Erina never actually fell asleep; she was too excited. She looked at her hands, missing the warmth of Soma. Erina looked at her clock and groaned. She got up and showered before changing her clothes. Erina left her room and walked to the front of the kitchen when someone grabbed her shoulder. She turned around, seeing who dared to touch her. Her eyes immediately softened as she saw Riko. Erina had a weak smile on her face.

"Why are you here?" Riko questioned. "Class isn't for another hour." Riko ushered Erina inside.

"I couldn't sleep," Erina started. "I might be spending too much time with Soma." Riko chuckled as she nodded. She knew the feeling; Somehow, Joichiro survived on just three hours of sleep and could function like a normal human being.

"Oh, trust me, I know the feeling," Riko continued. "Joichiro would thrive on three hours of sleep and then go about the next day as if nothing happened." Erina nodded her head vigorously.

"That hug last night was the best; it felt like I was in a safe space," Erina continued wistfully. "I wanted it to last a little longer if it could've." Riko could have mentioned that she thought it was love, but she thought it would be better if she came to the conclusion on her own.

"You are so cute, Erina!" Riko exclaimed. Erina was caught off guard by this. "Seriously, just the cutest." They went on like this until five minutes, and Riko put some makeup on Erina with permission. She let everyone inside as soon as she was done putting on makeup for Erina. Erina looked around for a face she recognized, and lo and behold, Hisako walked in. Erina moved a little to the side of one of the ten tables, leaving enough room for Hisako. Hisako looked at her in awe and a little concerned. Erina turned towards her with a puzzled look on her face.

"Are you wearing makeup?" Hisako asked, stunned. Erina nodded. Hisako was surprised; not even when she went on dates with Soma did she wear makeup. Then the lesson began. Riko's specialty was shellfish. Erina was in awe of her skill and mastery over all things shellfish. Riko was making mussel risotto. She looked like a master, as she did not waste any movements; she used all of her movements deliberately and carefully. Riko had a massive grin on her face. She looked like she was having the time of her life as she was cooking. Erina thought about who she wanted to be inside of that one minute.

"And you cook it for about three more minutes," Riko started. "And viola, it's ready to be served." They were all in awe of her ability, especially Erina. She offered it to all of them, and as soon as they tasted it, they knew that it was beyond their capabilities, but for Erina, it was different. As soon as she took a bite, it was as if the whole world had stopped moving. Erina felt like her heart was full and surrounded by something. She wanted to be able to cook like this. "Young chefs, you will try to do the same thing."

Erina was intrigued by this. She knew it was nearly impossible to copy someone's cooking. Everyone leaves a bit of themselves in their cooking, which is what makes it so unique. Everyone tried but failed. Erina knew that as often as it took, she would make it as close as possible. Everyone else had finished and went on break. Erina kept trying and trying, but each time, it was farther and farther away. She then felt a hand on her shoulder; she looked up to see Riko staring at her with the brightest smile. "What do you think this exercise is meant to do?" Riko asked.

"It is nearly impossible to replicate someone else's cooking," Erina said. "And you wanted to see how we cope with failure."

"It tests something else as well," Riko said. Erina looked at her, confused. "Here, let's try your dish." Riko gave her a spoon and began to dig in herself. Erina slowly took a bite, but something was still missing. Erina waited until Riko had said something.

Soma was outside, hoping Erina was on break, but he didn't want to disturb them in case they were still working. He ran into Hisako and asked her where Erina was. She explained that Erina was still in the kitchen with Riko. Soma texted his girlfriend, knowing that she would eventually see it. Tadokoro found him and told him that the break was over. They ran back to their kitchen because they weren't sure how Shinomiya would react to them being late. Although Soma was in pure disbelief as he watched him cook. Whenever Soma cooked, it was always some sort of fun; whether it be cooking for his friends or the customers at the diner or having some kind of cooking match, he was always having fun. Shinomiya's cooking, however, looked like a sculptor trying to make his masterpiece; the concentration he had on his face had Soma in awe, and his skill was second only to Joichiro when he was serious. It was inspiring for Soma to see, and Soma wanted to try and replicate it as much as possible.

Soma went in the side door and stood by his station. The rest of the students came in as Shinomiya asked Soma for help. Shinomniya had noticed how Soma was a Swiss army knife. He could be a sue chef, and whenever he wanted, he could be the head chef of a restaurant right now, although most of the kids could be. Shinomiya and Soma began their cooking. This test was to time their reaction speed as well as thinking on their feet. Soma worked like a well-oiled machine with Shinomiya as if they had been doing this for years. The rest of the students were in awe at the sight before them, even if they would never admit it. Tadokoro was taking mental notes, noticing how Soma was anticipating Shinomiya's needs. It was like a great sculptor was working on his creation, and his apprentice grabbed the things he needed without asking. It was a sight to behold. Before everyone knew it, it was over. Their hard work produced one dish: a delicious-smelling chicken and mushroom fricassee. They all had a single bite and fell into heaven, witnessing a fencing match between the chicken and the mushroom. It was a beautiful sight to see.

"Two things," Shinomiya continued. "One of the students will be recreating the dish; the other will be assisting as Soma did for me. Two, You will have to use one item of my choosing per group. Soma and Megumi will be the two judges." Shinomiya heard a resounding groan from each of the students, and he smiled wickedly at this. Soma thought he looked to be enjoying the situation they had been placed in. Soma and Tadokoro got to the front of the class. Megumi was so nervous; she was vibrating with anxious energy. The students got to work, but they weren't happy. Shinomiya wasn't just testing the other students. He was testing Soma and Tadokoro. It was impressive knowing they have endless possibilities, yet here they are. The son of one of the best chefs ever and the girl who had a sleeping dragon within her were working together. This generation might be the greatest generation by leaps and bounds.

After twenty minutes of tasting dishes and knowing that Soma and Tadokoro held their fate in their hands, they were finally done. It was Shinomiya's turn to try everything and ensure they didn't make any mistakes. They didn't, much to his surprise. He was shocked. "Everyone that is still here may leave except Soma and Megumi," Shinomiya said. Everyone else rushed out of there. Shinomiya turned around to face the two. "Can you two create another dish? It's called a Terrine." Soma nodded slowly. He laid out some ingredients: Cabbage, Carrots, Okra, Zucchini, Cauliflower, Yellow Summer Squash, Asparagus, and Baby Corn. Tadokoro looked at the ingredients.

"You want us to create a nine-vegetable terrine," Tadokoro continued. "Any flavor we should focus on?"

"Give each vegetable its spotlight," Shinomiya said. Soma put on the headband and got to work. "However, Tadokoro will be the head chef." Soma nodded as Megumi's eyes got wide.

"I…I don't think-" Megumi got cut off.

"You got this," Soma retorted. She slapped herself as hard as possible, and they got started. Soma, meanwhile, had to wash the vegetables thoroughly while Megumi went to peel and cut them. Soma had gone to get the mold as Megumi started on the jelly. It didn't take long to finish, and their teamwork, although unnecessary for this dish, was pretty good. Shinomiya dismissed both of them. They went outside only to realize how dark it was.

Before they could open their mouths, they saw Erina. It felt like Soma's world had stopped at that moment. Megumi chuckled and put a hand up in the air like she was trying to get Erina's attention. Erina looked over and smiled. She began walking over to them. "So here is where you guys were hiding," Erina said.

"I got to go," Megumi said. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." They said their goodbyes, and she left Soma and Erina alone.

"How was your day?" Soma asked, grabbing her hand and pulling her away from all the noise.

"It was really good," she explained. "Exhausting, but good." She stretched as he smiled.

"Tell me about it," Soma told her.

"No," Erina had a teasing smirk. "It's a secret."

"Oh, is it?" Soma continued.

"That's right," Erina went on. "But it was good." She was about to continue but decided not to. Instead, she snuggled into his arm. She pulled him along after a second. "Hungry?"

"Starving," he responded.

"There is a pretty good restaurant in the hotel," she started.

"I'm feeling like pad thai," he said. "I know a pretty good one here if you're interested."

"I've never had pad thai before," Erina debated herself a little bit. "But I trust you, so let's go." That one word changed Soma's entire world. Something that she said so casually. For all the time he has known her, she hasn't said those words to anyone but her grandfather, aunt, and uncle. He wouldn't let it show on the outside, but those words meant more to him than he let on. She noticed his hesitation and put a hand on his back.

"Let's go, then," Soma said. He grabbed her hand and went towards the restaurant. He was still very silent, thinking about what to say.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Did you mean it?" He asked, unsure about what she was about to say.

"Did I mean what?"

"Did you mean it when you said you trusted me?" Soma asked. Erina's pulse quickened. She squeezed his hand for a second.

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it," Erina said. "I've trusted you for a long time now." He smiled back at her, feeling a warmness he hadn't felt in a very long time. He felt calmer.

Erina woke up with a pounding headache. She kept her eyes closed as she woke up. Slowly, Erina got up to go to the restroom. Opening her eyes, she saw Soma sleeping peacefully on the couch. Erina began noticing where the closet and the bathroom were behind her. She looked back at Soma and then to the bed. Now, Erina was fully awake as she slowly deduced that she had slept in Soma's room last night. She wrote a little note, stuck it onto Soma's forehead, and slowly moved around the room. She collected her things and escaped the room. Erina knew she would see him later but was not ready for the confrontation. Erina slipped past and went to her room. When she arrived, her mind was working overdrive, trying to figure out why she was sleeping in Soma's bed. After she took a shower and changed, she went where she hoped Hisako would be. She was on her phone as she ran into Hisako. Hisako caught Erina as she was falling. "Thanks for catching me," Erina said.

"Why do you look so stressed, my la- I mean Erina," Hisako stumbled over her words. Erina got back up on her feet and grabbed Hisako as they went somewhere more private. "Did you and Soma have a big fight or something?" Hisako asked as they were moving.

"No," Erina said as they stopped in the middle of the employee-only hallway. "Nothing like that, but I can't face him right now."

"Why not?" Hisako's worry turned into confusion. "What happened?"

"I slept in Soma's…" Erina was blushing hard as she took a deep breath. "In Soma's bed." Her volume was super quiet. She tried to tell Hisako but was ensured no one else was within hearing range. Hisako was stunned. She didn't know what to say. "He was right beside me in that super uncomfortable chair." Hisako was beginning to get the whole picture.

"So he offered you his bed and went to sleep on his chair," Hisako finished the thought. "So why can't you face him?"

"Because it's embarrassing," Erina began. "I wrote a note and stuck it to his forehead." Hisako was stunned, unsure what to do or say to comfort her. She tried to hold in the laugh, but Erina could see a vein protruding from her forehead. "This isn't funny; how am I supposed to look at him?"

"Erina," Hisako grabbed Erina's hands. It'll be fine. I don't think Soma is the type to get mad at you. He will just be confused." Erina nodded. She knew that Hisako was right. It didn't make her fear better, but instead gave her a little more hope. She took a deep breath.

"We have Doujima-san today," Erina said as she calmed herself down. Hisako nodded. Erina had admired the way Doujima had cooked since she was young. She liked how he would tune everything out except for cooking and their voice if he worked with someone. He was the best at that, including Joichiro. Erina and Hisako walked straight to Dojima's kitchen while trying to avoid Soma. The first task was to try and identify each dish and the ingredients.

A little while later, they were on their first break. A crowd was right in front of Erina. She went towards the crowd to see what it was. It was Soma and a white-haired boy. She knew the white-haired boy, but from where she wondered. The white-haired boy was in this conceited stance, arms crossed and standing up straighter than usual. Soma had the fire in his golden eyes, his hair looked redder than normal, and his jaw clenched. Erina had to admit he looked hot. She went through the crowd of people to reach them and stop whatever this was. She got in between them and held her palms between them. "Enough," she said firmly. "Back away from each other now." They both turned around and started walking. When the white-haired boy went out of sight, Erina approached Soma, grabbed his arm, and his eyes softened. They went somewhere more private. "What happened?"

"I'm not really sure?" Soma started. "I heard some guy talking, and next thing I knew, I was in the crowd." He hoped that would be enough information to quell her curiosity.

"No," she said. "That's not enough." She took his face in her hands. "What are you not telling me?" Soma looked down.

"He said something about you," Soma said quietly. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. "That's what caused me to lose my temper." Erina felt her heart swell, and she was glad that Soma was being protective of her.

"Soma," she started. You don't need to fight my battles for me, but thank you for trying to protect me." She hugged him. "I'm sorry," she said so softly that he barely heard her.

"For what, princess," he asked while hugging her back.

"For leaving a note on your forehead," Erina continued. "For leaving you in that uncomfortable chair." Soma chuckled.

"I know you are," Soma said. "You may be an ice queen on the outside, but you are a charming and caring individual." He felt her arms grip him firmer. He rubbed her back. "I got to go," Soma said. Erina wanted him to stay, but she knew he had to leave.

"I'll see you later?" She asked as she let him go.

"Of course, princess," he said as he kissed her forehead. Erina watched him walk away and sighed wistfully. She felt cold while not in his arms.

"Wow," Hisako said over her shoulder. Erina was surprised, and she turned around.

"How long have you been there?" Erina asked with a hint of fear.

"I was trying to find you, but I walked in on that," Hisako said. "So, I have so many questions." Erina blushed a little.

"Fine," Erina pouted. "But not here." Hisako was staring at her, her smile almost predatory. Hisako has been spending a lot of time with Alice. Erina thought. Erina shuddered at the idea of her cousin knowing about any of this. She calmed down a little before going back to Doujima-san. She still had a tiny blush on her face as she walked in. After the class, Erina was sore, so she went back to her room to prepare for a bath. She put a towel around herself and left. A little while later, she finished and got out of the tub. As she entered her room, she got caught by Soma.

"Hey Eri-" he got cut off by something as Erina turned around. She wondered why he stopped talking until she remembered she was just in a towel. He turned around. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I'll come back later."