Father Revealed

Chapter 6

Erina stomped out of the stadium looking for a certain stupid, stubborn, ridiculous…..she stopped in the middle of the hallway to shake her head and reroute her train of thought. That train of thought could go on forever and she was on a mission from her grandfather. As she began walking again, she tried to think of where he could be, shaking her head she decided to look in the waiting rooms first and go forward from there. Reaching the first of the waiting rooms she knocked and entered only to find an empty room. She checked the next few with the same results until she came to a room where she could hear voices through the door. Waiting for a few minutes in order to recognize the voices; once she had she entered the room without knocking and stood in the door with hands on her hips and a frown marring her face.

"Excuse me, but what are you two doing?", Erina questioned while looking between the two men.

"Oh, Erina didn't notice you there. I was trying to talk pops out of this stupid match, atleast if we are to have it then have the spectators leave. I don't want this to be a big deal.", replied Soma while looking at Erina.

"Soma, we have been having matches since you were young. Why are you being shy now? We have had them in front of the whole town and you enjoyed it.", Joichiro replied.

"Pops, come one. This is totally different then those times and you know it. Where those people in our town aren't food experts these people here are. Do you want to embarrass me that much?", Soma said while throwing his hands around. "Erina back me up here?"

Erina looked indecisive since she understood both points, "Um.. I don't really know. I understand both points you two were trying to make. Soma, you should have known that when your father was revealed you would have to face a match with him. Joichiro, you should listen to your son more. His opinion should count for something; you shouldn't overrule his opinion just because it counters your own. Now, everyone is here that was invited so get your crap together and start the match." Erina walked out without another word. Stomping her feet down the hall so the two men could hear her frustration. Making her way down the hallway and back into the arena where everyone was waiting. She went to her grandfather and explained the conversation she both heard and participated in; after that she walked towards the other students and alumni shaking her head.

The two men stood and looked at each other before looking at each other with a grin.

"Let's do this pops!"

Chuckling, Joichiro looked at Soma before replying, "Yeah. I see you have found that one thing you need in cooking."

"Yeah, I guess I have. She doesn't know it of course, but we still have a ways to go.", Soma said while sharing a smile with his father.

Putting up a closed fist, Soma walked towards Joichiro who did the same; the two meet and banged fists and shared a competitive smile. The two then turned towards the door and walked out. Down the hall they walked until they came to the entrance of the arena.

"Do you want to go first or shall I?"

"I'll go first, pops. Just to check who all is here; since I know the old man probably invited more people than he said he was."

Without waiting for a response, Soma walked away from his father and into the arena. Soma walked to the old man, but not before looking at the spectators seating and seeing who was all there. With a look of rage, he continued to walk until he was by the old man's side. "What is this? I thought you were only going to invite the people that were at the festival yesterday. Why are the alumni here?"

Before Senzaemon could reply another voice piped in, "Now Soma, don't be like that. I am sure the old man has his reasons."

Turning towards his father; who was walking out of the entrance and towards them, "Pops, don't be going easy on the old man. He may have his reasons but he needs to explain them to me; he lied when he talked about who was all coming."

Shaking his head, Joichiro looked away from his son and to the stands that housed the spectators of their match. "Would you all introduce yourselves to me? Since I only know a handful of those gathered. By the way I am Joichiro Yukihira and I am the father of Soma."

Some of the spectators gasped at this information, while others just nodded. The alumni shared a glance before Shinomiya stood.

"My name is Chef Shinomiya. I am an alumni of the 79th generation and was a former 1st seat. Now I own Shino's and Shino's Tokyo." After this the pink-headed chef sat down.

The next to stand was a woman with short blueish gray hair. Bowing to the older man she spoke, "My name is Fuyumi Mizuhara. I am also an alumni of the 79th generation and was a former 2nd seat. I also am owner and head chef of of the Italian restaurant, Ristorante F." She once again bowed before sitting down.

Next was a tall man with a cleft chin and blonde hair. The man smiled at the older chef before saying, "My name is Donato Gotoda. I am an alumni of the 80th generation. I am also the owner and head chef of the Auberge, Tesoro." After finishing speaking he sat down and waited for the woman beside him to stand and introduce herself.

After Donato seated himself, a woman with dark brown hair pulled to one side and wearing a kosode. "My name is Hinako Inui. I am an alumni of the 80th generation and was the former 2nd seat. I am also the owner and head chef of the Japanese Restaurant, Kirinoya." Clapping her hands together and smiling at the older man down below, she reclaimed her seat beside Donato.

Next to rise and introduce themselves was a man with dark hair and was dressed in the Japanese cuisine chef uniform. "My name is Hitoshi Sekimori. I am the owner and head chef of the sushi restaurant, Ginza Hinora."

After all the alumni introduced themselves, the Director stepped forward and spoke, "Everyone here was invited to this arena to watch father and son battle each other. As I am told, these two have been battling with their food since the younger one was in primary school. This match is not to be discussed outside this arena and the people within it. With this why don't I hand the floor over to father and son so they can start." The director then moved aside and let father and son step up and into the spotlight.

"Well, I don't know what to say. I am not comfortable battling with my father with trained cooks spectating this match. It seems I am overruled on this fact, by not only my father but some among you. Now that I have said my peace, we need three judges. If the director would be so kind as to be one of them ,all we need is two more. Pops, do you have any suggestions?", Soma said sighing.

His father ruffled his hair before replying, "Gin would you be a judge as well? How about Erina as the third judge, Soma?"

Soma and Erina blushed, but before he could retort Gin stepped forward and responded to the question directed at him. "I wouldn't mind being a judge. Although I think Erina may be partial to your son, and discarded as a judge. How about Shinomiya, instead?"

"I am not impartial to the son!", stomped Erina from her seat in the bleachers.

Chuckling Joichiro, looked from his son to 'God's Tongue', " Alright, enough is enough Gin. Don't torture the poor love birds! Shinomiya is a good idea."

"Pops, come on!"

"Chef Joichiro!"

Joichiro waved his hand in front of his face, ignoring the two who spoke. "Alright, the three who we mentioned please make your way to the front where the judges table is."

The three judges made their way to the head table, two was smiling while the other was grumbling. Everyone else except for Joichiro and Soma made their way to the bleachers waiting for the match to begin.

Soma looked around him until he locked eyes with Erina. He gave her a slight smile before turning to his father with a determined look. "Let's start this!"

Joichiro chuckled before turning and walking towards one of the kitchens while Soma turned and started walking towards the other one.