Le Future
Souma spent the last 5 years of his life on a culinary journey. He traveled across the World searching far and wide for all types of techniques and styles of cooking. He mastered more dishes than many chefs do in their entire lifetimes. He made a name for himself as a chef who not only worked with the most respected chefs in the culinary world but also with the Noirs. How Souma managed to convince the Noirs to tutor him is a mystery because the Noirs are very secretive but his interactions with the Noirs at BLUE might have played a part in it.
Chef Souma has become the talk of the town. Much like Joichiro he has built up quite a reputation very fast.
But, Souma has already declared that he will not follow his father's footsteps because there is something else he wants that he has worked so hard for.
/Present-day at Restaurant Yukihira/
"Happy to serve" shouts Souma a little too loudly because he can't contain his excitement. His eyes are glinting as they always do when he wins a battle but today those eyes are glinting because of tears. He's done it, the primary purpose for which he worked hard all those years, he had finally achieved it. Restaurant Yukihira'sownership was handed down to Souma by his Dad.
"Well it's not surprising, you could've beaten me five years ago but you chose not to. Honestly, you're a pain in the ass because of your thirst for knowledge your grandpa had to maintain the shop for 5 more years."
"You are always so harsh jeez. It's a proud moment for your son you should congratulate him at least" says Megumi who is on friendly terms with Joichiro who came to her hometown for a vacation. During his stay, he helped around the restaurant with Megumi and Nene (she was on a countrywide tour to train in other Japanese cooking styles).
"Hahaha sometimes I forget you're younger than me you're just like a mother but you've got a point." says Joichiro as he turns towards Souma and grasps his shoulders "Son! I can't express in words how proud I am. Cooking skills aren't the only thing you surpassed me in; you surpassed me as a person too. You defeated the curse that I was scared would devour you, the same curse that devoured me. You are different Souma, even though you left your friends and went away like me you came back. But I believe Erina deserves the most credit. She is the one who kept you grounded, she is your special someone.
At that moment Souma remembered something. When Souma entered Totsuki, he promised he would stand on top. He beat the first seat of the elite ten, he beat everyone who challenged him at the academy but there is one person he has yet to beat in a Food War and that person is Nakiri Erina.
Souma had made a promise to Erina before leaving for 5 years, Souma had said to her "Erina after I come back I will defeat you in a shokugeki and then and only then will I propose to you."
/Later that day/
Souma is kneeling down in front of a grave choking on his tears while simultaneously laughing. He is happy but at the same time sad beyond measure.
"I did it, mom! Your son made it. I am now officially the best chef in the Yukihira family." Says Souma lightly chuckling "But I wish you were here to see me do it, Mom, I wish you were here to cheer me on" cries out Souma letting out all his pent up emotions. Not a single day has passed without him thinking about his mother but today, on this special day, he misses her more than ever.
"Stop crying Souma! Your journey hasn't ended yet. You still have to beat me only then can you tell your mother that you've made it you idiot" utters Erina with a single tear rolling down her cheek as she sees her beloved helplessly groveling at his mother's grave. She walks up to him and puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. She sits down beside him and starts talking to Souma's mom "good evening *she bites her lip anxiously and continues* mother. I am going to marry your good for nothing cooking addict son in a year or two if he somehow manages to beat me so look over us please" mutters Erina red-faced. She stands up and so does Souma.
"Let's go over to Restaurant Yukihira, I want to eat Joichiro san's cooking."
"Hey! I am the head chef now. Dad will only assist me in the kitchen"
"Come on Souma don't be a mood killer I came all this way to eat Joichiro san's cooking
"Alright only for you I'll make an exception this time"
They have dinner and talk for a while after which Erina gets up to leave.
"Souma we'll have our shokugeki this weekend. All our friends will come to watch you getting annihilated for the umpteenth time"
"Actions speak louder than words Nakiri Erina we'll see who comes out on top"
Erina walks out of Restaurant Yukihira with a smile on her face.