Chapter 92: Resentment
- Battle of Wills
'As a first year Tōtsuki student whom was quite a talented chef and from a wealthy family, I enjoyed taking on my senior classmen and showing them up. It was really fun, as well as offering me a chance to learn in the heat of battle experience during food wars… but then, that day occurred.
As a first year I was challenging second year chefs left and right, and winning them all gloriously, when suddenly out of the blue; an epic defeat.
And all of my pride turned into dust leaving me fallen and ashamed but that wasn't even the worst of my problems or even what hurt me the most.
However, the truly worst part which made me feel utterly inconsequential was what happened next'.
Two years earlier:
"It's been ten days since you lost to Tsukasa, and your still depressed?" Eizan commented as he stared dismissively down upon both Kuga's extreme disappointment at having lost, as well as his current unmotivated attitude towards cooking. "Did you really think that you'd beat the first seat? You runt- pipsqueak!"
Currently Kuga, Nene and Eizan were all inside the main Tōtsuki Administrative building - specifically Isshiki's council office - having just finished a mammoth twelve hours of reevaluating paperwork pertaining to a revamped culinary curriculum.
Seemingly ignoring his fellow second year's acerbic words, although to Isshiki and Nene, who merely shrugged their shoulders, it was clear that Kuga was still in disbelief about his utter defeat against Tsukasa to be able to hear and notice what was going on around him.
"Come on Kuga…" Issiki smiled trying to get the newest council seat to cheer up. "You managed to rouse the first seat's attention. Okay you lost but you are definitely the first to actually get him to accept a food war challenge…"
"Outside of the usual suspects", Eizan interjected with both exasperation and frustration clear to hear in his slightly murmured words.
Trying very hard not to loose his temper, the seventh seat shot Eizan an angry glare before quickly sighing as he was met by a raised eyebrow - that told him that he too had been thinking the same. If anyone challenged Tsukasa they would be met by indifference and defeat; only Rindō and Kensuke roused genuine emotion and affection from the first seat.
"Kuga", Isshiki replied with a smile. "You should be proud of what you've achieved. Hardly anyone has managed to get a challenge-request actually accepted by Tsukasa. Your food war was a pretty big departure from his usual routine, and you even managed to get him to review your food".
Looking at the continued disappointment on Kuga's face, Isshiki was suddenly reminded of the look worn by the former third seat, Tōsuke Megishima, when he was ousted from the Ten by another first year.
'Disbelief and bewilderment'.
However, just as he was about to try a new tact towards rising Kuga's motivation and spirit levels, the spiky haired boy in question sat bolt upright with a huge grin on his face.
"Your right!" Kuga yelled excitedly as he leapt to his feet and fist bumped his fellow second year. "I, the great, Terunori Kuga am the only underclassmen to have challenged Eishi Tsukasa since he became a second year!"
Smiling as he watched the spiky haired eighth seat jump to his feet and bolt from the room, Isshiki couldn't help but chuckle as he admired Kuga's culinary drive. Patting the other boy on the shoulder, Isshiki grinned as he continued to bolster Kuga's confidence.
"Thanks... Isshiki", Kuga spoke abashedly. "I appreciate your words". With an incredible awkward embrace, obviously never having given one before, the eighth seat flushed red with embarrassment before making a beeline towards the Office doors.
"Urgh…" Eizan muttered loudly, not bothering to hide his frustration, "I really wish you'd keep that kind of talk to yourself Isshiki. Defeat is oft a helpful tool to those who receive it. I would have thought that maybe the pipsqueak might have been able to somehow use this experience as a learning opportunity for any future cooking classes or careers..."
"Don't call me that!" Kuga's iterated voice sounded, interrupting Eizan's speech, from across the room as he helped himself to a glass of water from the pitcher of on the Isshiki's desk. "I'm not that small", the eighth seat growled. "Besides, you're the one the whole academy says is in league with several yakuza bosses".
"What'd you say!" Eizan roared, veins on his forehead bulging as he forcefully shoved Isshiki aside and marched towards Kuga. "I do not have Yakuza ties! You filthy midget mongrel!"
Just as Nene was about to issue a retort; unconsciously siding with her childhood friend, the doors or the Council's offices were thrown wide open as an unusually smiling Momo walked in holding a tray of freshly cooked Mille-Feuille.
"I don't usually don't like sharing my desserts with just anyone", the forth seat stated plainly. "But these are a particularly good batch; and Isshiki was kind enough to assist me in the process of this recipe creation. So here..."
Placing the tray of baked-chilled desserts down upon Isshiki's desk, Momo turned and took a moment to study the faces of those she'd just barged in on - each of them utterly shocked by her certain willingness to share her cooking.
"Thanks Momo", Isshiki replied; a little too quickly, as he stumbled forwards and shook Momo by the hand. "Your eye for aesthetic perfection is quite profound. And I'm sure these are without a doubt delicious".
Just then Kuga bolted past the lot of them and out of the room yelling behind him: "I'm gonna go challenge Tsukasa to a revenge match right away!"
Nervousness suddenly started bubbling up within Isshiki as he heard those words, and without even realising what he was doing he abruptly spun back around and hurried - as fast as his feet could carry him - racing out of his office after Kuga, followed closely behind equally exasperated by Eizan and Nene.
"Sorry Momo", he yelled after him. "I'll be sure to enjoy those treats later!"
Imagining the forth seat's indignant expression, as well as her rolling her eyes at Kuga's declared mission, Isshiki sighed wearily to himself as he realised that between Kensuke and Kuga, he was practically a nanny.
After nearly forty minutes of running around after the new eighth seat, the sixth, seventh and ninth all caught up with him outside one of the many French Cooking classrooms - where he was currently crouched down and surreptitiously glancing over the edge of the lower window sill - watching his target speaking with the usual two other people with him.
"Kuga…" Isshiki smiled, trying to usher the other boy away, "you do realise that it's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations..."
However, right at that moment as he grabbed the eighth seat by the shoulder, he heard two words that he knew would instantly cause maximum distress to the new eight seat.
"Kuga…?" Tsukasa's tone was calm yet he also conveyed an indifference to something not related to himself.
"Kuga... whose thats? I don't know anyone called Kuga?"
Tsukasa's voice may have been devoid of any malicious or hurtful words, but the manner of his speech was so indifferent that Isshiki couldn't help but clench his fists together.
"Are you serious? What are you talking about... don't tell me you forgot him already?" They all heard Rindō respond pouting, "he's not very forgettable you know!"
Wincing - Isshiki and Nene both frowned as they glanced at one another before hearing yet more of the second seat's exasperated reply. Yet it was then that they heard third seat speak up. Just as impassive as he usually was.
"He was that first year student you faced off against in your recent food war… he was quite talented actually", Kensuke added solemnly. "I felt sorry for him when he lost but his loss was inevitable anyway, seeing as he was going up against you".
Feeling an ache in his chest as if a knife had just been thrust into him, Kuga lowered his head onto the window sill clenched his fists and bit his tongue - all to keep himself from screaming out loud.
"Also..." the second seat interjected grinningly. "I hear that he's been named the new eighth seat. So... you know, I guess his talent and halfway decent skills have been approved of" she continued approvingly.
"Oh yeah…" Tsukasa stated reflexively, his voice taking on a tone of genuine surprise; almost as if he had just now recalled a face from years ago. A smile grew on the first seat's face as he patted Kensuke on the back. "He's the guy who does Szechuan cooking right".
Nodding their heads unaware that they were being overheard and observed, Rindō beamed broadly before launching herself forwards and hugging both Kensuke and Tsukasa. "Come on guys we're already late for our next class; Culinary History, and the last thing we need or want right now is to be held up by gawkers".
Walking away and down the corridor towards the stairs down to the ground floor do the French cooking building, Kuga felt his hurt pride shatter into millions of pieces.
Defeat could be overcome and learned from - and he was prepared to do so - but being defeated and not even remembered was deeply painfully and utterly humiliating.
Feeling his eyes begin to feel heavy with unshed tears, Kuga made to move away from his fellow second years; as to not let them see him so broken by Tsukasa, Kensuke and Rindō's words. However, as if he had read his mind, Isshiki grabbed him by the shoulders and spun the new eighth seat around to face both him, Nene and a startled looking Eizan.
All three of them shared a glance, and for the first time that they'd had for years, a moment of worry and fear for their underclassman - who had now been unintentionally forced into trying to reevaluate his cooking skills and habits.
Trying to gauge how hurt Kuga must be feeling, Isshiki schooled his expression into one of understanding as he spoke genuinely trying to be comforting.
"Hey… Kuga", he murmured slowly. "They didn't mean that okay", the seventh seat spoke patting the other boy's shoulder supportively. "Tsukasa just has a really poor memory..."
"Stop babying me!" Kuga yelled abruptly whilst brushing both sixth and seventh seats off him. "I don't need your pity! I heard what they said… plain as day! They think I'm just some little kid! A face amongst the crowd. Well I'll show them… I will get them to notice me!"
Bolting away with his hair covering his face, Kuga made a beeline straight for the China Research Society do that he could sign up and transform it into somewhere that would garner Tsukasa's attention. That way he would be able to gain the lasting attention of, and the respect from the three top seats.
Wiping away tears on the back of his sleeve, the spiky blonde haired boy mentally avowed that he would never again allow himself to be looked down on by anyone.
'Never again… I won't let him get to me again. Tsukasa… he wasn't even trying when we fought'.
Present Day
Standing on the cooking stage, within the venue hall on Rebun Island, Kuga bit his lip as he restrained that particular memory from overwhelming his emotions. Sensing someone looking at him he turned his head slightly and saw both a frowning Isshiki and Sōma.
Knowing that they trusted him, his cooking skills and his culinary judgment meant the world to him; and was almost enough to make up for the pain of being overlooked by the first seat time and time again.
Not wanting to let them and his fellow rebel chefs down, the former eighth seat grinned childishly back at the blonde and the redhead before turning his attention back to the final plating of his green tea inspired dish.
Moreover, deep down he knew full well why they were worried about him - desperately wanting Tsukasa to acknowledge him as his rival but always failing to make an enough of an impact when compared to Rindō and Kensuke.
'I'm not just another face in the crowd!' Kuga thought bitterly. 'This time Tsukasa… you will know me!'
Pushing off from his workstation, carrying a tray of three plates of food, he approached the judging panel and laid the tray down before them biting his tongue to keep himself from shouting out in anger at them for usurping Anne, Charme and Histoire.
"I'm ready to present my dish..." he announced walking forwards carrying a tray with three full plates neatly arranged with his take on the theme. "Sweet and Sour Pork with Black Vinegar!"
However, at the same time as Kuga had put down his three plates before the judges, Tsukasa had also moved away from his workstation carrying his three plates balanced in his arms; almost as if he was showing off his dexterity, and with a confident smile on his face.
"Ohh…" Decora announced sharply, as both chefs have finished at the same time we shall taste the two dishes one after the other", the dark skinned blonde grinned liking her lips.
"So then…" Azami spoke dryly, "let's see how good the new and improved rebel former eighth seat is now".
Taking up their cutlery before bringing them down upon the food in front of them all of the judges couldn't help but shiver as they were affected by the aroma of balsamic vinegar struck them.
"My god…." Corage simpered as she gripped her fork and took up another portion of pork. "With every bite of the dish, you are hit by waves of green tea... and the green tea almost alters your ability to see the entire visible spectrum! It's as if everything you're looking at is tinted emerald!"
"And the balsamic vinegar… and the secret to this", Decora smirked dryly, "is smoked soy sauce. This richness add to the black vinegar glaze and binds to the umami of the pork removing the fatty aftertaste", the woman added wiping her chin with a napkin.
"The green tea has most certainly been elevated to staring role", Azami grinned. "He may be a rebel but Terunori Kuga has definitely redefined the boundaries of sweet and sour pork!"
"If you don't mind!" Anne growled, angrily stomping forwards, followed Charme and Histoire, whom were each holding their own plates of food and bearing expressions of true joy.
"With all that was just said..." Anne stated, "here is the the point that needs to be made the most. It is not just chef Kuga's usage of Chinese cuisine alone that has made this dish very lovely but also his masterful usage of French techniques as well!"
"So you should consider Kuga's mixing of techniques and skills…" Histoire added, "this alone is proof of Terunori Kuga's worthiness as a chef. Not to mention the detriment to central for casting his worth out".
With a serious expression on his face the former eighth seat nodded appreciatively towards the ousted three judge's as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and then glowered towards his opponent.
"I've tried everyday of my Tōtsuki student life to gain your acceptance…" he spoke bitterly. "But you never once took me seriously! You only saw me as a foil to test your own skills against!"
"But today", Kuga said forcefully hurting his finger in Tsukasa's direction, "I'm done with trying to get your attention… the only people you ever cared about were Ken, Rindō and yourself!"
Scowling at that last part of Kuga's comment, Tsukasa simply moved forwards and placed his plates of food down on the judge's table. "Say what ever you want about me Kuga…" he replied tersely. "You may be upset and angry, and you have every right to feel like that but you are still far too green to ever beat me. All that I desire is to cook alongside my friends... and I will always protect them".
Putting down their cutlery on the empty plates and turning their attention towards Tsukasa's plates, Azami, Decora and Corage grinned in anticipation as they gazed lovingly at the plate of her looked like four different types of ice cream sat in a sauce before them.
"Let us see…" stumbling over her words, Corage wiggled in her seat as she supped happily on the four quenelles of green tea infused vegetable soup.
"It's a Soup Gradation!" Charme exclaimed; interrupting Azami, as he and Histoire fawned over the dish that Tsukasa had kindly given to them, ousted judges.
"Chickpea, white asparagus, artichoke and porcini mushrooms… the first seat paired each type of tea with the best fit ingredient to with it! And then he realised the purées in the form of quenelles", the man grinned ignoring the glowering expression from his senior WGO colleague - Decora.
"The ingredients and their paired green tea complement each other so perfectly that the end result is sublimely harmonic", Anne finalised, flustered from an over stimulation of deliciousness.
"You are all indeed quite right: Anne, Charme, you too Histoire…" Azami chimed in, with a raised eyebrow. "However, the secret to the plates deliciousness lies within the sauce."
"A base of tea leaves and added Champignons de Paris to make a cappuccino sauce. And then paired with the individual purées, made from each type of green tea with its respective vegetable, the result is undeniably delicious!"
The grin that spread across Azami's face as he spoke portrayed a mixture of evil and arrogance, and the smirks from the two women sat either side of him were nothing short of contemptuous.
"Agreed…" Decora spoke. "Whilst I agree with my junior WGO bookmen, I must also say that they have utterly failed to properly discover all the component parts of this dish. And to me they have proved themselves to be utterly risible".
Frowning, the ousted judges were about to defensively retort when Corage stood up and pointed to them. "You are skilled food critics, in your own way; for lower class culinary standards, but you are not on our level yet", gesturing to herself and Decora, the blonde woman continued to speak.
"For example..." Corage continued, "the four types of green tea that were used Gyokuro, Fukamushi Sencha, Genmaicha and Sencha. And whilst you managed to correctly identify the four vegetables used you failed miserably to describe which vegetable was specifically paired with which green tea".
"Thus proving that yourselves useless as judges for high quality elite-culinary settings", Decora finished snakily.
Remaining in her seat but beckoning over the emcee so that she could speak into the microphone, Decora announced continued to humiliate the ousted judges. "Being general is nothing special for us critics but specificity is the gold standard in our line of work. You three should learn from your failures".
"Indeed..." Azami interjected getting to his feet and walking over to the first seat with a smile on his face. "Such greatness is only to be expected from the White Knight of the Table. We of Central, and all supporters of the Azami Doctrine, continue to look to our Top Three as the heralds of culinary justice!"
Taking back his microphone from Decora, whom was now looking ravenously in the direction of the second and third seat's cooking stations, Mister Aida failed to contain his excitement and joy.
"Oh yeah baby!" The emcee hollered loudly, and proudly, as he jumped wildly and fist pumping the air much to the awkward dismay of the judges - and the withering glared given by the rebel chefs who gawked in embarrassment as they watched an adult man seemingly making a fool of himself.
"The Victor of the first bout of the third round is Eishi Tsukasa!"
Still with his raised fist in the air, and still speaking with a haughty tone, mister Aida the grinned gloatingly the rebel team before turning towards Kuga. Upending a jug of water all over the former eight seat's head, the emcee actions instantly kick started a cacophony of raucous laughter - rolling down in waves - from the V.I.P viewing boxes.
With a mere flick of his wrist, utterly ignoring the seething expletive laden tirade that Kuga responded with, the emcee sauntered past the soaked ex-eighth seat and rather purposely; and with strength, knocked him to the floor.
"Now..." Sean Aida continued playfully. "Let us turn our attention towards our resident Barbarian and Rare Ingredient Master; the current occupier of the second seat - Miss Rindō Kobayashi".
R.I.P:
Cher Yam Tian. Chef/Inventor of Singaporean Chilli Crab.
Baroness Betty Boothroyd. Politician and former Speaker of the Commons.
Wayne Shorter. Legendary Jazz Saxophonist (and my favourite musician).
[Relapsed into depression and anxiety. Seriously my ability to focus on writing is being hampered at the moment. Although I am desperate to write and continue working, I admit that updates , from now on, will probably be few and far between]
- Applies to all three stories -
