HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! HERE'S YOUR GIFT: THE NEXT TWO CHAPTERS!
Erina followed Soma to the dance floor.
"What's the matter?" Soma cocked his head, noticing the face she was making.
"Well..."
Erina had never been to a place like this. Sure, growing up she learned ballroom dancing and ballet but this was different.
Everyone around here was kinda swaying or jumping? Some people were dancing with their partners, she didn't really know what to make of it all.
"It's kinda loud, don't you think?" She shouted as they approached the dance floor.
They found a nice spot on the dance floor just as the band was finishing up a song.
"So uhm..." Erina blushed.
"Okay!" The lead singer in the band spoke into the microphone. "It is now officially 9:00! You all know what that means! It's time to slow things down for "Couples Hour". So, everyone who didn't come here with someone, now's your chance to meet someone new!"
Soma smiled.
"You knew, didn't you?" Erina asked.
Soma nodded, Erina smiled.
"I wasn't going to pull you too far out of your comfort zone...yet anyway." Soma said.
Erina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at Soma.
He had planned everything out so meticulously.
Erina glanced around and noticed all the couples joining up as the band began to sing a sweet and slow song.
"Know how to dance?" Soma asked her.
Erina blushed. "Only if it's ballroom dancing."
Soma laughed. "Of course. Okay, come here." He pulled her closer to him.
He took her hands. She instinctively pulled back.
"Trust me." He said catching her gaze.
Erina's heart fluttered. She blushed, and reluctantly nodded..pouting slightly.
Soma took her hands again and placed them on his shoulders. Then he placed his hands on her waist.
They stood there a moment.
"Okay now what?" Erina asked.
"Well, ya just kinda sway." He showed her. "Here it helps if you are closer." He pulled her even closer to him, so that their faces were inches apart.
Erina blushed and dropped her pout. She stared into Soma's eyes as they danced.
"See this is how commoners dance." He teased after a moment of them dancing.
Erina's face went red.
"Shut up!" She said, pouting once again.
Soma laughed.
Erina turned her head away from Soma's direction.
"Oh come on, that was funny." He said chuckling.
"You always tease me." Erina replied in a pouty tone.
"You're just so easy to tease." Soma said in a voice that made Erina's throat swell up. Soma used one hand to gently turn her head by her chin so that they were face-to-face once again.
She didn't know what to say so she just stared, stared into his eyes and let him lead her through the dance.
She was certain there was some sort of hidden meaning behind the way he said tease.
She wondered what was in store for her.
The thought made her stomach leap and her body tingle with anticipation.
Soma felt his heart pounding in his chest as he held Erina throughout a couple of songs.
Eventually, and much to his surprise, she rested her head against his chest as they danced.
He smiled, closed his eyes, and let out an internal sigh.
Being here with her, meant everything to him.
He kissed the top of her head.
Erina looked up at him, her eyes seemed to sparkle in the light.
Soma leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips.
Here they were, sharing their first kiss in public.
They kissed for a good solid minute.
When their lips did part, Erina was blushing and he was certain he was too.
He had never felt this way before. For once he wasn't worried about surviving Totsuki, or becoming one of the elite ten...in this moment she was all he wanted...in every way.
After eating a dinner that Erina was both surprised and embarrassed to admit she enjoyed, the pair left for the Nakiri mansion.
The entire car ride home thoughts were spinning around in her head.
What now? Should she invite Soma to stay? Since they were already...involved with each other before tonight it wouldn't be tasteless. Yes, it was their first real date...but they had already surpassed the standard "first date expectancy" a while ago.
"Well..." Soma said as they arrived back on campus.
"Y-yes?" Erina tried to seem as calm as she could.
"I hope you had a good time tonight, I know I did." Soma smiled genuinely.
"I-I did too!" She spurted out. "I mean..." She fell silent; her face red.
There was a long pause.
"Well it looks like we are h-" Soma tried to break the silence as they pulled in front of the mansion.
"WOULD YOU WANT TO STAY OVER AGAIN?" Erina interrupted suddenly.
Soma looked surprised but then grinned mischievously.
"If you want me to, I will." He replied.
Erina's face was practically on fire, it was so red.
"Well...I..." She began.
Soma exited the car and offered a hand to help her out.
She took his hand and climbed out of the car.
"You do want me to stay, don't you?" He teased.
Erina let out a frustrated growl. "Well of course you dummy! But I asked if you wanted to stay!"
"Yeah I know, I just wanted you to admit that you want me to stay." He smirked. "Of course I want to stay, you don't even have to ask me."
Erina was fumming.
Suddenly Soma changed his tone. "Seriously Erina, if you want me to stay...if you need me to... you don't have to ask, of course I'll stay with you." He pulled her close to him.
Erina's eyes got wide. She couldn't help but feel tears forming, she pushed them back for as long as she could.
Her whole life she was forced by her father to be alone... and now here this boy was promising to stay by her side if she wanted him to.
Erina pressed her forehead against Soma's chest.
Safe. She felt safe.
Under the moonlight they kissed...that is until the front doors to the Nakiri mansion swung open to reveal a gawking duo: Hisako and Alice.