Chapter 73: Uncalled For!

Immediately after boarding the train, the four teenage student chefs headed to their assigned carriages to drop off their belongings before going to gather their thoughts all together in the lounge car. And so clad in pyjamas, Megumi and Sōma sat on one of the sofas glowering at the falling snow outside their train windows and watching evening turn into night.

Takumi and Erina, however, were frantically talking backwards and forwards about what things to expect from the second seat as their obvious next hurdle to overcome. A tired sigh escaped from Takumi's lips as he slumped back into the sofa. "As much as I hate Central", the Italian boy muttered, "it's kinda hard not hating Rindō... she's just so peppy". An expression of frustration appeared on Erina's face as she nodded in agreement.

"Rindō is a chef I've looked up to since first meeting her..." she replied wistfully. "I kind of see why Kensuke and Tsukasa would join my father seeing as they both attract the attentions of high class gourmands and critics, and feel expected too much of. But I feel as if Rindō joined on a whim..."

Immediately after Rindō's announcement and before the group had a chance to further become angry, the second seat had dragged them onboard the train and shown them all over the Tsukikage express - delighting in how their expressions had drifted away from annoyance to wonder. "This express is just one of many that Central has bought for the Tōtsuki fleet", the redhead girl had grinned joyfully. "And having state of the class trains is something that high paying clients expect from Tōtsuki".

Smiling as she had bounded out of the dining carriage where she had finished their tour of the train, the four first years couldn't help but be impressed by the opulence displayed. And from there they had departed to their respective sleeping cars, exhausted by Rindō's über energetic tour and still annoyed by Central splitting up their whole 'rebel alliance'.

After utilising the showers and then the steam room, a pyjama wearing, Sōma and Megumi, rejoined Erina and Takumi, both equally attired in their own nightwear, in the lounge car - shooting them an apologetic look for being late - before lowering themselves onto the comfort of a purple silken chaise-long. Feeling his body immediately taken in by the comfort of the sofa, Sōma sighed contently as Megumi rested her head on his shoulder.

"If you've finished admiring the enemies comforts..." Takumi stated aiming a cushion at Sōma's head, "we have a problem! Central has stuck the Ten on us!" Trying very hard not to grin as he sat up, the redhead turned his attention towards Erina who was sat next to Takumi; fidgeting with her long hair.

"Hey Erina", Sōma announced. "You taught us all that you thought we should know to get through these exams, so thank you! To quote Miss Secretary..." "Hisako", Megumi interjected, turning her head slightly and flicking her boyfriend on the nose. "You really are our leader", Sōma finished wiggling his nose and making both Megumi and Erina chuckle.

"Anyway..." the boy stated turning back towards Takumi, whose frustration was now so pronounced he looked as if he was about to leapt forwards and strange his rival. "I think we should find out about this properly tomorrow. We're all angry and tired right now but I think it's clear to us that chef Rindō will be the challenge we are going to have to overcome".

Sighing deeply but clearly understanding why Sōma had suggested this, Takumi nodded his head before pushing himself to his feet and departing for his room. "Fine. I'll be going to bed... night guys".

"I think I'll retire to bed as well..." Erina yawned, Staniforth up and stretching her arms. "I don't want to be lacking anything tomorrow for whatever Rindō throws at us". Standing up, Megumi moved over and embraced the god tongue; hugging her tightly to show her support, "I'm with you Erina. Together you, me Sōma and Takumi will pass these advancement exams. And we will become second years!"

Blushing bright red from Megumi's ringing assessment and positive endorsement of her management and leadership style, Erina beat a hasty retreat back to her room; waving over her shoulder as she smiled joyfully. "See you in the morning", Erina yawned again before the door slide shut behind her leaving Sōma and Megumi alone in the lounge car.

Sighing, Megumi returned to her place on the sofa and sat down - drawing her knees up into her chest. She had been trying for all of the hours they'd been in the train so far to hide her nervousness and anxiety, about possibly facing off against her brother, from her friends, yet now judging from the frown Sōma was giving her; he had sussed her out. "Urgh... just thinking about battling against the Ten brings me out in chills", the girl mumbled, resting her chin on her knees as her hair fell over her face.

"Urgh! This anticipation is twisting out my stomach..." she murmured softly, running her fingers over her legs. "If we are really gonna be facing chef Rindō, then the others will be facing off against any of the others..." sitting bolt upright the blue haired girl grabbed her phone from the table before her, and started scrolling through messages, to see if Ryōko, Yuki, Ikumi or Alice had contacted.

Suddenly flinching, causing Sōma to move back a bit, Megumi turned around and realised that her boyfriend had stood up and attempted to reassure her by holding her hand. "I'm sorry..." Sōma began, but he was interrupted by the girl flinging her arms around him knocking them both onto the sofa. "Never apologise for being you, Sōma", Megumi stated firmly. "After all, who else would be able to put up with you" she grinned.

Pouting slightly but more out of pretend hurt, Sōma chuckled soon after and 'booped' his girlfriend on the nose. "We'll be second years, I'm sure of it" he smiled, gently playing with her twin pigtails. Releasing a deep contented sigh from her lips, Megumi snuggled to the red haired boy as she began to proofread a message that she had been writing to her brother.

'Brother...

I know that you believe that you'll get more culinary freedom as well as less societal anxiety if you assist Director Azami; and I know that you have a hard time finding people to trust but what Central is doing is not laudable.

Instead of going along with Central you should have talked to those who care about you: Isshiki, myself, mum, grandpa... even Chise. We all love you. We would have listened and helped you to get past your struggles, we even would have argued to Master Senzaemon to get you some help or less of a workload.

You seemed so happy back at the autumn leaf viewing festival... Isshiki and I both loved watching you cook off against Sōma, we saw your true culinary self there and then. Yes you may be socially awkward at times and have a hard time feeling accepted by others but despite them I've always seen a quiet strength in you.

Kensuke please. I don't want to loose you again.

Your loving sister,

Megumi'

After twenty minutes in the lounge car, the two teenagers decided to retire to their shared sleeping carriage - a situation that they really should have expected seeing as Rindō had rather purposely ushered given into that room.

Suddenly feeling the bed sag, Megumi turned her head and saw that Sōma had left his bed and was now sat next to her smiling at her; with on of his goofy grins. "You'll be fine Megs. I know it".

Leaning down the redhead placed a kiss upon the top of her head before glancing at the draft-half written message on the phone screen. As well as the other text she'd sent earlier to her mother, Sōma knew that this text was exceedingly difficult to write as Megumi; like her brother, didn't like feeling emotionally exposed.

"Whilst I agree letting Emiko and Shirō know about Kensuke is a really good idea, don't you think it will worry you mom and grandpa. I mean... Ken is out of the country right now".

Rolling over and then sitting upright, small tears trickled down Megumi's face as she slowly nodded her head. "I know..." she sniffed wearily, "but I don't know what else to do. Mum always told us that if anything was bothering me, or Ken, to call or text her". The phone slipped from her hand and lay on the duvet as despondency began to befall her. "I don't want to face my bother in a food war..." she whispered. "I can't..."

Immediately, Sōma leant forwards and wrapped his arms around her and rubbed calming circles on the small of her back, as well as pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Don't think about the Ten for now. We'll deal with them our morning crisis meeting with Erina and Takumi. For now, you, we, need to sleep".

Even through her worry, Megumi could tell that Sōma was giddy with anticipation about facing the Ten but was downplaying his excitement in exchange for reassuring and calming her. As they lay down in each other's arms, her head resting in the crook of his neck, they both stared lovingly into each other's eyes blushing as they realised this was the first time they had ever shared a bed.

With her fears and worries slowly easing, Megumi still felt a little niggle of trepidation about potentially being forced to face off against her brother. Although that was still an ineffable thought.

The next morning the four first years rendezvoused in the dining carriage where Erina immediately told them that her "calls" had resulted in her finding out that they and the others had been taken along 'four different routes' across Hokkaido all terminating at Rebun island. "Where the final exam will take place..."

Spinning around the four all saw Rindō entering the dining carriage carrying an overly stacked plate of food, and behind her was a train porter pushing an equally overly loaded food trolly which he left by the table that the second seat sat at. "Good morning", Rindō continued. "Over here you guys, you haven't had breakfast yet. So come and join me". Nodding their heads, the four first years approached the red-haired girl and sat down at her table and began drooling over the assortment of breakfast dishes.

Fruit and honey Omelettes,

Rice Porridge with pickled plums,

Cold meats and cheeses with various breads,

Poached or scrambled eggs with bacon,

A variety of cereals,

Croissants, pastries and a variety of fruit preserves, or

Surprisingly, a Full English Breakfast.

Walking forwards with her hands on he hips, Erina stood firmly before her fellow councillor and narrowed her eyes sharply. "More importantly Rindō! Could you please tell us about the third test for the rebels. I what to know if it going to be an honest fight or not? The previous examiners all had plots going on against us".

Nodding her head, Rindō acknowledged their worries with surprising openness. "Well everything previously had been on the part of the examiners, but just so you know I don't pull those sorts of dirty tricks. I like an honest to goodness food war. The food is all that matters to me".

"So... are you the opponent well be facing, Chef Rindō" Sōma exclaimed through narrow eyes and half gritted teeth. "Nah..." the second seat chuckled before extending her arm and pointing behind them to the other end of the dining car. "Your opponent... Sōma Yukihira, is over there".

Turning their collective heads: Sōma, Takumi, Erina and Megumi all stared in wide eyes shock at the seeming betrayal before them.

"Akira..." Sōma's stunned words were interrupted by further explanation from Rindō. "Yep, sure as the snow is white, Akira Hayama is the newest member Central. He is waiting to be the new number nine seat of the Ten!"

Taking several steps forward Sōma clenched his fists as he levelled a furious glare at his second most important chef rival; the first being Takumi. "Hey Akira... it looks to me like you've got some weird badge on your shirt, are you really okay with that?" He asked sarcastically. Immediately upon hearing Sōma's snarky tone, Akira scowled as he ran his fingers over the Central badge pinned to the breast pocket of his jacket.

"There's no mistake Sōma..." Akira replied tersely. "You heard right, I am now no longer see as the same level as you. I even have the authority to administer exams..."

"Cut the crap man!" Sōma and Takumi both exclaimed together. "We may not have seen you in a while but when did you get so stuck up!" Before any of the boys could further erupt into a full on shouting match, their view of each other was blocked by Rindō and Erina who dragged away their respective allies.

"Don't worry Takumi, Sōma..." The second seat grinned. "Once the train arrives at the next station, you guys and Akira can have all the time in the world to argue the toss about whatever culinary beliefs you adhere to. Because he's your next challenge, Sōma". As they left the dinning car, Akira turned his head towards and whispered to Sōma.

"Kensuke is lucky that Azami dealt with him before I could deal him the defeat that you failed to deliver".

Gritting his teeth as he and Takumi were dragged away, Sōma kept his stern gaze fixed upon the spice chef as he yelled back an angry retort; "Shut up! If you really want a revenge match then so be it!"

Upon arriving at the next location for their next exam Sōma, Megumi, Erina and Takumi were dragged onto a Tōtsuki coach and taken to the central aligned hotel where their exams would be held. However, once the coach pulled up at the hotel entrance and the four first years were about to leave, they were split up.

Erina was taken away by two suited central staffers to face her test by herself and a giddily looking Rindō dragged Megumi and Takumi inside the lobby and then further inside murmuring about wanting to eat good food. That left Sōma and Akira alone, glaring at one another. "Bring it Sōma..." Akira stated firmly. "It's time for the test that shall see you leave Tōtsuki".

Abruptly about-facing, Sōma jabbed his finger straight into Akita's chest as he snapped angrily back. "I never would have thought that while you of all people would side with the Azami administration. Now answer me this! What happened to the Shiomi seminar? Don't you care about it...?" He was cut off by a fist striking him in the face and knocking him down. "Don't you dare judge me you son of bitch! I don't want to hear any crap from you! You don't know me... you don't know anything about me!"

Just as Akira was about to leave he noticed the familiar shape and form of Chef Dōjima approaching and in his hand was the exam topic. Gritting his teeth as Sōma pushed himself back to his feet and continued his glaring, Akira shut his eyes and sighed. "Central has no need for any competing independent organisations on or around the Tōtsuki campus. Therefore the Shiomi seminar is no more. Such is the way of the Azami doctrine".

"While you've been dragging your feet in getting through Tōtsuki, it has been I who has taken one of the top-spots of the academy", frowning as he looked at the redhead boy, Akira mentally shook away his regrets and reconciled his memories with Jun, and their research notes against his conflicted feelings for the good memories of his time with those he had been beginning to call friends.

"However, I want to go one step further and crush you in a challenge. I take it you have no complaints".

"Shut up!" Sōma yelled, now royally pissed off, "you should know that a revenge match against you suits me just fine. But we'll need judges and a theme". Noticed by Akira but completely obvious to Sōma, Chef Dōjima finally stepped into the argument. "Don't worry about it. I've already seen to these things. And so, gentlemen, I shall read to you the rules of your challenge..."

Taking a folded piece of paper from an outer pocket of his trench coat, Dōjima unfolded and read aloud.

"It has been decided that the theme ingredient will be different than previous years. The theme for the challenge is Bear Meat, the meat shall be provided by Tōtsuki whilst you will be expected to procure any other ingredients. And in three days you will cook".

Nonchalant and perfectly calm, Akira turned and walked away leaving Sōma and Dōjima to chat. "So are you a member of Central?" Sōma asked curiously. "And is it really true that the Shiomi Seminar is gone?" Removing his hat from his head, the older man looked squarely at the redhead and frowned. "Do you really think that I would team up with Central? I consider myself a neutral party, and yes the Shiomi group has been forcibly disbanded".

Running his hands through his hair Sōma groaned as he trailed his eyes back to inside the hotel where Akira had disappeared. "Stay focused Sōma..." Dōjima interjected, "I believe that this challenge will prove to be difficult for you, so please prepare yourself. Once you begin cooking you will understand, feel free to use the meat in the kitchen". With his advice given the man also turned and left, leaving Sōma standing alone in the hotel foyer.

As Sōma stood before the large double door fridge staring at the various cuts of bear meat, the boy couldn't help but grin as he accepted the fun that he'd have in competing against Akira. Deciding that his knowledge of bear meat was practically non existent, and recalling Yuki's description of the gaminess of bear, venison and boar, the boy selected a cut of rump meat and decided to trial a simple salt seasoning.

Frying the meat in oil with sea salt was easy enough to do yet after tasting his trial dish, upon completion of cooking, he grimaced at the pungent odour. "Urgh... now I see what Dōjima meant" he coughed before swilling his mouth out a glass of water. As the hours ticked on by, and more and more failed attempts at dispelling the odour went fruitless, Sōma began to become frantic and almost verged upon despair.

Plopping himself down on a kitchen stool and marking a potential idea he'd had as a failure the redhead lowered his head down onto the work surface in dejection. However, just the then there was an almighty crash as the kitchen doors were thrown wide open revealing eight of chef staffers from the China research society, carrying various glass jars containing ingredients and performing acrobatics.

"Hey come on now!"

A familiar peppy voice spouted frustratedly, "this isn't the Sōma that I know". Moving into the kitchen, the spiky blonde haired former eighth seat made a beeline straight for Sōma before handing him and jar of bay leaves. "Here... you're my friend. Maybe my only friend in Tōtsuki, so refuse to let you be expelled". Flushing with embarrassment, Kuga abruptly turned his head away and pointed towards his accompanying staff; whom began placing jars of Chinese ingredients down on the table.

"Adair from the bay leaves I thought you might find these useful. And I'll help you understand bear meat..." Kuga suddenly felt his hand grabbed and being vigorously shaken, by a grinning Sōma. "That's a huge assist! Thank you so much Kuga!" The former eighth seat couldn't not chuckle at the happy grin on Sōma's face as he went through the jars and selected choice ingredients.

'Bay leaves, Szechuan chilli, chrysanthemum'.

"No no no! You still haven't managed to get the right spec blend down. You're better than this..."

"You say that now, but your plate is empty" Sōma responded; arms folded and staring in indignation at Kuga's eleventh or twelfth critique of a bear meat trial dish. Pouting as he turned or face the other boy, the former eighth seat remained stoic with his previous words. "I didn't say that you had overcome the odour with deliciousness but neither did I say that it wasn't delicious".

"Nice save Kuga" Sōma chuckled patting this friend's shoulder, walking past to return to his workstation. "Okay, next up I have a bear hotpot with green onions, chilli and chrysanthemum". Standing over the stove Sōma suddenly became aware of Kuga's presence beside him but before he could ask why he was so close, the former eighth seat pointed at the casserole dish. "It would be best to leave the lid off, that way it will help temper the smell of the meat so that it doesn't overwhelm the whole dish".

"Whoa, I didn't know that..." Sōma replied as he fist bumped the other boy. "I've added some miso to the hotpot as well, to help lessen the meats unpleasant odour". Nodding his head, Kuga bolted forwards, practically festooning, to a have sample taste of the bear hotpot trial dish. Sighing, yet at the same time smirking, the former eighth seat nodded his head as he wallowed in the juiciness of the bear and the mellowed odour.

"Hey Kuga..." Sōma asked, running a hand through his hair, "there's a lot of ways to turn something stinky into something delicious. I think I understand the point of this test..." Spinning around from where he stood, the redhead rushed diver to the window and pointed up to the snow capped mountains.

"Stink isn't an enemy, it's an important part of what makes something delicious. Which means if I can't take advantage of the smell, it's equivalent to not understanding the ingredient. I want to go up to the mountains and learn the environment of the bear".

Before Sōma knew what was happening, Kuga began issuing commands to his staffers from China research society to organise a trip into the mountains for them; which they promptly hurried off to go do. Grinning as he turned his head back to face the redhead, Kuga remembered something very important he'd forgotten to do until now, and so pulling a letter out of his trouser pocket he handed it straight to Sōma.

"Here... this is from Isshiki. He wanted to come here himself but decided it would be best to not draw Centrals attention to him meeting with any rebels".

R.I.P :

Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The voice of conscious thought and peaceful resolve.

Richard Leakey, globally recognised Kenyan Conservationist and Paleoanthropologist.

Legendary actress/comedian, Betty White. The ultimate Golden Girl.