First Year
As expected, the first year was busy and chaotic for Megumi, with all the business, government, and television meetings she had to attend. Luckily, her friends did manage to buy her plenty of freedom, even with the hefty security detailed provided by the Japanese Government and Nintendo.
Speaking of the video game company, she struck a major 10 year contract with them as their official mascot and spokeswoman. She was bit amused by the offer, as she never expected to replace Mario for their mascot. Then again, she was the only proof that their fiction was actually a reality in a different dimension.
She still maintained her celebrity chef status, but reduce her involvement significantly. Ironically, she was more exclusive than Azami in that field.
In return, she became an international sensation, good and bad. Good since many Zelda fans instantly adored her, both for her existence as a Zora on Earth and what she did for Hyrule. Truthfully, this was part of the reason she signed with Nintendo, as she was a hot commodity for major anime and video game conventions, which she loved attending. Something about meeting with fellow "nerds" gave her a lot of joy; being paid to do so was just icing on the cake.
However, her existence did bring negative attention. Aside from the obvious hate groups, she also rocked the core of the religious world, particularly the Abraham religions. Her story shattered the idea there was only one deity along with a universal afterlife. And on the reverse, the most hard-nosed atheists wrestled with the idea that their may be an actual deity.
All of that aside, she only dealt with the brunt of it when visited the West.
Today, she met up with a select group of doctors and marine biologists, whom she would be working with so they had a better understand of Zora biology. The first tests were compatibility, to see if she could have offspring with a human male.
"Alright, that should be enough data" a doctor answered running her final test. She sat up, looking at the doctor with interest.
"So, do you have any immediate conclusions?" Megumi asked.
"We do, surprisingly" the doctor shifted his glasses, "From the onset, it does look like humans and Zora are able to produce children with each other. Although only with Zora females, Zora males and human females will only create more humans."
"I see" Megumi hummed.
"To think I would witness the rise of a new intelligent species in my lifetime" the doctor smiled, "The world is about to face a new paradigm shift."
"If my memory is correct, female Zora can lay up to 20 eggs in one cycle" Megumi blushed, "So a Zora population boom can happen quickly."
"You might have to safe guard a Zora City-State in that case, especially if you do have a lot offspring" a Marine biologist spoke up, "The integration of human culture and Zora culture will be slow, as it was for every melting pot event."
"I actually plan to have a lot of tadpoles" Megumi admitted. Outside of creating a Zora society on Earth, she always wanted a large family. When she was human, she had fantasies of having six or seven beautiful girls. As Zora, she was thinking more of the lines of 50. Of course, she was also limited to ten years, so it probably would be lower.
"Well, that's enough for today Mrs. Yukihira" the doctor said with a smile. Megumi put on her waterproof sundress and gave the group a bow.
"See you in a week" Megumi said.
"Next time we want to test your physical limitations" the Marine biologist answered, "Eat a lot of food before you come in."
"Will do" Megumi smiled before she left the lab. Outside, a sedan was waiting for her.
"Well, how did it go?" Erina asked.
"Good" Megumi smiled, "I am able to have children with Soma."
"That's good to hear" Erina smiled back, "Anyway, I've assembled the girls back at my mansion."
"Wonderful" Megumi stated while clasping her hands together, "It will be fun to have a girls night out with Alice, Yuki, and Ryoko."
"Already forgetting the real reason why you were summoned back to Tootsuki?" Erina giggled.
"No" Megumi shook her head, "But it's a sushi competition isn't it? And Saito's younger cousin is involved, isn't he?"
"Do I smell a bias?" Erina teased.
"No, No" Megumi fumbled, "It's just...I'm really strict when it comes to seafood. Raw fish is the staple of a Zora diet, you know."
"Oh?" Erina gave a teasing smile, "I remember when you coldly gave zero points to a first year student in the Autumn Election prelims, a year before you disappeared."
"But-But you did the same" Megumi stammered, "The trout was unevenly cooked!"
"Yes, but everyone expected my judgment to be harsh" Erina shook her head, "You're just a cute tuna roll, so the reaction was jarring to many."
"Tuna roll?" Megumi sweat-dropped.
"Fufufu, I missed your old, timid self" Erina sighed, "Reminds me of the time when we became friends during our Stagiaire."
"I was such a mess back then" Megumi sighed.
"It's alright" Erina smiled, "You've grown so much."
"A looming war and death does that to a person" Megumi sighed while turning away from Erina.
"Megumi" Erina frowned, "If there was anyone who missed you more than Soma then it would be I. We're best friends, just seeing you alive is enough to mend my wounds."
"I'm sorry" Megumi shook her head, "I never expected I would be able to see my friends again. I almost resigned myself to being trapped in Vah Ruta a few months ago."
"Shhh, don't think about the past now" Erina comforted, "We can't have you be crying while at the judges panel. It would ruin the dishes true flavor." Megumi chuckled at that comment, returning to her happiness. Ten minutes later, they were on Tootsuki grounds.
Chandra's Room
Surprisingly, the free for all was a lot more competitive than she imagined. The top four chefs all held the same score of 91, with only Saito's cousin Genzo to present left.
His presentation looked like stained glass, even creating an image of a spacious meadow.
His flavors reminded Megumi of the time when she, Link, and Mipha used to play in the pool of water below Veils fall, occasionally hunting the nearby fish.
Even then, he only scored a 92, barely edging out his comrades.
"Amazing" the announcer exclaimed, "Only a point separates Genzo from the other four top chefs, earning him the narrowest of victories." Genzo breathed, realizing Megumi's 20 was the deciding factor. As the medal ceremony began, the five judges made their way back to their limo.
"A twenty?" Alice teased, "The highest score you gave this entire competition prior was a 16, yet you give Genzo a twenty?"
"The dish was perfect" Megumi admitted, "He brought me back to a memory when things were simple in Hyrule. A twenty was the appropriate score for me."
"Nyah, I think you're missing Alice's point" Yuki smiled, "You were a lot stricter than Erina-cchi this whole time."
"Yuki" Ryoko interjected, "That shouldn't be surprising, Washoku is Megumi's home turf."
"Among other things" Erina whistled.
"Ryoko is correct" Megumi answered, "Anyway, what shall we do next with our official business done?"
"I was thinking about going to the nearest mall" Yuki interjected, "Megumi could use some more clothes."
"But...my clothes are tailored to fit my aquatic life" Megumi blushed, "So normal clothes won't work, besides...they would only drag me down."
"I'm actually surprised you would wear clothes" Alice commented, "Given that the other Zora don't."
"I only do it for the public, since many might see it as indecency" Megumi chuckled.
"We can still shop for other things" Erina hummed, "There is a popular manga and anime store nearby, including material I know you would love Megumi."
"I would like that" Megumi smiled, "Maybe even watch a movie? I haven't seen a good romance in decades." The girls agreed with that plan, ordering the driver to drop them off at the nearest mall.
"So" Alice chirped in as they walked down the halls of the fancy mall, "What did the doctors say?"
"Soma and I can have children" Megumi smiled with a blush, "I can't wait to tell him."
"You're too eager for motherhood" Ryoko sweat-dropped, "But then again, you were always discussing about having a large family."
"I won't deny it" Megumi laughed, "Soma already knows my wish, which is why I am making accommodations by purchasing a lot of coastal land in my hometown."
"Wait, what?" Erina gasped, "How MANY children are we talking about?"
"50" Megumi sheepishly turned away from the other girls.
"50?!" the girls nearly shouted, "That's not a large family, that's a village."
"Well...given my time limit...more like 20" Megumi countered.
"Even so, that's a lot" Alice rebuked, "It's like your planning to ensure the rapid growth of Zora on earth."
"I am" Megumi coughed.
"Oh" everyone blinked.
"Still, that seems...overwhelming" Yuki rubbed her forehead.
"Well, female Zora can lay up to twenty eggs in one cycle, so it's doable" Megumi explained.
"Twenty...eggs" Erina squeezed her eyes, "I'm assuming like fish eggs, where they have to be in water."
"Warm Saltwater, to be exact" Megumi replied, "I've already made preparations." Before she could explain, they came across a store that sold everything manga and anime. Megumi's eyes lit up, as she walked in on her own accord. The other girls followed suit, only for them to freeze next to Megumi.
In right hand corner of the story was a bunch of Zelda collectibles, plenty of which held Megumi's likeness.
"Well" Megumi coughed, "It's a bit awkward to see merchandise with your likeness, particularly some of these more...questionable content."
"Those are made by third parties" Alice answered, "So it doesn't surprise me."
"The body pillows are the most disturbing thing" Ryoko observed.
"...Let's move to the other side of the story" Erina changed the subject, "I heard the latest volume of my favorite shoujo is out." The other four girls nodded their heads, moving quickly away from the Zelda stuff.
Before they knew it, each girl was holding two bags of stuff from that one shop. Laughing, they made their way to the theatre.
"Its like we're teenagers again" Megumi mused to herself, "These are the moments I want to strive for."
Oh yes, she would definitely leave this world with nothing but fond memories. Her next would arrive a month later, as she laid ten eggs in the large aquarium she had built in her inn.
A/N: Just establishing some obvious things in regards to Megumi's return. The rest of the series should be more Soma/Megumi centered, along with her tadpoles.