Chapter 7: Emotions and Flavors
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Now I bet a lot of you were waiting eagerly and I just wanna say I hope this was worth it. I put a lot of thought into this one. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
In Marui's room, the poor guy was completely worn out.
"Ugh I feel like I'm gonna pass out." He groans when the door opens.
"Party time!" The girls said as all the other members of the Polar Star Dorm came in.
"Why won't you guys party elsewhere?!" Zenji asks.
"Come on we should celebrate." Aoki said.
"Whoa, what's going on here?" Everyone turns to see Andy in the hall but he was in sleeveless black shirt and sweatpants with an iHome in his hands.
"Hey Andy why are you dressed like that?" Megumi asks.
"Yeah it's a party." Soma said.
"Sorry I can't join you tonight. I'm gonna just hang out on my own and then go to bed." Andy said.
"What? But we were gonna party all night." Yuki said.
"Yeah no offense but Marui looks like he's about to pass out. Besides we can party more as we make it through the next few days. I wanna make sure I get to the end." Andy said.
"You sure we can't convince you to stay?" Soma asks.
"Not tonight at least." Andy shook his head.
"Well here." Shoji reached to the sodas and grabbed two cans. "In case you get thirsty."
"Thanks guys." Andy smiles taking them and walking away.
"Well guess that means we're gonna have to party extra hard for Andy!" Yuki said.
"Yeah!" They all cheered.
Unfortunately, Yuki, Zenji, Shoji and Aoki all passed out in minutes.
"Guess it's just us." Soma said.
"Yeah they barely lasted 4 minutes." Megumi said.
"Still I wish Andy was here I like it when he plays his music." Ryoko said.
"Yeah he knows how to have fun." Soma said.
"Still I bet him getting paired with Erina Nakiri wasn't very fun." Shun said.
"Why do Andy and Erina hate each other so much?" Megumi asks.
"Beats me. When he and I took the transfer exams those two were at each other's throats." Soma shrugs.
Walking out of her room, Erina was wearing a blue t-shirt and a black sweat pants.
"Erina are you sure about this?" Hisako asks.
"You get your rest. I'll be fine." Erina said.
"What are you going to do?" Hisako asks.
"Just some exercise to get me ready for tomorrow." Erina said.
"Very well." Hisako said walking away.
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Erina sighs walking down the hall.
Entering the kitchen, she saw Andy hooking his iPod up to his iHome before doing some stretching.
"And just like that my hell begins." Erina said walking over.
"Oh good you showed up." Andy said as she put her bag down. "You ready?"
"Yes I'm so ready to prance around like a fool while I cook and make a complete idiot of myself." Erina said rolling her eyes.
"Hey a deal's a deal you lost the challenge. Live with it." Andy said.
"Fine. What do I have to do first?" Erina grumbles.
"Alright first things first. You gotta find your rhythm. Like with cooking music has different styles so we gotta find a way to put your passion into cooking into your movement." Andy said.
Walking over Erina walked up a cutting board and he turned on some music.
(Play Music for a Found Harmonium by Penguin Café Orchestra)
"Now watch me you can't waste a single movement." Andy said as he moved his body to the music chopping up the ingredients before putting them in the pain and cooking them.
"If you can do it how hard can it be?" Erina walks up but when she tries to copy him she wobbles slightly and almost spills some ingredients.
"Hmm what was that about it not being hard?" Andy smirks.
Growling Erina tried again refusing to let this dancer make a fool out of her.
After 3 tries Erina was able to do things almost as well as he did before putting the completed dish down.
(Song End)
"Hmph that wasn't so bad. Pretty easy actually." Erina smirks thinking this was done.
"That was just a warmup. Time for the hard stuff." Andy said.
"Wait what?" Erina said looking to him.
An hour later, Erina was panting heavily out of breath as she sat down on a chair gulping her water down with sweat dripped off her body.
"Hey, so what was that about dancing being easy?" Andy asks sitting down next to her hardly have broken a sweat. "You see in cooking all you have to make sure you can stand on your feet for a long time, in dancing we do that too but we also have to spin, leap, move around, and all other kinds of tricks and we can do it for hours and hours."
"Maybe it's a little harder than you make it look." Erina said drinking it down.
"The problem is you're so by the books your body is all tense." Andy said gripping her shoulders. "Loosen up. You're as stiff as a board."
"Hey get your hands off me right—" Before Erina could finish Andy applies some pressure and instantly she sighed in relief.
"Wow you got a lotta stress in there." Andy said letting go.
"Of course, I'm stressed. I'm the heir to the Nakiri Clan the head of all things in Japanese Cuisine." Erina said.
"Still why are you so quick to judge other people's food that's not done your way?" Andy asks.
"Because that's the way I was taught." Erina admits.
"Excuse me?" Andy asks.
"When my father put me through harsh training for my God's Tongue, he told me that any food that was inferior to throw it away." Erina said.
"He ordered you to waste food? That's not what chefs do." Andy said.
"You think I don't know that? He beat that into. If the dish is inferior it's not worth eating. You may have it easy Grayson but my whole life has been nothing but brutal training and exercises to make me the person I am today." Erina said.
Andy looked at Erina for the first time feeling a little sympathy for her. She wasn't always like this, someone else beat this spoiled brat personality into her.
Pausing Andy walks over to his bag and grabs something.
"Here." Andy said holding out a can of soda his friends gave him.
"What are you doing?" Erina asks suspiciously.
"Trying to be nice." Andy said.
"I'm not really one for carbonated drinks." Erina said.
"Just shut up and take it." Andy urged.
"Fine, if it'll shut you up." Erina said opening it and having a sip.
"See not bad." Andy said.
"So what's your story?" Erina asks.
"What do you mean? You said the first time you cooked was when you made me that dessert. Mind going into a little detail?" Erina asks.
"Well, I guess I can tell you. I was a decent cook without my music but not great. Then you and your dad showed up to challenge every chef in my dad's restaurant. And as I watched you bash every single one of them it hurt seeing the people, I spent my whole life with all hurt and broken like that. When I decided to try everyone was arguing over what I should make you. I was scared and needed to find a way to block it all out." Andy explains.
"Your music." Erina points.
"Yeah. When I listen to music it was like there was nothing else around me and I learned that each song can reflect my mood or personality and that helped me beat you that day. So I guess in a way the only reason I'm the cook I am today is because of you." Andy shrugs.
"Wow and I here I thought you were just a dumb fool." Erina said.
"And I thought you were just a spoiled brat so I guess we both learned something." Andy chuckles.
Smiling softly Erina nods as they both finished their drinks.
"Alright now that you have the basics down you have one thing left to do and we can call it a night." Andy said standing up.
"What do I have to do?" Erina asks.
"Just cook a dish to one of my songs and see what kind of effect it has on you." Andy said.
"Fine what kind of dish should I make?" Erina asks.
"How about a late night snack? Something to fill us up but won't make it hard to fall asleep." Andy suggests.
"So what song am I gonna listen to?" Erina asks walking over to the kitchen.
"Hmm let's see what I got." Andy scrolls through his iPod and grins seeing one. "I think you'll really appreciate this one."
(Play Into the Unknown by Idina Menzel and AURORA)
As Erina started to prep she heard an eerie call getting her attention before she got back to work.
I can hear you but I won't
Some look for trouble
While others don't
There's a thousand reasons
I should go about my day
And ignore your whispers
Which I wish would go away
As the music played Erina slowly started to move in response to this when suddenly it hit a happy mood.
Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls
I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls
I've had my adventure, I don't need something new
I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you
Into the unknown
Into the unknown
Into the unknown
Being drawn in Erina started to smile as she moved around cooking the ground chicken and chopping up the vegetables.
Seeing the expression her face Andy couldn't help but smile.
"Well look at her." Andy smiles as she rolls them all up in wonton wrappers.
Oh, oh, oh
Are you out there?
Do you know me?
Can you feel me?
Can you show me?
Tossing them into a pan fryer Erina was completely enveloped in the music having what might be the first time she's had in a very long time.
(Song End)
When the song ended Erina pulled it out and put them on a plate.
"Well look at you. That was impressive." Andy said.
"I know!" Erina said excited before fixing herself. "I mean, it was enjoyable."
"So what do we have here?" Andy asks.
"Chicken spring rolls with a homemade chili sauce." Erina said.
Slowly Andy grabbed one and tasted it.
"Wow the ground chicken mixed with the natural seasonings and bitter vegetables mix very well." Andy said.
"I also used chilled water chestnuts to give a bold flavor." Erina said.
In Andy's food fantasy he felt like he was just walking up a mountain and when he did he saw Erina in a fancy dress atop a castle.
'It's like I'm being taken away to a place full of surprises.' Andy sighs before snapping out of it.
"Wow Erina you're really good." Andy said surprising her.
"Wait you called me by my name not Spoiled Brat." She said.
"Yeah small world. You did good and maybe you're as huge of a pain as I thought you were." Andy admits. "I'll see you tomorrow in class."
As Andy gathered up his stuff Erina looks to him and smiles.
She never did anything like this before and as she listened to that song, she felt so drawn to it.
She was afraid to go into the unknown but maybe that's the exciting part. Andy was something totally unknown and quite possibly her way of being happy for once.
"Hey Andy, are we doing this again?" Erina asks.
"The rest of the trip, so you better get some rest. You'll need it." Andy said walking out.
As both Erina and Andy went back to their rooms both were feeling a little better about their team.
However the next day a different duo would really struggle.
The next day in class, Soma and Megumi's team had Chef Shinomiya as their instructor.
"Good morning. I'm Kojiro Shinomiya from class 79 and I'll be your instructor. Today's challenge will be to make a dish of my choosing. I've given each of you a recette." He said as everyone looked at the papers on their stands.
"I heard he sent home 30 people yesterday." One student said.
"And this is one of his recipes." Another said.
"I've chosen one my more relatively easier recettes, but if you want something more difficult I would be happy to offer it." He smirks pissing off quite a few students.
"What's a recette?" Soma asks.
"It means recipe." Megumi explains.
"Now for this dish you will not work in pairs. You have to make this dish on your own." Shinomiya declares horrifying Megumi. "Any exchange of tips or information is forbidden. Behind you are stacks of ingredients behind you. Also it would be prudent to think of everyone around you as your enemy. You have 3 hours. Begin."
As horrified expressions appeared on all their faces the students and they started clawing at each other for the best ingredients.
Nearby Megumi struggled to get hers as everyone was pushing and shoving, but just as she was about to get her cauliflower she saw all the ones left were damaged.
'Oh no what do I do? I can't make the terrin like this. The cauliflower will ruin it.' Megumi thought about to go to Soma for help before remembering the challenge.
"No Soma and all my friends are working hard. I can do this." Megumi said looking for a way to figure this out.
As the students got to work Shionmiya passed a few students including Soma while expelling most for simply helping others or because their dishes failed.
"What? No let me try again." A student said.
"Sure but I don't there's anything left for you to use." Shinomiya said pointing to the ingredients. "If you can actually make something out of that you're a better chef than I am." He smirks expelling the student.
Soon it was finally Megumi's turn.
"So you're the last one." Shinomiya said.
"I-I'm Megumi Tadokoro." She said nervously.
Examining her dish, Shinomiya took a bite of it.
"Megumi Tadokoro. You're expelled." He declared horrifying her. "Alright now everyone who did pass prepare for your afternoon lessons.
"Sir uh why was my dish no good?" Megumi asks.
"Ah, your cauliflower was a little off so you used wine vinegar to boil it, right? Vinegar asks as a bleaching agent and helped the cauliflower maintain it's taste which created a perfect match flavor-wise." Shinomiya explains.
"So…they why?" Megumi asks.
"Who said you were free to stray from my recette? Was there anything here that said you could?" Shinomiya asks. "If you don't put a dish that's up to my standards you're out. Are you satisfied now?"
"I'm not." Soma said walking up. "This was out of her control sir. We were forced to use produce that you supplied and here we're supposed to act like we're employees. So that means responsibility for inventory is yours. In other words Senpai the fault lies with you." Soma declares as Shinomiya slams his hand down on the table.
"You listen here you little brat. Do you know who you're talking to? I purposely left pieces of bruised cauliflower in the supplies to reduce the number of applicants who would pass. It washed away all those idiots who rushed in without thinking and took care of all the slowpokes who hesitated." Shinomiya explains.
"That's why Megumi came up with that idea to make up for lost time." Soma said.
"Be quite. I am the chef here. I cannot allow some pissant to ruin my dish." Shinomiya glares at him. "Listen kid, you're gonna keep fighting me I will my powers as chef to cut you loose along with your girlfriend."
"Why you I outta." Soma growls but Megumi stops him.
"Soma don't!" Megumi begs. "He'll just expel you too. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
As Soma looked at the sad eyes on Megumi's face it was almost at this that Soma realized why Andy hated Erina so much. They were higher-ups were willing to mess with whoever they want without a care in the world. Unless…unless you stood up to them.
"Hey chef I got one more thing to say" Soma asks walking up to him.
"What is it Yukihira? Another complaint?" Shinomiya smirks.
"No just a question. Does that Totsuki Rule still apply after a student has graduated?" Soma asks getting his attention.
"What do you mean?" Shinomiya asks turning to him.
"If I challenge you in a Shokugeki will you take back Megumi's expulsion?" Soma declares shocking everyone.
"A Shokugeki? That brings back memories." Shinomiya smirks.
"What is that idiot transfer student thinking?" A student asks.
"Between him and dancer those two are idiots." Another said.
"Shinomiya is a beast."
"Challenging a graduate student is not unheard of but it requires the consent of both parties, but I say no. Megumi's expulsion is set." Shiomiya said.
"Come on don't be so hasty." Walking in Chef Dojima entered the class with Chef Hinako right behind him. "It seems things are finally getting interesting don't you think?"
"Dojima?" Shinomiya said surprised.
In Dojima's office, Hinako tasted Megumi's dish.
"Wow this is delicious. Something like this deserves to pass. Kojiro you are the worst. How are you so mean?" Hinako insults when Shinomiya grabs her head and squeezes.
"Shut it Hinako." Shinomiya growls.
"I'm sorry!" She whines.
"Dojima this challenge was meant to be entirely up to me." Shiomiya said.
"Of course. I have no qualms with your test or your parameters for judgment, but this girl tried to cope with a bad situation. Don't you think grit like this deserves some consideration?" Dojima asks.
"Not in the slightest." Shinomiya said instantly.
"Well I think it does." Hinako said.
"There you have it, you've been outvoted." Dojima said.
"You guys." Shinmoiya growls annoyed.
"It is decided I will manage this unofficial Shokugeki as an offsite match. However, since we can't interfere with the afternoon's challenges you two will face Shinomiya once those are finished." Dojima said.
"Hold on why do I have to participate in this—"
"Because I said so Kojiro." Dojima glares with a demon-like voice.
"Alright fine. Soma if you win Megumi isn't expelled but if I win, you're expelled too." Shinomiya declares.
"Then it's decided." Dojima declares. "Report to the basement kitchen after classes."
Soon Soma and Megumi were walking through the halls.
"Well that went well. Now all we have to do is prepare for the afternoon." Soma said turning to Megumi to see her glaring at him with puffy cheeks.
"Soma you idiot! Why did you go and confront him like that?! You already passed why did you have to do this?! Why couldn't you just let me fail on my own?" Megumi sobs dropping to the floor.
"Megumi…If I let you on your own you'd be gone already." He jokes.
"Stop that!" She whines.
"Come on get up." Soma said helping her up. "We can't be late for the challenge."
"You're always helping me and now I've gotten you involved in this. How can I ever apologize to you?" Megumi said with tears coming down.
"You don't owe me anything. I did it because I chose to because like with Andy I couldn't stand behind and let this happen. Megumi you're not meant to stop here." Soma assures before walking away.
Later that day in the waiting room, Andy walked up to his friends after finishing his challenges.
"Phew. Made it through another day." Andy smiles putting his headphones around his neck.
"Well you seem to be in a better mood than yesterday." Yuuki said.
"Yeah finally got my rhythm." Andy said as he looked across to see Erina with Hisako.
"Hey Andy have you seen Megumi? I tried calling her but she didn't answer." Ryoko asks.
"Not since before classes." Andy said.
"I'm worried what if something happened to her." Yuuki said.
"She wasn't listed with the other students who failed." Marui said.
"Well maybe Soma knows he was with her right?" Andy asks.
"I hope Soma didn't get her into any trouble." Aoki said.
"Come guys it's a training camp. What's can he possibly do? Pick a fight with a teacher?" Andy asks and almost immediately all of them pause in horror. "Oh shit." Andy paused realizing that's exactly what he would do.
"I got a bad feeling about this." They all said.
"That idiot transfer student is going down." Andy heard.
Looking over he saw two students were walking down the hall.
"Picking a fight with Shinomiya. He's a goner." One laughs when Andy and Ryoko grabs them.
"What was that about Soma and Shinomiya?" Andy said.
"Start talking right now." Ryoko glares.
"Uh Shinomiya was gonna expel that Megumi girl and Soma challenged him to a Shokugeki to make him reconsider." They stuttered.
"He did what?!" They entire Polar Star Dorm panicked.
"Megumi!" Yuuki sobs.
"This is dumber than when Andy took on Ikumi in Don RS. No offense." Ryoko said looking to Andy.
"None taken." Andy said more worried about his friends.
"Oh man what do we do? We don't know where they are?" Yuuki panics.
Andy looks around and noticed a few security cameras all over the room. "That's it."
As Andy runs off Erina noticed him with a worried look on his face.
'What is he up to now?' Erina asks.
Making his way to the main lobby, Andy noticed the security room and saw screens all over including one where Soma and Megumi were walking to the basement.
"Bingo, the basement." Andy said about to watch this.
"Where are you going?" Erina said blocking the hallway.
"My friend Soma just challenged Chef Shinomiya to a Shokugeki." Andy said surprising her.
"The number 1 of the Elite 10? Then he's a goner." Erina said.
"Megumi is with him too." Andy adds.
"Then they both are goners." Erina said.
"Look I need to see this." Andy said.
"You do realize the second you walk away from me I'm gonna tell?" Erina said.
"Well in that case." Andy grabs her arm and pulls her into the camera room with him.
"What is it with you and dragging me everywhere?" Erina asks.
"Hey I'm giving you an exclusive look at secret Shokugeki why don't you just enjoy it?" Andy said.
Erina looks at the screen with all of them in the kitchen basement and sighs admitting she was interested.
In the basement, Soma and Megumi arrive to see Dojima and Chef Shinomiya there but also Chef Fuyumi Mizuhara, Hitoshi and Donata as judges and Hinako tied up with a sign that said just an observer around her neck.
"Why are all these graduates here?" Megumi asks surprised.
"They've come here to act as judges. Hinako's judgement would seem to be rather biased however." Dojima said.
"An unofficial Shokugeki right in the middle of training camp? On top of that a graduate vs a student. How would Mr. Chappelle react to this?" Donata asks.
"He'd scold us. Simple as that." Hitoshi said
"If he found out I'd make a run for it and blame everything on Kojiro." Fuyumi said looking at Shinomiya.
"I can hear you Mizuhara!" He snaps.
"I like the way she thinks." Andy chuckles.
"Probably because you two are so reckless." Erina scoffs.
"Well you think like Shinomiya, total pain in the ass." Andy glares.
"You're impossible." Erina glares back.
"Right back at ya." Andy said before they looked back to the screen in a huff.
"We will now begin this 2 vs 1 match. You will use these leftover vegetables for the challenge. You can make whatever you want but vegetables have to be the main component. Time limit is set at 2 hours." Dojima declares.
'I caused this Shokugeki and dragged Soma into it. I have to be sure to not hold him back.' Megumi thought.
"And there's one more condition. Megumi will be the main chef and Soma will be the sous chef." Dojima states shocking her, Soma and Andy. "Which means you will choose the recipe."
"Wait what?" Andy said surprised.
"Does that girl even know how to give orders?" Erina asks.
"That…is a very good question actually. I don't know. She's always been just a helper." Andy said.
"Let the Shokugeki begin!" Dojima declares starting the time.
"Chef Dojima I am the one who wanted this Shokugeki." Soma said looking to him. "So why would I—"
"I brought together this challenge that would otherwise never have happened. Say Megumi survives this challenge thanks to your cooking. What merit is there in that? It shows nothing to prove what she has. Sooner or later, she would end up failing another challenge. She cannot continue to rely on you." Dojima said.
"Makes sense. In Totsuki you have to show your worth everyday and if you don't have to determination to show you belong then she's better off expelled." Erina said.
"Maybe so, but there's one small problem with this." Andy cringed.
"What?" Erina asks as Andy points showing Megumi was shaking turning into a nervous wreck. "How did that girl even make it this far?" Erina cringed.
"I actually feel bad for you Soma." Shinomiya said gathering ingredients.
"How so?" Soma asks.
"You have the whole world crashing down on you and your fate lies in the hands of that dimwit." Shinomiya said.
"Can you believe what he just said?" Hinako asks.
"Kojiro Shinomiya is a horrible person." Fuyumi said.
"This why he can never get a girlfriend for very long." Donata agrees.
"Shut up!" He snaps.
Andy looks to Erina and opens his mouth. "Nah that one's too easy."
"Must you always have a comeback line?" Erina asks.
"Shuts you up doesn't it?" Andy asks as Erina shoves him. "Hey."
"And that shuts you up." Erina smirks.
In the kitchen Megumi was panting heavily starting to lose it.
"Megumi put your hands together." Soma said.
As she slowly did that Soma suddenly slapped both her hands surprising everyone as he snapped her out of it.
"Ow." Megumi said.
"I learned that back home. It's a technique to get rid of nervousness. Still the drawback is you can't do it by yourself." Soma smiles.
Almost instantly Megumi realized he was right; she had stopped shaking.
"Now focus only on what you need to make." Soma said.
"But Chef Shinomiya is gonna make some amazing French Dish how can I compete with that?" Megumi asks.
"It's like my dad always said. Cooking is about putting everything about you on a plate. So just forget about what the other guy is making." Soma said.
"But Soma I—"
"Don't over think this. Just make the food you would wanna eat. That'll be enough." Soma said.
Pausing Megumi looks to the ingredients and tries to focus on what she wanted to make before smiling.
"I know what I wanna make." She smiles.
As Megumi got to work on prepping the dish, Soma had to make sure he didn't do anything that could make it seem like he was in charge.
While Megumi was in charge of the main ingredients Soma managed to make everything she needed ready for her.
"Wow they're actually doing pretty well." Andy said impressed.
"Yeah she can actually cook when she's not a nervous wreck." Erina said when Andy hits her shoulder. "Hey!"
"I can do this all day." Andy said.
"Why you." Erina said as they were about to butt heads again.
"Times up! Prepare your plates." Dojima said as both snapped out of it and saw their faces were inches from each other.
Yelping both of them turned back to the screen eager to see what the dishes were.
"I've been looking forward to this." Donata said.
"I as well." Hitoshi said as Shinomiya went first and they see his dish. "A Chou Farci?"
"Interesting choice." Erina said.
"Why? What is that?" Andy asks.
"It's a local dish in the Auvergne region. Meat and vegetables are turned into stuffing for cabbage leaves which are rolled and steamed." Erina said.
"Even just seeing it on a screen you can tell this guy earned his spot at the top." Andy said.
"This food is often made in French Households." Fuyumi said.
"Talk about a letdown." Hinako sighs. "Shinomiya usually makes pretentious food but this—" Before she could finish Shinomiya hit her on the head. "Hey don't I get one?"
"No you don't. Share with Mizuhara." Shinomiya said walking away.
"Are Elite 10 of Totsuki annoying pain in the asses or am I just seeing things?" Andy asks.
"Hey! Being an Elite 10 makes you the best of the best! All other chefs are beneath us." Erina said.
"Uh huh and yet you didn't seem to have a problem enjoying my food 3 times in a row." Andy said.
"Shut up! You got lucky!" Erina said.
"Aww you're so cute when you act all high and mighty." Andy mocks causing Erina to blush at that.
"My goodness, the aroma of the pot herbs whets the appetite." Donato sighs.
Nearby Fuyumi takes a bite and lets out a moa of delight.
"This filing isn't the pork roast and onions used in a normal chou farci. It's made from local duck." Hitoshi notices. "He sliced the breast open and stuffed it with morel mushrooms, asparagus and foie gras all sauteed in beef fat to give it flavor. What's more the breast meat, cream and butter are blended into a mousse inserted and then steamed."
"This mousse lingers on the tongue and then the flavors spread throughout the mouth." Fuyumi said.
"What I find most impressive is the type of cabbage used. Savoy cabbage: this ingredient called chirimen cabbage in Japan has a strong grassy scent while raw but when cooked it takes on a sublime sweetness. This was cooked using various methods each a perfect compliment to the highlights of this dish." Dojima said.
All the different vegetables and flavors overwhelmed everyone causing them all to experience the same food fantasy.
In it all the chefs appeared as magical girls highlight the vegetables in the dish before phasing out.
"I feel so satisfied." Hinako sighs.
"That's our Kojiro." Donato sighs.
"Truly the work of a Legume Magician." Hitoshi agrees.
"What about you Fuyumi?" Shinomiya smirks.
"If I could forget it was made by you it would be perfect." Fuyumi sighs.
"Well too bad." He grins loving this.
"Oh man that guy is a jerk but he can cook." Andy said with a shocked look on his face.
"Wow Andy what's a matter can't sing or dance your away around this one? I must say shocked is a cute look for you." Erina smirks causing him to blush this time.
"Knock it off." Andy said.
"Although I admit I was surprised. I thought for sure we'd get one of your restaurant specialties." Dojima said.
"Such a harsh joke, Dojima. I'm going up against students. It would be cruel to put them against one of my best work." He chuckles.
"How typical." Hitoshi narrows his eyes.
"You might beat them so hard they'll never cook again." Donato sighs.
"Now it's Megumi's turn." Andy said as Megumi stepped up with her plate.
"You got this." Soma said patting her on the back.
Taking a deep breath, Megumi walks up and places a terrine in front of everyone.
"I have made you all a rainbow terrine using 7 kinds of vegetables." Megumi said.
"Interesting you made 7 different colored pates and arranged them in stripes like a rainbow." Hitoshi said.
"Come to think of it wasn't the challenge in Shinomiya's class to make a terrine as well?" Fuyumi recalls.
"Well, well, looks you copied my 9 vegetable recette and belittled it." Shinomiya mocks.
"Uh no I swear this is my own recette." Megumi stutters.
"Well let's have a look." Donato said as they all took a bite.
Pausing everyone held their breath.
"It's delish." Donato said breaking the silence.
"It really is." Hitoshi said.
"Wonderful." Fuyumi agrees surprising Megumi.
"Potatoes, carrots, zucchini and other vegetables were worked into pate to make seven layers which were each treated to bring out the other's specialty. You did well to accomplish this in you time." Hitoshi smiles.
"There are two sauces as well. One is a sweet and sour citrus gelee and the other is a refreshing green sauce made of a shiso based paste infused with various herbs. Very interesting." Donato smiles.
"The combination of the zucchini and the herb sauce is so refreshing. It's a masterpiece." Hinako said.
"The citrus also pairs nicely with the tomato." Fuyumi said.
"By giving us these two sauces we are able to enjoy up to 14 different flavors." Donato said.
"You see in my hometown we make our own preserved vegetables to use in the winter." Megumi explains.
"Interesting. While Shinomiya's terrine utilizes fresh vegetables, this one focuses more on the preserved ones. The same dish but two completely different approaches." Dojima said.
As all of the judges were saying how amazing her dish was Megumi was tearing up overjoyed.
"Well look at that." Andy smiles.
"She actually does have talent, but will it be enough?" Erina asks as they began judging.
"For this you will each place a coin on whoever's dish you thought was best. Shinomiya or Megumi." Dojima said handing each of them a 500 yen coin.
As they walked up Megumi, Soma and Andy all held their breath as each judge put their coin down.
When it was over all three were on Shinomiya's plate.
"Oh no." Andy said.
"Too bad." Shinomiya smirks.
"The difference in your skills was clear. Kojiro was able to score a runaway victory." Dojima said causing Megumi to frown in sadness.
"I'm sorry Megumi. I wasn't much help." Soma said taking off his headband. "But don't be down you're a great chef."
Sniffling tears ran down her eyes as she felt so bad for letting him down too.
"Don't feel down this was bound to happen. Well, I have an early day tomorrow." Shinomiya was about to walk out when they heard a coin being put down.
Turning around they saw Dojima put a coin on Megumi's plate.
"What is are doing Dojima? This is over." Shinomiya said.
"Yes well, I wanted to weigh in on this dish. So I decided to cast my vote." Dojima said surprising them.
"It's over. I won. You can't weigh in now." Shinomiya said as Dojima handed him a coin.
"Do you really not get it? The answer lies in the food Megumi made." Dojima said before smirking. "Truth is you hit a plateau, haven't you?"
Eyes widening Shinomiya steps back surprising everyone.
"And you know it. Since you won that award you have no idea what direction to go. Having reached that apex you're now unable to take even one step forward. For a chef, a plateau is the same as regression. The reason you didn't make one of your specialties is because you didn't want us to know your cooking has reached a standstill." Dojima declares.
"Shut up! What do you know? You're just a glorified chef employed by your own school!" Shinomiya snaps.
"Then try her food." Dojima urges.
"Impossible. How can the best chef be at a standstill when he's reached the top?" Erina asks.
"Because there's no one left." Andy said getting her attention. "If no one else is with you at the top it's pretty sad because then what's left for you do?"
Pausing Erina couldn't help but admit there was some truth to that.
As Shinomiya took a bite his eyes widen as we find ourselves in a food fantasy.
"This flavor it's just like…"
In it we see a young Shinomiya with multiple bruises on his face.
"Kojiro!" Turning around he saw his mother marching towards him. "You got in a fight again didn't you?"
"I can't stand them. I'm fine being on my own. I don't care if no one understands me" Young Kojiro said when his mom grabs his hand.
"I understand you. You're always so quick to fly off the handle it's hard to make friends. You're a good person. You may forget sometimes but I don't." She smiles.
"M-Mom." Young Kojiro sniffles.
"This dish is like a mother's love." Zooming out of the fantasy we see Shinomiya put a coin on Megumi's plate.
Wiping a tear from his eyes, Shinomiya turns.
"Hey dimwit. That spice you used was Allspice wasn't it?" He asks.
"Yes it was." Megumi nods.
"I would say it was used to offset the smell of the chicken liver. Allspice is a mix of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It's used in a wide variety throughout cuisine." Fuyumi said.
"Maybe but that's not the only reason is it?" Shinomiya asks.
"Yes well you've all been tasting food since yesterday and allspice helps in digestion and wanted to give you all something to ease your stomachs." Megumi explains.
"Clever thinking." Andy said.
"Yes, I bet Hisako could benefit from using allspice as well." Erina said.
"Wait are you actually thinking of someone other than yourself right now?" Andy asks.
"I'm allowed to help my Secretary. She stays at my side for a reason." Erina said.
"That's her style. Even while taking on the challenge Megumi thought about the interests of the eater. I would say that's an important part if you want to reach the summit." Dojima said.
'He figured me out. For a long time, I never considered the faces of my customers or the voices of my staff. I've been all alone.' Shinomiya thought when Hinako put her own coin on Megumi's plate.
"There now it's a draw." Hinako said.
"Well in that case. I believe this means Megumi will return to her same status before the Shokugeki."
"This whole thing was a complete waste of time." Shinomiya sighs before looking to Megumi. "Fine I'll cooperate. She survives for at least one more day."
As he walks to the door Shinomiya looks to Soma and smiles.
'That one might have promise.' He thought.
"Someone isn't being very nice." Hinako said when Shinomiya grabs her head and squeezes. "Aaah! I'm sorry!" She whines.
"Megumi." Dojima said getting her attention. "Your food is like a warm embrace. It has hospitality and is the essence of your cooking. And is a powerful weapon. Hone it well at Totsuki. Consider those three coins an investment in both your futures."
"I guess we both got lucky." Soma smiles.
"This challenge wasn't just for Megumi was it?" Hitoshi asks.
"I'd like to think Shinomiya also learned a lesson." Dojima chuckles.
Walking out of the camera room, Andy let out a sigh of relief.
"At least those two are still enrolled." Andy said.
"Barely. I don't know why Chef Shinomiya gave her a vote but she's damn lucky she didn't get kicked out. That idiot Soma would have been gone too." Erina said.
"It's called looking out for a friend." Andy said looking at her.
"Maybe people like you need others to lean on but I never did." Erina said.
"Yeah well maybe I like being around other people. Who wants to spend the rest of their lives all alone looking down at others?" Andy said.
"That's literally what I was born to do. Rise to the top." Erina said looking at him. "And then everyone would listen to me. Until I met you. You refuse to fall in line and think I'm the problem."
"Because you are the problem. You have nothing in your life that makes you remotely happy and you just make everyone else miserable." Andy said.
"Better than dancing around like an idiot." Erina said.
"It's called having fun. You spoiled brat!" Andy snaps.
"You are stubborn, ridiculous and refuse to listen to anyone!" Erina snaps.
"You are snotty, shallow, and refuse to let anyone in!" Andy snaps.
"Do you wanna kiss me as much as I wanna kiss you?!" Erina asks.
"I'm surprised you would even ask!" Andy grabs Erina and pulls her into a kiss.
"I can't stand you." Erina said.
"I can't stand you more." Andy said as she yanks him into a kiss.
As both of them kissed they both loosened their death grips on each other. Erina felt Andy's lips against her and they were giving her the most amazing thing she's ever tasted. It wasn't food, but it made her feel so warm, safe, and loved. It was so addictive, she needed more.
Wrapping her arms around him Erina kisses back and Andy could feel her God's Tongue giving him an amazing sensation in his mouth that made him never want to let go.
After a few minutes both of them separated for air and the two looked at each other with surprised eyes.
"Wow guess you can use that tongue for other things too." Andy said.
"It appears so." Erina said fixing herself.
"So uh I guess we should head back." Andy said.
"Yeah dinner challenge." Erina said as they walked back.
Needless to say both of them were starting to develop different thoughts about them now.
Nearby a teenage girl with short white hair was walking down the hall when she noticed Erina and Andy.
"Ooh what's this? Erina with a boy." She asks very interested.