Alice returned to her seat. Soma took to the mic, "Now that everything has calmed down it is time to announce the votes. Akira, please begin."
"My vote is for Prayikina," he said, still holding the ice to his groin. "With your use of spices you have made me truly proud."
Hisako went next. "My vote is also for Prayikina. Your ability to elevate a simple street food to such a work of art is truly inspiring."
Next was Takumi, "I too vote for Prayikina…"
"You people are morons!" Sabaru shouted. "Prayikina made an eggroll, Elena made a masterpiece! My vote is for Elena!"
"I agree," Megumi added. "Elena's presentation was stunning; my vote is for Elena as well."
"My vote is for Elena," Alice said. She turned to Soma." I guess it all comes down to you. Just remember Elena is your goddaughter."
"So is Prayikina!" Erina shouted.
Soma stood up. "It's the truth. I've known both of you, your entire lives. You are the children of my closest friends. And your mothers."
Erina and Alice glared.
"I'm kidding. But if either of you, upon hearing my verdict or for my previous statement, try to ring my family jewels- actions will ensue."
Praykina and Elena giggled they both knew Soma was not above starting a fist fight with either of their moms. Praykina nudged Elena and whispered, "I kinda want to see that."
Soma looked at Prayikina. "Prayikina Jun, I see so much of Akira in you."
"It's the hair," she replied. The crowd erupted in laughter.
"It's more than that. You have your father's determination, with your mother's grace."
Prayikina bowed her head. "Thank you, Principal Soma."
"And Elena, in you I see your father's fiery spirit. Everything he did he gave it his all, I know he would be so proud of you. But you also have your mother's creativity. Your presentation is a work of art.
"Thank you," Elena said softly.
"For those reasons my decision is not an easy one. My vote- the winner of the Autumn finals is –"
15 years ago-
Akira burst into the operating room in green scrubs. Erina was fully conscious, having been put under only partial anesthesia. "Akria where were you!" she cried.
Akira held her hand. "I'm so sorry. I was a coward."
Dr. Yamata, a tall Asian woman in her fifties brought Akira up to speed. "The baby is partially breached, but worse the umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck."
The other surgeon was already removing the baby from Erina's womb. "We are going to attempt to control the bleeding, to save your wife's uterus, but her body is severely compromised."
"I want you to save my wife." Akira gripped Erina's hand. "If we can't have any more children we could always adopt."
The surgeon removed the baby, handing her to Dr. Yamata. The little girl's chest was spasming, she was gasping but no noise was coming from her lungs. "Start a tubal incubation," the doctor instructed.
"No!" Akira shouted.
"With all due respect, Mr, Hayama, your daughter's airway is compromised!"
"Trach her."
"You want us to cut a hole in your baby's neck?"
"Yes, I've seen this before."
"What exactly have you seen?" Erina asked. Akira was acting like a manic, but she wanted so badly to have faith in him.
"Growing up on the streets of Calcutta, I witnessed many women giving birth in huts and alleyways. I know this will work." The Doctor did as Akira asked making an incision into the baby's neck. The spasms slowed, but so did her heartbeat. Her vitals were failing. Akira started chest compressions. "No, please no!"
"Akira let the doctors do their jobs!" Erina shouted.
"No!" He held his daughter's limp body as he pulled out a cinnamon stick. Ever since he was a child he always found comfort in cinnamon. It reminded him of home. Both of his Indian heritage and it was the first spice Jun gifted to him. He stroked the baby's check. "Please, my baby, if you stay with me and your mother I will teach you everything I know. You will become an amazing chef and live a life of luxury. All you have to do is breathe." The baby turned her head, placing her nose to the cinnamon stick. Her breathing began to stabilize. Akira grabbed a bandage covering the hold in the baby's neck. He didn't even have to spank the baby- the moment he moved the cinnamon she started to cry. "You're mine, my daughter, my baby…" Akira placed the little girl in Erina's arms.
"You idiot moron! How dare you place your child at risk!"
The little girl opened her bright green eyes. Erina sobbed, as the baby reached out her tiny hand, "but then again Our daughter is so lucky to have a father like you."
"And she is truly blessed to have you as a mother," Akira said, holding his wife. The doctors thankfully had been able to save her uterus. "Ow!" Akira gasped as Erina smacked him upside the head.
"You ever try so anything that reckless ever again I will cut off your balls!"
"Balls!" the baby squeaked.
Erina and Akira paused, unsure of what just happened. Erina looked at her baby's precious face. "All drama aside our daughter needs a name."
Akira wiped tears from his eyes. "I always knew her name." The baby gripped his finger. "Our angel, our precious…"
-present day
"Prayikina!" The crowd roared as the girl's name lit up the screen.
Elena patted her shoulder. "Congrats." Both girls looked to Alice who casually approached.
"Auntie Alice, please don't punch me in the groin- studies have been shown that it does hurt females as well."
"I would never, you are not the air-head that your father is, even with your earlier outburst."
"What earlier outburst?" Erina asked.
"I will leave that to your daughter to explain," Alice said with a smile.
"I'll tell you later," Prayikina said sweetly. She turned to Elena. "I'm not telling her later. You ready for our number?"
"You two are going to sing?" Alice asked.
"You're going to love it," Prayikina said excitedly, skipping off.
"Mom, I know you're disappointed," Elena said.
"I'm not disappointed. I am anything but disappointed. I love you so much Elena and I am so proud."
"Mom?" Elena was not used to her mother showing affection.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Mom." Elena held her mother as they both cried.
"Come on Elena!" Prayikina shouted, pulling her back to the main stage. Giovanna, Kyle, Jamie, and Prayikina all had microphones. There was a chorus of other Polar star residents as the backup. Moma held her violin. Elena smiled back at her mother as she unpacked her violin. The violins set the beat as Jamie took to the mic. "Principal Soma, the kids of Polar Star- we got a little something to say…"
(lyrics, Remeber the name by Fort Minor, Food Wars remix.)
"You ready?! Let's go!
Yeah, for those of you that want to know what we're all about
It's like this y'all c'mon!"
This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!" Jamie slapped his hands as the choir joined him.
"Remember the name!
Remember the name!
"92nd generation!"
Remember the name!"
"Take it, Prayikina!"
"Zenji Marui is the historian
Shun Ibusaki smoked his competition
Daigo Aoki and Shoji Sato found strength in opposition."
"Take it, Elena!"
Elena wore a wireless mic. "Alice Nakiri, her cooking is rad
a science superstar
she's a real bad-ass
Ryoko Sakaki brings the party
Yuki Yoshino brings the flame
Hisako Arato at the top of her game.
Nao Sadatsuka, that girl's is keeping it real
a foodie pioneer, yeah she knows the deal.
Megumi Tadokoro she's the queen the sea.
Sabaru Mimasaka he's as sweet as can be."
Prayikina picked up the next verse.
"You know Akira - He doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
The Indian prince, he's the king of the spice."
remember the name!
remember the name!
"Erina Nakiri the princess of power
with the help of her crew, she escaped the ivory tower.
the mistress of flavor she be rocking the god tongue.
When it comes Michelin stars they say my mom is the chosen one."
The next verse went to Jamie.
"Now Ryo who the hell is he anyway?
He never really talks much
Never concerned with status but still leaving them star struck
Humbled through opportunities given despite the fact
That many misjudge him because he makes a living from writing raps
Put it together himself, now the picture connects
Never asking for someone's help, or to get some respect."
-take it- Giovanna!"
"Takumi, he's sick
got him out the dryer he's hot
Rocking Italian living out the name
Don't hate on the player
cause he's the top of his game
Isami Aldini what can I say
His soul, his innovation- always paving the way
Ikumi, she's a fighter she's bringing the heat
Taking hold of the industry like it's her own cut of meat."
Moma, with her small voice, took the next verse, "Soma - He's not your every kid on the block
He knows how to work with what he's got
Making his way to the top
He's living proof, got him rocking the booth
He'll get you buzzing quicker than a shot of vodka with juice
Him and his crew are known around as one of the best
Dedicated to what they do and give a hundred percent."
Soma was staring daggers at Jamie.
The last verse would be sung by the entire choir, "Soma, shout out to your crew,
You all paved the way for us to do what we do
Your friendship, your passion, your art
Principal Soma the beat of this school's heart
peace out!"
The crowd roared with applause.
The kids took a bow together.
Jamie took to the mic one last time. "Yeah! Make some noise for the graduates of the 92nd generation!"