"So you made this?"
Black nods his head trying not to shuffle his feet nervously by the numerous gazes that are on him.
"Please explain the details of the meal you have presented."
His eyes scan the filled room before landing on mine and I mouth 'you got this.' He smiles and his eyes land on the panel of judges.
"As you are all aware, sushi is an original meal in Japan. It is made from..."
He keeps explaining the details and nutritious factor of each element in the food and I can't help but be drawn to him.
"When speaking about food he's a totally different person," I mumble to myself," he almost looks peaceful and happy."
"... that's all," he concludes and the hall waits with bated breath as the judges, one by one begin tasting the food.
The judges chew mumbling among themselves before they all nod their heads in unison.
"Congratulations, you managed to make something common taste different," the male judge says.
"Agreed, I've tasted sushi but this one has something different about it," the female judge adds in.
"You've out done yourself Black. You are the winner of this competition."
The crowd erupts into a frenzy of excitement as they cheer and clap. The judges all stand and walk towards the stage handing Black the ribbon. Black smiles and bows his head before running up to where I am. Lifting me by the waist, he whirls me around and I grab onto his neck afraid for my life. He gently places me down and I fall onto his chest from the dizziness.
"Sister, you okay?"
I slowly nod and move to stand as the environment around me slowly stops spinning.
"A little dizzy but I'll be okay."
"Sorry about that, I got carried away in the moment," he says as he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.
I shuffle his hair and he looks up to me with an expression I can't quite place between yearning and gratefulness.
"Let's go celebrate your victory," I say grabbing his hand before he can protest.
We make our way through the crowds and head out to an ice cream parlour.
"Wait here."
He nods and I head to place my order.
"Here you go. Something special for our winner."
I place the glass in front of me and he looks at me with a raised brow before poking on the ice with his plastic spoon.
"I've never had something that looks like this... is it okay to eat it?"
I roll my eyes as I take my seat. I dig into the ice bringing a spoonful to my mouth. Black eyes me before taking the entire glass and gobbling the entire thing in mere seconds.
"Mmh, that wasn't so ba..."
He holds his tongue as he pulls at his hair and I burst into uncontrollable laughter. He groans grabbing onto his head and I catch my breath wiping a stray tear from my eyelids. After a few seconds, his groans subsides and he looks at me and a wide smile plays on my lips.
"You set me up, are you trying to kill me with that sudden coldness inside my head?"
Try as I might I burst into another feat of endless giggles as Black pouts, his arms crossed against his chest.
"S- sorry... I didn't mean to..."
I struggle to form the words but my side stomach aches from all the laughter. After composing myself, I square my shoulders and look at Black who seems mad.
"I've never seen you mad Black, was it because of what the ice did?"
A picture of his expressions cross my mind and I seal my lips tightly together trying not to laugh.
"Nine?"
We both turn at the mention of my name and my heart picks up a faster beat.
"Kahiki? What are you doing here?"
"I was passing by when I picked up your lovely scent."
Kahiki walks towards me but Black stands protectively over me.
"Black? It's okay he's..."
"What do you want from her?"
His sudden change in tone has the hairs at the back of my neck stand and I shiver.
"I've never heard him sound so... strict."
"Well?"
"Can't I talk to Nine?"
"Why? So that you can take advantage of her?"
"Advantage? Me? Why does he say those words like some venom spitting from his mouth?"
"You most definitely can't. I don't think we have anything to do here."
Though he says those words straight to Kahiki's face, I can't shake the feeling that he's talking to me. I slowly stand and grab his forearm.
"Sorry Kahiki, but we need to go."
"Nine, can I have a minute? I personally came to give you this."
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red invitation letter holding it out to me. Before I can take it, Black furiously slaps it from his hands.
"No way!"
"Black! Sorry Kahiki, maybe another time."
I nudge Black but he stands rooted to the ground his menacing gaze on Kahiki.
"Let's go!"
I pull him past Kahiki before he creates another scene and we walk out. Once at a safe distance, I drop his hand and turn around to face him arms crossed.
"Mind explaining why you talked to a VERY famous superstar like that?"
"Don't ever talk to him again sister."
"What? Why?"
"Just don't. If you ever run into him, turn around or take a detour just don't get any closer to him."
"Are you even listening to me? Am asking why I shouldn't talk to him. Am sure there's a misunderstanding, Kahiki is not a bad person. I need to know why you want me to stay away from him."
"DAMMIT! You don't know anything! If I tell you something you listen not ask stupid questions!"
Surprised by his sudden outburst, I slowly take a step back, ensuring a little distance lays between us. His angry menacing eyes quickly turn to one of concern and his voice drops to a whisper.
"Sister... I..."