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“i know you don’t like fish, luciana, but thank you for coming anyways….”
deuce looked at her expectantly, hoping that at least she would like his food.
the girl smiled weakly, trying not to let the sight of one of her least favorite foods make her friend feel bad for the situation. she had already agreed to join the next masterchef class as a judge, and she wasn’t going to be rude and back out because of this.
she shook her head. “no, it’s alright, deuce. i’m excited to eat your food, really.” grabbing her knife and fork, she began to cut into the mackerel fritters he worked hard on. however, deuce still had a small feeling of guilt in his gut, feeling bad that she had to eat something she didn’t like. luciana paused before biting off a piece of the fish, looking at deuce with a soft smile.
“th… think of your mom and grandmother, deuce. you’re doing this for them, aren’t you? i can tell you worked hard on this dish, so… i’m sure those feelings made this food all the more delicious,” she said in her natural quiet voice.
as if it was like magic (ironic), deuce’s heart lifted a bit, the girl’s words easing his unsteady mind in an instant. “y… you’re right, luciana,” he shouted, startling the other judges at the table, “well, please enjoy the meal!”
slightly laughing, luciana nodded and took a bite of the mackerel, taking her time with the fish.
deuce gulped, anxiously awaiting her rating.
a couple more seconds of silence passed between the two, before luciana’s face lit up with satisfaction.
“woah! this is super good, deuce!”
deuce stared for a moment. did… did the fish-hating luciana just say it was “super good”...?
“like,” she started, not noticing his prolonged gaze on her, “i don’t know how to describe this in poetic words like, for example, tsunotaro does, but the taste of the fried fish just feels and tastes really good. the peppers really compliment the fish as well…. the only criticism i guess i have is… more salt? y… yeah. definitely more salt… so, 7/10, i would say… if- if that seems fair.”
finally looking up at the boy, her cheeks flushed red when she finally acknowledged his stare.
as she looked away, deuce felt a smile creep up on his face. putting his fist over his chest, he proclaimed, “thank you, luciana! i’ll definitely keep working hard to make the perfect food for my mom and grandmother!”
as if his positivity was contagious, luciana couldn’t fight her own dorky smile forming on her face. “i can’t wait to watch you when that moment comes.”
deuce got excited at those words and the thought of them coming true. one of his best friends standing by his side to see his growth and failures, no matter what the subject might be. he grabs her hands and holds them with nothing but pride and joy for himself and what’s to come, and tells her with blissful enthusiasm, “yeah! one day i’ll take you back home with me, so you can experience it with us!”
she was left speechless. her heart was beating incredibly fast as her mind focused on his hands holding hers—her hands were considerably smaller and softer than his bigger, calloused hands; the warmth she felt made her feel like she would melt at any moment from the tender action.
to her surprise, deuce didn’t throw himself into a panic once he realized what he just did. he just took luciana’s empty plate for her and waved goodbye as he beamed at her—a gesture she returned with her own (albeit awkward) wave and grin.
as she stood up from the table and collected her bag for her next class, she couldn’t ignore the tender feeling in her heart—the smile she’s been wearing the entire afternoon didn’t leave once, not even when ace teased her for it during potions.
she felt that it was fate that led her to meet deuce, one of her dearest friends she hoped to hold close for as long as she can.
♡
an old, outdated cell phone was playing soft vintage music throughout the room that night. one of the residents was knocked out, mumbling about tuna cans and ultimate power.
the other one was sitting up in the shared bed, looking at the stars with longing and uncertainty.
“one day i’ll take you back home with me, so you can experience it with us!”
the girl sorrowfully leans against the cracked window, blankly staring at the vast forest that surrounds the abandoned old dorm. i would love that. really, she thinks, feeling her heart drop remembering the sight of her friend’s joyful face.
but i’m not sure i’ll still be here for that wish to come true.