Chapter 6: Training Camp
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait I was watching the final season of the show and I got caught up in it. Thank you all for your support and being patient. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
At the Polar Star Dorm, Isshiki handed them a pamphlet for a big school assignment.
"Overnight training?" Soma said picking it up.
"So it's that time again?" Yuki asks.
"You guys done this before?" Andy asks.
"We did these in Elementary and Middle school. We go to the wilderness for a few days." Ryoko explains.
"Oh that doesn't sound so bad." Andy said when they noticed Megumi shivering in fear.
"What's wrong?" Soma asks.
"Because she knows this training camp is pure hell that we have to face to stay in Totsuki." Marui said.
"All first years are sent to the mountains and are forced to compete in brutal cooking tasks. If you don't pass, you'll be told to leave the academy immediately. They say it's in the spirit of friendship, but the truth is the spirit is of pain, torture and failure!" Yuki explains.
"It's not so bad, it's just Totsuki's competitive education. In the words of the principal, this is where the best of the best is revealed among us." Isshiki said.
"Didn't you go to that training camp? How did you survive?" Aoki asks.
"Very carefully. Even back then dozens of students were forced to leave and even expelled." Isshiki said.
"Expelled?" Sato said surprised.
"Apparently a few years ago, they got rid of more than half the students." Shun said causing Megumi to fall to the ground.
"Megumi!" Yuki gasps.
"It's been nice knowing you." Megumi sighs.
"MEGUMI!" Yuki sobs in horror.
"Hmm let's see, well we can bring cards or shogi, oh good news Andy you can bring your iPod." Soma said reading the pamphlet.
"Yes." Andy grins.
"Wait we barely even have any time to bathe." Soma said looking at the schedule.
"How can you be worried about bathing or your iPod? Did you not hear Megumi's dying words?" Yuki asks.
"If only half got through we just make sure we're all in that half." Soma said.
"I have faith in all of you. I know you all will come back." Isshiki smiles.
"Well I better make sure to pack my charger and load up my playlists." Andy smiles.
"We can do it!" Aoki said.
"Bring it on!" Marui said.
"We're gonna pass no matter what!" Yuki grins.
"Alright everyone, do your best." Isshiki said as all but Megumi cheered.
In Erina's office, she was looking at the same pamphlet.
"You leave in three days and the buses leave at 6:00 am." Hisako explained.
"Thank you Hisako, that will be all." Erina said.
Soon the next 3 days went by in a flash and the Polar Star Dorm members found themselves in front of dozens of shuttle buses.
"My stomach hurts." Megumi said getting nervous.
"We haven't even left yet." Andy said.
"Come on we can do this. Ready guys?" Soma asks.
"Oh yeah." Andy nods as they, Ikumi, Erina, Hisako and various other unique students boarded the buses as well.
After a few hours, they arrived at the super deluxe Totsuki Resort Hotel.
Getting off the buses all of them looked up in awe at the giant hotel.
"That's awesome!" Sato and Aoki said.
"This is where we'll be training?" Megumi said.
"This is as big some of the hotels back in New York." Andy whistles.
"This school is definitely for rich people. Do they own this hotel?" Soma asks.
"All the inns and hotels around here our owned by Totsuki." Shun said.
"That dozen shock me at all." Soma said with a shocked look on his face.
"I hear that a dozen other resorts are under the Totsuki resort brand, so a lot of former graduates are working as staff." Marui said.
"I hear one nights stay here is over 80,000 yen." Shun said shocking everyone.
"That's a whole month worth of rent!" Yuki gasps.
"Oh man that's practically 800 bucks back home." Andy said.
"I am not shocked at all." Soma said with an even more shocked looked.
"You sure look shocked." Megumi said.
"I am enjoy relaxing here." Yuki smiles.
"If you can survive the agenda." Shun said.
"Can't you let me have this?!" Yuki whines.
"I'm a realist." Shun said.
"Come one we gotta meet inside after we put out luggage in our rooms." Andy said.
Soon they were all gathered in the main room and there was a huge silence in the room.
"Oh man the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife." Andy said.
"Yeah everyone is on edge." Soma said.
"It's the calm before the storm." Ryoko said as Megumi started to shake.
Andy looked around before noticing Ikumi nearby. "Hey Nikumi." Andy calls out getting her attention.
"Uh h-hey Andy." Ikumi stutters with a blush on her face.
"It's good to see another familiar face here." Andy said.
"Uh Andy I don't really think you should call her by that nickname." Ryoko warns.
"Why not? I call her that all the time, she doesn't seem to mind." Andy said.
"Why on Earth would I agree?" Ikumi asks.
"Look it's the transfer students." A student mumbles.
"Yukihira and Grayson. Those two are going down." Another mumbles.
"Andy you and Soma better watch yourselves." Ikumi warns.
"Noted." Andy said.
"Uh why?" Soma asks clueless.
"Excuse me, may I have your attention." Looking to the front they saw Totsuki teacher Roland Chapelle walking up on stage. "I will explain the rules for this camp. You will spend 6 days and 5 nights here and you will face several food related challenges and your stamina. Any student who falls under the standard of the instructors will receive a failing grade and be sent back to the academy and then you will be asked to leave. Incidentally we have invited special guests to be the judges for these challenges."
"What kind of guests?" A student asks.
"Though they are incredibly busy they all managed to come. Please welcome the graduates of Totsuki Academy!" Chapelle announced surprising everyone as several adults walked in.
All the students looked in awe. If these people were able to graduate that means they were the best of the best.
Suddenly one sniffs the air, it was a man with pink hair and glasses points at Soma. This was Shinomiya Konjiro. "Excuse me. You in the ninth row from the front, the young man with the cut over his brow."
"Me?" Soma asks.
"No the one next to you." He said as the student pointed to himself. "Yes, you. You're expelled. You can go." He declared shocking everyone as he walked over. "Your hair products have a citrus scent to them that can mask the scent of your cooking. I know it's important to look good. If a chef looks frumpy the food loses appeal. But next time you should choose an unscented hair gel."
"What? I'm expelled for something like that?!" The student asks.
"Something like that can lose customers. Are you out to destroy my restaurant you little troll?" Shinomiya glares causing the boy to gulp in fear. "That'll be all."
"Whoa, that guy is scary." Andy gulps.
"Who was that?" Soma asks.
"That's Shinomiya Konjiro, he's the first Japanese chef to ever win France's Brousse-Poriet award." Marui said as they look at a woman with green hair and a man with long black hair. "And that's Italian Fuyumi Mizuhara and that's Sushi Chef, Hitoshi Sekimori."
"Amazing all of them are in cooking magazines almost every month." Megumi said when a man with a blonde hair came over to her, this was Donato Gotoda.
"I must have been put on this earth just to meet you." Gotoda said.
"Huh? What?" Megumi said confused.
"Oh stop it Gotoda." A woman with long brown hair said coming over to get him.
"Hinako." Gotoda said annoyed when she pushed past him to Megumi.
"I'm sorry that must've been very frightening to you. Though I must say you are very cute." Hinako said.
"Wow Megumi you're popular." Andy chuckles.
"Uh Hinako, Chapelle is glaring at us." Gotoda points out.
"Oh my." Hinako said as they made their way back when a man with a suit and shaved head stepped up.
"No way! That's him! He took the top spot in the Graduation exams. He turned down over 800 of the best restaurants all over the world for his current position. The Head of the Totsuki Resort Chain and board of directors, Dojima Gin!" Marui said freaking out.
"Welcome students to the Totsuki resort. All the chefs you see here are chef-owners. Masters of their domains. For the next 6 days here we're gonna be treating you like you were employees at our restaurants. Which means if anyone who does not perform to our liking is fired. Meaning you're expelled." Dojima declares. "You all know your groups but I should warn you that each group has one thing about them that is done differently than the others. I hope you can rise to the challenge."
"Different challenges?" Andy said confused.
"Well even though we're in different groups I wish you guys luck." Ryoko said.
"Best of luck guys." Andy said.
"We'll meet up later in Marui's." Soma said.
"No we won't!" Marui snaps.
As Soma and Megumi went to their group they didn't noticed two people looking at them.
One was a teenage boy with blonde hair and one was a bulky boy with spiky brown hair, these were Takumi and Isami Aldini.
In Andy's group he was looking around for an empty station as all the chefs had taken most of them.
"Ah there's one." Andy said walking over to it when Erina walks over at the same time.
"You again." Erina said.
"Oh great, Spoiled Brat again." Andy said.
"Nice to see you too Grayson. Try not to get in my way with your stupid movements." Erina said.
"It's called fun, a word you clearly don't know the meaning of." Andy said.
"Just stay out of my way." Erina said.
"Right back at ya." Andy said when Chef Shinomiya stepped in.
"Alright class shut up and listen." He said getting everyone's attention. "Now listen up because I'm only gonna say this once. Each training group has one certain change that separates them from the others and I'm gonna tell you yours. Granted this wasn't my idea but here it is." Shinomiya picked up a piece of paper. "The chef who you are sharing a station with will be your partner for the remainder of the Training Camp."
"What?!" Andy and Erina said in shock.
Both were about to say something when Shinomiya spoke up again.
"Chef Dojima believes cooperation in the kitchen is essential so if you have a problem with this, too bad. Either work together for the next 6 days or I can expel you both right now." He threatens.
Andy and Erina pause as they looked in horror to see they were stuck with literally the last person they ever would want to be a team.
'I knew I should have told Hisako to be in my group.' Erina thought.
'I'm stuck in a group where literally none of my friends are.' Andy thought.
'Of all the people in this entire school why did I have to get him/her?' They both thought.
"Both teams will make the same dish, herb roasted lamb with your choice of side. You must work together to prepare both dishes and have them ready for me to taste." Shinomiya said.
"I'll do the main course." Andy and Erina said at the same time before looking at each other.
"Uh why should you do the main course?" Erina asks.
"Because it's clearly the most important part." Andy said.
"Agreed which is why it should be done by the best chef in this team. Me." Erina said.
"Please, you're good grade wise but I have real world experience. I'm doing the main course." Andy said.
"When pigs fly." Erina said.
"You fly?" Andy asks causing her to growl.
"I hate you so much." Erina said.
"Right back at ya." Andy said.
"Hey!" Shinomiya said walking over. "Do you two mind, you're arguing like a married couple."
"We're not a couple!" Andy and Erina said with blushes on their faces.
"Whatever, get to work or I'll expel you both." Shinomiya said.
"Heads you do the main course, tails I do it." Andy said taking out a coin.
"Fine." Erina said as Andy flipped it and it came up heads. "Finally things are going my way." She smiles.
"Shut up and grab the lamb." Andy said taking out his iPod.
"What are you doing?" Erina asks.
"What's it look like? I gotta make sure we have a good side in case you blow it." Andy said.
"I'll show you." Erina growls grabbing a knife and getting to work.
(Play Geronimo by Sheppard)
'Well Yuki was right, this camp would be hell. Guess I better just jump in.' Andy thought.
Looking around he saw avocados, bacon, peanut oil, and seasonings.
When I lost it
Yeah you held my hand
But I tossed it
Didn't understand
You were waiting
As I dove into the waterfall
So say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Cutting the avocados into wedges Andy seasoned them with salt, pepper and jerk seasoning before wrapping them up in bacon and frying them in peanut oil.
Looking over Shinomiya saw Andy cooking in a dance like manner while Erina stole a few glances at him as she cooked showing an annoyed look on her face but what really got his attention was Erina tapping her foot to his music slightly causing him to smirk.
'Oh yeah, they like each other.' He laughs amused.
(Song End)
"Alright what you got?" Erina asks placing a beautiful rack of lamb down.
"Bacon avocado fries." Andy said putting the side down.
"Is that the best you could think of?" Erina asks.
"At least mine isn't as predicable as your lousy attitude spoiled brat." Andy said.
"Stop calling me that." Erina said.
"Then stop acting like one." Andy said.
Placing the finished dish in front of him, Shinomiya tastes it.
"Hmm you two pass." Shinomiya said.
"Yes." Andy smiles.
"Of course." Erina said.
"I have to say for two chefs who didn't even talk to each other the whole time your dishes actually work very well together." He said getting their attention.
Both chefs look at each other and even though they couldn't stand each other they did make a pretty decent dish together.
Back at the resort, Andy, Megumi and Soma met up with the rest of their dormmates.
"You guys made it!" Yuki smiles hugging Megumi.
"It wasn't easy but we did." Soma said.
"How about the others?" Megumi asks.
"Shun is looking into that." Ryoko said as Shun was a on the phone.
"We all made it." Shun said turning to them.
"Sweet, so uhm is he gonna be okay?" Andy asks pointing to Marui who was on the ground exhausted.
"Apparently he was doing a lot of running around in the mountains." Shun said.
"We had a similar challenge." Soma said turning to Andy. "And there's another chef out there who's like us."
"You don't say." Andy said interested.
"Takumi Aldini." Soma nods.
"So Andy what was your challenge?" Megumi asks.
"Ugh the worst. As it turns out I'm stuck as partners with the spoiled brat herself Erina for the rest of the trip." Andy groans.
"You know most guys would think that would be an honor." Yuki said.
"Yeah well not me. Most guys fall for that pretty face but I know she's rotten to the core." Andy said.
"Sorry Andy…wait. Did you just say Erina had a pretty face?" Yuki teases.
"I didn't mean it!" Andy said.
"Andy you catch more files with honey than vinegar. Maybe you should try being nice to her." Ryoko said.
"Nice to her? She's a heartless monster." Andy said.
"Yeah well you're paired with that monster for the 5 more days." Shun said.
"Sometimes I hate you guys." Andy sighs as they walked in.
"I don't know about you guys but I'm exhausted." Ryoko said.
"Me too, I can barely move." Megumi said.
"What are you talking about? It's dinner time. I've been waiting for this all day." Yuki said when Andy came to a stop and she bumps into him.
"Uh Yuki I don't think you'll be getting that dinner just yet." Andy points.
Looking inside they saw Chef Sekimori and a ton of muscular men who had to be body builders.
"You'll have some free time after you're done making dinner for these gentleman." Sekimori said.
"Who the heck are they?" Yuki asks.
"They're members of the Upper Arm's University Bodybuilding Club which is holding a training camp nearby, the football and wrestling clubs will also be joining." Sekimori said opening a lid to reveal a steak dinner with rice, salad and soup. "Tonight's meal is a Steak Dinner; you all need to make 50 servings each."
"50 servings?!" Various students gasps.
"Chef Sekimori what about our dinner?" Yuki asks.
"Once you make the 50 plates you are allowed to cook your own dinner." Sekimori said shocking her.
"What…but…I thought someone would cook for us." Yuki said.
"Not happening. While you are here you are also in charge of your own meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner." Sekimori explains as Yuki had a look of horror on her face.
"Uh Yuki you okay?" Andy asks nervously.
"I think I can actually hear her heart breaking." Ryoko cringed.
"Finally any student who does not complete their dishes in an hour is expelled." Sekimori said.
"Oh boy I'm gonna need a dinner rush song for this one." Andy said putting on his headphones and scrolling quickly. "Perfect."
"And begin." Sekimori said clicking the timer just as Andy clicks his iPod.
(Play We Will Rock You by Queen)
Taking a deep breath, Andy rushed into the cooking areas as he and all his friends fought the dinner rush.
The hard part wasn't just making the dishes but Sekimori checked every single one of them for any errors and it didn't help that the bodybuilders always wanted more.
We will, we will rock you
We will, we will rock you
Buddy, you're a young man, hard man
Shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday
You got blood on your face, you big disgrace
Waving your banner all over the place
We will, we will rock you, sing it!
We will, we will rock you, yeah
Nearby Ikumi looked over at Andy who was moving at a fierce and quick speed very different from when she faced him.
'He could move like that the whole time? Amazing. He's not only a great cook but he's adaptable too.' Ikumi thought amazed.
Serving plate after plate, Andy kept up his pace. Thanks to all his experience in a restaurant, Andy, Soma and Takumi were handling themselves very well.
(Song End)
"Done!" Andy and Erina said holding out their final plate at the same time.
"Very good you two. That's 50 portions each. You both pass." Sekimori said.
As Erina and Andy glared at each other Andy took off his headphones.
"May I have a word with you?" Andy asks.
"No you may not." Erina said.
"Yeah well too bad." Andy said grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the room.
"Hey let me go! You cannot treat someone of my caliber like this!" Erina yells.
"Oh shut up!" Andy said.
"Those two are clearly in love." Sekimori said before going back to judging.
Down the hall, Andy pulled Erina into an empty practice kitchen.
"Unhand me this instant!" Erina said breaking free. "How dare you lay a hand on the heir—"
"The Nakiri family. Yeah I know. Just shut up for one goddamn minute already." Andy interrupts. "Look Erina, we have five days left of this nightmare and unfortunately you and I are stuck working together for the whole duration. So if you actually want to make it through this you'll listen to my me."
"I'd rather be expelled than listen to you." Erina said.
"Oh really? Erina Nakiri, the heir to the biggest food empire in Japan expelled from Totsuki during her first year. Yeah that won't hurt your reputation at all." Andy said sarcastically causing her to growl.
"Fine what do you suggest?" Erina asks.
"You and I will have a little cook off. We will make the same dish and we will both taste them. If your dish is better than mine, I'll listen to everything you ask for the rest of the trip." Andy offers.
"How about the rest of the year?" Erina smirks.
"Don't push it bitch." Andy glares.
Narrowing her eyes. "Okay and say by some miracle your dish is better. What happens then?" Erina asks.
"Then you'll be cooking my way for the rest of the trip and I mean everything I do." Andy said.
"You mean I have to dance around like an idiot while I cook?" Erina asks.
"Wow you're smarter than you look." Andy said.
"Alright Grayson, one dish. I'll even let you pick it." Erina said.
"Alright since, let's settle for a classic American comfort food, Chili." Andy said causing Erina to chuckle.
"More like peasant comfort food. I'll go first." Erina said
"Knock yourself out. Let's go with 30 minutes each." Andy said sitting down as Erina looks around.
"Be ready to ready to fall in line." Erina said as she started slicing vegetables before taking out meat and threw it into a large pot and adding various beans and spices.
As Andy watched her cook, he couldn't help be a little impressed as she was entirely focused on her dish.
'Wow, guess she really did earn her spot.' Andy thought when the timer went off. "Times up."
Smirking Erina ladled her chili into a bowl.
"I present Nakiri Shut Up Chili." Erina smirks handing him a spoon.
Taking it Andy grabbed a spponful and when he ate it he moaned softly.
"I used sour cream along with ground sirloin to add a strong bitter taste as well as black and kidney beans and smoked paprika to give a kick." Erina said.
'The flavor is so strong and spicy. It's like a fiesta in my mouth." In Andy's food fantasy he was at a block party and dancing in front of him in a red dress was Erina.
"What do you think of me now Grayson?" Erina smirks getting in his face.
"I think you should take a seat because now it's my turn." Andy said standing up.
Taking out his iPod Andy scrolled through his songs.
"There's no way you can beat me. I'm one of the best." Erina said.
"In your world Erina, but I think it's time someone brought you out of your bubble." Andy said clicking play.
(Play Castle On the Hill by Ed Sheeran)
Looking around Andy saw all the ingredients he needed and got to work.
Cooking ground turkey, Andy added smoked paprika, cumin, instant hot chocolate.
I was younger then, take me back to when I
Found my heart and broke it here
Made friends and lost them through the years
And I've not seen the roaring fields in so long, I know I've grown
But I can't wait to go home
I'm on my way
Driving at 90 down those country lanes
Singing to "Tiny Dancer"
And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real
We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill
As he danced around the kitchen, Erina scoffs.
"He looks so ridiculous. I mean he's dancing while cooking. Focus on one or the other." Erina said before noticing the smile on his face. "He does look like he's having fun."
Chopping up some onions and garlic Andy adds liquid smoke and when the aroma hit the chili pot Erina moans softly.
'What is wrong with me? It's the entrance exams all over again. Why do I keep letting him get inside my head?' Erina thought when she saw Andy really get into it.
Putting the final touches on his bowl Andy hands it to her.
(Song End)
"Alright taste your dish first." Andy said taking off his headphones.
"Gladly." Erina takes a spoonful of her chili and sighs. "Perfect."
"Now taste my Turkey Chili." Andy said pushing his bowl towards her.
"Very well." Erina took a bite of his but when she did her eyes widen as she moaned.
"I used Ground Turkey because it's not very greasy and used the liquid smoke to add a smoky BBQ taste to it as well as Smoked Paprika, Cumin and Cayenne Pepper." Andy explains.
"But it's not that spicy, what did you use to cut through all that spice?" Erina asks.
"This." Andy takes out a pack of instant hot chocolate mix. "The strong sweetness of the chocolate cuts through the spice and adds a nice sweet flavor to it."
"This taste, the sensation. It's like another world." Erina moans as she finds herself in her food fantasy where was on a castle on a hill with a big party right below her where she saw Andy down below and when he looks at her the aroma and sensation drove her nuts.
Every part of Erina was screaming to stay inside, but she the fun and happiness she just couldn't take it.
Running to the door she pushes it open and sees Andy's hand for her.
Zooming out Erina pants before looking up at him.
"Time to step outside your comfort zone Erina, what do you say?" Andy asks holding out his hand.
"You win." Erina said shaking his hand.
"Alright, come back here in an hour and put on some loose-fitting clothes." Andy said.
"Excuse me?" Erina asks.
"You can cook, but you gotta be able to match my movements too. Go back to your room, give your friend Hisako the night off or something and meet me back here in an hour. Get ready Erina, because I'm gonna teach you something about cooking that I bet no one has ever tried to teach you." Andy declared.