Disclaimer: SNS ain't mine
Chapter 4
Hesitation
Last night was a blur, they all fed up with stories and mischief. They even drank eight bottles of 'rice juice'. They were lucky that they are far off any establishments or else they'll be sued with such noise.
That night, before Hayama and Ryo were having a shokugeki and before Erina and Soma are having their moment on the balcony. They were having some serious dance match that Alice was very enthusiastic about.
Erina didn't want to participate to save her from embarrassment, she only knows ballroom dances not freestyle.
But drunk Alice dragged the blonde princess whispering to her that 'boys like Soma likes girls who can dance well, it adds up to performance you know?' the statement alone left the God's tongue redden as steams puffed out of her ears.
As drunk Alice wildly danced on the dance floor, her movements were very chaotic even Ryo hid in shame of his ojou's action. Some were very drunk to encourage the white vixen more and Erina just stood there on the side of Alice struggling to dance. To some point that she looks awkward there which amuses Soma a lot for he is wheezing, his hands clutching on his stomach.
He looks just as drunk as the others. Even though he's not.
And for some reason Megumi won the 'dance contest', who would've known that the innocent looking girl was a beast in dancing, she slayed them moves.
Then next up for their 'activity' was singing and it was fantastic. Marui sang a love song, although drunk, he managed to let that vibrato smoothly articulate. But that was just in his fantasy, in reality his singing was enough to damage one's ears.
Isshiki sang and danced with a ferocious hip thrust. The music was upbeat that everybody danced along with him, minus the hip thrusting, except for Soma, who's brutally hip thrusting along with his nudist senpai.
After many 'contestants' singing in front of their drunken audience it was Hayama who sang it better. Hisako is fangirling so hard in her mind that she can't even maintain her posture so well.
The other teens excuse themselves when Ryo challenged Hayama in Shokugeki and when Erina announced that she's going outside for some fresh air, with then Soma followed by a moment later.
The party ended with a bang when Isshiki took of his apron and looking like an angel in front of them, there were light shining through him and they all collapsed in the floor, bed, and any other surfaces inside Marui's room.
It was 4 in the morning, the dark sky is about to fade as sunrise is near. The morning chill that comes with it is refreshing than usual.
At Polar Star Dorm, Hisako is already awake after she heard hushed noises from the people outside Marui's room.
Her head was throbbing a bit from the aftermath of intense partying. And it throbbed worse when she remembered today was Monday.
She took her phone which was beside her and saw an email regarding about the intels that Erina sent.
The pink haired teen let out a yawn and proceed to wake Alice up, who was sprawling on the floor with a stupid looking grin on her face. Hisako sighed and she gently nudged Alice on the shoulder.
"Lady Alice, wake up we are going home, I have to wake Erina-sama yet too" But Alice didn't budge.
Hisako felt a hand grabbing her shoulder, she turned her head and she was met by Ryo's usual poker face.
"I'll take it from here" Ryo said as he removed his hand on Hisako's shoulder then he bent downward towards Alice "You should go to your ojou, I already called a limo"
Hisako nodded and headed outside the room. As she head out, she was greeted by the sight of Isshiki and Hayama. She squealed in her mind when Hayama's emerald eyes gazed to hers.
"O-Ohayo Isshiki senpai and" she shyly look at Hayama "Akira-kun"
The nudist greeted back at her with a bright smile, the foreigner just stared at her with tint of red spreading on his cheeks then looks away.
"Leaving already Hisako-chan?" Isshiki asks as the pink haired teen nodded "Hai, I believe that Erina-sama have some important matters today"
"Here I was wondering that you could all stay at least for breakfast"
"I'm sure I wouldn't mind staying for that senpai but it is all up for Erina-sama's decision"
"Of course, just let Erina-chan know about it though"
"Hai senpai" Hisako bowed and politely made her way through the hallway. Then Isshiki eyed at Hayama, who then raised an eyebrow on him. Then the third year smiled a bit mischievously, while looking as bright still.
"So the two of you are already at first name basis huh?"
"Urusai"
Hisako reached Erina's room and knocked on the door before she went in. It looks like Erina is fast asleep. She smiled as she sat at the bed beside her ojou and gently nudged the blonde princess' shoulder.
Erina groaned a bit from the action
"Erina-sama, it's time to wake up. I received an email about the intel's report"
At that Erina sighed at her slumber and she slowly got up, her mind still a bit hazy from the over whelming emotions she felt last night.
"What time is it Hisako?"
"It's 4 in the morning"
Erina blinked and hopped off her bed, Hisako got up too. Then the pink haired teen spoke "Isshiki-senpai is wondering if we could stay for breakfast"
The blonde paused for a bit then waved her hands "I can't stay since I have to make breakfast for Mother" Amethyst eyes gazed at her aide's "You and Alice can stay if you want to"
The pinkette's eyes widen and just nodded at her lady "I'll let Alice know then, I still have to help you for the preparations today"
Erina smiled at her aide in gratitude. The two of them changed their clothing a bit before heading downstairs.
Just two rooms after Erina's, in 303, there a redhead was already awake. His arm throbbed in pain and his mind a bit heavy with thoughts.
He wasn't able to sleep well, his injured arm is one of the reason but the majority is his thoughts.
He didn't know how long he was staring at the ceiling for now, he can feel his body ached for prolonged laying down in his bed without moving a bit.
He heard a door opened just a while ago and assumed that Erina must have woken up to go home. Soma wants to get up to greet her this early but for some reason he decided not to.
He could care less. It's not like he is avoiding her because of the strange fluttery feelings he felt last night with her on the balcony.
Not at all.
But it's as if his mind was hesitating. This was the reason why he couldn't sleep. It was confusing and distracting. It troubles him and it left him much emptier than before.
Soma closed his eyes for a bit and let out a long deep sigh.
At the main floor, group of teens sat on the stairs, Isshiki had announced that Hayama already went home.
Alice and Ryo were there, waiting for the limo. Ryo was holding his lady in bridal. Erina looked at her white-haired cousin in disbelief.
"Mou Erina, why can't you stay here for breakfast?" Alice pouted at her cousin, she was still a bit sleepy. Being cradled in Ryo's arm just adds up to her sleepiness.
"Alice, you know that I am my Mother's personal chef. I have to head home immediately, you can stay here"
Alice simply huffed and glared at the headmistress, then her lips curled up to a wicked smile. Then she turned her head to face their senpai.
"Isshiki senpai, may I know the chef for today's breakfast?" Alice asked innocently
Isshiki giggled at this "It would be Soma-kun's turn today" Alice smiled widely at that and her ever mischievous crimson eyes landed at Erina's amethyst orbs.
Erina was shaking a bit, her cheeks red and pouted at her cousin. Hisako and Ryo just sweatdrooped.
The God's tongue was having a debate in her mind. She's her mother's personal chef and she is needed at the Nakiri Manor to serve godlike dishes for her mother. At the same time she wants to stay in order to eat Soma's delicious dishes that she missed out these past few weeks.
Alice was enjoying the frustrated expression of her cousin, besides, she's giving her a favor to enjoy the first seat's dish which she knew her cousin misses so much.
Erina's ears was starting to steam and then- "Sorry, but I can't cook for breakfast today"
All heads turned towards the voice. There Yukihira Soma standing on the level between the stairs while clutching his injured arm.
Noticing their silence, he continued "My arm is aching so badly, so I can't cook till it's healed" he slowly walked down the stairs.
"Oh" Isshiki uttered "That's unfortunate, we were looking forward for your dish" he said, disappointment was not hidden in his voice as he walked towards his kohai.
"Sorry for that, if I try to cook something now it would be a mess" Soma smiled as he rubbed his neck with his uninjured arm
"I understand" isshiki pats the redhead's back
"You should really get that patch up in our school clinic" Alice worriedly said as she got off from Ryo's cradle. Then the muscular boy stretched his arms. Soma just nodded at Alice with a smile.
Erina just stood there, staring at Soma's injured arm. Hisako looked at her ojou in worry, she can feel the disappointment and sadness emanating from the blonde.
Amethyst orbs locked at golden ones. Soma and Erina stared at silence then just as Erina was about to say something, a honk was heard. The limo was there.
"W-well, it's seems that our limo is here" Erina stuttered as she turned around, wanting to pride herself up to hide the disappointment in her face.
"Just take care of yourself Soma, let's go Hisako" the aide nodded as they left.
'Soma?' Alice thought as she smiled 'my goodness, she didn't even realized that she just called Yukihira-kun by his first name'.
Soma just stood there in silence, also bewildered at the fact that the God's tongue just called him by his name, then he smiled knowing that the princess cared for him.
It was very rare that she shows it like that while trying act not to.
"Well it looks like I have to make breakfast!" Alice said cheerily then Isshiki looked at her.
"Hoh? The molecular gastronomy expert is cooking for breakfast? This is interesting" Isshiki smiled brightly at the white haired princess.
"I'm looking forward for your dish too, I haven't been able to taste some of your dishes" Soma said, also smiling at Alice.
"Hehe thank you~!" Alice grinned then she dragged Ryo to the kitchen leaving the first and second seat on the premise.
Ryo just stayed silent, as he usually does with that poker face of his, he had always tasted his ojou's dish but still excited to taste more of it too.
Muffled sounds can be heard on the pipes, signaling that the others are waking up. Then sounds of footsteps was heard. Isshiki and Soma looked up to see who's coming down, it was Megumi.
Megumi covered her mouth and yawned. She looked down to see the nudist and the red head, she smiled as she greeted them in which they greeted back.
Isshiki told the two that he is heading to the garden.
"Soma-kun, you're surprisingly early today" Megumi said, her honey eyes twinkled.
"Yeah, can't sleep because of my arm, so I got up not knowing that it's early in the morning" the redhead grinned sheepishly, Megumi let out a shock as she walked towards Soma. Her eyes filled with worry.
"Oh, does it hurts much now?"
"Yeah" Soma sighed then Megumi led him to a room where the first aid kit was, she had to change the patches on his arm.
Soma just stayed still and wander his thoughts around something that he was oddly grateful for. While having a conversation with his best friend.
In his thoughts, he was glad that he is injured and that's what he is grateful for. Since he can't think of any alibis to cover that he doesn't want to cook much now.
It was clear now… that he was no longer interested in cooking.
At the limo, Erina was still silent. How can she forget that Soma was injured in his left arm. She clenched her fists at the fact that she didn't saw this coming and that she only brushed it off.
"Erina-sama, it's alright, I'm sure you'll be able to taste his dish until he'll get healed" Hisako comforted her best friend, then Erina flushed beet red and snapped her head at her aide.
"I-I-I-I was n-not! I-! Hmph! I don't want to eat his d-dish anyway!" the blonde harrumphed and then hid her flushed face unto her hands.
Hisako just giggled, it seems that until this time her best friend still can't be honest with her feelings. But she can see the walls breaking down though.
Yukihira Soma was the best thing that happened in Erina's life, Hisako was glad of that redhead's existence.
Erina then remembered something when Hisako woke her up earlier. She cleared her throat and looks at her aide sideways.
"Hisako, you said that my intels have some reports right?"
"O-oh yes!" Hisako took out her phone from her pocket then opened the email, she read it and looked at Erina "they said that they have found your half-brother and your father's location"
Erin nodded at the information.
Hisako was told with this by Erina that the Noir chef Asahi was the son of the notorious Nakiri Azami. She has speculated at this since those men's name were just two letter different. But it was a surprise still.
The limo stopped when they arrived in Nakiri Manor. Looking grandiose as always, the place stood as if royalties lived there. But of course, the residents there act like royalties in the most natural ways.
The maids and butlers greeted their arrival as the two teens went to their room.
Erina took a nice relaxing bath immediately. It was still five in the morning, she decided to soak for a bit for at least half an hour or less.
The steams coming out of the warm water and the vanilla scent along with it intoxicated the air, giving it a relaxing feeling. Kind of like what she feels during aromatherapy.
Her mind went back from the moment she had with Soma on the balcony last night. She smiled at her thoughts then saddened that she had to wait for a few more days in order to taste Soma's dishes again.
The thought alone got her a bit impulsive though, in her mind, although that she is not able to taste some of his dishes for now, his presence can compensate for that.
Then she was bummed that she can't see him for this day because she had to go where her half-brother and father are.
She sighed as she plunged deeper on the tub. 'Maybe tomorrow I'll talk to him' she thought and it's a good excuse since Soma's left arm is injured right now, he can't attend some classes that requires hand-on.
Maybe she can even spend some time with him more by letting him stay at her office with her. She blushed at the thought.
She even imagined herself and Soma in her office like-
"Erina~ you know that I'm injured right?" Soma looked at her with such softness in his eyes and his almost pleading voice is enough to make her knees go weak.
"You're so cruel" The redhead said with a sultry voice "I wanted to rest but you didn't want me to"
Erina glared at him as she harrumphed "Hmph! Didn't I said that I'm going to punish you! You said you wanted to see me try. Yes, she wants to punish Soma for one; being an idiot asking for a race and ended up getting injured and two; because of that reason he can't attend some classes right now.
But then Soma smirked at her, it was not the usual crooked smirk that annoyed her to the depths of her soul, but it was a smirk that made him look… incredibly sexy. Especially when he's starting to walk slowly at her, pinning her down with just him glaring at her like predator ready to pounce on its prey.
"Then…" the ever ecstatic redheaded chef said as he bent down to her, his expression softened as if he was the prey now, he stopped when his is lips almost brushing on her ear. Her face flushed red then she heard Soma whispered at her-
"Please punish me princess~"
Erina squealed so loud while burying her face unto her hands. Her entire face was red and seemed like glowing, her heart raced so fast she can hear her beating heart loudly in her ears. The steams from the warm water only added to her fantasies. She tried to stop but can't, as she is now imagining lewd things of her 'punishing' Soma.
Then a loud knock on her bathroom door was heard.
"Erina-sama! Erina-sama! Are you alright!?" Hisako's voice was filled with anxiety to what have gotten to her lady, she might have heard Erina's squealing before.
"H-Hai Hisako! I'm alright, there's nothing to worry about…"
"Are you sure? Then what is tha-" Hisako was cut off by Erina
"N-nothing! I just remembered that…that" Erina can't think of anything to hide the fact that she was actually starting to imagine lewd scenes of her and Soma. She gulped and paused a bit… trying to find an excuse of her unholy thoughts.
Then she got one "I remembered that there was a new shojou manga!" it was not a great lie, even she can say that it was a poor excuse.
But Hisako did not try to press on though, even if that sounds a bit suspicious. She jokingly thought that maybe Erina was just thinking of Soma because this situation is kind of similar when she thought about a certain Spice Chef, with all the squealing too.
Oh how correct she was at that.
"Well, you have to get dressed now, Mana-sama is looking for you"
"H-Hai!"
Some moments later, after is done cooking breakfast for her Mother, and she included as well. They sat at the dining table. The dishes were presented and a wonderful fragrance filled the room.
Mana smiled and let the warmth from the dish caress her face. She inhaled and breathe out as she looked at her daughter with pride and joy.
"From the fragrance alone, I can tell that it is delicious dear daughter"
"Thank you mother"
Mana took a bite from the egg dish, her God's tongue do its work to savor and satisfy her with such perfection on how creamy the egg was, the right amount of seasoning that was put there along with how the aftertaste from it coordinates well with the other ingredients.
It was like an elegant dance with a bit of roughness here and there, giving it a more unique appeal of the dish.
And it was then that she realized, there was no more of that sadness embedded in the dish. Mana's smile got even brighter. It seems that her daughter had finally talked with her future son-in-law, she giggled at that.
"My intels have reported me about the whereabouts of my half-brother and father" Erina started, she wants to let her mother know about this.
Man raised an eyebrow "Oh? So where are they now?" she asks.
"It was stated that Asahi-niisan is at a haute restaurant not far from here, he was hired there as a guest chef by the owner"
"Was the owner one of Totsuki's?"
"No, apparently the owner of it was a foreigner"
"Well, what about Azami?"
"He's at the cruise ship right now, which departs two days from now"
"Hmhmm" Mana indulge herself more at the dish and somewhat satisfied with the information that her daughter has given to her.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Mana asked
"No, I want you to stay there, I'll be sure to bring them home this evening or at instant"
Mana smiled in approval and they both finished their meal. The woman wonders what her life will be if her husband and her stepson are living in the Nakiri Manor.
Well, she wouldn't mind having those two as long as her life won't be filled with much drama. She then hopes that years will pass by now so Soma can also be a part of her family. She smiled at that.
And at the thought of it, she decided to pay the redhead a visit, maybe he can cook for her this lunch. She decided that she will.
"Tch! I'm supposed to be your rival! Not your chauffeur!" Takumi shouted at Soma who was getting off his moped. Then Soma with his crooked smirk turns to look at the frustrated Italian.
"Yet you still gave me a ride! From now on be my chauffeur!" Soma grinned which angered the blonde Italian even more.
"Urusai! Don't talk to me" Takumi throttled to go away from the premise, then comes back realizing that he was at the same building as Soma.
The redhead laughed and went inside the building.
On the hallway, there were some first years, the girls were gawking at the redhead, admiring his bad boy reputation. They huddled in groups whispering about how refreshing to see the smile of the first seat is.
They can't see the bandages on Soma's left arm since he wore a jacket to hide it. Soma went to the right wing of the building where the clinic is located.
His arm throbbed even more and keeping it down seemed heavy and just adding pain. He gritted his teeth and knocked the door of the clinic before opening it.
"Good morning, uhmm is there a nurse here?" Soma's head went in first, trying to see if there's anyone inside.
"Yes yes, I'm here- oh! Why if it isn't the first seat!?" The nurse exclaimed enthusiastically, Soma smiled as the nurse offered him a seat.
"How can I help you?" The nurse said as he tidy up his table for a bit.
Soma took off his jacket and the nurse noticed his bandaged arm. The nurse was shocked by it but decided to calm down "What happened Yukihira-kun?"
"Got in an accident, I fell down my moped" Soma answered as briefly as he can.
The nurse just nodded and checked Soma's arm. He took out an arm sling and let Soma wear it. Since letting it down is painful.
So much for that, the student body as well as the teachers will definitely know that Soma can't cook for now. The nurse had told the staff as well as passing a receipt that Soma can't join any hands-on classes until his arm is healed.
Soma thanked the nurse and head outside. Most of his classes right now are hands-on, he decided to take a break then.
As he passed by the hall, many students were whispering about Soma's injured arm. It was inevitable anyways, so he let it slide.
He wondered what kind of assumptions they gossip on later about his injury.
Now he have more time to think about his 'plans'.
He goes outside to find a bench. The only ideal place to space out would be the road where the cherry blossom tress at. That means near the entrance of the school.
So he went there after minutes of walking, it was a good exercise but he shouldn't tire himself out.
As he found a bench, he immediately went there and slouch down. He took a deep breath and look out the sky. His arm on the sling clung comfortably. The shade provided by the cherry blossom trees were always refreshing.
Just as he was about to space out, his eyes spotted a limousine coming in his way. He recognized that it belonged to the Nakiri family. He braced himself, Erina might come down to scold him in this perfectly ambient day.
It was not surprising that the limousine stopped, but to his surprise it was not the blonde princess who stepped out the luxurious ride. It was Nakiri Mana herself.
"Yukihira-kun, fancy meeting you here" Mana smiled at the boy then frowned at the sight of his arm sling.
"Ah Ojou-sama, I didn't expect to meet you here" Soma bowed at the older God's tongue.
Mana walks towards him, her eyes did not left his injured arm. "What happened Yukihira-kun?"
"I fell down my moped, but I'm going to be okay just a few days" the redhead laughed nervously.
That didn't assure Mana not one bit. She inhaled sharply and looked at the boy in the eye.
"Too bad, I actually want you to be my chef this lunch"
Soma gaped at her "What? W-what about your daughter?" he was shocked that he was invited by Mana as her chef, does that mean that he's not that bad? If the bookmaster and much sensitive God's tongue wants him to cook for her, does that mean that he is worthy enough to be a chef?
"Erina have matters to attend to, it's pretty crucial"
Golden eyes narrowed at that statement, Erina doing a much important matter that she even skip cooking a meal for her mother?
Soma decided not to press on "Hm, oh well I'm sorry if I can't be a service for you this lunch m-ma'am" it seemed like being polite is hard for Soma. Like his father, they had no regard to whatever authority. But the woman in front him emanates a different kind of authority.
Mana smiled at Soma's attempt at politeness, she finds it amusing. "Well that is okay young Soma, if you don't mind, let's have a conversation right here, I was looking forward talking with you"
"I don't mind" Soma smiled but was unsure what would they talk about, so he mentally prepared himself. Maybe Erina said some things about him to her mother… that would be troublesome.
But as minutes passed on, their conversation was going as smoothly as possible. They some laughs and talk about the chefs they encountered.
'Why can't that princess have her mother's trait like this?' Soma chuckled at his thought, Mana is very good at handling long conversations.
"What do you think of my daughter Yukihira-kun" Mana's eyes twinkled as she asks Soma. But she's a bit anxious of what the boy was going to answer.
The redhead paused for a bit to think, that was the same question he heard from the father of the woman in front of him. Although in the end his answer goes like he's going to get Erina say delicious. But now since he's not interested to it anymore. He'll just have to answer honestly and remove that part.
"Your daughter's a princess" Soma chuckled "But I'm not saying as if it's bad, it actually suit her. Sometimes she can be a bit awkward and dishonest about her feelings, but I think that's amusing"
Mana smiled at his answer, her mother instinct went on to ask more about the boy's perspective of her daughter.
"What's this about dishonest of her feelings?" She asked more, she knew that her daughter is a tsundere. Could it be that Soma knew of her daughter's feelings?
"Oh that! It's that it is so obvious that she likes a thing but tried to say it's not anyway, like she always does whenever she ate my dishes" Soma inhaled sharply in shock, he didn't mean to slip that out. If anything, it would just lead to a question if he wants to get Erina say delicious.
The peach haired God's tongue thought about what the boy had said. She remembered the final round in BLUE, it was so clear that Soma's dish was the victor, it was delicious and full of love. But the dish was not meant for her, it was for her daughter.
And she can't let a chef win that the objective was to cook for her. That's why her daughter won. But she's not going to let them know about that.
She can also feel that Erina did love the dish, but say it's disgusting anyway. She swear, her daughter is so stubborn.
"I'm sure she'll say delicious one day" Mana gave the boy a soft motherly smile.
"Yeah" Soma said looking away, his expression was unsure and his eyes showed disinterest and an unignited fire within.
Mana, who had been looking through Soma's eyes didn't miss that. She felt cold somehow and her brows furrowed.
'What was that?' the older God's tongue thought, she can swear that Soma's eyes is that of a defeated chef.
But maybe he's only like that. After all, a direct negative view of the dish can be pretty painful for the chef's pride. She tried to dismiss it, although it was unsettling.
A buzz and a ringtone was heard, it was Soma's. The redhead took out his phone and looked at the caller's ID. It was his dad calling. He excuse himself to Mana which she responded with a nod.
"Pops?"
"Brat! I heard you were on an accident!" Joichiro exclaimed through the phone
"Yeah, it's not that bad though" Soma rubbed the back of his neck.
"Not that bad? You couldn't even cook now!"
Mana coughed a bit to get the redhead's attention "Soma-kun, your father is on the phone was it?" Soma nodded.
"I actually wanted to talk with your father too, do you mind telling him that he can be the chef for today's lunch?"
Soma took the phone back to his ear "Hey dad, Nakiri Mana is asking if you can cook lunch for her today"
"Oh? You talked with her?"
"Yes, I'm with her"
On the other line of the phone, Joichiro raised his eyebrows and rubbed his chin then he answered "Okay sure"
While the father and son ended their call, goodbyes followed on to the young redhead and the older God's tongue.
Soma is alone again on the bench. Just moments ago he engaged himself in a nice conversation with Mana. It was actually nice talking with another person.
He looked up to see the branches of the pink tree. He sighed and began to recollect some memories he have in the school. He smiled.
He is forever grateful of the chefs he met and the memories that comes along with it.
Hours passed and the sun is about to set. Soma was invited to Nakiri Manor to eat lunch along with his father, Mana, and Senzaemon. But he refused. He didn't even bothered to tell why.
He just refused. He hoped it won't cause any uncertainties.
He was now on the bus that is heading to the downtown area. He had called his middle school friend saying that he is going to come by that bar. He took out his phone and read the message what Alice sent hours ago, it was about the 'vacation'.
The bus stooped and he went out. There he was now on another shady bar. He went inside and saw his friends from middle school. Dong all sorts of things that what delinquents would do.
Soma decided to let loose for a bit. He walked towards his friends and took out a dart. He's just going to be there for a good few minutes and go back to Totsuki after he's done talking to Kugenin.
A limo came passing by, the golden setting was going to be engulfed with darkness. Inside the limousine, there was a grim-like atmosphere that even the chauffeur was starting to have a cold sweat, Hisako was on the front seat looking at her phone and chatting with Megumi and Alice.
On the backseat, Erina was on the middle, to her left is Asahi and to her right is Azami.
Azami was enjoying the silence, although it can't be seen on his face. Inside his mind, he was very happy that his daughter wants him back to Nakiri Clan. But he was shameful of what he'd done to her, he is now thinking about things he could do to be a good father. Especially to the man on Erina's left, which he didn't know it was his son.
Erina have her eyes closed, thinking about what to do when she got back home. More importantly, she was debating whether or not to call or text Soma.
Asahi was looking out the window in silence. Thinking about what just happened this day.
Just this morning he was at his friend's restaurant acting as the guest chef. Then suddenly he was called out to be in presence of the headmistress of Totsuki. Asahi was confused why, he thought that maybe Erina was just going to gloat over him.
But then Erina called him 'Asahi-niisan' and told him directly that he was her half-brother. It took many minutes for him to recollect himself from the shock.
After many explanation and him asking for Erina's forgiveness for being such a douche back then. Erina accepted his apology and they went on to find their father.
At the cruise, it was awkward at first even until now. Asahi had always wondered about his father, but his abusive mother just hits him whenever he wants to talk about him.
And what a fate it was that the husband of the older God's tongue was his father. So even after all the mess he had done to the Nakiri heiress, it was unexpected for him to be a part of Nakiri Clan.
Now that his half-sister forgave him, the silver eyed man is yearning to meet the son of Asura.
Tonight they are going to have a complete family dinner.
Family…
The next day came and Soma went out again missing dinner last night and now, breakfast. He didn't come back in the dorm last night, he only came back just after the PSD kids finished their breakfast.
They can see that he looks very tired.
Megumi and Isshiki along with the other PSD kids were concerned about Soma. They thought that he's feeling down again because of his injured arm that he can't cook anymore.
But as Megumi went inside a class where Soma is in too. The redhead came along with her. It was rare that he was punctual, especially on a class that is not hands-on.
"Morning Megumi-san" Soma smiled brightly at his best friend.
"M-morning Soma-kun, where were you last night?" Megumi asks as the two of took a seat together.
"I was on the diner" Soma lied, he slept on the bar where he was at last night.
"Oh that makes sense"
The class went on for an hour and a half, in which Soma became very bored he doodled a lot on his notebook while thinking of something.
On his side, Megumi would chuckle of Soma's crude doodling right now if it wasn't from the vibe that Soma had. She thought that the boy beside her is fine but there was something that is off with him.
It wasn't like those days that before, this was entirely different she can tell it. Although some people might not see it but she…
Megumi tried to look at Soma's eyes, trying to see what's behind those golden eyes of his. But she can't see those orbs right now since it is covered by his red bangs.
She sighed and focus her attention back to class.
When the class ended, Soma told Megumi that he'll be going to find Hayama and Ryo as the two sad their goodbyes.
The gossip of the day was Soma's injury, now he can hear some first years assumption while looking as if they do not exist as he walk through the hallway.
"Maybe he got into a fight?"
"Some of my classmates told me that he was at the billiards bar in the downtown these past days"
"What aren't those full of-"
"Shh! He's coming this way!"
"Shit, I knew he was a delinquent"
"He can hear you stupid!"
Soma ignored them then an idea came to his mind. 'This is good, if they keep it like that then…'
As Soma went out. The first thing he saw is the all-too familiar honey blonde hair. But then he also saw a man beside the princess, it was Asahi, who in turn was also looking back at him.
There was silence in the air.
Author's Note:
I am very sorry if this took too long!
It was hell week and I just finished our midterms. It going to be finals and holy shit it's tiring!
I'm a med student, that's why there are only little time to write a chapter.
Anyways enough about that.
I am thankful for those who wanted more, I hope you like this chapter.
And I just wanna say to that guest who also thought that Soma was just a tool to comfort Erina. I'm so glad that you said that HAHAHAHA I felt less lonely that someone had seen it that way.
And to the guest mihuyow, yes! I also like it when Soma is swallowed by doubt, the best thing is when he'll accept that doubt! Makes it even more ugh-
Hehe
I wonder what would be the interaction of Soma and Asahi.
Find out in the next Chapter! Which I think it'll take long too.
