Preparations for the Moon Festival transformed the Polar Star Dormitory into a whirlwind of activity.
Every surface was covered with ingredients, recipe notes, and half-finished decorations.
The air was thick with the scent of simmering broths, frying tempura, and the sharp tang of fermenting vegetables.
Kaoru Yukishima found himself at the center of it all, his expertise in fermentation suddenly in high demand.
He moved from station to station, advising on koji ratios, checking the progress of miso, and offering quiet encouragement to Megumi as she nervously prepared a batch of pickled daikon.
Soma, ever the instigator, challenged Kaoru to a contest of who could make the most addictive fermented side dish.
The kitchen rang with laughter and the clatter of utensils, the tension of Kaoru's early days at Polar Star replaced by a sense of belonging.
But beneath the camaraderie, another tension simmered—one that had nothing to do with food.
Erina Nakiri had taken a keen interest in the festival preparations, her presence commanding and her critiques sharp.
She watched Kaoru with a mixture of curiosity and something more, something that made her cheeks flush and her words falter when their eyes met.
One afternoon, as the sun dipped low and painted the kitchen in amber light, Erina approached
Kaoru at the fermentation cabinet. She wore her usual air of confidence, but there was a nervous energy in the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yukishima, I want to taste your latest experiment," she said, her voice steady but her gaze flickering.
Kaoru nodded, retrieving a small jar of fermented yuzu and chili paste. He spooned a bit onto a slice of grilled eggplant and offered it to her. Their fingers brushed, and a jolt of electricity passed between them.
Erina tasted the dish, her eyes fluttering closed as the flavors exploded on her tongue.
The heat of the chili, the brightness of the yuzu, the deep umami of the fermentation—it was overwhelming, almost intoxicating. She opened her eyes, meeting Kaoru's steady gaze.
"It's… intense," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I've never tasted anything like it."
Kaoru stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "That's the point. Food should make you feel something. Even if it's uncomfortable."
Erina's breath caught. She realized how close they were, the heat of his body radiating toward her.
For a moment, the kitchen faded away, the sounds of the others receding into the background.
All she could focus on was Kaoru—the sharpness of his eyes, the steadiness of his hands, the way his presence seemed to fill the space between them.
She reached for another bite, her fingers trembling.
Kaoru caught her hand, his touch gentle but firm. "You don't have to pretend," he murmured. "If you want more, just ask."
Erina's cheeks burned, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she met his gaze, her own eyes fierce. "I want more. Show me."
Kaoru smiled, a rare softness in his eyes. "After the festival. We'll make something together."
She nodded, her heart pounding. The promise hung between them, unspoken but understood. The rest of the day passed in a haze. Erina found herself distracted, her thoughts drifting to Kaoru's words, the promise in his eyes.
She moved through the kitchen on autopilot, her senses heightened, every brush of Kaoru's hand or glance in her direction sending her heart racing.
That evening, the dormitory buzzed with anticipation. The festival was only a day away, and everyone was working late into the night.
Kaoru and Soma tested new recipes, their friendly rivalry drawing a crowd of curious onlookers. Megumi and Yuki decorated the booth with paper lanterns, their laughter echoing down the halls.
Even Erina, usually so composed, seemed caught up in the excitement, her cheeks flushed as she offered suggestions and taste-tested dishes.
After dinner, Kaoru found himself alone in the kitchen, cleaning up the last of the mess. He was lost in thought when Erina appeared in the doorway, her hair loose around her shoulders, her eyes bright with something he couldn't quite name.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, setting aside a dish towel.
She shook her head, stepping into the warm light. "Too much on my mind. The festival, the food… you."
Kaoru's heart skipped a beat. He gestured to a stool. "Sit. Want some tea?"
She nodded, and he poured her a cup, the steam curling between them. They sat in companionable silence, the kitchen quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of someone laughing in the common room.
"You know," Erina said after a while, "I never thought I'd enjoy working with someone like you. You're so… different."
Kaoru smiled, a little self-conscious. "Different isn't always bad."
She looked at him, her gaze steady. "No. It's not."
They talked for a long time, about food, about their families, about the strange paths that had brought them to Tōtsuki. Kaoru found himself opening up in ways he never had before, sharing stories of his childhood, his fears, his dreams. Erina listened, her expression softening, her usual reserve melting away.
As the clock ticked past midnight, Erina stood, stretching. "We should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."
Kaoru nodded, walking her to the door. She paused, her hand on the knob, and turned to face him. "I'm glad you're here, Kaoru."
He smiled, warmth blooming in his chest. "Me too."
She hesitated, then leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Good night."
"Good night, Erina."
She slipped out into the hall, leaving Kaoru alone with his thoughts. He touched his cheek, a smile lingering on his lips.
The festival was coming, and with it, the promise of something new—not just for him, but for all of them.
As he turned off the lights and headed to bed, Kaoru felt a sense of anticipation thrumming through him.
Whatever tomorrow brought, he was ready to face it—with Erina, with his friends, and with the courage to finally let himself belong.
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Please gimme your power stones tehee.
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