Chapter 76: Bear-Baiting
"Fucking hell!"
With a furious snarl, and growling even more expletives under her breath, Alice slammed her left hand down on the table before her making her fellow expelled rebel friends behind her flinch. "I'll break his legs! How could he do this to us".
Suddenly remembering what Sōma had just explained to them all, the white haired girl took a deep breath and massaged her forehead. "Well maybe not... but I can't believe Akira would do this, to just turn on us like we never even mattered to him. I mean come on, seriously?Me and Ryo did the moon festival together with him, had he already forgotten the camaraderie we forged together?"
From the other side of Hokkaido: Ryo, Hisako and Shun were all sat around watching and listening to Alice as she talked on a video-call, via Alice's laptop, with Sōma. The pout on the girl's face as she vented both her frustration and exasperation at her ally in the moon festival made the other three realise that Erina's cousin was royally peeved by Akira's actions.
"We were the Three in White for gods sake!" She bemoaned. "When I see him again Me and Ryo are gonna have serious words with him about friendship and partnership!"
"Yeah, you do that Alice..." Sōma's voice jovially laughed through the laptop screen involving himself in the call again. "Oh, by chance is there anything you'd like me to pass along to him, you know after I beat him?"
"Nah, that won't be necessary. We're all good here, we just got off another call with Yuki and the others and we were just about to go face our challenges when you rang... So let's all meet up at the next venue, and we can all confront and tell off our wayward friend together" Alice grinned; happily waving her hands, as Shun, Hisako and Ryo all rolled their eyes in the background.
"Aside from being extremely annoyed..." Shun explained; managing to get to the computer again, "Yuki, Ryōko, Ikumi and the others all seem fine and ready for their challenges against Central. But Isami sounded worried".
Continuing with rant, in the background of the conversation, with no one but herself; Alice didn't notice Ryo walk forwards and, wordlessly, gently pat Shun on the shoulder.
Smiling, so he could instil resolve in his quiet friend, Sōma imparted some words from Isshiki: "Believe in our friends". A small chuckle escaped Shun's lips as she looked up at Sōma's grinning face on the computer screen before parting his hair over his eyes and smiling back. "You too!"
Despite the earlier confrontational words and the stern manner, in which the conversation had been conducted, Sōma could all tell that Alice meant none of it and was just letting off steam. Moreover, despite her and Ryo's relationship, it was clear to see that she genuinely cared about Akira, much to Ryo's continued jealous annoyance, and would never be actively vengeful to anyone.
Unless anyone insulted her cooking, family and friends or damaged her culinary reputation.
After standing up Alice then dragged, a still grumbling, Ryo into the frame before then allowing him, Hisako and lastly Shun to each have time to speak with the red headed boy. Eventually, she concluded the call with her typical flare and poise; declaring with verve that she wouldn't rest until she had beaten Erina in a food war.
"Hahahaa! You're never gonna change Alice", Sōma laughed chuckled back, "but the one who is gonna get beat her in a food war competition is me. So let's continue our rivalry Alice!"
"No you're not!"
Turning around and looking behind her, Alice and Sōma saw the determined expression on Hisako's face as she narrowed her eyes at the two of them. "I am Erina's girlfriend, her closest confidante and her sous chef! And I do not appreciate hearing how you want to 'beat' her in a food war. Moreover, I already have Erina's respect and admiration for my cooking already".
Glaring at the slight quirk of Alice's eyebrow and the chuckle coming from Sōma on the computer screen, she fought off her embarrassment and spoke again. "Besides I'm the one who will be facing off against Erina first".
"Oh Miss Secretary... you're so cute when you get protective of Erina", Alice giggled moving forwards and embracing the pink haired girl, "I really do wish you and Erina many happy years together".
Before Hisako could respond either embarrassed or annoyed the group's attention was diverted when a tall blonde haired woman entered their waiting room; looked disdainfully at each of them in turn and then gestured to the door. Calling their names he woman let them know that their new advancement exams were ready for them.
"Miss Nakiri, Miss Arato, Mister Kurokiba and Mister Ibusaki... Central is ready to administer your exams. So won't you please come this way".
With a final goodbye to Sōma on the video call, as well as exchanging good luck and teases, Alice ended the call and folded her laptop back into her bag. Sending an angry scowl at the older female Central staffer, Alice followed Ryo, Hisako and Shun out of the room and down the corridor to face their next exam challenge.
Wishing themselves another round of good luck, and hand shaking, the four first years breathed deeply as the woman began to one by one send the into individual kitchens. However, the sight that greeted them all would made them shake with both exhilaration and anticipation.
"Rodger that! Best of luck to you guys", Sōma grinned as he ended the video call and closed his laptop. Believing full heartedly in his friends cooking abilities and their resolve to continue being at Tōtsuki, the redhead boy knew that they would fight with every fibre of their being to remain Tōtsuki students.
Pushing the computer away, Sōma stretched as stood up and eagerly made his way back over to where his culinary notes were for his upcoming match against Akira. "Right, it looks like the others are fine, so all I need to do is concentrate on my cooking..."
"Hold on Sōma..." Kuga interrupted, from the seat opposite, a firm expression on his face. "Do you still not actually get it yet? If you somehow beat Akira, you'll be on a collision course with the members of the Ten!" Grinding his left fist into his right palm, the Szechuan chef growled under his breath as he narrowed his eyes at Sōma.
"I'll grant you Kensuke is either awol or MIA right now, and Tsukasa and Rindō may help sometimes; but they only look out for themselves and Kensuke. You shouldn't think, once you do indeed face them, that they are going to be a cakewalk! Please Sōma... don't underestimate them".
Walking forwards Sōma replaced the frown on his face with a joyful smile as he flicked Kuga on the forehead resulting in the former eighth seat scowling at him. "I guess I'll just have to put my trust in my friends to fight back as best as I know they will and can..." Sōma replied, "plus I already know how much they practice their culinary skills everyday, and so all I can right now all I can do is fight the battle before me".
With an exasperated huff that hid an embarrassed cough, Kuga managed to muster a smile in which he could express his ongoing willingness to put his own trust in Sōma's belief in his friends. "Okay then. As much as fear the inevitable outcomes... I will place my trust in your belief..." Kuga murmured slowly. "And... by the way, you don't mind if I come and watch your food war with Akira do you?"
This time it was Sōma who smirked as he lunged forwards and grabbed the former eighth seat in a headlock before proceeding to noogie him. "Aw is little Kuga is worried about his new rival... your growing up" the redhead chuckled. "Don't you start patronising me..." Kuga responded groaning as he tried to free himself from Sōma's grip. "I've had enough of that to last a lifetime from Tsukasa and Eizan".
As he fought to free himself Kuga couldn't help but once again envy his rival's free spirit and culinary drive even in the face of such obstinate forces. 'The cards may be heavily stacked against you, but I can't help but feel scared for you'.
Three hours later.
Inside their designated dining room with its specially built cooking facilities available, Sōma and Akira stood glowering opposite each other awaiting the arrival of the judges.
"I hope you don't get all mopey when you lose, Sōma. Megumi won't be around much longer to take you to festivals and food markets..." Akira's attempt at being haughty was interjected by an intently furious retort.
"You leave Megumi out of this, you traitorous son of a bitch!"
The terseness of his response took Sōma by surprise and he nearly apologised but he then remembered Akira's derision towards Kensuke. Coincidentally, however not noticed by him, Akira had visibly flinched at the viciousness of his opponents retort.
Never liking how others enjoyed dragging other peoples personal situations into their quarrels, food wars or exams; Akira had had only embraced that tactic simply because he had felt irked by the redhead's earlier insinuation that he hadn't 'cared' about the Shiomi group.
Hence his comment regarding Megumi had originally solely been intended for him to get even with the redhead. Only now seeing the fire shining in Sōma's eyes, Akira now saw that his opponent's earlier feeling of annoyed betrayal was now visibly replaced by disgust.
Immediately regretting his decision to bring up his opponents girlfriend, Akira turned away and moved towards his workstation.
"Contenders are you both ready?" Dōjima's loud voice boomed as he walking into the room followed by two small blonde girls. "Here are your judges..." gesturing to the two young women, the executive chef bowed deeply showing his reverence to the two respected females in the culinary world. "Master Cilla and Master Berta".
Walking past Tōtsuki's executive chef, Cilla and Berta stood and appraised the two young men whom were cooking for them. "Ooh a pretty boy..." they cooed, drooling over Akira. "Yet, his prettiness could be detrimental to his usefulness to us", Cilla frowned before looking at Sōma. "The other one may be scruffy but I get the feeling he'll be more loyal..."
Pouting, Berta moved past her twin sister and stared at Sōma. "Cilla you don't get it. Scruffy boys will just give you the bare minimum of love you know".
"Well then..." Cilla replied, winking coquettishly at Akira, "I'm gonna be rooting for the pretty boy". Speaking together the two young women smiled and waved towards the spice chef.
"Cilla and Berta have an exceptional understanding of taste when it come to cerebral physiology... " Dōjima continued pointedly ignoring the argument going on between Kuga and the young women.
"They were scouted by the genius Leonora Nakiri herself and now serve as part of her culinary retinue as master flavour authors", pausing as he took a drink of water Dōjima then turned to the doors again and began speaking again. "And sitting in as head judge for today's battle we have the man responsible for launching Nakiri International!"
Appearing from down the corridor holding a phone to his ear, and wearing grey rimmed glasses, walked "Sōe Nakiri". Blinking, as he realised that he was meeting Alice's father, Erina's uncle and Senzaemon's son, Sōma couldn't help but feel a little star struck. However, the mood was broken by Kuga bolting forward and interceding with the introductions.
"Hey!" Kuga yelled. "You're related to Azami Nakiri! How can we be sure you will be fair?"
Peering over the top of his glasses, Sōe glanced at the former eighth seat. "I may be a Nakiri, Terunori Kuga, but rest assured when it comes down to the final vote, I am unashamedly unbiased".
"How can we be sure..." Kuga complained but his interjection ceased as he witnessed Sōe Nakiri remove two photos from the inside pocket of his jacket. "The reason why I can say that", Sōe spoke in an uncharacteristically gooey and lovey tone, "is because even if my sweet daughter should loose, she'll still be the most beautiful girl in the world!"
"But then my wonderful Leonora is adorable as well", he added immediately, gushing over his wife and daughter, "I could research my whole life and still never truly discover whom out them both is cuter..."
Abruptly clearing his throat, and replacing his family photos away, Master Sōe walked towards a table that clearly had the bear meat on it but was covered by a gingham cloth.
"Now then..." Dōjima interjected gesturing for Akira and Sōma to approach the cooking arena, puling back thick red cloth covering a trolly laden with different cuts of Bear meat the executive chef couldn't help but chuckle at the two competing chef's expressions of awe at the mountain of meat.
"These cuts of Bear meat were expertly broken down by an local hunter for you to use in your exam today. So be assured that as well as being expertly cut and drained they have been thoroughly examined by Tōtsuki evaluators too", Dōjima stated; a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice at the mention of 'evaluators'.
"Now gentlemen I expect perfection from each of you..." he announced clapping his hands together, "now begin cooking!"
Grabbing a roast cut, Akira immediately began to dice ginger, garlic and onion before adding them to the thick cuts of meat. "Holy shit!" One of Kuga's aids yelled before he was slapped over the head by one of Central's staffers, "he scored the meat and created the onion and garlic rub in mere seconds". Another then added, in equal amazement, "and now he's using potato starch to make a batter!"
Grinning as he gave a very slight look over his shoulder at the observers, Akira flicked his hair out of his face and tutted with derision at the former eighth seat and his aides. "Please don't pass out from the bliss of the aroma of fried bear", he mused grinning, "that would bring great shame upon Chef Kuga".
"Urgh! You smarmy punk!" The staffers from China research society angrily retorted. "Chef Kuga is amazingly talented..."
"Now prepare yourselves" Akira interrupted, "for how one truly honours fried meat. In the style of the American South". Spinning back to his workstation, the spice chef placed a pan of oil on the stovetop and began the process of getting the oil to the right temperature.
"Oh my god! Look at Sōma... that's oil and breading!"
Glancing back at the redhead, Akira bit back an angry snarl from making itself known to the room. Feeling his frustrations getting the beat of him he distracted himself by using a meat cleaver to split up tue meat from the bones for his sauce.
He wanted to win. Needed to win, if he desired to continue cooking his style of food alongside Jun. However, as usual, Sōma was proving himself to be just as infuriatingly persistent and stubborn as always. His capacity of inducing jealousy in anyone whom graced the same kitchen as him was unrivalled, and as much as Akira wanted to scream at the redhead he knew that he had no right to; as his resentment of Sōma clashed with his respect for him too.
'It's not fair... why. Why does Sōma always know what he wants? What drives him?'
"No way! They're both doing the same thing!" Kuga yelled in shocked realisation. "What the hell are you thinking!" Utterly befuddled by Sōma's decision to match Akira in doing a fried dish, Kuga was about to continue berating his friend when suddenly an large explosion of aroma of varying spices and herbs erupted from a saucepan on Akira's stove.
"That spice blend... it's Cajun!" Yelled Berta and Cilla together in a display of genuine curiosity.
Turning his head Sōma noticed the two blonde haired young women judges seemed transfixed by the aromas emanating from the saucepan, drool forming at the edges of their mouthes.
"Do you really have enough time to stand around and watch Sōma?" Akira's haughty voice interrupted his musings, "you'll be left behind if you don't concentrate on your own food. And I know that would upset Megumi".
"Don't you worry!" Sōma angrily retorted, "I won't be left behind by you or anyone else. My fried bear will come out at the same time as yours, so be sure to make one for me too. And we can try them side by side". Scowling at how far his friend had fallen, the redheaded boy abrupt returned to his workstation and began to prepare the accompanying sauce.
"Hey Sōma... be mindful", Kuga stated plainly. "The flavour that Akira is trying to impart into his dish, hinges on Genievre. It's from juniper berries, and it's an aromatic used in ancient Egypt. It has a faint sweet and spiciness to it".
"You are correct, Kuga. I guess even a runt pipsqueak like you knows how to learn about spices" Akira chuckled disdainfully as he began adding milk and flour to bear stock, doubling the thickness and rich flavour. "And now with the genievre, and my Cajun spice blend, I now have an extremely delicious sauce to accompany the fried bear".
Glancing down at his workstation, Sōma smiled as he added his bear meat into the batter; and then with chopsticks placed them into the hot oil. "Now now Akira, don't big up your own food just yet. My dish will surely be spectacular".
"As if you could ever match me" the spice master muttered under his breath as he began the final plating.
"Well then let's let the judges decide" Sōma smirked spinning around and carrying, as he walked forwards, three plates of his completed food. "Please enjoy my Fried Bear Hamburg Steak".
As he stood back and watched the judges pick up their fried cutlets with their given paper napkins, Sōma couldn't help but grin as he saw the faces of Cilla and Berta bloom red as they erupted into sultry giggles; expressing their deep satisfaction for the aroma and flavour of the meat they were about to enjoy.
"Oh god... It's delicious. The meats flavour is strong but sweet, my brain can hardly process the different flavours happening in my mouth" Cilla exclaimed joyfully.
Glancing over at her sister, Cilla noticed that Berta was slumped in her seat holding her half eaten cutlet with an eager expression on her face. "Sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty... the balance of the flavour of the magnolia berries brings the unique taste of the bear to another level of delicious".
"There's a fine line between what is great and what is foul, and what's more is this dish is a gamble that exceeds expectations" Sōe spoke firmly looking directly at Sōma. "Tell me Sōma , you didn't hesitate to use meat close to the bone didn't you. That is a brave choice my boy. And it certainly had paid off for you".
Grinning as he nodded his head Sōma blushed as Sōe Nakiri praised his food. "Hey Berta" Cilla asked, turning to her sister, "I thought this guy was rube but he's actually really talented".
Trying very hard to not be insulted, Sōma simply waved away the two young women's words. "Yeah, looks like we were wrong Cilla" Berta replied. "A guy so wild that he would risk everything for victory, is so totally dreamy!"
"Sōma Yukihira... you used different parts of the bear to make a fried minced cutlet. This ingenuous yet simple idea gave added flavour to the croquettes interior creating a successful gradation of flavours. That is what imparts the multiple layers of flavour, and you have most certainly walked a tightrope between flavour and stench. You have a fearlessness which cannot be suppressed!"
Hearing master Sōe's absolute glowing praise, and description of the redhead boy, Gin Dōjima smiled as he recognised that same quality; if not a little quieter, in Jōichirō. And then just as he was about to ask Akira to step forwards, there was a sudden burst of fabric as Sōe's shirt exploded open revealing his bare chest.
"Ahh yes!" The executive chef lauded, "that right there is the signature chest barring gift held by the Nakiri family. Sōma Yukihira's dish has been recognised and approved!"
"Not yet..." Akira interjected walking forwards, glaring daggers at Sōma, and placing three new plates down on the table. "My apologies for the wait but please enjoy the ultimate delectability of the absolute finest in bear cuisine. My Cajun fried Bear with Genievre sauce".
¡Happy 90th Birthday John Williams!
And sadly - R.I.P
- Bamber Gascoigne. Broadcaster and author
- Ivan Reitman. Director of Animal House and Ghostbusters