Hi FanFiction community! It's my first fanfiction uploaded for Shokugeki no Soma. I am a big fan of the Soma-Erina pairing and I really hope that they can get together soon, both in the anime and manga versions. So while I'm waiting... I decided to start this story. Hope you like it! I would appreciate your feedback.

P.S. There seems to be a problem when I try to upload images on the site, so I apologize I don't have a cover image for the story yet.

Thank you, and enjoy! This one's a bit short, so I'll try to upload another chapter soon!

Soma's golden eyes were staring off into the distance when Takumi Aldini suddenly appeared in his peripheral vision and suddenly clapped his hand once in front of Soma's face.

"What are you so deeply thinking about? Did you hear what we said?"

Isami Aldini, Ryo Kurokiba, and Akira Hayama were each sitting on top of their desks and looking at him and Takumi. Kurokiba and Hayama only looked bored and seemed as if they couldn't care less about what Souma was thinking about. Isami wore his usual earnest look.

"Ha! I was out of it for a moment there." Soma replied as he raised his hand to scratch the back of his head and smiled widely.

"It looked more than a moment to me," was Ryo's muttered remark.

"What were you guys talking about anyway?"

"There is an upcoming Shokugeki on the shore next week. Every student in Totsuki is invited to participate. There is no set theme. Each student has to present a dish and get a positive mark from all three judges to pass. If a student chooses to participate and passes, he/she will be exempted from the Spring Eliminations next year. Failure, of course, will result in expulsion," Hayama explained.

"We have been going to Shokugekis several times a week for the last few weeks. So what is so special about this one?" Soma asked.

"Well, for one, it will be a good opportunity to practice our skills. Also, we can take time off in the spring to go on vacation and cook on our own time, instead of slaving ourselves to drooling judges and professors," Takumi offered.

"You forgot to mention the important part," Isami remarked.

Soma had a puzzled expression and looked between his friends.

Hayama spoke first, "One of the judges is a mermaid."

Then Ryo added, "And not just any mermaid. It's Nakiri Erina."

Erina lounged on the rock and absent-mindedly watched her tail flap back and forth against the rock as the wind played with her long orange hair.

Eventually, she slowly slid into the water and floated on her back, her eyes closed and her hair spread out on the water's surface. She liked the feel of the sun beating down on her body while the cool water tickled her bare back.

She fell asleep and didn't realize she did so until her serenity was broken by the less than peaceful waves lapping on her face and belly. She opened her eyes and realized that her peace was broken by an approaching figure. A human.

"Are you Nakiri Erina?" A male voice asked.