Morning at the Nakiri Mansion

Erina, Hisako, Alice, and Ryo are having breakfast.

Alice: Finally, a week off, we can just relax and have fun, what do you think Ryo?

Ryo lazily answers, "Yes."

Alice: At least sound a little bit happy, after all I have the perfect idea for next week, and don't think you are not coming Erina, because you are and that is final.

Erina: I don't even know of your plans yet here you are trying to make me come along. Maybe you forgot but I am the headmistress and I am needed here at Totsuki, so I would decline whatever you have in mind.

Alice: But we are not involved in those activities next week Erina, besides, I think you need this, after all that has happened.

Hisako: Normally I would be against Alice-sama, but she does have a point Erina-sama, you need to unwind and relax.

Erina looks at Hisako and Alice with an exasperated face, "I suppose I can tag along as long as this is "relaxing" and won't come back to bite me on the butt."

Alice with a mischievous look, "But of course my sweet, precious, innocent cousin. I know of what to do for you to calm your nerves."

Erina looks at her with a suspicious look but just sighs, "Okay, then if you will excuse me, I'm leaving, my class starts in a few minutes.", as she leaves the table with Hisako following her. They enter the car as they head to class. A few minutes later, Erina sees Yukihira running and orders to stop the car. She steps out and Soma stops upon seeing her.

Soma: Yo Nakiri, love to chat but I really need to get going I forgot my first class is so damn early.

Erina just grabs Soma's hand without warning and with a stern look she says, "Get in."

Soma: But—

Erina: GET IN!

Soma could have sworn his eardrums exploded after being screamed at, he gets in after being forced by Erina.

Soma: Thanks for the lift, Nakiri. Why did you want me here by the way?

Erina: As the first seat, you are expected to be punctual and organized. I would not have the first seat be late for his class.

Soma: Aww, you do care. So how do you know that I'm running to get to my class, who knows maybe I just wanna have a jog?

Erina: First, I know your schedule, second, I care for all my students, third, who jogs in their uniform?

Soma: So you care about every student?

Erina: Naturally, as the headmistress.

Soma: So I guess you know everyone's schedule then. *grins*

Erina looks surprised at him surprised and slightly blushes at his remark. She tries to compose herself and responds, "I do not, I just thought about any logical reason why someone is trying to run faster than the Flash.", she smiles confidently and compliments herself internally, "Good job Erina, your quick thinking saves you again."

Soma: Could have just said I don't want you to be late because you're my friend.

Erina closes her eyes and responds coldly, "Friend?"

Soma: Come on Nakiri, aren't we friends by now, we've been through a lot together.

Erina: I suppose we are, but back to the point, I will not have my 1st seat be late.

Soma slowly moves his face closer to Erina's, Erina becomes flustered and blushes, the now-forgotten Hisako just looks at the two excitedly wondering what will happen next. Erina mutters, "Wh-what do you think you are doing?"

"Since when were you possessive, Nakiri?", Soma said in a low voice.

"What… do you…. mean?", Erina's utters the words slowly and nervously.

"MY 1st seat?", Soma responded with a smirk

"I-I meant the-the current administration's, MY administration's current 1st seat. And would you please move away from me.", she pushes Soma and he loses his balance and Hisako supports him.

"Thanks for that Hisako", said Soma and smile at her.

"No problem.", said Hisako then smiles back at him.

"At least one person in this car ACTUALLY CARES for me.", Soma said with an emphasis then pats Hisako on her head.

Erina looks at them and she can't help feel annoyed at the sight, she begins to give off an intimidating dark aura that Soma can't feel but Hisako certainly does.

"I'm doomed.", Hisako said in her mind as she just smiles looking at the window to avoid her friend's gaze.

Soma somehow felt the atmosphere become heavy, "I guess they both didn't want me here, well this is what I get for forgetting to fill up my motorcycle on gas."

"Hey Nakiri, since I'm here anyway, I'm telling you now that I will drop by later.", Soma said.

"What business do you have with me Yukihira.", she responded while looking outside.

"Duh, a rematch.", Soma said.

"Do you honestly think you can impress me?", she finally looks and glares at him.

"I don't think I can.", he responded looking down.

She looks at him with concern but is surprised when he looked at her with a smile.

"I know I can.", Soma said confidently.

She is surprised but she is glad he is looking good now.

"Prove it then Yukihira, prove it to me your cooking is good.", she said to Yukihira with the secret intention of encouraging him.

"Of course, MY headmistress.", Soma responded.

Erina then goes back to looking at the window, "Is the aircon working, why do I feel like I'm heating up?"

They arrive at the school, Hisako enters her class first, Soma and Erina walk toward their rooms.

Erina: This is my class, see you later.

Soma: Yeah, see ya. *wink*

Soma puts his hand up for a fist bump. Erina just looks at him.

Soma: Come on, we're friends right?

Erina sighs and bumps fist with him.

Soma runs to his class as Erina finds a seat for her class, she sees an empty seat and falls down. "That man is really bad for me.", as her heart suddenly beats faster. "But looking at him today, it seems like whatever problems he has, I think has disappeared now.", she smiles at the thought as her class begins.

Soma enters his classroom with a few seconds to spare and sits goes to seat on an empty seat. Classes begin and as expected he doesn't listen. He brings out his notebook and checks what he will be making later, his cheerful and energetic attitude earlier disappears, being replaced by a serious yet weary look.

"Every day and every night, ever since that contest I've been trying, pops said there are multiple answers to cooking yet not a single one comes to mind when I try for her, honestly I'm getting tired and honestly I don't know if I can, but seeing her keeps me going for some reason."

He sighs as he puts back his notebook and surprisingly starts listening to the professor.

"And one more thing class, since the 1st years are to have a few activities next week, you won't have classes and your poems are to be submitted after the semester, what I am after is honesty in your poems, even if it's a free verse. Clear? Dismissed.". Soma starts packing his stuff.

Soma: Nice more time to cook and more time to challenge Nakiri. Let's get started.

Hope you enjoy the fanfic, stay safe :)