Father Revealed
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Chapter 2
As Gin walked in through the entrance of Tootsuki Acadamy he wondered to himself why he took the Director up on his offer to come visit. Maybe it was to actually see the renowned "God's Tongue" ruffled or maybe it had to do with what exactly the Director was going to do with the information about Yukihira's father. Either way it should be exciting to witness. Chuckling to himself he made his way to the Director's office to see what said man's plan was. Finally reaching the office he knocked politely on the door and waited for the command to enter. Upon receiving it, he opened the door only to find the room empty. He looked around the spacious office before realizing the door to the balcony was open.
Making his way to the open french doors, he leaned on the doorframe and questioned the man before him, "Excuse me sir, but what exactly are you doing?"
Senzaemon, grinned to himself before turning to look at the younger man behind him, silently holding the binoculars out to said person, "I am watching the Autumn Leaf Viewing Party down below. You remember it from your time here, do you not? It is entertaining to watch young people interact with each other. Although the first years get along better than their sempai's in the Elite Ten, but I guess that is to be expected." Turning back to the view he smiled before deciding to make his move now. Giving a cheeky smile before walking somewhat fast towards the office, not really looking back to see if the younger man was following him. 'He probably is. He is curious about what my next move is.'
Quickly setting the binoculars down on the Director's desk, Gin moved to follow the suspicious Director. Not wanting to miss the evolving fun that this source of information led to, he gave a thought of course to how the young red-headed chef would react when this information was not only revealed before his fellow first years, but those of the Elite Ten as well. He pitied the boy at this moment and hopes it won't cause that big of a problem for the young man. 'Although with this I might be able to get back at Joichiro for leaving school before we graduated."
Finally catching up with the Director right before the clearing that housed the table with the student's, he cleared his throat and straightened up his suit. "What are you up to may I ask,sir? Are you really going to reveal it here?"
"I am going to ask him a series of questions pertaining to his father and that may bring about the truth of said father's identity. I know for a fact that at least two of the student's among them know of the father's identity, so hopefully it won't be revealed before I have my fun. Young Yukihira will also have them two to lean on for support should anyone revolt or cause trouble. I do not want to put his life in jeopardy just to entertain me. Now, it's time for some time. Will you join me?", ask the Director before turning to the younger man with a serious look.
Sighing to himself, he answered, "Yes, I will join you just in case it gets out of control."
With that the two walked into the clearing and waited to be recognized. Of course the first years noticed first since they were talking and not argueing like their sempai's across from them. Standing up the first years bowed to the two men, before straightening up and catching the attention of the people across the table. As the second and third years repeated after the first years, Senzaemon motioned for the group to have a seat, asking, "May we join you?"
"Yes, of course", was the response from the surprised student's.
The director sat at the head of the table closest to the clearing, while Gin sat at the opposite end to observe the group during the process. Smiling secretly, the Director gazed at the group questioningly.
Never to shy away from her grandfather or anyone else, Erina asked, "Grandfather, what brings you to our meeting today?"
Smiling at his granddaughter he answered while looking her in the eye, "I have received interesting information about the lineage of one of the students' among you."
Seeing a slight wince from the corner of his eye, Senzaemon looked questioningly at young Yukihira, "Is there something wrong, Yukihira-kun?"
Wincing again, the red-head answered anxiously, "No, nothing is wrong. Just wondering what you learned and from who?" After this he threw a slight glare at Isshiki-sempai, before turning away.
"Well, since nothing is the matter, I will precede. This information came from a sempai of said student. While his father never graduated he is still known throughout not only Japan, but overseas as well. Now, is the time for the group to ask questions which would pertain only to this individual's father. You may ask anything, in order for you to get me to reveal this hidden identity. Now, who like to go first?", Senzaemon loved the shocked faces that the students showed, except for three- one of whom was glaring at the upperclassman, the other was smiling mysteriously and the third was trying to play peacemaker.
As the gathered student's got over their shock, hands were raised. First was Erina. " Would we of the 92nd generation recognize or know of this person?"
"Good question, Erina. I am not sure if all the 92nd generation would know of him, but the one's gathered here should. You especially, Erina.", her grandfather answered with a mischievous voice and look to go with it.
Putting her hand delicately, she pondered on what her grandfather hinted at. As her mind worked of the answer she withdrew from the conversation, not really listening to the questions and answers which erupted around her. There is only a few chefs that she knew personally, one of whom couldn't be the father of the lower class brat. Though she had to admit thinking over it, they kinda looked alike and had some of the same tendencies as far as she could remember of that man's habits. A sudden question to the low-class brat brought Erina out of her thoughts.
Seeing a mischievous look on her grandfather's face did not bode well for whoever it was directed at, and right now it was directed at a grumpy looking Yukihira Soma. "Yukihira-kun, do you not have a question about this mysterious man we speak of?"
"No, I do not.", clipped Soma. Trying to keep from snapping at the Director of Tootsuki.
"Now, now. You must have atleast one.", said the Director cheerfully.
"Very well. Why would you believe this certain sempai concerning the lineage of a certain student? Does he have proof? If so, then did he show you? Or are you just taking his word for it?", snapped Soma.
"Well, that was more than one question, but very well. This student is very trustworthy and would not lie for his own benefit, as you should know well. He has said that he seen the father and even interacted with said man after he came to Tootsuki to challenge his son to see how he has progressed. He showed me no proof, but I also talked to the dorm mother and she confirmed it as well. Does this satisfy you?", remarked the Director, paying no mind to the snappy attitude of the younger man.
With this Soma just looked betrayed, not looking at anything but his hands in his lap. Before anyone could remark he rose to his feet, dusted his pants off and made to leave the platform and walk back to the Polar Stars Dormitory without a word.
Megumi cast a worried look at her friends back, before deciding to go after him. Before she could though, she was stopped Doujima Gin's words in a quiet voice, "It was going to come out sooner or later. He should be glad that it would only be revealed here instead of in front of the whole school.", then his voice rose to include all the students around him, "Whatever is revealed or said here is not to leave this table, understand? We would like to keep this under wraps until he feels it is right to reveal the truth. Now Director, would you do the honors of revealing the secret."
The Director sighed, before casting a worried look in the direction that the young Yukihira disappeared to. " Yukihira's father's name is Saiba Joichiro, also known as 'Asura' while he was attending Tootsuki. He was a former Second Seat of the Elite Ten, second only to Doujima Gin. Apparently, young Yukihira did not know of his father's prestige until he arrived home after the training camp to find said father cooking in the Polar Star's kitchen. He was challenged by said father to a cooking contest to see if he had improved in the two months since he had transferred here. I was told by Isshiki that this was a regular occurance back at their dinner, before he came here. Yukihira Soma has challenged his father 490 times, but has never once won. He has also been in the kitchen learning from his father since the age of three. The whole of the Polar Star dorm knows this information and now you, please don't treat him any different when you see him. He didn't know of this information when he transferred here." Looking at the young people surrounding him, he took in the shock on their faces- more so in Erina's case than any other.
Erina's Pov*******************************************************************
Disbelief, shock, and surprise were only some feelings that she felt at this moment, deciding to be none of the above, she shook her head to clear her mind. Turning to her grandfather, the Tootsuki Princess scrutinized the older face for any deception, not finding any she sighed, then rose to her feet.
Before leaving she called to her grandfather, "Grandfather, if you will excuse me I should get back to my work, before it all piles up. Please notify me if something of importance comes up." With that she smoothed out her skirt and made her way to the edge of stage.
She got down and started walking back to her office in the main building, not really worrying if her secretary was following her or not, since her mind was wandering back to the surprising information that her grandfather had disclosed not ten minutes ago. 'How could I not have noticed the similarities between the two? Or that his cooking reminded of the past? Ugh, this is annoying.'
From this moment on she would no longer think on this subject, since it only brought up strange feelings within her. Resolving herself to not think on this matter or even talk to the man that is information concerns. Before she noticed it, she had made it to the main building. Flipping her hair over her shoulder she walked in, ignoring everyone and made her way to her office. She would drown herself in her work so she couldn't think about this...matter. She sat at her desk and picked a packet out of the basket on her left, reading the packet of information about a new offer to be a tester for a new high-class dining establishment that was opening in a few weeks. Before getting to the last page, she looked up to the office door opening and her secretary Hisako Arato walking through, coming to stand beside her at the desk. Sparing her a quick once-over, Erina returned to her work and waited for her secretary to ask what she was curious to ask. After she had signed the bottom of the packet and placed it on her right, in the outgoing tray, her secretary quietly coughed to get her attention. Putting her pen down, Erina turned slightly to Arato and raised an elegant eyebrow, telling her to continue.
"Erina-sama, may I ask why you seemed upset about the information the Director revealed to us this afternoon? I mean no disrespect, but it seemed somewhat personal and although you have never thought highly of Yukihira Soma he is a very good person at heart.", Arato asked confidently, no going to back down until she got her answer. After working with the young man during the stagiaire gave her more of an appreciation and respect for the young chef.
Seeing that her quiet secretary was not going to back down or leave until she answered, she sighed, leaned back in her chair and slid her eyes closed. "Joichiro Saiba once was at chef that worked and cooked for the Naikiri family. I met him there, I was so enthralled by his cooking and his cool personality, which I have to admit that his son shows the same qualities at times, especially when he is serious. Then he left and all I have of him is a picture of him and myself when I was younger." At this point I reached into the top left hand drawer and produced a picture which I delicately hand to Arato, before continuing. "I have not seen or spoken to him since. I cannot believe that..that..boy is his son. I am trying not to think about it. If we are quite done with this conversation I must get back to these papers.", with that Erina sat up straight once again and picked up the next page on the big stack to her left.
End of Erina's Pov
With that dismissal, Arato bowed in her direction and made her way to the door, opening it and closing it as not to disturb the already irate Tootsuki Princess. Once outside the door she leaned against and pondered on the events that took place earlier. The information was startling to hear, since everyone at the table knew of the man "Asura". No one could process it at that time except for two people it seemed, but now that she thought about it, the two in question are from Polar Star Dormitory so they had longer than a few hours to come to terms with it. Deeming to set this information aside and get some work done or some cooking practice, she headed of to the practice kitchen's that are set aside for Erina-sama.
Meanwhile…..
At the Polar Star Dormitory, two of the students were met with a strict glare from none other than the dorm mother, when they returned from the Autumn Leaf Viewing Party. Noticing the glare, Megumi Tadokoro rounded on Isshiki-Sempai and said, "Why did you reveal that to the Director?"
Isshiki looked down at his feet and responded, "I did not think that he would share the information with the group that was gathered for the Autumn Leaf Viewing Party. Also, I though Soma-kun would have taken it better than he did. I thought he would brush it off like he did when we found out."
"What you don't know is that, Yukihira didn't shrug it off, it took him a while to process the whole thing. You should have consulted him first before going to the headmaster, then he would have known and it wouldn't have been such a shock.", said the dorm mother, Fumio-san, before shaking her head and adding, "Nothing we can do about it now, except give him some space and hope that it won't get to the other people in the school or that the other's gathered won't treat him any different now since they know of his lineage."
Megumi was nodding along with what the dorm mother said, agreeing with her before looking around looking for someone. "Speaking of Soma-kun, where is he?"
This question caused a sadness to spread in Fumio-san's eyes, before sighing and looking at her. "I don't know exactly, he came by shortly grabbed a few things from his room and left again. He never said where he was going,hopefully he will be back before dark. It's supposed to storm tonight, I think. Now the other dorm mates are in Marui's room waiting on you two, go join them. I will bring up some snack in a couple minutes." Turning to the kitchen, Fumio-san left the two in the entryway alone.
Before Isshiki come speak to Megumi, she was already climbing the stairs and heading towards Marui's bedroom to join her friends. Isshiki rushed after, hopping to speak to her before she entered the room. He was too late, by the time he had made it to Marui's door he seen Megumi sit between Yuki and Ryoko ignoring her sempai at the door.
The cold atmosphere between the two that just joined them was obvious and they knew something went wrong during the viewing party. The dorm mates exchanged knowing glances before Ryoko spoke, "What happened at the viewing party? And don't tell us nothing because something obviously did? Where is Soma-kun?"
Ryoko's tone meant she wasn't going to let this go, so before Isshiki could answer Megumi did, "The viewing party was going okay until the headmaster decided to join us telling us he had received some interesting information from a certain second year."- cutting her eyes at Isshiki-sempai, before continuing-"He said the we would have to guess this information, since he didn't want to tell us straight out. Eventually he did, revealing to everyone that Soma's father was Joichiro Saiba. Soma-kun was of course upset and started questioning the director about why he would believe this upperclassman about said information. The director replied he had confirmed it with Fumio-san as well as Doujima Gin. Soma-kun stood up and stomped away from the group and we haven't seen him since."
Everyone stared at Isshiki after Megumi's long answer, some couldn't believe that he basically sold out one of his dorm mates.