Rebellion
Chapter Four
"So what you're telling me is that the oh-so esteemed Totsuki academy wants our supplies? What happened, were you not able to secure a better deal for fish? Hm? What happened to all that arrogance that was displayed in the letter you sent us when you broke contract with us?" A business man spoke, irritation and smugness coating every word.
A group of similarly dressed business men watched on as well, their gaze firmly focused on the two sitting Totsuki students, who were staring defiantly back at their boss.
"As I was beginning to say, before I was interrupted, that letter you received does not represent the views of Totsuki. Our school was usurped by a new director who broke all ties he deemed insignificant, and subjugated the school to a revolution." Erina retorted, attempting to placate the insulted supplier.
"Sure, like we will buy that. We heard reports it was a member of the Nakiri family. We heard that Senzaemon Nakiri's own son was in control now, are you saying that is a lie?"
"His eldest son is in control now, but my father, Azami Nakiri, was in control until about 3 weeks ago. This man you see beside me," gesturing at Soma, "and I led a team of rebels against my father and overthrew his nefarious scheme. Now that we are free of him, we are trying to make amends with all the people that were hurt by him."
"And I am supposed to believe that two 16 year old children were able to take on the entire school?"
"We were assisted by many people, sir. We also have this letter from the new director, my uncle, Soe Nakiri, which holds the details of the new contract. Given that we were embarrassed by our own actions, you will see that the new contract has been altered so that you will receive more benefits than the original contract, this was done to hopefully make amends."
The business men were startled by that declaration, it was seldom seen that an elite family such as the Nakiri's would go so far out of their way to repair relationships.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to at least read the letter." The boss finally conceded, motioning one of his men to grab the document from Erina's grasp.
The man walked forward and grabbed the letter before handing the letter to his boss and returning to his post.
Soma and Erina exchanged a nervous glance while they waited for the boss to read over their proposal.
"Ah, now I see this is splendid!" The boss exclaimed, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Soma and Erina both visibly relaxed at that declaration, it seems their mission was going to be a success after all, and with 3 days to spare!
"Now here is some sensible information! Why didn't you just hand this over first, girl, instead of trying to explain things?"
The way he uttered out girl had Erina visibly tense up, her teeth clicking together in annoyance. Even Soma, not usually one to care, narrowed his eyebrows slightly at the slight towards his friend.
"Alright good good. Yes this is fine. We will sign this. Young man, can you come here?" The boss spoke, clearly pleased with the turn of events, gesturing at Soma.
Confused, Soma walked over and stood in front of the man's desk.
"May I ask, young man, before we proceed, what is your name and rank at Totsuki?"
"My name is Soma Yukihira, sir, and I am the First Seat of the Elite Ten"
"You look very young to be the first seat, Yukihira-kun, why, you almost look like a first year!'
"I just finished my first year sir, same as my companion here-" Soma began, trying to include Erina in the conversation.
"Yea she's definitely young too, what is she, your assistant? I'm sure as First Seat, you command quite a presence at Totsuki." The man spoke, clearly enamored with being so close to what many consider celebrities of Totsuki.
Erina's temper was rising with every word, but her dedication to being polite and not embarrassing Totsuki refraining her from speaking up and defending herself.
"Actually, sir,' Soma's own irritation slightly leaking out, 'she is the second seat, and is easily just as skilled as me, if not more."
To say everyone was shocked would be an understatement. The company of men were surprised at a mere girl having enough skills to be a powerful chef, and Erina was surprised at being defended by Soma.
'You didn't have to do that Yukihira-san… but thank you.' Erina internally thought.
"Oh wow, pardon me. I had no idea. Can we get a second you two? It will only take a second." The boss requested, his eyes drawn in concern.
The two accepted his request, and stood outside for a second before being allowed to return.
"Ah yes, welcome back. I believe we need to discuss something important." The boss menacingly stated, attempting to intimidate the younger pair.
"You see, I was unaware that Totsuki had fallen to the state where women were allowed into the higher circles of elitism."
Both Erina and Soma clenched up in outrage. Before either could speak, the man continued.
"We are going to require more from the deal if we are to make dealings with a school that has fallen so low. I'm sure the other schools that still practice proper cooking would be more than willing to work with us instead…" The boss trailed off, knowing that Totsuki was going to give in to his demands.
Erina began her calm and measured response, tears beginning to well up in her eyes at the humiliation she was experiencing, "How muc-".
"Fuck you." Soma ended.
Thirty minutes later, the two were in a hotel lobby nearby, having purchased their rooms and were now eating the hotel's dinner.
Both were sitting in silence, one in a barely controlled rage, and the other in calm acceptance.
Surprisingly, it was Erina who was calm, and Soma who was boiling over.
'That idiot!' Erina thought to herself, having accepted that they failed the mission, 'Who does he think he is telling someone way above his social status… that. And all for some dumb reason too… all to protect… me'
Erina's thoughts were all over the place; guilty about failing the mission that their school needed them to finish, hesitant about what they were supposed to do now, and… happy that Soma had stood up for her honor. She would never admit it out loud, but the way he calmly spoke those words, with only concern for her honor, to a man so powerful… it was… hot.
'WHAT!? What am I thinking!? No no no no no, that's not what I was thinking at all. This peasant,' Erina looked over at Soma, making eye contact and immediately losing her train of thought.
"Don't worry. Those guys weren't worth keeping up appearances with anymore, our school could do better." Soma bitterly spoke, clearly still upset.
"I suppose there's nothing more we can do. I'll let my uncle know, and we can head back tomorrow."
Soma silently nodded, returning again to his food.
Erina grabbed her phone and quickly sent a text to her uncle letting him know they failed. Before a minute had passed, she was graced with a response.
Oh well, I figured that's how that would go. Anyways take some time off and come back in three days, I already bought the train tickets ahead of time, so it'd be a waste for you to come home early. Have fun sweetie.
Erina was confused.
'Why did he sound like he set us up? Why does he suddenly care about money like that, it wasn't as if train tickets were expensive, especially so for their family.' Erina thought to herself, but couldn't come up with a valid excuse to justify her uncle's decision.
She relayed the news to Yukihira, who surprised her with his response.
"Oh hell yea! I can show you the shop then!"
"The shop?"
"Yea, Yukihira's diner is only a few blocks away from here, I was going to try to see if we could squeeze in time to see it anyway, but this is perfect! Dad's even home as far as I know."
'S-S-Saiba-sama is going to be there? Wait, why didn't they tell me we were going to be so near Yukihira's restaurant?'
For the life of her, Erina couldn't piece together what was going on, this was seemingly like too much circumstance to be real.
"Yukihira-san, did you know we were going to be near your restaurant this whole time?"
"Yea, duh. I know where I live, Nakiri." Soma replied, eager to pester her now that they were away from that company.
"So that's how you knew people would act badly if I was myself around these parts."
"Well, that would happen anywhere technically, but yes, some people don't take kindly to uppity people around here."
"Understood, I will try to act normal so as to not raise suspicion."
Soma cracked up at her professional way of saying that, earning a small slap to the back of his head from a flustered blonde.
"Sorry sorry," Soma stammered out, "you're just so funny when you say things like that."
"Like what?" Erina queried, tick marks appearing on her head.
"Like you're some princess in a fairy tale trying to blend in with the villagers."
"Well, I am royalty!"
"You definitely act like it, for sure, but what am I? If you're the princess, what does that make me in this fairy tale?" Soma asked with a flourish, his head drawn in a bow as he amped up the fairy tale scene.
Immediately Erina was overwhelmed with images of Soma as a very roguishly handsome thief or ranger of some sort, kidnapping the princess from her castle, but only because he was saving her from a cruel fate. His desire for her being the driving factor behind his delinquent actions, his devilish nature arousing the people around him, as he claimed her for his own…
"Nakiri?"
"Eep!" Erina yelped, her face hiding in her hands as she attempted to rid herself of the images of Soma.
"You'd be a servant! Assisting my every whim, but beneath my notice of course. Anyways, I'm going to bed, goodnight!" Erina barked out before heading upstairs to her room in the hotel.
"Delinquent actions huh? Didn't know you thought about me that much," Soma said to himself, a very dangerously playful smirk appearing on his face, "and come on… I'm not that bad…"
Soma finished his food and followed his friend up stairs, intent on getting a good night's sleep. All the while imagining whatever scenario was running through Erina's mind as she fantasized about him.
A knot formed in his stomach, as the intense train of thought made its intention known, below the waistband.
'Well, looks like I gotta hurry back, can't have anyone seeing me like this.' Soma thought before entering his room.
Little did he know, Erina was experiencing something similar… and was going to find herself unable to sleep unless she took care of it...