This chapter is a continuation of the last chapter*

I sorta rushed through this chapter cause I want to get a bunch of chapters up before exam time. Oh and I got something for those Takumegu fans. Without further ado the new chapter

-

The Totsuki New Year's Gala was in full swing, with the hottest names in culinary world in attendance such as Dojima Gin and Shinomiya Kojirou. Hosted by non other than the tenth seat Nakiri Erina and her cousin Nakiri Alice. But a certain someone eyes only laid on the blonde that was standing on stage in a baby blue ball gown embroidered which tiny white butterflies, which really brought out the lavender shade that he loved. Her straight blonde hair that was usually cascaded down her back, curled into golden locks. He himself all decked out in a three piece tux.

His amber eyes haven't left her body for a single second, wanting nothing more than a moment of her time but she was avoiding him like he was the Black Death. Busying herself with attendee greetings and dances with other suitors to avert any kind of communication to him. Which was really starting to annoy him, the thought of some dude dancing with her the same way he did, just a few hours before. But more than anything...

Soma wanted to kiss Erina again. Badly

Every now and then their eyes would meet in an intense showdown, that lasted three seconds the most. The look Soma was very familiar with. 'Stop annoying me'. Then she would look away from his eyes, even though his eyes never left her the entire night.

A single tap on his shoulder brought him back to reality. It was Takumi. Following Soma's eyes to the blonde heiress currently chatting with her assistant.

"You have been doing that for about two hours now. Yukihira you know you can't stare at her the entire night, I don't know what the hell has gotten into you or why Nakiri san is avoiding you but please don't do this here. I don't want to see her upset."

Tadokoro. Takumi was always overprotective of the people he considered close to him, but Tadokoro?

"Takumi could you actual-" Takumi cut Soma off before he could finish his statement . "I guess we're both hopelessly in love huh, Yukihira" he walked off to the lady in question taking her hand and escorting her somewhere. Soma didn't have time to look at exactly where Takumi took Tadokoro, he too fixated on the blonde heiress.

But love? I guess I am hopeless at this point huh

_

Erina finally found some time away to slip out of the ballroom onto a balcony, and away from a certain someone's intense stares that haven't left her body from the very beginning of the Gala. She was still emotionally exhausted from the events that happened earlier today. Plus this dress was adding extra weight to her problems, if she had the choice Erina would have stayed home reading her new shoujo manga series, that Hisako got last week. She didn't want to see Soma, talking with him would mean facing the fact that she actually felt something more than friendship.

Nakiri Erina was scared of her feelings, her feelings never got her anywhere after all her happiness was never decided for her. Her entire future was planned out either before she was born or shortly after. She didn't need to feel anything to decide what she tasted was really true gourmet. At least that what her parents thought of her. So why does that man always arouse feelings I never knew what I had.

These thoughts enough to almost bring her to tears. She came here to calm down not get upset. She took a few deep breath composing herself before she started to walk toward the ballroom ready for round two.

Suddenly a hand wrapped around her torso, pulling her into a secluded hallway. Without even looking at him she knew who the person was. The smell of sandalwood and spices filling her nose, his warm minty breath tickling her left ear. "You have been avoiding me all night" his voice was sultry and low, twisting all kinds knots in her stomach. She was absolutely speechless, did he see her out on the balcony?

"Yukihira?!" was all she could whisper, her heart rate accelerating the longer his strong hand rested on her midriff. "We need to talk"

"Well I don't think we need to talk about anything" his hand tightening around her slightly.

" Fine then at least listen to me cause, I need to get this off my chest" he turned her around so she was facing him. His normally citrine eyes turned karat gold, he's serious.

"Nakiri Erina you drive me absolutely insane, you frustrate me beyond belief and we rarely ever see eye to eye."

Now Erina wants to go now. She didn't know why, she's heard worse words about her from other people but these words coming from him was like a knife to her heart. She held her head down, to hide the tears pricking the corner of her eyes. She was supposed to be used to this why was she crying now, Erina didn't know why. She figured she would let Soma get his frustrations off his chest so that maybe she can shut down her feelings for Soma like she did with her parents.

"You're extremely picky about the smallest details, and very moody about everything. You always want to do things your way. But that is what I like about you." Soma placed his hand on her chin lifting her face to his wiping her tears away.

" Nakiri Erina I like fact that you are never one to take insults laying down, the fact that you are always working hard towards what you believe in. It would take way more than a bulldozer to stop you once you get riled up. I like the way you are always passionate when it comes to your cooking. I like the way we fight even though I drive you up the wall sometimes. I love how your lavender eyes that seem to sparkle every time I gaze into them, and your smile is simply beautiful Erina. I love the way you flush when I aggravate you, or make you embarrassed. And God your lips I have never tasted anything more delicious. I have completely and utterly fallen head over heel for you, and I-..."

She kissed him passionately returning all the feelings he made her feel during his speech. She needed to show him how she felt to even if she couldn't put it into words right now and Soma really appreciated that. The firework display going off outside signifying the beginning of the new year.

"You know I'm supposed to be in the ballroom right now"

"So do you really want to leave me now?"

"Not a chance" There it was that smile she loved so much

"Nakiri Erina may I have this dance" Soma whispered against her lips This much happiness should not be allowed, shouldn't it. She felt as if she could die happy right now.

"You may" and Soma put his hands on his waist, Erina hand around this neck. Their bodies rocking slowly to an invisible rhythm that only the two of them knew. Erina put her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat without a single care in the world. Erina whispered on his chest "I like you Yukihira Soma."

Maybe... Just maybe this happiness she felt might not leave her

_

A bit of dessert

(Takumegu version)

Takumi escorted Megumi outside onto a secluded balcony. Now that he actually taking Megumi in, he is in awe of her beauty. Her simple yellow dress matched her daffodil colored eyes, hair in a half ponytail with her typical clover barrette on her bangs. She seemed to glow even brighter in the moonlight as if she was a goddess.

Megumi: "Takumi kun what gotten into you all of a sudden?"

Takumi: "Tadokoro san… no, Megumi"

Crap my courage is running out and I'm starting to get nervous.

Megumi walks over to him but ends up tripping over her own feet. Because she is not used to heels and falls on Takumi. Who lands on the ground with Megumi on top of him. At that time the firework display begins and both are absolutely clueless on what to do next. But Takumi entranced by Megumi closes the gap between their lips, pecks her and whispers a simple...

Takumi: "I love you"

Megumi's heart goes into hyperdrive, her face is redder than a red delicious apple and she passes out from all the excitement she experienced tonight.

Takumi: "Tadokoro san ?...are you alright?...Uh geez"

Leaving a Blushing Takumi holding a sleeping Megumi in his arms.

I'm hopeless aren't I

_

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