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Disclaimer: I do not own Shokugeki no Sōma

Plot Summary: She's never considered his food delicious. There is no way, that she, THE Erina Nakiri, would ever consider a diner's food delicious. Then again, Erina has had to rethink everything she's ever known about food culture itself.

The day after they graduated from Tōtsuki, Sōma had come around to the Nakiri Mansion with that ridiculous, moronic, silly, cute...grin of his. Wait, what? No, Erina Nakiri certainly did not think that Sōma Yukihira was cute.

And yet, while waiting impatiently, she couldn't help feeling a small flutter of excitement and anticipation.

"Oh. It's you." she said sardonically, her heart skipping a beat.

As dense as he was, Sōma didn't miss the blunt welcome and sarcastic tone, but he chose to ignore it.

"Yeah, hi Nakiri! Alice turned me away, and Hayama and Kurokiba are in a food war right now..." Erina rolled her eyes - of course the idiots would continue Tōtsuki tradition after they graduated - as Soma finished, "so I was hoping you would...?" He held up a large plastic bag, which no doubt was filled with his latest grotesque inventions.

"Ugh fine..." Erina waved a hand dismissively, "I'm free anyway." She marched inside, her arms folded.

Why did she even bother with this lowlife anyway? Maybe because she was in love with him? No, Erina Nakiri was certainly not in love with Sōma Yukihira.

Her face flushed, hoping desperately that Sōma hadn't noticed her blushing complexion, she sat down on the kitchen stool and waited impatiently. "Let's get this over with," she sighed.

"Sure thing, Nakiri," he said in that annoyingly flippant tone that she wished would pay more attention to her. "Coming right up."

In the next few minutes that followed, Sōma served, Erina choked, and she fervently promised herself that she would never taste Sōma's dishes again. Wait... when did she start calling him by his first name?

Today was the day she was going to confess to him. Today was the day that she wouldn't have to worry about anything. She didn't care if he rejected her. All he needed to know was that she felt a tiny spark of attraction, and nothing more. After all Erina Nakiri was certainly not in love with Sōma Yukihira.

Amid Alice's smirks - "Oh Erina-chan, I knew that a day would come when you felt something!"- the Aldini brothers' knowing looks, and Megumi-chan's nervous excitement (was that even a thing?) with many other provocative, disruptive incidents, Erina, glared, scowled and denied throughout.

You could trust Alice to spread the gossip like wildfire.

The former Polar Stars and other alumni gathered behind Erina, where she stood at the front door of the Yukihira Diner. It was supposed to be a private confession, Erina internally raged as she stepped in.

"Oh, hi, Nakiri!" Sōma said cheerfully. "What's up?" Noticing the rest of them huddled behind her, he smiled. "Hey, anyone want lunch? I'll cook!"

"Sure thing Sōma-kun," Alice sing-songed,"But first, dear Erina-chan has something to tell youuuu."

Erina frowned, but there was nothing else for it. She couldn't back out while everyone was watching, or someone or other (Alice) would be bound to tell Sōma in an insinuating way. And she most certainly did not want that.

"Fine..." she sighed, "Sōma Yukihira... I have come to the conclusion, after a long time, that I like -"

The crowd of customers, alumni, and random bystanders eagerly leaned in with bated breath.

"I like..."

"Oh come on, Erina-chan." Alice drawled impatiently. "If you're not going to say it, I'll tell him myself."

"I like... how you fused Spanish and Mexican flavours in your last dish. Yes, it was still disgusting, but at least it was better than the useless trash that you make everyday. Compared to your other dishes, it still scores a negative five, which is an improvement. Try harder next time." She flounced out of the diner, not waiting or listening or caring for a response.

Nevertheless, the diner that day was quiet, and there was most certainly not a confession. The most confused person was none other that Sōma himself. But still, he thought to himself, at least she said she liked something?

"Oh... hello again Yukihira. I'd never thought you'd be at a place like this." Erina looked around at the classy, way-too-posh-for-Sōma, exclusive culinary gathering.

"Oh yeah, I couldn't believe it myself too. But then, I am the first seat." he replied nonchalantly.

"You're interested in gastronomy?" she said, resisting herself of the unladylike pleasure of laughing in front of hundreds of famous gourmet executives.

"Uh.. yeah, speaking of gastronomy, where's Alice and Ryo? I need to convince Ryo to take part in another Shokugeki." he looked around awkwardly, as if to try and find them within the crowds of people strutting around.

"I don't know, Hisako's gone too. Why did you all commonise the Shokugekis? They're supposed to be a tradition!" she accused, her voice indignant.

"Relax, Nakiri, we better give everyone a chance to prove their worth. Besides, we all know they won't stand a chance against you and me."

Erina rolled her eyes by default.

After the convention had ended, Hisako still hadn't come, and Erina was left at the sidewalk frantically trying to call her, which was ironic, since it was usually the other way round.

"Hey Nakiri, wanna come round to mine? I see Hishoko still hasn't come It's getting pretty dark and you shouldn't be out alone." Soma grinned, walking to where she was with his motorbike.

Erina sighed, too tired to fight back. "Fine." she reluctantly gave in. "Hisako's probably doing the meeting schedules and paperwork for next month. I'll text her later."

Speeding through the streets, her body pressed to his, Erina couldn't help but notice that they both were blushing, even though it was pitch black at night.

"We're here!" Soma stopped abruptly. "You hungry? I'll make some dessert for you."

As she watched him work smoothly in the kitchen, she thought about her relationship with him and how it had changed.

"Enjoy!" he said, placing a dish in front of her and leading her out of her daze.

Erina stared. Was there anything - other than her own dishes of course - that was more beautiful than this dish?

It was a berry tart, delectably rich and sweet, but there was something inside the cream that she knew about in an instant with her God Tongue.

"It's crushed mint." she stated, after a few bites. " It's so refreshing. And there's the coulis... it's just so..."

And then there he was, pressing his lips to hers, both tasting raspberries, and strawberries, and mint and pastry and cream and... It was rushed, hurried, their mouths intertwined and tangled, and when they pulled away, they both knew.

"Say it." Sōma demanded breathlessly.

"It's delicious." she said, honestly and wholeheartedly.

Needless to say, it was not a surprise when Sōma Yukihira and Erina Nakiri got married.

My first fic/oneshot finished! Don't forget to leave a review, favourite, and follow!

keep reading,

Mint-chan