A:N/ Hey there, so this is the 1st official chapter of this fic. after the prologue I mean. Anywho, hope you guys like this edit of the second chapter, please feel free to message me with suggestions whenever you feel like they could help in the progress of the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shokugeki no Soma

Rainy Skies

The day of Erina's funeral…

Heavy rain poured outside on a cold morning. It was heard rattling the roof of Yukihira, the sound of the rain droplets pelting and making continued noises. Its endless pounding onto the roof woke the red-haired young man up. Sōma groaned and shuffled around the bed when he was woken up by the clattering on their roof. Etsuko, his little bundle of joy was sleeping soundly amidst the noise outside. He grimaced and stretched out his sore limbs, standing up to take in the musky smell of rain.

"Petrichor..." he muttered under his breath, reaching out to feel the rain droplets that poured down onto his outstretched hand. He heard a knock from the door, the eerie comforting silence that was masked by the rain's noise was disrupted by the rapping behind the door. The poor baby Etsuko woke up from her peaceful slumber and cried. Sōma quickly tended to the baby before he would open the door.

"Oh my goodness... Sorry Etsuko..." he apologized to his baby daughter, cradling the small girl in his arms and gently rocking her back to sleep before opening the door. He saw Ryō with a suit on and had another suit slung over his shoulders. The raven-haired chef glanced at him and bowed his head curtly in apology for waking up Etsuko. Sōma smiled and said that it was alright letting him inside his room for a chat.

"Do you think you can handle yourself today?" Ryō simply asked, sitting on a chair nearby the windowsill. Sōma had a sad smile and nodded his head, setting down the now-sleeping baby from his arms. He gently tucked his daughter back in her small cot and sat beside his friend.

"I already said my goodbye's yesterday when I visited. I just wished that she wouldn't have been gone this soon…" Sōma chuckled quietly burying his hands on his face as he felt tears streaming down his face. Ryō walked over to him to give a reassuring pat on the shoulders.

"Here. Get changed, everyone's already in the funeral, it'll begin a little bit later so we a few hours to get ready." Sōma nodded and thanked him.

"I'll be going now, see you later." Ryō gave him a small smile before leaving. Sōma leaned back on his bed and stretched out his arms, looking at the ceiling with a small frown on his face.

"Erina... What do I do now...?" he quietly asked himself. The rain kept pouring outside, it was cold it felt like it was winter inside his room. The red-haired chef quickly showered and got changed into his suit. Re-adjusting his tie in the mirror, seeing the bandage that Ryō had wrapped the other day, he grabbed a first-aid kit downstairs to re-apply some bandage and he looked back upstairs in the mirror to see if he missed anything else.

"What would you say if you could see me now... Probably, I'd get an earful..." he looked down on his feet in shame. He gave his uncle Yohan and aunt Lafter a quick call to babysit Etsuko while he was gone. Thankfully the old couple was available.

Sōma sighed, grabbing a yellow umbrella from the umbrella stand before leaving his house. The rain instantly filled his nostrils when he went outside. The smell of it calmed him down while he walked underneath his yellow umbrella.

"I miss you..." the red-haired chef mused to himself, his hand shoved in his pocket as he continued to walk under the pouring rain. Sōma felt warm even though it was cold, it was an odd sensation that he suddenly had. A familiar scent filled his nostrils and he instantly looked around for the source. Erina's perfume... The scent that was so intoxicating for Sōma that he would take in her scent when he could. It felt so nice to him and put his heart to ease.

He felt like he was sleep-walking after that his heart thumped inside his rib cage, the sensation of Erina being around him played with his emotions. He didn't notice it at first, but he then found himself briskly walking faster and faster towards the said place of her funeral.

It wasn't long before he reached the small memorial garden. It was a nice open field with numerous mausoleums and grave stones. He saw plenty of people inside a small building and saw his father was outside, wearing a suit and had his hair tied in a ponytail. The older Yukihira looked at him and walked towards his son with a small frown on his face.

"You alright, kiddo? Think you can handle today?" his father asked and Sōma nodded to reassure him.

He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, inviting over his son to the building. All his friends were there, for him. Ryō was over the coffin with Alice who was sobbing into his shoulder. The other Polar Star Dormitory members were scattered around the room, some sitting and exchanging stories and looking over to Sōma and giving him reassuring smiles while some of them like Zenji tended to the other guests. On the other side of the room he saw Terunori talking with Hisako, Subaru and Akira were having coffee on the other end of the room. The red-haired chef bowed gratefully to all of his friends who came and met with Subaru and Akira, the two men who patted him on the shoulder and asked him a few questions.

"My condolences Yukihira, I flew back to Japan as soon as I heard the sad news..." Subaru said with sadness steeping into his voice, hugging his friend and patting him on the back. Sōma gave him a small smile and hugged back his burly friend.

"Thanks man... I appreciate you coming all this way..." He turned to Akira who did the same.

"You're going to get through this. You're strong, Erina wouldn't have wanted to see you so upset for so long now would she?" he gave a reassuring smile at Sōma and he nodded back.

"Yeah... I kinda got so caught up in the moment when all these things just came crashing down... I'm glad I got you guys..."

The funeral started not long after. The priest came in and said some words, finally turning to the crowd of people standing and asked Sōma if would like to speak. He saw the worried glances and smiles of his friends, he assured them that he was fine and put on a brave smile, before walking in front of the coffin and taking small looking on Erina's final resting place.

'She looks so peaceful and tranquil….' He thought, turning to the crowd and thanking them.

He coughed a little to fight back the stinging in his eyes he promised himself that he would be strong for them.

"Thank you all so much for coming... I know these past few days have been a whirlwind of craziness for all of us... I'm sorry if I made you guys worried. I had a lot of things that were running in my mind a few days ago. To my best friend Takumi over there with Megumi, thank you so much Takumi... If you hadn't picked me up from the bar then... I probably wouldn't even be standing right here now..." he saw Takumi smiling towards him and encouraged him to continue.

"Erina... She's a special woman to me... She's everyone's haughty friend who never backed down from a challenge. She was the amazing woman who gave birth to our beautiful child, Etsuko." he started, taking a deep breath before continuing again.

"A few months back... We found out that she was battling with a hereditary heart disease from which her mother also died from. The doctors advised that childbirth was too much of a strain to her and would likely kill her if she went through with it. She and I both wanted to fight the battle... We didn't want to give up Etsuko for the world... The doctors advised for an abortion back then when Erina's health started to decline. We were so devastated and cried about it for days... She went into therapy after that and a few weeks later; lo and behold, she was healthy for the most part."

"I was late when my daughter was born... She needed me then to be there with her... But I couldn't make it in time and just saw her on the hospital bed, weak and almost lifeless but her eyes still kept on fighting despite it all. I'm just thankful that I'm here today to make up for it all. I want to thank you all for coming and giving your support."

"To my wife... I miss you Erina... I wouldn't be the man I am today without her..." he ended and saw the numerous sobbing people that heard his heartfelt speech. The priest nodded at him and gave him a small smile.

The coffin was lowered down the hole and Sōma was about toss-in a white rose - the rose that he would forever long for, the final flower that he could ever give to his wife. He kissed it before finally tossing it in the hole. On that day he vowed that he would be a better man and father to their daughter.

"Sōma? Do you have a moment?" he felt someone tapping his shoulder and saw Alice, her eyes swollen while she blew into her handkerchief. He nodded and went over to talk with Alice.

"What is it, Alice?" he asked, holding his umbrella out to the woman and feeling the chilling rain hit his other shoulder. Alice held out a small letter for him and gave him a smile through her welling eyes.

"Erina... Wanted me to give you this... In case she didn't make it…" her voice cracked and resumed to crying again, Ryō had walked over to them and held his umbrella to his girlfriend and smiled back at Sōma.

He shoved it back into his pockets and decided that he would read it in another time. The funeral ended then and they all went home. The sky soon broke apart after a whole morning-to-afternoon of raining and Sōma soon felt the sun's warmth hitting his face.

A day went by after Erina's funeral. Sōma was sitting around his table fiddling with his wedding ring. Nothing really much happened in the morning, it was around nighttime now and he was about to go to bed.

He couldn't sleep that night, the previous night he slept peacefully, but tonight was a different beast. He remembered the good times with Erina and how her presence was long gone in their bed. He had to readjust to sleeping alone in his bed. Usually he would sleep with lesser space so Erina could sleep comfortably in their bed. He chuckled remembering the times that he would sometimes roll off in his bed since Erina was a messy sleeper. Some nights he spent it shivering in the cold because she liked to snuggle up in their blanket. The best nights they would cuddle and stay warm together, all fond memories he savored and missed. He fingered the letter on the table before deciding to finally read it:

To my dearly beloved…

I love you so much Sōma... You've given me a wonderful life... A reason to live and a reason to fight... Our daughter means so much to the both of us, nothing would make me happier than to bring her into this world. So please... Forgive me if I ever die and you read this. Don't ever blame yourself for one second because that child you're holding right now is the proof of our love. I wish I could've spent more time with you and Etsuko it's sad, but you have to remain strong alright? I love you Sōma Yukihira.

From the day you've saved me from a life of misery... I can never thank you enough, you're an amazing chef and husband that made me want to wake up early everyday and make breakfast for you and cuddle with you in bed... I will forever stay with you in your heart.

You're the best adventure that I could ever ask for in my whole life. I love being your wife I love you and Etsuko so much, thank you so much for the years we spent together. Go on and find a new adventure Honey, I want you to promise me that you'll be happy without me okay? I'll try and look down from above whenever I can, who knows? Maybe I get to be our daughter's guardian angel if I'm really lucky.

~ Love Erina

"I don't know if it's ever right by you if I could ever let my heart love another..." he whispered, looking over to his sleeping daughter and smiling in content, placing the rings he had in a small box and hiding it somewhere safe. He looked out of the window and felt the night breeze hitting his face he smiled and took the cold air.

"I'll be here..." He heard Erina's voice somewhere from afar, almost whispering to him.

"I know you are, and I'll always be here waiting for you..." he replied into the open night sky, the stars shone bright along with the moon. It illuminated his dark room, lighting the room with a soft light. Sōma then thought of taking a night stroll, it wasn't a bad idea. He needed the fresh air and time alone to think about things. He knocked at his father's room and watched his father come out of his room with a yawn.

"What is it, son? She up and crying again...?" he asked tiredly, Sōma chuckled and shook his head before explaining his idea to his father. Joichirou nodded and stayed at his room for the time being to watch over Etsuko.

"I'll be back soon, Pops!" Sōma hollered from downstairs, unlocking the door to his house to walk into the night.

Underneath the night Sōma sought for comfort onto the moonlight. His hands were shoved into his pockets to hide from the cold air. He looked up to the moon's brilliance and he smiled, walking towards somewhere before finally coming to a stop over the park.

It was near his house and was always a good spot to think whenever he would make Erina angry back then. It was his usual 'Doghouse' when they would fight and he would need some time to cool off. He chuckled remembering all those fond memories and sat down on the chain swing. He kicked off his legs and swung a little bit back and forth. A strong gust of wind hit him and he felt a glowing light next to him after, the light seeming to have taken form and was sitting on the swing beside him.

"I missed you..." he breathed out, rubbing his eyes to see if this was a dream. He was seeing Erina's ghost, the woman beside him turned and gave him a smile. Oh how he'd missed that smile of hers, the glowing didn't help as it further highlighted her beauty. It only made her look more ethereal and beautiful. Her amethyst eyes looked towards him and her mouth open to speak.

"I missed you too... How's it going these past few days?" Erina asked, Sōma leaned back and thought about what he would say she clearly would have already noticed the bandage on his arms and raised an eyebrow on it when she saw him trying to cover up his arm.

"I uh... I've been... A mess..." he admitted in shame, his head hung low and he chuckled helplessly at himself. He heard her sigh and walked over towards him, embracing him and holding his head in her chest. Warmth, her warmth and scent filled him with happiness and fond memories. She looked down on him and ran a hand through his temple, lightly kissing it after.

"You're making me more worried, Sōma, you know that?" she asked, huffing and feeling disappointed at her husband. He didn't know what higher power led him to seeing her again in her ghost form, but he thanked them for it. He carefully wrapped his arms around her and smiled.

"I won't do it again. I Promise." he murmured, his face buried into her and Erina chuckled at his silliness. She hummed in response and they stayed like that for a little longer.

"So... Did you really become Etsuko's guardian angel...?" he asked in curiosity, tilting his head at her, his wife looked at him and wondered herself.

"I really don't know too... Death just said I can visit sometimes... I guess this is one of the few occasions?" she replied, shrugging and sitting back down onto the swing.

"I really don't know how all of this is possible... I'm not dreaming am I?" he asked her for confirmation Erina shook her head and giggled.

"Oh come on, first time you see your wife again and you ask her that?" she teased back at him, raising an eyebrow and striking her signature sitting pose. He laughed and smiled back at her.

"Even if this is all a dream or not... I'm just glad I was able to see you again..." he stood and walked over to her, taking her hands and helping her up. Erina smiled back and feeling that her short visit is almost up, embraced her husband once more. Lights danced around the two of them, encircling Sōma in a faint warm light that glowed like fireflies into the night. He held out his pinky in front of her and made a promise, pressing their foreheads together before giving her a small peck on the lips.

"No matter what... We'll always be there for Etsuko..." he initiated, she followed suit and kissed him back, slowly disappearing into a millions of glowing lights.

"No matter what..." he heard her voice faintly say, he smiled and walked back into his house. His heart felt warmer and he felt as if he'd gain strength with the little moment that they had.

It was the morning after the eventful night. Morning had come and Sōma had stray tear stains when he woke up. He composed himself after a while and went to change into his clothes after drying off. He went downstairs and saw something that made him laugh, everyone was gathered at Yukihira and there was a party being held. Balloons, gifts, food and merry-making, it was a real spirit-lifter he thought.

"What's all this?" he asked, greeting his friends that came and chuckling along with them. He took a silly hat from the table and wore it, noticing the others wearing their other party hats. Yuki and Joichirou greeted him in the morning and chuckled. The Aldini brothers greeted him along with Megumi and Ikumi who came inside carrying a few shopping bags.

"Well... We uh... Sorta had an idea that Etsuko should have a baby shower..." Megumi said shyly, looking over to Takumi who chuckled and pinched her cheek. The adorable bluenette groaned and pouted at her boyfriend.

"Alice really pushed the idea onto us, honestly..." Ikumi muttered, earning a sideway glare onto the platinum blonde Nakiri. She chuckled and showed Sōma the cute outfit that she dressed Etsuko on. Sōma 'awe-ed' and looked at his daughter's cute small dress and her little mittens. Yuki had finished up decorating the house and hollered over to her phone.

"Ohhh! Sōma's here guys! Let's start Etsuko's baby shower!" Yuki rung aloud, playing some trendy pop music. Shoji and Daigo got out the plates for everyone, while Zenji and Satoshi were giving Sōma some helpful advice and books on how to take care of infants. The party still hasn't started yet, but Sōma felt home right here and then. This exact moment, the good or bad, it meant the world for him to see the overwhelming support he had from his friends.

"Ryō-kun! Get the door for me please!" giggled Alice while cooking something extra from the kitchen. Sōma looked over to the door and saw that even Subaru, Hisako, and Akira attended with more gifts. Akira was currently nagging on his phone, presumably scolding Jun about how clumsy she could be. Hisako saw Sōma and pulled him into a hug, the pinkette chuckled and went over to Etsuko's small cot with Sōma.

"She's a lot like Erina isn't she? She has a different hair color though, her's is much more of rose-gold than her'." Hisako pointed out, resting her arms onto the cot and looking fondly at her niece. Sōma smiled and nodded.

"Oh yeah... You're right..." he noticed, looking over to the baby's head and seeing some coloration on her small head. She yawned awake and looked at her Papa with a gummy smile on her face. Sōma melted at the beautiful sight in front of him, her amethyst eyes matched Erina's so much. He hadn't known if it was just the sheer moment of happiness bubbling inside of him, but Sōma damn well sure felt that this was too much happiness. He tried to hold back some tears, quickly wiping them away so as nobody would notice.

"Oi, here you dumbass…" He was confused at first, but then saw Takumi holding out a handkerchief for him. The Italian chef offered a lopsided grin and then walked towards everybody who was currently gathered around Etsuko. Sōma took up the handkerchief with a teary-eyed smile and thanked his friend.

A fire set ablaze…

A fire rekindled…

A fire that was almost extinguished …

Came back…

Blazing with life and hope…

"I love you…" he felt a warm sensation on his back, a familiar ringing on his head again.

Erina's voice…

He heard her again. Her scent, her warmth, her ghostly embrace kept him standing still, he embraced himself further. She filled up his senses with her love, though life and death apart he felt her love in the air. I relished in this familiar feeling, he loved every little bit about it. It was almost…

'Absolute comfort…' he thought.

"I love you too Erina…" he smiled, Megumi heard him mumbling under his breath while she was serving everyone some cups of juice and other beverages. She smiled over to him and patted him on the back. They started the party after everyone got everything set up. With his baby girl on his arms, the young red-haired chef looked at his peers with the proudest grin on his face.

"Guys, I want you to meet Etsuko." Everyone gushed at her when she yawned awake. Everyone saw the twinkling purple eyes of curiosity. Etsuko giggled at them, they were entranced by this little angel Sōma was carrying.

"Meet your new aunts and uncles..." he whispered onto her. Ikumi blushed at him and went over to the baby along with Hisako.

"She's so cute…" Hisako whispered, a little bit teary eyed but still overwhelmed by happiness when she saw the younger version of Erina in front of her. Sōma gently passed on the baby to them as Hisako cradled her in her arms.

"She looks a lot like Erina doesn't she, Sōma?" Ikumi teased around, everyone laughed as well as Sōma. She gently kissed the baby on her forehead.

"I take it that you want one someday, amore?" she heard Isami whisper from behind her, she looked over to her boyfriend and blushed beet red. Lightly nodding and hitting him in the arm for saying such things to her.

Everyone took turns on introducing themselves. Shoji and Daigo were whisper-arguing on which ever uncle she would find cooler one day. Takumi and Isami were also suckers for babies, especially Takumi when he held Etsuko so gently, whispering sweet words to her that not many would recognize because he spoke them passionately in Italian. Yuki and Ryoko then held onto Etsuko, Yuki providing her with many stuffed animals as Ryoko cradled Etsuko.

"You aren't one for babies eh?" Subaru nudged at Shun who silently watched the gang. He smiled back at the hulking chef and replied.

"It's just that I'm scared of possibly holding them the wrong way." Subaru poked fun at him while covering his mouth. Ryō and Akira were also there with them, not really one for gushing emotions, but they were happy for Sōma. Ryō looked at Alice and saw her looking somewhat differently at Etsuko, as if she's longing for something. It confused him a bit as he tried to shake off the thought.

"Hey, hey, you guys! Come on! Etsuko needs to meet her uncles!" Yuki then brought her over to Subaru and the rest. She made Shun hold Etsuko while she scurried off to chat with the other girls.

"Uh… Yuki... I don't think that this is a good idea..." was all Shun could say, flustered as he may be, he was happy nonetheless at the child he was holding dearly.

"Gooochi gooochi kuuuu! I'm your uncle Subaru!" The burly man tickled at Etsuko with his meaty fingers, Akira slapped them away before he could touch the child, scolding Subaru in the process.

"Ouch! The hell was that for!?" he whispered over to Akira, hissing and glaring over to the other man who crossed his arms.

"Careful you dumbass, she's still frail." Subaru then looked a little bit sad but was head over heels when he felt Etsuko touching his finger with her tiny hands.

Ryō was next after Ibusaki, he held onto her stiff. He wouldn't budge, but he couldn't look at Etsuko as well. Sōma grabbed his camera and took a picture of them. It was funny seeing Ryō like that, he also didn't know how to handle a child. Alice giggled at him and kissed him on the cheek.

She whispered onto his ear and giggled

"Pretty soon you'll be a father too you know?" she revealed to her boyfriend, shyly looking down at the floor while her hands were behind her back. Ryō was shell-shocked enough to calmly pass Etsuko onto Akira while pressing Alice for more details.

"Since when, why didn't you tell me sooner...?" Ryō whispered to her with a disappointed and scared tone. Alice smiled back and held his hand, looking intently onto his eyes with her ruby red ones.

"Hey… It'll be alright, I've been pregnant for two weeks now... We'll talk more about it when we get back home alright?" She replied giving him a peck on the cheek while nervously nibbling her lip. Ryō stood still he couldn't believe what he heard. He went out for some air while Sōma saw Alice sighing and looking like she was about to cry. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she reassured him that she was fine.

Finally, Etsuko was now in the arms of Megumi. Sōma walked over to her, seeing her gently placing a tired out Etsuko on her little cot. Takumi joined his girlfriend and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, lightly giving her a peck on the cheek while she held onto the baby close.

"You'll be a great chef one day…" she whispered onto the child with a small smile on her face. Sōma saw her face then hesitate for a while, her eyes searching and seems to have been in deep thought. Sōma tapped Takumi's shoulder to get his attention, Sōma pointed him to Megumi and shrugged, mouthing a 'you did something?' at him. Takumi tilted his head in confusion.

"I wonder... If I'll be a mother too one day..." Megumi whispered to herself, looking down at the precious child she was cradling. It was a silent wish that she had, but she dismissed the thought, thinking it might be too soon.

"You'll be a great mother one day, il mio amore..." Megumi blushed deeply and hid her face in embarrassment. Takumi chuckled lightly and hugged his girlfriend closer, planting a soft peck on her temple. He looked back at Sōma, silently thanking him and mouthing a 'she wants a freaking kid!' at him while slightly panicking. Sōma laughed out loud and spat his drink when he understood what Takumi said. He grinned slyly at the blonde Italian chef and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Takumi dismissed the thought, felt his heart drumming on his chest and tried to distract himself by looking at Etsuko and seeing her sleeping face. Thankfully Takumi's drumming heart calmed down.

'Dio mio what am I going to do…?' he thought to himself, giving Megumi a weak smile.

~ End

A:N/ Don't forget to share this to your friends! Thanks again for reading you guys, hope you all enjoy the ride. Rate and review if you can! Thanks a bunch! By the way I refer every character here to their first names so please keep in mind of that in case you're confused.