DOODLES for all

The library at Totsuki was one of Alice's favorite places.

Quiet.

Organized.

Shelf after shelf filled with cookbooks, science journals, food history, chemistry, nutrition, and techniques from every corner of the world.

It was paradise.

Alice Nakiri wandered between the towering shelves.

She had come looking for a book on Scandinavian preservation techniques.

Professor Shinomiya had mentioned it during class.

Alice absolutely had to read it.

"There you are..."

She spotted it.

High.

Very high.

Alice frowned.

"Seriously?"

She stepped closer.

Rose onto her tiptoes.

Reached.

"...Almost..."

Her fingers brushed the spine.

"So close..."

She stretched even farther.

"Come on..."

The book shifted.

Just a little.

"I've almost got—"

A hand reached over her shoulder.

Long fingers easily grasped the book.

Pulled it cleanly from the shelf.

Alice blinked.

Before she even turned around...

she noticed familiar things.

Warmth.

The faint scent of smoke.

Sea salt.

Fresh air.

A bandana tucked into a sleeve.

Then—

a voice she'd recognize anywhere.

"Here."

Ryo said simply.

Alice turned around.

Ryo Kurokiba held the book out toward her.

Alice smiled immediately.

"Thanks, Ryo."

She accepted it happily.

Ryo looked up toward the shelf she'd been struggling with.

Then back at her.

"Just ask for help next time."

Alice puffed out her cheeks.

"I almost had it!"

"...Right."

Ryo chuckled.

"I did!"

"You were about three centimeters away."

"I was making progress!"

"You've been 'making progress' for five minutes."

Alice gasped dramatically.

"You were watching?"

"Tch."

"I walked in."

"You didn't say anything."

"I wanted to see how long it'd take."

Alice narrowed her eyes.

"So you were making fun of me."

"No."

"...Maybe."

Alice lightly bumped his shoulder with hers.

"You're terrible."

"I got the book."

"...You did."

"So."

Ryo shrugged.

"It worked."

Alice sighed dramatically.

"I suppose..."

She hugged the book to her chest.

"...Thank you."

Ryo nodded once.

"Anything else?"

Alice looked thoughtfully down the aisle.

"Hmm..."

She pointed toward another shelf.

"...Actually..."

Ryo followed her finger.

The next book was even higher.

He looked back at her.

"...Miss."

"What?"

"You're not even going to try this one?"

Alice smiled innocently.

"I learned my lesson."

Ryo blinked.

"...That was fast."

Alice grinned.

"I've got a very tall assistant."

"Tch."

"I'm not your ladder."

"No."

Alice slipped the second book from his hands once he'd reached it.

"You're much more useful than a ladder."

Ryo looked at her for a long moment.

Then quietly clicked his tongue.

Alice laughed.

The librarian glanced over with a gentle "Shhh."

Both teenagers immediately lowered their voices.

"...Sorry."

Alice whispered.

They exchanged a grin.

Then continued walking side by side through the endless rows of books—

Alice carrying an armful of reading material.

Ryo carrying the rest before she'd even thought to ask.

The gala had finally ended.

The speeches were over.

The business deals were done.

The endless socializing had come to a merciful conclusion.

It ended the same way most Nakiri galas did.

With Alice Nakiri deciding she was absolutely done with her shoes.

"These are instruments of torture."

Before anyone could argue, Alice kicked off her heels.

One.

Then the other.

Ryo Kurokiba caught both without missing a step.

"Tch."

Alice looked entirely too pleased with herself.

A moment later she latched onto Ryo's free arm.

Perching herself there comfortably.

Like a particularly elegant bird.

Her hands settled on his shoulders.

Her feet dangled freely.

And because she was Alice—

she began kicking them back and forth slightly.

"Happy now?" Ryo asked.

"Much."

They walked through the cool Danish evening together.

The stars visible overhead.

For a few moments they simply enjoyed the peace.

Then Ryo glanced over.

Taking in the sight of her.

The red dress.

The silver-blonde hair.

The smile she'd been wearing all evening.

"You looked good tonight."

Alice immediately gasped.

"Only good?"

She pressed a hand dramatically against her chest.

"Ryo Kurokiba, I am wounded."

"Tch."

"I even matched your bandana tonight!"

That part was true.

For years, Ryo had quietly chosen something that matched Alice's outfit.

A tie.

A pocket square.

A cufflink.

Something subtle.

Something only she would notice.

Tonight Alice had turned the tables.

Her dress had incorporated the same deep crimson as his bandana.

Deliberately.

Ryo glanced away slightly.

"I noticed."

Alice immediately beamed.

That answer somehow made her happier.

Ryo shook his head.

A small chuckle escaping him.

"You look good in red."

Alice stopped kicking her feet.

Completely.

For one dangerous moment.

Because Ryo didn't hand out compliments often.

And when he did—

he meant every word.

Alice simply stared at him.

Melting.

Absolutely melting.

"Thanks, handsome."

The smile she gave him should have been illegal.

Ryo looked away immediately.

"Tch."

But Alice caught it.

The faint color in his ears.

The tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth.

And suddenly she was grinning even wider.

"Oh my god."

"What."

"You blushed."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

"Tch."

"Ryooooo."

"Miss."

"You think I'm pretty."

"You are pretty."

Alice nearly missed a step despite not actually walking.

Her entire brain stopped.

Ryo realized what he'd just said.

Too late.

Silence.

Then Alice buried her face against his shoulder.

"...I'm never recovering from that."

Ryo sighed.

"You're impossible."

"And you're handsome."

"Tch."

"And sweet."

"Tch."

"And thoughtful."

"Tch."

"And—"

"Alice."

She laughed.

Bright and warm.

The sound followed them all the way home.

And though Ryo would never admit it—

it remained his favorite part of the entire evening.

The first sign that the morning was going poorly came when Ryo knocked on Alice's bedroom door and received no answer.

The second sign came when he opened it.

Alice Nakiri was buried beneath a mountain of blankets.

Not sleeping.

Hiding.

"Miss."

A groan emerged from somewhere beneath the covers.

"Five more minutes."

"You said that ten minutes ago."

"Then I only need negative five minutes."

Ryo stared.

"...That's not how time works."

"It should."

"Tch."

Ryo walked over to the bed.

"Get up."

"Nooo."

The whine echoed through the room.

Alice grabbed more blanket.

As if that would somehow help.

Ryo sighed.

The long-suffering sigh of someone who had been dealing with this for years.

"Miss."

"No."

"Miss."

"No."

"Miss."

"NO."

That settled it.

Without another word, Ryo grabbed the blanket.

And ripped it away.

Alice immediately shrieked.

"RYO!"

Before she could launch into a formal complaint, Ryo scooped her up.

Alice reacted entirely on instinct.

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

Her legs locked around his waist.

Like a koala.

Like this happened every morning.

Which, unfortunately, it did often enough that neither of them found it strange anymore.

"Tch."

Ryo adjusted his grip.

His left hand settled beneath her to keep her from sliding down.

Alice immediately buried her face against his shoulder.

"I hate mornings."

"I know."

"I especially hate school mornings."

"I know."

"I should be allowed to hibernate."

"Tch."

Still carrying her, Ryo grabbed the cup sitting on her dresser.

Inside were two toothbrushes.

One hers.

One his.

Alice cracked open one eye.

"...You're prepared."

"I've done this before."

"That's fair."

The journey to the bathroom began.

Alice remained attached to him the entire way.

Half asleep.

Entirely shameless.

Once inside, Ryo set the cup down.

"Brush your teeth."

Alice groaned dramatically.

"You're so demanding."

"Brush."

She accepted the toothbrush.

Still clinging to him.

"Thank you," she grumbled.

Ryo scoffed.

"Good morning to you too."

Alice finally smiled.

Sleepy.

Warm.

"Good morning, Ryo."

That at least sounded genuine.

Ryo clicked his tongue.

But the corner of his mouth twitched upward slightly.

Progress.

Now he only had to convince her to get dressed, eat breakfast, and leave the estate.

Ryo was in a mood.

Not berserk-mode.

Not angry.

Just... confrontational.

Every minor inconvenience had received a sharp response.

A first-year had bumped into him.

Ryo stared until the poor kid apologized three times.

Someone had questioned his seasoning choice in class.

Ryo immediately challenged them to taste it blind.

A classmate asked if he was having a bad day.

"No."

Which somehow sounded threatening.

By lunchtime, rumors had already spread.

"Kurokiba's looking for a fight."

"Again?"

"More than usual."

The truth was, Ryo didn't really know why.

He'd woken up restless.

Agitated.

Like he needed to challenge something.

Or someone.

And there was only one person who consistently accepted those challenges.

He spotted her in the hallway.

Alice.

Moving quickly as usual.

Notebook tucked under one arm.

Already thinking three steps ahead.

"Miss."

Nothing.

She continued walking.

Ryo frowned.

"Miss."

Still nothing.

His eye twitched.

"MISS."

Alice kept moving.

Then before she rounded the corner—

"Alice!"

That got her.

Immediately.

Alice stopped and turned.

"Hm?"

Before she could say anything else, Ryo closed the distance.

His fingers lightly caught her chin.

Tilting her head toward him.

"Ignoring me?" he asked.

Alice blinked once.

Then smirked.

"Huh? No way."

Completely unfazed.

As always.

"What do you want?"

She didn't step back.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't even seem surprised.

After ten years together, Alice had seen every version of Ryo.

Quiet Ryo.

Angry Ryo.

Sleepy Ryo.

Food-war Ryo.

The occasional dramatic Ryo.

This wasn't even in the top ten.

Ryo's smirk mirrored hers.

"Food war."

Alice's eyes immediately lit up.

"Hmm."

A dangerous gleam appeared.

"You're on."

The two stared at each other.

Both smiling.

Both entirely too excited about this.

Then—

"YOU TWO!"

The shout echoed down the hallway.

Both turned.

Erina Nakiri was marching toward them.

Looking horrified.

"Quit that!"

"Tch."

Ryo clicked his tongue.

"Huh?"

Alice blinked.

Then realization hit.

A deep blush immediately exploded across her face.

Because from Erina's angle—

Ryo was standing very close.

Holding Alice's chin.

Both smiling at each other.

Neither moving away.

It looked...

Not like a food war challenge.

At all.

"..."

"..."

Both Alice and Ryo stared at Erina.

Erina stared back.

The silence stretched.

Then Ryo finally released Alice's chin.

Slowly.

Alice immediately took half a step back.

Still blushing.

"We were discussing a food war," she said.

Far too quickly.

"Obviously."

Erina deadpanned.

"That's what that looked like."

Alice groaned.

Ryo clicked his tongue again.

"Tch."

"You two are impossible," Erina sighed.

As she walked away, she muttered something about needing stronger tea.

The second she was gone—

Alice looked at Ryo.

"...A food war?"

Ryo shrugged.

"Yeah."

Alice crossed her arms.

"You tracked me through half the school for that?"

"Yeah."

A pause.

Then Alice laughed.

Of course he did.

And somehow, that answer made perfect sense.

Ryo hated suits.

That was the conclusion he'd reached approximately three minutes after putting one on.

The jacket felt restrictive.

The collar felt too tight.

The polished dress shoes made him walk funny.

And the fresh haircut Soe had insisted on made him feel exposed somehow.

"Tch."

Ryo tugged at the blazer again.

"Quit that."

Soe glanced over from where he was adjusting his own tie.

"You're going to wrinkle it."

"I don't care."

"I know."

Soe chuckled.

That was the problem.

The annual Nakiri gala was one of the biggest events of the year.

Industry leaders.

Investors.

Chefs.

Business partners.

Important people from all over the world.

And because Ryo lived with the Nakiris, attended events with them, and represented the family more often these days—

He was expected to look presentable.

Unfortunately.

Ryo tugged at the jacket again.

Soe sighed.

Then the door suddenly burst open.

"Ryo!"

Both turned.

And in walked Alice.

Dressed for the gala.

Elegant as always.

Silver-blonde hair perfectly styled.

Eyes bright with excitement.

She took exactly two steps into the room before stopping completely.

Ryo frowned.

"What?"

Alice stared.

Then her entire face lit up.

"Wow, Ryo!"

The enthusiasm hit like a truck.

"You look extra handsome today!"

Ryo froze.

Completely.

Soe immediately looked away to hide a smile.

Because he knew exactly what was happening.

Meanwhile Ryo's brain had stopped functioning.

"..."

"..."

"...Thanks."

The response came out much quieter than intended.

He immediately looked away afterward.

Alice smiled even wider.

Because she was eight.

And had absolutely no idea what she'd just done.

"See?"

She pointed dramatically.

"I told you the haircut would look nice."

"Tch."

"It does!"

Ryo rubbed the back of his neck.

Suddenly very aware of his appearance.

Which was unusual.

Because normally he couldn't care less.

Alice meanwhile was completely unbothered.

She walked over.

Circled him once.

Inspecting.

Ryo groaned.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking."

"Stop looking."

"No."

Soe finally laughed.

Alice grinned.

Then she reached out and grabbed Ryo's hand.

"Let's go!"

Ryo blinked.

"Where?"

"The gala."

"We're already going."

"Exactly."

That somehow explained nothing.

But Alice was already pulling him toward the door.

Ryo stumbled after her.

"Tch."

"Come on!"

"You're going too fast."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"You're just slow."

"I am not."

Alice laughed.

The sound echoed down the hallway.

And despite all his complaining—

Despite the uncomfortable suit.

Despite the stuffy event waiting for them.

Despite everything.

Ryo found himself relaxing slightly.

Because Alice's hand was still holding his.

And somehow that made all the irritating parts of the evening easier to tolerate.

As they headed toward the grand ballroom, Alice glanced over at him again.

"You really do look handsome."

Ryo groaned immediately.

"Alice."

"What?"

"Stop saying that."

"Why?"

"..."

Because he didn't have an answer he could give.

Not one he'd figured out himself yet.

So he simply shook his head.

And Alice laughed again as she dragged him toward another Nakiri event.

Completely unaware that she'd managed to make the new suit feel a little less uncomfortable.

The Nakiri estate's kitchen was a disaster.

Not a dangerous disaster.

Not even a serious one.

Just the kind of disaster that happened when two thirteen-year-olds decided they were going to "improve" a recipe.

"We should add more citrus."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

Alice added it anyway.

Ryo groaned.

"You're impossible."

"And yet here you are."

"Unfortunately."

Alice grinned.

The recipe had started as something simple.

Then Alice had gotten an idea.

Then another idea.

Then three more ideas.

Now there were bowls everywhere.

Notes scattered across the counter.

Ingredients occupying every available surface.

Organized chaos.

At least according to Alice.

"A complete mess," according to Ryo.

The latest experiment sat between them.

Alice proudly presented a spoon.

"Try it."

Ryo narrowed his eyes.

"No."

"Try it."

"No."

"Assistant."

Ryo sighed dramatically.

Then accepted the spoon.

The moment it touched his tongue—

His face twisted.

Alice immediately burst out laughing.

"What?"

"You should see your face!"

"It tastes terrible!"

"I know!"

"You knew?!"

"Of course!"

Alice doubled over laughing.

Ryo stared at her.

Then at the bowl.

Then back at her.

The absurdity of it finally caught up to him.

And suddenly—

He laughed.

A real laugh.

Not a smirk.

Not a scoff.

Not the brief amused exhale he usually allowed himself.

An actual laugh.

Bright.

Unrestrained.

The sound filled the kitchen.

Alice froze.

Immediately.

Because it was rare.

So incredibly rare.

Most people knew Ryo as intense.

Competitive.

Sharp.

They knew the fighter.

The cook.

The stubborn boy who attacked every challenge head-on.

But this?

This was different.

This was the laugh that only appeared when his guard disappeared.

The laugh that reminded everyone he was still just a kid.

Alice's own smile slowly softened.

She found herself staring.

Watching the way his eyes crinkled slightly.

The way his shoulders relaxed.

The way he looked completely carefree for once.

Her cheeks felt warm.

And she wasn't entirely sure why.

Maybe because she liked seeing him happy.

Maybe because he'd spent so much of his life having to be strong.

Maybe because moments like this felt precious.

Ryo...

This part of you.

I want to protect it.

The thought appeared quietly.

Naturally.

She didn't even question it.

She simply knew it.

The world had been hard on Ryo for a long time.

Alice wanted there to always be moments like this.

Moments where he laughed.

Where he forgot to carry everything by himself.

Where he could simply be happy.

Lost in the thought, Alice continued staring.

And staring.

And staring.

Until—

Ryo noticed.

The laughter faded.

He looked over.

Alice was still staring.

Completely motionless.

"...Alice?"

Nothing.

"Alice?"

Her eyes widened.

"Oh!"

Reality returned.

Immediately.

"What?"

Ryo frowned.

"You stopped moving."

"I did not."

"You did."

"For how long?"

"A while."

Alice felt her cheeks warm further.

Which was annoying.

Very annoying.

She quickly looked away.

"I was thinking."

"Dangerous."

Alice gasped.

"How rude."

Ryo smirked.

Better.

The familiar rhythm returned.

Alice smiled despite herself.

The moment had passed.

But she secretly tucked it away.

Another memory.

Another reminder.

That behind all of Ryo's sharp edges was someone capable of laughing like that.

And every time she saw it, she found herself wanting to see it again.

Even if she couldn't quite explain why.

A Helping Hand

The arena still buzzed with leftover adrenaline.

It had been an intense food war.

Not between them — but both Alice Nakiri and Ryo Kurokiba had competed in separate rounds back-to-back.

Heat. Pressure. Pride.

Everything still lingered in the air like steam from a finished dish.

Alice leaned against a prep counter backstage, catching her breath. Her collar was loosened, platinum strands sticking slightly to her temple.

“…That was ridiculous,” she murmured, half laughing. “Did you see the judge’s face when the nitrogen fog hit?”

Ryo set down a tray with a quiet clatter.

“Yea. Thought he was gonna faint.”

She smirked.

“He should thank me. I gave him a memorable experience.”

“You always do.”

There was no sarcasm in his voice.

Just simple fact.

Alice blinked slightly at that.

Before she could respond, a loose strand of hair slipped fully across her face.

It clung there, damp with sweat.

She went to brush it away—

But Ryo moved first.

His hand came up.

Careful.

Rough fingertips unexpectedly gentle as he tucked the strand behind her ear.

Time seemed to… stop.

Alice went completely still.

Her breath caught.

Her eyes lifted slowly to meet his.

A blush began to bloom across her cheeks, spreading in a way she couldn’t control.

Ryo froze too.

He hadn’t thought.

Hadn’t planned.

He’d just… done it.

Now he was suddenly very aware of how close they were.

How warm her skin felt under his touch.

How wide her eyes had gone.

“…What?” he muttered, defensive reflex kicking in.

Alice didn’t answer.

She was still staring.

Which somehow made it worse.

The tension stretched thin between them — fragile and electric.

Students laughed somewhere down the hall.

A pan clanged.

Reality crept back in.

Alice cleared her throat.

Very primly.

“…Thank you.”

Her voice sounded unusually small.

Ryo dropped his hand like he’d been burned.

“Tch. It was in the way.”

“Obviously.”

Silence again.

Both suddenly fascinated by literally anything that wasn’t each other.

Then—

Alice clapped her hands together brightly.

Too brightly.

“Well! That was fun!”

Ryo blinked.

“…You almost passed out.”

“I did not.”

“You swayed.”

“I was being dramatic.”

“You were being dehydrated.”

She scoffed loudly.

“There you go again, trying to ruin my mystique.”

“There was never mystique.”

“Rude.”

But the familiar rhythm had returned.

Teasing. Arguing. Safe territory.

Alice grabbed her notebook and started walking.

“Come on,” she said, flipping her hair like nothing had happened. “We need to write down what we learned before you forget everything.”

“I don’t forget,” he shot back, falling into step beside her.

Neither of them mentioned the moment again.

Not out loud.

Growth Spurt

The late afternoon sun stretched long across the middle school courtyard, warming the stone paths and painting everything gold.

Students were packing up, laughter echoing as they hurried toward freedom.

Alice Nakiri stood near the gates, adjusting the ribbon on her uniform and scanning the crowd with clear impatience.

“He said he’d be here…”

Then she saw him.

Her eyes widened.

“…Ryo?”

Ryo Kurokiba paused mid-step when he noticed her staring.

“What?”

Alice blinked.

Then blinked again.

“…Wow.”

“What wow?”

“You’re so much taller now!”

She stepped closer, tilting her head back dramatically as if assessing a towering monument.

It was true.

Over the past few months, Ryo had shot up like a weed. He was now easily a head and a half taller than her, his shoulders broader, his presence somehow heavier even when he was just standing there awkwardly with his bag slung over one arm.

“Yea,” he muttered. “Guess I am.”

Alice placed her hands firmly on her hips.

“Hmph. At least I’ll still be the older one.”

There was unmistakable triumph in her voice.

Ryo chuckled under his breath.

“Sure.”

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Don’t ‘sure’ me. Respect your seniors.”

“You’re fourteen.”

“And you’re thirteen,” she shot back instantly.

“That doesn’t make you wise.”

“It makes me experienced.”

“That’s not how that works.”

Alice huffed.

Then suddenly stepped right into his space.

He stiffened slightly.

“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “this might be inconvenient.”

“How?”

“Well now I have to look up at you when I give orders.”

“You don’t give orders.”

She gasped in mock offense.

“I absolutely do.”

Ryo shook his head, faint amusement tugging at his mouth.

Some things hadn’t changed at all.

Alice studied him for another moment — something softer creeping into her expression now.

The height. The sharper lines of his face. The way he seemed to take up more room in the world without even trying.

Time was moving.

They were growing.

It felt… strange.

Then, without warning, she threw her arms around him.

Her cheek pressed against his chest, one foot lifting lightly off the ground in an absent, happy little kick.

“You’re still my Ryo,” she declared with a bright smile.

Ryo froze.

Completely.

His brain stalled somewhere between confusion and awareness.

She felt smaller like this.

Warmer.

Familiar in a way that made his chest feel tight for reasons he couldn’t name yet.

His left hand hovered awkwardly in the air.

Should he…?

Was this… normal?

Alice didn’t seem to question it at all.

She was just hugging him like she always had.

After a moment, he exhaled quietly.

Then wrapped his arms around her.

Carefully.

Like he was still figuring out how strong he had become.

“…Yea,” he muttered.

Still yours.

He didn’t say it out loud.

But somehow she seemed to understand anyway.

Because she just smiled wider against him, perfectly content.