Soup 1.6

⸻1⸻

Dana bathed in the billowing smoke. The scent of hickory dictated his senses and stung his eyes. It was a familiar burn, and one that he had come to enjoy. Much like Pavlov's dogs to the ringing of a bell; the taste of smoke alone made him salivate.

Plucking a bushel of shriveled peppers off the rack, Dana closed the smoker and headed to the Polar Star kitchen. Setting the basket of smoked peppers on the counter, he could hear rambunctious laughter emanating from the speaking tubes on the wall and the thumping of footsteps overhead.

It sounds like Soma's welcome party is in full swing, thought Dana. Ryoko must have busted out her definitely-not-sake-but-totally-is fermented rice juice for everyone to be that loud so early into the festivities. Or perhaps Daigo and Shoji are fighting again. I don't understand how two friends could fight so much.

Dana split the peppers with a knife and tapped out the seeds into a bowl. The dish he was planning on cooking for the party would be bitter enough without them. He was walking a fine line already, no point in making things harder.

Tossing some of the peppers to toast in a dry saucepan at low heat, Dana removed his pheasant from the fridge. He had been experimenting in marinades and wafted the smell of lime and alcohol—he might be onto something with this recipe.

The pheasant had been broken down into the four main groups: breasts, wings, thighs, and legs. Dana placed them in a pan with a touch of olive oil, added a spurt of more alcohol and flambed the bird before putting it in the oven.

Taking the toasted peppers out of the saucepan and into a bowl of water, Dana felt something was off, or rather, someone. A yellow cat-like eye stared at him from the kitchen doorway and watched his every move. Dana wasn't sure if she thought she was hiding, but he could clearly see her.

"I can see you," Dana informed her, though Rindo didn't reply. She continued to stare without blinking. It was starting to creep him out.

He pointed at her. "Yes, you—Rindo Kobayashi, I can see you."

She crept back behind the doorway an iota, although still in plain view.

"Will you just come out here already!? I don't care if you want to watch, just stop slinking around in the shadows like a total creep!" Dana yelled.

"So, what'cha making, Dana?" Rindo asked casually, unfazed that she had been caught spying. Walking over to him with her hands in her coat pockets, she eyed the peppers curiously. "Something spicy?"

"Obviously," Dana chopped up a white onion without glancing at Rindo and threw it into a pan. He then added garlic, tomato paste, and an assortment of herbs, stirring the mixture as it turned into a sauce. "I'm making a dish that's gonna knock everyone on their collective asses, even you."

"Well, don't you sound all fired up."

"First impressions are important," Dana explained, fishing the peppers that had been steeping out of the now blackish water. He put the re-hydrated peppers and the tomato paste sauce into a blender, grinding them into an adobo. "This is the first time you'll be eating my cooking since the transfer exam—Soma too. He left without even tasting my food last time, the bastard. I want you all to get a good taste of the heat I'm packing… Eh? Get it? That was a pun, see packing heat is an idiom referring to carrying a weapon, and I'm making a spicy dish."

Rindo blinked, and put a finger to her lips, "If you have to explain the joke can it even be called a joke anymore? That was more of a mini lecture. Maybe you shouldn't make jokes that reference English sayings. Then you might actually be funny."

"Hmph, I guess my humor is too high-brow for a barbarian like yourself," Dana huffed, turning his nose up at Rindo. Putting tomatoes in a saucepan with water, he let them simmer for several minutes. While that was happening, he sauteed some onions.

After the tomatoes were steeped, they were added to the blender with the adobo sauce, along with a few chipotle peppers. Blending them together, the mixture was poured over the onions. Dana sprinkled in some oregano and thyme.

"Whoa, that smells so good!" Rindo said, drooling slightly. She wanted to grab a spoon to taste it, but Dana batted her hand away.

"Wait until it's ready, please. I don't want you getting a sneak peek at what I'm cooking up." Dana said, taking the cooked pheasant out of the oven. Using a fork, the skin and flesh was stripped off the bones and dropped into the blender. The shredded meat was then dumped into the chipotle soup and mixed in with a big spoon.

Letting the ingredients get acquainted with one another, Dana grabbed a package of tortillas from the pantry. It was lucky that he found some at the Night Market. His dish could be eaten as a soup, but tacos fit the aesthetic of a late night party so much better.

For the finishing touches, Dana crumbled some queso fresco on the top of the soup along with chopped cilantro and green onions. "It's done."

⸻2⸻

Soma Yukihira wasn't sure what to make of his new dormmates. Like the dorm itself, they completely upended his expectations. They were weirder than he had imagined, and a lot more carefree. He figured that the students at Totsuki would spend the bulk of their freetime studying, not drinking "rice juice" and partying past midnight.

Well, at least one of the Polar Star members wanted to study. Zenji Marui was very vocal about that, complaining why they had to party in his room. Apparently it was because his room was the biggest, and looking around, Soma had to agree. After a few drinks, Zenji gave in and joined the fun.

The room was spacious with plenty of room to sit on the sparkling clean hardwood floor. Large bookcases lined the walls, evidence of Marui's studious nature, and the bed was meticulously made—until Yuki Yoshino and Ryoko Sakaki sat on it, that is.

There was a short table that was perfect for resting their drinks and dishes on. That's where Soma was sitting, watching the antics of his new friends while sipping his drink. Next to him was Megumi Tadokoro, who was not only his classmate, but the first friend he had made at Totsuki. Having seen him in action, Megumi was confident that his Yukihira-brand of craziness would fit right in at Polar Star, however she was too respectful to say that aloud.

Not long into the party, Satoshi Isshiki stripped out of his clothes, shocking Soma. His mind went blank as he stared at his upperclassman dancing around in nothing but an apron. Like witnessing an accident, he was morbidly enthralled and unable to look away. Soma looked down at the murky white rice juice in his cup, and wondered, Just what exactly is in this stuff?

Besides the fermented rice juice that Ryoko had brewed, some of the other residents also made stuff for the party. Daigo Aoki, a muscular bro who looked like he spends more time in the gym than in the kitchen, brought forth an assortment of fried vegetables freshly harvested from the dorm's very own garden. It was a subtle dish that highlighted the natural flavors of the vegetables well.

Another resident, a tough-looking blond dude named Shoji Sato, disagreed with Soma's assessment. The food that Shoji cooked the other day was much better than the slop that Daigo made—that's what Shoji claimed anyway. The two guys began arguing, butting heads and pushing each other around. They slammed into Marui's bookcase, scattering books onto the floor. The others all acted like it was a common occurrence, so Soma did his best to ignore it as well.

It was fairly easy to do when Shun Ibusaki set down a platter of smoked cheeses. The savory smoky goodness paired well with the rice juice and made for a satisfying snack. Fried veggies and smoked cheese was all well and good, Soma could use something with a little more substance.

That was when the door was kicked open.

"What's up, bitches? Hope you're all hungry," Dana Alouette said, bursting into the room, gripping a large saucepan. Hooked on one arm was a plastic bag containing lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and flour tortillas. Behind him, Rindo Kobayashi entered carrying a slow cooker.

Soma wasn't sure what the deal was with Kobayashi. The other residents said that she didn't live at Polar Star, and was here because Dana invited her. Plus, the way they acted around the girl was peculiar—it was almost like they were scared of her.

"Did you have to kick my door," Zenji complained, "My room takes enough abuse as is."

"Huh? But my hands were full," Dana said, putting down the saucepan on the table. He acted like he didn't see anything wrong with what he did. Sitting in the pan was a mixture of what looked like shredded chicken and onions stewing in an orange-colored sauce.

Out of all the people at Polar Star, Soma thought Dana Alouette the most mysterious. He just couldn't get a good read on the guy. The rest of Polar Star seemed wary of his cooking, but the dish he had been working back at the transfer exam seemed well done, and the rich aroma emerging from the saucepan was sensationally appetizing.

Kobayashi set the slow cooker down on the small table next to Dana's dish. The table seemed even smaller after the contents of the plastic bag were added to the tabletop as well.

"Ta-da! Presenting Tinga de Pheasant," Dana said, doing jazz hands. "You can eat it straight from the pan like a savage, or grab a tortilla and make a taco. The choice is yours."

"Tinga-wha?" Yuki said, giving the dish a stir with a large scoop.

"A tinga is a Mexican dish where meat, usually chicken, is coated in a sauce made of chili peppers and tomatoes," Zenji informed everyone, pushing up his glasses, "Though once obscure, it has grown in popularity and can be found in most Mexican-themed restaurants. Even so, I didn't expect such a dish from you. From what I understand, you typically make French cuisine."

Dana shrugged, "I went to Mexico a few years back and fell in love with the smoky heat. I've been craving spicy food recently, and this goes great with booze. It's a must have for any kind of party."

Daigo inspected the dish, rubbing his chin, "Hey, bro, there aren't tarantulas, or something in this, right?"

"No, I'm fresh out of spiders I'm afraid. I do have some giant centipedes left, but I think the crunchiness would throw off the texture of the dish." Dana said, completely serious, "Tinga is supposed to be smooth and creamy."

"He's kidding, isn't he?" Soma whispered to Megumi, who shook her head.

Megumi quietly replied, "No, it is something he would do. Whatever strange dishes you may have made, trust me when I say this, Dana has made stranger ones. I've never met anyone who cooks like him."

While people were contemplating whether or not Dana had put something weird into his food, Rindo Kobayashi had made herself a simple taco. Plopping a heap of tinga into the center of a tortilla and taking a bite, her head rocked back as she was hit with a foodgasm. Her intense enjoyment spurred on the others, and they dug in as well.

"Wow! It's delicious!" Daigo and Shoji said together, clenching their fists and roaring.

Soma made himself a taco and took a bite. In an instant, he was transported to Mexico. From the sweet smoky heat to the tenderness of the meat; everything seemed to draw him in. It was like the more he devoured the dish, the more Soma's willpower, his resistance, was devoured in return. The taco was gone before he realized it.

This dish is on another level from the others, Soma thought, liking a drop of leftover sauce from his finger tip. "This sauce—What is it?"

Shun savored the taste for a moment, contemplating the tangy smoke in his mouth. Dana had made this for him before, so there was little mistaking it. "It's adobo sauce; a pepper sauce made from dried chili peppers, vinegar, and a blend of herbs and spices." He looked over at Dana, "I'm guessing that from the taste, you used smoked peppers. I'm picking up some chipotle in this."

"Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!" Dana said, clapping, "Good job, Shun. Chipotle in adobo sauce is a popular condiment in Mexican food. I only mixed them today, but if you let the chipotle peppers stew in the sauce for longer, the flavor becomes even more developed."

Still, Isshiki thought, using pheasant in a tinga…How many other chefs would have even thought to attempt that? He felt a sense of pride swelling from within at his junior's growth and couldn't help but dance again. He could taste it…the springtime of youth!

"This meat…it almost tastes like rabbit, and yet it's poultry, I think?" Ryoko assessed, mulling over the flavor in her mouth.

"It's pheasant meat," Yuki said, "Dana mentioned it in the name of the dish. Anyway, a pheasant is a game bird originally from Asia. Though, because people loved hunting it so much, wild populations have been released all over the world like in North America and Europe."

"You can't really blame them. The birds have beautiful plumage, a mild taste, and are fairly easy to breed in captivity. We should probably get a few for the coup here at the dorm," Dana added, biting his finger in thought, "Maybe some green pheasants? Those are native to Japan, I think.."

Soma thought that his years of experience helping out at his family's diner would put him way above the other students—kids who had never served customers and only had three years of experience—but this dish contained a different kind of experience. It was the experience that could only be gained by traveling, or eating a wide variety of different things. Could this be why his father sent him to Totsuki? To broaden his horizons?

"This glaze that you put on the pheasant… I can tell that you used alcohol, but I can't pin down what kind," Ryoko commented.

"Heh heh," Dana laughed softly, "Leave it to the resident expert on all things fermented to detect the hint of booze." Ryoko blushed from the compliment. Rindo looked from Ryoko to Dana, an amused expression on her face. "You're right, of course. And what else would I use in a Mexican dish…It's mezcal. I marinaded the pheasant with it."

"What's mezcal?" Soma asked.

"It's liquor made from the Mexican agave plant," Ryoko explained, "The agave is harvested and then roasted before being crushed up and left to ferment. The flavor and distillation process differ depending on the species of agave used."

"Like for example, the liquor made from the blue agave species is commonly referred to as tequila," Dana chimed in, "Similar to the different types of fruits in the world, there are countless types of liquor. A distiller could spend their whole lives experimenting with a plethora of plants and techniques and only scratch the surface of what is possible. I think alcohol is undervalued in the culinary world, both as an ingredient and an accompaniment."

"Well, as students, we really shouldn't be drinking anyway," Megumi said.

Dana gave her a thumb's down, "Boo! What do you think is in that cup you're drinking? Your argument is weak, Megumi. I won't let something as arbitrary as the law stop me."

"Arbitrary?"

"It sounds like someone has had enough rice juice for one night," Ryoko said, gently taking the cup out of Dana's hand. She passed him an empty cup and poured him some tea. Dana circled the rim of the glass with a finger, pouting at being cut off, and sipped the drink without complaint.

"Hey, Kobayashi," Soma said, "I've been wondering what's in that slow cooker you brought."

"Ah, I almost forgot," Rindo popped the lid off the cooker and the steamy smell of cajun cuisine spread throughout the room, whetting everyone's appetites. "This is the alligator jambalaya that I made this morning. Since he helped with preparing the ingredients, I brought it over to share with Dana, but there's enough for everyone."

"Alligator? Like, as in the reptile—that alligator?" Daigo questioned, eyeing the dish with apprehension.

"Do you know of any other kind of alligator, genius?" Dana interjected, sarcastically.

"Oh great, now there's two of them," Shoji said, glancing from Rindo to Dana. Ignoring the Polar Star members' hesitation, Rindo happily scooped bowlfuls of jambalaya and passed them out to everyone.

"You cooked with Chef Rindo?" Megumi asked Dana, who nodded while looking rather pleased with himself.

"I did that instead of going to that boring opening ceremony," he replied between bites of jambalaya. "So delicious! I sure did a good job."

"Please, I'm the one that did the actual cooking," Rindo said, "All you did was chop up some vegetables and sear the meat."

"And all you did was toss my hard work into a pot and called it yours."

Rindo lashed out, putting Dana in a headlock, "Sounds like you need to learn to respect your betters. Am I gonna have to put you through disciplinary school?" Dana blushed as his face was pressed into the side of her chest. Ryoko moved to intervene, but Yuki put a hand on her arm and subtly shook her head. Pulling at her arms, he struggled to free himself. His attempts slowly grew more feeble until Rindo felt he had suffered enough and released him.

Dana panted, rubbing his neck, and muttered, "Geez, she's got strength like a damn gorilla. I thought I was gonna die. Barbarian is right—you're a straight up savage."

Soma looked down at the bowl of rice and meat, stirring it with a fork. He had never eaten alligator before, and was curious what it tasted like. He took a bite, and imagined he was in the bayou jetting around on an airboat, propelled forward by the intense bold flavors of the dish. He could practically taste the wild untamed wilderness of the swamp with each mouthful.

Soma thought to himself, This dish is crazy good too! Just who are these people?

"So, Soma, you've tasted my tinga and Rin's jambalaya," Dana said, casually resting his head on his hand, "Tell me which one you liked more."

Soma opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Rindo, "Don't even bother answering, my dish was obviously superior. It's to be expected, after all. How can a first-year possibly compete with a third-year?"

Dana clicked his tongue and yelled, "Tch! It's not obvious at all, you glutton! The dish I made easily competes with—No, surpasses that slop you cooked."

"Slop? You seemed happy to claim it earlier," Rindo shot back, getting into Dana's face. The two hiss at each other like a pair of alley cats ready to duke it out over a fishbone. Butting heads and grappling, they tore around the room in a whirlwind, knocking over cups and books—anything that wasn't nailed down. Watching the brawl, Yuki and Ryoko nonchalantly lifted their food and drinks as a wayward foot sent the small table flying into the wall and knocked off a few more books.

"This scene seems startlingly familiar," Megumi commented, visions of Daigo and Shoji flickering in her head.

"So this is what happens when two people with identical personalities meet," Isshiki said, "Their passion is so intense."

"QUIT DESTROYING MY ROOM!" Zenji bellowed.

⸻3⸻

It was well past midnight by the time the party was winding down. Most of the Polar Star residents were fast asleep, sprawled out on the floor or slumped against the bookcase. Empty plates and cups were scattered on the floor, and the lights were off; the moonlight filtering through the window illuminated the room.

Soma, Isshiki, and Rindo were the only ones left awake. Dana slept curled up in a blanket stolen from Zenji's bed. Rindo thought he looked like a turtle hiding in its shell, his head buried beneath the blanket. She had to resist the urge to poke him. Dana was sleeping so soundly that he might actually be dead.

"It seems we're all out of food," Isshiki said, glancing around the room. The pan that housed the pheasant tinga was empty, same with the slow cooker—nary a grain of rice left in the pot. "We still have those mackerel filets we bought from the Night Market. Do you want some as well, Rindo?"

The red-haired girl shook her head, and got up off the floor. Stretching, she said, "It's about time I left."

"Are you sure?" Isshiki inquired, "It's not like you to turn down free food."

"Yeah," agreed Rindo, checking the messages on her phone, "but my ride is gonna be here soon." She reached into her jacket pocket and took out a piece of paper. Unfolding it, she handed it to Isshiki. "When Dana wakes up, could you make sure he gets that? I meant to give it to him sooner, but I forgot."

Soma watched as Isshiki glossed over the paper with an uncharacteristically serious look. Just what is written on there? Soma wondered. Isshiki folded the paper up and tucked it into his bandana.

"I'll walk you to the door," Isshiki said to Rindo, and turned to Soma, "Just give me a few minutes and I'll be back with that mackerel I promised you."

"Sure thing, man. Take your time," Soma waved goodbye to Rindo as she and Isshiki exited the room.

⸻4⸻

"You and Dana are going to have a Food War?" Isshiki asked, though his tone made it sound like a statement. The piece of paper that he had tucked away in the bandana was full of information about it: the time, the place, the theme, etc. Reading it gave him a sense of uneasiness, like he was standing on the precipice of a momentous event. Although in reality, the two were on the front porch of the dorm waiting for Rindo's ride.

"Is that why you offered to see me out? I'm guessing you wanted a chance to talk to me without the others overhearing," Rindo said, crossing her arms as she shivered slightly. The night air was a little chilly, but somehow Isshiki was perfectly fine wearing nothing but an apron. A smidgen of annoyance crept into her voice, "You better not ask me to call it off! You should know that's not what he would want."

"I'm aware of that. I've known him for a couple weeks now. However, he is one of my precious dormmates, so I must ask," there was a glint in Isshiki's eyes that Rindo hadn't seen before. The man standing in front of her was not the happy-go-lucky person that she was used to. So, even Isshiki can get serious sometimes. "What are your intentions towards Dana?"

Puffing out her cheeks, Rindo put her hands on her hips, "What the heck? You sound like a mother hen! He won't be one of your hatchlings forever. In fact, I'd say he was already a fletchling—he just hasn't realized he's ready to fly."

"And you're going to teach him how?"

"Whether I do or not really doesn't matter. If he truly is like me, then I have no doubt he will leave Polar Star. It's only a matter of time. Don't misunderstand, it won't be because he doesn't like you all or he isn't having fun; this place is simply too small for someone like him."

"I don't understand what you're trying to say, or what you hope to accomplish with this Food War," Isshiki said, "But this place is his home for as long as he is a student of Totsuki. He won't abandon it."

Rindo gave her underclassman a wide knowing smile, showing off her sharp canine teeth, "You really don't get it, huh? You're an observant guy, Isshiki, so I'm sure you've noticed it. Heck, I've only been around him for a day and even I noticed. Dana isn't like you or the other members of Polar Star; there is an insatiable hunger inside of him—even if he tries to ignore it, it won't go away. Nurturing that hunger…I think it'll be a lot of fun."

Isshiki didn't say anything as a black car pulled up to the front of the Polar Star Dormitory. Rindo patted him on the back and sauntered towards the car. Opening the car door, she looked back at Isshiki, "You want to see it too, Isshiki, don't you? See just what kind of chef Dana will become."

Rindo entered the car and closed the door. She waved out the window to Isshiki as the car rolled away. Sitting back in the plush interior of the car, she spoke softly to herself and looked out the sunroof towards the stars, "A cuisine encapsulating the whole world… I can't wait to taste it."

End of Chapter

⸻Author's Note⸻

Hello everyone. I have absolutely nothing interesting to say. Since the last chapter ran a bit long, I thought a shorter chapter would balance it out a little. I'm starting a fulltime job soon so I've been a little distracted lately.

Probably Yours,

A Horseshoe Crab

Chapter Word Count: 4,224

Arc Word Count: 30,174

Story Word Count: 30,174