A/N: Hey there! This chapter has been severely revamped since last time you read it. I added more and replaced a lot of things here since I'm properly re-arranging my story and whatnot. Hope you enjoy reading! Don't forget to follow/favorite and review if you loved my work!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shokugeki no Soma

Strings of Fate

Saint Gallen, Switzerland…

Across the world, there's another bird trapped in a cage. She longs for the day that her captor would let her go and let her be happy out in the open world, but like Erina, her father had plans for his daughter. Atra Iwatani, a young woman with a kind heart and beauty to match, has been in a cage that her father kept her in ever since her mother had passed away. The woman was taught to be perfect, she had every skill that you would find on a prim and proper young woman, but her heart lied elsewhere. The young woman's heart yearned for something that she could not only read in her favorite novels or movies. She yearned to be finally free one day, to start again and build a life for herself without having anyone to tell her what to do or say.

"Emma… Do you ever feel like there's something just 'out' there waiting for you to realize and discover one day?" Atra asked out of the blue while she and her longtime friend, Emma Kiener, had been walking home from work.

"I don't know where this is going, but for the sake of having a conversation… Why do you think so?" Emma smiled as she watched her friend go off into specific details on how going out of the country or even starting her own business was so exciting.

It was around November at the time, as the cold autumn air blew past the two women. The trees have long since shed their leaves and are now preparing for the chilling winters. After all, Saint Gallen in Switzerland is a famous place for tourist this season. Atra looked around and saw the numerous couples holding hands in the cold, plenty of them were having the time of their lives as they saw the Christmas decorations being hung up along with the numerous stalls of eggnog, Saint Nicholas figurines for sale, even the ski resort there had been booming already.

"Hello? Earth to Atra, you're spacing out again, honey." Emma chuckled. Atra's dark pink hair fluttered from the chilly breeze that kept on blowing past the two of them. They decided to stop by a pub nearby to warm themselves up, it would be bad if they continued to walk home in that weather.

"What were you thinking about earlier, honey?" Emma was Atra's senior and also role model while the two of them were growing up. A young Atra was often bullied for being Japanese in their elementary school back then, being teased for her hair color, plenty of girls and boys made fun of the poor girl. Thankfully for Atra, she met Emma, a kind hearted girl that was a year older than her. She saw Emma as the older sister that she never had, often even getting into banters with the older woman because of her sudden flightiness and attitude towards her father's pressuring ways.

"I was just thinking… If I suddenly try and run away from home, would Dad still find me?" Atra had hopeful eyes, wanting to hear her friend agreeing with her since Emma was the only one who knew about how strict her father was at her when she was growing up. Emma placed her hands onto her friends shoulder while they were still waiting for their orders.

"Honey, listen… I don't want to be the bearer of bad news… But you're kinda an important person at your father's company, plus I would get fired if that old coot finds out that I encouraged you to go out and have a grand adventure." The younger woman frowned and nodded, still unwilling to accept the fact that she was more or less stuck in Saint Gallen.

'Maybe I can convince him…' Atra thought when their orders arrived.

After paying their bill, the storm soon subsided and they were left with a beautiful sight of powdered snow that covered the roofs of the houses and buildings there. The people had already finished hanging up the Christmas decorations outside of their establishments. The soft glow of them illuminated the night and brought a winter wonderland to the satisfied tourists and locals.

Seeing a shooting star flying by the night sky, the young woman along with many other tourists and locals saw it. She rubbed her eyes at first to find out if she was dreaming or not, but she wasn't. Ever since she was a little girl, she always wanted to wish upon a shooting star just to see if it was real, her mother always told her that miracles are constantly happening and being made around the world every day. Atra clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, wishing her most favorite fantasy to come true one day.

"Please, let me be free one day… I don't want to stay here forever being told to what to do by my Dad…" she muttered in deep thought. Emma smiled towards her friend and joined her in on wishing.

"Tall handsome stud… Tall young and single handsome stud… Tall young and single handsome stud that will date me…" the older woman repeated over and over. Atra and Emma laughed out loud at each other's ridiculous wishes, hoping that one of them would come true one day.

"They're out there, you know?" Emma encouraged Atra with a wink while they parted ways. Atra held out her palm as a lone snowflake fell gently on her gloves. She smiled and looked up at the numerous stars in the sky that night.

"I kinda wish that they'd come sooner…" she whined, fishing out her keys from her coat.

Sōma woke up at the sound of crickets in the dawn. Numerous months have passed since he planned on going to Saint Gallen in Switzerland. The young Yukihira already packed his suitcase the night before and was readying to leave, sending numerous texts to his friends that he'll be going soon. Peering on his baby daughters crib, the red-haired chef grinned at Etsuko and gave her a chaste kiss on her forehead, caressing her cheeks and muttering sweet words to her that he'll be back soon. He laughed to himself and thought about how lucky he was to have such a sweet girl like her. Taking a deep breath to take in the scent of his room, he smiled inwardly before getting out of his room.

'Erina… Today's the day that I'll fulfill our dream of going to that Christmas Village…' he put their wedding rings on a chain necklace ever since Erina passed away. He grabbed onto the two bands and kissed them lovingly before going downstairs.

Joichirou held out a mug of hot coffee for his son with a grin plastered on his face. He saw a little bit of himself in his son way back when he was younger. Sōma reminded Joichirou of that drive that he had when he was younger - that passion to cook better each day for the ones that you hold dear in your heart.

"Hey, you think you can handle yourself out there? It's a pretty cold place around this time so be sure to bring your coat when going out." He reminded his son with a fond grin on his face, remembering back his memories from his years of travelling different countries.

"Jeez Pops, I think I already know that about now. I did postpone this trip numerous times since Etsuko had her numerous doctors check up's along with those frustrating paperwork that I had to deal with…" Sōma whined out, Joichirou walked over to him and ruffled his hair, slapping him hard on the back after a hearty laugh.

"Alright my boy, out of the country you go!" he hollered proudly, calling Sōma a cab. The cab arrived not long after, even at this time of dawn there were still drivers that are already on duty. Sōma climbed aboard the cab and with a last high-five and grin to his dad. The driver was a nice old man that had greying hair all over his head. He looked at his rear-view mirror and gave Sōma a happy nod.

"Where to, sonny?" he asked politely, asking Sōma to buckle in his seatbelt after. Sōma smiled back at him and told him that he needed to get to the airport to catch his flight in a few hours.

"Oh, just towards the airport please." Sōma quipped.

"So… What's the trip for? Visiting a friend?" the old man initiated a conversation, bringing a big smile on Sōma's face while he recounted the times that he and Erina planned on going to the Christmas Village in Saint Gallen.

"Oh it's nothing much Oji-san… It's just that me and my wife dreamt of going there together after I got back from my trip overseas… Sadly I'm the only one going since she passed away months ago…" Sōma frowned. The older man kept silent for a while before letting out a sigh oh his own.

"I know it's tough, Sonny. Believe me it gets better when you have your friends and family there for you. So chin up! There's plenty of life left for you to enjoy!" He chuckled, popping the dashboard of the cab to let Sōma see the various trips that he made around the world. Numerous pictures filled the small compartment, fishing trips, camping trips, and even a picture of him and his son in what seems to be a holiday themed village covered in snow.

"Oji-san… This picture, did you go to Saint Gallen back then as well?" Sōma asked in curiosity while he brought up the picture closer to the old man's eyes.

"That's right, Sonny! My son's been recently busy with his job, because he wants to start a family with his lady friend. I'm glad to have had those numerous journeys with him. I keep those old photos close to my heart since it reminds me of our crazy adventures!" he laughed heartily, they reached the airport no soon after. Sōma tipped generously for the old man's advice as well as crazy stories while they drove to the airport. The old man refused the tip since he said that he also had a great time driving Sōma there.

"Come on, Pops, take it please? Just to get early breakfast you know?" he insisted, but the old man huffed and stayed stubborn at the young man, crossing his arms and looking at him and a small smile on his face.

"Sonny, I don't need the money. Just go use it on your little o'l adventure! Go, have fun! This old man has already got more than what he can ask for." He reassured the younger man. Sōma frowned a little before thanking him again.

"Thank you again Oji-san, by the way can I ask your name?" he smiled gratefully at the older man who chuckled and introduced himself.

"The name's Hiroyuki Katsumoto!" the older man replied. Sōma smiled back at him and thanked the man for his time.

"Katsumoto-san, when we see each other again, how about we go for some drinks?" the red-haired chef teased while he got out his suitcases from the trunk of the cab. He set them down easily on the floor and got to Hiroyuki who was looking at him with a grin on his face.

"I'd like that Sonny, drop by 'round these parts again if you need a cab! Katusmoto Hiroyuki is always at your service!" he grinned before getting back inside his cab, waving off the young man who entered the airport terminal.

'This is it huh, Erina… I'm finally going to see the Christmas Village.' Sōma took in it all before continuing to find his flight. He got there a little bit earlier thanks to Hiroyuki, seeing a nearby food stall, he decided to take a break to eat breakfast first.

On board his plane, Sōma looked out the window on his seat wistfully. It was another one of the few occasions where he would contemplate the next move that he would make. It wasn't that deep of a thought, but trip is for Erina; not to just forget, but he also had to move on with his life.

"I wonder if the place looks as enchanting like it is on the pictures…" he whispered, falling into a nap, the weariness of his eyes begged him to close them for the rest of the trip.

*Dream Sequence*

In a blissful dream he was whisked off. Sōma looked around at his surroundings and walked towards the oblivion of darkness that wrapped the world around him. His eyes were lit up by the blanket of endless stars above his head, they were gleaming. He continued to walk around aimlessly after a while, eventually reaching a hilltop that had a nice patch of green grass growing as the big tree held a swing for him to sit on.

"Hey…" he smiled and turned around upon hearing Erina's voice from behind him. Sōma walked over to his wife, Erina was wearing a white sundress and was barefooted against the non-existent wet ground that rippled each step that they make. She giggled upon seeing his confused reaction, splashing him with the mysterious water. Sōma deadpanned at his wife, quickly wiping off the wetness from his face.

"I missed you." She hugged him and he wrapped his arms around her lithe frame to breathe in her scent, burying his head on the crook of her neck.

"I wish I could be with you every day. I just want you back…" Sōma admitted, pressing his forehead onto hers. He was crying. He felt the tears streaming down his face when he felt her presence and warmth once more.

"I'm sorry… Were you lonely?" Erina asked and Sōma nodded guilty. He had a small frown on his face when he saw Erina having a pained expression on her face while shit nibbled on her lower lip. She held his hands, leading him off somewhere. Erina and Sōma reminisced about their times together while they walked, recalling their special 'firsts' with each other.

"I still remember the priceless reaction that everyone had when we told them that we're pregnant." He poked fun at her earning him a slap on the shoulder by his wife.

"H-Hey! You were the one that said you wanted a baby!" Erina defended, pouting as her husband continued to tease her.

They kept talking and walking on the dock that stretched towards the horizon. The two, hand-in-hand silently enjoyed the comfort of each other. Sōma reveled at the beauty of the world around him, but was only more enchanted by his wife whenever she would sneak glances at him.

"I don't know who I am anymore, Erina." He huffed and sat on the dock. Erina did the same and sat next to him, gently wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her husband. She turned his face towards her and kissed him, silencing Sōma in his deep thought for a moment.

"Hey, you're the bravest man I know. You're the one who thawed out my frozen heart, I love you Sōma Yukihira. Please don't forget that. You're the amazing guy who help me defeat my father and the Elite Ten council back then, the love of my life and the man that I'm blessed to have married and had a beautiful child with." She looked at him, her amethyst eyes meeting his golden ones and immediately his golden eyes softened at her touch.

"I'm not all those great things, Erina… I'm weak, I'm selfish, and I make stupid choices that end up hurting the people I love the most…" Sōma looked down on his feet, balling his hands into tight fists as he continued to scold himself for ever leaving Erina. Erina hugged him from behind and reassured him that it's all okay now.

"Hey… Don't be so down, I love you and I never for one second, ever blamed you for not being there with me sooner. I was just happy then that you made it, so please stop blaming yourself." Erina was so gentle towards him. A part of Sōma wanted to stay with her forever, but he knew he couldn't since it was all a dream. She laced her fingers unto his and had a small smile on her face.

"I'm going to Saint Gallen, Erina. I wanted you to know… Since, I think it'll help me find myself." He whispered on her ear. Erina looked at him, surprised and had a proud smile on her face she giggled and gently laid his head on her lap.

"You remembered that? You know when I think about it, I really didn't want to go there that badly. I was probably caught up in the romantic moment when we were watching that movie." Erina chuckled at the stunned Sōma.

"And here I am going there thinking that you'd be happy knowing that I can finally see that Christmas Village you were gushing about." Her husband teased with his signature grin.

Erina looked at him and gently planted a kiss on his lips. She played with his hair and hummed a soft tune that calmed Sōma's tense body.

"Oh you… Always being so needy of me, what am I going to do with you?" Erina smiled and put her hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks and pinching Sōma's in the process.

"You know, in another life… Maybe I could remember my memories of this one and find you. I'd find you in the multiple infinites just to fall for you again… And probably to make you say again how good my cooking is." Sōma then passionately kissed her, hugging her as if she would go away again. Erina was blushing at the beautiful words that had escaped her husband's lips. She gave him a peck on the cheek before nestling his heat onto her chest.

"Then I'll make you a promise. I'll tie a red knot onto my pinky finger when we do meet again in the second life."

"Sounds like a plan!"

The blanket of stars above them was slowly replaced by the heat of dawn. Daybreak had cracked the once darkened skies with traces of light blue and red-orange skies. Sōma felt that it was time that he woke up and was time for them to part again. He looked at Erina's amethyst eyes and silently nodded, embracing her one last time before he would go.

"See you when I see you, I love you Erina." He whispered, standing up and kissing his wife on top of her head. A magical white door appeared before him that had a heart-shaped knob on it. He saw over to his shoulder Erina smiling sweetly at him, playfully swinging her legs onto the cold water that sent a multitude of ripples on the imaginary water.

"I love you! See you again when I see you!" she waved back.

Sōma smiled, a newfound strength had filled him. He slowly turned the knob of the white door and there he was, stirring awake from his peaceful slumber.

*End of dream sequence*

"ALL PASSENGERS, PLEASE WAIT ON STANDBY AS WE ARE PREPARING TO LAND. THANK YOU FOR TRAVELLING WITH JAPAN AIRLINES."

He got out as soon as they landed at the airport. Sōma dragged his suitcase with him and was fascinated by the airport. It was surrounded by a huge patch of greenery. Something he had never seen before on airports. He continued towards outside the airport terminal, looking for a cab. A raven-haired man noticed Sōma and curiously walked over to the red-haired chef.

"You're Japanese aren't you?" he asked, Sōma nodded and saw the guy sighing in relief. The man then smiled at Sōma and offered his assistance to the young man.

"Are you also Japanese?" Sōma asked back towards the older man.

"You bet! Do you know some English?" he asked as he grabbed a cab for Sōma.

"Well I'm a little bit rusty, but I should be fine I guess?" Sōma chuckled embarrassingly.

The raven-haired fellow then saw him shuffling awkwardly. Sōma hadn't thought this through, all the signs and buildings had strange letters on them, he could read a few English words, but that alone wouldn't be much help.

"Damn, alright stay here. I'll call my tour guide friend so he can help you out." The raven-haired man then walked away, phone in hand. Sōma was a little bit tense, to be honest he didn't know who the man was, how was he supposed to trust him? He gave the man the benefit of the doubt and patiently waited.

"Hey, what's your name?" Sōma asked out of the blue while waiting for the man.

"The name's Taiga Asakura." Said the old man on his side, he stretched his hand to give Sōma a formal handshake after introducing himself.

"I'm Sōma, Sōma Yukihira."

"What brings you around these parts? I haven't seen a Japanese come here in over half a decade." Asked the gruff man, Sōma turned to him and stared for a bit. He seemed fairly old and had traces of white hair running along the sides of his hair, his short beard also made him look rugged and old.

"I came here on my own just to get a little sight-seeing done before I go back in a week."

"Well would you look at that. Anyway there's your guide kid. Be sure to not fuck around with the folk here, they're pretty nice, but you know the Swiss can really put up a fist fight as good as the Irish when talking about that football thing they watch on television." Taiga guffawed, slapping Sōma hard on the back before setting him off.

They parted ways and the gruff man earlier gave Sōma a charm bracelet for their short meeting. It was a small trinket that he decided to wear. He thanked the old man for his help and got onto the car the he hollered for. The Taiga smiled at him back and wished for his safe travels.

"I never knew Japanese people still visited this place. What brings you here?" asked curiously by the cab driver. The cab driver was fairly young, no older than twenty eight from what Sōma could tell. The man peered over to Sōma and smiled at him.

"Relax. We're not running some shady scheme here. We just want to help out fellow countrymen who wound up taking a trip here. Some people around here sucker in tourists, so we want to do our bit to help those who might need us. Lucky for you that Asakura-san was there."

"I'm just staying for the week. Do you know where my hotel is?" asked Sōma, the man slightly frowned and huffed, pointing towards a large building on the city.

"You know, you could be friendlier? Asakura-san even gave you that bracelet, don't be so distrusting of people that just want to help alright?" frowned the man towards him.

"I'm sorry, I just have plenty of stuff in my mind right now… I'm sorry again for being so rude at first. My name is Sōma, Sōma Yukihira."

"Well then Yukihira-san, take this with you."

The man pulled a card from his wallet and gave it to Sōma, a calling card. Sōma got out of the cab when they arrived at his hotel. He tried to pay for the cab, but was stopped in his tracks when the man smiled at him and shook his head.

"Keep the money. Let's go out for drinks sometimes. I'll show you around when you're not too busy. Asakura-san told me to show you around, remember?"

"What's your name by the way?" Sōma asked, the young man with brown curly hair grinned at him and outstretched his hand, revealing a matching bracelet like the one that Asakura-san gave him.

"The name's Victor Licht, at your service!" Sōma's mouth gaped a little and wondered how the man knew Japanese while having a foreign look and a European name.

The young man chuckled and drove off. Sōma shook his head and laughed.

'What an unexpected day.' He thought, first he didn't have a clue on what he was doing or where he was going, now he finds a strange man that speaks Japanese fluently but isn't exactly Japanese from what he can tell.

"Saint Gallen, huh… Let's see what you have to offer." He grinned as he got inside his hotel.

~ End

A:N/ Alright so here's where the plot kind of differs from the story previously. Back then I didn't get to mention Atra properly, so I decided to redo that whole bit and those chapters so that they would be better to read.

Hoped you enjoyed it! Also if you haven't noticed yet… The story's overhaul is about as re-done as much as it can get. I was a bit fazed when I realized that almost 80% of the original content here was re-done.