Author's Note:
Hello everyone!
So...it's been how long? Half a Year? Oh dear.
As always, I am sorry! (Especially because I doubt I will be much quicker with the next chapter...which is going to cover a lot. )
I am more than happy though to look into the reviews and see that there are people who are still returning to this little, big passion project of mine! Your kind words mean the world to me and I can't thank you enough for leaving your thoughts! I hold this story very close to my heart and I am very happy to see that I can entertain other people with it as well!
To improve the experience of reading it a little bit, I also want to try editing the beginning chapters soon! No story-changes...just working out some spelling and grammar mistakes. (Remember that English is not my native language and my mastering of it is a continuously growing process.)
Also I know, I already said in the author's note of the last chapter but something that I do want to point out a second time are my other socials...! My effort in bringing "Shokugeki no Kimiko" to life don't just end at simply writing the main plot (although it is of course very much the center of it all), but I also like to draw actually and therefore create many artworks for SnKimiko, it's verse and it's cast as well! I'd say it enriches the experience quite a bit, so yeah, if you are interested in my work and my characters (or possibly some general Shokugeki Fanart, because I do that too), I'd like to point you towards:
My newly-made Instagram, operating under the username ice_cold_sea (this one is very much focused on my art of course!)
My twitter, which operates under the same username aka. ice_cold_sea (This is. A lot more chaotic. But idk, if aside from my art you're also interested in some random ramblings of mine and also some actual updates on the chapter writing process...This is where you should go.)
Or my tumblr, where I am known as polar-stars (This is probably the most chaotic place though)
Anyway, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sticking around and I hope you'll enjoy the read!
The day of the famous Midsummer Ball at the Nakiri Mansion had arrived.
The first one to awake was Yasu Ibusaki. That alone wasn't much of an anomaly. Right after sitting up, however, Yasu caught the sight of his suit hanging in front of his closet, as if to say: "I'm not letting you forget about today's big, much-anticipated and extravagant social event". And so, he let out a sigh.
—
"Oh- Oh dear, you can not possibly attend the ball dressed like that!" The Fairy Godmother, in form of Satoshi Isshiki, gasped. Chieko lowered her head, taking in the sight of the rag that had once been a dress before it was ripped beyond recognition. "Let's see …" Satoshi began circling Chieko. "You need something elegant but youthful at the same time…! Something that will draw all the eyes on you..." He mused. Once his mental brainstorming formed into a clear vision, he let out an excited gasp. "Yes! I can see it right before my eye!" Satoshi then took a couple of steps away from her and lifted a glowing wand. "Bibbidi-Bobbidi…" Silver, glittering sparkles appeared around Chieko as the magic orbited her. "…Bibbidi-Bobbidi…" Once fully engulfed in a spiral of little twinkles, the sparkles began to rain down on Chieko's ripped dress, and- "Boo!" -melted into a stunning, glittery ballgown that shone like a bright star in the dark night. Chieko couldn't believe her eyes. This was unlike any dress she had ever seen a duchess or countess wear! This was fit for a princess! "It's…It's marvelous." She admired in awe, still unable to believe that she was being granted to wear this gorgeous, out-of-this-world gown. Naturally, she began spinning around, admiring how the large, wide skirt twirled with her. "It's more beautiful than anything I could ever dream of!"…And of course, just then, with a bitter sense of irony, the alarm rang.
Chieko sat up so abruptly that the book, still laying on her lap from yesterday's late-night reading session, fell to the ground. Gone was the dark, magical forest and replaced instead with the familiar sight of her room, lightened up by the morning sun. She ran a hand through her black hair, muttering. "Get your head out of the clouds Chieko." Then she reached for her phone whose alarm clock had disturbed her little fairytale so harshly in the first place.
—
Daisuke had spent the entire last night putting together his outfit. An extra conflicting aspect had been which one of the three ties that he owned he'd pick.
This debate had taken up a whole hour but in the end, he had finally decided on a black tie with white stripes.
But now…right after waking up and looking at his outfit in broad daylight? The thought that maybe the boldest choice he had (a yellow tie) might be the better pick treacherously snuck into his head.
—
On normal days, Hideyoshi's energy would start to kick in around at least one hour after waking up. This morning, however, he felt ready to climb ten mountains right after opening his eyes.
Without even mourning his dream of meeting his favorite boyband, Hideyoshi jumped out of bed, ready to do sit-ups. Quickly he put on some sportswear, so he wouldn't get his sleepwear sweaty, and managed an incredible amount of three whole sit-ups before stopping and reaching for his phone.
After scrolling a bit on his socials, Hideyoshi took a selfie which he added to his story alongside the caption "#MorningWorkout".
He then leaned back with a satisfied smile.
Today was a great day! For his feed, himself, and all the important people at the Midsummer Ball who'd be blessed with his presence there tonight.
—
"Mom, can you schedule us a foot massage before the hairstyling?"
It had taken her up until late in the night yesterday and cost her many, many steps on her feet but Mika had done it! She managed to teach Hiraku basic Waltz!
Thinking back to it: her and him (and Akio, getting Hiraku's Elite 10 work done on his laptop in the meantime) all alone in one of Hiraku's many private kitchens, one of her favorite romantic ballads playing, him holding her hand…Mika just couldn't help but grin from one ear to the other. Revisiting those enchanting memories narrowly made her miss her mother's answer to the inquiry.
"Oh Mika, please. What's a ball without a Spa session?" Ikumi smirked on the other side of the phone. "Of course, I have long made an appointment already." Mika violently shook her head, clearing it off the rosy-red memories in order to focus. "Yeah, but is a foot massage part of the procedure?" "Why is that in particular so important? I'm surprised you ask at all. You always complain over massages taking too long!" Hastily, Mika lied: "I've changed my mind about that!" "How so?" "Mom, please!"
"Alright, alright!" Ikumi gave up on boring any deeper. "You'll get your foot massage!"
"Thank you." Mika sighed in relief. "You're the best!" Her mother responded with a self-assured chuckle before saying. "I'll pick you up at the front gate. Be there at 11!" "Sure, sure!" Mika nodded. "Thanks again. Love you, byee!" "See you later, hun."
With the foot massage settled and there still being a little bit of time before she had to set off, Mika let herself fall back into her pillows, raising her sore feet high up in the air in the process. They needed to be in good condition for this special night.
A dreamy grin found its way back on Mika's face as she let herself float into the memories of yesterday's night. Closer than ever to the man of her dreams, gazing into the endless, violet mysteries that were his eyes.
She couldn't help but squeal at the thought of how few ladies probably got such an up-close look at them. And the prospect of seeing him again this very night set an entire swarm of butterflies free in her stomach.
Of course, her deepest wish was for him to ask her for a dance this night. She had envisioned it many times but in this last week, those daydreams have been especially lively:
He'd approach her, not bothered by all of the other thousands of eyes watching him as usual. That intriguing air of mysterious coolness and distant nobility surrounding him. This sense that nothing in this world could ever possibly shake him, which she loved so much.
He was not a man of many words and would get straight to the point instead of stuttering and stumbling over his words like all the others always did.
The dance they would share then…It would be talked about for several weeks to come. She was certain.
—
"Nah thanks, I don't need a Spa-trip, really." Kimiko shrugged. She could practically hear Lola's pout through the phone. "Seriously, Kimiko! You're no fun at all! Just let us spoil you for once!"
Knowing her aunt's side of the family, Kimiko could envision the types of Spa-Salons they visited. And with the upcoming ball this night, Kimiko did not want to exhaust herself with any more opulent activities than necessary.
"Again, there is no need. But thanks for the offer still." Kimiko sighed, deeply hoping that Lola would have some respect for the early hours and not throw one of her insistent tantrums. "Fine! Choose to be lame then." Lola thankfully gave up quickly for once. "But don't forget, we'll be picking you up from that dorm of yours at 3 pm! So we can prepare you for the ball!" "That is also not-" "That is not up to discussions, my dearest cousin." After a little pause, she added. "Don't worry, nothing too extra. I promise."
—
Hiroshi had barely gotten any sleep that night. The most he had were 3 hours in the early morning but at some point, the rays of the sun were just getting too penetrant for him to keep his eyes properly closed.
"What if I fall asleep while cooking for the Elites?" Whispered that certain part of his brain, which was in hold of a truly endless array of scenarios on how things could go wrong. Ranging from understandable concerns to utterly ridiculous ones, but all treated just the same by his mind.
Sighing, Hiroshi shook his head in hope the motion would shoo those silly thoughts away. For further distraction, he checked his phone.
He had just unlocked it when it suddenly started to buzz in his hands. The display presented him with a picture of his father posing next to a snowman, which Hiroshi himself had taken two years ago. The photo showed Hiroshi's dad with one of his widest, happiest smiles and Hiroshi swore he heard that very same smile right now through the phone when he took the call.
"Hiroshi, good morning!" His father beamed. "I hope I did not wake you…!" "No, no…I was already awake." Hiroshi was quick to assure before returning the greeting. "Good morning to you as well!"
"Well, the reason why I am even calling so criminally early is on you, Hiroshi." Hiroshi could tell that it cost his father an uncharacteristic amount of effort to uphold that typical teasing voice of his. The underlying happiness and…pride, as Hiroshi anxiously noted, was just way too evident.
"Oh…really?" Hiroshi asked. "Yes, because why didn't you tell me?" Once again, the sheer joy in his father's voice crushed any attempt to make it sound like some serious accusation. "You are going to cook for the Elite 10 tonight?!"
It was as if a bucket of ice water was splashed into Hiroshi's face without the briefest of warning. He was sure his heart stood completely still for a moment.
He did not know for how long he was zoned out but when he regained the breath to ask his father how he knew about this, his dad had already gone on talking. "I was honestly baffled when you told me you weren't chosen for the Autumn Elections! It did not add up at all! But I am so proud to hear that you aren't taking it!" Pain exploded in Hiroshi's chest, so intense that he almost wanted to cry. "I know for sure that you are going to knock them out of the park!" Hiroshi's father just cheerily continued. "But yeah, I wish you would have told us about this sooner. If we set off early though, I am sure your mom and I could still make it to the ball-"
Yet again, panic arose in Hiroshi. Knowing he had to act quickly, however, he forcefully pushed it down so he wouldn't be consumed and numbed by it a second time. "That won't be necessary!" Realizing that despite all of his best efforts he still ended up shouting, Hiroshi then took a deep breath next before continuing in a softer voice. "Really, I know how much you and mom hate these events, so please…!" "But this is different!" His father insisted. "How am I supposed to feel knowing my twin brother will be there on my son's big night but not me?" "Un…Uncle Takumi is gonna be there too?" Hiroshi screeched.
There was very little that ever got Takumi out of the kitchen. Hiroshi could only deeply hope that there was at least some additional business in Japan for him to get here all the way from Italy.
"But of course! And so should your mom and I be." Hiroshi's father laughed.
Biting his lips, Hiroshi frantically searched his brain for a way out of this.
Recalling his last phone call with Ran Mimasaka, he then said. "Uhm…I've already been told where the, uh, examination is held and it's gonna be a closed, private room where no one can disturb us. So basically…Mom and you sadly won't even see me cooking but just have to deal with the ball as it is." "But we would be there to hug you afterwards!" His father protested.
Hiroshi paused, waiting for the flaring pain in his chest to calm a little again. "That is a sweet thought of course…", he then said, "But really, I would…just feel bad. Please don't come here all the way just for an event that you aren't going to enjoy."
Another moment of silence ensued, which felt like an unbearable eternity to Hiroshi.
Finally, his father sighed. "Oh Hiroshi…", he was surely shaking his head on the other side of the phone, "…But if that's how you feel, I suppose there is nothing I can do to convince you otherwise." Hiroshi gulped, only to hear that trademark smile of his father building up on his lips yet again. "I know that you can do this, Hiroshi. Show them what you're made of."
"Sure." Hiroshi pressed out, as that particular sting in his chest intensified once again.
He hurriedly said goodbye then and hung up, not wanting his father to hear the tears that were rolling down his cheeks by now.
The 21st Plate - Divine Judgement
It was not even noon yet but Polar Star was uncharacteristically empty. Most of the students have left to visit home, either this morning or yesterday already.
"You really don't wanna come?" Mika asked.
"I want to make use of the kitchen's vacancy just a little bit longer." Hiroshi waved off. "I'll be coming over later!"
Mika remained silent at first, giving Hiroshi approximately ten seconds to still change his mind over accompanying her to Ikumi Aldini's Tokyo condo. But Hiroshi had nothing to add and so, Mika was left with no other choice but to grab the handle of her suitcase and let out a sigh. "Alright then. Take care and be sure to be there around 6 at least tho! Thankfully putting on a suit does not take all too long after all."
"Understood." Hiroshi nodded with a smile. "Make sure to enjoy yourself at the Spa, Itoko-chan."
"Will do.." Mika replied, her voice uncharacteristically quiet. Hesitant almost. With something unspoken lingering with it.
A couple of heartbeats passed until her hand then slid off the suitcase's handle. With just a step forwards, Mika pulled her cousin into one of her tightest hugs.
And before the surprised Hiroshi could ask what this was about he already heard her mumble. "Whatever you gonna serve, I know it's gonna wipe the 10 off their feet!"
—
While most of the guests of tonight's ball were already busy with the preparation of their get-up for the grande event, Kimiko sat at her table in her dorm room and did her homework.
Lola had told her already that the ball was an international event with attendees from all over the globe. And while Kimiko did not anticipate talking to any of the people there, who weren't either part of the Nakiri-family or part of her dorm, she thought that doing the English homework she had received over the break could not hurt.
Less work for the rest of the break, right?
She was able to make it halfway through the assigned textbook tasks until her concentration seriously began to waver. The blazing summer sun was high up in the air at this point, mercilessly heating the world to temperatures that warranted a plunge into a cold lake, not studying. The craving for something cool and fresh overtook Kimiko more and more until she frankly could not think of anything else anymore but an iced strawberry-peach smoothie. With Polar Star having such a wide variety of fresh vegetables, berries, and other fruit from the gardens, students were making themselves smoothies all the time and Kimiko had not been immune to falling into that habit as well.
Knowing that she would not get any far on her work anymore like this, Kimiko ended up rising off her chair and making her way downstairs.
It was eery seeing the dorm, known for its liveliness, this empty. But with it also being so unusually quiet, Kimiko heard the noise of someone crying long before she even entered the kitchen.
She froze on the spot.
Those sounds of muffled sobs and soft hiccups were unbearable. Kimiko could feel her throat going dry and her heart feeling unnaturally heavy in her chest all of the sudden.
It took her one deep breath to enter the kitchen, which she did as quietly as possible. Though seeing that the suspicion Kimiko has had somewhere in the back of her mind turned out to be true, only made her heart sink even further.
His tears were not visible, as Hiroshi had his face buried in his hands and equally concealed by his messy, blue locks hanging low. But by the way, his back kept jolting in tune with the sounds of sobbing and sniveling, it was more than evident that he was the one crying.
Across him on the kitchen table, Kimiko saw a great bunch of squeaky clean, unused kitchen utensils as well as Hiroshi's mobile and a little notebook with bunny motifs on its cover.
Kimiko gulped a second time, her throat getting dryer and dryer with each second it felt. Then she made her slow approach.
"Hi…Hiroshi-kun…?" Kimiko pretty much whispered.
A sob ended as a horrified gasp. His head jerked upwards. And for a couple of heartbeats, she caught sight of his eyes with deep red circles around them and looking at her wide in shock. But then he was quick to turn his face away to the other side.
Kimiko understood very well that Hiroshi did not want to be seen that way. But there was no way that she would allow herself to just straight up leave now. With a voice turned hoarse thanks to the persistent dryness of her throat, she asked. "Wha…What's the matter?"
Hiroshi violently shook his head, while keeping his gaze vehemently pinned on the table so he wouldn't have to face her. "It's nothing…" He crowed, his voice audibly weak from all the crying. "Really….it's…"
"Hiroshi-kun." Kimiko softly intervened. "Don't do this."
Out of pure reflex, Hiroshi then actually lightly lifted his head as he asked. "Do what?" But instead of getting an answer, he only sensed Kimiko backing off again. At first, he thought that she would leave the kitchen now and he could already hear the first faint whispers in his head telling him that it was his fault. But just then those voices were drowned out by the noise of someone boiling water behind him.
A couple of minutes passed and Kimiko returned back to his side. "Please don't send me away" As if to bribe him, she then placed a cup of Sencha tea in front of him.
Warm clouds rose into Hiroshi's face and brushed his cheeks, reminding him of two hands cupping his face. That familiar, comforting fragrance tickling his nose sent new tears to his eyes. "I know how…difficult this can be." He heard Kimiko's voice, more guarded than ever before. "But….Talking can help."
Hiroshi tried holding back a sob but the attempt of suppressing it only made it turn out all the louder when it finally escaped his lips. "I really…don't want to bother you…." He choked out. "You would not bother me," Kimiko instantly assured.
Hiroshi remained quiet at first, still staring at the Sencha. Then, he briefly rubbed his eyes. "I'll…be fine." Without looking at her, he took the teacup in his hands and whispered. "Thank you…for the concern and the tea still."
Kimiko pressed her lips together, knowing that she would need a different approach. Her gaze traveled to the two objects in front of Hiroshi, wondering if any of them was responsible for his dismay.
She sensed herself particularly drawn in by the little notebook. With its soft, pastel blue colour and the innocent motives on the cover, it almost looked like an actual piece of Hiroshi's soul that has somehow become physical to Kimiko.
Her interest rose all the higher. Maybe having a look into this could help her find the clue?
"Hiroshi-kun…?" She held up a finger to point to the little book. "What is that?"
"…That?" Hiroshi slightly lowered his teacup for a moment. "Oh …that's just…" He quickly brought it right back to his lips. "….A notebook for me to write recipe ideas in….My Mom got it for me back when I first got here…." Barely audible, he mumbled into the cup before taking yet another sip. "Really?" Kimiko exclaimed, the guarded tone she had put up this entire time falling off. That sudden shift visibly startled Hiroshi a little, before he gave a subtle nod. Continuing in a less loud voice again, Kimiko asked. "May I have a look?"
Hiroshi did not answer at first and only ended up having his head hang even lower, gazing into his cup as if the steaming Sencha tea could tell him what to do. A few more moments passed before he eventually sighed. "…Sure, if you really want to."
Kimiko wasn't deaf to the reluctance in his voice. "Thank you." She sincerely said before opening the first page. The continuing "…for your trust" hung unspoken in the air.
And so, while Hiroshi merely continued sipping the tea, Kimiko started looking through the notebook.
She was greeted by several flower doodles in different colours, all surrounding equally colorful kanji reading: "Hiroshi's World of Wonders". Kimiko could only narrowly bite back the adoring smile that tingled in her cheeks.
Hiroshi had filled each and every page with little adorable decorations, as she was soon to find out by flipping through the first few ones. But while part of Kimiko was surely a little impressed by that amount of commitment, what truly drew her in were the actual written contents of the booklet. Soon enough, the ever passionate Kimiko found herself deeply mesmerized by the ideas and visions of a fellow innovative and dedicated chef. It seemed like each great idea was followed by a truly mind-blowing one right on the very next page. And it was exciting.
Until Kimiko just couldn't take it anymore.
Without warning she suddenly took the book into both of her hands and swirled in Hiroshi's direction, holding a particular page right in his face.
"Please! Can you please make that for me?"
After he had recovered from the light shock, Hiroshi blinked. Three times.
Once his eyes had been cleared from any leftover tears that could have possibly obscured his vision, he asked: "Wha…What?" "I want to know what this one tastes like…! It sounds so good!" Kimiko made clear, while her pointer finger repeatedly tapped the page she had opened.
"You…really think so?" He questioned and earned a firm, energetic nod. "Please, Hiroshi-kun!"
Hiroshi overflew the recipe's contents, trying to spot an accidental mention of stardust or something else insane-sounding that would warrant the kind of reaction Kimiko was giving him. But there was nothing like that.
He looked back into Kimiko's eyes, still not quite understanding.
"Please." Kimiko pleaded a fourth time. She looked like a young child in front of an ice cream truck at this point. And with those kinds of googly eyes, a kind guy like Hiroshi could hardly say no.
"Al…alright." He gave in, stood up, and took the booklet out of Kimiko's hands. After he had looked further into the words of his young self, he started to collect the kitchen utensils he needed.
Hiroshi had now realized why Kimiko picked that recipe in particular and of course, he would attempt to do his best in delivering what she wanted. At the very least, it would keep him busy from having too many thoughts.
—
"He….Here you go." After a bit of time had passed, Hiroshi returned to Kimiko's side with a bowl in his hands. Throughout the entire cooking process, she hadn't moved from her seat, only watching him expectantly. Now that the end product of this entire procedure was right in front of her, the expectation swung into excitement. "Nice, I can't wait!"
The bowl was filled with a small mountain of fluffy white rice, something pink mixed in it. At the very bottom, Kimiko could also see a light misty liquid shimmering. It wasn't enough to drown the rice and so, in Kimiko's mind, it looked more like water in a fountain with the rice being its decorative statue.
"Thanks for the food!" She cheered before digging in.
The very next moment, she found herself in a forest, standing with both of her feet in a cooling creek and wearing a short white dress. All around her the environment was blooming in the freshest shades of green. A great number of birds were holding their mesmerizing summer concert, supported by the rippling of the water.
She spread her arms, feeling like she could be hugging the whole world, and let out a long, satisfied breath.
Kimiko was already missing the serene imagery before opening her eyes back to the real world. "Ah", she swooned, "so wonderfully refreshing, just like I thought!" She took a couple more quick, eager bites before continuing her praise. "Minced sweetfish! Mixed with jasmine rice and lime- What a wonderful idea! It's like tasting summer itself!" Hiroshi felt his cheeks heating up when hearing such heartwarming words but Kimiko was not yet finished. "That salty seaweed broth surrounding the little mountain of rice really adds to the freshness of it all." "I let the sweetfish boil a little in the broth before mincing them…" Hiroshi shyly informed as he watched Kimiko happily continue to feast. "…let it all harmonize."
"This is so good, Hiroshi-kun!" Kimiko beamed after a couple more bites. "If you ask me this is what you should serve to the Elites tonight!" "Huh?" Hiroshi abruptly looked up from his hands he had been fiddling with, his face akin to that of a deer staring straight into car lights. "Hiroshi-kun, this dish is perfect for a hot summer day like this, I am telling you," Kimiko argued for her point. "You should make use of that."
"But…But will this really be enough for the Elites?" Hiroshi questioned, his own doubt for that being very evident in his voice. "Your brother is on the council! I have heard many tales of his sense of taste already- he…he is capable of identifying the tiniest of mistakes!" He shrieked at the very thought of having his dish vocally ripped apart in the presence of the most respected chefs of the school.
"You're scared of Hiraku's critique?" Kimiko more so identified than asked. She lightly rubbed her chin with her thumb, thinking of what to say next that could best ease Hiroshi's worries.
Kimiko herself was certain that Hiroshi's dish was more than good enough to be served to the Elites after all. While it was true that Hiraku possessed the ability to break down a dish in horrifying detail, Kimiko suspected that any possible mistakes of Hiroshi's would be too minor to warrant disqualification.
Then again….She did not know half of the Elite 10 at all. Seeing how the rest of the school seemed to take Hiraku's word as gospel….what if they did too?
If only they could prepare for Hiraku's critique ahead of time….
"Wait…!" She then suddenly called out. "That's it!" A bright grin emerged on her face which she promptly flashed at a puzzled Hiroshi. "I've got an idea!"
—
"Oh Hiroshi, what did you get yourself dragged into now?" Hiroshi mumbled as quietly as possible even if there was no chance of Kimiko hearing him anyway with the tremendous amount of noise that surrounded them.
Hiroshi was sure that he should be in the kitchen right now, making up for all the lost time he wasted crying and actually work out something edible for the Elites to scold him over later that evening. But no, here he was on a scooter driving in the busy streets of Tokyo and clinging to a blonde, happily laughing girl. "Gosh, I should've thought of this sooner!" Kimiko shouted over all the thunderous engines, angry honks, and the other human voices in-between. "The wind is so nice on such a hot summer day!"
Ever since that curious idea entered her head, which Hiroshi still did not know the details of, her mood had visibly improved ten-folds. That cheery grin of hers had not weakened the slightest bit ever since they left the gates of Totsuki behind. Wherever they were going (when Hiroshi had asked, she had only smiled "You'll see") Kimiko was looking forward to it immensely.
Hiroshi did not know how much time had passed ever since they drove off from the dorm when Kimiko made the turn into slightly calmer streets at last. But while the scooter and the traffic around them slowed down, the driver herself seemingly got all the more excited.
Hiroshi let out a hearty breath of relief once the machine finally came to a complete standstill but it was Kimiko who jumped off that thing first. Whatever she was so hyped for, it became nearly impossible to contain seeing how she began bouncing on the spot, waiting for Hiroshi to follow suit. At this point, she looked like she was on a sugar high.
Fearing that his classmate might explode if she waited any longer, Hiroshi quickly got off the scooter as well. Though he could not help but take a brief moment of appreciation for the feeling of firm stone pavements underneath his feet after that long ride. As he then took in his surroundings, he realized that they were right at the beginning of a street.
It was decorated with a wide array of signs in all different colours of the rainbow and while Kimiko hopped along in front of Hiroshi, he was having a look around. The street was notably home to all kinds of shops from clothes to flowers to food. Had they come here at a less anxious time in Hiroshi's life, he surely would have liked to inspect a few of them a little closer.
"Here we are!" Kimiko suddenly cheered as she came to a halt and raised her arms high up in the air.
Hiroshi took one look at the building she had stopped at and all of the sudden it all made sense: the bounce in her step, that grin that was a little wider than usual, those excited shimmers in her eyes…
The most striking thing about the building she stood in front of was the big letters right above the open doors, reading: "Restaurant Yukihira".
"Ah, so this is…" He took a step forward. One that was apparently too slow for the overjoyed Kimiko and so she grabbed him by the arm to pull him closer. "My family's diner, yes!" She confirmed with a grin so wide and white one could possibly go blind from it.
Still holding on to his arm, she moved forward and pulled him along. And for that brief moment, curiosity overshadowed all the worry in Hiroshi. He even forgot to ask what they were meant to do here.
Then…everything happened so fast.
Hiroshi had taken just one step through the door when someone was already exclaiming. "Someone bite me…! It's Kimiko-chan!"
Within no time, Kimiko and Hiroshi easily had all eyes on them.
"...Really?"
"Kimiko-chan! It's been so long!"
"What brings you here?"
"Will you cook today?"
Hiroshi froze on the spot in face of all this sudden, unwanted attention. Next to him, Kimiko erupted into laughter. "Hi there, everyone!"
"Kimiko?" A female voice emerged, somehow powerful enough to ring loud over all the others and shut them down in the process.
Way back in the kitchen, Hiroshi then spotted a blonde woman. She had the face of someone who would fit right onto the cover of the glamorous fashion magazines that his aunt Ikumi was always reading. Hiroshi could also note a certain reminiscence to-
"Mom!"
He did not even have to finish that thought as his suspicion already confirmed itself with Kimiko suddenly running forwards. At the very same time, the woman came out from behind the kitchen.
"Kimiko, what a surprise!" She lightly patted her daughter's back of her head, as the two of them hugged. They stood there like that for at least a minute. Only when they were slowly parting again, the woman continued. "What brings you here and…", her amethyst-like eyes glanced to the door then, "…with companionship as well?"
"Ah right!" Kimiko remembered and like some TV host she made a presenting gesture towards Hiroshi, who was still making a face as if he had been struck by a lightning bolt. "This right here is my friend from school! Aldini-Tadokoro Hiroshi!"
The woman suddenly squinted when hearing the first half of Hiroshi's surname. The soft smile she had before briefly disappeared, making way for a more bewildered expression. After hearing the second half, she blinked a couple of times before giving Hiroshi an even stranger look. A look as if she….., well, as if she…. recognized him.
But how would that even be possible?
Kimiko did not seem to take note of any of that, way too caught up in all of her excitement still. She made a turn in Hiroshi's direction. "Hiroshi-kun", she grinned, "this right here is my mother, Yukihira Erina!"
Hiroshi decided to shrug the weird look Erina had given him off, internally only of course. Externally, he made a slight polite bow. "It..it is a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am."
Erina shook her head, deciding to clear it from whatever thoughts had occupied her. She put that soft, if not a slight bit autocratic, smile back on and waved her hand. "Please, for a friend of Kimiko's it's 'Erina-san'."
One of the guests, an elderly woman sitting at the table closest to the door, spoke up. "It is truly rare for Kimiko-chan to bring a classmate home, other than Tadao-kun of course." "Yeah", another man agreed before Hiroshi could even ask who 'Tadao-kun' was, "While Hiraku-kun went 'round the blocks with his school friends, Kimiko-chan always went straight home and right into the kitchen."
"Really?" Surprised Hiroshi turned his head to the man, just to turn it right back to the woman again the very next second as she said: "Yes, indeed. Our dear Kimiko-chan was always a bit of a loner, so I am very happy to see that she lets us meet someone from her new school!" She giggled, in that special certain kind-off way. "Seeing that she brought a boy too, oh my! And such a good-looking one as well."
All questions about Kimiko's lacking social life in the past evaporated from Hiroshi's mind immediately as he felt how every single drop of blood in his body was rushing into his head with the speed of a jet.
"Come on now, Oshima-san." Kimiko tried to intervene. Erina, feeling sympathy as she saw Hiroshi's crimson-red face and recalled her own first time standing in the Yukihira diner, made an attempt of changing the topic. "Kimiko, you still have yet to tell me what the matter of this sudden visit is." Lightly frowning, she inquired. "Not that I am not happy to see you, but Alice told me that you were planning to go to that ball of hers. Is that not today? Shouldn't you be preparing for that?"
"I mean, all I really have to do is put on a dress, no?" Kimiko shrugged off. "I think Lola wanted to get me one but if I can't make it in time, I thought I could take the dress I wore to your last birthday from here." The dress she mentioned was admittedly one of Kimiko's finest, but Erina knew very well that the people on the ball would think of it as fit enough for a cocktail party at best. "Kimiko-" Erina began with a sigh, almost letting all the knowledge she really did have on ballroom etiquette slip but luckily for her, her daughter did not stay quiet. "Besides, this is more important! Because we need your help!"
"Hm?" Erina and Hiroshi, who was still not completely filled in on Kimiko's plans, both hummed simultaneously.
"Hiroshi-kun is supposed to cook for this…Elite group today at the ball. And Hiraku is among those Elites!" Kimiko began elaborating after positioning herself in between her mother and her classmate so that she could address both of them simultaneously. "Now, Hiroshi-kun you know of Hiraku's sensitive taste sense, right? Well, what if I told you that it is something he has inherited? From none other than…" Maybe she had been spending more time with Hideyoshi lately, seeing how she stretched the 'than' a little longer than she had to. "…none other than my mother: Yukihira Erina. No one gives more detailed critiques, Hiroshi-kun, and just like Hiraku she can identify even the most minor mistakes in a dish."Widely grinning, Kimiko brought her plan to a finish: "So my idea is that you let my mother taste-test your dish first so that she can point you towards whatever can still be improved on. You take notes and then serve a revised version to the Elites tonight!"
She leaned forward in Hiroshi's direction, who wondered if her eyes looked even brighter than usual. "Isn't that a good idea? Once my mother evaluated it, Hiraku is gonna have a lot more difficulty finding anything more to nitpick! So, what do you say?"
Hiroshi had to take a step back first. From Kimiko's face being so close and from all the overwhelming kindness and dedication she met him with. She had done so much for him lately and Hiroshi didn't think it could be topped anymore. But now here she was at it again.
"I..uh..", as ever so often he began fumbling with his hands as he frantically searched his brain for any words to say. Of course with Hiroshi being Hiroshi, concern for others and what troubles they might have to endure rose to the forefront first. "…will that really be alright though? I could imagine that…", he looked back to Erina for a brief moment, "…your mother might be a bit busy." Hiroshi did not manage to hold up eye contact with her for very long and so he let his head hang low, diverting his gaze towards the floor instead. There was just something he could not quite name hiding in those violet orbs, something that made him fear saying any false word.
And so he did not see the faint hint of a smirk wandering over Erina's lips, as she almost felt like being thrown back in time for a moment. How long had it been since someone had concerned themselves with her availability?
Her children usually just held their plates right under her nose and asked for a taste right then and there. Then again, at least they still asked. Erina's husband meanwhile quite often just pushed the chopsticks, carrying whatever new thing he had come up with, right past her lips without warning these days.
"It's fine." She attempted to ease Hiroshi's visible worries. "As you can see," Erina said with a nod to the guests who could pretty much be counted off by hand, "it's not the dinner rush yet, so I am not too occupied. Also, even with Kimiko's grandfather gone on one of his spontaneous trips, I am not completely alone." She sighed then, however, a slight irritation finding its way on her face. "Or so you should think, given that my husband just wanted to get out 'real quick' to buy Nori. That should not take over 30 minutes! What is taking him so long?!"
"Oh!" Kimiko perked up. "I have been wondering where Dad-" She could not end that sentence as a vibrant, male voice suddenly rung out right behind Hiroshi, still standing by the door, who flinched slightly as a result. "So, this is what I get for stopping by Hagihara's place to get you the Mizu Manju you like so much!"
Hiroshi looked over his shoulder and had his gaze fall on a red-haired man, proudly wearing a wide, cheery grin. Combined with those radiant, golden eyes of his Hiroshi felt reminded of one person and one person only. Said person, Kimiko, meanwhile exclaimed. "Dad!"
"Princess!" The man returned. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming? And who-" His eyes then fell on Hiroshi, who had fully turned around by now, but just like with Erina before the man's grin seemed to weaken. "-who…..is this…?" He asked, sounding almost absent, while he leaned in a little closer. The look he was giving made Hiroshi think of people eyeing particular characters in live-action movies, trying to figure out whether they knew the actor or not.
"My name is…Aldini-Tadokoro Hiroshi…Sir…" Hiroshi stammered, beginning to fumble with his hands once again. "…Tadokoro?" The man repeated. "He's one of my classmates!" Kimiko popped up right next to her father. "Hiroshi-kun", she beamed, "this right here is my dad: Yukihira Soma!"
Hiroshi took a step backwards before bowing once again. "Pl…pleased to meet you, Sir!"
"Sir?" Soma blinked himself out of his trance first and then suddenly shook himself. Right after, that big grin of his was back plastered on his face. "No, no kiddo…Ain't nobody calling me 'Sir', especially no school friend of Kimiko's! You can call me 'Soma'!"
"It is rare to meet such a polite young man in this day and age." The lady from before, Oshima-san, whispered to the guy beside her. "He is a gold catch for our Kimiko-chan!" "Whatever you say…" The guy murmured back.
Soma made his way to Erina in the meantime. Slyly, he held a shopping bag right in front of his wife's face, which had taken on a pink shade. "Here's the Mizu Manju, by the way." Pink intensified into red. Like some schoolgirl, Erina had to avert her eyes as she took the bag out of his hands and grumbled. "You didn't-…" She groaned. "…Whatever…Thank you."
A few adoring chuckles emerged from the diner regulars watching the familiar back and forth, drowned out however by Soma's own laughter.
"It's always the same with those two." Kimiko felt the need to inform Hiroshi, who was just blankly staring ahead as he tried to sort his thoughts. After having playfully rolled her eyes, Kimiko shouted. "Mommm! So you're gonna taste Hiroshi-kun's dish, now that Dad's here?"
Soma, who had just been about to plant a kiss on Erina's cheek, halted to give his daughter a curious look. "So, is that what this visit is about?" With her blush slowly fading, Erina cleared her throat before looking back to Hiroshi. "I would be happy to help."
Kimiko, Soma, and even the guests now all turned their heads to Hiroshi as well, almost as if a spotlight had been cast on him.
For a moment, Hiroshi thought about how he would only have to take a couple of steps backwards and he would be out of the restaurant and out of the expectant sight cast upon him. But he knew that was not the right answer. He would still need to show his face at the ball after all, or else Hiroshi would have rallied up both the 10 and his friends for nothing. He could not do that. And seeing that he would have to serve something as well, it probably did not hurt to have it evaluated first.
Therefore, he lowered his gaze to cease his nervousness at least a little bit before saying. "Tha…Thank you for lending me your kitchen and your time."
"Great!" Kimiko rejoiced. "Come on I will show you everything!" She took his hand and lead him to the kitchen, without noticing the blush rising back on his face when she told her parents: "You will thank me later, I promise. It's gonna be good!"
Soma and Erina exchanged a look before Soma loudly laughed. "High praise, I see! You're getting me curious as well." He winked at Hiroshi. "You know, my daughter doesn't talk lightly about that stuff. She would approach something as simple as Omurice with the same kind of seriousness someone would have for diffusing a bomb! So, if she says it is good…I would love to have a taste as well!" "Of….of course…!" Hiroshi gave a weak, little nod while simultaneously turning all the more red.
"Kimiko-chan!" One of the guests, a man in his 50s, suddenly jumped up from his chair. "We are here too! Starving! You can not just waltz in here out of the blue without cooking a little something up! We wanna see what you learned on that fancy school!" Agreeing nods ensued and a younger man added. "Please, it's been so long since we've last had some of your Yakisoba! "Kimiko responded with happy laughter. "Hey, what did you all think I would be doing while Hiroshi-kun cooks, huh? Sit and tend to my fingernails? Come on, I am Yukihira Kimiko!" The little restaurant erupted into cheers at that and Hiroshi could only watch in amazement as Kimiko strung him along into the kitchen. This was unlike any other place he has ever cooked in before.
After Kimiko had shown him where everything is and after they had both quickly bound an apron around their waists, Hiroshi couldn't help but inspect his surroundings a bit more closely while beginning his preparations.
The place was a bit smaller than he would have imagined from Kimiko's lively tales. But the size contributed to one of the diner's most outstanding characteristics: intimacy. Never before, not in the original Trattoria Aldini and not even in his mother's Ryokan, had Hiroshi ever been this physically close to the customer while preparing the food. Hiroshi was used for the kitchen to be in a separate room with a wall separating chefs and guests. Here, however, the cooking process was accompanied by the chattery of the customers. Hiroshi could hear their reactions to the food, and whatever else was on their minds, up-front while working. It created an atmosphere of community, which Hiroshi felt himself getting fond of very fast.
He cast a brief look towards Kimiko. With her ever-radiant presence and that bright smile of hers, she looked like the sun of this establishment in Hiroshi's eyes. The way she laughed and bantered with the guests made it more than evident that this was her home. She looked more comfortable than Hiroshi had ever seen her and he caught himself thinking that he liked the look on her.
He then quickly shook his head before diverting his focus back to his work.
Only when an unknown male voice shouting "Kimiko!" rung through the entire diner, Hiroshi looked back up. Naturally turning his head in the direction that the noise had come from, his eyes landed on a brunette boy his age who was standing by the door and pointed directly at Kimiko. "Girl, why didn't you call?! I had to learn from ol' Tomita that you're here, who heard it from Oshima-san coming by!"
Kimiko placed fried rice down on the table she had been serving. "Oh!" She called out while holding one hand in front of her mouth. "I should definitely greet Tomita later!" "Kimiko!" The guy lowered his finger now, putting his hands on his hips instead. Kimiko began laughing before turning to him at last. "Tadao! Long time no see!"
Hiroshi must have been wearing some curious look to him because suddenly Soma appeared right next to him and explained. "He's Kimiko's childhood friend, Tadao's mother used to babysit Kimiko and her brother a lot." Before Hiroshi could say or ask anything else, Soma teased. "But keep your eyes on the pot, kiddo. My wife's tongue can be brutal." "Su…Sure…." Hiroshi stammered, his face turning into a faint pink. "Stop scaring him, Soma!" Erina huffed somewhere to the right.
Sure enough, Soma cheekily snickered a "sorry" before curiously eyeing Hiroshi's preparation work more closely. "Don't worry too much. I was just kidding around, and this seems to be going in a really interesting direction. Sweetfish, eh?" "Ye...Yes, Si- …I mean Soma-san!" Hiroshi gave a small nod. "Classic summer delicacy!" Soma smiled. "I am lookin' forward to it!"
"Wanna know what else Oshima-san told Tomita?" Tadao meanwhile sneakily leaned towards Kimiko's ear. He shielded their exchange with a hand, in typical Gossip-fashion. "Huh?" Merely came from Kimiko. "Oshima-san said you brought a boy from that new school of yours. That's him, right?" Tadao subtly nodded towards Hiroshi in the kitchen. Slightly tilting her head, Kimiko answered. "Hm? Yeah, that's my classmate. His name is Aldini-Tadokoro Hiroshi." "Aha, interesting…interesting." Tadao rubbed his chin. "A fellow cook-craze, hm? I could see that happening." "See what happen?" Kimiko asked. Tadao only sat down at a vacant table, however, saying. "Well, Kimi, now that I am already here, I think I will go for a Katsu-Don."
—
Hiroshi could tell that the diner rush was slowly starting to trickle in when he completed his dish. Table after table got occupied and available ones were becoming scarce.
He took a glance at Erina, who was currently in the midst of preparing….actually Hiroshi couldn't quite sort in what it was that she was doing, but it looked complicated. Seeing this, Hiroshi could not help but feel like a fool, standing in this increasingly busy, small kitchen with a bowl of rice in his hands. The sudden urge to just place it on one of the guest's tables and then quickly run away seemed awfully tempting to him at that moment. But before Hiroshi could go through with it, Soma suddenly materialized behind him, took a look over his shoulder, and then loudly announced. "Erina! It's time for the taste test, I think!"
Erina was quick to look up from her pan, eyeing Soma first, then Hiroshi, then the bowl in his hands, and then Hiroshi again. "Oh, I see." Swiftly she took a step away from the stove and snapped her finger at it. "Soma, finish this for me." She ordered. "And stick to the recipe! No experiments whatsoever! You know that I will notice!" Soma began to sulk. "He made two! I want to eat as well!" "Later." Erina simply grabbed her husband by the shoulder and pushed him in the direction her pan was.
"Hiroshi-kun's dish is gonna be tasted?" Kimiko perked up. "Hm, I am interested to see what those kids from your new Elite school can do." Tadao turned his head as well while taking the first bite of the Katsu-Don Kimiko had just placed in front of him.
"Sorry for the trouble," Hiroshi mumbled as he handed Erina the bowl. She sat down at one of the leftover vacant tables, a thin but reassuring smile on her lips. "Don't worry about it, really." If the boy only knew what kind of nonsense she already had to deal with from her oldest child alone.
Hiroshi took note of how the diner seemed to become a lot quieter as Erina brought the spoon to her lips. He supposed that he should not be surprised over any sort of story spreading like wildfire in this little restaurant.
Erina closed her eyes meanwhile, tuning the environment out as she had her taste.
It was as if cooling winds began brushing over her legs, arms, and her face, taking off all the heat that the summer sun and the busy environment of the kitchen had created. Erina could see herself in a forest, standing in the refreshing, cold water of a creek with colourful butterflies, healthy trees, and happy birds all around her. She felt like jumping around and dancing, freed of all the weight that the crushing hot summer air has had on her.
Had her smile this entire time been more reserved, it now looked all the more brighter when she opened her eyes again. "This is so wonderfully refreshing! Thank you, Aldini-Tadokoro Hiroshi."
Soft murmurs emerged in-between some of the diner regulars. Having watched a great bunch of spontaneous face-offs between the Yukihira family already, which usually had Erina as judge whenever she wasn't involved herself, the people had a bit of an idea how hard she was to impress. In the kitchen, one could hear Soma let out a whistle. Kimiko was wearing one of her brightest smiles meanwhile, a sense of pride lingering in it.
"Alright." Erina brought her hands together. Her expression became more serious again as she fixated Hiroshi. "You did pretty well and the lightness of this dish is perfect for a summer day. There are a few things I have to point out, however." It took a moment for the very stunned Hiroshi to give a small nod back, a silent sign for Erina to continue. "You let the sweetfish boil in the seaweed broth before mincing them, right?" She observed. "Y...Yes." "I like the idea, but I would suggest taking the fish out a bit earlier next time because as of right now the fishy taste is a tad bit too strong. Also, try to use more pepper-" "Wait…!" Hiroshi suddenly called out after the first moment of shock over that acute attention to detail was over. He heard about it in tales about Hiraku (mainly from Mika), sure, but experiencing this type of critique first-hand was still something else.
"Hm?" Erina gave him a surprised look. "Ah, sorry for interrupting you!" Hiroshi shrieked and made a quick bow. "I just wanted to ask…if I may write your points down?" "Oh!" The small but friendly smile came back on Erina's lips. "But of course." "Here you go!" Hiroshi then heard Kimiko's voice behind him. When turning to her, he saw that she was holding a paper block and a pen out to him, an encouraging grin on her face.
After Hiroshi had thanked her, Erina continued on with her critique while Hiroshi noted down every suggestion for improvement that she made. At the end of it all, Erina placed the bowl down and waited for Hiroshi to finish his current notes, so that she could meet his eyes when saying. "Despite those few mistakes, however, I want you to know that I also tasted a lot of underlying talent in this dish which has still yet to bloom to its fullest potential." There was absolute earnestness in her voice and the smile that then appeared on her lips. "I hope to see you around sometime again. It's going to be very intriguing to see your growth."
Hiroshi's jaw hung low for several seconds before he finally regained the ability to stammer. "Tha…Thank you, Erina-san." He felt his cheeks burning hot from such sincere praise.
"I think this tastes excellent!" Soma suddenly brought himself into this conversation, happily munching, the second bowl Hiroshi had prepared and left in the kitchen in his hands. "Y'know just in case anyone wants to know what I think." "Soma!" Erina flared up. "You're supposed to be cooking!"
"I got Kimi for that." Soma innocently said in-between bites. And sure enough, one head-turn to the kitchen and Hiroshi could spot Kimiko standing by the stove. This didn't exactly seem to be the answer that Erina wanted to hear, judging from her expression, but she never got to respond.
"Not anymore, Uncle Soma!" A confident female voice loudly announced all of the sudden, making almost every head turn towards the door in surprise.
Hiroshi let out a quiet gasp.
At the door of Restaurant Yukihira stood none other than the self-proclaimed future headmistress of Japan's most illustrious cooking academy: Lola Nakiri, with her twin sister close behind. Very much the little entrepreneur as always, instead of going for a greeting or something Lola got right down to business. "Kimiko! What's up with this?" She held up her mobile, presenting what seemed to be some text chat to the confused crowd before turning the phone back to her so she could read the chat's content aloud: "'Sorry, I gotta go to the diner. Don't think I will be back at 3. See you later at the ball.' What business do you have in the diner on this monumental day?! I've been calling you more than ten times already! We have to prepare you, remember?"
"Oh, it's the cousins," Tadao spoke up first. "Long time no see…You haven't changed at all it seems." "You." Lola only acknowledged him through a quick glance, before diverting her attention back to Kimiko who had come out from behind the kitchen. "Gee, does that really warrant such a ruckus though?" She apologetically grinned as she came to a stand next to Hiroshi. Her hand landed on his shoulder which resulted in him flinching a little. Not so much because of Kimiko's hand but rather because of how he instantly felt Lola's blood-red eyes on him. "I'm sorry, but I had to help my friend out. It was important!"
Lola did not even try to resist an eye roll. "Ever the Samaritan."
"Lola." Erina took over, crossing her arms in the process. "First of all: Good day to you, and Mona as well of course. So, while I understand that dressing up for a ball takes its time, that still does not mean that you have to barge in here and make so much noise. There are guests that eat here." "But Aunt Erina-" Lola wanted to protest, her signature pout starting to emerge on her lips already. She was however interrupted by Tadao. "Ball? Did I hear that right? You're telling me Kimiko's going to a ball? Kimiko?!"
"Guilty as charged." Kimiko merely giggled. Next to her, Hiroshi suddenly jumped as he was struck with a memory from earlier that day. "Ah! That reminds me- I promised to check by my aunt's condo and dress up there." In a weak attempt to calm himself a little from the fear of running late, he frantically ran a hand through his blue locks while checking his mobile. "Oh, dear! I should be going!"
With the speed of lightening itself, Hiroshi rushed to collect and pack his things. He was already halfway through the door when his manners rang back in and he remembered to stop himself. As he came to an abrupt halt right on the doorstep, he quickly turned his head over his shoulder. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Soma-san and Erina-san! Thank you for your help and the hospitality."
"I wish you the best of luck for tonight." Erina nodded at him. Next to her, Soma held his thump up. "You can come over anytime if you want!" Kimiko took a step forward and happily waved. "I'll see you at the ball, Hiroshi-kun!"
And with one last thankful, little smile Hiroshi was out of the door for good.
"We should get going too!" Lola demanded, wasting no time once he was gone. Watching how the enthusiasm in Kimiko's face started to falter, Mona took it upon herself to speak up for the first time ever since coming here. "The dress Mom picked for you is relatively simple, Kimiko." She assured without even the slightest hint of emotion in her voice. "Nothing that would be too extra for you."
Kimiko couldn't help but to cast one longing look back towards the kitchen of Restaurant Yukihira, her favorite place in the entire world. Only now did she fully realize how much she had missed it throughout these past few months.
Sighing, she had to turn her head away before finally giving in. "I guess it can't be helped, hm? Let's go then."
It took her a lot longer to pack up her things than it had taken Hiroshi. But eventually, she was also standing by the doorstep, which Lola and Mona had already walked past. In an attempt to make the departure a little easier, she started to think of all the newfound friends she would see at the ball tonight and sure enough, it did lift her spirits a little up again. There has been some good to Totsuki, she had to admit. She wasn't the same loner anymore that the guests had talked about earlier.
With her smile having gained some more new life, she finally bid her parents and her childhood friend goodbye. "It was nice seeing you all again! Until next time." She gave one last wink before she was out of the door as well, on her way to her first big Totsuki spectacle.
"Have fun, honey!" Erina called after her. And after sending a quick text message to her cousin, demanding her to take photos of Kimiko in her gown to send to her later, Erina got back to work.
She lined up next to Soma, both of them very much in their own thoughts for several minutes.
"He looks so much like her." Soma then suddenly broke the silence. But it did not sound as if all of his mind was already fully back into the present day. "It makes me wonder how she might be doing…?"
Erina gave him a quick kiss on his cheek then. The surprise effectively startled him out of the many thoughts he had been in and he turned his head to give her a questioning look.
"I can tell you one thing for sure." Erina lifted her finger. "She has raised a very talented, young chef."
His trademark grin found its way back into Soma's face then. "You're Right!" "Of course I am, who do you think you're talking to?" Erina playfully huffed. "And now get back to work! We have a name to defend."
