This is a continuation of my first full-length FanFiction "Food Wars! The Secret Technique" and will follow different story arcs of the Polar Star Gang as they make their way to the next level. This FanFic deviates heavily from the established Anime and Manga, but still exists in the same universe. Please note that certain chapter's will contain heavy mature content and will be marked accordingly with a big disclaimer to notify you of such. Note that these chpaters have no effect on the overall story, and can be ignored if that is not your forte. Hopefully you like it!
Chapter One: A New Course
Senzaemon Nakiri was sitting behind his administrator's desk, relieved that his faith was justified in the young student s of Totsuki academy. It's not uncommon for crazy things to happen at the school, and it has had a long history of bizarre events that culminate on its grounds. Even still, the entertainment was amusing and so it usually passes without any real concern. Senzaemon was comfortably content in his robe, sitting behind his large mahogany desk that had various nick nacks and other office supplies precisely placed on it's surface. He also had two photos that were faced towards his chair. They were each a picture of him carrying a young Alice and Erina, both smiling innocently in nice formal dresses you'd find on a noblemans young daughter. Senzaemon was of course wearing his thick robe, with his defined chest clearly visible through the fold over
Senzaemon was never someone to show sensitive emotion, and was usually a cold and calculating man; feared enough for his gaze and stature in the Culinary Community around the world. However, looking at his two grandchildren every day made him crack an innocent heartfelt smile, because underneath that grizzled exterior was a man who loved his family and would do anything to protect them. Although he wasn't the most doting GrandFather, his care and high standards for his granddaughters definitely molded them into the competent Chef's each of them had become in their young lives. It gave him immense joy to know that he was still the director for their days to come at the school he accelerated to the top in his ambitious career.
A middle aged woman opened the door abruptly to enter Senzaemon's dimly lit office. She had the clothes of a young aspiring executive with a long striped navy blue skirt and matching top. Her top jacket was slightly unbuttoned at top to reveal a very healthy bust, with a nice line of cleavage to bedazzle many lesser men into submission. She stepped to the center of the room, to witness Senzaemon brooding in his office chair behind the desk, eyes closed and unphased by her presence. She cleared her throat as she took out a black hardcovered packet from her arm and laid it on his desk.
"Mr. Nakiri, I believe we can clear up this whole charade and put it behind us? You know this is highly unorthodox for an educational institution, regardless of its status as a private school." She spoke clearly.
"I am aware of the attention this has drawn, and I admit things were taken a bit too far too quickly for my taste. Unfortunately I was blindsided by this half-hearted attempt at a coup for my position. In any event, the matter was resolved tactfully by your administration, and you have my thanks." Senzaemon answered sternly.
"While that is very appreciated Sir, you know that this incident raised some international criticism about our standard of education here in Japan. To make a game-show out of young students competing in a ridiculous premise is just degrading to the honor of Japan's high standards of formal education." The lady responded.
"I understand your concern Madam Secretary; I did not wish for the Ministry of Education to have to get involved like this, but I have on my desk a new plan for Totsuki going forward." Senzaemon answered.
"Mr. Nakiri, you know that since the Ministry had to step in on account of your inability to manage your students is not without it's repercussions. We did consider the idea of replacing you with a Ministry Official to oversee that this school be handled properly for the time being. However, aside from this incident; your graduates and dropouts from Totsuki have always maintained the standard for educational competency by our standards, so we are aloowing you a probationary period to continue as director. Hopefully this plan will ensure that this is ONLY a probationary period." She emphasized.
"Of course Madam Secretary; what I have seen from this school's first years has lead me to think of something beyond ordinary for testing moving forward. The trend of talented chef's entering this academy gets higher and higher each year. I believe it is time to increase the level at which we test these young students in the culinary world, to draw out their greatest potential we have yet to see!" Senzaemon stated emphatically.
"What did you have in mind Sir?" The woman asked, intrigued by the statement.
"The first year's of Totsuki Academy are going international!" Senzaemon stated fiercely with a large scary aura emenating off his body. His robe had also flung off in excitement as he revealed his next plan for the coming months.
Meanwhile at Polar Star Dormitory*
The Dormitory was exploding with joy and merriment as Sōma, Ryō, and Megumi were celebrated throughout the dorm. There was a large feast of many delectable cuisines prepared by Fumio, and some of her Saké had found its way into the partygoers hands as well. All the students were in great cheer and relief because Tsozin and his ilk were completely gone from the school as a whole. Finally Totsuki could get back on track to being normal again. Several of the students who were expelled unfairly, and removed from the Elite Ten were granted their former positions.
At the dinner table Sōma sat next to Ikumi, Yūki, Zenji, Megumi, Ryō, Alice, Takumi, Isami, Ryōko, Isshiki, Damian, Fumio, Shōji, Daigo, Shun, Hisako, Erina, Akira, and Jun.
The table was bursting with a wild array of emotions. Yūki was sobbing perfusely into Megumi's arm, gladdened that she was still able to be at Totsuki. Megumi on the other hand was nevous and apologetic for upsetting her friend, and her brain was frying at the thought of sitting next to her romantic interest; Ryō. Ryō was sitting with a blank stare, exhausted from his match while Alice was slapping him on the back and shouting nonsense at him. Takumi was staring intently at Sōma who was across the table, brooding over his next showdown with his self-proclaimed rival. Isami was silently laughing at his brother, which Ryōko also found amusing. Isshiki was singing his unique songs loudly praising his fellow classmates. Damian was smiling at the chaos around him, while Fumio was skipping the glasses of Saké and heading straight for the bottle. Shōji was arguing with Daigo over which card game they were going to play in Zenii's room later. Zenji was unhappy with their arguing over HIS room and looked at Shun for support on the matter. Shun sat with his arms crossed and in his usual brooding state. Hisako was relaying all of the events scheduled for Erina tomorrow, while Erina was increasingly getting annoyed at all the noise. Akira and Jun just in shock, worried about the rising energy in the room and the addition of Saké. Speaking of which, Jun had brought her own bottle and started to chug along with Fumio. Akira shook his head in disapproval, but reluctantly accepted he would probably have to carry her back to the lab tonight.
Sōma and Ikumi were both sitting quietly, worried about the events that just took place between them. While relieved that their confession to eachother was a huge success, they both now had to deal with unease of being in a sitiation neither of them had really been accustomed too. Their whole lives up that point had been fully focused on proving themselves responsible heir's to their families name. Ikumi had always worked hard to be tough and indomitable towards her peers. Her attitude was always to indimidate others to subvert any percieved weakness on her part. However, she was still a regular teenage girl who had feelings, and in this stage of her life; found someone to express those supressed feelings towards. Unfortunately she fell for the most absent minded, dense, person in regards to romantic endeavors.
Sōma on the other hand, had always been consumed with his personal goal of learning all he could about cookibg and hoping to be a greater Chef than his father. Suffering 491 defeats would seem like his goal would be as far from achievable as possible. However, ever since he reached Totsuki he had started to realize just how much he could grow through defeat and success. Even still, his most significant advancement came at the realization that he could indeed feel some sort of deeper connection to someone in the form of Ikumi. Using his passion to focus on someone other than himself highlighted his greatest strength. The ability to satisfy any customer with unique food and creative ideas. Utilizing this for a person he felt strongly for, only enhanced his desire to reach his goals. It was not only out of self-interest, but now his goals were compelled by feelings of never failing a person he felt a strong connection too.
Both Sōma and Ikumi were sitting with incredibly strong nervousness coursing through their bodies. Normally it would be noticeable, but the table was so alive with animated friends that their stramge demeanor went unnoticed which was a semi relief for the new couple. While they both wanted to indulge more in their newfound relationship, the first hurdle came at the thought of how they should deliver the news to their friends. Neither of them knew what to do in a relationship because it was a new territory. The anxiety of judgement, guilt, shame, and potential rumours racked their young teenage minds. This was Totsuki Academy, the mot intense culinary school in all of Japan, and by extension one of the top culinary highschools in the world. It was not a place for students to be dating and worrying about relationships with such a high pedigree of expectations.
The table was still highly animated all around, but the Saké was taking its toll on the guests and any sense of tact and reservation started to fade away. Noticing the atmosphere was becoming highly involved, Damian decided it was time to refocus the conversation to what came next for everyone at Totsuki. He stood up with a glass in his hand and motioned for a toast. As everyone looked over to Damian, they quickly grabbed their glasses and eagerly awaited his message.
"Well done, all of you! I think I can speak for everyone that this crew of 1st years is by far the most talented in your grade. Let's give a toast to Sōma, Megumi, Ryō, Talumi, Zenji and Yūki for their efforts against the whole Tsozin debacle!" Damian began.
Everyone shouted "cheers!" as they quickly wolfed down their glasses of Saké. Damian continued.
"With the conclusion of this chapter at Totsuki, I have some news for you guys from Director Senzaemon Nakiri himself!" Damian stated boldly.
"What!?! What is going on? Do we get a break? Teeehee?" Yūki asked cheerfully.
"I believe you all know what will happen now that the school is getting to be back on track now? Isshiki will return to the Elite Ten along with the others that were wrongfully removed. All expelled students as a result of Tsozin's shenanigans will also be overturned and allowed to continue their studies as per the usual standard of Totsuki. However, this does not mean that things at Totsuki will slow down because of Tsozin's whole gambit at the school! Its actually par for the course. I'll let Miss. Erina explain the next evemt upcomming for the 1st year students." Damian explained.
"Oh? There is another big event coming?" Ryōko asked.
Erina stood up and pressed her uniform down, and cleared her throat. She placed her hands on the table, and showed her usual standoffish demeanor as she started to speak.
"Yes, while Tsozin threw a wtench in the usual proceedings of Totsuki, the director has determined that a new course of action be taken for Totsuki as a result! In a few days, all remaining 1st year students will finalize plans for their international vocation against other prominent student chef's around the world!"
"Awesome!!! A vacation!!!" Daigo and Shōji exclaimed proudly as they high fived.
"This hardly a vacation!" Erina sneered at them.
The aura of gloom and disappointment hit the entire students at the table.
"This is a new program designed by the director which took considerable amounts of coordination to set up for the 1st year students. Over the next month, each student will be traveling internationally to compete and recieve direct education from other culinary schools around the world. However, the standards of Totsuki apply regardless of where each student finds themselves. You will be up against several foreign students who have also learned much from their studies. The goal is to confirm the high standards of Totsuki, as well as weed out those students who cannot uphold the honor of Japan in competition! The Director has incredible influence around the world, and your foreign instructors and evaluators will be enforcing the school standard at all times." Erina said boastfully.
"So we have to travel to other students home countries and best them at their own craft!?!?" Megumi asked nervously.
"Not entirely; the competition will be fair in judging by making a level playing field for both competitors. However, you will need to show considerable ability to defeat prodigies from other parts of the world. Likewise, several students will also be coming to Totsuki in a similiar fashion, to do the same as you. This is a new initiative to integrate Japanese cooking with other styles around the world to produce the greatest advancement in culinary ideology in ages!" Erina stated.
"Wow, to be able to send students international must be very expensive! No wonder the tuition is so high for Totsuki; hahaha!" Zenji stated.
"Prepare yourselves as this will be a great test for each of you! The 3rd years will be having their final exams, and the 2nd year students will be defending the honor of Totsuki against foreign competitors. For them, a loss is a guarunteed failire and immediate expulsion! This is no time for slacking, if I were you; I'd start working on mastering any skills you have learned thus far because foreign students are also studying to be the best chef's and have just as much to lose as any one of you!" Erina continued.
"My, sounds interesting. But tonight's a night to celebrate; so let's not get tied up in school drama at least for tonite!" Isshiki said gleefully.
"Cheers!" The rest of table shouted as Erina looked on with shock, curiously disappointed at how the members of Polar Star could be so aloof after hearing such news.
"By the way Sōma, where did you go after your match? You rushed out quickly?" Yūki instigated.
"Uhhh, hahaha... well..." Sōma stammered, scratching the back of his head.
"The Judges also mentioned something about your dish: 'This meal wasn't made just for us was it?'" Alice stated inquisitively.
"Ooooh? Sōma! Who did you make your dish for? Come to think of it, Ikumi was no where to be found after the match either!" Damian chimed in provoking the conversation.
Ikumi had unintentionally blushed incredibly hard, which gave away all that needed to be known to a carefully observant onlooker. The facade was up, and her tell revealed the whole hand.
"Sōma!!! I'm so happy for you!! Our young prodigy is in love!!!" Isshiki shouted with passion.
"Ehhhhhh!?!?!?!?" The entire table blurted out, clearly being caught off guard by Isshiki's statement.
Ikumi and now Sōma were both red in the face and stunned with embarassment. They had finally been caught, and there was no hiding it anymore. Sōma attempted a last effort to conceal his embarassment with a slight grin, trying to play it off as a misunderstanding. However, Ikumi's expression and red face was a dead giveaway at this point and everyone knew about it. Unfortunately the Saké was now settling in and everyone was more intrusive on the subject than they normally would be, which lead to a series of quips and implied statements that made the pair feel unimaginably awkward.
"Sōma likes Ikumi!!! How cute, you two make a great pair!" Ryōko said softly as she giggled into her hand.
"Speaking of great pair, I wonder what attracted Sōma to Ikumi in the first place???" Yūki stated bluntly while gazing at Ikumi's revealing bust, grasping her hands with drool in her mouth hoping to cop a feel.
"What are you looking at idiot!!" Ikumi shoutrd angrily while slapping her hands away.
"Poor Ikumi, I just wanted to squeeze your amazing meat!" Yūki whimpered, rubbing her hands trying to ease the pain.
"So that is why they call you Nikumi?" Alice asked innocently, cluelessly instigating more trouble.
Ikumi's face was starting to turn an even darker shade of red with embarassment as the attention of the room was placed on her very revealing bust.
Noticing all the attention was being placed on Ikumi, Alice was buzzed enough to feel jealous and stood up and puffed her chest out trying to draw attention to herself.
"What about my meat!?!? Ryō say something about me too!" Alice stated jealously, slapping Ryō on the back.
Ryō's face turned quickly to shock, as he didn't know what to do. He had feelings for Megumi, but Alice was his best friend. He just intended to ignore her, and pretend he was unaware of her shenanigans.
Alice swung her chest to the right which landed her bosom inches away from Takumi's face, which caused him to start blushing really hard as well. Takumi wasn't an idiot, and new Alice was devilishly attractive, but this was the first time his inhibitions were lowered just enough to start thinking of pervy thoughts; which coincidently caused him to blush even harder in embarassment. Isami was next to him trying his hardest to contain his laughter, with Ryōko doing the same. Erina, feeling a bit left out started to feel the buzz of Saké and peered down at her bust. Megumi looked down at her chest as well, and over at Ryō and felt extreme embarassment because she didn't stack up as well to the other females at the table. "Was Ryō into girls with large busts like Alice's and Ikumi's?" Megumi thought to herself, and felt a slight sadness and shame overwhelm her.
Soon the table erupted into shifts of embarassment, harrassment and cheer. This was the usual for Polar Star, and iit seemed fitting because it solidified the bonds they all shared with eachother. Soon they would all be far across the world, and this was a reminder that they would all remain close and reason to continue to make it through Totsuki together. Isshiki and Damian smiled lightly at the joyous scene infront of them; reminding them that despite the intensity of the school, times like these were still a warming sight to see.
As the night wore on, the students were starting to feel the exhaustion of the earlier events, and began to part their own ways. Akira left first, carrying Jun in his arms like usual when Jun had been drinking. He shook his head with a slight smile. He loved Jun no matter what her condition was, and this was par the course for their relationship. She took care of him when he was abandoned with nobody to ever look twice in his direction. Her kindness and quirky personality grew on him, and although she was much older than him, he too, was feeling the strong turbulent emotions of love. From someone who started out as a big sister to him, grew to be someone he wanted to love and work hard for no matter the obstacles infront of him. While he didn't really fit in the scene of the Polar Star Dorm, he was comforted by their strong bonds. At the hint of Ikumi and Sōma's relationship gave him a slight assurance that he could one day be in love with Jun as well.
Ryō and Alice were the next two to leave, but before they did Alice leaned over Takumi and oozed over his blond hair brushing it like he was a cat. Alice was slightly intoxicated and she had no shame when that happened. Takumi felt even more embarrassed and motioned for his giggling brother to leave as well. Ryō casually said goodbye to Megumi, unsure of what to do about his feelings for her. During their match he felt a natural, almost flawless connection with her and knew that it was something he had never felt before. Megumi was shyly embarrassed, because despite her initial objections to his cold demeanor she also felt a natural connection to him.
Damian bid everyone farewell as he left too, leaving the rest of the Polat Star gang to shuffle/stumble up to their rooms. Fumio gave him a sharp smile, as he exited. Ikumi also knew she had to leave, and during the party they didn't get to spend anytime alone felt this was her opportunity to continue what they had syarted earlier. Ikumi may have been buzzed, but her nerves overpowered any impairment she might've had. She looked on Sōma with hesitant admiration and passion, knowing this was the beginning of something new. She didnt want to say goodbye ao soon, but knew there was no other way to go about it.
"Sōma, I'm really proud of you for winning tonight. I knew from the first time we faced off, you were something special. I'm glad that you are still here." Ikumi said nervously.
"Oh? Nikumi, hahaha. I just needed some direction. You helped me out on a dime when I needed you, and you've always supported me since our first showdown. I just realized that you're a special person too. Together, if we fight hard emough, I know we can reach the top." Sōma said maturely.
There was a slight awkward silence between them afterwards, as they both felt uneasy about expressing themselves in an honest way. They were new to this whole aspect of being in a relationship, plus there was a sense that they were being watched constantly. Of course, the other Polar Star Dorm members were half-heartedly trying to conceal themselves above the railing of the second floor stairwell, trying to snoop in on what should be a private moment.
"Do you want to walk me home? It's not far, but it would be nice to walk home with someone." Ikumo stuttered, flustered with shame at asking such a bold, implicative, question.
"Uhhh. Yeah! You shouldn't be walking alone this late at night anyways! I'm your guy haha." Sōma said staunchly, trying to regain some of his happy-go-lucky nature.
The rest of the Polar Star gang made it known they were displeased with the outcome of their parting, as they all were hoping to see some intamacy between the two. Ikumi leered up at them with sharp eyes, shooting daggers at all of them which promoted a comical and hasty retreat to their own rooms.
"Ahem! Sōma, we don't mind giving Ikumi a ride home. It is cold afterall, and you should be more focused on the next task. Don't think because you defeated Tsozin, that you are in any position to rest. The rigor of the curriculum is just starting to heat up and you need to prepare yourself!" Erina interjected, feeling left out of the story.
"Uhhh... Of course Erina! Just trying to be a good person. Hey, are you the one who likes Ikumi..?" Sōma joked, trying to ease the tension.
Erina huffed, annoyed at Sōma's implication. Hisako also was ready to burst with anger, feeling completely left out of everything. Plus, Erina was her mistress and she would not let any unwanted rumors or implications staining the reputation of her best friend.
"Enough! We are going home! Miss Erina has had enough excitment and needs to prepare for her own challenges as a member of the Elite Ten!" Hisako growled.
"Alright, alright. I'll leave with you guys. Just chill. Sorry Sōma, but they are right. You need to focus on the next task. International competition isn't going to be easy for any of us." Ikumi said with a disappointed tone.
"Okay. Well, you guys habe a good night. Make sure Erina reads you some of those manga I left with her." Sōma prodded, knowing what he was saying.
"IDIOT!!!!" Erina screamed, as she was so flustered with annoyance, her words and speech were incoherent ramblings. Hisako quickly intervened and started motioning for her to move towards the door and into their car.
Sōma waved with a goofy grin at Ikumi, hiding his sadness that he couldn't walk her home. Sōma had gone through quite a bit lately, but now that his kind and heart were in the right place, he felt more like his normal self again. Being in a relationship was new territory, but one he knew he needed to master in order to confirm his abilities in cooking and hopefully reach new heights for someone he wanted to show true stalwart love and appreciation for. Nikumi, his hearts love and passion to be the best chef who ever lived in order to give her everything she could ever want from a chef.
Ikumi turned away slowly, blitzed by a strong wave of nervous emotion. She was always a confident, amd tempermental person. However, when it came to Sōma she seemed beside her herself in her antics. She knew she finally had him, but there was a great fear residing in the back of her mind that she might not be good enough. After all, Alice, Megumi, and Erina were all extraordinary chefs; and she felt that maybe they would be more suited to him. She slapped her cheeks at the thought, instead internally resolving to remain as close to Sōma as she could, never letting him eclipse her entirely because she wanted to be the one deserving his special talents. She resolved that no one else would vome between them, and she needed to step up her game in ths cooking world to show Sōma she could stay by his side forever.
The three ladies all stepped into the escort car, and silently buckled their seatbelts. Erina was still fuming at Sōma's implication, while Hisako was slightly unsettled by Sōma's implication as well. Ikumi felt awkward being around both of them, because she didn't have a problem with Sōma at all. In fact it was the opposite, she loved him! She now had to secretly devise a plan to get her an Sōma on the same trip for the next part of their journey. It would be a bit daring, but she knew that if she could be closer to him, they could overcome any challenge. Afterall, it was her time to start maturing now that she was in a relationship. She knew that being a young kid was no longer going to cut it at Totsuki; for her and Sōma, it was time to grow up and she felt that this trip would be a strong breakthrough for the both of them.
"How can anyone like that blockhead of a boy!! I swear Sōma is so lucky he keeps getting by on tricks and showmanship!" Erina huffed.
Erina was only slightly aware of the news that Sōma and Ikumi had feelings for eachother, and did not realize that she invited Ikumi along for the ride. The first hint that she should be more cautious in her vocalizations about Sōma were made apparent when Ikumi snapped around glaring with fury into Erina's eyes. Erina may have struck a nerve unintentionally, and Ikumi was already in a bad mood that her time with Sōma and their new relationship was so short.
"What did Sōma ever do to you? You have been nothing but mean and condescending towards him ever since he arrived. You told me that he was nothing, and that I would embarass him completely in our first shokugeki. But I realized too quickly that there is more to him than just title and prestige! He has surprised everyone with hsi talent, yet you judge him incompetent! Why!?" Ikumi said with terrifying conviction.
Erina felt a hint of shame listening to Ikumi's depiction of her attitude regarding Sōma. It is true that she had been callous towards him since his initial transfer exam, but it was only because Sōma was a person to be envied. He didnt have nobility or prestige to secure. Erina was of the Nakiri family, and since she was young she has been on the forefront to the Nakiri name. The 'God Tongue' everyone called her. She did not get to have a normal childhood, and even in highschool sje has been seperated from her peers on talent and skill alone. It would be nice if she could be aloof and nonchalant like Sōma, and she couldn't because of her strong beliefs that cuilnary arts should be left to those with the most serious of talents and perfected techniques.
"It's not that I hate him... It's just that he reminds me of someone very special to me. I envy him in fact, because of that special someone..." Erina drifted off, revealing more than she should have.
Ikumi was young, and interpreted the message in the worst way possible. In her mind, Erina actually had feelings for Sōma and misunderstood Erina's actual feelings towards Sōma as love. Ikumi felt the fear of inferiority overwhelm her. She knew that she was a great chef and had a noble prestige for the Mito family. This was Erina Nakiri, however, someone whose name alone is leagues and miles above the rest in Totsuki. How could she, Ikumi Mito, even compare to someone of Erina's calibur? The thought of Erina having romantic feelings for Sōma crushed her heart. Ikumi slid right back into her seat in the car, and tried her hardest to withold the tears swelling up inside her.
Hisako, being the most mature female in the car, read the situation clearly and tried to come up with something quick to say, to diffuse the misunderstanding both women had. With two proud and stubborn females, anything less than precise and tactful language could ease the thick tension inside the vehicle.
"Ikumi! That's so awesome that you and Sōma confessed to eachother! What was it like?" Hisako asked, trying to draw on Ikumi's relationship to soldify her position with Sōma.
Ikumi heard the question and became flushed with embarrassment. She twidled her thumbs looking to churn out an answer that she herself wasn't sure how to explain.
"It... it... was... nice. The food he made was the best thing I have ever had. It was perfect." Ikumi stuttered out.
Erina snapped back into the conversation, and said the worst thing possible without realizing what the implication was.
"Perfect huh? Wish I was there to try it." Erina said plainly.
Hisako's face was shocked with terror as Erina had unknowingly insinuated something that was going to be completely misunderstood and make the situation much worse.
Ikumi's hands clenched up into a fist, and her teeth grinded together harder than a hydraulic press clamping together. Hearing Erina's words made her feel uneasy and angry. The thought of losing Sōma so quickly infuriated her, but Erina was the pride of Totsuki. Any retaliation towards her would be a guaranteed expulsion, and it made her feel hoplessly irate.
"I'm sure it was really delicious if it made Chef Ramsay bare his chest. I'm sure everyone would've like to try that dish!" Hisako stated in a cheerful tone, trying to salvage the tension before it escalated even further.
Erina, clueless as ever, managed to carelessly say another statement that would just add fuel to the fire.
"Perhaps I have been to hard on Sōma. Even I have to admit that it would take some skill to impress someone as prestigious as Chef Ramsay. Maybe Sōma is special in his own way..." Erina said politely, musing over her earlier outburst.
Ikumi was now unbelievably hurt and frustrated. Not only was she robbed of her chance to walk with Sōma, but now she found out that Erina may have feelings towards him too. This brought tears of anger to her eyes, and while she did her best to conceal her raw emotion, a few drops couldn't help but push their way through her strong exterior.
The car arrived outside of Ikumi's condo. She quickly unbuckled herself, said thank you and goodbye in an incoherent mumble as she dashed off towards her front door. She quickly burst through it, and slammed it behind her. Erina and Hisako looked over, confused as to the sudden departure of their guest. Ikumi slammed her back against her door and fell to her bottom, crossing her arms over her knees and burying her face. She sobbed quietly, feeling a torment of emotions. She loved Sōma and was glad that she confessed, but at the same time was unreasonably fearful that another woman could win him over. Even more devastating was that it was Erina Nakiri who might be that person.
The longer Ikumi cried, the more rage and tension she felt. The fact that she was crying upset her, the fact that she loved Sōma upset her, the fact that Erina might love Sōma upset her, everything a young teenage girl could worry about when it came to love upset her, and the hard fact that her tough personality cracked under all this pressure caused her to slam her fist to the ground in a powerful rage. The pain she felt afterwards upset her.
With all her weakness and tears pouring out of her eyes, she felt her phone vibrating in her coat pocket. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and quickly flipped it open. What she saw brought a large smile to her face, as she held her phone closely to her chest. The tears stopped immediately and the moment of Ikumi's greatest weakness, quickly turned to one of extreme resolution.
Sōma had thoughtfully sent her a picture that he captured of the moment she took a bite of his food he made earlier. The caption read: 'Yukihira super secret menu item number 1. Meat Love Special'. Sōma sent a follow-up text as well that read: 'Glad you loved it!'
With that in mind, Ikumi wiped the moisture off her face. She stood up confidently and gave herself a reassuring head nod. She had resolved it within herself, that no matter what Sōma was hers. If Erina Nakiri wanted to be with him, then Ikumi would have to try that much harder to exceed her own talents. Sōma wasn't the only one who learned of the secret technique to cooking; because now Ikumi felt the passion within herself to go beyond her own goals and win Sōma over with her own talents. Erina may have prestige and pedigree, but Ikumi's feelings were true and dedicated. Nobody was stronger than her, and she would undoubtedly prove it to anyone who questioned her meat. She walked confidently to her room, and plopped down onto her memory foam matress. Before she closed her eyes, she thought of Sōma and smiled happily. She knew what to do.
And this is the first chapter of many to come! I like the setup of this chapter, because as I have aged and learned a few things about writing, I feel that some characters need an adjustment and this scenario allows me to do just that. I want to get away from the slice-of-life style that the anime and manga present, and offer a more realistic approach to a Highschool environment and relationships. Hopefully you readers will enioy it, because this new series is going to have a much different writing style than my previous one. It is going to be more about massive character development approaching very Mature themes. Again, I will indicate which parts are such so you can skip over them if you prefer. They won't add too much to the story, so you can do without them. But for a realistic depiction of teenagers growing up, you might find them satisfying. I also intend to characterize more of the Polar Star Dorm characters in better detail, while the focus is obviously Ikumi and Sōma; I want to build a stronger cast altogether. This series will conclude as a part 1, and the next part will have alot more involved for the gang moving forward and the payoff for all the characterization will be tremendous. Hopefully you stay tuned, and thanks for reading!! Leave criticism if you could please :3