Chapter 7: That of Which You Lack

"Can you repeat that?"

"The transferee and your friend are having a Shokugeki against Chef Shinomiya."

Yuki grabbed the collar of the student who just stood up.

"Explain everything."

"It just escalated so quickly. The girl was expelled and Yukihira got into an argument with Chef Shinomiya then Chef Dojima arrived and the moment I got back to my senses, they have already left the room."

Yuki released the student and started to call Megumi's phone but only the sound of ringing could be heard.

"I knew it! Something bad has totally happened."

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked.

"Well we can't do anything at the moment. We just need to wait for them to arrive and as Ibusaki-kun said earlier, their names are not on the expelled list so we can only hope for their return as soon as possible." Ryoko answered, "We'll just update you if we hear anything about them. Thanks for worrying for them."

It was the first time I talked to Ryoko and she exuded a very mature aura. We exchanged contact information and I went ahead to the public bath.


'I wonder what happened to them? Everybody is worried. Wait… why am I worrying too? It's not like I am close with them to start with…'

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I should be enjoying the large bath I was so excited to try. The bath was a very large room that could have passed as a public pool, at least in my hometown. I already steeled my resolve to get naked in front of other people as it was a cultural difference I had to overcome, but the place was empty when I arrived so I had everything to myself.

Takeuchi explained to me all of the customs that were to be done before entering the bath so per his instructions, I cleaned myself first in the shower and took a dip. It was satisfying to soak my entire body in lukewarm water. I heard the doors rolling from the entrance and hugged myself on embarrassment as it was still a culture shock for me. An old man washed himself and took a dip into the bath. Looking closely, he had a strong resemblance to the old man who told me something strange in the hallway.

"Hey boy! I did not think that we would meet so soon." He said.

'I recognize the thick German accent of the old man. He said something about me not being able to stand with my friend and even my rivals. What did he mean about that?'

"I'm sorry. You might have mistaken me for somebody else." I replied in English.

"Nein, I'm not mistaken. You were that boy who fainted in the lobby and you were also the one who mixed pasta sauce with sugar. That was an interesting idea."

Even though my body was soaked in warm water, a cold sweat trickled from my forehead.

"What do you want with me? I have not done anything to catch anybody's attention, have I?"

"You certainly caught mine."

"Why do you say so?" my voice cracked as I asked.

He paused for a second and relaxed his head on the wall. He placed his towel on his forehead and slumped.

"That is because you are the weakest of all the students in here."

His words pierced me with great accuracy. I felt my confidence breaking and my body became heavy, it was as if a mountain suddenly placed all of its weight on my shoulders.

"Wh-what did you say?"

My mind was already blank, I didn't know if it was the effect of staying in the bath for too long or the sudden shock from what was just said. I had confidence in myself so much that I traveled to a distant country and live by myself just to attend Totsuki Academy, but why was I affected so much by his words?

"I'm sorry, this will not work. I had to say it in hope that you may improve yourself. I might have shaken you up more than I intended though."

"…"

"You can just forget what I have said earlier. Go back to your test and look to where your knowledge will take you. A warning though, if you go down this path, you will certainly reach a dead end."

The anger inside me rose up. I did not have the time to check myself as different emotions lashed wildly inside my body. I was happy to pass the earlier tests and I gave my everything into each dish I prepared then suddenly, a stranger arrives and tells me that I am not good enough.

"Who are you to talk to me like that? You do not even know half of the hardship I had to endure just to pass those examinations." Regret immediately registered as the words left my mouth.

"You are right and absolutely correct. I am just an old man giving an advice to a young man because he thinks it is a waste to have someone who has a lot of potential fail miserably."

"What do you mean?" I lowered my voice but I was still unapologetic.

"Tell me boy, what is your story? Don't make it long or I might fall asleep." A grin forming in his face.

His smile made me remember uncle Jouichiro's wide smile. I thought to myself that anybody who could smile like he did would be a trustworthy person. I had no idea of why i started sharing stories but i told him about my father. Also about how I was influenced to start cooking and my journey to Japan as well. He occasionally asked a few questions but listened intently the whole time. When I was done telling him my story, we were both smiling and laughing which was completely different from the mood half an hour ago.

"Why are you interested in me? I am a nobody among the other students. Like I told you, the only chance of getting known by my classmates was during the introduction ceremony in which I was unable to attend."

"No person is a nobody. I can prove that with my life experience. I do understand where you are coming from but please listen when i tell you that all i think of you now is nothing more than a home cook."

"A what?"

"The way I see you is that you only cook for fun. What if it is no longer fun? Do you intend to quit?"

The calm situation fluctuated as I heard another insult. I thought that everything was going smoothly since we were able to converse properly but he was going back to the initial atmosphere once again.

"Of course not! I love cooking." I said loudly but still kept my voice in check.

"That is not the issue here. You would not pass those tests if you did not have the passion for cooking but you must know that you are still lacking. Your friends and classmates have already learned the basics of every cooking method there is. They have an extensive technical knowledge in each ingredient so they can utilize its flavour to its fullest potential. That is what you lack."

"Don't tell me you are a chef too?"

He laughed hard at my question. Each sound echoed inside the empty room and I was left confused more than before. It seemed like it was the funniest thing he has ever heard in his life.

"I've never laughed like that in a long time. If it is you, it might work. You already have the heart for it anyway." he said in gaps of his laughter.

"Did I say something funny? What will work?"

"Don't think about it anymore. For now, I am just an old man you met inside the public bath. Think about what I said and complete this camp. It would be good if we get the chance to meet again."

He stood up and headed for the showers for one last drain.

"Who are you? Your name?"

"Just call me Gerd for now."

That conversation was one of the most trivial things I have ever experienced. I shouted at an old man and got an advice from him instead. His words were deeply embedded in my head as it continued to play repeatedly like a broken radio.


It was late in the evening when I finished my dinner. A stroll around the resort did not sound like a bad idea so I went out for an evening walk. The surrounding was dark as it was at the back of the building but the scent of the trees provided a rich leafy fragrance added with the cool the breeze of which was not present in the front part of the resort. I rubbed my cold arms to provide more heat as I only wore a Japanese style bathrobe. The night was perfect until I heard the sound of a fist slamming the wall.

"I lost…"

I heard a voice near the building and as I looked around, there was a silhouette of a man who just stood in place.

"I lost. Damn it!"

"Yukihira?" I called out.

He turned immediately to the location of my voice and I saw the face of grief basking under the moonlight.

"Hey! Everybody is worried. Where were you?"

"It was nothing."

"Nothing? The word out there is that you were in a Shokugeki against Chef Shinomiya."

His face lightened up and reverted back to the silly face he always showed.

"I didn't know that you were the gossip type. How's it working for you?" he said.

"I'm not into gossiping! I just heard from a student who was with your group. So, how was it?"

"I lost badly." Grief once again returning to his face "…no need to worry, we have not been expelled or anything."

I sat down on the grass and laid down. He positioned himself beside me and looked up to the starry sky. There was only a silence for a few minutes but it felt that having each other's presence was already a conversation between men.

"Somebody told me that I was not good enough." I broke the eerie silence.

"Really?"

"Yup, it was something like not knowing all the cooking methods and other technical stuff."

"I think that you should not sweat about it, we are practically on the same boat if that is your concern. I was only taught by my dad. If it is important, then we will learn it, that's why this is a school."

My eyes lit up. We really were in the same situation.

"Same here. My dad taught me everything."

"That's great! Where does he work?"

"He has his own company."

Yukihira looked at me after what I said. He wore a puzzled look and thought twice before saying something but decided to ask anyway.

"So you do not have a restaurant and nobody works in anything food related?"

"No connection at all, but he studied in a cooking school when he was young." I answered.

"Then aren't you going a long way just to study how to cook, no offense."

"I am, but there is this person I want to meet in any way that I could. He was the one who inspired me to pursue my cooking. You kind of remind me of him."

He laughed at the sudden remark. A genuine smile I have seen twice today. The image of uncle Jouichiro once again flashed in my mind. Yukihira Soma, old man Gerd and uncle Jouichiro wore those carefree smiles that could just leave someone speechless.

"I remember somebody who pushed me no matter what. My goal is to beat him and take over the family restaurant." Yukihira said. "At first, I didn't want to attend Totsuki Academy because I thought that there was nothing I could learn in here that wasn't already taught to me, but it was more than that. I got to know people who drive me to work harder and there are also experiences I had that I surely would not have if I stayed in the restaurant."

"I know what you are saying. Just this morning, there were students in our group who had considerable skill. I thought that they were professionals already but they were also our same age. Oh yeah, he kept yelling your name too. Do you know him?"

Yukihira just scratched his chin and looked away. I had a suspicion that something really did happen between the two of them.

"You can say that."

"It's getting late and we still need to wake up early tomorrow."

"Hey. About what you said that you still not having enough knowledge, have faith in yourself. I heard that you finished earlier than me in last night's dinner assignment and…"

I was about to walk away since I thought he was already done talking, "And?"

"I just want to thank you. This conversation cheered me up a bit and made me remember something important."

"No need to thank me, I was just passing by. I'll go ahead. Goodnight!"

I headed straight to the hotel entrance and looked at the stars in the sky one last time.

'Have faith in myself, huh? Mom, isn't that what you always told me?'


"That was really tiring! Hey Anna let's head to the public bath!"

Ayako shouted with no care at all. The test in the morning was to prepare a noodle dish that would satisfy the examiner and we worked individually during the afternoon test where we had to recreate the recipe an alumnus had given. Both tests were considerably easy compared to the first two days.

'Maybe I'm getting the hang of this training camp if everything went well today and all I have to do is to have a good night of sleep for another tiring day tomorrow.'

"Oi Alex! Can you not ignore me?" Ayako was poking my cheeks.

"Yes! That would be great!" I answered in default. "OUUUUCCCHHH! What is your problem?" her foot drove hard into mine for a couple of seconds.

"You are totally hopeless! You idiot!" she said and stormed off yelling certain phrases in Japanese I didn't understand.

Anna looked at me with clear mockery in her eyes.

"I have to admit, that was your fault."

"Idiot." Ling said as she passed by.

I looked at Takeuchi who was suppressing his laughter as hard as he could.

"Real smooth there Alex!"

"What did I do?"

"Nothing. She was just saying things like you had a lot of good ideas and she enjoyed working on them and then she asked you if what you were to do if you she was not by your side to work on those ideas of yours and then you… HAHAHAHAHA!"

"AGGGGHHHHH! Why did I say that?!"

I faced the wall and banged my head on it to forget the humiliation.

"HAHAHA! Sucks to be you!"

"You know that you are laughing way too hard at my expense."

*PING PONG PING PING*

"Students of Totsuki Academy! One hour from now, at ten o'clock, you will assemble at the banquet hall in your uniforms." Said by the voice from the speaker.

Takeuchi and I looked at each other in confusion.

"What's this all about?" Takeuchi asked.

"I have no idea. Why not look at the guide book?"

He looked at the book and flipped the pages to see the schedule for the third day.

"What? It doesn't indicate here that there is a time for sleeping!"

"Are you serious?"


The banquet hall was filled with students when we arrived but the crowd was considerably decreased since the first day. All of the people inside were exhausted including us, the students of North Lake dormitory.

"All eyes toward the stage." Dojima announced through the microphone, "We had all of you gather here for one reason, and one reason only… to explain to you what tomorrow's task will be. The task will be to create a new breakfast menu worth of being served to guests at Totsuki Resort. Breakfasts are the face of the hotel. It is an important meal that starts the guests' day. I'd like you all to suggest an innovative dish that will make a vibrant contribution to the breakfast table."

Anna tapped me in the shoulder and asked,

"I'm too tired from today's work. Frankly, I do not understand what he is saying anymore. Please tell me the details for tomorrow."

I gave her a thumbs-up and her head leaned on my back as she struggled to stay awake.

"The main ingredient will be 'Egg'." He continued. "We won't restrict you with the cuisine genre, but the dish must be served buffet style. The judging will begin at six in the morning tomorrow. Make preparations so that you're ready for tastings by then. You may spend your time freely until morning. You can test recipes in the various kitchen facilities, or get rest in your room. I'll see you in the morning again. Dismissed!"

"NO WAY!" everybody shouted in unison while others grumbled in disbelief.

"Waaaahhh! I want to sleep right now! Why does this test have to happen right now?" Anna cried.

Despite her complain, Anna and the rest of us changed our clothes and wore our uniforms. Everybody suddenly disappeared and left me with Anna clinging and complaining every time i tried to move which made it harder to concentrate given the circumstances.

'Damn you people! You did this on purpose. I'm going to get back on all of you!'

"Anna we have to start working individually so we can finish and get some rest."

The promise of rest has calmed her down a bit which gave me time to think about the dish I would use.

'Fried eggs are definitely out of the question but what else could I use? Does this mean that I can use egg as an accompaniment or I really need to use eggs as the main ingredient for the dish? Doesn't it mean that I can use any type of egg?'

The exhaustion from the earlier tests built up and my mind was no longer thinking straight and replayed to something inappropriate instead. "…have already learned the basics of every cooking method... extensive technical knowledge in each ingredient… that is what you lack."

'Oh great! That old geezer had to reappear right now out of all the time in the world? I can just feel my confidence coming back to me' I shrugged off the memory with sarcasm.

"I'm going to bed right now. I have already decided on what I would do tomorrow." Anna said as she took off her apron.

"What? Aren't you going to test your recipe first?"

"There is no point in doing so. I am too sleepy to do anything and I have memorized that food by heart. There is no point fretting about things that we cannot do anymore and with that I'll go ahead. I'll just do my preparations at around four in the morning so don't forget to wake me up, okay? Goodnight!"

She went away and I was left alone once again. I was envious of how carefree she was about handling the assignment. As I watched everyone panicking and running around, I kept thinking on what I was going to cook in the morning.

"How can I wake her up if she is staying on her room? No, I definitely need to focus on the assignment. I can definitely cook Tortang Talong or I could just do Sarciadong Isda for breakfast dishes but those won't work on a buffet style."

"So have you decided on what you were going to cook with all that murmuring?"

"Yuzu? Where were you?"

I punched him in the shoulder for leaving me behind with a grumpy dorm mate.

"Anna has the tendency to become troublesome when she feels lazy."

"And nobody even bothered to tell me?"

"I'm sorry. Anyway, what is this you are writing? I can't understand this To-toru-tang Ta-rong and what is this other one?"

I took my notepad and explained it to him.

"Tortang Talong is fried eggplant with ground meat and egg while Sarciadong Isda is a basic fish with sauce topped with scrambled eggs and tomatoes."

"Those sound good, I might get some ideas from you after all."

I motioned for him to go away and before he did, he slapped my back and said "Just do what you got to do. You tend to overthink too much."

'He is right, I am overthinking. I cannot just stand by and complain about what I don't have but I should work on what I do know and make the most of it.'

"Thanks Yuzu! You just gave me a new idea."

"o-okay, I'm glad i could help. I'll be trying a few recipes then."


The alarm rang early in the morning and i got up to prepare everything I needed from the utensils and equipment to the marinated meat and the ingredients for the fried rice. My name was listed under 'Hall B' so I proceeded to my station and arranged everything. The hall was enormous, the biggest space I have seen. I could just stare at the whole room in amazement but there was work that were ought to be finished. The next step was to check the ingredients I needed to claim from the pantry.

"Stub number 347. Please get from the crate with your number."

There were so many eggs lined up that it felt like a dream. It was a huge cold room filled with eggs inside crates lined up in an organized manner. The crate reserved for me had an estimate of four hundred eggs. Students were taking trays of eggs from the crates and placed them on their pushcart.

"Hurry up 347. The test is about to start. Take the amount you need and go to your station."

"Yes!" I answered.

"Each of you is ready to present your dish, I presume? I will now explain the conditions for passing the test. First, I will introduce the judges."

Everybody was looking at the screen where Dojima Gin's face appeared by the time I arrived. I just finished unloading when the door suddenly opened and the laughter of excited children entered the hall followed by their parents and other guests.

"They are people who grow and produce ingredients for Totsuki Resort Hotels and their families. Every year, they serve as judges at this camp. I've informed them about the theme being an inspired egg dish. Their judging is quite accurate. Totsuki Resort's cooking and staff will also join the judging theme."

The guests have already roamed around looking at the dishes that were presented at each counter.

'This is crazy! There are too many guests! The meat is not going to be enough! What am I going to do?'

"There are two judging criteria. One is whether your dish presents an inspiration worthy of acknowledgement by professional producers and staff. The other is to prepare and serve more than two hundred servings within the next two hours. Those who fulfil the two criteria will pass the test! Very well, honored judges, please enjoy the breakfast. May the judging begin!"

"What!? Excuse me ma'am!" I ran straight to a service staff.

"Is there a problem?" she asked.

"I have prepared for less than two hundred guests! Will it suffice if I made another dish for the remaining guests?" I asked desperately.

"I'm afraid the rules state that only one dish is to be served per student." She walked away after telling me and went straight to another station to try some egg dishes.

I went back to my station with the fragrance of sautéing beef inviting guests.

'What am I supposed to do? If I serve the Tapsilog, I will surely fail for not being able to complete the two hundred serving requirement. But if I don't start serving, I won't be able to serve anything. What am I going to do?! I don't want to go home after coming this far in the camp… What am I going to do?!'


A/N:

So many things happening in one chapter haha. so alex has been pushed to his wit's end and his original plan backfired. A little background on 'TAPSILOG': TAPa (cured beef which is kind of comparable to beef jerky) + SInangag (garlic fried rice) + itLOG (egg). a lot of variety can be done as long as there is fried rice and fried egg together with any meat of your preference. (ex. hotdog = hotsilog, longganisa (pinoy sweet cured pork) = longsilog, ham = hamsilog). the posibilities are endless with this typical pinoy breakfast. Sarciadong Isda (from spanish word 'sarsa' or 'salsa' meaning sauce) is a term for cooking things with sauce and the fish is any leftover fish that you wish to add as an ingredient for a new tasting dish.

What will happen next? Tune in... because i have no idea so far but rest assured, it will still be pinoy food :D

I hope the events of this chapter was not as cluttered as i think it is and i do hope that you enjoyed this chapter as well :D

Cheers!