Chapter 15: Lashing Out

A Conflicted Heart

The moment Erina Nakiri had seen the photograph, sent by Alice, of Sōma Yukihira and Megumi Tadokoro kissing. The god tongue had felt as if her entire body was drowning in an odd mixture of despair and annoyance.

'He was supposed to be mine... to remove from Tōtsuki', she had silently fumed. For about fifteen seconds there had been silence as she, Hisako and Ryo had been slack jawed and staring at Ryo's phone. Shocked by Alice's discovery of this development.

Only when, Ryo uttered a loud expletive, was Erina jostled from her shocked state only to be enveloped by her friend; the ever present, faithful and diligent, Hisako. "Mistress Erina... I'm sorry you had to se this", her secretary stammered before attempting to snatch the phone from Ryo's hand, beginning a tussle. But then to the three persons horrified expressions, the swoosh and click sound made them realise that the photograph had just been forwarded...

"Who did you send that to!" Hisako demanded, but she was interrupted by Erina. "Bring that photo back right now!" The god tongue raged, "I want to destroy him myself!"

"Mistress Erina, that's not possible", Hisako responded, "it's been sent..."

"To the journalism club", Ryo murmured apologetically, "I only have the number due to some of its members interviewing me for the Autumn Elections". Words failed both girls as they took in Ryo's words, and the consequences of the journalism clubs soon to be receipt and publication of the photograph.

'Yukihira...' Erina's internal monologue failed her as she continued to try and comprehend her annoyance at failing to oust Sōma, but also despair at having him taken from her. "Why was Alice on the train?" She heard Hisako ask, jutting out her finger at the Danish boy. "I know that Alice sees Erina as a rival but surely as cousins... she wouldn't stoop to this level of taunting!"

For some reason, hearing that made Erina spin around and march over to her desk trying to distract herself with work from the whirlwind of bitterness threatening to erupt from her very soul.

"Mistress Alice was going to Morioka to see an English chef, Heston Blumenthal, who was visiting Japan and Russian molecular gastronomic chef Anatoly Komm. Who himself travelled from the Moscow to the Russian Far East to Japan". Ryo paused in his description upon seeing a Hisako's frown deepening into a full blown scowl. "She wanted to meet Blumenthal before he returned to Britain, and to see if she could get an internship at Komm's restaurant in Moscow. But she had also told me that she was looking for something to get back at you, for the words you spoke to her after her loss against Sōma".

Ryo's words didn't bring Erina much comfort, in fact she was sad, she had bitterly regretted her choice words to her cousin after the bento challenge of the Autumn Elections.

"Although", Ryo continued. "I don't think that she was expecting to see this, and I hadn't expected that it would affect her so much", Ryo added, running a hand through his hair. "Mistress Alice was annoyed back then but I know she still has fondness for you. This mistake is on me, I jumped when Hisako moved to my phone. And it caused the photo to send".

A rasped growl escaped Erina's throat as she overheard Hisako's corresponding argument, as well as Ryo's non committal grunt of "whatever". Quickly realising that her mind was too distracted to even consider school or Council work right now, Erina began to make her way towards her bedroom door. 'Perhaps sleep will help distract me', she thought pleadingly.

To sleep away this 'annoying development', felt like the only viable option right now but then she suddenly felt hands grabbing her arm and trying to pull her away out of the her office. "We can get their and force the journalism club with a Council Directive..." Hisako spoke.

However, with her growing annoyance and a sudden desire to be left alone, Erina yanked herself free from her friends grasp and shoved her back. "Get away from me!" The god tongue yelled, angrily and resentfully. "This is your fault... you failed during the Autumn Elections to defeat Akira, and now you have caused this to unbalance me!" Taking a breath, she the stomped forwards and grabbed her friend by the arm and slapped her across the face. "I want you gone! Your resignation should be by tomorrow morning. I don't work with failures!".

Erina didn't know why she was soo angry, or why she exploded with such ferocity at the one person whom she considered her best friend. It frightened her that she could be this callous and detached but her annoyance and despair towards Alice and Sōma, and envy towards Megumi, overcame her calm demeanour. So as a result, her anger and sadness was unleashed in one bolt to the heart of Hisako.

Meanwhile, Ryo simply watched unable to intervene: verbally or physically. Watching tears build in the rose haired girls eyes, and seeing the hurt and sting of rebuke was what struck Ryo the hardest, and the impetus that made him move forwards and stand directly in between the two girls.

"Leave her alone!" Ryo yelled, he hadn't even needed to put on his headband but he was incensed by Erina's actions and words. "Hisako's loyalty to you had always been steadfast and genuine. I already told you this was my fault, and still you blame her! If this is how you treat people that fall short of your perfections then she is better off without you. Mistress Erina".

Erina spun around, her nostrils flaring and pointed straight at Ryo and Hisako. "I said get out! You are both far beneath my culinary skill, and you always will be".

Returning to walking away, Erina stalked off into her bedroom and slammed the door behind her. Once inside her room, she dropped to her knees and began shaking, her nerves were all over the place and there was a dull ache in her heart. 'Apologise to Hisako...' her inner voice screamed at her, 'its not her fault that you don't understand people!'

As suddenly as she thought that, the image of her father popped up in her head; muttering his words of encouragement and his culinary teachings to her.

"Remember Erina, all food that I personally disprove of is nothing but animal fodder... Tōtsuki should be for the select few that understand this rule, not the plebeian slobs from lower culinary ranks. Your grandfather is wrong and a fool in thinking this way. The dregs of this world cannot understand nor will ever manage to create such marvellous delicious food. My word is gospel and with you by my side, we shall change the culinary world forever".

Shivering, as his words spread through her, Erina dug her nails into her arms and bit her lip, trying to remember better times. 'Chef Saiba... me and Hisako playing amongst the cherry blossoms... her annoying rivalry with Yukihira...' The last one only increased her anger and despair once more and made her scream out loud. "Damn him to hell! I do not respect or accept him!"

"Miss Erina", she heard Hisako speak from the other side of the door. "Please... I know I let you down, but talk to me..."

Erina desperately wanted to open the door and wrap her arms around her secretary and apologise, but instead her silence gave was telling. Moments later a folded piece of paper was pushed under the door, the word resignationwritten in black ink, slightly smudged by tears, was clearly visible.

"Please Erina... talk to me..." Hisako sobbed, trying to get an answer one last time, but still Erina could not find the strength to move past her conflicted feelings. Her heart thundered in her chest, the image of Sōma and Megumi flitting around her brain. 'Why am I so bitter!'

After twenty minutes of silence, Erina heard Hisako get to her feet and then leave the office. "I'm sorry mistress Erina..." and with that, Hisako, followed by Ryo, left the room closing the office door.

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[this chapter takes place between chapters 5 and 6]