Classique

by Zancrowe

{Soma / Erina} As rival schools attempt to crush Tootsuki in the biggest Tournament Arc; Azami finally attempts to retake control of his daughter; while Asahi decides it's time to usurp the Nakiri Throne from that very heiress. Only problem? Erina's boyfriend. [ft. Asahi/OC; OC/Nao; Ryou/Alice; Isshi/Nene; Taku/Hisa; Akira/Megu] ((38: Finals! Unlimited Cross Knives))

15. Love Like Chocolate

Rating: T+

Pairing: Soma/Erina

Genre: Romance; Drama; Hurt/Comfort; Shonen; Slight Mature Themes

Notes:

Hey Everyone! Zancrowe Here!

Terribly sorry about the massive delay with this Chapter. With every passing one I find it harder and harder to get this story just right. I keep going back and forth and rewriting and editing scenes so they work as best as I can manage. Let's hope this is good enough at least. As always, thank you all for the feedback, and let's see if I can get the next chapter posted properly this time, at around the end of March.

Also! If you have not yet given it a read, I also posted a One-Shot Collection connected to the world of "Nouvelle" and "Classique", tilted "Something Borrowed". Give it a read if you want more "Shokugeki no Soma" goodness!

Disclaimer: Don't own Shokugeki no Soma.

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"Soma?" Asahi voiced as soon as he stepped out of the princess' bedroom, his tone clearly indicating his surprise at finding Jouichirou's son inside the manor, especially after all the commotion that had been going on. The boy seemed to be just as unpredictable as he prided himself to be.

"…Asahi," Soma said as he saw Azami's elder son before him, stepping right out of Erina's bedroom, before the elder boy softly closed the door behind him. Soma couldn't quite hide the surprise in his expression, as he had not expected to find Asahi here, of all places. Especially since how his father's words echoed inside his head, the warning currently waving red flags all around him.

"My, I wouldn't have imagined you to be of the "sneaking in" sort of guy," Asahi commented with a little grin. "How very naughty. I sure hope these habits off yours haven't started to rub off on my precious, innocent little sister now," Asahi added in a tone much closer to how he usually spoke to him. Jovial, with just the tiniest hint of sarcasm. Soma usually played it off, but right now, it just didn't sit right with him.

"She can handle herself quite fine," Soma merely countered, trying to keep his tone in check, but he did come off a little dryer than usual. And given how Asahi's eyes narrowed slightly at the response, the Noir definitely noticed. "…Erina is not the type of girl who'd be so easily influenced by anyone. If anything, she's the influential one of the relationship."

"My, what a strange choice of words," Asahi noted, and Soma looked on. With each word, Asahi seemed to be dropping his friendly tone bit by bit.

"If you say so," Soma replied, before he began to walk forwards to the door. "If you'll give me a sec, Asahi, I kinda need to speak to Erina and make sure she's alright…" Soma added, before he paused. Or rather, was stopped, as Asahi's hand found itself on Soma's shoulder, a firm grip holding him in place. Soma did not like the implication at all. "…Asahi."

"Soma," Asahi replied, mimicking the younger boy's tone perfectly. "I feel that, as the ever-protective elder brother, I can't just let you waltz your way into a lady's room just like that."

"I feel that's something she can decide for herself," Soma shot back, his eyes on Asahi's. Both boys stared each other down for a moment, before Asahi loosened his grip and proceeded to pat Soma on the shoulder, as if they were back on friendly terms.

"Too true," Asahi noted. "But I still can't let you go in there. Sorry bud."

"I really don't want to enter into an argument with you," Soma warned, or at least, it came too close to sounding to a warning from the usual carefree young man. Asahi just grinned.

"Your call in the end," Asahi responded. "But I still won't let you go in."

"And why?" Soma asked, his focus on trying not to clench his fists. Asahi was right about one thing though, he wasn't really supposed to be here, so any arguments between the two would probably just alert someone, most worrisome Mana Nakiri herself, and get him kicked out. But, Asahi's insistence of intervening now, of all times, was beginning to worry Soma quite a bit. What had he just been doing in her room just now to merit…?

"Oh, cause she's taking a bath!" Asahi gleefully explained, and it took the wind right out of Soma's build-up tension,

"Ah… Oh," Soma muttered, surprisingly a bit embarrassed. That would make sense. So, after forcing himself to swallow his automatic response of "well, I've been in the shower with her before", since he'd rather not go there, for her sake and probably for his own as well, Soma did add, "Why didn't you just tell me that from the start?"

"I like messing with you!" Asahi replied, all smiles, and Soma noted that, yeah, he probably didn't like this guy much after all.

"…Right," Soma voiced, "I'll just wait out here then. Text her to tell me once she's good and ready."

"Having said that," Asahi added, and Soma turned, eyes on the elder brother once more. "You really shouldn't be here at all. After all the trouble you've caused, I think my little sister wouldn't really want to see you right now, naked or otherwise."

"Don't talk about her that way," Soma shot back, eyes narrowed. "And, listen man, I know you and I have had a rocky start and all that, but I thought we were past all that. You know what I said and why I said it, plus Erina's my girlfriend, so I just want to make sure she's okay. If she wants space, she knows she just needs to say it and I'm gone."

"My, how mature," Asahi praised, even if it clearly did not sound at all like praise to Soma. "But, you seem to be behind the times, my dear former-would-be-brother-in-law."

"What are you-?"

Asahi then just extended his arm, with his phone's screen facing Soma, as the boy couldn't help but read the conversation on it and have his eyes widen as a result. "I'm just being the bearer of bad news it seems," Asahi told him, smile ever present. "My little sister clearly told me, in her own words, that it would seem her relationship with you has ended. Or, as this read, that you and her had broken things off," Asahi explained, to an increasingly shocked Soma. "So, as the ever-protective elder brother, I feel it is my job to make sure you don't keep hurting her with this on-again, off-again joke of a relationship you two seem to have going on. She needs to focus of saving this school, her very home, which all was made possible thanks to you in the first place."

"Asahi…"

"Don't blame me kid," Asahi said. "I've had my share of failed relationships, so I'm not saying you meant to mess up that badly, but some things are better off if you nip them in the bud quickly. If you love them let them go and all that."

"Erina doesn't need someone to be a mouthpiece for her," Soma countered, now glaring. Asahi seemed unaffected.

"And yet, everything got worse when you had to open your mouth and reveal her problems to the whole world," Asahi shot back. "Why was that okay, and yet this, in your eyes, is me being unreasonable. I'm doing what any sibling would. Keep the bad influence away, especially when she's in such a vulnerable state."

"Bad influences away?" Soma couldn't help but raise his voice a bit. "I left her with you back at the resort so that you two could catch up, and then when I go pick her up, you drove her right into Azami's grasp. All that led to that damn dinner, where I didn't see you stick up for her even once. I don't care if I messed up or not in your eyes, my only concern is her, and I'm not just going to take your word for what she has to say. She thinks we broke things off? Well, we haven't yet, and until she tells me so, personally, she's still my girlfriend, and not even you can stop me from seeing her. Or your father."

"Quite the cocky guy, eh?" Asahi voiced, his eyes flashing something Soma did not like. "But all this arguing will get us nowhere," Asahi added, as he took hold of one of the pouches in his trademark belt. With an effortless pull, Asahi brandished out a knife, smile still in place. "Care to prove your worth then? Prove me wrong?"

"Prove…?"

"Father says you are a horrible influence of Erina," Asahi explained. "And, unfortunately, I am starting to agree with that notion. She's getting sloppy, her focus not at all on the things that really matter, like family and this academy. Instead, she has to juggle all of that and her misaimed affections to you. So… prove me wrong. Show me, that when the time comes and you have to stand by her side and battle to keep this school open, you won't just drag her down."

"This is about her wellbeing!" Soma shot back, now clearly mad. "Not everything about Erina revolves around her skills as a cook or her God's Tongue. I'm sorry Asahi, but I'm not going to bet anything that has to do with Erina on any dumb Shokugeki as if she's some sort of prize."

"Dumb Shokugeki huh?" Asahi noted with a grin. "Far from it. This wouldn't be an ordinary match, not even an official Shokugeki, no Soma, this would be something far greater," Asahi added. "This would be me putting you in your place, letting you know just how out of your depth you really are. So, either put up or shut up. Duel with me, or I'll just call security, and trust me, out of us both, only one of us had the clearance to even be here to begin with."

At this Soma could only glare, wondering just how he could have gotten things so right at first, and yet, so wrong at the same time. Asahi Saiba was not someone he could just ignore anymore, come what may.

-0-

It was logical, he supposed, that they would settle things this way, in the end. Soma and Asahi found themselves in the Nakiri kitchen, well, in one of them, standing on opposite ends. Soma was wrestling with his emotions, a mix of concern for Erina, worry for what Asahi could have told her or done, and, despite himself, disappointed that the guy seemed to have been outright faking everything from the start. Was he really just like the others, only concerned for what Erina could do for them, and not for the girl herself? How he hated this whole situation.

Asahi, for his part, looked perfectly calm. He carefully took out all the equipment they would need, as he set everything up for the two to use. Despite his calm demeanor, he was still surprised he had to act this quickly against Soma. He had honestly not expected the boy to just crash in, so to speak, and with Erina currently at her most vulnerable, he couldn't quite let her get sidetracked with high school relationship woes. He had already seen how tough an opponent Dove was. Erina would just get crushed by her again, and if so, all his plans would go down the drain. And he promised himself he'd polish her even if he had to break her. And if breaking her meant removing Soma Yukihira from the equation, then so be it.

"I don't think I have to explain how a Shokugeki works to you, right?" Asahi asked, the sarcasm in full display.

"I am not betting Erina in this," Soma clarified, his arms crossed, eyes still on that glare that Asahi found utterly amusing. Boy was a lot more intense that Asahi had given him credit for. "You want a match, that's fine, I'll take you on. But I'm still seeing her, no matter what."

"Oh, now that I did not expect you to say…" Asahi noted, his eyes on Soma's.

"What?" Soma shot back, "Surprised someone actually sees Erina as something that's not an object to be possessed?"

"Not that you cheeky guy," Asahi replied, his grip on his knife tightening. "That you actually implied that you're not sure you can actually win this."

At that comment Soma felt his eye twitch. "I didn't mean it like that," Soma defended, feeling aggravated with each word this guy said. "I just meant I'm not betting my being with her on this match, or any at that."

"That kinda takes the fun out of it," Asahi noted, pouting. Soma wanted to smack him. "…But, I know I can't just force you to agree to my terms. I mean, I could just say, you win and I let you go see her, after she's dressed of course; but if you lose, I call security, and they… escort you out, but it seems you are not fond of me describing it like that. Makes it sound like I consider Erina an… object was it?"

"What else does it sound like?" Soma flatly asked.

"Perhaps…" Asahi noted, before he shifted his gaze from Soma to his equipment, as a small smile fell on his lips. "Maybe we can do a proper wager then, one we're we bet actual objects, would that be better?"

"Objects?" Soma repeated, confused, but refusing to trust this guy at all. "What would you even want, or for that matter, I don't want anything from you."

"How about my phone?" Asahi offered, and Soma's eyes widened.

"…Dude, it's a nice phone and all, but I've never been all that concerned with materials stuff," Soma replied, and Asahi couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah, you really are quite innocent in your own way. It's almost cute," Asahi replied, and Soma still felt irked. "What I mean, is since you seem so distrustful of me all the sudden, then wouldn't my phone," Asahi explained, as he placed the device on the table before them. "…would have all the incriminating evidence you need to make sure I can't do… whatever it is you think I'm planning to do."

"I'm sure if you're offering it so freely it means there's nothing there to be used against you," Soma simply said, and Asahi laughed again.

"You really don't trust me at all anymore, huh?" Asahi said. "And yet, I even warned you about Loren, which I know you took actions against already. No problem taking me up on my word then."

"I want nothing from you Asahi," Soma simply told him. "Bet whatever you want if you'd like. Once we're done, I'm going to speak with Erina, and that's that."

"Fine," Asahi replied, before he added, "But I do want something from you. I win, and I get your knife. Deal?"

"My knife?" Soma asked, taken aback by the request. "You have a perfectly good one right there in your hands, why would you want mine?"

"Who wouldn't want to use the knife that the ever-popular Tamako Yukihira used to make even the great Jouichirou Saiba fall onto his knees in defeat," Asahi explained, and Soma couldn't help but flinch at the sound of his mom's name coming out of this guy's lips. "Why do you look so surprised? Jouichirou told you, didn't he? The secret to being a great chef? Meeting that one person that will make you want to give all the food you make to them. She was that person for him, and not a day went by that he never spoke fondly of her back at the orphanage… Or, to be fair, of you."

"I didn't quite give him the chance to give me that advice," Soma replied, still surprised at just how much this guy knew of his family, and yet, Soma had not known of him at all. What in the world had happened between his dad and Asahi? "I sort-of came to a similar conclusion on my own, funnily enough. And Erina is that person for me. So, if you understand that, then-?"

"But are you sure you're that person for Erina?" Asahi asked, and Soma flinched once more, as his already rather intense glare got even stronger. "Prove it, boy. Cook something with her in mind. Give me, in a dish, everything she means to you. If it's true love, you'll kick my ass. But, if my theory is correct… you'll find your dedications to be lacking."

"Enough," Soma simply said, as he took of his headband from his arm and quickly tied it onto his forehead. "Let's just get this done. And if I win, I don't want your phone. I win, and you… do my homework for a month!"

Asahi, for once, was dumbstruck.

"…Pardon?"

"You heard what I said," Soma replied matter-of-factly, an overly serious look in his eyes for such an out-of-left-field request. For Asahi, at least. 'Gotta thank Loren for that idea,' Soma thought, proud of himself, 'Traitor as he might be, kid's got quite the ingenious methods to being lazy. I can't help but admire him for it.'

"Ah… okay, sure, we're going with that then," Asahi forced himself to say, utterly unprepared for such a challenge, but he pressed on. He wasn't expecting to lose anyways. '…Still, quite the surprising pick there, Soma. This might be fun after all.'

So they both took their stance, before one another, their eyes focused, and their expressions completely different from each other. Where one was annoyed and barely able to hide it, the other was grinning and proud of it.

"Theme and ingredients?" Soma asked, ignoring his opponent's all-knowing smirk.

"For the purpose of fairness," Asahi replied. "Why don't you pick the theme, and I'll pick the main ingredient. Everything else, well, anything we find within this kitchen is allowed. Whatcha say?"

"Fine," Soma replied, his eyes closing for a moment. "Then I'll extend that courtesy as well. You grew up in America, right?" Soma asked, and Asahi gave the boy a nod. "Then, how about, we cook something that can be found on an average American diner?"

"Oh, smart," Asahi noted, and for once, his praise sounded sincere. "The boy who has experience with a family diner, and me, who first started my career with American cuisine. I approve!"

"Then," Soma added, "What's the main ingredient?"

"How about…?" Asahi voiced, as he took a few steps and opened the refrigerator's door. In a moment, he held the ingredient between his thumb and index finger, and Soma couldn't help his eyes widen at the sight. "…this?"

He was holding onto an egg.

"That's…" Soma voiced without thinking.

"Of course she told me about it," Asahi boasted, and Soma felt a pang in his chest he wasn't used to. It really shouldn't mean all that much. But Asahi continued. "The first time you two met. And at the resort I'm staying at too. This is the ingredient that started it all between you too, and the first time she called your dishes disgusting. How appropriate, don't you think? Maybe, unlike with my sister, you can at least make me call one of your dishes delicious for once?"

Soma was seething. 'Just how much did you tell him about us Erina…?'

But, he forced himself to shake those thoughts away. It didn't matter. It wasn't that big of a deal. It was his pride talking. And he needed to focus. There was so much more on the line here than just his wounded pride.

"…Would this suffice as a main ingredient?" Asahi asked.

"Suits me just fine," Soma replied. "And… the judges?"

"No need," Asahi replied, and Soma gave him a very distrustful look. Asahi just laughed. "Relax, you and I both know this ain't official. But you and I are no strangers to the caliber of food we cook, not at our level. I'm sure we can both judge our dishes, and pick a winner. Either you manage to prove me wrong and out-cook me, or I utterly devastate you. Trust me, this is not ending in a draw."

"…Fine," Soma decided, since trying to get someone else involved could simply get him removed from the premises, which he was trying to avoid, and calling in someone he trusted, like Hisako, Alice or Ryou, could rightfully give Asahi the wiggle room to claim bias. So, if a resounding victory was what was needed, then, for Erina's sake, he'd deliver just that. "Half-an-hour then," Soma added after some consideration. "Considering how long we took to set this up, that's about as long as Erina takes in the shower anyways. That alright with you?"

"Ignoring the implications of just how or why you know how long my baby sis takes to bathe," Asahi noted, but his expressions were still quite joyful, "It sounds good to me. So then, it's time… to d-d-d-duel!"

"…What?"

"…It's a reference, don't you…?"

"To what?"

"Never mind," Asahi said, lamenting. "I forgot that was a dub thing. Shokugeki start, and whatnot…"

With that awkward exchange out of the way, both Soma and Asahi moved to their respective sides, and began to take out their ingredients. The prep work had to be quick, Soma noted to himself, since he had gotten used to those long International Shokugeki matches, and this was quarter of that. He would have to channel even more speed he used when clashing against Eishi and the others, since while shorter, those matches still clocked in at roughly an hour each. His former seniors, now that he thought about it, he knew fully well that they had been holding back to gauge the lot of them during those small matches. He would pretend that knowing that fact did not irk him at all.

But, Asahi, he knew, would offer no such courtesy. Not that Soma would accept it either. He wanted to go against the former Top Five Elite Ten students at their fullest sooner rather than later, but first, he needed to speak to Erina, and in order to do that, well, it would seem one of the final matches of the Intercontinental Shokugeki was happening now.

And, as much as he disliked the idea, he knew he had to be at his best. Asahi was undoubtedly good. Very good. He had already seen what Dove could do, and even her reheated stuff had made it seem like Loren was a powerhouse in his own right, which meant Asahi could more than likely be at that level too.

'I can't get careless,' Soma told himself, as he took hold of the eggs he would use for his dish. 'If I let my pride get in the way, I have no doubt he'll trample over me with ease,' he added, as he took hold of his knife, his mom's former knife, and he held onto it tightly. It felt heavy, because he knew he shouldn't be wagering it on anything, but he couldn't just back down and risk Asahi getting him kicked out. Protect Erina, and protect his mom's memory. He needed to do both. 'Mom. Dad. Master Shinomiya. All my friends… and especially, you, Erina. I need to channel everything into this.'

So he began to work, making his skillet sizzle, took hold of several of the freshest veggies he could pick out (itself a rather simple task, since this was a Nakiri kitchen after all, and all the ingredients present were top tier amongst top tier quality) and begun to make the fastest prep work he had ever done this side of his Master Shinomiya's screams. He had a clear idea of what to do. A quick recipe to work off of that could assure him enough time to make it properly, while also giving him room to go above and beyond what the actual dish needed.

'Nouvelle cuisine…' Soma noted, 'That's the style Master made me focus on the most while I was at Shino's. The new-ish, kinda, eclectic style of gourmet that focuses on the freshness and look of the dish, making for very speedy cooking techniques and styles. If I can modify that notion into an tried and true American dish, I'm sure I can manage something to shut this guy up for good,' Soma added, as he took hold of a carton of eggs, and set them all out, putting them into a pan and setting the water to a boil. '…Best dish I can think up right now, is this… Deviled Eggs, Yukihira Style…'

So he began to make that into a reality. With the eggs boiling in the water, Soma used his trademark knife to cut into the veggies, before he set them aside, and took hold of a handful of meats. He needed very little cuts, so he proceeded to effortlessly get those processed, before he moved to take out several more ingredients: avocados, salmon, garlic, honey, mayonnaise, mustard, sea salt, black pepper, and prosciutto.

Before even a drop of the boiling water left the pan, Soma was already on it, taking hold of his utensils, and taking out the eggs one by one, as he placed them gently to the side, before he carefully washed his knife, before he took hold of one egg. Then, one by one, with one fell slice, he divided them cleanly in half, before he removed the yolk from the hard-boiled eggs and set it aside on a special container. In time, all twelve eggs were cut and gutted, so to speak, to his liking.

"…You're quite serious about this, ain't ya?" Soma heard Asahi speak up, and it caused the boy with the scar to frown. He turned, his eyes on the elder brother, who was all smiles, as Asahi's own would-be dish seemed to be boiling in a closed-off skillet, the latter not even bothering with it for the time being. "I've seen you take on little Aisha from Nigeria and Alessandro from Italy, and I even saw the reruns of your little match with one Etsuya Eizan, and yet, you seem far angrier at me for some reason."

"I wouldn't say that angry is the best way to describe it," Soma countered, narrowing his eyes at the smiling Noir. "Disappointed, perhaps. One thing is to mess with me, but-"

"Messing with Erina is a big no-no, is that it?" Asahi interrupted, finishing his thoughts, more or less. Soma said nothing, but he nodded regardless. "…I see, then it stands to reason we both should be on the same side here. I want the best for her, just as you do, only difference being that I can actually make a difference in the grand scheme of things."

"…Whatever you say," Soma retorted, before he turned back to his craft. "Just focus on your cooking, Asahi, and let me focus on mine," he added, as he continued his work, taking the yolk and molding it with the sauces and ingredients, before carefully, to outright needle-point-accuracy, setting it back on the egg, before he topped them all with a different ingredient. Finishing his set up, he stared his opponent down. "…Sorry for making you wait. Here, have some…"

And Soma presented his dish before Asahi, and despite the latter's best attempts, he couldn't help but give out a look of genuine… astonishment. Asahi's eyes widened at the tray before him, which Soma ever-so effortlessly set in the table next to them, which was going to be their judging table they both kinda decided on the spot. Served before him were what he quickly recognized as Deviled Eggs, but their arrangement and detail, each different and with a unique topping, made them look more like gourmet sushi than an appetizer classic.

"Damn it, I hate to admit it," Asahi noted, his eyes still on Soma's dish, "…But I can see quite a bit of Jouichirou in your craft. He was always like this, making outright magic in the kitchen, leaving me in awe every time. And here you are, his flesh and blood, managing to make something so striking in under such a limited time."

"I didn't expect to get praises out of you that easily," Soma responded, his arms crossed. "Guess you and Erina aren't that alike."

"How very cheeky," Asahi said with a smile. "However, let's do this right," he added. "You gave me yours, allow me…" he then said, taking hold of his skillet without bothering to look at it, and presenting it forwards, "Allow me to give you mine."

And in that very skillet, serving at a plate, was Asahi's dish. And once the Noir uncovered it, the fragrance of the dish outright shook Soma to his very core. The young man staggered, feeling himself woozy at the smell, and at the sight, sensing himself begin to salivate the moment he got but a glimpse of Asahi's dish.

"That's…?" Soma voiced.

"It's my style of Eggs in Purgatory," Asahi commented, placing his skillet right next to Soma's dish. The ever decorated Deviled Eggs versus the boiling, magma-infused Eggs in Purgatory. Both chefs stared each other down, as Soma was the first to take hold of a nearby set of chopsticks, and motioned to Asahi with them.

"So we each take a taste of each dish?" he asked.

"Unorthodox, I know," Asahi replied, taking hold of a set of his own. "But we'll know who the clear winner is. Granted, yours look absolutely beautiful. In fact, I'm almost afraid to eat one, feels like I'm ruining a piece of art."

"Don't flatter me," Soma shot back, taking hold of a piece of Asahi's dish. Inwardly, he was outright surprised his chopsticks didn't outright melt in the lava-like substance that was, he assumed, mostly tomatoes, red peppers and, of course, eggs.

Asahi took a bite of Soma's Deviled Eggs.

Soma took a bite of Asahi's Eggs in Purgatory.

"Mmm," Asahi couldn't help but murmur, before he chewed down and swallowed, savoring every bit. "Damn, it's not just for show, is it? You really did elevate the flavor of this little fellas to such an absurd degree. You even took advantage of the high quality ingredients here, using… truffle oil, is it? Such a distinct taste, yet so easy to ruin if you are not careful. Say… honestly, wouldn't you want to be a Noir, Soma? You clearly have the talent for… huh?"

Soma just stared, blankly, at the dish before him. He swallowed, and Asahi could see how his eyes seem to water slightly. But, he wasn't crying. He knew that. It was… just the intensity of the flavor.

"…You okay there buddy?" he teased. He knew better. Of course he wasn't.

'…How?'

It was all Soma could ask himself, his eyes wide, as this flavor was so damn new, and at the same time, so, so very familiar. It was insane. So how…? How on Earth could this guy possibly…?

'How can Asahi cook just like dad?'

"So… do we have a verdict?" Asahi asked, titling himself to the side, his eyes still on Soma, as the boy seemed to recover, before he added. "But I guess we need to eat our own dishes first, just to make sure at what level we each are compared to the other-"

"No need," Soma simply interjected, and Asahi's expression did not change. "…You won. I get it. It's really is something, I can't quite manage yet…"

"Yet, huh?" Asahi repeated, seeming to find the addition of that word very amusing. "But relax, this isn't official. Remember that. So, be a dear and just go on your merry way. Let me make sure Erina gets herself focused and the training she needs to actually beat Julius, Ashitaro and that obnoxious Dove, and you guys can make amends later… okay?!"

"How on Earth did you even…?" Soma blurted out, his eyes still on Asahi's dish. Wait… When had he taken another bite out of it? There was clearly another piece missing, and he knew Asahi had not even bothered to taste it. 'It was so good I couldn't help myself, damn it…'

"That would be…" Asahi explained, taking hold of his own knife. Or rather, knives, as the young man had used two very distinctive knives for this dish. "I won both of these against other Noirs, the ones that didn't take to kindly to my title of "King of the Noirs", even if I didn't actually name myself, you know?" he stated, amused at the memory. "I call it… Cross Knives. The way it works, is if I can see a chef use their tools, and I beat said chef and take them for myself, I can then use them just as proficiently as the original chef could. Then, if I have two different tools in my possession, I can merge their power, and create a new, never before seen ability, a whole greater than the two halves. It's a superpower, far leagues greater than even the God's Tongue itself!"

Silence was all that followed.

"…Wha-?" Soma forced himself to say. He was completely, utterly lost.

Then, after a brief pause, Asahi just started to laugh.

"I'm just fucking with you!" he admitted. "Like, can you imagine if I could pull something like that out of my ass?! I couldn't even explain it properly before even I had I hard time understanding it. Nah man, I beat you just cause I'm better, that's it," he added, as his little laugh turned a bit more sinister, knowingly so. "You haven't ever had the need to cook at my level. Living in the streets, fighting for the right to stay alive. Your damn mother cursing you at every turn, making you feel that the whole world regrets you even being born. That's the difference between you and me, and in a way, between my little sis and you. No matter what happens, you always have your dad and you mom's memory to fall back on, even at your worse. We don't have that luxury. It's just… us. No one's coming to save us."

"I'm sorry," Soma voiced, and Asahi gave pause. It sounded… genuine. "I don't know much about your history, but that sounds bad. A mother shouldn't treat her child like that. But," he added, as he turned to Asahi, his expression now sharper than before, somehow. "…Erina's not alone. Even if the whole world turns against her, I won't, ever. So I'll go talk to her, make sure she's alright, if you'll excuse me."

Soma then motioned, moving past a stunned Asahi, before the latter shook it off and took hold of Soma by the sleeve. "H-Hey now, don't you forget, official or not, we are men of our words, aren't we?" he voiced, and Soma gave pause. "You promised me something if you lost. Just, leave. I promise you and Erina can talk-"

Then Soma placed his knife on the table before the two, his expression unchanging.

Asahi, on the other hand, looked surprised. He eyed Soma's trademark knife, before he turned back to the boy himself. "…Soma?"

"It's yours," Soma admitted, his fist clenched, but he kept himself in check. "You gave me a choice, give you the knife, or leave," he explained, "And I was clear I am never betting Erina. So, to the winner go the spoils. Treat her kindly, it's… all I had of her, here."

"Heh, wait, kiddo, for real, just…" Asahi tried, but Soma just shrugged off his hold, which had loosened quite a bit by the surprise, and just walked right away, leaving Asahi behind, as the Noir's expression seemed to shift a bit until they settled on a slightly amused grin. 'What a guy. Fine then, you get to see Erina after all. I mean, if I pester any further she might catch wind of all of this and call me out on it, so I'll take this as a small change of plans then…' he told himself, as he took hold of the knife that once had belonged to Tamako Yukihira…

Then to Soma Yukihira…

And now, to Asahi Saiba.

'And I haven't held you since that little Gala event,' Asahi noted, his smile reflected on the knife's stainless steel. 'Didn't think he'd part with it so easily, but I guess that's young love huh? Oh well, guess I'm moving up on this side of my plan then. With this… it's one knife down… one knife to go…'

-0-

Erina heard the soft knock on her door the moment she had finished tying her precious, long hair into a bun with her towel; causing the heiress to turn to her doorway with a puzzled look. She was not expecting anyone visiting her now, nor had she called for any of the maids. And as much as she would have desired it, she was certain her mother would not just drop by to talk. Not after everything that had happened. Mana Nakiri would not gain anything by talking to her daughter now, away from any cameras. Still, the princess made her way forwards, and dressed in her trademark bathrobe, slowly opened her door up.

Then she caught sight of Soma.

And she quickly shut the door back up.

"…Uh?" she heard Soma mutter from behind the closed door. He sounded confused. "…You okay in there?"

"I'm fine," she replied, her face flushed, before she shook her head to try and calm herself down. This was childish, she knew. She was dressed well enough, and even still, he had seen her in less. Much less, as had she him… '…Not the time,' she told herself, almost as a warning, before she took a deep breath and went to reopen the door, just as slowly if not slower. "…Yes?"

"…Hey," he offered, raising his hand a bit as a form of greeting. She just stared, her frame against the door, with her head slightly tilted, resting against the fancy wood, eyes researching his. The boy before her seemed to pause for a moment, before his features seemed to shift. "Not even a "hey yourself" this time, huh?" he voiced, and her eyes widened slightly when she realized what he meant. "We're in it that bad then."

"That…" she tried, but she found it hard to talk. "It's just been a very rough day. You… You know this already. You should be back at the dorms, resting. I can't believe you manage to keep sneaking in here so effortlessly."

"Well, until you rat me out, and by extension, Kurokiba too," Soma said with a little grin. "I'll always find my way back to you."

She seemed to stiffen at this, since that phrase had sounded like way too much for a girl that had just stepped out of a hot shower. How could a boy be so dense one second, then sprout shoujo-manga-esque dialogue the next so effortlessly?

"You feeling in the mood for a little chat?" he asked, and she stared.

"…Is that what you're here for?" she asked back.

"I'm worried," he admitted, his hands now back onto his pockets. "But I don't want to be a bother. So I wanted to ask before I… I dunno, got in your nerves or something. More than usual I mean."

The fact that she didn't laugh or just playfully insult him was a dead giveaway that yeah, things were in a rough spot. He didn't much like that.

"…You really are mad at me, huh?" he noted, with a small knowing, pained smile. She quickly shook her head.

"No, I'm not," she quickly corrected. "I told you, you weren't in the wrong, all of this…"

"It's still hurting you," he added, and the way he bit his lips to try and find the words made her miss when she could be the one biting them. "And I wanted to let you know that I am here for you, I mean, that's what-"

"Soma," she interrupted, and the way those robes clung to her body made him remember that one time he had bumped into her in the middle of the long halls of the Tootsuki Resort. She was stunning then, and was just as, if not more, stunning now. How, he'd never quite figure out. "…Listen," she tried, her eyes to the side. She really was not ready for any of this, but she knew him well enough. He'd keep trying to help her until he bled if that's what it took, and after everything that had happened, she didn't want to keep dragging other people into her mess like this. Not anymore. "…I think we should take a break," she forced herself to say, her nails digging into the door. "This isn't the best time for me. And… it's not fair for you to have to deal with all of this. If… If I can, then we-"

"Yeah, nope, not accepting that."

"-can maybe-Huh?" she voiced, utterly confused. "W-What? Soma, listen, I think it would be best if, at least until this Intercontinental Shokugeki is over we just… kept apart for… a… little… while…" she tried, she definitely did, but her sentence got strained with his focused stare, so much so that she had to struggle to get the last few words out. He was mad at her wasn't he? 'Oh, I don't think he's ever been that mad at me, right?' she thought to herself, shaking a bit. 'There was that time I, accidentally, compared my situation with that of his mom's… Oh God, I forgot I did that! Why am I such an idiot?! But, that aside, what do I do here?! I'm not used to him being the one mad of us two… Boy, I really am something, aren't I…?'

"I said I'm not accepting that," the boy simply repeated, arms still crossed, his eyes now closed. "Your… Asahi was kind enough to let me know you believed you had broken things off with me."

"He did what?!" Erina blurted out, eyes wide. "I-I… well, I wasn't sure, but…" she said as she felt herself outright shrink into the door. "…Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad at you?" he simply asked, and for all her posturing, words could not describe how relieved she felt. "But we're not breaking up."

"Huh?!" she couldn't help but blurt out again. "W-Wait… I didn't-I mean, I never quite…" she tried, but words failed her. "Soma, that's not something you can just up and decide for the both of us!" she managed to complain, causing Soma to smile a bit. Stubborn to the end, what else was he expecting? "The nerve! If I say it's over, then it is! N-Not that I said that, but don't think you can just come in here and expect-"

"Then say it," he shot back, grinning. But she knew him too well. Despite his bravado, she could tell he was nervous. His eyes gave him away. And this was just the reason why she needed to end this properly. Who was she to have this boy, who took on the entire world without hesitation on a daily basis, hurting like this? "Do you want to break up?"

"That's not how this works," Erina countered, still clinging to the door. "I just… I just want things to get fixed."

"That's not happening," Soma merely stated, and Erina felt her fists clench.

"You don't know that."

"I know enough," he said, and it irked her how sure he sounded. "And I wish I could promise you I could somehow fix all this, but you and I both know I can't. But, I can promise you I'll be here, no matter the outcome. If you want me, that is. So, like I said, I won't accept this half-hearted time-out of yours. Do you want to break up with me?"

"I…" she couldn't even say it. Then he laughed, and she wanted to smack him.

"Man, I've known you for well over a year now," he said with a grin. "And you still find ways of making it so hard for me to talk to you I can't help but be impressed," he added. "…It takes me back. But, I have myself to blame too, I suppose, since I love that about you."

"…How can you say it so easily like that?"

"Say what?"

"…Love," she softly voiced, her eyes almost closed, now biting her own lips. Her eyes slowly opened up, fixating themselves on this boy and his slow-forming smile.

"Because I love you," he replied, and it made her weak. No "I love that about you", or "I love the things you do or how you are", just… you. How rarely had they outright told each other that?

"But I'm such a mess…" she protested, and then she flinched, as his hand found itself on her face, softly caressing her cheek. His hands, so strong at times, so gentle when against her skin.

"I know you are," he said with a grin. "But you know something?"

"…What?" she almost squeaked, her face flushed and feeling her whole body warmed than she had been in the bath itself.

"That I love you," he repeated, and she felt her knees get weak.

"Why are you-?"

"And you know something else?"

"…What…?"

"That I love you."

"Soma!"

"And you know something even more than that?"

"Soma!"

"That I love you."

"Soma!" she outright pleaded, "Mercy… Mercy… Please stop," she waved her hands, her head fuming and her brain spinning, or, was it the other way around? Either way, she was about to collapse. "What's gotten into you?!" she cried out, as softly as she could so she wouldn't garner unwanted attention. "You're not like this! You don't say… corny stuff like this, like, ever."

"True," he admitted, and despite himself, he was sporting a light blush. It was indeed a very corny set of lines, he knew, but… "But… you like this kind of romantic stuff, and that's sort of the point. I'm not about to let you end our relationship just because you feel like your life's a mess and you'll bring everyone down with you. You never, not once, left my side when I needed you most. And… I'm not leaving yours. Why? Well, because I-"

"Stop!" she cried out, as she pushed herself away from the door and into his arms, her head buried into his neck, in an effort to make him stop. She couldn't take anymore "I love you's" today. First Alice, and now Soma. What did they think she was made off? "Okay, I get it…"

He said nothing else for a moment, instead taking hold of her waist, being careful to make sure her robe remained on her, while pressing her closer to him. As much as he had tried to make the effort, he had been nervous to no end, and he was sure she was hearing how his heart was banging against his chest like crazy. He wasn't used to any of this, but damn it all, he couldn't quite picture himself without her anymore. He then bent down his head, bringing it down onto her own nape, and taking in her scent.

"What do you want to do?" he asked her.

"I don't know," she replied, still buried deep into him.

"…Are we really breaking things off?" he asked again, and he felt how her nails dug themselves onto the fabric of his jacket.

She shook her head, and that was all he needed.

"Then we're okay," he assured. "What do you want to do then?" he asked, using his fingers to softly raise her head, making her eyes meet his. She looked moments away from crying, and it made him want to cry in turn, which was something… he wasn't quite used to.

"…I don't know."

"Don't think," he told her, smiling. "Whatever first comes to mind; what do you want right now?"

"To just run away," she replied with a little laugh, as she motioned with her hand to clear out the tears that were threatening to fall, but then she caught sight of his expression, and she felt herself freeze, "Soma wait!"

"Then let's go."

Erina Nakiri froze, because of the fact that she knew him so well she knew he wasn't joking around. He meant it. Would he go so far as to even…?

"…Soma, we can't."

"Sure we can," he assured, as if it were the most trivial thing in the world. "Go back in there, get dressed, pack your things, and let's just go."

"Soma!" she said, now laughing a bit. "We can't just up and leave. We have so many things that need to get done. The fate of Tootsuki itself that…" she paused, her eyes on him, and his expression did not change in the slightest. He really meant it, didn't he? "…You'd actually do it…"

"Let's go," he simply affirmed.

And the girl had no idea how to react properly anymore.

-0-

Asahi made his way back to the resort with the help of the limousine Erina had lend him for his personal use. In fact, his little sister had outright offered it as a gift, for both inside and outside Tootsuki, but he declined, and he swore to himself it was for practical reasons. He didn't want to owe the girl anything once everything was said and done. Still, it was helpful, not being at the mercy of the private buses and their tight schedules, nor daddy Azami and his temper. His plans, while rattled a bit by Soma's intervention, were still going smoothly, far more smoothly than his dad's at least. He even had an extra tool at his disposal now, he noted with a grin as he softly caressed the knife now firmly placed on his utility belt. And, for as unexpected as Soma was, Asahi knew that in the end, there was little the boy could do to alter the events to come anyways.

It's not like he could run away with Erina or something…

"-you to do anything else," he heard a very stern voice slowly come into his earshot, causing the young Noir to give pause. He'd recognize that low-voiced anger anywhere. It wasn't all that surprising, honestly, since the man was staying at this hotel too, but despite himself, Asahi couldn't help but feel a bit tense. He didn't much want to have to engage with his father at all if possible. "You could have gone anywhere," he heard his father say, and it was clear he was not happy in the slightest, and it sort of made Asahi shiver. But, it also made him curious, so the Noir followed along, walking through the halls until he reached a corner where he could both hide and see the conversation play out. "And yet, you wait right outside, like a little lost child. Are you trying to get me in more trouble?"

Asahi paused, catching sight of the scene, and finding himself surprised. He had not expected him to be speaking so roughly to… her.

"…Sorry," Dove just voiced, softly. She was avoiding his eyes fiercely, as they dug into her. "I… I was tired, and the rest of the people here don't even like me, so I can't just crash with them," she explained. "I wanted to wait until you were done, with… whatever it was you were doing in my room."

"You are aware of how my public image has been affected by that… boy's choice of words and my own niece's actions, are you not?" Azami asked, and even if he wasn't raising his tone by even a fraction, he sounded the angriest Asahi had ever heard him. But, by her body language, not the angriest Dove had. "How do you think it would make me look if anyone sees you, just sitting in the floor, looking like a little lost mutt? Do you want them to start accusing me of abusing you as well?"

"What? No, I'd-"

"Because that's the type of ammunition your little act is going to give them," he warned, taking a step forwards, and she instinctively took one back. Then she flinched, realizing it, just as he did. His eyes narrowed. "…And that reaction?" he asked, and while Asahi couldn't make out her face, he was sure she was scared. "Are you also buying into everything they're saying?"

"N-No, never!" she said. She sounded like she was pleading.

"Have I ever hit you Dove?" he asked, his hand raised, before he slowly placed it on the cuffs of his sleeve, fixing them. Dove just shook her head.

"Not once."

"Would I?"

"…No."

"Then why are you acting like a frightened little girl?" he asked, and she was now looking at the floor. "Don't forget. I took you in when you had no one. I did what no one else would ever do, just for you. But, you do not get the same treatment I offer Erina. She is my daughter, you are not. If you ever act like this in front of anyone-"

"She'll make you look bad, huh?"

Azami seemed to pause for a moment, his glare shifting from Dove towards Asahi, who pushed himself away from his little corner. Dove softly turned, her wide eyes now visible to Asahi, and she looked just as scared as her voice sounded, and just as confused as he imagined she'd be. To be fair, she wasn't the only one confused, since Asahi had no idea what he was even doing anymore.

"You should be very careful with your next choice of words, son," Azami voiced, and Asahi couldn't help but flinch at the last word. Had this man ever referred to him as such before? He couldn't recall…

"…Yeah, I figured," Asahi replied, as he stepped up to Azami, setting himself right between him and Dove, much to the girl's utter fright. He was going to get them both killed. "…Still, what you're saying and what you're doing are way off one another. If you don't want those nasty rumors to keep growing further and further out of control, I don't think threatening a teenage girl, out in the open no less, is your best choice at the moment."

"Asahi, what are you…?!" Dove exclaimed through gritted teeth.

"My, you must be loving this," Azami concluded, closing his eyes for a moment. "You must be thinking everything is lining up right as you want it to. How very… naïve, boy. But, go ahead, don't you try to threaten me. Go on, talk. Tell anyone what you just saw. In the end, even if my reputation remains tarnished, I will still walk out of this victorious, of that I assure you. Instead, you should have played it smarter. Why not record me?"

"And what, risk you actually getting violent with her?" Asahi countered, his hand raised, his thumb pointed at Dove. "Yeah, not gonna happen. I can't stand this girl for the life of me, but you are not laying a finger on her."

"I have never hurt anyone," Azami clearly voiced, taking a step towards Asahi, and the boy had to bite down his own lips to keep himself from flinching. "Seems you are also thriving on the words that young Soma Yukihira has leveled against me. Was that, I wonder, a part of your plan too?"

"No," Asahi replied, earnestly. "But you don't get to say that after everything you put Erina through. Never hurt anyone? Who are you trying to fool at this point?!"

"I will not allow this farce to go on any further," Azami warned, "You seem incapable of understanding the difference between teaching and abuse, or, rather, you do, and you want to pretend otherwise. Someone should show you what actual abuse is."

"Oh, believe me, I know what abuse is daddy," Asahi said with the biggest grin, as he extended his arms, which surprised Dove even further. But, admittedly, not as much as his next words did. "But, come on, take a swing old man. Unlike Erina or Dove, I can promise you I'll answer in kind."

Azami's expression was unreadable.

Asahi was just smirking, poised.

Dove couldn't keep herself quiet anymore.

"Let's just stop, okay?" Dove quickly said, getting in-between the two, since she saw this ending in a very, very ugly fashion. "None of us want this. If this gets out, our whole team risks getting eliminated or even this whole event getting cancelled. We don't want that," she added, her eyes first on Asahi, before she turned to Azami, almost pleading with her eyes. "…Right?"

Azami seemed unmoved at first, but he slowly nodded. He took a step back, which was about the point where Asahi began to remember how to breathe properly. Dove too.

"…Pay him no mind, Dove," Azami said, as he turned to the black-haired girl. His eyes had softened considerably and a small smile was now placed firmly onto his features. How he could switch on and off like that, she'd never know. "This young man just wants anarchy, and this school is clearly in favor of offering it in spades. Let us talk in private, and leave him to whatever little plans he has to try and convince my Erina that the brother she just met has nobler intentions than the father that raised her."

Asahi just laughed, mockingly so, which made Dove flinch. He really was trying to get them killed. "That's hilarious pops," he voiced, his sarcastic tone back in full effect. They were related, alright, Dove noted. They both got back into character shockingly fast. "But I was on my way out of here anyways," Asahi lied, as he turned to Dove, causing the girl to give him a very confused look. "…What do you say? Wanna get out of here for the night?"

"…What?" the always perky and boastful God Slayer couldn't help but mutter, utterly out of her element.

"What on Earth are you trying to accomplish now?" Azami voiced, his tone softer, but his select words still making it clear he was not at all happy. He sounded almost insulted. "Dove and I have, unlike you, actual things that must be done. If you'll excuse us," then he turned, and motioned to the girl. Then he frowned, since Dove did not immediately move.

"I… ah," Dove uncharacteristically muttered.

"Ignore the jerk," Asahi just added, which made Dove flinch. Azami, however, just stared, and that frankly unnerved Asahi even more. Was this man even capable of flinching at all? Still… "Let's bail. You and I both know we ain't the most disciplined of kids, and hey, we adults now, kinda, as per Japanese laws, so who cares?"

"Dove," Azami warned. One word. Like always. Just her name. The girl turned, her eyes on Azami, before she turned back, to Asahi. Unlike the elder Nakamura, whose eyes were like a stone's, the younger man, despite his best attempts, looked nervous. Scared even.

Dove just swallowed, before she turned back to Azami, which caused Asahi to feel a sinking feeling deep in his chest. Why? Even he wasn't sure. But, before he could try and voice something, anything…

"…I'll be going out," Dove told Azami, "Don't wait up," she added, before she turned around and took hold of a very surprised-this-actually-is-happening Asahi and began to drag him away. "Let's go!" she told him, and he could only nod.

"Dove," Azami repeated, taking a step forwards, his hands on his pockets, his eyes on her. "…There is no need for you to act up," he added. "If I made you feel uncomfortable, I apologize, but I need you now, more than ever. And you promised-"

"I promised I would be the best damn chef that had ever walked this world," she cut in, turning to him, and her eyes had changed to an expression neither Azami or Asahi had ever seen her sport. It was almost as if they had caught on flames. "And I am. True Gourmet I have mastered, and I will win this Intercontinental Shokugeki. But I never swore to always be at your beck and call."

"Dove," Azami tried, "Do not put us at risk for this boy. I am telling you-"

"And I am not listening," she simply responded, and before he could try, she shut him up with his own words. "And you can't force me, after all, I am not your daughter."

-0-

"What am I doing, this is insane?!" Erina softly cried out, her hands nervously finding themselves onto her face, as if almost to try and silence herself.

Soma looked on, as both he and she found themselves out of the main gates, "running away" from the manor in a way. It had been a lot easier than Soma would have imagined, since despite everything, Erina practically owned the place, so she just stated she was going out and no one asked anything. The guard in-charged, Gaston, had not even inquired where she was going, and when Erina told him to please not tell her mother or her uncle, he had merely nodded. Only thing the veteran did say was directed at Soma, telling him that Kazusato Yukihira should prepare himself for their next match, to which the boy could only laugh and nod.

"You're rebelling," Soma informed her with a grin, which caused Erina to pause, as if contemplating his words. She had not really taken much with her, so it was clear she had all intentions to be back in a matter of a few hours. She knew she'd never outright abandon her home and her family, but what was she exactly doing? "Where do you want to go?" Soma asked, interrupting her concerns. "Or would you rather we just go and see where we randomly end up?"

"…I'm cold," she complained, and he looked on, his head tilted. She pouted. "What? I just had a hot bath, so no matter how many layers I put on, it's still chilly out."

"Wanna go and grab something warm to eat?" he offered, which made her laugh.

"It always comes down to food with you, doesn't it?" she asked, before she felt something fall on her head. She quickly noticed how Soma gently placed her helmet on, which made her feel a flash of memories hit her at once. "…Soma."

"Been a while, hasn't it?"

"…Yes," she said. She motioned and secured her helmet, before she turned to the side, his little motor bike visible from the corner of her eyes. "We haven't gone out on her for quite some time."

"That's what happens when we start using your fancy limos for our dates," Soma noted, as he put on his own helmet, before he moved towards his bike. "Come on, hop on."

"This isn't a date," Erina corrected, her arms crossed. "I don't even know what this is supposed to be. I can't really just run and hide away like-"

"Stop thinking," Soma cut in, flicking his finger at her helmet, causing her to pause. "Just for tonight, let's just… go. You wanted to run away, that's what we're doing. Tomorrow we'll fix whatever needs fixing, but right now, let's just leave all of it behind. So…" he paused, his eyes on hers. "Where to?"

Erina paused, having intended to continue on complaining, but she slowly realized, she really didn't have any arguments to make. She wanted this, whatever this even was. To just leave all the problems behind, if only for one night. So, despite herself, she said exactly where she wanted to go. "…I want to see grandfather."

"Gramps?" Soma repeated, "Do you know where he is?"

"Not one-hundred percent," Erina replied, before she turned to him, her eyes as fierce as he had ever seen them. "But, I have an idea. There's one hospital in particular, deep within Tokyo, which Tootsuki Academy regularly donates to. My grandfather has been there before, yearly check-ups and all that, so… if I had to guess where he is…"

"…That would be your first guess," Soma noted, before he smiled. "Sure then, one visit to gramps, coming up! Hop on."

Erina stared for a moment, before she sighed, and moved. She stepped up, taking his extended hand and sitting herself on the back of the bike. This was dumb and unnecessary, she noted inwardly, since they could outright just take any of her limousines with nothing but a snap of her fingers, and she was sure if she pestered her uncle or aunt enough they would tell her exactly where her grandfather was. But… She also wanted it like this. No Nakiri family matter, just Erina and Soma. So, as she got onto her seat, she hugged the boy from behind, as tightly as she could manage, her face resting upon his back. This seemed to make him stiffen a bit, but he shook it off and turned the bike on.

Before long, they were riding across the streets, the nostalgic wind on her frame once more, but surprisingly enough, she wasn't all that cold anymore.

-0-

"What am I doing, this is insane?!" Dove loudly cried out, her hands on her head as she motioned frantically, almost as if to try and calm herself.

Asahi wasn't sure how to respond, since he had been asking himself the same thing. Still, the two Noirs found themselves out of the resort, with Dove screaming into the night, and Asahi screaming at himself. This wasn't part of the plan, he reminded himself. Not even close. In fact, it went against the plan. And yet, not much he could take back now, nor would he.

"I found it pretty badass how you told him off," Asahi offered, which made Dove pause mid-freak out and turn to him, her eyes narrowed. "What? It was."

"It ain't gonna be that badass when I have to grovel to have him forgive me," she countered, still regretting everything it would seem. "I… I should go back, beg now," she concluded, but before she moved, Asahi stepped in, blocking her path to the main entrance. "Asahi!"

"Dove!" he imitated her tone, which earned him a glare. "Calm down, breathe," he instructed, and despite herself, she did as told. "You have to realize, he needs you just as much as you may need him, heck, maybe even more. You've made quite a name for yourself, and you are quite the gifted individual, so I don't think you need that man as much as you seem to think. He, on the other hand, I don't think would find a replacement for you all that easily now."

Dove paused, staring at the young man before her, her eyes scanning him for a moment. Asahi couldn't tell if she had even heard what he had said, given how her expressions seemed to shift all over the place before they settled into something resembling a frown.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" Asahi shot back, confused. "You think Azami has another back-up Noir hidden away? I don't think even our audience would accept such a twist this late-"

"Not that," Dove quickly cut in, before she crossed her arms against her chest. Asahi looked on, as the girl before him seemed to try and find the words. And, despite himself, he couldn't help but admire just how stunning this girl could look. Was this, he wondered, the real Dove? Beneath the boastful and risqué personality, was this worried, young woman who had the prettiest of eyes and all the hard-earned talent in the world the real person? She didn't seem to even notice his observations, as she was too busy with her own. "…Why did you step in?"

"Huh?" he earnestly blurted out. Not the question he had been expecting. "…I didn't lie," he told her. "I didn't want him to hurt you. I don't like that. I fancy myself a… better class of villain if I may be so bold."

"You fancy yourself a lot of things, Asahi," Dove shot back, and her tone lacked any of her characteristic flirtations. It was just raw distrust, and he couldn't quite blame her. "But like you said, you and I don't get along."

"Doesn't mean I want to see you get hurt," Asahi countered, offering her a small smile.

"I would be inclined to believe you," she said, and he did not much like the look in her eyes. It was almost as if he could hear her next words without her needing to say them. "But I know what you are trying to do with Erina Nakiri."

"What?" he tried to fake it as best as he could. It sounded outright genuine. "I'm not him," Asahi added, pointing to the building. "I'm not trying to mold her into something she's not. Trying to shape her into my image and even taking in a replacement to use as a weapon against-"

"Even if I have to break her," Dove simply said, and despite everything, Asahi couldn't hide the shock on his face. "…And there it is," Dove noted as she pointed directly into his expression, with a little smile, and Asahi felt like the ground beneath his feet had crumbled. "Those were your words. And, all this time, you've been working overtime to try and get her to like you, to trust you, all so that you can claim your spot in the culinary history books. So, don't blame me for thinking that any kindness you show is attached to an ulterior motive. You are his son after all."

'How?! How does she even…?!' he screamed at himself, and despite his attempts at keeping a poker face, he knew she had seen right through him. So, instead… "How do you even know of that?" he asked softly, in uncharted waters for what seemed like the first time in so long. How was this girl able to one-up him like this twice in like a week?

"I have my sources," Dove merely replied. "So I ask again, why? What do you want from me? Be upfront, and I may just consider it."

"I didn't-Ah, you're so annoying," Asahi shot back, irked. Dove just stared. "I am not trying to get anything out of you! This wasn't some attempt to blackmail, or guilt-trip you into doing my bidding! Just-you know what, forget it then," he added, waving her off. "I've done enough already, you're a big girl, I'm sure you can handle yourself now. Peace," he added, as he turned away. Dove felt slapped.

"Are you serious?!" she shouted, just as irked. "The guy who is on my team because of blackmail makes it sound like an insult that I distrust him? I have every right not to trust a single thing that comes out of your mouth."

"Then why did you waltz out here with me?!" he shouted back. It was dumb, he knew. He should have just walked away and leave it at that. This really, really went against his plans.

"Because I was scared!" she shouted, and she seemed to catch herself too late. Asahi looked on, heavily conflicted but his concern won over. He paused, turning back to her. They both stared in silence for what seemed like an eternity; him at her, her at the floor. "…I hate you."

"I figured," he replied.

"You ratted out Loren," she voiced, and he couldn't help but flinch. There was genuine venom in her words.

"…You found out that too," he noted, and she shifted her glare back onto him. He placed his hands on his pockets, accidentally hitting the handle of his new knife in the process, since he wasn't used to its placement. He tried to play it off anyways. "Hey, it's not like I placed the kid in any danger. Worse they could do was expel him, which is going to happen with or without our assistance. Soma Yukihira isn't exactly a ruthless guy. Heck, he's too soft. Loren is still in that dorm as we speak."

"Still not going to forgive you for that," she informed him, and he nodded.

"And it seems I have a leak on my ship," he noted, letting out a little laugh. This was not going well at all. "You know a frightful amount of stuff, which makes it very bad for me, since I know next to nothing about you."

"Despite your best attempts at digging into my past, eh?" she informed, and he frowned. She really knew everything then. "That's a good way to end up dead, you know? You should call off your circus, before it's too late."

"My, seems like I'm an open book to you."

"You've been since the start," she replied, and he couldn't help but twitch. "…Hence why, forgive me when I say it, but I simply do not trust you. So, if you lack the balls to be upfront with me, then I'll be heading back inside to-"

Then she stopped, or rather, was stopped by the young man. Rather than forcefully attempting to stop her, like she had been worried he might try, he instead just extended a finger to her, and admittedly, not the finger she had expected.

"…What's this now?" Dove asked, her ire mixed with her confused amusement. This boy was weird.

"A promise," he replied, his pinky finger extended towards her. "Let's call a truce. Just for tonight. No tricks, no lies, no manipulations. That's my promise to you. What do you say, pinky swear?"

"What are you?" she blurted out, arms still crossed, looking at him like he had gone insane. "Five?"

"Oh come on," he said with a little laugh, "We're both Americans… I think, so we know how utterly binding such a promise is…" he added, before he paused, and despite her intense glare, she couldn't help but note how his smile softened. "Humor me just once Dove. Promise I'm not going to take advantage of you. Let's just hang out."

She stared, and he felt himself in cold sweat. This must look so humiliating from her eyes he imagined. If any of the Noirs saw this pathetic display of his, he'd be dethroned at once, skills be damned. 'She's not going to accept this at all,' Asahi told himself, 'Trusting me, especially with such a dumb cease-fire, is something even I would have laughed at. Can't really blame her, but I don't just want her to have to go back and grovel to… damn, what the heck's wrong with me here?'

His eyes then widened, his thought interrupted.

Dove took hold of his pinky finger with her own, her eyes narrowed, but at least not glaring. She looked just as embarrassed as he was at this childish display. He looked on, utterly baffled, before he flashed the girl the brightest of smiles.

"So truce?!" he exclaimed with that trademark grin she hated.

"…Just for tonight," she warned, but her tone had mellowed out considerably.

"And I promise, no lies," Asahi repeated, and Dove just sighed.

"…Same," she added, and it was here she realized she really, truly had no idea what she was getting herself into.

-0-

They drove through the busy night streets, flashing lights everywhere, as Erina held onto Soma tightly, the pattern of his elevated breathing already committed to her memory. As he took a turn, always extra careful to make sure she was holding onto him tightly, which she found adorable, he made their way towards what they assumed to be the main admission area of one of the biggest hospitals in all of Japan. One she had not visited all that often, but whose main doctors would, in turn, visit her and her family the times she had been sick. Mostly when she was a kid.

Soma drove them towards the entrance, taking a ticket from the automatic machine, and driving past the opening gates and into the parking lot. It was a busy destination, they both noted, as he drove to the nearest free spot he could find and parked his little ride on the sidewalk next to an unassuming pole. They both got off, first him, and then her with his help. She would have argued against him always treating her like she was fragile, but she knew it wasn't that. This was just who he was, and she couldn't, wouldn't complain about that.

"Don't think I'll get in trouble for leaving it here, right?" Soma asked her as he took off his helmet, his eyes on his bike. There was nothing to indicate that was a no-parking zone anyways.

"It should be fine," Erina noted, taking her own helmet off. "If anyone says anything, I'll take care of it," she added, which caused the boy to outright laugh. She just shrugged, as Soma proceeded to quickly shield his bike with a stored up cover, before he chained the thing up to the pole. Erina looked on, surprised at how protective he had grown with his little bike.

"Mimasaka gave me this stuff as a gift," Soma explained when he noticed her bemused look. His answer made her just more confused, but she just chalked it up to "boy stuff" in her mind. "Dude has been really trying to make it up to me since, well, you know. Despite how much I tell him he doesn't need to. Still, it was an awesome gift, and one can't be too careful."

"We made the right call to come to the hospital then," Erina noted, as Soma gave her a puzzling look. He was moments from asking, but her smile gave her away before her next sentence did. "…Showing signs of maturity all the sudden. You probably are a little sick after all."

"Hilarious," Soma shot back, as he stood back up after he had finished securing their ride. "Now then, where to?"

"Well…" Erina noted, turning towards the main entrance, well, one of them anyways. It was a very big place. "I'm certain these are not visiting hours, so I may need to get creative."

Soma's eyes lit up the moment those words left her lips, as he made up a whole scenario in his head. It involved him faking an injury, her coming in screaming for help, and as all the staff ran to check up on him, she went and snuck inside, going into the vents until she found her grandpa's room and Mission Impossibled it inside. Erina, on the other hand, just frowned, seeming outright able to read his thoughts and she quickly brought him back to reality. What she meant, as she clearly demonstrated, was just stepping inside with him and going directly towards the main receptionist area and introducing herself. With a few choice words, her theory was proven true and she was directed to the right room.

"What part of that was creative?" Soma asked with a hint of disappointment, as they stepped into the elevator.

"What were you even thinking I'd do?" Erina countered, as the doors closed and they made their way upwards to the fifth floor.

"Never mind," Soma replied, as he turned from the doors and back to the girl. She was pensive, and it sort-of hit him that she had not really spoken to her grandfather for a long while. "…You feeling alright?"

"I am nervous," she admitted, as her eyes never left the numbers signaling what floor they were heading towards. They were currently on the third floor. Two more to go. "And I'm also mad. Grandfather is a proud man, to a fault. He didn't want any of this to get out, nor for me or Alice to worry over it. But, it's been too long, so we all know it had to be something… serious," she seemed to pause, not really liking to have to use that word at all.

"Gramps is a strong guy," Soma quickly cut in. "He'll be fine, you'll see. A man that fit and healthy will outright outlive all of us."

She gave out a small laugh, which was enough, before she added a small, "I know."

Then they reached their desired floor, and the doors opened up. Erina, despite her attempts, quickly bolted out, as Soma followed. He could tell she was nervous, given how she was almost jogging towards the room they had been directed to. He followed closely behind, but he didn't want to overstep either. This was between family, and despite himself, he couldn't quite shake off the image of himself as a kid… walking down very similar halls… on his way, with his father by his side, towards the room his mom had been assigned to. Her stay had not been long, but his father, his grandfather, and he himself had not missed a single day to visit her, all hoping that they were wrong and that she was going to be able to come back home.

He shook his head, noting now was really not the time for that, just as they reached the room.

Erina paused, her hand midway stretched out, inches from the door. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, before she forced herself to take hold of the door, and push it open. Soma pressed his frame against the nearby wall, deciding to wait out here for the moment, as Erina took a few steps inside, her eyes widening at the sight before her.

"…Hmm. I should have known not a force in this world would ever keep you at bay for that long."

His voice cut right through her, and Erina felt her heart sink.

There he was. Senzaemon Nakiri.

Her grandfather. The strongest man she had ever known. The strongest man she would ever know.

In her eyes, a man so powerful he could carry the weight of the world in his shoulders effortlessly, and the only man in this entire world that even her proud and powerful father outright feared, and for good reason. He was THE Nakiri, and she had no doubt, but…

The tired man she saw sitting on that bed was not who she had expected to see. He had grown a bit frail, his body a bit thinner than before, his hair lacking the luster it once had. He turned towards his eldest granddaughter slowly, and it was a relief to her that at least his eyes had not lost that strength they were known for.

He looked conflicted, and she knew for a fact he had told her uncle that he did not want any of them to see him in this state, at least until this whole thing blew over. But even if this had not happened, to her, that was nothing but a selfish desire, and as his spoiled little girl, Erina Nakiri had every right to outright demand to let her see him. And damn it, nothing was going to stop her!

"Grandpa…" she voiced uncharacteristically, still standing by the door. Her eyes on him and on the machinery connected to him, some she knew; others she knew not. Each contraption worrying her more.

"My little Erina," Senzaemon voiced, and despite it all, despite how he sounded weaker than she was used too, it was still him. "I apologize at having to see your old man in this sorry state," he added with a small smile, before he paused and narrowed his eyes at her, "Well, you just going to stand there, or is this a test to make me walk up to you, because I am more than capable-"

She did not let him finish. She outright ran from the door and threw herself at him. He took her into her arms, just a firmly as he had always done, and for just the briefest of moments, everything was fine once more. She held onto him tightly, before she caught herself and tried to show some restraint. He was a patient in bed, she shouted to herself, and she wasn't some child to just hop in like that. She could hurt him.

"Grandp-father, I'm sorry, I-" she tried, moving herself a bit away, but she found herself unable to move much, as his arms were still strong enough to hold onto her and not let go. The knot in her throat proved much too strong, and she knew if she spoke another word, she'd just end up crying. And she was not a child, not anymore.

"Do not think me so frail that a hug from my granddaughter would do anything but brighten up my day," he told her firmly, before he cupped her little head in his rough, yet gentle hands. "I've heard most of it. News comes and goes fast when all you have is a television set to pass the time. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, long enough to allow that man to slither right back inside as if nothing had happened."

It's not your fault, she wanted to say, but damn it, she couldn't talk and not cry.

"Tell me little one," he added, and as she looked on, she could see just how sick he must be, to have been forced to stay here and not go out to help her at once, as she was sure he would. "So much sadness behind those pretty little eyes. Why does it look like everything has fallen onto your lap to be solved? Are there no adults in that damn school capable of handling their own messes?!" he voiced, and he sounded mad, she could tell.

"…It's all become such a mess," she said, not even trying to lie anymore. "Father claimed he wanted to fix things, get our family back together-" she began, but paused the moment her grandfather outright scoffed. She just pouted. "…Expected reaction. You know, Soma gave me the exact same response."

"Then he and I are on the same page," Senzaemon declared, as his eyes shifted from his granddaughter and towards the still opened door. "Would I be wrong in assuming he is the one who accompanied you in this surprise visit?"

"You wouldn't…" Erina noted, as she turned, now noticing that Soma had stayed outside and had not even uttered a word. She couldn't help but smile at the notion. "I should really tell him to come say hi," she added, before she turned towards the elder man. "…If you feel up to it."

"Oh, now you're giving me a choice?" he asked her in an amused tone, but the moment her pout shifted to an outright glare he just gulped.

"You do realize how selfish you've been? With me and Alice? But especially me?!" she asked, her tone utterly ice cold. The old man had honestly missed these reprimands, for despite all his power and influence, this young brat could make him fall to his knees in seconds. "Not one word, like, at all. Do you have any idea how rough that was on us? On me? You are not allowed to just disappear like that and not inform me of it. Am I clear?"

"Yes dear."

"And you will tell me everything that's going on," she declared, extending her arm, index finger pointed at him, menacingly. "Am I clear?"

"Yes dear."

Soma just held himself against the cold wall, giving the roof an amused look. 'Sounds about right…' he thought, sending his thoughts and prayers to the old man's dignity and image since once Erina got started, the poor guy wouldn't be able to get even a word in. She was… masterful in that, Soma had long realized. However, before Soma could contemplate whether he should go in or stay out, given how he had heard them say his name a bit earlier, he saw, what he assumed was, one of the doctors approach him.

"Visiting hours are over for the day young man," the doctor spoke up, standing before the young chef. His tone was stoic, but he didn't sound mad or annoyed, which was a welcomed change at least.

"Eh, yeah, we figured," Soma noted, his eyes on the elder man. "My bad, but we've been granted permission, but for specifics, you could ask her."

"Her?" the doctor repeated, before he turned his eyes towards the room in question, using his index finger to fix his slim glasses back into place. "That would mean either Miss Erina or Miss Alice I'd assume," he noted, as he took a few steps and took a peak into the room. "Ah, the former it is."

"Dr. Arato?" Erina voiced, with her head tilted to the side a bit, still childishly sitting atop the patient's bed, before she caught herself, and with a light blush, slowly removed herself from her grandfather's lap. "Ehem," she softly cleared her throat, "Are you one of the doctors in-charge of overseeing my grandfather?"

"That I am," the doctor noted with a firm nod, just as Soma stepped into the room. "I told you she'd make her way in here eventually Mr. Nakiri," he added, turning to his patient, who just smiled. "I'm honestly more surprised my daughter didn't end up here as well."

"Daughter?" Soma voiced, turning to the elder man, as Erina just rolled her eyes.

"Did you not recognize his name?" Erina voiced, her eyes on the confused Yukihira. "A~ra~to," she slowly repeated, which caused Soma to slowly realize what she meant. "He's Hisako's father, a friend of the family of course, and a very talented medical expert."

"No need for the praise my little lady," Dr. Arato told the girl, his hand raised and softly petting her in the head. She fidgeted a bit at the sudden affection, but accepted it nonetheless. He then turned to Soma. "And you I find familiar. Soma Yukihira, correct?" he asked, and the boy nodded. This man really did resemble Hisako, or, was it the other way around? "Hisako has spoken about you, mostly positively. Pleasured to meet you."

"Eh… yeah," Soma replied, a bit taken back, not by the greetings, but by the elder man extending his hand and initiating a fist bump with the teen, which he had not expected. The doctor even made a "blowing up" motion on his end, complete with sound effects, to fully complete the salute. Soma just stared, unsure if he should follow along and not be rude.

"Please excuse my granddaughter and her boyfriend's sudden visitation," Senzaemon voiced, his eyes on the doctor, outright ignoring the stoic display that still had Soma confused. "That being said," Senzaemon added, shifting his gaze towards the young chef. "It is nice to see you, my new Seventh Seat. Thank you for looking over my dear granddaughter, and for protecting Tootsuki Academy."

"Hey, I'm kinda to blame for this entire mess in the first place," Soma just said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "It's my school and my home, so, just doing my part. Glad to see you in high spirits gramps. I'm sure you'll be back on your feet in no time."

"Well said," Senzaemon noted, before he turned back to Dr. Arato. "Doctor, if you would indulge me for a bit, please allow these two to stay as long as they wish. I know it's not protocol, but I do pay a hefty amount to this place every so often…"

"You don't need to blackmail me, sir," the good old Doctor just dryly noted, as Erina could be seen covering her little laugh with her hand, as Soma looked on, amused. "They can stay if they wish, just call me up if you need anything."

Senzaemon nodded, and as the Doctor turned, he was stopped by Erina raising her hand.

"If you can excuse me Dr. Arato," she voiced, after taking a seat in one of the two chairs placed for visitors next to Senzaemon's bed, before she signaled her boyfriend to come sit down next to her. "May you explain to me what my grandfather has and why he's been in here for so long?"

"That's…" Dr. Arato began, shifting his gaze towards Senzaemon, since he knew patient privileges were a thing, even if she was family. But, he also knew, she was Erina Nakiri.

Senzaemon looked on, opening his mouth to speak…

"My grandfather has no say in this matter," Erina added, very firmly. Her tone made both elder men flinch. "If he thinks I came all this way and he's still not telling me anything, after he outright left me alone in the worst moments of my life, then well," then she outright laughed, which even freaked Soma out a bit. He had never heard her laugh like that.

Dr. Arato just stared.

Senzaemon felt it was the Summer of '59 all over again.

"…ah," she then gave a short pause, her sharp eyes on her grandfather, "You agree right? You'll fill me in with everything that's happening, won't you?"

"For the purposes of my own safety I am obligated to say that yes, I agree, and please Doctor, explain everything to her," Senzaemon informed, and Dr. Arato just nodded. Soma stared, wondering how on Earth he had actually clashed with this girl back in the day so effortlessly. She could be insanely scary when she wanted to.

"Very well," a still unnerved Doctor replied, taking hold of a nearby chart that displayed all the information regarding Senzaemon's case. Not that he needed it, per say, since he knew the old man's case by heart by now, but in his best interest, he really shouldn't leave out any details, less he end up in a hospital bed as well. "…Your grandfather came in for an emergency check-up, after being practically dragged in here by Soe and Leonora, because he was adamant it was nothing-"

"There's no need to add so much backstory," Senzaemon whined.

"I was told to be thorough," Dr. Arato merely shot back. "He came in with some moderate chest pains and fatigue, which was shocking to us, because once we examined him his condition was worrisome, and what would make any grown man collapse merely made him feel discomfort."

'Sounds like him,' both Erina and Soma noted.

"After a few tests and a thorough examination process," Dr. Arato continued, his eyes on his grafts. "We concluded he was suffering from a damaged aortic heart valve, which we were able to deduce had been caused by a rheumatic fever he had suffered as a child, left undiagnosed and untreated. As such, the staff here ordered him to be given a room, as they begun to try and treat it with medication, see if that would work. After a few weeks, and no recovery, I was called in. As a Cardiologist, I was appointed this case and I've been working with him to see if surgery is needed, and if it is, if we can do it by a minimal invasive heart surgery, as opposed to an open heart surgery."

The Doctor then paused, turning to the teens.

Erina's eyes were wide, and she was conflicted, having confirmed her fears, but having trouble processing it all. Her eyes were wet, but she was refusing to cry. It was serious. It was bad. But… they made it sound like he could get better. No! He would get better. She had faith. She then turned to Soma, but his face looked… just as lost as hers. "…Soma…?"

The moment he heard her call him was the moment he snapped out of it. "Oh, sorry, I was just trying to process all of that," he told her. "I didn't understand much, but it sounds like he's in good hands, and they can get him healed up, right?"

"That's the plan," the Doctor replied.

"I'll be fine," Senzaemon added with a scoff. "Don't start burying me just yet. There's much I have left to do, and certain things I need to fix once I get back to Tootsuki proper."

"Let's first get you fixed up," Dr. Arato added, and Senzaemon just pouted and looked away, causing the Doctor to have a sweat drop right down his head.

Erina nodded at all of this, but her eyes were still on Soma. 'Why did he sound like he was lying to me just now…?'

Soma, for his part, just stared, his expressions as unreadable as he could manage them. Since… 'Stop thinking about it,' he ordered himself. 'It sounds so similar to what happened to mom, but damn it, gramps a strong guy, and he has the best care. Not that mom was weak, I didn't mean-No! Focus. If I get torn up over this, and Erina makes the connection, I'll bring her hopes crashing down. Be strong, for once, just be strong.'

His vision was getting a bit blurry. He could tell he was getting nervous, dangerously close to a panic attack he had not felt in ages. But, he refused to show it. Erina needed support, as did Senzaemon. Bringing out the past would not help in the slightest. He needed to force those thoughts back into the recesses of his mind where they belonged. So he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and-

"Soma," Erina cut in, her hand on his lap, and he had not even noticed her move. "…Do you want to get some fresh air for a moment?"

"…Erina, I…"

"I kinda need it," she explained, as she turned to her grandfather. "Give us just a second, okay. I'll be right back, since we have much to discuss," she stated firmly, and Senzaemon just nodded knowingly. She also turned to address Dr. Arato, giving Hisako's father a bow. "And thank you so much for everything. I am indebted to you in ways I cannot express. Not only did you introduce me to my best friend in the whole world, but you are now saving my grandfather, so… thank you."

After excusing themselves for a moment, Soma and Erina made their way right out to the hospital's roof, which Erina had asked for permission, which made Soma realize Erina practically owned this place, as not once was she told no. Still, fresh air suited him just fine, as they both walked out, with him carefully setting a nearby chair against the door so it wouldn't close on them and leave them stranded up there, as per Dr. Arato's advice. He then paused, turning towards Erina, and he was surprised she was observing him rather intently.

"What?" he asked with a small laugh, as her features shifted to a more concerned expression.

"You okay?" she asked in that soft tone he wasn't still all that used in hearing from her.

"Me? Yeah, why'd you-I mean, I'm more worried about you," he replied, taking a few steps closer to the girl. "I know that all sounded serious, but he'll be fine. I'm certain of it. And once he's back on his feet, you'll see how he'll quickly fix everything up."

"No."

Soma paused, eyes a bit wide, as Erina just shook her head, but despite this, she was smiling just a little bit.

"Erina."

"I do not want to cause my grandfather more turmoil," she expressed, her eyes still to the stars. "I'm a grown girl now. I can fight my own battles. I'll… fix everything. Don't ask me how, I do not know. But I will. But it was rough, hearing all of that…" she added, before she turned back to him, those wide eyes of hers shining more than the starts themselves. "…You didn't seem well in there. Bad memories?"

And again, she could read him flawlessly. He bit down his automatic reply, where he would play it off. Dodge the topic, hide the pain. She deserved better than that.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry," she expressed. "I should have asked if you would have wanted to come here with me."

"I told you I'd go anywhere," he corrected. "…It just reminded me of my mom. It was just about a month, not that long, but I visited her every day. The halls, the rooms, the… smell. I can't stand it."

"Then don't pretend otherwise," Erina told him. "Not with me. I know I have been… well, a pain lately, but-"

"Lately?"

The glare mixed with a pout he received made him laugh. He needed that so much. She, not so much.

"I am not above throwing you off this roof."

"I bet you're not," Soma noted, "But, you're right. My bad. I'll stop bottling this things up," he promised, but added, "But, I do want to make a thing clear. My mom's diagnosis was when she was already at the final stages. They couldn't even attempt surgery with her. From what we heard, gramps is not in it that badly, so I'm not lying when I say I really think he'll make it out of this."

"…Yeah," Erina said as she nodded. Then, once more, her eyes went up to the stars. The breeze hit the two of them, and Soma shivered a little. It was cold, but admittedly, the hospital had been colder. But Erina, for once, didn't seem bothered in the slightest. She looked on, her gaze lost upon the sea of stars, eyes wide, taking it all in. For once in what felt like for so long, she was away from the mansion or the school or the stadium. No one that she needed to act for. No one she needed to try and bend over backwards to try and make them love her. Just herself, one Erina Nakiri, and the boy that had taken her heart hostage for reasons the Erina of one year ago would had outright slapped her right across the face over. 'I would have had a stroke if I had been told, that one year from then, the plebian I so desperately wanted out of my life was to become the boy of my dreams. Why can life be so weird at times?'

Soma just looked on, his eyes slowly widening at the sight. He had known this girl for over a year, and despite everything, he couldn't quite deny it. Ever since he first saw her, standing proudly before all the new would-be students, announcing her presence with such a demanding tone and aura that they had no choice but to turn to her, she had been outright mesmerizing.

And, despite the ups and downs, their clashes and bravado, their rivalry that carried on from the breakfast banquet at the resort.

To her sheer thrill at rubbing his defeat at the Autumn Elections and his denial that it had any effect on him.

To Akira forcing them to work together and how they both decried that notion, getting along like oil and water.

To his expulsion and her resignation, both lost, yet both finding each other despite the world seeming outright intent on keeping them apart.

To that cruise he'd never forget, where he took her to dance, lost his nerve, then got some sense kicked into him by Isshiki, before he took the biggest chance in the world and gave a kiss to the most beautiful, amazing girl he had ever met.

Since then, they have fought together, struggled together, and despite all the fallouts, the clashes, the pain, here they were, with a tomorrow just as uncertain as ever, but still together, despite the universe's best attempts.

And, as he looked at her, he couldn't quite remember how to breathe. As the wind blew, brushing her hair back and allowing her eyes to outright sparkle with the glimmering light of the stars themselves, Soma could only state in awe, just as he had done so since the very start.

Because no matter how much time passes, she's still a sight to behold…

-0-

In the seedy bar that moonlights as a restaurant every so often, a rogues gallery of chefs all gathered, each working on the dishes meant to finally help them all achieve the highest standing amongst the culinary world itself. Their leader had gifted them the prototypes for their usage, and now, after strenuous trial and error, they had continued to polish that craft further and further. All enough to hopefully aide the man himself in his biggest gamble ever. It was business as usual, to them, so when the doors of "Con Calma, Don Calma" got knocked on this late at night, the Noirs all turned, knives in hand.

Had trouble found them so quickly, they wondered, before one of their two substitute leaders, the ever resourceful Yuunosuke Tanaka, took guided steps towards the entrance, giving pause the moment he saw a familiar silhouette on the other side.

"Asahi?" he asked, opening the door to reveal their King standing before them, utterly unannounced, and sporting the dumbest grin he had ever seen the guy wear. "Has something…?"

"Hey Yuunosuke!" Asahi greeted, offering his right hand guy a little wave. "Didn't much know of any places opened this late, so we decided we could just hang out here for a bit."

"We?" Yuunosuke asked, but his question got answered by not Asahi, but by the most unexpected of presences.

"Coming in!" Dove announced as she swiftly kicked the door open, accidentally, they assumed, hitting Yuunosuke in the shin with it, causing the guy to squirm and grasp his pained leg. Dove utterly ignored him, strolling past all the utterly confused Noir chefs, as she made her way to the main counter, before she took a seat. Not on a chair, because of course. She sat her ass right on the counter, legs crossed, as she turned to stare at each and every little Noir before her. "…You guys look stupider every time I see you. Why are you all in Halloween costumes?"

"What's the meaning of this?!" the masked Kou Shiou shouted, pointing his gloved hand towards the invading young lady. She looked on, amused.

"Asahi, why is she here?" Claude Ville asked, the bad doctor shifting his glare from the girl towards their so-called King who seemed to have gone insane.

"T-That's Dove Dillinger, no?" Bonnie Harriet asked, examining the girl before them that was so damn pretty she resembled a porcelain doll sitting on display on that counter.

"That she is," Boogie Malcanta replied, utterly baffled. The clown was moments from adding something else, but Dove shifted her attention to him for a moment, and with a sly smile she just winked at him, which caused all the color to drain from his face. '…Is this a part of Nakamura's plan, or what…?!'

"Can you get your butt off my counter little Miss?!" Don Calma quickly cried out the moment he saw her just sitting there. "That's where we serve customers their food! Noirs as we are, we still abide by health regulations… mostly!"

"Oh, please," Dove countered, turning to the would-be owner of the joint. "Let's be real Colonel Sanders. Out of all the grub you all could ever hope to serve in this place, I'm far and wide the most appealing dish to ever be placed on this counter."

"How dare you!" Don Calma fumed.

'Truth be told…' Kou, Claude and Bonnie all thought in unison, '…she's not exactly wrong.'

"And what are you three thinking?!" Don Calma added, his rage turned towards the former three Noirs, all three who merely averted their gazes. They couldn't really argue against her point anyways, she was certainly… a treat for the eyes, even if the elder man refused to see it.

"So…" Dove began, extending her index finger and pointing towards the Noirs, one by one, "We have this old fart as the owner. A Doctor Frankenstein wanna-be…"

Claude just narrowed his eyes.

"…A Freddy Krueger wanna-be…"

"I'm not…" Kou tried.

"…A Playboy Bunny reject…"

"My outfit is not based on that!" Bunnyhair screamed out, blushing.

"…Pennywise after eating way too many Georgies…"

Boogie said absolutely nothing.

"…someone's grandma…"

Yuunosuke's right eye visibly twitched, as all the other Noirs just turned to him, and Bunnyhair actually snorted. He was so done with whatever it was that was happening. And, despite it all, Asahi was just standing there, not saying a word, his expression… strange.

"You really do seem to think you can just waltz in here and badmouth us all," someone else spoke up, which caused Dove to turn, coming face-to-face with Asahi's other leading performer. Sarge was not all that happy with the girl's presence, if her features were any indications. "WGO approved or otherwise, you'd be wise to know just who you are dealing with, little girl."

"Ah… and the slutty soldier; you guys really know how to pick strange themes, don't ya?" Dove concluded, her eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Sarge and her intense glare.

"Quite an observation coming from you," Sarge countered, her eyes on Dove, who was still all smiles.

"Oh please, I'm just sexy by default," Dove merely replied, waving her off. "But no judgment from my part, honestly. If anything, I'm impressed you can rock such a cosplay at your age."

Sarge felt a vein pop. "Why you little-!"

"Keep calm Sarge," Asahi softly voice, but it did cause all the Noirs to pause, Sarge included. She turned, eyes wide with fury, to their so-called leader.

"What's the meaning of this?!" she demanded. "Why is she here?! Have you gone insane?!"

"Perhaps," Asahi just noted, before he turned to Dove. "Come on Dove, stop messing with them. They are… unique, I'll admit, but they're my group. Let's try to get along."

"If you say so," Dove noted, as she pushed herself off the counter, and waltz right across from all the Noirs, both the main ones she had called out, and the dozen or so she had outright ignored. They didn't seem to have much of a presence anyways, not for her at least. She skipped her way towards a nearby table, taking a proper seat this time, and turning back to Asahi. "Your treat, right?"

"…Yeah," Asahi simply replied, and made his way towards her, as everyone just looked on, utterly baffled. Yuunosuke actually stopped Asahi briefly, his hand on his shoulder, asking their boss what the hell he was doing, to which Asahi replied with a simple albeit worrisome, "I have absolutely no idea."

In no time, both Asahi and Dove were seated on one of the tables in this Noir filled bar-restaurant, Asahi feeling all the stares of his followers digging themselves into him. Dove too, but she seemed to be enjoying herself too much to either notice or care.

"So…?" Asahi began, still utterly unsure of what this even was.

"So…" Dove repeated, tone and all, "Have your goons fix us something good! I'm hungry, and I've never quite experienced any cooking from other Noirs, since I sort of got stuck with that label just by merit of being associated with Azami. I don't do the… theatrics."

"If you keep tormenting them like that, I wouldn't actually recommend you eat what the bring you," Asahi noted, to which Dove just smiled.

"Perhaps," she replied. "But you'll make sure I'll be okay. After all… you promised."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he examined her for mockery or sarcasm, but he found none. Sighing, he just nodded, and raised his hand, alerting his already uneasy group. "Eh… let's treat the lady to some of our best stuff, okay?"

"WHAT?!" they all blurted out in different tones, but equally frustrated. Only Yuunosuke kept quiet, his eyes on their boss. Then, they all complained in unison…

"After all those insults you think we'll-!" Kou began.

"I don't care how hot she is, we're not-!" Bunnyhair began.

"Why doesn't she cook something if she's all that-!" Claude began.

"This must be some sort of bad joke, because we-!" Boogie began.

"I refuse to serve such an impolite brat. She can kiss my big, hairy-!" Don Calma began.

"Asahi! What the hell man?! This goes against every single thing we-!" even Sarge began.

…but they well all quickly, suddenly silenced.

"Hey…" Asahi softly spoke up, and in a second, the huge uproar was gone. No noise, no screams, no yells, no… nothing. Their boss just turned to his group, and it was here they were reminded why he was still in-charge. "I gave Dove Dillinger here my word I would not do anything inappropriate, and I am a man of my word. You all won't make me look bad, right?"

They all just looked down, still furious, but realizing it was pointless to even try to argue with this man. Asahi Saiba was leagues beyond any of them, and if they weren't in the streets, working for dangerous people, or just outright dead by now, it was because of him and his skills. So they said nothing, expect nodding and moving towards the kitchen area. Only Sarge scoffed and fumed away, which made Dove giggle, while Yuunosuke just sighed and carried on. He knew there was more to this than what Asahi was spilling, but it wasn't his place to question the King of Noirs after all.

"…Did you potty train them too?" Dove asked, still smirking.

"Can't you try and get along with them?" Asahi asked in turn, his eyes back on the girl.

"Can't help it," she admitted. "I trust them as much as I trust you."

"You were the one who accepted my pinky promise," Asahi reminded her. She shrugged. "And, word of advice, like, don't do that. Don't follow a sketchy guy right into his hideout. It's not the safest of ideas."

"The fact that I don't trust you doesn't mean I outright believe you'd ever harm me," Dove simply replied, and it made him raise his brow. "What's that look for?" she asked, smiling. "Besides, if things did get dicey, just one tap on my phone and Shawn's entire security forces would be here within minutes. Granted, you all could stab me to death in that time, but… well, it wouldn't be pretty what would happen to you all afterwards, is all I'm saying."

"Morbid," Asahi noted, "Thankfully, unneeded, but I'm glad you have that. Wish I could get my hands on the privileges of the rich and the wealthy."

"Just demand it then," Dove countered, and Asahi gave her a questioning look. "What? You are his son after all. It's the least he owes you," she explained, and his face soured. He really didn't like being reminded of that fact. "…You really didn't need all of this. And believe me, I get it. All you guys thrive on this performance of "evil cooking"," she said, waving her fingers around and putting on a scary voice when she said the last two words for added effect, "but, truth be told, you could have just sued Azami for all he's worth, and had gotten your fair share of money without having to cook a single dish."

"…My plans are more than just money," Asahi stated, which caused Dove to give him a curious look. "No need to get into it. Just saying-"

"What's your plan then?"

"I don't have to-"

"You swore…" she reminded him, lifting her little pinky. He felt slapped. She laughed at his expression, but in reality they both knew he was under no obligation to follow through to that degree, and she knew for a fact that he wasn't going to spill to her everything that could, in the end, define the rest of his life depending on the outcome. And, despite whatever this night was, it was clear that Asahi Saiba and Dove Dillinger were fated to be enemies until the bitter end. Only one could achieve their goals, at the expense of the other's failure. And… she couldn't afford to lose.

"…Hmm…" Asahi breathed in for a moment, which made her chuckle, since his face was worth a million bucks.

"I got you good didn't-"

"…I want to upstage every single one of you Neo Noirs in the grand stage," Asahi said, his tone serious, and it caused Dove to outright flinch. She turned to him, eyes wide, utterly confused. Was he really…? "…Have Erina get better, so that she can at least survive long enough so that Tootsuki Academy isn't eliminated before our match comes up. According to everything I have researched, my best bet, outside of her, is Satoshi Isshiki and Akira Hayama also surviving for that long, and I hope they do. I… had hopes Soma would too, but he proved… lacking."

"Wait, hold up," Dove interrupted, her hands raised. "Are… Are you seriously telling me the truth?"

"I did swear," he reminded her, lifting his pinky finger, and she didn't know whether to laugh or cry at how dumb this all sounded. "Regardless, if she can make it to our match, my plan is to train her to face-off against each one of you, eliminate you, and Julius, and god damn it that Ashitaro who gives me the creeps, then I'll make my move. Crush her, crush any remaining Elite Ten members, and declare an open challenge to my father."

Dove, once more, had no idea how to even respond or react. "Your endgame is challenging… Azami?"

"No," Asahi corrected. "My endgame is crushing him. As the sole winner of the Intercontinental Shokugeki, the outright biggest culinary event in history, with the best of the World Gourmet Organization as my judges, and the infallible Tootsuki Academy as my stage, Azami Nakamura will have no choice but to accept. There I will crush that man, and everything his True Gourmet bullshit stands for. I will become the best chef in the entire world, and I will not go to bed hungry for another single day of my life."

"That is… quite the nefarious plot, I'll admit. I'm impressed," Dove noted, her eyes narrowed. 'His aim has been Azami all along, Erina and even the other Elite Ten students are merely stepping stones for him. All to take us out of the picture, just so he and he alone can be declared the best. I should… really warn Azami about all of this. If anything, the safest route, would be, to just remove Asahi from our team. At this point, Azami's reputation is already tarnished, and the world isn't going to worry that much about Asahi as it does about Erina, for as cruel as that sounds…'

"So… that's my plan," Asahi concluded, resting his back to the chair. "Man, feels good to get it off my chest. I mean, it's not foolproof, since well, you kinda kicked my sister's ass back at our infamous family dinner, which I really, really did not expect. So… I'm kinda at a loss as to how I can polish her to our level in such a short time."

"…You really shouldn't be telling me this," Dove simply said, her eyes on her hands, her fingernails playing a little melody on the table. "If I tell him, it's all over for you."

"True," he admitted. "And, honestly, I have no reason to believe you wouldn't tell him. Hell, it might win you back favor with him. But… I won't stop. If not on this event, I'll get him eventually. So, tell him if you wish, I'll just challenge the Elite Ten and you Neo Noirs by myself if I have to. I cannot afford to lose, not anymore. I-"

"I won't tell."

"…Why?" Asahi just flatly asked, sounding genuinely confused. He knew she owed him nothing. Him helping her out earlier did not merit this much gratitude. "Dove, you don't owe me a thing."

"Neither do you me," she replied. "Yet you stuck up for me. I don't care for Azami's plans. I don't approve of how he has treated Erina. And, for a man who claims he wants to get back together with Mana Nakiri, the woman of his dreams, he would not be doing the things he has been doing. I… am a Noir. But I am also a girl, and a daughter. I would never want a man like Azami anywhere near my mother, or my little sister."

"Dove…" Asahi couldn't help himself from saying her name. She looked… so different from how she usually did, so much so that he couldn't put it into words.

"I will, however," she added, now her eyes on his, a fire in them that outright made him flinch. "Keep my promise. I will win this International Shokugeki, by myself if that's what it takes. I have too much at stake. I know, now, that you do as well. And I'm sorry. You may challenge Azami at any further point in time if you wish, I do not care. But, in this event, if Tootsuki Academy makes it to the final match, I will destroy them, and if need be…" she paused, her glare evident. "I will destroy you too."

Asahi was silent.

Soon enough, a few of the other Noirs bought out a few sample dishes for the pair, setting up the various foods across their table, all the while Dove quickly geeked out and began to decipher each and every dish presented to her, outright shocking the Noirs at how this girl was able to dissect their best dishes without even having tasted any of it. But, as she spoke at length about their craft (and, also, their mistakes, much to their annoyance) Asahi just stared at this girl who had just threatened him in no uncertain terms. She knew who he was, and in this sea of people who talked tough, yet either submitted in the end like all his Noirs, or attempted to fight him yet got beaten firmly, like one Soma Yukihira, this girl… she was confident she could beat him. And for once, he wasn't all that sure he could deny her claims.

"The secret to becoming a real chef," he remembered his mentor, idol and would-be father figure Jouichirou Saiba tell him all those years ago. Why he was reminded of this now, he did not know. "…is to meet a special someone to whom you can dedicate all your cooking to."

And, it seemed, Asahi Saiba was finally meeting the real Dove Dillinger…

-0-

Erina spent some more time with her grandfather, speaking a few matter to him, getting a lot off her chest Soma imagined, but he waited for her outside. At her insistence, of course, but he agreed it was for the best. Both for him and for her, since he did not want to be in there, and she needed some privacy regardless. But, surprisingly, she didn't take long. After about fifteen minutes, she was already out, ready to be driven back home. Soma quickly asked her if that was fine, that he could wait all night if need be, but she declined, making it clear that she had spoken enough, and she wasn't just going to abuse his assistance like that.

Then he made a joke about that attitude would have surely been helpful during their match against Akira, which quickly got her mad and she threatened to smack him upside the head with her pink helmet.

He laughed, she shouted, then she laughed too. Like they always do.

He drove her back, her arms once more wrapped firmly around his frame, her head rested on his back, as he tried to calm his breathing down. Her touch really was dangerous, he had come to realize, no matter how many layers of clothing were between the two. The static of her touch against him could not be contained by mere fabric or leather.

But, despite having his head in the clouds, Soma still took notice of a small, subtle change in the climate. It had begun to rain. A small, lost cloud maybe. Nothing major, but he knew they had both come out of a very, very cold environment, and she had taken a very warm bath prior, so if she got wet, she could get sick. And, as much as he loved her, his bike did not really have a, say, roof. So, Soma quickly diverted his path, taking a stop at the nearest twenty-four-seven convenience store, parking them under the nearest shade.

"It's raining?" Erina asked, as if she had just noticed the droplets. She extended her hand, palm opened, as she caught a single raindrop.

"Yeah, best we don't get drenched," Soma explained, smiling. "It's probably just a small thing, we let it past and we're on the clear."

It was not just a small thing. Within minutes, a heavy rain had eclipsed everything, leaving both teens looking at the scenery before them with wide eyes, both of them having their right eye twitch in unison.

"Can you even drive like that?" Erina asked, seeing how she couldn't even see beyond like six feet beyond her face by how heavy the rain was.

"I'd rather not," Soma replied, noting that his bike was ill-suited for such endeavors. Especially if it was carrying two people at once. Still… "It's getting pretty chilly here, even if the rain doesn't reach us. Wanna head inside the store?"

"…Sure," Erina noted, trying her best to sound uninterested. Truth be told, she had never visited a local convenience store before, so it sounded fun.

Soma and Erina made their way towards the entrance, trying their best to avoid the drafts of wind that pushed the rain towards them. They weren't all that successful, as one rather strong draft drenched Soma utterly, just as the two had made their way inside the store, which caused Erina to burst out into laughter. He quickly shook himself off like a dog, which caused her laughter to turn into a sort of yell, since he got her wet in turn.

"Soma!" she cried out in-between bouts of laughter, covering her face with her sleeves. "Stop! You're getting me wet!"

"You, I was inches from the door, and look at me!" he complained, joining in on her laughter, as they both slowly realized that the person in charge of the cash register was looking at the both with the most unamused look she could manage. "Hey, sorry about that. I'll dry this up real quick."

"You'll do no such thing," Erina quickly cut in, her eyes on the clerk. "Apologies, but I'll pay for the clean-up. Please forgive our-Hey!" Erina cried out, mid-explanation, as Soma had tugged her wet hair and flipped it over her face.

"Stop bribing people," he said jokingly, which, once she was able to untangle herself from her own hair, she quickly faked taking offense to.

"I'm not bribing anyone!" she argued, despite the laughter. "This is how things should be handled. Not that I'd expect a commoner like you to understand."

"Oh, back to that again?" he asked, taking her by the waist, pulling her closer.

"And what if I am?" she shot back, biting her lower lips. "What are you going to do about it?"

'Love is wasted on the young,' the clerk couldn't help but note, her bored expression unchanged as she saw these two teens just laugh and tease each other endlessly, as they got closer and closer to one another. '…Kids these days are so bold.'

"You wanna buy something hot to drink?" Soma offered, holding onto Erina tightly. The girl paused, shifting her eyes towards the surrounding store. She had almost forgotten, but she had been thrilled at seeing a local convenience store, so she should try and make the most of it.

"Yes," she firmly replied, her eyes almost sparkling. Soma just laughed, but quickly took hold of her hands the moment he saw her move them.

"None of that," he told a confused Erina. "I offered, so I'm paying."

"Soma…" she stated with half a pout. "You know you don't have to. You don't have to prove anything to me, like at all. I know my money is of no consequence to you, so just let me pay for stuff."

"I'll take it into account," Soma replied. "But I still offered, so I'm still paying. Commoner money is still money, so just shut up and take it."

"Oh, for the…" she argued, but knew it was just like screaming at a brick wall. She sighed, deciding to follow along, as he guided her towards where the drinks were. She wanted some hot tea, something similar to what Hisako would make for her, while he took some flavored coffee can, which she was surprised by. "Since when do you drink coffee?"

"Since about… now-ish?" he replied, and she laughed.

The two then made their way to the clerk, who took hold of both cans, scanned them, as the two teens continued to playfully banter with one another, and even she couldn't help but find it both stupid and adorable. As it should be, she supposed.

"May I interest you in anything else?" she asked, and Soma seemed to consider it. Were they hungry? He was, but would Erina actually eat from anything from these parts.

"You want something?" Soma asked Erina, as the blonde heiress stared at the selection. She had absolutely no idea what anything on display was.

"No, I think I'm fine," she lied. She was starving. But the tea would have to suffice for now. As Soma took out his money and begun to count, which the Erina of old would find humiliating, but the Erina of now found amusing, said girl began to just ponder on just how much she had missed this. Had she actually, really been about to commit such a grave error? 'I was going to break things off,' she outright scolded herself. 'What was I even thinking? After everything we've been through? Yeah, sure girl, try your luck at finding another boy like Soma, someone who can see past your status and actually accept you for how intolerable you are. Like, for real. But…' she paused, her eyes narrowing, '…he said Asahi told him about that. Why would my brother…? I should ask Soma about that, and then, Asahi…'

"You sure there?" the clerk asked, as Soma handed her the money. Soma gave the woman a confused look, which made the woman just signal to Erina. "She seems like she's invested in something else."

Soma turned, wondering if Erina wanted something to eat after all, just as Erina heard the statement and came back from her own thoughts, only to have both of them realize that, despite having been daydreaming and not really paying attention, her eyes had been aimed at a very particular display.

"Oh?" Soma noted, as if it didn't mean anything special at all. Erina, on the other hand, had turned fifty shades of dead.

"I wasn't looking at that!" she screamed out, red in the face, and wishing the ground would open up and swallow her right then and there. Her, the Erina Nakiri, heiress of Tootsuki and the God's Tongue, looking at… that!

"Practicing safe sex is nothing to be embarrassed about," the clerk helpfully told the two, and Erina felt like fainting. Why was that next to the candy bars, she wanted to scream.

"No! Listen, I wasn't-" she tried, she really did.

"They actually come in different flavors," Soma noted, his hands on one of the packets, which made Erina actually produce steam from her ears.

"Don't touch that!" she shouted, shaking. "Do you know what those are?! What she's implying?!" she added, pointing an accusing finger at the confused clerk.

"Yeah, condoms, I know what they're for," Soma stated matter-of-factly, and Erina felt worse. A part of her had wished he hadn't known, so she could just play it off. But he did, because of course he did. "…They even come in different sizes, huh? I would have no idea what size I'd even-"

"Soma!" she exclaimed, pushing him aside and away from that display. He stumbled back, laughing a bit as he did, since while he would admit he did find it a bit embarrassing, her face was worth it a thousand times over. He laughed, she shrieked, then she threatened to throw everything in display at him, the clerk begged her not to, and then, someone else walked in, just in time to almost have Soma crash into him. "Soma!" Erina cried out again, this time worried he was going to collide with a customer, causing even more problems for the poor woman just trying to do her job, but luckily the boy was stopped.

A rather firm hand held him by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks, as the customer gave pause, before he removed his umbrella, revealing a familiar, albeit unexpected face.

"Eh?" Soma and Erina blurted out, surprised.

"Of course it would be you," Kojirou Shinomiya spoke up, his hand on Soma, before he softly pushed the boy back into a more proper posture. His eyes narrowed for a moment, well, more so than usual. "What on Earth are you doing causing trouble this late at night? Don't you have an Intercontinental Shokugeki to be concerned over?"

"Hey, Master!" Soma quickly greeted, all smiles. "Yeah, I mean, we're still hanging on. But, we were just caught in the rain."

"I see," Shinomiya noted, as he extended his gaze past his dumb student and towards the princess. She couldn't help but brush her hair a bit to look a little more presentable and proper under his strong gaze. "And even the princess herself is here. My, aren't you a horrible influence."

"Hey!" Soma barked, now frowning.

"Master Shinomiya," Erina greeted, bowing softly. "We were just coming back from visiting my grandfather at the hospital. Soma's not at fault, it was just my selfish whims. Besides, he speaks nothing but wonder of you, so there's no need to act like you two do not get along."

"Who's acting?" Shinomiya merely stated, and Soma's frown only grew. "I can't stand this brat. He is, however, a decent enough chef, so he gets a pass if only for that."

"I disagree wholeheartedly," Erina shot back, her arms crossed. "He is a wonderful person, but as a chef he is still lacking. He has yet to make a dish worthy of my praise."

"Hey!" Soma barked, his frown now aimed at Erina. "Not the time!"

"And you say I'm acting," Shinomiya noted amusingly. "Boy, do you know how to pick them," he added, patting the boy on the back, which caused him to pause. "Although, I suppose I'm not one to talk, given my own choices. Still, can't just leave you brats stranded here, give me a few moments to pick a few things up, and I'll give you a ride."

"Really?/!" Erina and Soma voiced, both with different tones, but both equally shocked at the offer, having not expected it of this ever stern man.

Regardless of that, Shinomiya proved a man of his word, and after he bought a few… things, he took Erina and Soma to his car parked close by. Once Soma voiced his concerns over his bike, and after Shinomiya mocked the hell out of it much to Yukihira's increasing frustration, Shinomiya still went back to the convenience store and, with just a few choice words, was allowed to leave the bike inside their storage area, ready to be picked up tomorrow. Then he drove off with the two teens, leaving the clerk behind utterly jealous at whoever the woman who had nabbed that man was.

Elsewhere, Hinako sneezed.

"Hey, thanks for storing my bike for me!" Soma noted, sitting in the back of the ever-expensive car. Erina, seated on the passenger's seat, just looked to the side, her eyes on the road and the heavy rain that still fell.

"If you left that pathetic excuse for a bike out in the rain like that, all you'd come back to find would be a puddle of rust and decay," Shinomiya merely stated, which caused Soma to pout.

"She isn't that bad a bike," he defended, arms crossed. "Gets the job done, and that's what matters."

"If you say so," Shinomiya replied.

"I happen to like her," Erina added, which caused Shinomiya to turn to her with the closest to an amused look he could manage.

"Never thought I'd see the day," he noted, after a brief pause. Erina just smiled. Soma was confused. "This idiot never shuts up about you, and for the longest time I had thought it was just a one-sided crush, but your little stunt in the showcase proved everyone wrong. I'm impressed, with him I mean."

"Soma can be surprisingly romantic when he wants to be," Erina noted with a sly little smile. She was fighting a blush with all her might. "And I've heard everything regarding your own relationship Master Shinomiya, with Miss Hinako Inui," she added, and as soon as she said this, Shinomiya felt a piercing set of eyes on him. He paused, turning to the side to face the little Nakiri, and her eyes were outright sparkling. "Feel free to share all the details about how you two fell in love and everything in-between!"

"You women really love those stories," Shinomiya noted grimly, his eyes back on the road.

"You have no idea," Soma added from the back. "But, to be fair, it was romantic as heck. The vegetable crib and all."

"I've seen the pictures Miss Inui has posted online of it," Erina also added. "It must have been so utterly quixotic. I would have never pictured you to be such a hopeless romantic."

"Why does that sound like an insult?" Shinomiya said, frowning.

"He tends to surprise people with stuff like that!" Soma added. "The man doesn't look it, but he is capable of being caring, despite that everything about him screams otherwise."

"Okay, that was clearly an insult," Shinomiya said, frowning harder.

"Where did you get the idea for such a detail?" the still starry-eyed Erina asked, heavily invested in the tale. Shinomiya just sighed, since despite himself, he was still insanely proud of that little stunt, and he did have the knucklehead seated behind him to thank. "It was just… something borrowed. An idea I had seen elsewhere, which I modified to fit the occasion. Did not expect it to be meant for me, that's for sure."

"He was so shocked he dropped it!" Soma said.

"He did?" Erina asked.

"Do not make me drop you both in the rain," Shinomiya warned, already regretting this little act of "kindness".

Despite his empty threats, Shinomiya still drove them to their destination, which was a bit surprising to the two of them. It wasn't that they felt that they were owed a ride back to Tootsuki, given how far it was and how late it was, plus the, you know, pouring rain, but neither had expected to stop by Shinomiya's home. Soma and Erina just stared, as Shinomiya opened his automatic garage gate and drove the car right in, parking it and opening the door. They both stared, first at each other, then at Shinomiya. He just sighed.

"It's late you brats," he explained. "I had to race out in this rain because Hinako had her cravings and I'd rather die in the storm than have her give me a speech about how childbearing works and why it's my fault she's like that and… you know, forget that. Just, it's late, and I owe Senzaemon a lot, so feel free to crash here. I'll take you both to Tootsuki tomorrow."

"Oh, really?" Soma asked, honestly surprised.

"There's no need," Erina tried. "I can just call one of my limousines and we'll be out of here in no time…"

"Suit yourself," Shinomiya simply said, as he got off his car. "But…" he added, almost as if threateningly, "I already texted Hinako about it, and she seemed thrilled at the idea of you two staying over. So leave at your own peril," then he just shut the door, leaving the two baffled teens inside.

"Miss Hinako can be scary," Soma quickly informed.

"I've heard," Erina replied, "We better stay."

No sooner had the pair joined Shinomiya into going inside his home than they had been greeted by a very, very excited Hinako. "It's the kids!" she exclaimed, quickly bouncing about and giving Soma and Erina a quick hug, causing them both to blush at the sudden show of affection. "I haven't seen Soma since before your year started," she told the boy, before she turned to the girl, and cupped her face with her hands, "and I haven't seen this doll since, well, I think last I saw you in person was at the resort. How you handling things sweetie? Need me to slap your mother right across the face?"

"Hinako," Shinomiya could be heard calling out from behind the kitchen counter, as Soma, Erina and Hinako stood by the living room. Soma just looked on, amused, but also noticing that Hinako's belly had grown a whole lot since he had last seen her. How many months was she at?

"Oh, I don't mind," Erina quickly added, her cheeks still being held up so tenderly. She was not used to this much… maternal affection, since outside her aunt, no one else outright babied her like this. She didn't even know how to respond to it. "I am aware of my mother's… faults."

"Faults, smaults," Hinako said with a pout. "I can't even imagine how a woman could give birth to such a kind, cute and affectionate girl and just treat her so… coldly. That not right! And you, my dear, deserve so much more. So I can talk some sense to her, oh, and Kou can beat up your dad!"

"Don't bring me into that!"

"There's really no need," Erina deflected, even if she was really, really tempted by the idea. Would that solve anything, she wondered? Probably not, but it would be nice to see. "I will resolve everything properly, so do not worry about me. And… thank you for allowing us to stay over, sorry to be a bother."

"You two are never a bother!" Hinako quickly argued. "Soma's practically family by now," she added, and Soma could see how Shinomiya almost convulsed in the background. "And you are his future wife, so you are too!"

"F-Future… Wi-ait, no, we're still way off from any of that!" a blushing Erina quickly blurted out.

"How many months are you?" Soma asked, surprising Erina, since he had somehow not been paying attention to Hinako's earlier remark, much to her relieve. Hinako turned to him, eyes closed for a moment.

She paused, then, "Hey Kou… How many months am I?"

Both Erina and Soma almost fell in place.

"Damn it woman, you should know that more than I do!" he shouted back, and she pouted in response.

"I forget!" she cried out, playfully mad. "Was it six months, or seven?"

"You're twenty-nine weeks," Shinomiya clarified, coming out of the kitchen with a few sets of dishes he had seemingly materialized out of nowhere. "That's roughly seven months and a half in your case."

"Oh?" Hinako noted, tilting her head. "Boy, I'm quite close then."

'How do you not know this…?' Erina and Soma both thought, their eyes narrowed, staring at the airhead before them. Sensing their stares, she turned to the two, smiling. "You want to feel the baby?" she asked, and Erina's eyes widened.

"Oh, I…"

"May I?" Soma quickly asked, and Hinako nodded. As Erina hesitated, Soma quickly moved forwards, and despite how the boy usually acted, it was surprising to see just how utterly gently he placed his open palm on Hinako's belly. Erina looked on, wondering how small details like that could still catch her off-guard. "He's moving, or she, I mean, you guys haven't seen yet, right?"

"I don't want to know until my baby arrives," Hinako declared, her hands to the side, standing proudly. "Although, I'm sure it's a girl!"

"It's a boy," Shinomiya corrected, and Hinako pouted. "I told you before, you wanna bet?"

"You want to know more than me?" Hinako shot back, her eyes now opened, expression fierce. "I'm carrying her, a mother's intuition doesn't lie."

"You literally forgot how many weeks you've had him in you!"

"That doesn't count!"

"Boy or girl, this is going to be one happy baby," Soma noted, removing his hand from Hinako's belly, as the smiling woman nodded, before he turned to Erina. She flinched, realizing what he meant, and despite her hesitation, she moved forwards.

Slowly extending her hand, she reached out, and was inches from the belly before she stopped. She… had never done this before.

"It is okay sweetie," Hinako assured, placing her hand on Erina's head, patting the girl softly. "You have a gentle touch, you won't hurt me or her!" she screamed the last word as Shinomiya, who just scoffed. Erina gulped, but moved regardless, and soon had her hand on the pregnant stomach. It felt warm, despite the small layer of clothing covering it, and…

"Ah!" Erina gave a small yelp, removing her hand the moment she felt movement.

"Ah, she gave you a little kick," Hinako stated, all smiles.

"Kid's just like the dad," Soma noted, turning to Shinomiya, who eyed him curiously. "Not even born yet and already smacking people around."

"You little…" Shinomiya tried, but just stopped and, after a loud sighed, actually gave out a little smirk. "Fine, you can have that one."

As Soma felt his entire world shift upon the realization he had made his Master actually laugh… kinda, Shinomiya began to set up the dinner table, and Hisako motioned to the two to come sit down, Erina just stared at her hand, the feeling of the little kick still echoing on her skin. Such a dumb, little thing. And yet, so precious at the same time. As she looked on, she could see Shinomiya pull up a chair for Hinako, who carefully sat down, before she flashed him the brightest of smiles. She looked stunning, glowing even. And he, despite his permanent scowl, couldn't quite hide the sparkle in his eyes whenever he looked at her. They looked… so happy.

'Is this… what a happy ending looks like?'

As Erina was led to one of the chairs, sitting next to Soma, as Shinomiya sat next to Hinako, she couldn't quite take her mind off those thoughts. She tried to remember, to think back. And she knew there had been moments like that. There was even a portrait, of her family, all together, little Alice in Aunt Leonora's lap, Uncle Soe seated by their side, grandfather standing proudly behind, and to the right, her mother seated, all smiles, with her father bent down, both parents holding her hands, as she stood there, smiling forwards…

…why wasn't she on either of their laps?

She tried to remember anything beyond that, but she really couldn't.

"Mommy's just not feeling well today, Erina, just… please leave me alone."

"You love daddy, don't you? Daddy doesn't hurt his little girl, right?"

Her last memory of the two of them was just hurtful sentiments, before her mother walked out of her life and her father was banished from it. She didn't see either one of them until her father declared war on her home, and her mother was forced to get involved. Parents were not supposed to be like that…

"Erina?"

Erina raised her head, realizing she had been spacing out again, and she turned towards Soma, who sported a worried look. She shook her head and offered him a smile. He didn't buy it, she knew, but he wouldn't push it at least. Still, she noticed that she had sat down on the table without actually wondering why. But, before she could ask, Shinomiya set a plate before her, after he had served Hinako and, lastly, himself. He then told Soma to serve himself, much to the redhead's annoyance.

Erina looked on, at the marvelous display of vegetables before her, cooked to utter perfection, in the swift time that had taken them to merely catch up with Hinako. A true magician, he was, and someone Erina, despite her massive ego, knew she couldn't hope to match at this point in her life. Hinako either. These two were legendary Tootsuki graduates, and she could admit as much. Even in her best day, they'd outright crush her. She did laugh however, when Soma took a bite of the food and seemed to outright glare at it. She could perfectly read his expression, about just how irked he was at just how superior this dish was to anything he himself could make.

'Always so competitive,' Erina fondly noted. 'One day we'll reach their level, together, so don't sweat it. Once we finish this Intercontinental Shokugeki, and get back to our classes, we'll get better and better until we become the best, bar none. Screw my father; screw my mother…'

And she took a bite of the heavenly dish before her.

"~So good~" Hinako practically sang as she savored the little dish, "You've outdone yourself Kou. It's so savory."

"T-This is amazing Master," Soma noted, still frowning, before he shifted his frown towards Shinomiya. "Teach me how to make this!"

"No."

"Oh, come on," Soma whined. "You know, if we lose the Intercontinental Shokugeki, it'll affect you guys as well. Even Eishi and the others came back to help us out, least you could do-"

"Hmph!"

The sudden muffled sound caused the group to pause, as they all turned to Erina, who had her eyes wide as plates, with her hands covering her mouth, her body in cold sweat. Shinomiya quickly got up, for a moment panicked that she could be choking. Hisako also motioned to her, her hand on the princess' back. Soma likewise got right up, ready to try and take hold of her from behind, but she quickly placed her free hand before him, to stop him. He paused, as he saw how her face had outright drained itself of all color.

'No! No! No!' she screamed to herself, in sheer and utter desperation. 'This is a dish made by Kojirou Shinomiya himself, no matter how high and mighty I act, I cannot ever describe anything he makes as anything but delicious! It is simply a fact! And, a dish made for his wife and unborn child, no more love could be placed onto that bowl if he tried! I know it's good! I know it! So why…?!' she screamed, and she was crying. 'Why am I so nauseous?!

"Erina, what's wrong?!" Soma cried out, bend down, right next to her, his hands on her shoulder, trying to get her to face him.

"Kou, I think you should call a doctor," Hinako noted, clearly worried.

"Yeah," he said, standing back up, reaching towards his phone, but Erina held him by the sleeve. "You do not look well kiddo, not the time to be as stubborn as your grandfather."

She still shook her head vigorously. And that did not help her stomach. 'This is not happening! I refuse to follow in those footsteps! I cannot! Please, not this! Not now! Swallow it! It's good food! You can eat this! You can…!'

But she really couldn't.

Erina darted right up, rushing past a very worried group, and took hold of the kitchen sink, and just threw everything up. Shinomiya and Hinako just looked on, both with their eyes wide, as Soma quickly motioned to her and held her hair back, a bit too late, as part of it got dirty already. He didn't much care, simply caressing her back as she threw up chunks and chunks, despite having just taken one bite. She was throwing up everything in her stomach. Her trembling hand reached out to the faucet, and turned it on, to wash away whatever she could, as she took hold of the water with her hands, and washed her mouth and face with it. She could no longer deny it. That last episode she had had before the match, when Hisako had found her, was just the precursor to this.

As the water fell from her face, it was soon joined by her tears, which began slowly, then streamed stronger and stronger until she was bawling her eyes out, almost screaming out in sheer agony.

"I-I'm so sorry!" she screamed at the couple, both who quickly came to her and assured her that she wasn't at fault in anyway. Even Shinomiya had dropped all pretenses of his tough love, sounding genuinely concerned. "I'm sorry!" she repeated, between bouts of crying. "I-I couldn't help it! I tried! Oh no… Please no!"

She was terrified, because she remembered seeing this before…

"Erina… Mana is sick," she remembered her grandfather telling her, that fateful day her mother had outright banished from her life. "That's why… she's going to take some time away from cooking. From food. She'll heal her heart, bit by bit, and aim for recovery. But she needs time."

"When… When will she be better?" little Erina asked, her eyes wide with concern. Where was her mommy? "When will mother come back home?"

But her grandfather had no answer.

---

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In The Middle Of The Intercontinental Shokugeki… The God's Tongue Breaks!