Broken Promises

For her he had to break it. The promise he had kept for years to protect the Nakiri princess. He had to do it. Senzaemon would forgive him eventually. The consequences wouldn't be as detrimental as they were now if he had come clean. Erina deserved to know. She needed him.

"Erina, I've kept something from you. Something I should have told you a long time ago. Senzaemon, your grandfather made me promise to keep it away from you. It was the only way to ensure your safety. Do you remember during our senior year when I switched spots with you? You were the second seat and I was the first seat? Well the reason I switched spots had to do with Azami." Soma paused and took a deep breath looking up at Erina. He could tell that she was frightened by the use of her dad's name. Nevertheless, he had to continue.

"As you know Azami wanted nothing more than to keep you under his reigns. You were the catalyst that could make or break his cooking empire. Senzaemon knew that the only way to keep you safe was for me to step down. Your father never liked to lose and with me at the forefront he was essentially losing." Soma sighed. Here goes nothing he thought.

"He threatened to kill you Erina. If I didn't leave, you'd be dead. I couldn't lose you not like that. At the time I didn't think Azami would go that far. And so, I spoke to your grandfather that night when Azami pulled me into his office. Azami had always been a troubled man. He was even obsessed with my father. Your grandfather told me that your god's tongue was never meant to last and if overused it would waste away. Erina I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I couldn't let you die."

For some time, it was silent. Soma could tell that Erina needed time to process the news of her succession.

Finally, after what felt like eternity Erina looked up to meet Soma's steady gaze. "I'm not that surprised that Azami would threaten me. He never thought of me as his daughter. I was always just a tool for his success."

"Soma I'm not mad at you for not telling me. It makes sense why you wouldn't tell me. You did it for my safety. Just knowing that shows how much you care. Thank you for being my guardian angel at the time." At that Soma smiled up at her.

"Erina I'll always protect you. You still mean the world to me and I promise I won't leave like before. I came back to stay for good this time. We were unstoppable back in high school and I know if we work together again we can take Azami down. Erina will you cook with me again?"

To say that Erina was shocked would be an understatement. She had lost her god's tongue and yet this boy… no man, had asked her to cook with him again. She would give anything to be able to cook again. But, to be a cook one would have to be able to taste their creations and as it stands she could not.

With a shaky breath Erina cast her gaze at an expectant Soma who was awaiting her reply. Although he knew that it would be difficult to persuade the ice queen even in her depressed state, he still had an inkling of hope.

"I..I can't Soma. Not only did I lose my God's tongue. I lost my taste for everything. I can no longer taste food. I would only hinder your success. I..I I'm no longer the Erina you remember." Erina let a few tears come out of her purple irises. Soma could see how much it hurt for her to completely stop cooking. Cooking had been her life and she was left a defeated and broken girl.

Soma then stood up, a determined look in his eyes as he reached out his hand for Erina to grab. "Oi Nakiri. I never knew you to be someone who backed down from a challenge. I didn't come here to get turned down. I came here to get you back and that's what I'm going to do. We're a team and as your lovable teammate I know we'll get through this together!"

After a small pause Erina finally met Soma's eyes. His smile stretched from ear to ear giving her a sense of confidence that she hasn't felt in a long time. She felt her mind screaming at her to decline his offer. Erina wasn't sure how she'd be able to go up against the man that ruined her life. She was petrified as she thought about seeing her father again.

Soon enough as if her body felt her brains apprehensiveness she felt her body take over and grab his hand. As if one que, Soma pulled her closer to his chest putting his arms around the ice queen. "Erina you're not alone. You and I are a team. Your burdens are my burdens. I may not know what you're going through completely, but I know you can get through this. The Erina I know is not gone and she definitely doesn't cry."

Erina lifted her head off Soma's chest and looked into his eyes with a smile that took Soma's breath away. She looked incredibly determined and steadfast. Soma had missed this look on her. This was the Erina he knew.

"Alright. I'll do it."

Alright guys there's chapter 4. I know its been months and I suck. I've meant to update this story a lot of times. I just wasn't sure how to complete this chapter for the longest time and then I ended up losing the inspiration to write this. I didn't even mention how busy I've been. Between school and work life has been killing me. Personal issues with family and friends have been sucky too. I'm going to try my best to keep you updated because I want to finish this. Anyways I'm back in business and its time to finish this dattebayo!