Chapter 91: Unto Themselves

- The Top Three

"Round Three shall begin shortly…" Mister Aida announced slowly, his voice sluggish yet still withholding its usual rhythmic disdain. "If any persons in the audience would like a break then I suggest you do so now".

Lowering his microphone, scowling slightly as he switched off the device so that he wouldn't be caught saying something derogatory, defamatory or offensive towards the opposition traitors, the Director's aid moved towards his boss and crouched down so that he could listen to Azami's grumbled frustrations.

"Tadokoro..." he heard his boss murmur angrily. "I underestimated her; no wonder people call he a dark horse. I cannot allow her to continue at Tōtsuki otherwise my allies will begin to compare her to, and ask after, her brother".

Ignoring the over the top displays of revelry and other expensive ways the rebel chefs were engaged in as well as congratulating themselves for achieving yet another win in their ongoing rebellion, both Director and Emcee both huffed indignantly and turned away.

"Sean..." Azami whispered slyly. "Go prepare the roster for the upcoming contestants. And make sure that they are accurately paired against".

"Sōma!"

Before he had a chance to steady himself he was bowled over by Megumi throwing herself into his arms in a state of near total hyperventilation and shock after hearing that she had just defeated the forth seat.

Struggling to lessen the impact of her crashing into him, the red headed boy was knocked off his feet and sprawled to the ground with his girlfriend on top of him. Laying in a tangled mess of limbs both teenagers completely missed the waggling of eyebrows and slight chuckling that their friends were having at their awkwardness.

"I-I-I… is this real?" Megumi stuttered , placing a hand to her forehead to check her own temperature. "Did I rally just beat the forth seat!"

Grinning as he wrapped his arms around her and 'booped' her on the nose, Sōma nodded softly before sitting up and gently kissing her on the cheek. "I knew you would..." he grinned proudly. "You said you were fine after all".

Blushing from a combination of exhaustion, anxiety and pride Megumi pouted trying to make herself appear more assured of herself yet just then a sudden realisation of their positioning came back to her; as well as her own sense of restraint, and she leapt out of Sōma's lap.

However, just then a very familiar shriek of joy and excitement reached them as both Yuki and Ryōko broke out of the 'special seating area', bolting towards them both and entrapping Megumi in a joyful three way embrace.

"Ieeeee!" Yuki squealed with enraptured glee. "You. Were. Totally. Super. Awesome!"

With a bright bold smile, Ryōko matched Yuki's über energy causing the three girls to loose balance and once again topple into Sōma, trapping him between them and the floor.

"I always knew you were a great chef", the purple haired first year grinned happily, "but your skill and workmanship was sublime! You should defiantly take up that woman's offer to go to San Francisco; at some point, to see and experience culinary arts of America".

"Thanks guys..." Megumi wheezed, rubbing her head from the small impact she'd had with Yuki. "Honestly it really hasn't sunk in yet. Did I really just beat the fifth seat? And have I done enough for my brother to quit Central yet?"

Another loud squeak of surprise occurred as their hug was suddenly interrupted and joined in on by Ikumi, Alice and Hisako - all of whom had tears running down their faces.

"Your amazing", Hisako sobbed uncontrollably. "Definitely worthy of a council seat..."

"Agreed", Alice grinned devilishly as she patted her cousin's girlfriend on the back. "But don't think I'm gonna let you get a higher seat than me without a fight! So we're gonna have a food war of our own to see which seats either of us gets".

"Now that will be a fight worthy of an epic showdown in the Celestial Room", Ikumi piped up. "Those battles are always captured for posterity in the Tōtsuki archives".

"Erm… I don't mean to ruin the mood", a muffled voice interrupted the girls conversation, "but can you all get off me". Instantly recognising Sōma's wheezing voice emanating from the bottom of the pile of girls, Alice and Yuki both grinned at each other as they took in Sōma's uncomfortable and unfortunate position.

"I know we're all proud of Megs right now but… urgh… I can't breath!" Sōma's yell this time made the girls roll their eyes.

"Eeek!"

Jumping about a foot in the air, knocking all her friends from her as well as from her boyfriend, Megumi suddenly realised that since Yuki and Ryōko had crashed into her she had been ended up sitting on top of Sōma in a rather intimate place.

Pushing themselves to their feet, Ryōko and Yuki stood beside their friend and continued hugging her and carrying out their congratulations and praisings of her cooking and victory over chef Momo.

Blushing bright red and avoiding eye contact with Sōma as she hurriedly stood up allowing her boyfriend to his feet, Megumi turned away and just about noticed the slightly raised eyebrows of Jōichirō and Dōjima from the lower level of the audience stands.

Taking a deep breath as she stood next to Yuki, pointedly looking away from Ryōko's grin and suggestively wiggling eyebrows she was in the middle of utilising between the redhead boy and her; Megumi distracted her two best friends by shoving them away in the direction of Isshiki and Nene - whom seemed to be deep in conversation with Erina.

"You were amazing, Megumi!" Yuki cried brushing away her own tears, "that Dorayaki-Crêpe looked awesome! And the aroma that reached us was utterly delectable".

Smiling bashfully the blue haired girl simply nodded her head as she and Yuki exchanged hugs, but out of tue corner of her eye she noticed the red faced and flustered looking Sōma as he was pulled to his feet by Kuga.

"What's up with him?" Yuki asked curiously, tapping a finger against her cheek. "He's acting weird... or weirder than normal", she frowned.

Ryōko was just about to reply when she suddenly caught the eye of Ikumi whispering something to an equally bright red Takumi. Surreptitiously pointing her thumb between Sōma and Megumi, the blonde Meat-General raised her eyebrows as a sign that she knew what had occurred between the two.

Unable to prevent herself from grinning coquettishly, Ryōko made a mental note to herself to get more information from Ikumi about this intuitive guess she'd had into this strange new development/behaviour between Sōma and Megumi.

Meanwhile, having realised that her blushing face - as well as Sōma's weird behaviour - had been seen and was being analysed by two of her more inquisitive and suggestive friends, Megumi sighed loudly before bowing her head in frustration. Ryōko and Ikumi really were too close, character wise, for her own comfort. And now Takumi was now well aware of the root of her and Sōma's red faced embarrassment.

"I-erm… have to go meet up with Erina!" Megumi exclaimed, a little too quickly resulting in raised eyebrows from her two best friends. "I mean…" she continued in a more measured tone trying to lessen their already high curiosity. "Now that Momo and Eizan are out, we have to decide who'll be in the third bout".

With heavy sighs that hid their obvious disappointment, Yuki and Ryōko gave their victorious friend another round of hugs quickly followed by Alice. "Wishing you all the best", Ryōko whispered softly rubbing the girl's back. "And go get Kensuke's number for me", she whispered teasingly.

Seeing the frown emerge on Megumi's face, Ryōko leant forwards and playfully squished her cheeks together. "I'm kidding Megumi", she chuckled. "I know your brother is too unwieldy and aloof for anything I would plan, but a girl can dream can't she?"

Rolling her eyes and trying very hard not to laugh, the blue haired girl wriggled out of the other girls embrace and turned back to her rebel allies - preparing to rejoin them. "Your lucky you're my friend", she replied with a smile. "Otherwise I might just disown you".

"Megumi! Hurry over here", Isshiki called to her, chuckling as he watched her interaction with Yuki and Ryōko. "We're about ready to discuss our next move".

Giving a last wave over her shoulder she hurried towards the reformed group of rebel chefs all huddled around Erina, and all of them - even those who had been defeated - eager to listen to the god tongue's strategy. But before anyone could begin speaking, Erina brushed past them all and wrapped her arms around her.

"Well done Megumi…" the ex-tenth seat smiled, happy tears running down her face. "That dish was inspired!" She exclaimed proudly.

"Totally agree", Kuga added grinning madly whilst being restrained by a subtly smiling Nene.

"Yeah, exceedingly great job", Takumi added patting her shoulder and mouthing a silent thank you to Nene. "If your brother had been watching I bet he'd be proud our your too".

"That's the first time I've ever seen Momo truly agog", the defeated sixth seat interjected too. "Momo hates being made a fool of… and by being defeated by a first year - someone whom she had obviously looked down on will seriously sting her pride".

Beaming with her own pride Megumi lunged forwards and hugged Nene before she again found herself swept up into another embrace by Alice and Hisako. Feeling her cheeks warming up again as the memory and the residual 'feeling' of Sōma's body beneath hers was still fresh in her mind, she shook her head and ignored the growing wantonness within her.

Glancing over at Sōma, who had separated from the group again and was now talking to Isshiki and Kuga, she was suddenly struck by how afraid she was feeling by these new adult desires seeping into her teenage body.

Suddenly reminded of Isshiki's words about how Ryōko dealt with these urges and stresses whilst bathing, calling it her 'relaxation time', she almost made a mental note to ask her friend about 'that' but she immediately killed that train of thought due to the high likelihood of her never actually asking.

With a jolt Megumi became aware that she had just missed the announcement by Mister Aida of whom Central would be fielding in the third bout of the regiment de cuisine. Blinking, she tapped Hisako on the shoulder and asked "who is cooking now?"

Baffled by the blue haired girl's seeming deafness to the earlier announcement, Hisako frowned before pointing apologetically towards the despondent face of Chise Nakata - whom had just returned from the medical ward. However, what added to surprise to shock was the sudden appearance of the Tōsuke Megishima walking next to Chise.

"No… it can't be. Please no!" Megumi gasped, anxiety, frustration and anger all bubbled and boiled within her frame as she watched her brothers sous chef crying as Shun, Zenji, Alice and Nene all gathered around, consolingly.

"Megs…" instantly forgetting about being embarrassed she spun around and rested her head against Sōma's chest, taking comfort from his calming presence, and knowing that she too who had also just seen the names on the above scoreboard.

'Eishi Tsukasa'

'Rindō Kobayashi'

'Kensuke Tadokoro'

"I had thought that my brother wouldn't be in this battle…" she murmured confusedly. "I mean we all saw what happened to him... I had assumed that it would have been obvious, to anyone with a brain, that his injuries and mental state would be a severe weakness for him to continue", she stated plainly yet with a hint of anger in her tone. "Why is he still being allowed to participate?"

"Whats wrong with the doctors allowing him to continue?" She heard Sōma quietly seethe, as he stepped up beside her. "Surely the medical staff have the power to overrule the Director when someone's physical and mental health are at risk!"

"I don't know…" Nene's honest voice replied, as she moved towards them with a frown on her face. Staring sadly at the cooking stage, the former sixth seat looked slightly unsure about something before fidgeting with her glasses and sighing.

"If Kensuke is still taking part then that probably means that Azami's manipulations have done more damage to him than we had all initially thought", she mused thoughtfully. "Either that or he has managed or completely rewrite Ken's culinary beliefs".

It was then that they all heard running footsteps approaching, and so looking up from their conversation they saw Isshiki, followed by Kuga and Erina - their eyes dangerously narrowed and with fists clenched storming past - and head straight towards the smirking and callously laughing emcee.

"What the fucking hell are you doing!" Isshiki yelled grabbing Mister Aida by the shirt. "Why hasn't the medical team pulled rank and stopped Ken from cooking?"

"What sick game is Azami playing!" Kuga added. "This is just pure cruelty now!"

Trying very hard not to headbutt the emcee in the face for his blatant indifference to his best friend's current situation, as well as disdain for Kensuke's own wellbeing, Isshiki felt his own roiling anger continue to threaten at the walls of his restraint.

Yet, at that moment Isshiki suddenly felt a hand grasp ahold of the back of his shirt and yank him backwards.

Growling in irritation, he turned around and narrowed his eyes in expectation of seeing either Kuga or Nene holding him back, but instead he was taken aback by the sight of Ken's teary eyed sous chef - Chise - holding him by the arm. And behind her stood the former-former third seat, Megishima.

Shocked by Chise's tears freely falling down her face, the former seventh seat abruptly spun around, forgetting his rage towards the emcee, and wrapped Chise in a comforting embrace. Ignoring Mister Aida, choosing to give Chise and Megishima his full undivided attention, Isshiki allowed himself to be moved back to where Megumi, Sōma and Takumi all stood.

"Please… forgive Kensuke for what he said earlier", the brunette sous chef sobbed. "I'm sure that a part of him regrets it… but I'm scared that if someone doesn't help him now then he'll never recover from any of this".

Nodding his head the former-former third seat crossed his arms and looked out towards the recently returned top three central chefs.

"Chise's right..." Megishima spoke slowly. "I may not have known Ken for as long as you have but from what I have leant about him from around Tōtsuki... I now know that he would never be this direct about anything. Unless he or something important to him was being threatened".

Continuing to hold Chise's sobbing personage in his arms, Isshiki managed to widen his eyes in surprise and horror at his former council colleague.

"What is Azami holding against him", Isshiki asked plainly, his voice quiet yet dripping with venom. "Just what is Ken trying to protect?"

With a frustrated sigh, Megishima frowned as he removed his knitted hat from his head and then running a hand through his wild black hair. "I've got no clue", he replied flatly. "We both know how reserved and introverted Kensuke is and can be. Honesty, I'm not even sure he'd even tell Tsukasa and Rindō if he was being threatened. Or if they'd even be able to tell".

Clenching his hands tightly Isshiki suddenly heard a quiet yelp as Chise gasped from being embraced too tightly. Having temporarily forgotten that he had still been hugging the brunette sous chef, whom was now uncomfortably wriggling in his arms, he immediately apologising for unintentionally hurting her and quickly released her from his hug - ignoring the pout of seeming harmless jealously Nene was trying to hide.

Balancing being supportive and no longer harbouring jealous thoughts towards one's rivals, opponents and friends was something Isshiki hoped would come true for his childhood sweetheart.

Gently walking towards, and then squeezing Nene's hand, giving her comfort and confidence in his sole feelings for her, he smiled confidently at her before he quickly seeing her eyes light up and widen as he knew she had immediately picked up upon what he was about to suggest.

"Whilst I can say without doubt that Central is truly evil for what they are going to Ken", Isshiki sighed regretfully. "I can also say, with absolute confidence, that even in his present state he will still have some semblance of his keen culinary mind intact. Albeit slightly unbalanced than normal".

Looking briefly towards Megumi, the former seventh seat noted that the blue haired girl had flinched at the mention of her brother still being considered a tough opponent.

"Even plagued by self doubt, self loathing as well as affictwd by self inflicted injured, the third seat still isn't a complete throw away for Azami's continued usage", Kuga scowled bitterly. "We have to break him free!"

"Which means he's still going to be a tough opponent to beat", Megishima murmured. "And the fact that 'one and two' are still with him will continue to give him that sense of steadfastness and familiarity that he requires in moments like these".

"On that subject too I agree", Nene interjected taking Chise by the hand. "Tsukasa and Rindō will never abandon him. They all feel as if the culinary world has wronged them somehow and has asked or taken too much from them already".

Nodding their heads in mournful solidarity as they took in the words spoken by Isshiki, Nene and Megishima, the four first year rebel chefs; plus second year Chise, all jumped in surprise as Kuga abruptly bolted past them and onto the cooking stage followed by, at a more leisurely pace, Megishima who stopped briefly and turned towards them.

"I know that I'm not an official part of your rebel team", Megishima murmured slowly, as he stopped short of stepping onto the cooking stage. "But I'm sorry for refusing your invite to join you".

Bowing hue head, Meghisma placed his hands together and held his head against his prayer like hands. "But please give me the opportunity to at least waste some of Rindo's energy. This way you'll get extra breathing room and more time to observe and prepare for the following rounds".

Grinning wildly, Sōma and Takumi bolted forwards and immediately high-fived the former-former third seat. "You don't have to apologise or bow to us", both boys spoke candidly. "We're all on the same side now. And besides, Erina already told us that you wanted to protect the Ramen industry from Central".

Sighing as he realised that his two former council colleagues had just volunteered themselves, Isshiki glanced over towards Sōma and nodded his head before he too stepped out on to the cooking stage.

"I guess that's it then", Chise and Nene uttered cautiously. "Kuga and Megishima each have their own personal baggegw with Tsukasa and Rindō respectively, so I guess we'll leave what affect Isshiki can have on his best friend".

Glancing back over his shoulder, the former seventh seat noticed an uncertain but clearly curious Megumi watching him - almost as if she was eager to see what kind of Tōtsuki relationship he had with her brother. And so nodding his head to let them know his plan, he stepped up onto the cooking stage to face his best friend.

"And there we have it folks!" Mister Aida's voice echoed around the hall. "Three former members of the Ten vs the current Top Three! Oh how much of total wipeout round three is going to be! An utter bloodbath for these rebelscum".

Ignoring the way the emcee had derided him, his friends and their places within Tōtsuki, Isshiki walked forwards and stood alongside Megishima and Kuga.

"Hey Isshiki…" the spiky blonde haired ex-eighth seat asked plainly, failing to trying to hide his own nervousness. "You're facing Kensuke right? Please win… and please get us back the Kensuke that we all knew before Azami became director", Kuga growled bitterly.

Smiling as he shook his fellow ex-council seat by the hand, Isshiki nodded affirmatively before turning towards Megishima and patting the older third year on the shoulder. "I know you two have your own rivalries with Tsukasa and Rindō, and I know you won't hold back but good luck anyway".

A smirk and a sigh were the only responses he got back from his two team mates as they mentally psyched themselves for their bouts.

However, just then as the emcee began calling the participants forwards to choose their theme ingredient from the raffle machine, and Kuga pointed out deputy director Asahi whispering something into Azami's ear before pointing towards Megumi.

A wry smile graced the directors lips as he nodded in agreement of whatever his deputy had just said, which immediately made Kuga and Megishima reach out and preemptively hold Isshiki back.

"Don't…" Kuga muttered angrily, "talking morals and good practice to immoral bastards gets us nowhere".

Growling under their collective breaths, the three former council seats walked forwards to take turns reaching into the raffle machine to select their theme ingredient.

However, they were met by a glowering Rindō who stared them all into submission over who would get to use the ingredient tombolla. Bounding forwards, the second seat reached her hand into the machine and withdrew three strips of white paper; each with a the name of an ingredient written on it.

Rolling their eyes in exasperation the three rebels allowed the second seat to choose all three theme ingredients. And judging by the joyful grin on Rindō's face as she reached into the machine, three separate times, and pulled out strips of folded paper they all instantly knew that she was distracting herself, with this fun, from her earlier anger and regret.

"Ooh guys!" Rindō cooed childishly. "You're gonna love these", she continued with almost childlike delight.

Walking forwards, Mister Aida looked at the three paper slips and announced the theme for each of the three bouts.

"And here it is folks!" The emcee announced finally. "The matches are decided and theme ingredients are here".

"Terunori Kuga vs Eishi Tsukasa will each cook a dish that showcases Green Tea. The key ingredient for Tōsuke Megishima and Rindō Kobayashi will be Chilli Peppers! And lastly, Satoshi Isshiki vs Kensuke Tadokoro will both be using Wild Rabbit!"

Grinning menacingly at the three rebels as he spoke, Mister Aida gestured to some black suited staffers appearing onto the stage carrying the chosen themes.

"Now! Let. The. cooking. Begin!"

R.I.P -

Jeff Beck. Musician, Songwriter and Rock guitarist.

Lisa-Marie Presley. Singer-Songwriter.

Stephen Greif. Actor from Blake 7 and Casanova.

Fay Weldon. Author, Playwright, Essayist and Feminist.