1st Plate – Their stories… begin
20XX – Las Vegas
158th John & co. Culinary Competition Venue
Summer
"I didn't expect that our last stop will be here, Kou-kun."
"For our final Shokugeki... I think that there is no other place better than this one."
"Final... huh?"
"Say, Rei. You haven't forgotten about our deal, have you?"
"Of course. The winner got everything, the loser will give up everything."
...
"Did you really... get nothing other than hatred towards me since our competition when we were little till now, Kou?"
"I think, I don't need to answer that lame question, Rei."
"Is that so?"
...
"I'm... not used to say it to same gender, but today I have to say it to you."
...
"I'm really enjoyed all of the moment when we were together, Kou. It is a bit sad that we should part way. I'm glad that I met you, Nakiri Kouhei."
I hope I can say the same to you, Kikuchi Rei.
About twenty five years earlier...
Tokyo – Toutsuki Culinary Academy
Spring
Yukihira Souma, the one whom owned the 1st seat of Ten Elite Council walked slowly toward somewhere he got invited to. In his right hand, he still brought the graduation scroll colored in black. Yeah, he was successfully flee away from the flock of his friends whom tirelessly taking photos one after another. None was noticed his absent – at least for now.
How long it has been? He couldn't remember it. He stopped his step once his golden eyes caught the familiar figure stood at the top of grass hill behind the library building. The latter's favorite place to skip class – back then. She still looked the same, Souma thought.
"Took you long to head here, Sou-kun."
The same nickname she called, Souma let out a small smile over his lips. Slowly but surely, he walked toward the girl. A single pink rose flower got offered to him. No. It was a sweet candy formed into pink rose flower.
"Congrats on your graduation."
Souma accepted the gift. "The same goes to you." He replied.
"Ah... I still have several months till my graduation. It's still too early for that, but... thanks?"
She still looked the same, Souma should corrected that statement. That girl looked so much different than the last time they met. She looked more beautiful, and for some reasons... she looked less mysterious than usually she used. This time, she looked like any normal girl in their age. Her rose gold eyes only filled with happiness. She looked... free.
"You..."
Souma hasn't spoken his intended sentence yet, a sudden ring interrupted. With an apologetic look, the girl next to him excused herself to answer the call. Souma watched her in silent. Seeing that girl dressed in foreign uniform gave him a strange feeling. That girl, no more wearing male uniform. Her jet-black hair already got longer, beautifully arranged into twin low ponytails with bangs and locks.
"I'd loved to spend more time here, Sou-kun. But, Uncle Ten already asked me to go to Yamanashi immediately." That girl showed another apologetic look to him.
"It can't be helped then." Souma couldn't utter another word than that. He wanted to have a talk with that girl, really.
That girl smiled a bit, deciding to say something to lighten the mood between the two. "Since you'll be in SHINO's London, maybe... we can have another talk, when I feel to have a visit."
It caught him out of guard. How did she...? He even hasn't told his fellow Elite Ten members – the closest friends of his – about that. He then realized something he almost forgot. Despite she hasn't the part of Toutsuki, it was a piece of cake for her to get as many as information revolved in culinary business.
"You always surprise me, Ren." Souma mumbled. Calling her with her usual nickname, he hasn't used to that. His own created nickname to that girl – Kuro Nakiri – sometimes urged him to say it. Just like two seconds ago. He shouldn't say it. Moreover, she was no longer a Nakiri.
Without any words spoken, both of them left the grass hill, headed to the gate next to the library building. It built in secluded place, that not many paid attention on it. Souma let the girl took the lead, as he followed her from behind. It was kind of weird. The old Karen he used to know was full of interesting topics to be talked about. Not to forget about her sharp insight talent – which somehow did scare him. Back then, it was like his soul got shown out in front of his eyes whenever he talked to that girl.
But now, that girl was calm. Too calm that it felt like meeting different person.
"I hope that you keep your promise, Souma-kun."
Souma felt all his nerves got jolted. The feeling she gave whenever she called his given name still the same as the old days. That girl turned around to face Souma.
"Don't ever leave Erina's side."
Without waiting for Souma's reply, that girl got into the black limousine which has waited for her. Souma stood in silent as he watched the car left that place. He took his phone in his pocket which kept buzzing since several seconds ago. Without looking at the screen, he answered the call.
"I'll be there. Uhm? Just, something caught me. Nothing important though."
He put his phone back into his pocket like before. With the same speed he had before, he went to the ceremony hall where the one whom called him just now was. Nakiri Erina, asked him to have a group photo with the rest of Elite Ten members. Included her, of course.
Many things has changed in Toutsuki, since that day. The day when he should accepted the most ridiculous reality he ever faced. The day when he should accepted the fact that the former 9th seat of Elite Ten will no longer be the part of Toutsuki.
"I didn't see her name in this list." Souma spoke for the first time since he got the list of remained freshmen students which got promoted to second year. He was sure of what he has said. Hell, he has read the list for almost five times, yet he didn't find the older twin girl's name.
"You won't find her name, as she is no longer be Toutsuki's student."
The room where he, along with his friends and seniors whom got invited into that meeting got into dead silent. All the attentions focused on the one whom spilled the recent shocking news – Nakiri Erina.
"What do you mean, Erina-san?" The always shy Tadokoro Megumi asked that question immediately.
"She got dropped out from Toutsuki." With the same calm voice, Erina replied.
"But, we have..."
"It's what Nakiri Elders have decided, Yukihira-kun!" Erina abruptly cut off Souma's words with hostile tone. Elite Ten may be an organization with power to decide things in Toutsuki Academy. But, they still helpless against Nakiri Elders.
Souma was a bit disappointed in himself that he didn't pay more attention on the other Nakiri girl that day. It was when the meeting has over, that he realized... something has happened. And it was a bad news, based on Alice's silent demeanor.
Souma let out a deep sigh. He graduated from Toutsuki, finally. The thrilling feeling he felt when he was freshmen till the end of his first year, it still lived vividly in his memory. The second year, he only got busied with Elite Ten's business, NOIR's things and BLUE. His senior – Doujima Gin – has told him, back then. About Nakiri Karen's transfer to another culinary school – abroad. So, when he competed in BLUE, little did he hoped that even it was just a little glimpse of that girl, he wished to meet her.
But, his pray hasn't got heard. It was the following months after BLUE that he met that jet-black haired girl. In one of prestigious cooking competitions where many contestants came from all around the world. Clashed against her team at the final stage of the competition, he felt that they had lived in different world. He did move forward, polishing his talent as well as adding countless new things into his head. But, the girl whom he used to call as Kuro Nakiri has evolved into someone new. Too far the gap between him and her.
Suddenly, he felt small in front of her.
"Let's have another match in the future, Sou-kun. Just me and you. When that time has come, I'll definitely win against you."
It was him who used to say that words.
"Yamanashi, huh?" Souma mumbled as he eyed the flower formed candy in his right hand. The said place, it was where her new place at. Her new home, her new family.
The blonde haired Nakiri girl has said that Karen got adopted by other family in Yamanashi. When it came to adoption, Souma had thought that maybe... Karen will ended up being in Kimura family's care. That humble family, however has taken care of her since that girl was younger. They also had considered Karen as their own. But, when he got informed that it wasn't Kimura, he got surprised. So, the others – his friends. The famous, successful family with its wine business since almost a century ago. Okazaki family, the owner of Shirafude Winery – has taken Nakiri Karen into their family. Some said, she has prepared as that family's next leader.
With her vast knowledge also her excellent caliber in culinary business, no wonder many had their attention to that girl. Souma also still remembered well how the young master of Kikuchi house claimed Karen to be his. The platinum blonde haired boy, whom later Souma knew as Karen's first crush. The one whom stayed by Karen's side when he – and the rest – couldn't do anything to rescue her.
"What is taking you long, Yukihira-kun?!"
Souma stopped. The fuming Nakiri Erina stood in front of his eyes, crossed her hands against her chest. Despite she has titled as the current Toutsuki Academy's director, she dressed just like the other senior students whom had graduated that day. However, it was her graduation day too.
"Sorry. Should we take photo now?"
His high school days has over. The new journey has ready to be written. There was so many unknown challenges has waited for him. While taking numerous photos with different pose and setting, he prayed in his heart.
Farewell, thank you. That's something more important than sorrow that I want to convey to your departing back. We met in the middle of a blazing journey. You took my hand and then released it, for the sake of future. But, your words, your hopes. I pledge to protect them all with all my might. Keep going beyond the entrusted promise and happiness. I'll keep going without turning back.
- 1st plate – end -