My headache subsided, not entirely, but I've been through worse. This much I can endure for a good Sunday focusing on writing.
Miya: Please, by all means, check my profile before making a threat XD. But to answer it, I have every intention of having Souma choose our pairing, despite Megumi is the most adorable girl I've found drifting from place to place (seriously, her seiyuu in the anime just make her ten times more cute with that voice) This is however, not a shoujo, so things like heroines face-off for the main character are a no.
Zechs-DXD: I...I thought Erina in the manga is just a really bitchy Tsundere? If not then she must be REALLY bitchy.
Salience: The spelling and grammar check. I'm just in pain right now. Because I actually have a habit of using them! Then I switched computers and somehow the new one gets error and won't work. A total pain up my nostrils. I once recalled the fanfiction editor has something like that, but apparently it was removed too. So, until humble old me can find a new way to check spelling and grammar, please endure. I'm a fast uploader, so I hope you can overlook that (even more since fast uploads means I don't work well with beta readers despite every good intentions.)
Agnew: I am aware of my bad grammar, but never I heard of it being a put off. Maybe there are some typo, I did got sick yesterday, so I must have been missing one key for another. Either way, the idea. Your idea just sparkled things about yanderes and scary stuffs in my imaginations, lol (Erina, kitchen knife, blood. You've got to be amazed how it means with diffrent context :D). The actual thing I came up with is definitely more light hearted and short lasting than you would hope, definitely around the line of 'obsession'. So look forward to it, nah.
Now, that out of the way, onwards to chapter 5.
Please enjoy, review and fav, all that stuff again. It helps keeping me up at night to check for reviews (lel)
After taking a bath, Souma entered his room.
"So quiet..."
This is the first time away from home...All the hectic, comedic and unbeknowst to him, romantic developments gave way to this silence.
Laying on his bed, Souma thought just how much more things he'll see, how many more people he'll meet.
Despite the girl would deny it, Souma thought Erina is an interesting friend, a goal he'll strive for.
Come to think of-
"Hey there."-Suddenly, a panel of the ceiling were removed as a male appeared.
"UOOHHHHH...?!"-Souma is shocked to his core as he stared at the strange guy.
"You are the new dorm member right? Come on! We're having a party to celebrate!"
...
...
...
"I'm telling you! I'm busy studying for an upcoming writting test! If you want to party then get another room! Why is it always mine?!"-Marui Zenji, room 205.
"There's no other choice. Marui-kun's room is the biggest, afterall."-Yoshino Yuki, room 116.
"..."-For some reason, Ibusaki Shun, room 208, is munching on the plastic cup, probably too lazy to hold it properly.
"It's nice and always clean too."-Sakaki Ryuoko, room 112.
"Weren't there a bunch of book all over floor just now?"-Satou Shouji, room 107.
"You should gets some more chairs."
"I just cleaned up after you two fighting in my room!"-Marui yelled-"And don't sit on my bed!"
"...Uh..."-Souma and Tadokoro stared at that.
No wait, there is a different problem.
"Eh?! Erina? Why are you here?"-Souma turned to the blonde, sitting on his left with her aide.
"I was doing the inspection like normal..."
...
...
...
"Is there anyneed of renovation structure wise? Like the floor or attic, Fumio-san?"
"Not that I'm aware of, not the attic. After all, 'that guy' usually go there."
"That guy? Who-"
Suddenly, the ceiling panel opened as 'that guy' appeared.
"Uooohhhhh...?!"-Erina was scared speechless.
Then it took a momment for her realize who it was.
...
"S-so you got it too huh."-Souma laughed uncomfortably.
"Well, he invited me, so I figured..."
"You actually stayed? I thought you would rather flip your hair into his face and leave."-Souma deadpanned.
That really do sound like something the prideful Nakiri Erina would do.
"Well, he is...-"-Erina didn't got the chance to continue as Ryuoko offered them a drink.
In turn, Erina, Souma and Hisako made their observation.
'This white liquid...'
'The 1,8L bottle with a hand written label...'
'Illegal Sake?!'
"It's just juice made from rice."-Sakaki explained, although the smile that came after wasn't helping her prove it.
"Heh..."-Souma wasn't very convinced.
"Yosh! I've got the bee- I mean yellow tea!"
"Yellow tea!"
"..."-The new dorm member and two guests stares at it, dumbfounded.
"This place...it's like an oddball's den."-Erina made her honest comment.
"Uhm, is it okay to be this noisy at night?"-Souma asked Ryuoko.
"It's fine, we're in the middle of the woods."
"Then, what about the dorm manager-"-Hisako asked, but interuted as Fumio-san spoke through the loft.
"Hey, you noisy lot!"-There it comes, thought Erina-"I've got some Buri Daikon! Someone head down and grab it!"
"Yeah! I love you baa-san!"
"She's completely fine with it?!"-Souma, Erina and Hisako co-ed.
"Be sure to come back before Fumio-san starts with the Elite Ten Pride speech!"-Yoshino called after the boys.
That earned Souma's attention.
"Talking about it, we have Nakiri Erina right here don't we?"
"..."-Erina's expression turned into a frown.
"Well, the more the memeire!"-Everyone seems to have completely forgot her presence, something Erina is not used to.
Okay, maybe they weren't 'ignoring' or 'forgeting', so to say, but rather, they are used to it. Only the shy, frail girl to Souma's right seems to be affected by her presence.
In fact, when she first came in, besides a few whisper to confirm their thoughts, none of them seemed afraid to introduce themselves.
I mean, she can see why, they live with-
'Speak of the devil.'
"Hey there, Yukihira Souma-kun."-The brown-haired guy that like to use the attic way from before stood before the redhead chef-"Welcome to the Polar Star dorm. I'm Isshiki Satoshi, year 2. Just Isshiki-senpai is fine."
"Haii."-Souma smiled at the warm welcome and shook his hand.
"Ah! I'm so happy! Today the numbers of student enjoying their youth with us has increased by one! Listen everyone! We are a family, living together, enjoying the same meal, enjoying our youth together! This is youth! This is school life! I've joined this dorm because of it! Now, from then on, let's enjoy our lives here together at this dorm!"-Isshiki's speech had a dazzle and refreshness in it.
"That fine, but can you stop calling us using the attic route?"
"Eh? It's no good? So I have to call the boys with the loft too? Well, everytime I use this, Tadokoro-chan always comes, ne?"
"That...that's because..."
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...
...
"Tadokoro-chan...are you asleep...? If you haven't then...come over to my place...it's really fun and happy over here...well...there's just me...but...there's alot of good food over here...If you're still awake then...come over...ne?"
...
...
...
"If I don't come, then everyfew minutes he would call again..."-Tadokoro Megumi is a frail girl, afterall.
"If you just ignore it completely he'll give up in the end..."-Ryuoko sighed.
"You're just spoiling him, Megumi."-Yoshino spoke.
"...B-but getting called like that is kinda scary, na?"
"I...I guess the attic is better..."
Now Erina was rather certain.
'This is definitely, without a doubt, an oddball's den!'
As they cheered their drinks, Erina and Hisako did the same, but with much less vigor.
The Tootsuki Princess don't belong to these kind of things. She stood at a completely different league to be able to enjoy such simple things.
Yet that make her feel envious.
Why? Why is she annoyed that she can't seem to enjoy it? This plain gathering and hang out between dorm members, friends?
Right. Erina doesn't have friends, dorm members. The only person she would like to call a friend is Hisako, but the young aide seem to look up to her more than treating her as an equal friend. Nor she knew of the ways to socialize and make friends, something that to begin with is quite hard, let alone for someone so isolated like her. The God's Palete aren't allowed to be anything but perfect, and that pressure made her who she is today. She never did look back...until now.
'Well.'-Megumi, Erina and Hisako stared at the redhead as he drinks-'If it's him...'
"What's in this rice juice?! IT'S INCREDIBLE! ! !"
"Yep, he fits right in."
As the party went in the wild direction, only the meek Megumi, Erina and Hisako managed to keep themselves from doing something they will regret later.
Like Souma's singing, for example.
"Uh...uhm..."-Sitting right next to Megumi is Nakiri Erina, the school's top 1. The difference between them is as far away as the sun.
Erina seemed to notice the girl's shyness. It reminds her of Hisako when she teases the aide.
Feeling the God's Palete eyes on her, Megumi only became more frantic.
"Eek~ Uhm...ah...Are you...enjoying the party?"
"A little bit, I guess."-Erina smiled her classic ojou smile.
"Ah...then...t-that's g-g-great!"-She can almost see the shy girl's soul dangling out of her mouth.
But soon, the girl regained some of her conciousness.
"Ah...ah! Souma-kun! Do you have any dish you can offer to Erina-san? She doesn't seem to be eating anything..."
So she was worried about her?
"Well, I have a dish, but I don't think she'll eat it..."-Souma opened the small box.-"Squid tentacles with honey and black sesame."-He used the chopstick to pick up one.-"Want some, Erina?"
In response to the dish, Erina and Hisako bear-hugged each other as they backed away until hitting the furthest corner they can.
"W-what is that offensive-looking dish?! Keep it away from me!"
"Well, it does tastes bad...but...I'm working on it. So give me your honest opinion."-Souma's shadow looms over the two girls as he approaches.
"There's no way I'm tasting that! Even if you pay me all the money and gold in the world I won't! Keep it away! No...no stay away! ! !"
"Erina-sama!"-Hisako used herself as shield to defend her lifelong idol against this defiler.
But one taste of the squid tentacle and she was on the floor.
"EEK! ~"-Erina was split between worrying for her aide and fearing for herself.
"Now then Erina...have a taste...you will remember it for life..."-Souma then came close with another squid tentacle in between the chopsticks.
Time slowed down.
For some ridiculous reason, surrounding the two was now the dazzle and sparkle effect with pink-yellow starry background.
In contrast to what he is doing, Souma's face had a beautiful smile on it, as if they are in some shojou manga and they are doing the couple feeding scene.
"Here, Erina, say 'Ahn~'..."-He's sending his charm level beyond the roof as he raised the chopsticks.
For some incredible reasons, taken away be the momment, Erina had a huge blush on her face as she opened her lips and 'Ahn~'-ed. Her godly tongue is slightly out, as if she is anticipating it.
The scene right now looked no less straight from an erotic manga, one that Hisako has to ruled out when she selects manga for the inexperienced Erina.
Just a few more inches...
"EEK! You can't!"-Megumi finally noticed the two at the corner of the room.-"You can't let her eat that, Souma-kun!"
That interupted the two. For the better, I guess.
"Ah...uhm...you're right...I must've drank too much rice juice..."-Souma knocked his head a few times. He didn't know it was possible to get tipsy from it!-"S-sorry there, Erina."
"Say that to Hisako!"-The blonde, now regained the sense of the situation, helped her aide up, the poor girl still murmuring 'The tentacles...The tentacles are...' incorehently.
"Here, Erina-san. It's not much, but it's Ibusaki-kun's cheese and jerkey."-Megumi offered the dish.
"Th-thank you Ta-tadokoro-san. After seeing that...abomination, I'm fine with just about anything else..."
"I told you already! I'm working on it!"-Souma retorted.-"How about sardines and strawberry jams then?! My pops made that, so you're okay with it, right?!"
"Lies! He would never! Ever! Taint himself with such a dish!"
"Hah?! That's where you've got it wrong Erina! In Yukihira's, that's our favorite past-time!"-Souma then listed the things they made, each going weirder and more scary by the seconds as he and Erina are locked in glares.
By the time they got out of going back and forth on the subject of terrible dishes, it was already...
"Ah! Here it is! Isshiki-senpai's 'Before I realized it, I'm already in the naked apron outfit' illusion!"
"Go senpai! Kyyyaaaa!~"
Hisako, just barely recovered to see that, quickly stammered as she tried to stop her Erina-sama from seeing it.
"E-Erina-sama! Please do not look! It isn't healthy for your godly eyes and soul!"-Hisako then turned to the group cheering Isshiki on-"You there, stop that! I'm reporting you on sexual harassment!"
But as she was trying to stop the crazy and hectic party...
Can you imagine it?
Have you ever thought of imagining it?
The smile of Nakiri Erina as she laughed fully to the scene before her with her heart now warm instead of icy-cold?
The blonde and Souma joined in the cheers, although Erina cheered much less, with Megumi sitting next to them, being the only sane person other than Hisako herself.
'E-Erina-sama...'-Hisako might have blushed, seeing that.
That smile...it's real. Honest, truthful, happy and warm.
Perhaps...letting her smile like that...isn't such a bad thing...
Surrounding them, most people has fallen asleep, cups and dishes everywhere.
Only Souma and Isshiki are awake.
"Tonight was fun, right?"-Isshiki asked the boy, still in the naked apron outfit.
"Ah."-Souma nodded.
"We're out of food...Hm, I've got some Spanish Mackerel meat, I'm gonna go make a dish."
"Y-you're cooking in that outfit?"
A momment later, Isshiki returned with the dish.
"Here you go, all done."
"Then, I hope you don't mind."-Souma gladly tried it.
It was unexpected, to say the least.
He felt like he was blown away by a gust of spring wind.
'His abilities are at a completely different level compared to the others! Even if he is a second year, this is simply-'
"I heard about your speech at the entrance ceremony, Souma-kun."
"..."
"To reach the top of Tootsuki Institution is no easy work like you thought it would."
Elite Ten: Seventh Seat: Isshiki Satoshi.
"You're one of the Elite Ten?!"-Souma shockingly exclaimed.
That woke Erina up.
"It's your turn, Souma-kun. What will you do in order to satisfy me?"
That.
That light a gleam in Souma's eyes.
The redhead cook stood up as he put on his white headband.
"Wait a momment."
"Isshiki-senpai. What are you trying to pull?"-Erina asked as they waited on Souma.
By now, Ibusaki, Ryuoko and Yoshino had woken up as well and have been watching along with the two Elite Ten members.
"Nothing in particular. Just a friendly test of skill, that's all."
"..."
"Nakiri-kun is interested too?"
"In what exactly?"
"In him, obviously."-Isshiki-senpai said still with that smile plastered on his place.
"Why would I be interested in a second rated idiot like him?"
"Well...if my read on him are correct...then that boy holds a lot of potential. Right now, you are having conflicts whether or not to accept him. Is that right, Nakiri-kun? You're hoping you could get him into your faction."
"If he has actual talent, that is. Which-"
"Either way you won't get it."-Isshiki then immediately removes his gaze.
'Because the boy's strength...'
"Here you go!"-Souma finishes the dish as he presented them.
'...Lies in a different direction.'
"Yukihira's secret menu #20 (revamped): Mackerel Onigiri Chazuke!"
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...
"This dish..."-Isshiki started.
"It's made using Poêlée."-Erina concluded.
"What's that?"-Yukihira naively asked.
"How could you not know?! You made that!"-Yoshino pointed a finger at the redhead.
"Ah...I just learned it from my dad. He told me it was the best way to handle smelly fish."
"Your dad is a French cook?"
"No...he just...seems to know a lot of cooking styles."
"Hmph."-At the mention of Souma's father, Erina turned away mockingly.
"Quite unrestricted! You used a French technique and applied it into a Japanese dish. It's not bound by any borders! Incredible!"
It felt like...
"Ahn~ !"-A gust of wind that blew away every piece of their clothing.
Not that Erina would ever admit that, less the active minds of teenage boys would go overboard.
"I-Isshiki-senpai! The apron, the apron!"-The blonde quickly addressed the second years's state of dressing.
But he casted that aside.
"I'm moved, moved to tears Souma-kun."-He and the redhead shook hands.
'H-how did they even made such a scene look cool, I have no idea.'-Sighing, Erina realized it was getting really late.
"I-I have to get back."-Erina quickly waved as she exited.
"Well, it's this late already."-Fumio-san appeared-"Why not stay for the night? I'll give you an empty room to stay."
"I've called for the car already."-Erina closed the phone-"There's some bussiness I have to attend tomorow, so..."
"Well, suit yourself. Yukihira. Send them off properly, will ya."-Fumio-san yawned-"If you're done partying, then back to your rooms."
"Haii, Fumio-san!"-Everyone happily complied.
"T-Then. We'll be going."-Erina smiled slightly as she stand next to the car, doors already opened.
"Uhm. Today was fun, right Erina?"
"D-don't call me by my name like that!"-She blushed a little.
"Eh? But I have been calling you that since the first day though."
"Eh? Eh? You did?"-Erina's face then became hotter.-"I-I have to go, it's getting really late!"-She turned around and entered the car.
Passing by, her aide, Arato Hisako, shot him a look that is no where near friendly.
Somehow, by some esper powers, Souma can just feel what she want to say.
"B-bye, Hishoko."
"My name is not Hishoko!"
"By the way Erina."-Souma looked past the aide.
"Ignoring me?!"
From the open door of the car, Erina's face stuck out curiously.
"When there's another party...would you like to come play with us again?"
"Eh...?"-Surprised by the sudden invitation, Erina flustered a little, but then replied-"If time allows...and if you don't give me anyone of those horrible dishes! in fact, you stay out!"
"I'll make sardines with strawberry jam next time! Look forward to it, nah!"
"Hmph!"-Erina's face disappeared into the car again.
With Hisako entered, the door closes, and the car left.
Waving goodbye, Souma voiced one last time.
"See you around, Erina!"
On the car, Erina and Hisako heard it.
The blonde only retract herself slightly at that.
Hisako thought she saw her lips moving.
'See you around, Yukihira-kun.'
So, I've made it. Chap 5. I figured it would be best to leave the chapter ends with this romantic scene, because during the next chapter, that's gonna be hard to come by. Rate and review please! Who knows, maybe a few more hours and Chap 6 will be uploaded! Haha!
DsCrystalEyes, eating lunch.