Hollow
Chapter 3
All Is Fair In Love And War
"Y-Yukihira-kun…"
"N-Nakiri?"
Surprised golden eyes stared into nervous shades of violet. There they stayed; locked in each other's gaze for what seemed like an eternity, unmoving and resilient. Though they said not a word to one another other than announcing each other's presence, the battle their eyes fought spoke volumes.
The ever-so-wavering and soft lavender ones asked questions of longing and absence while molten golden orbs reciprocated feelings of surprise and mischievousness.
Erina stood there not sure how to proceed. What does she say? What should she do? She never thought about how she would actually act upon meeting him again. All she knew was that, more than anything else; she wanted to see him again.
This was her chance right? That meeting she's been dreaming of since the day he left?
Nervousness and doubt started to creep inside of her as ideas of just turning heel and walking away started to arise. The pressure building upon her was just insurmountable. Nakiri Erina was a woman that never turned tail and hide, but on the battlefield of love… she just didn't have the same level of confidence. She bit her lower lip trying to regain her composure, fearing she was already giving away signs of weakness.
However, much to the relief of Erina, Yukihira Sōma was a man that never notices the atmosphere of a situation, no matter how dark or pressure filled it may be.
Getting up from his seat with a sly grin on his face, one Erina couldn't deny she had missed; he approached her with his hands shoved smoothly into his pockets.
"Hey Nakiri, you're looking good," he said. "I see you still have those cute pointy sideburns still going for you," he even dared to tease.
Sōma knew this would set her off, and she didn't disappoint. Her face instantly flushed and the way she shot him a minor glare; he couldn't help but let his grin grow larger. He had come to miss these overreactions from the blonde over the years. It was quite settling to see she had not changed.
Erina continued to redden at his bluntness. Of course he would start off a conversation teasing her, she thought. Typical Yukihira Sōma. He knew not how to greet a lady properly! She was half-heartedly expecting him to say something along the lines of "Hello," and "It's been a while," but it looks like he hasn't changed one bit. Though, unbeknownst to Sōma, she was thankful; at least he wasn't making things awkward. It was as if they didn't skip a beat, and all those years that he was missing mattered not.
"W-Whatever! I-I wish I could say the same for you!" Erina retorted instinctively. "You barely look even passable." She finished her statement and crossed her arms, even doing her typical domineering hair flick that she's mastered to perfection. Though everything in her being was screaming the opposite. He looked damn good standing there in front of her. Taller, more mature, but none-the-less, the same exact man she knew while in school.
He wore his hairstyle messy and long, reminiscent of how he looked after returning from the school's Stagiaire period. He looked so roguish with his hair slightly long back then, and after seeing him now, an older but sexier version, Erina couldn't help but fight the butterflies that were forming in her stomach. God he looked even better than she had imagined.
Biting her lower lip once more, hoping it would have the same effect as last time, the blonde had to force down a growing blush as she once again started to overthink things.
Sōma smirked at her boyishly and closed the space between them so now they were merely a few spaces apart. He was taking great joy in seeing her like this. It's been too long, and he couldn't help but miss the fun little banters they always had.
There was something about them. It just caused a certain thrill to rise up in him.
"Oh really?" He said. "I'm sad… and here I thought I looked somewhat presentable."
Erina turned from looking at him, unable to hold his teasing gaze. One hand playing with the buttons on her tightly fitted chef coat while the other twirled a long strand of hair in pure nervousness, the reddened blonde tried miserably to hide her painted cheeks. Her heart was also now starting to beat uncontrollably with every moment that passed them by.
"H-Hardly!" Erina lied. "Y-You haven't changed at all," she then mumbled, in a much softer tone. She meant it as a compliment.
Sōma however didn't quite catch that, and grinned. "Speak for yourself, you're still as cold as ever."
Erina turned her obviously flushed face and shot him her best attempt at a glare. "W-Who are you calling cold! I'm not the one who's been ignoring people since the day they left school!"
Erina immediately paled.
DAMN!
She did not mean to blurt that out. Why was it that every time she was around this man, he made her lose her cool? Even now, after so many years, he still had the uncanny ability to cause her to overreact. This was the last thing she wanted to bring up, especially when their conversation was going so naturally.
Yes, she'll admit. His teasing and her overreactions were a big part of their relationship. It's what qualified their conversations as "normal," interestingly enough.
"Ignoring?" Sōma questioned, cocking his head curiously. "What do you mean?"
"F-Forget it," the blonde quickly covered up. She didn't want to make it seem like she actually thought about him. Clearly he wasn't thinking about her… The last thing she wanted was for that man to know he's been on her mind since the day he's left. She would die of embarrassment if he ever found out. She swore all the blood in her body was on her face as the blush on her cheeks was nowhere near dying down, and the piqued interest from Sōma was not helping.
The scarred-brow man however shook his head at the Tōtsuki princess, or should we say queen at this point? She never really was one he could understand. Part of him wanted to go back to his seat and drop the subject, while his more impulsive side was telling him to press on further. He was curious as to what she meant. He hasn't ignored anyone since he left. In fact, he's tried his best to keep in touch with all his former classmates since he's been gone.
Erina included…
She was the one ignoring him… or so it seemed. After sending her a few cards, and getting no responses, he figured she was happy he was gone. She never really showed signs of being his friend, though Sōma just figured Erina really had a hard time showing she cared. However now being called out as the one ignoring her, Sōma couldn't help but be even more intrigued.
He could go two ways about this. Passive, and just ignore the topic and move on like Erina wanted, or reactive and bring it up again at least one more time. In the end, his more compulsive side took over, and Sōma decided to repeat himself. "Nakiri, what do you mean?"
The blonde looked back at the red-haired man with softer eyes, now feeling somewhat vulnerable. She was hoping he would just drop the subject; she didn't feel like discussing something so personal with him, especially ones that might expose the way she felt about the man in front of her. Also it was just too soon, she didn't want to bring it up after they had just met again.
"I-It's nothing… just forget about it… ok?" She looked down, gaze averted; and the fiery blushed look she held moments ago reverted to a more nervous fleeting expression that she had held when first seeing him.
She didn't want to know if he was really ignoring her or not. She was too afraid to find out the real answer. If he truly was ignoring her, that would crush her. Her small hope of them actually becoming friends, and maybe potentially something more would be vanquished just like that. And she didn't want that to happen, at the very least not yet. She wanted to hold on to this joyous feeling of seeing him again, even if it would be short lived.
And even if he wasn't ignoring her, she didn't want their first meeting to be something so drama filled. She just wanted the boy to sit, eat dinner, and enjoy her company. Was that so much to ask for?
Sōma outwardly shrugged seeing the princess wasn't going to budge. He wasn't going to push it if she didn't want him to. Giving her a charming smirk, he decided he'd leave that question for another day then. He'll forget it about all right… for now.
"Fine, how about we eat and catch up? Sounds good?"
Erina nodded vigorously, appreciative that he was dropping the subject, and the two took their seats at her special table.
Moments later, arriving to a flustered Erina and a grinning Sōma, Hisako rolled out the finished platter and served the two one of Erina's famous main courses, Bourbon Chicken. The chicken was cut into beautiful bite-sized pieces and spread all across the rice. Sprinkled with seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, the dish looked gorgeous.
Simple, but nonetheless extravagant.
How something could appear so, it was hard to describe. The way the chicken's mouth watering bronze pigment contrasted with the pure white of the rice, the burning red flakes, and the mossy green seasoning was just simply eye-catching. Then pulling out what looked like to Sōma a very expensive bottle of red wine, which he figured was probably worth more than his entire being, Hisako poured the two a glass each. Placing the bottle on the table, and making sure she got everything served, she gave Sōma a warm smile and then after turning to shoot Erina a playful wink, the pinkette took her leave.
As much as she wanted to stay and just hang with Sōma since truly, she has missed him dearly, she also wanted to give her mistress and the boy that's been haunting her dreams some alone time. Just from the few seconds of being near the pair, Hisako could already see life breathing back into Erina. So many emotions were at play on her features, and Hisako couldn't help but smile. It's been so long since she's seen her best friend flustered, blushing, and full of life; even if she did look slightly annoyed on the outside. Hisako could tell… Erina was overjoyed at seeing the unorthodox cook.
Erina would probably never admit it to him, but she was glowing in Hisako's eyes. Just that alone was enough to make the aide more than pleased.
Sōma gulped down the dish, barely able to hold himself back. The chicken was absolutely delicious. It was cooked to perfection and the wine by itself was just fantastic! He had never tasted wine this smooth before. Between bites and sipping on his glass, he looked up at Erina and gave her a cheesy grin.
"This is really good Nakiri. I'm surprised you have a simple but effective dish like this on your menu."
Erina rolled her eyes at him, a bit playfully which even surprised her, and crossed her arms. "What do take me for, even I know it's not all about just the looks of a dish. Impact is also a big key… A-And anyways, you should save your compliments for Hisako, not me."
"But you're the one who wrote the recipe right? So you also get some credit..."
"Eh… I guess. A-And anyways, stop speaking with your mouth full!" Erina reprimanded. Sōma nodded apologetically and continued to eat with haste. Erina watched him somewhat amused. This man, he really had not changed even in the slightest. As she looked upon him, her chest started to swell and she could feel her face growing hot.
Was this what it was like to be in love? To feel pain when they're missing and to feel nothing but pure joy just by their presence?
This was what she wanted right? A second chance to regain that important piece of her life she had lost? It started to amuse her; she really did feel like one of her romance novel heroines. Now she understood what they meant by just being near him was enough to make her feel like the happiest woman that ever existed. It brought new meaning to the quote 'you don't know what you got, until it's gone.'
Looking down at her plate, she realized she had barely even touched her food. She was only sipping on her wine from time to time. There was nothing wrong with her dish. In fact, just from the smell, she could tell Hisako cooked it flawlessly. So why hadn't she taken a bite yet? She figured it was because of him... She could barely keep her eyes off of the redhead let alone eat. She just wanted to keep looking at him, as if she was hypnotized by his sheer presence or something.
He was so perfect in her eyes. If only he knew. Even the scar on his brow added to his perfection.
His boyish charm and uncanny ability to be cool in any situation, it drew her in like a moth to a flame. He was everything she was not, and vice versa. She had come to realize this over the years. And it drew her to him more and more.
She wondered now…
If he…
"Yukihira-kun…"
Sōma looked up from his meal, making eye contact with the blonde. He found her looking at him intently; her face resting on one of her hands as her other circled the brim of her wine glass. She looked lost in thought, or more so, lost in thought about him. "Hmm?"
"Do… d-do you, remember… your promise to me?" Erina had no idea why she was bringing this up now, but she wanted to know. She was feeling a bit more daring. She wanted to see if he remembered. It was their red string of fate that tied them together; that day of the entrance ceremony, where he made that oath to her.
One day she had found herself writing it down in her diary. Those words of his, she would never forget. No man has ever challenged her like that. And no man probably ever would…
"My promise?" Sōma raised a brow and placed his utensils down, now finished with his meal. "What promise?"
Erina didn't even try to hide her disappointment. She sighed and looked off in the distance, now completely lost in her own thoughts again. She felt like a fool to even ask such a question.
'Figures… of course he wouldn't remember.'
Sōma was a bit caught off guard, but seeing Erina zone off again, something in him triggered the memory of the only promise she could be talking about. "Oh! You mean that promise!" Sōma grinned at her wickedly.
Hearing him speak again, Erina turned to look at him, a bit hesitantly though. She didn't want to get her hopes up. Who would remember something as silly as a stupid promise he said to her as children. He would never understand the weight of his words, and what they meant to her.
"Of course I remember! I haven't forgotten it! I've still yet to make you say it right…"
Delicious.
Erina's eyes were now locked with him, and her heart started to beat uncontrollably.
'He remembered! He actually remembered!'
She bit her lower lip in pure nervousness, a habit she was starting to see she was developing around him, not sure how to proceed. She had sort of braced herself for failure, not really expecting him to recall one of his first words to her.
"Y-Yes…"
The boy's face brightened. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. In fact, I can take you up on that promise now actually…"
Erina's eyes widened. This day… who would've guessed that it would turn out like this? First he shows up at her restaurant uninvited, and now he's going to fulfill his oath he made to her all those years ago? This had to be a dream right? Someone's got to be out there playing a cruel prank on her.
"Actually you know what?" The boy placed a finger on his chin to show he was in thought. "I'll save that for another day. We'll do it some other time. I don't want to ruin our first meeting in years with you saying 'disgusting' all over again," he teased.
Erina let out a small giggle, one that even caught her by surprise. God this man was insufferable. He always knew how to change the mood, for better and for worse. This time, she couldn't help but find it funny.
She really did call his food disgusting didn't she? Thinking about her childish behavior back then caused her to laugh a bit more. And to think, all that would set the flames to where they are now. Who would of thought? Certainly not she, but clearly her grandfather and Jōichirō thought something would come of it. Were they psychic or something?
"You know Yukihira-kun, even now, I bet your food is just as bad as it used to be," Erina found herself saying. She grinned at him slyly.
Sōma returned her smirk and raised a brow playfully. "Oh really? We'll just have to see about that now won't we?"
Was this flirting? Erina had no idea. But it definitely felt like it! She couldn't help the over joyous feeling erupting in her heart and spreading throughout her body.
"Also Nakiri, you should smile more," Sōma said. "You look cuter that way."
Ok this was definitely a dream! And they were DEFINITELY flirting! Did he just call her CUTE! Her! The ice queen of everything that was cooking… cute? She was everything but cute! She was ruthless, perfect, smart, even beautiful… but cute? Erina was dying of overdose, as the charming grin on the boy's features was sending her to another plane of existence.
However, all good things must come to an end as Sōma's phone then buzzed and he looked down and sighed. Without realizing it, he had overstayed his little visit. He was planning on just passing through after Ryō had recommended this place to him, but after finding out this was Erina and Hisako's restaurant, time had flew by without him catching it. It was already really late, and if he missed the upcoming train, he would have to wait a few hours for the next one.
"Hey Erina, sorry to cut our time short but it looks like I need to head on out now. My train should be arriving in a bit," Sōma said, a bit apologetic.
"Oh… I see," Erina responded. She didn't even notice that he called her by her first name. She was too caught up in the fact that he was leaving so soon. She couldn't even fight the disappointment that escaped her voice.
Emerging from the shadows, and with perfect timing might she add (it wasn't like she was watching them in secret or anything), Hisako approached the table with an empty serving cart, ready to take away their dishes and such.
"Hishoko! You should have joined us sooner you know," Sōma grinned at her, noticing the dutiful aide. "Unfortunately, I got to be going now."
"Hehe, sure. Next time Sōma-kun." Hisako then glanced at Erina and saw the thwarted expression growing on her features. "Do you have to leave so soon?" She asked, knowing her mistress was thinking the same thing.
"Yeah, sorry about that guys. I'll come back, promise! There's a lot more stuff on the menu I need to try," He said grinning at the girls. "But I need to head home and visit the shop. Haven't been there in a long time and my train is coming soon."
"You don't have to catch the train you know," Hisako replied quickly. "I'm sure Erina-sama wouldn't mind getting a ride for you. Right Erina?" The pinkette looked to the blonde and smiled slyly.
"Y-Yes!" Erina piped up. "I-I can get a ride for you, Y-Yukihira-kun…"
"Nah, don't trouble yourselves over me. You girls have a good night, we'll be in touch," Sōma said with ease and made his way out.
He failed to see Erina's outstretched arm… wanting to grab hold of him and keep him there. She looked like a child, having her favorite teddy bear snatched away for misbehaving. That piece of her that she just regained… it was leaving again all too soon.
Her hands slowly lowered, as she watched him saunter out her restaurant just as easily as he came. He didn't even give a proper goodbye! No hug, no nothing! Her chest was twisting in turmoil as she stood there, unsure of what to do.
Hisako watched with much interest as Erina looked to be in a daze, and then deciding to take action, she snapped her fingers in front of the blonde to get her attention.
"Erina-sama, what are you waiting for?"
"H-Huh?" The blonde asked. She wasn't sure what Hisako was alluding to, too caught up in her own thoughts.
"Go after him!"
"W-What!" Erina jerked, a bit surprised at Hisako's boldness. "What are you talking about? There is no way I can do that!"
"You can't just let your significant other just up and leave like that! You didn't even get his number! Go! Go! Go!" Hisako just didn't get it sometimes. Erina knew everything about the cooking world down to the tiny fractions of salt needed to perfect a dish, but she couldn't recognize when something important from her was soon to be gone again. Hell, Sōma had disappeared for a few years! What's to say he wasn't going to disappear again!
"Hisa-" Before Erina could protest, the devoted secretary grabbed hold of her and dragged her outside. Erina also wanted to argue against Hisako's choice of words, calling the red-haired idiot her significant other, but it looked like she would have to have that conversation another day.
Now outside, Hisako located Sōma across the street, waiting at a nearby train station and pushed Erina off in that direction.
The blonde coming to terms with the fact that Hisako had a point, and she seemed to always be the light pointing her in the right direction, hesitantly made her way across the street. Seeing him standing there, bathed in the night light, Erina couldn't help the flutters of butterflies that were dancing in her stomach. This man, he continuously had this affect on her. No other person in the world could invoke these feelings.
It almost felt like a scene right out of one of her beloved novels, where the boy or girl meets up with their crush under a starry night sky. Steeling herself by grabbing the hem of her chef coat, she jogged up to him casually, not trying to look to eager. His train would be arriving any minute now.
"Y-Yukihira-kun!" The food queen called out to him.
Sōma turned and shot Erina a surprised glance.
"N-Nakiri? What's the matter? Did I forget something?"
"Uhh… Eh… N-No, not really…"
"Oh," Sōma said. "Then what's up? It couldn't be you're that desperate for me to fulfill my promise now could it? I told you I would do it another time," He teased.
"N-No!" Erina blushed, completely embarrassed. "J-Jeez, I j-just wanted to say… it was good seeing you again," she mumbled. The blonde looked away as she said those words, unable to look at him.
God this was embarrassing.
Sōma shook his head playfully, and made his way towards Erina so they were practically within a step of each other.
"You're a strange one, running all this way to tell me that" he grinned at her as he said this. "It was good seeing you too. I kind of missed our usual chitchat over the years. I always wondered what you were up to."
Erina reddened. So he was thinking about her! Her heart was doing backflips, completely over the moon at the moment. She wanted to scream "me too," but she fought against it. She wanted to keep her composure, but just the idea of him thinking about her from time to time was causing her legs to grow weak. Knowing he actually cared, it helped to give her the confidence of what she was about to ask next.
"Y-Yukihira-kun… I-If you're free sometime this week…" Erina started. She had to get this out. Who knows when he would be back? If she could secure another meeting with him, maybe she could make sure he was around a lot more. This was her chance! She had to take it. "M-Maybe you and I coul-"
Sōma's phone buzzed once more and he reached into his pocket. Someone was calling him.
"Hold that thought Nakiri, one sec," he said to the blonde. "Hey you!" Sōma answered into the phone, a huge smile plastered on his face. "What's up?"
Erina stood silently as she waited for his phone call to end. A bit annoyed at being interrupted, she then then figured the brief pause would help her calm down and give her the opportunity to ask her question more smoothly.
"Yeah, just got back to Japan…"
…
"I know, I know, I should have told you…"
…
"Cut me some slack will you? Anyways, I'll call you when I get home."
…
"Ok, sounds like a plan." The redhead let out a small chuckle and hung up.
"Sorry about that Nakiri, girlfriends you know. They want to know where you're at, at all times!" He laughed to himself while rubbing the back of his head apologetically. "Now what were you saying?"
At this very current moment, saying that it felt like time had stopped would be too cliché of a phrase. In fact it was more than that. To put into words as best as one could possibly describe, it was as if Medusa herself had risen from her mythological grave and appeared before the blonde; only to cast her wicked gorgon's eye on the little princess and turn her to stone; for now and forever. That's how emotionless and unmoving Tōtsuki's number one became. Completely frozen upon the floor that she stood, as only one word seemed to resonate throughout her entire being.
"G-Girlfriend?" Erina said. Voice completely driven of feeling. She more so repeated it to herself than for Sōma's confirmation.
"Yeah, me right? Who would of guessed?" Sōma said casually. "Never thought someone would actually be interested in me like that."
Girlfriend… Girlfriend… Sōma has a girlfriend… those words replayed in her mind over and over again. Like a song being stuck, and repeating the same phrase for eternity, Erina's brain could not move past the idea of Sōma already being in a relationship.
She heard that damned "G" word like a sick melody sung by bewitching sirens in the night. A word, funnily enough, that she was all too familiar with because of the numerous romance novels she had come to read over the years.
The blonde just couldn't believe the turn of events. One moment, she was jumping for joy, feeling all giddy, and nervous like a young lover. She felt weightless, as if she was walking on the moon with nothing to tie her down. And then next, here she was completely crushed as a familiar dull pang started to beat in her chest. Oh yeah, this feeling... she had grown accustomed to it over the years. She knew it all too well; and it always involved this man.
She said this was a dream earlier right? Scratch that. Today was a nightmare, a sick and twisted nightmare. To dangle the boy of her fantasy in front of her, only to have him wretched away and already taken… why must life be so cruel.
Why was she always the one that's too late… Too late to realize her feelings. Now too late for him…
"Nakiri? You ok?" Sōma asked after seeing the girl freeze up.
"Uh… Y-Yeah," she mumbled.
"So what were you saying again?"
"N-Nothing!" Erina quickly chirped. "A-Anyways… h-have a s-safe trip... Y-Yukihira-kun…" Barely able to control her emotions, stuttering and all, Erina ran off back to her restaurant not even waiting for Sōma to reply. She couldn't chance it. She could already feel tears starting to form and the pain in her chest was nowhere near subsiding.
Sōma made a step to chase after her but stopped after hearing the obnoxious sound of his train approaching. Something was just off. He was concerned over her sudden change in attitude, and wanted to see if she was all right. But he couldn't chance missing his train, and with much deliberation, hopped on. Looking out of window, he saw the blonde was almost near her restaurant and sighed in relief. Hisako would be sure to take care of her he thought, as his train slowly took off towards his destination.
By the time Erina made it back inside the comforts of her own diner, the fragile blonde's cheeks were already soaked in tears. It didn't take Hisako long to notice her mistress in distress and run to her aid.
Pulling Erina into a tight hug, she hushed her soothingly as she rubbed her back. She definitely did not expect this. What happened? So many questions were building up inside of her but she was sure Erina would let her know after calming her down a bit.
Continuing to rub the girl softly, Hisako led Erina to one of their nearby couches in the lounge. She was thankful by this time everyone had gone. She had just bid farewell to Yume, and thus it was only Erina and Hisako now left. She would be damned if someone else saw her mistress like this. She knew Erina wasn't thinking about that now, but in the right sense of mind, she would feel the same if others were around.
Looking up from Hisako's chest and pulling away slightly, Erina wiped her eyes as she started to settle down. Her breathing was still ragged, but the tears for the most part had dried up, and only her eyes and cheeks now remained slightly puffy and red.
"W-Why... why is e-everything s-so u-unfair?"
"Erina-sama..." Hisako started, but she didn't know what to say.
"G-Guess what happened…" Erina asked, sighing irritably. She was hiccuping now, as her tears were slowly subsiding, and she almost sounded sarcastic. She then leant back against the couch, separating somewhat from Hisako. She was a bit ashamed at her own actions, and she casted her gaze towards her hands resting on her lap.
"I don't know, you missed the chance to tell him how you feel?" the pinkette answered.
"Hmph…" Erina cocked her head away, bemused. "Well that too I guess..." She had no idea why she was acting this way towards Hisako. She was frustrated and annoyed, and the last person she would ever want to treat in such a fashion would be her dearest friend.
But right now, Erina was an emotional rollercoaster. And Hisako being one of the most attentive and understanding people in the world knew this; and took everything in stride.
"So what's really the matter Erina-sama?"
Erina played with her fingers as she then decided to look Hisako's way. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened once more after deciding upon speaking again.
"He… He has a girlfriend already…" she said meekly. "I am too late, like always…"
Hisako let her head fall, openly showing her disappointment as well. Though she was a bit confused by Erina's last statement, which caused her to cock her head to the side lightly. Seeing a somewhat perplexed look on her aide, Erina returned the girls confused look before Hisako decided to speak.
"How are you late Erina-sama?"
"W-What do you mean how am I?" Erina puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms defensively. Here she was taking out her anger on Hisako. She couldn't help feeling frustrated. How does her aide not understand her feelings right now?
"I'm late because Yukihira-kun already has a girlfriend! And girlfriends turn into marriage! And marriage turns into… into…"
Hisako put her hands on Erina's shoulders and gave her slight shake, stopping the blonde's tirade. She could already see Erina overworking herself again.
"Erina-sama…" Hisako tried to think of the best way to phrase this. "You do know having a girlfriend is not a permanent thing right?"
"E-Eh?" Erina looked at Hisako stupendously. "I-I thought... you can only have one girlfriend, a-and you're only allowed to marry one person and-"
Hisako shook her head, and gave Erina another small shake.
"Well yes, Erina-sama. You can only have one boyfriend or girlfriend at a time." 'At least in normal relationships,' Hisako added in her mind, but decided that would just complicate things and left that part out from the blonde. "But that does not mean they are permanent. Boyfriends and girlfriends can break-up and find new partners you know…"
"W-What!" Erina practically screamed. "B-But all the novels I read! The boy and the girl! Once they become together, they are forever in love and they get married, and they-"
Hisako stopped her once again, this time completely amused. Clearly Erina didn't read any intense drama filled stories. She should have guessed. The blonde seemed to have only read happy-go-lucky, and simple romance titles. She should have figured though. Now that she thought of it, she couldn't remember one drama filled title she bought for her mistress. This was partly her fault. The pinkette sighed, realizing she was also part to blame for Erina's inability to understand relationship titles and dynamics.
"That is not necessarily true Erina-sama. Yes, someone can find another person, and if they are truly lucky go from simple dating to marriage and so forth. But a lot of times, more often than not, things don't fall into place so easily…"
"S-So… Yukihira-kun is still not out of reach?" The blonde whispered. She was so hesitant to ask. Feeling as if her hopes were once again alive, she didn't want them to be crushed like a few moments ago at the train station. She had thought all hope was lost. That she would forever be alone. Now her aide is telling her, there was still a chance? Her heart was already trying its best to control itself with the fluctuations of emotions. Anything more, and she wouldn't know if she could survive.
She felt like a mess at the moment. She probably looked ugly in Hisako's eyes, sniffling and hiccuping uncontrollably all the while being rude and crass. She was thankful the tears had stopped falling, though the salty taste on her lips was a quick reminder it was not too long ago.
Could she still get him yet? Was this really possible?
"Yes Erina-sama!" The pinkette said and then smiled at her brightly.
"T-Then… what do we do?" Erina asked. She was completely at a loss here. If Sōma was already in a relationship with someone else, wasn't he completely out of her reach now, unless they broke up, like Hisako said.
The dutiful secretary then gave her a devilish look, one that she had not seen before, or thought the girl possessed. "Easy, you just take him for yourself!"
"H-Huh!" Erina's eyes practically flew out of her head. "B-But! He's already in a relationship with someone else! W-We can't!"
Hisako shrugged. "Yes we can. All is fair in love and war Erina-sama," she answered as if that was the perfect answer to all the blonde's future questions.
"I-I have no idea what you mean Hisako," Erina admitted somewhat embarrassed. Even now after all these years, she was still ignorant of the world… It just continued to show how hypocritical she was of people during her younger years. Telling them they knew nothing of fine cuisine while here she was, knowing nothing of everyday matters.
Hisako hugged Erina and looked at her brightly. "It means you have to fight for what you want! You want Sōma-kun… yes?"
Erina blushed at Hisako's directness. "I-I… Umm… I guess so."
"Do you or do you not? Because if you don't, well some other girl is-"
"I do!" Erina cut her off, not wanting to hear about this "other" girl. "I want him!" Reddened lavender eyes, stained by tears, were replaced by a fierce competitive flame of violet.
Hisako's smile broadened.
"Then we're just going to have to get him… now won't we?"
Edit 3.1 3/12/16, 5:52PM
Thanks Kusabi, made the changes hahah. And Yume is the girl from the last chapter. A random character I made up to maintain the receptionist desk. ^_^
Authors Note: Hi all, sorry about taking this long. Been going through some things and I don't know, just couldn't find the time to write. The inspiration was kind of lost and the mood I was in... just wasn't in the mood for writing. However, looks like I got out of that slump... I hope ;p
Also going to respond here to a bunch of IM's I got, specifically two topics that were brought up by numerous people, in case other people had the same questions.
1. To the couple of people who requested a photo of myself, I posted a picture on my profile so that's what I look like. Lol. I never knew people actually wanted to see what their favorite author is in person, but I'm just a regular guy. Not really good at selfies but there you go haha.
2. And to the people asking if I'm alive, well here I am XD. Just going through some stuff. Don't worry. Hehe. I'll try and be more consistent. I really do apologize.
Now to my favorite part; WHOLY $%$#^^$^%$%$^$^%^! Like honestly… Two chapters and over 100+ reviews… I don't even know where to begin. The first chapter was just a setup so technically it was really one chapter… I guess I'll just do what I normally do, and respond to your reviews here. Thank you everyone! You reviews really do inspire me and make me feel truly special. I thank you.
Going to write short replies since it's a ton. If a review needs an in depth reply, then I'll write a bit more? Don't want take up too much. I'll also group similar replies to reviews, to save space. But know I love all of you!
aGoldenLion, The Rendezvous to Affinity, Eramis8, Guest 1, Elemented, LightningDestroyer, Qwer, ChaosOmega8, Unoo, Ken18, OtakuWest, Johnny Walker, Charlie, SomeRandomGuyOntheNet, raydark182, DustDes, syrathia, abhishekbssn, Lord Mortensen, xienrhose3, strikefreedom20a, kevinbudiono001, kensie-kun, Guest2, anzlie, SORINAsoarhigh, aosachi, Forest Gazebo, BoggyGReaper,Synndraval, Thuy Vi, the-clumsy-one, BleachCadelina, glenmcbride272, SilverFangGang, Fiv, Guest3, silverstar456, Songstress Lacus, don2261, LuciferXIII, Mr. Fancycakes, evolvelove, kishoto, KawaiiNeko-chan0, HH, Guest4, Tha Music Guy, FemmeFatale55, syaifer42, Aishitaoru, Frost:
Thank You! Sorry I took so long ;( Just had a lot going on. Please forgive me ^_^ I love you guys! And please know I've read all of your reviews individually. But to save space, I responded like this. Since some of the responses would be pretty much the same. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone or misspelled anyone's name ;(
DemonDamian: It's ok Damian haha. No worries. Late or not, you're still cool hehe And OMG dude! lol. I think it was awesome LMAO. I'm the light now, that brings day? Hahah. Oh lord… must have been dark times then over these past two months LMAO. Sorry for that friend ;)
a.k.a. Kusabi: Thanks once again bud! Appreciate your spellchecks for me!
Cat McHall: Even I don't know how he feels lol. Not sure where I want to go yet.
rl: Thanks for the edit rl! I appreciate when people find errors. I make the changes ASAP!
Maail99: Hehe! And not sure. I have a long plot written, so it will def be longer than Y3.
Saint Danielle: Thanks Danielle! Always appreciate your feedback! Glad you liked that tidbit with Alice and Kuro.
Theblackbird123: I'm glad it touched you! I was hoping to get some reaction from at least some of my readers there. And I'm sorry for the wait. I do apologize :(
MJJK46: Of course! Every reviewer is special to me. And I want to let them know, I have read every review, and thank them for their support.
Sorina: Make an account! And tell me! LMAO. And I know. Sorry to keep you waiting! Just a lot happening atm. Wait so you have an account? LMAO. You must tell me hehe. This suspense lol.
Soul Puker: Maybe in a future chapter. Wanted to focus on Sorina on this one hehe.
Gokai Red: LMAO. Sorry, not in this one lol. Got to have one for all ages ;p
Stygian Hazard: You're very perceptive hehe. I won't reveal anything! ;)
Renu: Lol, I'd love to see if youre predictions come true.
Ridwan-Sama: Haha. Your reactions are priceless ;)
masteriketwist: I could potentially do one. Who knows? And OMG! I was hoping for a more special/tailored-to-her reveal. But at least Erina is still shocked. I want to see how she deals with it.
Laura Rose: Hahah. I finally got around to updating! Thanks for keeping my spirits high while I was down. Really appreciated your support Rose. Your story always made me smile and you're a great friend too! Laureneeeeee hehe ;)
SsinofRoses: Thank you! I feel really special. Don't really know what to say haha. Guess I need to get used to being called these positive adjectives lol. And I'm sorry for the wait ;(