Chapter 68: Leadership and Lectures
"Brrrrr! It's freezing out here" Shōji and Daigo complained standing outside and below the raised porch, signifying the entrance of Kyokusei dormitory. "Well it is already winter, according to the calendar" Shun replied watching his fellow dorm mates shiver and rub their hands together for warmth, not even the least bit feeling the chill in the slightest. Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, the Prince of a Smoke simply shrugged his shoulders as he turned his attention away from the two 'meatheads' and asked, Sōma: "why again did Erina ask us out here?"
Shrugging his shoulders Sōma made a face that spoke of his confusion as well. "I don't know..." he mused, wrinkling his nose. "Erina was decidedly vague about what she had in mind. All I know is that she wanted me to gather everyone outside the dorm today".
"I guess this will be the last time we will be able see the view out here, and use the garden, before next years spring emerges" Zenji sighed. "Aww come on Zenji..." Yuki grinned. "Just because we won't be able to see the flowers or use the vegetable garden much from now, due to probable snowfall and low light, doesn't mean that we cannot have epic parties inside the dorm!"
A scowl etched its way across Zenji's face as he pushed his glasses up his nose and narrowed his eyes as he glowered back. "Not in my fricking room your not!"
Slinging an arm over the glasses wearing boy's shoulder, Shōji made light at the situation by stating that during winter term the number of classes were reduced slightly, so that students could do quiet practice "in their own time" what they'd learnt throughout the year in time for the start of next spring term. Unfortunately, that sentiment was lost on Zenji who simply frowned at the attempt to make him feel less put out. "As if anyone in this dorm actually knows what actual quiet is".
Smiling as he and Megumi waited at the foot of the entrance porch, standing next to a blushing Takumi and Ikumi, whom each had an arm around one another, Sōma felt a sheer wave of happiness rush through him; followed by a need to show gratitude towards his father for suggesting that he attend cooking school. For if he hadn't, he never would have met some of the best friends he would ever make, as well as meeting the love of his life.
Intertwining their hands, the redhead and the bluenette leant in to each other and rested their heads against each other's, as they took in the sight of all the smiles, laughs and tears being elicited by their friends. "This truly is our castle..." Sōma sighed contentedly to himself. "Our culinary domain". Feeling a poke to his cheek he looked down towards a grinning Megumi whom gave him a passionate kiss before 'booping' him on the nose. "Just promise me you won't traumatise us with too many of your 'experiments'..." she giggled as she twirled some of her boyfriend's hair in her fingers.
Sighing, as they waited for Erina to emerge and tell them why she wanted them to be here, both Takumi and Ikumi decided to take a leaf out of Sōma and Megumi's book and be a bit forward. Leaning into one another the two blondes enjoyed their first kiss as a couple, blushing as they attempted to block out the innocent teases from Isami and Yuki, as well as the not so innocent ones from Ryōko.
"What do you think Erina is going to tell us?" Ryōko asked waking over towards Sōma, whilst not realising that Shun had asked that same question minutes before and not noticing that Shun was blushing. "She was with you when she asked for everyone to gather here?"
"Whilst she didn't explain anything to me..." the redhead replied, "Erina had a very determined look in her eyes. Whatever the reason, I'm sure that with Hisako by her side she'll be right as rain".
"You know..." Megumi spoke up "I'm really happy that Erina seems to finally appear as if she is her own person in charge of her own destiny". With her cheeks beginning to tint pink, Megumi felt her old need to shy away from embarrassment rile up again but thanks to Sōma's presence as well as Yuki and Ryōko's advice, she remained joyful and at peace, as her gaze slowly moved straight towards the opening doors.
As Erina and Hisako exited the dormitory.
Dressed in her school uniform, Erina Nakiri struck an formal pose as she raised a megaphone to her lips and read from a clipboard, held up by a resolute and somewhat flushed Hisako.
"Residents of Kyokusei dormitory, from what I can see here you are still wearing pitiful expressions on your faces, therefore making the end result of the advancement exams all but certain. You will fail. It would be easier if you all left the academy right now..."
"What! Did you call us all here just to insult us?" Both Shōji and Daigo clamoured. "We all want to stay..."Yuki replied tearfully "and continue cooking our own style of food... but we're not allowed. So you don't have to scold us about it".
"Only a brief time has passed since I came to stay here with you all, and while I've been here I've had many opportunities to sample for cooking. The flavours were often erratic and a compete mess, and I have lost count of how many times I have delivered my criticism to you. However, I can say with absolute certainty that each dish tasted of freedom".
Erina's voice was filled with regret but also determination towards her friends, and so taking a deep breath of air she nodded to Hisako whom turned the page on the clipboard, and broadly smiled to her assembled audience.
"Now look! You'll never live up to your true potential if you remain down in the dumps and flunk out now! It's pathetic to roll over like this, you have to forge a path onwards yourself, by won't own cooking. If all of you have the desire to stay here and continue cooking, then I shall use my God Tongue abilities to help you realise your own culinary heights! If you believe yourself to be honourable chefs, then step up to the plate and follow my lead!"
As the group of first year Kyokusei residents students cheered for Erina, watching from the above balcony were Isshiki and Mistress Fumio whom both smirked knowingly. "That's right Erina..." Isshiki mused, "it's time for you to lead the charge against Central".
Meanwhile, across on the main campus complex, happening in all the teaching kitchens, the majority of other first year Tōtsuki students were being given one final preparatory lesson in readiness of the upcoming advancement exams. And within one such classroom, Director Azami was personally giving the lecture.
"This will conclude the special lecture on the upcoming advancement exams..." Azami spoke calmly and smiling to the class full of first year chefs. "If you simply follow the methods as you have been shown, then you will no doubt pass on to the second year here at Tōtsuki. However, those whom foolishly disobey Central's ways shall find themselves not being able to pass".
All the first years gathered in this class all replied in the affirmative and all seemed to be genuinely happy at been given such culinary advice, as well as being no longer encumbered by the seeming endless tests and stress of the old Tōtsuki system.
"Yes Sir!"
Two words indicating both advocation and loyalty to and for the new culinary world that was being built, so radically different from the tenure of Master Senzaemon's version of Tōtsuki, that the majority of first years, as well as some second and third years, all easily espoused. Either out of fear of loosing their culinary learning or bringing shame on their own familial culinary establishments or genuine support, the Tōtsuki student society was now openly spilt.
Back at Kyokusei dorm, however, immediately after giving her speech, Erina and Hisako had dragged everyone back inside sat them all down in the dining room and proceeded to drill into them all culinary information relating to Hokkaidō as well as the Advancement Exam.
"Through the years the location of the second Semester Advancement Exam has remained the same, on and around the island of Hokkaidō".
Holding up a map of the second Japanese island, Hisako began pointing out routes stretching out across the island until finally gesturing towards Rishiri and then Rebun Island.
"Is this gonna be like anything like the hellish training camp?" Yuki whimpered. Patting the orange haired girl on the shoulder, Shun redirected the girls attention back to Hisako. "There are many similarities for sure, but they differ in one way. And that when a subject has been cleared the location will then be changed".
"You mean that we will be dealing with multiple venues all demanding the same level of quality! This is making the training camp sound like an afternoon picnic in comparison!" Both Zenji and Yuki exclaimed, dropping to their knees.
Nodding her head yet acknowledging her friends discomfort, Erina moved forwards and grabbed both kyokusei residents to their feet and slapped them in the back. "You must fight past your fear if you want to continue your culinary freedom". Continuing where she had left off, Hisako explained more. "There are certain parts of the exam where the route diverges and in the end the final exam will be held on Rebun Island, and the theme will be Hokkaidō cuisine..."
"Correct" Erina exclaimed, "plus central will be overseeing everything".
Looking back towards Erina, the group all saw that in her hands were multiple culinary volumes marked Hokkaidō. "Which is why you all need to be getting ready as soon as possible. Within one week, everyday, before we set out for the exam I will be giving you lectures about Hokkaidō. This will be all extra ammunition for you to use in whatever tasks the judges throw at you".
Before anyone could utter a word, Erina walked over to a wooden crate and pulled out a potato, holding it out for all to see. "I assume you all know what this is, right? You cannot mention Hokkaidō cuisine without talking about the potato". Gesturing towards Hisako, whom began to commence the lecture, Erina glowered at the seated dorm residents which resulted in them all realising her unsaid wish to make note, and reached for paper and pencils.
"80% total potato harvest comes from Hokkaido..." Hisako announced proudly. "With only fifty different variations. To begin with you will learn the characteristics of all these varieties, and after that we shall move onto learn seafood, game and other vegetables unique to the second islands. You will learn all things useful about them too".
'Toyoshiro, Snowden, Hitahime, Sayaka, Toya, Conafubuki, Kitakari, Irish Cobbler, King Edward, early starch...'
"For every task there is sure to be a way to work out some sort of potential answer. Just as Sōma always seems to do. And you all have the ability to do that as well". Dropping her strict teacher mode for a second as she spoke, the entire room was suddenly struck by how much Erina had been influenced by Sōma's presence at Tōtsuki.
"Please don't mock me!" Erina abruptly exclaimed, flustered and bright red. "The person I am now, is not who I was at the begging of the first semester. Or in Sōma's case, since he transferred to Tōtsuki six months ago". The god tongue suddenly found herself wrapped up in the arms of Hisako Arato, who pressed a loving kiss to her cheek before whispering; "I'm so proud of you", into her ear.
Looking around the table, Erina saw the unanimous looks of set determination across her 'lecture' participants. And then in one collective yell the room was filled with one uniformed joyful cry of hope.
"We'll all become second years together!"
R.I.P - (Sir) Bernard Haitink [Conductor and Violinist]