Chapter Seven- Day Two
Megumi's face flushed in embarrassment. She couldn't believe that she was dumb enough to accidently blurt something like that out loud. A total confession out of nowhere and worse of all, the person she liked was there to hear her say it. Megumi wanted to run and hide, or wake up from this nightmare. 'I-I can't believe I said something like that. N-now he knows how I really feel about him,' She cried in her thoughts and stared at her ground, fearing rejection from him. 'Please just let this be a dream!'
But it wasn't a dream and it was happening right now, at this very moment. Megumi swore that she felt her body slowly melting every passing second.
"I like you too," he responded finally.
This made a soft gasp escape from Megumi's lips and she slowly looked up at Souma. 'H-He responded...b-but does that mean?' Obviously she should put her hopes up too much. Everyone knew how dense Souma was when it comes to things other than cooking and friendship.
"I mean we can never be friends if we didn't like each other." Souma laughed.
Megumi blinked and stared at Souma for a minute, then giggled. She knew that he would never understand what she meant to say. But that was fine because next time when the time is right, she'll tell him again; but much more specifically. "That's true. I'm sorry for saying something like that out of the blue Souma-kun." Her giggles subsided a bit and she looked at him in the eye, her embarrassment washing away. "Let's look for the exit."
Souma grinned and nodded.
XXX
"Well... This is quite interesting," Shun mused.
Shun looked at his surrounding area and he was still with Takumi. but also with the rest of Group B. "How did we end up bumping into each other?"
Ryouko sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced at Shun. "That's what we would like to know."
Takumi touched the rocky walls. "Maybe the tunnels are connected to each other, I wouldn't be surprised if we bump into the other teams."
"Then I'm guessing that means there's a chance that we might bump into other groups," commented Ryou. He stared blankly at the rocky walls.
"Well there's no time to talk about this. Let's get to the exit," Yuuki said ecstatically.
XXX
"Hmm, buy this one and this one," Hisako mumbled to herself. After placing the ingredients in a bag she looked around the area.
The market street was filled with people. Everywhere she went she would see shopkeepers beckoning her to buy their products.
Hisako smiled to herself. 'I wonder what I should cook for Erina-sama.'
"Judging from your face, I bet you're thinking about my dear cousin," Alice observed. She held onto a plastic bag and smirked as she saw Hisako's face give a scowl. "But I don't know why you think about her so much. It's not like you really like Erina."
"Stop spouting nonsense. I admire Erina as a friend and loyal aide."
"Right, your words about being a 'friend' and 'loyal aide' is nothing more then lies that you fabricated to make yourself a good person," Alice retorted. She crossed her arms and her smirk disappeared. "You're just like everyone else Hisako, only thinking about themselves and using others for their own goals."
"I don't want to hear that from you Alice!"
Alice glanced somewhere else. "You're right. I'm just like you." She said it so softly that it Hisako was unable to hear it. It was true, she had no say in all of this because even she had used others for her own goals. "But since you, being the closest and only person that's not related to Erina I expected you to understand Erina."
Hisako raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean I don't understand her? I've been with her for all those years so I should be the one that knows her well."
"Heh," Alice smirked and walked away. "You really don't understand her do you, the real Erina I mean." She walked away from a distance and left Hisako alone.
In Hisako's mind her thoughts pondered about what Alice had said.
"The real...Erina?"
XXX
"Ughh..." Ikumi sighed in frustration. She had no idea how long they were walking here for, but it felt like hours. The awkward atmosphere between the two of them bothered her. Ikumi shook her head lightly, there was no way she would go and make conversation with Erina.
Erina glanced at Ikumi and then back at the tunnels. "What are you grumbling about?" she remarked.
"None of your business."
Erina frowned a bit but shrugged it off. She knew that she could never deal with this girl. Erina knew that Ikumi had a grudge against her for kicking her out of the faction. But there was an obvious answer to all of this. It was because Ikumi was weak. She was weak in her will of cooking and her weakness in power. Instead of trying to continue their 'conversation', Erina concentrated in finding the exit.
This way...
With a sudden reflex Erina turned to the other path and began to walk there. Something or someone was telling her to go their, but she didn't know what. Everything just suddenly began to feel nostalgic.
"Hey! Where are you going? That place is a bit too dark for us," Ikumi called. She crossed her arms and frowned. "You're going to get us lost if you're going to be the one leading us."
Erina gave Ikumi a piercing gaze. "I don't see you being very useful in our current situation."
"W-well, I feel as of now I should be the one leading us. From the way you're leading I bet we're going to be lost forever." Ikumi took the flashlight away from Erina and smirked. "We're going to go on this path."
Erina rolled her eyes and took the flashlight away from Ikumi. She didn't have time to deal with someone like her. Erina just wanted to get out and something tells her that the path she was taking was safe.
"Hey! Stop trying to take the flashlight!" Ikumi held onto the flashlight.
Erina sighed in frustration and crossed her arms. Her energy was being wasted on something petty as this. "Fine. You go towards that path then. I'll go over there." It wasn't the best option. Erina knew that separating in a cave like this is highly dangerous, but staying another hour with Ikumi; not happening.
"Fine, I'll be taking the flashlight too."
"Doesn't matter, I doubt I would need a flashlight." Truth to be told, Erina desperately needed one. But there was no way she would beg for one.
With that said, the conversation ended and the two girls split up and went to their separate paths.
XXX
"Souma-kun, look! Don't you see light from that distance?" Megumi pointed.
She was right, there was light from a far away distance. It was small but it was easily seen.
Souma grinned and told Megumi that they have to continue to walk.
XXX
Yuuki looked around the surrounding area. She stopped and sighed. There was nothing but darkness, and the only thing that shed light was her flashlight.
"I see a light from over there," Takumi said.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and quickly looked at where Takumi was looking at. At that moment they all cheered. They've found a ray of light and all of them began to walk, hoping that their endless walk has finally come to an end.
XXX
Alice hummed to herself as she placed down the plastic bags on the table. Everything was all set, now they just have to set up the table and prepare the ingredients, lastly the players have to arrive on time.
"Are you sure they're going to come here safely?" Fumio inquired.
Alice smiled and gave Fumio a thumbs up. "I could never lie to you Fumio-san, I am 100% sure they are smart enough to find the exit." Her red eyes glanced towards Satoshi and she walked towards him. "Do you need any help Satoshi-senpai?"
"No, I'm fine."
Satoshi smiled and glanced at Alice. "You are a very kind person, especially towards Nakiri-kun."
Alice stopped and looked at him. A smile graced on her face. "Well, of course, she may be my rival in cooking but she still is my cousin. We're family after all."
"Why don't you tell that to Nakiri-kun? I'm sure she'll want to know how you really feel."
"No," she shook her head, "I'm sure Erina already knows. Besides she also cares for her family deep down, even if she's always lecturing others and looking mean!" Alice's face softened and placed her arms behind her back and stared at the grass. "A long time ago, that was exactly how Erina was. She always showed her kind side. But that was back when we were small children, not even knowing what our future dreams were."
Yes, it was a long time ago. The first time they ever met as children. Alice would never forget that day because it was a memorable day for her.
"Is that so? May I hear it, I've never seen a kind side of Erina," Satoshi asked.
Alice giggled. "I might tell you, but I don't really feel like it right now." She strode away from Satoshi and went to go help Fumio.
XXX
Erina wiped the sweat away from her forehead. Her legs were tired and not only that she had no idea where in the world she was going. Everything was pitch black and she feared for her life that she might step into a hole. Every step she took was slow and steady, her soft hands touched the walls for support. 'Splitting up was a bad idea...' Erina knew that but she still did it. Yes, it was stupid of her but she really couldn't stand that Ikumi anymore.
After a few moments Erina saw a spot of light from a far distance. She rubbed her eyes and looked at it once again, hoping that she wasn't hallucinating. But it wasn't. Erina nearly cried in joy and she quickened her pace. 'I'm close, so close towards the exit.'
Erina stopped after that thought. A question popped into her head. What about Ikumi? She suddenly became worried about that hot-headed girl. 'What if she got lost?' Erina thought. But then her head shook. Even she knew that Ikumi wasn't stupid, she must have found another way out. With that thought, Erina convinced herself that Ikumi was safe and continued on.
Only minutes later did Erina hear a shrieking scream from behind. She turned around, only to recognize the voice.
"Mito Ikumi?!"
-Moments ago-
Ikumi sighed in exasperation. It had only been a few minutes since Erina had left and she was already feeling a sign of regret. Sure, it was partially her fault that they fought but Erina was also in the wrong. Ikumi continued her path but noticing how wet the ground was. But Ikumi ignored the thought and continued on.
She took it step by step, her flashlight was the only thing that shed light. Each step she took, her mind lingered towards Erina. Was she okay? Ikumi frowned a bit and her grip on the flashlight tightened. She remembered that Erina had left without a flashlight. 'How in the world is she going to find the exit without a flashlight?'
Her thoughts were momentarily swept away when she felt something tickling her ankle. Ikumi shook her leg a bit, to get rid of the ticklish feeling. It worked...for a few seconds.
This time the ticklish feeling went up to her thighs. Ikumi grumbled in frustration and used her had to get rid of this feeling. But after that Ikumi brought her hand close to her face and saw the most horrendous, most disgusting creature, in her eyes.
A small, hairy, creepy, spider.
Ikumi's face paled and she let out a scream.
"Get off!"
XXX
Erina rushed to where Ikumi might be. "Hey Ikumi! Where are you?"
She went to the other path that Ikumi may have went and quickly ran, nearly tripping from the rocks a few time.
The screams were much closer and Erina stopped when she saw a flashlight on the ground, the light shining on Ikumi as she was swinging her arms all around.
"I-Ikumi...?"
Ikumi stopped when her eyes turned to Erina. "N-Nakiri Erina..." She dropped to her knees and looked away, her face flushed in embarrassment. Why does Erina have to be here when she's at her worst moment?!
"H-How did you get here?" Ikumi asked, not daring to look up at the honey-blonde haired girl. "I thought you were going the other way?"
Erina raised an eyebrow, ignoring Ikumi's question. "What happened to you?"
Ikumi flinched at the question and bit her lip. "...Nothing, nothing happened at all."
"Then why were you screaming?"
"M-Me? I just t-thought of something and just..."
Erina sighed. "At least you're okay." She placed her hand out and stared at Ikumi. Erina had known Ikumi for a fair amount of time and had known that the blonde-headed girl was never honest in most occasions.
Ikumi was surprised - mostly shocked from Erina's statement. 'She...was worried?' That was nearly an impossible thing because Erina never cared about anyone except for herself. It infuriated her for some reason. To think that Erina, the one that wielded the God's Palette, who was cold as ice would be worried about someone.
Ikumi looked at Erina and saw her hand placed out. Ikumi bit her lip and her blood began to boil. "What..." Ikumi gave Erina a piercing look. "What is wrong with you?"
Erina gave Ikumi a confused look, but allowed her to continue.
"Why are you here? First you see me at the worst timing, then you act as if you were worried about me. What is wrong with you?!" growled Ikumi. She stood up on her own, ignoring Erina's patient assistance.
Knowing this, Erina placed her hand to her side and looked at Ikumi. Her expression turning back to a expressionless one. 'If she's going to yell out all of her thoughts, then I guess I'll let her be.'
"You're Erina! The most arrogant, cold, evil, selfish, heiress I've ever known. You never cared about anyone except for yourself. You throw away weaklings and belittle them. You don't care about anyone's feelings and now you're here...saying that you're relieved that I'm safe?"
Erina opened her mouth but then closed them. She rather not interrupt the yelling girl. But Erina was a bit displeased from Ikumi's insults about her personality. 'Is it wrong to be relived about one's safety?'
Ikumi suddenly gripped onto Erina's shirt collar. "Why are you - especially you - acting so nice? What gave you a change of heart?"
Erina remained quiet for a few minutes, letting the hot-headed girl to calm down. She took a deep breath and said nonchalantly, "Is it wrong for me to be worried about one's safety?" Erina raised an eyebrow. "I may be all of what you said. But how can I not have a change of heart?" questioned Erina, "Even someone like me can change. Just look at yourself. Remember what you were back then, when you associated with me."
Ikumi's furious look changed to a surprised one. The words processed in her mind and she gritted her teeth. She knew at that moment that Erina had won this one. 'I was the same as her,' she thought to herself and laughed at her stupidity. 'Now I'm just being hypocritical.'
Ikumi hated how this was turning out. Now it seemed like she was the bad one. Ikumi hated losing. Yes, she was competitive but she just hated to lose, especially to one called Nakiri Erina. In her heart she hoped for Erina to act stubborn and head-butt her in her heated insults.
But she was dead wrong.
Not only did Erina take this calmly, but she also lectured her in a calm manner. She was definitely not the Erina that Ikumi once knew. Erina had changed a bit and this sudden change was aggravating Ikumi.
Ikumi released Erina's collar and looked away in shame. She couldn't possibly talk after knowing who was at fault.
'Well since this conversation ended...' Erina thought as she picked up the flashlight. She glanced at Ikumi and sighed. "If you're going to sulk, at least do it when we're out of the cave."
"W-who said I was sulking!?" Ikumi asked loudly.
"Follow me, I think I found the exit."
XXX
"Fresh air!" Yuuki squealed in delight.
The combined group somehow found a way out and were able to exit the dark cave.
The air was refreshing for all of them as they were able to feel the warm summer air.
"Ryou, everyone! You guys are the first to arrive," greeted Alice and she walked to them with a small smile. "I'm surprised that you were able to find each other."
"W-well, it was surprising for all of us," responded Takumi.
Ryouko looked around. She somehow felt quite concerned about Megumi. But her worries subsided when she remembered that Megumi was with Souma. 'I'm sure they'll come very soon.'
"Wait...how can we be the first ones to find the exit if your group was here first?" inquired Shun. He eyed Alice suspiciously.
Alice smiled and corrected herself. "Fine, you are the second ones to finish." Then she glanced at Fumio and then back at the others. "We're preparing for the barbeque right now, so let's get to work before the others get back."
"Woah, you guys are already here?" a voice asked.
Everyone turned to look who it was even though they had recognized the voice.
"Oh, Yukihira-kun and Tadokoro-san," Alice smiled, "You've come at the right time. We were about to prepare for the barbeque."
XXX
"Are you sure we're going to the right place?" Ikumi questioned. She walked behind Erina and glanced at her.
Erina merely nodded and fastened her pace. She remembered where the light was and she wasn't mistaken that it was the exit. Her hope had risen when she saw the light growing larger.
The two girls looked at each other and gave a nod. They began to run until they could reach to the end.
XXX
"Eh...?" Ikumi let out softly.
The two of them had found themselves, well, out of the cave. But they saw everyone else having fun and partying.
"What is going on?" Erina asked. She looked around to see where her silver-headed cousin was.
"Oh, Nakiri and Nikumi. You guys got out," grinned Souma as her approached the two ladies. "We're already starting the barbeque so you just came in time."
"I see..." Ikumi muttered. Her face getting warmer as she noticed the red-headed boy's grin. She walked away quickly towards Fumio to get some food, making sure that no one would see her blushing face.
Erina and Souma glanced at the walking Ikumi and then back at each other.
"So..." the two of them muttered.
Souma grinned. "Why don't you get some food Nakiri? I'm sure you're pretty hungry."
Erina nodded. She was thankful that he wasn't going to mention about what happened last night. She felt embarrassed at herself. For showing him, especially him, her weak side. The side where she was vulnerable and defenseless. The side where she was different from the current Erina, this side was the opposite of strong. Erina had never felt like that for ages until...yesterday night.
She walked to get some food, only to be approached by Alice.
"I'm surprised that you and Ikumi didn't pass out half way. I thought you two were going to have a cat fight," giggled Alice.
Erina sighed. "Well, I had to deal with all of her frustrating remarks. I'm surprised that I was able to hold my temper."
"I guess even you are able to hold that menacing tongue."
Erina glared at Alice and then relaxed. "You're lucky I'm letting that comment go."
"Then I guess I should thank you," Alice said softly. She smiled and asked softly, "Hey Erina. Remember when we first met?"
Erina was taken a back by her cousin's question and bit her lip. It was such a long time ago, how could she remember? She shook her head in disappointment. "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to remember." Then Erina tilted her head in confusion. "But what are you asking me this?"
"I thought you wouldn't remember," replied Alice, "Well, it wasn't anything important."
-Few Hours Later-
Everyone went back to the villa after their small party. All of them were stuffed and felt satisfied for the day. Only Souma and Erina were up, and once again back at the balcony.
The two of them said nothing and felt the silence suffocating.
"About last night..."
"Yesterday..."
The two adolescents stopped after speaking simultaneously.
Erina went quiet for a moment and glanced at Souma. "You...can speak first," she said hesitantly.
Souma scratched the back of his head and formed a nervous smile. "I was thinking about last night."
Erina's body stiffened for a moment and then relaxed. "What about it?"
Souma's nervous smile was replaced with a small grin. "You're not as strong as people really say you are, Nakiri."
Erina grimaced and crossed her arms. She frowned. No one had ever said she was weak, no one. But right now, Yukihira Souma was telling her that she, the heiress of the Nakiri family, was weak. It was making her blood boil slowly the more she thought about it. Erina looked at Souma, a displeased look was shown on her face.
"I mean, its just that even you have a side that you don't want others to see."
After Souma had said that, an awkward silence filled the air around them. Erina didn't say anything, but looked away from Souma and stared at the night sky.
Erina bit her lip. The sky was empty. No stars were there that filled the sky, it just looked...empty. Her thoughts led back to last night and felt her heart pounding. She really wasn't strong after all. Erina gripped onto the railings. "I guess...I'm not strong..." she mumbled softly.
Souma scratched the back of his head. "Nakiri...I.."
"Forget I said anything. It's not important anyways," Erina muttered. She let go of the railings and walked back inside. "Good night...Yukihira-kun."
Once Erina was gone, Souma scratched his head in confusion. 'Was it something I said?'
XXX
"Mito-san," Hisako called.
Ikumi turned around and raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted to make sure you didn't hurt Erina-sama in any way."
Ikumi glanced elsewhere and remembered what she had said when they were both in the cave. "I...insulted her."
Hisako's eyes widened. "Y-you what..?"
"I may have done that...but," Ikumi bit her lip and ignored Hisako, her face reddened. "I don't dislike her as much anymore."
Ikumi walked away, leaving a dumbfounded Hisako.
XXX
"Erina, why are you still up? It's late at night," Alice remarked. She walked inside Erina's room and plopped onto her bed.
"I should be asking the same," muttered Erina. She glanced at the picture frame on her desk and saw the picture clearly this time. (It was dark at the time when she saw the picture frame, so obviously she couldn't see the picture within.)
Alice glanced at Erina and noticed how her eyes soften. "What's wrong Erina?" Her red eyes noticed the picture frame that Erina held onto. "Is that a picture frame you're holding?"
Erina looked at Alice and then back at the picture frame. She placed it on the desk, facing down so no one could see the picture. "Yea. But it's nothing important."
Erina sat next to Alice, her back facing Alice. She brought her knees close to her chest and hugged them. "Alice," she called softly.
"Hmm?" Alice glanced at her cousin in a questionable way.
"Do you think I'm weak?"
Alice's jaw dropped and she sat up, looking at her Erina like she had then eyes. Then as her red eyes gazed upon Erina, she felt this emotion that she rarely felt around Erina. And that time was when everyone in the Nakiri family was in the funeral of Nakiri Emiko, Erina's mother. Alice placed her hand on Erina's shoulder, her eyes softened. "What makes you say that?"
Erina sighed inwardly and hid her face in her knees. She didn't know why she felt like this... She felt as if something was stinging her heart. It somehow...hurts.
"You're not as strong as people really say you are, Nakiri."
"I...don't know," she lied, "I just thought, that maybe I am changing. I feel like something must be wrong with me."
Alice smiled. She felt happy that her cousin was opening up to her. This had been the first time in many years since they were bonding. Not as rivals, but as family. Alice brought her hand onto Erina's head and stroked it lovingly. She said in a soft tone, "I think that the way you are changing is fine."
"There may be a negative or positive in change, but it all depends on how you wish to be. It's your decision if you want to change Erina. Your heart will tell you," Alice continued, "Besides, everyone has a weak side, even you. So, I think that even though you're strong, you still have a weakness."
Erina looked up and placed her chin on her knees. She shifted to Alice, her pink eyes gleamed in relief. She felt relieved and satisfied in Alice's explanation. A small smile graced on her lips. "Thanks Alice."
Though surprised by Erina's sudden gratitude, Alice smiled back and patted Erina's head. "You don't need to thank me. We're family after all." She started to giggle and poked Erina's cheek. "I wonder who's the mature one now~"
"Alice...don't ruin the mood."
"Fine, fine, I should be going now. Good night Erina."
XXX
'I wonder what happened?' Alice thought. Her thoughts pondered about Erina that she didn't notice where she was walking.
"Oomph!" a small voice squeaked.
Alice snapped out of her thoughts and looked who it was.
"Tadokoro-san!" smiled Alice, "I'm sorry for bumping into you, I was just thinking about Erina."
Megumi shook her head. "It's fine Alice-san, I should have been paying attention." She then tilted her head. "But is something wrong with Nakiri-san?"
"Ahh you mean Erina? I think so. She wasn't acting like herself and asked me something really strange," explained Alice as she stroked her chin. "I wonder why she was acting like that?"
"That's true, but I did see Nakiri-san and Souma-kun in the balcony. I didn't want to disturb them so I just..." Megumi gazed away and bit her lip.
At that moment Megumi felt a grip tighten around her shoulders and she looked up immediately. She felt her sweat drop as she looked at Alice's beaming face, her red eyes glittered in curiosity and her lips curved into a large smile.
"What's the relationship between Erina and Yukihira-kun?"
XXX
Erina couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned but it was futile. Erina sat up and decided to walk around her room to tire herself out. She wasn't surprised that she couldn't sleep since it would happen in most occasions, especially when she's thinking about a new dish. But this time it wasn't about cooking, but she was thinking about what Souma had said about her.
'Auggh! Why is it still in my head!' she mentally screamed. Erina ruffled her head in annoyance and her hands then dropped to her side. 'Something is definitely wrong with me. Who cares about what he said. I never cared about what people said!'
Erina sat on a chair and mentally banged her head on the wall. She felt grateful that Alice had tried to cheer her up, which did work but his words did not disappear. 'Must forget!'
She calmed down a bit and her eyes shifted towards the picture frame. Erina brought it up and placed her arm on the desk, laying her head on it as she stared at the old picture.
It was her younger self, when she was around 6 years old. She was the only one in the picture. Her younger self had shorter hair, her amethyst eyes glimmered with a spark that Erina no longer had. Her lips formed a large smile as she was holding onto a single daisy.
Her younger self looked so much happier...so much happier.
Erina bit her lip as she remembered herself during that age. The darkest time of her life. Her mother died when she was six, and she was moved into her father's home.
"Get out of my face. You're worthless towards the Nakiri family."
"What is this trash? Who told you that you can cook?!"
"I don't need someone as worthless as you to be wasting my time. You may think you're my daughter, but you're nothing towards me."
"You're nothing."
Erina bit her lip and covered her ears. The voice that she despised more than ever was ringing in her ears. Her head began to hurt and her fingers trembled.
At the age of six, Erina had turned into a emotionless doll.
Hello everyone I'm back! I'm so happy that I was able to finish this chapter, it took forever because of the occasional 'writer's block'.
I'm sorry that I made Megumi's confession very short. But I hadn't planned out how it was suppose to escalate in this chapter. Do not worry about that for now.
I just love the bonding between Alice and Erina, made me feel happy inside.
This chapter wasn't as good as I expected. It didn't exceed my expectations but I didn't want my ideas to wash away. Due to the amount of time I've been gone, I forgot how old Erina was when her mother passed away. Forgive me!
That dense Souma! Why did he had to say that to Erina? Now Erina can't stop thinking about it. Poor her. :(
As I was gone from writing I read some of the new reviews and I was overjoyed when I read them. I mean, I never would had thought that people would actually like what I am writing. It's not as good as the others but I'm trying the best I can. So I like you thank all of you for reading. I still would like to know who you would ship. There's still a chance for you to choose before I decide, because obviously there is going to be romance in here.
P.S. I'm really bad at writing romance. I always hid away from anything romantic because... -cringe-.
Thank you for supporting my story. I hope that this chapter made you content, but I had once again made it too quick paced which I apologize profoundly because I really wanted the cave game to end.
Have a nice day!
Omake- Car Ride
"Oh look, Nakiri fell asleep," Souma observed. He glanced at the sleeping girl.
Her head was swaying right to left slowly and softy, her hair moving along with her head. She looked peaceful and Souma couldn't help but notice that she had a fair complexion.
Souma shook his head and cleared that thought away.
"Why don't you let her sleep on your shoulder?" Alice asked.
"Huh?"
Alice sighed and shook her head. "Never mind." She placed her head on Ryou's shoulder and smiled. 'He's comfortable.'
"Milady Alice, but there's something I need to tell you," said Ryou, his eyes staring with intensity.
Alice felt her face heating up and mumbled, "What?"
"You need to lay off the sweets," he replied bluntly.
"Are you saying that I'm getting fat!?"
While the two were talking and not paying attention to Souma, he glanced at Megumi and Yuuki. They were too busy talking as well.
He glanced at Erina and noticed her head on the car window. Souma quietly and gently placed his hand on Erina's head. He felt how soft her honey blonde hair was, and he carefully placed her head on his shoulder. Souma quickly placed his hand to the side and pretended that nothing happened.
A few minutes later. Alice looked back and smirked as she saw Erina's head on Souma's shoulder. "How cute," she said to herself. She took out her cellphone and quickly took a few pictures. 'Hehe, I can't wait until Erina sees this.'
But what she didn't notice was Souma's small smile on his face. A smile that had never shown such affections.
