Disclaimer: It's a work of fiction and just having fun with my favorite SNS pairing

Last chapter was a cliffhanger eh? But I can see it really took my dear readers by storm. It was heartening to read your reviews and your reaction to it. I hope you like the response that Soma gave!

Your reviews and feedback are really great motivating factor to get me writing this one! In fact, it's because of the response that it got me to get onto the this one faster! I really do appreciate that you take time to give me feedback and the motivation they give!

"Huh?"

When confronted with this kind of situation, the typical Yukihira Soma would assume obliviousness. Observe: the slight tilting of his head, the innocent curious gaze, and the slightly opened mouth.

To be fair, though, I had sprung that question on him out of nowhere. Now that I took the plunge, it was too late to chicken out. I took a deep breath and repeated the question:

"What do you think about our relationship?" I tried to make it seem casual by topping up our cups with buckwheat tea.

Soma considered me for a long moment.

In that silence, my heart was beating like a drum as a whole mix of feelings were combined in a cloud. My nerves stem from the fact that this conversation was uncharted territory and it could go anywhere:

It could fundamentally change how we see each other; an evolution into the next form; a blossoming of something new.

Or, I have tripped on a landmine on the onset, causing irreparable damage to our relationship; Not that the rest of the conversation path is any more simple as we navigate through a minefield

...

Then again, perhaps nothing may change: We may end up deciding to pretend I had not asked...

"Where is that coming from?" Soma placed his pen down, straightening up. "Why are you asking?" His eyes expressed concern. Those questions caught me. With two questions, he turned the tables and caught me on the backfoot.

Why did I ask him that?

Why did I want to know?

"It was just that… it was something Moriyama brought up yesterday," I thought it was better to have an open conversation with him rather than to be cryptic. In an unexpected reaction, Soma frowned a little upon the mention of his classmate's name.

"So is this what this conversation is about?" Soma asked quietly, eyes glancing down at the notes that he had put so much effort in front of him before looking back to me, "Moriyama?"

A shift in the atmosphere, this was one such landmine. "All Moriyama did was to bring it up." I gently placed a hand onto the notes, acknowledging them, "Soma… I wanted to know what your thoughts are on the relationship between us." Hmm, once the ball got rolling, it seemed easier to keep it going.

Soma relaxed at my words, "My thoughts? In what way?"

I locked eyes with him. You know what I mean. "Are we…" deep breath, "...just friends?"

His eyes widened for a second, catching on to my line of questioning. For a few breath-holding heartbeats, Soma gave my words thought, finally replying,

"I don't know."

"You don't know?" For some reason, I felt a pang in my chest at those words. The usual cocksure Yukihira Soma is expressing uncertainty?

"I don't know." He repeated, this time with confusion. "I don't really know how to describe it. This is all new to me." He chuckled lightly, "I'm sorry. If this was a cooking question, I'm sure to have a ready reply." That was Soma's attempt at adding humor to the situation.

I gave a small smile in encouragement, letting his train of thought go uninterrupted.

"I sure don't think we are just 'friends'. From the stagiaire to now, I think we went through enough to qualify more than that: We have shared living space for almost a month now as well as worked together in a fast paced kitchen. We also trained and played that volleyball match which we won… how can we forget, we also created our own drink!"

"Shinko matcha," I muttered, in synchronization with him.

"Oh, and, how many 'just friends' guy-girl pairs can say they have shared a bath?" with an eye roll, I slapped his arm lightly for his mistimed joke.

He grinned at that,

He searched for my reaction. Upon seeing my nod to continue, he added, more assuredly, "You know my preferences: From the thick miso soup you make, to the watered down tea you bring after my exercise." He gave a sincere expression, "I appreciate the attention you put in those things.

"I also appreciate the fact that you deal with the non-cooking matters which allows me to focus in the kitchen… just look at the neat way you keep our books;" he chuckled, "you bring order to my chaos.

"Ever since Shinko Matcha, you're always willing to try my creations, giving honest feedback for improvement. I like making new things for you to try, just to hear your opinions and that keeps me going."

All these things he is saying brought forward our interactions for the time we spent together in my mind.

Hearing him speak so frankly is making me blush.

To cover my embarrassment, I deflected, "won't Erina-sama be a better partner to try your experiments?"

"Narkiri?" Soma arched an eyebrow, "Sure; her taste buds are ideal for testing, but I doubt she has the patience nor interest for that kind of thing... What? It's true." he added before I could put up a defense. "If we think about it, her God Tongue is too much of a cheat and takes away the fun of exploring, isn't it? Plus," he added with an amused tone, "as a courtesy, I can't imagine subjecting her sensitive tongue to the more disgusting combinations."

"Oh? So it's fine to subject me to them instead?" a tease to lighten the mood.

"Of course!" With a grin, he replied confidently, "Because we will be making and trying them together." His words became determined, "Let's make something that will knock Hayama's socks off!"

Ah yes, Hayama, our common opponent; The thought of him fired up my competitive spirit.

We looked at each other for a few moments:

Let's crush him.

We nod in agreement.

"You know…" Soma's voice softened, "I like spending time with you: even if it's just both of us hanging out in the room, doing our own things. I like that you share your interests with me and that you got me hooked on light novels.

"I like the small notes you put in those light novels; the way you scrunch up a small frown when you concentrate; the way your eyes light up when excited; the pout of your lips when bothered…" with a sly smirk, "and you sure do and say funny things when you're drunk."

"Drunk? When was I ever…" the memory of downing a can of alcoholic green tea rushed to me.

Oh my gawd.

"H-hang on, did-I-do-something-what-happened?"

Soma bit his lip, drawing out my panic, "Let's just say, when you're drunk, you would get chatty, and tend to get… touchy."

I was lost for words and covered my warm face with both hands.

OH MY GAWD.

"Hey, it wasn't that bad." he placed an arm on my shoulder in comfort.

"For you, maybe." I groaned. A deep breath to gather courage for my next question, "What… what did I do?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"...No" I sighed. Sitting back up, avoiding his eyes, "but tell me: did I do anything that will make me say 'I can't get married now.'?"

I gave him time to consider, "I won't say that," whew, a load off my mind, "but if that did happen, I will then reply 'I'd take responsibility!'."

I snorted at that humor. "What a cliche thing to say."

He shrugged, "I'm not the one who started it."

We could not help but burst into giggles at the exchange.

Soma summarized, "So, I'll say we are definitely more than friends… if I have to put it… I hope our time like this will remain the same when we return back to Totsuki."

Totsuki, where I would be back by Erina-sama's side while he returns to his friends at his dormitory, as per our respective lives before this summer. I doubt we will have many practical chances for things to be the same.

"And… maybe… go even further."

Huh? Did he just?

"Go… further?" Is he saying-

"I'm not sure if I would be any good at it though." Soma added, scratching the back of his head, "after all, I only tried having a relationship very recently… and that did not turn out well for her."

As considerate as ever, he still feels responsible for the break up.

"I was wrong then; I don't think that I will be this time." He gave a pensive smile. "But that's just me. It takes two to clap after all," he concluded.

Oh wow… Oh wow. I thought my question would be deflected with a laugh, or be totally misunderstood, or dismissed by a simple but distracted "yeh, we're good friends".

Now, the ball is in my court. It is my turn to respond.

How should I respond to this development? I mean, I get what he means to say but

Am I ready to take that step?

I know it sounds silly to ask him a question on how he feels while I did not have a ready position on it. I should have expected that he would be open and frank about his thoughts. It would be so much easier if life was like those stories where the characters just say "yes" in one scene then *poof* they become a couple.

Nope, life is never straightforward and there are things I would like to sort out before deciding to commit to anything.

I need to think.

There's Erina-sama; My family; Our studies;

I have no experience in this: How are we to behave in front of others? What is expected when we take that step?

And Kurase… oh Kurase, after what she just said to me today, this would crush her.

"Let's wait till the elementary school camp." I replied, "So that we are both ready to make it proper." I placed a hand on his reassuringly.

To my relief and surprise, Soma agreed to it. "Sure, let's do that. There is no need to rush," he flipped his hand and held mine, observing our matching bandanas on our respective wrists. giving a weary smile, "that was my mistake the last time."

A comfortable silence fell between us. Feeling his bigger hands holding mine felt warm and secure.

"The elementary school camp eh? That will be a full month that we have spent together." Soma remarked, "It would be quite appropriate." he chuckled. "Although, that's one month away from home during the summer. I'm curious about your family. I'd like to know more about them."

It took a moment before I fully opened up to him about the Arato family: The extent of our holdings; the focus on medical discipline with particular focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine; the hands off parenting as I have proven to be quite consistent with my studies coupled with the fact that they are always busy. There are some duties placed on me as the only child of the main family branch that served and worked with the Narikiri family for many generations.

They believed that connections are key to our family's growth and prosperity.

"That's one of the reasons why they had arranged for me to be Erina-sama's personal secretary since elementary school." I recall getting reminded not to ask anyone about Erina-sama's father during my father's brief. Not understanding why and brought up to not question them, I obeyed.

I was just a pawn.

"Wow… it has been hard on you. "

"They were tough, but fair." There was a weight on my chest. This was a subject that I had not even told Erina-sama; I thought I would be used to my family's situation but it was bittersweet to talk about them. "Let's change the subject?"

"Alright, I understand. Thanks for sharing with me, though." Soma respected the request and cleared his throat,

"While at Koganei's place, Kurase had asked for help in visiting the wholesalers to arrange the ingredients for the camp, so we're heading there during tomorrow's break time. Let's make a list of ingredients we need."

Kurase? "She asked for both of us to accompany her for the visit?"

"Not exactly, she just asked for help in getting introduced to the wholesalers. I naturally thought you'll be coming along."

Normally, I would agree to go without a second thought. However considering my talk with Kurase today, I can surmise her effort; it must have taken a lot of courage from her.

If I were the possessive type, this would be the time when I protest, or even jump on the chance to be there between them.

However, I thought it better to take a step back.

I know it sounds risky or stupid when I say this: Kurase is decent and honorable. She deserved to be allowed a fair chance too. That may explain the determination she showed.

Well, Miss Kurase, I respect your effort.

To be clear, it's not meant as a favor to her:

Soma and I had not formalised anything. Nor will I stop him from having friends.

If they do make a connection… then perhaps Soma and I are not meant to be; I would, nonetheless, be happy for him and Kurase because there was an informed choice for two deserving people.

On the other hand: if he still maintains his current stance, would it not make our relationship stronger and meaningful by having it stem from a conscious decision?

Plus, having some time alone to gather my thoughts on what we just talked about will be good.

No future doubts, no "what if' and no regrets for anyone.

Besides…

I trust him.

A/N: I hope you like what Soma thinks of their relationship. I believe a strong foundation is built with many bricks, and that the strongest steel is forged by the hottest fires. Additionally I wanted to express that he is looking towards the future too.

Once again, thank you for your reviews! They do let me know if I still got your attention and it keeps me writing; as long as there's a healthy amount of interest, I'll continue writing!