Work Text:
It starts innocently enough. Hayama notes her presence with mild interest. Her cuisine of choice is unique. She’s a deserving opponent.
It stops there.
And then eventually, he comes to realise that she’s the girl who follows Nakiri Erina around and he wonders, at first, if she’s something like a lost puppy. Until he accidentally overhears the worried, harsh undertone of her voice when she speaks to Erina and he is surprised when he recognises it. It’s the voice he uses with Jun when she’s overworking herself or when she trips on thin air.
It’s the sound of someone who cares. And he knows. He knows because he knows what it’s like to be utterly devoted to someone.
So for some years, as his life goes on and he finds himself spending too much time with Yukihira Soma and Nakiri Alice and the boy who smells like the sea, he sees her a little more often. And he takes note. It’s the kinship he feels for her, he reckons.
Nothing more.
And then he’s one of the Totsuki Elite Ten and he’s seeing her more than he thought he would but less often than he realises he wants. She’s always at meetings. Quiet but thoughtful and she follows every spoken word. But the moment business is done and Hayama can no longer give pause to note her disposition, Arato Hisako is gone.
Hayama finds himself irritated.
And then he finds himself waiting outside closed doors just to talk to her. And pausing in meetings to send a ghost of a smile her way. It gratifies him when his efforts set a soft dusting of pink on her cheeks to compliment her hair. Again, he reasons that he just wants to be friends - yes, just friends - because - because of the kinship.
Uh huh.
They don’t talk much. They didn’t talk much before and they don’t talk much now. He’d always been polite and pleasant enough but now he actually has to find something to say whenever he greets her after she exits Erina’s office in a flurry of papers.
Most of the time, all he can come up with is “hi” and it takes awhile before curiosity overwhelms Hisako and one day, she counters his "hi" with a “why.”
Why are you waiting. Why do you walk with me. What do you want.
Hayama doesn’t know the answer to any of these questions, so he shrugs and Hisako’s eyes narrow. But she doesn’t say a word.
Nowadays, they just walk in silence. Their friends don’t bother them when they’re together. Even if there not touching. Even if they’re not speaking.
It’s a dependable silence. It’s comfortable. And for now, Hayama thinks, it’s enough.
_______
Hisako doesn’t admire many people. Least ways, not if they’re outside of the Nakiri family. But if she had to - she’d pick Hayama. He’s quiet and controlled and smart and skilled.
She admires him. That’s okay. That’s normal. Never mind the fact that her opinion of Yukihira Soma can’t even touch Hayama Akira, she reasons.
And then she begins to catch him glancing at her and it is to her own chagrin that she preens a little at the attention - whether it’s intentional or not. Hisako is not used to being noticed.
And then he starts appearing where she least expects it. Hisako has been taught to be seen and not heard. So it is almost habit when she clamps her questions down as they bubble up and nods placidly at his “hi’s.”
Until, one day, it becomes a routine and she turns almost angrily on him to demand why. Not that she minds the company.
He smells like cinnamon and spices and things that are warm. And Hisako realises that it’s no longer just admiration. It’s something cozy that settles in her chest.
It makes her everything turn to mush. And so, she hasn’t anything to say to his shrug in response. So they keep at it until it becomes more than routine. It’s quiet and comfortable and it’s moments she’s come to look forward to even if nothing particularly special happens. His presence grounds her.
When Erina-sama tells her to go on ahead from Yukihira's diner the day Yukihira gets back from overseas, Hisako sees her shooting Hayama a pointed glance. And then, Hisako surprises even herself when she nods okay. Because it’s fine that Erina knows about her and Hayama. Whatever they are. It’s fine that it’s fine. And it says something about Hisako's relationship with Hayama and with Erika (and probably Erina’s relationship with Soma too) when Hisako is okay with it being fine.
Accordingly, Hisako steps out to stand by Hayama as he wordlessly begins to walk her home, even though she hasn’t asked.
“Hi,” she smiles.
Hayama seems a little surprised but he nods and takes her hand in his. He returns her smile with one of his own.
“Hi.”