Soma entered the dorm and went upstairs to bathe. He heard that Megumi was in charge of cooking dinner today. And hoped that dinner wouldn't be awkward between him and Nakiri. Soma couldn't get what happened earlier in the garden with Nakiri out of his mind. How stunning she looked when she was on top of him. The way her long honey blonde hair sprayed across her face. Soma shook his head and sunk deeper into the bath. What was he thinking?
He went downstairs to join others for the dinner. He noticed that Nakiri wasn't there. And hoped she had other plans. He had to clear his mind tonight about such thoughts. He entered the kitchen where the aroma of ramen instantly hit him.
"Oi Tadoroko. Whatcha makin?" He called out towards Megumi who had her undivided attention towards the broth.
"Oh Soma-kun could you help me with dicing the vegetables?" Tadoroko timidly requested.
"Is this the dish you made for us during our first year. In the Autumn Elections against Ryo?" Soma curiously inquired.
"Yes, I've done a little more to it though. So had I made it back then I would've won" Megumi said with never before seen passion in her eyes. This surprised Soma who in turn began laughing. Megumi who realized what she said blushed with embarrassment.
"But don't tell Ryo-kun that I said that please!"
"I won't Tadoroko. Don't worry about it" Soma promised though he smirked to himself. Because he would definitely mention this to Ryo when, they along with Hayama met for lunch tomorrow.
After dicing the vegetables. He handed them to Megumi and saw that she had indeed had recreated her dish. It still held the same light-broth look but unlike it's past self. The umami was more powerful than previously imagined, and the Kozuyu was more fresh and picked to perfection. Thus enhancing the entire dish as a whole. Soma if he had to name this dish would call it 'Kozuyu-Chicken-Soy-Sauce-Ramen-Restored-Tadoroko-style'.
"Uh Soma-kun would you care to be the first one to try it?" Megumi shyly asked.
Soma slurped up the ramen coated in its rich broth. And was immediately transported to the open sea. Surrounded by that of vast ocean and creatures. The dish seemed to have no limit like the ocean itself.
"Whoa. This is really good Tadoroko!" Soma proclaimed. Proud of her progress not only by reviving this dish, but her dedication and willpower to get this far. She was no longer the Megumi who got E's in first year. She was Tadoroko Megumi, a contender for one of the Elite Ten seats.
"I'm glad you liked it Soma-kun" Megumi blushed and began preparing more for rest of the dorm.
Everyone had arrived for dinner and Megumi began passing out her dish which she showed Soma earlier in the evening. This did not go unnoticed by many members.
"Megumi! This taste wonderful!" Yuki exclaimed while stuff her mouth with ramen.
"The broth is heavenly. Have you made this before?" Ryoko questioned.
"Yes I have" Megumi timidly admitted.
"At the Autumn Elections during our first year, correct?" Shun revealed.
"Correct"
"Ah so that's why it taste familiar" Marui added
"True that it does taste familiar, but this dish is leaps and bounds beyond that of the Autumn Election" Isshiki-senpai stated. Everyone at the table agreed with Isshiki-senpai's statement shown through the Mhm's from each person sitting down, except one...
"I think that you could've done more with the dish given the amount of time which has passed between then and now (first year and third year)" Erina folded her arms and announced.
"Oh ok...thank you Erina-san" Megumi quickly stood bowed her head and sat back down.
"Now hold on. Don't you think that's a little harsh Nakiri? I mean c'mon even the great 'Ice Queen' has to admit that this dish was pretty good or at least better than the previous. Soma jokingly argued
"I never said it wasn't better. I simply thought that Tadoroko-san could've done more. Unlike you, who's opinion is worthless compared to mine" Erina retorted
"Really? Just because of you have the 'God Tongue' doesn't mean you are far more superior than I. Have you forgotten who my dad is? Soma said trying to calm himself down
"No, but it's obvious that you aren't half the chef your father was. No wonder I couldn't tell you two were related all those years" Nakiri spit back with never before seen animosity.
"Yeah well at least I have a dad who loves me for who I am!" Soma yelled, losing all self-control and immediately regretted it after seeing tears spring up in Erina's eyes.
"Nakiri...wait-" But before he could finish she had already dashed out the main entrance of the dorm.
Everyone at the table was stunned. They all knew Erina and Soma usually never saw eye to eye, and their personality's conflicted with each other but it had never escalated this far before. Isshiki-senpai realizing that the tension was so thick in the room right now. That not even a Wustof Knife could cut it. After everyone helped clean the table and kitchen, Isshiki-senpai dismissed everyone to their rooms, except for Soma. Soma was feeling guilty for losing his cool. Something that doesn't happen often and against Nakiri of all people, was disappointed in himself.
"You would think after all these years I would be accustom to her attitude by now but she's always surprising me..." Soma chuckled but then grew serious. remembering the event that just took place. Isshiki-senpai placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Soma-kun you have to understand that Erina-san didn't grow up with real love and affection which a parent is suppose to give their child. Her life was very rough from a young age. And believe it or not you both lived opposite childhoods. You being the one who lived with a loving father and a great chef where you could cook side by side with developing an unbreakable. While she lived with a strict, cruel father who made her swallow ingredients, and spices 24/7. Her father turned cooking into a job instead of an enjoyment like you grew up with. She and her father developed an unbreakable bond which instead of through encouragement is strengthened by fear." This made Soma feel even worst. Then he was suddenly slapped on the back of the head by Isshiki-senpai.
"And that was for making a girl cry! Baka" Isshiki smiled and walked upstairs. Soma rubbed the back of his head. The effects still lingering, man could Isshiki-senpai hit hard. He got up and began walking to his room as well. Once he brushed his teeth, he lay in bed that night contemplating over the events that took place during dinner.
"Did I take it too far? I mean I know Nakiri can be judgmental and too critical at times, but did I over exaggerate the situation? No, Tadoroko made that dish to the best of her abilities and that is something to be praised for not brought down" Soma thought to himself. He would not say that his opinion, what he stood by was wrong. Though, maybe he was too harsh in the way that he confronted Nakiri about this...and perhaps he could've take a more mature route to solving their disagreement. He would apologize to Nakiri tomorrow when he saw her, letting her know that it was immature of him to lash out against like that. Wait why was he, Yukihira Soma, apologizing for being immature. Wasn't that his thing? Why does he feel to compelled to seek Nakiri's forgiveness and why did it crush him when he saw her crying. He reasoned with himself that this was how every males feel when a female cries. And slept on that notion. Unknown to him, a certain someone was doing the same back at Nakiri Mansion.
Nakiri Erina couldn't get any sleep either. Her thoughts kept replaying the events which happened tonight during dinner.
"That Baka!" Erina sniffled still recovering the tears she shed. This made her even more mad. Why did she cry over something that Baka said? Erina mentally screamed at herself for doing something so embarrassing and especially since it was in front of everyone in the dorm. She wasn't trying to be harsh towards Tadoroko-san. She actually grew fond of the dark blue-haired girl over the years. And truly believed that she wasn't using her full potential when creating that dish. Had she been harsh and too straight forward in explaining that though? No that was the right path in her opinion of how she should've interpreted the dish. She just hated how Soma-kun defended Tadoroko-san with that fire in his eyes. [A/N: Think about the way his eyes looked when he defended Megumi against Chef Shinomiya]. That made her blood boil...wait was she jealous of relationship Tadoroko and Yukihira have?
"No! He's just always trying to help everyone and she just so happens to need it the most" Erina decided this whole mess was Soma's fault and slept on the belief that Yukihira Soma was truly a...
...Baka
A/N: Yes there is a bit of drama in this chapter. There will be drama in throughtout the story, but I'll try to keep it more humor/romance based.
