Heyo, readers! It is I, Coral the Leviathan, with a new chapter Shokugeki no Nikola: The Beginning! Now, I know many of you fans of Shokugeki no Nikola are waiting for an update on the second season of it, but I've got some good news and some bad news.
Let's start with the bad news. Due to the many stories I already have up, and how I want to pace myself, as well as the many other distractions that occur in my life, the second season of Shokugeki no Nikola will not be up for quite a while. I can't say for sure when it will debut, or when I will ever begin to work on it, so sorry for the many of you who are waiting anxiously for the continuation of the series.
As for the good news, this prologue/omake of Shokugeki no Nikola is one of the stories that I will be working on. Not only that, but to compensate all of you readers for the bad news on the continuation, I've decided to take on some requests (ideas, if you may) as to what occurs in Nikola's childhood. This story is based on her childhood, after all. Anything can happen. This is especially true in the other world where monsters and magic exist. Don't expect the idea to be put up immediately, though. As I said, this is a story based on her childhood; if you give me an idea of her middle school life, that will be put later on in this story from when Nikola is at least of age to attend middle school. Flashback scenes from Shokugeki no Nikola will, of course, also be in this chapter as the actual... well, chapter. And, depending on the length of the chapter from the one idea, I may put multiple ideas in one chapter.
So! That being said, let us begin this chapter of Nikola's young childhood! This one, inspired by watching some clips of a pair of movies. ... And some leftover depression over a loss of my own... well, I'm sure you'll know.
Ah yes! One other thing. In Shokugeki no Nikola, some of you asked me, in your reviews, who is Makoto. Well, and yes I will correct this (maybe) when I have the change. But Makoto... is the real name of Nikola's father! They revealed the name so late in the series! In the third volume of the light novel, halfway there, may I add! By god, do they know how to prolong one of the many things we wonder about the story! Well, the character called him 'Mako-chan', but really, it's Makoto. Sorry if this causes confusion to you readers who are used to him being Daichi, but it is what it is.
That being said... to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Restaurant to Another World or Shokugeki no Soma. I own Nikola.
It had been several months since Nikola's birth. During that time, Tomoe had been taking care of the little baby, while trying to help out around the restaurant. Note: trying, as Makoto, the many part-timers and weekday regulars of Nekoya, had been telling her to take things easy and/or focus more on Nikola.
Speaking of the infant, everyone has become quite smitten with her. One look of the smiling, happy child, and they were all in love with her, some wanting to take her home with them. Thankfully, none had actually done that, especially not when both father and mother were giving them saddened looks that said, "You want to take away my baby?" That one look and they turned down their urge to take the child away from the happy couple. Some of the younger customers/part-timers even declared they'd fight any fool who'd even harm a single strand of hair on her head.
Of course, it wasn't just the customers and the workers who love the baby so much; the head chef and current owner of Nekoya, Daiki, who is also Makoto's grandfather, was also in love with the little girl. Due to a certain incident some time back, mainly how he broke his back from working too hard, he was practically forced to stay in a hospital bed for quite some time for it to heal completely and properly, and so he could get a cool head from constantly worrying about his granddaughter-in-law and future-great-granddaughter. He may not look like it, especially due to how he usually act around his grandson, but the guy is quite the doting man. Heck, ever since he returned from the hospital, he had been rubbing his beard against the giggling baby, tickling the infant with his facial hair. When he wasn't busy cooking for the customers that is.
Those in this world aren't the only ones who love Nikola so much; the Saturday regulars of the other world as well. Like the customers in Mako and Tomoe's world, the customers from the other world absolutely love the baby, some wishing they could have her as part of their family. One certain treasure hunter even came close to taking the child away to their world, had the other regulars not notice the action and force him to be on his knees and apologize to the parents and great-grandfather for the attempt kidnapping. As for one certain dragon, every time she walked through the special door, every time she laid eyes on the baby or hear the sound she makes, she could not help but be in a dazed state. Some times she'd even forget to eat her beloved plate of beef stew or take the pot with her on her way out. It wasn't unpleasant, nor was it anything like a curse or an actual spell, but Red did not mind it at all, so long as it was towards the young, little infant that is a part of her greatest treasure.
Today was just another day of love and affection for the small babe in Nekoya. It was a Saturday, which meant the only workers around were the Yamagatas, and the only customers in the building were those from the other world.
"Look here, Nikola~ It's your rattle~" Tomoe cooed, lightly shaking Nikola's baby rattle.
Nikola let out squeals and babbles as she raised her little arms up, in an attempt to get her toy from her mother.
"Aww~ Isn't she just the most precious thing~" Altorius said, watching the mother play with her little baby. "Such a sight to see makes eating the pork cutlets and drinking the beer all the more enjoyable."
"I admit, the scene is such a delight," Tatsugorou agreed. "Although... same can't really be said for another scene in the room." He looked to the counter as he said this, where Lionel and Gerupa sat. While the pair were having their usual meals, they were more drowning themselves in alcohol.
"Another bottle! And pronto!" Lionel shouted, downing the last glass of white wine, while Gerupa was taking small sips of his drink.
"I hear ya!" Daiki answered. "Brat, go grab another bottle of white wine from Leonhart!"
"Do you really still have to call me a 'brat'?" Makoto asked, as he finished up making another batch of pancakes for the Lilliputians. Nonetheless, he passed the order to his wife, who took it to the group of little people nearby, and went up to get a bottle.
"Kind of hard to see those two like this," the chief of Lilliputians said. "Those two are usually brave, courageous, proud men. And now..." He trailed off, as he continued to watch the two monstrous customers sigh in despair. And all because of one, innocent, little soul amongst them. And no, it was not any of the Lilliputians.
"Well, guess you can call it a natural, human instinct of sort," Touichirou said. "Nikola is just a baby, and last I remember, this world doesn't have anyone like Katsudon or Omelette Rice."
"I remember when we first went through the door. I suppose it shouldn't be too surprising for a baby to react that way towards a pair of... well, that is..." Aya trailed off.
She didn't need to finish that sentence, for it only made Lionel and Gerupa even more depressed. Thankful as they were to hear the baby's happy cries, it was only because she was distracted by her rattle and her mother.
With the mother-daughter duo, Nikola let out a small yawn. As soon as she saw the little act, Tomoe put down the rattle. "Aww. Someone's getting sleepy~" she said, booping her baby on the nose, letting out another giggle from her. Tomoe then put the pacifier on Nikola's blanket and placed it in the baby's mouth. "Get some sleep, okay?" As if agreeing with her, Nikola shut her eyes and went to a peaceful sleep.
Once the baby sounds faded away, both Lionel and Gerupa glanced up at the baby carriage. Tomoe didn't need to look to know what they wanted, as it was practically a new usual thing in the restaurant.
"Not too fast, not too close, and keep silent," she said to the pair.
Both nodded as they silently got out of their seats and moved closer to the now-sleeping child. Of all times they were able to get close to Nikola without her crying, her nap times were the only times they had that sort of chance. The baby especially looked so peaceful during that time, making the two monstrous customers forget their depression almost immediately, as they felt their hearts and mind put at ease at the child's sleeping figure.
"You two do know your food isn't going to eat itself, right?" Makoto asked, returning to Nekoya with a bottle of good white wine in his hand. "Still want the wine?"
"I'm good with some water, actually," Lionel declined.
"Same," Gerupa followed, as both returned to their seats.
With this moment of peace, there was absolutely nothing that could ever ruin it. Monster attack? No. Not when there are trained warriors in the house. Nobles? There are some customers who are pretty much well-known heroes in the other world who outclass them by a huge margin. Bandits? Please. Besides, let's not forget a certain red dragon who has her eyes on the restaurant and anything and everything that happens to it and the inhabitants. Whoever or whatever will even think of starting an attack of any kind in the restaurant will get more than just a beating from the warriors dining in the restaurant to another world.
Nekoya's door opened, and a young male adult walked in, equipped in hunting gear. Walking by his side was a black and white long-furred dog.
"Ah. Welcome to Nekoya," Tomoe greeted.
"Nekoya?" the hunter repeated in a questioned tone, as he looked around the place. None of the customers minded him much, as it was normal for newcomers to pass through the door from time to time. Nekoya's door has its way of making appearances in various areas in their world after all, even now.
"Yes. This is a restaurant, as you can see. A place where you eat," Tomoe explained further, knowing that people of the other world aren't quite familiar with the word 'restaurant' as they do to 'pub' and 'eatery'. The woman took notice of his sitting companion and knelt down to it. "And who's this handsome fella?" she asked, petting the dog.
Daiki looked out from the counter and noticed the sitting, four-legged beast in his restaurant. While normally pets weren't allowed in restaurant, he suppose he could make an exception for other worlders, especially first-timers, so long as their pets can behave. "That dog of yours better not cause any trouble if you wish to eat here," he warned.
"Best listen to the guy. My old man is the master of this joint," Makoto advised.
The hunter knew better than to argue with a chef, especially if he owns the pub. Besides, he was hungry. And he knew his hunting dog was, too.
"Right this way," Tomoe said, leading the man and his pet to a table.
As they walked, the dog couldn't help but notice the carriage on the other side of the room. As they got to a table, Tomoe asked his owner what he would like to eat and drink and if they can get anything for the dog. While the hunter was making the order, the dog approached the carriage.
As a hunting dog, he had a keen sense of hearing and smell. In fact, he was practically raised and trained to hunt, especially with Mashira, his human and partner for the past several years. During his time with this human, he had met plenty of monsters he hunted down with him, met plenty of other adult humans, both good and bad. But this scent he was smelling... this was not a scent he was familiar with.
The dog reached the carriage and saw a little bundle inside. It had a human scent, but it was quite an odd one. It was also quite small for a human, about the size of a puppy dog. The hunting dog had seen human pups, or what they call 'children', but even so, this pup is quite small.
The dog inched closer to the little thing's face, sniffing its scent. The action awoke the baby, as she slowly opened her eyes, and saw a dog so close to her. The mutt himself noticed the little pup waking up and managed to distance himself a little.
Nikola stared at the big dog looking at her, slightly in fright, as she let out a few small cries. The sound worried the dog, who only heard such sound from humans if they were really sad. He wasn't used to human pups, and has no idea how to deal with the situation. Heck, he didn't know how to deal with pups. The hunting dog let out some anxious whimpers, unsure of what to do in the situation.
The sound alerted the customers and Tomoe, especially the mother, as she rushed over to the carriage. Gently pushing the dog away, she picked her baby up. "What's wrong, Nikola?" she asked, rocking her child to calm her down.
"You have a baby here?" Mashira asked.
"Well, of course," Tatsugorou answered for the parents. "She's the heiress to the restaurant to another world, after all."
"More than that, we're all like family to the child," Altorius added. "Her presence here is like a gift from the many gods of this world and ours."
"Well, for most of us, that is," Lilliputian chief added on to that, taking a bite of his chocolate syrup-covered pancake.
"I see," Mashira nodded, approaching the now-relaxed child and her mother. "Well, I admit. I've been to many pubs, but never one with a kid in it. It'd be a nice change of pace." He waved his finger in front of Nikola's face, causing the girl's eyes to follow it as the baby playfully reached out to grab it. "Looking at her up close, she is quite adorable."
"Yes, isn't she?" Tomoe agreed.
Watching his human partner look at the child with a soft smile on his face, his hunting dog walked around the two standing humans, wondering what was so fun about the smaller human in a bundle. Tomoe noticed this restless act and knelt down to the dog. "You want to properly meet my daughter? Okay. Not too close, boy."
The dog stared at the baby once more, the latter who stared right back at him. Rather than showing fear like before, Nikola calmly stared at the dog, as he slowly approached and sniffed the little girl.
"That mutt isn't going to last," Lionel said. "If Nikola doesn't smile around us, there is no way a-" The lion demon was interrupted by the sound of happy cries from Nikola, causing all the customers to turn and see the baby girl happily reaching out to the dog, laughing and giggling. The action got Mashira's dog excited as well, as he jumped a little here and there, tail wagging and letting out some joyful barks.
This sight brought a more joyful expressions on everyone's faces, especially Nikola's parents, both whom were in great aww. The only ones not sharing such expressions... were Lionel and Gerupa.
"Why?! We've been trying so hard to get her to smile, and yet that new dog comes in and brought the smiles out instantly?!" the demon of the pair questioned, tears trailing down his face.
"Well, dogs are actually quite common in this world," Daiki informed.
Thankfully the outburst didn't scare Nikola as it normally would, for the baby was so focused on the dog in front of her, as he did to her. The hunting dog sniffed and nudged her in the stomach or face area, tickling the little happy baby as she tried to push him away. The sight of a baby playing with a dog was just so precious to everyone, they completely forgot about their meals and were just enjoying the sight before them. Well, almost all of them of course.
Later, after enjoying something the chef made called a 'braised pork' and his son made some grilled chicken for his dog, Mashira left Nekoya and found himself back in the woods where he found the door. Looking to the said magical object, he saw the it had disappeared, but recalled what Tomoe told him as he left.
"Once every seven days, she said," he muttered to himself. "Well, I would love to have that 'braised pork' dish again. What says you, Buddy?"
Buddy, his loyal dog and partner, let out a joyful bark at the thought. While he did love the chicken dish the sous chef made, he was more looking forward to seeing the human child, like most other customers of Nekoya. He had a lot of fun playing with the girl, and he enjoyed hearing the happy sounds she was making. Plus, after sniffing her scent, he found it calming. As he was always trained to hunt and had done nothing but hunt with Mashira, he didn't know what it was like to have fun with a child. Thanks to Nikola, he now knew the joy.
"I'm thinking about taking up a student at some point. What do you think?" Mashira asked Buddy.
The thought of Mashira having a kid of his own got Buddy excited. After having so much fun with that one child, he would be ecstatic if Mashira took in a kid of his own for Buddy to play with.
The hunter saw how fast Buddy was wagging his tail and got the message. "Well. Guess I better look into an orphanage and see the kids they got. Maybe even introduce the kid to Nikola when they both come of age."
"Woof, woof!" Buddy barked in agreement.