Chapter 4 - A Night in Sumire Town

"Let's make this a contest! Yukihira Soma, we will have a competition, to decide who is the best person to date! A double date, where our partners shall decide who is the best, once and for all!"

Shortly after Erina had agreed to come and visit him in the Yukihira, Soma had been thinking about what they could do together. For some reason, Takumi Aldini had seemed a good bet to ask for dating advice. He was now beginning to regret this.

"Again with the competition Takumi… I'm pretty sure both of our dates wouldn't be enjoying themselves if we turn it into a competition. Besides, I'm not looking to plan a double date right now….."

"It's the only way, for you are my fated rival!". He posed dramatically.

"I was just looking for some general advice, ideas… maybe I should go ask someone else" he said glumly.

"Just getting ideas?" he said with a cheeky smile. "I think you have someone in mind, no? Well, since I can help you, perhaps I can teach you a few things to get you started. I am the teacher, raising you up to be my great rival once more..." he stared off, lost in his fantasy.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. So what do you suggest?"

"Well, I could suggest all kinds of specific activities that you could do… but essentially, it always comes down to the same thing. Think about what you want to do. And think whether the other person would enjoy it"

"As simple as that?"

"As simple as that. Don't overthink it amico mio!"

"Really? Even if this hypothetical person were to have… high class tastes?"

"If it's who I think it is, I believe this 'hypothetical' person already enjoys your company." He grinned at Soma knowingly. "The most important thing is to try to enjoy it, and what you do should just be something simple to bond over. Don't worry about it being perfect - if you're too worried about making everything go according to plan, you'll be stressed, it will be a disaster. It's all about enjoying your time with the other person."

Soma nodded sagely at the wisdom. He was starting to understand why Takumi had his own fan club.

"Wow. That's really helpful. Thanks Takumi! I owe you one"

"She'll have a great time, I'm sure. This 'hypothetical' god tongue friend of yours" he winked.

"I didn't say...". Rumbled. He scratched the back of his head and smiled. "That obvious, huh?"

"To a trained eye such as mine, of course! Don't worry, I'll keep it quiet". He winked mischievously.

Customer numbers were even higher than usual, due to the word being spread around about the "amazing new chef", "the goddess of the diner", "Soma's lovely girlfriend" (that was Suzuki-san's doing) that had been there for the day. Finally finished with the swarms that had arrived through the day, they finally had some time to themselves. Soma suggested an evening around town, to which Erina gladly agreed. They got changed and headed out, following the rough plans Soma had lined up for their "date".

They walked through the shopping district. Made a brief stop for some karaage - it was delicious. She remembered what Suzuki-san had said about this place, that Soma and his friends had helped revitalise the area. He gave her a mini-tour of the neighbourhood - introduced her to some old friends in passing, showed the shops, the restaurants, the places that were important to Soma growing up. They stopped for some ice cream and made their way towards the park. Soma showed her the arcade, the cinema, seeing if she was interested in either. She said she'd prefer just to keep it quiet this evening as she was a little tired, but she was enjoying walking in the fresh air, so they continued. Past the crowds, and into the park. There was a beautiful sunset. They walked among the trees, and briefly encountered a lost child. Soma unsurprisingly was good with children - she felt that confidence, that complete lack of hiding anything about himself, and the sense of safety he inspired in others. They help her find her parents. "Thank you Mr and Mrs Soma!". Even this child is assuming that of us! Embarassing… Soma didn't look at all uncomfortable with it, actually looking quite pleased. Does he like it, or is that him just being dense?

After a few more minutes of walking, Erina's desire to confirm something about their current standing had built up to such an extent that she was ready to act upon it. Slightly trailing him, she looked at his hand. Now or never she though. I am the protagonist of my own romance manga! I am Nakiri Erina, and I will get what I want! She attempted to take his hand. Soma, facing away from her, raised his hand at that exact moment to scratch his head. As if in slow motion, she watched, horrified as her hand grabbed his side instead.

"Hmm?"

He looked back to see an embarrassed Erina, looking at her hand sadly. She looked up at Soma and her face reddened further, his gold eyes examining her curiously. I FAILED! Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Her internal screaming reached a volume where she was concerned that Soma might somehow hear it.

"Oh, I see...". He laughed.

"Don't laugh at me! There's nothing funny happening, I... I just slipped is all!" She crossed her arms and looked down, still waiting for the shame to pass.

"Don't be like that" he said, laughing. "This is what you were looking for, right?"

He offered his hand. She was about to issue a rebuttal, but seeing the soft expression on his face she held back. She hesitated a little, then slowly moved her hand to take his. Their fingers interlocked, and she felt excitement rush through her. So… so lewd!

"I guess this is a date then!" said Soma jovially.

"We… I didn't agree to that..." replied Erina still embarrassed with the contact between their hands, but not at all upset at his definition of their evening.

"Ah no, I guess we didn't talk about that", he said thoughtfully. "Sorry, I guess I just assumed that! Probably because that was what I wanted" he said with his trademark straightforwardness. "Would you like it to be a date?"

"I … I suppose that would be ok with me"

"Alright, let's continue on our date!"

Soma led her through the park, into a clearing. Few people are around. A clear night sky, stars, moon, a light glow from the lights in the city. They were both enjoying themselves, relaxing and enjoying one another's company. Takumi's advice was pretty good, grazie!, he thought.

They sat down, looking at the night sky and talking for a short while, reflecting on the day, and talking about the very different places in which they grew up. Erina remembered something after a small break in the conversation.

"Soma-kun, you said there was something you wanted to talk about earlier?"

"Ah yeah, that" he said pensively. "Actually maybe it's best if I show you... at the Yukihira if you're ok to go back?"

"Sure!"

Back in the Yukihira diner, Soma headed over to the counter. He started picking out ingredients, and setting up his workstation.

"Soma-kun?"

"This time I swear Erina, I'm going to make you say my cooking is delicious!" he said, grinning.

She had a curious feeling of dread building at this. "You don't have to do this right now...".

"But I want to! I want to show you something amazing. I've been working on this for a while". He excitedly rushed around, preparing things, not seeing her, or hearing the tone of her voice.

"Soma-kun… I don't want you to do this. Not right now." Anxieties from earlier and the night before were coming up. She had a growing fear that was being ignored.

"But there's something I want to show you. I think you'll really like it!"

"Is that what this is about Soma-kun? You just want to prove something to yourself?". She could feel the emotions welling up inside her. Something about this had brought up old memories, reminding her of all the people who only cared about what she was, rather than who she was

He looked a little hurt. "I want to prove that I can keep up with you Erina!".

"But you're ignoring what I'm saying. I don't want you to prove that to me right now! It feels like you're just using me!"

"But..."

"I just want you to treat me as you normally do! Don't treat me like everyone else does, like I'm just the god tongue... like I'm just a tool, just someone who will reflect well on them, treating me like they don't care who I actually am... only thinking about what I can give them! Please, please don't become one of those people, you're too important to me" she pleaded sadly, looking down at the floor, fighting back tears.

Soma looked devastated. "I… I'm so sorry. I just wanted to show you that I'm worth your time.. I just wanted to show you what I feel about you through my cooking. I didn't mean to remind you of..." he looked down at the counter, looking away from Erina, ashamed of his selfishness, and the hurt he'd brought about in her. Something shifted in Erina though. What he feels about me?

"I wanted to show that I care about you... I think I say things better with my cooking that with words. I'm so sorry that I wasn't listening to you...". He looked down at the counter, away from her. A short silence fell upon them.

"Oh, Soma-kun" she sighed, regretting that she'd assumed the worst of his intentions. She walked over to where he was standing.

Erina gently took his left hand, and removed the pan he was still holding from his grip, and turned him around. He looked at her, seeing a soft glow in those purple eyes of hers. She took both of his hands and looked at him for a few seconds.

She gently tugged on his hands, and moved forward, her body lightly pressing against him. Soma looked surprised, before his features softened and he understood. She leaned her head towards his, and paused just short of contact with his lips. She looked at his eyes, his mouth, then closed her eyes. She moved the remaining distance, and kissed him lightly, their lips separating after a brief contact.

Soma was elated, and relieved. He had been too preoccupied with trying to impress her, not realising that it was only an issue for him.

Soma moved this time, closing the short distance between their faces, and closed his eyes and as he kissed her again. He gently separated his hands from hers, and moved his arms around her lower back, embracing her. She reached around his upper back with hers, and held onto him as they continued to kiss.

How long they stayed like this they weren't sure. When they separated they both let out a long breath.

"Soma-kun...". She smiled at him happily. She looked into his golden eyes, searching. He looked into hers, smiling.

"Erina… so this is how badly you didn't want to taste my cooking?" he said quietly.

"Idiot." She smiled. "Stop talking". She leant in and pressed her lips over his, silencing him.

"It's getting quite late Erina. Do you have any plans on where to stay? You're welcome to stay with me"

"I could get my driver to pick me up… but I'd like to stay with you. If that's ok..."

"I'd like that"

He found two futons in the cupboards and laid them out next to one another.

"Will this be ok for you?". He looked concerned that this would be insufficient for someone used to such luxury.

She noticed the concern on his face. "Hmm... it looks ok, but I think such a plebeian manner of sleeping could do serious damage to my body... you don't have a four-poster bed here?". She feigned a look that was somewhere between haughty and afraid.

"Ah... I should have thought of this..."

"No you dummy, I'm joking! I hoped that would be a little more obvious..., I'm not that much of a princess am I?"

"Just a little bit. Have you figured out how washing machines work yet?" he grinned.

"Wha... of course I have!" she said, huffing. "Well, after a little help from Hisako"

"Just a little?". He smiled. "Seriously though, will this be alright for you?"

"I suppose this will have to do". She bounded over to him and squeezed his hand. She looked up at him and smiled. "It's great, thank you"

I'm glad I brought a few things for an overnight stay. Come to think of it, that was Arato's idea… did she know something might happen? How shameful... She went to the bathroom to change into her nightgown. Soma was in the middle of changing when she came back in, and he was topless. He watched her as she came back into the room, transfixed. She looked beautiful, radiant. It reminded him of when she had come to his room to talk in his room in Polar Star. She was busy staring at his torso, when she looked up and saw that he was focussed on her.

"Umm… this is a little embarassing..."

"Ah… sorry!". He tore his gaze away from her, rummaged around in a drawer, and found an old blue t-shirt of his that he would wear to bed.

He approached her, touched her arm with one hand, and gently caressed her cheek with the other. He pushed back the hair from her face, and leaned in to kiss her again. She moved towards him as well, and gently pushed her body against him, and their lips made contact again.

She pulled away slightly.

"Soma-kun… just to let you know, t-to be clear ahead of time, I don't think I'm ready for..."

"For…?". She looked away, clearly embarrassed to spell it out.

"You know... like more than what we've been doing..."

"Oh...! It's ok, I feel the same" he said, a little flustered. "This is all new to me. Let's just sleep"

"Ok". She smiled, relieved. "I think we could both use the rest"

They laid down on the futons. Erina got settled, and had the duvet all the way up to her chin. Soma thought she looked incredibly cute like that. She looked over, and held her hand out towards him. He moved his hand out to meet hers halfway. She gently took hold, and then shuffled over towards him. She came to rest next to him, and placed her arm over his chest, lightly holding him. He turned to face her, and placed his arm on her shoulder. They kissed, and then embraced for a short while.

"Thanks for coming today Erina" he whispered.

"No, thank you". She placed a hand on his cheek and looked at him. "Good night". She kissed him again, and she tucked her chin in towards his shoulder.

"Good night." Soma rolled onto his back again. Erina's hand returned to his chest, and he put his hand over hers.

After a minute, he heard the rhythm of her breathing slow down. She was already asleep.

Hmm I wonder if I'm going to be able to get any rest like this, he thought. He closed his eyes, and was asleep shortly after.