When Totsuki Came Knockin
Author: So sorry for the wait, but next few chapters in progress! Thank you for stopping by and let me know how I am doing so far. THANKS!
You know how when you enter a deep slumber, how there is only one thing that can really awaken you besides immediate danger. How one could hear the cry of a child in the middle of the night, and on command, in an instant a parent would awaken. As a loud thud emitted from their room and to this Erina threw the covers of her body rushing towards the direction of the twins. Only to be greeted by a wandering Izumi, while her twin brother Jin looked over from his cradle. A foreshadowing of events later to come in life. Relieved that nothing terrible happened, Erina simply smiled and so did Izumi as both their eyes met. Arms extended towards her, signaling that Izumi wished to be carried by her mother. And again on command, Erina knelt down extending her own arms. Challenging Izumi to crawl towards her and to this she did, inch by inch eventually reaching the destination. Smiling, as Erina rewarded the child by lifting her into the air, into her arms, in her embrace.
This moment would be of many to come, but it was cut short as a sudden cry cut the silence of the night. Jin the onlooker, broke down, a temper tantrum as one would say. Erina could only laugh at this while a lost expression was presented on Izumi, as if she had no idea why Jin broke down. Jealousy.
"So you want to be with mommy too huh?" As Erina lowered the railing, extending her arms to greet Jin's. Now carrying both of her children Erina proceeded to take a seat near the window, as there was enough moonlight to slightly light the space they were occupying. Placing both children in the space created by sitting crossed legged. And at that time while Erina did not know, that another was spectating from afar, the only person she could really trust besides her direct family, Hisako. As the moment was too cute to pass up that Hisako managed to sneak one good photo. Of a happy mother, looking over her children under the cover of the dimly lit night. Now how Hisako got there was never Erina's concern. But she could only wish that HIsako had taken a few more photos of that moment.
"Awh oh my gosh this is just so cute Ms. Nakiri! C'mon guys look that's Izumi!" Erina smiled fulfilling one of the checkboxes of being a mother, embarassing your kid in front of their friends. Check. Which was of course followed by the usual response of ' Mom, no! Stop please," or "You're embarrassing me in front of my friends!" And to that Erina smiled even more at the sight of her daughter's mild embarrassment as she fought for control of that photo from her friends.
"You know, when she's flustered, she sorta looks just like you. Well when you were younger of course." Alice snickered as she leaned over the counter, drink in hand.
"The age jokes won't really work now Alice considering the fact that we are practically the same age." Alice was not amused at such a comment. It was usually Alice's job to bring up mild insults like such. She hasn't changed, the same old Erina, Alice thought. As Erina turned to greet her cousin with open arms, as the two were always very close. In fact sisters.
"How have you been Alice?" Breaking away from the hug , as the two each took a seat and watched as the night grew and teenagers entered a new gear. Laughter could be heard, music echoed throughout the night, as the atmosphere changed greatly to that of the night from sixteen years ago.
"Ah you know, busy, tired, I've never had to deal with so much paperwork in my life. Well besides the paperwork of being among the elite ten. But if we throw that detail out I've been just fine. You?" Erina laughed at her nagging cousin, now she knew her pain when she was among the elite ten. Now she would suffer!
"Well it is part of the job, being director and all. Especially a school like Totsuki. You should have known what you were getting yourself into when you said yes. And as for me, I've been doing pretty well." After the whole incident between Erina and Soma, Erina spent a year raising both Jin and Izumi, eventually sending Jin off to be with his father. As even through all the bad, Erina knew that a father deserves that opportunity to be a father. So she did. After which Erina continued with her goal of being her own, away from the Nakiri name which was quite impossible to do. But she did, establishing her own name besides God's Tongue. And now living a quiet and peaceful life with her daughter.
"And how has Izumi been? Speaking of which I'll be right back." As Alice got up, proceeded towards her "neice," of course embarrassing Izumi even more in front of her friends. And once she had completed that checkbox walked back towards Erina, leaving a rather very flushed faced Izumi. Alice pulled at Izumi's cheeks, the cheeks on one's face!
"Done?" Erina asked.
"Mmmmm I believe so for now. But now onto the next matter at hand.. I think that you should reconsider.."
"Letting Izumi attend Totsuki huh?" This topic again, over and over. It had been the topic of many discussions between the two, of Izumi's future as it was inevitable. The future will become the present.
"Yes. After all you can not deny that fact that she is talented, despite your efforts to keep that world away from her." The world of the God's Tongue would forever remain a part of Erina, but with that world came her father, Azami. Followed by the darkness that had shrouded most of Erina's life. And Totsuki was a constant reminder of that world. A dark world that at once held promise, but slowly would lie to her, a beacon of false hope in a way. And with Izumi being her child, as well as Soma's. The man who dismantled Azami's plan and a man that no longer exist to Erina at least. Yet it would only be a matter of time till both worlds met. Which was exactly what Erina feared. A world that brought nothing but pain, meeting her daughter's world? Erina did not want that for Izumi.
As Erina never had control of her life, no freedom, a caged bird and she wished that Izumi would never have to experience that just because of who her mother was. Or the family she was a part of. The renowned, world class chef, the God's Tongue. The daughter of the crazed man Azami, granddaughter of the Demon and so on. That world would always be a part of her, but because it was. It did not have to be a part of Izumi's world.
"I acknowledge the fact that Izumi is talented, but I feel that she's meant for more than just cooking. And Totsuki is something I don't want to force on her, if she does not want it. I don't want to force my world, our world on her own. I want to give her the one thing I never had growing up." Alice just stared off in the direction of Izumi and then Erina, she knew her cousin, her past, her world and she understood why Erina kept Izumi away from that world. As the even the brightest smile was not entirely made of light.
"A choice."
"Well maybe you should consider this, she is the daughter of the very man who helped break that cage Azami setup. Even though Soma is no longer the man you knew, Izumi is the memory of the Soma you knew. I mean why else would she be so competitive about challenging us, helping you in the kitchen, obsessed. Because it's already been a part of her. " To this Erina stared down at the floor, memories begin to rush, pouring out of the box Erina held them in. Alice was right about Izumi and how she was that memory. About every detail, Izumi's obsession and determination was second to only her father. And much like the moon of a the pitch black night sky. The sun would rise. While all this was happening she failed to notice that Izumi was standing in front of the two.
The bright and vibrant sun of the dark world huh? Erina thought, as she stood up from her seat. Maybe it was time to acknowledge that fact.
And much like the sun, it also shares the same space with the moon. But to Izumi that moon would become to be known as Jin. A duo second to none.
As one parent worked to keep that world away, one worked to merge that world and conquer it. Jin Yukihira, a talented chef in his hometown and third to the other's who occupied it. His father and grandfather who would frequently visit. Night had fallen upon the town and with it came the bustling noise of the Sumire Market. But as for Yukihira's, especially Jin.
Whom sat under the moonlight star gazing , while of course ignoring the piles upon piles of offers from various colleges, universities, culinary schools. As Erina worked to keep Izumi away from the kitchen, away from that world. Soma acknowledged the fact that Jin wished to merge that world with his own, to face it without fear and to forge something of his own. Despite his name and the reputation that came along with it.
"So seems you amassed quite the collection of papers, all the work you put into it all. Only to be star gazing huh Jin?" Soma stated as he stood by the doorway of the room. Though in junior high, Jin had already developed a reputation as the best among the youngest chefs in Japan. Receiving offers not only for his skills, but academics as well. Any child would have jumped on any of the offers Jin had received.
"You know I'm still waiting on one more school dad..." to this Soma sighed, he knew his son's capabilities and not only in the kitchen. Even though Jin worked hard to conquer that dark world, Soma knew he still had fear of it. And just like Erina, Soma did not want Jin to follow in his footsteps just because it was what he did, as well as his grandfather including Tadokoro.
"Do you mind telling me. Why you are so set on Totsuki? You know you don't have to follow the path we took. I mean just look around you. You have so many options." And he was right, various schools, all with their own offers. Any ordinary kid would accept any of them in a heartbeat. But it was not enough.
"I don't want to be ordinary, I want to finish what Mom started. After all... she never got to finish." And this Jin was right, as at some point it would have happened and it did. As Totsuki is built to weed out the weak and every move one makes can be their last. Which is what happened, after three years at Totsuki Tadokoro was expelled. But she gave it her all, she mustered up the courage to go from near expulsion as a first year to a respectable fourth year. Someone who was so close, but unable to finish. Which is why Jin wanted to finish what she never had the chance to do.
To this Soma sighed with a little disappointment, as this showed Jin only cooked for one purpose that was not his own. But he could not be fully disappointed, as it also showed just how caring Jin was. It reminded Soma of himself whenever any of his loved ones were in danger, and it also reminded him of the one he failed. Erina. But just as she did not dwindled in the past, neither did Soma. But if this was the case would Jin fail someone as well? But at that, Soma would leave Jin's future in the best hands possible. His own, Jin would decide.
"Well then that settles that." As Soma walked over to Jin with a packet in hand, from Totsuki.
Upon the realization Jin's eyes widened in excitement. Eagerly spinning around to tear off the seal and begin quickly skimming through to see those words "congratulations!" And he did, but as one knows applying to Totsuki especially as a transfer is quite rigorous, and some would say impossible. There are three phases in the admission process to Totsuki, phase one was of course applying. All the basics are sent to the admission office, to ensure you have completed all the necessary courses needed to pass junior high. The boring stuff as Alice would say. Second phase, interview and that itself is pretty self explanatory. Finally, the third phase the mock run. Only given to applicants who have proven to show some potential. In which applicants will be given a chance to compete against other prospects, which in doing so helps Totsuki weed out the weak. As only a few transfer slots are available each year.
"And this year, we Totsuki are offering only 100 transfer slot to prospects. We look forward to your attendance in phase two of the admission process. Best of luck! Admission staff of Director Nakiri Alice." Jin read off and like a firework, Jin sprung into the air, full of excitement shouting at the top of his lungs "all right!"
And not only would he be the one to say those exact same words that night.
"You called me mom?" Izumi asked as she poked her head from around the corner. The party had well ended and the last of the teens had left the home. Of course cleanup had to be done before any presents could be opened. But before that Erina had called Izumi to join her on the roof, along with Alice.
"Uh yes, please come take a seat dear." Erina motioned to the bench under the sunroof, under the light of the moon. The conversation that Alice had with Erina, brought Erina to acknowledge that idea of letting Izumi choose. Even if it went against the wishes of Erina. Though good reasons, still Izumi deserved that choice to choose. A few moments passed as Erina was lost in thought unaware of her actions, as Izumi and Alice watched Erina pace back and forth. Then go to a sudden stop before taking a seat near Izumi.
"I'm not in any trouble am I, because I swear I told that kid not to break that glass. I mean okay maybe I should have told you rather than hide it..but still.
"Wait what?!' Erina stated concerned and heartbroken her sweet little angel lied.
"Erina! Nevermind broken glass, we are getting off topic here.." Alice stated, that tone was like Alice was scolding Erina rather than Erina scolding Izumi. A funny situation that caused Izumi to giggle, even though Izumi always laughs at her own mother's situations.
"Yes yes sorry, Izumi you are so grounded but. You know I love you, and that I want nothing but the best for you. And you also know my past and how I grew up. About Totsuki and how I wanted you to..
"Yeah I know already mom, you want me to stay away from Totsuki. But mom I promise you if you just give me a chance. I can prove to you that I belong there. I'm not scared really. I can..wait did you say wanted? That's past tense, like you're saying.."
"What you mom is saying is that she is letting you choose." Alice stated, as Izumi's eyes widened looking back at her mother and aunt. Izumi Y. Nakiri, daughter of Erina and Soma, the hidden gem of the culinary world. Drawn to the scent and intensity of the kitchen from a young age, it called to her in a way that simply she could not ignore. Maybe it was in her blood, maybe she was crazy? That is what she often thought, but as she began to step into the muddy waters. It became clear. She could not leave, or rather she did not want to leave. Growing up she practiced her natural talent into skill, often cooking meals and having her mother test them. Asking for help when it was needed, working in the restaurant. Staying after school to practice even more, or borrowing books from the libraries. She was obsessed, but not in a bad way. Rather that the obsession was masquerading as determination. And when she learned of Totsuki's existence. She just had to get in. But it concerned her mother. After all Erina worked hard to limit Izumi's exposure to the world she was from., often reminding her that there was more than Totsuki. As Erina's world, a world in which showed great promise for a happy future, but lied. As the man she loved, had broken her heart and left. A caged bird that was shot down by the very one who opened the cage that held a captive. A life spent as a captive in a world she was born into and simply only wanting the best for her child, Izumi. And this news that Erina would allow Izumi to choose, was groundbreaking.
"I can attend Totsuki…." the thought would take a while to process, but once it hit. Izumi went off.
"I haven't even started the application yet, and it's quite last minute since the deadline is in….three days! Only three days to get all the necessary info and! Why didn't you tell me earlier mom?! Ohhh god I better hurry." Izumi went off, thoughts became words in seconds and words into action in a fraction of that time. Izumi was quite the mess when it came to her own situations, just like her mother and to this Alice broke out into laughter.
"What's so funny!? This is a serious matter...this this is my future. We have to hurry!" Izumi shot back, embarrassed of course. Even facing away from Erina and Alice with arms folded. But yet she was smiling, her heart was racing, her blood boiled with excitement and that obsession that was masquerading as determination rose. Izumi was one step closer to her goal, her dream. To be better than her shitty old man who broke mom's heart.
"Welcome welcome, all transfer students please proceed to the main building! You must not be late!" The same message that had been repeat for over the past hour since their arrival. As the Yukihira's arrived on campus, so did a surge of old memories of when Soma attended, those countless battles, intense challenges, heart filled moments in the Polar Star dormitory, how the years had flown by. With each passing second, as each stride they took brought them close to their final destination. Soma remembered even the ones he did not want to remember. And that uneasy feeling one would get when confronting an awkward or tense situation, but then one would have that little reassuring voice in their mind. What's the worst that could happen, that saying became the chant.
"Yeah what's the likelihood, she would be here anyway." Soma stated aloud, not discreetly by any means. But life has different ideas or rather destiny, fate? And in fact Soma would not be the only one saying that exact phrase, minus the obvious one word change.
"Yeah, what's the likelihood, he would be here anyway?" And it was very likely that former paths would intertwine once more. But this is where the real story begins. As again, the wound must be opened to begin healing. But for now, Totsuki welcomes new blood, new diamonds in the rough that are yet to be found.
"So are you ready Jin Yukihira, Izumi Nakiri?" As question that seemed to rely to those individual minds and with the proper response. As birds of a feather flock together, the sun and moon.
"You bet!" the twins exclaimed to the air. A great way to break the ice or rather silence in the auditorium of Totsuki.
Author: How's that? Yay or nah? Next chapter in progress, longer? Most likely! Thanks for stopping by!