Later That Day

Soma had finished up his classes and was making the long trek back to Polar Star. Megumi was accompanying him since they had many classes together. Though the normal Soma would be talking and be very animated, today was much different. Soma had been quiet ever since he returned from the Director's office. It was as though something happened, and Megumi couldn't figure it out. She asked him multiple times throughout the day if he was alright, but Soma just brushed it off and said everything was fine. Of course, being the worrier that she is, Megumi knew everything was not fine. She could tell because Soma had been distracted in every class they were in together. Chapelle-sensei scolded Soma many times during the class period and the pair barely finished their duck confit. To make matters worse, they only received a B rating from Chapelle-sensei. Normally, they would receive an A rated dish and Chapelle-sensei would be smiling from ear to ear. Today was definitely not normal, and there was definitely something wrong with Soma.

Soma on the other hand, was very much fine, just distracted. He was thinking about Senzaemon's request all day. Though the Director had asked him to save Erina already, doing it twice was something he found odd. Especially when Senzaemon mentioned that he wanted Erina to know that there was more to life than just cooking. Though he was very much determined to save Erina a second time, he had to ask himself why he was chosen. If anything, it should be his dad that should be doing the saving since he is her idol and was a much better people person. Of course, when Soma sets his mind to do something, he will do it.

As he and Megumi walked back, he remained in his thoughts. The feelings that he was having for Erina were something different from before. During that final battle with her, he had cooked like he never cooked before. The passion and effort that he put into his food that day was something he had not experienced before nor could he explain it. It was as though he was cooking for her and not for himself, like usual. He remembered last night when he cooked for her, he almost had the same feeling. Soma was disrupted from his thoughts when a loud "Hey" was heard close by.

Both Soma and Megumi turned around to see Hisako sprinting to catch up to them. As the pink-haired girl reached them, she bent over, hands on her knees, panting for air from all that running.

"Hisako-san, are you alright?" Megumi asked to the out of breath girl. Hisako finally regained her breath and stood up to face the two.

"Yes….I'm fine now Tadokoro-san. I saw you two walking and wanted to walk with you since you're heading back to Polar Star right?" Hisako said as some sweat dripped down from her forehead.

"Oh yes we are. You going to see Erina-san?" Megumi asked which was answered with a nod from the assistant to the God Tongue.

"Yes. I'm very concerned for Erina-sama's well being. She hasn't returned any of my calls and hasn't shown up to class. I've only gotten a few texts from her saying she's under the weather and doesn't want to be disturbed," Hisako explained as this was news to both Megumi and Soma. For Soma, Erina seemed just fine to him when they talked last night. Maybe she was feeling under the weather and that's why she was up. Maybe he could start making her feel better with some soup or something.

Hisako accompanied the two on their way back to Polar Star. Though she had been there many times before, Hisako still wasn't use to the long walk to the dorms. She lagged behind Soma and Megumi a bit for a small duration of their trip but was able to make it to their destination in one piece. Once they entered, she immediately raced up to Erina's room, leaving the pair.

"She's really concerned for Erina-san. I am too, I haven't seen her this entire week. Her door has been closed shut this entire time and I haven't seen her at meals either," Megumi said. Even though Erina lived right next door, Megumi had not seen or heard from Erina the past week.

"I'm sure she's just exhausted from the trip back. We really spent a large amount of energy trying to beat those assholes," Soma replied as Megumi gave him a little look and a nod. Megumi was very happy to say the least that Soma had been able to save the rest of them. She was very proud that her best friend was basically the hero of the school. She was already an admirer but that only grew tenfold after they came back. That admiration had turned into a strong crush, one that Soma was very oblivious to.

When they got upstairs, they saw Hisako looking all over the floor for Erina. She explained that she had knocked on her door multiple times but she didn't answer. She checked to see if the door was unlocked and it was. No one was in the room upon further inspection and Hisako had checked everywhere on the floor for Erina. Both Soma and Megumi found this strange, especially since if Erina was sick, she should be in her room recovering. All of them were going to go downstair and tell Fumio about it when they passed the kitchen and saw that honey blonde hair that was all too familiar.

"Erina-sama!" Hisako yelled as she rushed into the kitchen and surprised Erina. The Nakiri turned around and was taken aback by her assistant and the two other residents standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Hisako was checking her to see if she was okay and if she had any fever or cold symptoms. Of course, the Nakiri princess said she was fine and that she was just a little exhausted.

"Sorry Hisako for causing you to worry," she apologized as Hisako responded, "It's okay Erina-sama. I just wanted to make sure that you were all right."

Hisako stayed with Erina in the kitchen as both Soma and Megumi left to their rooms, both feeling better that Erina was fine. It was mid afternoon and Soma decided to take a little nap before doing anything else. He was relieved that Erina seemed to be fine. As he dozed off, the thought of her creeped back in his mind. Seeing that long, honey blonde hair flowing down Erina's back brought him some comfort. She looked nice today compared to last night, when her hair was all out of sorts. Soma found that very entertaining but didn't tease her since he knew he would be on the receiving end of her tirade.

Of course with the way Soma slept, that little nap turned into a night's rest as he woke up at about one in the morning. The sun that had been shining was replaced by the illumination of the moon. It was actually the first time he slept well. He didn't really think about it at the time, but he really slept well thinking of her.

His stomach growled as he rolled out of bed. He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, and was starving. He made his way to the kitchen only to find that the light was still on and the multiple stoves being used. No one was in the kitchen, yet there was food sizzling in pans. He moved closer to inspect and saw a well cut piece of salmon being grilled along with fresh herbs and spices. In another pan was a mushroom risotto, which appeared to be ready. He got a spatula and mixed the risotto one more time before taking it off the stove.

As he did this, his name shot through the air, "Yukihira! What are you doing!" yelled the voice as Soma nearly dropped the pan and its contents. As he turned around, there was Erina standing in the doorway, in a very tight magenta t-shirt with her chef apron covering it. She had on short shorts and was in slippers and had her hands folded, propping up her larger breasts. In her hands was some basil leaves from the garden in the back.

"Really Nakiri, you need to stop scaring me like that. And this, the risotto was ready so I was just taking it off the stove so it wouldn't burn. Don't you know to not leave the station while the stoves are still on?" he retorted which made the Nakiri a bit embarrassed but she stood her ground.

"I know that you idiot! I just had to get something from the garden," she said as she walked past Soma and returned to inspect her risotto. "Besides, why are you even up, it's past one already. Don't you have class tomorrow?" the blonde asked as she flipped her salmon to the side and carefully added basil leaves to the oils in the pan.

"I could ask you the same thing. Though, I hear you haven't been attending any of your classes since we've returned. Plus, I'm up because I'm hungry and I haven't eaten all day." Soma answered back.

"Well who's fault is that?" Erina replied as she remained focused on her food. Soma didn't answer and was roaming the kitchen looking for food to use to make him something.

"What are you looking for?" she asked as Soma turned to her and gave her a weird look.

"I'm looking for things to cook?" he replied. He thought that was such a stupid question to ask.

"Sit down and wait. You can eat this since it's almost done," she replied back as Soma, a bit shocked, took a seat and waited patiently for his meal. It was only a minute or two before Erina finished cooking and plated the food. She placed the mushroom risotto on the plate first and then placed the salmon on top. She then poured a lemon-butter sauce which coated the salmon and the risotto. She then placed some chopped up basil leaves over the salmon as a garnish. She then presented it to Soma and he inspected it very closely.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Erina asked as Soma inspected her cooking.

"You know, this looks like something I would make at the diner. Who knew you could cook such basic food, Nakiri," Soma replied as he chuckled a bit at his joke. Erina got red in the face as she reached for the plate but Soma blocked her from taking it away.

"I'm kidding," he replied as he took a fork. He looked at her a bit strangely and Erina blushed as she stared into his golden eyes. "You not gonna eat?" he asked.

"I've been cooking and trying things all day, I'm pretty full," she replied as after hearing this, Soma wasted no time in digging in.

"Itadaikimasu!"

The first bite he took was pure bliss. Though it was a very basic meal, all the flavors blended perfectly together. The risotto was very light, even though it's suppose to be a starchy and rich. The salmon was grilled to perfection and the lemon-butter sauce gave it the acid that the dish really needed. Soma wasted no time finishing the meal.

"Gochisosama!"

He put down the fork and was stuffed. The meal was very filling and something that Soma needed from not eating all day. Erina watched him eat with delight. Even though he scarfed down the meal in seconds, she noticed that every bite he took, he savored the food.

"Well, how was my so called diner food?" she asked, wanting an honest opinion. Soma stopped to think for a moment and a grin formed before he answered.

"It was adequate," was his response. Erina huffed and turned away with her arms folded, completely unimpressed by the sarcastic answer the redhead gave her.

"But, I wouldn't mind getting use to this," Soma added as Erina's heart skipped a beat and a heavy blush formed. If she was still facing Soma, the blush would be so obvious that even the dense Yukihira would notice.

"Y-y-you wouldn't mind g-getting use to what, Yukihira?" she replied, having some difficulties speaking.

"I wouldn't mind eating your adequate cooking from time to time," Soma replied, not realizing the change in Erina's tone. In reality, he hadn't really thought about what he said too much either. Of course he was too dense to realize that Erina thought he was flirting with her.

"Ha! In your dreams Yukihira. Don't be surprised if this is the last time you'll ever taste my cooking," Erina responded. Her response was more of a joke.

Soma chuckled a bit, "there's the Nakiri I know," he thought to himself.

Silence filled the kitchen as Erina cleaned up the kitchen and Soma got up to help her.

"So how are you feeling Nakiri? Still sick?" Soma asked, deciding to break the silence.

"I'm fine, why do you even ask?" she questioned back.

"Well I mean you told Hisako you were sick and stuff, but I mean you seemed fine last night. Hisako was really worried about you," he replied as Erina felt a bit sorry for her assistant. She didn't mean to lie to her, she just wanted to be alone and not be bothered by anyone at the moment.

"Sometimes, Hisako worries too much," was her only reply as she went back to the dishes. As the two finished up, Soma headed for the exit as Erina finished up wiping the countertops.

"Thanks for the meal Nakiri,"

"You're welcome, Soma-kun,"

"Oh and Nakiri. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm just a couple doors down." Erina looked up at Soma as their eyes met each others.

"I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight Soma-kun,"

"Goodnight. Don't stay up too late now. I better see you in class tomorrow since you're better now. No more playing hooky,"

"GOODNIGHT YUKIHIRA" she replied, not amused with his joke as Soma laughed and disappeared back to his room.

When he was out of sight though, Erina could only smile as she thought about his "I could get use to this" remark. She could get use to this too, though, she wouldn't mind getting use to him cooking for her either.

Of course, she would never let him know that.

As Soma plopped back onto his bed, he stared at the ceiling. He wasn't really tired and was thinking back to the flavors of Erina's cooking. He remarked on how a simple dish with minimal ingredients could have such a depth of flavor. Those thoughts of flavors soon changed to thoughts of Erina. He was starting to notice some changes in her from when they first met. It seemed she was softening up to him. Maybe she would soon say his food is delicious, though he highly doubted that happening anytime soon. He was starting to notice some changes of how he viewed her too. He found her very cute when she got mad at him and when she got all red in the face. He found it amusing that she was trying to hide the fact that she thought his cooking was good. Of course he downplayed all of this.

With regards to his assignment from Senzaemon, well at least he made it clear that his door was open if she ever wanted to talk, though she seemed fine to him.

Of course, what Soma didn't know yet, was that instead of saving her from someone else this time, he was going to have to save her from herself.

A/N Another day, another chapter. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and the story so far. I like the way it's progressing so far and like I said before I have a lot of ideas for this story. Please review this story to tell me what you think, if you want of course. Until next time.