Hey everyone, it's The Ties That Bind Us and I'm back with the second chapter of my Shokugeki no Soma Fanfiction. I know it has been a while, but I have been waiting for the final epilogue chapter to come out. And let me tell you how I feel about it. It was meh. I mean, I wasn't expecting much to begin with, but I really hated how Tsukada gave us no concrete validation for Soma x Erina. Anyways, I really want to thank everyone who read the first chapter of my story and especially everyone who has commented/liked/followed it. All of your support has given me the strength I needed to continue the story. I sincerely hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I own no rights to any of the places or characters represented in this story, everything is owned by the creators of Shokugeki no Soma.

Chapter 2: Soma's Night

Soma's POV

Finally, I reach my destination and my solace, the kitchen. I opened the door and let out a long sigh of relief, here I can ponder and reflect on what happened today. I spend some time grazing my hands over all of the utensils sitting on the counter—the knives, forks, spoons, and whisks—and it calms me down. The events of the day took out a big chunk of my energy. I got down onto the cold floor and laid down, not caring about the chill that it brought me. My eyes close and my mind goes back to when I realized my feelings for Erina:

Flashback to the Stagiaire:

"Yukihara! What travesty are you creating this time?" harped the voice of the coral-headed chef, Kojirou Shinomiya. Soma his been over in his new restaurant, Shino's Tokyo, for the last month or so. He has been working with the former 1st seat—or rather, working for the former 1st seat. Soma has been noticing that his skill has been growing exponentially and even Shinomiya agrees. Chef Shinomiya secretly goes a step further and thinks that it is only a matter of time until Soma will pass himself in terms of food quality.

But in order to pass him and all of the top chefs in the world, Soma would need certain attributes. The first attribute he needed was the drive to push forward. And boy, did he have that in spades. Nothing seemed to faze the boy, he could lose and be bullied, it didn't matter he kept pushing onwards. The second and more important thing that he needed was love. He needed it so that when things got tight and he wanted to stop cooking, he had a person there and ready to help him. Someone who he would go to the precipice of the culinary world for.

This led to a peculiar question that Shinomiya felt compelled to voice.

"Ayy, Yukihara" No response, as usual. "Hey, come on. I'm talking to you." To Shinomiya it seemed as though Soma was enthralled in his own world.

Soma's eyes were locked on the pan in front of him. He was looking at it as though it were the most beautiful sight his eyes had ever seen. Shinomiya looked through Soma's eyes and was astonished. The look his eyes gave showed the mark of a true chef—a true artist. It was a look that a sculptor would get when chiseling out a limb or an artist would get when mixing paint together. His eyes were gently looking at the masterpiece while his fingers molded the ingredients together. It truly was a treat to look at.

Soma's ears finally registered the background noise and he realized that his teacher was calling out to him.

"Yo Senpai, you asked something?" Soma's eyes left the pan and he seemed to be expecting an answer.

Shinomiya tried to suppress his eye roll, but he could not. So, with a roll of an eye , he responded, "Ya I do. And you would've known if you were paying any attention to me—your boss."

He scoffed and said under his breath, "Hmphhh, kids."

Soma looked like a dog waiting expectantly for its master. Shinomiya then pressed on, "Anyways, what makes you want to cook? What drives you to become better?"

Shinomiya needed to ask this because any chef in the upper crust of the craft needed that spur that kept them moving forward. Something for when their drive finally depleted, they had the necessary person to help them move forward.

The reason why Shinomiya knew this is simple—he heard it. He heard many stories from high-ranking chefs about the "storm" and the "culinary wastelands." How even the greatest chefs were swallowed up and spit out. How they turned away from their craft due to the pressure of culinary exploration. It took a certain kind of person to be able to travel and brave the culinary wastelands and come back unscathed. And with Soma's drive and ability to lose but still get up—Shinomiya believed he was one of these people.

Shinomiya took this time to think about his person—his mother. Shinomiya drew power from her and his need to give her the food she deserved—food fit for a queen. He had no time to get burned out, not until he gave his mother all the cooking he had to give.

And truthfully, if Soma did not have something on par with Shinomiya's connection to his mother, then Soma could not reach his full potential. Shinomiya had recognized the potential of his minor. Sure, he was not the most naturally talented chef—he was not born with any super power that made cooking easier—but he had a drive that could push him up towards the stars.

Soma face looked as though he was in a drunken stupor as he was trying to figure out the answer to his senpai's question. His face scrunched up and all of the creases in his face were on display.

He finally opened his mouth to respond and just as quickly it closed. He was back to thinking. Finally, he seemed to realize the answer and spoke, "Well hmmm, I guess the reason would have to be so I could beat my dad and inherit Yukihara's!" A goofy grin was plastered across Soma's face.

Shinomiya, being perceptive, could see how his grin did not reach his eyes. Soma was either lying or not telling the whole truth. And lying pissed Shinomiya off, more than anything.

The elder chef needed to take a calming breath before he responded very slowly, "Don't lie to me Yukihara. Tell me the real reason—now!" His voice grew to a shout by the end of his sentence.

The normal brash and arrogant face of Soma Yukihara turned softer as a light blush adorned his features. With a small smile he spoke, "Well I guess… it's for Erina. I want her to like my cooking—wait, no—I need her to like my cooking. She always calls my cooking disgusting and I can't have her saying that. When she says that my heart hurts and I need to be alone. So, the reason why I cook is for her! And, everything I do is for…her?"

Soma went on to explain how Erina hates him and does not seem to enjoy his presence at all. To say that Shinomiya was shocked would be an understatement. The chef was completely perplexed he liked the Princess of Totsuki, huh. He never would've thought, that girl seems way to stuck up and gaudy for Soma to be into her. But to each their own he supposes.

And even so, in the end, this was an amazing development! This was what Shinomiya was hoping for, more even—something that was powerful enough to keep Soma's mind in the right headspace so he could weather the storm. And who knows maybe the Totsuki Princess will become more receptive to his feelings than he thinks.

Suddenly Soma stood up and looked ghastly, his face looked like milky white paste. He started speaking rapidly towards his teacher, "Shinomiya, I need to call my pops. Is that okay?" The kid looked winded, scared, and he needed his dad. Shinomiya could at least do that for him.

"Sure, just make sure you are back soon. You still need to mop my floors." He responded and then his eyes flickered to his hands where his restaurant's new menu rested.

Soma scuttled over to the open door for some privacy. After he closed the door to the restroom, he took out his phone and prayed to any number of gods that he could of think of that his dad would answer.

When he dialed his father's phone number, his feet tapped the tile floor impatiently. As soon as he thought the phone call was going to voicemail, his father answered.

The lax voice of Joichirou permeated through the speaker, "Yo, what's up brat? Everything good?" By the end of his sentence any person could hear the father's concern seeping through.

Soma's voice dripped of confusion and fear when he said, "I have a question, pops, and please answer me truthfully. Have you ever met a person that all you want to do is cook for them? And when you're with them you do not have another care in the world? If someone feels that way about someone, is that love?"

In that moment, his father had an epiphany. Soma wasn't a little boy anymore, but he was on the cusp of manhood. So, he needed to answer him truthfully.

"Soma, I have felt this way towards two people in my life" Joichirou took a moment to let the words seep into Soma, "the first person who I felt this for was your mother and the second person was you. What you are experiencing is love, my boy. You cannot let it go. You need to let it propel you forward and—"

Soma immediately blurted out, "Its Erina, Dad! I love Erina, ya' know the Totsuki princess—blonde hair, amethyst eyes, and the most arrogant personality? You know which one I mean, right? Oh dear, I'm not good enough for her and—" Soma started rambling he could not stop blabbering to his father.

Now it was Joichirou's turn to cut off Soma, "Cut that out Soma, do not say that. It doesn't matter who she is or who you are, all that matters is that you love her. Be there for her and all will turn out okay. But um, hey listen, I got to go. The USA's president wants me to cook him something with Cheetos. Weird guy, that one."

Soma was then greeted with silence as his father's phone call cut off. Soma now was left alone to deal with his conflicting emotions.

Soma reckoned that he should feel happy but, he could not help but feel bitter-sweet about his revelation. It was not doubt about who he loved or the advice that his father told him. Rather, it was his doubts about the personality of the girl. Contrary to popular opinion, Soma was not naïve or stupid; he knew she did not like him. It really was not that hard to see—even a blind man could tell. The way her aura seems to turn five shades darker than black when he was there. Or the way she always voiced her displeasure about his status as a diner cook. But Soma was not a quitter and the heart want what the heart wants.

This led to Soma having a bitter thought, 'If only she knew that my dad was a former second seat. Maybe then she would recognize that I do have some pedigree.,' Soma shook his head at the thought. That would not work. It would only show that she cares more about his family and their history then she does about who he is. He would conceal his history from her in the hopes that she would love him for him and for his father.

In the end, Soma came to the conclusion that all he could do is try to show her that he was worthy of standing next to her atop the culinary mountain and atop of her world. When he shows her that, maybe then she would see what he has to offer. After all Soma wanted was to be happy and he hoped that maybe they would be able to provide that for each other.

He needs to push forward. He cannot get bogged down. Not for his own sake but for the sake of Erina. He would crawl forward if he needed to. He just needed to push forward. By moving he can get closer to Erina and close the gap between them. Thus, being her equal. Now he has a goal and an inspiration, and nothing could stop him from reaching it.

Soma realizes that he has spent way too much time pondering his feelings rather than helping his senpai, Shinomiya, get his restaurant ready. He unlocks the restroom's door and goes to his Stagiaire chef and tells him, "Hey Shinomiya-sensei, I want to submit a dish for your new menu. Will you let me?"

All Shinomiya could do was nod his head and say something about not messing around. In all reality, Shinomiya's body was in auto pilot. The only reaction he had control over was the small smile he had adorning his face. The reason for this smile was simple—he knew. He knew that Soma had found his reason for cooking. He could only think about how Soma now had the necessary support for his inevitable journey into the storm had that was cooking.

Shinomiya liked Soma Yukihara and he will be waiting for him when his younger pupil meets him on the top of the culinary world.

Soma's POV

I open my eyes which were now brimming with tears. Tears that I would rather keep bound up in my eyes. But in all honesty, not much has changed since the stagiaire. Sure, Erina has gotten a little nicer, but that was more due to what I did, not what she thinks. It is almost like she has taken me for granted.

This is why I still do not know how I feel about Erina and my love for her, there are times when she makes me feel utterly ecstatic and then there are moments—albeit less frequent moments—when she makes me feel like utter garbage. I know that the one-sided love I have for her is toxic and yet I cannot pull myself away.

And that is why I need to win against her. It's me letting her go, letting go of my dream and passion. After my fiery tirade against her and her behavior which proceeded my match against Asahi, I realized I am not truly mad at her. I do not think I ever could be. Rather, I'm sad. I do not feel the compulsive need to destroy her anymore, but I want to win to achieve closure for myself.

Believing she could love me was just a dream, I suppose. How could she ever love a simpleton like me? What could I offer her? The answers to both of those questions are bad. As a matter of fact, I am not entirely sure if she is able to love someone in the traditional sense. I know that she can care for someone, but love? I do not think so. I can only pray that I will get over Erina and find someone who could truly love me for me.

'Scorned Lover'

I read that phrase once and it perfectly captures the emotions I'm through. That phrase is going to be my inspiration for the dish. I'm going to make a dish for all of the people who have felt the pain of unrequited love. If I were to liken the dish to music, it would be a classical piece. A soft and somber tune the elicits heartache and sorrow. It would lull the listener to a restless sleep. The dish could be described as a total flip from my last creation. Instead of a dish that was powerful and bombarded you with flavors, this one would draw out the most minuscule flavors and then caress the eater in a faint embrace.

Well, at least, that's the plan. Other than this abstract idea, I have no idea what I'm doing. It's like using a map without a compass. I have a starting point but nothing else to build off of. It seems as though; I won't be sleeping tonight…again.

As soon as I decided to pull an all-nighter, in what could only be described as a simple twist of fate, my eyes started to flutter, and I was soon enveloped into a dreamscape.

'Knock-Knock-Knock'

Unaware that I was sleeping, I heard someone banging on the door. I walk over and open it, my foolish heart thinking that it was Erina.

Wait, who am I kidding? Why would she come here?

Instead of my blonde love, it is just my friends, Takumi and Megumi. I was greatly relieved that it was them instead of Erina because maybe they can help me blueprint my dish. However, I was sorely mistaken.

My two friend's faces were contorted into an expression which could only be described as pity. I cannot stand to look at them when they have those expressions. In fact, my pet peeve is being pitied. That is because it goes against my innate competitive nature. And to see it on my friend's faces only amplifies the feeling.

And then right in front of me, their faces morph again. Their expressions turn cold, almost like a freshly chiseled marble slab. Their eyes turn to ice and they narrow—piercing through my soul like an arrow.

They had no looks of friendship, only loathing.

Megumi looked at me with thinly-veiled disgust. She gave me a look of pure hatred, a look that made me seem as insignificant as a bug. Her voice permeated through the kitchen, "You really thought you had a chance with her? Pathetic." My eyes naturally started to water from the verbal jab that my sweetest friend gave me.

Then it was Takumi's turn.

"To think that someone like her, would degrade herself by lying with you. We all thought you were naïve, but are you just plain stupid? Wait, stupid Soma, that actually has a nice ring to it," Takumi sneered at me.

The tears were now cascading down my face like a roaring rapid as my "friends" began to laugh at me.

My body goes down to its knees and I start to crawl away from them, the pain of their words coming in doles. The words latched on to my botched self-confidence, drowning me like a weight attached to someone at sea.

And then the scene changes.

Suddenly, I was watching an awkward sight. A giant Octopus had its tentacles surrounding my friends. The scene seemed forced and it looked like they did not enjoy it. It was not what I expected, they seemed to be about to pass out in disgust. Their bodies were contorted into different shapes and sweat was dripping off their bodies.

Their voices turned into a choir, "Ahhhhhhhh. What is this horrible taste! Get away from me, you stupid octopus. Stop, please, I don't want this!" They were thrashing and just seemed utterly horrible—sort of like I am now.

And then I had the lightbulb go off in my head, I realized that this is what happens when they eat one of my "new" dishes.

'I could use this' I thought. And I suddenly gained the most ambition I had since the previous round.

The world around seems to be twisting and moving. The view fades and it is all black. I just relax waiting for my body to awaken. Suddenly, my eyes open and the real world comes firing back into reality.

The dreams I had offered me a lot of food for thought. I cannot help but think that I'm going about my dish all wrong. I should not be trying to make a sad dish, instead, I should be trying to make the most disgusting dish I can. That would be the one way to truly convey the hate I felt yesterday, and to then let it go.

Peanut butter, squid, intestines, pig eyes, it does not matter. All of these ingredients will combine to make the most horrible dish I can.

'Oh man. I almost feel bad for Mana Nakiri. Will her tongue be able to handle this monstrosity?' I thought rhetorically. Of course, I know her tongue can't. It makes me almost feel bad for her; she should not be forced to eat this disgusting concoction. However, then I am reminded of all of the horrible things she did to Erina and Myself. Suddenly, I do not feel so bad for her anymore. She's only going to get what's coming to her.

But now I have an interesting problem, how will I get her to eat my dish?

If she knows what is in it from the beginning, she won't even get within a foot of it!

I have to mask the flavor as I did with the dish against Asahi-Saiba. So that she won't know what's in it until the moment she gets to 'enjoy' my dish. And by that time she'll be too far gone to even think about it.

I feel like an evil scientist coming up with a dastardly plan and the Nakiri's won't know what hit them!

I'm knocked out of my reverie by real knocks at my door. Feeling extremely elated about my plan, I skip over to the door. And to my surprise, it is the two central figures in my dreams, Takumi and Megumi!

"Yo, what's up guys? What are you doing over here?" I say. It isn't that I do not want them with me, I just didn't expect for them to come over.

After I said that, steam starts coming out of Takumi's ears, and he looks livid. Megumi, on the other hand, starts convulsing and seems as though she is about to pass out. While Megumi is nearly catatonic, Takumi decides to take the lead and speak for both of them.

"Yukihara, do you even know what time it is? Look at the clock!" His face was turning red from yelling. After he notices how loud he was becoming, he mutters an apology under his breath.

My eye's then darted to the old analog clock hanging over the doorway and I could sense my pupils dilating as I registered the time.

It seems as though I overslept worse than I expected. I have less than a day to finish my dish. Damn, that's not a great way to start my day!

My mouth starts to move mindlessly, and I say to my friends, "Crap! I slept way too long. I really need to start working." My friends look at me, concern marred their faces and I know why.

I look disheveled—almost comparable to a classic mountain man. I have scruff adorning my neck and dried food is stuck under my nails. After I got back from the competition yesterday, I had no motivation to clean myself up. Normally I look pretty clean shaven too, so my friends must think there's something really wrong.

This time it was Megumi who took the lead. She started speaking softly, trying not to make me mad. She said, "Soma-kun, how are you doing?"

Oh god, how I hate those kinds of questions.

She presses on, "I know yesterday must have been tough for you. Just know that Takumi and I are here for you, okay?"

I feel somewhat relieved that she did not press me on what happened with Erina. Takumi, on the other hand, lacked any of the tacts that Megumi exhibited. He said, "Soma, tell us what is wrong. Now!"

What he said caused my anger to start boiling over—what right did he have to tell me what to do? I sneer at him and he cowers behind Megumi. Takumi looks truly frightened.

Shaking my head, I calm down and realize that they are just trying to look out for me. Armed with this new knowledge I say: "Sorry guys, I am just really drained, and I have so much to do. I cannot really talk right now." I start to walk away, my patience with my closest friends starting to wear thin.

Megumi and Takumi give me one more passing glance and then they walk to the door and I am suddenly left alone. Just my thoughts and a kitchen. Nothing can be better.

With my new solace, I start to cook. I feel the pulse and aura of all the utensils and it's like their hearts are beating under my fingertips. I check the pantry for all of the ingredients I need for my first trial dish.

The amount of happiness I get from cooking is dwindling, I don't have a purpose anymore, I'm stuck in this wasteland and no one is there to pull me out.

Deep down, I'm hoping for Erina to turn a leaf and kick me out of the funk I am in. I think it's because deep down I know that I cannot cook without her and what she brings out of me. And that's scary as hell.

A little voice in my head was crying out for her and hoping she was able to hear it.

A/N: Alright that is the end of the chapter! How did you like it? I really hope you enjoyed it. I had a really bad case of writer's block for the better part of the month. But I really wanted to put this out for you guys. So, apologies in advance, if some of this seems a little forced.

Now for some clarification, Soma decided to cook a disgusting dish for two reasons. One, it properly conveys the type of feelings he felt the day he confronted her. Second is because he is getting lost in the storm. On a subconscious level, he doesn't think he can make a good dish. He has lost his reason to cook, but he won't give up. So, he will cook what he can and that just happens to be disgusting mush. I also did this further heighten the contrast between "love and "hate." I'm using the disgusting food as the symbolic representation of hate, while what Erina makes is the complete opposite.

If any of you have any questions or critiques feel free to PM me on , comment on my story, or message me on reddit mynameisjonas12. Again, thank all of you for reading my story! And I hope I see all of you again within the next month if school does not become unbearable.

Have fun…

-The Ties That Bind Us.