NEW CHAP UP hope you all will enjoy it. Nothing too hard just some fluff and some fun. I am personally more excited about the next chapter (details at the end of this one) however, the next chapter will not be updated until around JUNE perhaps mid June. This is because I have exams coming up and will be tied to it. Sorry about that but during the holidays I will compensate with longer chapters and hopefully stories you guys will enjoy!
I have also read the reviews and your ideas and hopefully will get some of these done in the holidays as well! thank you all for the continual support and I love this community of people. 3
It was a typical winter day in Tokyo. Below zero temperature, slow falling snow flakes covering parts of the pavement. It was no different at Totsuki, however, perhaps a little more festive than the rest of society.
At the top culinary school in the world, every event is worth a celebration; where celebration means cooking food in accordance to the theme and traditions of the event. Nearing Christmas, the students at Totsuki would no less be encouraged to participate in the Christmas market event, where bonus marks would be awarded to the top 3 stalls. It is not an easy feat to win at these events, with thousands of students fighting for the bonus points enough to secure one year of passes in all subjects.
Erina sat in her bedroom with her brow furrowed, her pen tapping restlessly.
"This won't do," mumbled Erina before chewing the back of her pen softly. She grunted annoyed at her 'lack of competence'.
"Yo," chuckled a red headed figure as he walked in unannounced.
"What are you doing here," replied an annoyed Erina, her eyes rolled slightly, "and how many times did I tell you to knock before you come in."
"Come on," laughed Soma, "we aren't acquaintances are we."
"I…I could be indecent in here," replied Erina flustered, "you know… undressed."
"It's nothing I haven't seen," winked Soma before making his way to the bed and looked down at the notebook in her hand, "Christmas stall ideas huh?"
Ignoring his first part of the comment Erina nodded, "I'm trying to come up with a menu before I submit an application."
"Which area are you cooking in this time?" asked Soma seriously, taking her notebook into his hands and examining her ideas.
The Christmas events this year, like the other festivals are divided into 3 sections which are suited for different price points and customers. The 'Jolly' section are for stalls with relatively low price points but generally have the largest crowds. Behind the 'Jolly' section is the 'Merry' section which is generally priced higher, in a restaurant format, which generally consists of a menu and seating. The last section is known as the 'arctic' section; here, restaurants serve a pre-set course menu, with high price points and are only open to reservation.
"I was actually thinking of setting a stall in the Jolly section," replied Erina softly, "I know sounds absurd huh."
"No," laughed Soma pulling her into his arms and seating her infront of him, eloping her in a warm backwards hug, "well if you are going to be in the Jolly section you need me."
"Highly doubt I needanyone's help," replied Erina chuckling as she relaxed into his embrace and relished his warmth.
"Fine, then I apply to be your assistant," said Soma planting a feathery kiss on her bare shoulders, "How's that."
"Soma," sighed Erina, "if we work together everyone will get suspicious of us. You know that right?"
"Not if I keep my distance," replied Soma, "I can keep my hands off you I promise."
"Then what do I say when Alice questions me why you and me of all people are working on a stall together," replied Erina glancing backwards only to be met with two excited golden irises.
"I'll tell them I lost a shokugeki to you and you said I have to help you manage the stall," replied Soma smugly, vaguely proud of his idea.
"Hmmm," chuckled Erina, "never would I thought one day I'd hear Yukihira Soma admit a loss."
"I'd do anything for you," Soma whispered.
Erina looked at him shocked, her heart fluttering as if a thousand butterflies were inside her awaiting to take flight. His eyes glistened with an unworldly determination and gentleness reserved only for her. Grabbing his red hair, and tangling her fingers with the red strands, she pulled into a deep kiss, her tongue finding its way to his, battling for dominance. His hands were restless to as they found their way onto her waist and spun her around. Her long creamy legs wrapped naturally around his waist, closing the annoying gap between their bodies.
Moaning into the kiss, Erina pulled away momentarily and puffed, "alright, assistant, but if anyone finds out about us," she threatened, "I won't let you do this ever again."
Soma's eyes widened with her comment and looked almost frightened as he nodded vigorously to her demand.
Satisfied, Erina allowed herself to indulge in the passion again.
"Yukihira," yelled the blonde female, her hand wiping small beads of sweat off her head, "move the banner so it isn't crooked, how many times do I have to tell you that."
"Right to it," chuckled Soma, he was probably the only other human other than Hisako who could deal with Erina's need for perfection.
He wasn't going to lie however, that the organisation that had gone into this collaboration stall with Erina had not been easy.
They were not ordinary couple, on a daily basis they were already competitive in terms of their cooking, with Erina being as stubborn and prideful as she is, and Soma being as oblivious as he was, they had a lot of argument during the planning process of the stall. As a matter of fact, they fought over everything. Everything from the food on the menu to the colour theme of their stall. Every single minute detail was debated, however, the pair seemed to have pulled through eventually.
The product of this was a not so 'stallish' stall – typical and as expected of Erina. Unlike other stalls with simple designs, their stall was themed with royal blue and tints of golds.
After he finally set the damn banner straight, Soma walked towards Erina before his arms around her waist and placing his head on her shoulder.
"Before you scold me," he sighed, "I checked 1000 times, no one is nearby."
"We are still in public!" huffed Erina, but her body giving into his, relishing the warmth of his body, "I swear Alice will just show up from no where."
"ERINA!" yelled the white headed Nakiri princess, though her voice indicated that she was still afar.
The sound of Alice forced the pair apart and they both quickly put up a façade…at least before Alice showed up merrily.
"Ah Erina," said an exhausted Alice, "It is so hard to find stalls…did you know there are over 100 stalls in this section this year, it would've been much easier for me to find you if you had set up a restaurant like you usually do."
"Can't a girl try something different," replied Erina indignantly, flicking her hair back she continued, "I wasn't looking for approval."
"Don't get all defensive on me," puffed Alice, before she mumbled to her assistant, "we all know what influenced her decision." Her crimson coloured eyes flicked towards the red-headed boy standing beside the blonde Nakiri then to her seeming glowing mood.
"What did you say?" asked Nakiri impatiently, failing to notice the know-it-all glance Alice had been making towards Soma.
"Just that I was curious about your menu," replied Alice, "I prepared a stall too and I'd hate to be competing directly with my dear cousin."
"I can't give away too much but it's going to be sweets," replied Erina before she pointing to the banner on her stall, "no brainer."
"Fine," grunted Alice turning away, her steps loud and clear as she walked down the pavement with her knee high boots. However, just before she was out of sight Erina heard a loud giggle before Alice yelled, "AND ERINA, THERE IS A HICKEY ON YOUR NECK."
Looking down Erina noticed the dark red blotch on her pale creamy skin. The colour contrasted so noticeably on her skin. Rage radiated off her body and she turned around slowly, her eyes focusing on a certain red head. She knew exactly when she got this, must've been the day he volunteered to help her. What he said that day; about doing anything for her, clouded her mind and better judgement apparently. She could only sigh to herself, he was is the biggest distraction she has ever known in her short life. A brainless one to add on top of that.
"Care to explain." Asked Erina, hands on hips, her violet eyes centering on the red-head.
"Uh…Alice didn't ask the question I expected...I did not prepare a line for this..." replied a guilty Soma scratching his head, "I don't think I can say much other than sorry…"
"I TOLD YOU!" yelled Erina before quickly remembering that beside them are stalls with people preparing just like them, "never leave a hickey somewhere I can't cover."
"I know, I know," replied Soma, "I'm sorry Erina, I'm sorry... I could buy you concealer?"
"Sorry isn't enough nor do I need your concealer" replied Erina wickedly
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this," trembled Soma slightly, he could sense an evil plan brewing in the girl's mind.
"There will be no touching, kissing or even any intimate contact until you've proven worthy," replied Erina turning back to work, ingnoring all protests, "and if you can't abide then I can also find a new partner for the stall."
AND WITH THAT Soma Yukihira was denied kiss, sex and any form of contact with her girlfriend BY her girlfriend in order to 'preserve' the secret of their relationship. But things weren't easy for both sides…
TO BE CONTINUED: I will be writing a chapter with a continuation of this punishment, but it will be more like both of them trying to make the other one surrender and beg for it first JAs we both know how stubborn they could be.