Kaoru Yukishima stood alone in the academy's fermentation chamber, the low hum of machines and the earthy scent of aging miso his only company.
The room was dim, lit by a single bulb that cast long shadows across the rows of barrels and jars.
He moved among them like a ghost, checking temperatures, adjusting valves, scribbling notes in his battered notebook. This was his sanctuary, the one place where he could let his guard down, if only for a moment.
He ran his fingers over the rough wood of a barrel, feeling the pulse of life within.
Fermentation was a living thing, unpredictable and wild. It reminded him of the world he had left behind, the underground supper clubs where he had learned to cook for survival, not for praise.
There, food was currency, and failure meant more than a bruised ego. It meant pain, punishment, sometimes worse.
Tonight, the memories pressed in on him, sharper than usual. He closed his eyes, letting the darkness wash over him.
He remembered the faces of the men who had judged his food, the cold eyes of the woman who had taught him to use mold and salt as weapons.
He remembered the punishments, the hours spent in silence, deprived of light, sound, even taste. He remembered the scars, both visible and hidden, that he carried as proof of his failures.
A soft sound broke the silence. Kaoru turned, his body tense, ready for confrontation. But it was only Megumi, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just... I saw the light. Are you alright?"
Kaoru hesitated, then nodded. "I'm fine. Just working."
Megumi stepped into the room, her gaze flicking over the barrels and jars. "This place is amazing. It feels... alive."
Kaoru allowed himself a small smile. "It is. Fermentation is about trust. You have to let nature take its course. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't."
She moved closer, her curiosity overcoming her shyness. "Will you show me?"
He hesitated, then nodded.
Together, they moved through the chamber, Kaoru explaining the process, Megumi listening intently.
As they worked, the conversation turned personal. Megumi asked about his past, her voice gentle, never prying.
Kaoru found himself answering, the words coming more easily than he expected. He told her about the supper clubs, the dangers, the punishments.
He showed her the scars on his arms, the marks left by knives and burns. He spoke of the loneliness, the fear, the moments of triumph when a dish turned out just right.
Megumi listened, her eyes shining with empathy. She didn't flinch at the darkness in his story. Instead, she offered comfort, her presence a balm to old wounds.
"You're not alone anymore," she said softly. "You have friends here. People who care."
Kaoru looked at her, surprised by the warmth in her words. For the first time, he allowed himself to believe it might be true.
They finished their work in silence, the bond between them strengthened by shared secrets. As Megumi left, she paused in the doorway. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here."
Kaoru nodded, gratitude and something softer flickering in his eyes. As the door closed behind her, he felt lighter, the weight of his past eased by the promise of friendship and understanding.
He lingered in the chamber, letting the silence settle around him.
The scent of fermenting soybeans and rice bran was comforting, a reminder that transformation was possible, even for someone like him.
He thought about Megumi's kindness, the way she had listened without judgment. It was a rare gift, one he had not known he needed until it was offered.
He wandered to a shelf lined with jars of pickles, each one a testament to patience and care. He opened one, inhaling the sharp tang of vinegar and spice. The flavors were bold, unapologetic, yet balanced.
He thought of the people he had met at Tōtsuki, the friends he was slowly making, the rivalries that pushed him to grow.
For the first time, he wondered if he could truly belong here.
Later, as he left the chamber and stepped into the cool night air, Kaoru felt a sense of hope.
The past would always be a part of him, but it did not have to define him. He could choose what to carry forward, what to leave behind.
And with friends like Megumi, maybe, just maybe, he could find a new way to live.
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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