Hello! This is my first time publishing a story so please be gentle with me. If you see any errors or if you have comments on the story, please do leave a comment. This is not beta'd because I'm really shy about my work. If anyone wants to help me and beta my work, that'd be great. Also, I'm really nervous about this so if there aren't a lot of comments, I might just finish this story for myself and not post it anymore here. Anyway, I hope you guys like it and if you don't, please let me know where I can improve. Leave a comment if you want me to continue this story.

Chapter 1: Good News

2025

The kitchen is silent as Soma stands in the middle of it, waiting for four o'clock to arrive. He couldn't sleep the entire night from excitement and already have been to the fish market. He left in the middle of the night to scout for high-quality Pacific Saury because it is in season right now. He chuckles at the recollection of the Autumn Election where he battled against Akira Hayama and Ryo Kurokiba. Yes, he didn't end up winning but look at him now – standing in his own restaurant in central Tokyo and more importantly, engaged to Erina Nakiri.

Soma chuckles at the mere thought. If someone had told him during that first Autumn Election that seven years later he would be engaged to Erina, he'd laugh them out of the room. Man, how time flies. Oh right, I have to call dad. He looks over at the clock again; it is now two minutes past four. Soma curses.

"He's probably awake now," he mutters. He takes his phone out of his pocket and calls his father, Joichiro.

At the Yukihira Diner, nothing can be heard throughout the place except for Joichiro's snoring. Apart from that, the entire place is as still as a chopping board. Even the birds are still fast asleep. In his bedroom, Joichiro is sleeping soundly until a loud ring echoes throughout the diner. He groans and grabs his phone from beside his bed.

After wincing and blinking for a few moments, he finally recognizes Soma's name on the screen and answers the call. "Hey, Soma! How are you?"

"Hey, dad! I'm good—" He pushes himself upright, interrupting Soma.

"You haven't called your old man for a while now. I know you have that huge restaurant in Ginza, but it wouldn't take much for you to update me every now and then."

"I know dad, I'm sorry. I've just been really busy with everything." Joichiro laughs out loud.

"I'm just kidding. I'm happy you're finally too busy to call your father for some small talk. Just let me know what's going on with your life, okay?" He walks over to the kitchen and heats up some water for tea. He hears a chuckles coming from the other end.

"That's actually why I called. I have some news, dad." His heart flutters a little, a little nervous about Soma's announcement. He scoops up a few spoons of powdered tea into his cup.

"Well, go ahead. What is it?"

"Erina and I are engaged, dad." Joichiro stops dead in his tracks, completely forgetting the tea in front of him. As if on schedule, the pot whistles and shakes violently. "Dad? Dad! Your water pot! Dad!"

He snaps out of his trance, quickly removes the pot from the heat and turns off the stove. "Sorry, Soma, I just wasn't expecting that." He pours the water into his cup and stirs the tea slowly, still in somewhat of a shock.

"Well…?"

"Well, what?"

"Well, what do you think?" He takes a sip of his tea.

"I'm really happy for you, Soma. Erina is a great girl. I know you will be happy." A deep sigh of relief can be heard from the other side of the call. Joichiro chuckles. "Why, did you think I wouldn't be happy for you?" This time, Soma chuckles as well.

"It's not that, but it's just I didn't know if you'd be particularly happy about me marrying Azami Nakiri's daughter." Joichiro laughs and shakes his head.

"Erina may be Azami's daughter, but she is far from what he is. She is a kind girl and I'm sure that you wouldn't marry her if she isn't a good influence on you and your future family."

"That really means a lot to me, dad. Thanks." Nothing can be heard from both parties for a few seconds until Soma breaks the heavy silence. They both knew the elephant in the room had to be addressed. "Will you be opening the diner today, dad?"

"You know I have to see her today, Soma."

"I know," Soma says simply. Joichiro brings the empty cup to the sink and pins the phone between his ear and shoulder before washing the cup. "Tell her I said hi. Oh, and also, congratulations."

"I will, Soma. Thank you." He dries off his hands before retrieving the phone.

"Anyway, dad, I have to go. My vegetables will arrive soon."

"Go ahead, Soma. Talk to you soon, eh?"

"I'll call when I get the time—" Faint beeping can be heard in the background. "That's my supplier, dad, I have to go and take care of this."

"No problem. Bye, Soma."

"Bye, dad."

Soma hangs up and Joichiro pockets his phone. After a quick bath, he makes her favourite snack before heading out the door, leaving the "closed" sign unturned.

Soon after leaving the diner and passing by a flower shop, Joichiro arrives at her place. He lays down the small blanket and places the bouquet of sunflowers neatly inside the vase, replacing the ones that had dried out in its place. Afterwards, he grabs the new incense sticks he bought near the entrance and lights them. He then grabs the small tub of water and with the ladle, pours water over the marble stone to clean it, also scrubbing the surface lightly to get rid of the dirt.

After offering a short prayer and thanks, a leaf falls from the tree and lands atop her tombstone. He brushes it off gently and reads her tombstone. It contains her kaimyo, the posthumous Buddhist name given to her after she died, and beside it is Joichiro's name in red ink. He sighs gently.

"Happy 23rd Wedding Anniversary, Hinata. We miss you." He pauses for a moment before reaching into his bag to get the box containing his homemade mochi. "I brought your favourite, mochi." He bites into the sweet snack. "Oh, I have news for you, love. Guess what? Soma is engaged. You'll never guess to whom—or I guess you knew already before me since you watch over Soma. Well now, I know you may not like the idea of Soma marrying Azami's daughter, but trust me, Erina is nothing like Azami. She is sweet and kind. Also, dear, you have to get over Azami turning your research society kitchen into his own—"

A strong gust of wind suddenly passes through. Joichiro laughs. "I know, I know. He's mean, but anyway, you have nothing to be worried about with Erina. She is a sweet girl and I know she loves Soma as much as you and I. If you don't believe me then go stalk your son to find out for yourself. Although I'm pretty sure you watch over us all the time." He sighs and closes his box of mochi before laying it near the tombstone. "I really do miss you, Hinata. It's been seventeen years, but not a day goes by that I don't wish I'd see you again."

I'm not even sure if I'm doing this whole author's note thingy correctly. I'm so new to this lol. So there's the first chapter. I hope you guys like it. Please leave comments if you want me to continue. Also if you have any notes on the story or my writing, please leave a comment.