kuga's voice becomes strained.

"When you made your point that night with that random girl. One of your workers in the school fair, for god sakes." You took another step closer to the boy. "You made a point to pull her into your lap and act like you didn't know how I felt about you. So guess what?"

You meet his gaze with a fiery one, fists clenching at your sides. "You'll have to find someone else to toy with, Terunori Kuga."

With that, you made a final attempt to leave before his voice stops you.

"You're too good for me." You stop walking, but refuse to turn around.

"You're so beautiful. So funny. Amazing, and hell, you deserve the spot you stand in right now." His voice becomes crackled with emotion. "Who am I to deserve someone like you?"

"You were someone I loved." Your voice falls to barely audible, but he heard it. "But it's okay. Tsukasa cares about me."

"But I..." you feel his breath on the back of your neck, indicating he was closer to you now. "I loved you first. I hate...seeing you with him."

"Then maybe you shouldn't hurt the people you love in a fake facade of protection." You grip his hand from behind your trembling figure, a steady stream of tears falling down your cheeks as you force yourself to let go. "It just means you're weak."

"I loved you first. Does that mean anything?"

"Goodbye. I have to go. I...I'm with Tsukasa, and I care about him."

"Please, don't walk away-"

"Hey, Kuga?" You turn slightly to meet his now tear-brimmed eyes. "Promise me this, when you meet a girl who you think you love, and she's willing to walk the universe for you-"

You smile a closed-eye smile, allowing the brimming tears to flow.

"Don't treat her like any less, okay?"

With that, you left the saddened boy in the middle of the meeting room, the air heavier than you left it-

and your chest somehow lighter than before.

"T-Tsukasa?"

"I'm proud of you." The pale haired man pulls you into his chest. "Thank you. For choosing me."

"It wasn't a choice. I already let him go, Tsukasa. Please..." you tap your forehead against his chest as he plants an affectionate kiss to the top of your hair. "Make me fall in love with you."

"With pleasure."

Unbeknownst to you, Terunori Kuga had pressed his back to the wall next to the doorframe, hearing every word.

And with every passing second, his heart seemed to hurt a little more with every beat.

Yeah. I promise. He forces himself to smile as he hears your laugh before pushing a hand to his wet eye, watching the teardrops fall at his feet.

Request box still open!