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 know it's been a long wait, but thank you for being so patient with me. This story was voted to be updated next (on Tumblr), so here it goes! Thank you to those who have reviewed this story. All your reviews are read over and over again to remind me to keep going.
Enjoy!
Chapter 06: Leaders Tremble
"Hmph. I can never understand what her problem is." Frowning at the pushed away treatment he received from Erina in the hall, Souma placed his belonging in the baskets for guests before turning around to grab a white towel. Bare and ready to go out, Souma's frown melted away with the excitement of the bath coming in mind. "I'm gonna take my sweet time taking a bath!"
Walking over to the enormous doors leading to the hot springs, Souma slid the door open. "First one in, here I-!" His eyes immediately widened at the sight of ripped muscles that could kill a man flexing. Souma's blood ran cold noticing it was a person harboring those muscles. Sitting next to the buff male, Souma noticed another male – slender with muscle as well – giving him a raised brow while he put his hair up into a high ponytail. The longer he stared, the sooner it got him to realize the intimidation these men oozed-
"Oh? The first one is here already? Sorry," the buff male smirked, looking over his shoulder, "stretching in the bath is part of my daily routine."
"Looks like they beat us, Dojima-san." The other chuckled.
-for a second. Souma's fear swiftly washed away as soon as he heard them speak. Confidently walking towards the bath, Souma laughed with them. "Man, I was all revved up thinking I would be the first one in here! The disappointment!"
Laughing along with the teen, Dojima smiled. "Sorry about that. You are the first student in, so you'll have to take that as a win."
"Ah, you're the one that introduced us to the alumni! Dojima-senpai, correct?" Souma blinked, realizing who the muscular male was. To think all those muscles could squeeze into the formal suit he had been wearing earlier in the day.
"Yes, that is correct." Moving to the side, Dojima gave Souma a view of the male sitting beside him. "This is Ichirou Kouga; this is man runs the number one meat industry in Japan. Kouga-san sells his meat to only the best restaurants and chefs around the world."
"Ah!" Souma's fist came over his palm, "Kouga….san…sorry," he chuckled nervously, "I have no idea who you are. To be honest, I don't know any of the famous chefs here."
Dojima blinked; water splashed as Kouga came forward.
"Eh!?" Kouga exclaimed before his shoulders dropped into the water. "And here I thought kids your age were caught up with hot trends."
Dojima scoffed with a smirk hearing Kouga's words. "Since when did you think you were trending with the young ones?" Although he had to admit, most people did know Kouga because of his famous business partners, but he was well known across Japan. Even those coming into Totsuki were well educated to know who their role models were.
"Sorry, sorry," Souma scratched the back of his head, "I tend to only focus on my cooking."
"Huh…" Kouga's brow rose once again. Talk about self-centered.
Massaging his stiff shoulder, Dojima nodded to Souma's words. "It is surprising to find you here so early. Given last year and this year, Totsuki has some good students in the pipeline."
"Last year?" Souma blinked.
"The task to prepare fifty servings has been simultaneously assigned at multiple locations." Dojima continued, thinking back to the years he had the pleasure to see which students survived the camp. "It's obvious who completed the task the fastest."
"Ah yes," Kouga nodded, "I remember you telling me you try to finish your bath and leave before students show up. Wasn't there one last year that really caught your interest?"
"Oh?" Souma's curiosity piqued.
Dojima nodded, "he's now the seventh seat in the Elite Ten, if I remember correctly. He seemed promising, as well."
'Ah! It's someone I know!' A wide smile with a sweat drop over Souma's head appeared as the image of Isshiki and Dojima making conversation came in mind. 'Huh. That sounds like Isshiki-senpai, all right-.' Souma's eyes widened slightly as his memories flashed back to the hall and his encounter with a fully bathed and dressed Erina. 'Wait, so she finished up even earlier than me?'
"Well," Dojima continued, "speed isn't everything, but it's clear that there is skill involved."
"That girl comes in mind, huh?" Kouga cut in noticing the look in Souma's eyes.
"Ah, Nakiri Erina."
Souma's eyes landed on Dojima seeing both men agreeing to his personal thoughts.
"The granddaughter of the academy's director." Dojima spoke, remembering having met the little girl around the age of five and already doing things most young adult chefs were barely learning to do. "The God Tongue…She has had access to the academy's main lecturers since infancy. Only the most refined baby food touched her lips. When she tasted several varieties of salt blindfolded as a child…," he shook his head having not believed the story either when he first heard it, "she correctly named each salt's origin, etc. There are more stories than I can count about her God Tongue."
"Her sudden jump into the Elite Ten is founded on true talent, though." Kouga added, resting his elbows back on the edge of the hot springs. "If she continues to excel, she will become a monster, if you ask me."
"A 'masterpiece', Kouga-san." Dojima shook his head.
"Monster." Kouga scoffed back. It was not normal for humans to be so good at smelling and tasting food like they did.
Nodding, Dojima rested his elbows back on the edge. With a long sigh, Dojima shrugged. "Well, either way, she is still a diamond in the rough. Totsuki is an otherworldly place, where those with talent throng together and devour one another. Its depths are unfathomable. You better prepare yourself, boy!"
Souma nodded, understanding what Dojima was telling him. Totsuki, from here on out, was going to be hell, but only those strong enough for the challenge with succeed.
"Yukihira!"
The sound of the sliding door slamming across caught their attention to the blonde standing with a towel around his waist.
"I may have fallen behind you this time, but it won't happen next time-!" The blonde froze the second he caught sight of the two older chefs inside the water with his new rival. "C-Chef Dojima!? C-Chef Kouga!?"
"Oh~." Kouga snapped his fingers at the teen. "See, he knows me, Dojima-san."
"Well, it would seem like we have overstayed our welcome, Kouga-san." Standing up in the water, Dojima grabbed the towel near the edge. "Let's get going."
"Hai, hai." Kouga sighed, wanting to stay a little longer to relax. Looking at the red headed chef still inside, Kouga's hand reached out for a handshake. "The camp is just beginning, boy. It's not just about mental strength, but also physically, so be sure to take care of yourself." Kouga smirked the moment Souma's hand met his for the shake. "Good luck."
"Thanks, Kouga-senpai. Dojima-senpai." Souma stood up in respect of their exit only to have the young Aldini come in and bump him on the side with his elbow. "What?"
"Do you know who they are?!" Takumi exclaimed.
"Yeah," Souma nodded back, "Dojima-senpai, and Kouga-senpai."
"Well, yeah! B-But…wait! Hang on a second! How could you just casually shake hands with Kouga and speak to them like that, Yukihira!?"
Stopping midway from closing the door behind him, Dojima blinked catching the red head's name. 'Yukihira?' Dojima looked over his shoulder, noticing the red head continuing to laugh as Takumi kept going with his questions. 'I've heard that name before…'
"What's wrong?" Kouga questioned, noticing the other chef having stopped in his steps.
Closing the door behind him, Dojima sighed, "nothing."
Body sunk deeper into the warm water until it stopped a little over her nose. Eyes narrowed annoyingly as her head replayed Hayama's words.
"And who exactly are you trying to catch up to?"
Was there something he had noticed and she had not? Blowing bubbles through her nose, Kagome held back a grumble. The last thing she needed was someone insulting her 'skill'. 'And here I thought Hayama-kun was a nice guy.' Give her some arrows and a bow, and some demons, then she could show skill.
"Why are you so quiet, Kagome-chan? Weren't you looking forward to the baths?"
"Huh?" Kagome blinked, lips finally coming up from the water. "Oh, it's nothing, Yoshino-chan. I'm just exhausted."
Yoshino exhaled, agreeing with the miko. Submerging herself into the warm water, she smiled tiredly at Kagome, Megumi, and Sakaki. "Preparing fifty serving took a lot out of me."
"I'm just glad we all made it." Sakaki chuckled as she pinned her hair up.
"So far." Kagome sighed. If all trials were going to be like Hinako's, then maybe she would survive.
"Well," Sakaki sighed, "they don't call it the camp from hell for nothing."
"But once you soak in a hot bath, you find the energy to give it another try!" Megumi chuckled as she moved her rubber ducky to face the other way.
Looking at the duck, Kagome tilted her head to the side. Was that really hers?
"You brought it?" Sakaki asked, noticing the small toy swimming towards her.
"Oh, I thought I should let him see the world." Megumi shrugged with a smile. Poking the top of the duck's head, Megumi released a content sigh. She was surprised to find herself still here after having survived Hinako's tough challenge. She only hoped the rest of the days would go without quarrel.
Yoshino's eyes narrowed as her cheeks became tinted with pink from the soothing heat. "We should probably head to Marui-kun's room." All three girls blinked the moment Yoshino sprung up on her feet as water curved down her body. "Let's see this room that would normally cost us eight-thousand yen per night!"
Eyes sparkled with excitement at the beautiful and luxurious room welcoming her. Yoshino's heart thumped never believing she would live to enjoy a room she could only experience through the internet. It almost seemed like the whole room sparkled for her!
"Ah!" Jumping on Marui's unoccupied, Yoshino rolled in the comfort. "This is so comfy!"
A chuckle escaped the miko's lips as she watched Yoshino enjoy another person's bed. As Megumi and Sakaki made their way to Yoshino, she adjusted her yukata. At least they could rest. She could already hear her body beginning for a bed as well. Feeling a hand landing on her head, the miko blinked upwards to see the grin glued on the red head's lips.
"You made it!"
Kagome's eyes narrowed as she moved Souma's hand away from her head. "Did you underestimate me?"
"Of course not!" He snickered.
Noticing tupperware in his hand, Kagome blinked before leaning closer to his hands. Was that…? She quickly took a step back the moment she noticed the slimy substance inside. "What the hell are you doing with that?!"
"It's a party, isn't it?"
"Parties don't welcome poison." She huffed, crossing her arms. When did he even have time to create his nightmares? Eyes darted towards the owner of the room. Blink after blink, the other Polar Star students watched as Marui shivered out of exhaustion. "Marui-kun…are you okay?" Kagome asked, seeing his thin face and paleness. If anything, it looked like his body was ready to give in at any moment. Had the first day of the camp already exhausted him that much?
"Oh? You care about my health, Kagome-san?" Marui's tone shook. "Then why don't you hear what I have to say? Let's call it a day and get some rest for tomorrow."
"We brought the refreshments and cards!" The boys shouted as they placed a box of drinks on the floor and the cards on the bed.
"Why do you guys keep coming to my room!?" Marui exclaimed. It was bad enough parties always happened in his room at the dorm.
"All right!" Yoshino jumped up, preparing her seat on the mattress. "What game are we going to play today!?"
"Daihinmin!" Both Sato and Aoki grinned. "One hundred games!"
Feeling the arms of the boys on top of his shoulders, Marui's teeth grinned. Although he hated the parties, he was never one to cower when a challenge arrived. "Fine! Bring it!"
Placing a blanket over Yoshino's shoulders, Kagome sighed seeing the other three boys passed out on the bed as well. They had not even lasted ten minutes in the game. Shaking her head, Kagome turned around to face the others sitting on the rug. "Well," Kagome walked over to them before taking her seat next to Megumi, "that's four, now it is our turn to hit the sack."
"I guess we all got hit by a wave of exhaustion." Sakaki chuckled.
"Lights out should be soon." Ibusaki whispered, as he held a paper cup between his teeth.
"Are you not sleepy, Megumi-chan?" Kagome questioned, noticing her gaze on the cups being juggled by the red head. "I thought you went to bed early?"
Megumi chuckled softly as she pulled back a strand of hair behind her hair. "It's weird, huh? I am tired, but I am wide awake."
"Well," Souma shrugged, as he continued to juggle the cups, "you've been super focused the whole day. Not to mention, we had to follow Kagome on a rampage when Takumi called her out as a rival."
"That was you." Kagome's eyes narrowed.
Megumi chuckled again, "that's not the only reason. I…," fingers curled into the fabric of her light yukata, "I have always been nervous in class. My anxiety makes me mess up the whole time, and I am constantly worrying about it, but today, I managed to back up Souma-kun and Kagome-chan just fine! So…just a bit…I am starting to feel confident in myself, and to be honest, I am excited about that."
Lips parting, Kagome blinked as Megumi tried to tell the others it was all because of the her and Souma helping her. Helping her? This whole time…she was being helped.
She was the amateur.
If anything, she thought everyone around her was talented, and Kagome applaud them for that. To be so young and passionate about something. Yet, here she was listening to Megumi praising her. It only confused her further, but her words echoed in her head. Megumi was excited about the confidence that was beginning to bloom inside of her; she would be lying to herself if she did not feel the same seed inside.
"That's not even true!" Souma interrupted Megumi with a wide smile. "If you hadn't helped Kagome or me, we couldn't have completed the dish! Your cooking is amazing!"
"He's right!" Sakaki nodded. "You're totally capable of rising to the occasion. Have more confidence, okay?"
Watching Megumi give them a small nod, Kagome placed her hand over her shoulder to send a smile of her own. Whatever worries Megumi was brewing, she was sure it would turn out alright.
Everything would turn out alright.
"Look! Sixteen cups!" Souma shouted grabbing everyone's attention.
As the ones awake were awed by Souma's quick juggling, Kagome noticed Megumi bringing up her temple charm to her chest as she smiled at her friends trying to juggle. There was fear in all of them, but slowly, confidence began to sprout.
Blink after blink, Kagome's fingers came to pick up the recipe on the counter of her work space. A brow rose upon reading the ingredients and directions to the dish. 'A terrine?' She looked around the classroom to see everyone also confused about the given recipe. No sign of their instructor; something in her gut told her something ominous was coming. Just by reading the overly detailed directions, she had a feeling their next instructor was going to be a pain.
"It is a full vegetable meal."
The miko's eyes rose to meet green hues.
"Only one chef could be assigning this."
Straightening herself out, Kagome lowered the recipe to the counter of her work space. "A surprise to find you in this group, Hayama-kun."
He chuckled, "well, there is a rotation every day."
"Right." She nodded back. "How did yesterday go?"
"Too easy, if you ask me."
The miko's brow twitched. Was everyone this highly confident in their skills? Even if she was labeled the best chef of the country, she would still be nervous to serve dishes. A sigh passed her lips as her eyes returned to the recipe in hand. Perhaps if would not be as bad as she thought?
"Apparently," Hayama whispered, looking at the other nervous students, "our instructor today is the harshest of the alumni."
Kagome blinked back. Only one person came in mind.
"Man!" Souma stretched his arms above his head. "I didn't get enough sleep! I just hope I don't have to be running around wild in the mountains for this next trial."
Chuckling, Megumi walked beside the red head as they headed to their assigned room. To think even Souma would be getting nervous was surprising, but it made her feel at ease to know even skilled people had their days.
"I couldn't stop thinking of recipes, and then when I had an idea, I had to write them down!"
A sweat drop appeared over Megumi's head. Of course he would be thinking about that. Sighing, Megumi blinked as she and Souma entered the room to see Kagome at her station and staring at a silver haired student. "Huh? Who is that?" Megumi whispered.
Raising a brow, Souma watched as the unnamed male turned around to walk to his own station. He did not recognize him, but by the looks of it, it seemed Kagome did. Making his way towards his childhood friend, Souma looked over the girl's shoulder. "Who was that?" He asked. His eyes blinked once upon noticing Kagome staring at the recipe. "Oi." He spoke again. "Kago-chan."
Blinking out of her inner thoughts, Kagome looked over her shoulder. "Oh, Souma-kun, hey."
"Why so quiet?" He questioned.
"Do you know what a terrine is?" She pushed the recipe his way.
Souma took the paper in his hand before scanning the content. "Terrain?"
"Terrine." The miko's eyes narrowed to match her sarcastic tone.
Grabbing another copy of the recipe from her station, Megumi read the steps given. "Oh, a vegetable terrine; this terrine has nine chosen vegetables." A concerned expression slowly melted onto her face as she continued to read the details. "This can be tricky. Each vegetable requires specific preparation and cooking times, and the goal of this dish is for one never to overwhelm or underwhelm the other ingredients."
"Good morning."
All heads turned to the front of the room to see their instructor making his way to his special seat. Eyes widened slowly upon taking in the reality of the nightmare. Of all people, it was him.
"I'm Shinomiya," the alumni chef sighed as he took out a copy of his recipe from his seat, "an alumnus of the seventy-ninth graduating class. This task involves cooking a dish of my choosing. You all have the recette, I hope?"
"Shit." One of the students whispered behind them. "It's Chef Shinomiya."
"Seriously?" Another cursed. "I heard he already expelled more than thirty students yesterday, and now he assigned us a recipe he came up with, too."
Showing the front of the recipe, a smirk decorated Shinomiya's lips. "Don't worry, I chose the easiest of my recettes. Would you prefer a more difficult challenge?"
"Ha…," Kagome's brow twitched, "he really is looking down on us."
"Lettuce?" Souma tilted his head to the side. "Why does he keep saying 'lettuce'?"
"Recette, Souma-kun!" Megumi whispered. "It means recipe!"
"Also…"
The room fell silent once again.
"…you are not allowed to form teams for this task. I will have each of you prepare the dish. You may not share information or help each other during this process."
Hell immediately froze for everyone upon hearing Shinomiya's rule.
Shinomiya pointed to the back of the room with empty stations having different vegetables needed for the recipe. "You will each select ingredients from the piles at the back of the kitchen. Lastly, a word of advice: you would do better to think of everyone else as your enemies."
The miko's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Enemies? Something about the way he had said it rubbed her the wrong way. Totsuki was about weeding out the ones who were not able to survive whatever task thrown to them, but to purposely make enemies in such a way only made her question the exact motives. 'Or perhaps this is just a personality problem?' She gave herself a mental scoff. Auras around her immediately heightened protectively and aggressively. No doubt Shinomiya's words had triggered everyone.
"The time limit is three hours." Shinomiya continued as he raised his hand. "Now…begin."
A stampede of students rushed to the back, leaving Kagome and Souma to see everyone in a hurry to grab the ingredients. Looking at the paper again, Kagome sighed. "Enemies, huh?"
"Well, as long as people complete the dish, there is really no reason to make enemies." Souma whispered back.
As Souma left her side, Kagome sighed while remembering all the vegetables on the list. She placed the recipe on the counter before grabbing a tray to collect all the necessary ingredients. The noise escalated, and before she could even reach to grab a cabbage, she was pushed by another person. The miko's glare returned noticing the chaos beginning to boil.
Is this what Chef Shinomiya wanted?
Snaking herself in to grab what she could, she reached for a cauliflower. Her eyes caught sight of the familiar blue sleeve; looking up, Kagome blinked seeing Hayama having grabbed a cauliflower of his own.
"It looks like you grabbed the last good one." He whispered before turning away to walk to his station.
And it was true; her gaze fell. The rest of the cauliflowers were already past their perfect stage. Nodding to herself, Kagome placed it on her tray before turning. She immediately stopped her feet the moment she caught sight of Megumi rushing to the cauliflower station.
"Oh no…" Megumi whispered. Her blood froze as she picked each cauliflower to check for any good portions. One after another ended up being worse than the one before. "Is…there none left?" White to her right caught her attention. Turning her head, Megumi blinked to see Kagome close to her side to hide the view of the trade. Megumi's eyes looked over her shoulder to see Shinomiya staring at another pair trying to help each other. She gulped the moment Shinomiya gave them a warning.
Looking back at the miko, Megumi shook her head. "I-I can't, Kagome-chan…we will both get expelled-". Megumi blinked again as she saw Kagome placing the last good cauliflower on the pile of the bad ones before one of those were grabbed by her. Was Kagome really going to sacrifice her dish with a bad cauliflower? This was Shinomiya! The harshest alumni!
Kagome winked at her before turning around to grab a few spices from the pantry. As she heard Megumi hesitantly turn away and run back to her station, a small smile appeared over the miko's lips. It was a risk – a big risk, but it was fishy. To have so many bad vegetables when he was known to be a vegetable expert? Surely he knew better.
She shook her head, 'can't concentrate on that right now, Kagome! Focus!' She stared at discoloration of the cauliflower. Her head turned slightly over her shoulder in search for Souma only to stop her own movements. She had to stop relying on him. It was time she did stuff on her own. Looking back at the cauliflower, Kagome sighed. Was there a way to bleach it out? Giving herself a mental scoff, Kagome's eyes returned to the pantry. 'Right, use bleach, Kagome.' In the middle of grabbing the needed spices, Kagome's hand froze the moment her eyes caught sight of the white vinegar on the shelf.
'White vinegar…' Her eyes widened slowly as a memory flashed in her head. A memory long shelved in her own archive. Grabbing the bottle, Kagome's brow furrowed.
She had to take the risk.
Turning around in his own station, Hayama stopped from exiting to the pantry only to see the miko run past him with her ingredients and a bottle under her arm. A brow rose questioningly recognizing the confident look on her face.
What was she thinking?
"Pass."
Giving Shinomiya a bow with his head, Hayama took the plate back to his station. Only a few were passing, but where his curiosity laid still did not give him answers. His eyes traveled to the front of the room where a line of students ready to be judged stood. Shinomiya had taken his seat, and it was nerve-wracking enough to see his unamused expression with each taste he took. But he himself felt no different; he was confident his dish would pass. Crossing his arms, Hayama's brow rose seeing the red head chef being next for his judging.
Everyone was curious.
"Yukihira Souma." He introduced himself.
Shinomiya stared at the dish for a few seconds to take in the presentation. No flaws. "Oh?" Chuckling under his breath, Shinomiya grabbed the fork from the side of the plate before cutting himself a piece to taste. Silence curtained the room as everyone waited to know if the transfer student would pass. Placing the fork back, Shinomiya gave Souma a small nod, "pass."
Hayama's eyes narrowed; Kagome, holding her tray, sighed in relief to know he has passed. The worry now laid on Megumi and herself. If they could survive this, the rest of the camp would be less painful.
"You're fired." Shinomiya spoke, placing the fork down on the student's tray in his hands. "Thanks for your hard work."
"I-I'll make it again!"
"Do you have any ingredients?"
The student froze upon hearing Shinomiya's question.
"You have no ingredients left. No time. If you still insist that you can remake the dish, you're a greater magician than I can ever hope to become." His finger pointed to the exit of the room before he repeated his statement, "fired."
Souma looked over his shoulder, watching the one of the students pleaded for a second chance. He could see Megumi waiting behind him with her nerves taking control of the shake on her legs. No doubt she was becoming more worried with her dish now that she was standing a few feet away from Shinomiya.
Taking a hesitant step forward, Megumi tried her best to hide her swallowed nerves. It was her turn. "T-Tadokoro Megumi."
Eyes landed on the terrine: good presentation. Eyebrows furrowed slowly as Shinomiya grabbed the fork and gave it a try. The silence could not have dragged on further, and if there was a difference to Souma's silence it was the heavy atmosphere now weighing everyone down.
Shinomiya placed the fork back on the tray before sighing under his breath. "Pass."
Megumi's eyes widened; a smile formed over Kagome's and Souma's lips.
All anxiety within washed away, and Megumi turned around to present the two a smile she did not think could form. With Kagome sending her a wink, Megumi nodded back before walking down the hall of stations to get to her own.
Kagome took a deep breath upon realizing it was her turn, and she was now only a few feet away from her pass or fail. Before she could take one step forward, she stopped herself the moment she saw Shinomiya's palm directed to her.
"You're fired."
Souma's eyes widened as Megumi turned her head over her shoulder. Did he-?
"What?" Kagome blinked. "Chef Shinomiya, but you haven't-"
"I won't taste it." He cut her off.
From his own station, Hayama's eyes narrowed with curiosity. Immediate failure? 'He saw it then.' There was no doubt it had not escaped Shinomiya's attention. After all, it was his kitchen.
Grabbing the sheet listing all of the student of the day, Shinomiya sighed. "You must be Higurashi Kagome, correct?" He shook his head as his eyes hooded with a glare. Standing up from his seat, he looked at the rest of passing students, "well then, that concludes our session."
The miko's fingers paled as she gripped the tray in her hands. Fired? Just like that? Now he was ignoring her completely. Whatever was knotting in her stomach, she hated it. Looking at Shinomiya with her own mild glare, Kagome did her best to stand tall.
"Those who passed should prepare for the afternoon-"
"Excuse me, Chef Shinomiya," she interrupted him, "but may I know why my dish was not accepted?"
Meeting her eyes, Shinomiya exhaled heavily. "Ah. You used wine vinegar when you boiled the cauliflower that was no longer fresh, didn't you?"
Kagome's expression softened in shock. How did he-?
"You maintained the cauliflower's pristine color by using vinegar. Using vinegar in the seasoning also enhances the cauliflower's sweetness. The sweetness of the vegetables and the vinegar's mild acidity work together, but…that was not in my recipe."
She had done everything possible to hide the bottle. She was sure she was secretive about it. It was a trick she remembered from her father when they were in charge of making dinner one night. A night she had been amazed to see her father works his own magic to preserve the freshness of the vegetables with simple tricks. The taste of the white vinegar was well hidden…
"Not to mention," Shinomiya continued, "you helped her."
All eyes glided over to Megumi.
"I thought I had made myself clear about helping others."
Expression hardening once again, Kagome noticed the recipe in his hand. "Aren't you supposed to taste it? That's the job of a chef."
Shinomiya chuckled under his breath, "you have no right to say what job I have. As far as I know it, I am the professional. Who said you could change the recette? This dish is intended to savor the harmony created by the sweetness of each vegetable. Nowhere in the recette did it say to make use of acidity. The dish you made is an entirely different beast. Presenting a dish that does not align with the task merits a fail as a matter of course." Walking towards the exit, he waved here off with his clipboard in hand. "I hope that suffices as an answer for you."
Her gaze had slowly dropped to her untouched dish. She was angry and embarrassed to have had the speech overheard by everyone present. There was not an ounce of sympathy in his aura; the beating of her heart echoed in her ears. 'But didn't I…not care about being here? Then why…,' her vision blurred with the tears collecting at the edges, 'why do I feel this way?'
"I don't."
The miko's head snapped up; Shinomiya stooped in his tracks. Both turned their heads to see the red headed male coming forward with crossed arms.
"Souma-kun…" Kagome whispered. Why was he walking over the plank to his death?
"It was what you'd call an unavoidable accident." Souma spoke with a raised brow.
"Y-Yeah!" Megumi came forth. "B-Besides, it was me who is at fault here! I was given her cauliflower!"
"Wait a minute!" Kagome shook her head at the two. "This is not your problem! Stay out of it before all of us are fired!"
Shinomiya's eyes narrowed to match his smirk, "better listen to your friend."
"Kagome, this isn't on you." Souma continued. "There were ingredients that weren't fresh. Besides, aren't we being treated as our senpais' employees during this time? So managing the ingredients is your responsibility as our boss, Shinomiya-senpai. Wouldn't that make this your fault as the chef?"
Slamming his hand on the nearby station, Shinomiya's glare tightened. "You brat…who do you think you're talking to?! You don't seem to get it, so let me explain something to you brats. I added poor-quality cauliflowers on purpose to limit the number of people who would pass!"
Kagome's and Megumi's eyes widened, along with other students upon hearing the confession. Taking a step forward to stand by Souma's side, Kagome's placed her tray on the station beside her. "On purpose?" She repeated, glare of her own coming back. "You want people to fail?"
"Exactly as your heard." Shinomiya scoffed. "Cauliflower is an ingredient that is easily oxidized, easily damaged, and difficult to prepare. Any idiot who lost their cool and made a poor selection would fail. That includes any slowpokes who fell behind and couldn't secure a better ingredient."
"That's why Kagome tried to compensate for that by being creative!" Souma added.
Taking a step forward to stand in front of the red head, Shinomiya's expression darkened. "I am the chef here! I would never allow my underlings to make changes to my recette!"
Kagome peeked from the corner of her eyes the moment she felt Souma's aura flare up. Quickly placing her hand over his arm, she stopped him from taking another challenging step towards the chef. "Souma-kun! Do not seek for trouble!"
"He is trying to kick you out-!" Souma's eyes widened; his words dropped upon seeing the tears laminating her eyes. She was holding it back.
"There is no other way around it, Souma-kun…" Kagome whispered. "It's been decided."
Eyes narrowing slowly, Souma's head turned back to face the head chef. She was barely blossoming, and she saved the dish! That had to get positive marks rather than negative! Taking a step forward, Souma pulled his arm away from Kagome's hold.
"Souma-kun…!" Kagome whispered, noticing the different rise in his aura. The rage remained, but he was in control.
"K-Kagome-chan…" Meeting to stand beside her, worry consumed her as she watched Souma meet Shinomiya. Whatever he had in mind, she had a gut feeling it was similar to the issue they had with Ikumi.
"Shinomiya-senpai." Souma called.
Stopping himself from turning his back on them, Shinomiya's brow rose. "What is it, Monsieur Yukihira? Do we have another complaint?"
"One question."
Shinomiya's eyes narrowed with curiosity.
"Does that Totsuki rule apply to alumni, too?"
"What Totsuki rule?" Shinomiya questioned.
The miko's expression slowly melted with shock, "he wouldn't…" Taking a step forward, her arm extended out to pull Souma's shirt. She had to stop him before the whole conflict worsened! "Souma-kun! Do not-!"
"Shokugeki."
Shinomiya's eyes widened as the word pulled the memories of his school days in Totsuki. A word that had always fueled his fire. Watching Souma untie the white sash from his wrist, Shinomiya turned his body to face the teens.
"If I beat you in a Shokugeki," Souma continued, "will you rescind Kagome's expulsion?"
Everyone present in the room could not believe they were witnessing a Shokugeki being called out, no less a student calling out an alumni. Hayama's eyes widened along with Megumi's not expecting such a careless challenge being declared.
'What is he thinking?' Hayama watched from the side. Sacrificing his own attendance to save the girl? No one in Totsuki was that stupid to do it. Was he even aware Shinomiya was a former Elite Ten member?
"Shokugeki, huh?" Shinomiya scoffed. Adjusting his glasses, he smirked at the boy. "Doesn't that bring memories. A Shokugeki involving an opponent who is not currently a student is not without precedent, but," he chuckled, "it does require the consent of both parties, doesn't it? Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no intention of accepting the challenge. No matter how hard you may try, Higurashi Kagome's expulsion is final-"
"Well, let's not be too hasty."
Heads turned to the entrance of the room. Blinks were given upon seeing Dojima smirking back at them as he rested his elbow against the door frame. "Oh!" Souma blinked. "Dojima-senpai!"
Chuckling under his breath, Dojima took a step forward. "You seem to have quite the interesting situation developing here, Shinomiya."
"Oh? What do we have here?"
Shinomiya's brow twitched as he saw Hinako appear from behind Dojima's back and wave them a 'hello'. This is not what he needed at the moment.
"Why don't we move to a different room and discuss this?" Dojima suggested. "That includes Yukihira and Higurashi."
The miko's shoulders dropped as she felt a headache coming in. The last thing she wanted was to attract the attention of others, but when having the red head as a friend, that was impossible. She sighed under her breath before giving Megumi a smile and following Souma out of the room.
Watching them leave, Hayama's eyes narrowed once again having caught the different expression on the miko's face. That was not a look of worry.
Entering the lobby of their hotel, sweat trickled down the back of her spine as her fingers fidgeted. The whole thing had escalated because of her! She should have not taken Kagome's cauliflower, and if her expulsion was set, she knew she would be blaming herself for the rest of her life!
"Megumi!"
Hearing her name being called, the country girl looked up from her feet to see the other Polar Star residents running to her. "Everyone…"
"Where is Souma-kun and Kagome-chan?" Yoshino asked as she turned her head side-to-side.
"Um…," Megumi gulped, "they got held back for an important matter."
"Important matter?" Sakaki tilted her head to the side.
A screech from Megumi caught the attention of the other students that had followed her from Shinomiya's test. How could she explain the Shokugeki Souma initiated to save Kagome?
Passing by the group, Hayama took a small whiff of the cinnamon stick he held between his middle finger and thumb. The expression Kagome held as she left the room had him questioning what she had in mind. Other students would be trembling in fear to be going against Shinomiya in a Shokugeki, but both she and Souma were far from that mindset. If they were to come back, then he was convinced the two would become a change in the academy.
Taking a bite from Kagome's dish, Hinako's eyes brightened. "Oh my!" She cupped her cheek. "This is delicious!" Turning her head towards the French cuisine chef, Hinako sent him a frown. "Why not let her pass?" She booed. "You are still stubborn! Mule! I knew you were a narcissist-!"
"Be quiet, Hinako." Shinomiya growled as his hand landed in front of Hinako's face. This is why he did not want her of all people to be involved in the matter. The unnecessary comments would be nonstop.
"S-S-Sorry!"
Shinomiya released her from his hold before turning to Dojima. Watching him place his own fork down, Shinomiya could not help but sigh. Dojima had also commented the good points the dish held, but he would have none of it. "Dojima-san, I believe I have been given full discretion for this task."
"Of course." Dojima nodded. "I have no complaints with regard to the nature of the task and your evaluation criteria. However," his eyes landed on the two students standing before the door of his office, "she did try to deal with the situation at hand. Don't you think her courage might merit a certain degree of consideration?"
"No, I don't." Shinomiya quickly replied. "Not in the least."
The miko's expression softened as she heard the adults speak about her dish. As the seconds ticked by, she knew it was only leading to her final minutes here. Even being pulled into Dojima's office gave her a glimmer of hope, but she was sure it was futile to think Dojima and Hinako could save her. She gave herself a mental scoff as she stared at Souma from the corner of her eyes. Even he was confident they would keep her in Totsuki, but it did not change the fact he called Shinomiya into a Shokugeki. 'The idiot…'
"I do!" Hinako exclaimed, raising her hand.
"Well," Dojima nodded with a smile, "it looks like we have a tie vote!"
A vein quickly popped out of Shinomiya's forehead as he heard the two. "You guys are not going to listen to me…"
"I have no choice." Dojima exhaled. "I'll oversee the unofficial Shokugeki. Think of it as a street fight. However, we cannot have it interfere with the camp schedule. Once all the afternoon tasks for the day are complete," he faced the two teens, "the two of you will face Shinomiya. Are you two up to the task?"
"Wait a minute!" Shinomiya interrupted. "I did not agree to this-!"
"Accept, Shinomiya!" Dojima's eyes narrowed with a smirk.
Watching Shinomiya glare back, Kagome's brow rose. The tension in the room increased the moment Dojima ordered Shinomiya to accept the Shokugeki. With a single command, both heard Shinomiya sigh and accept the challenge.
"Fine." Shinomiya faced the two of them. "I'll go along with Monsier Dojima's whims." As he walked towards the teens, he passed Souma's side. "Okay, Yukihira. As you said before, if you win, I will rescind her expulsion, but," opening the doors to the empty hall, "if you lose, you'll get expelled right along with her."
"So there you have it." Dojima spoke. "Come to the basement of the annex afterward. Show us your will."
Kagome refused to look back having sensed the lack of mercy in Shinomiya's aura, but Souma's aura had also risen at the same time. Fingers curled into her palms; her eyes slowly lowered to the carpet of the room. This would either be their end or their continuation.
Light steps echoed in the empty hall, and the high sunlight only soothing her before the storm. Staring at the boy's in front of her, Kagome's eyes narrowed with guilt as she saw the Yukihira restaurant symbol resting on his back. He just had to go and make the whole thing worse.
"Well~, looks like we're still here by the skin of our teeth. For now, let's hang in there and make it through the afternoon session, Kagome!"
She stopped. Her expression hardened hating how there was no ounce of fear or worry in his aura. Even confidence could crumble. "Why did you get in the middle of it?"
Stopping himself, Souma looked over his shoulder to see his childhood friend sending a glare.
"You had no right to meddle, Souma-kun. If I am going to be fired, then fate was saying it was now."
Watching her shoulders slightly shake out of anger, and possibly fear, Souma sighed. This was nothing new. If anything, he was used to seeing Kagome becoming stubborn and always scolding him in the end when he did something he should not have done. People would be surprised to know the miko was more stubborn than he was. His eyes landed on her eyes; the tears still clung.
Kagome winced the moment she felt a flick on her forehead. "O-Oi!"
"Does your nose still run when you cry?" He snickered.
"Why are you asking that now?!" Ignoring his smile, Kagome's mouth opened again to scold his rash decisions only to feel his hand landing on the top of her head before giving it a light pat.
"It isn't time for you to go over something like that. Not after demonstrating independency as a chef for the first time."
Blink after blink, Kagome was not even sure when she released one of her tears. As it curved over her cheek, the miko's shoulder dropped as she sensed Souma's aura soothe her. Since when was he this nice? Shaking her head, her lips formed a pout before turning her head away. "You better have something good up your sleeve!"
Laughing, Souma gave her a thumbs up, "you are talking to the best Yukihira chef!"
"Third best."
"Eh?" He binked. "Third? To who?!"
"I'm second." She winked.
Blinking again, Souma was left to watch the miko walk past him and down the hall. Scoffing to himself with a smile, he nodded. She may be getting there.
"Eh~ so this is the meal they have to make, huh?"
"It shouldn't be too hard." Hitoshi replied as he made notes on his clipboard. Looking over his shoulder, he chuckled as he saw the meat chef circling around the display for the next fifty-meal challenge. "This year's camp couldn't have been done without your company's help."
Shrugging, the wolf youkai gave the older male a smile. "Well, my company wouldn't exist if it wasn't for a certain prick of a CEO."
Hitoshi laughed, knowing exactly who he was talking about. Most head chefs were aware who had control of the food industry, and others as well. A man no one dared to go against, but apparently Totsuki's head director had a good connection with him. Continuing to mark off the list, a small command at the entrance of the storage room was heard.
Both Kouga and Hitoshi looked over to see Dojima instructing his two assistants to get the main cafeteria ready for the night trial.
"Oh~ Dojima-san." Kouga greeted. "Yo."
"Good evening to you as well." Dojima chuckled.
"Where have you been?" The wolf questioned. "Some of your assistants were looking for you."
"Well," he took a step into the storage room, "it seems others and myself were caught up in a little mix up."
Kouga's brow crooked up.
"Shinomiya is having an unofficial Shokugeki." Dojima continued. "With a student to be exact."
"A student?" Hitoshi's interest piqued as he lowered the clipboard.
Nodding, Dojima made sure it was just them in the room. "It is a secret, and I will give the details later."
"Ah! Dojima-san! This is where you are!"
Looking over his shoulder, the alumni chef blinked as he saw Gotoda and Mizuhara walking into the storage room.
"Hm, this might work out." Dojima whispered to himself. Placing his fingers under his chin, Dojima cleared his throat. "After the workshops, there will be an unofficial Shokugeki."
"Shokugeki?" Gotoda tilted his head to the side.
Dojima nodded again, "correct. Shinomiya will be having a Shokugeki against two students."
"Oh!" Gotoda's eyes brightened. "Do you need judges?" To offer themselves as judges was more to see Shinomiya at work. If he was called out on a Shokugeki, then the kids must have really crawled under his skin.
"Judging Shinomiya, huh?" Mizuhara hummed. "That should be interesting."
Looking over at Kouga, Dojima raised a brow. "Would you like to become a judge?"
He was not sure if he was smelling him right, but something around Dojima's person had him on edge. A certain scent lingered around Dojima, but it was faint. Perhaps it was a common smell in this era. "Hm," Kouga thought to himself for a second, "I have a meeting over video chat with the stiff boss, but if I have time, I'll head down there." He chuckled. "Who knows, I might be able to see Shinomiya struggle."
"There are no plans to use this hotel's annex for the training camp. This is the basement kitchen you will be using; no one will interfere here!"
Hearing Dojima's words from the edge of the long counter in front of them, Kagome and Souma kept their eyes on Shinomiya who stood on the other side. Kagome was sure Souma and even Shinomiya could feel the tension, but she was feeling it ten times heavier. Even the whole walk to the basement after Dojima picked them up had been silent, which did not help her nerves ease one bit.
The door to the kitchen opened slowly before revealing the new guests. Turning their heads to the side, Kagome blinked noticing some of the alumni chefs taking their seats in front of an empty table. The miko's eyes then landed on Hinako being tied up to a chair with a sign saying, 'just a spectator'. What were the alumni doing here?
"Hm, Kouga-san didn't come?" Dojima smirked.
'Kouga?' Kagome repeated in her head, looking at Dojima from the corner of her eyes. It was that name again.
"Looks like his meeting is on overtime right now." Hitoshi smiled back.
"The alumni, huh?" Souma placed his hands over his hips.
Dojima nodded as he rested his hands inside his pockets. "I asked them to serve as judges. I thought Inui might be biased on the matter, so as you can see, she doesn't count."
"We are interested in this unofficial Shokugeki, especially one with Shinomiya and a student." Gotoda chuckled. "What would Chappelle-sensei do if he found out about this?"
"Hm," Hitoshi crossed his arms, "I bet he would chew our heads off."
"Well," Mizuhara spoke, coming to squat on her chair, "if he finds out, I'm blaming it on Shinomiya."
"I heard that, Mizuhara!" Shinomiya glared.
Clearing his throat to put order in the room, Dojima spoke, "we will now do an unofficial match, two against one. Use the vegetables and other ingredients left over from sessions today to make a new dish. You can make anything you like, but try to use vegetables as the main ingredient. The time limit is two hours."
Silent and in her own thoughts, Kagome looked over at the vegetables sitting at the end of the room. A dish, huh? What was Souma thinking of making now? They were up against someone who was well known not only in Japan, but in France as well. All she could do right now was to support Souma the best she could.
"Also," Dojima interrupted her thoughts, "I have one more condition." Looking at the miko, Dojima's lips formed a smirk. "Higurashi Kagome."
Her head turned to him.
"You will be the head chef of your group."
Kagome's and Souma's eyes widened slowly as the words sunk into reality.
"You will decide the recipe on your own." Dojima continued. "Yukihira, you will be the sous chef supporting her."
"W-Wait a minute-!" Souma blinked as Dojima lifted his arm.
"Very well! Let us begin!"
Shaking his head, Souma walked towards the chef. "Dojima-senpai! Just hold on a minute! I'm the one who issued the challenge! Why?"
"I made this happen when the challenge had no leg to stand on." Dojima replied, raising a brow. "You have to accept my conditions."
"But-!"
"Yukihira!" Dojima's tone hardened. "Suppose you win with your cooking and Higurashi survives. But what does that prove? She cannot be your tagalong forever."
Kagome tensed at his words.
"She will eventually get kicked out sooner or later in another session or challenge. Will you always have to save her, Yukihira? At Totsuki, everyone must demonstrate their worth through their own skills. Whether you deserve to stay or not is up to you, yourself, to prove." Placing his hand on the counter, Dojima's eyes landed on the miko. "At this very moment, it is Higurashi's shot to prove she can remain in Totsuki. You're the chef, understood?"
Looking at the miko from over his shoulder, Souma's eyes narrowed noticing her attention having been pulled towards the vegetables. Could she take the lead just like that? None of this was predicted, and turn of events like this could easily sway her confidence.
Kagome watched Shinomiya pick his vegetables and walk to his station. So she was the chef. Slowly making her way to the ingredients, her eyes roamed all over the shelves and prepared vegetables.
"Well," Shinomiya spoke, breaking the miko's concentration, "I already know what I'm going to make. I will begin now." Looking at the girl staring back at him, he smirked. "Good luck. You will need it." As he took out a cutting board, he chuckled seeing Souma standing in the same spot. Oh how he felt for the boy. He had passed his test, and now he was on the verge of falling off the cliff because of the girl. "I feel for you, Yukihira."
Souma's eyes glided to the French cuisine chef. "Why?"
"You must be feeling despair." He scoffed. "You fate is riding on that half-wit's skills."
"Keh!" Hinako scoffed back, having escaped her ropes to join the other chefs. "Did you guys hear that?!" She gasped. "How rude he is!"
"Shinomiya has a really nasty personality." Mizuhara agreed.
"That's why your relationships never last, Shinomiya-san." Gotoda chuckled nervously.
"Outsiders are not allowed to speak!" He pointed an accusing finger. "Hinako! When did you slip out?!"
Ignoring Shinomiya's curses, Hinako placed her hands on either side of her lips. "Good luck, my beautiful Kagome-chan! You can defeat the devil!"
Finger curled into her palm as she continued to stare at the vegetables. Everything around her was muted. What could she make? What could she do? Could she even do it? How do chefs even think of recipes on the spot? Her head began to cloud with worry, and she knew it was only stopping her from thinking straight.
Souma's brows furrowed with concern over his childhood friend. He pulled them into a Shokugeki, and now the whole responsibility had been laid before her. Her silence only increased his worry for her. Taking a step forward, he called out her name. "Kagome-!"
"I doubt I need to repeat myself, Yukihira." Dojima stopped him. "You cannot alter her recipe. You are a sous chef…nothing more. Do you understand?"
Souma bit his lower lip as he looked at Dojima from over his shoulder.
"You felt Higurashi had the skill, right? If you can't trust her cooking, remove yourself from this match now."
Straightening himself, Souma exhaled. "I trust her cooking. All of you don't."
Reaching for a vegetable, Kagome cursed under her breath seeing her fingers beginning to shake. 'I'm not afraid…but my body won't move.'
"Kagome, put your hands together."
Her hands slowly came together, but why could her body not listen to her? What was she afraid of?
"Together, Kagome."
Palm to palm, Kagome felt her entire body beginning to shake. She had faced demons, heartbreak, and death. Why was she afraid?
Dojima and the others blinked the moment Souma's hands slapped the miko's hands together. The kitchen fell silent noticing the girl's eyes having snapped open before looking up at the red head's grin.
"Oi!" She exclaimed. "W-What was that for?!"
Snickering at reaction – which he had hoped for – Souma winked. "Remember when my old man used to do that to us? It still works, huh?"
Kagome blinked back before looking down at the reddened spot on the top of her hands. Memories of Joichiro doing this to them when dealing with rush hour came back. It was a simple – and hurtful – trick that allowed their heads to come back to reality. A trick that calmed them down.
"Just cook your food. You're the chef now, Kagome."
Looking back at the red head, Kagome scoffed. "So cheesy."
He snickered again.
Her eyes landed on the cauliflower. It was worth a shot, but Souma was right. If she had made it this far now, she had skill.
Skill she had to prove.
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: And a cliffhanger it is! I will be gone for a week starting on October 20th. I will be going to Japan before I start my new job (which I am nervous and excited for). Please continue to send your support for this story (and others if you have read them).
Thank you for reading, and please review!
Ja~ne!