Sorry for the long wait for this chapter. School has been hectic so I'm sorry if I can't update as often as I did during the holidays. Anyways I hope you like this chapter. To be completely honest, my favourite section is actually the interaction between the family in the future and the school dance was not written in a very great detail. Nevertheless hope you all enjoy it! Thank you all :)
A little girl ran towards the large room at the end of the hall, her steps as quiet as a little kitten. She entered the room, her blonde curls bouncing with her every move. She smiled widely as she glanced towards the red headed man, currently snoring contently. She was unable to control her giggle as she swung herself onto the bed and started shaking the man uncontrollably. The man groaned before rolling over sending the young girl tumbling down the large mattress of the bed.
"Daddy!" squealed the young girl as she struggled to stand up on her little legs, her tiny hands gently patting the man's face.
"hmmm," the red headed man murmured, his eyes slowing opening to meet the young girl's brilliant gold ones.
"Morning daddy, mummy said to wake you up," the young girl chuckled as she placed a kiss on his nose, "she said breakfast is ready hehe!"
"Morning darling," Soma replied as he sat up rubbing his eyes, "Hmm so what are we having for breakfast today?"
"Mummy made my favourite," Emilia giggled as she danced around Soma who had walked inside his massive closet to throw on a shirt.
Soma chuckled before he scooped his little girl into his arms and giving her a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
"Now," Soma laughed as he started walking down the stairs with his daughter in hand, "who's ready for dinner?"
"Me!" Emilia replied, her tiny voice laced with excessive excitement. She wiggled her way out of Soma's grasp and ran towards the kitchen as fast as her chubby little legs could take her.
"Hehe," Emilia puffed as she finally reached the kitchen located at the long hallway, "mummy, I beat daddy to breakkie again!"
"You sure did darling," chuckled a woman in her mid twenties. Her long blonde hair, porcelain like skin were almost identical to Emilia's; the only major difference were their eyes – one a beautiful violet, the other a vibrant gold. "How are we going to punish the slow-poke then?" Erina asked lovingly as she placed Emilia into her high-chair preparing her for breakfast.
"Hmmm," Emilia contemplated she turned towards Soma who had just entered the kitchen before replying, "Would having daddy cook my favourite meal count as punishment mummy?"
Erina chuckled lightly at her daughter's statement as she placed the plate of freshly made French toast garnished with a mixture of fruits and coated with a light coat of golden substance. The golden substance was honey like in texture and had a similar taste but enhanced by Erina's herself to produce a flowery after taste when ingested. She grinned widely as her daughter looked towards her with eager eyes; begging to dig into the meal.
"Emilia darling you can begin eating," Erina laughed as she watched her daughter immediately cutting the French toast with the use of cutlery to the best of her ability. Normally, Erina disapproved of meals like these as she believed they lacked in nutritious value and high in sugar. Soma was the one who would routinely sneak Emilia secret dishes of these sort; hoping and praying that Erina doesn't find out.
Erina turned back towards the stove grabbing the two pieces of French toast and placing them on a plate and garnished the dish with similar toppings and dressings. Suddenly, Soma wrapped his hands around her waist, giving her a full hug from behind. He breathed in deeply, relishing in the sweet scent that only Erina possessed and appreciating the warmth that radiated off her body.
"Morning," Soma whispered, his hot breath tickling her ears.
"Morning," Erina replied grinning as she turned around and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. She then walked towards the dinning table with Soma trailing inches behind her.
"So Emilia," said Erina when she had finally sat down and began enjoying this 'guilty' breakfast, "What dish did you want daddy to make for tonight?"
"I thought this was your week of cooking," Soma protested jokingly and glanced towards both Emilia and Erina before giving them the 'puppy dog eyes'.
"Well," Emilia replied as a matter-of-factly, "Mummy and I decided that as your punishment for always always always being last at the breakfast table and being last today, you have to tell me the story about mummy and daddy's spring dance again!"
"Yep, the slow-poke gets punished," Erina chuckled and smiled widely at Emilia's request.
"Alright then," Soma chuckled as he settled down with his cup of coffee and a plate of French toast.
The night was glistening with specks of diamonds, lighting up the night sky and accompanied by a beautiful full moon. The night was still young as Soma walked into the large entrance of the Nakiri residence. He stood awkwardly at the end of the long hallway that seemed to stretch on forever whilst his eyes searched for his girlfriend.
The clacking sound of heels contacting the flawlessly clean marble floor caught his attention. His eyes focused on the curvy figure who stood distantly at the top of a long swirly staircase. Soma stood agape, his eyes dilated as Erina descended the stairs.
Erina chuckled at her boyfriend's reaction. Her long blonde hair, unlike usual, was curled and twisted into an intricate bun composed of a series of braids that rested at the bottom of her head. On top of her head was a small tiara, adorned with tiny specks of diamonds interlaced with purple topaz that complemented her violet eyes. Her dress, a marvellous shade of blue that resembled that of a blue peony, wrapped tightly against her chest and waist before flowing freely like the summer tide at her legs. The dress highlighted her naturally busty chest but as able to maintain her elegance as well as class.
Erina smiled as she reached the bottom of the steps and took her boyfriend's arms into his.
"Knock knock," she chuckled as she dragged him towards the exit, "earth to Soma."
Soma chuckled and gave her a quick peck on her cheeks. Her sweet scent of peonies and a mixture of cherry blossoms intoxicated his senses.
"Ladies first," Soma laughed as he opened the limo door for Erina then sliding into the long vehicle after her.
It didn't take long for the duo to arrive at the venue of the Spring dance. Unlike most schools that would often by restricted by budget of holding such events; Totsuki academy's annual spring dance is held at one of the most luxurious hotels in Japan.
Erina and Soma exited the car, their hands laced together as they approached the large building. For the purpose of this event, the "red carpet" had been replaced by a carpet made of fresh cherry blossom petals and rows after rows of cherry blossom trees lined on the side of this unique carpet; both leading towards the large entrance.
When the pair entered the venue, they were greeted by their dorm mates as well as a few random other boys to Soma's dismay.
"Nakiri san," said a young man as he approached the couple, his suit looking dashing against his toned frame.
Soma grunted at the intrusion whilst Erina merely glanced up to meet the young man's intensely green eyes.
"I was wondering," the man said, his voice unfaltering, seemingly unfazed by Totsuki's princess' ice queen expression, "if I could have the honour of having one dance with you tonight?"
"No," Soma interjected just before Erina could reply to the man. His hand snaked around Erina's waist, pulling her closer towards himself. He purposely stole a kiss on her cheek before he continued, "I'm sorry, but she is mine…whether it be tonight or not."
Totsuki's princess chuckled at her boyfriend's childish behaviour and his display of jealousy. But her laughter was quickly halted by the view of Sophia Vermillion who was currently only a few feet away and stealing glances at her boyfriend. Erina, aware of Sophia's eyes on both herself and Soma, also snaked her arms around Soma tightening his hold on her and gave him a soft peck on his lips.
"I'm sorry," Erina replied as she pulled away from Soma whilst battling the blush she had on her face due to her unusual public display of affection, "I'm taken tonight." Her eyes glanced towards the Belgian girl as she finished her sentence as if marking her territory. And she knew she had won.
"What was that?" chuckled Soma when the young man was out of earshot, "another public display by our Miss Nakiri?"
"Shut up," Erina replied, taking her hands off him, "are you going to ask me to dance or do I have to go find that guy?"
Soma chuckled at his girlfriend's odd behaviour but did not ponder further about it. Taking her hands in his, he relished the softness of her hands as he slowly led the two of them to the dance floor. The dance floor was not as crowded as they had imagined. To the side of the dance floor was a small podium where a live band was performing.
Soma glanced towards Erina, his eyes locking with hers. "You know," Soma said as he wrapped his hands around her waist as they began to swing to the soft tunes that danced in the air, "I'm not the best dancer so I wouldn't be surprised if you end up with a sore toe tonight."
Erina rolled her eyes before replying, "Step on my foot once Yukihira and you won't be allowed in my room for the next 2 months."
"No," Soma whined, his eyes mimicked a pained look as he tightened his hold on her waist. He pulled her towards him and rested his head above hers, "You and I both won't be able to live with that punishment."
Erina blushed at his bold implication but suppressed her urge to give him a loud smack on his shoulder. In fact, she was content with their position and appreciated the feeling of security and warmth as she nestled her head against his neck feeling his warm breath tickle her hair.
"Can you imagine as in 10 or 20 years?" Soma suddenly asked as the tune changed from one to another.
"Why do you ask?" Erina replied, pulling away slightly so she could glance into his eyes.
"I was just wondering," murmured Soma, his feet moving carefully to the new beat, avoiding Erina's feet at all costs.
"Well," Erina blushed, her red cheeks hidden by the lack of lighting on the dance floor, "I'm not going to answer that question."
"Hmph," Soma chuckled, "once a princess, always a princess."
On that night, Soma finally understood what his father had meant when he said the key to becoming a good chef is finding a woman you wanted to cook for. He was almost…almost certain. She was the one.