Hi! Here's the last chapter. The previous chapter was supposed to be the last one but I realized that it'll be too long, longer than the usual actually, so I had to break it down and then add some more and ta-da! This chapter was born!

I am so grateful to the wonderful people who have been with me for this crossover. I would also like to once again express my appreciation for the people who took the time to leave me reviews. They always give me the extra push to write the next chapters, especially with my other stories. To the people who put this story on their favorites/followed list, thank you very much.

I hope you'll like this one!

Usual disclaimers are applied.

Thank you for everyone who has read this story! You're awesome! Stay safe!

"I knew you were one of the reasons why they're in this… mess," Edelweiss knowingly declared, one corner of her lips angled upwards, mischievous glint on her emerald eyes, "And you didn't tell me you had such a fan club, my dear. It's a good thing I'm not a jealous woman."

Joichiro averted his gaze, feeling a bit of heat creeping through his face and knowing exactly what she was talking about, catching Gin's obnoxious smirk on his periphery.

Insolent bastard. He let out an irate huff.

"On the bright side," Edelweiss continued, sounding severely entertained, "Soma-kun and his little group of rebels managed to win this competition." She made a glance at him and added, "You should be over the moon."

Joichiro slid an arm across her waist and pulled her closer, "Of course I am! I knew they could do it. I'm a very proud dad!"

"You don't look like it though."

"I am!"

Edelweiss quipped, "Then you should let Soma-kun know when this whole ordeal is over and done with." She turned back to the arena, "I must say, these… shokugekis are very interesting and very... intense."

Joichiro cheerfully piped out, "Right?"

Edelweiss let out a giggle, "Yes, yes… I understand you're tremendously relieved your son won't get expelled. This should warrant a celebration."

Joichiro gave her a coy look, whispering in her ear, "Wanna get out of here right now?"

She gave him a light shove, chastising, "We can't. You're not allowed to scuttle away this time. You have to congratulate Soma-kun for a job well done. Merlin knows when you'll get to see him again."

Gin answered beside her, compelling and strong, "That's right! We can have a few drinks before the both of you fly off to somewhere."

"Fine. We can visit the bar in the hotel later," he replied, sounding sulky.

"Still," Edelweiss morosely voiced out, a hand on her stomach, "All this cooking is making me ravenous."

Joichiro threaded a hand through her hair and tipped it towards him, saying, "Don't worry. I'll feed you too when we get back to the hotel."

Gin glared at him and butted in, his hands crossed across his chest, "Are you going to harass the kitchens again, Joichiro?"

Joichiro countered back, waving his other hand in front of her, "You try saying no to this beautiful face! I dare you, Gin!"

"Why are you dragging me into this?!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide and incredulous.

Before Joichiro could retort, he heard a sound of incoming footsteps and turned to see who it was, prompting Edelweiss and Gin to do the same.

Nakamura Azami stepped into their sight and Joichiro greeted the junior who had been one of the people he remorsefully left behind.

The three of them exchanged a few words, Joichiro apologizing for not reaching out and not being able to help him sooner. He knew he should've at least kept in touch with Nakamura again when he began reaching out to Gin but he didn't, otherwise occupied with the diner and his family too, and remained unreachable.

Nakamura might've been a strange young man when they'd been students in the academy and Joichiro knew he shouldn't really shoulder the full responsibility of not being able to properly help his junior but Nakamura was one of his closest friends and he can't help but feel like he really should've noticed that there was something going on with him as well.

His… struggles had firmly driven the man to find a perfect solution, severe as it had been, but Joichiro can't say he should also take all of the credit as to why Nakamura had been resolved to create such convoluted and despotic directions with their profession where innovation was their playground.

But, he thought as he made a quick, sharp glance at the new Director of the Totsuki Academy, he had a feeling that he knew what had ultimately pushed him into making such decisions.

He was just inviting Nakamura to join them for drinks later on when he remembered Edelweiss, making him turn to look at the woman standing behind him, likewise looking at them with a warm expression on her face.

"Nakamura, let me introduce you to someone," he said when he gestured for her to come closer. He slid an arm around her when she stood by his side and said, "Edelweiss, my angsty kouhai, Nakamura Azami. Nakamura, this is my adorable girlfriend, Potter Edelweiss."

"Girlfriend?" Nakamura blinked a few times, probably not sure about this unexpected twist of events, before tilting his head, "I apologize for my indecency but it's nice to meet you, Potter-san."

Edelweiss brandished a hand, unconcerned, and replied, "It's alright. It's nice to meet you too, Nakamura-san."

"Potter?" Nakamura mumbled in confusion as he kept staring at her, "Are you possibly affiliated with the Malfoy-Potter Corporation?"

Edelweiss amiably nodded and expounded, "I'm one of the owners actually. Malfoy Draco and I run the company together, though Draco's more of the front visage of the company."

Nakamura nodded, recognizing the name, and responded, "I've met the man a few times when I was accumulating support for Central but he was one of the rare few who'd been blunt and swift to turn me down after I presented my plans to him."

Edelweiss guilelessly replied, "Ah, I didn't know about that. I was probably off somewhere at that time, similarly taking care of the international business."

"Or maybe you were having a nice pot of tea somewhere while staring at unsuspecting passersby," Joichiro joked.

"Hush, dear," she promptly replied with no actual heat before directing back her attention to Nakamura, "But with what I'd heard of your campaign, you most probably made Draco recall some… undesirable memories."

"Memories?" Joichiro inquired with creased brows, intrigued.

She gave them a smile, wicked and razor-sharp, "One of my teachers from school had viewpoints like yours. We weren't happy with her so she left us no choice but to get rid of her."

Joichiro deadpanned, giving his lover a cynical look, "Edelweiss-chan, is this your way of saying that I'm gonna have to bail you out of jail sometime in the future?"

Edelweiss made a casual motion of her shoulders, the quirk on her lips softer and sweeter, "Perhaps."

He gave her a long, assessing look before drawling, "Yeah, right. I'll start preparing myself for anything worse."

Gin supplied, "You should worry about yourself, idiot. Edelweiss-san's more responsible-looking than you."

Joichiro gave his friend a slightly indignant look as a reply.

Gin only smirked before setting his attention back to the pale man, asking, "What do you say, Nakamura? Want to join us for drinks later?"

Nakamura ducked his head as he contemplated before straightening up, saying in a bashful voice, "I'll have to turn down your invitation for today, Senpai, but… I wouldn't be opposed to coming next time." With that said, Nakamura tipped his head in farewell and departed.

He heard Edelweiss mumble beside him, sounding peevish, "I almost wish I have that kind of flair…"

Joichiro chuckled, reaching out a hand and smoothing out her rebellious tresses, "You don't need any more flair than what you have now, silly. Come. Let's go back to hotel. I have a kitchen to pester for dinner."

Edelweiss nodded, her green eyes glittering in a way that always drew him in and make his heart beat crazily fast, making the short trip back to the hotel even more tolerable when Gin decidedly kept glaring at him.

=o=

"Where are you planning to go now, dad?" Soma asked.

It was the day after the final tournament and seeing as everything was partly resolved, Joichiro decided to continue his journeys, Edelweiss similarly returning to England.

"I'm going back with Edelweiss all the way to London but I'm planning to stay in Ireland for a couple of weeks before going off somewhere," Joichiro replied, giving his son a mischievous smirk before saying, "Wanna come with?"

Soma bit out, vexed, "You know I can't, stupid dad. I would have had the chance to go with you if you didn't enroll me in Totsuki."

Joichiro roughly ruffled the teenager's spiky hair, goading, "Eh, are you saying you're finally regretting being a part of all of this craziness? Is that it?"

Soma growled, swiping his hand away, "I'm not, stupid dad. I'm gonna graduate unlike you and I'm gonna finally beat you and take the diner!"

He looked at him with sharp, taunting eyes and grinned, "I'd like to see you try, brat."

Edelweiss slid next to him and gave his arm a hard tug, reprimanding, "I leave you for a couple of minutes and you're already antagonizing your son. You're really something else, darling." She turned to Soma and smiled, "Congratulations on winning, Soma-kun. You deserve being on the First Seat after all you've been through."

Soma sheepishly scratched the back of his neck and replied, "Thanks, Edelweiss-san, though I did worry for a bit back there."

"Oh? How so?"

"The old man didn't want to be the Director again, saying something about honor and someone stealing the position under his nose, so naturally, I suggested Nakiri to take it but she was unsure about taking the job for herself so I had bully her into it. I really thought she'd be First Seat, you know, but she wanted me to have it."

Edelweiss smirked, "So you basically threatened her to accept the position or you won't accept the Seat either."

Soma nodded quite vigorously, "That's right."

Edelweiss gave him an approving look, "Very good, Soma-kun."

The teenager beamed back with a thumbs-up, "Thanks!"

Feeling tremendously satisfied on seeing his loved ones getting along, Joichiro lightly jested, gazing at the duo with resigned fondness, "Hey, hey… Are you teaching my son to be a demanding man, Edelweiss?"

The green-eyed woman sneered, her countenance haughty, "People do say it's better for the kids to learn while they're still young."

"But why do you sound so menacing when you said that?"

Edelweiss huffed and chose to ignore his comment. She extended out a bag and a box to Soma and said, "Here, Soma-kun, a present for you. I had planned on giving this to you regardless of yesterday's outcome so I hope they'll be useful. There are mini tarts inside the box though, so you'll have something to eat on your way back to the academy."

"Woah! Thanks again, Edelweiss-san!" Soma happily exclaimed as he received the packages.

"What about us? Our flight's going to last for hours and you didn't even make something for us?" Joichiro whined, insistently pulling on her sleeves.

Edelweiss gritted out, "I saved some for us. Gods…"

Joichiro grouched, his arms crossed across his chest, "And it sounded like you weren't sure Soma and his little band of rebels wouldn't win."

Edelweiss let out a snort, "I knew they'd win, of course, but one should always have a contingency plan if ever things go wrong."

He prodded, giving her a calculating look, "Like how you took care of your tyrannical teacher because you hated her?"

Soma voiced out, amazed, "You did? What'd you do, Edelweiss-san?"

The green-eyed woman flashed him a nasty look and intoned, "You make it sound like I killed her." She glanced at Soma and hastily added, "I didn't, by the way. Just… did what I had to do, I suppose."

"That sounded so ambiguous for someone who said they didn't kill someone."

"Shut up, Joichiro. Look, Gin-san is gesturing you for something."

He spun his gaze around, spotting the burly man waving his hand at them.

Joichiro nudged Edelweiss on the side, "Maybe he's motioning for you."

Edelweiss derisively answered, "I already talked to him earlier. It's you his gesturing at. Go on. You can trust Soma-kun to be safe with me."

"Fine," he acquiesced before turning to his son, "You're a great judge of character, Soma, but be careful with Edelweiss."

"Hey!"

Joichiro ran before said woman had the chance to smack him, feeling thoroughly amused at ruffling Edelweiss's prim sensibilities. His mood sobered up however, when he drew nearer towards Gin, the latter looking severely serious than before, and Joichiro had a hunch that whatever it was he wanted to talk about would probably be unpleasantly disconcerting.

"What is it, Gin?"

Gin gravely answered, "I just want to give you a heads-up wherever you're going."

"About?"

"Aside from Nakamura's movement, something has been stirring among the underworld chefs."

His eyes widened in disbelief, "Really?"

Gin nodded, darting his gaze around the hotel lobby before saying, "Senzaemon-dono was the one who told me about it and we both have a feeling it's related to the upcoming BLUE which we still haven't heard much about."

Joichiro mused out loud, a crease on his eyebrows, "Strange news indeed. They were always content in lying low. Alright, I'll reach back to you if I hear anything else."

"It is, that's why it's a bit unsettling, hearing some news from the rumour mill. It makes me wonder if they're up to something big."

"They might be," Joichiro agreed with a shrug.

The both of them continued to sweep their eyes around them until Joichiro halted his searching gaze at Edelweiss and his son who were interacting with each other genially well, his lips tugging upwards as he continued to watch them.

Gin was also looking at the same direction and couldn't help but comment, amused, "Are you relieved to see that Soma and Edelweiss are both getting along?"

Joichiro gave his friend a glance before focusing back to his lover and son, "I am. I was a bit wary at first, uncertain of what Soma's reaction would be even after the talk we had when I visited him after the training camp." He let out a faint chuckle, "But I'm relieved to see I've been worrying for nothing."

Gin similarly chuckled, "I wouldn't say I understand, seeing as I don't have my own kid, but even I can see that Soma likes her." He looked at him and smiled, "She's a wonderful woman, Joichiro. I'm glad you found someone again."

Joichiro quietly replied, a wistful smile on his face, "Thank you, Gin. I thought I'd continue to only wander around places, you know, until I grow too old and then I'd have to resort to pestering you every single day because we're both too old to do shit like simple cooking―"

"Here you go again," Gin let out a long-suffering sigh.

"―and I probably wouldn't care if you got married or not. I was so lucky to come across her on three different places and if those weren't signs from the gods then I don't know what they were but I followed my guts and introduced myself to her."

Gin nodded, contemplative, "That's true, quite too many for that to be a coincidence. If you've remained to be the oblivious idiot you'd been when we were students, the gods would have probably taken great offense at that."

Joichiro shuddered, "Right? People do say third time's a charm."

"Are you planning on spending the rest of your days with her then?"

Joichiro nodded and admitted, "Though I wanted her to meet Soma first before anything else. I've already met her family and they've been really nice."

"That's good. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"Though it would be nice if you and Nakamura would remind yourselves to call me every now and then just so I'll know what you both are up to."

Joichiro sniggered and gave him a few nudges on the side, "Is that your way of admitting that you miss us?"

Gin slapped his hand away, glowering, "Stop acting so chi―Oh? I didn't know Edelweiss-san was big on the WGO. Did you know, Joichiro?"

His curiosity piqued, Joichiro distractedly answered, "No. They probably know each other through business though."

But, he inwardly wondered, intrigued, as he continued to observe the exchange between Edelweiss and one of the judges Namakura brought yesterday, the abrupt change of her expression from warm to cool was certainly interesting.

=o=

"So…" Edelweiss drawled out beside Soma, the redhead giving his father a hard stare, "What's this all about? Not that I mind the unexpected journey but you've taken great lengths to haul me away from England and back here in Japan so I assume you have something very important to say."

Joichiro sighed heavily and nodded.

"And does this have anything to do with your recent loss to that suspicious-looking chef that cost you your knife?"

The brown-haired man ducked his head and nodded.

Edelweiss let out her own sigh and relented, "Alright. Let's hear it."

And so Edelweiss heard the story of one Saiba Asahi, the only student who Joichiro had taken under his care before eventually leaving him by himself and settling down with his family.

Edelweiss reserved making any impulsive judgment and it seemed like Joichiro and Soma had something to talk about by themselves so she excused herself and left them be, Joichiro's heavy stare following her out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her as she made her way down into the diner.

Standing on the bottom of the stairs, she looked around the cozy area and visualized the happy family that lived and thrived in this memorable place. Every nook was pristine clean, Soma most likely tidied the place seeing as he was the first one to arrive, every single thing properly organized from the chairs to the immaculate kitchen.

Edelweiss let out a small smile. Each corner would be significant, especially the things that happened behind the counter. A family of three this place once had and Edelweiss could imagine they'd been completely content with the simple manner of living as they happily made delicious food and served their loyal patrons a satisfying meal that would make them come back and ask for more. She could almost even see the huge number of people that have come to love this place at the back of her head...

Maybe it was because she was intimately involved with Joichiro or maybe it was because of the fact that there was once a woman who'd lived here that had managed to do the impossible thing and made the man want to permanently settle down but Edelweiss suddenly felt like she was intruding on such a humble place, making her reconsider if it was alright for her to stay.

She didn't quite remember the last time she'd felt this uncertain and melancholic.

The sound of pounding footsteps coming down the stairs broke her out of her thoughts and Soma came down, bubbly and doggedly optimistic that marginally lifted her mood.

She questioned with an amused smile, "What has you in a good mood, Soma-kun? Finished talking with your dad?"

"Yeah!" he replied, pulling out woks and cooking utensils, "But Dad and I are now going to have a cooking match. You can be the judge this time, Edelweiss-san!"

Edelweiss paused, bewildered, and answered, "A-Alright. Do you have enough ingredients for today though? We did just arrive not too long ago."

The redhead halted and frowned, contemplative, "That's true. I used every perishable ingredient the last time I was here so there's nothing left in the back room." He sprinted out from the kitchen and into the door, calling out, "I'll be right back, Edelweiss-san! Keep dad entertained for a while so he won't leave!"

"O-Okay!" she cried out after him, though she thought he probably didn't hear her anyway.

She felt someone else with her in the room and turned around, Joichiro just a few touches away behind her, his gold eyes solemn and considering, and Edelweiss reciprocated with a tiny quirk of her lips, hoping to reassure him that everything's alright.

She wasn't so lucky though, since Joichiro pointed out, "You're feeling uneasy. Why?"

Edelweiss exhaled a breath and voiced out, uncertain and a bit troubled, "Are you sure it's alright for me to be here? I know we've been together for quite some time now and we're really comfortable with each other but I... don't want to impose on you too much and I would understand if this is one of the lines you're not ready for me to cross yet. I could easily fin―"

Joichiro interjected, his voice soft yet firm, drawing her closer to him in a secure hold, "Calm down, darling."

She halted, and took in a few deep breaths to settle down her nerves.

"It's been a while since I've heard you rambling like this. You really must be anxious."

Edelweiss tried not to scowl and burrowed her face on his chest instead, his scent calming and grounding her down, "I can't help it. This is your home, where you and your late wife built a life together for a long time, and I don't want you to feel like you're... you're obliged to welcome me in such a cherished place."

"I'm not," he responded, grasping her by the chin and tilting her head upwards to meet his eyes, reiterating, "I'm not... And you make it sound like it was completely unintentional that I brought you here."

She veered off her gaze, "I mean it could've been… You were in such a hurry you probably weren't thinking straight…"

Joichiro ran a hand through her hair, gentle and soothing, and rebutted, "Well, I wasn't. It took a call and some maneuvering before I found out where you worked but I knew what I was doing the moment I dragged you from your office and all the way here. Yes, this was the diner where I'd met Tamako and made a family and yes, it took me a while before Soma dragged me out of the dark slump after she died but I'm past that now. Despite the contentment I was feeling travelling around, there was a lingering ache of something missing... but I found it again when I met and fell in love with you.

So stop worrying about this. Soma isn't the slightest bothered that you're here and he's protectively obsessed with the diner, what with personally knowing the amount of times he challenged me for this place is almost unhealthy. And in case you didn't catch that previous bit, let me say it again. I love you. So yes, I want you to be here."

Stunned, it took a moment for Edelweiss to process what he said and when she did, she gave him a wide smile, bright and warm, and laid a hand against one of his cheeks, playfully noting, "So romantic."

Joichiro suggestively waggled his eyebrows, "It's why you love me, after all."

Edelweiss giggled softly, "That's true."

"What is?" he pressed.

She let out a snort and leaned upward, tugging his head down for a sweet kiss, "My love for you."

His arms tightened and Joichiro planted another kiss before pulling away, chortling, "I'll take that." He went behind the counter, resuming the work Soma did before he scuttled out of the shop, "But you're alright with staying here for a while, aren't you?"

Edelweiss sat on one of the chairs and simply said, "Of course."

Joichiro stopped in front of her, reaching out an arm to flick her on the forehead, "Then that's enough for me. It's a lot different than what you're used to but make yourself comfortable."

Edelweiss pulled on a face as she remembered an unpleasant memory, propping her hands on the countertop, and retorted, "You make it sound like I live in a palace." She saw the dubious look he gave her and scoffed, "Just because I live in a manor doesn't mean I haven't tried living in a normal-sized house before. I've made a few changes here and there but that doesn't mean that I was the one who ordered for the manor to be built!"

"Nope, just your ancestors," he easily supplied before recalling what she said, grimacing, "You mean the terrible years you stayed with your aunt? That doesn't count."

"I was only referring about the structure of the house, not a home," she let out her own grimace, "Not that I ever considered it as one anyway."

He undoubtedly concurred, "Yes, it was horrible. Let's not talk about that anymore. It's only going to make me sad."

Edelweiss rolled her eyes at his theatrics but started another topic, "So, what did Soma-kun say about Saiba Asahi?"

Joichiro regarded the cooking utensils he brought out of the cabinets and nodded to himself, satisfied, before answering, "I tried to apologize for the mess I brought out again but he said it wasn't something I should apologize for, that Asahi was the one who directly challenged him into a cooking match and that it didn't have anything to do with me anymore. Took me by surprise of course, but what can I say when my kid's being stubborn and relentless?"

"I didn't know Soma had a personal vendetta against your sole student," she remarked.

Joichiro replied, "Yeah. Asahi applied as a teacher in the academy and they had an informal competition after one of his lessons."

"It sounded like a successful infiltration too," she pointed out.

He gave her a dry look, "It would've been more successful if he hadn't revealed who he was. Asahi needs to learn more subtlety."

Edelweiss hummed before answering, her tone sharp, "However, let's not forget about the fact that your… abandonment may be one of the reasons why this is all playing out. Soma might have said his piece but that still doesn't mean you didn't have the smallest of part in all of these."

Joichiro groaned, "I know."

Wanting to get her thoughts across, she continued on, "I'm not going to judge you, darling, because I know you've had a rough life before you met Tamako-san and you might have gone through a similar rough patch the time you met Asahi, but for an orphan like him, who grew up in the system and didn't really have anyone he could call family, you probably were the first person that made him experience a wonderful life outside the bleak existence within the orphanage. Taking your family name was more than enough proof for that connection.

And when you decided to stop wandering, you left him alone, a teenager who didn't have anybody to call his own besides you, and he resented you for it. But at the same time, he was jealous of your family because it was something he truly didn't have and wasn't a part of." She sighed and smiled wistfully, "It's something I could empathize with at least."

"What do you mean?" Joichiro asked, confused.

Edelweiss peered at him, similarly confused, before realizing, "Oh, I didn't tell you about my late godfather."

"You didn't."

Edelweiss chuckled, sheepishly twirling a strand of her hair before deciding to bunch it up into a bun as she replied, "I had a godfather once, who'd been falsely convicted to prison for killing people and who I didn't know I had… not until my third year of school, that is, when news of him breaking out of prison circulated around. Long story short, my godfather had been one of my father's closest friends and when he'd been sent to prison, people thought he'd been the one who betrayed my family, that he'd been the reason they died. People believed he'd been after me when he broke out and they kept saying nasty things about him. They'd been wrong however, and Sirius, my godfather's name, had been after his other friend instead."

Joichiro blinked a few times, trying to wrap his mind around the information she just unloaded on him.

Edelweiss let out another chuckle and continued, her voice taking on a despondent note, "I was supposed to live with him after that fiasco, you know. I was so, so happy to know I had someone left I could consider my family. Ron's family had been welcoming but they weren't mine and Sirius gave me hope that there was finally a chance for me to have that family I've always yearned for." She let out a depreciating, bitter smile, "But I lost him anyway… because of some bad decisions I had made. My friends and I were caught trapped in a place and were ambushed by some… terrorists. Everything happened so fast. One time, Sirius showed up and then he was dead. While protecting me. Just like that."

Joichiro rushed to her side and enclosed her with his arms, whispering, "I'm so sorry to hear that."

Her eyes growing moist, she took in a shaky breath and pulled back a bit, shaking her head, "It was a long time ago and I've managed to cope up. Mostly, that is. The pain will never fully leave me and I've come to accept that it's a feeling I'm going to carry with me until I die. But what I'm trying to make you understand is that aside from the immense guilt and anguish I felt at that time, I was also angry. Angry because he's gone to some place I couldn't follow, angry because he left me all alone again and most of all, I was angry because he made me hope for a family I could never have.

Can you see now?" she whispered, "Asahi was a miserable orphan, who only knew how to survive among all other orphans who were also trying to climb up the ladder. And then he met you, a man who gave him undivided attention and who let a nobody like him became your student. You're the man he looked up to, who enlightened his dark path in life with the hope of growing up to become a better person. You were the closest thing he got as a father but then you left him too."

Joichiro slumped on the chair next to her, letting out a deep and heavy sigh.

They were both silent for a moment, mulling about the things that could've been, until Joichiro eventually spoke up, "So, what do you propose I do?"

Edelweiss leaned towards him, stroking his hair and softly suggesting, "You could try and talk to him after the BLUE? He's going to participate, isn't he?"

Joichiro seized her hand and planted a kiss on it, "Yeah, though I'm not sure if he'd like to see me."

Edelweiss reached out her other hand and lightly flicked his nose, an encouraging smile formed on her lips, "It wouldn't hurt to try, would it?"

"That's true," he replied, before doing the same thing to her, saying, "Though the story you've told me just now almost diverted my attention from our original subject."

Edelweiss rolled her eyes, "I'm just trying to help you understand the other point of view. Besides, the memories I have from my childhood and during my school years weren't exactly glamorous. It's not something I'm proud to share but it's… significant enough for who I've become today."

Joichiro hummed, his expression thoughtful, "That's true. It's not exactly… ideal but a person shows who they really are during momentous times of trials."

"That's right. You should know about those," she replied, then gave him a playful nudge, asking, feeling slightly afraid, "Scared yet? Is this the moment in which you'll tell me I should go get my bags and scurry out of your sight?"

Joichiro scoffed before giving her a hard kiss on her lips, one so lustful that stoked the latent heat inside her and left her momentarily dumbfounded, "You need to try more than that, my love."

Edelweiss blinked a few times, dazed and mystified, before bursting out into giggles.

"But, Edelweiss," Joichiro added as he stood up, smiling warmly at her, "You don't have to bottle it all up to yourself. I'm here. I'll always be here to listen. And I love you, crazy cousins, rebellious godfathers," he motioned to her forehead, "And eerie-looking scars included."

She gave him a dirty look, "You already know how I got that. Why are you bringing it up again?"

"It's just so mysterious, Edelweiss-chan, like a special symbol clouded with insightful supernatural stories," he said, waving his hands around in a dramatic fashion.

Almost right but still missing something, she inwardly thought.

She let out a huff, "It's just a scar, Joichiro. There's nothing really special about it."

His lips puckered a bit more but before he could say another word, Soma slid the door open.

"I'm back!" Soma called out as he stepped inside, heavily leaning forward on one of the tables and trying to catch his breaths.

"Welcome back, Soma-kun. How was the market? Did you take your time looking around and saying hi?" Edelweiss asked before turning to Joichiro and giving him a knowing look, making the man roll his eyes and saunter back into the kitchen.

"It was fine! It was just supposed to be a quick trip but people kept stopping me and asking if the diner's going to be open for good and I had to tell them I'm only here for the day," he answered as he hurried towards the kitchen, typing his apron, "And we haven't really talked about how long you're planning on staying, dad, so I didn't want to get their hopes up."

Joichiro crossed his arms, mulling things over, and answered, "I suppose I could stay until the BLUE ends, since every kind of chef from all over the world is invited to participate. It's going to be a riot but at least we'll be entertained. Right, Edelweiss?"

"Right," she drawled out, impassive before pulling on a face as she remembered the work she left behind, adding, "I'm going to have to ask my secretary to send me my work since someone unexpectedly pulled me out from my office. It's a miracle I even have clothes with me."

Joichiro gave her a smug smirk, "I planned ahead." He turned to Soma, his smirk even more pronounced as he taunted, "So, Soma, what are we gonna make today? Ready to score another defeat this time?"

Soma growled and vehemently answered, "Shut up, dad! I'm gonna win this time! For sure!" He tied his customary string of cloth across his forehead and said, "We're gonna make friend rice!"

=o=

Edelweiss made a faint sound of amazement before saying, "So it's true then? That Asahi's father is Nakamura-san?"

"Yup! They dug out some papers and did some DNA test and now he's Nakiri Asahi," Joichiro answered beside her.

"What a surprising turn of events… And to think he was planning to marry his own half-sister too," she voiced out, grimacing at the thought.

The BLUE happened a week ago and Edelweiss got to watch it at a surprisingly close seat almost as good as a VIPs. She hadn't planned on going but Joichiro had managed to persuade her, making her experience what the fuss was all about. There were turns she didn't expect but seeing as she was just an observer, Edelweiss was content to watch the whole competition in profound fascination.

"Asahi's probably regretted making that choice the moment he knew they were related," he replied with a chuckle.

"Very closely related. It was a good call he gave up that atrocious idea after losing to Soma-kun," she amended with a smirk.

Joichiro snorted and resignedly commented, "And my poor, dense son… He's so unbelievably oblivious yet candid at the same time that people almost always gets confused on whether he's flirting or just stating a damn plain compliment."

Edelweiss let out an amused laugh, "He didn't get your smooth way of talking, love."

Joichiro nodded, "He got that stubbornness and obliviousness from Tamako indeed."

"It is a bit endearing, sometimes taking me by surprise when he says such frank and sincere words."

Joichiro sniggered, "Like that one time he complimented how beautifully enchanting your eyes were?"

"Yes! How'd you know? I didn't even tell you about that!" she expressed, feeling slightly embarrassed.

He let out another snigger, unlooping his arms around hers and winding it across her waist, "I was in the back room at that time remember? I told you I was gonna check something out back there while you were wiping the countertops clean."

Edelweiss sulked when she did recall that moment, "I wasn't even looking that good since we just closed the diner after the busy day we had."

He simply replied as he gave her a shrug, "Let's just say Soma has an uncanny ability with people."

She scoffed, the both of them turning around a corner that became familiar to her after spending days passing by the area, "Are you honestly re―Joichiro, get down!"

Edelweiss pushed him down, Joichiro instinctively following her words. She waved her hand and put up Shield Charms around them, discerning where the man was hiding when he shot out another spell at them, giving away his cover.

"Fuck! Out of all the possible scenarios I imagined in my head, this was not fucking one of them!" she hissed, glaring at the hidden man.

Joichiro looked at her with broad eyes, stunned and with a slight flicker of fear, "Wha―What's happening, Edelweiss?"

"I'm sorry you had to experience this, Joichiro. I promise I'll explain this all to you later. Don't worry. You'll be fine. Just keep quiet and stay close to me," she snapped, her eyes never leaving the unknown man.

Edelweiss had a lot of things going through her mind―knew that Joichiro would be scared out of his wits―but she didn't want to make a mistake that could cost her her lover's life and pulling herself together was the first logical thing to do amidst the adrenaline she was feeling.

It felt like a long time had passed as she waited to get a clean hit on the man but Edelweiss was patient and her opponent was not, and after feeling like they'd probably waited enough, the man angled his body to side, exposing a bit more of himself from the concrete wall that gave him a semblance of safety, a wrong move that Edelweiss took advantage of.

The man might be quick but Edelweiss was quicker, waving her hand as she bit out, "Expelliarmus―Conjunctivitis! Incarcerous!"

It was a good thing Edelweiss had practiced her aim, with the added bonus that the man was clearly inexperienced. The Disarming Spell worked wonderfully as it always has, the man flung backwards flat into the ground and his wand thrown a few meters away. The man let out a shout of surprise and excruciating pain, most likely from the second spell, but can't do anything to relieve his suffering, his hands and legs tied tight together, among with the other parts where she aimed her third spell.

Edelweiss cautiously moved forward and ensured the man was truly defenseless, not feeling any small amount of guilt or pity as he kept wiggling within the binds. She aimed her hand at him and shot him a Stunning Spell, the man flopping down on the ground unconscious, just in time for her to hear three popping sounds around her, indicating the arrival of the Aurors.

Edelweiss recounted what happened, informing the Aurors that she didn't recognize the man after taking a good look at him. There was a matter that should be done regarding Joichiro as a witness, who'd been dreadfully silent throughout the whole ordeal, but Edelweiss ensured the officers that she'd done and submitted the required papers for him at the Ministry, giving her a green signal for her to tell him anytime.

Edelweiss just didn't think she'd have to spill all of her beloved beans now.

Having done doing their job and with an assurance that they'll contact her again for the case, the Aurors Disapparated from the area, leaving Edelweiss to address the giant elephant in the vicinity.

She looked at Joichiro and seeing the shocked and confounded expression on his face made her heave a sigh.

She gestured her head towards the diner, not sure if a touch from her would be welcomed at the moment, and said, "I'd rather we have this talk inside the diner where nobody can hear us. The diner's more secure too, the open space makes us both vulnerable and we don't know yet if the man has accomplices or not."

Joichiro blinked and gave a sedate nod, still in shock, and Edelweiss let him lead their way, choosing to protect their backs in case someone tries to take a hit on them.

The rest of the walk was silent and uneasy unlike the one they had earlier. Edelweiss understood and gave the man a chance to organize his thoughts, aware that he had just experienced something unbelievable, a far cry from his usual, normal days.

Edelweiss could lament the possible end of her relationship later but for now, she's got some explaining to do.

The couple finally arrived at the diner and after putting up wards around the place for additional safety, she urged Joichiro to take a seat wherever he's comfortable while she went around the counter to brew them some tea. The man took one of the bar stools, his eyes trailing after her, making Edelweiss buck up her courage, laying her wand on the countertop and began explaining the world of magic.

She tried to keep it simple as possible, trying to rise above her anxieties as it rattled her senses within her. She told him about the death of her parents and about how she was largely involved in years of War. She told him about the perilous life she'd lived in, and how she hated camping, about how she had a part of her enemy's soul by way of her scar and how she finished what it felt like a lifetime war. She told him about her losses, both the minimal and the great, and how she coped up to properly raise her godson. And lastly she told him about her decision to travel and how she eventually found pieces of what she'd lost in herself as she saw how beautiful and lovely the world really was.

Edelweiss knew what this… situation could cost her but she was ready to accept whatever will happen after this talk. She realized she wasn't exactly being fair to him, even though she let him know the reason why she couldn't tell him and the consequences of him knowing without permission, and that her explanation could come out as an excuse, especially when she took so long to tell him, but Edelweiss futilely hoped Joichiro would at least understand her hesitation and that he could eventually forgive her for keeping such an important thing from him.

Joichiro had been quiet during the course of her story, and other than a visible frown on his lips, the rest of his countenance was otherwise unreadable.

As much as her heart twisted in pain at the thought of already losing him, Edelweiss stood up from her seat and faintly said, "It… is best if I stay somewhere else for a while and give you some time to think. Just send me a message if you're ready to talk and that you've… made your decision."

She was halfway through the stairs however, when she paused and turned to look at him, the expanse of his back the only sight she cared about, "I know this wasn't what you've signed up for when you pursued a relationship with me. You might even think I might've been lying to you and stringing you along all this time but please… don't doubt the love I feel for you, even when you doubt everything else. That's all I ask."

Edelweiss continued her way up the stairs and into the room they've been sharing and with a wave of her hand, placed her clothes inside her luggage, her hands feeling clammy and her body feeling as if she'd just been doused by ice cold water, the hotness chased away by the coldness.

The coldness of reality, she thought despairingly, feeling discouraged and downright miserable.

Checking to see if she left something, she took one, last look around the room, her gaze lingering on a particular photograph, and after tilting her head towards it, she gripped her luggage and Apparated to Magical Tokyo, leaving a clean yet empty room behind her.

=o=

She didn't really spend a day in Magical Tokyo, just enough to gather her wits and think about her next course of action.

She spent a few hours in a café, ordering herself a plate of chocolate-filled mochi and a tall iced coffee despite having just recently eaten―chocolate being a cure to almost everything as per Remus's philosophy. Teddy would approve―and gave Gin a call, eventually deciding to go back to Hokkaido and booking herself a room for an indefinite number of days.

Gin didn't ask any specifics regarding her sudden trip, must've already discerned something was wrong from the tone of her voice―what a good man Gin was―and after sending her the details of her accommodations, Edelweiss finished her snack and Apparated to a magical town in Hokkaido, choosing not to torture herself with hours of train ride when there was an easier way to travel, but also wanting to get inside her hotel suite to have time for herself to wallow in misery.

The bar beside the hotel restaurant was a godsend. She'd reserve the Firewhiskey when she goes back to London. Draco promised her bottles after all.

Edelweiss was willing to wait for whatever Joichiro has to say but that didn't mean she had to put everything in her life on hold.

It took an unsurprising three days for him to get in touch with her again―Edelweiss thinking it would take much longer than that―but surprisingly, it was because of a completely different reason.

Edelweiss blinked in surprise as she took in the breathless form of Joichiro right outside her suite door, "I'm sorry?"

Joichiro grouched, scowling, "You should be. When you said you were planning on staying somewhere, I didn't think you meant damn Hokkaido!"

Edelweiss shrugged, looking sheepish, didn't think she'd make such an obvious mistake, and motioned for the man to come in.

Joichiro eyed the almost empty bottle of wine on one of the coffee table, turning to give Edelweiss a dubious look. She shrugged once again and only started brewing them some tea.

Joichiro took a seat on the couch, musing aloud, "Why did you decide to come back here in Hokkaido anyway? I didn't think you'd stay this far North."

"It was a spontaneous decision. I… guess I just wanted to go somewhere again," she casually replied as she waited for the water to boil.

"Does that mean you were planning on going somewhere in a couple of days?" he asked with wide eyes.

Edelweiss winced before faintly admitting, "I planned on flying back to Britain, thinking your prolonged silence would've been a sufficient answer for… well, everything."

Joichiro looked at her with disbelieving eyes before sighing, leaning back on his seat, "This stupid miscommunication is making this even more difficult."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

He let out a groan and straightened up his head, looking at her with an eyebrow raised, "It wasn't supposed to take three days for me to reach back to you, you know. By the time I realized you were gone, and that you didn't even go through any of the doors to get out, you crazy woman, you didn't even say where you were gonna stay. I didn't want to text or call you because I had this extravagant plan of surprising you and even still, talking about it through the phone seemed really impersonal."

"How did you know I was here then?" she asked as she turned off the electric kettle, pouring the water in individual cups before bringing it over to him and sitting down beside him.

Joichiro answered, momentarily setting down his cup, "Gin mentioned where you were when I called him for an entirely different matter but I had to give Teddy a call the day before that, and even that was a bust too."

"He called me yesterday and asked if I was alright but that was it."

He once again let out a groan, giving her a stink eye as he expressed, "Gods, I would've been scampering around for a while if it wasn't for Gin. It was supposed to be grand reunion! We'd hug and kiss and then make up but no, you had to be in freaking Hokkaido to wallow your… your misery!" His expression turned incredulous, giving the bottle of wine an assessing eye, "Should I be concerned about how many bottles of wine you've managed to finished?"

Edelweiss didn't know he could get more disgruntled like he was now and couldn't help but let out a pealing laugh, immediately setting down her cup of tea before she could spill it everywhere.

This ridiculous man was the one she loved.

And she didn't have any ounce of regret for giving herself a chance to fall in love with him.

Her blaring laugh turned into gentle giggles and Edelweiss wiped the moisture that gathered on her eyes, fixing her back attention to Joichiro, his piercing gold eyes vivid and warm, an affectionate smile formed on his lips.

Her breath hitched, immense longing for this man an unexpected assault to her senses.

"I missed you," he softly conveyed.

Edelweiss smiled, her anxieties finally leaving her, and scooted closer to him, his arm winding across her and entwining their hands as she similarly answered the sentiment.

Joichiro pressed a kiss on her head and breathed in, murmuring, "Though I could've followed you everywhere, I'm glad you're still here. We're okay."

Edelweiss pressed herself even closer to him, nuzzling her face on his chest when she nodded.

Stroking a hand through her hair, he added, "I know you got scared for a bit there but I'm here. I'm not leaving you."

She let out a sniff, her eyes getting moist again, before giving off another nod.

His hand crept from her hair and down into the back of her neck, his touch light and featherlike she couldn't help but shiver, passing by her ear and outlining the curve of her jaw before grasping her chin and tilting her head upwards, making her meet his smoldering gaze as it sent the same amount of heat into her stomach, the rush of arousal aching and poignant.

His thumb traced her lower lip, looking wistful for a moment, before leaning himself forward, his lips a delicate brush on hers as he whispered, "You're going to have to try a lot harder than that, darling. You're mine."

Edelweiss let out a whimper as he seized her lips into a hard kiss, her hands holding unto him as he continued to assault her with his fervent kisses.

A swipe of his tongue on her lower lip and Edelweiss opened her mouth to him, his tongue slithering inside her own cavern before her own joined his, a twisting play that never failed to fan the mustering heat even more.

Edelweiss felt like they've been kissing for hours but she knew it wasn't even close to that and pulled back in deep, thick gasps, Joichiro skimming his lips on her jaw and neck and exposed shoulders instead. They took a couple steady breaths, the kindled passion simmering underneath their skin, the simple graze of touch felt like they were on literal fire.

Edelweiss framed her hands on his face, giving him one more kiss before breathing out, "I love you."

"And I love you," he replied, easy and smooth, as if nothing had really changed.

Nothing profound really did, she dazedly thought, content on just being with Joichiro, clinging around him like a limpet.

Fuck, Draco was going to give her so much shit for unintentionally pulling on a stunt like he did.

Edelweiss blissfully sighed, burrowing her face on Joichiro's neck, at least she won't feel like shit after narrowly escaping the daunting bottles of Firewhiskey.

=o=

"So you finally decided to give Soma the diner?"

"I did but Soma's not really staying put in one place, you know, so I've been wondering if giving him the diner was a good idea. He only goes back there for two to five months at most before he wanders off somewhere again."

A contemplative hum, "That's true. He's taken to doing the same thing as you, travelling around the world to learn more, and leaving poor Erina by herself." Edelweiss gave Joichiro a meaningful look, "If Soma continues to leave her for months without any… assurances of being more than just friends, someone else is going to sweep the young woman off her feet!"

Joichiro made a distressed sound, feigning an anxious expression as he loudly voiced out, "But Erina-chan's a strong woman like you, love. She wouldn't leave Soma alone for some stuck-up little shit. Did you know he always texts her when he's on his way home? Such a sweet display of affection, don't you think?"

Edelweiss shrugged, sipping her tea as if she was some pompous monarch while giving the only redhead among them a discerning look on top of her teacup, "That depends on what kind of messages they were. If they're fiery and lascivious, then I―"

"Edelweiss-san, I implore you not to finish that sentence. Please," Soma finally butted in, his cheeks tinged in rosy red and totally belying his serious face.

Teddy jumped on her side, giving her a swift kiss on the cheek before plopping down on one of the chairs, "And stop being so shameless. Soma's already got it." He gave Soma a wink before adding, "Don't you, young lad?"

Soma rolled his eyes and stood up, "Yes, you've all made your point perfectly clear. Now please excuse me and I'll just make some necessary calls."

Teddy and Joichiro sniggered behind Soma's departing back, Edelweiss catching him whipping his phone out before turning into a corner and out of her sight.

She turned towards her godson and asked, "How's work? Tiresome?"

Teddy scoffed and answered, "When is it not?"

Joichiro perked up and expressed, a hopeful lilt on his voice, "If you don't want to dig out graves anymore, you can try your hand being a chef."

Teddy shuddered as he munched on his scone, "Too stressful. I don't work well under pressure."

The older man snorted and replied, sounding incredulous, "And excavating graveyards with ticking time traps isn't?"

Teddy let out a roguish grin, "I'm really good with mining out treasures."

Edelweiss chimed in, "Yes, you're undoubtedly doing a very good job with being a Cursebreaker." She balefully looked at him and said, "I hope you aren't stowing cursed objects inside your room, cub, or we're going to have words."

"As if the books and items we found in Grimmauld Place weren't good enough."

Edelweiss frowned, remembering the day she'd finally decided to do something drastic for that place, fully refurbishing the house with décor, furniture, wards and the like. Kreacher had been severely against it at first, but after seeing Grimmauld Place looking proper and impressive―like the Grimmauld Place of old, he'd marveled―the house-elf began singing a different tune.

"The books were… useful."

Teddy gave her a look before shaking his head, choosing not to know any more details, and turning back to Joichiro, "Are you planning on going somewhere anytime soon, Joichiro?"

"Hmm… I'm not yet sure. I can't decide between Norway and Iceland so I'm going to stay put for now. By the way, do you want a slice of chocolate cake?"

"Yes, please," both godmother and godson chorused out eagerly, their green eyes sparkling.

Joichiro chuckled under his breath, "Gods, you both are a sucker for anything chocolate it's hilarious. Wait here for a minute. I'll get it."

Edelweiss muttered under her breath, "You make it sound like we have such an appalling habit."

"Like what Aunt Hermione always think about us," Teddy said, vigorously nodding.

"But this isn't something Hermione should even want to know. Am I right, Teddy?"

"Of course, my favorite godmother."

Edelweiss huffed, amused, "I'm your only godmother, cub. Wait. What's that?"

Teddy hummed in question as he calmly sipped his tea.

She leaned and bent forward, picking up a small box on the floor, frowning in confusion as she held it between her fingers, stilling when she realized what it was.

She whipped her eyes at Teddy, who was staring at her and the box in wide eyes, also thinking the same thing.

At that time, Joichiro dashed right back in, his face harried, and his eyes automatically locked on on the innocuous-looking box on her hands.

He stared at her with similar wide eyes, letting out a simple, "Oh."

"Is this... Is this what I think this is?" she asked, eyes trained at the man standing before her.

Joichiro groaned and rubbed his face with his hands, mumbling, "I was going to surprise you. Tonight. With flowers and candles and dinner."

Edelweiss eyed the box in silence, speechless.

Joichiro let out a sigh and dropped his hands, dramatically bending his neck left and right as if he was on his way to a fight, "Nevermind. I'll just wing it. Teddy, stay for a bit. You're going to be the witness."

"You better not jest about having that chocolate cake…" Teddy quietly whined but otherwise stayed on his seat.

His eyes determined, Joichiro took the few steps separating the both of them, crouching down before her, saying, "Edelweiss, after years of wandering around the world, I am very happy and fortunate to have found you in this wet country―actually, I found you first in Paris but that doesn't count since I've only really stared at you that day. But that's beside the point. We didn't know long-distance relationship would work, but we gave it a try and made it possible. There were times that we almost called it even but the important thing is that we fought for our love and we kept our trust on each other, which led us to now. I love you, Edelweiss, and I want to be wherever you want to go so let's get married."

Edelweiss stared at him for a moment before diverting her gaze to the box on her hands. She opened it and nestled inside was a simple yet elegant silver band of ring with just the right cut of glimmering emeralds.

Not too hideously gaudy. Edelweiss approved of the choice.

She looked back at Joichiro, who still looked calm and collected yet acutely hopeful, and thought there really wasn't anything more she should think about.

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss on his lips, mouthing, "Okay."

The dazzling, large smile he gave her was so intense Edelweiss almost gave up and bawled.

Joichiro plucked the ring from the box and grabbing her hand, slid the precious ring through her finger, the jewelry a right fit that bemused her.

"How'd you know the right size?" she asked, Teddy calling out Kreacher to bring out the decadent slices of chocolate cake to commemorate their engagement.

Edelweiss scowled at Teddy, Kreacher expressing his felicitations very happily―Edelweiss had a hunch the house-elf was happier because it meant she'll spend more time at home, and of course, the probability of eventually having little cubs around―before winking out to get Teddy's cake.

Joichiro gave her a sheepish smile, sitting back on his seat, "Do you remember Teddy borrowing the ring last week? The one you favored so much?"

Edelweiss recalled the… squabble she and her godson had because of that and gave Teddy a droll look, "So that's what it was."

Teddy answered, likewise giving her a ludicrous look, "Why would I even want it back when I was the one who gave you that ring as your birthday gift?"

"Exactly. I thought you were going to pawn it off somewhere."

Kreacher winked back in with their cake as Teddy feigned a gasp, looking affronted, "That's so uncool, Aunt Vee. So uncool. That ring has a profound sentimental value! I personally chose that!"

"If you had just told me why you wanted it then I wouldn't have thought about you pawning it away!"

"But it would ruin the surprise!"

Edelweiss huffed and ignored him, only saying, "More tea please, Kreacher."

Soma came running back in and said when he was near enough, "I heard the house-elves mumbling about their Mistress getting engaged. Did you finally propose, dad?"

"Yeah, though the surprise we planned didn't go so well," Joichiro cheerfully replied, tipping his teacup for Kreacher to pour more tea for him.

"Gods, dad… You suck. You knew surprises and you don't really go well together, why'd you even plan one in the first place? A simple dinner would've been enough... I think."

Edelweiss thanked Kreacher for bringing the cake and the tea, her eyes shining blissfully as she contentedly observed the bickering father and son and her chocolate enthusiast of a godson with her.

Well, it seemed like she has a reason valid enough to open up some bottles of Firewhiskey after all.