Chapter 42 Split Personality
Soma and Eishi decide to bring Megumi, Hisako, and Erina to the table as they are going to be the judges, Eishi is looking at Soma's dish and he thinks, "Peeled sweetened chestnuts, and a charcoal grill, was he truly able to use those effectively while staying within the field of French Cuisine?"
But after the four of them taste Soma's dish, Eishi says, "This is quite astonishing."
He thinks that the chestnuts as an ingredient mesh surprisingly well with wild game. The combination of the version and chestnuts is no stranger to French cuisine, and he also feels the perfect harmony between the two.
"But why? Applying this kind of slight bitterness charcoal grilling creates to French cuisine is exceedingly difficult. And yet, this dish has done just that? There must still be some secret to this."
"It's coffee." Erina says.
"Indeed. I was taught this from Shinomiya senpai's restaurant. Game meat goes amazingly well with Cacao. Though truthfully, I don't have much experience using Caco. So that's why I used instant coffee! The bitterness of Cacao which coffee also has meshed perfectly with that of the game and the charcoal. The deep richness and astringency is a perfect match for the French Sauce. That's why I joined them together as a hidden flavor in the sauce." Soma says.
And when it is Eishi's turn, Venison Roast Showing Two Expressions. The other four eat it and they feel the same harmony with Soma's dish, Hisako noticed that the weight of her knife was able to cut the venison alone. The flavor of the dish was enough to leave Sōma stunned, especially the two sauces. Eishi explained the sauce on the right is Sauce Poivrade, made by using scraps of venison to create a wild, yet refreshing flavor. The sauce of the left was created by using multiple berries to create an acidic and refreshing sweetness, a Sauce Poivrade Berry. Analyzing his sauces, the multitude of berries and wines used showed just how delicately he utilized his ingredients to create a sauce that was not overpowering in bitterness or unpleasant.
Megumi says, "I can say that both of them are in equal power...but it is really hard to choose..."
"Yeah..." Erina adds as she thinks, "So this is the true power of Angel's Eyes..."
Eishi then says, "Yukihira Soma, I want to ask you, what is your relationship with the Phantom? Is he someone close to you?"
Soma folds his arms and says, "He is someone close to me, we share a similar dark past and we have the same ability: Angel's Eyes. I was about to ask you the same, what is your relationship with the Phantom?"
Eishi isn't expecting that he will be asked about this, he says, "He is a close friend of mine, we have been competing together for 3 years, he is the only person aside from Rindo that I considered a good friend."
"Then let me ask you, you have been asking me to join this Central, but the Phantom and I agree that we have never tried to join them. Because the Phantom knows about my past." Soma says.
Eishi stares at Soma and asks, "What do you mean?"
Soma says, "Eri-chan and I were the victims of the Central, we suffered because of your beliefs. The whole origin of uncle Azami creating this Central is because of my family and I, and that's why I can't join in the Central."
Eishi looks into Soma's eyes again and he sighs, "After tasting your dish, I feel that you are too unique for me to control. It's possible that I might not be able to control you as an aide. If you joined Central, I think you won't even help me and make me collapse from worries. So this match is a draw, Yukihira."
Soma looks at Eishi and says, "Why are you showing mercy right now? You can tell that it is actually my loss."
"Your cooking is too familiar to Phantom's cooking, which is strong and dangerous. Even though there is still a difference between your cooking and the Phantom's cooking, I can see your determination in this dish." Eishi says as he leaves. "Though I hope you have good luck."
After Eishi leaves, Erina asks, "You have held back on Tsukasa-san, right? Why did you do that?"
Soma says, "From tasting his dish, I can also tell that Tsukasa-san has something that he wants to achieve while being a part of the Central."
This causes everyone to be confused, but Soma says, "Well, you can say that this is the first time I tie with Tsukasa-san. But I promise I am not going to hold back next time."
After a while, Megumi and Ikumi manage to win their Shokugekis to save their RS, and Azami and Eishi are watching the match, "As I thought, this year's 1st years are different somehow with last years'. And their center is Yukihira Soma."
"As expected from my nephew, it seems that he has been growing since the last time I met him." Azami says. "But you don't need to worry, even though they don't agree and join us until the end, I already prepared spots to destroy them individually."
Eishi is looking at the man in front of him and he is also thinking about Soma's words, he decides to go to the Phantom's office to see if he can get some answers.
"Phantom, are you here?" Eishi and Rindo walk towards the door as Soma, dressing up as the Phantom, opens it. He says, "Tsukasa Eishi. I have heard about the news of the Promotion Tests. You did say something very interesting."
"What about it?" Eishi asks while having a sweatdrop.
"Scheming to fail opposing groups that you couldn't destroy through exams." Soma says. "Those who won't follow Nakiri Azami will be mercilessly cut off."
"You don't need to worry about it, the headmaster has already secured yours and Nakiri-kun's stay." Rindo says with a smile. "We're here because I want to ask you some questions."
"What kind of questions do you want to know?" Soma asks.
"Earlier a week ago, I challenged Yukihira Soma to a Shokugeki." Eishi says.
"Let me guess, you won against him in the end." The Phantom asks.
"No, the match is a tie. You have been wearing the costume ever since you came to school three years ago. I want to ask, why didn't you try to take it off?" Eishi asks.
"I won't take it off because it reminds me of the bad past. How people mock me as a chef coming from a low society, and how they insult my parents for being fluke chefs." Soma says.
Rindo asks, "And I heard that you refuse to join the Central, is it really because of Yukihira Soma?"
Soma turns around and says, "Yukihira Soma...he has Angel's Eyes just like me..."
"You don't need to lie to me, Phantom. You are actually Yukihira Soma, right?" Eishi asks. "Before headmaster comes to the school, the way you cook is actually the same. You don't need to lie to me."
Soma sighs as he takes off his mask, but both Eishi and Rindo realize that Soma is acting differently compared to him. "Yukihira?"
"I have a split personality." Soma says. "So the match a few weeks ago is my real personality."
"How did you get a split personality? That's so cool." Rindo says.
"Because of my stay at my uncle: Nakamura Azami's place." Soma says. "Ever since I suffered there because of my ability, I have been having nightmares of how Eri-chan and I were hurt because we refused to listen to him. And because of it, I have this personality so I can protect my own body and my own mind from getting hurt from what the Central is doing. When the former headmaster asks me to join the Junior High Divison, my father was opposed to it because of my split personality. That's why he gave me this 0th seat."
"So all those times when we fought against you, were just your second personality?" Rindo asks.
"No wonder, when I fought your main personality, I can feel something familiar, but yet so different." Eishi says.
"And you should also be thankful for our main personality. If it is me who does the Shokugeki, you have already lost the match." Soma says with a cool tone.
"So does anyone else know about your split personality?" Eishi asks.
"Other than my parents, my sensei, Isshiki, and Megumi, you are the other two that know this, not even my uncle knows about this as well." Soma says as he thinks of the flashback.
(Flashback)
"Split Personality?" Megumi asks in shock after the former Headmaster Senzaemon asks both of them to talk.
"I can't believe it...that's why Soma and Phantom seem to be two different people in other people's eyes?" Isshiki asks.
Senzaemon nods and says, "That's also one of the reasons why I have Soma came into the Totsuki, not as a student, but a member of the Elite 10 as the 0th seat."
"I never thought that the current Headmaster has given much trouble to him..." Isshiki says.
"I'm sorry." Soma, who is in his main personality, says, "I just don't want to find it weird."
Megumi says, "It's okay, I'm glad you told us about it. You are still Soma-kun even if your personality changed..."
Isshiki says, "Indeed. And you don't need to worry, we won't tell anyone about this."
(Flashback Ends)
"To think Isshiki knows this before us..." Rindo mutters. "If only he's still in the Elite 10..."
Eishi sighs, "This can't be helped, after all, his Isshiki rules gave us a lot of trouble. Though I am surprised that the Headmaster didn't take your title away."
"Eri-chan and I play a crucial part in the plan, that's why we were tormented." Soma says. "As I said from Eizan's Shokugeki. I won't tolerate anyone who tries to hurt my friends or my dorm. That means even you two, as we have become enemies. You can tell uncle that I'm going to do the same challenge as the rebels, and I will be overcoming all of them with ease."
"You sounded really confident on that." Rindo says.
"I usually convert my anger into my strength." Soma says. "I know your reasons for joining the Central, Tsukasa Eishi. Everyone thinks your food is good because you are in the 1st seat, not because you are Tsukasa Eishi. However, from my perspective, Uncle Azami is just using you guys for his own goal. I hope you will know what's best for you."
After that, Soma wears the mask again as he leaves his office, Rindo and Eishi look at each other with a sigh as they are a little confused whether the Central is right or wrong.
Rindo says, "To tell the truth, I admit what the Phantom said was not incorrect, but no matter what you choose, I just want everyone to be together."
"I know, Rindo." Eishi says, "But I can also see that Phantom is hurting, because of what he has suffered...the same reasons as us...and what Central is doing..."
And here is a new chapter, I finally reveal the true reason for Soma and the Phantom's different personalities. I think revealing it right now might be interesting, so that people can try to figure out what kind of personalities are the previous chapters. I know it might be confusing as well, but I hope you like this.