Author's Note:
Hi,
I don't know why that it is, but at the moment...every chapter just gets longer and longer. I did consider parting the Chapter into two, but I realized that in further time it will probably get hard for me to update...so yeah, have a rather long chapter for now.
Also thank you all so much for the positive feedback on the last chapter, I really hope I'll not going to let any of you down.
So, alright...now let's answer the reviews. Thank a lot for them!
Anon: Glad you liked it! Hiraku will sadly not have that much of a role during the Training Camp, I hope that's not a downer. When the camp is over though, he will defiantly return.
Jules: Nice to hear that you're enjoying it so far! I hope it's okay, but at the moment I don't really feel like stating all the child's parent right off the bat...I just like to have this kind of unsure feel around, you know? I hope that's okay. Don't worry, every parent will make their appearance and then it's revealed who is who's child.
1995hzq: Thanks ! Hope this chapter will be for your liking as well
Dknight27: Ah, your comments are always so nice. I am really glad you like this story as much as you do and I hope that I will not let you down at some point. Yeah, Hiraku and Kimiko's relationship is pretty complicated right now...it will come into much greater play later though...Hope that's okay.
aominesshi: Thanks a lot for the review, it's always very nice to hear your thoughts. I am glad to hear that Hiraku seems to work well so far.
iPadAnime4Q: Glad you like it. I was actually not intending to emerge such a "dark feeling", but well...I am glad to hear that it works? I'll keep what you said in mind, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Shi-chi: Oh, thanks a lot for those kind words. You're making me blush in all honesty. I really hope, this chapter will be of your liking as well.
Anon: Oh my god, thanks for taking that look! Yeah, the tumblr is quite empty at the moment...but don't worry...I'll fill it, for sure! It's just hard to do so currently, since school is eating up a lot of my time. But again, thanks for checking the tumblr out.
Thanks again so much for leaving a review...and now let's start!
Author's Note End
With a soft, disappointed sigh Madoka laid the last letter away. Since she had read the sender's name, she had saved it for the very end in slight anticipation. But it turned out to have the same message, most of the letters had.
She quickly shook her head, telling herself to not bother much. Afterwards the brown-haired, bespectacled woman slowly stood up, packed her things and left the empty library of Totsuki.
While then walking through the hallways, she took out her phone and picked a number, so that she could confirm her job as done.
"Enomoto?"
The sharp voice on the other side never failed to make Madoka flinch a little. "L...Letters are all checked..!" She stuttered into the microphone.
Silence.
It took Madoka three seconds until she realised that the other side awaited an answer. "Two Jewels have announced their presence." "Only two?" The voice asked more than surprised.
Even though pointless, Madoka nodded. "Yes, sadly. The others declined for various reasons."
It had been Madoka's job to look through the letters sent by the alumnis of the infamous 92nd Generation: Responses to the letters sent at the start of the school year by Totsuki. Every alumnus received such a letter every year.
Those letters ask for participation in the upcoming Training Camp. The alumni of course write back to give an answer. And it was the teacher's task to look through them.
Apparently most of the 92nd alumni didn't had much interest this year to show up. Quite surprising for the teachers, since everyone had assumed that they would show up this year in particular to watch their children.
The excuses Madoka had read ranged from "But what if the other children suspect me of bias and start to glare at my child?" to "I already know my little boy is amazing."
Sometimes Madoka really thought that the aces of her ex-generation could be quite odd.
"...So, who is it?" The voice brought her back into reality.
"Oh, ehm, of course!...Well..."
The Ninth Plate - Veggies and Visits
"Kimiko-chan~"
The enthusiastic voice of Satoshi crawled trough the rusty speech pipes that connected each and every room in Polar Star Dormitory. It awoke the blonde girl laying on the bed in room 303.
Slowly she turned her tired head to the source of noise. She wanted to ask 'What is it, Satoshi-San?' but there was still a lump in her throat which only managed a "Huh?"
"Kimiko-Chan! Get up!" The pipe beamed. "It's yours and Hiroshi-Kun's turn for field work today. He's probably waiting for you already, so get up and get out!" "F...field work?" Kimiko tried to lean forward a little and ended up rolling out of her bed.
Satoshi laughed. "Of course Kimiko-Chan, don't worry I'm sure you're going to have lots of fun. And remember to embrace youth out there!"
As nothing else followed, Kimiko (laying on the floor) figured that the conversation was probably over. A groan escaped her lips and she slowly stood up from the ground.
She yawned and stretched herself, before reluctantly changing out of her nightwear. As she was supposed to get on the field, she decided to wear functional grey pants, a simple red shirt and a black jacket.
Lastly she put on the white neckerchief and tied her hair into her usual pigtails before leaving the room quietly, as she suspected that many dorm members were still asleep.
While she walked trough the empty hallway, memories of yesterday started to rain on her. She grimaced at the mere thought of her own brother and his nonsense blabbering. But as Kimiko was a little calmer now compared to yesterday, the thought entered her head that it could easily be just some kind of strange puberty phase or something like that. The person she had seen just seemed so unreal, there must be a logical explanation. He will eventually snap out of these strange thoughts. Kimiko convinced herself. And boy, will she help bringing her brother back to the ground again!
Then there was also the "Jewels-Generation" and it's strong tie to the 115th Generation that Kimiko had to find out more about. She may knew now who the "Reborn Jewels" were but she still had to bring some sort of meaning into it. She had also decided to not ask the "Reborn Jewels" about this, simply because she doubted that they could help her much while also not wanting to sound awkwardly when asking "Hey, are you Ikumi Mito's daughter?" or something like that. Furthermore, she wanted to view at the people surrounding her as actual people, with their own identity and personality. Not simply descendants of some adults, she hasn't even meet. As soon as she would see nothing but that, she was not better than her brother.
But all the conspiracy and mystery had to wait either way, since now she should focus on finding the field she should work on.
And so, Kimiko fiercely shook yesterday's memories off and focused on her search.
And fortunately, she was not being left on her own: As Kimiko arrived on the empty second floor, she heard the wooden creaking of one of the doors and stopped in her walk.
And few seconds later, Yasu Ibusaki was standing in front of her. "Oh good morning, Yukihira-San." He greeted her. "Have you slept well?"
Kimiko gave the tall boy a friendly nod. "Good morning right back at you, Ibusaki! And yep!"
The two began walking down the stairs together, something that didn't stopped them from casual chit-chat. Kimiko was thankful for it, because she hoped that the talk would distract her from comparing her dormmate's face to one of the faces she saw in a certain photobook just yesterday.
"Do you have field work today?" "You got it." Kimiko turned to him. "But what gets you so early out of the bed, Ibusaki? I thought just Hiroshi-Kun and I had field work?" "I always wake up that early." Yasu stated. After a second of silence, he went into further elaboration. "The earlier you awake, the more you have from the day, no?"
Before Kimiko could counter that argument, Yasu already noted. "Also, I am not the only one awake already. You probably will meet some volunteers from the other years on the field and some are also already starting to prepare breakfast. Chi-chan should have woken up by now as well, but she's still busy cleaning her room. She will probably come out later though to feed her animals."
"Ah, okay." Kimiko replied. "So you guys also raising your own animals here?" "Yeah, you could say that. Most of it is done by Chi-Chan, since she has the greatest knowledge around Wild Game from all of us and thus there are animals that are only her's...But other than that, we have chicken, ducks and rabbits here. If you need any just ask. Self made ingredients are kind off the norm here and part of the dorm's ideology. That's also why we have the field, which is very dear to Satoshi-San."
"Nice." Kimiko let out an impressed whistle. Hopefully she would be able to contribute as well. "So, what are you up to, when you're not going to work on the field?" She then asked, to keep the conversation going.
"I am out of Apple Wood." Was the shortcut answer, but Kimiko understood to Yasu's relief. "Ah, so you're producing your own smoke-chips?" He smiled. "Exactly." After another second of silence, he offered. "By the way, same thing here. If you ever need smoke chips you can ask me." He scratched his head a little unsurely before adding after more silence. "Oh and of course, I can also offer you Sake, Soy Sauce, Natto..." He went on to count on seemingly millions of other fermentation products.
Kimiko had heard from Mika that Yasu's mother was managing a fermentation business and that he'd promote it at some point. So she just listened and noted in her head to try his selfmade things out one day.
The usual so reserved and quiet Yasu was just finished, as they had reached the entrance hall and the main door of the dormitory. "Oh my...Sorry for the sudden ramble in the early morning...I feel like Chi-Chan." He apologized and pulled his hand through the long, auburn hair. Kimiko couldn't help but to let out a soft giggle about the little remark on their bespectacled dormmate. She surely was always very talkative, not just in the morning, but through the entire day. Let the theme be politics, homework, everyone's irresponsibility, carrots or the rights to her room.
"It's okay." Kimiko assured him. "You're pretty close to Chieko-Chan, Hm?"
"Not anymore, if you tell her what I just said." Yasu joked, to Kimiko's surprise, but he gave a clear nod afterwards. "We kind off grew up together, our parents are really close."
Kimiko had to bite herself on the tongue to not say that she figured. It would probably sound very weird.
Instead she only said. "Oh, nice! I also have one, at home of course. His mother always babysit me and..." She couldn't help but to mumble the following words. "...my brother..."
She had hoped for Yasu not to notice. He probably did, but didn't put his finger right into the wound. "Did you actually got dinner yesterday? You weren't there as we ate." Kimiko responded immediately. "I visited my aunt and uncle and ate there."
Yasu hummed in response and started to turn around afterwards. Halfway he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "I have to get my chainsaw from the chamber now. The field is behind the house, I'm sure you will find it. Maybe I will check in later to help you two, if not I'll see you at breakfast."
"Alright, Ibusaki." Kimiko gave him a soft wave. "Have fun with your wood and see ya later." "Later."
And with that Kimiko exited the dorm. She had to admit, she liked her dormmates more and more. Sure, they could come across as rather odd first, but they were truly friendly and enjoyable company.
The green grass creaked under Kimiko's feet as she stepped into the cold morning air. The light was still dim and haze wafted between the trees of the dark, silent forest around her. She breathed in the fresh air, pulled her jacket closer and began to walk.
Following Yasu's instructions, she walked right behind the large building. On her way she also passed the cage, that was filled with sleeping hens. Going a bit closer, she also spotted the ducks and rabbits, all separated from each other.
Then she finally reached her destination. Right in time, for the sun to raise a bit more into the sky and cast warm light on the giant field that Kimiko had in front of her now.
She couldn't help but gasp.
It was not just a little garden, like she had expected, and filled with more than just tomatoes and carrots. Right in this blooming variety of vegetables, a few students in casual clothes were working calmly but eagerly.
Kimiko walked towards the head that shone in bright blue between the green leafs. "Hiroshi-Kun, good morning." She lifted a hand and smiled.
Hiroshi looked up from his basket full of cauliflowers and his blue eyes locked with her golden ones. "There you are, Kimiko-San. Good Morning, I hope you slept well."
He stood up and added. "You came home quite late yesterday. Did you have dinner? And how's your brother?"
"Yah, I ate in the Nakiri Mansion since I visited it after talking to my brother." As she answered his next question, she looked aside. "And Hiraku's fine."
"A...Alright.." Hiroshi responded. Kimiko turned her glance back to him.
He wore a yellow, checkered pullover with rolled up sleeves. The trousers were grey and a little dirty. His feet were protected by dark green rubber boots.
"...So..." Kimiko looked around. "Field work, huh?"
"It's you first time on the Polar Star fields, huh?" Hiroshi tilted his head and received a nod from Kimiko.
The face of the Quarter-Italian lighted up. "Hm, well I can only speak for myself here, but I find the work a lot, a lot of fun. Satoshi-San taught me quite a lot already and it's a wonderful feel to see a seed you planted grow...Come on, I'll show you everything we have."
Kimiko smiled back. "Right behind you."
It was a wonderful morning.
Hiroshi did as he promised and showed her the immense arsenal of vegetables that the dormitory grew on their own. More than often leaving Kimiko a little speechless in impressed awe.
The next thing they did was collecting eggplants and afterwards they planted potatoes.
They talked the entire time, not just about gardening but also about Kimiko's Shokugeki, a few silly stories, Madoka Enomoto's class and other things.
At some point, Yasu joined and now they were moving on to the tomatoes.
"Here."
Kimiko had a bright, red tomato in front of her, held by Hiroshi's hand. He looked at her, the bright blue eyes, no one could resist, full of hope.
Understanding Kimiko took the tomato and although she knew what he wanted from her, he still said it out loud. "Uhm...Have a taste, maybe?"
Yasu was calmly humming near them, picking every tomato carefully, fitting perfect into the peaceful atmosphere around the three teens.
Kimiko took a bite and was immediately overwhelmed, by the sheer freshness of the tomatoe.
"Oh...Oh wow..." She stuttered, resulting in a bright smile from Hiroshi. "They taste excellent! It's great quality and should be very, very useful for cooking."
Hiroshi blushed and stammered. "Tha...That's nice to hear..." Kimiko tilted her head a little. Yasu commented. "Tadokoro took very special care of the tomatoes. He tries to make them very good, so Aldini-San, who primarily cooks Italian, can use them."
"Oh, that's very nice of you." Kimiko complimented Hiroshi, who only blushed more. "They truly are delightful."
"Eh...heh...hehe..." Hiroshi nervously laughed from all the praise. "Tadokoro is a very kind person." Yasu answered to Kimiko and gave a little smile afterwards. She nodded eagerly.
Then a small, peaceful silence came up in which the three only focuses on their job.
Kimiko was a little overwhelmed with thoughts though.
The tomatoes we use in the diner are nothing compared to this...My, this dormitory truly is something. Producing your own ingredients sounds like quite the neat ide..
Her thoughts got interrupted by the sharp, loud whistle that suddenly disturbed the calm, peaceful ambiance.
Yasu turned his head first, afterwards Hiroshi and Kimiko did too.
At the end of the field they saw the petite figure and dark hair of Chieko. As she was wearing one of her usual blue skirts, Kimiko assumed that she probably wasn't here for field work.
"Oh...Marui-San?" Hiroshi questioned aloud. "I'll see what she wants." Yasu declared before making his way to the waving girl.
"Is it time for breakfast already?" Kimiko wondered. Hiroshi shook his head. "I don't think so, but I could be wrong."
They watched Yasu approaching Chieko and the talk that emerged afterwards. It didn't went on for very long and a few seconds later, Yasu was giving Hiroshi and Kimiko a hand gesture that told them to come over.
They exchanged one look, before picking up their baskets and walked towards the two.
"Good Morning, you two." Chieko exclaimed as the two were close enough to hear her. They responded in unison. "Good Morning."
"So, what's up?" Kimiko asked Chieko after the greeting. Hiroshi looked at her expectingly as well.
"We got visit." Yasu answered instead. "Daigo-San and Shoji-San are here." Chieko informed, looking more to Hiroshi than Kimiko.
"Oh really?" Hiroshi voiced in pleasant surprise. Kimiko tilted her head. "...Daigo-San and Shoji-San...?"
Can it be?
"Kawashima's and Aoki's fathers. They often visit us when their wives are out of town, which is not rare since Kawashima Urara and Aoki Yua are known food journalists who are often invited to all kinds of shows and such." Chieko gave some input to the the blonde, who nodded.
So it is true.
She only knew about the Jewel Generation for one day and was already about to meet two members of it. What a coincidence!
Also, even though it had been obvious before, she now had the official confirmation for Hideyoshi and Daisuke being "Reborn Jewels".
"Next to that..." Chieko's voice brought Kimiko out of her thoughts and she eyed the black-haired girl, who now wore a rather grim expression. "...We received a letter."
The dining hall was filled with Mika, Hideyoshi, Daisuke and Satoshi. But there were also two other faces that Kimiko rightfully assumed to be Daigo and Shoji.
Kimiko had to swallow quite the lump before entering the door. Meeting people she just had seen much younger in a photoalbum yesterday evening, without their knowing, felt a little strange.
Both men were tall, build really muscular and had a tough face, which lightened up immensely as the small group stepped into the room. They stood up expectingly.
Shoji Kawashima, formerly Shoji Sato, was a dirty blonde and his eyes had the same colour as his son's: violet. He wore a grey sweater, black trousers and brown shoes. His unkempt, shoulder-long hair was styled into a semi-mohawk style and his left ear was decorated with an earring. He also wore a leather bracelet.
Daigo Aoki had black hair and black eyes. Again the eye colour was also inherited by his son. Most notable about him were the sideburns that framed his hard face. He wore a leather jacket, a simple white undershirt underneath and grey pants. Kimiko also noticed a quite expensive looking watch around his arm.
Mika, Hideyoshi and Daisuke looked up as the group entered. "Buongiorno." "Yo!" "Oh, hello!"
Satoshi wore that trademark smile that seemingly no one could wipe out of his face. "Ah, there you are...Good Morning, everyone."
Chieko took a step aside to reveal Hiroshi and Yasu as Daigo and Shoji approached them. The first one, who was greeted was Yasu.
"Hey! Yasu-Kun." Daigo grinned and fiercely shook the boy's hand. Yasu put up with Daigo's strong grip and calmly responded. "Good day, Daigo-San." Right after, he was already pulled into a strong hug and patting on the shoulder. "I hope you had nice holidays. You're still as cool and chill as always, lad." Daigo loudly laughed.
Chieko had to cover her mouth to not burst into laughter as well. She clearly was highly entertained. Daisuke, on the other hand, had turned away with pink cheeks because of his father's behaviour. Satoshi's smile just grew wider.
Now Shoji ruffled trough the silky, auburn hair of Yasu's and snickered. "Daigo's right for once, boy." "For once?!" Daigo let out an irritated shout, but Shoji ignored him. "You look more and more mature every time I see you." Another "pat" on Yasu's back, that made Kimiko fear for the tall boy's bones. He only set up a friendly smile and said. "Good to see you too, Shoji-San."
As they have moved on from Yasu, who afterwards stumbled a little bit, it was Hiroshi's turn. Hiroshi received a pat on the shoulder from Daigo and hair-ruffling from Shoji. "And there's Hiroshi-Kun! How are you?" "Is everyone treating you well? You know when there's anyone bothering you..." "Everything's alright." Hiroshi quickly assured. "Good day to you two. It's always nice to have you here."
"Don't worry, I have a good eye on him." Mika promised the two men, who didn't seemed to be truly convinced by Hiroshi's words. "If I see anyone treating him bad, I will kick that someone on the moon faster than he can say 'Spaghetti'." That was an answer that satisfied the two men. "That's our Mika-Chan!" Mika proudly flipped her blonde ponytail and crossed her legs. "Of course."
"And then there's the new one..." Daigo and Shoji simultaneously turned to Kimiko who looked up at them with a stoic expression. But something happened, as the two closely looked at her.
The curiosity that they intentionally held for the new member of their favourite place in the entire world, was seemingly wiped out of their faces with Kimiko's appearance alone. Their pupils grew and they seemed to be at a lack of words. The two leaned forwards a little to inspect her closer. If Kimiko would have looked behind them, she would also have noticed that Satoshi was not smiling anymore. In fact, he looked rather nervous.
Before Kimiko could introduce herself, Hideyoshi and Daisuke were already beside her. "She transferred here this year." Daisuke elaborated to his father, not noticing the atmosphere at all. Hideyoshi wore one of his smug grins and made a presenting hand gesture towards the blonde. "Dad, Daigo-San, may I introduce to you..."
"...Yukihira Kimiko."
Instantly, as the words were from Hideyoshi's lips, Shoji and Daigo went pale. Their pupils shrunk immensely in shock and their jaws hung loose.
"Yu...Yu..." "Ki...kihira...?" Were the first words they could bring out after a long, painful and strange silence. Kimiko gave an unsure nod, confused with what was going on. Hideyoshi had also raised an eyebrow, while Daisuke had tilted his head.
Daigo and Shoji looked at each other, took a deep breath and stammered afterwards. "W...Well, nice to meet you...Ki...Kimiko-Chan..." "Y...Yeah...Hopefully you'll enjoy your time in Polar Star...We're Polar Star alumnis...you know? And if there's any place you can truly hone your skills and have a great time..." Daigo's voice broke and Shoji assisted him. "...it's Polar Star..."
They held out their hands, which Kimiko shook. "Aoki Daigo, Daisuke's father." "Kawashima Shoji, Hideyoshi's father." The two formally introduced themselves to Kimiko, who didn't told them that it was unnecessary, so she just nodded and responded. "Pleasure is on my side." Their tone had lacked emotion and they in no way had the energy that they greeted the others with anymore.
Strange. Kimiko thought.
After the hand-shaking, Daigo and Shoji immediately swung around to Satoshi and called out, desperately and simultaneously. "Isshiki-Senpai!"
He understood, clapped his hands together and announced. "Well, children! Aoki-Kun, Sato-Kun and I will cook today...so we'll move into the kitchen now. Alright?"
"Alright." A choir of teenage voices responded, so Satoshi nodded and signalised Daigo and Shoji through a hand gesture to follow him. They didn't hesitated and within second the three had left the room.
"What was that?" Hideyoshi questioned immediately, as the door fell shut. Daisuke shrugged. "Don't know."
Kimiko eyed the door as well and let the scene replay in her head. How could her mere existence cast such a shock into those two?
But before she could think further, Mika spoke up. "Anyway, we received a letter." With that she threw a blue flyer on the table.
The group collected around the table and eyed it.
Mika leaned backwards, unimpressed. Chieko gulped. Yasu was emotionless. Daisuke and Hideyoshi shared an worried look. Kimiko did not understand. And a shaky whisper escaped Hiroshi.
"...oh...so it's time."
"What the hell, man?!" "Could you have informed us and spare us this shock?!" "The children were around, I couldn't!"
With a exhausted groan Shoji sunk on the chair. Daigo was already sitting, with his head in hands. Satoshi stood in front of them with crossed arms.
Obviously, no one had started cooking anything. In fact, they weren't even in the kitchen. Since that would have been full of students at that time.
Satoshi sighed in exhaustion. "Okay, alright. I know you two must be really startled right now, having the daughter of Soma-Kun and Erina-Chan out of nowhere in front of you."
"Kinda, yeah." Shoji crowed.
Satoshi took a deep breath and made a hand gesture, telling the two to calm down. "I was too as Alice-San told me that her niece would join Polar Star out of nowhere. But to be honest, aster I got that shock behind me, I was just relieved. I was just relieved. Because, what tells us Yukihira Kimiko's presence? Exactly. Soma-Kun and Erina-Chan could be alive...and together!"
Daigo and Shoji looked at each other, then they looked down and a silence came up for a good portion of minutes. Memories poured down on the two. Memories from days were the dormitory hasn't been full of people. Memories of laughter, tears, food and a lot, a lot of friendship. Memories from their youth. And of course memories of the last day of their youth.
"Maybe..." Daigo muttered. Shoji nodded slowly, before looking up to Satoshi. "The agreement..." "It still counts." Satoshi immediately stated not letting Shoji finish.
"What?" Daigo blurted. "But she's their daughter!"
"Still." Satoshi said. "The agreement is absolute and as long as Alice-San doesn't says anything else, we're going to follow it."
As Shoji and Daigo remained silent, Satoshi stressed. "It's only fair."
He turned away and softly stated, a little more to himself than to the two men behind him. "I'm sure everything will work out."
"...So even this extravagant school does camps?" Kimiko asked.
The blue flyer that laid on the table read "Training Camp - Training Guide" and also had two cute cartoon characters drawn on it whose speech bubbles were filled with encouraging words. It honestly looked like something they would hand you in primary school.
"Yes." Was the simple answer, that came from Yasu. The more detailed version came from Chieko of course. And her explanation was giving a little more justice to Totsuki. Or she was just being highly dramatic. "This camp, Kimiko-cchi, is said to be hell on earth."
Kimiko pulled up an eyebrow. But she witnessed how Hiroshi had started to shiver a little, Daisuke nervously fumbled with his fingers while Hideyoshi bit off his fingernails.
A dark shadow was cast on Chieko's face, as she explained further. "It's the first challenge they traditionally make the highschool first years go through. For six days we will be tested daily and have to face different challenges, one harder than the other, somewhere in the mountains till they have us absolutely crushed towards the end." She shook herself. "Furthermore, if we should not live up to the expectations of our examiners, immediate expulsion will follow."
Hiroshi shrieked. Mika laid her hand on his shoulder, to calm him down.
Yasu leaned forwards a little. "This is Totsuki. In the end only the very best shall stand and the weeding out will truly begin from now on."
"Expulsions will happen everyday..." Daisuke swayed a little and to make everyone feel better, Hideyoshi of course added. "I heard last year the student's number was reduced to half."
Hiroshi went pale. This was a sign for Mika to speak up. "Now come on guys, as if one of us is going to be expelled!"
"I don't really understand either." Kimiko voiced, making everyone turn to her. "We're just going to be in the one half that succeeds, where's the big deal?"
Silence emerged between the Polar Star Dormitory students, as everyone was just staring at Kimiko and Mika with blank eyes.
The silence was then broken by Yasu. "Pretty much what you two said." He smiled. "I am sure we will all return safe and sound."
As if a lever had been put down, Hideyoshi was suddenly cajoling. "Damn right, Aldini, Yukihira, Ibusaki! Nothing's just going to stop the Polar Star Dormitory so easily!" Daisuke nodded eagerly next to him, filled with new positivity.
Chieko balled one of her fists, while adjusting her glasses with the other hand and proclaimed. "Alright then." She looked to Yasu. "We can't fall behind." "I was never planning to." Chieko ignored his response and only looked at the others, rising her fist into the air. "Let's make the best of it and make Satoshi-San proud! This camp is ours!" "It's amazing how easy it can be to change your mood sometimes, Chi-Chan."
Hiroshi was only looking at Mika, who had already started throwing a new challenge at Kimiko.
Satoshi, Shoji and Daigo entered the room again and were immediately smiling at the sight of the lively students. "Again, just make the best of it." Satoshi whispered to his two former underclassmen, who gave him a nod and started to walk towards the one loud table.
"Well, what's going on here, hm?" Shoji asked and immediately received an answer from his son. "Training Camp is on, Dad! And we're gonna destroy it." "Alright!" The two highfived.
"You'll make it out as well, buddy." Daigo assured to Daisuke, who softly replied. "Yes, I think I can do it too."
Satoshi also walked to the table, laughing. "Training Camp, huh? It's quite the challenge I've got to admit, but I am very sure that you will all master it."
He turned to Daigo and Shoji. "We didn't finished cooking yet."
"Oh yeah." Shoji remembered. "Leave the frying to me, Isshiki-Senpai, you know I am the best to ask there."
Out of the sudden a hand fiercely grabbed his shoulder and swung Shoji around so that he was right looking into the angered face of Daigo. "Huh, what was that?!"
Shoji immediately mimicked the expression perfectly. "You heard me correct!"
Flames seemed to build up between these two, as they glared at each other and smashed their heads together, trying to push the other one away while gritting their teeth.
Satoshi laughed, Chieko shook her head and Yasu only watched. Of course, Hideyoshi and Daisuke couldn't pass this opportunity either and ended up in an epic stare battle.
"How about we'll later help you a little prepare for the camp and have a little round of cards afterwards, as a plan for today." Satoshi asked the children (who payed attention).
Before anyone could say anything, Kimiko already stood up with sparkling, golden eyes, as if Satoshi just offered her the leading role in a promising movie. "...Cards?!"
Hiroshi focused his sight on the transfer student in surprise, while Mika already pointed at her and announced. "Challenge is on, Yukihira!"
"I'm in for it." Yasu voiced and casted a challenging look to Chieko, who answered it right away with a slightly sinister giggle. "Yes, why not?"
Satoshi wore his trademark smile again and was already about to grab the two knuckleheads, still discussing about frying methods, as he told the younglings. "Alright then, breakfast will be done soon. And then we'll follow the plan."
Kimiko was so excited about the mere thought of playing cards again, she happily exclaimed. "I...I have some cards upstairs.." Before anyone could stop her, telling her they've got lots of card-sets laying around in the dormitory , she had already rushed out of the door. "I'll go get 'em."
Satoshi chuckled and Daigo and Shoji had stopped arguing for a second, just to watch in awe.
The day of the start for the Training Camp approached faster than Kimiko would have thought. She looked forward though to the alternation from the normal cooking lessons that this camp would hopefully provide in some way.
Making it through this school was not hard at all for now.
At the appointed day, she was the last one to step out of the dormitory. Everyone was already waiting, dressed in their uniforms and luggage in their hands.
"Mornin'" Kimiko greeted them an they all did so too.
Satoshi, Daigo and Shoji were also standing outside, ready to goodbye the children.
Satoshi was tear-eyes again, as he saw them lined up in front of him. "Like little chicks leaving the nest. I wish you an adventurous, thoughtful and enjoyable journey that you will hopefully return from smiling and experienced. This my dear children is what youth feels like."
"Of course." The group responded in unison.
"He will never shut up about youth, huh?" Daigo sweatdropped and Shoji did so as well. "Not a chance."
*Chirp*
Kimiko immediately turned to the source of the noise and saw a little, yellow featherball sitting on Chieko's shoulder. "A chick...?" She asked. Chieko nodded excitedly. "Research purposes." "Aha..." "It's very cute." Hiroshi said behind Kimiko, who then asked. "How's it called?"
"Gallina IV"
Kimiko blinked. And was right about to ask "What...?"
As the whole group already explained it in unison to her. "Gallina is hen in Latin."
"Woah, woah...y'all know Latin?" Kimiko looked around amazed. She had never understood the appeal of learning a dead language no one used anymore either way and was learning French instead.
"No, Chieko-Chan knows Latin." Satoshi laughed. "She always names her animals their names in Latin."
"Oh." Kimiko said and watched Chieko petting the little chick.
"Isn't she adorable?" Daigo nearly squealed. "Yeah!" Shoji raised his fist. "And intelligent as well."
Chieko blushed a little because of the praise, like she always did. In the few days Kimiko knew Daisuke's and Hideyoshi's fathers now she had noticed that the two seemed to like Yasu but even more notably Chieko a lot.
"Intelligent...yeah." Hideyoshi groaned. "But unbelievably unoriginal." "Shu.." Remembering that his father, who was giving Hideyoshi a disapproving glance, was here Chieko stopped herself, cleared her throat and afterwards calmly stated. "Well that's your problem, not mine."
"I'll give it a new name." Now Chieko couldn't help but snarl. "And who gave you the permission to?" "Don't worry, I'll search for something that fits..." Hideyoshi pretended to go into deep thinking mode.
Daisuke spoke up. "Well, thinking about Marui-San...How about Megane-cchi?"
Chieko's expression went blank, Yasu had to cover his mouth to not start laughing and ruin his calm image. Hideyoshi, on the other hand, was already laying on the floor laughing. "That's a good one. Surprising that it comes from you." Daisuke put his hands on his hips. "Excuse me?"
Satoshi shook his head amused, even Daigo and Shoji were grinning.
"You goddamn-" Before Chieko could yell whatever she had in mind, Hiroshi laid his hand on her shoulder. "It does sound kind off cute." His honest eyes that always meant the best, were enough to calm Chieko down and so she only pouted instead of throwing a fit. "It could be worse, Chi-Chan." Yasu smiled. To which she only groaned. "Maybe."
"Yasu-Kun.." Tears were streaming on Satoshi's face once again. An usual sight. "Hm? What is it?" Satoshi wiped his eyes. "Please take care of young Chieko-Chan on this long journey...make sure that..." His voice broke. "...she survives it..." Yasu only sweatdropped, while Chieko tilted her head. "Sure..."
Hiroshi had let go of the small girl already and only put on that pure smile of his. Kimiko an Mika likewise had watched him.
"Well, Yukihira...Training Camp is about to start. That may be my opportunity to finally teach you a lesson, so watch out!" Mika turned to Kimiko, who only grinned back. "I look forward to it, Mika-Chan."
Before Mika could point at her and give one of her speeches again, Satoshi already clapped his hands together.
"I could watch this cheery youth all day. But remember, the busses don't wait forever."
"Alright!"
And so the first years of the infamous Polar Str Dormitory said goodbye to their guardians and started to walk to the assigned meeting place.
All around the students of Totsuki left their living places to attend the journey which only some of them would survive.
Kaori Hayama had left her house already as well, a bit earlier than she had to. Before she could walk away though, a voice that emerged from the open door made her stop and turn half way. "Kaori...I already know that you will give it your very best and return...but please...remember to also have fun..." "I will try my best." Kaori responded and smiled afterwards. "See you in seven days, try not to mess everything up without me, alright? Goodbye." "Goodbye."
At the Nakiri Mansion, Alice was giving Mona and Lola one last hug. "I know you're going to rock this." "Naturally." Lola snickered, while Mona only gave a tired hum as response. Ryo who stood next to the cuddling bundle showed a small, but proud smile. "Don't go to rough on your examiners, ..." He couldn't say anything else, as Alice already pulled him into the hug.
Takayuki Hojo was leaving the apartment, which he shared with his sister, as well. As suddenly a blue flyer was thrown at his head and he swung around back to the door of his apartment again. Said sister, Suzume Hojo, was standing there with crossed arms. "You blockhead forgot the schedule." Takayuki angrily groaned, picked up the blue flyer and yelled. "There are other ways to tell me, hellcat!" "Yeah, yeah, remember to keep calm and don't kill anyone." Suzume rolled her eyes. "Tch." "See ya, little brother." "See you..."
And so the 115th Generation entered into the high class busses that were chosen to transport them to the Camp-Site.
It was a ride filled with anxious thoughts, expecting thoughts and confident thoughts. No one truly knew what they were in for, but the first challenge that Totsuki would throw at the young chefs was right about to occur.
And as the ride was finished, the seven students of the school's sole dormitory found theirselves in front of one of the highest buildings they had ever witnessed in their entire life.
Kimiko's jaw was nearly hanging to the floor, as her neck nearly broke in the attempt to look up at what was their "camp site".
"Wh...What is that?"
No way this could be their 'hotel'. Could it?
She turned to her dormmates, who, for some reason, looked rather chill for being infront of such a building.
"That's Totsuki Resort, Kimiko-cchi." Chieko lectured and expansively continued. "Totsuki runs a lot of hotels and inns, I sadly don't have the exact number in my head right now but I would roughly estimate it to be defiantly over thousand. It truly is a known, expensive brand and a lot of graduates end up working for it."
Kimiko blinked, absolutely astonished. "This..school isn't full of rich kids for nothing in the end..." She then muttered to herself.
"Well then, let's get into that hotel and get this Camp behind, alright?" Mika stepped forwards.
"Man, to have to work in this environment is truly a waste." Hideyoshi complained, as the group got moving. "You would say that in every environment." Daisuke said behind clutched teeth.
Hiroshi was following last, eyes glued to the floor. He reached Kimiko, who was still unable to move.
"Uhm...Kimiko-Chan...?" "Y...yeah?" "We got to go..." "Oh...yeah! Of course!"
And so the two followed their fellow dormmates. What Kimiko didn't knew was that Hiroshi would have liked it better to just stand around in front of the hotel all day.
They first had to give away their luggage, which Yasu explained. "Alright, seems like we only get our rooms when we actually survive the first day."
Next they stepped into the alarmingly dead silent room. It wasn't empty, as one would assume. In contrary, it was filled with hundreds of gloomy students.
Small whispers emerged though as the group of seven entered the room.
"The Polar Star residents..."
"They probably don't have anything to worry about..."
"Hiraku-Sama's sister is with them too..."
Kimiko flinched at the sound of Hiraku's name. Great, now she already made a name for herself. A very nice one indeed, "Hiraku-Sama"'s sister.
Kimiko gritted her teeth. She didn't wanted to be known just because of Hiraku who was just being a pain right now. Just this morning he had send her an text listing 'useful tips for the camp'. Kimiko of course hasn't read any of it.
"What an atmosphere..." Mika flatly commented and let her gaze trail over her classmates. They all looked down to the floor, or wore expressions as if they were right about to go to the graveyard. Mika crossed her arms. For her, the most students on this school, truly were no good at all.
Hiroshi only suppressed a sigh and hung his head down as well. The tense atmosphere in the hall was not helping him feel better at all.
He lifted his head again as second later though, as a deep voice rang through the large hall. "Good morning, students."
The teenage chefs all turned to the stage, which was were the voice had come from. On it stood an old man, with blue eyes, a big nose and grey hair. He wore a purely white chef inform, which was decorated with a red neckerchief.
Next to him stood Madoka Enomoto, cleaning her glasses.
"Monsieur Chapelle!" The hall shrieked at the same time. Kimiko only tilted her head, as usual. "He's a teacher. The most strict one of them all to be correct. Also, he's chief of the French Cuisine Division. As a member of French RS, you might will have to deal with him sooner or later." Yasu told her, noticing the clueless expression of the blonde.
He couldn't add anything else, as Roland Chapelle was already continuing his speech.
"You're now going to receive a summary for the camp you're about to attend. Enomoto-San, if you please..."
Madoka gave a timid nod, put on her glasses and took out a white piece of paper. She started reading. "Totsuki Friendship and Rapport Training Camp is taking 6 days and 5 nights. Each day the students, who have now been split into groups, are going to face individual challenges overviewed by a professional examiner. Should a student not be able to bring the expected results, he's facing immediate expulsion."
Although a known fact, you could still hear gasps within the crowd and saw faces turning white.
"For the evaluation of the tasks." Madoka mercilessly continued to read the instructions given on the paper. "Totsuki Academy invited guest lecturers in form of Totsuki alumnis."
It was as if Madoka had pushed a button to ease the thick silence that was pushing it's heavy weight on the students.
Immediately gasps and shocked yells were heard.
"A...alumni?!"
"We're gonna be tested by the geniuses who survived the infamous Totsuki Academy?!"
"Agony and honor at he same time!"
"They declined as well, hm?" Kimiko heard Yasu asking Chieko, who answered. "Yes, too busy."
Kimiko also nodded how Hiroshi and Mika were likewise staring to the curtain.
And the noise got even more intense, as the first foot finally stepped on the stage.
"No way, no way!"
"Oh my god!"
"They actually got them."
One of these voices was Chieko, who stood behind Kimiko. "Oh my, Oh my, Oh my."
A huge group of people was stepping on the stage. And it was not possible for Kimiko to scan all of their faces.
The one who had stepped on the stage first, was an old man in the age of Kimiko's grandfather. He was muscular, had shaved his grey hair and wore an expensive-looking, brown suit.
Kimiko flinched a little, because of the squeal Chieko let out. "Ah, Kimiko-cchi! It's Dojima Gin."
Kimiko halfway turned to her. "...Dojima?" "He's the head chef and company director of Totsuki Resort! It said that he turned down over 800 offers from the most delicate restaurants all over the world, just to work in this position. To be in the same room as him is a honor alone, he is a legend!"
Chieko surely was excited. She was one of the only ones who felt that way. The most of the other students were trembling in fear.
Since Kimiko had made the mistake to pay attention to Chieko's rambling, the petite girl was now unstoppable. She had grabbed the taller Kimiko by the shoulder and turned her body fastly into different directions, while pointing at various faces within the crowd of geniuses.
There was a woman around 50, with very short, turquoise hair and red, stoic eyes. "Mizuhara Fuyumi from the famous Italian restaurant 'Ristorante F'." Chieko introduced and right after Kimiko was already being turned to a new face. An even older one. A man with clenched shut eyes and black hair that already turned into grey slowly. "And that's Sekimori Hitoshi, from the Sushi Restaurant Ginza Hinowa and next to him.." A tall, blue-eyed man with elegant, blonde hair and a pronounced chin was standing next to the Sushi Chef. "Donato Gotoda! From Tresoro." Next up was the face of a younger woman, with black hair, brown eyes and a kind, angelic smile. "They also got Miyano Akari who just graduated a few years ago and already owns the highly successful restaurant 'Magic'!"
Chieko stopped for a second in her wild blabbering, to give Kimiko a second to breathe. "Isn't this incredible?" Kimiko set up an unsure smile. She had no idea who these people were. "I guess?"
"It really is an impressing line up." Hiroshi acknowledged in amazement, eyes glued to the stage. Mika slowly nodded, while Daisuke and Hideyoshi had already started arguing about something that can't be very important.
"Oh, there's also Shigemichi Kumai and Rui." Chieko now noted, but a little calmer as Kimiko realised. She was talking about a couple, silently standing on the stage. The man was wearing a green restaurant uniform, wore his wild black hair into a bun and was build extremely muscular. The small woman beside him looked like a meek doll in comparison. She had braided her long, blonde locks and wore deep black lipstick fitting to her black uniform. Like it was the case with Yasu, her bangs hid her eyes.
And then Chieko's voice all out of the sudden swung back into it's high-pitched tone. "And there's..!" "Shinomiya Kojiro, head chef of the infamous Shino's." To her surprise, Kimiko answered herself, as she saw the man step on the stage. "Oh...that's right Kimiko-cchi..." Chieko responded, a little taken aback.
The man they were referring to, was somewhere in his 50s like Fuyumi. His hair had the colour of corals and his eyes the colour of ambers. He wore a purely white chef uniform, a red neckerchief, earrings and squared glasses.
He was accompanied by a brown-haired woman with calm, purple eyes and a happy smile. She was dressed in a Kosode and holding Kojiro's hand. "And there's his wife 'The Mist Empress', a known chef as well, Shinomiya Hinako. Head chef of Kirinoya." Chieko said and confirmed the prediction Kimiko had made in her head.
Kojiro was the one famous chef, that Kimiko truly knew. He was simply the most known name in the French Culinary World, a world that Kimiko was fascinated of.
But all of the sudden, different exclamations were heard from the crowd around her, making Kimiko jump. They were mixed with utter admiration as well as utter horror. Flabbergasted with the sudden uproar Kimiko quickly turned her head.
For once, Chieko was not giving any explanation.
But Kimiko didn't needed it.
Around her, she heard it.
"No..."
"They got..."
"Two...Jewels..."
"To breathe the same air as two 92nd Generation alumnis..."
"Someone hold me..."
"And out of all of them..."
"They got the former fourth seat and the infamous 'Meat General'!"
"T...Takumi and Ikumi Aldini!"
A little flashback rang through Kimiko's head. Images of the photoalbum, the pale finger of her aunt pointing on one of the many pictures with the two blondes in it, stating. "Those two are Takumi Aldini and Mito Ikumi."
Takumi Aldini was a good-looking man, around Kimiko's father's age. He had fair, proper hair, which was tied to a small ponytail. His eyes had the same bright, beautiful blue as Mika's and Hiroshi's. He wore a white cooking uniform but it's sleeves, buttons and collar were orange, giving it an individual touch.
His wife next to him wore the exact same uniform. Ikumi Aldini's shoulder-length hair was blonde as well and combed into pretty locks. Her skin was tanned and she had a figure that many woman would kill for. The eyes, that were decorated by long eyelashes, held a fresh, shining leaf green. Most notable about her were the round, beautiful lips.
"The Aldini Family are the owners of one of the most famous Italian restaurant branches...'The Trattoria Aldini'!"
...Trattoria Aldini?
"Takumi Aldini is known as one of the absolute bests to turn to when talking Italian cuisine! He's on par with Fuyumi Mizuhara!"
"Ikumi Aldini was intentionally heir to the Mito-Group before deciding to do her own thing! She's behind the amazing use of meat you can get in the Trattoria."
"Not to mention, they're graduates from the infamous 92nd Generation."
"The only Generation to ever have more graduates than can be count off by hand!"
"Their daughter is currently visiting Totsuki and said to be very promising as well...Mika Aldini."
Mika was staring at the stage with wide eyes, Hiroshi did so as well. "Oba-San and Oji-San are here..." Hiroshi whispered, before asking his cousin. "Did you know about this, Itoko-Chan?"
Mika only shook her head.
Kimiko searched for confirmation for a fact, that was pretty much clear either way. She leaned towards Chieko. "They're...Mika-Chan's...?" "Parents, yes." "And Tadokoro's aunt and uncle." Yasu added.
Kimiko hummed in response, looking to Mika and Hiroshi who still had their round eyes focused to the stage.
Takumi and Ikumi had finally came to a still over there. They confidently stood in the front and looked down on the, mostly shivering, students like the other alumni.
"So we really are the only ones, huh?" Ikumi spoke to her husband in a husky voice. "Si, seems like it, cuore mio." He responded in the same volume.
Ikumi let her gaze swift over the thousands of students, searching for a particular face. Takumi did the same and after mere seconds, he already exclaimed. "There! There's Mika! And also Hiroshi! Accompanied by their friends."
Ikumi followed his gaze and also spotted the flabbergasted face of their daughter. And as Takumi had said, next to Mika stood the blue-haired niece.
Takumi's smiled and gave a soft wave to his precious girl, which made a lot of students look at her. Mika turned bright red and focused her sight to the ceiling immediately.
Before any of the two Jewels could add anything else, Gin already took the microphone into his hands. His deep voice, shut the noisy students right away.
"Good Day, dear students of Totsuki and welcome to my resort. It's always a pleasure to host this event for this grand school. Now young chefs, the basic introduction was already given by Chapelle and Enomoto, there's nothing I want to add except for a fact, that you're all hopefully going to keep in mind on these six days."
He made a hand gesture towards the lined up professionals. "These chefs left their restaurants behind for a week, just to be here." Many students held their breath. "You better not let them down. With that, I wish you a wonderful time. And give it your all, so you can remain between the very best!"
Takayuki cracked his knuckles.
Lola and Mona exchanged a look.
Kaori only swiftly turned around, showing no emotion whatsoever.
"...'wonderful time', yeah right! We didn't even got to check out our rooms!" Hideyoshi growled. Daisuke grabbed him. "Who cares about that brick-head? We gotta get to our assignment!" "Did you just...?" "Good Luck, guys!"
"Come on, Yasu! Or we'll be late!" Chieko commanded her best friend. Megane-cchi was sleeping peacefully in her pocket. Yasu waved to Mika, Hiroshi and Kimiko. "See you all later." Hiroshi nodded and waved back. "Sure." Said Mika. Kimiko innocently asked. "Chieko-Chan's room?" Certain Chieko swung around and blurted. "What? Why? The rooms here all have the sa-" Yasu was already pushing her forwards and only nodded. "Where else?"
"Guess that only leaves us?" Kimiko addressed the two remaining Polar Star students. "I hope I can talk to Mama and Papa at some point." Mika shared her thoughts and looked to the stage that was emptying as well. "I am sure you get to, Itoko-Chan, but first we gotta get to our assignment as well."
And so the three set off.
It was time for the Training Camp to begin!
Author's Note:
"Megane" is Japanese for glasses
"Oba" is Japanese for aunt and "Oji" is Japanese for uncle.
"Cuore mio" is Italian for "My Heart"
If there's anything wrong with that, feel free to correct me.
Thanks a lot for reading, I hope you enjoyed it and that I can greet you again next chapter
Till then