A soul gone, with memories left behind
A/N Hello again, happy to see everyone who's stuck around for another chapter 3 this chapter will probably be a lot longer than the last one as I want it to be kinda serious. As usual, if you have any feedback (good or bad) please leave a review and feel free to follow/favourite if you're enjoying the story so far. This chapter will continue right where the first one left off, so go back and read the last few paragraphs in case you've forgotten where we were;-;
"D-dad?!" Sõma had been expecting to see Fumio-san running around the dorm chasing a few mice, but hadn't been expecting to see his father, Chef Dojima and Senzaemon, Erina's grandfather, standing further down the hall. "Why'd you always turn up without giving any notice," Sõma muttered with a hint of annoyance mixed in his words as he looked up at the former 2nd seat.
"Come on in son, just take a seat first," Joichiro moved to the side as Sõma walked inside hesitantly, noticing some other Totsuki alumni sitting further inside the building. He could also see smoke coming from the kitchen, and heard some oddly familiar voices coming from inside. "After all, from your speech it would seem we have much to discuss," he said with a grin. While Sõma had a famous smile, nothing could beat the original, and the knowing tone his father was using was really getting on the boy's nerves.
"Shut UP old man, how do you even know what happened in there?" Sõma was pissed off to say the least; after all, he had wanted to talk to his dad after talking about his problems with Tadokoro and getting to think about everything first.
"Come on son, Senzaemon-dono needed to know what was going on during the assembly, considering it was Erina-chan's first appearance in front of students as the new headmistress."
He couldn't place it, but something was annoying Sõma. A lot. Whether it was the fact that his father had turned up out of the blue, or that his old man was giving him a look saying I know something that you don't or the weird way his father emphasised Nakiri's name; he didn't know, but Sõma was irritated.
"Why are so many people here though?" Sõma had begun to walk towards the kitchen, passing a silent greeting to Senzaemon and Dojima as he passed them in the hallway. "Don't you guys have work or have you decided to lay back now that I'm the new first seat?" even though he was annoyed, Sõma couldn't help but poke some fun at his dad. They may have some serious interactions, but their relationship was very friendly and nothing could change that.
"Well Sõma-kun, we figured since you've now been crowned the 1st seat we should have a little celebration, no? After all, a lot of chefs have been watching you since you joined last year, and climbing to the 1st seat at the end of your first year at Totsuki is no small feat," Dojima had begun to walk over to Sõma and Joichiro with Senzaemon, and was now looking at the young redhead.
"Come on senpai, don't make it seem like more than it was," Sõma had moved his hands behind his head and was rubbing his neck sheepishly. "I had to make sure my friends didn't get expelled, and besides until I beat my old man, I don't care what else I achieve. Well, that and getting Nakiri to finally admit my food is delicious." Although beating his father had been his goal ever since he had started cooking, impressing Erina had somehow become just as important to him, although he had no clue why.
Come to think of it, she's been on my mind a lot lately. Although, she was the main person who helped us beat Central, so it's probably just that. Sõma was hoping to get an answer to all these confusing answers from his father later on.
"Well, seems like Erina-chan really is important to you eh, Sõma?" Joichiro began to ruffle his son's hair as he looked over to Senzaemon with a twinkle in his eyes. "Seems like he's getting closer and closer to beating me, eh?"
"Wh-what do you mean important? She's just a friend old man! And stop messing up my hair for god's sake," and he was back to being annoyed. His dad really knew how to push his buttons. "Besides, how is she related to me getting nearly as good as you?" Although his dad had been annoying him, Sõma had still listened carefully to what the older man had said, and he was confused to say the least.
"Well, that's what we're all here to talk to you about Sõma-kun. But, all in good time son. For now, let's all just head inside and enjoy a night of cooking, TOTSUKI STYLE!" Senzaemon had proceeded to rip his robes off in customary Nakiri fashion at the beautiful smell coming from the kitchen, which Sõma had picked up on earlier. Sõma watched on with an amused look on his face as Dojima's shirt were also removed through the infamous 'Gifting' power.
Must be some really good food cooking inside. I wonder who the chef is? This smell's getting me fired up for a Shoukugeki though! As one to never back down from a challenge, witnessing the Gifting power in full effect had riled Sõma up, even though he had been meaning to talk to his father just a few minutes prior.
Just as the small group had begun to advance towards the kitchen, the other Polar Star members along with their usual group of friends came through the door. Sõma turned around in surprise, a smile swiftly settling on his face as he watched his best friends going about their usual antics.
"Hey S- Sõma-kun."
"Yukihira, today is the day I will FINALLY beat you. Your first seat is mine for the taking!"
"Yo Marui, hope your room's ready for another PARTY!"
As his friends continued on with their normal bickering, Sõma couldn't help but notice someone was missing. Looking over the group again, his suspicions were confirmed as he noted the lack of a certain blonde-haired princess.
Huh, Hisako and Alice are both here, where the hell did she go? Sõma found himself confused at his very frequent thoughts about her, but again blamed them on the fact that she was a new friend. After all, I think about Tadokoro a lot, and she's just my friend. Then again, I can't help but be slightly worried. Maybe I'll talk to Hisako later when she's alone. Satisfied with his plan, Sõma turned back round to the elders he had been conversing with before, as they led him into the kitchen, friends following closely behind them to the source of the beautiful smell. As they walked eagerly inside, their imaginations about the food were interrupted by a very irritated French voice.
"Hinako, would you STOP being such a clutz!"
"Fuyumi-chan SAAAAAAAAAAAVE ME!"
The shocked looks on everyone's faces were quickly replaced with shaking of heads and grins. The tall redhead was angrily pushing the younger chef away from the dish laid out before him, and everyone burst into laughter when Hinako started grabbing the older bluenette by her hair in an attempt to get away from Shinomiya. It seemed a Shoukugeki had taken place in the students' absence, and the French cuisine master seemed to have won judging by the smug look painted across his face, hints of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Master, I didn't expect to see you here!" Sõma was ecstatic that his senpai/teacher had come to visit the dorm, and knew that he could learn even more about French cuisine from the older redhead. Plus, he was excited to challenge the chef again, seeing as he was now the First Seat of the academy and wanted to prove himself yet again to the older man. "How is the Tokyo restaurant doing?"
"Ah, Yukihira. I must say, when I beat you and shrimp over here," Shinomiya gestured to Tadokoro who had been in deep conversation with Hinako about their latest dishes, "I didn't expect you'd end up becoming the First Seat. Guess the skill of the academy's chefs really has gone down over the years, eh?" Poking fun at the younger chef had always amused Shinomiya, however Sõma responded swiftly and surprisingly confidently.
"Master, if that's the case, how about another Shoukugeki? I may have lost last time, but I think I stand a fair chance against you now after the Regiment de Cuisine." He flashed a grin at the older chef, causing a vein to visibly pop near the other man's forehead. "What happened Master, scared you've already been surpassed?" Sõma unwrapped the bandanna from his wrist and tied it around his head, ready to take on the older chef in a battle he had been preparing for for a long time.
"Don't get cocky now Yukihira, no matter what position in the Elite Ten you hold I shall always be able to present better food than you." Shaking his head slightly, Shinomiya scolded himself for getting so easily worked up at the younger redhead's words.
"Well Shinomiya, as much as I believe this will be a one sided battle, I still think Sõma-kun here deserves a rematch from all that time ago. It's nearly been a year after all since the Training Camp, I'm sure he's improved." Dojima smiled down at the 1st seat, belief in his eyes similar to what he had during the camp when Sõma had first challenged the Totsuki alumnus. "Well, considering the number of people we have here, I think we should have an equal number of judges for each match, no? Considering this Shoukugeki is between the current and former 1st seats, Senzaemon-dono can choose the judges for this match."
Confused at the older man's words, Sõma looked around the kitchen to see small groups scattered around the various cooking stations. Whether between students, or between student and alumnus, everyone seemed to have gotten involved in their own Shoukugekis, and Sõma was getting even more fired up.
"Don't go easy on me, Master. I've been preparing a new dish ever since the Stagiaire to show you how much I've improved!" Megumi felt a chill run down her spine after hearing this, recalling all the disgusting dishes Sõma had made her try over the last few months in an attempt to better understand different cuisines. Although she had to admit, the final product of all his experimenting had been nothing short of delicious.
"Well, seeing as the judges have been decided for each match, let the Shoukugekis BEGIN!"
"You put up quite the fight, kiddo." Joichiro looked at his tired son with nothing but pride in his eyes. He poked a lot of fun at the boy, and Joichiro knew there were many times when he could've been a better father. And yet, seeing Sõma give his all to cooking like Joichiro himself had many years ago, his mind couldn't help but wander to Sõma's mother, the love of Joichiro's life, and a beautiful woman who had left the world too early.
Walking like this, with his son's head resting on his shoulder, Joichiro could almost see his wife in him. His looks, his drive, his talent; Joichiro was so thankful to her. It wasn't like him to reminisce, but he let his thoughts roam freely as he stared at the Polar Star gardens the two had been walking through. Hey Akiko, you think I did a good job? Of raising our son, teaching him how to cook, how to love, how to do everything you showed me how to do? He looks exactly like you. Acts the same as you used to as well. He's so stubborn and resilient I worry sometimes, but I know there's nothing to worry about. I know you'll look after him, like you did for me.
Sõma, on the other hand, was completely knackered. After losing yet again to Shinomiya, Sõma had been challenged by all the other alumni present as well as his father, and the long string of defeats had left him completely drained by the end of the night. He knew the party was still going strong inside, thanks almost solely to Ryoko's trusty rice juice, but he had wanted to spend some time alone with his father.
Thinking back, Sõma realised that he and his father hadn't spent much time together (except while cooking) since his mother had passed away. Because of how busy Sõma had been with trying to defeat Central over the past few weeks, he hadn't had much time to think about his mum, but he felt his mind wandering to the framed family photo on the main wall of the Yukihira restaurant. It was an old photo, and hadn't been taken on the best camera, but it was a photo Sõma had almost ingrained in his memory. The bright smile on both of his parents' faces as they looked lovingly at the child they were holding between them, and the newly renovated Yukihira restaurant in the background.
The photo had always been important to his father, and Sõma had often caught glimpses of his dad looking at the photo on the wall for a few minutes during his daily routine. As such, it had become natural for Sõma to do so as well, and now the photo was something Sõma made sure to look at every time he visited the old restaurant. Thinking about his mother, Sõma realised how similar she looked to one of his friends. Stopping in the middle of the path, Joichiro turned around to face his son.
"All good Sõma? Don't tell me those Shoukugeki losses have gotten you down?"
"Nah dad, it's not that. I just realised, Nakiri looks really similar to mum don't you think?" He had no clue what had compelled him to say his thought out loud, and Sõma tensed his face, preparing for his dad to poke fun at him as usual. However, looking up Sõma saw Joichiro looking up towards the stars, and Sõma couldn't help but think back to the train journey where Sõma had said the stars looked like salmon roe.
Man, I really can't stop thinking about her, can I? I really need to get some advice from dad about what's going on with me lately.
After looking at the sky for a few moments, Joichiro said, "You been thinking about her too, eh?" Sõma noticed how his dad's voice sounded almost ten times softer than before, as he had come to notice every time they talked about his mother.
"Yeah, I mean it'll be 10 years this year, huh? You think she'd be proud of me, dad?" Sõma had felt some tears start to surface as they started talking about his mum, a topic the two hadn't discussed for at least a few years now. But he knew that this conversation was important, so he wiped away the droplets forming near his eyes as he waited for his dad to respond.
"Really has been a while, hasn't it? You know, she wouldn't just be proud of you." Joichiro had started to walk towards his son, as he poured out all the sorrow and regret and guilt in his heart in one sentence. "She'd be the proudest mum of them all, Sõma."
While Sõma had planned to not cry, hearing these words from his dad, his idol, broke the dam. He slowly walked towards his father, tears beginning to stream down both men's cheeks as Sõma nearly collapsed onto his dad's form, long withheld tears flowing as father and son comforted each other in a loving hug. While the two weren't particularly in favour of physical contact in their relationship, they found that this topic always brought them together, Sõma's mother's attributes impacting them even ten years after her passing.
A/N Aaaaaand cut. i was planning to cut the chapter before mentioning Sõma's mum, but I felt like this chapter needed some emotion or it would've just been a party chapter which isn't really what I'm looking to write for this fic. Rest assured, Sõma's mum will be covered next chapter, as well as the long-awaited talk about Erina and Sõma's feelings. Next chapter will also feature Erina, I'm soooooo sorry she wasn't in this chapter but I have something planned for her character which I think you guys will enjoy. Anyways, as usual feel free to leave any feedback (I know this is repeated but feedback helps me survive :p next chapter can be expected to be up by the end of the week, and I think it'll be going past 4k words so BE PREPARED anyways, see you guys next time 3