Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Full disclaimer in first chapter.
Alright everyone, we are moving on to the first food war battle! Many of you have provided me with so many awesome ideas and I thank you! Feel free to message me food, spice, or other ideas if you wish. I do look at them and may use them.
From here on out I will be spelling Harry's name as Hari when talking with those in the Food Wars world, and regularly with everyone else including in his POV. Yukihira will also be shorted to Yuki when in Harry's POV and Soma in his own POV.
Some questions asked by readers should be answered in this chapter but let me know if I have forgotten something or seemed to have dropped something. I can't remember all of what I have explained to written sometimes!
Italics are thoughts or language other than Japanese. I will specify what language.
Bold will be English – consider most of the dialog now to be exclusively in Japanese
/Parseltongue/
Chapter 9: Food War over Rice Bowls?
*Harry's POV*
Harry woke up to the sound of angry hissing yelling to let them out.
/That is a horrible way to travel. Get me out of this box! I demand freedom! Master, save me! /
Harry sprung up and looked around his room spotting a small box with a note on it. Harry quickly skimmed the letter, which was from the goblins, explaining that the box was an animal carrier that allowed animals and their care items to be transferred over long distances via portkey.
/Skylark! Hold on, just let me undo the spells. How did you get in here? /
/Master! I am so glad you are there. The dark one, he stuffed me in here! I take back every nice thing I have said about your caregiver's mate. He is evil and should be exterminated! /
Harry just snickered as he went about undoing the charms to enlarge and unlock the animal carrier. Skylark was hissing up a storm the entire time, some of which was unrecognizable to Harry. /I don't know. He found a way for you to come and be with me, right? You don't have to stay with my caregiver or at the school I no longer attend. So, he was doing you, and me, a favor actually. /
Skylark was finally able to escape the box, still agitated from the abrupt trip to Japan, /That is beside the point! He could have at least warned me! /
/How? He can't speak Parseltongue, and he probably wanted it to be a surprise so couldn't ask me. Which it truly was. I am glad you could be here with me Sky. /
This seemed to mollify Skylark a bit, enough to the point he settled onto Harry's head. /Be that as it may…he will have to grovel for my forgiveness! No more skin or venom for him until he does! /
Harry chuckled as he shook his head. Seeing as it was time to get up for breakfast, he set about getting himself ready for the day. During this, he filled Skylark in on the events leading up to that morning.
/Who is the fiery one you talk about? You talk a lot about this one male for having only just met him. And you scent changes too. /
Harry's face explodes into a blush so fierce he becomes a bit dizzy. Oh my god! Really?! That is so embarrassing. /He is a transfer student same as me, and he is in the same class group as me. So of course, we would spend a lot of time in close proximity. And I have no clue what you are talking about - my scent changing. /
Somehow, Skylark was able to pull off an amused skeptical look as he regarded his master's extremely red face, /Mhm-hmm…whatever you say Master. /
/I don't need any of your sass mister. /
Harry quickly finished getting dressed and hurried down to the dining room, hoping breakfast was still going on. He arrived just in time to see everyone seated and hear Isshiki give a lecture on how cooking challenges were conducted. "Yukihira! Did you really try and challenge him for his seat? Did we not just discuss this last night?"
Yuki spins around and gives Harry a "caught in the cookie jar" look, "Yeah, but we also talked about him holding back and I wanted to see what he was really made of! I thought that if I challenged him then he would have to show me all that he had…yes?"
Harry have a loud sigh as he seated himself at the table after room had been made. "No, you idiot. Those at higher levels are not here for your entertainment, and many would not even entertain the mere thought of battling you unless you are such a nuisance that they feel the need to shut you down so completely you essentially become nothing in this school. At our current level, we are considered nothing of importance to those on the Council of Ten…if I am reading it right. He basically said so last night when he side-stepped your question about taking his spot. Ugh…you give me a headache." Harry dropped his head back on to the back of the dining room chair, "I need caffeine to deal with this."
Isshiki, still smiling his congenial smile, chuckled before speaking, "While I would have put it in nicer terms, Prince is not wrong." So, they both knew I was holding back huh? Interesting.
Isshiki was then interrupted by Harry, "You all may call me Hari. I always feel like I am about to get in trouble with a professor or get into a fight when you say my last name. Western raised here."
"Thank you. As I was saying, Hari is not wrong. Many of those on the Council would not consider doing a food war with first years unless there was a very good reason. Remember, both parties have to be in agreement to the battle. And I would prefer to not see you leaving this school. So, this challenge is not going to happen."
"Ah man. Are you serious?! I have been up since five in the morning ready to go."
Harry shook his head in exasperation and focused on eating his breakfast as Isshiki went further into detail on what was needed to constitute an official match. Just as the others were berating Yuki for trying to challenge Isshiki, Tadokoro gave a scream and quickly hurried over to the other side of the dining room. Harry watched this in shock along with the rest of the table.
Yoshino hurried over to her, "What is wrong Tadokoro? Are you okay?"
Tadokoro simply pointed towards Harry as she shook in terror. Everyone then looked over towards Harry, who was looking back in utter confusion. Just then, they noticed that Harry's hair seemed to move on its own. Sakaki was going to point out the unusually movement until, "Ahhhh! There is a snake in your hair! Oh my god! Don't move Hari!"
Harry blinked at then tilted his head up a bit as he looked up towards his hair, which he had left down. "Oh! Skylark! Are you still up there? I thought you were going to stay behind in my room."
The table erupted in surprise, "Why are you not freaking out that there is a snake in your hair?" Aoki yelled followed by Sato screaming, "Skylark? You have named it?"
"Well…yeah. He is my snake after all. He likes all the heat that my hair traps and he usually travels with me up there. Guess he decided to come down with me today. Skylark say "hi"." Skylark raises up a bit, gives a hiss and seemed to nod his head in greeting.
Some of the table's occupants seemed to freeze in disbelief while others were not so shy. "Woah! Did he just nod?! That is so cool! Did you train him Hari?"
"No Yuki, I haven't trained him. Skylark is just a very smart snake. It helps that I talk to him a lot, so I think he had picked up on several words and actions over time. He has been with me for several years."
The consensus of the table was a bit different. You are so weird, you fit right in.
*Yukihira's POV*
Soma woke up to hear the voice of Isshiki coming from the speaker pipes asking for his help, "Dude. I stayed up way late last night. Ask someone else to help you." He tries to roll back over and go back to sleep, but just then Isshiki pops up in the ceiling once again.
"You have got to stop doing that!" Soma let out a groan and rolled out of bed, knowing that he would not be left alone to go back to sleep.
Seeing as it was so early in the morning, he didn't bother with getting fully dressed. He pulled on some sweats and headed towards the door, which he opened just in time to see Hari stumble out of his room. Soma tried to smother his snickers as he took in Hari's "just rolled out of bed" look. Damn he looks cute. All rumpled and sleepy eyed, with untamed hair. That is so not fair.
"Morning Hari. Did Isshiki wake you too?"
Hari covers a yawn just before he turns bleary eyes towards Soma, "Yeah, but I was already in the process of waking up…kinda. Heh, this is usually when I get up to work out and stuff. Do you know what we are helping with so early in the morning?"
Soma shook his head as they headed down the stairs to the front of the dorm, "No clue. He didn't say."
As they cleared the last step the met up with Yoshino, "Hey, Yoshino. Did you get woken up too? Do you know what we are supposed to help him with?"
She laughed, "Yes he did. We are going to be collected vegetables from our field."
Soma yawned, still trying to wake up completely, "Really? We grow our own stuff here? That is so cool!" That is an interesting concept. I wonder how difficult that would be for a larger scale operation.
"Yeah, one of the best ways to ensure a great ending product is to control the ingredients from the source." Hari chimed in.
Yoshino, who was far too awake for the early hour, laughed at Hari's answer, "Well delicious food starts with the best ingredients, just like Hari said." They followed her around the side of the dorm passing Ibusaki taking a chain saw to several logs (That is how Ibusaki gets the woodchips for his smoked dishes), the workshop that Sakaki used for her malted rice experiments, and a chicken pen that Yoshino claimed as her project. Wow. Everyone seems to have a specialty that they really focus on and gather ingredients from scratch. This is so cool!
"And then, there is Isshiki's main area of operation. This plot grows dozens of different vegetables."
While Soma was admiring the vast amount of produce, Hari froze in shock before exclaiming, "Why is he naked in the garden?! Is he allergic to clothes?"
Both Soma and Yoshino stare at Isshiki with dumbfounded looks, as he greeted them, "Good morning. Hello Yukihira, Hello Yoshino, Hello Hari. A bit of hard work in the morning soothes the spirits. Let us all sweat together."
As Isshiki walked over to the three, explaining the theory behind the garden, Hari heaved a big sigh and slumped over onto Soma's shoulder muttering "It's too early for his shenanigans. I need food and caffeine to deal with this!"
Soma, being the only one that heard Hari, quietly snickered as their names were called by another voice, "Yukihira, Prince (Hari, please). Look, these are some of the vegetables from Isshiki's garden."
Tadokoro held up a basket of beautifully colored and well-tended vegetables, wearing the most adorable outfit ever, "Tadokoro, you look like an adorable mother who just came in from her garden." Hari exclaimed at seeing her in her yellow apron and straw hat, causing Tadokoro to blush. I agree. That outfit oddly suits her.
As Hari and Soma tasted a sample of the produce, after calming down Tadokoro, Sakaki and Ibusaki arrived to help out in the garden. Everyone got to work assessing the various vegetable plots, checking for readiness and picking those that were. After about an hour, Tadokoro called everyone over to the picnic table where she had laid out food, "Guys, it's time for breakfast."
Everyone gathered around the table to see what she had packed for them, "Wow Tadokoro, did you make all of this?" Soma was impressed. "This is fantastic! Onigiri for breakfast after working in the garden!"
Hari smirked a bit as he grabbed himself some food and turned to Tadokoro, "See. Just like a good mother. Providing this lovely meal after working hard in the garden." Everyone bursts out in laughter as Tadokoro flushes a bright red once again.
Everyone dug in and began to exclaim over Tadokoro's onigiri filling choices. This is amazing. You can almost taste the care she has placed into her cooking. Very much like a home cooked meal should feel…*snicker* by a mother. Hari is not wrong about that.
Soma turned to Tadokoro with a confused looked, "You can tell you put in a lot of thought and consideration into your cooking (Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.) Why can't you cook like this in our class?"
Hari almost snorts out the tea he had been drinking as Soma voices this thought and Tadokoro slumps over in despair, "Smooth Yuki. Do you have no tact?" All Hari gets is a confused look and a "Huh?", to which Hari simply shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
"I freak out. I have always had stage fright and I freak out and mess everything up." Wow, that's too bad. I wonder how she hasn't overcome that yet? I know everyone gets a little stage fright every now-and-again…but to not have overcome it by now and being in a cooking school.
When Hari asked about the missing trio, they somehow got onto the topic of research societies. "They are a lot like club activities a regular school would have." Interesting…create new menus and participate in competitions?
Soma turns to Hari, "Hey we should go check out these research societies. Maybe there will be something useful for the restaurant." I wonder what kind of research society Hari would be interested in. Maybe a western cuisine one, since that is his origin? Or would be choose something new.
Hari gives Soma a smile and nods his head, "Sure, let's go see what they have available."
*Harry's POV*
The Polar Star garden is phenomenal for a student tended garden. I can believe that Isshiki has not been going to class, rather spending time in the garden. But why does he have to be practically naked?! Like all the time!
Harry shook his head to rid himself of the visual as Tadokoro, Yuki, and he headed toward the bulletin board on the main courtyard. Tadokoro had volunteered to take them to the board where all the Research Societies (RS) posted their flyers when Yuki had expressed interest in them.
"You weren't kidding! Japanese, Chinese, Western, Haunt Cuisine, Vegetarian, Dairy free…They have just about everything. Huh…Rice Bowl Society? That could be good for the restaurant. Let's go by there." Yuki stated as he turned toward Harry and Tadokoro.
Tadokoro looked at him in surprise as Harry straited up from perusing the flyers, "Sounds like a good idea. I can see rice bowls being a good diner option. Let's see if you can locate the club room."
It didn't take them long to find the room, but it didn't seem to be in use. There was only one individual in the room, and he looked like he was in the pit of despair. Ooookay…what is with the doom and gloom. And what is up with the hair?! How does it stay out and up like that? It has to be magic…or a shit ton of hair products.
"Sorry guys, but you should probably just beat it. Bowl club is on its last days and is doomed to get shut down." The kid with the crazy hair (I'm Konishi Kanichi and I run things around here.) then goes on to wax lyrically about the beauty of rice bowls after Yuki made a comment about the quality recipes the club had created over the years.
Manly food…manly cravings…that's a lot of manliness for a rice bowl. Nakiri Erina? I wonder if she is related to the Director and Nakiri Soe. As Konishi goes on to explain the underhanded tactics of the number ten seat, Harry had a premonition of what was to come. Of course, he is going to jump into a battle headfirst this early in the year. And over something as simple as the "integrity" of the rice bowl and dinners. Oh, he is going to be an underdog champion isn't he. You are just too pure-hearted and cute for words Yuki. What am I going to do with you? Harry shook his head at that last thought.
"Okay, so you will have face off against Nakiri."
"Well…" But before Konishi could finish the door was opened and a group of workmen came in and began inspecting the place, talking about tearing thing down rather then refurbishing. "Hey, what is this?"
"What else? I am making a preliminary inspection. You already know how this is going to end." By this time a voluptuous blonde had cornered Konishi against a wall and leaned in to further antagonize him. "It's just like Ms. Nakiri said. No matter how much you dress it up, a rice bowl is just a second-rate dish and simple low-brow cooking."
And there it is. The gauntlet had been thrown…swords are to be drawn on this very ground for the sanctity of rice bowls. So valiant. Harry lowers his head in exasperation at this thought just as the scantily clad blonde (Really? How does she get away with that outfit?) grabs a nearby knife and slices Konishi's hair style in half.
Harry simply stared at the mound of hair that flew on the ground in shock, before bursting out in laughter. He quickly turned around in attempts to get himself under control, but it wasn't easy. Oh man! That was too funny!
"My name is not Meat Meat. Never call me that again" Meat Meat? I think I recall the workman say her name was Mito…I guess I can see…Oh! Is she from the Mito family that owns and runs the Mito meat industry? Okay, that I can see. This simply results in more laughter that Harry had to try and smother.
Tadokoro confirms his theory about her family origin, and that Mito also had a culinary school title. Meat Master? Sounds cool…if not possibly misleading when paired with her outfit. But she is very meat focused, that could hinder her in some challenges in the future.
Yuki interrupts the Meat Master's tirade about the glories of meat with a very sardonic tone of voice, "Being happy about how expensive your ingredients cost is a disgrace in my opinion. Konishi, about this Food War. Will you please let me battle it for you?" The Underdog Champion has entered the ring! Will the Meat Master accept the challenge? Ding Ding!
Harry couldn't help snickering when Mito called Yuki the "idiot transfer student" when she recognized him from the opening ceremony. Oooo…now we are getting nasty. Saying she wouldn't be as good without her beloved meat; someone is feeling cocky. Ah, here comes the "up in your face glare" intimidation tactic number 5. Good choice…except Yuki doesn't scare easily.
Mito looked surprised when Yuki accepted the condition of having to leave Totsuki if he lost. See, told you. Though…why are you surprised? If someone has the level of confidence, or stupidity, like you mentioned, why would something like your condition deter them from competing? When Yuki stated his condition for Mito if he were to win everyone gasped in surprised, except Harry who gave a little snort. That will be interesting. Placing someone in a club that they believe is below them…nice move.
"You honestly think you can defeat me? Well then." Mito clapped her hands and had the workmen clear the room. "All right. I will allow your request for the Food War theme. The main ingredient will be meat. The battle will be in three days." With that Mito left.
Konishi rushed over to Yuki, "Why did you do that? Are you crazy?" Yes, he is.
"Well, thinking expensive meat is everything is an insult to Mom and Pop diners everywhere. But more than anything, it would be a shame to see this place go." But oh so sweet. *Sigh*
Konishi was touched at Yuki's statement, but was quickly through back into the pit of despair when Yuki confessed, he didn't have a clue on what to do for the battle. Tadokoro wasn't too far behind, though she would have been in the field of anxiety.
Harry, who was trying really hard to not laugh and seem sympathetic to Konishi's plight, made a weird snort/laugh (the kind that sounds like it hurts the maker) before attempting to compose himself. "From what I have come to understand, Yuki here flies by the seat of his pants. He will talk first and speak later. So, I hope you two don't have anything planned for the next three days…because you will have your work cut out for ya."
Yuki laughed as he scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, he isn't wrong."
Tadokoro was the first to pick up on Hari's choice of words, "Hari, are you not helping as well?"
Yuki turns to Hari as he responded, "I wish I could, but I have other obligations. I am taking corresponding courses and the times that other students would be doing RS activities I work on them. I will stop by when I have the chance, but unfortunately I can't be of much help with this battle." Not that you really need my help. I know you will win this one. I'm not sure how exactly, just that you will.
The whole school was abuzz with the news of the uppity transfer student was going to battle the Meat Master in a Food War. The residents of Polar Star were not amused with the situation but wished Tadokoro and Yuki all the luck. There were going to need it for sure.
Harry, true to his word, was busy completing his correspondence courses for Mahoutokoro as well as further experimenting with the new ideas being among so many young chefs gave him. On the first day, Harry was given his own study/work room for him to complete his magical schoolwork as well as continue to merge his cooking and magic together.
Calling it a room would be an understatement, for it was closer to having a whole floor to himself. The work-area was located in one of the buildings exclusively for students that also participate in magical correspondence courses. The areas were equipped with everything a Witch or Wizard would need including potions area and supplies, study area with access to a library book that was linked to the student's magical schools library, combat room that acted much like the Hogwarts Room of Requirement, and spare rooms for specific class needs. It also had the standard cooking space and food storage that many students or RS received on campus. Each work area was also provided two-way boxes for the exchange of classwork, as well as a fireplace for floo access when on-campus attendance was required.
Harry had been ecstatic with the room and wasted no time in getting all his kitchen equipment and supplies put in their places. Professor McGonagall had been kind enough to help facilitate a portkey transfer of all Harry's stuff from within his workspace in Hogwarts upon hearing about his transfer. In return, Harry had sent back some baked good that he knew she adored for all her help.
Harry's delight continued when he discovered the combat room didn't just cater to the magical aspect of fighting, which meant he could continue his physical and weapons training too. Harry had yet to beat Severus in a match and he hoped that with the ability to continue his practice he just might do so in the near future. When Harry was learning how the combat room worked, he got the feeling he should work on his Archery and trap laying skills. He didn't get a specific feeling as to why, just that he should do so. So, he had programmed a few sessions in for the upcoming weeks.
It wasn't until Skylark visited that the room showed another perk, an area specifically designed for the Horned Snake. It was a good section of the main room complete with trees, a small waterfall, warm and cool rocks, and wards to keep the provided live food inside the designated area. It was also awarded against spells, projectiles, explosions, and flames. Skylark had immediately abandoned Harry to explore and would rush to his area every time he visited.
On the night before the Food War, after finishing his work and experimenting for the day, Harry headed over to the Rice Bowl RS room to check on how Yuki and the others were doing. Upon entering the room, he saw that not much had changed. "Hey guys, how is it going?"
Harry just stared at Konishi who seemed to have lost all color and possibly the will to live. And wet? He looked around the room for the others and saw Tadokoro looked wiped out and defeated on the floor near Konishi. Further inspection of the room showed Yuki was sitting in a chair looking out one of the windows, seemingly in a stumped state of mind.
Yuki looked over his should to Harry, "Not so great. We have going though the club's best recipes…and I have tweaked them everyway I know how. But nothing seems to be enough. I don't know how I can make a meat dish that will compete with Mito's A5 beef."
"A5 beef huh. Do you know for sure she will be using that?"
Konishi seemed to come back to life enough to mumble, "It is almost a certainty. She regularly uses it in her dishes because it is one of her specialties and favorite cuts."
Harry gave a thoughtful hum as he looked around the room at all the dishes, ingredients, and notes scattered around the room. "Well I can tell you, from having used A5 meat when I cooked with my Dad it is really hard to beat with anything less. It isn't impossible, just very very difficult. Usually, you would want to give a different meat option and then work with spices and other ingredients to overthrow the beef, but you have chosen the difficult route Yuki." As Harry said this, he gave Yuki a deadpan stare who just gave him an awkward "who me" smile back.
Harry looks over the ingredients again before saying, "Well, one thing for certain. Mito will probably put everything into her meat. You could help set your dish apart by providing other flavors in either the meat, rice, or any garnish you add." Harry had grabbed an onion and was tossing it up and catching it as he talked, making his way over to where Yuki sat. "Most of her flavor will come from the meat and how she cooks it. She probably won't season the meat beyond the basics, letting the meat speak for itself."
Yuki, who had been listening intently, remembered something Harry said, "You cook with your Dad?"
Harry caught the onion and then turned to Yuki with an incredulous look on his face, "Did you not listen to a word I just said? I am trying to give you advice on what to make for a Food War, that is TOMARROW, which could see you booted out of this school! Pay a little more attention to the important parts Yukihira!"
Yuki frantically waved his hands in a pacifying gesture, "No no. I did hear everything you said, and it is all good advice. Thank you." This mollified Harry slightly, "But I just registered what you said. Do you cook with your Dad? What does he do? The reason I ask is because I did that…as if you didn't already know. Sorry." Yuki ended with lowering his head in a defeated way after remembering he had said multiply times that he cooked with his Dad in their family diner.
Harry shook his head a bit and resumed tossing the onion in his hand, "Yes. I do cook with my father. He is a bit of a traveling cook and takes up short contracts to cook for restaurants, resorts, and special events around the world. He took me along for most of these contracts, so I have had a lot of experience in working with high quality ingredients, such as Mito's A5 grade beef."
"Woah! That is so cool. My dad is traveling around cooking right now, while I am here, and I think he did so when I was younger. He never took me with, but I kind of wish he had a little. Does he still do that?"
"Yes, he does, but that isn't important right now Yuki. You still need to come up with something to make tomorrow! Think!" Harry was almost to the end of his rope, how could Yuki let it go this close to the deadline? Harry was getting anxious just thinking about it.
Tadokoro stood up at that point wanting to defuse the rising tension, mostly in Harry, "Hey Hari, how about Yukihira takes a little break? Maybe he will get another idea after he recharges, like he did in class?"
Harry lets out a sigh, "I guess that sounds like a good plan. Maybe he can rattle something together. Here." Harry tosses the onion to Yuki, who catches it with a started look, "You might need this. I'm going to head back to the dorm. See ya tomorrow. Good luck." With a wave over his shoulder, Harry walks out of the room.
Yuki tilts his head in thought as he watched Harry leave, "Like I did with the honey to make the meat…more…tender…" Yuki had looked down at the onion in his hand when a thought popped into his head. "Yes! Tadokoro! (What?! What did I say?) You and Hari are geniuses! You both have saved us! Konishi! Do we have anymore steak cutlets laying around?"
Konishi seems to revive himself to respond, "You need steak cuts?" Tadokoro and Konishi then watched in surprise as Yuki began to dice the onion that Harry had been tossing and explained his idea. Once he saw the finished product Konishi knew exactly what he had done, "That is a Chaliapin Steak!" When Tadokoro asked him what he meant, he told her the history behind that particular cooking method.
After tasting the rice bowl both express their amazement on the level of flavor and tenderness in the cheap cut of meat. Can we beat her meat with this? "How did you come up with this idea?"
Yuki smiled and explained that onions had the same tenderizing properties as pineapples and honey, "So really it was Hari's idea and Tadokoro reminding me of the enzymes they have that breaks down the meat. I think this can really work."
"Let us hope so. We don't really have any more time to think of something else."
Most of the student body had turned up to see the Meat Master decimate the new transfer student, who just about everyone hated to some degree for his opening ceremony speech. Tadokoro was freaking out, on cue, at all the students in the arena. "Ah! Yukihira…no matter what you do don't look out into the audience. You don't want to lose your nerve." She continued to freak out as Yukihira stood there calm as ever.
When asked why he wasn't freaking out, Yuki simply said, "This isn't anything compared to facing customers with my family's restaurant reputation on the line."
Just then, they heard the MC (Kawashima Urara) confirm the Food War as officially recognized and a go. There was a loud and rambunctious male response to Kawashima's introduction…apparently, she had a growing male fan club.
*Harry's POV*
As Kawashima introduced the contestants, Harry found the rest of Polar Star and sat with them. The first contestant to enter the arena as Mito and her entourage… .cloaks? Well if that doesn't give someone the visual of cults, Dementors, or Death Eaters. Such a dramatic entrance, but I guess that is half of the show. The intimidation tactics. It looks like the crowd loves it too. Reminds me of the Roman Gladiator Fights. Thumbs up or Thumbs down!?
"How does she get away with those outfits? Seriously? That isn't really safe in a kitchen either." Several of the Polar Star residents that heard Harry muttering snickered in agreement.
When Yuki and his group were announced the shear amount of vitriol that overflowed from the student body was astounding. Ooooo…I can guess this one. Thumbs Down! Off with his head! Tadokoro and Konishi were shaking in terror, well…Tadokoro was shaking in terror. Konishi just looked extremely confused and slightly depressed. Yuki was as confident as ever, also looking confused at the hate that was being screamed his way.
The MC reviewed the rules and the stakes placed on the participants, which garnered more cheering or vitriol from the audience. Harry could see the two participants were exchanging words, though they didn't look all that heated. Then Yuki whipped off his head scarf and tied it around his forehead. So dramatic! You sure do love your signature moves and catch phrases. You are just too cute for words Yuki. I hope you figured everything out last night…or should I say this morning. Good luck.
Whispers broke out among the students, causing Harry and others to look around to find the source. Eventually, the name Nakiri was circulating the arena announcing the Council Number Ten had arrived to watch this battle. Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise when he spotted the long-haired girl in the VIP observation box. Interesting. I wonder why she would take such interest in this particular battle. Does she not trust her little puppet to get the job done? Or has Yuki pissed her off so much that she personally wants to see his downfall? Hmm. From the conversation around Harry, the rest of Polar Star also had the same questions.
Just as Konishi predicted, Mito had brought out A5 grade beef and began making precision cut to get her preferred cut. She was the first to begin cooking, coloring the meat's surface before placing it in the oven to cook throughout. Sato and Aoki were salivating over the visual of the meat as well as the smell of melted butter.
The MC then brought everyone's attention to Yuki, who had been dicing up several onions. As she was commenting that he was about to pull out the meat, the entire arena was stuck dumb and silent. Yuki had pulled out a plastic market bag that advertised "Cheap" everything. "Ha-half price?!"
Yuki seemed to just notice the sticker, or that he was being called on it, and laughed, "I got it out of the bargain bin. Must be my lucky day."
The arena exploded in mayhem, with students yelling and throwing things down towards the arena stage. Harry burst out laughing, both at Yuki and the reactions of everyone around him. Wow Yuki. Could you look any more like a dunce? You are so riling these people up to apocalyptic levels, and I don't think you really know you are doing so. You make it see like you are mocking them and the level of prestige the school has. I think I am getting an ulcer. What are you going to do with that mess?
Despite the uproar around him, Yuki calmly continued with his prepping and then sautéing of the remaining onions. Mito had pulled her meat from the oven by then and was slicing it up before allowing it to rest. During this time, she turned around and began to taunt Yuki. Meow…getting catty you two. Ouch Yuki, 'can't trust a chef that is took busy hurling insults to perfect their dish.' Oh…love me the smell of caramelized onions…and apparently so does Mito. Do you need a chair dear? Oooo…she is blushing too.
The participants turn back to their own dishes and finish plating before the deadline. After the MC introduces the guest judges, Mito move forward with her rice bowl. It was an elaborate presentation of a Roti rice bowl. Wow, presenting the meat in the shape of a flower. Interesting concept but seems a bit showy for me. Garlic rice too. Not a bad choice. That is one of my favorite quick rice side.
The judges obviously loved the first dish and were understandably dismissive of the simple dish that Yuki placed in font of them. Until Yuki lifted the lid. It took only one bite, before the three judges were scarfing down the rice bowl. Deglazed red wine. Nice. That would help with the meat's flavor. Pickle plum paste?! In the rice? Wow never thought of that. That would be interesting to play around with.
The judges slammed down their empty bowls and were clamoring for more. Mito noticed that her rice hadn't been finished, while Yuki's was completely consumed. Interesting. I wonder how much that pickle plum paste affected the flavor of the rice. They had praised Mito's garlic rice but didn't finish it all. After some back and forth between Mito and Yuki lead to her trying Yuki's dish, Mito almost seemed to have an out of body experience. She got quiet and almost seemed to get emotional. You could read the defeat in her body language long before the judges cast their vote.
Unsurprisingly, Yuki won the Food War 3-0. Sweeping his first victory in the arena. Polar Star erupted in cheers for Yuki's first win, Konishi broke down crying, and Tadokoro was jumping up and down in jubilation. The rest of the arena was crying out in surprise and denial at his win. Harry spied the quick departure of Nakiri from the VIP room. Things didn't turn out like you hoped it would, huh? I wonder if Mito will suffer in other loss from this defeat.
Harry turned back to see how Mito was dealing with the loss in time to see her start to yell at Yuki. They had turned off the mikes by then, so Harry didn't hear what Yuki said to her afterwards; but whatever it was it had made her blush a bright red. Wow! That is a full-body blush. What did you say to her Yuki? Oh…I can see the beginnings of a crush forming there. Damnit. I really don't need any additional competition before I even know if I have a chance. I have yet to see Yuki show interest in someone outside of an interest to cook against them. And I can't just go up and ask him, that would be too embarrassing. Why is this so hard?! UGH!
While Harry had been lamenting to himself about his potential love life issues, Mito had run screaming from the arena yelling out Yuki's name. Harry furrowed his brows in confusion before making his way down to the arena stage. Just as Konishi claimed Yuki as the next Don of Bowl Club, Yuki dashed his hopes completely, "Oh no, I'm not joining Bowl Club. I mean…all I wanted to do was check it out. And because I did, I built up a great new menu for the restaurant." Everyone was stuck dumb for a second before Harry burst out laughing again.
"Ha. Oh Yuki!" Yuki turned to Harry with a slightly confused smile, "You are so brutal. And you don't even know what you are doing." Harry continued snickering as the other two shook themselves out of their shock.
"Oh, Hari! I didn't know you were here. What did you think? It was thanks to your help that I was able to come up with my dish."
Harry was shocked, his help? "I don't know what you mean. I didn't really do anything to help you. I think that would have been Tadokoro and Konishi's doing, yes? But…I did think it was a well thought out plan and I never thought of adding a fruit or paste to the rice. I will have to experiment with that. Well done Yuki." Harry gave Yuki a small proud smile.
Yuki responded with a pleased grin, "You were correct on the fact that Mito would rely on the meats natural flavors and wouldn't do too much seasoning in her dish. You also gave me the idea for doing something with the rice as well as the onions. So, you really did a lot to help me, even if you weren't there in the end."
Harry simply responded with a blush and a smile.
Authors Note: Okay! Next up will be the training camp and we will meet Shinomiya as well. Thank you everyone who has favorited, liked, commented, or followed!