It's been about a month since Sōma left Tōtsuki…

I asked grandfather a few days later if there was any way to rescind Sōma's forfeit, having a small bit of hope that Sōma truly didn't have to give up his cooking career. The answer I got was expected, but painful, nonetheless.

Flashback Begin

"Erina, I cannot go against Sōma's wishes."

"But grandfather, I-"

He put a hand out, silencing me quickly. He let out a sigh, stressed but controlled. I could tell that this was difficult for him to understand as well. But even so, I didn't want this to end. Not now.

"Erina." He stared straight at me, eyes dead serious. I held back from saying anything, not wanting to step out of line.

"Under most circumstances, I would veto this decision. Sōma's talent was once in a lifetime; dare I say it, but in a few years, he could have easily beat his father."

That part hit me hard. I could feel it too. As good as Saiba-sama's cooking was, Sōma's will and creativity was endless. With the food he made for our… last shokugeki… I could tell that he just needed a bit of a push, and he would have the skill to beat his father. Hell, he was so close to beating me.

My innate talent would be acknowledged, sure.

I'm a Nakiri. That should be expected.

But Sōma just cooked with his own passion… something that I still lack.

Not that I don't have a passion for my food. But compared to Sōma, it was laughable.

But that didn't matter right now. That was the past.

"But Sōma… he talked to me, after he left."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. He never mentioned this to me.

"He told me to let the decision stand. He wants to honour this. And the determination in his eyes, as he said that he wanted to find something that could support you… I knew that he was serious. So, in good conscience, I cannot rescind Sōma's forfeit. He wants to find a new path, one that can provide for both you and him."

I could feel the tears in my eyes, cursing Sōma for being so selfless. Like he told me the day we became a couple, he wants me to succeed. And he wants to be there, as much as possible. That's all he wants.

Damn you Sōma. You're too good for me.

Flashback End

Despite the events that happened in the past, Sōma's parting words kept me feeling positive, and balanced what grandfather told me. Normally, I always tried my best in classes, as was customary to the Nakiri name. Now, however, I did my absolute best. Sōma's not the only one who wants to support us. I need to prove to him that I'm worthy of being his girlfriend. He's gone above and beyond to show his dedication to my wellbeing, and I want to show the same.

Getting back from class for the day, I got to Polaris, having a pleasant chat with Megumi along the way. Ever since that day, we've grown as friends. The Regiment certainly helped in our first year, but like with Sōma, the lack of that overwhelming presence allowed us to simply chat, about whatever was on our mind.

As Megumi and I parted, her to the kitchen, me to my room, I ignored the usual noise of Polaris, wanting to do something.

I wanted to clean up my room.

Now, my room wasn't messy, but there were some things that I wanted to rearrange. It just didn't feel like my room in the mansion.

As I got to my room, I looked at it. Everything just seemed off. So, after changing into something appropriate, I got to work.

All the bookshelves were organized, my mangas were put in its place, and all the recipes I had in mind for my restaurant were organized and put in my cooking journal. It was already starting to feel more like my room.

I was starting to clean under my bed, getting the broom and trying to clear out any dust, when I felt something below the broom. I crouched down, and pulled the object out.

It was a case. A shiny, silver case. I couldn't think of any time when this was in my possession.

I thought to myself, 'should I look inside?'. I couldn't tell what it was or who this belonged to without looking at its contents. But at the same time, it felt like I was invading on someone's stuff.

Ultimately, my curiosity won out, and I unlatched the case. I was thinking that maybe Hisako left some medicine, knowing I was going to be at Polar Star more than the mansion. I giggled at that, and how friendly we've become. Ever since Hisako stopped referring to me as her master, we've grown so close, and I couldn't be happier. More and more, along with Alice and Megumi, we've been hanging out, simply going shopping or out to a restaurant. It really felt nice, to have such close, true friends around me. It was something that I've never got to experience until everything from that past month happened.

When I opened the case, however, I was surprised by its contents. A chef's knife, piece of cloth, and a letter addressed to me. It still felt fuzzy in my eyes, until I remembered Sōma's last night here.

'Sōma had a case in his hand. My frazzled mind didn't really understand what it was.'

My eyes widened in anticipation, and my hand was shaky in grabbing the letter. I knew now that it was Sōma's knife and headband/wrist cloth. Why did he leave it here? I instantly knew that the letter would contain my answers. I wasted no more time, and started reading.

"Erina.

I wonder when you'll find this. I remember when I saw you sitting there, that you weren't looking too good. You might have forgotten all about this that night because… well, better things happened for us."

I smiled at this. Better indeed.

"Well anyway, I just wanted to say some things in this letter, so make sure you read all of it, ok? Ah, who am I kidding, of course you'll read it.

I just wanted to ramble a bit. First of all, I just want you to always remember, that I would go through everything that happened, as long as we ended up together in the end. My career was worth our relationship. Don't blame yourself for what happened. Things could have been so much worse. Just know, that no matter what happens, I will support you every step of the way."

I could feel my tears start to well up. I know what could have happened if I didn't anger him to the point of risking his career. I could have lost all my passion for cooking, and stepped away from it all. More importantly, we would have never realized our feelings for each other. I wouldn't have someone who makes me giddy every time I see them. I would never have someone who would be as supportive as my boyfriend.

So, I kept going, holding back the tears that I wanted to shed. Sōma wants me to be strong, and I would do that for him.

"It's like my mom and dad. They were always so supportive around each other, and was one of the biggest reasons why I started to take cooking seriously."

I could tell. His cooking always had that warmth to it, like he was cooking for more than judges. He was cooking with his heart, with his family in mind. He already got me to say that his food was delicious, a few weeks ago. That heart made his omelette feel like home. It was like I was a part of his family, beyond his mom and dad.

… And I tried to stop thinking of that, because that would imply that we were more than dating, but already married. And marriage made me blush; it felt too surreal.

"Actually… you probably haven't heard me talking about my mom much. She was a chef, just like me and pops. They met at Yukihira's, actually. I don't know the details, but… I remember my mom. She was so happy all the time, and I enjoyed every second of my time with her and my dad."

I could tell that this part of the letter was going to be more personal than anything Sōma's revealed to me before. He's right, in that he never talked about his mother. It makes sense, he wouldn't want to bring up memories about his late mother. But if he was talking about her like this, then I could tell that I was going to learn more than I expected.

"But then… my mom got sick. Something about a heart defect. She only lived for a month more, before passing away. It was so sudden. I felt so pained by it, that for a little while, I didn't cook.

One of the things that stopped me from dropping cooking entirely, though, happened a little before she died.

She called me over to her, and started talking about how happy she was that I was going to be just like her and pops. To celebrate, she gave me her chef's knife and headband. She always wore it around her neck, so I did the same, just around my wrist."

There was so much to take in. Sōma's mother died of a heart defect… is it genetic? D-does Sōma have the same chance of getting it?

N-no, please no… he can't. He can't die… I need him here. I was going to get him checked out, with all of the power the Nakiri family could give. And even though part of that was my selfishness, the other was truly for his well being. He gave up so much already… he doesn't deserve to give up his life as well.

Beyond that… the knife and cloth in the case felt so much heavier. Soma's defining items as a chef… were passed down to him by his mother, in the last month of her life.

But why were they here?

"But, with everything that happened… Well, I don't need them anymore, do I?"

I finally let the tears fall, realizing what was happening.

"Erina… since I'm no longer a chef, I give these to you. My mom's headband and knife… they're yours now. You can do what you want with them; use them, preserve them, whatever. I… I just want to make sure they're in good hands. You're the best person I could think of giving these to.

You're family, after all.

I'll talk to you soon.

Sōma."

As I finished the letter, I instantly grabbed my phone, dialing my boyfriend.

"Yo, Erina, what's-"

"S-Sōma…" I choked out. I could tell that he instantly became serious, as I heard some shuffling around.

"Erina, what's wrong?" He asked in his usual way around me; gentle and caring.

"I-I got your case… and letter." I weakly mumbled out.

"… Oh." He replied awkwardly.

"Sōma, I can't accept your knife and headband." I said, my voice getting a bit stronger.

"Erina, I-"

"This is your mother's! I-I-I can't just take something so special away from you, even if you're not a chef!" I exclaimed. This went beyond his forfeit. This was a family heirloom, from a deceased parent!

"Erina, listen to me, pl-"

"I don't understand how you can be so willing to give away something so-"

"Erina."

His tone changed. It became that cold tone from when I insulted him, and started this whole mess.

I stopped instantly. I never thought I would be on the receiving end of that tone again, and I realized that I was being too hasty.

"… S-Sorry."

"It's fine, don't worry about it." His tone flipped to his warm usual self, and I couldn't be happier.

"My mom said that if something drastic happened, to give this to someone who I cared about. Erina… you're that someone."

I let out a gasp.

"Erina… you're amazing. You're calm, stubborn, arrogant…"

"Sōma…" I said menacingly, understanding his list of words as insults to me. But he kept going.

"And… so beautiful, passionate and caring."

I was surprised at the turn of his words, mostly because that's what I thought of him. He was always the one that I could admire, even more so in his determination to support me.

"I will never love anyone else, and giving you my knife is emblematic of that promise."

In other words…

This was like a mini proposal. I felt myself blush at that.

"Sōma… thank you." I said.

"No problem. So, do what you want with it… my mom would have wanted it that way."

I smiled at the thought of his mother. But thinking about that made me think about the other part I was concerned about.

"Sōma… have you gotten yourself checked out?" I said, the implications hopefully getting in my voice.

"Huh? Oh, that! Yeah, I've been regularly checking, but the doctors haven't seen anything concerning."

"I'm getting you my family's best doctors to make sure." I said with authority, taking Sōma aback.

"Woah, Erina you don't have to-"

"Sōma, you listen here." I started, trying my best not to crack.

"If your mother died of a birth defect, then we have to make sure that doesn't happen to you. Y-you mean so much to me Sōma. I-if we didn't catch it… and you died early… I wouldn't know what I would do without you." I said, lightly sobbing. Just thinking of a world without Sōma in it was crushing, in a way I've never felt. Not having my Sōma here, laughing, arguing and caring for me was too much to just think about.

"Alright, I'll do it. Just please don't cry anymore, Erina." He said, as well as saying soothing words of comfort. While he wasn't with me, holding me tight, his words were enough.

"T-thank you Sōma."

"… And that is the story of that knife." I pointed to the knife above our heads, leaving our daughter to look in awe.

"Wow! So that's grandma's knife?!" Aria said curiously.

"And your father's as well, sweetie." I added, making her even more amazed.

Sōma was away for a bit, out discussing plans about our restaurant with some clients, and while I was taking care of Aria, she asked why there was a knife above our fireplace, leading to this story.

"What about grandma's headband, mommy? What happened to that?" My daughter asked, making me smile.

"Well, I still use it when I cook for you and your father." I said. Ever since Sōma properly proposed to me, I haven't stopped using Tamako's headband. Not at the restaurant, but when it's my turn to cook for my two loves. I've been trying to inherit any of Sōma's familial style of cooking, and with his headband, I feel like I get a lot closer to it than without.

After all, I found the people who mean so much to me, so I want to make sure my food is the best, just for them.

As I finished my last sentence, I noticed Aria had a bit of a sad expression on her face.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" I asked, a bit confused at her glumness.

"D-daddy's going to be ok, right mommy?" She asked, and right away I knew what she meant. I moved to her, grabbing her in a tight hug.

"He should be, Aria. I wasn't lying when I told him that I wanted him checked up. My doctor said that he should be ok. Unlike grandma, the defect healed. He's alright." I smiled warmly at my daughter, causing her to smile as well, with a few tears, obviously scared at the thought of losing her father.

"That makes me really happy, mommy. Thank you for helping daddy." I let out a soft laugh at that.

"Of course, sweetie. After everything your father has done for me, it was the least I could do." Saving the life of my husband meant everything in the world to me. Even if the birth defect already healed, it didn't change the fact that I would have been shaken to my core at the thought of something happening to Sōma.

"I love you mommy."

Again, a warm smile graced my face. I patted Aria's hair, kissing her forehead.

"I love you too, sweetie."

Chapter End

A/N: Hello again!

So, Shokugeki no Sōma just ended. I stopped reading after the Regiment arc, but apparently... the manga hasn't been doing hot, to say the least, from what I've seen on Reddit.

But I got around to reading the Le Desert chapters, and while I'm still a bit bummed by the epilogue, it was an enjoyable read, seeing everyone just interacting with each other. Reading the chapters really made me love Tamako; and I felt a bit of heartbreak when I found out how she died.

So, I finally got around to filling in this small plothole from the main story, as I always wanted Sōma to give his chef stuff to Erina. Realistically, Tamako could have given these things to Sōma, so I think it fits well.

Really, this was just a spur of the moment idea after reading Le Desert, and filling in a small part of Night Changes.

As much as I hate to do it, I might just delete It Was You or leave it unfinished. Which sucks, because I have all the chapters I originally planned finished. If people want it, I might just put the chapters out, and at least have that story finished.

With my fading interest in writing, combined with my school commitments, I won't be writing anything on the scale of I Promise You, Night Changes, or what It Was You was supposed to be.

There might be the occasional oneshot for this story, but that would be it. I have an idea for a oneshot, one that goes back to my roots in fic writing.

But as the above blurb might have shown, this chapter was quickly written in the aftermath of reading the epilogue. It might be bad, but I at least filled in that plot hole in Night Changes that I wanted to fill in for so long.

I'll be looking at every review, and I hope that you do leave one! Let me know if this chapter was bad, because I think it's really rushed. But I also want to know if I should leave It Was You, if I should delete it, or if I should put up the chapters for what I originally envisioned. I really want to finish the story, but outside of posting my original chapters, there were too many things I thought about adding that would never get finished.

Regardless of what happens in the future, I thank you for reading, and I hope to see you again!

(Phases of the Moon Oneshot 2: Against the Pain - Uploaded 09.02.2019)