Chapter 67: Reminiscent of Paradis
"Ahhh do I really have to do this... I already told you I'm not the type of person whom does well with public speaking".
The camera was rolling as Eishi Tsukasa sullenly walked, and then was shoved by Rindō Kobayashi, up to the speaking podium where there stood a dozen microphones all propped up and connected to the academies tannoy system and television channels on and around campus.
"Oh man up and just start reading Tsukasa!" Rindō exclaimed shoving a bunch of papers into his hand, "and remember Kensuke will be watching... wherever Azami sent him", she gritted out, so that only the first seat could hear. "If only Isshiki and Erina were here too..." Tsukasa groaned. "So how long is it till we go live?"
"We're already live Tsukasa" Nene griped, resulting in the first seat paling and sweating, shaking where he stood and fumbling with the papers he was holding, even more uncomfortable as he already was.
"Erm... hello and welcome. I'm Eishi Tsukasa from Central, I'm here today to tell you about the big event that marks the end of the second semester for all first years. In other words, the advancement exam, last year over half of all first years dropped out or were expelled. It was an incredible difficult and challenging exam but things are different this time now.
Thanks to the developments of Director Azami, you're all been freed from the unnecessary traditions of failure. You no longer need to feel threatened or held back by the archaic ways of the past, if you agree to abide by Central's teachings you will all become top grade chefs. However, this exam shall also make clear to certain rebels what exactly it will entail to be classed as such in Central's eyes...
... Well then that's all I have to say for now. Urgh, my nerves are shot to pieces, next time Rindō or Nene should do the address instead".
From off screen, the voices of Rindō and Nene could clearly be heard repudiating Tsukasa's wish. "Not happening" and "go to hell" being what all Tōtsuki students heard.
Meanwhile, inside Kyokusei dorm the resident first years had all been lounging about in the downstairs common room enjoying a break from classes and generally goofing about, but as soon as the television channel they had been watching had been switched to a school announcement they had all become noticeably tense.
"The advancement exam already? It doesn't feel like we've just gone through only two Tōtsuki semesters" Sōma mused, "but if we want to be second years then I guess we are just going to have to do this!" Fisting bumping with Takumi, the two boys turned around to look at their the other Kyokusei dorm mates and friends only to be struck by their apparent gloominess.
"Hey... guys why are the long faces?" Sōma asked trying to lighten the mood. Exasperated, Yuki looked, shrugged her shoulders and pointed at the television screen. "Oh Come on, didn't you just hear that!"
"Central's soo aiming to get rid of us rebels..." Ryōko stuttered, gently patting a shaking Megumi on the back, "by making sure that we fail in the upcoming exams". Nodding her head yet trying to hold off from showing any sense of unease, Hisako appeared alongside Erina as they entered the room. "That announcement is practically a death throe to anyone who doesn't go along with Azami Nakiri".
"I'm sorry mom, grandad..." Megumi spoke forlornly, to no one in particular, "and everyone else back in Hachinohe who worked so hard for me to go to Tokyo, it seems that I'll be coming home soon. I guess I'll write and tell them". Moving over towards an oak bureau in the corner of the room the blue haired girl opened a draw and removed some paper, upon which she began writing her 'last will and testament '.
"Oh god! I'm having flashbacks of that hellish training camp" Yuki whimpered dropping it her knees, as Shōji, Daigo and Zenji all convulsed at the recollection of that past experience. "Hellish training camp", those three exclaimed despondently. "Still... we managed to pass that, only to then be thrown into the stagiare..." Yuki added. "Stagiare..." the three boys echoed, falling into a "depression spiral" as Ryōko called it.
Not really knowing what to say to his downcast friends, Sōma instead walked over to his girlfriend and stopped her from writing the forlorn letter to her mother and grandfather, by lifting her into his arms. "Huh? Sōma..." Megumi, startled by her boyfriends actions, felt a rush of excitement race through her body as Sōma kissed her full on the lips.
"You don't have to write to inform Emiko or Shirō about returning home..." Sōma was suddenly interrupted by a devilish grinning Yuki and Ryōko. "Oooooh, first name basis with Megumi's adult family eh. Sō~ma", the tone of which the other two kyokosei girls spoke their tease made everyone else in the room grin as well, as the implication they'd made was that Sōma had fully imprinted himself into the Tadokoro household.
"Do we hear wedding bells?" Shōji and Daigo grinned, Zenji and Isshiki both clasped their hands in anticipation whilst Erina and Hisako both stood agog and feeling, second hand, embarrassment for Sōma and Megumi. Whom stood blushing but neither confirming nor denying what the two 'meatheads' conjecture.
"At any rate it's way too soon for them to be thinking about that" Shun interjected, sparing the couple from having to face anymore teasing. "Besides, don't we have an exam to prepare for..." instantly Ryōko bolted forwards and placed a hand over Shun's mouth. "Dammit Shun! Why remind us of that".
The mood of the room fell to uneasiness once more but this time it was broken by an unexpected question, from a surprising person.
"Hey... Sōma? Can I please have a word with you? In private".
Still suffering from the shock of finding out that the chef she idolised as young girl, and the boy she had initially rejected from Tōtsuki were actually father and son, Erina Nakiri tried to compose herself. Yet, under siege from the tidal wave of memories flooding back to her of tasting chef Jōichirō's food: being mesmerised by the flavours, entranced and confused by the cooking styles amalgamated from other ethnic culinary kitchens, the god tongue couldn't help but appear a bit teary-eyed.
Before he or anyone else could notice her state of silent emotions beginning to make a presence across her face, Erina took a deep breath and walked forwards grabbing Sōma by the arm and hurrying out of the room dragging the redhead boy behind her like a confused rag doll.
As they exited the common room Erina pointed to the stairs and asked if they could talk in Sōma's room, "so people don't overhear us" was how the god tongue put it. Although, neither she nor Sōma remembered the listening tubes that Mistress Fumio used to communicate with the dorms residents.
Taking the lead, Sōma walked up the stairs trying not to think about the jesting that he would no doubt receive from Yuki, Shōji and Daigo about being alone with Erina Nakiri. Running a hand through his head, the boy remembered his fathers words to him from when he'd first called him at Tōtsuki.
'The secret to being a great chef, is finding a good woman. One who makes you want to move heaven and earth in order to improve your skills, as well as someone whom always has your back'.
Arriving at the right floor level, Sōma gestured with his arm along a corridor towards a door marked '303'. "Shall we go inside..." the way in which the words left his mouth didn't strike him as being too forward or ungallant but the response he got from Erina was a flustered red face. Only after about a minutes of silence did Sōma suddenly realise how Erina might have interpreted his words.
"I don't mean anything by that..." he stuttered as he was interrupted by the blonde girl shoving him inside his own room. "I bloody know that!" Erina blushed before walking over to a small table and seating herself down. "So... what is it you wanted to talk about?" Sōma enquired, "if your going to lecture me about being reckless with challenging Tsukasa and Kensuke then your about twelve people too late".
Looking up at the redhead before her Erina gripped the folds of her dress as she willed herself to speak. "Sōma... I'm sorry I was mean about your cooking at the training camp, and I'm sorry I rejected you at transference". Seeing the boy open his mouth to speak, Erina held up her hand to notify him that she want done speaking. "But what I really wanted to see you for wasn't about questing you or berating you. I just want to tell you about my childhood".
"Erina! You don't have to..." Sōma interjected, his eyes wide with shock. "Please, your grandfather already told me about how chef Nakamura treated you". However, despite his words, for the first time, Sōma saw determination in Erina's eyes. "No. I want to tell you, if not for you then for my own well-being" the god tongue replied.
Slowly seating himself down opposite Erina, Sōma crossed his arms and began to listen to her own version of her fathers manipulations.
"Truth be told, until I reached the age of ten I never held any love or passion for cooking. It was simply a job that I was asked to undertake because I possess the God Tongue. I never really enjoyed what I doing doing, all the food that I was asked to taste, all the recipes I was given to judge. Everything was just all so abjectly disappointing".
Sighing as she half lidded her eyes, she lowered her head as if she was pleading for someone to judge her humanity. "However, on one particular day, not very long after Alice had departed for Northern Europe that I can remember being alone and having no duties to perform at the mansion. And so being bored I wandered around the grounds until I found grandfather and chef Saiba".
"That was the day that I first thought that cooking could be wonderful but about six months after that, I began training with my father".
'An ill prepared dish is unforgivable. Anything that doesn't meet my approval is garbage, filth, trash'.
"Whilst I can understand the benefits of what my father seeks and the ideal culinary society that he wishes to create... because within the current culinary world are more than a few uninspired and tasteless dishes that pass for food. I've experienced that for as long as I can remember, it's how I was raised..."
Sōma opened his mouth to speak but again was stopped by Erina's raised hand. "Yet, I feel empty. As if something that I once had has been ripped away from me. I'm no longer able to recognise what good cooking is anymore..."
"So what you're saying is you..." Sōma mused, "learned to love cooking from my father and then your dad taught you to dispel everything that he saw as 'culinary unworthiness?'" Watching as the redhead boy cupped his chin in thought, Erina couldn't help but chuckle at the way his nose crinkled. "I guess that's one way of putting it..." she composed.
"And then when you tasted my cooking at the transference you were so blindsided that you ended up stuck between your father's teachings and your memories of my dad's cooking" Sōma added ruefully. Looking even more sorrowful, Erina attempted to get back to her feet but she was stopped by Sōma reached out and grabbing her arm. "Wait. I think having another taste of Yukihira style cooking might finally set you straight".
Staring back at him with wide eyes, Erina shook her head before trying once more to leave. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have unloaded all my sorrow onto you..."
"What are you talking about?" Sōma refuted. "None of this is your fault. If anyone is to blame them it's our stupid fathers! Erina, please let me cook you one more Yukihira style plate of food?" Nodding, she acquiesced to the boy's decision before watching him move towards the petite work surface in the corner of his bedroom.
Frowning, Erina restrained herself from stating that food cooked in this tiny 'kitchen' would hardly be reminiscent of chef Saiba. "Just sit back and relax, I'll be making for you Chicken Egg Tempura Bowl" the boy cheekily grinned. "And I'll be getting revenge for the first time we met as well. For todays the day when you say my food is delicious".
"Your cocky attitude is as annoying as ever!" Erina grumbled, "but I guess I've come to expect such actions from you. So whenever you're ready I'll taste your tempura bowl".
Twenty minutes later.
As much as she wanted to smack him as he approached carrying a bowl on top of which sat a crispy tempura egg, Erina couldn't help but smile as she caught the scent of rice, soy sauce and egg mingling together. Her body twitched in anticipation as Sōma placed the bowl and chopsticks down before her.
As she picked up her chopsticks, sending silent thanks for the food, Erina narrowed her eyes at the cocky smirk etching its way onto Sōma's face. Splitting the tempura egg turned out to be incredible satisfying, as she was met by the sight of the oozing yolk encased by the firm and crispy whites.
Before Erina could speak her thoughts outloud, Sōma beat her to the punch; explaining the aspects of his dish. "As you can probably tell, these eggs aren't from a high class producer or a well known brand but that is purposely done. For this dish to be this impactful and delicious the egg must be: A - completely ordinary, and B - frozen".
"Wait..." Erina interjected. "Is that why you..." Grinning from where he stood, next to the fridge-freezer, Sōma held up an empty egg carton. "Exactly right, I bought these discount eggs from a local corner shop. The best choice for this recipe is to use a totally ordinary egg".
Moving forwards so she was standing right in front of him, a sad mournful expression graced Erina's face as her fringe hid her eyes. "How? How do you come up with these recipes that seem to transcend logic and taste? And isn't it right for chefs to strive for rare and perfect dishes all the time?"
"Don't you think this way is more fun..." the way Sōma managed to smile, so carefree, it made Erina stumble over her thoughts. And an image of Hisako broke into her minds eye, smiling and holding out her hands for her to grasp. "Erina... this is my personal and humble opinion but those whom believe that there is only one way to do things, will never be able to achieve greatness in whatever field of expertise they may be doing".
'How did you come up such wonderfully delicious dishes? They seem so eccentric and new but are so delicious as well, did you know they would turn out so before you began cooking?' Remembering her first encounter with chef Saiba, Erina recalled what he had said to her...
'I had no clue. Whenever I have an idea for a recipe, I'm always half certain about its potential delicious outcome and I gamble the rest. And as a matter of fact I was kinda using your grandfather as a taste tester for some new ideas of mine'.
"But why...? Why would you risk so much?" She asked Sōma wiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her dressing gown. Blinking as another memory sprang forth, reminding her of more of what Jōichirō Saiba had told her, widened eyes she recalled her memories as well as listened to Sōma's response.
"That's easy. If I knew the outcome of a dish before I even made it, where would the fun be in that?"
Picking up the bowl of tempura egg and very unladylike scarfing down the remains of the food, Erina finally reached and understood the words that Alice had originally flummoxed her with. 'You need to stand up for yourself and show your dad that he can't control you any more!'
Standing up from where she sat and flicking her golden hair over her shoulders Erina pointed straight at Sōma and spoke in a tone that commanded authority and determination. "At seven AM tomorrow I want all of kyokusei dorms residents, as well as Takumi, Isami and Ikumi to gather outside the dorms entrance. Where I will give an announcement to you all!"
Spinning around on her feet, the God Tongue left Sōma's bedroom fuelled by determination to fight back against her father and take back Tōtsuki academy for all chefs to cook how they liked, instead of merely following Central's arcane disciplines.
Nodding his head in understanding but confused about why he was being asked to do so, Sōma didn't even realise that his dish had been left in evaluated until his door swung shut with a dull thud. Looking down at the empty bowl on the table before him the redhead boy smiled to himself before jumping to his feet and bolting after Erina to get an actual answer from her.