Chapter 8: Day One (Morning)
- Fête de la Belle Angèle

The next morning was atypical, warm yet cloudy with undertones of rain. And as Sōma and Megumi made their way downstairs in their pajamas for breakfast, they heard the radio announcing 'a brief visitation of Russian winter to Northeastern Japan', would be coming to the Aomori Prefecture in the 'coming days'.

"It would be best to wear warm clothes, and stock up on fire wood", they heard Shirō state, upon entering the kitchen. The two half asleep teenagers were greeted by a table laden with various fruit jams, pickled vegetables and assortment of pastries. Emiko and Shirō were both seated listening to the radio and discussing possible effects on the festival "They wouldn't dare cancel the festival", Shirō uttered, banging his cane on the floor.

As Sōma sat down, he picked upon the word festival and was immediately interested, "don't tell me the festival is cancelled, I was really looking forward to seeing this festival. Megumi says it's traditional in Hachinohe". Raising an eyebrow but not speaking, Emiko had a look on her face that spoke volumes about the feelings of her daughter. Shirō however, stood up and walked towards a book cabinet and took up a small, fifty page paper back, and handed it to the redhead boy.

"The Fête de la Belle Angèle is a celebration of food, art and music here in Japan. Despite the broad spectrum, food is the biggest thing on show. People come out to watch the flotilla of ships, led by the famed Belle Angèle, sail into harbour. Popup restaurants, food stalls and kiosks from across Japan come here to setup shop and serve customers", Shirō explained. "And at midnight of the third day, there are fireworks launched from the ships, lighting up the sky, as well as flares set off to bask the port in reddish light".

Noting the rapt intense expression on Sōma's face, as he listened to the older man whilst leafing through the book, Shirō smiled as he explained the origins the Belle Angèle. "It's a tall triple masted former British Tea Clipper sold to the French merchant fleet before finally adopting the flags of Japan, France and Britain".

"It would sail between those three counties trading", Emiko took over, "in the latter part of the nineteenth century, when the Meiji government opened up the country to the west".

Sōma smiled as he listened to the history of the festival, thinking that watching the fireworks with Megumi would be really romantic. Also, out here in her home town, away from the stresses and anxieties of Tōtsuki, would be relaxing for her, and hopefully they could stay up late on the last day of the festival for the fireworks.

He was as just about to ask whether or not you had to pay for tickets to see the fireworks, when Megumi tapped him on his shoulder. "D-d-do you think we can go t-together?" Her stuttering and her blushing face was cute, and he couldn't help but lean in and kiss her. "Does that answer your question?" He answered smirking.

"Hurry up! How long does it take for you to get changed", Emiko yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "You don't have to come as well..." Megumi stammered her face framed by her twin pigtails over her shoulders, walking downstairs in blue denim dungarees, a white T-shirt, a grey goose down coat and a scarf around her neck. "I'm good", Emiko replied dodging the unspoken plea. "I need a few things in the market anyway for the inn. Tonight is busy, we have many bookings from people visiting for the festival". Megumi tried her hardest not to frown and instead focus her energy on exploring and showing off the festival, and her hometown, to Sōma. Speak of the devil, hearing footsteps of the stairs she turned around and saw him. And her heart fluttered.

Dressed in dark navy coloured jeans, his Yukihira top, arm wrap and scarf around his neck, he looked adorable. "Hey, rocking' the dungarees Megumi, just like at the dorms allotment garden". Not wanting to have her mother ask about what that meant, the blue haired girl took Sōma's hand and dragged him outside.

"We can walk out to the festival", she stated, "food stalls are on the docks, and the fireworks will go off from ships moored in the marina, but that will be tomorrow". Grinning, and holding hands, both teenagers walked past a smirking Emiko, and towards the docks; nothing could wipe away the smiles from their faces, and the love and excitement they felt.

It was beginning to get dark as the harbour came into view. Lights were strung across ships rigging, shop fronts, restaurants and from all the nearby roofs. And the street leading down towards the harbour and port, wasn't crowded, but as full as a small town festival could accommodate. Megumi had to hold her tongue at the way Sōma was constantly looking around at all the different food and market stalls, he looked like Zenji when he was thoroughly engrossed in research.

'I guess this technically counts as research...' Megumi mused, seeing her redhead boyfriend move towards a stall where fish was being prepared into sushi and sashimi at such speed and dexterity that it was making their eyes hurt just from watching. "This is soo amazing! Thank you for inviting me", Sōma exclaimed joyfully, his eyes wide in excitement.

As soon as the two young chefs arrived at the main harbour entrance, their nostrils were immediately assaulted by the scent of roasted cumin, which drew both chefs to the nearest stall. "Ahh... that smells soo good", Megumi cooed peering over the counter at the chef, busily standing over two large portable stoves; one pan containing fish poaching in coconut milk and bay leaves and in the other pan were tomatoes, shredded burdock root, savoy cabbage, chilli and cumin. Looking up from his cooking, the chef broke into a large smile.

"Megumi Tadokoro!" As soon as the chef spoke, all along the shore front local chefs began looking out towards the excited voice, and they all began cheering her success in getting as far as she did in the Autumn Elections.

Then suddenly from another stall, a bunch of people dressed in fishermen's coveralls and boots came running forth, grinning and smiling. "Megumi! You were brilliant at the gala selection, and when we got back home we immediately told everyone else how you got on. Everyone is so proud of you!"

Trying to come to terms with her rising embarrassment, the girl stammered out a "thanks for your support guys", before trying to make a hasty retreat, only to find herself being hoisted into the air amidst more celebratory cheering. Pulling her scarf over her face, only made the fishermen cheer for her and praise her cooking even more. "You're here for the festival..." a man spoke before swing Sōma standing off to one side smiling. "With a boy..."

As soon as that word was uttered, Megumi asked to be lowered to the ground grabbed Sōma's arm and hurriedly led them away from the grinning faces of her fishermen friends, further into the jungle of food stalls and other stands of the festival. "Congratulations Megumi!" The voices of the fishermen followed the two chefs.

"Megumi..." Sōma asked, looking into her eyes, "you're okay right. I mean you did just run away from your friends". The blue haired girl smiled softly back, removing any worries the redhead had been feeling. "I'm fine, I just got flustered and embarrassed... I've never had a boyfriend before, and so the situation became heightened..." She was cut off by arms wrapping themselves around her, as Sōma embraced her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Its okay, I've never had a girlfriend so... erm we're learning together".

Suddenly feeling a rush of renewed excitement, Megumi grabbed Sōma's hand and led him through the maze of stalls. "Where are we going?" His voice reaches her ears, but she smiled sweetly. "There's this little restaurant at the edge of the harbour walls that specialises in savoury and sweet crêpes", she announced. "Grandfather discovered this place, and would take mum, Kenosuke and me out here for holidays and other celebrations".

Choking back a few tears, Megumi reached for Sōma's hand and gave it a squeeze; reminding herself of why she was here.

"Kenosuke always considered cooking to be his absolute love, but due to his social anxiety he found socialising and loosing attachments difficult. However, this restaurant was the one place where mum, grandpa and me would always found that he could truly be himself. And the food is really good, which is why I want to take you there".

Staring into each other's eyes, Sōma and Megumi were transfixed. Adoration was abundantly clear on their faces. "It's a date," the boy spoke, "with the person I love. So how can I refuse".