The curvature of Chef Chappelle's lips flexed upward. A short moment later, any trace of his stern appearance had evaporated. The piercing blue eyes of the "Chef Who Never Smiled" began to dew over. "This..." he stammered. "This dish… is absolutely the best halibut I have ever had the pleasure of tasting!"

"Good thing you came up with the recette this morning!" Souma said.

"This was made the last second?! Unbelievable. The sea bass dish that you made yesterday, it was fine – but this is divine. Nakiri-san, you must show me how you made this after class,"

"I would be happy to oblige." Erina replied flatly, unsurprised at the positive reception. She turned to glance at Souma.

"I guess all the time working on my recette was a wash, Nakiri," Souma muttered. The broad grin on his face had disappeared.

Stunned at the rare sight of their teacher smiling, even crying, their underclassmen began to sing praise of the first seat themselves. As expected of Erina Nakiri and She's simply the best were to them all truths they acknowledged. To Souma, although the distance between the two had shrank, the gap in skill had not – she was still the better of the two. So this still isn't perfection for you, Nakiri, Souma wondered.

"Yukihira-kun? Is something wrong?"

Souma, noticing Erina was looking at him, composed himself. "Nah, it's nothing Nakiri. Good work."

Souma abruptly started packing his knife set and left for the door. "See ya!", he cried out with waving one hand goodbye. Just you wait Nakiri.

It is the usual time to go back to the Polar Star Dorm. Souma is outside the Elite Ten Council Building. There was a slight breeze that almost made it too chilly for Souma to have his well-worn black jacket as his only layer. Leaning against the building, by the door he seemed to be waiting for something or someone.

Upon seeing, Erina Souma cried out, "Yo, Nakiri! Are you heading back?"

"Yukihira-kun?" Catching her by surprise, she replied, "Yes, I am."

"Mind if I hitch a ride?"

Surprised by his sudden request, she almost nodded her head to acquiesce. Then the image of Souma's shoulder on her head from the morning flashed in her mind. "Not after this morning!", she quickly snapped.

"Aw…I guess I'll have to walk then." Souma replied slowly, to feign dejection.

"Walk all the way back to the dorm? Do you not have your bike?"

"I hitched a ride a with you this morning. Remember?"

"That's right…", she said replied with a hint of remorse.

"Then…care to join me?" he asked smugly. Any sign of guilt on Erina's face was replaced with annoyance. She bit her lip and furrowed her brow.

"What? Join you?!"

"Why not? It's a nice day out today.", he said in his usual calm manner. "I never see you outdoors anyway, you should soak in the sight while the trees are nice and green. More importantly, I want to talk to you about something."

While looking back at the car, she agreed, "If you insist… I'll accompany you this time."

As the two walked, the wind began to act up. Without any words exchanged, the sound of the wind rustling the drying leaves and the occasional passing car were the only disturbances they could hear. Even Souma was slightly perturbed by the absolute silence between the two. To break the silence, he decided to brave a compliment. "Cooking must be so easy for you. You must really love it…"

"What makes you say that?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

"... Why do you cook?", she deflected.

Souma was caught by surprise by this sudden question. It's not that he didn't enjoy cooking, but he never though why. He saw himself when he was a young boy cooking at his father's restaurant. After a short pause, he replied "Well… I've been cooking almost since I could walk!"

Erina had no response to his answer. Souma, practically at her side, tried to look into her face hoping for a reaction or at least an acknowledgement. She wordlessly looked down at the ground, as they walked. The wind began to blow her hair and strand by strand they would dance with the wind before settling back down on her back. She really is in another world than me, Souma thought.

"I don't mean to pry, but I know that you didn't have the best time cooking with your dad and all. But you have to like it, right?"

She gave a very slight nod and the silence returned. The sight of her lost in her thoughts, nearly sent Souma to a trance of his own. His golden eyes reflected a color not so far off from her sun-kissed hair.

"I mean, you're so great at it."

Erina looked at the road ahead of them. The trees were beginning to don their fall colors. The green leaves were tinged with faint tinges of auburn.

"Now that you mention it… You seemed pretty down the past few days. Is everything okay?"

"You say that… but you never…", she said, barely audible due to a large gust of wind.

"Huh? What's that Nakiri?"

"I meant… you throw words around so carelessly," she said softly. Erina firmed her tone, "Do you actually mean what you say?" This time, Souma was struck with silence. He tried to think of how to reply, but no words could come. He tried to look interested with headband on his wrist fluttering in the wind.

She firmed her grip on her handbag slung on her shoulder. "What I'm trying to say is that… today was my fault…. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? Everything worked out fine didn't it?" Souma's face twisted into a smirk and added, "The old man said your dish was better anyway…"

"I'm apologizing to you. Do you actually listen to what others say?"

"It's no big deal. I guess, I'm not the best at hearing you out… My bad."

"You know Yukihira-kun, I meant to tell you this before… Our first year…. I didn't know who you father was…", she stammered.

Souma was no longer smiling. "That's enough!", Souma interrupted brusquely. Softening his tone, he said, "My pops has nothing to do with this."

Still, Erina was taken aback from his sudden change. "I told you before, it's alright, okay?" he said in reassurance. The sun was beginning to set and cast a long shadow on the two while on the sidewalk. Erina's pace slowed down enough to see Souma's silhouette in front of her.

"But, I'm fine with the way you are, okay?", he said in a hushed tone.

Erina couldn't see his face, but something about his words suggested that he was telling the truth. The softness in his voice dissolved her to tell him everything waned. Not wanting to ruin the moment, she told herself that the rest could wait.

Souma stopped walking, without looking at her, he said "To be honest, I've never really thought why I liked cooking so much." Erina, still behind him, was glad that she was behind him to see her reaction.

"So if even you don't have the answer to that question," Souma clenched his right fist and said, "We'll have to find it." He turned around and smiled, "Besides, I haven't forgotten my promise!"

Erina had forgotten about the promise he made to her at the entrance ceremony two years ago, until now. You still want me to say 'It's good' to your face, Yukihira Souma? she asked.

The wind now reduced down to a subtle breeze. The started walking along the path to the dorm. Changing the subject, "There's something that smells nice," Souma began sniffing audibly. Returning back to his simple tone, he remarked "Almost like some kind of flower."

A little relieved, Erina replied, "It's fall though, how could there be floral fragrance around?" Amused at his antics, a half-smile could almost be made out on her face.

"Who knows? But I'm sure I've experienced it before." Around you.

It was dinner time again at the Polar Star Dorm. A few of the residents noticed the couple walk home together, prompting some nudges and winks from some of the residents to Souma. The usual lively atmosphere was present as ever. This time it was Yuuki's night to cook dinner. In front of the residents was a full course featuring green pheasant. However, food was not on Erina's mind. The more she thought about it, Souma's words still lingered on her mind. Just what did he mean we'll find it together? Erina looked on at the couple again. Their shared laughter, their mutual understanding, what exactly makes a relationship that different, she asked herself. The smile that Souma would flash seemed different from afar to her as he was talking to Megumi again, like he did the other night.

"Is there something wrong, Erina-chi? Is my cooking not good?" Yuuki asked.

Erina never had a large appetite in the first place. But lately, she ate less and less. Even with all the intricacies she could identify with her masterful taste, she couldn't understand what to feel. Food was just food – either it's edible or it's not.

"No… not at all," Erina replied hesitantly, deciding not to share her actual tasting notes of the dish. She finally settled with a simple remark. "The meat is very fresh."

"Of course! I slaughtered these pheasants room earlier today!", Yuuki proudly asserted.

"...you know Yukihira-kun, you have to do it someday" Megumi tells Souma. He simply grunts, neither acting displeased nor ignoring her statement.

Around the end of meal, Souma and Erina's eyes met, while he was talking to Megumi. She quickly looks away, followed by a nearly forlorn look on her face. Souma simply smiles back.

At the conclusion of the meal, everyone began putting the dishes away. Megumi got up to where Erina was sitting and asked bashfully "Nakiri-san, may I have a word with you?".

Erina, duly acknowledged her request and simply nodded. It was not all that uncommon for her dorm mates to ask her to ask for a taste test or a consultation. They both saw Souma leave the room, still talking with the other dorm mates.

"Nakiri-san, Souma-kun and I have noticed that you haven't been in the best mood as of late,"

"So, he's shown some concern for you, as a friend." Each sentence that Megumi would utter seemed exceedingly hesitant, almost pained in a way. It was still well known to the Polar Star residents that her shy demeanor still had not been erased after all these years.

"But I would just be weary of Souma-kun. Not that he's bad-spirited, but…" Megumi now stopped looking down at her hands on her laps. She took a quick glance at Erina. All she could discern was a look of impassivity. Truthfully, Erina shared this sentiment with Megumi. Who really was Souma? What does he want from me? she asked. However, she could not bring herself to show signs of her own ruminations on the matter.

Seeing that Erina was unfazed, she reluctantly pushed on, "You know that Souma-kun's ambition hasn't changed," Megumi said softly without looking at her. After a short moment of silence, their eyes met. "He's still determined to become first seat, Nakiri-san," she said ending her words with a slight edge to her voice at the end. "So please talk to me, if you have…"

Not wanting to hear anymore, Erina cut Megumi off, "I feel that I'm justified in accepting him." Erina now got up out of her seat "And when that day comes… I'll be ready."

"I see, that's great…" Megumi responded startled by Erina's sudden stand.

"Thank you for your concern, but please don't worry about me. Good night, Tadokoro-san". Erina curtly bowed her head and made her way upstairs.

Megumi shut her eyes, trying to think of reasons to despise Erina. But why? Just what am I doing?, she asked. Megumi reached for the good luck charm in her pocket. She couldn't remember when she last reached for the omamori. It must have been two years, she remarked to herself. She placed her the charm, clutched in both her hands, over her heart wishing for something. This time, Megumi was left sitting alone, still at the dining table.

To be continued...

Sorry for the delay in updating. I am currently undergoing a "training arc" (reading lots and lots of books). I will probably will update eventually, but I don't want to rush the story. Thanks for all your support thus far!