-Flashback-
Both dishes were outstanding… Mana Nakiri thinks to herself as the audience waits for her final verdict. Erina's dish was packed with many amazing flavors and her dish set forth many powerful emotions that were shown through her memories of several attempts and hardships remaking the miso soup. Soma's dish had immense impact which somehow made the person eating his food want more and more of his cooking as each bite goes by. Many forget that rice is a carbohydrate, a kind of sugar. As a result, many meals in restaurants consisting of rice often fail to maintain the proper balance between the carbohydrate and the meat, often going overboard and becoming sweet. For Soma, however, the rice and meat combo resonated really perfectly. And not to mention the perfectly cooked egg that just gives an enormous punch to the umami level of his dish. And just like Erina, his dish reveals a story of hardship, but a story like none before. Just as his dad told him, 'find a person that will give you purpose for cooking. And that person will be the fuel that will ignite your cooking abilities and manifest your cooking potential to its fullest.' He thought he found that person that he would cook for, for the rest of his life. He put all his time and effort into the person, and loved her with all his heart. Even in the end, after being hurt heartbroken from her, he still had it in him to support her, even if it meant destroying himself even further. And that was the overall dynamic between the two throughout the relationship. One gave happiness and received sadness. The other gave sadness and received happiness. And unfortunately, as the BLUEs event is coming to an end, so has his willpower to support her. And that is what makes his dish far outclass Erinas. The emotions were just simply overwhelming, and the blood, sweat, and tears he had produced making this dish demonstrated this. With that said, Soma's dish reigns over Erinas.
"Mana-sama," Anne pokes Mana's shoulder.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but have you come up with the winner? It has been 10 minutes."
"Oh, my bad." Mana looks at Anne. "I was so lost in thought that I had lost track of time." Mana clears her voice as the cameras zoom in onto Mana Nakiri.
"Both dishes were a masterclass of its own. By far, were these two the best dishes I have eaten in awhile. Truly were these two dishes out of the world. However, one had stood above the other, outmatching the other in balance, aroma, and taste. And with all that said… I declare that the winner of this competition is…" the Audience gasps. "Nakiri Erina."
You are the clear winner Yukihira Soma. However, As much as I'd love to have you as my personal chef, Soma, I will only be intruding on your growth as a chef. You have immense talent, and possess the greatest potential I've ever seen in a chief. And just two dishes I have eaten from you demonstrated that…
Mana Nakiri looks at Yukihira Soma in a caring way. So yes, I have, for the first time in my cooking career, broken my impartial Judging. But, this is what you wanted, right Yukihira? Yukihira gives Mana a light smile and bows down, as if he was saying 'thank you.'
"Now that's the final we've been wanting!" Audience-kun exclaims.
"What a wave of emotions!" Audience-kun (2) cries
Megumi leaves her chair and makes her way towards the exit.
"Megumi-cchi, wait-" Isshiki grabs onto Yukinon's arm before she is able to go after Tadokoro.
"Let her be." Isshiki smiles.
I see Yukihira isn't the only one who is upset by the results. Isshiki let's go out Yukinon's arm.
"Goddammit Yukihira, why are you like this!" Tadokoro lightly punches the wall of the restroom. "You've been suffering and in pain from her since day 1. I've noticed, watching alongside your shoulder the past 6 months. She's hurt you over and over again, and yet, even now, you are able to continue supporting her. I don't understand." Megumi tears up. "I really don't understand you…"
Zzz
"AHH. Yukihira-chin! I was rooting all for you man!" Kuga clings onto Yukihira.
"Yeah Yukihira!" "Bros before hoes." Daigo and shoji exclaim.
"Who are you calling a hoe?" Hisako stares directly at the two.
"Umm." "No one." The two take a couple of steps back.
"Yeah, Nakiri' was just a tad better than me, but I'll beat her next time haha." Yukihira chuckles.
"But you could've easily won if you didn't help her…" Sighs Tsukasa.
"But wheres the fun in that!? Losing to an opponent not performing their best." Yukihira replies back.
"Is that really all there is to it, Soma?" Isshiki walks close to Yukihira while the totsuki were caught off guard by that question
"Yes… What are you implying, isshiki-senpai?" Yukihira stares at Isshiki.
A couple of seconds pass before the silence breaks.
"Just kidding." Isshiki smiles and gets close to Yukihira's ears.
"I'm sure you have your reasons, and whatever you do, I will always support you, Soma. But please, talk to Megumi." Isshiki takes a couple of steps back.
Yukihira, surprised at his remarks, nods in agreement.
"Yukihira!" Takumi puts a fist out in front of him. "No keeping secrets! What did isshiki-senpai say!" the blonde annoyingly interferes.
"Now now Onii-chan, no need to be mendling with-"
"Ah." Yukihira rubs his nose. "he just randomly whispered in my ear saying Kuga has a small pp."
All of the students but Kuga chuckle.
"ISSHIKI… YUKIHIRA…" Kuga places both of his fist out
"Can confirm." Tsukasa joins in on the tease.
"NO, NOT YOU TOO-"
"Small pp aside, we should totally have one last get together before we leave for summer break." Isshiki adds in.
"Yeah! It will be a good wrap up to the BLUEs event." Ikumi adds.
"I'll coordinate the event!" Alice raises her hand and jumps out.
"Is everyone down?" Askes Isshiki
"Yeah."
"Of course!"
"Totally!"
"MY PP BIG-"
"Oh look, Erina is back from talking to her mother." Ryoko points.
"Erina-cchi!" Yukinon runs to Erina as the totsuki members congratulate Erina on her win.
"Thank you guys." Erina looks at Yukihira. This is all thanks to you. Soma.
"Yukihira, mother would like to speak with you. But before that happens, I'd like to say." Erina looks to the side… "Thank-"
"Ah, gotcha, coming right up." Yukihira passes Erina as Erinas gaze follows the redhead's figure.
"Wait Yukihir-"
"The guys are talking about a get together before break. You should join in on the conversation. We can talk later." Yukihira lies.
"Oh. Okay Yukihira!" Erina smiles.
Yukihira then makes his way towards Mana and greets her in a casual wave.
"So, whaddya want to talk to me about gramps?" Mana hits Yukihira with a fan.
"Have some decency young man…" Mana angrily crosses her hands.
"Oh. Sorry. Um.. What's up milady?" Mana facepalms. So this is the kind of person he is behind the cooking
"You could've easily taken first place, but you didn't. Care to explain?" Mana glances at Yukihira."
"Well, do I have to say?" Yukihira scratches his head. "Couldn't ya' tell, gramps? from that psychic ability of yours when eating my cooking?" Yukihira laughs before being whacked a second time by the fan.
"I just wanted to hear it from your own words. Yukihira Soma. But I guess it's all true."
"Yeah," Yukihira looks down. "You mean the world to her, ya know?"
"Yeah. I've come to realize that after eating her dish."
...
"So." Mana lifts Yukihira's chin with her fan. "No regrets? Yukihira?"
"It's for the best, I guess..."
...
Yukihira widens his eyes as Mana suddenly places his head onto her chest.
"What are you doing, Mana-"
"I'm sorry for everything that has happened with my daughter." Mana brushes her hand onto Yukihira's hair.
"She has put you through a lot, to the point of where you've almost lost yourself as a chef."
A moment of silence ensues as Yukihira can't think of anything to say.
"But please, Yukihira. Keep on fighting."
Well, what was I expecting. She is her mother after all-
"Not for Erina's sake, but for yours."
Yukihira once again is silent, not knowing what to say.
"As I said in the semifinals, you are too young and too talented as a chef to give up so soon." Mana reassures
"Don't give into the storm, Yukihira… Fight. Keep fighting. Travel around different regions. Learn various dishes. Meet different chefs. Absorb all possible knowledge of cuisines. experience the world of cooking. Through these interactions will you find your passion for cooking once more. And…"
Mana pauses.
"You should consider that it wasn't you that wasn't enough for her… But rather, her that wasn't enough for you." Yukihira pulls out of Mana's chest and looks at her face.
"I really don't know how to respond to all this… But... Thank you Mana. What you're saying means a lot to me." Yukihira bows.
"It should be me thanking you for all you have done to my daughter… and reconnecting our family bond as well. Yukihira." Mana smiles at Yukihira.
"Yeah… No problem Mana." Mana lets go of Yukihira.
"I have the highest of hopes for you young man. and this is coming from a top culinary figure in the world. Don't break your promise, and become the best chef you can be, Yukihira.
"Yeah. I won't break my promise." Yukihira sends his signature smile to Mana. Never have… Never will." Yukihira gives a thumbs up to Mana.
"Well, I guess our time here is over." Mana sighs.
The next time I see you Yukihira, I better see a chef with purpose.
"Oh, and one last question"
"What is it?"
"Why is ya' eyebrows so wacky-"
"Why is Erina's mother whacking Yukihira with a fan." Kinokuni questions.
"No clue…" Zenji lifts up his classes…
"Erina." Mana exclaims "Come with me and help me pack. You and I will be going back home tonight."
"Well, that's that guys." Erina addresses the Totsuki students. "Thank you for the invitation, but I will be helping mother settle in." Erina walks away and waves to the guys. "Goodbye guys! Until next time!" Erina then sees Yukihira walk past her, and stops him with her hand over his shoulder.
"And… Soma. Sorry, but it seems we won't have time to talk until later."
"Mmh."
"I really want to hug you right now, but-"
"Haha, your moms waiting for you Nakiri." Yukihira nicely puts her hand back onto her side. "Make her proud, won't ya Nakiri?"
"Yeah. I will. Thank you Soma-kun. For everything." Erina smiles at Yukihira while Yukihira responds back with a thumbs up. A few seconds pass before Yukihira walks away and waves at Erina as she continues staring at Yukihira.
I want to hug you and make you mine. But for now...
"Until next time? Soma?"
"Indeed, Nakiri"
Zzz
"YOOO. Pass me more of that rice water!" Alice demands while she finishes chugging her 7th shot.
"Milady… You're getting a little too wasted." Kurokiba lazily exclaims.
"Yeah, like seriously…" Hayama Akira facepalms himself.
"Well, it's your fault you left me for a week straight Ryo!"
"But Milady… Me and Hayama were fighting NOIR Chefs-"
"No buts Ryo!" Alice shoots up another glass of rice rater.
"No butts. So Alice is a boobs person-" Kuga gets slapped by Kinokuni.
"Man, I'm surprised you even helped bring down the NOIR's, Estuya." Tsukasa lifts his glass cup against Etsuyas. "Yeah, just like you, Tsukasa, I felt like I had some responsibilities as an outside chef." Eizan smiles.
"Wowww. Look at you, Mr. Character development-kun." Rindo Kabayashi stabs her shoulder at Eizan's arm.
"Did someone call for me? Shun comes into the conversation."
"Wait, who even are you?"
"..."
"Nikumi-cchi! Drink with us." Yukinon pushes Ikumi towards Ryoko's direction.
"I don't know… I'm not much of a drinker."
"It only has 1% alcohol content!" Ryoko proudly states
"DAIGO. I WUVV A YOUU MANGG."
"ME A TOO BROOO." Daigo and Shoji hug each other, crying into eachothers arms
"1% my ass. " Zenji crosses his arms.
"AND WHY ARE YOU ALL IN MY ROOM-?"
"Anyways, have any of y'alls seen Yukihira? Mou, he's the main character for this party, and yet, he ain't even here!" Pouts a drunk af Alice.
"He was just here a while ago." Notes Rindo.
"I actually saw him leaving with Isshiki and Megumi a couple of minutes ago." Ikumi says
Interesting Hisako's inner thoughts play out. "They're probably just talking outside. They'll come back soon." Hisako reassures
…
"So Isshiki-senpai… Why did you bring me out here? With Soma too.." Megumi stares at Isshiki.
"I figured you two needed to talk about things, that's all." Isshiki smiles at Megumi.
"Well, if that's all it is, I'll be heading back." Megumi turns her back and walks away.
"Hey Megumi. I'm leaving Totsuki."
"Wait. What?" Both Megumi and Isshiki speak at once.
"Oh yeah, I haven't told you either Isshiki. In fact, you two are the first I've told haha." Yukihira chuckles.
"Soma. What do you mean… You're leaving?" Megumi turns around and walks back to Isshiki and Yukihira.
"I just… need a break. From it all."
From it all? Megumi shakes her head. "But how about all your dormmates and other totsuki friends. Have you consider-"
"Sorry. It's just…I'm still getting over what happened between Nakiri and I. I'm weak, aren't I?" Yukihira puts up a weak smile.
"There it is again…" Megumi raises her voice "With Erina..."
"She's done nothing but hurt you, Soma!"
"Yeah… I can't argue with that." Yukihira lightly nods.
"She completely broke your heart that night… So Why, Soma-"
"Why am I being nice? And this is coming from you, Megumi."
"Well, Yeah, but-"
"Yeah. You're right, She did break me that night… And I decided It's best not to be with her anymore. But… she was going through a lot that time… With her mother. Seeing the way she was at the finals, I couldn't help but feel bad for her, and so thus, I told myself I'll support her one last time… And so I did what I did." Yukihira looks at Megumi.
"And… knowing you, Megumi. If you were in my shoes, Wouldn't you have helped Erina as well?" Megumi tears up.
"I'm not like you Soma… Unlike you, and I haven't realized this until lately… I hold grudges, I have the power to resent. I am capable of hating others. And because of what Erina has done to you, how can I not hate her-" Yukihira comes to Megumi and hugs her.
"And thank you, so much, Megumi. For looking after me. It means a lot to me, even If i may not show it. Ya know?" Megumi replies back to his hug by placing her own arms around Yukihira's back.
"You really mean it?"
"Why wouldn't I be dummy."
"Soma." Megumi assertively says.
Yukihira sighs "You're the first friend I've made in my time at the school. The first one who believed in me, and in fact, the only one who's truly been by my side since day 1 of transferring over here. You are my one and only best friend, and so with all that said, do you really think I don't appreciate you Megumi?" Yukihira tightens his hold on Megumi.
Megumi, at a loss of words, likewise, tightens her hold onto the redhead.
The two continue on like this for a couple of minutes
"Promise you'll call?."
"Text and Facetime included."
Soma and Megumi let go of eachother.
Isshiki smiles. "What about me?! Soma-kunnnn?"
"Oh yeah, You're still here Isshiki-senpai."
"Hey… Rude!" Yukihira chuckles
"I'm just kidding. I'm glad I brought you two together."
"Yeah. Me too" Megumi smiles.
"But yeah, I won't forget to call you too, Isshiki." Yukihira smiles at Isshiki.
"I'm planning to do a little traveling like what pops did, and just improve on my cooking skills."
"Ooo"
"Sounds fun"
"Yeah. I definitely won't forget to take pictures and send it to you guys haha."
"We'll keep you updated on the polar star and the school as well!"
"Haha, yeah you guys are the best. Hope y'all know that."
The three laugh together.
...
"So… how are you going to break the news to the other guys." Megumi askes
"I'll probably just write a letter, sign it off with a picture of my face, and leave it at the front door of the party tonight before everyone leaves."
"That is such a … Yukihira Soma thing to do."
"Exactly!" Yukihira proudly states.
"Well, let's go back to the party and enjoy ourselves, shall we?" Megumi says to the two.
"Yeah." "We shall."
Zzz.
"Hey look what I found." Saibas grabs the letter of the redhead and shows it to the students.
"What is that awful handwriting"
"Wait, leaving?"
"He's leaving Totsuki?"
"Did he really just…"
"Yeah…"
"Just Yukihira things…"
Just wanted to provide some little more details on end of Blues and its outcome. Yukihira's adventures beginss next chapter, and Erina's simp times as well lolol D: