Chapter 14: Guest Lecture

"Nakiri-sama, do you mind if I ask you something?"

Erina looks up. She'd just finished a guest lecture Hayama had requested of her – seventy-five minutes of her demonstrating the importance of wine pairings – and was now packing up her knives and cooking utensils. Most of the students had already cleared the cooking stations and headed for their next class, however, Kinokuni Emi, the current first seat of the elite ten and Erina's favorite student, had waited behind and seemed to have something very important to ask her.

Erina straightens up, placing her knives back down on the counter and wiping her hands against her whites. "Of course. What is it?"

Emi pauses for a moment, seemingly hesitant as to whether she really wants to ask whatever she initially proposed, however, after only a couple seconds, her expression sets with determination, and the young woman soldiers on. "You and Yukihira-sama… you started dating halfway through high school. When you around my age, correct?"

Erina frowns and stands up a bit straighter. "Emi, is it really appropriate to be asking me something like that?"

Emi falters for a moment. "Apologies Nakiri-sama," she quickly murmurs, her voice much quieter than before, "it's just… I was hoping you could give me some advice… about Kudo. I don't think anyone could understand better than you." At this, Erina's frown morphs into a curious expression. As headmistress of Totsuki, Erina does her absolute best to support her students – both personally and professionally – therefore, she is aware of the budding romance developing between Emi and Higashi Kudo, the current second seat. Much like Soma, Kudo comes from a humble family restaurant and has a bit of a wild streak. And similar to Erina herself, Emi comes from a well-renowned family, the same family as Isshiki's wife Nene in fact, and has a reputation for having a stick up her ass.

"This is about Kudo?" Erina repeats, and Emi nods in conformation. "I see," Erina mutters. Honestly, between Shinomiya and Hinako, Rindo and Tsukasa, Ishiki and Nene, Erina and Soma, and now Emi and Kudo, Totsuki history really did seem to have a habit of repeating itself.

Erina breathes a small sigh. Giving relationship advice to teenagers certainly wasn't on today's itinerary. As headmistress, providing guidance to her students did have its limits. However, on a much more personal level, Erina had grown rather fond of Emi, so she doesn't mind answering a few questions. "What is it you would like to ask?"

Emi looks down for several moments and a slight blush paints her cheeks. "It's just… how did you know Yukihira-sama was the one?"

Erina tilts her head. As much as she hated it, many of the major events of her high school years had evolved into Totsuki legend; her father's takeover, the events at BLUE, even Soma's damn entrance speech, all of it had become well known and heavily exaggerated Totsuki lore. With that in mind, Emi must also know the rather infamous story of how the ice queen fell hard for the chef of the commons.

Sensing Erina's confusion, Emi elaborates. "I'm… scared," the young woman confesses. "Since Kudo came into my life… I've changed. For as long as I can remember, cooking has been my everything. But lately, it hasn't been like that anymore. I'm less focused, more preoccupied… But I'm…"

"Happier?" Erina guesses. Emi nods. Erina takes a moment to think before answering. "When Yukihira-kun came into my life, I was a bit lost," the headmistress begins. "Much like you, I didn't know anything outside of cooking and food. But that changed when I met Yukihira-kun." Erina grimaces slightly. "You must have heard a lot of the stories of when Yukihira and I were in high school," Erina prompts, and Emi nods.

"I have heard them," the current first seat confirms, "and it does make sense. It's just… how did you know it was right?"

Erina considers the question. "Based on the stories, I think a lot of people believe that the reason I fell in love with Yui… with Soma is because he made me love cooking again. But honestly, that's not all of it." Emi raises her eyebrows and looks at Erina curiously. "There are… quite a few aspects about myself I once hated," Erina admits. "Coming from families like ours gives us a certain pedigree. However, that doesn't mean we are without flaws and insecurities. Of course one of the reasons I love Soma is because he helped me rediscover my love for cooking. But more than anything, Soma made me believe that maybe I didn't have to hate those parts of myself." She nods, and a small smile comes over her face. "Meeting someone who accepts you for who you are, flaws and all, is the foundation of a strong relationship. But meeting someone who inspires you to accept your own flaws is something that is incredibly rare and incredibly special. That's how I knew that Soma and I were 'right.'"

Emi just stares at Erina for several moments, processing what she'd said. "You and Kudo," Erina says, turning her attention back to the young woman standing before her, "I've been watching the two of you since you entered the academy, and you two really do bring out the best in each other. I know love is… hard. It's terrifying, overwhelming, and exhausting. But when it's right, it pushes you to be a better person, and it teaches you to love yourself in ways you'd never even considered. So if Kudo is that person for you, then I think you should take that chance. If not for love, for yourself."

Emi nods her head, still processing everything Erina had said. "I understand," she eventually says. "Thank you, I…" but the words are cut short when the door to the classroom suddenly slides open. Speak of the devil.

"There you are!" Higashi Kudo exclaims, rushing into the classroom with unfiltered excitement lighting up his face. "I've been looking for you! There's this food stall in…!" but his voice trails off when his eyes fall on Erina. "Nakiri-sama," he says, bowing slightly. "Sorry for barging in - I didn't realize you were here."

Erina nods back. "No need to apologize, your classmate was just asking me some questions." She glances back at Emi. "I believe we're pretty much finished up here though?"

Emi nods. "We are," she confirms, before turning her attention to Kudo. "What is it?"

"There's this new food stand just outside of campus that's selling tacos!" Kudo exclaims, the excitement returning to his face. "They're supposed to be great. Let's go try them!"

"Now?" Emi asks incredulously. "Did you forget we have class in thirty minutes?"

"If we take my bike, we can be there and back again in twenty minutes," Kudo answers. "Come on, I know you haven't had lunch yet."

"You know I hate that death-trap," Emi mutters half-heartedly. "Besides, even with your bike, we won't have enough time to eat."

A small smile graces Erina's features. "You could take my car." Both teenagers look over at her in surprise. "I have another guest lecture today, so I won't be leaving campus anytime soon," she quickly explains. "My driver is waiting just outside – if you want, I can have him take you to the food stand and bring you right back. Just try not to make a mess in the back seats; tacos can be a difficult to eat."

The two teenagers stare at Erina, then at each other, then Erina again. "That would work," Emi says tentatively. "As long as you're really…"

"That would be amazing!" Kudo interrupts her. "Seriously Nakiri-sama, you're the best!" This earns him a glare from Emi, but he either doesn't notice or chooses to ignore her.

Erina's smile grows, and her hand slips into her pocket for her phone. "Of course," she responds. "Go on. My driver will be waiting."

"Thank you so much Nakiri-sama!" Kudo says, a huge smile stretching across his face. Not needing to be told twice, he grabs Emi by the hand and begins dragging her towards the exit. Emi immediately starts scolding Kudo, telling him how he should have texted her, how he should have planned it before hand, how lucky they are Erina was there and willing to offer her chauffeur to satisfy his random impulses. But as the two step out into the hallway, Erina sees their hands shift and their fingers interlock.

Still smiling fondly, Erina dials her driver and raises her phone to her ear. "Erina-chan?" her chauffeur answers after only a single ring. "What can I do for you?"

"Hello Ming. Two of my students should be down in a couple minutes," she answers. "I've given them permission to take the car, so just follow their directions and take them to wherever they wish to go."

"Are those two students Kinokuni-chan and Higashi-kun?"

Erina can hear the annoying smirk in the man's voice. "Perhaps."

"You really are too easy on those two," Ming says, his tone only growing more annoying.

"You sound like Hisako."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Just in case, what would you like me to do in case Kudo doesn't wish to come straight back to campus?"

Erina thinks for a moment before answering. "Then you may humor him."

"Erina-chan…"

"Those two can afford to miss one lecture," Erina quickly defends. "Besides, for those two in particular, they can learn a lot more from outside the classroom than within it."

"Are you sure you aren't just giving them special treatment because they remind you of Soma-kun and yourself?"

Erina reaches up and brushes a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I never said I wasn't, but Totsuki has always given special treatment to its top students. Besides, it's not like I'm excusing them for cutting class. I just know from experience that some of the most important lessons can't be learned from textbooks and lectures."

Hearing this, Ming lets out a small laugh. "You really have become a wonderful headmistress," he tells her fondly. "I'll contact Sook in case I can't make it back to take you home."

"Thank you, Ming," Erina says, "and make sure Kudo stays out of trouble."

"Of course."

Author's note: Hi everyone! Jesus it's been a while. Between work, school, and life in general, I haven't had a lot of time to think about this story, but since writing is something I genuinely enjoy I'm going to try and get back into this. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Having Erina give relationship advice isn't something I ever thought I'd write, but I think it was pretty solid. Loving the right person really does teach you to love yourself, and having Erina wingman for Emi was just the icing on the cake ;). Anyway, hope everyone is staying safe out there and I'll see you all next time!