A/N: Hope you enjoy this chapter

Unintentional Encounters

It's been five days since she arrived in her home country and to say that she's already getting bored is an understatement. The golden-haired beauty has practically nothing to do in Japan. Every time she attempts to do something she really wants, someone or somebody would interfere with her decisions. It seems that fate would not permit her.

She wanted to fly back to U.S as soon as possible but she's a hundred percent sure that her grandfather would drag her back here again. Erina was not the type to break a promise. After all, she's a woman of her word. She can clearly remember when she and her grandfather had a heated argument. Well it was more like she was being scolded by her grandfather, it was the first time in her entire life that she disappointed her beloved grandpa. That was the day before she decided to leave Tootsuki. Erina was permitted to leave the country but in exchange she must work hard to make herself known as a great chef in the States. All of that she obeyed in order for her secret to be kept safe.

The golden-haired woman looked at her phone and noticed that she missed a call from her cousin, Alice. She scanned her call logs and clicked on a certain voice mail. "Hi Erina. I tried calling you several times but it seems your line's busy. If you have the time please don't hesitate to call me. And, Oh! Before I forget, I'll come and visit you maybe this week. Take care of yourself cousin, bye." A smile was plastered on Erina's face.

Suddenly an urge to walk outside came to her mind.

Erina quickly picked up the keys to her car and immediately headed towards the mansion's main door. One of the Nakiri's butler came to her aide when he saw the lady of the house leaving in a hurry.

"Nakiri Erina-sama, allow me to help yo-" She cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"No need. I can drive on my own." She stopped to take a look at the butler.

"B-but my lady! What if something happens?" The butler reasoned out.

"I can take care of myself." She gave him an assuring glance before walking out the door.

"Then, may I at least know where are you going?" he added.

"I don't know yet. Just don't worry about me. I'll be back." She entered her car, started its engine and left.

...

For the past hour, all she did was to stroll around the city. She visited places that caught her attention. From different cafes, a few restaurants, to malls and now she's taking a good walk to the park. Being surrounded by nature soothes her. Erina watched her surroundings carefully. Few changes have been made but just enough for her to still recognize the views. No matter how much she denies it, deep in her heart, she really misses the place. It is, after all, where all the bad and even the best memories happened during her student years.

Suddenly, she heard a very familiar voice calling out to her. "Erina!" She can't be wrong. It must be her.

As soon as she turned around, she's met with a warm embrace by her ex-confidant. It was her pink-haired friend, Hisako. "Oh, how I missef you Erina!"

"H-Hisako." The golden-haired woman tightened her embrace. For almost a minute they stayed like that until Erina broke the hug. A big smile was visible on both of their faces.

"I'm glad to see you again." Hisako held both of her friend's hand. She was really overjoyed to see her again for the first time in five years. She was so happy that Erina couldn't help but notice the tears streaming down her face.

"Me too, Hisako." Erina gave her a warm smile as she wiped the tears off her friend's face.

"You've become gentler, Erina." Hisako said. "I'm glad that you're okay."

"I am always okay." Erina stated.

The pink-haired beauty shook her head. "I've known you for a long time, Erina. I would know if you're okay or not." She started to walk slowly with Erina following close behind.

She playfully rolled her eyes to her friend. "You worry too much, Hisako. Even after all these years."

She chuckled. "You know what? You're still the same Nakiri Erina that I've been with since our childhood." A giggle escaped the golden-haired's lips.

"But don't you think I deserve to know what happened to you?" Hisako stopped walking to face Erina.

She saw the sudden change of expression of her friend and that caused her to be worried again. The pink-haired motioned for them to sit down since there was a bench near where they were standing. "I-I don't think I can talk about it now." Erina gave her a brief reply.

Hisako let out a sighed. "It's okay. Just know that I'm here whenever you want to talk about it, Erina." Erina stared at her and gave her a weak smile.

"I promise, I'll tell you soon."

"Yeah. I'll hold you to that." Hisako said. She stared at the sky for a moment before starting a conversation again. "You're unfair sometimes, you know that?" She teased.

"And why is that?" Erina questioned.

"Well, you left us without saying goodbye."

"Hisako. There was a reason why I left." She responded. "I'm sorry."

"To think that I was the one closest to you. I failed as your confidant."

Erina stared at her. "No you didn't. I was the one who let you all down."

She grabbed the hand of Erina to assure her that she was not mad for all the things that the golden haired has done. It was all in the past. "Nah, we understand you and know you wouldn't leave your friends in the dust forever."

Hisako stood up and looked at her wristwatch. "I hate to say this but I have to go Erina." She gave her a one last hug which the golden-haired also returned. "If you want, I can become your secretary again."

Erina chuckled. "No need, Hisako. I think you should focus more on your dreams and I heard you're already engaged to Hayama." She teased the pink-haired. "Congratulations!"

A tint of pink adorned her cheeks. "Thank you, Erina."

The golden-haired beauty grinned. "Guess I have to pay the two of you a visit soon."

"Oh, yes! We would love to have you over!" Hisako exclaimed. The two friends exchanged a few laughs before going their separate ways.

...

A few days have passed since she met Hisako. So far, out of all her Totsuki friends, the pinkette was the first one she met in person for a very long time. She doubt that the others knew that she already returned. Then again, there are some who immediately contacted her days after her arrival. She can't blame them though, they have their own life and career to manage now.

The loud ticking of the clock can be heard in the room along with the sound of papers being turned - one page at a time. It was Erina, who was signing and checking the documents her grandfather entrusted her to accomplish. Finally, her beloved grandpa gave her a somewhat worthwhile task, enough to keep herself busy.

Well, truth be told, one of the reasons why she's in Japan was because she overexert herself managing her own restaurant in America to the point where she was admitted to a hospital due to fatigue and lack intake of iron. Getting sick is a rare case for Erina so when news of her predicament reached her grandfather, the old man immediately booked a flight to the U.S in order to visit his precious daughter. Once she was healed, Nakiri Senzaemon pleaded for her to take a six months vacation. For her it was more like a command than a request. Knowing her, she couldn't say no to her beloved grandpa. She let him down once, she could not afford to do it a second time. Besides, she believes that Senzaemon's doing it for her own good.

A sudden slam of the door surprised her. She stopped whatever she was doing and focused on the silver-haired beauty who was slowly walking towards her with a cheeky smirk plastered on her face.

"Miss me?" Erina smiled teasingly at her cousin.

"Oh, please my dear cousin, as if I would!" Alice retorted.

The both of them giggled. "I expected you to come sooner than this." The silver-haired woman sat on the vacant chair in front of Erina's desk.

"Well, there's the thing about my newly opened restaurant in Denmark. I'm sure you know that." Erina nodded fully aware what her cousin was saying. "Then there's the baby thing." Alice touched her stomach gently.

"Oh my god! You're pregnant?!" Joy was visible to both of their faces. Erina was happy for her cousin but she could tell that Alice was the one who's very excited.

Alice grinned. "Yes. Three weeks."

Alice and Ryo tied the knot a year ago. Well, it's pretty obvious that they'll end up with each other.

Since their academy days, the two were inseparable. It's funny that her cousin was the first to confess, a brave move coming from her. Of course, in accordance to tradition, Ryo was the one who proposed. A private wedding in the cold country of Denmark, the place where they first met. Sad to say, Erina missed it. She couldn't attend due to some urgent and personal matters. Lucky for her, Alice loves her very much to let her off the hook. Despite the things she had done in the past, her cousin was the only one she can hold on to. Among all of her friends, Alice's the only one who knew the reason why she left.

"Does Ryo know about this?" Erina asked.

Alice shook her head. "Not yet. I'm planning on telling him this coming Wednesday."

"Why Wednesday?"

Alice rolled her eyes. "Because he'll be back on Wednesday from Denmark."

"Oh."

The silver haired beauty let out a chuckle. She held Erina's hands in hers. "So, I want you to be there with us."

"Huh? Are you crazy? It's supposed to be a happy day for the two of you and you want me to be a third wheel?" Erina raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, I also invited another person." Alice said it too fast for Erina to catch the last phrase. "Please! Please, Erina! I'm super excited but I'm also scared. So, I want you to be there with me." She begged the owner of the god tongue.

Erina sighed. "I guess, I have no choice. I'll give you my support." Alice hugged the golden-haired woman in which Erina returned with a smile.

"How is it? Can the baby bump be seen already?" Alice questioned.

"Calm down Alice. It takes several months for it to become visible. Besides you would look beautiful no matter the dress you pick. You worry too much." Sometimes her cousin can be very troublesome.

"Okay. I'll believe you. For now." Alice said.

"Whatever." Erina chuckled. "I'm gonna head upstairs now, I'll have to do the food plating." Alice gave her a quick nod. Before closing the door of her Master bedroom, The golden haired took a quick glance at her cousin and saw her skipping down the hallway, obviously filled with joy. Seeing this, she smiled softly.

...

It took Erina fifteen minutes to arrange and finalize all the foods that they're going to eat. Now all that's left is to wait for the husband and the mysterious guest to appear. Everything must be perfect, it's her way of repaying her silver haired cousin after all. But what really made her look forward to this day was based entirely on curiosity. She wonders what faces would Ryo make when he learns that Alice was already pregnant. Erina considered Kurokiba Ryo as one of her friend. Though they hardly interact with each other due to Ryo being quiet most of the time. The only time you could witness the talkative side of him is when he's cooking or if it's about a food topic. Out of all people she knew, her cousin, Alice, is the best person who could bring out the other side of Kurokiba: the softer and tamer one.

The golden-haired was in the middle of arranging the dining table when the door bell rang.

"I'll get it." Alice said getting down the stairs.

"Its okay. I got it." Erina insisted since she's about a few meter away from the door. "Just finish preparing the table for me, please."

Erina dusted off the dirt on her dress and fixed her hair that's tied in a ponytail to make herself presentable enough."It's been a long time R-" Upon opening the door, the smile that was on her face a moment ago turned into a frown.

Standing in front of her was the man she used to love. The same man who saved her from her painful past and the only one brave enough to destroy the walls around her throne she worked really hard to build. Golden orbs stared back into purple ones. Neither of them made a move to break the moment. So much has changed for the passed five years but how come whenever she saw him, her heart frantically beats. She should be over him by now.

She should be .

"Yukihira Soma." his name bitterly escaped her lips as a whisper.

Hi!

Hope you liked this chapter and the length compared to the other one. Please give me some tips so I can improve on this story. Give me some ideas for new fanfics too.

Until next time,

Bye...