AN: Caught up and ready to get this story rolling! Our cooking? I love puns.


Chapter One: Where We Are….

Despite the very obvious, yet somewhat childish arguments that occurred between Soma and Erina. The relationship they had developed throughout the years at Totsuki as the First seat and Headmistress was seen as something pure and under their watch Totsuki had flourished. Life when we were there was perfect, the enjoyment students had, the intense battles that took place between rivals, freedom to do as they please, for once everyone knew the direction they were heading. When news spread the Soma Yukihira had left Totsuki I like to think that was where it all began. Where we lost our direction, where everything we had fought for had begun to crumble and we all were affected by his actions but Erina... We could all see that she took this with a heavy heart and we knew why. It was no secret of their developing romance, given all the events the two had been through with Saiba Asahi's introduction to Totsuki, our participation at The Blue, the battles with the Noirs, and even before when we faced Erina's father Azami and our battles against Central. Their relationship had been tested many times over, each test only helped in further developing their feelings towards the other, it was bound to happen and even I had to accept that as reality. Regardless of how I felt towards their relationship, Erina was now one of my closest friends and even if she consistently denied it, she was hurting. If there was anything I learned at Totsuki as the Tenth seat and as one of the lives Soma saved. It was to help those in situations they could not handle on their own. As he had done for all of us at some point I would do the same for my friend. I knew Erina was strong, but she was new to emotions just as I was…

I remember approaching the doors of her office, we were in two classes together during that semester but she didn't attend either of them that day. I wondered where she could be if not there, but if it involved Soma. There would be only one place that she'd be at… the place they spent the most time alone away from others. I made my way to her office almost immediately when classes ended. I like to think that I had developed more confidence over the years, but what advice would I be able to offer her? When I myself have trouble figuring out how to act on my own emotions. I pondered what to say outside the room for a few minutes and while I was there, the door opened with Erina standing right there unaware of my presence. For a moment, I saw her in a natural state, calm as we have all grown to know her to be yet different.

"Tadokoro-san?" her voice was soft, as if she had just woken up but for some reason I could pick up discomfort within her voice.. Was she scared? It wasn't like her to be scared of anything after everything she had endured and conquered but given that the person who gave that strength to confront her fear was gone. It would not be out of reason to assume she was scared…

"Nakiri-san may we talk?" She was a little caught off by my words but nonetheless she gestured for me to enter the room after I further explained my concerns. Upon entering the room, I sat myself down on the couch along with my belongings as Erina headed towards her desk, ever since taking the position of director of Totsuki it was natural to see her desk covered with paperwork. Seeing all that only reinforced the idea of the gap between myself and her, why Soma would choose her over me…. I quickly shook my head to rid my mind of those thoughts. She strolled past the desk and very briefly opening one of the drawers placed an item inside of it. Her figure and posture always showed that of a calm, elegant woman but what betrayed her where her eyes as they showed something I was all too familiar with, bravery. Bravery one would need to face the unknown, to keep a painful truth away from the surface. I decided to make an attempt at small talk in order to get her mind off whatever train of thought kept her in this state of unhappiness. "Why did you spend most of your day here if I may ask Nakiri-san?" She pondered for a moment as if she was debating to give me the honest answer..

"Why do you think he left?" it was sudden but those words left my mouth without a second thought… I placed my hands over my mouth, frantically apologizing but I felt that I shouldn't have because I wondered the exact same question and undoubtedly so did she. Yet she stayed brave, almost unaffected by my question..as the only answer I received was silence.

Her eyes though were facing away towards a nearby window watching as students would pass by laughing like we once did, her eyes focusing on the couples who would be holding their partner's hand, smiling as they did so without a worry for anything other than the very moment they were living in. In her eyes I could see everything, I could see that she wanted to participate in the very same things with whom she considered her significant other, Soma Yukhira. I felt a tang of jealousy rise in my heart, that I knew was wrong, but I fought it back throwing it under the lock and chain I held it under for so long. She then spoke, " because of me…."

She had been here all day pondering that question over and over but that's all she could think of? She blamed herself for his absence. I wanted to voice my opinion, that if Soma were to suddenly up and go for any negative reasons, Erina Nakiri would not be among them. If anyone knew the pair better it would be me, as I was there every time the two were together, bearing witness as they brought out the best in each other everyday they had spent together.

I had spent all day wondering what I could do to help her, but what took hours to formulate came within that moment. Now I knew what I had to do, what best could help her. My body moved on its' own as I stood just mere inches away from my friend, she was surprised but didn't move as I looked into her eyes.

I could see it…her bravery.

She was fighting and the pressure she held was only building, growing more and more painful. I could see the tears she held back deep within her violet eyes, the faint tremble in her shoulders, the discomforting nature of her voice as she spoke, her emotions wanted to run rampant, begging to be set loose rather than lie dormant.. "It is exhausting being brave...but I want you to know…"

She needed permission to do this, she needed someone to let her know that it was okay. That it was okay to forget her family's name, where she came from, the role she held at Totsuki, to let go of things she truly did not care for and to just be Erina. For years, Soma was that person who made her emotions run rampant, who eventually broke her free of that cage she knew but with him gone who could she go to now? Who would help her?

"It's okay Nakiri-san, you can be you right now..." What happened next, were uncontrollable sobs, tears that stained my uniform as she latched onto me crying, frantically speaking, apologizing as if I were him at that moment… That night, I learned why Erina took Soma's disappearance more deeply than the rest of us and why she blamed herself for it. She was pregnant. I was taken aback by this but I could understand her actions... She had carried this secret for quite some time before his sudden disappearance. Blaming herself for even mentioning it to him, because when she did she would always recall the joyful expression on his face, how in that smile her fears were quelled and she began to react with such excitement. The idea of a life with him was enough for her but the notion of having a child together, to live a life she never dreamed would be possible, to love mostly...it was bliss. So when he suddenly left she was confused…did he not reciprocate the same dream?

At first she believed that maybe he needed some time to process it, or go on one of his little cooking journeys to prove his self worth. Whatever it was he would be back and he'd come running through those doors with even more excitement, new recipes, amazing stories to share but just ready to start a new chapter in their lives by her side. That would be just enough for her, she did not care for anything other than having him by her side. She held onto that hope every day, even as we graced the stage on our graduation, even when they announced his name as our generations first seat. He never showed...I rarely grow angry, but I developed anger towards him for his actions. I realized that feeling the most when the children were born and as I watched them grow without him, asking for stories of their father who was sure to return. I wondered how he could continue to do something like this to his family, a family he has to be aware of… This was unlike him, unlike the Soma we have seen and known.

So I set off to find him, vowing to bring him back not only to his friends, but to the family he left behind either knowingly or not and with no regard for my personal feelings towards him. I promised myself that I would keep them under lock and chain.. I was past it.

At the time it felt like the right choice, but knowing what would happen when we would return and what I experienced… I should have just stayed and placed my faith in Soma like I always have that he would do the right thing… Because when we did return, the joyful reunion I had anticipated was short lived if anything. What followed next happened so suddenly that I was in disbelief, the hate and distaste for the other's actions, her unexpected hatred and accusations towards me, how she denied Soma the chance to even explain, let alone take responsibility for his actions… I remember it all even to this day. How cold that courtroom was, how people I considered my friends now turned having to choose whose side to take, the visible pain in both their eyes, hearts and the sound as the gavel rang throughout the room. The eyes of a young innocent boy as his met mine, I knew that his life was forced to change because of our actions as adults. But as quickly as it happened, it was over and what could we do other than move on with what was left. What could I do for the boy that stood in front of me, or the grief stricken father who kept apologizing over and over towards his son. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise I didn't abandon you… "

My best, I would give them both my best and I did the best I could. I became the guardian to the son of my closests friends, Jin Nakiri. At first it was difficult to get him to warm up to his father and myself. But eventually it would all workout. The child began to smile, laugh and not only grow closer to us, but call us his parents, call me his mother…

"You changed his name?" I asked Soma questionly, as he brought out a document from the local hospital. "It wasn't me, it was his idea, his choice..."taking it from his hands I read the name of the boy whose head was resting in my lap… "Tadokoro…"

I ended up spending more time at Yukihira's than at my own restaurant and family that I practically became family there. When Soma proposed, as much as I wanted to just jump into his embrace, I felt hesitant to say yes out of respect towards Erina. After all, her son was there when Soma proposed as the boy stood by in awe at the scene before him. Just like his father he was smiling, waiting for my response. I figured that after what had happened the divide, the hate towards one another. I could finally act on my feelings for once. I could let go of that lock and chain, I could get my chance at a happy ending. A new start away from Totsuki, from the hate, and just focus on what I had in front of me. A husband, Soma Yukihira, a son in Jin Tadokoro I could give them the happiness that they both deserved.

"I simply wanted to make them happy, after the heartbreak Soma went through trying to take responsibility for his actions. The trauma Jin must have felt being separated from his sister and real mother...I figured I could give them what they deserve." I bowed my head towards the person that sat across from me, Nakiri Alice. It had been ten years since I last spoke to anyone whom took Erina's side of the whole situation, I focused on raising Jin by being a good mother and a loving wife to Soma.

"Mother a letter came in or you!" Now 15 years old, Jin had walked into the house from school with the mail in hand.."Oh from who?" I asked as he then proceeded to pronounce Totsuki as Toothsuki…

I received an invitation to a nearby cafe from Alice with the purpose to "catch up." She had taken over as headmistress when Erina stepped down, it turns out that after the events in the courtroom. Erina submitted her resignation to the current Elite Ten Council and left Totsuki without telling any of her family or friends, leaving Alice in charge. Ever since then, Alice had no choice but to accept, of course, reluctantly. For ten years, she spent that time running the academy as best as she could but while also spending time looking for her dear friend and cousin, Erina.

"I see.." Alice replied as she stirred her drink, she held a different look in her eyes from before. "You're probably wondering why I'm here, why I asked you to share your story of what happened.." When Alice reached out towards me, I was at first hesitant to accept, it seemed off and random but I came anyway figuring that maybe this would be the first step to repairing the divide between us.

"Yes, I do wonder why you are here… it would help to know that." I asked nervously, aware of what my motherly instincts were telling me that I had entered a really tense situation.

"Think about it then, even your story has its' fair share of… confusion." What was she saying? I met her eyes and began to wonder where she was coming for...what her actual purpose was versus what she would tell me. I guess she could see how I was reacting within my mind…

"Relax Tadokoro, I'm not here to create a scene… Given the time, place and especially with what I know… "

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, a heat rising inside me as I clenched my drink tighter. She noticed my subconscious movements before taking a deep breath to further explain.

"Does it not seem off how everything happened, how one day Erina and Soma were ready to have a family, only for Soma to just turn around and run?…" That's why she's here, to convince me to hate him… that he could do the same to me as well, blah blah… great. And just as I was about to open my mouth to retaliate.

"How one day she offered you the opportunity to be the first of her friends to hold her child… just to turn around and hate you after you left to bring back the person she loved? Even when you reassured her that it was nothing." I remembered that day….

"Tadokoro-san, would you like to hold him? You've been crying more than any of them after all.." Erina said kindly with her tired voice as she gestured her hand towards the child left in the crib beside the bed.. They were so tiny, delicate I was terrified at the thought of harming them. I was an open book.."It's okay, I trust you...you're one of my closest friends. Here." When she said that I instantly burst into tears even when I held Jin in my arms. "Oh my! look he's holding onto your fingers .." I was a bigger crybaby than both Jin and his sister, Izumi…

"Yes… " I replied quietly, she had a point but what struck me the most was the memories I had with Erina when Soma left. How she included me in every step for those months we were together. How I spent most of my days around the children and Erina, for all of that to suddenly mean nothing. Lost in my thoughts, my senses brought me back to reality when smooth white hands reached out towards my own…

"It never should have happened in the first place… " She then proceeded to tell me exactly what she had been doing for the past ten years and why she was here. After Erina resigned and disappeared, Alice was forced to take charge and admitted to herself that she was not cut out to handle the position as effectively as her cousin did, so for awhile Totsuki suffered and then suddenly students began to withdraw from the academy at first it was a small trend that grew over the years. The withdrawals would then turn into lower admission rates and soon students were beginning to choose a rising culinary academy named…

"North Central?" I asked.

"Yes, and I believe that they may have played a part in what happened.." as a part of the Nakiri family, Alice shared her grandfather's diverse connections all over the world with some favors she was able to task individuals to act as informants for Totsuki. They served their purpose when needed, but recently were tasked to look into North Central for anything that may help in explaining why students were leaving in such large numbers, but would also aid with a personal matter. Finding the missing Nakiri and gathering any information that would better explain what happened and eventually they found something. A connection between North Central's rise and Erina's reappearance.

"I can understand a rising academy becoming competitive rival with Totsuki, but what does it have anything to do with what happened…or Erina for that matter?"

"It is not like Erina to act so sporadically, to disappear and then suddenly reappear. If it were like that then I could actual accept it as normal... but for her reappearance to be part of the reason why Totsuki is struggling? I can't seem to find a reason that would best explain it… " Alice sighed in frustration as she gulped down the rest of her drink, collecting her thoughts.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked as the situation I had played out in my mind before arriving here was tossed aside. At the time, I had prepared for another decade old argument of who was to blame and so on, to walk back home frustrated and saddened at the idea that nothing could ever be done to fix anything. So when I found myself in that sight, with the director of Totsuki bowing her head as she asked for my help to come back as an instructor? I was shocked….

"I humbly ask you Tadokoro Megumi to rejoin Totsuki as one of our instructors, because where we are at now…..we do not stand a chance to survive another year…"

Here where we are now, the lives that we all live. This would be our starting point, this would be where everything that myself, Soma, Erina and others would have to crumble in order to give way from something new. Maybe this was the best way to truly rebuild our sense of direction...


AN: I have a direction I want to take the characters and I open you'll enjoy it as much as I will. Reviews are very nice indeed!