The moon hung high over Tōtsuki Academy, casting silver shadows across the empty courtyards and silent halls.
Most students were asleep, their dreams filled with visions of culinary triumphs and the next day's challenges.
But in the Polar Star Dormitory, two figures moved quietly through the darkness, hearts pounding with anticipation and nerves.
Megumi Tadokoro clutched the hem of her pajama shirt, glancing nervously at Soma Yukihira as they tiptoed down the hallway. "Soma-kun, are you sure about this? We could get in trouble if we're caught…"
Soma grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "That's what makes it fun, right? Besides, aren't you curious? Kaoru's food is on a whole different level. I want to know how he does it."
Megumi hesitated, but the memory of Kaoru's blue cheese ramen lingered on her tongue. She nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "Okay. Let's go."
They slipped out of the dorm and into the night, the cool air prickling their skin. The campus was eerily quiet, every sound amplified by the hush.
Soma led the way, moving with the confidence of someone who'd snuck around after hours more than once. Megumi followed, her footsteps light but her heart heavy with worry.
Their destination was a little-known annex behind the main kitchen building, a place rumored to house the academy's most advanced fermentation equipment.
The door was locked, but Soma produced a thin piece of wire from his pocket and jimmied the latch with practiced ease. The door creaked open, and they slipped inside.
The air was thick with the scent of yeast, salt, and something deeper—an earthy, almost primal aroma that made Megumi's head spin.
Rows of barrels and jars lined the walls, each labeled in Kaoru's precise handwriting. Some contained miso, others kimchi, and still others mysterious substances that defied easy identification.
"Whoa," Soma whispered, running his fingers along a row of glass jars. "This is insane. He's got stuff in here I've never even seen before."
Megumi peered into a barrel, her nose wrinkling at the pungent smell. "Is this… fish sauce? It's so strong…"
Soma grinned. "That's the good stuff. The funkier, the better."
They moved deeper into the room, marveling at the array of equipment.
There were temperature-controlled cabinets, vacuum sealers, and even a small centrifuge. In one corner, a notebook lay open, filled with diagrams and notes in a spidery script.
Megumi picked it up, her eyes widening as she read.
"He's tracking everything," she murmured. "Temperature, humidity, pH levels… He's even got notes on wild yeast strains."
Soma leaned over her shoulder, whistling softly. "No wonder his food tastes so wild. He's not just cooking, he's experimenting."
Suddenly, a soft click echoed through the room. The door swung open, and Kaoru Yukishima stepped inside, his expression unreadable in the dim light. For a moment, no one moved.
"You're trespassing," Kaoru said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that made Megumi's knees tremble.
Soma straightened, meeting Kaoru's gaze without flinching. "We just wanted to see how you do it. Your food… it's like nothing else."
Kaoru's eyes flicked to Megumi, then back to Soma. He closed the door behind him, the lock clicking into place. "Curiosity can be dangerous. But since you're here, you might as well taste the latest experiment."
He moved to a small table and uncovered a dish, the aroma immediately filling the room. It was a piece of fish, pale and glistening, resting in a pool of golden liquid. Kaoru sliced off two pieces and handed them over.
Megumi hesitated, but Soma popped his into his mouth without hesitation.
The flavor was intense salty, sweet, and deeply umami, with a hint of something wild and untamed. Megumi followed, her eyes widening as the taste blossomed on her tongue.
"It's… incredible," she whispered. "I've never tasted anything like it."
Kaoru watched them, his expression softening just a little. "Fermentation is about trust. You have to let go of control and let nature do its work. Sometimes it's beautiful. Sometimes it's terrifying."
Soma grinned, wiping his mouth. "I get it. You're not just making food. You're making something alive."
Kaoru nodded. "Exactly. Most people are afraid of what they can't control. But if you want to create something truly new, you have to take risks."
The three stood in silence, the weight of Kaoru's words settling over them.
For the first time, Megumi saw the vulnerability beneath his cold exterior, the passion and fear that drove him to push the boundaries of taste.
"Thank you for sharing this with us," Megumi said softly. "I'd like to learn more, if you'll let me."
Kaoru regarded her for a long moment, then nodded. "If you're willing to risk it."
Soma laughed, clapping Kaoru on the back. "That's the spirit! Let's see what else you've got hidden in here."
As the night wore on, the three of them tasted, talked, and explored the mysteries of fermentation.
In that secret chamber, surrounded by the scents of transformation and possibility, a new bond was forged one that would change the course of their lives at Tōtsuki forever.
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Please gimme your power stones tehee.
Leave some reviews to let me know what went wrong in the writings and I'll try to fix it when I have time, or you can comment it down below.
P.S English is not my first language, it should be the third or fourth if I remember my languages correctly. xD