Chapter 14 Breakfast
When Soma walks back to the room, he is getting slapped by Yuki, who yells, "Yukihira! How can you be so reckless all the time! We were worried, you know! We heard you challenged some graduates to a Shokugeki! Not even the Phantom would be that reckless as well! We thought you two might both be forced to withdraw!"
Ryoko says, "Calm down, Yuki! There's no point in attacking Yukihira."
Megumi says, "Yeah, that's right! If Soma-kun wasn't there, I definitely would have dropped out."
"That may be true, but..." Yuki says as she cries into Ryoko's arms. Ryoko says, "But anyway, we're really glad that you're both okay."
"Yukihra..." Ibusaki suddenly calls him as he notices the hand, "What happened to your right hand?"
"It's nothing." Soma sighs. "Don't mention it."
"By the way, is that true that the Phantom was there as well?" Yuki asks Soma and Megumi, "Did you two manage to see them?"
Megumi and Soma look at each other, and Megumi says, "Well, we have met him..."
Soma says, "But he was there watching us, nothing else."
"Knowing Yukihira, he would have challenged the Phantom into a Shokugeki without a doubt." Yuki sighs.
As they are chatting, Soma and Megumi are sitting by the side and she asks, "Soma-kun, why didn't you want to tell them that you are the Phantom? Why are you hiding your identity?"
Soma sighs and says, "It is related to my Mother, and I wanted to fulfill her wishes to keep this identity a secret."
"I see..." Megumi says, "But why would she want you to do that? I mean, becoming a Phantom just to win every Shokugeki against the Elite 10?"
"The truth is, my mother was the first Phantom, I was the second one, and I'm doing this because I dislike people who think they're all high and mighty. And that ruined my parents' life in Totsuki..." Soma sighs. "Megumi, promise me that you'll keep this as a secret. I would really like it."
"Okay, Soma-kun..." Megumi nods.
After several days of training, the group of students is asked to go to the main banquet hall at 10 o'clock. When they get there, they are surprised to see everyone in the room are very tired.
"Everyone is obviously worn-out..." Ryoko sighs.
"Of course, they are...ugh, I want to hurry up and sleep." Yuki says.
"Anyway, why the heck are we here at this time or the night?" Soma mutters.
Just then, Takumi and Ikumi rush towards Soma and Ikumi yells, "Yuhikira! What the heck are you thinking? Have a Shokugeki with Alumni? Don't do anything stupid, you moron!"
Takumi yells, "I've heard about it! I can't believe how reckless you were! I won't forgive you if you leave the school before we can settle things between us!"
"Wait, did you guys know the Shokugeki?" Soma asks in confusion.
"Since this morning, the rumor has spread everywhere." Takumi says after calming down.
"But, Yukihira...if you're here, does that mean...there is no way Chef Shinomiya was..." Ikumi gasps.
"No, I lost. Just don't think about it anymore." Soma sighs.
They also notice that Erina walks past them with an uninterested tone, and before he can say something, Dojima is already on the stage.
"OK, seems like everyone's gathered. Everyone, please give your attention to the stage." Everyone hears it and turns to Dojima, who is holding the microphone.
"The reason I had everyone gather here is to inform you all about tomorrow's test. The content of the test...is to provide a new breakfast menu. One that is appropriate for the guests here at Totsuki Resort." Dojima says. "Breakfast is a hotel's "face", for their table, we want you to propose a course. It's an important meal that directs the beginning of the guests' day. One that shines like a jewel, and has a fresh surprise."
"In other words, we have to make a dish that matches Totsuki's fame?" One student mutters.
"This is probably the most difficult test, isn't it?" The other one replies.
"The main ingredient is Eggs, whether the dish is Japanese, Western, or whatever. The type doesn't matter. The format will be a buffet-style breakfast. The exam starts at 6 am tomorrow. Be prepared for tasting at that time."
Just then everyone starts to panic as they can't go to sleep during the night. Dojima adds, "You're free to use your time as you wish until morning. Every kitchen will be open for use so you may use them for practice runs. It's also fine to return to your room and sleep too. Well then, let us meet again tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock. Dismissed."
Takumi is excited and he says, "Heh...it's finally come...a test worth competing over. Look forward to it, Yukihira. With Italy's classic egg dishes arranged in the Aldini style...I'll show you a supreme breakfast!"
Soma turns to Isami and asks, "What kind of dish are you going to make, eggs with cheese, with vegetables? Or something else?"
Before Isami can reply, Takumi drags him and says, "Come on, let's go! Don't spoil it any more than you already have!"
As Soma is thinking about what to make the dish, he also notices Erina. He says, "By the way, during the entrance exam, eggs was the ingredient at that time too, right? Nakiri?"
"Don't talk to me so familiarly! But I'll give you some advice, don't show them the vulgar cooking that you cooked last time. If you don't want them to laugh at your food that is." Erina says.
"But you looked like you enjoyed it a lot last time." Soma says.
Erina yells, "Huh? Who did I tell you that it was bad!"
After that, Hisako rushes to Erina and gets her to the kitchen, while Soma is just going to the kitchen to make some food. After a while, he manages to make both dishes.
"For Japanese style, I choose Rolled eggs with Dashi. For western style, it's gotta be Scrambled Eggs. Both of them are delicious, but it is not good enough..." Soma is now thinking. "But it reminds me of the time when we were thinking of making a new menu at Yukihira..."
As he is thinking, a lot of people are also trying to make a good egg dish for the customers, and Soma manages to have a plan in his mind, but before he can start making it, he hears a voice, "Yukihira, we finally get to see each other again!"
Soma looks up and sees the white-haired girl with red eyes looking at him. He gasps with surprise and says, "Alice, what a surprise. I never knew that you were here as well."
"It is great to see you again, Soma. Looks like you'll be able to make something pretty good." Alice says with a smile. "Though why haven't you found me ever since you transferred here?"
Soma sighs at Alice's pouting, and then he also notices the person behind Alice. "Oh, even Kurokiba is here, huh?"
"Hey." Kurokiba Ryo says in an uninterested tone.
"Geez, Ryo-kun! I said that only when I want someone intimidated that you stand behind me! Not for an old friend!" Alice yells at her aide, and Soma just sweatdrops.
"Well, anyway, I'm looking forward to your food tomorrow." Alice says.
"Same here, if I have the time, I'll try having yours as well. After all, I want to see what you can do with gastronomy." Soma says with a smirk as the white-haired girl leaves.
As tomorrow comes, the students are divided into multiple halls randomly, and then the fated test begins with Soma stall close to Erina's and both Megumi and Takumi are in the same hall.
"Oh, hey, Nakiri. Looks like we're neighbors! Since we started the training camp, we've run into each other a lot." Soma says.
"Shut up!" Erina mutters and thinks, "How can this guy keep popping up everywhere? This is bad for my heart..."
"Looks like I'll have a chance to see your cooking for the first time." Soma says.
"Yes, you can taste it as much as you like. The difference between my cooking and yours!" Erina says.
"Now is everyone ready to present your dishes? Good, now I'll explain the conditions for passing. First, let me introduce the judges!"
Just then, the dining halls are now filled with people, with 1/3 of them being children. Dojima continues, "They are food suppliers in partnership with Totsuki Resort! As well as their families. Every year, they are entrusted with judging at this training camp, and they have already been informed of the "Egg dish with surprise" theme. The test will be conducted in an extremely precise manner. Also, from our very own Totsuki resort, staff from the cooking and service decisions will join in the judges!"
Everyone is gasping at the sight of how many people and the rules aren't finished. "There will be two criteria for this test. Whether or not the professional suppliers and staff here approve of your idea, and the second is from now, you have to accomplish serving 200 meals within two hours! Those who meet that will pass!"
"I see...various guests...old, young, men, and woman...I'm sure they want us to reenact a hotel breakfast! This is extremely close to real action in the field."
After a while, the judging begins. Everyone is now looking at the egg dishes of others. Like Takumi, his dish is a Frittata, which is being eaten with Insalata. Megumi's dish is a bite-sized "Breakfast oden", and for Erina, she made Egg Benedicts with Karasumi Powder.
"Yukihira Soma, 200 servings complete!" As the judge yells, the three of them are shocked as they look to see what Soma is up to, he is cooking and presenting the dishes at the same time.
"So fast...what a frightful handling." The crowd is surprised. And at the stands, Dojima and chef Hiromi are watching as Hiromi says, "This is...Live cooking..."
Dojima says, "Looks like he is doing the same thing as his father. He doesn't bring the finished food to the clients waiting at their tables. But he'll prepare it in front of them. That raises the expectations towards the flavor, seeing how the ingredients become food enhances the experience. And with the hands, he got from his mother...also known as the swift hands, it is no doubt that he can finish this in a short amount of time.
"How did a second-rated chef like him take away my customers like that..." Erina grits her teeth angrily, and she thinks, "I can't lose to him!"
What Soma is making is no other than an Omelette that has the texture of a Soufflete, Erina manages to get her 200th serving after Soma's 300th one. Alice was in another hall as he hears the announcement, "Oh? Looks like Yukihira beats Erina, what a shocker. But that's not impossible though. After all, he is one of the chefs that I admit to be a rival of me."
"Takumi Alidini, 200 servings complete!" Takumi stops working and mutters, "Damn it...this time I really lost to Yukihira!"
"Tadokoro Megumi, 200 servings complete!" Megumi sighs and says, "I did it..."
But Soma is not going to finish working as he thinks, "What matters is that the crowd wants more, then I'll continue to do it."
And here is a new chapter, in this chapter, you can see that I changed from the manga, and Soma knows Alice and Ryo when he was little. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the introduction of Alice and Ryo to others.