Hello! It's really been a while since I updated this series of Sorina one-shots. In fact, it has been almost one year. This one is a bit long (4k words in total) because I just couldn't connect the plot points if it were a shorter one.

THIS CHAPTER IS RATED T for language and…well, you'll see.

~Rainbow Gala~

Usually it's Erina who gets jealous over the slightest things. Now it's him.

The evening breeze did nothing to calm his nerves, that's number one.

Number two, ever since that wretched Professor Suzuki/Saiba Asahi came as his only worthy love rival in the entire Totsuki body, he hasn't been sleeping well—sometimes he even slept on the countertops of Polar Star kitchen. That's how determined he is to prove his worth towards Erina. Though they've been officially dating, but the appearance of a man who declared he was going to marry his girlfriend instead made Souma more disturbed than he has ever been in his life. Yes, Souma did beat him in BLUE semifinals earlier this year. But that doesn't extinguish his desire to 'tie his loose ends'.

Number three, she looked mesmerizingly stunning.

He almost wanted to tackle her right here in her dressing room, and not give a single fuck about the gala. Sure, she would have to give her opening speech as Totsuki's headmistress sooner than later, but that doesn't mean he can't have her just a little bit, right?

"W-What are you staring at?" she had asked.

"Ah, nothing—just wondering why're you taking so long."

"And I'm wondering why the hell you're not out there greeting the Totsuki shareholders."

He mentally slapped himself for that apparent lie. Truthfully, he was staring at her—particularly, her in velvet crimson dress with open back, modestly clenching her curvy figure with each thread sewn. The front only barely exposed her cleavage, not too open that she would be judged as a lowly woman, but not too closed that her chest didn't seem tempting enough for him; even at the slightest glance.

She had even put on a red lipstick, emphasizing her mature and sexy side.

Underlined; he couldn't take his eyes off her. If only he had telekinetic powers, she would've been stripped long before dusk falls. He wasn't sure himself if he would have some self-control considering how inviting she appears in front of him.

No, it's not merely carnal desire that almost took him over. It's the thirst to show that prick Asahi who rightfully owns Erina's heart and body—the latter being of significance.

About the gala itself; she and Souma (much to her secret delight) were personally invited to attend a ball with the higher-ups of Japan's culinary world. Originally, Erina had refused the event organizers when they asked for it to be held on Totsuki grounds, considering she wouldn't want to deal with outrageous amounts of paperwork. Then again, they both were regarded as modest prodigies, and their friends convinced them that making connections is more than crucial. So off they went to this beachside resort and convention center.

Before you ask, yes. This is also a property of Totsuki.

Oh, and Souma had planned to stay the night in her room. So that's one thing to look forward to.

"Hey," she snapped him out from his thoughts. "Shall we go?"

"Sure you don't need another hour?" he teased, to which she rolled her eyes before they both started making their way to the gala.

Usually these types of events and formalities don't suit him very well, considering he's more of an informal-type of guy. Dressing up with his black tux and red bowtie makes him slightly uncomfortable, limiting his movements and whatnot. He'd rather be dressed up in his usual Yukihira t-shirt, grey sweatpants, and his signature headband around his wrist.

What a drag. If it weren't for Erina, I wouldn't have agreed to come to this ball, was what he muttered internally.

The ball itself was in full swing; soft, melodic jazz music faintly drowns the attendees' chatter. A mix of various distinctive, expensive perfumes fills the air along with the sight of glittering jewels worn by the guests of the event. A typical high-class ball where people from different instances are worried more about making connections—and appearing wealthier than others—than about enjoying the ball itself. One more reason why Souma (knowing his background is not as royal as the others) feels uncomfortable amidst these so-called Totsuki's Shareholders.

"I'm gonna go backstage to prepare for my opening speech," she declared, in which he nodded. "Save me a seat, will you?"

"Sure," was his tense reply. Failing to notice it, however, Erina swiftly made her way to the backstage. Now he was on his own—he probably should make connections like Erina said earlier, but he didn't feel like it until—.

"Yukihira Souma?" a man's voice called out, a hand placed on Souma's shoulder.

"Yes?" was his instant reply as he turned around.

There, stood a man about his dad's age (probably only slightly older) with grey hair and mustache, offering a handshake. "It is an honor to meet you. My name is Morizawa, CCO of Mori-Food Industries."

"Ah," he suddenly recalled how Tsukasa-senpai used to speak highly of this man. Turns out he was a member of Elite Ten back in his days, too. "The honor is all mine, Mr. Morizawa. Tsukasa-senpai speaks very highly of you," Souma accepted his handshake and greeted as politely.

"Really?" Souma's statement piqued his interest. "Tsukasa was the pure embodiment of prodigy. I've offered him a position on my company numerous times yet he'd always refuse them, ahahaha!" he laughed heartily, followed by Souma's grin. The old man then continued. "I heard he's studying new food elements in Amazon now, ain't it right?"

"That's right, he's currently in Amazon with the former second seat, Rindou Kobayashi," Souma gestured the number two with his fingers.

"Hmm, that's good for him to follow his passion rather than to be dictated by people like me," he paused. "Oh, have you met my son Jordan? He's also a close acquaintance of Tsukasa. Jordan!"

The man clad in patterned green suit turns his head to his father and made his way to Souma after Morizawa gestured come here with his hands. From up close, though, the suit was one of most eccentric Souma has ever seen. His blonde Andy Warhol-ish hairstyle accentuates the artistic side of the man, and his designer glasses and his earrings only make it more convincing. Kinda makes him resemble Jared Leto or someone equally eccentric.

"Yes, father?" his warm voice uttered obediently towards Morizawa.

"I want you to meet Yukihira Souma, the successor of Tsukasa."

"Wow," Jordan shook his hands fervently. "The successor of Tsukasa? You must be really, really talented! A pleasure to meet you, Yukihira!"

"Ahahaha," Souma giggled sheepishly. "The pleasure's all mine! Do you know Tsukasa-senpai as well?"

"Yep! In fact, I was one of the first to witness the birth of the White Knight of the Table serving his first dishes."

"Whoaa, really? Must be awesome witnessing a prodigy being nurtured into a legend!"

"It sure is, Yukihira—oh, is that Nakiri Erina on the stage?" the overly-dressed man pointed at the stage, in which Souma turned too. Apparently, the opening speech from Erina is about to start.

"Oh, do you know Nakiri as well?" Souma asked, carefully not to address her as 'Erina' or he would risk their not-so-secret relationship to be caught.

"Oh, please, Yukihira. No one in the culinary world—especially in Japan—does not know who Erina is. The heiress of the Nakiri family, and also the God Tongue successor after Mrs. Nakiri, right?"

Wait, what? Did this Jordan guy really address Erina as… Erina?!

Whatever, I may have misheard anyway, he shrugged it off.

"—and also the new headmistress of Totsuki after Senzaemon-dono."

"ERINA IS THE NEW HEADMISTRESS?!—" he half-whispered, half-exclaimed, then said again while being starry-eyed. "Oh my God, my Erina has grown so much…!"

Your Erina? "Your Erina?" Souma repeated himself, trying so hard to mask the irritation in his voice. By that time, Morizawa had gone away from the two, presumably on the other side of the room greeting the other Totsuki shareholders.

"Yes, my Erina. We've been close since middle school—wait, don't tell me you're his boyfriend?" he snickered; almost mockingly.

"Ah—no, of course not. Pfft, we're only friends," he swished his hand, as if dismissing Jordan's accusation.

"It is my honor to welcome you all to this grand event—" Erina's speech started and both Souma and Jordan turned their heads towards the stage, when Jordan asked again.

"Look at her, isn't she beautiful?"

"Uh…yeah. Eri—I mean, Nakiri's always been beautiful," Souma was practically gritting his teeth. He's not the one to be jealous—hell, even when Asahi courted her he didn't feel as uneasy as he did now. He's completely unfamiliar with the feeling of possessiveness and how it wounds the very insides of him, yet this…this abomination Jordan keeps rubbing the wound with the salt. His own kind of salt!

He thinks he could waltz into the place with his Andy Warhol haircut and his tacky green suit, introduce himself to Souma briefly, then start calling Erina beautiful in front of her boyfriend—well, not that Jordan knows that they both have been seeing each other…

…but still!

Why hasn't Erina told him about this Jordan guy yet? All he known that her childhood—up until his own arrival at Totsuki—was only accompanied by Hisako. And Alice. Moreover, she's not even that close to Ryou, Alice's personal (too personal, based on what he perceived last week) aide.

But why the fuck does this Jordan guy claim to be 'close since middle school'? Does he have some kind of connection with Erina that Souma's oblivious about?

What am I pissed off about? Probably just very close friends like me and Megumi. Nothing to be so cranked up about… he attempted to shrug it off—.

"Do you think she's seeing anybody at the moment?" the blonde asked.

"—huh? Oh, um…I don't know. Why don't you ask her yourself?" Souma countered, avoiding the blonde's gaze.

"Oh, I definitely will, Yukihira," Jordan winked at him, in which Souma replied with a forced chuckle.

"Uh, Jordan, excuse me for a second," he whispered—yet audibly enough to leave a cold trace—before swifting off towards the exit of the ballroom.

He breathed the evening seaside air on the mansion's balcony.

Okay, get your shit together, Souma, he murmured inwardly. He's probably just a friend. Just a friend! What the hell, even when Asahi said that he would marry Erina, Souma managed to shrug it off in one thought as if it were a gust of wind. That shit wasn't as much as a bother as it is now.

To be fair, that was when they both weren't committed into any kind of relationship. After they both confessed (it happened merely days after BLUE), then it's a slightly different story. (More or less) they belong to one another. Erina and Souma. Not Erina and some fuckboy with his fuckboy suit and his fuckboy haircut. How 'close' is 'close since middle school?'. Does he mean…like…in a romantic way?

But what bothered him more wasn't the fact that they both were 'close since middle school'. It was the fact that Erina never talked to him about this Jordan guy. Not once, and not ever. Was she being dishonest—no, Souma knew Erina inside out, and he knew all her sides. The side when she's tsundere, the side when she's angry, the side when she's elated, the side when she's jealous, the side when she's afraid, the side when she's sad, even the side when she's a freak in bed—.

—scratch that last one. It gives a new meaning to the word horrifying.

No. Erina would never be dishonest. Not to him, not to Polar Star residents, and not to her own family whom she trusts with all her life.

Then why haven't she told anything to me about him?

Then it's decided. He would go inside and ask her about him, and all problems would evaporate into thin air. Like they always do.

Souma isn't the one to overthink—let alone these kinds of problems where any personal, romantic feelings would take place. Hell, he isn't even romantic to begin with, and neither is Erina. But why did the thought of Jordan calling Erina by her first name irritates him so much? Even Megumi addresses Erina by 'Nakiri-san'. Fuck, even Souma himself would call her 'Nakiri' in public.

No. He's not jealous. Jealous would be…getting pissed off about the thought of another guy being with Erina. In Souma's case it's rather more fitting to be called…discomfort…

…or jealous.

Fine. Maybe I am jealous. Only slightly though.

Nuh-uh. You're not slightly jealous. You're hella jealous.

No, I'm not. I'm gonna talk to her after this. Problemo solved.

So he did. Calmly, surely making his way inside the ballroom again where he came from. This was nothing more than a trivial matter, he presumed internally—and there she is. Chatting casually with that guy Jordan. Well, it's only fair because they're both the same age and the other guests in this ballroom is in their forties/fifties. Souma decided it was wise (hint: it's not) to watch them from afar, blending in the crowd before approaching them.

After a short conversation, Jordan seemed to utter a joke, in which Erina heartily laughed in an almost unladylike manner. In an instant, one hand clutched Jordan's forearm while the other was clutching her stomach. She seemed really…contented…with the joke.

Wow, even I couldn't get her laughing like that—not every day, at least, Souma raised an eyebrow.

Then, her hand that was on his forearm balled into a fist, and punched very lightly his chest. In an almost flirtatious way. In a way that made Souma (inadvertently) grit his teeth.

Okay, stop. I'm just a teeny bit jealous. Not on the same level as she normally would have been when other girls try to flirt me, he convinced himself, still curious what she's about to do next.

After a brief moment, Jordan seemed to tell an engaging tale, and managed to grab both Erina's palms with his own as he rocked them up and down, the occasional chuckle flew out her mouth in response to his actions.

And before he knew it, Souma had already made his way to them both, putting his best nonchalant face despite his blood was almost boiling.

"Oh, Yukihira, have you met Jordan?" she, in spite of all the accusations Souma has, still looked genuinely happy meeting her (secret) boyfriend again after her speech.

"I did, actually…Jordan said you were…uh, close? Since middle school?" he masked his curiosity and uneasiness with a simple grin.

"We were. Jordan's like…the sweetest guy I've ever met! —"

His eye twitched.

"—I'm sure you and Yukihira will get along well, right Jordan?"

"Yep. You should cook me one of your dishes sometimes, Yukihira," the blonde guy winked.

"Uh," Souma was taken aback by that wink—no, more like… what was that supposed to mean? Nonetheless, he continued. "Yeah, sure. I'll serve you anything you'd like!"

"Oh, by the way, Erina, have you seen that new chapter of the shoujo manga you've been reading? I absolutely love it!"

"Jordan…!" she blushed a little, poking his arm slightly while giggling. "Not too loud, people are gonna know I read shoujo mangas in my downtime—."

"—eh, what manga?" came Souma's awkward reply, wanting to join the conversation as well.

"—and no. I haven't read it yet. Lemme guess—don't tell me—the heroine confesses?" Erina's eyes went starry.

"That's right!" came an exclaim from the man in green. "Whoa, are you a psychic or something, Erina?"

"—uh, guys—" Souma tried to join, his voice muffled. Never before he has felt out of place in his entire life. Not until now.

"Pfft, it's soooo predictable!"

"I know, right?" the blonde guy grasped Erina's palms again, rocking it up and down in enthusiasm while they both shared cheers.

"—um, I'm gonna be at the kitchen if yall need me," the redhead uttered, and turned away almost too hastily.

Kitchen is where he needs to be. Not in some kind of ball alongside with some kind of jerk.

If he was just slightly jealous thirty minutes ago, he's over-the-top jealous now. He needed something to cool off, and fast.

Who the hell does this Jordan think he is? He had called Hisako and Alice earlier to inquire about how close Erina is to this blonde hindrance and all of them replied with 'who in the world is Jordan?'. Seemed that their relationship—Souma almost groaned at the term—is as secret as it can be. To be fair, he's never been this pissed off with someone in the context of…ahem…jealousy. Sure, he was furious at certain people at times, like Eizan and Asahi. But that doesn't concern his feelings for Erina in the slightest. Moreover, those anger of his was settled by a Shokugeki, and after that, all hard feelings were cast aside.

But he just can't challenge Jordan with a Shokugeki, right? That would be unfair on so many levels. What was the prize for winning, anyway? 'A night with Erina'? What a total joke.

Before he realized it, he had already busied himself in the mansion's kitchen; mixing spices and ingredients in one large wok. Even the mansion's caterers stood dumbfounded seeing Souma's impressive display of sheer talent.

It's so unlike Souma to brood over these kinds of things. The cheery, dorky, buoyant Souma gets jealous?

But it's also unlike Erina to open up with a guy other than him.

I should've known coming to this cursed ball will bring no good for me, he cursed internally.

Filling in coriander, ground beef, and green peas, he stirred the wok passionately—almost angrily. He always did have a habit of pouring his emotions to his cooking, and this time he's not sure what 'jealousy' would taste like on his dish. Maybe sorta salty-spicy?

He figured the problem wasn't Erina. Erina wouldn't have been unfaithful—he knew her too well. The problem was Jordan. He thinks he can flirt with Erina just because they read the same manga? Punk probably doesn't know how to cook, either. Good-for-nothing sweet talker. What does that guy know about Erina? Does he know her favorite color, her favorite artist, her favorite movie (hint: it's Aladdin), and her least favorite ingredient?

Adding a dash of turmeric, he opposed internally again. If he can't challenge him to a Shokugeki, then what would be a fair competition they both are able to do?

Then he smirked in triumph. He's got an idea, and sure as hell he's going to win fair and square.

Fine, Mr. Andy Warhol. Let's see if you bark as big as you can bite.

It was near the end of the event. Some guests were leaving early after devouring the dishes made by Totsuki's finest caterers, yet the majority of them still lingered around. A few even dared to ask for more servings.

There she was, her velvet crimson dress still hugged her curvy figure perfectly despite how long this night was—according to him, at least. Her blonde hair was a stark contrast to her dress, yet they clashed perfectly in his eyes.

Chatting with Jordan and Morizawa, Erina was still oblivious when Souma swiftly walked towards her.

Until she heard his faint footsteps.

"There you are, Yukihi—mmph!"

The redhead grabbed her waist and planted a hard kiss on her red lipstick, and forced his tongue into her mouth, letting out a small, throaty whimper of want from her. The kiss wasn't chaste in any way. If anything, it was rough and possessive. He doesn't care if he smears her hundred-dollar lipstick. He just wanted to prove a point.

His point.

"Mine," he grumbled softly, still poking her tongue with his. Came out a second moan, this time significantly softer. As if watching them French the fuck out of each other wasn't awkward enough, Erina made sure the small group of people besides her couldn't hear the second.

Then, he pulled away. For a second, Erina's mouth was agape, panting, and her head was tilted forward; clearly wanting a little bit more.

"Souma—I mean, Yukihira…We need to talk. Outside. E-Excuse me, Morizawa-san, Jordan," she bowed apologetically while having her cheeks tinted dark red from Souma's sudden boldness. Even though she had told him not to display any affection in public—and she knows how well Souma keeps his word—she was shocked and confused on how Souma practically claim her to be 'his' in front of Morizawa and Jordan.

She hastily dragged him to the terrace, overlooking the shoreline of the beach they're on. The taste of peppermint from his tongue still lingers in her mouth, and her anger overwhelms her will to taste them again for the second time. Fortunately for them, there were alone on this marble-covered patio.

"What is wrong with you, Souma?!" she stomped her feet.

"What is wrong with you?" He defended, knowing full well he was the victim. "Why did you suddenly get so lovey-dovey with this Jordan guy? I mean…just look at his haircut!"

"…what?" she stood dumbfounded.

"You heard me. You never even told me you were 'close since middle school'," he mocked Jordan. "He's even got the nerve to address you as Erina! Even Daigo and Shoji are prohibited from calling you that!"

"—Souma…" she smirked in amusement. Oh, how cute he can be when he's jealous.

"…and you even called him 'the sweetest guy you've ever met'. Does he even know your favorite color? Hell, does he even know how funny Will Smith is in 'Aladdin'?"

"Pfft…Souma—." Erina began to genuinely chuckle in amusement.

"Yeah, just remembering the guy makes you laugh, doesn't it? He even called you 'his Erina' when I told him you were the new headmistress," his rants went on and on.

"Hmm, really? What does he sound like?" Erina inquired, now masking the amusement with curiosity.

He then grabbed a strand of her blonde and placed them on top of his red hair. "Oh mY GoD, mY eRiNa hAs grOwN sO MuCh…!"

"Pfft, hahahaha!" came her genuine laughter. His impression was perfect, flawless. No two ways about it, and it did make Erina feel more amused than before.

He, however, is not. "So? Can you tell me who the hell this guy is?"

"Are you jealous?" she asked, still chuckling.

"Of course I am," Erina's heart fluttered and she blushed at his honesty, before he continued. "I'm the one who you'd normally open up with, and then there this guy comes outta nowhere with his green suit and Andy Warhol hair. Is he trying to cosplay as Joker from The Dark Knight or something?"

"Hey! I like his suit!" she grinned—teased. "It's…eccentric, don't you think?"

"It's tacky, and it only shows he has poor taste."

"You're so cute when you're jealous," she smiled warmly, cupping his cheeks.

"Hello? Earth to Erina? Now would be a good time to explain who that guy is?" Souma questioned, still demanding an explanation.

"Souma—…" the blonde girl started, unable to hold her amusement anymore.

The redhead, however, didn't answer to her call.

"…—he's gay."

"…what?" his turn to be dumbfounded.

"You heard me," she enjoys teasing him as much as he does teasing her.

"Yo, wait, wait, hold on, that guy…?" Souma pointed towards the door of the ballroom "…is…gay?"

Now, Souma doesn't have anything against gay people. In his eyes, they're just as human as us. They have feelings like us. They sleep and eat and poop like us. Biologically, they have the same organs and they would contradict the same diseases and illnesses as us. They're humans, and humans are to be treated as…humans.

LGBT or not, nothing makes us better than the others.

But the fact that Jordan's not heterosexual…that explains a lot.

"Yep. I figured you had noticed when he winked so desperately at you," Erina said calmly. "I thought you kissed me back there to make yourself clear to him—that you don't swing that way."

"Um…" was all he could mutter. He needs time to process this fact, damnit!

"Turns out you were only blindly jealous. It's so unlike you to let your emotions overtake you."

"W-Well, I just couldn't help it," he stammered, fully ashamed now that he is aware Jordan…isn't what Souma thinks he is. "Really hate the thought of you being with another random guy, you know?"

"Come on, Souma. I've known him since middle school," she sighed in understanding. "Back then, no girl could ever approach me because…you know…my status and all. But he, as the next heir of Mori-Food Industries, stood only slightly below my level and was not intimidated by my cold sneers and whatnot. That's what makes him a great friend…"

Souma only nodded in understanding, before Erina continued.

"…and knowing that he's…you know…gay and all, I can open up to him the way I can't with my other friends. He's able to…I dunno…give a boy-and-girl perspective to each of my problems. Does that make sense? He even helped me when you first confessed to me, you know?"

Anger and jealousy quickly left Souma's mind, replaced by sympathy and understanding. He knows how hard it is to live with such sexual orientations, with people constantly judging you and jeering you every time you walk past. Yet this Jordan guy managed to brush it all off and still be a helpful friend to Erina.

"But I gotta agree on you on the haircut part. Maybe a Johnny Depp haircut would suit him better, don't you think?" she took a step closer to him, eliminating the gap.

"Pfft, no one uses Johnny Depp as a reference anymore—he's too old now! Probably like an Ed Sheeran haircut would be good," he grinned ear to ear, contented that his jealousy was for nothing.

"Agree. Or a Jared Leto one."

"I'm sorry my jealousy took over me," he looked down, apologetic.

"Don't be. I think it's cute—you still owe an apology to Morizawa-san and Jordan, though."

"What?" he tilted his head in confusion. "Why would I need to apologize to them?"

"Because your thick-headed self kissed me without no remorse whatsoever and it left them visibly uncomfortable! You idiot…," Erina huffed in annoyance.

"Alright, fine, fine," he walked towards the ballroom door to meet the father-and-son duo, before promptly turning around. "I'm still staying at your room tonight, right?"

She smiled softly. "Don't count on it, diner boy."

This one-shot is purely intended to celebrate Pride Month as I was reminded constantly by Years & Years' tweets on Twitter (fine, Olly, here's your Sorina one-shot. Happy now?). It also sends my message to you, dear readers, to not discriminate those with peculiar sexual orientations. They're as human as us, so let's love each other :)

I'm sorry if I made Erina and Souma too OOC in this, as I haven't been writing any Sorina fanfics in a long while. If you'd be so kind, please tell me which parts of it are good or bad so I can write better in the next one-shot.

The next one-shot would be 'their first kiss, and how they leave each other wanting for more'. Until then, cheers!