Chapter Text
“I’ll take that fourth seat back, thank you very much” announced Akira Hayama as reached for the band that tied his hair into a ponytail, releasing his pristine silver locks that fell barely below his shoulders and began to gather his utensils. All the meanwhile, ignoring the enraged beast known as Ryo Kurokiba who had ran over to Hayama’s cooking area and started relentlessly slamming his fist against the stainless-steel table.
“YOU SPICE BASTARD, TAKE THAT SHIT BACK OUT AND LET’S GO FOR ROUND 2! I’LL RIP THAT DAMNED OFF YOUR ASS IF I HAVE TO” roared the Mad Dog, eyes oozing with rage, but filled with a fire that always caught Hayama’s attention. Hayama couldn’t help but smile at his classmate’s tenacity and let out a sigh.
“Sorry, but I have some experiments to work on in the lab. You can try again tomorrow, if you can even muster the courage past this little adrenaline rush of yours” scoffed Hayama, succeeding in provoking the already livid Ryo. He didn’t hate the comrade, quite the opposite actually. Hayam had grown to respect Ryo dearly, but that didn’t stop him from prodding when given the chance.
“WHY YO- eh” Ryo’s demeaned completely shifted as the white-haired Danish ripped the bandana off his head and lightly slapped him on the back of his head.
“I think that’s enough” Alice said in a demanding tone, holding his bandana in one hand while pulling on his ear with the other. However, despite the treatment the most Ryo could muster up was-
“Kay Alice” Ryo said nonchalantly, as if he didn’t even feel the searing pain coursing through his ear, frustrating Alice and making her pout and shout.
“What?! At least try to sound more intimidated! Damn it Ryo, let’s go we need to practice!” As Alice pulled Ryo towards the exit, the audience couldn’t help but look in confusion and fear at Alice’s wrath, while the other Elite 10 seats and the rest of Polar Star laughed. Alice’s temper tantrum combined with Ryo’s indifference was a comedic combo that would never tire. Eizan and Nene simply shook their heads, but in the end couldn’t help but crack a smile as Kuga was on his knees from his uncontrollable laughing fit.
“Did you see the look on the mutt’s face when Grumpy Sensei gave the Hayama the point?!” laughed Kuga as Roland Chapelle twitched in annoyance from Kuga’s nickname.
“If anyone’s the mutt here it’s you, midget” responded Nene without sparing him the slightest glance.
“What’d you call me, you hag?!” shouted Kuga who was now up on his feet and growling at Nene, who simply gazed at him in disgust.
“Will you two just shut up?” interjected Etsuya Eizan, the 8th seat. He soon regretted that decision as the two directed their death glares towards him.
“N-now guys…we shouldn’t be arguing like this front of the whole s-school” said Megumi as she tried to avoid making eye contact with the audience who were simply staring and shaking their head, already accustomed to their leader’s antics. In an instant, Megumi crawled back to Takumi and Isshiki in pure fear when the three bickering Elite 10 members looked back at her, feral rage dripping from their eyes. They held their gaze at her momentarily resuming their bickering amongst each other, leaving a sobbing Megumi.
“You’d think after all this time and all that’s happened they’d figure out how to be around each other without wanting to kill each other” sighed Takumi, which was followed by Isshiki’s lighthearted laughter as if he was completely oblivious to the fact that three of the top students were literally a few bulging veins away from physically harming each other.
“Ahh the beauty of youth, who knew it could elevate one’s emotions to such blazing ferocity” said Satoshi Isshiki as he swung his arms out and started skipping towards the three, trying to get them in a hug, only to receive three powerful punches from the 3rd, 8th, and 9th seat which sent him toppling over to Megumi and Takumi, startling the two.
“Isshiki-senpai?!?!” shouted the two as they ran over to his now lifeless body, with nothing short of 3 bulging bruises on his face and his classic smile. The rest of the school watched as chaos ensued among the Elite 10, too filled with both fear and amusement to try and leave or stop them.
Higher up in her own private booth stood the God Tongue herself alongside Hisako Arato, covered her face in embarrassment while Erina let out a heavy sigh followed by massaging her own temples.
“Those improper degenerates…” she groaned before Hisako pulled out her phone.
“Should I call security to reprimand them?” asked Hisako, who was ready to speed-dial the campus security officers. Fights over the seats or just over trivial nonsense was a commonality now, to the point where Hisako, despite her dedication and hardworking nature, just wanted to roll her eyes and look the other way. Erina simply pointed back towards the bickering group. Hisako followed her finger and realized what she was pointing at; Ryo Kurokiba had just gotten his bandana back on and was now on a rampage on the three, splitting them apart and holding them back. Megumi watched in absolute terror as Alice fell to the floor from laughing to hard, while Takumi and Hayama sighed. Isshiki…was still knocked out, but still had his infamous smile plastered onto his blank expression.
“Don’t bother, I don’t want to give security a hard time with Ryo again, especially after last week’s incident”
“Speaking of, Officer Gerald was just released from the hospital. We’ve given him compensation for what happened, though he did say he may have to reconsider coming back to the job” Hisako couldn’t help but laugh a little while telling Erina, but soon recomposed herself.
“Remind me to tell my dear cousin to keep a tighter leash on his aid” sighed the headmaster, which Hisako simply responded with a nod. To Hisako’s surprise, however, a small smile grew on Erina’s face followed by a soft chuckle as she watched the Elite 10 below. Hisako couldn’t help but smile back; seeing Erina this happy; genuinely happy, made Hisako even more grateful towards her fellow classmates. Especially…
“B-by the way…” Erina started, catching Hisako’s attention. There was a slight mark of red tinging her cheeks as the blonde cleared her throat. “…Where’s Yukihira-Kun, Hisako?” Erina finally asked. Hisako was caught off guard by Erina’s sudden change of tone; one that was softer, one that was almost…embarrassed?
“He’s probably still sleeping at Polar Star Dormitory” responded Hisako and she began swiping away at her tablet. Soon, a spreadsheet popped up into view. On it was all the past Shokugekis that have taken place since the Nakiri Administration with Headmaster Erina Nakiri was put into place. Along with the competitors, conditions, and results of the Shokugekis, it also has a record of upcoming Shokugekis. Sorting it to streamline the search, Hisako chuckled at the sight of Soma’s dopey profile picture, one that he refused to change even after being instated as an official Elite 10 member. That smile soon faded into a frown as she read out the results of her search, finding them worrisome.
“First Seat Soma Yukihira hasn’t participated in a Shokugeki in the last two weeks. He’s been rejecting every single challenge. He hasn’t even participated in challenges that were issued by the other seat holders” reported Hisako. Though Erina had already been noticing the slight absence of Soma’s troublesome antics, she was alarmed nonetheless.
“It’s not like Yukihira-Kun to reject Shokugeki challenges. Maybe- a big fat maybe- if it was from a lower ranked student but even Shokugekis with the other members?” thought Erina. She began to think back to the last time she saw Soma, trying to remember if there was any change in his behavior. Aside from finally getting some work as the First Seat done, he was still as over-zealous, idiotic, and criminally upbeat as usual. So, what is it that’s so different now, she wondered.
“If you’d like, I can go call him or get someone to pick him up” said Hisako. Erina took a moment to think before she answered.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll confront him myself. Knowing that trickster, he’d find some way to weasel his way out of anyone else’s grasp” sighed Erina before she turned on her heel and walked away. Hisako smiled, finding it charming just how much Erina was willing to give her time to the red head that she had deemed to be “insufferable”. If Hisako knew anyone as stubborn as Soma, it’d be Erina. With an endearing roll of the eyes, she watched the blonde take her leave.
A gentle breeze entered through the window, rustling the boy’s crimson hair, softly swaying it from side to side. Soma Yukihira, only an upcoming sophomore, has occupied the First Seat within the Elite 10, making him, logically, the most skilled chef within the entire school. Logic, however, wasn’t Soma’s concern as he lay on his bed, eyes shut and hands supporting the back of his head. He chewed on the shriveled squid tentacle and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Second year is coming around in a few weeks huh…” thought Soma before a rather devious smirk crawled up on his face. “Not even two years in and I’m already the First Seat, suck on that dad!” Soma manically laughed internally, before his signature smirk faded into a slight frown.
“…Yeah, right…” thought Soma. He grabbed his phone and quickly dialed his father’s phone number. As he punched in the numbers, questions began to flood his mind.
Why am I calling Dad?
What am I gonna even ask him?
Ring.
Where the hell even is he now?
Ring. A smile began to form on Soma’s face as he let out an evil giggle.
I wonder what nasty garbage he came up wi-
Click.
“Soma? There’s no way you got into trouble again. I can’t drop everything and save your ass all the time you know, brat” laughed Jouichirou Yukihira, Soma’s father, formerly known Jouichirou Saiba. Though Soma did initiate the call, he was still surprised that his busybody of a father actually picked up.
“Screw you too, pops!” shouted Soma. If anyone could easily tick Soma off, it was his own father. Soma heard his hearty laugh over the phone which was then followed by several voices.
“I’d love to catch up Soma, but right now’s a bad time. Think you can run down whatever you need in the next…30 seconds?” said Jouichirou. Though it sounded insane, Soma knew that his father really did intend to give him only thirty seconds. Traveling all over the world, serving so many high-class people, it’s all a part of the luxurious life that his father has been leading ever since Soma entered Totsuki.
“Well, er, that’s the thing. I don’t really know why I called you. Something’s been on my mind, but I don’t really know how to…talk about it, ya know?” said Soma.
Silence. His father didn’t utter a single word. Soma shifted awkwardly on his bed, awaiting his father’s words, hoping they’d be willing to enlighten him with some aged wisdom.
“The hell you call me for? I don’t know what’s going on in that blockhead of yours” mocked Saiba. Soma could almost see his father’s dopey smile, irritating Soma.
“Thanks a ton, you good for nothing old man!” Soma retorted in anger, making Saiba laugh even more.
“You ever consider that you might be thinking a little too hard about it? Thinking has never been your forte” the father teased, laughing as his son let out a puppy-like growl over the phone. “Do something to exhaust yourself, drain yourself mentally and physically, force yourself to look at it in its simplest form.. Then, try and tackle whatever you got going on without over complicating it. Go cook or work out or something. Or both. Yeah, try both” Soma just sat up, both dumbfounded and just confused.
“I COULD HAVE FIGURED THAT OUT ON MY OWN?!” Soma shouted onto the phone, bewildered by how generic his father’s advice was.
“Then why didn’t you? Anyway, I have to go! Tell me when you figure it out, Soma. Remember, no one is going to give you the answers you want, you have to find them yourself. Especially if it’s in that head of yours, no one knows you better than yourself. Take care, kid! I’ll see you next week!”
And just as fast as he had picked up, his father ended the call. Soma looked at his recent calls record and stared at the call he just made with his dad. 27 seconds.
“That asshole, I had 3 seconds left…” Soma let out a deep sigh before tossing his phone across the bed. He got up and made his way over to the mini fridge and took out some ingredients. He took out one chicken leg and thigh, removed it from its saran wrap, and put it in the microwave. He pressed the Defrost button and started it up, prompting the microwave to light up and rotate.. Soma watched the dish with the chicken spin for a moment before turning around. He let out a sigh and shook his head.
“Might as well give it a shot” thought Soma as he held his arms out and got into push-up position. He slowly let his body down and held himself up just before his chest touched the ground, keeping his back straight. He held the position for 3 seconds before pushing himself back up.
“1” Soma kept a mental check in his head as he repeated the same motion again.
“2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10…1- “
Ding. Soma got up and turned his focus to the microwave. It was still lit up and was still spinning.
“That’s weird…might be broken…” Soma said curiously, staring at it. In the next moment however, he simply smiled carelessly and shrugged. “Oh well, I’ll deal with that later. Maybe I can convince Nakiri to buy us some new ones” Soma said with a pleased smirk and got back into position, getting back into his routine.
Erina rang the doorbell of the Polar Star Dormitory as her limo drove off. She waited patiently outside, observing the area around her.
“Maybe I should get the dorm renovated…I’d have to do it at a time when no one is in the dorm, which might prove to be difficult” Erina said to herself as she observed the worn-down building. Moss and vines coated the entire manor, as if it hasn’t been tended to in the last decade. Suddenly, the doors swung open as Fumio revealed herself. Erina smiled at her and bowed.
“Now, now, Nakiri, no need to bow. If I didn’t have your grandfather do it, I don’t want you to do it either. Besides, you are the headmaster now, it should be the other way around if anything” laughed Fumio as she gestured Erina to come in.
“Please Fumio-san, you are still my elder and besides, I’m the heir to the Nakiri name. I’ve been taught to show the utmost respect and present myself with dignity and honor” said Erina with a smile as she walked in and closed the door behind her.
“Ahh yes, I believe Yukihira would agree with that, wouldn’t he?” chuckled Fumio, making Erina freeze up and look away in embarrassment as she played with her hair, avoiding eye-contact. Fumio let out a booming laugh before waving her hand in the air.
“I’m just pulling your leg, Nakiri-chan. It’s adorable the way you two bicker” A bright crimson shade infected Erina’s cheeks as she began to stutter.
“A-adorable? There is nothing adorable about the way he makes my life more difficult in every single conceivable way!” Erina shouted as she tightened her fists.
“He’s unorganized, always lazing around, never takes any of his priorities seriously! Ugh, if I could count all the violations he’s committed ever since he got the First Seat, not even counting before then, I could get him expelled from this institution along while barring him from every other institution as well!” exclaimed Erina as she began to count all the numerous rules that Soma had broken, all with a hearty smile and careless expression, infuriating Erina even more as she thought back to all the paperwork she had to take care of because of his recklessness.
“There was the time he nearly burned an entire kitchen down for some crazy squid dish with grape jelly and ice cream…the time he nearly got his stupid dirty moped towed and had me pay for his dumb parking ticket…when he nearly sent a student into the emergency room…” muttered Erina, as she kept counting on her fingers. Fumio laughed even harder, wiping away a tear before recomposing herself.
“So what brings you here, Nakiri-Chan?” asked Fumio, still taking in deep breaths. Erina stopped counting and looked up, standing up straight in the process.
“I’m here looking for Yukihira-Ku-!” started Erina before a mischievous smile crawled onto Fumio’s face as she tried to cover it, giggling behind her hand. Erina’s face once again was glowing a bright red as she began to flail her hands wildly.
“It’s not…what it seems…” she weakly protested. Fumio just nodded as Erina covered her face.
“Well, he’s here. Though, I think he might be with someone right now” Fumio started. Erina’s face of embarrassment soon changed into one of surprise and curiosity.
“I heard him talking to someone earlier, shouting and what not. Then he just started grunting. It’s like he’s wrestling or something” said Fumio as she pointed upwards.
“I don’t know, I didn’t think Yukihira-Kun had any friends outside of the Polar Star and you, so who knows what’s going on up there” Fumio said before walking away, shrugging. Erina’s face was filled with even more confusion until, as if her face hadn’t already popped multiple blood vessels, it was flushed in burning scarlet color. She bolted for the stairs and began sprinting up, not even sparing the confused Fumio an explanation while she watched the blonde teen race as if her life depended on it.
“He wouldn’t be doing something so…so…so indecent! Would he?! Did he exploit his First Seat position?! Did he buy it? Or was it bribery? Or even worse, blackmail?!” thought Erina, as a million thoughts zoomed past her mind, faster than she was even running. All those thoughts soon disappeared as Soma’s door came into view and without any sign of restraint, swung open the door. Erina was gasping for air, kneeling over and holding herself up by holding onto her knees. Her breath had finally returned to her and when it did, she straightened herself and gasped. With widened eyes, her gaze remain glued onto the shirtless, sweat-covered Soma, who had his hands around his ears. He was sitting upright as if he had just finished a crunch and didn’t dare move a muscle as his eyes locked onto Erina’s eyes. Suddenly, Soma jolted upwards as he watched Erina’s mouth slowly starting to widen.
“Nakiri, hold on!” started Soma as he waved his hands frantically.
Fumio returned to the kitchen and hummed to herself as she stirred the pot, when suddenly a loud shriek blasted throughout the dorm, leaving a confused Fumio who then scoffed.
“Stupid kids”
“Y-you! You pervert, the hell are you doing?!” shouted Erina as she looked around the room, trying to avoid making eye-contact with Soma.
“But you’re the one who barged into my room without saying anything. If anything, you’re the pervert” Soma said, not with sarcasm or mockery, but with actual confusion which annoyed the golden princess.
“I did! I texted you forty minutes ago!” shouted Erina, pointing to his phone on the bed. A look of bewilderment formed on his face until, as if a lightbulb went off in his head, his lips formed into an “o” shape as the realization of what the ding from earlier dawned upon him.
“You still should knock though, shouldn’t you?”
The fact that he wasn’t exactly incorrect flustered her even more. Erina simply flipped her hair and looked to the side with disdain.
“W-whatever! P-point is, why are you even making so much noise up here?! Don’t you know other people reside here!!” shouted Erina, trying to change the subject to something in her favor.
“But you don’t even live in this dorm anymore, why would it bother you?” Soma asked again, in the same nonchalant tone. Erina flinched and twitched as she found herself defeated again in a matter of seconds.
“W-well why do you have your shirt off you indece- “
“It’s my roo- ”
“JUST PUT ON A SHIRT” Erina shouted, so loud Soma had to cover his ears.
“Alright, alright Nakiri, cool it why don’t ya?” laughed Soma as he grabbed his black undershirt and slipped it on. Just before he did, Erina caught a glimpse of Soma’s surprisingly defined abdomen. Her eyes then shifted to his slim but lean and muscular arms. As her eyes continued to roam, she found herself gawking at his chiseled neckline and then his sharp jawline.
“Earth to Nakiri, you there?” Soma said as he waved his hand in front of Erina’s face, snapping her out of her self-induced trance. She shook her head in embarrassment and then flipped her hair with confidence, leaving a dumbfounded Soma as he watched her entire demeanor change.
“What do you think you’re doing here? It’s one thing if you don’t want to come to every single Shokugeki, but as the First Seat it’s your priority to at least report the results of your own Shokugekis” Erina lectured.
“Lest you’re embarrassed to admit that someone has finally beaten you and taken away your hand-me-down of a First Seat” taunted Erina with her signature mocking smirk. The infamous smirk that made chefs and anyone of the like tremble in fear. However, she seemed to have forgotten the one on the receiving end of this smirk is none other than…
“Oh no, they just backed out last second. Besides, weren’t you the one who made me the First Seat?” responded Soma, with a blank expression, catching Erina off guard once again. She simply looked away, red from being countered not once, not twice, not even three times, but four times! All by the same clueless, ignorant, enraging crimson-haired imbecile.
“Though you might be onto something” Soma muttered under his breath, surprising Erina as he turned around and took the chicken leg and thigh off the mini grill.
“Did I go too far?” thought Erina. Even though she still found him obnoxious and irritating, she couldn’t deny how close she had gotten to Soma. Yes, Hisako was her best friend, but there were things that she could only talk to Soma about. And despite how insufferable and irresponsible Soma could be, whenever she truly needed something done, Soma was able to get it done no matter the task. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Erina, on some level, considered Soma as her second right-hand man. First being Hisako, of course.
“So, what’s up Erina, did ya miss me or something?” teased Soma, with his trademark mischievous smirk that took away the little worry Erina had and turned it into pure disgust.
“As if! I just came to make sure you weren’t doing anything…” Erina started off confident and demanding before her voice trailed off and her original thoughts had returned with a vengeance, making her blush and prompting her to look away and player with her hair.
“…Anything i-indecent or against campus regulation” finished Erina, making Soma laugh. Erina’s gaze darted back to him, as she pouted and narrowed her gaze.
“What’s so funny?!” she shouted, stepping close and pulling him up by his shirt. Soma couldn’t help but laugh even more.
“What’d ya think I was doing?! Drugs or something?!” laughed Soma, struggling to take breaths in between each word. Erina began to violently shake him.
“O-of course not! But there’s never knowing what you’ll pull out of your ass! Besides, Fumio-San told me it sounded like you were talking to someone and- “shouted Erina before she began to stutter, unsure how phrase her next thought. Soma began to laugh even harder as he came to the conclusion Erina was trying to make. He stopped laughing and then moved his hand over to Erina’s. He grabbed it tightly and gently moved her hand off his shirt. He held onto her hand tightly, causing Erina to blush as he leaned in close.
“W-what are you doing?!” Erina struggled to say as she watched his face halt inches before hers. She felt his shining golden orbs cut deep through her lilac-colored eyes.
“And so what if I was? Do you have a problem with it?” said Soma. Erina froze as his voice suddenly changed into a more deep and smooth tone. It was almost sedu-
No. Erina stopped herself from thinking such a thing. But she couldn’t help but stare back at his intimate gaze. His eyes were soft yet strong, and it seemed as if his hair had gotten even longer and even wilder. She had hinted at him getting a haircut, but she couldn’t find it within herself to hate the wilder hairstyle on him. She took in the scar across his eyebrow, such a deep one and large one that almost reached his eyelid. His sharp and intimidating glare but mixed with a sly smile had Erina flustered. All these attributes combined gave him such a rough, ruffian-like appearance; something that Erina would normally look down upon. But…things were different now. She tried to disengage the lock-on between them and looked to the side.
“I-it’s just that as headmaster I can’t just turn a blind eye and condone s-such behavior. I-if you wish to do su- “before Erina could even finish her though, Soma had let go of her hand and covered his mouth, letting out muffled giggles.
“Oh man, you should have seen your face” snickered Soma. Erina just froze in place, unable to fathom what had just happened. Once she had regained the smallest morsel of sense, her timid and embarrassed self was replaced with one filled with humiliation and rage.
“What is the matter with you?! Why would play such unsettling tricks?!” she shouted, absolutely livid as the crimson-haired boy started rolling, laughing at her frustration.
“It’s just I remember this one-time Yukino was telling us about that weird Shoujo manga she was reading, and I just remembered you’re both into the same manga, so I’d figure I’d act like one of those guys in the manga!” laughed Soma, struggling to breathe, unaware of the fuming Erina before him. She wanted to punch him with all her might; she just wanted to knock him out for good. Suddenly, a ding echoed through the room, prompting Soma to get up and walk over to the oven. As he opened up the oven and took out the four pieces of beautifully colored bread, the aroma swirled around the room and immediately caught the attention of the now-sedated blonde. Off the corner of his eye, he had noticed that Erina was closer, trying to see what he was doing, making a smile crawl on his face. He turned around to reveal a rather ugly and evil smirk.
“You want some, don’tcha?” asked Soma, with a hint of mockery in his voice. Erina glared at him and rolled her eyes before crossing her arms against her chest and looking away.
“I’m just kidding, come on Nakiri it’s not that serious” laughed Soma as he placed the four pieces of bread on a plate and then the two pieces of chicken neatly assorted next to it. Next, he brought over a pot and with a ladle, drizzled a sauce over the meat. Though Erina would never admit it, the dish looked mouth-watering despite its simplicity. The aroma of the perfectly cooked chicken combined with the aroma of the bread, as well as the sauce, lured Erina in, despite her attempts at fighting it.
“Come on, try it with me!” exclaimed Soma as he set the plate on the table. Erina sat down in front of the dish as Soma ripped off a piece of the bread and with it ripped a chunk of the chicken leg off with it, handing it to Erina. She held onto it, and before she put it in her mouth, she noticed him ripping off another piece.
“You know it’s rude to eat off of someone else’s plate without permission” scoffed Erina, slightly embarrassed with the fact that they were sharing the same plate. However, the saddened and disappointed expression that appeared on Soma’s face completely took away that feeling.
“Aww, what?! I made it for myself in the first place!” argued Soma, who for the first time in today’s rather chaotic encounter, seemed genuinely frustrated. Erina looked away and pointed her nose up, eyes closed. A moment later, she opened one eye and couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of his almost childlike expression, as if someone had just taken a piece of candy away from him but rather than bawling his eyes out, he was trying to reason with the thief. With a smile on her face, she gave Soma the “okay” to take a piece, making a smile on his face as bright as his hair itself appear. He took a piece in the same fashion that he had given to Erina and once they had it in their hands, they both placed it in their mouths and bit down.
In an instant, a burst of flavor exploded into Erina’s mouth and continued to as if they were fireworks. The juiciness of the chicken, which was surprisingly spicy but was balanced out by the sweetness of the sauce. The bread was a harmony of both fluffy and crispy, having a satisfying but not flakey crunch to it
Erina could barely contain herself as she held onto the edge of the table, holding herself up. And then in an instant, she imagined herself in an oasis. The crisp wind gently played with her hair and swayed the leaves of the palm trees. The sun was shining brightly reflected perfectly upon the beautiful and mesmerizing spring in front of her. Erina was in a beautiful royal blue top, bedazzled in rime stones around the neckline that cut right below the top of her bosom, modestly accentuating her ample chest. Her pants were a matching blue that were baggy and flowy but were silky smooth and just a tad short from being barely see-through. It was laced with a beautiful and intricate floral design reminiscent of royal Indian fashion wear. As she inched closer to the oasis to get a sip of the water, she was caught off guard as someone sprung out of the water, pouncing on her and pinning her down. She yelped in surprise as she slowly opened her eyes to see none other than Soma. His hair fell sloppily to his sides and was dripping water onto Erina, who was too timid and mesmerized by his almost predatorial intent to fight back. He slowly leaned him, his hot breath tingling Erina’s neck, making her shudder in anticipation.
“Nakiri, yoo hoo, you there?” asked Soma. Erina opened her eyes and locked eyes onto Soma, who had look of worry and confusion plastered on him. Erina coughed, a tinge of red appearing on her face and tried to recompose herself. She looked down at the meal before her and looked up.
“This naan…you coated it in rosemary oil, garlic, and butter, didn’t you?” said Erina in a serious tone, to which Soma simply nodded.
“And this chicken…the sauce you used, it’s the chestnut sauce from the dish you made against Tsukasa-san during your first Shokugeki with him, isn’t it?” Soma nodded but before he could say anything, she continued.
“It’s sweeter than I remember…honey” Soma smirked and rubbed his chin with his finger and his thumb.
“You know of all the things you’ve called me; honey is definitely the sweetest!” Soma said with a sly smile, prompting Erina to roll her eyes.
“Not you, moron. You added honey to the sauce to make it even sweeter”
“Yup! I also wanted to give it a little more texture so that the meat didn’t just soak it all up before the bread could!” said Soma before he started rubbing his head in embarrassment. “Also, for the fact that I made the meat a little too spicy, so I needed to counterbalance it somehow” laughed Soma. Erina wouldn’t dare admit this, but she was impressed. He was able to turn his dish initially was a mistake and used knowledge from his past to amplify the dish to new heights. She used to mock and demean this…this reckless style of cooking. But after spending so much time with Soma and observing his battle with even the highest ranked, she grew a fondness for his bold and outrageous dishes. But would she ever admit that?
“Average, at best” lied Erina, keeping her composure as she took off another piece of the naan.
No, no she wouldn’t.
“Oh yeah? Then what’s with seconds?” snickered Soma as he snatched the plate away before Erina could take a piece of the chicken off. Erina glared at Soma and slammed her hand on the table.
“I-it’s only common courtesy to finish a dish that was made for you! B-besides I haven’t eaten anything since last night because of all the extra paperwork I had to deal with because a CERTAIN FIRST SEAT refused to finish it within the allocated time!” she shouted, pouting and slamming her hand repeatedly onto the table, making Soma laugh. He slid the plate back to her and chuckled as she ripped another piece off.
“I’m just messing with ya Nakiri. And thank you sooooooooo much for covering for me! Last time, I swear!” said Soma as she bowed, making Erina scoff.
“Yeah, that’s what you always say. One of these day’s I really will force you to do your own work for once you lazy sack of-“
“Love ya” teased Soma, as he winked, catching Erina off guard, making her almost spit the food out. She recomposed herself and sighed.
“Buzz off” she said before taking another bite. “Anyway, who were you talking to anyway if it wasn’t a gi-person in your room?” asked Erina, almost stumbling on her own words. Soma looked at her in confusion before it hit him. Erina simply rolled her eyes at his slowness before he pointed at his phone.
“Oh, I just called my dad for a sec, but he seemed pretty busy” said Soma, who was clearly annoyed. Erina’s interest was piqued once more as her mind lingered to her idol, Saiba Jouichirou.
“Well of course, he is a world class chef, legendary even. Too bad some genes just don’t transfer. So sad, you could almost have had some talent in cooking” mocked Erina, making Soma just roll his eyes.
“Well that’s not very nice” said Soma before he got up and stretched. He went over to grab his phone and to Erina’s surprise, his face softened. A small smile appeared on his face, but when Erina looked into his eyes, there was a variety of emotions. There was pride, love, and honor. But the most prominent, yet most disturbing, was a foreign feeling, a foreign feeling for Soma, anyway. A feeling she never thought she’d see coming from Soma Yukihira. It was a look she only saw once before.
“Since when…did Yukihira-kun’s eyes hold so much sadness?”
A\N: Welp, here we are again six years later. If you guys aren’t aware, hello I used to go by Quasarr on FF.net! But I uh…lost access to my account LMAOOO oopsies. I was feeling a little nostalgic and was sorting through old documents and I figured, fuck it let’s go for round 2! Or 3. Or 4, idk how many times I abandoned this story LOL. I’m gonna be pacing myself as much as I can and revising all the chapters, all the meanwhile working on new chapters, so I’m excited! It’s an excuse to write again, so here we go.
Expect this to be a little more organized, clearer, and more focused! Also more condensed, you’ll see chapters that were originally separate, combined into one, like this one! But uhh, other than that; do we still say R&R? Fuck I’m old.
NOW ON AO3 WAHOO