Author's note: So there it is. From the title i guess you are all saying:'Damn another next generation story *sigh*. Well you got the right to, but honestly i had this story in my head since i began this epic awkward journey of foodgasm and cooking that is Shokugeki no Soma. My favorite ongoing shonen ever. The mystery, the romance, the action, the story and mostly the food. So after going through the hell of midterms, i got my lazy ass into this, and started and couldn't stop.
So this is my vision of Tootsuki next generation, and after browsing through this community, i didn't find a next- generation story that satisfied my imagination. My sick, twisted, and evil imagination Mouahaha.
Now don't get me wrong, i adore the Summit of Tootsuki ( the feels are real ), i like Shokugeki no Kimiko ( great story telling.) But i had to add my touch to this place, so here we are. I will try to post weekly, don't judge me if i can't, i am in senior year after all.
Leave reviews and critics, i love to improve because of critics.
Enjoy the read.
PS: This story is set after 22 years from the current manga storyline, i will explain everything gradually.
And i don't own Shokugeki no Soma, that masterpiece is way above my level.
Hail Yuuto-sensei and Shun-sama and Yuki-dono.
Again, enjoy the read.
Even in the darkest depths of tragedy, the most latent of sparks could rise like the sun at its zenith.
It was quiet, only the sounds of crickets and moewing cats could be heard in the shopping district. The shops have closed their doors, and the always lively streets were now empty and and serene.
Deep within the narrow calm streets of the Sumidori shopping district, if you a little far from the shops and diners, you could hear snickers, shushes and tiny footsteps, if you go a little closer, you get to a building, an old lowly maintened building with the label 'Sumidori Orphanage' written in blurry letters supporting its old nature.
Its small high windows were lit brightly, just for a moment when the lights went off and the building went all silent. Not a single breath could be heard.
-'Mmmmh'
-'Hhsssh, she will hear us, keep it down' whispered a young girly voice.
-'Sorry, i can't contain it.' replied a small voice in an equally shushed tone.
-' So try to…' Everything went silent as they heard approaching footsteps, they were coming closer and closer and closer and…
' SURPRIIIIISE' the moment the lights were turned on, an explosion of different voices and party flares were blown on the person standing at the room's door, the room was fully decorated with the colorful hand-writting sign ' Happy Birthday' with tiny hand prints was hung on the wall.
-'HAPPY BIRTHDAY AKANE-SAN' All kids shouted at once, almost startling the birthday girl.
Indeed, it is a birthday, a sweet sixteen to be precise, and the birthday girl forgot everything about it till now, she was busy doing chores and doing grocery all day, she didn't even get the time to experiment new recipes based on plain Oreo.
The birthday girl, named Akane, was standing at the door stunned to say the least, her long crimson red hair was flowing graciously on her back reaching to cover her rear, her amethyst orbs were blank, and her beautiful face held a stoic expression. She completely forgot about today, actually, it explained all the weird tasks, that she had to go through the whole day, really « take all the clothes from the kids' closets and laundry baskets, wash them separately according to their color and season » ( there are about 61 kids in the orphanage that are under 10) that was like mission impossible.
-' Damn you really got me there, i was so busy that i didn't got you while preparing this party'she said as she flashed them a nervous smile.
-' Happy birthday Akane-san' a eight-year old pigtail girl told her taking her in tight bear hug that reach only Akane's knees.
-'It was all your idea, huh, Kanna' she bent down to look at the younger girl in the eyes. 'Are you aware of how much i had to go through today so that you can prepare your little party' she said pouting playfully, and Kanna just laughed it off.
-'Gomen,, Akane, …' A young woman stepped in front of her. Her brown hair reached the small of her back, her hazel eyes reflected an uncomparable softness and care. She had a meduim height and moderate-sized breasts. ' …but i had to keep you focused on something very hard and tiring so that we can prepare without you noticing and away from the kitchen to set up the party snacks.'
-' No, don't worry Mama Mayumi…' she straightened her posture '…i really appreciate what you did and i really like the surprise, eventhough i had to do all those hard chores, i really am happy. Thank you all.' She said to all the kids to hear, and Mayumi couldn't help but smile gently.
-' You heard, Kanna, she liked it.' A dark haired six-year old boy said to the blonde pigtail cutie.
-'Of course she does, Lua, it is my plan after all' her brown eyes flashed with something that looked like merit
-'You really are awesome, Kanna.' Lua looke at her like when a man looks at a idol or a goddess, his blue eyes had something that stars shining on them.
Sweat dropping a little, Akane just giggled softly, her sugary voice rang like a melody through the room, making all the kids to look up at her in awe and with small flushes on their cheeks.
-'Okay, okay,' she said after composing herself from the fit of laughter ' Thanks for all of you for this amazing party. Kanna, Lua, Dora, Saiki, and all the others, i am really grateful.' She flashed them a bright smile ' … and now, How about we PARTYYYYY' she shouted as she jumped childishly from the floor. And all the kids followed suit all shouting the word ' YEAAAHHH'
They partied through the night, laughing, dancing (mostly Kanna), eating food and snacks, and playing cards ( Akane's favorite game). And when it was cake time, they asked her to make a wish and blow her candles, and so shed id as she wished « Dear Lord, please keep up this happiness, and draw to every single one of us a bright future an more importantly,…, a loving caring family'
At the end of the night, all the kids have collapsed, exhausted and full, after partying until… 10 PM, hey they are kids after all.
-'Daaaammmmn' she thought to herself' I have to clean now'
Anime tears started to fall from her eyes, until a pat on her shoulder stopped her lamenting.
-'We will finish faster if we cooperate.' The brunette Mama said softly.
-'Mama Mayumi, you are the best.' She said cheerfully.
They got to work, organizing the dislocated furnitures, and cleaning the mess of cake crumbs and spilt juice.
As they were carrying the kids to their shared bedrooms, Lua and Kanna were the last, they slept on the floor after running around the room in a tag action.
-'They really put their backs on this one.' Mayumi said, breaking the silence that has been there for a while.
-'Huh ?' Akane hummed confusedly.
-'Kanna and Lua' she replied ' they begged me to make you busy and planned for the most of the surprise, and more importantly…' she stopped a moment to continue ' they were the ones who made the cake.'
-'What ?' she muttered as her eyes widened slightly.
-'Yesterday, they both came to my room late at night, they asked me to help them make your birthday cake, they said that they have a recipe but just want assisstance and i agreed of course. But what astonished me was there behavior today, they tried their best to learn from my instructions and to try to handle everything despite their amature position. Especially Kanna,..' she eyed the girl sleeping peacefully in her hands ' she asked a lot of questions and tried to get grip of everything as fast as possible, she was curious and Lua follow her deeds energetically'. She turned to her compagnon, and with a gentle tone she said :
-' They look up to you, Akane'.
Her eyes were wide and was at a lost of words.
-'They were a lot of times when i busted them peeking at you in the kitchen,, they used to look with respect to you, you are their role model, Akane. That is why they did all this to you, to thank you.'
She finished talking, and a long silence befall them, she is not a role model, a goddes or anything, she just does what she loves cooking, a passion that she holds dear to her, she never thought that she had such a bi role in the eyes of her little siblings.
-' I will take both them to bed, i might sleep in their room today, so i will let you take care of the rest, Goodnight Akane.' and she left.
After cleaning up and organizing the remaining food leftovers, she started walking down the old halls, eyes down, not focusing on the cracked floor or the worn rug, but deep in thought. After hearing what Mama said, she felt a heavy sense of responsibility toward the kids and toward the orphanage. She felt like she has to do something big, and worth recognition, she needed to…
-'Akane, there you are' a voice called out for her from down the hall.
It's Aki-san, she is Mama's best friend, she comes frequently to visit her friend and to play with us.
-'Aki-san, how are you ?' She ran her way.
-'Akane,i was looking for you, the director wants to speak to you.'
-'The director ?'
Confusedly, she walked behind the elder woman until they reached a large wooden door, its pale color and scattered cracks held some anthic sensation to them.
The moment they opened the door, less quietly than they expected they were greeted with the figure of a man, an elderly man, about 70 years old, his crisp tux and straight posture screamed with a sense of roughness, though the smile that he gave to the two ladies was nothing but soft. He was sitting on a desk in the middle of his office.
-'Akane, you finally here, thanks Aki for fetching her for me' he smiled at the younger woman, and she replied with one of her own.
-' Director, what do you want from me ?' she asked, it is not everyday when you are called to the director's office.
-' Oh yeah, happy bithday first Akane,' he said and bowed at him with a smile on her face. ' Sixteen huh ? You have grown very fast.'
He stopped.
Silence.
-'Who would believe that you were raised here since you were a small new born baby, time really flies' He said, and he didn't miss how her smile fell and her expression changed from one of joy to one of melancholy.
-'You have always been a unique one Akane,…, your behavior, your vision of life and attitude, you are really a one of a kind.'
He smiled.
-' And you have a unique talent, an enormeous skill that could not be wasted in vain, you dishes are the real deal and no one can deny that, they are not just delicious but they express a state of soul and mind.'
She was lost, what is he hinting to ?
Seeing her confused face, he put his elbows on the table and joined his hands and rested his head on them, arching his back a little.
-'I guess all the kids fell asleep before giving you your gifts' she nodded and he took it as his cue to continue. 'So i guess i am the first one to do so, how lucky am i.' he snickered a little to instantly switch his aura to one of seriousness. ' Akane, do you remember the donations we got and the fundraisers that we did last month to construct the building infrastructures.'
She nodded, she was part of it after all, she did a food stall, and made a mega hit with her Ricotta-Spinash Dumplings and and Volcano Omurice. She she was praise by many sponsors and made a lot of cash
-' Well, it wasn't for that, i lied' he heard the sound of ahrd object hitting the floor, it was Akane's jaw.
-'What ?'
-' We used the money to play the application funds'
-' What ? What do you mean director ?'
-'Starting this spring, Akane, you will be going to : Tootsuki Teahouse Culinary Academy'
.
.
.
.-'Huh ?'A blank face and a tied tongue.
Far within the suburbs of Tokyo, and faraway from the busy streets and noisy roads, a single villa stood in the empty area, with it high walls and tall fences, you could hardly see what lays inside its barriers. The large metal gate had a translucent glass that showed the botanical garden adorned with various spices plants and fruity trees.
'HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAMADA' a feminine voice squealed loudly.
'Uhhh, thank you Auntie, but… you are suffocating me with your grip' said the marron-haired boy in a muffled voice as his face was being pushed into the elder red-haired woman's bosom.
'Already SIXTTEEEN, you have grown so fast, it is like yesterday you were still a small baby, time really flies' she said releasing the boy from her matador-like grip.
' Ah, yeah Auntie, you are just going out of control right now' he said blankly, eyeing the woman in front of him weirdly. He always questions himself why she gets like this like alla the time, she can get quiet uncontrollable at this moment, she becomes like some kind of merry cat that just got its favorite treat. Her slit pupils had unexplainable stars ( how is that even possible ?), and her cat-like features looked more prominent as she jumped and shrieked happily in her place.
-'Auntie Rindou, can you stop now, you've been in this state for 10 minutes now' he said to her remembering that he has to stop her now before she starts some nonsense story about the unforgiveness of time or such. He saw her expression change from that of joy to that of realisation.
-' Yes, you're right, there are more important matters at hand here.' She said hastily, as she ran to the kitchen and came back to the table with a lidded platter.
-'What is this Auntie ?' he asked her as he started taking the lid off.
She smiled mischievously. His golden-violet shaded eyes were met with the sublime view of a magnificently decorated and shiny three-layered cake.
-'Wow, you really went all out this time' he said mockingly.
-'Of course, i did, you are moving to a new stage of your life, now taste it' she replied in glee.
He took a spoonful of the first layer of the cake, and put it in his mouth.
It was quiet for a moment, his eyes were closed as his mouth bit through the moist sponge. Seconds later, he opened them and found his aunt looking at him expectantly, he winced a little at her sharp look on him, but composed himself shortly after.
-'That was some amazing cake, the combinations of nuts that you choose for the praline, not only almonds but also pistachios and peanuts, it gave it a deep complexe flavor without making it overly greasy, and you didn't ground them totally so that they maintain their crunch. For the sponge, you made a vanilla genose, and you used orange syrup as a substitut to liquor considering that i am still under 18. In addition to the praline, you made a chocolate butter cream that you used to cover and fill the genose, and you covered the whole cake with home-made raspberry almond pastry, and you decorated it with white sugar frosting, you made quiet the balance in there' he finished.
Looking up, he saw his aunt glaring at him critically, the silence between them stretched for a while until she broke it.
-' Is it really that good ?' she said raising her brow at him.
All he did was to sigh, and responded like such :
'To be fair with my critic, they are some flaws that got to be adjusted about the dish, the most crucial should be the sugar content, i could say the choice that you took on using granulated sugar instead of caster sugar really affected the overall sweetness of the cake, about 0,62 mg of sugar was off plus the small sugar crystals that stayed in the butter cream and you can feel their grainy texture in your tongue after swallowing the cake. The praline had a slight bitter aftertaste, i assume it is from a bitter almond that you used accidently in the cream, or a rotten pistachio. And finally the sponge, too much syrup, it made it kind of soggy when you bite into it, but not soggy enough to ruin the flavor or the experience. Most of this flaws might be inperceptible for a person with a normal palate though. So it is overly good' he finished raising his head to his aunt again who was… sulking in the corner the room.
-' Huuuh…I knew i had to check the almonds and the pistachios before caramelizing them, but i thought that they were in packages they won't be any rotten or bitter ones, it seems i was wrong, huuuh... I thought that using granulated sugar will accentuate the flavor of the butter cream but it just ruined it, and the syrup is delicious but it made it like a paste…huuh… I am really not good at desserts' she murmured from her corner, a depressed aura surrounding her.
-'Auntie, the cake was delicious, but not perfect yet, it is your first try with this recipe so don't lose hope' he said in a nervous voice aiming to appease her.
-' Perfect, huh, is it really that hard to please that palate of yours.' She said playfully.
-' Ah, no, you don't have to please anything, even though my palate is a special one, looking for someone to please it is like looking for the image of the God, an aimless journey. If my palate was giving to me for a fonction, it would be to help me to perfect my craft, and to make my cooking one of the best' he sais thoughtfully.
From her corner, a faint smike stretched on Rindou's lips, as she stood up and made her way to the boy and put a hand on his shoulder.
-' You really are something Yamada.' She smiled at him and he replied with determined look and a nod ' So how about we celebrate, it is your bithday after all, you have to enjoy yourself to the fullest today.' She said with a fist pump' We don't know what tomorrow got for us after all' she murmured and he didn't catch what she said, but seeing her feline smile , he decided to juqt shrug it off and see where things will go. When his aunt is smiling like that, something exciting is about to occur.
They partied like crazy, games, jokes, nauseous experimental dishes ( which Yamada avoids tasting) and cake and candy everywhere, they were happy just both of them were enough. And as the night grew old, the party settled down, and they ended up snuggled in a blanket, on the couch near the fireplace.
- 'Damn, even if spring is already here, this wintery chill is still dominant at night, brrrr.'
-'It is, this chill is killing me'
They both said simultaneously, hiding more into their shell-like covers.
A comfortable silence reigned for a moment, allowing both of them to indulge themselves in the soothing warm of the fire shining brightly in the room and enlightnen it dimly. Until..
-' Ne, Yamada, what are you planning to do now after you became sixteen-year-old ?'
-'Huh, where did that come from ?' he responded questionnely.
-' I mean, are you planning to stay here at this house, or go conquer the outside world' she said with a ton that seemed…wistful ?
-' Ohh, i really don't know really, i lived here for my whole life, i never left these grounds so telling me to leave is a hard thing to imagine, so i think i will stay here and just do what i love and know the best, to cook. And by the way, why are you asking this right now ? You've been weird since the moment i tasted that cake, what are meaning by this ? Why are so pensive and quiet all of a sudden ? And what is this rustling sound that is a… Tuuh' he was interrupted by a pointy abject that flew straight to his forehead. ' HEY, WHAT WAS THAT FOR ?' he shouted annoyed taking the object sitting now on his lap, and was surprised when he saw a piece of paper, that was folded to ressemble a plane.
-' It is time for you spread your wings out of the nest, Yamada' she suddenly said, getting out of her covers, and standing before the fire, her crimson red hair shone like a raging fire and her now determined eyes had a weird glint to them, and it gave him shivers to the point that the blanket wasn't cutting it anymore to warm his quivering limbs.
-' I can't let you stay with a talent like yours hiden between for walls.' She said pointing her forefinger at him ' Starting this summer, you will be attending : Tootsuki teahouse culinary academy.'
.
.
-'What ?' he said tilting his head to the side.
The only thing that our two heroes managed to utter was a plain straight -forward question
-'What is that ?'