Kei-Kei Yuki: I tried my best at part two and will admit it was a little hard. Also, I will one day, completely redo chapter 14, as I really don't like it and have a new idea for introducing Soma childhood (genderbent) friend. Hope you all enjoy~!
21th Plate: Autumn Election P.2
When Soma looked over the high-tech and futuristic equipment that was behind Alice, she wondered just how on earth did one cook with those things. "Sorry, Soma-chan, but this is where you lose. Be ready to be enthralled, okay~!" winked Alice, only to pout once she saw Soma had her back facing her, not listening to word she just said.
"Mou, Soma-chan, at least listen when other people are trying to trash talk you~!" fumed Alice as Soma finally turned around.
"Oh, sorry, my mind was elsewhere~!" apologized Soma.
"Even from sitting up here, I can't help but feel anxious, yet for some reason..." trailed Marui, pushing up his glasses.
"Yukihira is feeling absolutely no pressure at all," finished Ibusaki, watching Soma comfort a pouting Alice, who was still angry at being ignored earlier.
"It's times like these that you just can't help but admire her, huh?" said Daigo; Shoji nodded his head, agreeing. The first to serve their dish between the two girls was Alice, whose vast knowledge and skills when it came to Molecular Gastronomy, which she incorporated into making her bento, left a high impression on the judges. This left Alice in high-spirits as if victory was in her grasp, even when Soma walked forward to serve her dish.
While Alice's bento box was both delicious with a beautiful presentation, and Soma's presentation wasn't on the same level, the taste was more important. Even though Alice's dish was delicious, Soma beat her as Senzaemon explained to Alice the flaws of her dish. "Even if I were to say that your bento was like a jewel box of immaculate presentation, Yukihira's bento, on the other hand, could be compared to a treasure chest, brimming and unearthly."
"No way..." Those words left Alice staggering; a frustrated feeling began building within her.
"The depth of detail and care she incorporated with her dish was prominent, using heat as her aid to boost the deliciousness of her bento. Of course, yours was remarkably delicious, but couldn't you have served the same thing if this was a sushi battle? You did nothing but implied your skills towards the content of that box. Not taking note of the fact that a bento has a unique deliciousness that only it can convey, and you did not incorporate that uniqueness," Senzaemon further went into explanation though it was only when Soma offered her a taste of her bento, did Alice understand where she had failed.
Seeing Alice crying on the ground, Soma couldn't help but flashback to the first time she lost a cooking match against her father. "I'll definitely win next!" vowed a runny nose and teary-eyed young Soma. Alice was taken off guard when she found herself sitting in a warm lap, a hand patting her head.
"I am very much acquainted with that frustrated feeling you're feeling. So let it all out; it's okay to cry after a defeat! What matters most is that you learn the lesson and get back up. Besides, the more you keep crying, the more you're going to keep ruining your good looks." Soma effortlessly lifted Alice off her feet, ignoring the wide-eyed stares and pink flush dusting the girl's cheeks, making things worse when she next planted her lips against the girl's cheek, beaming a cheesy grin at the red-eyed beautiful girl, and Soma said,
"You did a good job! I can't wait to compete against you next time~!" Though others were unaware, Soma was literally just following her instincts with no intention of seducing Alice. Too bad the others didn't think that way, including a fuming Ikumi, who thought, 'Why didn't I receive a kiss when she defeated me?!'
While Takumi thought, 'Yukihira, what the heck?! What does she have that I don't?!'
Up in the VIP room, Erina was fairing no better. "Huh! What does that Akuma woman think she's doing?! First, she tried to seduce me and now it seems that I'm not enough for her! Who does she think I am? And if I cared enough, I can give her way more than Alice can!" Standing beside her ojou-sama, Hisako didn't know whether Erina was angry at Soma or jealous of Alice.
Meanwhile back on the floor with Alice and Soma, the first was blushing red all over, staring up at Soma with big hearts for eyes. "Mou, Soma-chan, I think I'm in love~! Ah, I gotta tell okaa-sama about this!" Alice wrapped her arms around Soma's neck, nuzzling her head against the redhead's chest as she was no longer depressed about her defeat.
It was after the match between Takumi and Mimasaka, Takumi having lost the match and also his precious Mezzaluna. Honestly, the match also left a bad impression on Soma, and while she felt bad for Takumi, she knew right now that what he needed most was space. Which was why she returned back to her room, not even that shocked when saw the creepy stalker there.
"Hmm, so I take it you somehow copied my room key, right? So what is it that I can help you with?" Soma began brewing some tea, not even minding the intruder in her room.
"The match card for the next battle has been decided and it seems I'll be your next opponent. So how about we make this a shokugeki. If I win, I get your knife and in return I'll return back Takumi's Mezzaluna that he lost to me." Mimasaka tried to push at Soma's buttons, hoping to get her riled up.
'No matter how carefree and composed of an impression she gives others, everyone's got their own limits. After acknowledging a person, no way can you back down when that person has been insulted.' Mimasaka even mocked Takumi right there, trying to provoke a reaction from her.
Saying nothing as she drank her tea, Soma slammed it on the table and looked Mimasaka right in the eye. "Oi, if you're trying to provoke me then you're going in the wrong direction. Takumi may have lost, but this won't keep him down. While you on the other do nothing but leech off other people's hard work, unable to experience the true joy that comes from cooking." Soma shot Mimasaka a look of pity and sighed. "Besides... You couldn't handle me... if I truly became angry." It was only for a split second, but those gold orbs, warm and carefree, flashed cold and merciless, sending a jolt of fear down Mimasaka's spine.
It happened so quick that for a second Mimasaka thought that his eyes were playing a trick on him as Soma returned back to normal. "I don't mind doing a shokugeki, but I want more than the Mezzaluna; I want you to give up all ninety-nine knives that you've confiscated up until now. Also if that is not enough, I'll quit being a chef," Soma laid out her bold demands, taking a second sip of her tea.
Despite such intrepid words, Soma remained calm, drinking her tea as Mimasaka burst out laughing. "You really are one of a kind, Yukihira Soma. A true daredevil of a woman! Fine, I can accept those terms." Even though Mimasaka might have agreed, the same couldn't be said for the others when they found out what Soma offered up.
"Yukihira, how can you put your career as a chef on the line!?" shouted Ikumi, shaking Soma by the collar of her shirt.
"How else was I going to get him to offer up all those knives... Beside, Nikumi, the only thing I need right now is some support. Okay?" The scene suddenly changed to Soma comforting a teary-eyed Ikumi. That next day, when Soma opened the door, wearing an overly large panda shirt, along with some cute panda slippers, she was confused why there was a blushing middle-schooler, anxious to see her, yet almost passed out due to Soma's current appearance.
"Y-Yukihira-senpai!"
"Hai, that's me."
"My name is Mitsuru Sotsuda. I'm a third year in the Middle School Division in the Journalist Club." The boy showed Soma the school newspaper that had a picture of her and Mimasaka posing on the front cover. "I-I deeply a-admire you and was hoping you'll let me follow you this week, so I can do a story featuring you."
Staring at the middle schooler before her, Soma had this strange feeling that if she didn't agree right away this guy was going to cause some trouble for her just so he could get that story. "Sure!" Soma always listened to her instincts. Besides, if this little guy was going to be following her around than she was going to use him as her guinea pig.
After getting such a great response from the judge, Mimasaka laughed in Soma's face, gloating his soon-to-be-win. "You trust your inspiration to make a dish on the spot, but mark my words: That's nothing more than your brain being at a standstill. When it comes to cooking, the devil's in the details. Whoever preps the most will win. All your tricks will be worthless! This will be the last dish you serve in this lifetime." Mimasaka left a sour expression on those cheering for Soma, yet the girl said nothing, working on her dish while singing a BTS song to the disbelief of those who were watching her.
"Wait, isn't she singing Not Today by BTS?" questioned Yuki, receiving a head nod from Ryoko.
"Yukihira really does have balls of steels," commented Daigo, only to have all eyes point at him with a look as they quoted, "But Soma-chan's a girl."
When Soma said she was going to take the judges to an amusement park with her dish, she meant those words, feeling their taste buds be taken to a world of splendor and joy. After the results were announced, Soma had a heartfelt talk with Mamsaska who returned all of the knives, which was part of their deal. Though she didn't understand why Mimasaka suddenly called her, "Onee-sama!" for no absolute reason.
Just as she was about to return Takumi his Mezzaluna, he vowed to Mimasaka that even though he lost this time, it wouldn't be the same for next time. Before pointing her with a firm look, sapphire blue clashed with gold. "My Mezzaluna is yours now, but I'll definitely win her back using my own strength," vowed Takumi before taking his leave.
Eyeing his back that was beginning to walk farther away, Soma felt an odd sensation in her heart. "Takumi, for a second there, was very manly." She placed a hand over her beating heart. Mimasaka saw this and asked,
"Onee-sama, is Takumi your type?"
"Maa, I never really thought about such a thing, but... Takumi, you just made my heart go doki-doki! Never knew you had such a manly side in you!" Soma yelled out. Takumi's footsteps paused, rushing back around with a blushing face.
"Are you trying to tell me I was unmanly before, Yukihira!?" yelled Takumi.
"I mean, at your first battle, I saw you as nothing more than a talented and cute uke chef, but now you have evolved into a man, Takumi! Kyaa, I'm so proud of you!" Soma reached out and hugged Takumi's head which she buried in her chest. The soft flesh of Yukihira's breasts had all the blood in his body rushing to his head, on the verge of passing out, if a firm yank hadn't snatched him away.
"Aldini-kun, I think I must also have a word with you as well." Gin was wearing a not so pleased smile, dragging away both Mimasaka and Takumi.
Omake 1:
Erina was in her room reading shoujo mangas when suddenly the doorbell rang, and she got up to go answer the door. Seeing a familiar head of red did nothing to improve her mood after Hisako suddenly took a leave from out of her life. If anything, it only made things worse, especially when those gold orbs rested on the manga in Erina's hand.
"Oh, shoujo manga, huh? Not a bad choice, but I recommended at least trying out some BL or maybe even yuri!"
"Y-Yukihira Soma?! W-What are you doing here; also what were those strange terms you just used? Are they... a-also different types of shoujo?" Erina loved reading shoujo manga so she, of course, got excited if she got the chance to read more, not even minding the extra guest that suddenly went pale and blushed at Soma's words.
"Mmm, I'll lend you some later, but only if you taste test my beef stew."
"Okay, but don't blame me for being harsh."
"Maa, just when are you ever nice? Though I gotta say, that ojou-sama's personality is a part of your charm." Mitsuru was really amazed at Soma's ability to strike a person where they hurt and heal them in the next second. Even more surprised that those words got 'Ice Queen' herself to blush. After Erina's job was finished, Soma did as she promised, though after reaching to read a BL manga first, Erina's pure and innocent maiden heart couldn't even get through the first couple of pages.
'J-J-Just what are those erotic scenes?! How can people read such a thing?!' It took Erina a long time before she calmed herself down; using all her courage, she picked up the yuri manga next and was happy that it was at least more tame compared to the R-rated BL she picked first. The more Erina got into the story, the more she couldn't help but relate to the main character of the story, rooting for the "Ice Princess".
"That darn Sona; how can she not see Erica's feelings for her?! How dense can she be? Arrg, her stupidity reminds me of someone," said Erina while over in the Polar Star Dorm a certain redheaded chef sneezed.
Omake 2:
Soma stared down; Mimasaka cockily returned her look. The match had yet to start but everyone could already feel the tension between the two. "First, before the match begins, I want to ask you one thing..." Everyone anticipated what Soma was going to ask Mimasaka.
"What... color underwear am I wearing?"
That was not the serious question they were expecting!
"Black, though they are a little uncomfortable as your size has increased in the last three months."
They also didn't expect Mimasaka to answer that question! "Oi, where the hell is your awareness as a woman, ya idiot!?" shouted Tsunozaki.
Soma clapped her hands, giving Mimasaka a thumbs up. "You truly are a villainous stalker~! I bet you even know my measurements," said Soma, and before Mimasaka could announce them, a firm hand landed on his shoulders. A hand which belonged to none other than the General Head Chef of Tōtsuki Resort, Dōjima Gin, and also though Soma was unaware was her godfather, seeing how back when both Gin and Jōichirō were students, the former once said to him,
"Gin, if I ever have a kid, you're totally going to be the godfather~!"
"Let us remind ourselves that this is a cooking match; cooking is all that matters here, and also... Mimasaka-kun, I would like to have a word with you after the match." Gin let out a threatening aura that caused everyone, except a certain dense chef, to go pale with fear. The man was already intimidating enough with his muscles; adding that cold and malice aura he was emitting at the moment, the man was downright terrifying.
End of 21th Plate: Autumn Election P.2