We finally made it. We're at Rebun Island, and tomorrow is the start of the regiment. I can only hope that all the training that we've done is going to lead to our victory, but with the power of the chefs on central… well, we have our work cut out for us.

We moved to a hotel, fitted with kitchens close by for us to practice. With the Nakiri name being well known throughout the country (and of course, the hotel we were staying at was owned by my family), we were all able to get rooms for all the rebel team and our expelled friends. Wanting to look at the amenities of the hotel, I finished getting ready to sleep, and walked into the hallways. Far down the hall, I could see a light on. Approaching the source, I could hear the distinct sounds of cooking. While I knew that Megumi and Takumi were in their rooms (I saw their lights on as I passed by), I could only assume who was in the kitchen the night before the most important battle of our lives.

"Ah, Erina."

Sōma grinned at me as our gazes met. I could see a variety of ingredients strewn around, while Sōma was working on something, which I could only assume is practice for tomorrow. I looked at him with a disapproving frown.

"Sōma-kun, I thought I told you that you need to try and go to sleep." I chided, crossing my arms, and waiting for a response. I got a small sigh, a smile accompanying it.

"Yeah, I know. But the regiment is tomorrow. I just wanted to get a few things nailed down before it starts." While I wanted to commend his efforts, I knew that forgoing sleep would hurt him. But, I can't argue with his results despite running on so little sleep. I had no doubt that despite that, he would do brilliantly during the regiment.

Even with that knowledge, however, it still didn't leave me satisfied. I knew the other reason that Sōma was so hesitant to go to sleep, and it still left me worried. Sōma has asked me a few times after that night to help cope with his fears, and each time, I've been happy to oblige. Seeing my normally unshaken friend in a vulnerable position was both comforting and unnerving. I did my best to just be there for him while he tried to sleep, threading my hands through his hair as he rested on my shoulder and after some effort, my lap.

…

Completely platonically, of course. I was ready to do a lot to help ease Sōma's worries.

Despite these nights of comfort, he didn't come to me as often as I would have liked. It might just be because he doesn't need as much help as I thought, but a small part of my brain was telling me that it was him trying to retreat again. I did my best to quell that thought, but it still lingered. Hearing that he was going to stay up the night before the regiment brought that worry back, leading to me not fully believing his words.

I tried my best to not let my irritation show, only letting out a small sigh. "Alright then, Sōma-kun. Just… please try to get some sleep before tomorrow. We need you at 100%." As I began to turn around to go back to my room, I felt my arm being grabbed.

"Hold on." I turned my head to Sōma, prepared to glare at him (while ignoring the blush that wanted to form). But looking at his concerned face made that glare fade into a face mirroring his.

"What's up? Can't have you be mad at me either tomorrow." He said jokingly, making my frown turn up. "Just stay for a bit, we can talk about it while I do some cooking. I'll just make one thing, then I'll go to sleep, just for you." Heeding his words (with a small blush at his teasing), I nodded and directed my head at his hand gripping my wrist. A sound of realization, and he quickly let go, freeing my arm again. I nodded in thanks, and sat at a chair close to the cooking island. Sōma went back to preparing a quick noodle dish.

Instead of getting straight to the point, I chose to just look at his actions again. His movement in the kitchen was so fluid yet energetic, that I started smiling. I know that the next few days wouldn't help with Sōma's lack of sleep, as we needed to prioritize strategies instead. I knew that he would pull through; it always seemed to work out for him.

I heard a chuckle coming from Sōma, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Can't keep your eyes off me, can ya?" He said with a wide smirk, causing me to blush again and shake my head.

"N-no! I definitely can!" Deciding to turn my head away from him, I put a hand on my cheek, preparing to address my worries. "… I just noticed that you seem to be doing well." My statement was met with a small smile. Admittedly, I really enjoy seeing Sōma with a small smile, opposed to his usual grins. It just meant less teasing from him.

"Yeah. I've actually been able to sleep decently now." A small smirk again. "You've helped a bunch, Erina."

Ignoring what that statement did for my heart rate, it did quiet down that thought of Sōma retreating a bit. I was a bit shocked that it felt like he could read my mind and know what was worrying me. "W-well, I'm happy, I guess…" I said a bit embarrassed, while he laughed again. A silence fell again of Sōma cooking while I was watching. It was comfortable.

Not too long after, a plate of stir-fried noodles was in front of me. I tsked, shaking my head in a joking snobby manner. "This is certainly not going to get me to say your food is good." Sōma laughed at my joke, taking a seat beside me.

"If I get an alright from you, it's probably good enough for the regiment." He gave me a pair of chopsticks. "Just let me know how it is, honestly." His exaggeration of honestly made me smirk at him, the both of us knowing that I would never say my true feelings to him.

"Thank you for the food." I began to eat, and felt my body weaken to Sōma's food. It was nicely balanced, and while it wasn't outstanding compared to some of his other dishes (which I would never say to his face), it was good.

"It was decent. I'm sure you're happy with that response." I smirked at him while he had a small pout. It quickly broke into a smile, as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, it's not a delicious, but I guess it'll do." We shared a laugh, before calming down. In our period of calm, Sōma gave me a small nudge. I turned to him, wondering what he wanted.

"I just want you to know… I'm forever grateful for you helping me cope with everything about my mom." He must have seen my raised eyebrows, as he kept going. "When I told you earlier… it seemed like that wasn't everything. You were happy, but I could tell that something was still bugging you."

"I know that I haven't asked you for help all that much. I certainly know that you've been expecting me to." He laughed as I punched his side, the blush coming back in full force. "But really, you being there for me the first time was everything. Don't sell yourself short, Erina."

I felt my heart swell, feeling so happy that Sōma was starting to recover, doubly so when he mentioned that I helped. I only let a smile show my true feelings, reluctant to fully show how happy I was.

"I'm glad. I'm always happy to help, Sōma-kun." I quickly got up, and pointed outside of the kitchen. "Now, what would help me feel at ease is if you went to sleep." I didn't really leave much room for any retort, so Sōma quickly got up and began to leave.

"Good night, Erina. And… thanks."

A/N: Hello everyone!

I saw the comments from the last chapter, and I'm happy that everyone enjoyed it! I also saw a comment wondering if I was gonna have the two interact with each other more. I did think that going to the final chapter would be a bit too quick, so I made this chapter as a way of preparing for the end.

…Probably.

I don't know, something about writing this chapter sparked some more ideas in me about this story, but I don't want to commit and say that I'm for sure going to continue this story after it ends. Maybe one day, as its own story, but don't expect anything until it actually comes, if it even does.

For a chapter that came about as a spur of the moment thing, I'm pretty happy with how it came out! As you can tell, when Erina cares about someone, she really cares.

There might (?) be one additional chapter coming before the end, as originally, I planned for this chapter to be a collection of small interactions leading up to the final day of the regiment. That theoretical chapter isn't even written, and I have to rewrite some of the final chapter, so that additional one is definitely a maybe.

But we're nearing the end of this story! It's been a lot slower of a process to write and stuff (variety of reasons for this: laziness, worries about the quality, the pandemic, lack of interest in the series outside of fics), but I'm still happy about how it's all come together!

So, as always, please leave a review! Reading them helps give me ideas, and just seeing a notification that a review was left makes me feel so happy!

I hope to see you again soon, and stay safe!

(It Was You Chapter 8: Keep on Moving! - uploaded August 13, 2021)