Author's Note:

I'm so sorry that it took soloing, school is eating up my soul.

But I want to thank everyone for their kind reviews and all the support. It means a ton to me, a ton.

Before we dive in, note that there has been a little change: Hiraku is now the fourth seat. You see, I formerly made him the ninth seat since that's very impressive from first-year standards. But I completely forgotten that he is a second year in these terms...So well, he is the fourth seat now and just recently snatched the fourth seat from a third year. Alright, then...let's finally get into it

With an exhausted sigh Ikumi Aldini fell on the velvet silk that were her bedsheets while making sure to keep her feet with the freshly painted nails up in the air.

It was almost night time already and most of the alumni had retired to their rooms as their task for the day was over.
Ikumi and Takumi Aldini were no exception.
However, they still had plans for tonight.

"They'll be here soon, no?" Ikumi voiced without looking at the person the question was directed at.
"Most likely." The warm voice of her husband replied. "I don't think they will take that long for the challenge and will be off to the baths pretty fast. They'll get going afterwards."

Ikumi hummed. "Hm, you're right. Those kids are really talented after all." She chuckled. "It kind off goes without saying, considering how the 115th Generation holds the most offsprings of the infamous Jewel Generation."

Every former Elite 10 member of the 92nd Generation has a child in the 115th Generation present, Ikumi mused. Well except for...

Ikumi let out a sigh.

It's been more than twenty years and still that one specific thought popped up in her mind here and there.

Where could they be?

The Eleventh Plate - A relaxing and not so relaxing time

Chieko Marui was, as ever so often, not happy.

What? No she did not get expelled. In the end she had managed to get the 50 servings sooner than most students despite all her whining around in-between.

No, her current problem was the situation she was in right now.

After clearing the challenge, students rushed into the hot springs of Tootsuki Resort. So did Chieko.

And now here she was, sitting in the warm, soothing water of the girl baths, hoping that it would heal her exhausted bones properly.
In front of her though were two of the admittedly most stunning girls that the 115th Generation had to offer gaining envious looks from all side.

On the right side we have the mysterious transfer student Kimiko Yukihira, who just recently was revealed to be the little sister of the school's prince Hiraku Yukihira, a boy many, many girls swooned for. Her hair was honey-blonde and her eyes were gold. She always wore a smile on her face, which gave her natural charm.

On the left side we have the girl many guys would kill for to date. The quarter-Italian Mika Aldini. Her tanned skin gave the blonde this exotic vibe and her blue eyes made one think of the sparkling ocean. In addition she had beautiful, full lips that could carry one of the most charming smirks out there.

Not to mention, both were rather well-developed already.

And in-between was Chieko Marui. In her mind, the textbook example for nerdy and plain. She was sure she looked like a child in comparison to her two female dormmates.

Mika and Kimiko did not take any note of Chieko's A-Cup Angst or the glares from some of the other girls. They were just chatting.

"Anyways, Mika-chan, I have to say you really impressed me today!" Kimiko announced in her usual jolly demeanour. "Not only was it really creative but it also looked delicious!"

Mika's ocean-blue eyes narrowed before she gave a rather haughty chuckle. "You're talking to one of the top students of the 115th Generation after all." A smirk found it's way in her round lips. "I hope that doesn't discourage you to face off against me, Yukihira."

Kimiko blinked before confidently grinning. "Don't worry about that. It's the opposite to be exact, I am just more fired up!"

"Well, you two have certainly become good friends on this day." Chieko suddenly chimed in.
Both girls turned to face the small third party-member.
"Wha...What are you talking about?!" Mika stuttered while Kimiko broke into happy laughter. "I guess you could say so!" "Yukihira!"

Chieko raised her index finger, another typical move of her's next to pushing her glasses up her nose. "I mean it's no wonder you two get along. You have quite a lot in common."

Kimiko tilted her head. "You think so?"
Chieko nodded three times. "You both certainly love to show off and you two are also very confident in your skills. The most apparent similarity though is that you two probably have the most experience with working in an actual restaurant. Most in this school can't say that about themselves. Some like Tadokoro, Yasu and me only helped out here and there. But most never stood in an actual restaurant kitchen before and just trained without learning about serving. But you two truly worked in kitchen from a very young age on. That is certainly something that sets you two a part from the rest and also gives you a great advantage. Mainly for the Stagiares."

Mika shrugged. "My dad always said that this was the best way to learn cooking. My mom was against it first but dad convinced her at some point."

Kimiko swung around causing a lot of splashs. "About that...You're the heiress of the Trattoria Aldini aren't you?"
Mika backed away a little in surprise about Kimiko's sudden action. Then she frowned. "...Yeah. What about it?"

"My parents took me to one of it's restaurants in Tokyo a while back. I remember that it was absolutely delicious!" Kimiko excitedly explained.

A small blush crept on Mika's tanned lips. "Of...of course it is." She then said. She turned her head away for a small minute. Then she remembered something and quickly turned back. "Oh by the way, my parents want us to come over after we're finished bathing."

"Really?" Chieko and Kimiko now exclaimed simultaneously. "How nice!" Chieko then smiled, while Kimiko agreed. "Certainly! I have to say, I am excited to meet your parents Mika-Chan."
Chieko turned to the honey-blonde and assured. "I'm sure you'll like them. They visited us a few times already and are always a lot of fun. And I am convinced they'll like you too, considering how close you are to Mika-cchi!"

"Chieko-Chan!"

Not only the Polar Star Girls were excited about the meeting with the Meat General and the chief of The infamous Trattoria Aldini.
The boys were two.

They have learned the good message from the nephew of the two inviters, Hiroshi Aldini-Tadokoro.

The two groups met up at Chieko Marui's room after finishing their baths and only waited for Yasu who went back to his room to get a bottle of the priced sake that his mother's fermentation business produced as a gift for the two.
The polite young boy had also worried to maybe dress into something a little more finer, but Mika assured him that the Yukatas would be alright.

And a few minutes later they had left Chieko's room and moved into the upper part of the gigantic hotel building were the alumni's rooms were stationed.

Kimiko was almost a little afraid of all the pomp and luxury that would await her in the suite of Mika's parents. She already found her own room as way too decadent for her liking.

"Alright then!" Mika announced as they arrived at the door. "Here we are."

"Yeah!" Exclaimed Hideyoshi and fistbumped the air.
Daisuke responded with holding his index finger over his mouth. "Shush! There are others in here too after all!" To underline his statement he took a worried look around in fear someone might crash through one of the many doors the very next second and shout: "Quiet!"
"Oh shut up!" Was Hideyoshi's response and before Daisuke could throw an insult back, Chieko interfered. "If you start arguing now, you'll truly disturb everyone!"
Megane-cchi on her shoulder chirped, almost approvingly.

Mika only shook her head and finally raised her hand to knock.
"Mama! Papa! We're here!" She loudly announced in-between the knocks.

Hideyoshi crossed his arms. "Well look who's the loud one now!"

Mika certainly didn't mind this comment or Daisuke's worried look that was now directed at her, she was just about to start a second round but luckily for Daisuke the door opened the next second and revealed an adult blonde man with blue eyes and a bright smile.

"Principessa!" He exclaimed, almost shining as brightly as the sun itself. And the very next second, Mika was being pressed against his chest and in his arms.

Kimiko looked at Hiroshi. "Principessa?" Hiroshi smiled back at her. "Uncle Takumi uses many Italian nicknames for Itoko-chan, but 'princess' has always been his favorite!" Kimiko only gave a nod back.

A blonde woman appeared next to Takumi. She had a warm grin on her face and said. "Honey, you're squeezing the air out of her lungs that way. You just saw her this morning."
And so Takumi finally let go of his daughter, whose head was cherry red of embarrassment.
"Good evening, Mika. I hope you had a nice day, dear."
"Buenasera, Mama and Papa." Answered Mika.

"Buenasera, Uncle and Aunt!" Exclaimed Hiroshi and walked forward to greet them.
They both simultaneously greeted him back and asked him how his day was.
And just after Hiroshi had answered this question he was already pulled into the hotel room by Mika.

Takumi and Ikumi did not mind, they still had other people to greet.
"Hey, Ikumi-san!" Said Hideyoshi and Daisuke in Perfect unison, which lead to them glaring at each other the very next second.
Ikumi only laughed. "And so we meet again." Takumi gave he a confused look at that. She turned to him and explained. "I examined them today." Her green eyes turned back to the two. "Aside from the fact that they nearly started a food fight, their work was fairly good."
And once again, Daisuke and Hideyoshi spoke in unison. "It was his fault!"
Takumi chuckled. "Good Day to you two as well."

Actually Chieko and Yasu were up next but as Takumi turned his attention to them, his eyes also found Kimiko Yukihira.

And he froze.

It was as if all life went out of him for a quick second. And he was just staring.

Kimiko felt slightly uncomfortable and tilted her head. Chieko and Yasu looked first at Kimiko, then at Takumi and at last to each other.

Ikumi appeared next to Takumi, wondering why he turned so silent out of the blue. But then her eyes found Kimiko as well. And she fell just as silent.

After more moments of awkward silence, Kimiko decided to just raise her hand. "Uhm...Good evening, Aldini Takumi and Ikumi. Thanks for the invitation. My name is Yukihira Kimiko, it's a pleasure to meet you."

But saying her name only seemed to make things worse as now all colour went out of Ikumi's and Takumi's faces as well.
The silence that stretched itself was unbearable and Kimiko almost wanted to turn around and run away so she could escape it.

Yasu cleared his throat. And luckily that made Ikumi and Takumi snap out of their trance as they turned to him.
"Yukihira just transferred into the school. She's a new member of Polar Star." Yasu explained and Chieko added. "She cleared the entrance test at her first try! She's very talented."
Ikumi and Takumi exchanged one last look, before Ikumi shook herself and said. "Ah- Yes- Of course...! I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me just now...Good evening, Yasu-Kun and Chieko-chan. Oh is that rice juice?"
Yasu nodded and gave Ikumi a small but warm smile. "It is."

"The same goes for me." Sighed Takumi. "Hello, you two."
He then turned back to Kimiko with an apologising look on his face. "Yukihira Kimiko, I am truly sorry for making you feel uncomfortable." He smiled and looking at said smile was making Kimiko feel a lot warmer out of the sudden. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Same goes for me." Added Ikumi, who also smiled at the girl.

Kimiko, not feeling unwelcome or uncomfortable anymore, mimicked their expression and softly laughed. "Please call me Kimiko."

Despite the rocky start, it turned out to be a wonderful evening.

They all sat together on the floor, enjoyed the cookies and tarts that the couple had provided for them and chattered about many different topics.

Hideyoshi bragged about himself, Daisuke was sharing a few rather embarrassing childhood stories of Hideyoshi, Yasu explained how he did not look forward to summer because of the heat, Chieko ended in a political monologue, Hiroshi told a few fishermen stories and Mika swooned about her home in Italy.
Soon the three Aldini-Blondes told the others about their Trattoria at home and many funny, strange or straight out unbelievable scenarios that happened there already.

"No way!" Exclaimed Kimiko, who slowly but surely had become more on ease in this social situation.
Ikumi laughed. "By my butcher knife, it's true! She stood up after her meal and began to sing."
"And since she was an opera star you can imagine that it was brilliant!" Added Takumi.
"It surely must have added greatly to the atmosphere." Commented Chieko. "Hearing a great opera while having the natural beauty of Tuscany around you."

Kimiko tapped her chin. "That reminds me of that one time, Hiraku had this one song stuck in his head..."
Mika leaned a little forward as soon as her ears heard the name "Hiraku". Her father next to her however, tilted his head. "Hiraku?"

"Her older brother." Whispered Hiroshi to his uncle while Kimiko continued talking with a few laughters in-between. "It was a terrible ear worm. And he hummed it the entire time. Even while serving customers! At some point we all hummed it together. Till the humming became singing! It was a lot of fun!" To underline the last statement, she giggled.

"Serving customers..." Repeated Takumi. "Kimiko-san, allow me this question but where are you actually from?"
The words just left his mouth and he already felt the green eyes of his wife burning on him. But he really couldn't resist.

Kimiko's golden eyes lighted up and she proudly announced: "From the best diner in all of Tokyo." Which resulted in a chuckle from Takumi before he asked. "How is it called?"

Surprisingly Mika spoke up. "Restaurant Yukihira, no? That's what was written on your cooking uniform."

Kimiko turned her head to the blonde with an taken a back expression, before eagerly nodding. "Exactly."

"Wow." Hideyoshi placed another cookie into his mouth. "So the rumours about Hiraku-sama being from a diner are true."
Daisuke looked at Kimiko. "Your Brother is a very mysterious personality to be honest."
Kimiko shrugged. "True. I mean half of the time I don't know either just what is going on in his head!"
She thought about their last encounter and gritted her teeth.
Yasu leaned forwards. "He basically just waltzed into Totsuki last year and committed wonder after wonder. The first shock was to saw him moving into the Nakiri Mansion, the next one him being related to the headmistress!"

Hideyoshi raised a finger and in the manner in which you tell a ghost tale at a campfire he said. "And don't forget about the greatest shocker..." A dramatic pause. "The 100 points in the Autumn Election Premlins!"

Ikumi and Takumi simultaneously turned their heads to look at Hideyoshi with big, round, unbelieving eyes. "...What?!" They questioned at the same time.
"Autumn Elections?" Asked Kimiko.

But Daisuke spoke up. "That truly was a shock! The entire hall had gone pale as the results popped up!" Hiroshi eagerly nodded while Mika was dreamingly staring off into space again next to him.

Chieko adjusted her glasses. "100 points are very extraordinary and only a micro amount of chefs have achieved this so far. Not even in the Jewel Generation there had been such a score, right?" She turned to the two alumni of the Jewel Generation for confirmation.
Ikumi frowned. "Correct. That is indeed something amazingly special to achieve." She looked at Kimiko. "Your Brother Must be very talented."

Kimiko sighed. "Yes, he is. My mother has a very refined taste sense you see, he inherited that."
Takumi and Ikumi exchanged a look, before Takumi said. "I'd like to meet him someday. In fact..." In that moment Kimiko saw one of the most warmest smiles she had ever seen spread on his face. "I'd like to visit your diner someday." He winked. "I've just got to check out the best diner in Tokyo."

Kimiko brightly grinned. "That would be awesome! You know...I think you would get along greatly with my parents! Both of you!"

Now Ikumi smiled as well. "You know, I've got a feeling that you're right at that.

I'm another room, not far away from where the Aldinis resided in, the lights were way more dim and an uncomfortable silence had spread within the room.

On the giant bed there sat Rui Kumai, emotionless as usually.
Behind her thick bangs, she watched how her husband, Shigemichi Kumai, walked uneasily through the room like a tiger in a cage.

"He's still in there." He muttered. "It's been hours now." He turned directly to Rui and asked. "Do you think his loss has really affected him that badly?"

Rui lifted her head a little and answered. "I don't know. Looks like it." She sighed bitterly. "It really was not a very pleasant loss."
Shigemichi grunted before announcing. "I'll look for him!"

And so he stopped in his walk to change the road and approach a door.
Opening it, lead him into a room that was even more badly lighted.
"Itsuki!" He called out into the pitch-black nothingness.

It answered. "Yes?"
Another sigh escaped Shigemichi. "Won't you finally come out? You haven't eaten anything."

Now it took a little for an answer. "...No, dad. I'm not hungry at the moment." "Anything Else we can-" A female voice found it's way into the father-son-conversation. "Don't worry about it, Shigemichi-san! Everything's alright." "Yeah dad, we'll be coming out soon. Promised."

For a little moment Shigemichi searched his head for more arguments to give but ultimately he gave in and said. "Alright! But don't take too long." And so the door was closed again.

Itsuki sighed in relief.
"You really don't want him to find out huh?" Asked the female voice. "No." Was the short-cut answer. "Your parents don't know either, so why should mine?"

The girl shrugged. "You usually tell them everything." She grinned. "You little mama's boy!"
Itsuki already opened his mouth to retort something, but was rudely interrupted by a sharp, unpleasant, loud jingle emerging from his mobile phone which at the same time lit up the dark room with it's glaring, cold light.

Itsuki's heart skipped a beat and he looked at the girl in front of him who mirrored his panic-filled expression.
"...It's time." She said in a tone that lacked all emotion.

With a shivering hand Itsuki took the phone into his hands.
But he couldn't bring himself to press the required button and ended up just staring at the violently, vibrating phone in horror.

The girl yelled. "Itsuki! Take the call!" As Itsuki remained a wax figure, she added. "He'll hang up after the third ring and that's the last thing you want! I know you are scared but not responding at all will only make things worse!"

In a moment of sheer panic, the girl ended pressing the button herself. One second later and it had been too late.

"Good evening, Kumai-kun." A voice on the other side greeted sweetly. Itsuki finally snapped out of his trance.
Still shivering he took the phone to his ear. "Go...Good evening, Boss." He stammered.

A chuckle. "Now what's with the nervous tone? There's absolutely to need for that here."
Itsuki cleared his throat and tried his best to sound convincingly calm. "...Yes."
"Now that's better!" The voice said. "I'm just calling to hear how Trainings Camp has gone for you so far. I've taken you under my wing after all, so I'm concerned!"

Sweat broke out. The girl took Itsuki's hand. "Well...it...it could have been better honestly, Boss."
"Huh?" Anyone could hear that the surprise in the voice was fake. "Now why would that be? You're a very talented chef aren't you?"

"Well...you...Uhm...you see...There was this girl..." "A girl?" "...the new one..." "New one?" "...She uhm just transferred here!"
Another fake surprise. "Oh, you wouldn't mean Yukihira Kimiko, no?"

Itsuki swallowed and the following "Yes, Yukihira Kimiko" was pretty much a whimper.

"So what happened? How did one transfer student manage to ruin your day?"
Itsuki was right in front of throwing up. His mouth was dry and his hand rubbed his leg uneasily. "She...She...She basically...defeated me."

Silence. A long, very tense silence in which Itsuki and the girl just stared at each other blankly.
"Defeated you?" The voice finally said. Another whimper. "...Yes."

"Hm...That's honestly very strange." The voice mused. "Because I can remember, and please correct me if I'm wrong, setting up a meeting one week before Trainings Camp started which you and Kusunoki attended. And on that meeting, again correct me if my memory is false on this, but on that meeting I remember to have said..." Suddenly the voice got intensely sharp. "That should any of you encounter Yukihira Kimiko you should pick a challenge with her and brutally defeat her."

Itsuki was this close to cry. "...You're Memory is not betraying you."
"Ah that's nice to hear, so then...if my memory's correct." And the voice became a knife again. "Then why have you been defeated by Yukihira Kimiko?"

Itsuki jumped off his bed. "Boss, she's insanely competent!" "Just as you should be!" The voice hissed. "My Information Source who has been on the same group as you, said that Mika Aldini had been able to be equal to her just fine. While you focused on blueberries!"

Itsuki squeaked. "Bo...Boss, I-!" "Kumai, Kusunoki is probably with you right now. So leave her this message from me. You have one job: defeat Yukihira's little sister. Should it happen the other way around one time again." The voice became so cold that even though it's source was miles away, Itsuki still felt how the temperature in the room sunk. "I'll forget my good manners. And believe me, Kumai, you do not want that."

A beep-beep finally took Itsuki out of the stressful situation as the voice hung up.

Itsuki threw the phone away as if it was poisonous and sunk back on his bed. There he immediately received a back-patting of the girl. "Shh...Shh...You've got the worse behind you." She said.

"The worst behind me?!" He cried out and looked at her. "Emi! This situation is absolutely hopeless! If anyone of us is going to cross paths with Yukihira again..." Emi blinked, a little confused, before she raised her fist. "We're going to defeat her, of course." "Emi..." Itsuki whispered solemnly. "...I really do not know why, but she's out of our league."

"Pfh..." Emi made a throw away hand gesture. "As if! This was just not your theme. But if Mika Aldini is even to her, why shouldn't we be?"

Itsuki sighed. "Emi...Believe me on this. It's the best for our well-being to not end up in the same group as Yukihira Kimiko."

It was the second day of Totsuki's Trainings Camp. As they had collected in the main hall earlier to view in which groups they would be today, Kimiko had noted that the number of students did shrunk.

She took a look at the papers that informed the students about their assigned group and found out that she would be examined by Miyano Akari today and made her way to the bus that would bring her to today's location.

Miyano Akari was a young woman with dark hair and warm, brown eyes. She wore the uniform for her restaurant "Magic" and had a friendly smile on her pink lips. "Good morning, everyone!" She greeted. "And congratulations for passing day one, hopefully day two will be a success as well! My name is Miyano Akari, owner of 'Magic' and I'll will be taking over your examination for today."

A few whispers emerged within the crowd. "She seems nice." "Reminds me a little on Enomoto-sensei."

Miyano clapped her hands together. "Today we'll be practicing a little teamwork." She announced. "Please form a group of three."
And the students just wanted to do that, but then she added in a sugar-sweet tone. "We sadly don't have the entire day for us and you must be fast in the kitchen after all. You'll get two minutes to find your partners. Should you be unable to do so in this amount of time, you'll be expelled."

And with that alone the atmosphere in the kitchen had completely shifted. Panic had filled the students as they hastily looked around trying desperately to find eye contact.
Kimiko was one of them. "Damn, damn, damn, damn.." Was a tantrum that went on in her head while she looked around in slight panic. She was the new one after all, none of her dormmates were here.
She did not dare to look at the clock.

And just as she was about to forget her pride and desperately call out: "Someone please!", a strong hand suddenly gripped her shoulder and pulled her backwards. And right after that the clap in the front was heard.

A few duos stood around as well as a few lonely persons. Miyano stood up and stated. "Anyone who did not find partners can go."

Meanwhile Kimiko swung around, just to take a small step backwards as she saw into the blood red eye of a muscular giant, smiling down at her in a rather eery manner. The other eye was covered by the smooth jet-black hair. "Hi!" He said with this way too wide smile. "Who...Who are you...?" Stammered Kimiko, who couldn't help but to feel intimidated.
"He's your partner for this task, he just saved your life on Totsuki." Another voice suddenly said, a voice that was rather familiar to Kimiko and she turned her head to see who was standing next to the giant. And she saw a purple-haired dwarf!
"Hojo!" She exclaimed at the sight of her former Shokugeki opponent. "Yo..." He retorted, not sounding all too enthusiastic.

"I'm sorry for grabbing you so fiercely and out of the sudden but you see, I couldn't possibly let a friend of Mika-chan be expelled." The giant said. "Also..." He looked at Takayuki. "Takayuki-kun forgot to tell you that you saved our Totsuki-life as well." While Takayuki hissed "Oh come on", the giant looked to the ground. "No one would have ever wanted to work with us."

"Oh...Oh! So that's how it is!" Said Kimiko. "Well, I am glad you saved me honestly. I'm Yukihira Kimiko."
The giant lifted his head very abruptly and eagerly exclaimed. "I know!" Which made Kimiko jump a little.

Takayuki sighed. "Oh yeah. Yukihira, this is Totsuki's very own shadow man: Mimasaka Kazuo." "It's my pleasure." Kazuo smiled at her. "Likewise." Kimiko replied with a nod, genuinely relieved about having passed the first challenge.

In front, Miyano spoke again. "So today's task will be a three-course menu. Soup, Main Dish and Dessert. Each person in the team will take over one field!" She lifted her index finger. "The most important aspect will be the harmony of the three dishes which has to be given, despite the fact that...Each and every course has to be a different cuisine field!"

"What!" One student roared out. "We shall create harmony while not being allowed to stick to one particular cuisine?"

Miyano just smiled at him. "Exactly. Thanks for the sum up. Now then." She clapped again and sat down. "You're free to start."

In just a second the kitchen suddenly got extremely noisy as the different teams turned to each other to set up their plan for this challenge. For some it was easy. For most, it was not.

Kimiko's team was one of the one's that had a few troubles as all three chefs turned to each other and said at the same tine. "I'll be taking over the main dish!"

They all looked puzzled at each other. But before any of them could say another word, another voice suddenly interjected. "Yukihira Kimiko!"

Kimiko turned in wonderment and saw a orange-haired girl with purple eyes in front of her, grinning confidently. She spotted a timid brown-haired girl next to her as well as Itsuki Kumai, who looked surprisingly uneasy.

"What do you want, huh?" Kimiko heard Takayuki barking behind her.

"Calm your balls, Hojo." Smirked the girl. "I'm just going to do what you failed to do." "EX-FUCKING-CUSE ME?!"

She ignored him and just looked directly at Kimiko. "Yukihira Kimiko, my name is Kusunoki Emi!" Her grin got wider. "And I'll destroy you!"