Soma puts down his knife, tired of testing recipes and cooking for hours, he looks at the clock.
Soma: Crap, I forgot to attend my other classes.
He begins to panic and sweat nervously then he remembers, "Wait, dad said he skipped multiple classes in back in the day and he was still the 2nd seat, I guess I'll be fine.", he chuckles.
Soma: I just hope Nakiri doesn't know about this after helping me get to class. Well, better get back to cooking.
A few more hours pass and Soma is done, sweat dripping from his face, he's standing against the counter and looks at his reflection on an empty plate, tired, restless, breathing heavily. He packs up and prepares to go to Erina. While walking down the hallway, he sees Hisako, "Yo Hisako, I'm going to Nakiri's office like I said, you should come, I prepared a lot.". She sighs at him.
Hisako: Why were you absent from your classes today?
Soma: MOST of my classes, I did attend my 1st class, then I sort of started testing recipes, I guess I forgot about the time cause when I looked at the clock, I missed all of them already, don't worry it's going to be worth it, she'll finally admit my cooking is good.
Hisako takes a good look at the boy, clothes covered in sweat and his body is slightly shaking. She begins to worry about him, she pulls out a thermos from her bag and gives it to Soma.
Hisako: Drink this, it's the same tea I gave you during the Regime de Cuisine, this will give you energy and revitalize you.
Soma: Thanks for the thought but I don't—
He is stopped when she gives a glare reminiscent of Erina's.
"Of all the things she could have picked up from her, she chose her intimidating glare.", Soma thought. He reached to grab the tea.
Soma: I guess I'm taking this after all. *laughs nervously*
Hisako smiles at him, "Then I'll be going, I have to attend something, good luck with Erina-sama.", she stated with a double meaning, hoping he could understand what she meant.
Soma: Don't worry and thanks.
He arrives at her office, he knocks on the door waiting for a response. He hears "Come in." and opens the door. Erina is now glaring at him and he doesn't even know why. She stands up from her chair and pinches his cheeks. "What is this I hear about a certain Elite Ten Member not attending his classes the entire day?"
Soma: We-well I j-just forgot about the time. I mean I did make this really good dish, look. And I wanted to focus on cooking to finally make you say it.
Erina: That will normally make me consider expelling a student *releases his cheeks*, but it's you so I guess I have to overlook it.
"Thanks Nakiri, I owe you one. Now to set these up so I can hear the magic word."
"Dream on diner boy."
Soma: Really need to call me that? *sighs* Well that's what makes you you I guess.
Soma sees the stacks of papers piled up on her desk.
Soma: Wow Nakiri, you have a lot going on.
Erina: Well it is to be expected, I am the headmistress.
Soma: Do you even have time to relax?
Erina: I have no need to relax, besides I don't have the time.
Soma looks at her, an idea pops in his mind then grabs her hand and drags her out of her office.
Erina: Yu-Yukihira what do you think you are doing?
Soma: Let's have a picnic somewhere so you can relax for a little bit, I know how hard doing paperwork is, I only do a few and I already get tired.
Erina: Your situation is different compared to mine! Let me go Yukihira!
She flails her arm for him to let go to no avail.
Soma: You deserve a break Nakiri, you're still the same age as me so no need to act adult-like, and at this rate you might get wrinkles on your face and don't want that now do we? So, I'm taking you out.
"He's taking me out? Like a date? No, no. He clearly said a picnic. Well I suppose I needed a little breather."
Erina: Okay, but just for a couple of minutes.
Soma: Sure, it'll be quick.
They arrive at a field filled with cherry blossom trees with a perfect view of the setting sun.
Soma sets everything up and tells Erina to sit down.
Soma: Remember this place, the day I declared to Totsuki I would use everyone as a stepping stone to improve my cooking.
Erina: I remember, you were so confident back then, and you became more confident now.
Soma: Duh, look, I'm now the 1st seat and all.
Erina: Because I allowed it to happen, don't think just because you're the 1st seat you're the best in the entire school because you are not.
Soma: Yeah yeah, your majesty.
Soma grabs the food and gives it to Erina while kneeling on one knee.
Soma: May you find this dish to your liking, your majesty.
Erina laughs at his antic, "Thank you for serving the dish, I shall now grace thee by savouring its flavour, then I shall give my verdict.", she went along.
Erina takes a bite.
For a moment, she fell silent, it was so quiet between them that he could hear the trees dancing with the wind and his heart beating loudly, him hoping that she doesn't hear it. He studies her face, her eyes closed, she continues eating his dish in silence and after a few minutes, she puts the plate down and she looks down without giving him a look.
She becomes a child and opens her eyes to the world pitch dark. She walks alone while the frightful rain doesn't stop, the heavens continue to cry as she does too. She sees an old house and seeks refuge in it. She becomes scared of the roaring thunder as it becomes louder and louder. She becomes scared of the lightning as it strikes the ground and fears of getting hit next. She becomes scared of the wind as it might take her away to an unfamiliar place, never to return. She exists alone in this world for years, she then becomes accustomed, she becomes used to the cold world she is in, the environment has made her
Empty
Until she saw a young boy walking courageously across the chaos of the world and towards her, he lets himself in and takes her hand, this is a first for the girl and she becomes anxious but as soon as they step outside.
The dark crying skies are replaced by the dusk sky, the sunset shining on them as she witnesses the cherry blossom trees dance with the wind, for the first time, the world looked beautiful for her. He made her sit beside him as they gaze upon the horizon..
The sunlight welcomed me
You're the dream to my nightmares
In my beating heart
I'll hold unto my dream, unto you
When a calming smile holds my hand
I feel something in my heart
You're my happy story
You found me wishing for a dream.
Closing her eyes, tears falling down her face, looking down as she smiles in the blissful warmth she never knew existed. A hand reaches her and wipes away her tears.
"Beautiful", she heard the boy. He holds her hand on lying on the ground as the boy starts talking,
"Nakiri", he repeats her name again and again.
Nakiri, Nakiri Nakiri
"OY NAKIRI!"
Erina looks around and sees Soma holding her shoulders with a worried expression on his face.
Erina baffled: Yukihira, why do you look worried?
Soma: You, why are you crying? I've been calling your name again and again
Erina puts her hand on her face as she notices there are indeed tears, "But, when? Why?"
Soma still looks at her worried: I don't know, when you put the plate down, tears ran down your face, I tried getting your attention but you wouldn't even look at me.
Erina sniffs: I'm sorry for worrying you Yukihira. And this dish, it's d—
Before she can continue, Soma cuts her off.
Soma looks at the setting sun: You don't need to say it, it's okay. Let's forget that for now.
He looks back at her. She can't understand his expression, sad? Worried? Hurt?
Soma: Are… you okay?
Erina looks at him warmly: I'm okay.
Soma: Are you sure?
Erina: I am.
Soma: Then why did you cry? Anything you want to share?
Erina: I-I…. I don't know, just….. reminded of something.
Soma looks at her apologetically: I'm sorry.
Erina looks surprised: Why?
Soma: You seemed fine until you ate my food, I saw your tears fall, I couldn't see your face when you looked down, but I don't want to see you cry, I don't want to hurt you like that, I don't want to make something that will make you cry. I'm sorry.
Erina was at a loss for words at what he said, she didn't hurt her, but she felt something unfamiliar
Soma: I'm sorry Nakiri.
Erina: I said it's okay,
Soma smiles: Next time then, although it is kind of tiring at this point. *chuckles*
Erina laughs: So this picnic is really just a way for you to get some rest? *insert joking tone*
Soma laughs: Who knows?
Erina laughs at his response.
"Since we're taking a short break, anything you want to talk about?", Soma asked.
Erina wonders what to talk about, "Last time, you asked me what I want to do in the future, right? So what about you Yukihira?"
He looks at the skies, "Honestly, I don't know, I'm kind of lost on what I want to do, I know I want to run the restaurant, but I don't know if I can and I don't know what to do until then."
Erina looks at the troubled boy, she puts her hand on his shoulder trying to reassure him, "Then until you find out what to do, I'll be here for you, and even if you do find something, I'll still be here." She smiles at him warmly.
Soma grabs her hand on his shoulder as he lays them both on the ground, "Thank you."
Erina looks at their intertwined hands on the ground, but smiles at the gesture, they look at each other. Dyed red by the evenfall, it's as if he witnessed a flower that fully blossomed.
"Beautiful.", Soma whispered.
Erina blushes at his comment. They continue to talk until Erina notices that It was already night time.
Erina: YUKIHIRA! THE TIME! LOOK AT THE TIME! WE NEED TO HEAD BACK!
Soma: WHAT! WHEN DID THE SKY BECOME BLACK! HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN HERE?
After what he said, they stand up and notices they were holding each other's hands the whole time. Soma quickly pulls out his hand, "So-sorry about that, and sorry for earlier."
Erina: N-no it's fine, and I told you it's okay.
If only Soma saw Erina's face.
Soma in his mind, "No, it's not, I don't want to see you cry, I don't want to hurt you."
Soma: Next time then, hopefully.
Erina: Sure, next time. Let's go.
This time Soma is the one being dragged by Erina.
They arrive at Erina's office.
Erina: Thank you for today Yukihira.
Soma: No problem *smiles*
Soma's smile then fades away, "Sorry about earlier, I'll try again next time don't worry."
Erina felt concerned for the boy, his last statement doesn't have soul, his eyes lacked determination.
Erina: I already said it is okay Yukihira. And…
There was a long pause until she finally speaks again.
Erina: And…. Take care, I hope you can make a better dish next time.
Soma smiles and pats her head. He begins walking away and as he hears the door close.
He repeats in his mind what she said, "Better dish next time."
Soma continues to walk back to his dorm under the night sky, he keeps repeating her words in his mind. He shakes his head and said to himself, "I don't know anymore, I need to keep going, even if I can't see where I'm going, I need to keep going forward, but
.
.
.
.
.
.
I'm tired."
Hey how's it goin? This new chapter hope you like it. Kind of stuck writing the next chapters but i'll try to finish them properly. Stay safe :)