Father Revealed

*Sorry for the long wait. My computer was ruined and I had to wait and get a new one.

Chapter 7

You could practically feel the tension and fire in the air as everyone got situated either in the stands or down below in the arena. The only two that didn't seem to sense the tension around the room would be the two staring at each other competitively. This was nothing new for the two of them; although the youngest Yukihira would argue since these among them were food experts where there normal judges were normal people that lived in the neighborhood.

The two Yukihira's looked towards the head judge and waited for the older man to tell them what the theme for this cook off would be. The older man took his time in deciding the theme, taking in the tension that seemed to flow throughout the whole arena. Smiling to himself the older man let his gaze finally rest on father and son before coughing and saying. "The theme for this cook off is a 'sweethearts treat'. You will have two hours to complete this task and bring said dish up to be judged." Ignoring the grumbling coming from the youngest Yukihira, Senzaemon clapped his hands signaling the two to begin.

Soma took the headband from his wrist and wrapped it around his head before smirking at his father. He went next to the kitchen station that was setup between the two cooking stations and examined the ingredients. Although he hardly did desserts, he did know of one that he remembered his father making his mother before she died. He gathered the necessary ingredients and picked a few more so that it would have an extra something then headed back to his station. He separated the items into groups, before turning to set the oven; after that he turned and started on the batter of his dessert. He wanted to make it extra special just to show his father how much he has changed since they last faced off; although now that he looks back maybe he hadn't changed all that much up to the Stagiaire Period. His feelings toward the Tootsuki Princess have changed dramatically since the start of the year and he's amazed how she seems to bring the best and worst out in him. Not noticing the angelic smile that crossed his face, Soma continues mixing.

Joichiro looks over at his son when he has made it back to his table with his ingredients, he notices that they had gotten similar things. 'He must be making that. I didn't think that he even remember it, let alone could remember the recipe.' Letting out a laugh the father went to work on his creation deciding that like his son he would make a treat he cooked for his late wife. This brought back many memories, and he realised why he had never attempted to make this recipe since his wife's passing. Now there was light at the end of the tunnel and although it didn't come from him, he was allowed to share in the delight that lighted his son's world. Laughing at how silly it sounded in his head he continued cooking.

As the time limit closed in the two Yukihira's finished up with their deserts. Beginning to plate said dishes just before time was called. The two Yukihira's began walking three plates up to the judging table, not noticing that one plate remained at the youngest Yukihira's kitchen. The six plates were placed on the table, two for each judge. The two then stepped back and waited for the judging to begin. Everyone in the stands froze and went silent, except one who without conscience thought started shaking when the timer ran out. Before the judging happened though Senzaemon stood up and addressed the people in the stands, "If you would like you all may come closer. Also, Erina I believe you have a personal plate from young Soma on his kitchen table." The director then sat down and addressed the two people in front of him; one blushing while the other is quietly laughing at the other; "Now to get on with the judging. Without telling us which dish is which, we will taste both and then cast our vote. If everyone is ready, we shall begin."

The two desserts were muched on carefully weighed between the three judges, the two Yukihira's began to sweat a little bit. Soma was more worried about what Erina thought of the treat rather than the three prestigious chefs sitting in front of him. He kept cutting his eyes to see if he could catch a glance of Erina trying the treat, but could not see anything. He must not have been sneaky enough since he heard discreet laughs and coughs coming from both in front and besides him. Blushing alittle he brought his attention back towards the judges and waited for their verdict; just in time since the Director stood and addressed the two Yukihira's.

"The judging has finished and now we will each reveal our choice. I will go first, I have chosen the second dish.", gesturing which dish he preferred, he then sat down and gestured for the next judge. The dish was Soma's.

Next Gin stood and cleared his throat, "Well, my favorite between the two treats would have to be the second one as well. The flavors blended well and there was a secret crunchiness plus sweetness that made you want to go back for more. Sorry Joichiro." With a grin to his former second seat, the former first seat sat down.

Grudgingly Shinomiya stood and with dramatic effect said, "Well, as much as I hate to admit that the brat's food is good the dessert was better than anything I could come up with. Stop grinning like that brat! Ugh, my choice would be the second as well." Shinomiya sat down again after throwing a glare at the smirking brat.

Laughing at the interaction between the former first seat the youngest Yukihira, the Director stood up once more and declared, "The match between father and son had finished with all three votes going to the son. Now, you are all dismissed to return to your dorms or hotel rooms. Have a good rest of the evening."

Everyone dispersed after congratulating Soma on his first win over his father, the only ones that remained after were Joichiro, Gin, the Director, Soma and Erina.

The Director turned towards the other adults and gestured for them to follow him while saying, "I think we should the young couple some time alone, don't you think?" Of course this was a rhetorical question and the other two shared a grin then followed the director out of the arena and to his home.

Soma and Erina looked at their feet rather than at each other, then after a few minutes of embarrassed silence Soma looked at a blushing Erina.

"So, what did you think of my dessert?"

"It was …..", Erina could not look at the young man let alone answer how that treat made her feel.

Misunderstanding what she meant, Soma moved his hand to the back of his head with an embarrassed laugh before turning away from her and stepping towards the exit. But before he could make it more than a step a hand reached out and curled around his upper arm, bring him to a stop.

"Wait, Yukihira-kun. You didn't let me finish. The treat….. it was so good that my mind totally blanked. I was sent to my knees after barely putting the first bite in my mouth." At this point her voice was trembling and sounded on the verge of tears. Soma turned to face her and she forgot how to breathe for a second.

Soma moved towards her, before raising his hands to either side of her face wiping away tears that began to fall at his caress. No words passed between them, but at this moment they didn't need words. As they inched closer neither noticed that the three older gentlemen returned wanting to know what was taking the couple so long. The three froze at the scene before them and decided to hide in the shadows until the right time to announce themselves.

The two moved steadily closed the distance before lips met and exchanged a sloppy but sweet kiss. The two sprang apart when they heard someone clear their throats, spinning around in circles trying to find out who it was. Their gazes finally settled on the three gentlemen at the entrance to the stands before hurriedly looking down in embarrassment.

The Director stepped forward and cleared his throat once more before speaking, "Well, that was truly entertaining but should you both be getting back to your separate residents. I know that both of you have classes starting early and we wouldn't want to miss them, correct?"

The two nodded before making their way to the exit, Soma stopped and let an embarrassed Erina go first before following her. Neither one made eye contact with the three gentlemen or each other as they parted ways outside.

The gentlemen laughed at the two before turning to leave themselves. The gentlemen walked a little ways before splitting up. Before the other's got to far away though, Joichiro commented, "Old man that was just mean what you did back there. We will be lucky if the two even speak to each other now."

"Now, now Joichiro don't be mad. You know as well as I do that a little embarrassment will not stop young love. Just think what will become of them now." The Director chuckled before going on his way once again.

Joichiro chuckled before raising a hand of farewell to Gin and heading towards the Polar Stars maybe to harass his son again.