Chapter 5: Shokugeki
Hey, everyone, I'm back with a new chapter. Wow, I'm impressed, this story has over 5,000 views and almost 100 followers. You guys rock. If you have any song suggestions for future chapters feel free to send them and maybe I can use them. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
At the Polar Star Dorm, Andy was sound asleep in his room when a speaker in his room turned on.
"Hey Andy, can I get your help with something?" Isshiki asks over the speaker.
"I'm tried, can't you get someone else?" Andy groans when the tile in his ceiling opened up to reveal him.
"Don't be like that." Isshiki smiles freaking Andy out.
"Were you up there the whole time?!" Andy gasps.
"Oh good, you're up." Isshiki said before disappearing.
Groaning Andy got out of bed and grabbed some clothes, his iPod and headphones before walking to the front where Soma and Yuki were waiting.
"He woke you guys up too?" Yuki asks.
"Yep, does anyone know what he needs help?" Soma asks as they walked around the dorm.
"We're going to gather vegetables from the back garden." She explained.
"Oh wow, you guys grow your own ingredients here?" Andy asks.
"The road to good food is paved with good ingredients. That's our dorm's motto." Yuki smiles as they saw Shun starting a chainsaw and cutting a giant log for wood chips. "Shun makes smoked wood for his own personal use, Ryoko specializes in dishes using rice malt and has her own workplace, I'm trying to breed a special Polar Star Chicken."
"Wow you guys are busy." Soma said as they walked to the back and saw a giant garden.
"And this is where we grow over 10 kinds of vegetables." Yuki declares causing Andy to whistled impressed until he and Soma were greeted by the sight of Isshiki working the fields in wearing only a loincloth.
"Oh good morning. Morning labor is good for the spirit, come join me." Isshiki said.
"It is so messed up that he's wearing that." Andy said.
"But it fits him to a T." Soma said as he walked over.
"Knowing how food grows is a part of our training. Just call this the Polar Star Farm." Isshiki smiles.
"Soma, Andy you're here." Looking over they saw Megumi was dressed for farm work too.
"Wow, looks like you have experience with this." Andy said.
"I do, I find it very relaxing." She nods as Ryoko and Shun come over.
"Good, everyone's here. Let's get to work." Isshiki said as they all worked around the farm.
As Andy was humming to some music and tapping his feet to the melody while picking vegetables Isshiki walks over and taps his shoulder. "Huh?"
Looking over he saw Isshiki gesturing to headphones causing him to take them off.
"Am I doing something wrong?" Andy asks.
"No I just thought you and I could use this moment to talk while Megumi is have our breakfast prepped, do you mind?" Isshiki asks.
"Not at all." Andy said as Isshiki picked with him.
"So you seem to really enjoy music and you're not that bad of a dancer either." Isshiki smiles.
"What can I say? You can't listen to music without dancing a little." Andy smiles.
"It's very unique that you managed to channel those two into your cooking. How did you come to acquire this skill?" Isshiki asks.
"Don't get me wrong I love cooking but I've always loved music and, in a way, music isn't that different from food. There's no one way to do things, different genres, categories, styles, instruments and lyrics just like cooking and the way I see it this allows me to put both the things I love into one thing." Andy explains.
"I can respect Andy, not many students in this school can find a way to have fun like you can." Isshiki said.
"Well maybe they should try." Andy smiles when Megumi lays out breakfast.
"Everyone, food's ready." She said as all of them came over and enjoyed her unique and delicious creations.
"Wow Megumi, these are really good." Andy smiles taking a bite of one.
"They all show signs of careful preparation. Why can't you cook like this in class?" Soma asks and it's like an invisible knife stabs her.
"Truth is I have bad stage fright issues and when I get nervous I blank out and just end up failing everything." Megumi admits.
"Have tried listening to music? It can really relax you." Andy said.
"Andy I think music is mostly your thing." Soma said.
"Probably, hey is there anything one can do around this school?" Andy asks.
"Why don't you try joining a research society?" Ryoko suggests.
"What are those?" Andy asks.
"It's like Totsuki's version of clubs." Isshiki said.
"You should try and find one to join. I'm in the Regional Cooking Research Society." Megumi said.
"What's your style of cooking Andy?" Soma asks.
"Hmm mostly western food." Andy said.
"Well maybe you should try food from another region might give you something to add to your dishes." Ryoko said.
"Thanks guys, I will." Andy said.
Changing into his school uniform, Andy walked over to a board where all the clubs were listed.
"Hmm what looks good?" Andy said reading the list. "Japanese, Vegetarian, Chinese, fermented foods, wow they even have one for bento boxes." Andy said when one flyer caught his eye. "Donmono research society? Oh yeah I saw places for this stuff everywhere."
Deciding to check it out, Andy walks in to see a student with a large black pompadour on his head sitting in a chair with a crushed look on his face, this was Kanichi Konishi, the President of Don RS.
"Uh I'm here to check out your club." Andy said as Kanichi noticed him.
'Sorry but you should go. Don RS is about to be shut down." Kanichi said.
"What?" Andy said as he looked around to see posters of Dons and all the tools needed to make them.
"So you're Andrew? My name's Kanichi and I run this club." He introduced when Andy noticed a recipe cookbook on the ground.
"Hmm did you guys make these recipes? They're pretty good, a little creative twist in each one." Andy said getting Kanichi's attention.
"You get us." Kanichi sobs causing Andy to sweatdrop. "A don is created using the fundamentals of speed, taste and affordability. It's one thing all in one bowl!"
"So why are you shutting down?" Andy asks.
"If only Erina Nakiri didn't exist." Kanishi said getting Andy's attention.
"She's the reason?" Andy asks.
"Yeah, it's how she does things. First, she'll suggest to the council to cut the funding or decrease the space for any clubs she doesn't like. Then the clubs are left with only one option: a last-ditch Shokugeki. In return for accepting the challenge she'll make her own extreme demands and she always gets her way. Once my members learned we would face one Erina's lackeys they all fled." Kanichi explained causing Andy to growl.
'That arrogant spoiled brat.' Andy thought. "So who is your opponent?"
Suddenly the door opened and a ton of repo men walked in and examined the club room.
"Hey!" Kanichi said when a beautiful girl with blonde hair, tan skin wearing short shorts and a top that barely covered her chest walked in. This was Ikumi Mito.
"Rather than a renovation, it would be easier to tear this place down and start from scratch." One of the men said.
"Let's go with that then." Ikumi said.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Kanichi asks as Ikumi walks over.
"Just doing a survey. After all we both know what's gonna happen." Ikumi said getting right in his face. "It's like Erina said no matter how much effort you put into a don it's a low-class dish and Totsuki has no need for such things. Do you honestly think you can win against me?"
"Damn you Nikumi." Kanichi mutters and almost instantly Ikumi takes a meat cleaver and chops off the front half of his pompadour.
"My name isn't Nikumi." She glares.
"She's your opponent? Who is she?" Andy asks.
"Her name is Ikumi Mito, otherwise known as the Meat Master. She excels in all things meat-related." Kanichi gulps.
"No matter what dish you make it won't even come close to my super high quality meat." Ikumi said.
"Wow you really do work Erina, another brat who gives cooking a bad name." Andy said getting her attention.
"Who are you?" Ikumi asks.
"Andrew Grayson, the newest member of Don RS." Andy declared walking up to her. "And since I'm in the club, I can be your opponent."
"I know you, you're one of the transfer students." Ikumi recalls.
"Yep, and here's what I say I'll take you on in a meat dish." Andy said surprising her.
"And what happens if I win? Are you willing to leave Totsuki if I win?" Ikumi asks.
"Deal, but if I win, you have to join me as a member of this club." Andy said shocking them both. "Working for the very club you tried to get rid of and helping me fix it and you have to give up all the club's funding."
"Deal. That's all for today." Ikumi said as the contractors left. "Since Meat is the main ingredient, I'll let you name the theme."
"Well since you're gonna be a club member let's make the theme don." Andy suggests.
"The cook-off will be in three days. Enjoy your last days at Totsuki." Ikumi said walking out.
"Andrew, why did you do that?" Kanichi asks.
"Because she was calling your passion garbage. Erina thinks the only food that should exist is food she likes, well I need to show her the world doesn't revolve around her." Andy glares tightening his fist.
Soon word of Andy's challenge spread all over the school.
At the Polar Star Dorm, Soma, Megumi, Yuki, Ryoko and Isshiki were looking at the school newspaper that showed a picture of Andy and Ikumi on it.
"Aw man! I should have gone with him! I would love to be in a Shokugeki!" Soma whines.
"He really must hate Erina if he's getting in her way like this." Yuki said.
"I just hope he has enough time to prepare." Ryoko said.
'Alright Andy, let's see how you rise to this challenge.' Isshiki thought as Andy was up in his room looking at the Don recipe book.
'These aren't bad, but I need a don that works for me.' Andy thought as he scrolled through his iPod for a song choice when one song caught his eye and he smiled getting an idea.
For the next two days Andy spent all his time at Don RS as Kanichi told him about all the details that revolved around making a don and with his instructions Andy had come up with the perfect theme for the Shokugeki.
The night before the match, Ikumi met up with Erina.
"I have a black wagyu filet. A5 of course. This one has been aged for over a month and will be at its peak when it's served. I'll have it cooked in a way that completely destroys Don Rs." Ikumi declared causing Erina to smile.
"I have high hopes for you." Erina said.
"Excuse me." Ikumi said bowing out before leaving.
"I can't believe such an opportunity has come so quickly. You have the nerve to face me, Andrew Grayson. Well, soon you will no longer even be part of Totsuki anymore." Erina smiles at the thought.
Soon the day of the Shokugeki arrived and final preparations were being made on both sides.
At the main arena, Andy was wearing his Grayson's uniform as he and Kanichi were in their waiting room.
"I got you all the ingredients you asked for." Kanichi said as Andy examined the boxes.
"Thanks." Andy smiles.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" He asks.
"Yeah a little. I was up a little bit choosing the right song for this." Andy said.
"Hey Andy, can I call you that?" Kanichi asks.
"All my friends do." Andy shrugs.
"Well Andy if you win this you will and I will be very good friends. Do you have a plan?" Kanichi asks.
"I plan to cook the same way I always do it. By having fun." Andy smiles causing him to look him like he never heard someone say that before.
In the arena the stands were packed as a girl with long black hair grabbed the mic.
"The administration has deemed this match an official Shokugeki! I am Urara Kawashima, first year in the high school division and I will be your host!" She declared causing some boys in the audience to cheer while some of the girls gave her death glares.
In the audience, all of Andy's friends from the Polar Star Dorm were watching.
"I hope Andy doesn't get nervous. This place is huge." Megumi said getting nervous herself.
"Compared to the rush of a restaurant this is nothing." Soma said.
"Now from this corner, our first contestant! The Meat Master, Ikumi Mito!" Urara said as Ikumi stepped out wearing a bikini top with flames on it that really showed off her curves with short shorts causing the men in the audience to go nuts. "And our second contestant!"
Walking out was Andy with Kanichi and almost everyone was mocking him.
"Guess you're the first one to drop out of your own race!"
"Should've kept your stupid head down!"
"One of our two transfer students, Andrew Grayson!" Urara said as Andy and Ikumi walked to the center. "Allow me to run you through the process. These three will be the judges, the theme will be don and the main ingredient is meat! If Ikumi wins, Don RS will be shut down and Andrew Grayson will be expelled. If Andrew wins, Don RS's budget will be increased, their cooking facilities upgraded and Ikumi Mito will join Don Rs." Urara declared.
"Well Grayson, this will be the last day I ever see you. Any last words?" Ikumi asks.
"No need, we can talk all the time as club members." Andy said taking out his iPod and scrolling through songs when they heard muttering.
Looking up they saw Erina walking into her private booth.
"No way!" Yuki gasps.
"Why would an Elite 10 attend a small scale Shokugeki?" Marui asks.
"It's because Ikumi is one of Erina's best." Shun said.
"Is that the only reason?" Ryoko asks.
Erina looks down at Andy who glares right back at her showing no fear.
'Get ready to lose Andrew. I look forward to seeing the look on your stupid face when this over.' Erina thought.
"Alright contestants, to your stations! Let the Shokugeki begin!" Urara declared as Andy and Ikumi walked to their stations.
"Hey transfer student. Let me show you the most amazing ingredient you'll ever see in your life." Ikumi said gesturing to a giant piece of A5 beef.
Andy turned his head and saw her swinging her cleaver and jumping around the meat slashing the tendons and creating a beautiful chunk of meat to cook.
"So folks what will Andy use to face off against A5 beef?" Urara asks as Andy reached into his cooler and pulled out basic sirloin steaks that you can find at any supermarket.
"You're kidding? You plan to use that to beat me? Why don't you go back up now? Save yourself the embarrassment." Ikumi mocks.
"Anyone ever tell you that you talk way too much for a chef?" Andy asks causing her to growl.
"What was that?" Ikumi glares.
"I let my food do the talking. That was a cute dance you did there but let me show you how it's done." Andy grins putting on his headphones and clicking a song to play.
(Play Hey Driver by Lucky Boys Confusion)
Exploding into action, everyone looked at Andy with surprised looks on their faces as he danced around the kitchen at an amazing speed prepping Chinese broccoli, edamame, carrots, green onions, corn starch, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, soy sauce, butter and rice.
Sparks fly, I hit the ground running
Thumb in the air on the side of the road
Good work, never comes easy
Hey driver to the top of the world
Threw my life over my, my shoulder with confidence
And here I come
Westbound leave the motor running
Cause I'm on the run
In this crowded world
I'll be high waiting when the last train comes
Dark skies, I feel my heels burning
False high 'til the end of the road
No doubt I've got a lot of learning
Hey Driver to the top of the world
"What the heck is that guy doing?" One student asks.
"He's dancing?" Another said.
"This is a Shokugeki not a dance-off! What the hell is wrong with him?!" A female student said.
Ikumi looks over and saw Andy cut his meat into thin strips before drenching them in his sauce and corn starch.
"What is he doing? Is he mocking me?" Ikumi asks as he puts his meat down in the wok and almost instantly the smell and sensation caused Ikumi to moan and get weak in the knees. "What is he trying to pull?" She asks before getting back to cooking.
"I think it's pretty amazing what Andy is doing." Soma said getting the others attention.
"What do you mean?" Sato asks.
"Look at him? What do you?" Soma points and they all saw him dancing around and smiling as he cooked.
"He's smiling." Ryoko realized.
"Wait are you saying even with all this? With his expulsion on the line he's found a way to have fun?!" Yuki gasps.
"I could never do that." Megumi said amazed as they entered the final minute and Andy and Ikumi were making the final preparations to their dishes.
"And done!" Urara declared as a bell rang signaling cooking time was up.
(Song End)
Turning off his song, Andy reached up and took off his headphones. "Phew that was a rush." Andy smiles.
"What was that?" Ikumi asks looking to him. "You trying to make yourself look like an idiot?"
"You call it that, I call it having fun." Andy shrugs.
"We will now begin the judging. Ikumi will go first." Urara said as Ikumi walked up with her don that had the beef cut in the shape of a rose.
"Mine is a Roast Don made with A5 wagyu beef." Ikumi said as the audience cheered.
At the judges table were three people. Yoshiki Bito, a Wagyu critic. Shigeno Kuraki, the president of a traditional Japanese restaurant chain and Katsunori Okamoto, the TV producer of a famous cooking show.
As all of them took a bite Shigeno let out a moan of delight. "It's so good it's paralyzing."
"This meat is amazing and look at all the angles it's cooked. It's perfect." Yoshiki said.
"And it's not just the meat that's amazing. This garlic rice sautéed in beef fat and butter is exquisite. I could eat three bowls of the rice alone. This dish is amazing, even seductive!" Katsunori said causing the audience to cheer.
Up in her booth, Erina looked down at Andy and smirks. 'Let's see you dance your way out of this one.'
"This isn't good. Ikumi's already got the crowd on her side." Kanichi said.
"And now it's time for Andrew's dish. What is your dish called?" Urara asks looking to Andy.
"The Broccoli Beef Don." Andy said not impressing anyone with that stunt.
"Broccoli Beef? The Western take on Chinese food? How is that supposed to measure up to what we just ate?" Yoshiki asks.
"Agreed, I'd rather just go home while I can still taste the A5 Beef." Katsunori laughs when Andy puts down his don to reveal delicious strips of meat, with Chinese broccoli, drizzled with a delicious looking sauce over a vegetable fried rice that instantly shut them both up.
"Well it looks much better than it sounds." Yoshiki said as they all took a bite but what surprised everyone was that their moaning reactions to it.
"This is amazing." Shigeno said as she ate the meat. "The corn starch he covered the meat in allowed it to be cooked to the perfect temperature and keep the juices of the sauce intact."
"Rather than normal broccoli, Chinese Broccoli offers a bitter taste and using the soy and oyster sauce it mixed with the ginger to create a taste that you can't stop eating." Yoshiki said eating a whole piece of broccoli.
"And this vegetable fried rice uses the edamame, green onions, carrots and butter to absorb all the juices and hold it together making every single bite as amazing as the last!" Katsunori said blowing the audience away.
"This doesn't make sense. How could all this beat my A5 meat?" Ikumi asks as they finished all of Andy's food.
"Take a look at your plate." Andy points and she gasps.
"There's still more than half my garlic rice leftover." Ikumi realized.
"You only put time and effort into one part of your dish. Don RS tells us you have to put focus into all the parts of your dish. It doesn't matter how much money you spend on a dish if the customer doesn't finish it." Andy said.
"Shut up! You expect me to believe that you won with your cheap ingredients and having fun?!" Ikumi asks.
"If you don't believe me have a taste." Andy said holding up a don for her to eat. "Like I said earlier. I let my food do the talking."
Ikumi reaches out and takes it. When she took a bite, her eyes widen as she moans seeing a food fantasy.
She finds herself in a ballroom and she was in the back while everyone else was having a good time.
"Be strong Ikumi, that's all you need to think about." A voice said when she suddenly heard laugher and cheering.
Walking to the center she saw Andy dancing around as if he was cooking causing everyone to smile.
When he saw her Andy held his hand out and took her onto the dance floor with him and as he spun her around everyone even her smiled at how fun they looked.
Zooming out of the fantasy, Ikumi looks to Andy and a few tears ran down her eyes. 'It's like he's telling me to be myself and have fun.' Ikumi thought.
Casting their vote Andy won the whole Shokugeki 3 to 0.
"And the winner is Andrew Grayson!" Urara said as the Polar Star Dormmates burst into cheers.
Andy looks up to Erina and saw her looking down at him. Smirking Andy gives her the middle finger causing her to growl red with anger.
"Have Ikumi give back the kitchen we've been providing for her." Erina said storming out.
"As you wish." Hisako said.
"Well Nikumi, let me be the first to welcome you to Don RS." Andy said holding out a hand for her.
"Who do you think you are?! How dare you call me by that nickname!" Ikumi snaps.
"Why not? It's kinda cute. Meat means Niku which is the first letters of your name." Andy points out.
"H-Huh?" Ikumi blushes hearing this.
"I think you and I will really get along well. Maybe I can even show you how to have fun, Nikumi." Andy smiles causing her heart to race hearing this.
"S-Shut up! Don't say things like that!" Ikumi said running off.
"Hey Andy." Kaichi said walking up to him. "Thank you for all you've done. You truly are the Don of Dons."
"Thanks but Western cooking is my thing. I still have a ways to go, but maybe you can for now just stick with me as a Club member?" Andy suggests.
"Deal. Welcome to Don RS." Kaichi said as they shook hands.
"Man, Andy's already off to quite a start. I need a challenge too." Soma smiles.
The next day, Andy was walking down the path of the Polar Star Dorm when he saw Erina standing across from him.
"I thought I felt the temperature drop." Andy said.
"You took one of my best and made her a simple Don cook." Erina glares.
"You mean one of your lackeys?" Andy said crossing his arms.
"Do you intend to cause trouble for me throughout your whole time here?" Erina asks.
"No…I'm hoping eventually you'll clean up your act." Andy said causing her to growl.
"How dare you talk to me like you're my equal! I am—"
"Blah blah blah big deal, I get it. You need a new thing spoiled brat." Andy said ignoring her.
"Why do you intend to get in my way?' Erina asks.
"Because you walk around making hardly any effort and acting like the world just owes you something. Listen Erina, until you stop acting like a spoiled brat, I am gonna fight you every step of the way." Andy glares looking her in the eyes.
"Well then prepare for battle because I never back down from a fight." Erina glares back.
"Are you two gonna kiss or what?" Fumio calls out getting their attention.
"What?!" Both of them look to Fumio and then to each other.
"I wouldn't kiss you if you were the last man on Earth!" Erina said.
"Finally, something we can agree on! I pity the guy who ends up being your boyfriend!" Andy said.
"Like you're ever gonna get a prize girlfriend yourself!" Erina snaps before they both took off in opposite directions.
"I give them a few weeks before they become a couple." Fumio smirks.