Chapter 3

Why'd You Leave Me

It was a little earlier than midnight when the window of Soma's room blew open startling him from his dreams of the purple eyed beauty.

It's finally time he thought. "A little later than I expected, but I'll finally get to see Erina again after so long." This is it he thought. Getting out of bed Soma began to get ready.

Erina had become his muse. When he cooked he thought of her. His inspiration came from her. Soma thought back to his promise all those years ago. He promised to make her say his food was delicious and he used that promise to fuel his cooking. His cooking had been revolutionized and he easily became the top chef in the industry, but he never took credit for it. Erina was his reason. Without her he would always be the same second-rate chef he was in high school.

Soma smiled at the thought. He concluded that Erina needed to know how he felt and the truth of his success.

He rushed down stairs and through the front door. He'd never been so excited. Soma thought about what Hisako said. Erina had been in a bad place and she needed him. But he wasn't there. This worried Soma. What would she say when she saw him? Would she still talk to him like she used to? It worried him, but he knew even if things went south he'd do everything in his power to get her back.

After some time, Soma arrived at the Nakiri Mansion. It was just like he remembered it. But it was dark. The lights were off. Even at this hour the Nakiri mansion was always brimming with energy and light. Something was off. Soma grew worried. Maybe this was what Hisako was talking about. Things had changed and not for the better.

Soma pulled out his phone looking for Hisako's contact. Hisako picked up right away as she usually does. "Hisako-chan I'm at the mansion but I don't see any guards or lights. Is everything okay?"

Hisako sighed "This is what I was talking about Soma she's changed. Just go in, there's a key under the mat for family. I'm not there I'm with Hayama-kun. Take care of her Soma-kun and thank you for everything. This means the world to me and I know it'll mean the same for Erina-sama."

"Hai, I'll do my best! She deserves nothing but it. I won't let her down Hisako-chan."

Soma smiled feeling a lot more confident than he had a few minutes ago. He then put away his phone ascending to the front doors of the Nakiri Mansion.

Soma picked the key up from under the mat and smiled, he knew that it was meant to be his. Hisako left it for him knowing he would be here. He turned the key and entered the mansion. It was dark and eerie kind of like its been abandoned for ages. Pulling out his phone, Soma used it as a flashlight to guide his way through the mansion. He knew turning on the light would alert the workers and possibly Erina.

With that he continued up the stairs quietly walking through the hallway of the mansion. It had been a while since he'd been there, but he knew it like the back of his hand. As he neared Erina's room, Soma heard crying. This worried Soma making him ascend on Erina's room in a flash. The Nakiri princess he knew would never cry. She was always so strong. That was what he loved about her. This concerned Soma immensely.

Without thinking Soma pushed open the door to Erina's room and what he saw hurt him to no end. Erina stood on her bed in tears with a rope around her neck. So entranced with what she was doing Erina didn't even notice Soma stepping into the room.

Soma got over his surprise, quickly reacting, Soma jumped on her bed pulling the rope from over her head. "ERINA!" Erina continued to sob still unaware of Soma's presence in the room. Had she been that far gone? In the past Erina would notice him immediately. This was not the Erina Nakiri he knew. This was a broken girl; one so broken that they'd given up on everything good in their life.

He had to brake her trance. Soma began to shake Erina. "ERINA? ERINA? It's me Soma. It's me. I'm here!" She began to cry harder. "Soma? It can't be. This is just another trick. Yeah that's it. My father, he's just playing a cruel joke. Soma doesn't care about me. It's just a trick."

Soma put his hand on her chin forcing her to meet his eyes. "No Nakiri I'm here. It's me Soma. I'm back and I'm not going anywhere. I promise." He pleaded with her pulling her closer into an embrace. "Prove it" she whispered unmoving from his embrace.

"In our first year at Totsuki we made a promise. That promise would inspire me even till this day. I promised to make you say that my food was delicious. I still have to make you say it Erina. Don't do this Erina, this isn't you. The Erina I know is a fighter. She's strong and she works hard to be the best. She- "

Erina cut him off.

"I lost my God's tongue. Soma I can no longer taste food. I've lost my empire. Everything I worked hard for. I'm nothing now." Erina looked up at him with tears in her eyes. The look she gave him was one of betrayal and it was that look that Soma began to see the effect of his absence. "You left me even after everything we've been through. Why did you leave Soma? You left without even saying goodbye. You never called or texted me to let me know you were okay. I heard nothing." At this Erina stopped crying. "But you got what you wanted right? You're the greatest chef to ever come out of Totsuki. You even surpassed Joichiro-sama and so I ask, why are you here?"

Soma stood speechless. He didn't know how to answer that. He knew why he was here. He was here for her. But, there he was, unsure of how to answer her because in front of him was the girl he loved defeated and broken.

Leaving Totsuki was not his choice and he swore to keep it away from the Totsuki princess. He had promised Senzaemon that he would keep his granddaughter safe. Azami Nakiri was a dangerous man. Soma only meant to protect her from the truth. But now he regretted his choice. Erina needed to know the truth of why he left.

Hey guys! So, chapter 3 is up! Tell me what you think. I know it took a while, but I was busy for some time. Work was crazy during Christmas but its up. And a cliffhanger. Why did soma really leave? Also thanks for all the support you guys are great! I did get a question about the pairing. This is 100% an Erina/Soma pairing. Also Hisako might be a little friendlier towards Soma. They're just close friends and they've grown up.