Rating: T+

Pairings: Soma/Erina

Notes:

Thank you all for the positive response. Considering I can't seem to get this story out of my head until it's all on fictional-computer-paper; I might as well give you Chapter Number 2 of our story. Do note that further changes from canon will be taken, since this basically derails from canon at around chapter 81. Chapters 82 & 83 could have happen in broader strokes, but as of this writing the newest chapter is #84 and I don't want to ruin my story by trying to make it fit into the canon continuity. The good news is that Soma and Erina are interacting.

Disclaimer: Don't own Shokugeki no Soma.


"Erina Nakiri."

Everyone's attention was shifted towards Tootsuki's resident ice queen as Akira dropped the bomb he had been preparing since his victory against Soma. "I hereby challenge you to a Shokugeki, with your position as the Elite's Tenth Seat as the prize."

As mixture of realization and horror dawned onto everyone, the sole exception being Alice who finally understood what Akira had been aiming at. Despite this, the calm look that Erina had on her face did not betray one bit of the relaxed aura she was giving. In fact, she was smiling.

"My, my. What big arrogance we just got…" she spoke in the most seductive voice Alice had ever heard her utter. As her eyes narrowed, Erina crossed her arms across her ample chest, dignified. Only her eyes were darting upwards, since even if Akira was standing above her, she would not give him the privilege of being looked up to by her. "…out of one minor victory. Getting congratulated on a stage," she continued, her voice dripping with something that caused Soma to involuntary stiffen. "…and you already think you have what it takes to dethrone me?"

"Is that an acceptance?" the eagerness in Akira's voice was for the first time prominent, if only ever so slightly. Erina chuckled.

"Almost. State your terms. What do I get out of this?"

"I can give you whatever you like," the squeal from several girls who were fans of Akira that sentence caused was augmented by the fact that everyone was quiet. Motivated even further by Erina's "is that so?" response.

"Ryou! Ryou! Do you know what this means?" Alice shook him vigorously as she spoke, which caused her assistant to merely nod his head in response. Who didn't know what this meant. "I mean, really," Alice continued. "Akira's going to cheat on you."

As Soma could sworn he heard Kurokiba mouth something unintelligible, he turned towards the glowing (no doubt thanks to her dress) Erina Nakiri and spoke: "Hey, seems like you won't be too bored after all. Since Hayama here wants to challenge you to-Hey! Wait a minute. Hayama! Aren't I involved in this?"

"Wait, so am I," Ryou added.

"Oh my gosh. The exes found out!" both boys tried to ignore Alice's comment; even if Soma didn't really understand what she meant and Ryou refused to.

"That you are. I've already talked to the Director here and the faculty staff. Both you Soma Yukihira and you Ryou Kurokiba are going to participate in this as assistants," even before he had finished stating this, Erina's soft laughter could be heard. Akira turned his attention to her once again. "Something on you mind?"

"It's nothing much, just…" she stopped, taking a look to her left towards Soma, followed by another to her right towards Ryou before continuing. "You want to take me on with these two as backup? I'm sorry but, this won't save you."

"On the contrary Nakiri, I was clear during my last two bouts."

"Would you care to explain?"

"Certainly," he moved a little bit towards their group, as all attention centered on Akira once again. "Kurokiba is to become my assistant, as I specifically stated that: "should you lose, Kurokiba, you are to work on my next Shokugeki as my assistant chef". Having seen his work first hand, I've got no doubt he can be of very good use."

"And me?" Soma asked, hands in pocket. "How useful am I to you?"

"You aren't listening Yukihira," Akira stated, closing his eyes for a brief moment before continuing. "With you, I stated, and I quote: "should you lose, Yukihira, you are to work on my next Shokugeki as an assistant chef". I never once stated you'd be working for me."

"Then…?" Nakiri started.

"…I'm?" Soma continued.

"With her," Akira concluded signaling towards Erina.

The silence broke as everyone shouted something different. Everyone thought of this in a different manner. From Takumi who had been the whole time looking for Soma, to Ikumi who had been late after finding out she lacked fancy clothes, to Hisako who had had to go to the bathroom and had had to deal with her new stalker Nao Sadatsuka attempting to enter her stall, to resident master of ceremonies Urara Kawashima who was getting irritated that she had not been asked to share such big news. Even the scattered members of Polar Star were dumbstruck, save for Satoshi who had a knowing if somewhat mischievous grin accompanying his features. After nearly a minute of whispers and whispers; Senzaemon thought it be best to end it all.

"Enough," his loud voice, even without the aid of the microphone, was enough to cause everyone to become quiet… save for a laughing Alice. Giving his younger granddaughter ten seconds to stop her laughing (she took thirteen), Senzaemon continued once her laughter subsided. "Akira Hayama has made his intentions clear, and as per norm, when challenging a member of the Elite Ten the Shokugeki that ensues is not like those most of you have participated in. It's a bit bigger, requires assistant chefs and several other preparations. Should you accept this Erina Nakiri, the process would begin."

"Wait, no. Absolutely not," Erina was quick to speak, causing Soma to look towards her.

"Why do I feel that that "not" is referring to me?" he asked half-heartedly, since he had begun to expect certain reactions from her, such as this.

"Because it is, now shut up," she spoke before she turned towards both her grandfather and Akira. "Now listen hear, both of you. I don't know what dumb idea crossed both your minds, but I will not allow myself to be compromised this way. You want to challenge me Hayama, fine, but don't go hiding behind Kurokiba and most certainly don't try to sabotage my work with an idiot like Yukihira."

"Hey! Stop throwing insults my way!"

"Furthermore," she continued, ignoring Soma. "Grandfather. I am ashamed."

Everyone gasped.

"My dear, your-"

"No! You listen. I don't care how much you think Yukihira is God knows what in your eyes, but he can't possibly even boil water in the way I would need it to be done."

"Seriously, I'm right next to you. Everyone's looking at me like-"

"This is a clear intent to sabotage my cooking, in order for that so-called champion to have a fighting chance against me," she carried on, still ignoring him. "If I need an assistant, I have Hisako. If you wish to use Kurokiba or even Yukihira for God knows what reason, do as you wish, but you cannot force me to work with him," she shouted the last part at Akira, before turning to her grandfather. "Or you, for that matter."

"Grandpa just got burned."

"Alice, be serious," Ryou looked on, waiting. He knew Akira wasn't dumb enough to plan this if he didn't have some way to either convince or fool Erina into going along with it. But, was this really an attempt at sabotage?

"You misinterpret me yet again, Erina Nakiri," Akira spoke softly before coming down from the scaffold and onto the public, heading towards Erina. "If you haven't forgotten, I fought against and defeated all those you mentioned. Yukihira, Kurokiba and even Hisako. I know their level. I know their skill," he continued to speak through the wireless microphone, taking simple steps until he was mere feet away from Erina and the others. "With Hisako as your sole aide, you will lose to me."

"Getting a bit too cocky here…"

"Great," Hisako muttered, trying to reach Erina through the endless crowd of people. "Now they're dissing me!"

Before she got there however, Akira spoke up. "It is your choice, but I am offering you the best of the first years to aide you in our clash. I spoke with your grandfather and we came up with the idea. The theme will be a restaurant opening; an abridged full course meal of a random type. We will play head chefs with Tootsuki's VIPs as our guests and judges," Akira pointed towards Senzaemon, while adding: "While the theme will be chosen during the week, it was his approval that I'd give Yukihira to you that made this all possible."

"I cannot work with him."

"Is that a surrender?"

"It's a refusal. Come back with a fair challenge and I'll crush you like the pathetic trash you are," as she spoke she heard her grandfather clear his throat, which caused everyone to turn back to the elder man.

"Now, now, you two, take it easy. A chef cannot let himself or herself lose professionalism like this. Akira, despite all that I'm allowing, remember just who it is you're talking to and challenging. Do not confuse that before I am the Director here, I am a grandfather."

"My apologies," Akira gave a soft bow, without any hint of sarcasm. "I meant no offense."

"I never said you did, but just keep that in mind. And Erina," he continued while turning to her, receiving an annoyed "what?" in response. "The reason I allowed him to challenge you this way was not to obstruct you in anyway, but to present you with a real life challenge that I believe would truly benefit you in the long run."

"Sabotaging me?"

"By far. Soma Yukihira, whether you wish to admit it or not, is still the second best in terms of performance in this year's Autumn Festival. His skills and resourcefulness have impressed many of us here, and while admittedly he may be a bit of a goofball at times," he spoke the last part with a smile, causing Soma to smile back. "His skills in the kitchen are second-to-none. He would be a great asset to you."

"That's all charming grandfather, really, but I do not see it that way," Erina spoke, narrowing her eyes. "To me it is still a dirty trick to attempt to take my place in the Elite Ten without fighting me at my fullest. I know the rules well; I'm neither a transfer nor a foreign student."

Both Soma and Akira understood what she meant by that.

"To challenge an Elite Ten member," she began, taking a long deep breath. "You have to partake in a multi-layered Shokugeki, best two-out-of-three duels. Each of the three duels are divided by "Appetizer", "Main Course" and "Desert" respectively; all three of them following a restaurant theme chosen before the first round. They would have to be served to a finite number of guests, our "clients" so to speak, who will be the actual judges to the event. An odd number of tables, each picking a dish they prefer. First student to win two rounds wins the Shokugeki. Considering the sheer amount you have to make, it is obvious that you would need assistance, like an actual restaurant. Aside from the personal aide or assistant chef, you would need a good four or five other people working in order to satisfy the conditions. I get all that, but," she stopped, signaling Soma. "Where does he come in?"

"In what I just said Erina," her grandfather's voice was soft, paternal. Before she could ask, he answered: "In real life, you'll sometimes end up with employees you don't like and can't simply fire."

"What? If they don't work I can of course-"

"If they don't work, yes, you can. If they breach the contract or cause you to fail in any way then yes, you can fire them without sparing them a second thought," he smiled as he said so, most of the audience finding it a bit creepy. "Even more so, you normally give employees a few months of probation in order to ensure that they satisfy the needs of the position you've given them. But, what happens when you have an employee who you dislike, whose work methods go against what you do or how you work and whose style completely goes against your own. Who is your polar opposite, but despite this or perhaps because of this, is good at what he does. He is never tardy or absent, he works hard, his cooking is unorthodox but not in any way bad, he accomplishes all of the goals established by the company, and even when he makes mistakes, he is able to correct them or take correct disciplinary action against it. According to the law of many countries, you can't fire someone without a reason. So," he stopped, taking a breath after the mini speech. "What reasons have you for firing Soma Yukihira?"

Erina Nakiri wanted to scream. She needed to stop this, she knew her grandfather. She knew that look he got in his eyes when he stubbornly believed he was right about something and he was just doing his part as a loving grandfather and teaching her about the world. She was no longer a baby; she did not have to take this. "Yukihira has," she just needed to say something; anything at all.

Then it clicked, he was a pervert, he sexually harassed her, shoving something hot into her mouth. It sounded dirty but it could, no, would work. You can fire someone with sexual harassment. It was all she needed to at least cast enough doubt on anyone present to forbid him for being near her and, quite possibly, expelling him if he tried anything. She could get out of this, she could.

As she smiled and turned to him, she saw him for what could be referred to as the first time. He wasn't grinning or leering at her, he was waiting her response. He looked… nervous even. This boy had lost the festival just a few hours ago; and in that moment, she saw what his eyes were saying.

"I can fight Akira Hayama again."

He wasn't nervous. He was anxious. He wanted to work with her to take down the guy that had taken him down. He wanted revenge, sweet revenge.

A dish best served cold.

"…done nothing which could get him fired. Attitude and flaws aside, he is a decent enough chef, for someone of his caliber at least," she signed; she was growing too soft. Still, the cocky grin that Akira sported after she had refused the Shokugeki bothered her intensively. With or without Yukihira, she could beat him with plastic knives.

"Sheesh, Nakiri. Can't even get one compliment from you without it being turned into an insult in the same sentence?" Yukihira was grinning now, which somehow irked her more than Akira's.

"Don't speak to me," without awaiting any response or reaction, she turned to Akira. "You're on Hayama. Tomorrow morning we'll speak and set up the details. I just need tonight to think about just what it is I'm going to get out of you."

As everyone tried their best to remain silent, Senzaemon shocked most of the spectators by bursting out with a loud laugh. Even Erina and Akira were surprised by the sudden burst, one which Alice was quick to follow. Even Soma chuckled a bit, although more out of confusion than anything else.

"Ah… This'll be good. One thing comes to an end and another begins, such is the life of a chef," Senzaemon spoke, still with a wide smile. "Tomorrow the next big thing starts, but for now, let us enjoy this celebration. DJs, music!"

A loud boom was heard followed by a mix of electronic music, and while Hisako was quick to reach Erina and lead her away, Soma couldn't help but stare. It was there it dawned to him that he was going to be working with her.

Working for her.

"…I really have horrible luck."

-0-

The next morning Soma found himself to have had experienced what some might refer to as a lousy night. Not that he was a stranger to experiencing distress or eustress on certain situations, such as a night before an important match for the former or the night before Christmas for the latter; but this time he had trouble sleeping without knowing exactly why.

He didn't feel nervous or excited. Heck, when he had gone to bed after all the excitement subsided from the party and Akira's and Erina's back and forth challenge; he had felt pretty tired. Yet, he hardy slept. Too tired to sleep?

As he was forcing his body to get up from his bed, since he needed to drink something, use the toilet and stretch; not in that order and hopefully not simultaneously, he heard a loud continuous knock on the front door of the dorms.

Deciding stretching was the most doable of the things he needed right now, Soma walked down the stairs and reached the front door as he stretched his protesting muscles into submission; while ignoring his protesting stomach and bladder. Opening the door he was met by a face he had probably been expecting anyway.

"Soma! It's so good to see you! Really is! I mean, do you always answer the door on the dorm? Working part-time as a doorman? Oh, wait, those aren't the questions I should be asking, really… it should be more akin to the whole Akira versus Erina debate. I-I ordered it Akira first since it is alphabetically corrects, or should it be Erina versus Akira since she's the bigger name of the two? Then again, he is the one challenging her, so…"

Trying to understand half of what the kid was saying was hard enough, especially at the speeds he was going. "Settle down kiddo, isn't it too early for the newspaper club resident Lois Lane to be bugging people?"

"I fancy myself an early bird, of sorts. So… Soma Yukihira reads Superman?"

"Stop turning everything into gossip. Besides, what do you want Mitsuru? Shouldn't you be bothering Hayama or Nakiri for info? Why are you here?"

"Well…" Ace reporter Mitsuru Soutsuda pondered for a bit, before deciding the truth would probably be better than making something up. "I tried to, but Akira's been gone from his dorm for a while and no one has seen him since at around 4:56 am when he went to a vending machine and ordered a can of iced coffee…"

'This kid's scarier than Mimasaka,' was a thought that crossed Soma's mind, admittedly it was not the first time it did. Young Mitsuru had a talent for scooping info out of people without their knowing. "And as for Ms. Erina, she, well, I couldn't get through."

"Her security? Just call her cousin like we did last time."

"No, everyone's there. All the other reporters, even those from the High School division," he spoke with a downed gaze, sighing. "She's not sparing anyone even a few seconds of her time. Ms. Hisako is the only one of the students with her as she's preparing what appear to be the conditions for her duel against Akira. Today's big scoop is going to be finding out what that is."

"I'm not taking you to see her."

"What? No! I know that," he spoke up, edging closer to Soma with an eager and serious look in his eyes. "The scoop I want right now is yours. Can I interview you?... Again?"

"No," Soma shut the door between them, leaving Mitsuru all eager eyes and all facing the door.

"Again?" The sense of déjà vu being strong.

-0-

"This works."

Hisako Arato turned to face Erina as the latter spoke up. A few sheets of paper, which Hisako had just printed out of the internet a few minutes ago, were currently being held and observed by the ice queen of Tootsuki. It took Hisako only a few moments to remember what information was written there.

"Those are his personal inventory, right?" asked Erina's secretary. Erina gave her a nod and smiled.

"That fool. I may get some good stuff after all," Erina spoke up setting the papers aside. It was then she realized how messy her room had gotten with both girls digging up anything they could find of worth out of Akira Hayama. The ice queen's room, normally a quarters fit for a princess of an industrial and rich family, currently looked like a tornado had blown. Not that it bothered her much; she never did do the cleaning.

"Milady, are you certain about this? I've got nothing against Yukihira in the professional sense per say, but as an individual…"

"I understand you far too well, but unfortunately my grandfather can be a stubborn man. Besides," she took a look towards her window, giving the outsides a gaze. "With all the media hounds already rattled; my reputation could take a minor blow if I back down now. And don't you forget, Hayama cannot prohibit me from using you as well."

"If you say it like that…"

Erina gave a soft laugh. It was nice to see Hisako fluster like she used to, not all stiff and serious like she became after she lost to Akira. Maybe part of the reason for her eagerness to accept and her overlooking certain details, notably Yukihira's participation, was in part due to wanting to get some revenge of what Akira did to Hisako at the Festival. Best served cold.

"I'd never use you, you're far too important for me," Erina simply looked on as Hisako turned a bit red and looked away. Praising this girl always made her blush. She found that too cute. Before she could see if she could make her turn fifty different shades of red Hisako spoke up. "Changing the subject," the girl in question spoke. "Just how are you planning to deal with the media?"

"I'm not really overly concerned with-"

The interruption was caused by her door swinging open, causing both girls to jump slightly. For a moment, Erina thought she had called this upon herself upon dismissing the media; half expecting a crew of paparazzi barging in with camera flashing and microphone shoving. But it wasn't that.

Instead, she got something worse.

"Erina!" a gleeful Alice popped herself into the room, twirling around in mock happiness as she edged closer to a stiffening Erina. "Oh, and Hishoko too. Ladies, you won't believe the amount of people out there wanting to hear from you."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't barge in here Alice; and I'm not worried about the- Hey! Get out of my room Kurokiba!" Upon noticing Alice "lackey" entering behind Alice, Erina flushed and stood up. Hisako was too busy trying to correct Alice on her name to mind the intruding boy much.

"Why?"

"This is a lady' room, you can't just barge in here."

"Relax cousin of mine, he's with me."

"And neither can you! I'm busy. We're busy."

"And that's why we came. I wanted to see if you needed anything for your upcoming thing with Akira. And Ryou here is going to participate, so get used to him," Alice spoke up, signaling the boy. "Besides, he's been in here before."

"Not in my room."

"Oh, he's harmless," as she spoke, she patted Kurokiba on the head, ignoring his "stop it" complaints. As she did so, she continued. "I would know. We've taken baths together. Isn't that right. Oh yes it is, oh yes it is."

"Stop treating him like a dog, and I don't care what you two have done, you've always been shameless like that!" Erina turned to hide a blush, which only Hisako noted. As far as she could remember, Erina had always been a bit bashful when it came to the opposite sex.

"Shameless? We were kids. I was flat as a board and this guy here measured a good two inches at best," both girls blushed intensively at Alice, while the one who should blush apparently ignored her. Erina was starting to envy that ability of his. "Besides Erina, you should really start considering getting yourself a boyfriend," Alice made a few gestures with her hands which no one in the room understood, most assumed it was a misshaped heart, before continuing. "You've always been shy around men, starting with that cook who worked here for a bit-"

"Alice! Enough. You've got my attention. What do you want?" Erina rather avoid letting Alice continue once she got wound up like that.

"Just wanted to make sure you had something on good old Akira Hayama. Unless you make him your personal Chippendale dancer, I'm not sure you know what to ask of him," Alice smiled as she spoke, causing Erina to narrow her eyes. Sometimes Alice irritated her almost as much as Yukihira. Almost.

"We," signaling herself and Hisako. "Already got that covered. So, if you don't mind," Erina walked passed Alice and headed outside her room. "Come here for a second."

Alice did as told and cocked her head to the side when she reached Erina, mouthing a 'what's up' as Erina crossed her arms across her chest. "What do you really want, Alice?"

"I didn't lie. I'm not going to sell you to the media or anything."

"I know. But I also know that you are fully aware that Kurokiba is involved."

"So?"

"So," Erina mocked Alice's tone, causing the younger cousin to let out a soft giggle. "You wouldn't by any chance want to, I don't know," Erina smiled in return. "Help Akira?"

Alice's smile could not be read.

"I'd never."

"I would hope," Erina turned to face one of the windows which adorned the mansion's many hallways. Looking outside, she could see how the eagle-eyed "paparazzi" quickly noted some movement in the building and began searching in that general directions. Part of her would admit she loved the attention. "I mean it's not like," she turned back to Alice. "You would have a, heaven forbid, personal grudge against Yukihira or me for that matter."

"Fat ego as always," Alice spoke cheerfully, stepping closer to her cold cousin. "I'm not as stubborn as you are; I mean, I am stubborn, just not at your level. I may have lost to Soma, but I don't need to hide behind Ryou and much less behind Akira to get back at him. I can remedy that myself. As for Ryou," she turned to face the door leading to Erina's room, where both Kurokiba and Hisako had remained in polite silence. Or eavesdropping. Could be either. "He's the one you should look out for, not little old me."

"Best hope that's true."

"Stop threatening me, Erina, meanie. I really did come-Hey, wait. If you're dealing with all this, shouldn't Soma be here? I mean, Akira texted Ryou half an hour ago to meet up with him for the meeting with grandpa."

"Him? Why should he… Wait, Hayama texted Kurokiba?"

"Yeah, he should be with Akira already but I was just bugging him not to go so soon since I'm bored, you know," she edged closer to Erina as she spoke, whispering. "When you've just met you have to make yourself seem difficult or else the other party may lose interest."

"…"

-0-

"Could you get out of my room?" spoke an increasingly irritated Zenji Marui, staring intently at Soma who was currently seated at the floor in the middle of his room. His voice made it evident that is was more of a command than a question, but Soma paid him no mind. He was learning from the rest of the group that if you needed somewhere to be at the dorms and didn't want to be in your room, then Zenji's was the place to go.

"Just a sec Marui. Just look at this one, what do you think?" Soma asked as he lifted a tool into the air, examining it.

"It's a potato peeler."

"I can see that, what I mean is where is it from? Seems like it belonged to some Hatsune Ryuuga…"

As Soma continued his examination, Zenji decided it would be best to help if he hoped to be able to get some time to himself. "Give it here," he spoke up, another command as he simply stood up and took it from Soma's hands. Soma merely followed Zenji with his gaze as the bespectacled boy with his gaze. Zenji took a seat in front of his laptop, booted it up, and in moments he was surfing the web.

"You're really got with technology Marui, mine takes hours to load."

"That's probably because you've saved too much bytes of information on it, probably have a handful of programs which start up automatically when the computer boots up," as he spoke, he began to type. Soma merely looked on and smiled.

"And you're really smart too. With a little practice, you'll be deadly in the next competition, whenever that is…"

"True." As Zenji spoke, he pushed his glasses back onto position by the frame on the bridge, giving him a cleared view of the screen. He had picked up that habit thanks to watching too many an anime with "cool" characters with glasses, be they villainous medical ninjas or heroic energy archers. "Joaquin Rodriguez."

"…Ah, are you writing a story?"

"No, I mean this is the guy you're looking for. Joaquin Rodriguez, Cuban descent. Family moved from Cuba to the United States, Arizona to be exact. Excelled in food decorations and styles. Currently working as an assistant chef at a Cheesecake Factory back at his state," as Zenji spoke, Soma just nodded. He hoped that his silence would indicate Zenji that he wasn't really following him. All he actually got was that he wanted to go make a cheesecake and decorate it in the shape of Cuba.

"Ahh…" Soma interrupted, hoping to get his point through. "Marui, what does-?"

"Hatsune Ryuuga is Joaquin Rodriguez. Most transfer students change their name when they come to Japan. Just like Akira did," as Zenji said this, he could see Soma's eyes widen. This caused Zenji to smile. For such a brilliant and capable chef, Soma could be clueless on a lot of things, many of them basic for someone who actually lives in Japan.

"Cool! What's Akira's real name. He looks Indian, so… I don't really know any Indian names, and if I start guessing they could probably sound racist so I won't, so… Cuba, cool. That's a cold place, right?"

"Wrong," Zenji sighed, clueless doesn't even describe it. "It's close to Florida of the United States, on the Caribbean Ocean. Tropical weather, doesn't even snow. The food there-"

"Moro y cristianos, usually with shredded meat on the side or "ropa vieja" as they call it, right?"

For a moment, Zenji's eyes widened in turn. Soma knew their dishes. He didn't know their climate, their position, or heck, he didn't even know details about Japan, but he knew about their main dish. One of them at least. "Impressive, that's quite true. Didn't know you knew Spanish."

"I don't, had to look it up. Did you know ropa vieja means old clothes, that's a weird name for food, don't you think?" he said this with a smile, which caused Zenji to understand him more. Soma was the type of guy who could be a genius, but only if he liked what he had to study. He read about different things from around the world, but all of it leads back to the kitchen. A chef without a border. A potential without a limit.

"Yeah, it's a cultural thing I suppose. They probably think the same about our sushi."

"Probably…" Soma stood up and went next to Zenji, looking at the screen. "So… Rodriguez. How am I gonna get your potato peeler back to you? Marui?"

"I could find you the address," he thought out loud. "Or, I could get you some contact information."

"That'd work."

"What are you boys doing in here?" came a voice from the doorway. Standing there was Ryoko Sakaki, leaning against the frame. She eyed Zenji, then Soma, then back at Zenji. "If you guys are doing something fun, I want in. I'm getting bored here and Yuuki is out feeding her animals and most of the guys went out. I haven't seen Megumi either, so…" she trailed off. "What are you guys up to?"

"Potato peelers."

"That sounds weird Yukihira," Zenji added, before continuing. "Just trying to be the Good Samaritan and return all these cooking utensils Yukihira here won back from Mimasaka. I think were about 80% complete."

"Cool," as she spoke, she walked in and took a seat on Zenji's bed. Zenji realized his alone time would not come, as Soma turned to face her.

"Sakaki, you said everyone's out?"

"Yeah, not too long ago it seems," she spoke, leaning back against the bed until she was laying down on it. "I heard Shun in his room not thirty minutes ago."

"That's-"

"Here," Zenji interrupted Soma, handing him a piece of paper. As Soma took it and gave it a look, he found all of Rodriguez's contact information on it, including a picture (probably a copy of the Tootsuki ID photograph) and even his grades before he left.

"Dude!"

"What?"

"You have a printer here?"

"…Isshiki has a garden and Yoshino has a farm; and you're surprised I have a printer. This is a school you know."

"Oh, right," Soma stated, obviously. Sometimes, with all the competitions and seriousness of the cooking, he forgot that not all classes were about dishes, or culinary tactics. History, Math, Japanese, English and even some Physical Education were given at Tootsuki. For all his expertise and epicness at the kitchen, Soma could just barely pass as an average student on these other classes. Hope graduation doesn't depend too much on them. Why does a chef need to know what happened in World War II anyways?

"So Soma, you're trying to get everything back to their respective owners. Did Takumi take his back already?" Ryoko asked, receiving a quickly shook head in response with Soma mouthing a 'stubborn idiot'. Before she could ask she heard Zenji speak up, but not to them.

"Hello?"

"Yukihira, come to the Headmaster's office at 11:15 sharp, we're holding a meeting which your presence is required," as the voice in the phone spoke, Zenji realized three things. One, it wasn't for him. Two, it was Erina Nakiri calling. And three, it was still his phone she was calling.

"Uhh… Ma'am, you've got the wrong number, I'm not Yukihira."

"Huh? Isn't this…"

"Hello!" Soma intercepted having taken Zenji's phone out of his hands at the moment he heard his name. Zenji was too taken aback to protest and Ryoko was just staring. "And who might this be?"

"…Yukihira."

"Ah, Nakiri. What's up?"

"…You have a secretary now?"

"Sure do, ain't that cool? He's a better secretary than Hishoko huh?" he said this with a grin, as he could hear Erina sigh from the other line. Sometimes this girl was just too serious.

"Then ask your "secretary" to relay the information I just gave him. Don't be late."

"Huh? What information?"

Too late. By the time he had gotten to "Huh?", Erina had already hung up, leaving a very confused Soma turning to face Zenji. "Eh… Marui, could you tell me what she said?"

He would have wanted to tell him that he was not a secretary. Tell him not to use his phone and to give his number away. Heck, ask him how he got his number in the first place, but the thought of having his room to himself turned out to be too strong to resist.

"Meet her at the Headmaster's office. Now," he lied. It was only 9:55; Soma still had time. Zenji had no intention to let him know that.

"Now! Damn that Nakiri, can't she call on time," as he spoke he ran out the room, having grabbed the printed sheets and the potato peeler and dashed as fast as he could while a 'thanks' could be hear from across the hallway.

Zenji then turned to his other guest.

"Sakaki, don't you have a class at 10:30?" he asked faking ignorance. He knew her schedule well; he knew all of their schedules.

"Yeah," she spoke up, shutting her eyes. "But I'm not going; it's my lovely time a month so I asked a classmate to copy for me. She told me not to worry, besides, it's just math. I'll just ask you to explain it all anyways."

As she cheerfully spoke, Zenji wondered if she closed her eyes on purpose to avoid seeing him turn a very dark shade of red at her openness to discuss certain topics so offhandedly. Apparently, she didn't notice or care since at the moment she opened her eyes and looked at him all she asked was: "So, what do you want to do?"

Getting asked this by a girl on his bed could be misinterpreted in so many ways…

-0-

It occurred to Soma at that instant that he had never actually gone to the Headmaster's office; he didn't even know where it was! He decided to look around and ask anyone who resembled a teacher, assistant or just a smart person; but somehow ended up arriving at the janitorial headquarters, again, and having to ask for directions. The clerk took out his large pointer and signaled where he should go.

After walking, jogging, and then running towards the destination, Soma arrived at 11:11 at the ever elusive office which had a rather big sign above it that read "HEADMASTER", with multiple signs along the way having arrows and notices. He felt stupid.

Worse, Erina was standing outside the office.

Arms crossed across her chest, one hand holding a rather expensive phone as she seemed to be reading something on it. For a moment, he felt he had seen a ghost.

"About time," was all she said.

"Seriously, I'm sorry. You wouldn't believe how lost I got, because I can't believe how lost I got. I took a turn here, and there, and I warped about thirty miles away. That's the only explanation I can give," he spoke as he took a few breathes. He was sweating and he was thirsty. She just cocked an eyebrow.

"While getting fifteen minutes before a meeting is proper etiquette, grandfather is a bit of a slouch when it comes to being punctual," Erina spoke up, eyes still glued to her flickering screen. "He'll be here shortly. Meeting starts in two minutes; you're not late."

"Two minutes…" he just mouthed off the words, realizing Zenji Marui had gotten one over him.

An eerie silence befell the two, as the seconds seemed to take longer than usual while Erina played or read or texted or did whatever she was doing on her phone and Soma just stared at her, then the wall, then a portrait of the old man, then her again, then his shoes, then back to the old man's portrait, then her again, then the floor.

"Stop staring."

"Actually, my eyes are dead set on the floor. Interesting design by the way," as he spoke, she didn't say anything more or even move. Every time he interacted with her, if it could be called that, he learned that she was the person he had the most difficulty dealing with. Furthermore, he had no trouble voicing it. "Same as always huh?" he started, she paid no attention. "You're so hard to relate to you know? Always so serious and stubborn; it's going to be hard to win against Hayama with you as my boss…"

Saying the word 'boss' gave him the chills. Boss, boss, boss… Erina Nakiri was his boss.

"Anyway," he continued, trying to get that image out of his head. The one with her sitting on a desk firing him for breathing too loudly. "Even a normal Shokugeki with you as my partner would be too much. If you were more like Tadokoro then maybe we could work some-"

"Don't compare me to another girl."

He blinked. Twice. She had just said it so suddenly and seriously that; while she had not actually said it loud enough to interrupt him, it had caused him to immediately stop. For some reason, it actually irked him a bit. "I'm not comparing you Nakiri; besides, Tadokoro is one of the nicest people you could ever meet, it's far from an insult."

"Megumi Tadokoro," she worded it softly, placing her phone back in her pocket. "Kozuyu Chicken Soy Sauce Ramen. Even managed to move to crowd and received a standing ovation. Her only personality flaw is her actual acceptance of your company."

"If you actually see that, then why-?"

"I am Erina Nakiri. There is no one else like me, do not compare me, to anyone," she spoke as serious as Soma had ever heard her, and in her eyes he saw a very strong determination. As if daring him to state otherwise.

"I…" he spoke; without thinking, since it all came flowing out, "there's no other girl like you."

They both stared.

Erina allowing the words to sink in and Soma realizing what he said. Erina understood what he meant, but the way he phrased it mixed with the way he spoke it sounded too much like the stories she read. Too much like he shouldn't say it. Soma, on the other hand, felt he had said the most foolish thing. The way he had it in his head, and the way it had come out of his mouth were not the same.

"That… sounded weird," he spoke with a soft laugh, trying to see if he could pass it off. Erina, however, just stared. Her eyes betrayed nothing. She wasn't flustered, angry, laughing (he's never seen her laugh, the jolliest he's seen her was when he lost, go figure) or even confused. She was just looking at him. Now he felt weird.

"Sorry for my lateness everyone," Senzaemon Nakiri's voice interrupted the silence, causing Soma to turn to the old man. Behind him were both Akira Hayama and Ryou Kurokiba; the former with all the seriousness of a serial puppy kicker and the latter with the most 'I don't want to be here' look a guy could give. "So, if you all don't mind, we have some terms and conditions to discuss and some paperwork to fill out. If you please."

As the old man spoke a representative of his, a young man with a pencil moustache whose color did not match his hair, held the door open for them. Senzaemon motioned for the students to enter his office, which Akira quickly did, passing by without sparing Soma a glance. Ryou followed, dragging his feet across the floor.

"Guess this is it," Soma spoke as he turned to face Erina, only to be met by her eyes directly. Intently.

"N-Nakiri?"

Erina looked at him for another moment, before turning and entering the Headmaster's office without a further word, leaving a very confused and weirded out Soma standing alone just outside the office.


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