Set between chapter XXI and XXII.

More chapters filled with Sorina moments coming... probably.

"I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine, now I'm shining too
Because oh because, I've fallen quite hard over you."

Sōma is not the type of person who is hard to fit in a new circumstance, so being a Londoner seems to come naturally for him. He would jog a few blocks in his free time before going to Shino's without getting bothered by how wet and cold the city can be, or if he doesn't jog, he would stroll around the market just to be mesmerized by the products, or even spends hours at a cheese shop around St. James- and ending up buying at least a quarter of that shop.

Which is what he just did when his phone beeps; it's a text from Nakiri Erina.

Are you not working today?

It's definitely a once in a blue moon to have her texting him first, so he's really keen to know what she has in mind, especially after haven't been seeing each other for a week now.

Not in a few hours. 'Sup?

Two cigarettes have turned into ashes, but a reply doesn't appear, so he types some more: Wanna meet?

Higher Ground's Coffee.

Her answer comes almost immediately. He takes it as a yes, and a cue to (almost keenly) put out his third Marlboro. Thankfully, the place is at walking distance, so he arrives in just 10 minutes after the message.

"Been here long?" He strokes her honey blonde hair before throwing himself on the couch next to her- because a simple hi is just overrated, but Erina only looks up from her Macbook to greet him with a wince.

"Hmpf. You need to lay off those filthy Gold Marlboros, Yukihira-kun. "

"Why? Because the red ones smell better for ya? Or do you care that much about my health?"

She rolls her eyes unpleasantly and goes back to typing on her laptop, as if it screams 'yeah, right'.

"Joking." Sōma nudges, "I'll get an iced latte."

When he's back on the couch after making sure he smells minty fresh with an iced latte in his hand, he asks her, "What're you doin' there?"

"This month's review. I fall a little behind because my schedule has been hectic these days." She explains without breaking her focus to her work.

"Wow, even Nakiri can't always be on time."

"Wh-What is that supposed to mean?!"

His wild cackle is not the only thing he can't help, but also when the redhead sees her glasses go down to the bridge of her nose, pulling it back up is almost a reflect, and sometimes he wonders why seeing that blush on her cheek is endearing to him.

"If you're gonna be working here, why asked me to come anyway?" He questions before taking a sip on his beverage.

"What?! You're the one who asked me if I wanted to meet!"

"But you texted me first, y'know."

"W-Well… I was… B-bored!"

"So I'm only convenient when you're bored?"

"Can't you talk about something else?" Erina raises both hands, "You are distracting me, Yukihira. Turns out texting you was not a good idea."

"At least you're not bored anymore, eh?" He winks.

"S-Shut up, idiot."

"Aight. As you wish."

And so she's typing again. Those amethyst orbs with unbearable focus, like nothing can ever break them even the way she nibbles her bottom lip gets too painful for her or even if this old coffee shop shatters in one second. But so are those golden eyes, when gazing into what lies before him.

The view- it makes him unaware of how long his teeth have chewed the straw or how the time on his Swiss Army is still ticking closer to lunch service. Though he's certainly aware of how his heart races… after the Nakiri heiress breaks the silence.

"W-Why are you staring like that?"

"Huh? Nah, it's just-" Sōma places his fingers on the junction between her hair and neck, "You're cute when you're all focused like that."

"Wh-What are you even…" Her blush becomes more pronounced.

No- of course it doesn't stop his gentle strokes, but when he thought she's going to push his hands away, she tilts her head to give him more access instead.

Oh, this gladness is weird as hell...

He smiles anyway, and it gets wider when her eyes shudders.

"You tired?"

"A little bit."

"How much have you written there?" He says, resting his chin on her shoulder to take a peek at her screen.

"Quite plenty. Santiago's is sure to get an earful for their Spanish clam chowder."

"I can see that, comparing to your usual length."

She turns her head slightly, just enough to get a look on his eyes, "You've been reading my reviews?"

"Hell yeah, who knows what you'd say about Shino's?" He chuckles.

"I always eat at Shino's with reservation under my name. I never reserve those places I come to review."

"So, quite the Anthony Bourdain, eh?"

She huffs in amusement.

"And thanks for reassuring me that you enjoy my dish." He continues, without ignoring her lavender scent that hypnotized his nostrils.

"Where do you even get that?"

"Because you always come to Shino's at least every two weeks for dinner?"

"N-No I don't!"

"Sure, Nakiri. Keep telling yourself that. My staffs won't agree with ya."

"When will you stop infuriating me?"

"I don't think it'll be so soon."

When their unaware of the silence that falls, it's when they can really enjoy each other's company, just like they are now. His head still rested on her shoulder with a hand on her thigh. She would take off her glasses and play with fingers that grazes the soft fabric of her pants.

Yes- even they realize it's not that physical, but somehow, it's more than enough to be able listen to the calming sound of her heartbeat. And when her hand trails along the scrubs along his jaw, it's when he knows; he's actually falling deep.

"Nakiri."

"Huh?"

"Can we stay like this for a few more moments?"

In that moment, it doesn't take a genius to know she's blushing, but even though her heartbeat's getting louder at his remark, she doesn't push him away.

"That… does not sound impossible."

And both ended up missing work.

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