"Well that's the end of class, enjoy your lunch. I don't really care what you do." The moment the teacher said this, multiple students ran towards the cafeteria to get their lunch. Sora looked up from his homework and he decided to go to the library. Emi and Miyu were about to talk to him but he quickly refused and made his way to the library. He needed to get some books for his studying. Sorata was the top student in this school. He always scored first either with 99% or 100%. Luckily for him the scores were secret and only the student can see their scores and place. He made his way into the library but was greeted by an exceedingly handsome boy.
"Hey Sorata." The handsome boy greeted Sorata, even calling him by his first name. Sorata knew exactly who this was; he turned around to meet a boy a few centimeters taller than him with dark black hair and azure eyes. This boy was Hiroto Hasegawa, the son of the CEO of the Hasegawa company and the most handsome boy in this school. Sorata knew him because Hiroto would frequent the library in the beginning of school and he ran into Sorata multiple times. Sorata ignored him whenever he talked to him but Hiroto kept talking to him until Sorata finally decided to talk back. Because of that Hiroto would always talk to Sorata if ever saw him.
"Tch. It's you." Sora said, clicking his tongue. Though his words were made to be hostile his tone was as emotionless and monotonous as ever.
"Do you always have to be like that? I haven't seen you since last Thursday." Hiroto made a troubled smile while walking with Sorata to the bookshelf.
"Having someone like you near me is terrible. You're like a flame to the moths around us. You attract everyone with your smile." Sorata said. He used to hangout with Hiroto if he had to and whenever he did girls and guys would come and surround him. Having twenty to thirty people around Sora was something he couldn't stomach especially with their way of talking. He had no idea what phrases like "hella wack" or "OMG" meant. He would hear the guys and girls who hung out with Hiroto say these phrases.
"So what are you looking for? I'm guessing study materials for the finals." Hiroto said while looking at the bookshelf he and Sorata stopped at.
"Yeah. I haven't been able to study much so I need to spend as much time studying as I can." Sora said while getting three books on history and Japanese literature. Sora was smart enough to not need to study but he liked reading by nature and this is knowledge he could just have and it didn't do anything bad to him to know. Though he never studied math and English. Those two subjects are the easiest for him.
"Yeah my father wants me to rank higher this time. He wants me to reach at least the top 5 but that may be too challenging." Hiroto said that while smiling helplessly. He knew there was someone he'd never surpass and who people thought was the first ranked student.
"Weren't you 9th place? Why do you need to get higher? That's already higher than most students in other schools. Considering the standards of our school, 15th place would be equivalent to 1st in some of the other high schools in our district. " Sorata said while moving to get more books.
"He has high expectations. It doesn't help either that he's trying to push for an arranged marriage with the daughter of the takanashi group." Hiroto tried to form a troubled smile but Sora could easily tell he was frustrated and he knew why. 'I'm pretty sure his father asked Emi's dad and he refused. He's still trying?' Sora thought. Though Sora knew who'd he be engaged to, that wasn't the reason Hiroto was frustrated.
"Doesn't your dad know you have a girlfriend? Why is he trying to arrange a marriage?" Sorata said while sitting down and opening a history book. Hiroto had reportedly got a girlfriend and he told Sora excitedly when it happened though Sora didn't really care and hung up on him because he kept rambling on about how beautiful she was and how nice and kind she was. It was something Sora had no interest in.
"He doesn't approve of her. He thinks I should get married to a girl from another rich family and he hates her and even berated her when I brought her to meet my parents." Hiroto couldn't even keep up his smile anymore and was frowning and was visibly angry though his gentle face still looked more gentle than angry. 'Well he did look like a snob when I met him. Probably some elitist thing like "you can't marry my son unless you're rich" or something like that. I feel bad for him.' Sorata thought. He knew nothing about what those rich people did, his mother was from a middle class and slightly high class family and his father had no relatives. Even if his mother and father were richer than even Emi's family he was sure they would've raised him the same and still went to the places they went to when his parents were alive.
"So what do you plan on doing? It's not like I care or anything but it sounds like you or the other girl aren't agreeing to this." Sorata said while writing down some notes as Hiroto did the same next to him. From the way Hiroto would talk about his girlfriend to Sora he could easily tell Hiroto was madly in love with her and he assumed the same could be said about his girlfriend. His run-ins with Hiroto started happening less and less since Hiroto and his girlfriend became a couple. Whenever he hung out with him, his girlfriend was what Hiroto would talk about. 'He's only in his first year of high school and they've been together for only 5 months. Maybe his father just assumes they won't be together after high school ,but Hiroto was raised in one of those family's so it's most likely they raised him to think that he should have only one partner in his life.' Sorata thought. Finally Hiroto, who was deep in thought and answered Sorata's question.
" I don't know. The only thing I can think of is running away from home but my dad could probably find me in less than an hour since he has many connections." Hiroto was frowning even more now he really had no idea what to do. Sora just thought that he really loved her.
"You really love her huh?" Sora was amazed by this; he couldn't fathom how he would consider turning over his family for a single girl.
"Of course I do. Most of my life was sheltered and just learning from tutors or family members. I was taught things like etiquette and formal speech. Ever since I met her I've been doing all sorts of things. She doesn't mind that I'm from a well known family, she talks to me the way she wants to talk to me, she's teaching me all these things I've never knew like going to arcades, eating fast food, going out with friends to do karaoke and I've never been more happy." Hiroto was smiling the whole time talking about his girlfriend. Sora found himself disgusted by the invisible waves of happiness hitting him and resisted the urge to smack Hiroto.
"Takinishi you're really put in a terrible spot aren't you? Even though you've been keeping her secret, it's not like I can't understand why you're doing so but you've already told your parents you're dating her so what's the point of hiding it?" Sora said. It had been 5 months since Hiroto had been dating her and he's never seen her or heard her name. He had two theories on why Hiroto was keeping it a secret, one his popularity. Hiroto was the most popular boy in school and girls confessed to him at least 30 times a week. He could easily see the bloodbath the girls would cause once they figured out who his girlfriend was. The second one was his father. It's clear his father hates his girlfriend so he could've made them breakup but Hiroto was still dating her in secret. Keeping this a secret and not flirting with her at school would probably fool his father but Sorata didn't think it'll work like that.
"I've been wanting to. Getting confessions at this point is really annoying. I want to walk to school with her , I want to introduce her to my friends as my girlfriend and not someone we hang out with., I want to go out in public with her without wearing a disguise. But having all this from my father is just making it harder and harder. At first it was only gonna be for 2 months that Me and her were going to keep it a secret but then my father figured out I had a girlfriend and demanded to meet her. Hahhhhh. I don't know what to do." Hiroto really was at his wits end. Sora knew him as a boy who would smile at everything but know he looked ragged though most people wouldn't be able to tell.
"Well not like I care or I want to help you or anything, but don't you think you shouldn't care? I mean you are simply living your life, plus you're smart and can easily find jobs you don't need your father. It might sound cynical and cruel but he's the one who's too stubborn and unaccepting and doesn't want to at least support his son's relationship. Sure it might be a high school relationship but what happens when you're an adult? His basis isn't "you're in high school so you're not gonna last" it's "she's not rich and doesn't come from a good family." He's using the whole high school relationships don't last to get you to break up. Though leaving right now is a terrible idea you would need plans and preparations if you wanted to run away from home. Plus from what you said about her it seems like she doesn't care about your money and only likes you." Sora said while taking notes he had his same calm tone as always. Hirotowas stunned. He never heard Sora talk this much or at least trying to be interested in his life.
"I see. Well you do present some nice ideas but I'm pretty sure It's basically a nonexistent chance of it working. This school doesn't allow us to have jobs and if I did people would recognize me since two other school district students know who I am. Well thanks anyway I'll at least think about what you said." Hiroto made a smile towards Sora. He at least knew Sora was trying to help him. Hiroto was really thinking about what Sora said. He never liked what the people around him did or the party's hosted by the presidents of companies. They usually spoke down on the poor and felt disgusted by them. He heard of Men impregnating women than giving them some money to disappear. His father and his grandparents didn't even want him to go to this school. They didn't want him to be around paupers.
"Well it's your decision not mine. I'm merely telling you what I would deem your best course of action though it will be like you said incredibly hard to pull off. Like I said, it's not like I care about what you do. Just decide for yourself and if you maybe ask or beg I will help."
"Do I really have to beg? Hahh? Well thanks I'll keep it in mind." Hrioto said. The both of them stopped talking and spent their last 10 minutes of lunch studying until they had to go back to class. The day went by as normal with Emi and Miyu occasionally talking to Sorata. Sorata ran towards the restaurant. He spent a little too much time at school and was in a rush. He stuffed the wig in his backpack and took his tie as well. Still he wouldn't make it in time even if he kept going this route.
"Shit. If I go that way I won't be able to make it." Sora said even swearing something he rarely ever did. Just as Sora was running Sora saw a fence that cut in between two buildings. It was high but judging from where the restaurant was he could easily save 6 minutes from jumping the fence. He decided to jump it and quickly ran as fast as he could and used all the power in his legs to jump. He latched onto a holding with his foot and pushed himself up. He touched the top of the fence and fixed himself so he would land safely,but it would work out like that Sora looked down only to see a woman about 21 or 22 years old in the spot where he was about to land. His eyes opened wide and so did the woman's though lucky for both of them she was able to move last second letting sora land on the ground.
"Sorry!" Sora would've said more but he didn't have time and he quickly said sorry not allowing the woman to say anything else and left her behind. He arrived at the restaurant and quickly made his way to the employees room.
"Hey! Sora! You were almost late! Hurry up, we're about to let the customers in!" The owner shouted.
"Yeah my bad. I lost track of time at school." Sora said, shifting into his chef's uniform. He put on his chef hat and quickly made his way into the kitchen. The waiters also came in and got their uniform on and quickly got in positions to welcome the customers in.
"What would you like to order Miss?" A waiter that was a co-worker of Sora's said towards a woman looking at a menu. This woman was most likely 21 years old. She had long black hair, a beauty mark underneath her right eye and red eyes. Her actions were elegant and her posture was refined as well. She moved her hand elegantly to close the menu and said her order.
"Yes. I'd like the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken katsu, the Hamburg steak and finally the Kobe beef." The lady said. Her voice akin to a bell. The waiter wrote down her order and quickly gave it to another waiter who was going back then moved on to the next customer. The place was bustling with some new customers and regulars who would constantly frequent the restaurant. The woman looked around as the smell of some food that was made. It was a dish called Hitsumabushi, its smell carried around the place and those who hadn't got their food yet were salivating waiting for theirs to come. The lady herself still kept her refined posture while sipping some tea but she had to admit the smell was very tempting.
Finally after waiting for 30 minutes her food had come. It was plated very well. The Kobe beef looked to be cooked to perfection, the pasta looked very salivating and the Hamburg steak as well. The lady kept her composure but she quickly got her chopsticks and got a piece of the Kobe beef she put it in her mouth with her hand moving with elegance. She slowly chewed, savoring the flavor. Her eyes opened wide as the taste hit her. It was delicious. The Kobe beef was soft and tender, its juices coming blasting her taste buds away. Kobe beef was something this woman wasn't eating for the first time and Kobe beef was a very high quality meat but cooking it could go either way. You could simply grill it and it may have the same effect but if you knew how to cook it right then it would be better. She moved on to the Hamburg steak as was also stunned by the taste.
"This was very delicious." The woman said using a napkin to clean her mouth. All her plates were empty. A waiter quickly came by and took the plates to the kitchen but before he could the woman said something.
"Can you please give this to your boss? I'd very much like to speak with him, preferably today." The woman said, handing a card towards the co-worker. There have been many attempts at this but the waiter decided to just take it and went to the kitchen. The woman got up and paid for her meal then left the restaurant. The day went by and finally the time to close the restaurant reached and Sora went to the break room to rest for a little before going home.
"SHE CAME HERE!!!" As Sora was sitting in the break room the owner yelled louder than he ever had. Sora looked over to him, who was running and jumping happily. He looked very happy, like he found out he was the son of a man who was rich. Hiroshi took out his phone and quickly called the lady. He was very giddy sora found it weird since whenever someone would offer a business card he would usually reject it.
"Yes I'll still be here! Okay you'll be here in 5 minutes? Okay I understand!" Sora could hear on the other side of the phone but his boss was extremely happy. He decided to ask since his boss seemed to be so happy that he was jumping around.
"What made you so happy?" Sora asked. Hiroshi quickly turned towards Sora with a beaming smile and said his thoughts.
"Listen well Sorata. A very very well off woman is coming here." He said puffing up his chest.
"So? Many well off people come here and have offered their help or desire to invest. What makes her so special?" Sora had seen tons of business men and women offer and Hiroshi accepted none of them. Judging from the way he was acting he seemed to think very highly of her.
"None of those fools, know anything about running a restaurant!" Sorata felt like saying neither do you but he kept it in. It couldn't be called a false statement as he has only hired one cook.
"Listen Sorata. She's a well renowned food critic, she's the daughter and successor of a man who has opened thousands of restaurants that have been incredibly successful! She'll bring our restaurant higher than it already is. Her name is Shizuku shimazaki" Hiroshi said. He kept on praising her? No it was more like he was praising the money she would bring them. Sorata tilted to the side while Hiroshi kept droning on. His eyes met with an extremely beautiful woman wearing glasses. She was the woman he almost collided into and most likely the same woman who Hiroshi was talking about. Sora's eye widened slightly and he immediately tried to get the owner to stop but to no avail.
"We're gonna be rich Sora! Your pay is gonna increase and then we'll finally open up in the mornings! Ahahaha!! Just thinking about the money Is making me happy!" Hiroshi was dancing the entire time and then he finally turned around and froze almost instantaneously. His eyes made contact with her and he had the same smile.
"Sora, how long?" Finally he spoke up with a strained voice.
"Your entire speech. I tried to warn you." Sora said as uncaring as always as he shrugged his shoulders. Hiroshi finally straightened his back and his face became serious. He had eyes full of determination and confidence.
"Listen here Sora. This is a good life lesson for you. Just follow my procedures and you will be a great adult." Sora somehow doubted this and waited for Hiroshi to continue. He fixed his tie and looked up and he walked towards the woman then finally he did what he had to do.
"IM SORRYYYYYYYYY!!!" All of his confidence vanished immediately as he prostrated himself in front of Shizuku as though he had no pride at all. Sora sighed and put a palm to his face. He knew his boss was an idiot but he might've screwed up this opportunity.