Disclaimer: I don't own Shokugeki no Soma, just this story.

Marui's room is lively like usual. Everyone's drinking some of Ryōko's rice juice, there's cooking, talking… nothing's really changed, and I couldn't be any happier.

Looking back on it, I never did thank pops for making me come to Tōtsuki. I might have been a bit pissed at first that I couldn't stay at Yukihira's, cooking for everyone. But thinking about everything I've learned, all the friends I made… it's great. I would have missed so much stuff if all I did was stay at the restaurant. I'm honestly thankful that I've been able to learn so many things while being here, and thankful that I've had so many great rivals and friends.

Speaking of, while everyone else was talking, me, Hayama, Kurokiba and Aldini were cooking. Well, more like I was cooking while they were watching. I was searing a steak, while making a small salad on the side. We were talking about the intricacies of steak earlier in the day, when we decided to have a small contest. As it finished up, and I let the guys taste it, I was feeling pretty happy about it. I didn't put too much on it, but it seemed to make the guys think. Aldini even grabbed my oven and started talking to himself, thinking about what ingredients to put. As they were occupied with my steak, I was thinking about how to improve it. Maybe add some lime to the marinade? Maybe get some Hanwoo cuts and cook it well done? Yeah, that might work…

I would have thought more about it, but as I was sitting around, I overheard some stuff from across the room.

"Erina-cchi? Are you alright?"

"Do you need anything, Erina-chan?"

"N-no, I'm ok, thank you."

The girls were looking towards Erina, and Arato looked especially worried for her. Looks like Erina isn't feeling all that well. I heard from Ryōko and Tadokoro that she wasn't as chatty as she usually was during class. Well! Nothing like a good dish to cheer her up!

I quickly got up, and walked over to the group of girls. Tadokoro was the first to notice me, probably because I was blocking the light.

"O-oh! Hi Sōma-kun!" She waved to me.

"What's up, Yukihira-kun?" Was what everyone else asked.

"Oh, not much, just wanted to let Nakiri taste something for me." I laughed. Everyone knows about my tendency to give food to Erina, although no one except me and her understand why. It all goes back to the entrance ceremony. Man, that's a day I'll never forget. I still haven't gotten her to say my food is good… but one day, it'll happen!

But when I said I wanted her to taste something, I saw her tense up. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but when I glanced at her, her back was stiff, and her face showed a hint of disgust. Was there something going on? I certainly haven't heard anything about it.

"I need some fresh air." She quickly got up and left the room, leaving a very uncomfortable silence behind. Well, I didn't expect that to happen. I was just going to make her something real quick, and maybe talk for a bit, but she just up and left. I was at a loss. It certainly seemed like something was wrong, but what?

"Well, are you going to do something?" I heard Alice ask. Yeah, Arato could do something… But when I turned around, I saw her glare at me.

"Wait… you're asking me?" I pointed at myself. What could I do?

She sighed. "Yes, I mean you, you idiot!" She got up and started pushing me to the door. "Because of your stupid actions, you made her leave. Soooo, you have to check up on her!"

"But- I don't- what?" Alice wasn't making any more sense. I still didn't see why it has to be me. Arato, or even her could do more than I could.

"Oh my God, you're so dense!" she pushed me out the door, herself following soon after. As she was closing the door, I was about to ask some questions.

"Um… I still- "

"Yukihira-kun."

"Hm?"

"You saw it, right?" She asked, in a hushed tone. She did notice. Makes sense, Alice was always observant, especially of Erina, if the stories she told me gave me any ideas. But I wanted to make sure.

"Saw what exactly?" I replied using the same quiet voice.

"Erina's been acting a bit off, don't you think? You noticed her shift in demeanor when you brought up tasting, and how quiet she has been, right?" I nodded. "See? Something's going on, and you're going to find out." She jabbed her finger into my chest.

"But what makes you think I'll be able to do it?" She smirked. Uh oh.

"Oh, I know about your guys' talks. You guys are pretty good friends, right?" She teased, and I could feel some sweat forming on my brow.

"U-uh, I guess?" she nodded condescendingly.

"Uh huh. You're not fooling me, Yukihira-kun. If Hishoko can't get anything out of her, you're the next best thing." She smiled. I simply waved my hand dismissingly.

"Fine, fine, I'll try. No promises though." I said, as I started the trek to find her.

"Sure! Go and find your girlfriend!" She replied sweetly.

"Oi, we're not dating." She let out some giggles, and walked back in, where the party seemed to be quickly picking up again. I could hear it as I walked up the stairs to the third floor. Well, I have to go look for Erina and try to find out what's up with her, because something's not right here.

I was sitting on the balcony, at the table located near the railing. Whatever disgusting dish Sōma wanted to give me, I didn't want to try it. I just want to take a break, from all of this Nakiri stuff or anything related to it.

I looked to the moon. It's fascinating, isn't it? Right now, the moon was so large, and so bright. And it goes through so many changes day by day. Compare that to me. My schedule might change, but it's always the same thing: taste this, read over this, study for that… it's so frustrating! I just want to be the top student of Tōtsuki, and prepare myself for my restaurant. Although, it has been a challenge to test dishes as of late, due to all the tasting and dances I had to attend. I'm honestly thankful I declined that last tasting. It was getting so boring and stressful, travelling around, tasting all those decent, but not great dishes. Couldn't I just have some time to relax?

I broke out of my thoughts as I felt someone was near. I knew only one person who would do something like this, who would still look for me after I made such a dramatic exit.

"What do you want, Sōma-kun?" I heard a familiar chuckle in response, which only confirmed my suspicions.

"Knew it was me? Guess I can't fool you, huh Erina?" He replied. My back was facing him, but I could still feel that grin being directed at me.

Now it may be odd to all of our friends that we refer to each other on a first name basis. Alice would certainly overreact, and go on and on about how we're "destined to be together" or other crap like that. She was on that subject the entire time during our second year, claiming that the two of us would be so great as a… couple. I don't… "love" him or anything of the sort. We've just become good friends. He was so central (pardon the pun) to freeing me of my… Azami's influence. And when we took down central… we found ourselves on equal footing. No tyrannical leaders trying to shut us up, all we had to do was get through the culinary hell that was Tōtsuki.

Throughout our second year, I was at Polar Star more than the manor. The Polar Stars were very welcoming, and gave me the room I lived in while I was running away from Azami. As a result, Sōma and I would just talk, in settings very similar to tonight. What started as a chance meeting one night turned into a common occurrence between us. We would chat about whatever came to mind, between him saying something stupid that I would have to retort. I must say, Sōma could be really good at listening when he wasn't annoying the hell out of me. I would tell him stuff that I barely told anyone, even Hisako, and he would do the same. For someone who I hated a few years ago, it was nice to have him to talk to.

That was in the past though. Right now, he was annoying me by being so persistent. I didn't want to chat today.

"You're testing my patience." I still had my back to him. "What do you want?"

He was silent for a minute, probably thinking about what to say.

"Well… I noticed something. Is there anything wrong? Something about you seems… off." He asked innocently enough. Even so, I still stiffened at his question.

Crap. What the hell did he mean by that? Did I say something? I didn't want him to get involved. I could understand this myself.

Ok, no need to worry. I just need to stay calm.

"W-what do you mean, Sōma-kun?"

Good job Erina, you don't sound shaken up at all.

I let that slide, as I waited for his explanation.

"Well… when I overhear your conversations with the girls, you're usually pretty chatty. But tonight, I heard them asking if you were doing alright. I could only guess that you were talking less than you usually did."

Damn it. Sōma's a lot more attentive than I thought.

"Also, before our break, you would always take the chance to try out a dish I made. I know that you love to say that my food is "disgusting" or whatever." He laughed.

Scratch what I said before, Sōma knows a lot of stuff about me. It's just annoying to hear him be so confident, so I would always say his food is bad to knock him down a peg. Ok, just think. You can get out of this, Erina.

"W-well, you didn't have anything to make, so why would I bother?" I crossed my arms, finally turning to look at him. He was leaning up against the wall, his arms in his pockets, a carefree look on his face. I must say, he does look pretty cool stand-

Ok, what the hell was that? What are you thinking, Erina, he's still some diner kid, after all. Even if his dad is Saiba-sama, Sōma has none of the qualities of my idol. He's nice and all, but not cool. Definitely not. More annoying than cool.

"Eh, I could make something up, I have a couple of ideas floating around." He shot me that irritating gin.

"Where, in that empty space you call a brain?" I laughed, while his face shifted into mock hurt.

"Ouch, that's rude Erina." We shared a small laugh at the banter we were throwing at each other. It was nice to just talk like we usually did. It just felt right. However, Sōma soon looked to me, a lot more serious than before.

"But really… is everything ok?" he questioned. He really wants me to tell him, huh? That's unfortunate.

"Of course. Everything's fine." I eyed him suspiciously. He looked as if he was torn between saying something or shutting up. I'm hoping he takes the latter. I don't need him meddling in my problems.

"You sure? I can make you some food, and we could- "

Someone like him, as friendly as he is, couldn't understand me.

"Take a hint, would you Yukihira?" I cut him off, my voice ice cold. As much as I trust him, he needed to learn to not be so dense. Did he not see that I didn't want to talk about it?

"I told you, everything's fine. Stop thinking so hard about it; whatever you're thinking, it's not that." I started walking towards the door linking the balcony with the third floor.

"But- "

"I'm going to bed." I didn't look his way, as I could feel the questioning gaze directed at me. I just wanted to get away, back to the safety of my room.

He let out a sigh. "Alright then. Just know that I'm here to talk. Night Erina."

I didn't spare him anything. I just walked right past him, and back inside the familiar halls of Polar Star. I quickly made my way back to my room, and lied down on my bed.

Why was Sōma trying so hard to get this out of me? Was it because I wasn't talking as much with the girls? Maybe, I don't know. I just know that I don't want him to get involved. Or anyone, for that matter. This is just a slump. I'll be able to pick myself up soon enough.

A/N: Hello everyone!

So I'm actually pretty surprised that this got out so early! A couple of days ago, I was ready to do final edits and this A/N, but I woke up with a big headache. My body temp was normal though, so I shrugged it off and went back to sleep. Cut a few hours ahead, and I have a fever. I was so out of it, I couldn't do any of the edits I wanted then. The day after, I went to the doctor (might seem meaningless, but free health care! Woo Canada!) and found that compounding my fever was a throat infection and a small ear infection. So needless to say, I didn't have much time to edit. The fever went away in a few days, but my throat is still killing me.

But enough about my personal problems, onto the story!

First off, I really hope the pov changes were noticeable. If they weren't, leave a review, and I'll edit the chapter to make it so.

I might make some mini chapters to explain Erina and Soma's usual chats they had during their second year. But really, that's to show that they are on friendly terms. As much as I like the cocky, tsun Erina, from what I've written in both of my stories, I also love Erina being not totally bitchy, hence why she can form a good friendship with her rival. It might be ooc, but it's what I like.

So, leave a review! I PM all people who do, and if you have questions, concerns, etc, I'll be glad to chat! Now's a great time, before school starts and all, so get everything in!

Again, since school is starting in a week or 2, this story will probably be sporadic in its uploads. Like I said last chapter, I fucked up real bad last year, so this time, I have to do good. As much as I don't want to, I have to put my writing on the backburner, because my classes are writing heavy.

With that being said... Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you again soon!

Night Changes Ch 1: Confrontation - Uploaded 8.29.2017

(PS: If you were/are confused, when Soma was talking about how to improve his steak, I brought up the term Hanwoo. According to what I know (from a YT vid from one of my favourite food bloggers) hanwoo beef is a Korean type of beef, comparable to kobe beef of Japan. Unlike most steaks where the meat to fat content is around 70:30, hanwoo sits a lot closer to 50:50, allowing for the steak to be cooked all the way without "ruining" it.

This was the food knowledge section for the one term I used. idk, just wanted to let people know what term I used. If any cooking stuff comes up (which will mostly be in the later chapters) I'll drop anything I know about what I talk about in a PS, just like this. :P)