I do not own Shokugeki no Soma. I only own this fanfic's story, and any new characters introduced within it.

7:15 PM, Tokyo, Japan

"Welcome to Shino's, the peak of French cuisine!" Abel Blondin welcomed a new customer who had just walked in.

"We'll see." The young man said as he sat down at a table.

"I'm sorry?" Abel asked as he gave the young man a menu.

"Oh, I didn't mean to offend, I simply mean to compare." The young man replied.

"Ah, I see. Well then, what would you care for this lovely night-"

"I want a Nine Vegetable Terrine, if you please." The young man cut Abel off.

"Of course, right away sir." As Abel walked away the young man stopped him.

"Excuse me I have a request for this dish, is Kojiro here?" The young man asked.

"Yes sir, Chef Shinomiya is here. Why?"

"If you could, I want him to make me the Terrine."

"Of course sir, under what name?"

"Haru."

7:35 PM

Kojiro saw Haru's face as he walked up with the Terrine and couldn't help but chuckle.

"What brings you here, Haru?"

"Oh nothing, just visiting, maybe to judge how good you've gotten since I was here..."

"Still as irritating as ever huh? How's Puro Sabor, I hear you're going for a Michelin Star as well? Well good luck catching up to me, 'cause I got one already." Kojiro said as he stood up a little straighter.

"Well what do you know, news travels slow around here doesn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I got my second one a month ago. I have ascended to, quote, 'Excellent cooking, worth a detour.' What was yours, 'A very good restaurant in its category.'? " Haru snickered.

"I-..." Kojiro gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"Now, Chef Shinomiya, it's not a race. We wouldn't want to make a scene in front of the customers would we?" Gao Wei said as she tried soothing Kojiro.

"No we wouldn't, and I'm not angry, It's just surprising how a 20 year old, especially this guy of all people, managed to get a second Michelin Star before me. You know... This guy who just vanished a week before his class' graduation. Especially how he refuses to show up during the damn Rapport Training Camp? How could I be angry?" Kojiro pointed out as he released his fists.

"I have my reasons, Kojiro-senpai. Now let's try your Terrine."

As he watched Haru eat the dish, Kojiro couldn't help but notice Haru's hands shivering slightly.

"You good?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, a little chilly is all haha..." Haru replied with a light chuckle.

"So? How is it? Do you still feel the need to judge my work?"

"...Meh. They made it better down at French Guiana."

Kojiro couldn't believe it. Every person Kojiro served this dish to would have a reaction, whether it be squirming in their seat, breathing really heavily, or just moaning for some stupid reason, but Haru didn't even flinch. He had the nerve to not react at the Nine Vegetable Terrine!

"Oh, shut up you imbecile! As if you could make it better!" Kojiro retorted, slugging Haru in the arm.

"Sounds like something to settle over a Shokugeki." Haru remarked as he got up from his seat and stood face to face with Kojiro, eyes unwavering.

"You wouldn't challenge anyone for just any reason, Haru. What are you putting on the table?"

"If I win you're gonna tell me everything you know about Soma Yukihira. I know he worked with you during his Stagiaire."

"And if you lose?"

"I'll give you Puro Sabor."

9:30 PM; Somewhere on Totsuki Main Campus

Megumi was taking a walk, mostly to clear her head as today had been a busy day, but also to think about why Soma ended up leaving.

Most people didn't know this, as her personality made it blend in, but Megumi also had slight feelings for Soma. He was the one that gave her the confidence to not be scared of other chefs just because they might be intimidating or mean.

At first she depended on him so much, she needed him to pass the most basic of assignments. Now she was the 10th seat of the Elite 10, the Elite 10! She had come so far, and while she did most of the work, if it wasn't for Soma, there wouldn't have been any way she could've risen that high.

*riing* *riing*

Her phone began to buzz. It was her mom.

"Hey mom how are you!"

"Hi Megumi, I'm doing good thank you! How are things over there? I hope your fellow Elite 10 classmates are treating you well?"

"Of course they are mom!" Megumi giggled while remembering the screech-fest that had happened during the last council meeting.

"Megumi... I know how Soma leaving must have been hard, but if he needs space, then he needs space. I understand you're trying to figure out why he left so suddenly, but if he really did seem unfocused in the time after the BLUE then maybe this is what he needs."

"I know mom... Still, I just wish he would come back..." Megumi muttered.

"I know honey, it's okay to feel bad, but just know that it wasn't your fault, I'm 100 percent sure he didn't leave because of you!"

"I guess you're right mom..."

...

"...Oh, that's right! I have to tell you something, Megumi!"

"What is it mom?"

"Your br- is- ere!"

"What? Mom you're breaking up!"

"Yo- br- er- is her-!"

*click!* The call ended.

"Oh... We really need better phones..." Megumi sighed and started walking back towards Polar Star.

9:40 PM; Nakiri Mansion

Erina laid flat on her bed, wondering how he was, where he was, what he was doing. She couldn't stop thinking about him. Every time she had a thought about him, good or bad, it just made her miss him more.

"I'm becoming so obsessed..." She muttered.

Suddenly a knock.

"Erina-sama? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Hisako, I'll go to sleep soon!"

...

"Are you sure? I can bring you some tea if you don't feel well-"

"I said I'm fine Hisako!" Erina shouted.

...

"Oh ok... I'll leave you be then, good night Erina-sama."

She couldn't believe she had just yelled at her loyal assistant. She wanted to go apologize but she heard Hisako's footsteps becoming distant.

"Ugh, why can't I just be like you Soma-kun? How did you do it? So carefree, yet so caring, so dumb, yet such a genius..."

She wished he could be at her side.

She wished he could be there for her. She knew, however, that it was her fault he left. She had done this to him, and she deserved not having him with her any more.

There wasn't any way of contacting Soma other than by email, and it had been so long since he responded to one of her messages.

There was only one way to know how he was doing.

Erina got out of bed, picked up her phone, and speed dialed.

...

...

"...Hello?"

"Hello, Saiba-sama! Um, I know this might not be the best time, but... I was wondering if you knew how Soma-kun has been doing."

"Oh Erina-chan, how are you!?" Joichiro boomed.

"I'm doing alright thank you... Saiba-sama, I was just calling to see if you knew how, and maybe where, Soma-kun is. I wouldn't bother you if there was another way..."

"Since when did you start calling my son by his first name?" Joichiro asked jokingly.

Erina's face turned bright red, almost dropping her phone at the realization that she had been referring to her idol's son by his first name when she had called him by 'Yukihira-kun' for so long.

"NO! It's not like that Saiba-sama! I- I just- um, uh..." Erina stuttered.

"Relax, Erina-chan! I'm just teasing you!" Joichiro snickered with his chibi face.

Erina pouted, she knew that Joichiro had a similar personality like Soma's, so, she should have expected something like this.

"Well to answer your question, I haven't seen Soma since he dropped by the diner-"

"Soma-kun's here!?" Erina exclaimed and started rolling around on her bed.

"Uh, no, he passed by the other day and challenged me to another cooking match but then he left." Joichiro added.

"Oh, I see..." Erina sat back up.

"Does this have anything to do with you liking my son?" Joichiro asked rather blandly.

Erina's face turned an even brighter shade of red.

"WHAT! Of course not! What could make you say something so silly Saiba-sama! There's no way-"

"Erina. I know how you feel about him, it was made pretty apparent by how you act around him."

"please don't tell anyone…" Erina begged silently.

"Eh!? What was that!? Sorry I'm getting old!" He laughed.

...

"Oh, Erina I have to go, but let me give you a piece of advice I gave Soma when he first came to Totsuki."

"What is it, Saiba-sama?"

"The secret to becoming a great chef is... meeting a woman that will make you want to give all the food you make to her... and I'm not a woman, but I'm pretty sure the same applies for the opposite gender!" He chortled.

"I see..."

"I gotta go, but think on that. You might be able to understand why Soma left. Bye now!"

*click!*

Erina put her phone back to charge.

"What could Saiba-sama mean by that?..."

...

"Meeting a man that will make me want to give all the food I make to him..." Erina pondered it's meaning as she laid back in bed and drifted to sleep.

Authors Note: Hey guys! That's a wrap for Chapter 3. As you know already, I have a set schedule of posting a new chapter every 2-3 days, so expect Chapter 4 by Thursday at the latest! Anyway thanks for reading, and thanks to the people who've followed me it really helps! As always I will see you in the next chapter, bye now!

-Kano