Hi!

Welcome to Affection, a new SnS fan-fic by yours truly. The main pairing for this fic will be Soma and Erina, because who doesn't want to see the high and mighty princess of Totsuki fall for the "lowly" commoner running an ordinary diner? heheh. In all seriousness, I think the two of them would make a great and dynamic duo with amazing chemistry. Erina stands to learn lots from Soma's way of looking at things, and our favorite redhead can also get a lesson on discretion and etiquette from the blonde princess of Totsuki, both of which he clearly lacks (or doesn't care about)

I have a good idea on what the side pairings are going to be, but they might change along the way depending on how the story pans out (or maybe I'll allow a vote to be casted when the time comes, who knows?)

Take note that this story picks off after the conclusion of the Autumn elections, with the results the same as in canon. It's time for the holidays!

A small disclaimer: I am a horrible cook. I, however, would like to try my hand at writing a Shokugeki with my less-than-desirable culinary skills. So you might see something really ridiculous in the later chapters (imagine judges praising a peanut butter jelly sandwich like its the most delicious thing they've ever eaten), but it's all in good fun.

This is a sneak peek of what you can expect to come in future chapters (a really loooooooong time in the future though, but I'm sure there's lots of other Sorina shippers like me out there, so you'll probably enjoy this as much as I did writing it!)

Enjoy this short excerpt!

"I know I'm no prince in shining armor, though that's definitely not for the lack of trying on my part." A flash of his usual cheekiness in the lopsided grin which had the honey blonde rolling her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks and the slight tilt of the edge of her lips dampened the implication of that gesture. "We're both new to this... thing we share. I don't know what to make of it, and I'm scared, Erina. Never have I felt so vulnerable and invincible at the same time. With you by my side, I feel like I can take on the world. But at the same time, it feels so fragile and I'm afraid that if I do something rash, it'll... just shatter and be gone forever. Just like that."

The redhead took a deep breath and closed his eyes briefly as if to gather his thoughts. "I've made countless mistakes, and I'm sure I'll continue to make more in the future. I only hope that you can continue forgiving me and giving me time to learn more about you. About us."

The last word was uttered quietly, solemnly, but with the impact of a sucker punch. Erina felt her breath hitch, aware that she must have been turning quite red by now. Her chest rose and fell with each ragged inhale and exhale, as if her lungs couldn't seem to get enough oxygen, no matter the volume of air cycling through it. Soma's close proximity, coupled with his arresting words and glittering eyes made her feel things she had once thought fictional; something that was exaggerated tenfold in shoujo mangas to sell better to the masses.

However, there was no mistaking it. Her racing pulse, clammy palms and dry mouth... even her legs felt like jelly under Soma's intense scrutiny! It all served to ascertain the niggling suspicioun that had surfaced over the past week in her mind. Growing slowly but steadily in size with each confounding interaction with the redhead chef until it was hard to ignore (something akin to a malignant tumour), the blonde suspected that her feelings for this boy went past just mere friendship. A friend wouldn't be able to get under her skin as easily as him, occupy her thoughts as much, or even incite such strong reactions. Hisako never did.

She felt comfortable around Hisako. She knew her closest friend and aide will never judge her for her behaviour or eccentricities. When she was around Soma, on the other hand, there was an underlying tension. Don't get her wrong; she had grown to find his company quite... enjoyable. Fun, even. He calmed her down in a way nobody else can and opened her eyes to a whole new way of looking at the world around her. It might sound awfully cliché, but previously, her world had been drenched in shades of black and white with only rights and wrongs. Now, with Soma at the figurative helm, it was as if the monochrome filter was removed from before her eyes and she could finally admire everything the way it was supposed to be seen from the eyes of a regular teenager. Cherry blossoms blooming no longer only signified the onset of spring. Eating wasn't just for the sake of nutrition for her body or to be criticized on its flavour and how it could be improved. Every action she took no longer had to have a rationalization, be it for personal gain or for her family name.

With Soma, she wasn't held to the standards and expectations of the Nakiri family.

With Soma, she felt free and unhindered in a way she had never known.

With Soma, she was just another girl in love with a boy.

There, she had finally admitted it to herself. She was in love with this infuriating redhead.

"Erina."

"Y-Y-Yes?" Jolted from her reverie, the tenth seat's eyes widened when she realized just how close Soma was to her, their foreheads mere inches apart. Her eyes met his golden ones in a clash that rendered her somewhat breathless. Again. "I'm sorry, Soma-kun, I didn't quite catch what you said - "

The runner up of the Autumn elections silenced her by gently placing his index finger on her lips, the intimate gesture leaving her gasping in surprise and embarrassment. She floundered, mentally grasping for a poise and calm she did not feel. Heat suffused her cheeks, rising straight up to the tips of her ears. If she was in a manga, Erina was sure that steam would have been shooting out from her ears by now. As it stood, she could only freeze unceromoniously and hand the reins of control over to the boy caging her in, his lean body a prison she might never want to escape from.

"Shhh, Erina. I'll like to speak my mind before I lose the courage to," Soma whispered, his breath hot against his cheeks, smelling mildly of the champagne they had shared during dinner. "I couldn't catch a wink of sleep yesterday night. I had too much to think about, too much to process. I also made a couple of calls to try to sort out my feelings, because I was a jumbled mess and I don't want to make any more mistakes when it comes to you."

Soma lowered his index finger slowly, his expressive eyes never once leaving hers. They were brimming with emotion, and Erina found herself helplessly caught within his smoldering gaze.

"I'm no expert when it comes to matters of the heart, but even an ignorant fool like me can't ignore something that's right in my face." The next words he said were something Erina will not forget in a hurry.

"I'm head over heels in love with you, Erina Nakiri."

The next chapter will be the first official chapter.

Until then!