A/N: ok ok lemme try nsfw aight? Its my legit proper first time

PS: THEY DONT DO "IT" IN THIS CHAPTER OKAY?? I KNOW THERE MIGHT BE PERVERTED MINDS WHO THINK THIS, SO JUST A HEADS UP THEY WONT BE DOING THE DO. Okay, now please read and enjoy!

***

It had been months since Ayano's birthday. Meaning months since the couple had last seen each other.

Though it was all according to plan. According to Ayano's plan of greeting her boyfriend a Happy Birthday.

For the past few months, Ayano slowly understood what Souma had meant the night of her birthday. He was implying something; he needed something from her, and that wasn't just kisses, she understood now.

Men have their needs, but Souma had clearly put that in a weird way..

Ayano was informed by her old classmates that there would be a Halloween party the following week after she returned from a meeting at Kyoto. She took that as an opportunity to visit her boyfriend, and give him a gift.

When it was the day of the party, Ayano had prepared herself and quickly journeyed to Tootsuki for the party. Despite herself not being a student anymore, she was still able to go in because of her connections with the Polar Star Dorm.

Ayano didn't wait for anyone to open the gates for her. She herself had opened it, and she sauntered to the entrance as if she owned the place.

"Hey!!" A unfamiliar voice calls to the brown haired female.

Ayano turns her head to where she heard the voice, and her brows knitted when she saw who it was. It was a male with tousled black hair, honey brown eyes and him clad in Tootsuki's school uniform.

Concluding that he was a new member, Ayano mentally prepared herself for introduction. 

When the boy was finally two steps in front of Ayano, the female had given him a smile. "Good afternoon. My name is Hirashima Ayano."

".. Uh," the boy blankly stared at her, "I really don't know what that's suppose to mean but this is the Polar Star Dorm of Tootsuki. Are you lost? I can help you with directions," he said all that confidently.

Now it's Ayano's turn to blankly stare. She takes a deep breath to calm herself down, knowing that the boy doesn't know anything. "No thank you. I'm here for the party tonight," she informs the male.

"No," the boy protests again, "Nobody told me that someone was coming--.."

"Hirashima-chi?!" 

The familiar voice has Ayano smiling more wide. She ignores the unknown male, and turns to the person who had called her.

Yoshino Yuki brings her arms out to give her friend a bone crushing hug. "You didn't say you were coming this early!"

Ayano laughs with a nod, "I wanted to surprise everyone. And, to cook for dinner. I'll make some dishes myself."

"That's good!" Yuki grins enthusiastically, "The others will be happy to know you're here!"

The ignored unknown male didn't like the fact that he was ignored just like that. He takes a step forward to ruin the scene.

".. Excuse me, Yoshino-senpai, but who's this??"

Ayano sighs, "I introduced myself already. Did you listen with one ear, and it came out from the other?"

"What?! I--.."

"Nevermind that," Ayano says, "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Hirashima Ayano, ex student and resident of Tootsuki's Polar Star Dorm."

Yuki is amused at their bantering.

"I see you also have no manners," Ayano continues to blabber, "Here I am, kindly and politely introducing myself. And I get nothing in return?"

The boy turns red in anger and embarrassment. "I do have manners!"

"You sure did show that, Ando-chi," Yuki snickers from beside Ayano.

"My name is Ando Kenji. I'm the first ever first year in this generation to pass Fumio-san's entrance exam!" The bow now known as Kenji says with pride in his voice.

Ayano glances at Yuki, "How long did he take?"

"At least five times."

The smirk on Ayano's face does no justice to Kenji. "You got in because of determination, and not talent. Keep honing yourself, kid, you'll be a great chef one day." Her smirk fades into a genuine smile.

Kenji simply stares, shocked and not sure what to say. For the first few minutes he's met her, he didn't take an immediate liking to her. But now, he slowly is.

Suddenly, Fumio appears from the doorway. She heaves a sigh. "What're you kids doing? The others are starting to cook already."

"Good afternoon, Fumio-san," Ayano shifts to take the woman's side.

Both Ayano and Fumio go inside, catching up with each other. And, Yuki just sends Kenji a grin.

"You'll grow to like her," she says, getting inside.

Kenji follows after, closing the doors behind him. "What did she mean by ex student?" He questions as they both walked side by side.

"She left Tootsuki because of family issues," Yuki answers, "She had to take over her family's restaurant at such a young age, not even graduating Tootsuki.."

It was a lot to take in, for Kenji. He never knew there were students like Ayano. 

The frown on Kenji's face has Yuki changing the subjects. "But don't mind that! Hirashima-chi is really nice to those she likes. But she can be very cold if she wants to be, like how she was with you earlier."

"So she was just testing me or something?" Kenji asks, surprise and somewhat relieved.

Yuki shrugs her shoulders, "Probably."

"Is there anything else I need to know about her?" The question threw Yuki off guard, but Kenji was only curious.

"Well.." The auburn haired girl began to ponder. ".... She's already taken, so I wouldn't make any moves on her if I were you," Yuki wisely advices.

Kenji raises a brow in question, "Taken? By wh--.."

The male wasn't able to finish his question due to the sudden commotion they heard coming from the kitchen. Both he and Yuki peered from the doorway, and saw everyone else in a circle surrounding Ayano.

They were all asking how she was, catching up with each other and the like.

Yuki smiles in delight, "Hirashima-chi didn't stay that long here, but everyone still welcomes her as if she never left."

The male doesn't say anything, only switching his gaze towards the brunette. 

**

"Hirashima, do you want to make something for dessert?" The question from Ryoko has all heads turn to the brunette expectantly.

Ayano nodded her head, "That would be perfect! I have this recipe that I would like everyone to try."

Shogi and Daigo shot their newest member a look. They knew how the kid loved to make sweets. He wouldn't make Ayano an exception from stopping him from making them every time he has a chance.

"What kind?" Megumi asks Ayano curiously.

"I'll make cupcakes," Ayano answers, "Really simple, yet it's perfect for the season."

Suddenly, Kenji steps forward, drawing attention to himself. "Hirashima-senpai, not to be rude or anything, but I think that I should be the one to make a dish for dessert."

Yuki gasps dramatically, holding unto Ryoko and Megumi.

"That's very nice of you to be up for a challenge," Ayano says, "Why don't we both make something for dessert? Cupcakes aren't enough for everyone."

"But with my dish, they wouldn't want to taste those cupcakes of yours," Kenji spat back, getting riled up so easily.

"We'll let them be the judge of who makes a better dessert for tonight," Ayano continues to taunt so nonchalantly. She takes a peek at her nails, then looks back up again.

Megumi shudders, whispering, ".. I don't really think they should be doing this."

"We should watch," Yuki carelessly said.

"Ando-kun takes pride of his skills as a chef. I'm sure he thinks of Hirashima as someone who can't make good sweets," Ryoko whispers back.

Souma smirks from behind the trio, arms crossed. "The kid is in for a treat."

Shun agrees with a nod of his head. "Hirashima has changed from back then, her cooking has, too."

"I haven't tasted anything she's made in awhile," Yuki mentions to herself.

".. I'm sure Ayano-chan has become better," Megumi convinces everyone shyly.

"--Wait!! They're discussing the Shokugeki!" Yuki cuts anyone else from adding any more words, wanting to intently listen.

Kenji wears a prideful expression. "Even though you're older, doesn't mean that you're better," he boasts confidently.

"I won't be holding back, Ando," Ayano muses to him. "I'm not fond of Shokugekis, but you seem to be a good practice partner."

"Desserts will be our dish, with Fall as the theme, senpai," Kenji then says seriously.

"An hour should be fine, no?" Ayano then asks, looking around the kitchen.

"More than, actually."

"Let's begin."

Forty five minutes later

"We should seriously stop them," Ryoko had told her dorm mates in an unconvincing manner. She had her eyes set on both chefs, baking.

"But I can't stop," Yuki protests, "I know that Ando-chi is good when it comes to sweets. But versus Hirashima-chi, I'm just too curious!"

Megumi turns to her redheaded friend. "Who do you think will win, Souma-kun?"

The said redhead shrugs his shoulders. "I don't wanna be biased, but I want Aya to win."

"We can't have favorites in judging!" Yuki exclaims to them.

"Yukihira-kun shouldn't judge," Ryoko joined in with a nod.

"I don't care 'bout judging," Souma dismisses them, "I just want to taste her cooking, too."

"Aww!" Yuki cooed dramatically. "For sure she'll want you to have some!"

"No question.." Shogi and Daigo grumbles under their breathes tiredly.

Megumi calls their attention, "Look! I think both of them are about to be done!"

They set their eyes on the chefs that placed the finishing touches on their dishes. Both looked delicious, and the judges couldn't wait to test their food.

"Done!!" Kenji quickly declares once he was done with his dish. He places the plate of his dish slowly but surely down on the table, eyes glinting with pride.

"This looks absolutely great!!" Yuki praises her kouhai proudly, her eyes shining as she stared at the dessert.

"Of course it does," Kenji confidently responded back with a smirk.

Ryoko cuts a slice, and everyone got their own utensils to take a bite of Kenji's dessert.

Yuki immediately hums in delight when she tastes the dessert. "This.. This is good!"

"The flavors do mix well together," Ryoko had revealed, nodding in approval.

"Pumpkin pie spice?" Marui pipes up, "That is really delicious with apples."

"It does seem more like Fall now with this dessert," Megumi muses. She imagines herself walking around the park with the leaves falling down, holding hands with a man that had Kenji's creation as it's head.

"I want to eat this for the rest of the month, Ando!!" Shogi requests without shame.

"You gotta teach us how to whip something like this!" Daigo agrees, swallowing his bite.

Kenji smirks at all of their reactions. His eyes land on two of his senpais who didn't say anything yet. He expects for them to say something, too.

Shun just curtly nods his head. ".. The apples are just right for the season."

"And Yukihira-senpai?" Kenji presses on curiously.

"This is amazing!" Souma had praised, "The flavors go well with each other and make a damn good cake!"

This boosts Kenji's confidence more so. He takes a look at his opponent, and his eyes widen when he sees that Ayano wasn't even the last bit shaken up.

When done, Ayano clears her throat and carefully placed a plate of cupcakes in front of her friends with a smile. "Caramel apple cupcakes, everyone," she introduces her dish, "Please enjoy."

"This looks amazing, too!!" Yuki cries, staring at the cupcakes in awe.

Ryoko takes the first cupcake, quickly taking a bite into it. She hums afterwards, "The cream tastes like heaven!"

"The caramel is delicious, Ayano-chan!" Megumi praises with a smile on her face as she ate.

"The apples fit just right!" Yuki exclaims, gobbling her second cupcake.

"They balance each other out," Shun says next simply.

Ayano watches expectantly as Souma takes a bite. She sees him smile at her, and knew that she did great.

"Tastes awesome, Ayano," he complimented her as casual as possible.

"More!" Shogi and Daigo yells, "We want more cupcakes!"

Marui just acts normal as always. "They do indeed complete each other."

When deciding on who had won, no one could pick who. They all enjoyed both dishes, but couldn't really say who's was better.

Their decision was a tie.

Kenji wasn't pleased, but Ayano doesn't seem to care much.

Afterwards, dinner had started.

Isshiki just came from a meeting with his third year peers. He was in for a surprise when he got home, yet was pleases to see all his kouhais together like a real family. He conversed with Ayano, catching up and telling her a few things about the Elite Ten.

And, for some reason Ayano didn't understand, Kenji had been talking to her much more than she anticipated. He was, daresay, kind and polite and sweet. He reminded her of Takumi, but much more forward and not shy.

If Kenji had to be honest with himself, he doesn't know anything. He just took an interest in Ayano in general. He tasted her cupcakes, and they were superb. He was curious of her lifestyle as a young female taking over her family's restaurant, and decided to get to know his senpai better.

Meanwhile, Souma did not like this one bit. He saw the way his kouhai had looked at his girlfriend. He saw the way he moved around her, heard the way he spoke to her. It reminded him of Hayama for a split second every time the tanned male was around Hisako. He just knew something was up.

Souma didn't want to jump to conclusions just because of what he's seeing, so he let's Kenji slide for now. He didn't have much proof, and didn't want to cause a commotion.

But when Kenji and Ayano exchanged phone numbers, with the former saying a somewhat smooth slash flirty comment, and the latter had actually smiled and giggled, Souma knew that was the last straw.

Dinner was over, and everyone quickly went to their rooms to freshen up first before starting their daily party in Marui's room.

As Ayano bid goodbye to Kenji, Souma had went up to her.

"I need to talk to you," Souma straightforwardly says.

"Now?" Ayano retorts back a question.

Souma pulls his girlfriend by the hand to his room. He shuts the door, locking it.

The brunette stares in concern. She's not sure what had happened to Souma to have him this way, but she will find out.

"Souma, are you okay--.."

Souma answers by embracing her, his strong but familiar arms around her body. He has his face buried on her neck, breathing the familiar scent that was so Ayano. It calmed his nerves, and he almost forgot why he wanted to talk to her.

With a relieved sigh and smile, Ayano reaches her hand to run through his red locks. The other hand on his back, drawing random shapes to somewhat soothe him. "Tell me, Souma, are you okay?"

She got no response, so she thought of giving him some time. But she's taken aback when Souma's weight has her taking steps backwards, and soon her back is against the door with a slam.

"I thought you needed to talk to me," Ayano sighs, but not in relief. "You promised to be honest with me, right? Tell me what's wrong."

The redhead murmurs something, but it's only air and vibration against Ayano's skin. 

"Souma.." Her hand on his hair falls to his neck, arm on his shoulder. 

Souma shifts, so that his cheek is flat on her shoulder. He breathes, lightly tickling her neck. "I just.."

"Just what, Souma?" Ayano continues to soothe him with her voice, persuading him softly.

"It's not fair," Souma grumbles with eyes closed, ".. You're mine, but.... Someone else has your attention."

"I don't understand?" Now she's even confused. She doesn't know what to do and how to deal with this side of Souma; it's new 

Souma raises his head so that his lips grazes the tips of her ears teasingly. He inhales, "You're mine.." He says in a deep voice that has Ayano holding the fabric of his shirt from behind skittishly.

The sudden feeling of his lips behind her ear has Ayano gulping and lightly gasping. The hold on his top tightens when she experiences the amorous touch of Souma's lips and teeth on her ear.

Souma stops his actions to whisper huskily again, "Mine.." 

He kisses a spot below her ear, and travels to her jaw, and then near her oh so tempting lips. He pauses just above her mouth, as if toying her.

Releasing a shuddering breath, Ayano thinks that her legs are about to turn into jelly because of Souma's doings. Her heart is rapidly beating, mind racing with so many thoughts and her stomach is doing flips and cartwheels and butterflies are all over the place.

Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. The couple holds their breaths in anticipation, not wanting to get caught.

".. Hello?" 

Souma quickly recognized Kenji's voice, and the grip he has on Ayano tightens.

"Isshiki-senpai told me to call Yukihira-senpai and Hirashima-senpai here? The party is about to start.."

Ayano hums to respond, "A.. Alright.." She stammers, "We'll catch up. Tell Isshiki-senpai to not wait for us."

"Okay. I'll see you there?" 

The hope in his voice makes Souma almost growl.

"Of.. Course.." Ayano slows down as she feels Souma's warm and calloused hand on her lower back, the other around her waist.

"Alright."

Sure that he was gone, Souma connects his forehead with Ayano.

"Are you okay?" This is the third time Ayano had asked the question, and she still has no clue.

Souma shook his head as an answer. The female frowns at his actions, slowly regaining her composure.

"I said you're mine," Souma repeated.

Ayano hums, "We both have already established that. I love you.."

"He doesn't know you like I do, love you like I do.." He murmurs, "So why're you giving your attention to him and not me?"

"He?" Ayano echoes, "I don't understand."

"The new kid, Ando," Souma stressfully sighs, "You've been getting friendlier with him since dinner."

The sudden realization makes Ayano pause and think of a good answer. "I.. I don't like him any more as a friend, Souma, okay?" She tells him worriedly.

Souma doesn't answer, only closing his eyes to think. 

Ayano frowns, and she suddenly has the boldness to pull him