-NAKIRI ERINA-
DECEMBER 26
Since the Age of Jewels' traumatic first year at Tōtsuki's upper school, spending the holidays in Hokkaido had become Nakiri Alice's favorite winter pastime—she had always been unfazed by haunting memories.
Therefore, the posh princess summoned all the current third-year members of the Ten to gather in the "Powder Capital" for their annual friends' trip over the next five days. Last year, in the snowy northern prefecture, they stayed at the Director's Mansion—a ski lodge in the heart of the Tōtsuki Ski Resort, nestled in the foothills of the Niseko Mountain Range. The Tōtsuki Resort boasted the most couple-friendly snow activities, and its cozy, luxurious aesthetic made everything they did seem romantic.
Erina had resented every moment of being there.
Last Christmas, Sōma had been on the other side of the globe—New York City, to be exact—and not where he claimed he'd be (with her). Back then, they were in a vague define-the-relationship phase; clearly smitten and besotted with one another, constantly chatting on the phone and exchanging voice notes, texts, and video messages non-stop—but unable to align their words with their intentions or their busy schedules with their deepening feelings for each other. Missed calls, delayed text responses, and time zone differences interfered with FaceTime dates. All of this caused Erina considerable emotional distress that she vowed never to relive.
But a year later, nothing was the same, and damn it if she wasn't glad!
This year, Alice planned their winter getaway at Nakiri Summit to ring in the new year. The two wealthy girls grew up constantly visiting the manor perched just below the mountain peak, a short gondola ride's distance from the foot up Niseko Mountain. It was their grandfather's favorite form of winter retreat from his very important life, as he loved visiting this mountain, the spiritual home of his beloved late wife.
They arrived just after twilight—later in the day than expected—neither wanting to say goodbye to Sōma's family. As they rode the gondola up the mountain to one of her many childhood homes, Erina couldn't believe her eyes.
"As usual, Alice spared no expense," Erina grumbled. Her grandfather would not be pleased by the light bill.
Sōma threw his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. "I think it looks nice."
They stared out at the brightly lit snowcapped manor. From where they sat in the frosty air, it looked warm and festive, and a little nostalgia tingled through Erina's body. "I'm sure you do," she scoffed, leaning into his embrace. Their bulky winter coats swallowed them whole, but she still cherished the familiar comfort of Sōma's sturdy build pressed against hers. Wrapped in his arms, she would feel his warmth in any weather.
She couldn't wait to experience more of him later on that night.
Swanky live jazz echoed through the manor's halls from the center of the spacious atrium. A line of staff dressed formally in all black stood ready to greet them, each holding silver trays with hors d'oeuvres and sparkling non-alcoholic beverages in crystal flutes that Erina could've sworn were supposed to still be in storage.
Sōma handed Erina a glass of white Lillet with a twist of orange rind. She took one sip of the wine-based aperitif and closed her eyes to experience its flavors fully.
Rich. Full-bodied. A note of candied orange. A hint of mint. Light snow. Wintry. Refreshing. Very refreshing.
When she reopened her eyes, she looked around better, holding Sōma's hand. "Alice!" she groaned as they stepped through the ornate atrium and into the leading parlor. "Were seven Christmas trees and doubling the full waitstaff really necessary?" Erina asked.
Beneath all the twinkling lights and mistletoe garlands draping from every doorpost, nothing had changed since her last visit. The family portraits in oil-on-canvas and traditional Japanese charcoal sketches still adorned the walls. At the same time, gold and marble sculptures punctuated the curves and corners of the halls, and her grandmother's cavernous shrine dug into the heart of the mountainside still loomed over the house—her grandfather's favorite place to retreat. She made a mental note to return the favor to Sōma and take him to the shrine's hearth to introduce him to her grandmother, Nakiri Yuko, before their stay ended.
But something felt out of sorts being back in the manor. Something about the manor's energy…what, Erina didn't know…felt off. She pulled out her phone and texted Hisako.
"Oh, poo, Erina! You're already late for dinner. Don't be such a Grinch!" Alice scolded, coming around the corner. "Just kiss your darling under the mistletoe and have fun, girl! Hi, Sōma!" Alice hugged and kissed Sōma on both cheeks. "Welcome to Nakiri Summit, the winter escape of your dreams!"
"You don't have to tell me twice," Sōma exclaimed, sweeping Erina into a passionate embrace. With its slow and rolling tempo, the kiss settled deeply in her soul, taking the wind out of her and filling her belly with fluttering butterflies. What was that?!
Erina broke away first, though she fought to keep her reddened lips lingering on her lover's a moment longer. She caught her breath, inhaling deeply to regain her composure, feeling a bit embarrassed to have been so intimate in front of family. Then, she shook her head to clear her mind of its lustful imaginings and faced her grinning cousin.
"You two are too cute!" Alice swooned. Erina ignored Alice's compliment.
"First of all, dearest cousin—Grinch was the slur the townspeople used against him," Erina scowled into her cousin's eyes. "Secondly..." Something didn't feel right; Erina could feel it in her bones as she looked around the opulent estate. Alice was up to something. "What's up your sleeve?"
Alice gasped in feigned shock and offense. "Mou! Why do you always think I'm up to no good, Erina?" she pouted. "It really hurts my feelings, you know? You're so distrusting!" She clicked her tongue and pulled her cousin into her arms for a hug, and Erina's body turned to stone.
"I am merely trying to spread holiday cheer. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, I'd like you to know." A hard rock on Alice's finger grazed Erina's arm as Alice placed a delicate, patronizing hand on her shoulder. "Take Akira, for example. He's Hindu. Shouldn't he be able to celebrate the new year in style?"
"Oh..." Erina frowned. "Then I apologize. So what good and altruistic things do you have planned for us, then?"
"Just you wait and see," her cousin said slyly. A sudden rush of excited footsteps approached from the distance.
"Yukihira!" Takumi shouted. He dashed toward them from the brightly lit corridor on their left, with Megumi hurrying alongside him. "Madam Director! So glad you've both arrived!"
"Are we the last to get here?" Sōma asked, dapping Takumi and hugging Megumi. Erina observed their interaction—sorry, she couldn't help it. The tea ceremony she had hosted had done what it could to mend their fractured relationship. Still, with fresh wounds healing, the two young women exchanged nothing more than sincere nods, which was better than complete ignorance. Right?—and she faintly mused when she noticed that Takumi did, too. How silly of her to emotionally mirror Aldini, of all people.
"Yes, but you're lucky dinner isn't ready yet," Alice replied as she guided her cousin back to her boyfriend's side.
"Who's the distinguished chef?" Erina asked after greeting the newcomers. She simmered on who. "Hmm… Yamaguchi-san is on sabbatical with her grandchildren, and Morimoto-san is filming cooking competitions in America. So…" She furrowed her brows, trying to imagine which legendary head chef the Nakiris had on retainer would forgo their holiday and the Tōtsuki New Year's Eve gala to appease Alice's entitlement.
After rattling off a few more people she knew were away on holiday or retired, Erina settled on one. "Is it Chef Ichiraku's sous chef again? What was his name…Uzumaki-san? Alice, he was delightful as a host, but he's only good at making ramen," she warned.
Stomach growled at the list of star-studded gourmet giants, and everyone turned toward Alice, eagerly awaiting her response.
"Why, it's my man, Ryō, of course!" Alice replied, sipping sparkling water from a champagne flute, wearing the proudest smile Erina had ever seen.
-8-
The rest of the first night reminded Erina of her initial night staying at Polar Star two years prior. Once, long ago, she felt like herself—a regular teenage girl surrounded by friends who viewed themselves as her equals for the first time. They enjoyed delicious food, shared good drinks, and exchanged meaningful, if not extravagant, gifts during a White Elephant gift exchange, and reminisced into the early hours over the moments they'd shared over the last three years. This marked their final winter break as Tōtsuki students; they would never reclaim that precious time together—not in this way—but that was alright, Erina thought. Once again, everything was perfectly harmonious within their dramatic friend group.
Hisako and Alice seemed to be getting along, and Akira and Ryō had wasted no time battling each other in the kitchen over who made what on the dinner menu (and Sōma quickly joined in on the food war). Even though Hisako and Akira had announced their breakup, Erina still clearly saw the love they shared. The Aldini brothers ensured the live music and endless appetizers never went stale. When they weren't supporting the wait staff, they were gleefully up Megumi and Ikumi's asses. Though not a seated member, now Isami's official girlfriend and duly requested plus-one, Ikumi supplied all the beef they would need for their stay.
"It's called suya," Ikumi explained, passing around a heaping plate of skewered, peppered beefsticks. "It's a very popular Nigerian street food that's really simple to make. Simply barbecue quality beef with raw onions on a skewer and coat it with ground, dried red peppers. But, be careful, it's HOT."
"Aw, yeah! I tried suya when I was a sous chef under Chef Ayo Ajayi in Lagos. My tongue remembers!" Sōma grabbed two red-coated sticks, salivating, and Erina thought she saw the Scoville scale rise and explode right before her eyes.
"Sōma! You did not meet Thee Ayo Ajayi? The world-renowned 'Meat Menace'?" Ikumi gasped. "What is your life?!"
"I did," he said. "She taught me so much about West African cuisines in that short month. I gotta get back to her kitchen." He tore into a perfectly seared kabob and immediately started coughing in delicious agony. "Just as spicy and tender as I remember," he gasped between bites. "Gotta love any meat on a stick! I hope none of that quality beef came with drama," Sōma joked through peppery inhales and more torturous bites.
Erina feared her boyfriend spoke too soon.
The next couple of days were the most fun they had experienced all year as friends! They spent their days ice skating and skiing, building adorable snow families, and making snow angels. They fed each other until they were happily full, sharing laughter with their full bellies. To top it all off, they prepared delicious desserts to enjoy during movie night until they couldn't eat another bite.
It was a wonderful holiday and exactly what they needed after the chaotic semester they had caused each other.
But—(there was always a but)—Alice and Ryō's intense public displays of affection over the two days created an awkward atmosphere for everyone in the group. Erina thought it was rude and inconsiderate that during group activities, especially in front of Hisako, Akira, and Megumi, they were so openly affectionate and flaunted their newly received jewelry. Whenever she tried to warn her cousin to tone it down, Alice brushed her off and went even harder. As the days passed, the atmosphere among the Jewels began to change. When Alice informed them that there would be a winter ceremony and formal dinner right after, Erina's third eye opened up, leading Erina and Sōma to leave a day early just before settling in on the third night.
Neither of them minded, especially Erina—leaving before the new year had always been her plan. Alice's selfishness merely moved up her schedule. Now, it was time for the part of their trip she had been looking forward to the most. As they bid farewell to friends, wishing them an early happy new year, and settled into her chartered jet, Erina practically bounced in her seat.
"Okay, now it's time for your last gift, but it's a surprise," Erina said.
Sōma arched his eyebrow. "My final gift? Nakiri, baby, what more do you have planned?"
"You'll see," Erina sang as they took off in her private plane from a hilltop in Hokkaido. She asked him, "No further questions, my love. It's a surprise!"
"Say less," Sōma said. He trusted her with his life.
-YUKIHIRA SŌMA-
DECEMBER 29
Snuggling Erina closer in his arms, Sōma lay across the in-flight bed, grateful to have reached the end of the year with the girl he had brought in the waning year. Last New Year's Eve on the rooftop and the kiss they shared just before her limo pulled off were seared in his brain. In those fleeting moments just before the new year, he committed to asking Erina to be her boyfriend.
Finally.
After everything they had experienced together, from the day they met through their first year into the never-ending dramas of their second and the BLUE, followed by their subsequent six-month separation while he traveled the culinary world, he would have asked her on the roof—but chaos ensued in unexpected ways. A month and a half later, after many tearful conversations and an unnecessarily humiliating Shokugeki, he was glad to fulfill his promise.
But that was two days to a year ago, and now their lives together were like a dream. In fact, everything was perfect.
The sun had just dipped below the white, cloudy horizon, streaking their line of sight with pink and orange rays. The first stars of twilight were beginning to wink hello. Soon, the night sky would be bejeweled with brilliantly colored stars, and they would be traveling through the space beneath it all.
Sōma let out a deep, satisfied sigh. He had no idea where they were going—where Erina was leading him—but he was happy they were together. He trusted her taste; Sōma was in for a treat no matter where they landed.
"I've missed this," he said fondly, twirling a long, honey rivulet of her hair around his index finger and watching it naturally unravel its spring. He loved playing in his girlfriend's hair. Didn't all boyfriends?
Erina craned her neck to catch his gaze. She had put on one of his oversized hoodies that she had lovingly stolen long ago. "Missed what?" she innocently asked. Her cool, dark eyes sparkled in the dusk light.
He smirked. She should already know. "Laying around with nowhere else to be and nothing else to do but to be with you. Don't tell anyone, but that includes not cooking," he said, surreptitious.
"Mmm," she hummed and nodded, touching his chest. "Me, too," she sighed. Sōma pecked her forehead and peered down at her, wondering what he did to be so lucky. It'd been such a long road to sharing moments like this with Erina. He used to have wet dreams about it, but he didn't need them anymore.
"Good thing you made me fall in love with you," she teased, caressing his left earlobe. Her gentle touch sent shivers down his spine and side.
He raised an eyebrow, hitching his shoulder to get a better look at her. "Made you?"
She wrinkled her nose and scrunched it in that adorable little bunny way she did without knowing that made him melt into mush. "Yes. Forced me, actually."
His chest shook. "Oh, so now I forced you to fall in love with me?" He laughed, gently gripped her chin, and rubbed her soft flesh between his fingertips. Sōma was always impressed by how supple and smooth she felt beneath his touch; it's why he'd been using her skincare products all week.
He grinned while sliding down to meet her gaze, studying her mouth. "Well, then, Nakiri. Did you fight hard against my charming might?" He placed a light kiss on her lips. The sweet bean pudding they'd shared moments ago added another layer to their tongues' slow dance—a richness to their touch—and the mutual sugar rush brought them closer as they flew high into worldly pleasure.
"Very."
"How hard?"
They both looked down, exchanged glances, and burst into fitful laughter. "I guess that answers that," Sōma said. It felt good to laugh with her. Not many people were granted access to witness Erina's playful side, and he was grateful to be one of the few.
"Just tell him I've got the mic right now," she said. "He'll have his turn."
"He will?" She winked but said no more.
"I've missed our banter. I've missed pillow-talking about all our secrets," Erina softly added.
"So, tell me how you've been, my love," Sōma whispered into her mouth, letting his tongue lightly graze the roof of her mouth. He leaned back and adjusted himself to sit up in bed. Erina shifted onto his lap and moved her hand from his ear to gently thumb his eyebrow hair, rubbing his scar and panting for air. His golden gaze heated her face. How clingy she made him!
Erina hummed while reflecting on her recent life, never letting go. Good, he thought. He wasn't, either."Things are…getting better. I feel balanced."
Sōma's gaze softened. She was his girlfriend, his baby. He understood the challenges she had faced, both personally and professionally, and Erina had never expressed feeling balanced during all the time he had known her. It lifted his spirits. He hugged her. "Aw, yeah? That's amazing, baby! How has balance been restored to the queendom, my badass Avatar Erina?"
Erina screwed her face at his corny reference, then paused. "Um…well, I have some news."
Sōma perked up. "Ooh? Good news?"
"Yes."
He inched closer, his bare torso leaning forward to listen intently.
"So…" she squeezed her face. "Can you keep a secret?" He knew that during their time apart, much had happened in Erina's life; her busy life was always filled with endless activity. He appreciated that Erina led a full, independent life outside their relationship. He loved that she wasn't just his girlfriend but a person with many talents, unique interests, and responsibilities. That's what made her stand out from the rest. Being around her inspired him to do more, learn more, and strive for more.
Be more.
"Yes." Sōma desperately shook her arm, laughing. "So, hurry up and spit it out already, baby! I can't take the suspense!"
"All right, Sōma! Calm down," she giggled, crossing her legs and grabbing his wrists. Sōma's gaze fell to her thighs, and his thoughts wandered so far that Erina had to pinch him to focus. "Get your head out of the gutter, Yukihira."
"Sorry," he blushed, eyeing her silk shorts.
She inhaled deeply. "So, I'm expanding Tōtsuki Academy into an international culinary arts university. We signed the final paperwork last month, but after all the legalities are processed, I'll make the official announcement to the school and alumni after the new year," she explained. She expressed how she'd wanted him to be a part of this process from the beginning, but…life got in the way. Knives pierced his stomach at that.
"But that you have been a major source of inspiration for the expansion, Sōma," she said softly. "My father was onto something with Central, as misguided as it was. But it's true— even as a leading institution, we gain nothing by crushing aspiring chefs' dreams and wasting promising young talent. If this academy, if my grandfather's legacy, is to remain at the forefront of producing the world's finest culinary and food chain talent, we must continue to nurture and support student chefs until they achieve their goals." She hurried through her explanation, focusing on her long natural nails, and Sōma had to concentrate especially hard to process everything.
"I've been studying the global hunger crisis and exploring food justice all year. If we are going to take pride in our Elite Ten-to-Michelin Star pipeline, our cutthroat refining process to develop outstanding chefs, and our commitment to providing state-of-the-art learning facilities that support our rigorous culinary curricula, Tōtsuki must continue to lead in training chefs through interdisciplinary studies that bring value to the world from a young age," she paused, "and into adulthood."
"I've established a Tōtsuki endowment fund in the Nakiri family's honor after my grandmother." Sōma's mind drifted back to the shrine; they shared a sacred moment in the cave that he would not soon forget. He cried while sharing that space and time with Erina. She did, too, sharing it with him.
"The entire Nakiri family has contributed to this, including Azami and Asahi. Focusing on adult education and learning is the only logical step forward. It will still be an incredibly challenging admissions process, but not every jewel shines equally; thus, full scholarships will be available to any student in need, and expulsion is no longer the unavoidable end for those requiring additional support in their academic journey. Instead, emphasizing how to educate chefs of all learning styles better will lead to the development of superior chefs in quantity and quality.
"Education is my way of leaving a mark on my family's contribution and legacy in Japan's gourmet cooking. Helping end world hunger is the least a billionaire family can do, and thinking about it brings me joy. Furthermore, it has greatly pleased the investors," she laughed. Sōma's expression must have made her nervous, for no sooner had Erina finished speaking than she grew bashful, ducking her chin to her chest. Silence fell.
It was the most purposeful he'd ever heard her. The whites of her eyes gleamed with clarity as she shared her vision. No—it was not just a vision, but an excellent plan well underway. It was sure to succeed. Her voice resonated with conviction, and her face shone brighter than the stars in the sky around them.
"What, Sōma…" she frowned. "What's that face?"
He shook his head. "N-Nakiri…that is…" He was speechless, processing everything she had just said, amazed at the woman sitting before him. Erina's eyes flicked across his fox-like features.
"Sōma! Speak!"
His eyes were brimming with tears. He struggled to find the right words for his girlfriend. "That's…WHAT?" he screamed in her face. He was back shaking her arms and laughing a strange, elated laugh. "You are incredible! Do you know that? How are you this brilliant?" The joy swirling in Sōma's body was indescribable. "I am in awe of you, Nakiri Erina. You are a humanitarian."
Erina appeared on the verge of tears. "You really like the idea?"
"Like?" He asked, bewildered. "Nakiri, you inspire me every day. This is the best idea you've ever had," he said. He brushed a tear from rolling down Erina's cheek. "And you have more brilliant ideas than breaths I take in a day."
"Whatever did I do to deserve you, Yukihira Sōma?" she mused, burying her face in his bare chest. Her soft breaths and soothing exhales tickled his core and warmed his heart.
He held her in his arms, showering her face with kisses to punctuate his words. "You made me fall in love with you," he quipped. I only wish I had known about this before. I would've stood by your side the whole way through," he said without malice into her crown. He sniffed her hair and smiled. Fragrant flowers and honeysuckle.
"Well, once the Tōtsuki attorneys were on the payroll, and the Board got involved, I couldn't discuss it with anyone else during the preliminary stages, and we were on a break when the deal went through. So…why do you think?"
"Right." He wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He would never get back those two months he foolishly made them be apart. And it twisted his insides with guilt. However, Erina, with her keen eye, must have sensed a trace of regret in his eyes because she sighed and cupped his face in her hands.
"But, apart from Grandfather, Uncle Soe, the Governing Board, our attorneys, and shareholders, you're the only person that knows." He was beaming at her; it made her nervous for some reason.
"What?"
She repeated herself, "No one else knows but you. So, can you keep my secret?"
"HELL YEAH, I CAN! You'd be the only person I'd tell, anyway! Gosh, Erina, I'm so excited for you," he said, his voice warm and gravelly. Her heart fluttered. Sōma pulled her in close, inhaling her hair. "You're breaking barriers, as usual. This is going to be fucking awesome."
He needed to touch her, hold her for as long as she'd allow. He pulled back her bangs and kissed her forehead, down to the tip of her nose, her sharp cupid's bow, the center of her lips…
The gentle sheets rustled beneath them. Their actions synchronized with one another.
Erina slipped her tongue to meet his, but Sōma darted behind her ear, sending a chill rushing through her body, sprouting goosebumps along her shoulders and arms. He took his time pulling off the hoodie she wore arm by arm. His fingers gently danced over her warm skin, soft as a feather. Erina shifted slightly in his embrace, sending a mix of emotions through him.
He felt a strong desire to share, and he cherished the moments when he could express how wonderful it was to connect with her, listen to her body, and talk her through his explorations of her sacred parts. However, for now, he could only focus on calming his breaths.
"Congratulations, President Nakiri," he murmured as he kissed a path down the length of her neck. The hairs on her neck bristled as his voice deepened, and he shifted his mouth to her clavicle, and further down he went.
"It's time to celebrate."
They never intended to join the mile-high club. Yet, as their warm bodies pressed and intertwined among the clouds, they couldn't help but admire the breathtaking views before them—gold eyes gazed into purple hues, and a cool tone seeped into a warm pool.
After the beautiful rounds of give-and-take they shared, they came together like the Big and Little Dipper, quietly drifting into a world that felt uniquely theirs, where they slept peacefully.
-8-
As they flew and slept, time passed.
Less than seven hours remained in their journey, and Sōma still had no idea of their destination. Now, they lay cuddled together, sharing Sōma's favorite novelty convenience store snacks in the night air; it was time to gossip.
"Did you know Ryō got Alice a ring?" Erina suddenly said, licking a kettle corn lollipop and gazing at their interlaced fingers as they bent and flexed. Sōma caught a glint of longing in her eyes. His heart pounded in his chest, so he steadied his voice before speaking.
"Aw, yeah?" He sucked hard on a piece of ambergris candy. "I think he may have mentioned something about it before. I didn't know she had it, though." He let a moment go by. "What kind of ring?"
"Petty Alice won't say," she grumbled, leaving the candy stick in her mouth.
"…Does she like it?" He held his breath, uncertain if she could sense his anxiety.
Erina sat up in a flash. "Oh my god, she loves it," she exclaimed. "She keeps finding the most obnoxious ways to show it off. It's ridiculous! The diamond isn't even anything above maybe half a carat, yet she insists on shoving it into every task and conversation anyone has with her!"
Sōma observed her, surprised by her animated reaction. Quite honestly, he expected a far different response— a more...bemused response.
But Erina was in stitches.
She opened a bento box filled with candy sushi. The gumminess clung to the roof of her mouth as she chewed. "Oh, Uncle Soe is undoubtedly bothered by it; I can tell, and Ryō can too," she giggled. "But he holds back his words whenever Alice is around because that girl can do no wrong in her father's eyes."
Sōma sensed a subtle hint of bitterness in his girlfriend's tone, but he knew better than to bring it up while she was in a good mood. Erina's relationship with her estranged father had become even more strained since his long-lost son entered their lives and, unfortunately, more abusive, to be honest.
"Knowing Alice," she said between bubbly gasps, "she probably wears that thing in the shower and even to bed so that Ryō doesn't feel bad!"
That last part took Sōma by surprise, too. "Why would she not want Ryō to feel bad?"
Erina made a face. "Tsk, aw, Sōma," she snickered but said nothing. He was okay with that; he wanted to let it go. He had been contemplating what the future held for them. He imagined a few fantasies about their life together after graduation. It would be full of food, of course, and plenty of traveling, too. Making countless culinary friends from around the world and—who knows?—perhaps a family of wild-haired and fiery-eyed kids of their own one day. Somewhere in a walkable city with fresh produce and easy access to a fish market to call home.
But where would home be?
Sōma rubbed his eyes. He was getting ahead of himself and sleepy again. Making love at forty-four thousand feet—over thirteen kilometers—in the air had exhausted the last of his stamina.
"What's the old man's thoughts on it?" he yawned, changing the subject.
"Grandfather refuses to speak to Ryō," she said as if it was such an obvious response. Sōma gulped, willing his heart not to burst at the seams. Erina snuggled back into his chest and closed her eyes.
He followed her lead and closed his eyes as his mind spun with thoughts he had never considered.
-SORINA-
DECEMBER 30
Sōma was indeed taken aback by Erina's surprise. It was hard for him to believe that this was what Erina had envisioned all along. They had spent the entire day before cozily tucked away in their Parisian chateau, quite jetlagged but happily making up for the last time they were in the city—
Of love.
Paris, once more. Sōma had never expected to visit the historic city before September, and now his passport had been stamped twice. This was solely due to the girl he was with. Although young, Erina had immense wealth, and over nearly a year together, Sōma noticed her penchant for indulgence. Still…
Damn, Nakiri!
"Erina, baby? How is this a reasonable Christmas gift?" he asked, admiring the breathtaking estate walled-off in the city proper. "It's just the two of us!" He shouted from the veranda overlooking the verdant garden wall, waiting for his echo. The crisp morning air swallowed it up.
Erina shrugged and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his back. She was beginning to appreciate how broad and muscular his back was becoming. "We needed privacy. Is the chateau's decor not to your liking?" She had initially intended for them to stay in the same suite at the Ritz from last September, but bad memories carry energies, and as the year was ending, she wanted to start anew. Keep moving forward, Erina. She repeated the words Dr. Yamamoto told her in their last session of the year.
What was to his liking was not the problem. She had left no stone unturned or price tag on, but Sōma knew none of what they'd done or where they were staying was cheap. He wondered how much it cost her to execute this surprise, but he wouldn't dare ask her—he couldn't afford this experience even if he tried. Not now, anyway.
"No, it's beautiful here. I just..." Sōma exhaled. "I wish I could have brought us back to Paris. I would have afforded it eventually," Sōma said with a warm smile. Turning to face her, he wrapped her in his arms, and she gazed lovingly into his eyes.
"It matters not, Sōma. What's mine is yours."
DECEMBER 31
Following a day and a half of relaxing at her family chateau, Erina was excited to rediscover Paris with Sōma. While it wasn't her favorite city (she much preferred spending her time in other Asian cities rather than European ones or non-Asian cities near beaches and seas), her extensive list of French clients ensured she visited often. She knew her way around, and with a stellar itinerary planned (thanks to Hisako's sleuth scheduling skills) that would put any of Alice's holiday events to shame, she couldn't wait to show Sōma around the City of Love.
Erina laid out a thick and chic winter wardrobe in the woman-of-the-chateau's walk-in closet, unaware of Sōma peeking around the bathroom to color-coordinate. It was just his color, too.
They reached the Eiffel Tower just as the lights illuminated. She'd hoped they would be at the top by then, but she promised herself she wouldn't trip over timeliness before the clock struck twelve.
"I can't believe we're here! It's taller than I imagined," he gaped. Although it wasn't Erina's first visit to the landmark, she'd come with her grandfather and Alice's family during family vacations, seeing Sōma's childlike wonder gifted her a new perspective. It was as if the romantic scene of lovers, young and old, around them were enchanted anew.
"Are you excited to climb to the top, baby?" she asked, gently reaching for his hand with warmth and loving eyes.
"Yeah!"
The elevator ride to the top nearly made Sōma pass out. The height—he was unprepared for it. Perhaps it was because he was in a metal triangular structure, or maybe he was still feeling off from the altitude in the mountains and on the flight. Still, he was sweating bullets, making it difficult to enjoy the romantic moment with Erina. It was dark and cold. There were too many foreign languages, smells, and sounds to count, crashing and clashing through his ears, and his head spun on its swivel.
Erina immediately noticed Sōma was not himself. He was quiet and sweating so much that she knew he was too deep in his thoughts. She tried to remember the last time she'd seen her boyfriend scared.
She couldn't.
But she knew exactly what would bring him back to earth.
"Hey, Sōma, baby?"
"Huh," he grunted absentmindedly, looking anxiously around and down the Tower. There were too many people to focus on her. She took his hand, pressing a soft, thick cloth into his palms. Stunned, Sōma looked down. He blinked. Again, he said:
"Huh?"
Every chaotic thought racing through his mind ceased. He gazed at the object in his hands, then at Erina with misty eyes. "Baby, what is this?" he asked, barely hearing himself.
Erina smiled, dapping her cheek. "You already know the answer to that, my love," she softly replied.
In truth, he did. The second the cloth touched his trembling hands, he instantly knew what it was.
"Erina," he choked back tears. It was the whitest he had ever seen the age-old fabric, as if perfectly new. "My mother's handkerchief?" She nodded, smiling and trying to remain unaffected by witnessing the love of her life process holding onto his most prized possession once again. She was failing miserably, and for some indescribable reason, that made her love him even more. She knew he gave it to her to keep, but she never intended to do so.
"It's a Yukihira family heirloom," she said affectionately.
He stared at it, remembering the moment he gave it to her and why he gave it to her.
And the levees broke.
And Sōma wept.
With tears streaming down his flushed face, he cried into his handkerchief, covering his face with his lucky charm to conceal his tears. "It smells like you, Nakiri," he chuckled softly. She smiled at that—it was intentional. When he finally lifted his head to meet her gaze, he had never seen her look so beautiful.
He really did love the fuck out of this woman. Deeply. Sincerely. Fully.
"Why are you crying, baby?" Erina asked, taking his face in her hands; she kissed his tears, just as he had done for her too many times to count.
"These are tears of joy, Nakiri." His throat was tight. His tear ducts wouldn't stop leaking. His lungs refused to breathe in anything but the fresh scent of Erina's love. Holding her was all he could do to stop crying. He inhaled her sweet jasmine shampoo, feeling right at home.
"I love you so much, Sōma," she said. This love—was there anything else it could be—they shared was unconditional. She never thought it was possible to feel so aligned with another soul. Alas, the boy who had overcome everything that kept them apart from the very beginning felt as much a part of her as her soul was bound to her body.
"So, was this gift reasonable enough?" she asked with a playful tone.
"Nakiri, it's priceless," he corrected her, swooning.
"Excuse me! Pardon!" A short Black woman with long auburn locs that bounced around her shoulder, rapidly speaking French in a black uniform, approached them. They turned to face her, anxious about the stranger yet intrigued by her enthusiastic foreign expression. She said something in French that Sōma didn't understand.
"Oui?" Erina said. The woman repeated herself in French and showed a professional camera. Erina's face brightened, and she responded in kind. She turned to Sōma, eyes wide with fresh tears. "She said she took a series of photos of our moment." She said it was unintentional at first. "She was just snapping pictures around the top of the Tower for a professional tour guide shoot—but then…" Now, it was her turn to cry.
The Black woman grinned and said in Japanese, "Just…look." She moved between them and turned her camera screen toward them.
"Oh, my," Erina gasped, lifting her closed fingers to her mouth as the woman clicked through her shots.
It was like watching a stop-motion film of the moment they had just experienced. The moonless sky, the Tower's bright lights, and the blurring of strangers standing nearby and passing by all captured the cinematic portrayals of the sweetest dream Erina had ever had.
But it was their reality—their very real lives. Together.
"Woah—" Sōma echoed as his eyes darted across the screen. There must've been fifty seamless, perfectly candid shots of them. He saw the two people gazing into each other's eyes and noticing no one else around them. No one else existed because nothing else mattered but them. He tied his handkerchief around his forearm; he had missed doing that with his comfort cloth.
"You two are lovers, yes?" the photographer asked, still speaking Japanese. Sōma was impressed by her intonations. Erina responded to her sweetly. "I know; I could instantly tell," she said proudly. I have a sharp seventh sense for recognizing beauty at the moment, so I always have my camera ready to capture THE shot, and you two are love and beauty personified. That's why I knew I should keep my lens trained on you two. I caught several perfect shots, don't you think?"
"Oui, oui!" It was the only French he knew without thinking too hard. "What's your sixth sense?" Intrigued because he was a fiend for novelty and interesting people, Sōma inquired in Japanese.
"Finding the most delicious food in Paris!" the photographer laughed in French. Now that Sōma understood clear as day! The couple exchanged a meaningful glance as if it were an inside joke and laughed. The photographer turned to face them, looking genuinely confused.
"What?"
"We're both gourmet chefs!" they exclaimed in unison.
-8-
They were supposed to head back to the chateau for dinner, but Erina complained about not going to the Louvre. "And now it's almost closed!" So, they rushed to the Louvre.
Winded, Sōma said, "We made it just in time," relieved as the elevator doors opened. He would've been disappointed if this, of all things, had ruined their perfect day.
But all Erina said, the person who fussed and frowned to get to the art museum in time, was, "Indeed."
Sōma cocked his head. "You good?"
"Yes," she replied, pressing the elevator button. He put his arm around her shoulder, careful not to poke her hip with the object in his pocket, and shrugged.
Okay.
After a moment of comfortable pause to catch their breaths, Erina sentimentally remarked that her favorite painting was being displayed in a rare exhibition. "It remains at Belvedere Palace in Vienna—except for this week."
"Aw, yeah? Which one is that?"
"The Kiss by Gustav Klimt."
Sōma's expression went blank. "Never heard of it." Erina erupted with laughter. It seemed, especially since their reconciliation, that Sōma often made her laugh from deep within her soul. She had always found him amusing (if not a joke), but now she consistently felt giddy and lighthearted in his presence.
"I know, Yukihira," she said, amused. "That's why we're headed there now. I booked the Louvre for a private event tonight."
"But, I thought you said it's about to close…"
"It is," she said. "For us."
"Then, what's the occasion?" He peered at her reflection through the elevator's glass.
"Us."
They shared sweet kisses the entire ride up to the private events floor, each warm and indulgent, reminiscent of fresh pastries baked to perfection. They heard a few people getting on and off the lift, but to the couple, they might as well have been ghosts passing through.
"Sōma, I want more," Erina whispered as the elevator dinged on their floor.
"Later," he grinned. "For now, let's admire other works of art that aren't you."
And so they did.
-8-
"It's kind of dope that we're ringing in the new year inside the Louvre," Sōma said. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited. He knew nothing about fine art before attending Tōtsuki but quickly learned that their school's unofficial motto was "Fine Dining is Fine Art." And so, he'd been encouraged by his girlfriend and classes to learn how to appreciate the medium at least.
Quietly, they strolled around the renowned art museum, hand in hand, savoring the intimacy of fine art and each other's company. Sōma couldn't identify a single piece of art until they came upon—
"The Mona Lisa!" he gasped. Then he frowned deeply. "She looks ordinary as hell." He turned towards Erina with a flat expression. Disappointed hardly captured his true feelings. "Does everyone know she looks this plain in real life?" He felt deceived by mainstream Western culture.
Erina playfully swatted his winter coat. She sensed…something but decided to keep her thoughts to herself. "Yukihira Sōma! Please show some respect for centuries-old art," she said gently mused. Erina tilted her head to the side. "But, quiet as kept…" she walked off, pulling him along. "You're not wrong."
"See, I knew you'd agree," he laughed behind her. Not to sound creepy, but Sōma loved the back of his girlfriend's head. He could envision it with closed eyes, primarily because she was always walking away from him. She had mentioned cutting her golden veil a few times when she was highly frustrated with its high maintenance and costly demands—even though its long, flowing nature practically defined her. He attempted to picture it as they walked through the dim galleries. He couldn't; He knew nothing about hair and that anything he envisioned wouldn't do justice to the beauty Erina's features would bring to life with a haircut.
"Nakiri, I think you'll look great if you decide to cut your hair."
"Thanks, Yukihira, but nobody asked," she snarked.
Calm and confident footsteps approached them. "Mademoiselle, Monsieur, dinner is served."
Wait…Sōma thought. I know that voice!
Chef Shinomiya Kojiro grunted as he approached the pair. "Welcome and good evening," the crotchety head chef said in French. Sōma noticed he'd finally acquired a Parisian accent—something the old fart fought tooth and nail against picking up. His glaring face looked annoyed, but he bit back a fatherly smile. Sōma's jaw went slack at his mentor's tall, lean frame standing before them in an all-white head chef uniform. Slowly, his head swiveled over to Erina's beaming face. She shrugged and gave him a flirty pick on the cheek.
"How?-" he softly asked. Why was he tearing up?
"Happy New Year's Eve, baby," she said, glowing with the pride of a perfectly executed surprise. She released his hand and walked ahead, leaving him alone with his mentor.
He approached the man who had influenced his culinary experiences and expertise at Tōtsuki and in Japan, wiping his eyes. The older man, now sporting a cropped haircut and appearing like a weary married man, stretched his arms wide as Sōma approached. Sōma felt almost relieved that his master was glad to see him.
Whack!
Shinomiya slapped sense Sōma upside his head.
There he was. His real Sensei. "Ow! But…I deserve that," Sōma winced, rubbing the soring spot, and groaned, "Sorry for the drama."
Shinomiya growled like a lion. "At my wedding rehearsal. In my restaurant. At my wedding reception. On my wedding day. Yukihira Sōma!"
"Isn't that rather redundant-"
"YUKIHIRA. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"
Sōma stumbled over himself. "I wasn't. I didn't know. But I've been cleaning up my negligence." SWAT!
"Ow!"
"Not with me, you little brat!" Shinomiya bellowed. "You didn't even call to apologize for stealing my dear Hinako's spotlight! Your love triangle drama was at her expense! Are you crying?" Kojiro asked in disgust.
"Yeah," Sōma said, choked up.
"I didn't even smack you that hard."
"No, I'm just overwhelmed. It's Erina—she's done some incredible things for me over the past month, but how she still managed to convince you to do this for us after all that just…takes the cake," he sniffed. Sōma was floored by the lengths Erina had gone to apologize. Seriously, what had all this and the trip to Tohoku cost her?
Kojiro patted him on the shoulder like an awkward father trying to show love. "Hm. Yeah, she's really in love with you, Young Yukihira," he grunted. "It's kind of unbelievable how you've managed to do that."
Sōma frowned. "Do what?"
"Win over Nakiri Erina. She's way out of your league."
"I can say the same about you and your wife."
"Yeah, you're a doofus, but that young lady is a diamond. So, don't mess this up if you're serious about her. Take your time; you're both still very young, but Sōma—BE A MAN. A good one to her."
"YES, CHEF." Sōma nodded and saluted so sharply that Kojiro leaped a step back.
They walked together. "Speaking of wives, Nakiri and I met a dope-ass photographer who took incredible pictures of us at the Eiffel Tower. She's also a beautiful bride-to-be in search of great food in Paris for her wedding reception next summer." Kojiro raised an eyebrow.
"Sōma…"
"So, of course, we had to tell her we were chefs and as an exchange for her pictures of us…"
"Yukihira…"
"We offered to cater her wedding at Shino's Paris!"
"YOU DID WHAT?"
"Don't worry, Sensei! Nakiri talked about it on the way here. We'll handle everything and even pay the staff's event rate!"
"Plus the utility bills for the day."
"Deal."
"Damn, Yukihira. You're going to have to show me those pictures," Kojiro said, both impressed and bemused. "They better be damned good."
"No, they really are the best pictures I've ever seen." They turned the corner and heard low, feminine voices chatting in the distance. "Why'd you agree to do this for us? I figured you'd be celebrating the new year with your wife."
"No, you entitled brat! I didn't do this for you!" He guided Sōma to the dinner table in the center of a gallery on the third floor. "It's not every day even a Michelin star chef gets the chance to cook in the Louvre. I wasn't going to pass this up!"
Sōma spotted Hinako's profile as she rounded the corner. Hearing her husband, she quickly left Erina's side at the table for two and embraced Sōma. "You didn't really think I'd ignore my wife on a romantic holiday just to cook for you? I don't like you that much."
"But I do!" Hinako said."Aw, Yukihira Sōma! You look so dashing in this navy blue suit! And you and Little Erina match!"
"Hi, Hinako! It's good to see you again. I know, right? I can be creatively romantic, too," he winked as Erina joined the three in the navy evening dress she'd chosen from her closet. Erina gave him a steady once-over.
"You did this on purpose?" she shrieked.
Everyone looked at him, and he looked at them. "Well, yes!" Sōma replied. "I try sometimes!"
"I love it, baby," Erina said, swiftly pecking his cheek.
"Well, I'm glad you lot sorted everything out from the wedding weekend. I was so concerned when I found out. I was telling Director Erina how the dance you two shared was the talk of my wedding," the woman said cheerily, rubbing her subtly protruding belly.
But Sōma was embarrassed. "Yikes. Yeah. You're right. I'm sorry for that. It was an—"
"Idiotic thing to do? Yeah. Now go make your woman happy, you brat," the older chef said with an amused smug grin.
Sōma bowed from his waist. "Thanks for everything, Sensei."
"Hey! I told you about calling me that! Just enjoy your dinner for two, you twerp."
"Will do! But hey, Sensei? Before we do, let me run a secret plan by you..."
-8-
It was a lovely dinner a loving married couple prepared for another couple of young chefs in love.
"Can you believe we're two months from our first anniversary?" Sōma asked, trying his best not to lick the dinner plate that had just been full of Japanese-French fusion main dish.
"I know," Erina simpered. "It's hard to believe. It's been quite the year."
"It has." He took a dinner roll to sop up the remaining caramelized sauce on his white plate. "Would you have done anything differently?"
Erina snorted, "Absolutely."
"Like what? Said no to my relationship proposal last Valentine's?" He stuffed the saturated bread into his mouth.
"You look like a cheeky fox," Erina said, pinching his full cheeks. "But, absolutely not. That was the best decision I made all year."
Sōma cocked his head, his gaze softening. "Aw, baby."
"It's true. And I feel like the first six months proved that. Do you agree?" She dotted the corners of her mouth with her dinner napkin and watched him nod as he rushed to swallow the thick, mushy wad.
"No doubt."
"Good. It's the stuff thereafter that I wish I could take back. Redo differently."
"I don't," Sōma said without hesitation. It was Erina's turn to cock her head.
"Oh?" she said curiously. "Why not?"
"Because it brought us here. We faced all the challenges and uncertainties that threatened to tear our relationship apart this fall—and overcame them together."
"And you're happy here? With me? Even after all that chaos I caused?"
Sōma took her right hand. "Erina." He found the nervousness in her tone endearing. She still doubted if she was enough for him. He took a sip of water and placed the glass down, never removing his gaze from Erina. "I wouldn't be happy anywhere without you."
-8-
They sat across from each other in comfortable silence, enjoying sharing a scrumptious caramel crème brûlée. Sōma couldn't take his eyes off Erina. Erina forgot to breathe as she stared at Sōma.
"Hey, baby," he said softly, taking her hand and gently grazing her smooth knuckles with his warm, calloused thumb.
"Mm," she mused.
"Do you remember the first time we met?"
Erina laughed heartily. It jarred Sōma. She was laughing too hard. Her sharp memory of that fateful day flooded her eyes with tears. She had hated his obstinance in that test kitchen two years ago but had loved him from her very first bite of—
"Transforming furikake," they said in unison. Sōma's eyes brightened. He—Sōma shook his head—he hadn't expected her to remember the dish's name. After all, she did say it was disgusting.
But he's always known the truth. "You were squirming just like that," he jutted his chin in her direction—"With bliss after the first bite." He glanced over his nose at her. Smug. Validated.
"Nuh-uh," Erina giggled, feeling exposed but happy to be truly seen by him. She took a scoop of her dessert and shimmied from its delicious taste.
"Yes-uh," Sōma teased back. "Your Endowment damn near burst out of your uniform blouse that day." His tone grew serious. "It was that moment," Sōma said. "I fell in love with you right then and there."
Erina frowned. "That moment?" She questioned in disbelief.
"No," Sōma paused. "You're right. Because I was already in love with you when you called my most creative dish up 'til then disgusting," he said, playfully mocking her. "No. It was before that."
Erina folded her arms. She wasn't annoyed. No—this was amusement at its finest. "And which moment was that, Yukihira?"
His eyes kindled with warmth as he looked at her. His glowing gaze was a fire that only burned for her. "The very first time I laid eyes on you—as droves of insecure prospects ran with their aprons tucked between their legs at the very sight of you."
"That's when you knew?" Her disbelief hadn't melted, but it had evolved into awe.
"That's when I knew," he confirmed. Sōma pulled a folded white paper from his jacket pocket and cleared his throat. "So, I wrote something down because I was afraid my ADHD brain wouldn't say it all right in the moment—" he let a slight smirk take his face when he said that, and Erina's stomach somersaulted in and out of nervous knots as she watched her boyfriend, the most secure and confident person she knew, struggle to control his shaky hand.
What did Sōma plan to say? An anxious little devil whispered doubt into her ear. She didn't shoo it away but didn't entertain its negativity. Not right now. Not until she heard what the love of her life had to say.
Sōma cleared his throat several times to shake his nerves before taking a long sip of his water. Then, he read what he wrote to the person who inspired the deep feelings behind his cracking words:
Erina Sakura Nakiri,
When I envision my tomorrows, you're the only person I see.
When I ask myself what I want out of life, only you come to mind.
You have shown me a side of love that is terribly beautiful and desperately worth fighting for.
You captured my heart from the very first day we met. And since the day you rejected my transfer exam, I have swallowed the lock and key.
I know we are young, but I love you with all of me, Nakiri. You bring out the best in me. I see my life with you.
When I look at you, I see into the future and can already see all the awesome things our two creative, tenacious, and rebellious hands and minds will create together.
You are my sugar, my salt. My savory and my spice. You make everything in my life look, taste, smell, and feel better.
I hope I've given you even a morsel of the love and comfort you've given me, even when I was scared because you don't deserve crumbs.
You are brave and bold, and now that you're here—now that you're in it—I can't imagine my life without you.
So—
He looked up from the paper. He saw her silently weeping. "Uh…could you, um, stand up and turn around for a quick second?"
Erina's pink face flared with confusion. "What? Are you serious? Right now?"
"Yes. It'll only take a second." He grinned. "I promise."
Silently, begrudgingly, Erina scooted back, stood up, and turned around. Just then, she realized sensuous French jazz was filtering in, and the lights had dimmed low. Sōma got on one knee. "Okay, turn around, Nakiri." He watched her slowly spin back to him and the starry-eyed gleam in her violet eyes as her jaw dropped. "I don't want to leave a day without you, Nakiri."
"Sōma," Erina gasped, taking a stunned step back, then closer to him. "Sōma? What is this?" she nervously asked.
Her eyes danced from the ringbox in her boyfriend's hand to his earnest, loving smile.
"It's a promise ring, baby," Sōma said, proud of the princess-cut aquamarine ring set in a rose gold love knot band he was holding. It was her birthstone (well, one of them), and he'd had it custom-made for her. He'd even added citrine side stones around the band to symbolize his everlasting love.
"Why?
Sōma's eyebrows wrinkled. This was not what he'd anticipated. "Why not? It's sweet, it's romantic, it's spontaneous—"
"It's the worst idea you've ever had!" Erina's face turned pink, then paled as she paced back and forth inside the desolate Louvre.
"HUH?"
His memory sped through a highlight reel of all the times she'd said those exact words to him concerning his ideas in the past. How could this compare to when he decided it was a good idea to blend every chili pepper he could find into one death sentence of a soup dish he learned while cooking through West Africa called pepper soup?
"Okay," he admitted, "it wasn't spontaneous. I've been planning this for months. But, Nakiri…" He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, but he was burning up on the inside. "A-Are you rejecting my promise to you?"
"YES-" she started, then paused as if struck by a new realization. "Oh—no. Wait. So, you're not proposing to me?" She sounded meek.
"No?" he said, confused. He was still on his knees and wrestling with whether he should stay like that or get up. "At least, not as a marriage proposal. It's a promise to always be there for you. But marriage?" He shrugged. "I don't know, maybe one day," he said. "But that's not what this is today. Of course, I know I'd have to check in with the old man first!" he rushed out after seeing her face morph through unreadable expressions. "…Maybe even speak to your dad?"
The final look of relief that washed over Erina's face deflated him. "Whew!" Erina said, crouching down to meet his face. "Good, because I do not want your gesture to be received by my family as Ryō was."
"But Ryō gave Alice a promise ring, too," he said questioningly. This mounting confusion in his head and chest was not what he had envisioned when he planned this moment. Erina shook her head.
"No," she said. "Alice finally texted me the truth this morning." She showed Sōma her phone messages from Alice.
Sōma gasped, "He proposed proposed?" Erina smugly nodded like she knew she'd just told him the good gossip it was.
"I knew it!" Erina looked at him with a questioning gaze. "Well, I had a hunch. Or rather, a sneaking suspicion."
"That's why Soe and Grandfather were not pleased. He didn't ask for their blessing beforehand." Erina nodded even harder now. Everything began to make sense. The way she told the story on the plane, how she pitied him when he asked what Ryō did wrong, and her reaction to his promise all clicked into his understanding. "So that's what not to do?"
She stood them both to their feet and walked them to a nearby museum bench. "That's what never to do, my love. Grandfather and I spoke about it when things did not make sense. Like why they were seen walking out of each other's bedrooms every morning for breakfast. And I also caught the ring on her married finger a few times. So did Grandfather, but he thought it was his imagination."
"What'd Old Man Nakiri say?"
"A promise ring is fine. He actually prefers it; sets his mind at ease with his baby girls' relationships."
"He actually said that?" Sōma's palm sweat. He rubbed them against his pants.
They stared at a painting of a couple in love and in a romantic embrace. "He did. He said when Alice and Ryō acted like it was just a promise ring, it made him feel confident that a conversation with Ryō, Soe, and my grandfather would soon occur. But also, we're still teens in high school. He didn't understand what business they had rushing things."
"What clued him in?"
"He saw the budget from Nakiri Summit weekend. All the itemized charges were on his credit card. I told you it was a bit over the top, even for my family."
"No way," Sōma's face dropped. "Alice didn't…"
"Oh, your sweet Sōma soul. You don't know my cousin," she scoffed. "She's impressively entitled and obstinate when she wants her way. And she will do anything that gives her what she wants."
"But why would Ryō go along with it? He's been a part of your family for so long that—" He should've at least spoken to Master Soe first, he thought.
Erina hitched a shoulder and sighed. "That he probably thought nothing of it. Alice does this kind of stuff all the time. And Ryō likely didn't think to ask because he's never had to pay for anything since he moved in with my aunt and uncle…then with me and my grandfather. Think about all her extravagant Halloween parties and winter balls over the years." Sōma's eyes widened and glazed over. Alice's holiday parties were the events of the season on campus. Even Polar Star parties didn't compare.
"What? You didn't think Alice was actually paying for all those expensive luxuries with her own money, did you?"
"Well, I-" He was gobsmacked. He didn't know what he thought. He hadn't given it much thought at all. For as long as he'd had the privilege of experiencing Erina's interior life, Sōma had always seen her pay for everything she wanted with her own money. She even made it a point to remind people of that fact occasionally. Apart from living in her family's mansion, Nakiri Erina was an emancipated, self-sufficient, independently super-wealthy young woman.
"I guess I assumed you two did things the same way. Y'know, being the Nakiri daughters and all."
"While Alice and I both grew up in ultra-high-net-worth households, our respective Nakiri families have…different views on upbringing. I love my uncle and aunt, but they truly spoiled their daughter.
"But the Nakiri family—at least the one I grew up in—has rules. Standards. Traditions that date back centuries and mattered greatly to our ancestors to preserve— especially concerning betrothal rites and rituals. Alice basically said none of that mattered," Erina said sternly as she spoke about her cousin's rebellious nature.
"Which is her prerogative. She's always been this way," she added. "But, you know me, Sōma. I like to do things the right way. My pride may get the best of me every so often, but I'm always focused on maintaining my integrity and my family's legacy. It's the hallmark of my work and reputation."
"I know," he muttered, still collecting his thoughts. Flagrant money mismanagement, family secrets, and flippant social entitlement…the ways of the upper-crust society Erina came from did not make sense to him. He was grateful she shielded him from a lot of it; he didn't know how he would manage being fully inundated by it all. Probably the way Ryō has, he shuddered. Just thinking about it felt wrong to his core, so it could never be him.
Then he focused intently on her. "I know. That's why when that time comes, I promise you, Nakiri, it'll be right." She smiled softly and lifted up her right hand.
"You promise?" she whispered, eyes aglow.
"I do." He wasn't one to renege on his promises, especially not to the girl he loved more than life itself.
"I love you, Sōma," Erina said. It shocked him just a little; she wasn't usually the one to initiate those words of affirmation. Those three simple .three.- carried their weight in gold, falling off the tip of the God Tongue.
"I know," he said with a passion that he hoped would reach her as genuine. He knew the men in her life weren't the most trustworthy. Then he kissed her lips. "I love you, too, baby."
"For how long?" she teased, showing off her promise ring.
"Always and forever, my heart. This is just the beginning of Sorina," Sōma said, kissing Erina with all the love he had restored for her.
"Mmm..." Erina softly moaned, tears gathering in her closed eyes. "You gave us a portmanteau?"
"Yeah, do you hate it? I mean, I saw it online the other day, and it's a French word, and we're in France, so when in Rome..." Sōma hitched his shoulders like a rascal out of tricks.
"Oh, Sōma, you baka!" she giggled as Sōma pressed her tears onto the pad of his thumb and then onto his lips. "I love it! But why not Eroma?" They both pinched their faces at that and laughed.
"What are you thinking about right now? How are you feeling?"
"I-I just…" Erina sniffled. "We had the same idea, you know? To love each other. To show how much we cared. I think that's so beautiful."
"I agree, Nakiri. I've learned that love isn't easy, but since I'm in love with you, it'll always be worth it."
The kiss they shared, the sweet taste of the creamy custard, and the supple touch of their lips pressed together made her heart ripple. Erina lowered her head, and Sōma pressed their foreheads together. She was overwhelmed by a sudden rush of emotions.
"And the way you love me, Sōma, is…" Erina sighed as he kissed her forehead, holding her tight. "Delicious." Sōma's heart leaped from his chest, hearing one special word roll off her delicate tongue.
As the clock struck midnight, welcoming the new year, it ushered their love into a new chapter.
THE END.
YOU'RE WELCOME!
a/n: Happy New Year!