Chapter 84: Rivalry and Heartache
- Nene and Isshiki
Twelve years ago:
"What a kid from somewhere else is gonna be staying and working here? With us?"
From within the traditional wooden homestead that housed the famed Kinokuni family, four year old Nene knelt before her parents as they explained an important event to her. Sitting with impeccable grace and poise without creasing her purple kimono, Nene smiled fondly as she imagined what sort of child would be staying with them.
"You know that Isshiki family, they have a long and proud history, so when the next family successor turns four, he'll be sent away to receive training…" her father explained. "The Kinokuni and Isshiki families have strong ties and you two are the same age, so you may very well become good friends".
Nodding her head in full understanding of the coming event tying to hide her exhilaration and trepidation, the young Nene stood up and followed her mother out of the sitting room. "Mom…" Nene asked in trepidation, "what if this boy doesn't like being here? Or if he doesn't want to be friends with me?"
Turning around and kneeling down her mother wrapped her daughter in an embrace and brushed her short hair behind her ears.
"You'll just have to show him around our home. Show him your calligraphy or your koto playing, after all who could resist not being friends with you".
Feeling slightly more confident about the Isshiki heir's arrival, Nene smiled broadly before hurrying off to go prepare an itinerary of things for her and the boy to do together.
Little did she realise she was unwittingly opening the door to a future of being unintentionally humiliated as well as feelings of intense jealousy conflicted with her still growing feelings towards her childhood friend.
Humming a soft melody to herself as she walked into her bedroom, Nene approached her dressing table where she grabbed a hairbrush and to comb and straighten her hair. A sudden knock at the door would have startled and ruined her combing but as poise as ever the young heiress was, she held firm and refused to allow any extraneous events to mess up her appearance.
"Nene darling", the voice of her mother announced from the other side of the door, "Please come downstairs. Your new friend has arrived".
Suddenly feeling as if her legs had petrified, rendering her unable to move, the girl shut her eyes and took a deep breath before she pinched her thigh hard.
Despite the immediate rush of pain Nene felt, she also proved to herself that it was also exactly what she needed to get over her nervousness. Standing up and rubbing her bruised thigh, she took a last glance at herself in the mirror, nodded with a small smile on her face and then left to go greet the Isshiki boy.
As she stepped into the entrance courtyard of her families home the first thing that she saw was the figure of her father standing tall and proud, with a smile on his face shaking hands with another man opposite him. And next to that man stood a small blonde haired boy, attired in shorts, shirt and traditional knitted pullover.
Looking up at her mother beside her, the young girl bowed slightly to the two visiting guests.
"Welcome to our home, honoured guests" she announced gracefully. "I hope your stay will be comfortable and enlightening".
Straightening herself up again, Nene was taken aback by the soft giggling coming from the boy and the polite amusement from his father. "Such grace and poise in one so young…", the Isshiki patriarch uttered bowing slightly to her.
"With her politeness and good manners - coupled with her culinary skills, as befitting her family, I believe that my son and your daughter are favourably matched".
"Agreed", her father replied shaking his friends hand again. "But only if they desire it. I will not force Nene into anything she doesn't like. If she and Satoshi don't want to marry then it'll be fine to know that both our families have closer business ties due to our children's friendship".
Blushing bright red as their eyes met, the two youngsters smiled at each other before they were gently ushered forwards to properly meet.
"Nene…" her father spoke kindly as he gestured with his hand towards the small blonde haired boy standing opposite to her, and waving slightly. "Say hello to Satoshi".
"What…?" Ryōko and Yuki jointly cried out in shock. "Erina are you saying that Isshki and Nene are childhood friends!"
From within the 'special seating area' supplied for the expelled students, Alice and Hisako both gawped at the still smiling former seventh seat and the glowering hate-filled expression that the sixth seat was levelling at her former fellow council seat.
"Not only that…" Shun interjected, his eyes - for the first time - now visible from beneath his fringe. "It would appear as if they were set for a potential arranged marriage!"
"No way!" Sōma blurted out from his own workstation. "Isshiki is all that really true!"
"Yeah it's all true…" the former seventh seat grinned and nodded his head, ignoring the death glare continually being sent his way by Nene. "We were beat friends, and I learnt a lot from her".
Suddenly an extraordinarily loud crash of metal cookware made everyone jump in fright before spin around to glance over at the raging sixth seat. "No we weren't!" She yelled furiously. "And that story isn't accurate! All he ever did was stay at my house and learn the trade. That doesn't mean we became close!" Nene growled.
"Geez Nene…" Isshiki replied moving forwards and attempting to place a hand on his childhood friend's shoulder. "You're acting even more cranky than you usually do, why are you looking so antagonistic?"
"Maybe she's on her period?" Shōji and Daigo chuckled amongst h themselves before seeing Issihki level them with a piercing glare. The two 'meatheads' were subsequently unceremoniously tackled to the ground by Alice and Ikumi who berated them for their insensitivity.
"Shut up!" The two girls retired through gritted teeth. "Boys will never understand what girls go through! So again, shut up!"
However, it It was at that moment that a loud 'slap' reverberated around the hall drawing the incarnated rebels's attention back to the cooking stage. With wide eyes they all saw Nene slap Isshiki across the face before hard shove him away.
"You're utterly shameless!" Nene growled. "You know damn well why!"
"Okay then…" Urara decided to speak up and distract the audience. "It looks like the judges have entered the building", her voice breaking through the resentment, frustration and anger of the competing chefs, and resulting in huge cheers by the gathered Central allies - as well as the passed students whom had embraced their teachings - for the judges arrival.
Walking into the cooking venue were three immaculately dressed people carrying stacks of red leather bound books titled in gold kanji.
'W.G.O Taste Evaluation'.
"Everyone please give your applause for Mistress Anne, Master Histoire and Master Charme: bookmen for the World Gourmet Organisation!" Urara announced gleefully.
As the three bookmen walked out onto the cooking stage and took their seats at the judging table, the woman, Anne, moved towards Sōma's workstation - glancing at his jacket - and promptly began flicking through one of the books she was holding.
"Your wearing a logo that says 'Japanese Eatery Yukihira'…" running her finger across the page she was glancing at, Anne narrowed her eyes before snapping the journal shut and ruefully looking at him.
"By the grace of the book you have no stars and no reputation... so why is a peon from the Styx here in the pantheon of heavenly cuisine?"
Not wanting to give the woman the satisfaction of seeing him loose his cool, Sōma ignored the jape and continued cooking but out of the corner of his eye he saw Megumi, and surprisingly Kuga, glowering at the woman.
Moreover, he too saw a flicker of frustration on Kensuke's face before he was whisked away and placated by Momo and Saitō. At the same time but in a different direction, Rindō hurried forwards and quickly ushered the female judge onwards in the direction of the judges panel, leaving Sōma feeling awkward gratitude to her.
"Isshiki!"
The loud bombastic voice of Julio Shiratsu declared both joyfully and in frustration. "Don't get too comfortable, I will defeat you".
Moving away from his own workstation as he finished plating up his finished meal, the knew eighth seat carried three plates perfectly balanced in his arms over to the judges.
"I humbly present to you esteemed judges…" Julio continued, grinning proudly. "My Capitome in Umido!" Striding forwards he placed the three down and bowed politely. "Buon appetito!" He grinned proudly.
Simmered in tomato sauce, the aroma of the capitome eel permeated the air of the venue hall. "Ooh wow! This fried polenta cake…" Histoire grinned with overt pleasure. "It's external crispiness is in direct contrast to the syrupy interior! It accentuates the sweetness of the onions whilst bringing out the aroma of the garlic" the dark skinned judge blushed in adoration.
"Indeed the congruent melody of these contrasting ingredients melds into a voluminous rondo!" Charme added, shoving his face with forkfuls of eel and polenta.
Smiling as he turned to face his opponent, Julio couldn't help but smile as he stared at the ex-seventh seat. "Isshiki long have a idolised you, and I have nothing but the upmost respect for you", he spoke glitteringly. "But please show me proper chefs dues. We are cooking a food war here! So show me what you've got! Let's have splendid sessione!"
Simply ignoring, for the second time, Julio's attempts of straining up a conversation with him, Isshiki smirked as he glanced expectingly over at Sōma before returning to his own food.
"Unbelievable… this Capitome in Unido is a wonderfully executed dish", Anne sighed contently as she threw her head back in sheer awe.
"Indeed", Histoire agreed again. "The tomato used releases far less liquid than other varieties, therefore the sauce created draws out more of the eels flavour. I'd expect nothing less from the son of the famed Shiratsu family: chefs to the Italian Embassy".
"The flavours continue to build, growing in lustrous girth…" Charme grinned madly, as he partook forkful after forkful from his plate. "Julio Shiratsu… you should be very proud".
Smiling as he looked up from his workstation, Isshiki gestured towards a selection of ingredients he had next to him. "Okay Julio… I believe it's my turn. And I intend to make use of some very 'special' ingredients".
Gesturing towards a side table on which was located several glass jars of Koji, a crate of fresh vegetables and a bottle of home brewed rice wine.
With effortless ease, stunning those in attendance, the former seventh seat completed the final steps of his dish in little over fifteen minutes, before carrying three finales plates over to the judging panel.
"Please enjoy, I have made for you Hitsumaboshi Eel a la Kyokusei", Isshiki uttered bowing slightly.
Confusion immediately bloomed on the judges faces as they inspected the food in front of them. "Hitsumaboshi…?" Anne repeated inquisitively. "That's usually grilled eel severed over rice with onions and nori before steeped in green tea…"
"It's true that traditionally being able to enjoy the multiple layers of flavour are key to this dishes popularity", Histoire interjected. "But looking at this… it seems rather bland".
Watching from opposite sidelines, Takumi mirrored the judges confusion whilst Rindō grinned knowingly. "Dammit Isshiki!" The second seat yelled in frustration. "I really wish I could taste this atypical risotto of yours!"
Upon hearing the word 'risotto', Sōma abruptly looked up from his cooking and stared up at the judges dais with realisation and a small frown on his face.
"I'm sorry Sōma…" Isshiki stated patting the first year on the shoulder, "for intruding into your risotto cooking area".
Perplexed by his senior dorm mates words, the redheaded boy simple smiled as he kept his attention on his own cooking… but then he found himself distracted by the gasping moans of pleasure coming from the judges.
"Such temporal tastiness invading my throat… it's the Szechuan pepper…" Anne cried. "And the sharp taste of cheese melding with rice skyrockets the eel to new heights of delectableness!"
"What's more the hidden ingredient tying all this together is garlic!" Histoire and Charme both exclaimed leaping to their feet and engaging in a joint hug.
Turning around to face his stunned opponent, Isshiki held out a forth plate of food. "Julio, if your brave enough to try this and say it's delicious, then you'll apologise to everyone at Kyokusei", Isshiki stated firmly as he stared narrow eyed at his opponent.
Taking ahold of the plate and drooling slightly the Italian upper class chef bowed his head as he basked in the utterly delicious aroma rising from the Hitsumaboshi eel before delving mightily into 'heaven manifest' as he devoted himself to the bounty in his hands.
"In the face of cooking like… this resistance is futile", Julio exclaimed exhaustedly as he dropped defeated, to his knees and bowed his head to the imprisoned rebels and apologised. "Kyokusei residents, and other Isshiki friends... I'm sorry".
Out of the corner of his eye, Isshiki noticed the deep angry scowl gracing Nene's face as she glared directly at him. "I guess I should congratulate you…" she growled turning dismissively away from him, "but I'll be back in the second bout and you will face me".
Interjecting, the former seventh seat moved forwards and placed a hand on his childhood friend's shoulder making her both flinch and jerk away from his touch. "You don't always have to be so highly strung", he spoke, trying to break down her frown. "Please Nene… I still care about you".
Spinning around - rage and resentment now flowing from her - the sixth seat jutted her finger into Isshiki's chest. "Don't you dare! You never once cared for me… so drop the fake act. The only reason that I got ahead of you is that you never took cooking seriously!"
Widening his eyes the blonde former member of the Ten saw the deep hurt in the angry eyes boring into his soul. "Nene that isn't true…" he replied sadly.
"Which one do you want cats cradle or beanbags?"
Upon breaking away from their parents, Satoshi and Nene both sat on the veranda of the Kinokuni house overlooking the garden and playing with a wide range of objects from children's toys, gazing in awe at historical texts or and even observing high status court objects.
Expecting the boy before her to choose children's toys, Nene had specifically got out various board games. However, the boy, Satoshi, went straight for one of the most prizes objects in the Kinokuni possession.
A Ryūteki.
Feeling a sense of unease creep into her body, Nene moved to intercept her new friend from potentially damaging one of her families prized objects, when suddenly a soft mellifluous trill rang emanated from the flute entrancing her very soul.
Stunned into silence by Satoshi managing to get a pitch perfect sound out of the incredibly difficult instrument, the young girl simple gaped, awestruck, which in turn made the young boy before her chuckle as he 'booped' her on the nose.
"A tune for you milady", the boy stated bowing his head in an over the top gesture before once again successfully playing a beautiful harmony on the flute.
Blushing as she listened to the tune played for her Nene didn't even recognise that Satoshi had effortlessly picked up and payed a tune that had both baffled and confused her so much; and throughout the rest of the day she felt a knot of jealousy beginning to grow within her.
However despite that the two nine year olds played, chatted and smiled together - equals in friendship. Yet it was the following day when the girl discovered that the boys talents for picking up and then mastering difficult tasks outpaced her own pace for leaning.
And she began to feel the pangs of jealousy ever tighten in the pit of her stomach, gnawing away at her first true friendship.
She had wanted to yell at Isshiki, telling him that he was making her feel inadequate and inferior by comparison but by then it was already too late. Satoshi Isshiki had wormed his way into her heart… and despite her envy, she couldn't bare to ditch him.
Yet, seven years later, on the day she applied to train at Tōtsuki Academy, she met another skilled but aloof chef named Kensuke Tadokoro. Seeing him cook had made Nene realise that she too could try and emulate him by shrouding out all that she didn't want to deal with. To simply ignore the things she found discomforting, thus cooking the way she loved - and so moving on from Isshiki - she found herself developing a deep adoration for Kensuke.
However, when she learned about the depth of his aloofness - created from his severe social anxiety - and depressiveness she realised that he was just like her.
A person stuck between hope and reality.
Staring at her former childhood friend and recalling the many times in their shared past where she had felt outdone, Nene felt the beginnings of tears in her eyes. And so biting the inside of her cheek the sixth seat made to angrily shove Isshiki away from her again.
However, Isshiki grabbed her hands in his and looked pleadingly into her eyes. "Nene..." he started only for the girl to pull away from him.
"You were always like that…" Nene growled. "I would devote time and skill to learning something but you'd just swoop in and pick it up in an instant. And yet it still felt like you were holding back! Do you have any idea how pathetic that made me feel!"
With an abrupt about face Nene made to return her attention back to her soba dish, not seeing the pained expression on Isshiki's face, but then suddenly the shocked voice of Urara Kawashima broke through the venue stunning all who was watching.
"No way… what is he doing! Sōma Yukihira... he's using a wok!"
Spinning, this time, around to face her opponent, the sixth seat stared stunned at the redheaded's seeming departure from proper soba cooking. "What the hell is he doing?" She spluttered. "He... he spent all that time creating his perfect soba ratio but now he's... he's ruined it!"
But then before she could react anymore, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist as Isshiki strode forwards and embraced her.
"I'm sorry Nene…" Isshiki whispered gently to her. "For making you feel inferior... I was just so happy to have made a friend when we first met". Lifting up her chin, so that she saw his sad eyes gazing into hers, Isshiki pressed a soft kiss to Nene's forehead. "I never wanted to make you jealous. I owe my entire culinary career to you Nene… you showed me how skill and perseverance to one's craft could bring happiness. And I will always love you for that".
Blinking, stupefied by the boy's words, Nene wanted to angrily retort back. Yet something in those tearful hazel eyes staring at her full of regret and love made her drop her guard and turn back towards him. Returning his embrace with one of her own, she gently placed a kiss to Isshiki's lips.
However, before either one of them could utter another word there came another voice - dry in tone and utterly deadpan - devoid of emotion, which in hindsight should have been a warning.
"Isshiki. You're presence is as unnecessary as it is a hindrance to Central's plans..." the voice stated plainly. "So won't you just die already".
Stunned by the uncharacteristic direct coldness displayed by the normally aloof and reticent third seat both Isshiki and Nene spun around and stared bleary eyed at the one who'd spoken.
"Ken… why would say that?"
[Doctor Reality - thanks for pointing out that Megishima was expelled (precious chapter now edited)]
R.I.P -
Alan Grant. Legendary comic book writer.
Paul Sorvino. Actor, Sculptor, Opera Singer, Writer. [Goodfellas is a masterpiece (in my opinion)].
David Warner. Actor in Star Trek IV
Nichelle Nicholls. Legendary actress, and singer, from Star Trek original series.
Bernard Cribbins. Actor and Musician.
