Big thanks for NinaMinou, RoseAmeliaSarahNoblePond, maxisaraviamgs, nagel123, who had given reviews to this story...

So for this chapter, I let another new OC to make their appearance, also let both Kimura Haruki and Isshiki Satoshi as the star (maybe). Don't forget to leave your review guys ^_^

Happy reading

- rionnaru -


Dish.14 – A Short Stop

Kyoto – Kikuchi Mansion

Like usual, the vast traditional styled mansion owned by the ancient clan in that city was enveloped with serene atmosphere. The beautifully arranged Kayushiki Teien which greeted whoever stepped into that mansion, not a single leaf, flower, or gravel, out of place.

"Welcome back, Kimura-sama. Hideyoshi-sama has waiting for your arrival in the living room." Miya Ryoko, the senior maid in that mansion greeted the head family of Kimura house once the latter made his appearance in the genkan.

"Arigatou, Miya-san." That man – Kimura Akito – replied after removing his footwear, then walked towards the living room where the number one man in that famous family was waiting.

Along his way to his aimed place, he met none. Miya Ryoko whom trailed him from behind didn't utter a single word along their walk. It wasn't a surprising look as he already experienced it countless times. It always happened like that, whenever he took a visit to that large mansion.

Miya Ryoko took a step forward as she opened the shoji door effortlessly. With her respectful bow, she informed his master that the man named Kimura Akito has arrived. The man whom had the most authority in that house – Kikuchi Hideyoshi – motioned his right hand to the soft cushion which placed near him. That small move, indicated that he has given his permission for his guest to join him in that room as well as to dismiss the maid lady. That man, didn't change a bit.

"You choose the right time to come here, Akito-kun." The old Kikuchi Hideyoshi started as Kimura Akito seated himself on the soft cushion near him. "Today's tea is really incredible, a good choice to accompany our long talk."

Akito still stayed silent as he listened to every single thing got said by the head of Kikuchi family.

"You may start, Akito-kun." Hideyoshi said, then took a sip of his tea.

"For the first time, Okazaki made a contact to her."

It was Akito's first 'report' that day, and it succeed in making the old Kikuchi Hideyoshi surprised. To Hideyoshi, it was unexpected thing to be reported, moreover the family which got mentioned before hasn't made a contact to Nakiri family's business - Toutsuki – for years.

"It's really a surprising news, Akito-kun. Since the old tiger – Okazaki Shigeru has passed away three years ago, then... it's Ten?"

"Hai. He disguised it as a joint business towards Toutsuki."

It was understandable. For them, to claim that girl to be theirs out of the blue must not listed into their agenda. Even though, the man named Okazaki Ten might seemed frivol at some times, but Hideyoshi was sure that the younger men had his mind right when it related to his family issue.

"I think for now, there's no need to put too much attention at him. Just, watch over him from afar."

"Hai, Hideyoshi-sama."

"How about her? I heard that Toutsuki always gave their freshmen a 'hell' training. With her frail body which she got from her past, did she pass the training smoothly?"

Akito didn't know how to answer that question as it was the thing he wished not to be asked the most. But then, he realized what kind of man is Kikuchi Hideyoshi. Even he didn't get information in detail right away, he always knew whatever things happened around the girl whom became their main topic.

"She got panic attack in the end of first day of the training camp, my son also told me that she passed out on the second day. The rest, she got the training smoothly."

The silence followed after that. Hideyoshi just gazed the clear sky as his hands played with his teacup. His feeling when he heard it was alike the feeling he got when he heard the tragic accident happened to that girl eight years ago.

"I... see."

"Hideyoshi-sama..."

"I've predicted that it will needed years to heal her trauma. Not to forget that she's still able to stand in the world which has 'shattered' her once, so badly."

Akito agreed to the older men's words. He still remembered the first time he met that girl eight years ago. That little girl, looked like a zombie rather than a normal girl in her age. Not a single tears that didn't make her face wet whenever she stayed up. Not a single sob escaped from his ears whenever that girl saw a grown-up approached her place at her early days stayed in hospital. Not for once he saw a hollow look on that girl's rose gold eyes.

"Make sure... you and your family stay by her side."

"I'll remember it, Hideyoshi-sama."

"Now, let's talk about our main business, Akito-kun."

Akito raised his head when he saw the older one shifted his position. This time, Kikuchi Hideyoshi was fully facing him. His old face which always looked calm already began serious.

"It seems... Shouji has made his first move." Hideyoshi took out an envelope from his robe, offered it to Akito to let the latter opened its content. Several photos.

"Hideyoshi-sama, this is..." Akito couldn't continue his words when he found out who is got caught in those photos.

The man whom dressed in dark colored kimono was one of the members of branch family of Kikuchi house – Kikuchi Shouji. His greedy nature which led to bring shame on Kikuchi name fifteen years ago has made him exiled. Then, the other man in those photos. Akito knew well that man whom dressed in all black. Moreover, that man was the one whom had trusted his 'daughter' to him and his family. The man whom had got kicked out from Nakiri family eight years ago – Nakiri Azami.

"Ryuken has found countless photos of that girl in Shouji's place. Since she was little till now, in every event. It's only a matter of time we will find his 'spy' in Toutsuki." Hideyoshi started giving his speech about his discovery. "Both of them started making routine meeting since six months ago. Even though I still hasn't got the news about their plan, but knowing that Nakiri Azami has formed network around Asia, I presume that he's about to make his comeback to Toutsuki."

"And he made a routine meeting with Shouji-san, it's just... I think, Kyusei will be their target too." Akito added. He knew well that the man named Kikuchi Shouji was always dreamed of owning Kyusei Group.

"It doesn't matter. Our main issue is... how they will get their hands on us?" Hideyoshi looked up from the photos got scattered on the floor, to the small photo frame placed on the tokonoma. A photo of his late son – Kikuchi Shinichi – with a girl whom supposed to be his daughter-in-law, the beautiful Kikuchi Kaede – Kikuchi Shouji's one and only daughter.

"Hideyoshi-sama, to think it rationally... it's only one thing that bound both Nakiri Azami and Kikuchi Shouji-san. It's..."

"Hmm... since Kaede has passed away, the only one left is her daughter, Karen."


Toutsuki Resort – Dining Hall

Karen couldn't utter a single word as her surprised face already spoke all of it. That morning, she got invited into a breakfast. Too many familiar faces she saw in that dining hall once she made her arrival there. Almost all the food suppliers in Toutsuki Resort presented there, giving their smile once they saw the jet-black haired Nakiri girl.

"You're the last one, Karen-san." The old Kawamoto greeted Karen, then pulled the latter to join their group and began their breakfast.

In between that morning's breakfast, they exchanged several jokes, discussed about their products, talked about their future joint business, etc. In that place, they has forgotten about Toutsuki's freshmen Nakiri Karen. The one whom shared the same breakfast with them was their lovely, perceptive business advisor Nakiri Karen.

"Karen-san, on your way back to Toutsuki Academy, don't forget to taste our product."

It was their goodbye, and amount of various product already waiting for her.

"It seems that you're the only one whom got back bringing souvenirs, Ren-kun?"

"It's really a lame joke if I should said it, Ichi-nii."

The oldest Kimura siblings couldn't utter any reply other than a small smile of his. Then he offered a goody bag with a famous traditional confectionery shop printed on it. Kuon.

"Could you... give it to Haruki? Yesterday he nagged to me to buy their newest menu. I didn't know what is in his head that time. But... only one thing which made him acted like that." Ichiya gave the goody bag to Karen, and continued on. "He's after something. Ren-kun, can you figure it out and tell me after that?"

"I will try my best, Ichi-nii. But..." Karen paused as she eyed the goody bag on her right hand. "You only bought it one? Only for Ruki-nii?"

"Eh?"

As she got so many 'merchandise' and she should deal with some business, Karen got out from the resort later than the other freshmen. Doujima has told her that he has prepared the private car to send her back to Toutsuki Academy. It was when she's waiting for the said vehicle made its arrival, she saw the unexpected drama at the bus parking lot. Nakiri Erina and Yukihira Souma. What has made the two there? Did they get left by their group?

"Karen-sama, is something wrong?" A hotel staff asked her, once the car stopped in front of her. The one whom opened the trunk and was about to fill it with Karen's business goods.

"It's still too spacious for... three people, right?" Karen pointed at the parked car in front of her.

"Of course, Karen-sama."

"Then, tell another staff to cancel their request. I will bring the two of them together with me." Karen motioned on the two 'left' students at the parking lot.

"I will do as you wish, Karen-sama."

Karen let the hotel staff to load the trunk, while she walked toward parking lot. It seemed that both Erina and Souma were too focus to each other even didn't recognize that someone else approached their place.

"Let's get back together."

With that simple sentence, both Erina and Souma froze. Then both of them looked at the one whom voiced out that idea.


Only silence filled the air inside that big car which brought the three from their training camp's site to their academy. Souma whom sat in the middle – between the two Nakiri girls – for unknown reason being quiet. He casted a short look over his right side, to Nakiri Erina whom had her attention fully on the panorama outside the car's window. Then, he switched to his left where the older Nakiri girl – Nakiri Karen – was busy with her seemingly countless paper on her laps.

Ah... it's boring, and... awkward.

Souma told himself.

"Gomen, Sou-kun. This riding is surely... boring, isn't it?"

Souma got his nape stood when he heard Karen spoke for the first time in that long riding. He even questioned himself, did that girl read his mind? His surprise hasn't subsided, and out of sudden a pouch got offered to him. It was so transparent so he could see the content of that small pouch. Cube candy.

"Want some?"

"Oh... arigatou."

Souma took one cube, unwrapped it and found a candy which looked as clear as glass, colored in beautiful light brown. It looked classy. A candy offered by someone whom 'rumored' to be one of the best pastry chef in their academy, Souma has predicted that its flavor must not disappointed. Once he put the candy into his mouth, he felt himself melted together with the rich, sweet flavor of the candy which flooded his palate.

"Shugoi! What is it, Kuro Nakiri?!" Souma shouted out his curiosity immediately after he got his sense back.

"Hmm... it seems that you enjoy it, Sou-kun." With her usual innocent smile, Karen commented as looked at Souma before got back into her paperwork. "One of Toutsuki's business partner produced it, and they wanted me to test it before they mass-marketing it. If you had such reaction, then I shouldn't give too many critics in it, right?"

"I see." Souma responded, then he got back into silent mode. Then he remembered the same thing happened in his dorm back before the training camp. That time, the girl named Nakiri Karen also got the same request from her client. It was his first time seeing the serious Karen. So different with other Karen he had seen before.

Not long after their short talk, the car slowed down then stopped. Unbuckled her seat belt, Karen was about to get off of the vehicle.

"Uncle, have a safe ride of delivering both of them back to Academy. About my loads, you can drop it at Nakiri mansion."

Their chauffer even hasn't replied, but the passenger door already shut down. Karen already got off of the car. And those abrupt change was succeed in making both Erina and Souma had their blank yet confused face.

"Is it... alright to leave her there?" Souma asked once the car run along the glossy asphalt road.

"Do you think that she dropped off on random place, Yukihira-kun?" Erina asked back the red haired boy.

"Eh?"

"Not far from the place where we dropped Karen, there is tea and coffee plantation which barely made an exclusive contract with Toutsuki. It seems that Karen had an agenda there." Erina explained, her voice filled a boring tone.

"Oh... it seems that she isn't only popular in school, even in Toutsuki Resort she has an important role, isn't she? She seemed busy." Souma commented.

"You barely realized it, Yukihira-kun?"

Souma didn't reply to that question. He looked at the one whom gave him that question, but the other party still in her position, still glued her sight on the scenery out there. Souma caught the unfriendly face of hers which reflected on the car's window. The same face he saw on the morning when they got the breakfast challenge back in the training camp.

"It looked like... you have something unsettled with your sister, Nakiri."

No reply from Erina. She was surprised even got lost of words. How a low-life, diner boy named Yukihira Souma judged her so easily like that? It was no other than a disgrace to her pride. Not only his usual over-confident words which made her annoyed. Even for his mere presence already made her blood boiled. The worst case was she has to spend the rest of ride with that kind of boy.

Damn!


Tokyo – Nakiri Mansion

It has been late in the afternoon that day, when Karen got back from her eventful day. Her supposed 'short' counseling on the way back from training camp has taken longer than it should be. And because of that, she should bring another 'souvenir' which she almost forgot about it. How the feeling of having the small, different color pills which looked like sweet candy laid on the plate beside fresh water each morning and night before she drifted off.

"I suggest you to have a full, memorable vacation in your upcoming summer holiday, Karen-chan."

Her therapist's words still stuck in her head clearly. That wasn't a bad idea, maybe she can included that in her 'reason list' to reject Doujima's offer when the summer holiday began. She stopped when she has reached her aimed place. Her Ruki-nii's room.

She knocked on the door three times, but got nothing as the reply. She hold the knob and tried to open the door, unlocked. The bag which he always brought whenever he had 'business' laid carelessly on the floor. All the things in that room still at their places just like the last time she saw it – a week before. It was when Karen was about to close the door, she found out Haruki's wardrobe's door was ajar.

"Is he... training right after he got back from the fest?" Karen mumbled as she didn't find Haruki's chef uniform from his wardrobe. She sighed. Actually she has tired because of the long ride from the training camp and her counseling, and now she has to look for her 'dear brother' even though she already knew what kind of place she should go to. It was when she was about to go out from that room, the owner of that room made his appearance.

"Oh, you've back, Ren?"

Karen didn't reply that question, but she did something else. The goody bag which being trusted in her care got shoved to the older one.

"From Ichi-nii."

"Thanks." Haruki answered back, shortly. Then he continued. "Should we try it together, Ren?"


It was just like their usual 'sweets date'. A plate of their desired sweets, a tea-set which became the best combination to the said sweet dish. Two chairs got separated by a single round table, stayed on the small flower garden at the backyard of the gigantic Nakiri Mansion. The sun which previously stood almighty on the vast – endless sky began smeared its beautiful orange color to its sky and cloud.

Kimura Haruki couldn't stop smiling once his red eyes caught the most beautiful sight in front of him. The sparkling Nakiri Karen which only got seen when she saw her long-desired sweets in front of her. Haruki even didn't dare to blink his eyes, afraid that those lovely sight disappeared from his eyes.

"Kawai." He mumbled, still glued his eyes to Karen whom busy arranging the sweets on the plate to her and Haruki.

"Rather than it called as kawai, I preferred to call it utsukushi." Karen responded as she offered a plate of the dessert in front of Haruki. "Also, it's my first time I heard you call a sweets as kawai, Ruki-nii."

Haruki felt his face got warmer once he heard Karen's sentence just now. He took the tea cup of his and began sipped its content, tried to hide his blush. While Karen didn't take too much credit about her Ruki-nii's unusual act just now. She already too caught up into the beautiful sweets which colored in ocean blue wrapped into transparent candy on her plate.

"Ah, right." Karen said abruptly, right before she sliced the dessert. Haruki who already calmed down looked at her. "How's the fest?"

"Hmm... just like any fest out there." Haruki paused as he eyed the dessert on his own plate. "Except for that damn guest star."

"Guest star?" Karen asked back.

Haruki just nodded, didn't want to have a discussion about that thing. Just how many times he looked at the dessert on his plate, it didn't turn into something different. The same, precise dessert he saw at Kyusei's booth back in Kanto Traditional Cuisine Fest. So, that Chiaki boy didn't bluff around. He thought.

"How long you want to send your icy look towards that sweets, Ruki-nii?!"

"Ne, Ren. Do you want to have a vacation?" Haruki asked something else, just to change the topic of their conversation. Karen had her confused look over that question. It was 1 between 1.000 chances that the boy named Kimura Haruki offered her such a suggestion.

"Did you knock your head somewhere, Ruki-nii?"

Ah, maybe?

Haruki took something from his uniform pocket. An envelope which previously given to him by that platinum blonde haired Kikuchi boy. Karen eyed the envelope which already lied next to her plate. She took it and opened it. Two pieces of ticket to...

"It's... are you kidding me, Ruki-nii?!"

Just how many times Karen had questioned him, really?

"I'm not."

"But... how? Moreover, it's... VIP ticket for Kyusei's Summer Fest!"

Haruki didn't reply to that immediately. He sipped his tea, while his eyes glanced at Karen whom had another sparkling eyes when the latter let out the said VIP ticket from the envelope. A ticket for Kyusei's Summer Festival was hard to get, it was already known for years. It was not because of its expensive price, or it was a limited thing to be appeared in the world. No. It was because... the ones which wanted to get it so much more than the ticket's number. Even for several elite ones in culinary world already reserved a ticket long before the released date. To get Kyusei's Summer Fest's ticket was fiercer than any concert ticket ever exist.

"Hmm... someone gave it to me, for free." Haruki gave his answer finally. Another shocked look shown on Karen's rose gold eyes. It was as if asking... for real?

"So, what's your answer, Ren?"

"Of course! I take it!"


"Tadaima!"

Being the last one making comeback, Souma shouted out. But to his surprise, none greeted him back. Also, the dorm was unusually quiet. It was when he walked toward his assigned room, he heard murmurs. He looked for its source, and found out his dorm-mates already gathered in front of their senior's room. How Souma could call it? Domino? His dorm-mates had their head glued to the door of Isshiki's room which was ajar.

"What are you doing here, minna?" Souma asked out of sudden, which made the domino – made of human's head – disarranged. All of them looked back at Souma.

"Shush! Souma-chi... don't make a loud voice." Yuuki whispered, then pulled the red haired boy to stand beside her. "Look! Isshiki senpai is behaving weird. It's our first time seeing him sit in front of computer while he talked to himself."

Souma followed his friend's sight and found 'the unusual' Isshiki Satoshi. But then, when the sophomore boy got up from his chair, all the freshmen began hid behind the door. Too bad that Souma's reflect wasn't as fast as the other.

"Oh... Souma-kun, you have back?"

"Hai, Isshiki senpai." Souma answered shortly. "Ano... Senpai, what is..."

"Ah... actually, I want to make an announcement to all of the residents of Polar Star Dorm. Let's gather at Marui's room later after dinner, okay?"

Souma just nodded as his reply, then he sent a short look towards his friends. They questioned each other. An announcement? From someone as Isshiki Satoshi?


After dinner – Marui Zenji's room

Like what Isshiki had promised, all the residents of Polar Star Dorm already gathered in their usual party venue, Marui's room. All of them sat in circle. With his usual, mischievous smile, Isshiki started.

"Minna, I have something to give to you as the reward of passing the training camp!"

Silence. Not a single freshmen responded to that sudden – unexpected announcement. Seeing no reply from his kouhai, Isshiki let out eight tickets of Kyusei's Summer Festival in front of his juniors.

Silence. Again. But this time was not because of confusion, it was because of surprised.

"Eeeeeh?!"

"Isshiki senpai, this is... for real?! You give it to us?!" Shouji shouted out for the first time.

"Yes!"

"Isshiki senpai, shugoi! We won't forget your kindness!" Yuuki added, as she took one of the tickets then kissed it countless times.

"It's my first time I see this ticket directly. It is like a dream." Megumi said as she took hers. The other followed suit.

Souma eyed the ticket, from the front and back. He questioned himself, what's made that ticket so special that his friend's eyes shining like that. As in Souma's eyes, that ticket wasn't different than any kind of ticket out there.

"Heh... what is so special with this ticket?" His thought got spoken out loud. Immediately, all eyes focused on him. As if sent him the same unspoken question.

Are you kidding us, Yukihira Souma?!

"Hahahaha... you really don't know about it, Souma-kun?" Isshiki asked as if to confirm that the previous question given by Souma was true. Souma nodded as his answer.

"It's... one of the rarest things to get in Japan, Yukihira-kun." Ibusaki Shun commented. "Also, the event itself is one of the most anticipated event each year. It has become one of the tourism attraction in Kyoto." He added.

"Oh, such a big event."

"That's right, Souma-kun. Even it attracted many foreigners to go there." Isshiki began his speech. "Just like Ibusaki-kun has said, it has become one of the tourism attraction in Kyoto. Kyusei's Summer Festival – Ryuuseigun. There are four events which held. International seminar, exhibition, Kyusei's Doll House, and Tanabata Festival." Isshiki took a pause, then he borrowed Marui's ticket. "Each event has its own ticket, and there are also special tickets which can be used to get into more than one event. Just like the one you own now, minna. It is a special ticket – Peony ticket. We can use it for two events. Of course, you're free to choose what kind of event you want to go."

A summer festival, huh?

Souma never thought there will be a luxurious summer festival like that. Kyusei. It was his first time heard such a name.

"But, how you can afford this tickets, Isshiki senpai? It's not a secret that getting one ticket is super hard." Ryoko brought another thing to their conversation.

"Ah, about that. Actually, it was unused tickets which previously sent to other Elite Ten members." Isshiki answered with his smile, like usual.

Another surprise fell down.

"But, is it alright for you to give this to us?" Megumi asked.

"It's alright, Tadokoro-chan. Don't mind it." Isshiki assured the blue haired girl.


"What's wrong, Souma-kun?" Isshiki asked once they got out of Marui's room.

"Ah... to get such luxurious ticket, Elite Ten is marvelous."

"Is that so? But, there is someone whom get a more special ticket to that event in between Toutsuki's student, you know?" Isshiki told the younger one another info which didn't get told in front of the other residents of their dorm. "Yah... I have heard that one of Kyusei's student had put his interest on him, but I didn't expect of that student to give him VIP ticket to Ryuuseigun."

"Who is he, Isshiki senpai?"

Isshiki didn't answer immediately. "You didn't know about it, Souma-kun? Even after you heard that it was Kyusei..."

"Actually, it is my first time heard the name Kyusei." Souma cut off Isshiki's unfinished words.

Eh? Seriously?

But then, Isshiki understood it. Moreover, at the first days in Toutsuki, Souma seemed didn't know each thing related to Toutsuki.

"To put it simple, they said that Kyusei is Toutsuki in the west. But, Kyusei was more famous of producing talented pastry chefs, technicians in cooking ware, food supplier, and consultant in culinary business." Isshiki gave another session of his speech.

Souma took an important note on Isshiki's speech just now. Then, a question popped up. "Then, who is the one whom got the VIP ticket? Does... the 1st seat Elite Ten?"

Isshiki shook his head. "All Elite Ten members got the same ticket – Peony ticket. Even for the 1st seat." Isshiki paused. "VIP ticket – Chrysanthemum ticket – it can be used for all the events of the fest. Our lucky boy whom get that ticket is Kimura Haruki."

"Kimura senpai?"

Isshiki nodded. "He once told me, that he got offer from Kyusei's student in one of his cooking competition to join Kyusei High. Of course, he rejected it. And then, after almost three years, the one whom gave that offer tried to get Ki-kun's interest by giving the VIP ticket for free."

A silence between the two.

"When I heard it, actually I didn't believe it. For someone had a steel will like that..."

"Hmm... then, all we can do is come to that festival and make sure that they won't steal Kimura senpai from us, right?"


Small note:

Kayushiki Teien : strolling garden and sometimes known as daimyo garden. The gardens of the Edo period reflected the peace in the country: very soft shorelines, un-dramatic stone settings, and softly curved hills. These types of Japanese gardens often recreate scenes from history and myth, both from within Japan, but also from China. The design of these daimyo gardens reflected the wealth and intellectual prowess of the garden's owner.

Tokonoma : an ornamental alcove set slightly above floor level

Genkan : an entrance hall where people remove their footwear.