Title: Sweet and Spice
Rating: T (language warning)
DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Shokugeki no Soma belongs to Yato Tsukuda and Shun Saeki. Two respected mangaka! I do not own the characters in any way nor the story plot. Only the idea of this fanfiction!
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: I want to thank those who read and reviewed in the last chapter. Things are going to start progressing now, so thank you for being patient. Here is a birthday update for everyone! Enjoy!
Chapter 05: Wild Fires
Cautiously drawing down the blinds to sneak a peek of the students walking about, Chapelle's eyes narrowed at the sight of the brochures in hand. "It's that time of the year again." He spoke, giving the room once again its darkness. Turning around to face the other chef instructors in the room, he sighed. "Did they agree to participate this year?"
"It's been confirmed by the Elite Ten." One of the chefs spoke.
Nodding back, Chapelle's eyes lowered to the teacher's brochure of the upcoming camp.
Hell was about to flare once again.
Staring at the brochure in Souma's hands, both Kagome and the said boy blinked at the same time as they read the cover. From what they read, it seemed like a regular camp site to make new friends, play games, and make memories all while improving their skills as chefs. So…
"Why are you all shaking like baby deer?" Kagome blinked again seeing the other first years in the dorm frozen at the sight of the brochure. The second Fumio brought the individual invitations, everyone had stilled and stared at the envelope. No one opened it until they came inside the dining room. "It's just a camp, right?"
"It says 'Camp Training'." Souma added, flipping through the pages. It seemed harmful, and by the look of the pictures presented inside, it looked like a luxurious vacation.
"The time has finally come." Yoshino exhaled, feeling her whole soul almost puffing out. "I am surprised the two of you are so calm…"
"Why?" Souma questioned, turning to the female. "What is it?"
Coming forth, Sakaki had a feeling the two transfer students had no prior knowledge of the camp that awaited them. It was to be expected, especially while witnessing their calm expressions. "You two had something like this in elementary school and middle school, didn't you? It's like a camp where we all go and stay for a couple nights."
"So like field trips." Kagome spoke. Although it was a weird way to set up a camp out with classmates. How would they incorporate culinary skills into a camp that was about having fun and getting to know your class? Sensing the uncontrollable aura of another person next to her, the miko turned to see Megumi's attention having flown out the window. "Eh?" She blinked. "Megumi-chan?"
Marui sighed under his breath as he read through his own brochure. The fact the two had no idea what the camp's true objective was, was the most terrifying thing. Only a naïve student would go into the camp and think it was about camp fire and taking courage tests in a cave. "This camp represents the first circle of hell for new high school students."
Souma's and Kagome's eyes – glued on Marui – narrowed upon hearing his words. Hell?
"All first-years," Yoshino scratched the back of her head, "will be tasked with grueling cooking projects every day in a remote location in the mountains. If we don't earn a passing score, we face immediate expulsion! They claim it's an opportunity for friendship and kinship, but in reality…it's a merciless weeder training camp!"
As the words resonated in the miko's head, she could not help but raise a brow. 'So it's a camp to take out the 'weak'?' It made sense – now. She had been an outsider hearing this, she would have shrugged it off as nothing but as a drama queen story, but after witnessing the many types of personalities, it was possible.
"This is the competition in Totsuki." Isshiki added, crossing his arms. "The director spoke of the one percent, but this is where the selection process begins."
"Did you go last year, Isshiki-senpai?" Kagome asked, turning to the seventh seat.
Nodding back, Isshiki gave them a smile. "Even in my time, dozens got sent home and got expelled."
"Expelled?" Sato repeated.
"Numbers even dipped below half," Ibusaki sighed, catching the attention of the others, "of what they started off with in one camp some years ago."
"Half~."
Hearing a loud 'thump' on the floor, heads turned to see Megumi having fainted to the floor with her skin having gone pale at the thought of the camp. "Everyone…," Megumi whispered, "I'm grateful that we could be together until now…"
Kagome could only blink as Yoshino screamed for Megumi's conscious. She could not blame the poor girl for fainting as they all heard the rumors about the camp. If the camp was truly as 'evil' as they were explaining it to be, then it only meant things were about to get tougher.
"Hmm, so we can take cards and shogi, but no handheld gaming devices…man! They don't give us any time for taking a bath!"
The miko's ears twitched as she heard Souma ramble on. Turning her head to the red head, she took a step closer before taking the brochure from his hands. "Are you serious!?" She exclaimed. "Not even an hour?!"
"Who takes an hour?" Souma's eyes narrowed.
"I do." She glared back. "Excuse me for wanting to relax and be clean…unlike someone."
Souma's brow twitched, not letting it go she was talking about him. "What did you say about me?!"
"Well if the shoe fits."
The rest of the Polar Star residents could only stare as the two continued to argue back and forth. All were in panic about the upcoming camp and it amazed them how easily the two could find the time to be calm and argue like there was nothing else to worry about.
Staring at the barely put together building, Kagome sighed. She had no idea what had brought her back here of all places when she only had two days left to prepare for the 'Hell Camp'. Her shoulders dropped after releasing her tension. Raising her hand to knock on the door, Kagome waited a few seconds. She jolted in place hearing glass break, and a yelp from a fall from the inside. Blinking, Kagome was surprised by the abrupt opening of the door and showing none other than the club's leader.
"Ah!" She was greeted with a smile. "Kagome-chan, right?"
"Hai." Kagome nodded. "Ohayou, Shiomi-sensei."
Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Jun opened the door wider to let the girl in. "S-Sorry for the mess, Kagome-chan. I was left in charge to look after some Hayama-kun's experiments. When you knocked on the door, I was startled. We don't get much visitors."
Nodding to her words, Kagome could not help but sweat drop at her clumsiness. Being a professor usually meant being poised, well, at least in this academy from what she had witnessed. But seeing Jun the way she was, it gave her a sense of peace, as ironic as it was. Led to the main room, Kagome looked around to see no sign of the silver haired chef.
"Are you here to see Hayama-kun?" Jun asked.
"Oh, um," Kagome turned around, scratching the back of her head, "I was just here to ask him some questions about this camp."
"Oh!" Jun clapped. "It's in two days, right?"
"Did…you also participate in your time, Shiomi-sensei?"
Gloom soon fell over the professor as memories of her days in the camp flooded her head. "Participate?" She sighed, head hanging low. "More like I was forced to. I still can't believe I made it out alive…"
Was the camp really that bad? It only made the miko wonder if she was going to survive. After hearing Isshiki's stories and the tasks they were given, it did sound grueling, but not in a nightmare level. Kagome tried her best to crack a smile as Jun continued to whisper out her memories. "Are you okay, Shiomi-sensei?"
"Ah, yes!" Jun cleared her throat. "But don't worry! Hayama-kun and you should do fine. Hayama-kun thinks highly of you already, and that doesn't happen all the time."
Kagome blinked, taken back by her words. Hayama…?
Shaking the dark thoughts away, Jun led her to the couches. "Hayama-kun should be back soon. Why don't I make some tea while you wait for him?"
Before Kagome could stop her from going so far to make her comfortable, Jun was already in her trance of whispers while walking out the room. Left standing in the middle of the room, Kagome sighed under her breath. Her eyes scanned the room: you could tell. From the many plates and jars on the main countertop, Kagome could tell Hayama was working hard to figure out the spices that best complimented each other. The small pots of herbs near the window drew her in; she read the labels in front of the herbs until she came to a specific one she recognized.
"Benne?" She questioned. She recognized it, but she was sure it was sesame, right?
"Confused, huh?"
Kagome jumped as she heard the familiar voice. Turning around, the miko blinked as she saw the silver haired chef coming into the room with a bag of seeds. Had she really turned off her guard now that she was in the modern era? Placing her hand over her chest, she breathed out. "Don't scare me like that."
Hayama raised a brow back. "My apologies." Noticing the benne herb in front of her, he chuckled. "It is known as sesame, but it's other term is benne. It helps that way to memorize it." He placed the bag of seeds on the counter top before coming around to check the spices in the jars. "I take it you aren't here to water the herbs."
The miko remained silent while watching him jot down some notes on the notepad in front of him. Looking back at the herbs, her expression relaxed. "You know some of these herbs can be used for illness, right?"
Raising his brow again, Hayama straightened himself out to see her reading the names again. "Illness?" He repeated.
She nodded back.
"Then why not become a doctor?" He asked, turning to face her.
"Eh," she shrugged, "not really interested."
"And…you are interested in becoming a chef?"
Turning to him, she shrugged again. "Who knows; we will see."
Hayama blinked, unsure how to take her vagueness. Deciding it was best to let it slip for now, he returned to make some notes on the notepad.
"Did you also get an invitation to this 'camp'?" Kagome questioned, walking around the counter. "According to my dormmates, they dub it the 'Hell Camp'. Not sure what it means by that, but they are all worried about it."
"Well," Hayama spoke, putting his pen down, "if the rumors reached them, then it is normal for them to be scared. Apparently, this camp isn't easy to deal with. You should be careful. There are many that will try to sabotage others."
Continuing to nod, and the silence taking over, Kagome watched Hayama's attention go back to the jars. Jun's words echoed in her head once more, making her curious. "Hayama-kun?"
"Hm?" He responded, keeping his focus on his notes.
Her lips parted to speak only to close them again. "Well, I guess I'll see you at the camp. Good luck with, um," she chuckled not knowing exactly what Hayama was doing, "this. Oh, um, do tell Shiomi-sensei I had to go pack and get a few assignments done before the camp. See ya."
Putting his notepad down, Hayama was left staring at the door. If she were to survive the camp, then his thoughts about the girl were becoming true.
The twitches on Souma's and Kagome's eyebrows continued as they saw the hundreds of luxurious buses waiting outside the campus. They shined brightly white, and they were sure they were the only ones shocked by the display of money – with just buses! The day of the camp had arrived, and although she was not mentally prepared, she did not feel as nervous as she thought she would be.
"My stomach hurts…" Megumi gulped, seeing the first year students beginning to rally up to their assigned bus.
"Tell me about it." Souma sighed. "I'm kinda getting jaded."
"To think they had this much money…" Kagome whispered. Her eyes landed on Hayama entering one of the buses at the end. Why she had not asked about his thoughts on her was beyond her, but maybe it had just been Jun taking his words out of context.
"Alright!" Souma shouted, holding out the brochure out in the air. "Let's go! Off to the camp of friendship and team-building straight out of hell! Nothing is gonna surprise me anymore!"
Giving the red head a deadpanned look, Kagome shook her head as the other Polar Star residents walked past him. "That's the sort of thing that gets you enemies, Souma-kun."
"Huh?" He blinked. "The camp?"
"No. The yelling."
After a two hour road trip, Kagome was amazed to say the least as she came out of the bus. And she was not the only one. The gasps from Polar Star were enough to tell her they were shocked to see the Totsuki Resort in all its glory before them. Building after building surrounded them along with endless fields of farms, lakes, and the ocean. The hotel they were assigned to stay in was easily over forty floors.
"T-This is our 'camp' site?!" Yoshino exclaimed.
"Guess this school isn't full of rich bastards for nothing." Souma scoffed, gulping at the luxury before him. "They even run a big-ass hotel."
"All the hotels and inns around here are part of Totsuki." Ibusaki spoke, meeting with the rest of his dormmates.
"Heh," Souma's sweat began to cling on his forehead, "doesn't surprise me."
Adjusting his glasses, Marui smiled. "They manage a dozen or so accommodations as part of Totsuki Resort brand, and graduates often end up working in the resorts' culinary division. I've heard it costs upwards of eighty-thousand yen per night at these places."
"That's like a month's rent!" Yoshino shouted.
"Doesn't surprise me!" Souma exclaimed, eyes bulging out with shock.
"Eh~," Kagome's brow rose, noticing Souma expression, "sure looks like it." Turning her head back to the hotel, she sighed. When they had said camp, she did not imagine this kind of place. Just what did Totsuki have under their sleeve?
"Wait!" Yoshino spoke as they walked towards the entrance of the hotel. "So we can stay here tonight? Wow, this is exciting!"
"That's if we can survive today's task…" Ibusaki whispered, killing off the sparkle in her eyes.
Chuckling at Yoshino sticking out her tongue at the boy, Kagome kept making her way forward. With some of the employees asking for their bags, she was given her card key to her room, but was led to one of the ballrooms to the side. As the others followed behind her, she blinked as soon as she saw the rest of the first-years scattered around facing the stage with an awaiting podium. Her eyes narrowed noticing the many students at the corners and some sitting on the chairs leaned against the wall: nerves. The collective anxiety auras were beginning to make her stomach churn. "It's too quiet…" She whispered.
"Yeah," Sakaki replied, her own focus observing the room, "it's hard to believe nearly a thousand students are here."
Kagome crossed her arms, "so they were all given the 'Camp of Hell' rumors."
"Makes you wonder just how many will survive, huh?" Sakaki whispered.
"Oh!" Souma exclaimed, grin appearing on his lip. "It's Nikumi!"
The said butcher jolted in her spot upon hearing her dreaded nickname. Turning her head over her shoulder, cheeks reddened after getting her confirmation of the transfer student. "Y-Yukihira!?"
Having heard Souma call out Ikumi's name, Kagome and the rest of the Polar Star residents turned their heads to the idiot.
"Been a while, Nikumi!" Souma waved with an idiotic expression.
"Oi," Kagome hissed, cupping her hand to the side of her mouth, "you know she doesn't like that nickname."
"Don't you think he is a little too relaxed?" Yoshino's brow rose.
"Eh?" Souma blinked, turning to the miko. "But she's fine with it. Right, Nikumi?"
"Of course not!" She shouted back.
As the two continued to go back and forth, Kagome scratched her cheek until she heard faint whispers from other students. Eyes narrowing down, Kagome noticed some of the students looking over their shoulders and sending them their own sets of glares. 'Guess Hayama-kun was right…'
"Ohayou, students!"
Eyes glided back to the stage; Kagome and Souma turned to the sight of Chef Chapelle.
"I will not give a summary of the camp." He spoke, walking to the podium with the microphone in hand. "You're scheduled to stay here for five nights and six days. You will all be split off into several groups and take on daily cooking tasks. Students whose instructors' evaluations fall below a certain baseline will be failed, sent back to the academy, then expelled. As for how your tasks will be evaluated, we have invited guest lecturers."
"Guests?" Souma whispered. Who they inviting to this place?
"They're Totsuki alumni who have graciously agreed to join us despite their busy schedule." Extending his arm to the side, he presented the alumni as they walked out from behind the curtain.
Interest piqued, Kagome attention was driven to the chefs walking to stand beside the podium. 'Alumni?' If there were indeed the alumni to Totsuki's academy, then that meant one thing: the survivors. Her eyes followed each of them as they made their way onto the stage. Aside from the pink haired chef, and a foreign looking blonde male, everyone looked fairly normal, but their confident smiles said something else.
"Hmm, you over there."
Students blinked at the same time as they saw the male alumni with pink hair extend his arm out in front of him and point to the row where Kagome and Souma stood.
"Nine rows back, the boy with a scar on his eyebrow."
Both Souma and Kagome were taken back by his call. Looking at the red head from the corner of her eyes, Kagome whispered. "What did you do now?"
"Nothing!" He whispered back.
"Oh, sorry," the chef shook his head, "I mean the one next to you."
Eyes landed on the brunette male standing beside the young Yukihira. Watching the other male student point at himself, the chef alumni nodded with a smirk.
"You're expelled. You can go home now."
Expressions melted into shock; Kagome's head quickly turned to the stage, seeing the confidence in his aura rise. Expelled? Just like that?
Taking the steps down to the main assembly floor, the alumni made his way towards the brunette. "Your hair product has a citrus scent. It interferes with aroma of food. We do need to pay attention to our sense of style. If the chefs have no sense of style, the dishes lose their appeal. But you should choose an unscented hair product from now on."
"That's Chef Shinomiya," Marui whispered with a gulp, "The Chef Shinomiya!"
Having seen him up close, Kagome was unsure wat kind of person he was. Silent, Kagome wanted nothing more than to bark back at his decision to ruin a student's life, but she knew it was best to keep her mouth shut. Watching him walk away, she and everyone else blinked the moment the now-expelled student take a step forward.
"I'm getting expelled just for that?!" He shouted.
Stopping in his steps, Shinomiya looked at the student over his shoulder with a hardened glare. "Just that can be enough to lose your customers. Are you trying to destroy my restaurant?" Chuckling at the student's lips sealing, Shinomiya waved him a goodbye. "Farewell, student."
For what seemed to be forever, Kagome sighed softly as Shinomiya returned to the stage. To think his presence had such a strong suffocating weight. 'Perhaps it was smart to keep my mouth shut.' Huffing, Kagome made her way closer to her childhood friend. "You got saved out of that one."
"Who is he again?" Souma whispered.
"He's the first Japanese national to win the French Pluspol award!" Marui answered. "Not to mention…," his eyes landed on the red eyed and grey-haired female standing on the stage, "there is also Chef Mizuhara from restaurant 'F'!" Marui's attention was directed to the older male on the stage with black hair. "And that's Head Chef Sekimori from the sushi restaurant: Ginza Hinowa!"
"Wow…," the miko blinked, "didn't realize they were that big in the world." To think she was attending the same school as them.
"They're all people featured in magazines every month!" Megumi exclaimed, awed by the sight of the alumni.
"Girl who's innocent like a white clover!"
The Polar Star residents turned their heads to the side upon hearing the accented voice. All of them jolted in place as they saw the blonde chef having grabbed Megumi's hand while greeting her with a smile.
"T-That's Donato Gotoda of the auberge, Tesoro!" Yoshino exclaimed.
Getting closer to the shocked Megumi, Gotoda continued to speak. "You may be the reason for my existence. Why don't we talk through the night till dawn at my auberge?"
"Eh?" Megumi blinked, his words finally sinking in. "Um, I-um-ah…"
"Let go of her hand, Chef Gotoda."
Turning to the female voice coming towards him, Gotoda's eyes narrowed into a mild-glare upon meeting Hinako's own dark shadow looming over him after having crouched down to meet Megumi's level. "Hinako."
"A-Ah!" Marui gasped. "Inui Hinako of the Japanese restaurant, Kirinoya!"
"How is it that you know all of them?" Kagome whispered with a raised brow. Watching Hinako push Gotoda away and grab Megumi's hands into her own, she leaned towards Souma while cupping her hand beside her lips. "Don't you think this is passing the boundary of teacher and student?"
"We should already be getting used to weirdos, remember?" Souma laughed lightly.
"I'm sorry that you had such a frightening experience." Hinako spoke with a close-eyed smile. "You're very cute, by they way." Placing her hand over Megumi's cheek, her own cheeks blossomed pink. "I'm sure you'd be very good to eat…"
Souma nodded, leaning back to the miko. "Nope, you're right; the boundaries are being crossed."
"Hinako," Gotoda called from behind, "Chapelle-sensei is glaring at us. Let's go."
The Polar Star residents all released a sigh at the same time as they watched both Hinako and Gotoda walking away with their awaiting senior. Scratching the back of her head, Kagome was beginning to think she was placed in a weird setting, and that was saying a lot considering where she had spent her time the last year. Noticing another person entering from the other side of the stage, Kagome blinked as the tall and muscular male with short brown hair was handed the microphone. "Ano, Marui-kun?" She whispered. "Who is that?"
"Huh?" Adjusting his glasses to get a clear view of the man she was referring to; Marui's mouth fell open at the sight of the muscular male. "Oh! That's the man who was the first in his graduating class after scoring the highest score in Totsuki's history in the graduation exam! He turned down eight hundred or so offers from high-caliber restaurants around the world to take his current position as the Head Chef and Company Director of Totsuki Resort: Dojima Gin! This is incredible!" He sniffed, grateful to be in their presence. "All the star chefs leading Japan's culinary world are lined up in front of me!"
"Welcome to my Totsuki Resort." Dojima greeted, coming up to the front. "Each of the alumni who have gathered here today are chefs who own their own restaurants. For the next six days of the training camp, we will treat you as we would our own staff. Do you understand what that entails? Those of you who cannot perform to our expectations…," moving his thumb across his neck, he smirked, "will be fired! That means expulsion."
Kagome gulped, unsure if it was fear or excitement she was feeling at this point. If anything, it almost felt like teachers purposely were trying to weed out the weak. But after witnessing her first Shokugeki, she could sense the lust for the number one spot in all of them.
"As you may have already seen," Dojima continued, "you may be dismissed at the drop of a hat depending on these lecturers. I wish you all the best of luck. Now proceed to your groups."
Looking down at their individual brochures with their schedules, all students began to walk away to their assigned groups. Seeing his dormmates go the opposite way, Souma turned around. "Oh! Don't forget we're having a card game in Marui's room!"
"You don't all have to come to my room during camp!" Marui exclaimed.
Watching the students and alumni walk out to their respective groups and classes, Dojima smiled. Every year the same atmosphere was felt from the students: fear. But after taking a good look at the first-years he sensed a different kind of fear from them, almost...competitive. The light sound of shoes against wood caught his attention making him sigh. "You're late."
"Wari, wari. I got busy in a meeting with our dear CEO. You know how he is."
Looking at the black-haired male wearing a tan suit from the corner of his eyes, Dojima smirked back noticing the toothy grin of their guest. "Well, I can't understand that." Making his way past the slender yet muscular male, Dojima patted his shoulder. "Make sure you pay him a visit; he has been waiting on that wine, you know."
"Hai. Hai." A chuckle was heard. Eyes scanned the empty ballroom; a familiar scent wafted around the area.
"Something wrong?" Dojima asked, looking over his shoulder to see the other male staring at the room.
"Nope." He smiled before turning to follow him out of the stage.
'Seriously?' The miko sighed, walking towards the doors leading to their assigned kitchen. Not only had they been driven to the country side of the resort, but she had been stuck with Souma once again. This meant trouble. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes to rub her temple. 'Hopefully this headache doesn't set in.' Before she could open her eyes, her body collided with another. Her sight snapped open as she took a few steps back to regain her balance. "A-Ah, sumimazen."
"Hm?"
Kagome blinked meeting another pair of blue eyes. Realizing she had stayed silent for too long, Kagome took in his full appearance: blonde hair, male, and wearing a different white chef uniform with orange accents. At the sleeve, she could see the sewn letters put together: 'Aldini?'
"Hmm," he spoke, "up close, you aren't that intimidating."
His comment immediately fished her out of her observations; her brows furrowed to meet her mild-glare. "Was that an insult?" She asked.
Given no reply, she watched him enter the kitchen. The nerve of him! And here she was ready to apologize again for bumping into him! Letting out a heavy breath, she felt a hand land on her shoulder.
"Already tense?"
"Shut it, Souma-kun."
The red head blinked along with Megumi at his side seeing the miko stomp into their assigned class. "Is she alright?" Megumi whispered, walking into the kitchen.
"I hope so." He sighed, crossing his arms. "If not, I am going to have to deal with a fuming Kagome."
"Ah," the sound of hands clapping together caught the students' attention, "it seems you're all here." Walking into the front of the class, Hinako greeted everyone with a smile waiting for students to choose a station. "Well, before we all get comfortable, in my class, you'll be working in pairs. Hmm, it seems like I got the same class as Chapelle-sensei. Please go ahead and pair up with the same people, I don't mind."
"Thank goodness!" Megumi exclaimed, turning to Souma and Kagome. "I'll be with you two!"
"Yeah!" Souma nodded. "Let's give this a whirl!"
"Yeah, a good one." Kagome grumbled under her breath as she saw the blonde male on the other side of the room coming to them.
Souma and Megumi blinked at the somewhat visible flames erupting from the miko's eyes. What tea did she drink this morning?
"Yukihira Souma, is it?"
"Yeah?" Souma turned around to see a blonde male giving him a smile. "What is it-?" Souma's eyes widened as soon as he felt a foot stomp over his before feeling the shoe digging into his own. Smirking back with a glare of his own, Souma tilted his chin a little more. "Since you've been grinding your foot into mine for over ten seconds, I guess I can assume it's intentional?"
"Of course." He replied. "I was wondering when I'd get to mess with you during camp, but I didn't think I'd be lucky enough to get close to you in our first task. I'll crush you, just like I did your shoe!"
"Huh?" Souma's glare hardened.
Sensing the tension, Megumi's hand frantically sought for Kagome's attention. "K-Kagome-chan? S-Stop them?"
"Huh?" Her brow rose noticing the blonde's foot stepping over Souma's. Her eyes glided to the brunette with closed eyes standing behind him wearing the same culinary uniform. Walking to the two, she knew it was best to separate the two before their little argument escalated. Judging by the flaring auras, she did need to stop it. She immediately placed her foot on top of the blonde's making both boys wince from the added weight and grinding. She will stop them after getting her small revenge. "Let me join in." She smiled innocently. "Don't think you can get away so easily after insulting me."
"K-Kagome-chan?" Megumi gulped, wondering where this fire of hers was coming from.
"Y-You…" the blonde growled under his breath.
"I see both of you are having a quarrel of your own. Congratulations, but," Souma nodded with a smile, "can both of you remove your feet already!"
"Everyone!" Hinako spoke out, ending all talks between students (and ending the stepping on each other's shoes). Opening a bag of kaki-no-tane (senbei and peanuts), Inumi sat on a bench at the front of the room with a tray of green tea at her side. "I'll be sitting right here, so feel free to ask me any questions you might have."
Confused over the current situation, one of the students came forth. "Ano, sumimazen, Chef Inui, but we haven't received any instructions yet."
"Oh?" She blinked. "Is that right? Let me see…my task for you is," facing the empty table near the windows, she gave them a smile, "use the ingredients here to make a dish that could serve as a main dish in Japanese cuisine."
'Ingredients?' Kagome blinked, noticing nothing but empty tables.
"There's nothing there." One student stated.
Chuckling under her breath, Hinako stood from the bench and extended her arm to the side to show them the windows. "Of course there is! We're in glorious nature, right next to a clear stream! There are ingredients galore!" Hearing the shock from her students, she nodded. "There are spices, condiments, and oil, not to mention cooking utensils. You are welcome to use other tools, such as fishing poles. We are on private property, which is encircled by a fence. If you cross that fence, you will be disqualified. Secure your ingredients from this limited space and prepare them. You will pass if you create a dish that I find satisfactory. You have two hours. You may now begin." Clapping her hands once, students took a step back not having heard the start of their trial due to her low voice.
Looking out the window from her spot, Kagome noticed the field. Almost the same to the fields of the feudal era. Nodding to herself, she turned to Megumi. "Let's go then."
"It's face-off time, Yukihira! Higurashi!"
"Huh?" Souma blinked, along with Kagome and Megumi as they turned their head over their shoulders. "A face-off?"
"Let's decide who is the better chef." Walking over to their instructor, the Aldini chef tilted his head up with pride. "Chef Inui, I would like you to make the call. Please exercise your rigorous judgment and decide whose cooking has the better taste!"
Blinking at the sudden statement, Hinako lowered the snack in her fingers from her lips. "Um, what?" She blinked again. "That has nothing to do with my task, so I would prefer not to."
Frozen at her rejection, the Aldini chef took a few steps back. "Oh, well, I suppose…"
Souma and Kagome placed their hands over their mouths to block the second-hand embarrassment. Clearing his throat, Souma took a step forward. "Hey, what are you gonna do? Because you got on your high horse, you're making everyone uncomfortable."
"No kidding." Kagome's shoulder shook as she tried to hold back her own smug expression. "That's what he gets for looking down on people."
Hearing the other brunette male snicker, he spoke. "That's really lame, bro!"
"Shut up!" He shouted back. "Don't laugh, too!"
Shock struck Kagome, Souma, and Megumi hearing their relation. "B-Brother?" Kagome stuttered looking at the two back and forth. "They're brothers!?"
"They look nothing alike!" Souma whispered back.
The blonde Aldini chef shook his head as he turned back to face the other three. "I-In any case, I cannot lose to you two! I will make a dish that tops yours! Got it, Yukihira!? Higurashi!?"
Watching his 'brother' drag him out of the kitchen from the back of his collar, Kagome and the others could only blink with confusion. To think she was dragged once again into one of Souma's issues because of his stupid mouth. She should have skipped orientation.
"What's with him?" Souma scoffed, pushing his hands into his pockets. "He didn't even introduce himself."
"Neither did you." Kagome replied.
"He already knew my name!" Showing her his shoe, he gave the miko a glare. "He said it when he stepped on me, remember?! Oh right, you do! You stepped on both of us!"
"Ano," Megumi made her way forward, "we should start, too…"
Hinako smiled as she watched the last group exit the kitchen. Crunching into her snack, her eyes narrowed. 'Everyone develops tunnel vision when placed in an unfamiliar situation. Their thinking slows to a crawl, and they misjudge their options. This task is merely a small warm-up exercise. Any chef who is daunted by something like this isn't needed at Totsuki.'
"Ah!" Yelling from the splash of water on him, Souma glared at his lost catch. His eyes followed the escape of his fish as it swam downstream. Huffing, Souma looked at the end of his bait: gone. "You know, I thought fishing would be easier than catching a chicken or something."
Putting down a basket of mushrooms and wasabi roots she found nearby, Megumi noticed the rest of the class also fishing for fish. It was to be expected when given the Japanese-cuisine. The question was if they were able to get all the necessary ingredients in time and still have enough time to cook.
The sound of another splash caught their attention; heads turned to the right to see Kagome easily fishing out her bait with a wide smile. "Yosh!" Kagome nodded, bringing the fish closer to her.
Souma blinked noticing she had climbed over a boulder in the middle of the stream. When did she cross the water? Watching her walk back to them, Souma noticed her shoes and socks at the edge of the stream. "Kagome," he called out, "don't tell me the years you were gone, you were out in the wilderness?" Fist coming on top of his other palm, Souma's eyes widened. "That's why you are more brutal-oomf!"
Throwing the caught fish to his face, Kagome walked over to her shoes. "You can say that." The art of catching her own food was nothing foreign. She had to do it when she had no knowledge of what to catch. Then again, she did get help from Inuyasha to catch the bigger stuff. But that did not mean she did not learn the basics. Tapping the front tip of her shoe against the floor, Kagome rolled down her pants back to her ankles. She only hoped it was enough to pass this trial.
"So what should be the menu?" Kagome asked, turning to see Souma pouting at the last three fish in the bucket were all caught by her. "We would need to think this quick."
"S-She's right, Souma-kun!" Megumi added. "We have rainbow trout, so maybe we can grill it with salt? Or maybe braise it? We also must think of the accompaniments! That means trying to find more mountain vegetables or something!"
Humming in thought, Souma grabbed his fishing pole from the ground before taking a quick scan of the people fishing in the same stream. "But everyone else would be thinking the same way, you know? We should go for a bit of a twist."
"We don't have time for that!" Megumi sighed. "It's timed, remember?" Turning to the miko grabbing the basket of mushrooms and roots, she placed her hands on Kagome's shoulder. "K-Kagome-chan, tell him that we can't be thinking anything fancy."
"Well," Kagome exhaled as she walked back to the kitchen, "I get what he means. He was just challenged by that guy, but Megumi-chan is right, Souma-kun." Turning her head over her shoulder, she saw Souma in deep thought. "Are you listening?" Ignoring her, huh? Huffing, Kagome turned her head back to the front only to see the Aldini brothers walking to the front of the building. 'Looks like they also made their catch…'
Souma noticed the blonde chef at the front, making him walk around the miko and extend his hand out with his palm facing upwards. "Please exercise your rigorous judgment!"
"Shut up!" He shouted back with a blush. "Let that go!" Composing himself, the Aldini chef eyed the three fish in their bucket before scoffing at their poor attempt to catch anything interesting. "You guys are using fish, too?"
"Huh?" The three blinked before watching him walk inside the building. Following him all the way inside, they notice some of the groups already beginning the process of preparing their choice of protein.
Scoffing at the sight of all groups having fish on their tables, the blonde Aldini walked towards his station. "Man, everyone is going for fish because of the Japanese cuisine theme. Isn't that narrow-minded?"
With glares on him, Kagome turned around to give him a few words. "Get off your high horse." She spoke. "If it's so narrow-minded, what did you guys choose?"
Turning to face her, the Aldini brothers showed her the dressed meat: duck. She and everyone around her could not hide the surprise on their faces to see the chosen protein. "Duck…" She whispered.
"We didn't just find duck!" He chuckled. "There were chickens and rabbits, too! We wondered why no one else was looking around!" Walking back to his station, he placed his hand over Souma's shoulder. "Step away, Yukihira."
Noticing Souma's sudden silence and his step back, Kagome raised a brow as she came to stare at his shoulders. She would be lying to herself if she had not thought of herself as confident over catching fish and foraging for other ingredients, but she never thought chickens and rabbits were around the area in the first place. Not to mention, just as he said, the theme had taken all aspects of her creativity.
"Isami!" The blonde chef called out.
Giving his brother a nod, the brunette chef grabbed a chef's knife before quickly separating the different parts of meat. Looking from the side, Megumi gulped noticing his precision and rhythm. 'He's separating the breast and thigh meat without breaking a sweat. He's not even damaging the innards! What agile knife work…'
"Yes?" Isami spoke, looking at Megumi from over his shoulder. "Did you have a question?"
"O-Oh, no! I was just admiring your skills!"
"Really?" He replied, placing the duck breast on one pan and the rest on another. "But my brother can finish this three times faster than me." Sliding the pan with the duck breast to his brother, eyes landed his knife work slashing a few marks over the meat.
Crossing her arms, Kagome noticed their rhythm synchronizing with each other. Neither of the two were slow or too fast. 'There's no break in the work flow between any steps…' She followed their movements as they grilled the meat, prepared the sauces, and seasoned the rest of their ingredients. Their moves were efficient and smooth, almost as if they had been working in a professional kitchen. 'Who is he?'
"Well," Souma sighed, leaning back against the station, "I had no doubt that he would be at least this good."
"Huh?" Kagome blinked, turning her head over her shoulder. "What do you mean?"
"He had hands that looked like they knew an actual kitchen."
Placing her focus back on the Aldini brothers, she noticed them placing the duck breasts inside the oven.
"Forno accendere." With a smile gracing his lips, the Aldini brothers turned around to face the trio. "Forgive my belated introduction. My name is Takumi Aldini. This is my younger twin."
"Isami Aldini." The brunette introduced himself.
"We were working in our family's trattoria in Italy." Takumi continued.
Tilting her head to the side, Kagome tapped her chin. "Trattoria?" She repeated.
"In Italian, it means a restaurant for the masses." Takumi replied with pride.
Both Souma's and Kagome's eyes widened realizing their observations and thoughts on his cooking style was correct.
"I'm the same as you, Yukihira." Takumi turned to him, looking at the logo on his own shirt. Showing him his sleeve with the words 'Aldini', he chuckled. "I'm also a chef who has been protecting his restaurant on the front lines. I remember what you said at the opening ceremony. You identified yourself as a professional. As a fellow professional, I cannot lose to you. Let's show the world who is the better chef: Aldini or Yukihira!"
"That's fine and all," Kagome cut in, "but don't lump me with this baka. He was the one to call out the challenge to all of you. I was dragged into it."
Snickering under his breath, Souma quickly untied the white sash around his wrist before tying it around his forehead. "Great! Come at us!"
"You!" Kagome repeated. "You! My surname isn't 'Yukihira'!"
"Very well." Takumi smirked back.
Noticing she was once again being ignored, Kagome gave a defeated sigh as Megumi shook with fear at the sudden declaration of rivalry. Noticing Takumi take out a crescent shaped blade, her brow rose up at the foreign tool.
Interested in the small feud, Hinako's lips curved upwards. She was amazed to see someone as young as the Aldini brothers to be using a high-end culinary tool. 'A mezzaluna. A double-handed knife used in Italy that means "half-moon". Very interesting.'
"Let's go!" Takumi shouted. Grabbing both handles of the knife, he quickly chopped some herbs into a paste.
"The duck is almost done!" Isami informed.
Takumi nodded back, "we will finish the salsa at the same time!" Handing the mezzaluna to his brother, he smirked at Isami's quick knife work as the cooked liver and heart of the duck were minced.
Kagome waited quietly and watched them finish the dish. With the last presentation details being placed on the plate, Kagome was taken back by the beautiful dish. Without saying a word, the class waited at the back to observe Hinako's judging on their food.
"Oh?" Hinako smiled, lowering her cup of tea from her lips. "You're the first ones up."
"Nimbleness is one of Italian cuisine's charms, after all!" Takumi smirked. Placing his dish to the side of Hinako's seat, he smiled at the presentation of his sliced-up duck with green salsa drilled over it. "Grilled duck with herbs and a green sauce. Buon appetito!"
Grabbing the chopsticks on the plate, Hinako gracefully picked up a piece of the meat before giving Takumi and Isami a smile. "Itadakimasu." Taking a bite, Hinako hummed contently at the warm and savory sauce melting on her tongue. 'The fragrant, wild flavor of the duck is heightened by the astringent sauce!' It was as if she was drowning in a vast ocean of clear water only to be saved by the very flavor of the duck's sweetness and tanginess. 'The masculinity and class of this dish is like a heavy bass resounding deep in the recesses of my stomach. It is as if…the duck is singing an aria! I wouldn't mind being embraced by a duck like this!'
"Oi!" One of the students called out. "That green sauce! Isn't it salsa verde?! Isn't that a staple in Italian cuisine, made from chopped anchovies and flat-leaf parsley?"
"What are they thinking!?" Another shouted. "The theme is Japanese cuisine! That is a failing grade already!"
"No."
The room fell silent at Hinako's voice returning to reality.
"This sauce is not using anchovies, but uruka, salted sweet-fish offal. Uruka is traditionally made over the course of a week or more, but this one is instant, isn't it?"
"Hai." Takumi nodded. "We boiled the rinsed sweet-fish guts in sake, then seasoned it with mirin, soy sauce, and salt. It allowed us to make an instant-yet-rich uruka, with just the right amount of bitterness."
"Is that possible?" Megumi whispered.
"Well, that wasn't their only improvisation." Hinako added. "Instead of parsley, they chopped in perilla and chives to produce the vibrant green color and astringent flavor. They also subbed in yuzu pepper paste instead of garlic, which is rarely used in Japanese cuisine, in order to bring the dish closer to Japanese cuisine."
"That's right!" Takumi smirked. "This is Japanese-style salsa verde, using instant uruka as the base!"
Taking all the information in made the miko's head spin. To think he was able to switch an Italian dish to Japanese was pretty impressive. But this was probably just a taste of what the Totsuki students and alumni could do.
"You've introduced core elements of Japanese cuisine into both the duck and the salsa verde, and pulled it all together into an exquisite Japanese dish." Hinako added in, looking at the Aldini brothers. "Takumi Aldini and Isami Aldini, you have passed my test."
"Sugoi…" Megumi whispered. "He used his wits to create an exceptional dish despite the limitations imposed upon us."
"Yeah…" Kagome nodded as her eyes glided to look at Souma beside her. 'They are very alike.' The way they could easily improvise without letting the stress get to them.
"Well," Takumi turned to face the young Yukihira, "Yukihira Souma? You don't seem to have made much headway. What are you going to prepare for us?"
"I see!" Clapping her hands again, Hinako stood from her seat. "You two were saying that you're competing with each other. Very well! If I can expect a dish that will be on par with what I just tasted, I will make an exception and judge which of your dishes is better."
Excited over the change in her decision, Takumi's lips widened into a grin as he took a step forward. "Did you hear that, Yukihira?!"
"Sure!" Souma shouted back. "Let's do this!"
"Good." Hinako nodded, closing her eyes to match her smile. "If you lose, you will kneel."
The five of them froze hearing the consequence she laid out. Was she being…serious? Kneel? Like actually kneel?!
Snickering behind her hand, Hinako shrugged. "Kneel before the victor and say 'I am a loser' three times. If you are going to stake the reputation of your restaurants on this match, the consequences need to be appropriate." Coming to the girls behind Souma, Hinako grabbed each of their hands in her own. "Oh, but both of you don't have to kneel, Tadokoro Megumi-san. Higurashi Kagome-san. Both of you have such beautiful hands."
Megumi gulped, taken back by the look in Hinako's eyes. "S-She's kind of scary…" She whispered, leaning closer to the miko.
"More like she is being a sadist of some sort." Kagome blinked blankly.
Clearing his throat, Takumi shook his head before pointing his finger at his rivaled group. "Anyway, I dare you to make a dish that can surpass ours!"
Despite the laughs and shocks they received, the trial had to be taken seriously. This was not only about taking on the Aldinis, but they had to remember they had to survive the camp. Coming to stand beside the red head, Kagome and Megumi grouped together. "So?" Kagome asked, looking at Souma. "Should we still go for fish?"
"Just like us," Souma sighed, "these two had no assumptions coming in. They selected duck. Didn't even think of that one."
"Not to mention they managed to assemble a list of ingredients to enhance the duck!" Megumi added.
Looking out the window, Kagome remembered Hinako's words. They were able to use any ingredients found within the allowed perimeter. Fish was probably the best thing to use, but grilling would be too simple and repetitive if the others were thinking like them. "Takumi-kun did say there were chickens and rabbits…" She whispered. "But those require a lot of patience, but they would give a different texture compared to fish."
'Texture!' Souma's eyes snapped open. Grabbing the miko by her shoulders, he smirked. "You are useful!"
"Excuse me?" Her brow twitched.
Souma began to write a few things on a piece of paper before turning around to hand it to Kagome and Megumi. "I hope both of you have confidence in finding things outdoors. I want to use these ingredients as the accompaniment. Think you can find them?"
Taking the paper from his hand, Kagome read the list – with Megumi looking over her shoulder – before raising her brow. "If I could catch a fish better than you, then yes." Looking at Megumi, she asked her. "Want to come with me?"
Megumi nodded, taking the list herself. "Um, yeah! I think I'll be of help! I used to go looking for mountain vegetables a lot back home!"
"May I ask what you're going to do?" The miko questioned, watching Souma ready to exit the kitchen.
Sending her a wink, Souma saluted her. "I have to track something down, too. Oh, but before that…" looking around the room, his eyes landed on the bag of snacks Hinako had in her hands. "Inui-senpai. You said we can use anything we can find here, right?"
"Eh?" She blinked. "Uh, hai. Anything, if it's within the fence's boundaries."
"Then," he smirked, "the key ingredient for our dish will be…this!"
Everyone's eyes widened as they watched Hinako reach back for her taken kaki-no-tane snacks from Souma's hands. "My tea snack!" She cried.
"Kaki-no-tane?" Kagome tilted her head to the side. Watching him walk past her, and then handing the snack bag over to Takumi, Souma gave his goodbye. 'Did he just leave Takumi-kun to look over his ingredient?' Called over by Megumi, she nodded knowing there was nothing to question until they returned with the requested ingredients.
"Aralia elate, huh?" Kagome spoke to herself. Grabbing a few steps from the branches hanging down over her head, she handed them over to Megumi to be placed in the basket.
Megumi nodded, crossing the last item on the list. "Yosh! That should be everything!" Watching the miko grab a few more to be safe, Megumi's eyes landed to all the herbs and vegetables they were asked to find. All found. She had trouble finding the osmunda japonica, but Kagome had immediately found it. Looking at Kagome once again, she saw her clapping her hands clean of dirt. No person had to have this much knowledge on foraging at this age, unless they had been shown by someone who was an expert at it.
"Let's head back." Kagome smiled. "I just hope Souma-kun isn't wasting time out there."
Coming into the kitchen, Kagome watched as more students began to fail the trial as Hinako sighed with boredom after tasting the same texture and flavor in each dish. Her eyes scanned the ground, only to feel her brow twitch as she saw some of the students defeated with rejection.
"There have been too many grilled fish." Hinako sighed before taking a sip of her tea. "Everything has the same texture. I'm in the mood for something with more bite. Oh! You are all still welcomed to keep making new dishes before time is up!"
Easy for her to say. Kagome sighed, slowly walking towards her station until she noticed Takumi giving her a glare. Setting the basket down on the counter, she raised a brow. "What?"
"Where is Yukihira?" He crossed his arms. "He'll run out of time."
Eyes lowering to his hand, she saw the bag of unopened kaki-no-tane still safe. To think he listened to Souma and took care of it. If it were another person trying to sabotage them, he could have easily thrown them away. "And?" She shrugged. "Wouldn't you want him to run out of time? You would win by default."
"I want a heated battle!" He exclaimed, leaning closer. "I won't accept winning by default!" Lifting the bag of snacks, his narrowed in thought. What was he even making?
Hearing a set of footsteps coming their way, the four of them blinked at the sight of Souma with white feathers sticking out of his hair. Kagome raised a brow as she walked over to the heaving red head. "Don't tell me you wrestled with a chicken." She plucked out a feather from his hair until she was shown the two eggs in his hands. "Eggs?" Her eyes widened as she put two and two together: batter and breading!
"You're late!" Takumi shouted. "You only have fifteen minutes left! Are you trying to get disqualified without even facing me!?" Making a fist, a crunch from the bag made him gasp as the others simply blinked back.
"Bro," Isami whispered, "you crushed it."
"Ah! Gomen! I-It's not what it looks like, Yukihira!"
"Yeah," Souma nodded, taking the bag of snacks back, "don't worry about it. You saved me some time there. Thanks. Anyways," turning his focus back on his group, he placed his chosen ingredients on the counter, "we have a whole fifteen minutes. If I let customers wait fifteen minutes at my diner, they'd all leave. Let's do this, Kagome! Tadokoro! Time to make our deep-fried dish."
Looking at all the ingredients on the counter, Kagome nodded. She could tell what he had in mind, but could they pull it off? Deciding it was best to act rather than think, she let instinct take over. Handing Megumi the roots and herbs they caught, she told her to wash them while she prepared the other roots.
Souma's eyes rose for a second to watch Kagome's concentration glued on the task in hand. Seeing Megumi copy the miko's movements, it made him wonder where Kagome learned to prepare herbs. It was an easy task to do, if just pulling the leaves and putting them in a pot, but to learn to prepare their actual taste and cut the right areas for more flavor. He did not recall his father teaching them about herbs while she visited the restaurant. A smile came on to his lips; his eyes dropped to the fish on the cutting board. Kagome was a fast learner, that he had known about her, but he only wondered how far she could take that skill in the academy.
"Alright," Kagome nodded, "Megumi-chan, time to separate the egg whites from the yolk." Having told Megumi about the plan, she was not surprised to see Megumi's dumbfounded look. It was a fantasy to think of making a deep-fried dish when they were not given the right ingredients, but they considered the luck of the kaki-no-tane Souma had taken. Letting Megumi take over her task, she noticed Souma almost done prepping the fish. Opening the kaki-no-tane bag, Kagome dropped it all in the middle of the plastic wrap before tying it into small bag.
"Here." Souma spoke.
Turning to him, she blinked at the sight of the rolling pin. She chuckled, taking it in her own hand before slamming it down on the kaki-no-tane.
Souma's sweat dropped loomed over his head as he saw her strength. "W-What are you thinking about to be slamming it so hard?"
"You." She replied, giving it one last crack on the crushed salty breading.
His spine shivered at the thought of his body being underneath. She definitely had to be learning something in the wilderness to be having that much strength. Souma blinked at the sight of the breeding now on a pan and the egg whites being placed next to it by Megumi. "Yosh," he smiled, "let's finish this." While Kagome and Megumi finished off the rest of the vegetables and sauce, Souma began to fry the fish not covered in kaki-no-tane.
Takumi's eyes widened as he saw the finishing touches to the plate. He actually made a deep-fried dish? With the last bit of vegetables placed next to the long cuts of fish, he was amazed by the presentation.
With the dish now on Souma's hands, the trio walked over to Hinako's bench and handed her the tray. "Here you go, Inui-senpai." Souma smirked. "Please have some before it gets cold."
Hinako's eyes were drawn by the colorful presentation. To see the texture without taking a bite made her excited to try something new. "All right," she nodded, "I'll have a taste. Itadakimasu." Picking up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, the crunch was heard immediately. "Oh, my. My kaki-no-tane have become such a lovely deep-fried dish!" Blowing a bit at the edge after dipping it in the yellow sauce, Hinako took a careful bite. The crunch immediately caught the other students' attention; Hinako's cheeks bloomed pink at the wonderful texture. "So crunchy!" She exclaimed. "Yet inside, the fish is so tender! Protected by the breeding, the fish's umami has been concentrated within! And thanks to the flavor of the kaki-no-tane themselves, the breeding has its own assertive flavor. The accompanying sauce is light as air, made from tamago-no-moto and kinome!"
"That's made by adding vegetable oil to egg yolks and beating them…" Takumi whispered.
"By mixing chopped kinome, the shoots of the Japanese pepper tree, into the tamago-no-moto with salt, they created a refreshing flavor that cuts the oiliness of the fried fish and makes the dish more refined." Hinako hummed contently as she took another bite. "The accompaniment made from fried mountain vegetables is excellent, as well. The visual contrast with the char is superb." She chuckled under her breath as her eyes observed the trio giving Takumi a glare (well mostly Kagome and Souma). 'I've assigned this task many times in the past, but none of the students have ever accomplished a deep-fried dish with breeding.' Overall, the dish was superb, and the crunchiness and tenderness made her want more.
"So," Kagome whispered, waiting on Hinako's answer, "where did you come up with this idea?"
"My idea?" Souma's brow rose with a smile. "It was you who gave me the idea."
She blinked back; she was hit back with confusion. "Me? When did I do that?"
"Well," he chuckled, knowing she would not remember the exact moment, "you know how there is a dish called okaki-age in Japanese cuisine? It's a deep-fried dish made using crushed okaki crackers as the breading. Its purpose is to improve the texture or to introduce a surprising flavor. I've made that at home before."
"So that inspired you adapt the recipe for kaki-no-tane?" Takumi questioned.
"That's right! I'm calling it the Yukihira-style Char Okaki-A-!" Souma's eyes widened as an idea struck him. "Yukihira-style Char O-Kaki-Age!" Head slapped forward from the force of Kagome's hand, Souma remained stiff.
"You just came up with that!"
Opening her eyes after giving it some deep thought, Hinako smiled as Souma, Kagome, and Takumi were pulled into a quarrel while the others looked from afar. 'Aldini-kun kept an open mind and did not overlook duck as a possible ingredient. On the other hand, it seems Yukihira-kun and the others drew on their rare creativity to make a dish no one here could have expected. Despite the constraints of time and circumstance, they both rose to the occasion and tried to make a dish that they could call their own! That is the mindset of a true professional!' Setting her chopsticks down, and placing the tray to the side, Hinako spoke. "Yukihira Souma, Higurashi Kagome, and Tadokoro Megumi, you have passed my test."
Given the passing grade, the three gave each other a high-five in celebration. Both Kagome and Souma turned around to face the Aldini brothers with a victorious smile.
"Well then," Hinako clapped her hands together, "time is up! The assignment is now complete."
Kagome looked over her shoulder to see how many had passed. Only a few had passed her expectations, while others had no choice but to leave the academy completely. To think this academy was this harsh to their students. She only hoped she could survive long enough to see graduation. After all, this was the only thing she had going for her.
"Chef Inui."
Turning to the call of her name, Hinako blinked to see Takumi coming forth with Souma standing beside him.
"Please make your decision." Takumi spoke.
"Ah, right." Hinako placed her finger over her chin in thought. She had agreed to make the final decision on the overall winner. "Very well. The victor is…," everyone waited with the silence pushing them over the edge, "the one who crafted a splendid texture for the char, using an idea no one else had…," Takumi's heart stopped as he heard her words, "no, wait." Turning around, her brows furrowed as she tried to recall both dishes. "Wait a moment, please. All right," she nodded to herself, "I've made my decision!" Her body turned back to face the two boys as she held her finger up. "The one who did not overlook duck as a possibility, despite being put in an unfamiliar situation, and surpassed others with his choice of ingredients," Takumi's eyes lit up with hope, "well," she turned away again, "but wait…"
Watching Souma and Takumi collapse from her indecisiveness, and hearing Isami laugh at their skit, Kagome sighed with a sweat drop looming over her head. 'Can't she make up her mind?' If anything, she wanted nothing more than to take that bath and relax. A soft ringtone was heard coming from Hinako's apron pocket; students froze watching her answer the call with confusion.
"Aw," she pouted, "what is it now? I'm in the middle of an important-"
"What the hell are you up to, Hinako!? Your group of students should have been back a long time ago!"
Sweating at the sound of Shinomiya's orders, Hinako's hands shook with panic.
"Just get your ass back here, baka-onna!"
"S-Sumimazen, Shinomiya-senpai!" Hanging up, Hinako quickly waved her hands to direct the students out of the kitchen. "E-Everyone, we will be rushing back to the hotel!"
"Chotto!" Takumi interrupted.
"You haven't made your decision, Inui-senpai!" Souma added.
Jumping at their statements, Hinako froze at their waiting stares. "Oh…right!" She cleared her throat; her eyes closed in thought. "I'll…have to revisit that!" In a split second, she dashed out of the kitchen, leaving Souma, Kagome, Megumi, and the Aldini brothers staring at the smoke of her sudden run. "All right, on the bus, everyone!"
Both Souma and Takumi were left in blank shock and mouths wide open. "S-She just kept us in suspense!" Both exclaimed.
"Does it really matter?" Kagome shrugged, raising both her hands without a care in the world. "Both of you passed, right?"
"She left us hanging!" Both turned to face her with a glare.
A soft exhale puffed out of the miko's lips seeing their directed glares at each other. She understood their rivalry, but it was a camp where everyone had no time to become rivals! All in all, she did have to admit Takumi's and Isami's skills were impressive. After witnessing her first Shokugeki, she had wondered what other kind of chefs were in the academy. Knowing it was best to ignore their childish glares, Kagome pulled Megumi away to exit the room. "Let's go, Megumi-chan."
"A-Ah hai!"
The Italian chef observed the miko's back as she talked with Megumi. She was the mysterious transfer student most students had decided to ignore, especially after hearing Souma's declaration of war on orientation. But it was not her lack of speech on stage rather it was the lack of skill. A good leveled chef could sense her skill right off the bat, and he did. Takumi knew she was not at par to Souma's skills, but something was different. After all, she was this far into the year. "She isn't experienced." He voiced out, catching Souma's attention. "Yet she is still here…"
"Hm?" Souma's brow rose. Following his line of sight, Souma saw the subject of his statement. "Perhaps," he shrugged, "but that doesn't mean she can't be a chef." Giving Takumi a smirk, he crossed his arms. "After all, she learned from the Yukihira family."
Takumi gave him a stare blank, not fully understanding where this confidence on Kagome came from. Did he really think she would rise to the top with just mediocre skills? Pointing an accusing finger at the red head, his brows furrowed with annoyance. "I'm not letting this go! Listen up, Yukihira! We'll settle this someday! I will settle it with both of you!"
"Sure," he sighed, "but how?"
"Eventually," he replied, "I'll challenge you to a Shokugeki. Don't run away from it. You have to accept. And that is when I will crush you both." Walking away, he rolled his sleeves over his elbows. "You would do well to hone your skills, and hers as well, before then. Until we meet again, Yukihira Soma."
"Sit down from the back row first!" Hinako instructed as she counted each of her students in the bus. "Let's go, then!"
A sweat drop loomed over the miko's head as she saw Souma sitting in front of her with crossed arms and legs while Takumi sat beside him with a darkened blush. After sitting down with Megumi, she had expected for Souma to sit by himself with the uneven number of students, but the moment she saw Isami having been told by Hinako to sit by another student, Takumi was left to sit by Souma.
"Did something happen?" Kagome's brow rose, coming up to look over their seats.
"Well," Souma replied, "he said to prepare myself before we meet again, and," his eyes narrowed to match his smirk as he turned to face the embarrassed blonde, "I guess we met again."
"Urusai!" Takumi shouted, covering his face with his hands. "Don't talk to me!"
"What's wrong?" Souma continued. "Aren't you gonna crush me?"
"I told you, don't talk to me!"
Sitting back on her seat with a deadpanned expression, Kagome sighed. Sometimes she wondered if all chefs were childish and weird. Her eyes drifted to the window beside her; she rested her elbow over the arm rest with her chin on her palm. As the view of the field came to her, she noticed her reflection right off the window.
Kagome blinked as she kept staring back.
She had a smile.
"Megumi! Kagome! Yukihira!" Relief washed over Yoshino's eyes as she saw the three Polar Star residence come out of the bus in front of the hotel with smiles on their faces. "You made it!" She exclaimed, running up to them.
Watching Yoshino run in to pull Kagome and Megumi into a hug, Souma's smile stretched further as he noticed the miko's confusion in the affection. Ever since he reunited with her, it almost seemed like the old light in her eyes had been put out, but it was beginning to light up again. Looking at Sakaki coming over with Ibusaki – who was on the phone – he put his hands inside his pockets. "What about the others?"
"Ibusaki-kun is checking on them right now." She replied.
"Got it." Ibusaki spoke. "Well done." Ending the call, Ibusaki gave them a thumbs up. "All the Polar Star members made it through day one."
All sighing in relief, they were able to give a comfortable smile now with all trials done for the day. Looking down at the ground, Souma's brow rose seeing the paled Marui almost half way to the gate of death. "Can you really say Marui made it?"
"He was running around in the mountains the whole time, apparently." Ibusaki spoke, hearing Marui's struggle to catch his breath.
"Oh," Souma's smile widened, "Kagome here was running like a mountain lion out there, too! She can do some serious stuff out in the wild-!"
"Who are you calling 'mountain' lion?" She clapped the dirt out of her hands as she saw Souma bend to the side from her sudden jab into his ribs. Deciding to let him groan out the pain, she turned to the females of the group. "I guess we are all tired. We should go rest up."
"Yeah," Megumi nodded, "I can barely move."
"Don't be ridiculous, ladies!" Yoshino cut in with a grin. "We're about to reap out rewards!"
"Rewards?" They all repeated.
"Dinner, bath, and hotel room! I bet they'll all be extravagant and sumptuous! I'm going to experience all of it to the hilt!" Eyes shining with delight at the images of rich food, warm baths, and comfy beds in her head, Yoshino headed towards the entrance of the hotel.
Eyes from all students widened as soon as they entered the lobby and were greeted with the sight of buff men flexing their muscles at them. All thoughts in their heads dried upon seeing one of the Totsuki alumni, Hitoshi, walking in with a cart holding a covered tray. He cleared his throat, making sure all present students gave him their undivided attention. "Those of you who finish serving them dinner," he presented the muscular men, "will be allowed to have free time."
"Who…are they?" Kagome whispered, wondering where this task was coming from.
"Who are they!?" Yoshino exclaimed, feeling her dream of comfort slipping away.
"Jowan University bodybuilder club members who are staying nearby." Hitoshi continued. "The American football club and wrestling club members will arrive in a bit."
The students' brows twitched at their flexing muscles.
Hitoshi uncovered the tray, revealing the steak, salad, rice, and miso meal. "Our dinner today consists of a steak set. Each of you will make fifty servings."
"F-Fifty servings each!?" Yoshino shouted with the rest of the students. "B-But Sekimori-senpai! What about our dinner?"
"Once you finish making fifty servings, you can make your own." He replied.
"Make our own?" Yoshino repeated, reality sinking in heavier. "W-What about our extravagant dinner?"
"There will be no such thing. I will also have you know that during your training camp, all breakfast and dinner meals will be prepared by yourselves."
The Polar Star girls could not help but wince at the sight of Yoshino's soul almost slipping out of her as they were sure they heard a crack in her heart with the reality of the camp setting in. It was to be expected; it was indeed the camp of hell.
"Lastly," Hitoshi continued, holding a timer, "if you cannot finish serving our guests dinner within the next sixty minutes, you will be expelled on the spot. Begin!"
Students quickly ran to the main kitchens while changing out of their coats and ties to place their chef uniforms. Kagome sighed, knowing it was too good to be true to have her freedom for the rest of the day. Putting her hair up in a ponytail, the miko placed her uniform jacket on one of the lockers in the back before grabbing a white chef coat. Rushing into the kitchen, she took a step back at the chaos ensuing and the stressful screaming of students rushing to get their fifty servings done.
Kagome gulped, unsure if she was cut out to be on her own and making a meal in a Totsuki Resort. Feeling a pat on her shoulder, her eyes glided upwards to see Souma looking ahead.
"Ready?" He grinned. "Just like old times in the restaurant: you versus me."
Watching him walk away and choose his station, Kagome looked for her own. 'That's right. I can't let them baby me. I can't let Souma-kun guide me all the time. I need to prove to others and myself that I can do this.' Washing her hands, Kagome looked at the meal at the front for reference. Simple. Preparing the steak, she quickly seasoned all meats and prepared the sauce.
Her eyes landed on the waiting body builders as one by one, trays by students were left at the front, but not before Hitoshi inspected them. Her ears caught the small complaints of pain from the body builders as they tried to stretch some of their arm muscles. 'Sore?' She blinked. Looking at the vegetables on her table, she looked at the back of the kitchen for ginseng. Perhaps she could use it on the sauce of the meat to help with their fatigue.
"Nakiri Erina," Hitoshi's voice caught the miko's attention, "fifty servings have been completed! Well done!"
'Erina?' Kagome blinked. So she had to participate, too, huh?
Ignoring the shouts of others to move away, and the echoes of their tiredness, Kagome continued to move. She had to continue chanting the mantra in her head: she was not tired. And although she was, it was not as bad as when she was younger and Joichirou was pushing Souma and her to keep up and serve some of the customers. And it also did not compare to the quickness she had to adopt when she battled. All her senses were heightened, and her concentration solidified on her task in hand.
"Yukihira Souma," Hitoshi spoke, marking off something on his notepad, "fifty servings, complete! You pass the test!"
"Well," Souma waved, "I'll be waiting in Marui's room."
"Don't be! I want to turn in early tonight!"
The miko looked up from her task as she waited for the steaks to cook thoroughly and saw the red head take his headband off. Figures. Scoffing with a roll of her eyes, she smiled before continuing.
"Hayama Akira, fifty servings complete!"
Placing his knife down on the cutting board, Hayama nodded at his completion. He walked around a few stations before noticing the miko using the ginseng on the steak sauce. He smirked, knowing the purpose behind the change. Observing her movements, and the way she invested herself in the task, he could tell she was evolving.
And fast.
"I said I'd be in Marui's room," Souma sighed, walking in the empty hall leading to their rooms, "but it's not like there is anything for me to do by myself. I wonder if anything is on TV." Stopping in his tracks, Souma turned his head to the right to see the sign directing the way to the communal baths. "Oh!" His eyes lit up. "Right! I'll just take my bath before everyone else! Maybe I'll have the bath all to myself now!" Skipping to his room, he hummed to himself in delight. "I gotta go get my yukata and underwear!"
Turning around the corner, his body pushed against another making him wince before opening his eyes to see the person who had fallen to the floor. "Ah! Wari!" Souma blinked, noticing the blonde hair and female before him.
"Y-Yukihira Souma!"
Watching her cover herself with her yukata, Souma's sweat drop floated over his head. "You all right, Nakiri? Did you twist your ankle or anything?"
Erina quickly raised her palm, stopping him from offering his hand to help her stand. "Don't touch me! I can get up without your help!" Cheeks blooming pink, Erina looked away from Souma's state. 'What a mistake! I let my guard down because I didn't think anyone would be here. To be seen like this by him, of all people!' Standing up, Erina adjusted the front part of her yukata before turning around to give Souma a glare. 'I hope he didn't hear me humming.'
"So, you seem to be in a really good mood, humming and all."
"Humming!? Who!?" She shouted, blush exploding into a darker hue. "I have no idea what you're talking about!" Her heart seemed to stop after hearing Souma had heard her hum!
"Well," Souma nodded, "I can see why you would be in a good mood. We're at a hot spring, and we're staying here for a few nights. I brought stuff like cards and hanafuda for no reason, too."
"I-I'm not like you." Erina stated, stopping him from going further in a comfortable conversation. "I was told this is supposed to be a camp straight out of hell, but I just find it a boring, pointless excursion. Still," she smirked, "getting to see when you and that girl will get expelled may prove to be of some entertainment."
Nodding again, Souma tilted his head a little higher. "Right. Right. Says the one that was prancing down the hallway."
"Erina-sama!"
Turning to the incoming voice, both blinked at the sight of Erina's secretary running towards her.
"I'm sorry I took so long!" Hisako exclaimed, holding a bag by her side. "It was more work than I had thought-!" Her eyes widened at the sight of the red head. "Y-Yukihira Souma! What are you doing here!?"
"Oh," he pointed his thumb at the blonde queen, "I pushed Nakiri down on the floor."
"C-Chotto!" Erina shouted. "Don't make it sound like something it wasn't!"
Horror overtook Hisako's facial expression as the dark thoughts of Souma taking advantage of her lady popped in her head. "Huh!?" She yelled, quickly coming to block his view of Erina.
"But it was." He blinked. "I made you go all 'boing' and stuff."
"B-Boing?!" Hisako repeated, looking at her master.
"T-That's not true, Hisako! God! Just go somewhere else already!"
"Fine, fine." He pouted, not wanting the yelling to get any louder. Knowing it was best to leave, Souma waved them goodbye as he headed towards the communal baths.
Watching him hum away, Hisako gulped, unsure if she should question his presence around Erina. "Um, is everything okay, Erina-sama?"
Huffing under her breath, Erina crossed her arms. "You may go take your bath, Hisako."
"Hai…" Hisako nodded. "Oh, I did manage to borrow the cards from the front desk!" Showing her the cards from the bag, she gave Erina a wide smile. "See!"
"I would never play something so frivolous!" Erina pouted, looking away annoyed. The last thing she wanted was to do exactly what Souma was doing!
Blinking back, Hisako was thrown into a wave of confusion seeing Erina rejecting what she had requested since arriving to the resort. Had she not asked to get cards?
"Finished?"
With the door flapping close behind her, Kagome slowly lowered her hand from her forehead. Her head turned to the voice beside the kitchen exit; shoulders untensed at the sight of the silver haired chef. "Hayama-kun…"
"I'm impressed you were able to finish before most of these people." He spoke, opening his eyes to meet her own. "And to think these chefs have had kitchen experience."
The miko's eyes narrowed at his 'insult'. Whether it was or was not, she had caught on. She sighed, closing her eyes in thought. "Well, guess either they are slowing down or I am catching up."
"And who exactly are you trying to catch up to?"
The question made her eyes snap open before turning her head to the spice chef. Who…was she trying to catch up to? View drifting down to the floor, she heard Hayama begin to walk past her while taking out a cinnamon stick from his own bag.
"Well, I do hope you survive this camp, Higurashi-san." He whispered. "It would be a shame to see talent get expelled."
Kagome's eyes narrowed with worry thinking to everyone she had met so far. Each and every one of them had some kind of experience or past in the culinary world, and her…she was a complete rookie. Sure, she had experience having grown up with Souma and in his father's kitchen, but she learned the basics.
That is all she had.
Hayama questioning her attendance was beginning to make herself question it. Her head turned over her shoulder to see Hayama walking further down the hall. His question echoed in her mind, making her sigh. She had not even realized she was trying so hard but for what goal? Just to pass? That was her mentality right now: to survive. Shaking the thoughts away, the miko made her way forward. 'I need that bath…'
"Did you see him!?"
"I didn't think he would be that handsome in person!"
Walking past a few tourists in the hall, Kagome overheard their squeals and excitement.
"Can't believe Chef Kouga actually is in the Totsuki resort!"
Kagome stopped in her steps.
"We should have asked for his autograph!"
Looking over her shoulder, Kagome's shoulders dropped as her lips parted. As the tourist group walked away, Kagome was left staring at their backs. "Chef…Kouga?"
Eyes narrowing at the written recipe on his lap, the French-cuisine chef sighed as he took a sip of his red wine. Even the taste of wine was becoming dull. To think he had to judge the dishes of the weak in Totsuki for the next few days. Shaking his head, Shinomiya placed his created recipe on the coffee table of his hotel room before hearing a knock on his door. With a raised brow, Shinomiya placed his glass of wine on the coaster before walking over.
Seriously, who was visiting him this late at night? If it was Hinako, he was going to close and lock the door immediately. "Who is it?" He questioned, tone hardened with irritation.
Opening the door, Shinomiya's lips parted with shock only to be replaced with a smirk. "Well, well. I seriously didn't expect a late-night visit for you."
"I had to." Shinomiya's eyes noticed the bottle of wine in his guest's hand. "You have been crying to my wife about this wine for the past two years."
Scoffing under his breath, Shinomiya allowed the black-haired male in before closing the door behind him. Taking the bottle of wine, he eyed the label. "Chateau Margaux 2009 Balthazar." He chuckled as he walked over to the table of liquor set up by the hotel. "Didn't think she would find it."
"You are talking about my wife here." He replied. "She is an expert at her job, you know?" Watching Shinomiya open the bottle, he smirked at the sight of the chef enjoying the rich scent of the red wine. "It wasn't easy, though. You owe her four-hundred thousand sixty-two yen."
"That much, huh?" Shinomiya rolled his eyes. The price of good wine was rising. Grabbing an empty glass, he turned around offering a drink. Given a yes, Shinomiya turned back to pour a bit for the two. "I am sure you aren't just here for delivering the wine. A famous culinary master of meat wouldn't be doing deliveries to me, isn't that right," turning to hand him the glass, Shinomiya raised his own glass for a toast, "Kouga."
Smirking back, Kouga slowly brought the wine glass to his lips. "Let's just say I was asked to…supervise." Noticing the paper on the coffee table, Kouga's brow rose questioningly seeing the title. His new recipe? Picking it up, he read over the ingredients. "It needs meat." He scoffed.
"We aren't all meat eaters like you." Shinomiya smirked before taking a sip of his wine. "Vegetables also need to shine."
Nodding his head with his bottom lip sticking out, Kouga shrugged. "Vegetables still taste better with meat."
"Childish."
"So?" Kouga spoke, noticing only half of the recipe was complete. "Where is the rest?"
Falling silent, Shinomiya's eyes narrowed before turning back to face the window. "I'm working on it."
Kouga's eyes mimicked those of the chef's with his lips curving into a smile. "Is that so?" He took another look at the recipe; he sighed as he finished his wine in one sip. Placing the recipe back on the coffee table, he also placed his wine glass on the coaster. "Well, don't be so hard on them tomorrow."
Shinomiya watched the meat CEO from the reflection of the window while keeping his glass close to his chest.
"After all," Kouga continued, walking to the door, "I heard you were…stagnating." Opening the door, Kouga saluted him without looking back. "Get some rest, Chef Shinomiya."
The glare tightened; Shinomiya's fingers shook as he watched the wolf walk away. Hearing Kouga give his goodbye, he waited for the door to fully close before turning to see the recipe from the corner of his eyes.
He would be anything but easy.
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: So I have decided to introduce some special characters in the food world! I hope...I don't ruin it with having decided with what each person is in charge of...
But other than that, I hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you for reading, and I am just happy I was able to update two stories for my birthday!
Please review!
Ja~ne