Chapter 7: Mother Knows Best
"So... how did you meet my daughter? And How long have you been together?" The two teenager chefs had just finished eating the large diner of soba noodles, salmon and seasonal vegetables, and were in the midst of clearing the dining table when Emiko Tadokoro sprang the question directly to Sōma, making stutter and fumble with the collection of plates and bowls in his hands.
Megumi's grandfather, who lived at the family house as well, looked up and spat out some of his water, taken aback by the abruptness of his daughters question. He was then struck by his own obliviousness of not realising the situation sooner and he too began to properly observe the blushing boy standing next to his granddaughter.
"Mother...", Megumi stuttered feeling anxiety creeping anew into her body again, only this time it felt like ice freezing in her heart. However, just as she was about by bolt from the room she felt a hand take ahold of hers and gently squeeze. Turning her head she saw the smiling blushing boy she loved. Sōma may be goofy, and at times infuriating with his inventive dishes serving them up in the dorm, but if it wasn't for him she would have lost confidence so completely; she probably would have quit being a chef.
He gave her confidence, resolve and relit the fire of competition within her. And for that she loved him with all her heart, unapologetically and unreservedly. Looking over at her mother, Megumi balled up a tea towel and buried her face in it, so she couldn't see the smirk on her mother's face. "Megumi and I have only been together for... well a day", Sōma spoke, "we've only just realised our feelings for each other".
"When I first met him, I thought he was an arrogant self centred narcissist", Megumi uttered. "But in our first lesson, I saw what made him truly brilliant. He's quick on his feet, knowledgeable, caring about his dorm mates, spontaneous and a completely honest chef".
Feeling her face redden at the amount of niceties she had just bestowed upon Sōma, the blue haired girl once more buried her face into the tea towel again, only this time she found herself being whisked into her mother's arms and embraced with such fervour, she began coughing for air. And yet, with her mother and grandfather both beaming at her, aware of and supportive of her relationship, she found herself truly happy. The only thing that would have made the moment even better was, "if only Kenosuke was here".
As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew that she shouldn't have said that. The look of sadness on her grandfathers face, and even though she couldn't see her mother she knew it would be the same. The latest letter was all she needed to know that her brothers latest bout of depression was very serious. Tears prickled in her eyes as an image of Kenosuke's black hair and bespectacled brown eyes crept into her minds eye. "I'm sorry for ruining the mood", she stammered but was then cut of by her mother.
"Don't... Megumi", Emiko spoke wiping tears from her own eyes. "Kenosuke would be overjoyed for you right now. And he will return to us, and cooking, once he's feeling better". Hugging her mother even more tightly, Megumi tried to take onboard that positivity. "Your brother sounds amazing", Sōma smiled looking at a photo on a kitchen side table; an older teenager with black hair, glasses covering brown eyes and dressed in a white T-shirt, dark blue jeans and a waist coat. In his hands was a certificate of culinary advancement, and next to him was the Tōtsuki director, Senzaemon Nakiri.
"He would like you, Sōma. I bet he would have challenged you to a cook off by now, seeing as you are close to Megumi" Emiko stated, letting go do her daughter and approaching the table the boy looking at the and photo in his hands. "Kenosuke always liked to be extravagant. I think that's why he chose South American cuisine to specialise in, because of the unusual ingredients and the way that they are used".
Sōma grinned a little, making Megumi groan, knowing that her mother had just inadvertently created a team of chefs who could be terrifying if they ever put their minds together. Soma and Kenosuke, although having different styles of cuisine, used the same 'trial and error' process of cooking, and it had her in a constant cycle of frustration and adoration. No doubt when they met, trouble would ensue, yet at the same time she couldn't wait to see how they influenced each other. "You would have to get in line to cook with him though", her grandfather: Shirō, piped up.
The immediate expression Sōma gave off, at hearing that was a mixture of excitement and being crestfallen, which turned to embarrassment when Shirō and Emiko began chuckling. "I get the feeling you two were unconsciously drawn to each other," Emiko stated "your tenacity and Megumi's quiet fortitude. You balance each other out".
The thought had crossed Megumi's mind, several times if she was being honest but she often deregulated that idea as she didn't like the sound of them having been preordained to meet, become friends and fall I love. She like the idea that Ryōko had put forwards; that she and Sōma had met by a really really lucky coincidence. One that she was eternally grateful for and treasured every day at Tōtsuki.
"I think we are soulmates", Sōma blurted our before he even registered the words he was saying, "...we're always in the same classes, and the teachers often pair us together..." There was suddenly a loud squeal of joy as Emiko raced forwards and hugged the redhead boy, "soulmates... you really must be in love". Before he could respond, or blush, Sōma felt arms spin him around and he came face to face with the beautiful golden brown eyes and blue hair of his girlfriend. Yet, before he could state her beauty to her, lips crashed against his and arms snaked around his waist. Such was the blush their faces, he thought that they may pass out.
By the time they broke apart, both red faced and out of breath, Emiko and Shirō had left the room and could be heard approving of the sheer happiness and joy between the two teenagers. Leaning into her, Sōma brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "You are so... beautiful", then they both walked into the sitting room and began to plan out their next three days.
"Hey lovebirds", before they had a chance to react, Emiko clicked a camera and took yet another photograph, forever capturing their embrace on the sofa.
"Welcome to the family, Sōma Yukihira".