Chapter 1
"Blegh- *cough* *cough* Ugh-"
A young white haired boy retched in disgust at the food that was in his mouth, spitting it out on to the floor in front of him. He started dry heaving the second it left his mouth. He couldn't get the taste off his tongue and it deeply disturbed him.
The judges seeing his reaction to his opponents food were perplexed, is it really as bad as he made it out to be.
After a second the boy stopped and started speaking "the honey glaze is too sweet, it takes away from the richness of the meat. The meat is gummy and chewy, you overcooked it. The potatoes are too rigid, did you only boil them? The vegetables are nice but they don't go well with the dish, I mean, cabbage with honey glazed ham? Seriously? Who does that… don't get me started on the-"
"THATS ENOUGH! ITS UP TO THE JUDGES TO DECIDE WHO WINS THE SHOKUGEKI, NOT YOU!" the boy's opponent shouted, cutting him off, with his anger and vains apparent.
The boy regained composure and awaited the judges tasting of the dish…
As all of the judges tasted the opponent's dish they could all feel that it was lacking something, something they couldn't quite grasp.
As all the judges spoke among themselves the next dish was served. This was the boys dish.
The moment the steel dome covering the dishes we lifted a wild and untamed, yet beautifully pleasant smell grazed the noses of all the judges and even a few nearby in the audience.
It smelt like a freshly trimmed field of flowers and crops that was being gently rummaged through by a herd of gentle cows and calves.Just from the smell alone the mental image came to life…
The judges stared at the meal as it seemed to be in a warm loving embrace of sorts. The meat looked smooth and fatty as it tightly held every other component as the other ingredients moved with a playful energy. It felt like watching a scene that can only be explained as 'a mother's love'.
Their hearts felt conflicted until the food seemingly welcomed them with what felt like warm smiles and childish laughter born from curiosity. They ate the food with teary eyes.
The second it hit their tongue it felt like they were in a rural village. They frolicked in the tall grass fields stark naked but with no shame, they felt entirely fulfilled. It felt liberating. They ran about the fields with their tits, balls and other parts to the wind, picking and eating any or the plentiful fruits and vegetables. They brushed the cow and fed the young calf as it drank from its mother.
They were entranced and continued eating without thought… though one judge paused.
The judge that paused was Senzaemon Nakiri, a legend of a culinary expert known as "Gastric Godfather". He is also the dean of Tōtsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, Totsuki Academy for short. He is muscular man with a majestic beard and traditional Japanese clothing.
After his first bite he stood up and, in an instant, tore his chest free from his clothes with sheer force of will. This was a surprise to many. None expected this reaction from a student's dish, let alone a first year's.
"This dish is MARVELOUS! The beef pairs perfectly with the-" the icon continued with his praises as he flexed.
The boy who cooked the dish stood with pride and a little confusion. And after a minute interrupted the old man, "Um… I think you're confused, I used tofu…"
Senzaemon looked to the boy confused he looked back to the dish and even had another taste "that's tofu? I think you're the one that's confused…"
The boy gently shook his head "I assure you, that isn't beef and I have the receipts to prove it, I didn't even use so much as a beef stock, are you sure that tastes like beef?"
The boy came closer to the judges panel and took a taste of his own dish… he hummed "you're right that does taste and feel like beef, that's peculiar…"
Senzaemon looked at the boy curiously "boy, just who exactly are you?"
The boy chuckled and smiled confidently "I will become the greatest chef so that all experts quake when they hear the name-"
——
"Arjun-kun! Do you have a moment for an interview?" A young girl with a notepad and pen asked.
The white haired boy turned around to the young girl. He replied in a very reserved yet haughty tone "I do have time to spare, what do you want to ask? Miss…"
"Shinomia, I'm Kozumi Shinomia, member of the Totsuki Newspaper Club, I wanted to ask you about your Shokugeki, is it true you didn't use beef?" The young journalist said.
Arjun's, the boy's, expression soured "why do people not believe me when I say I didn't use beef?! I didn't even use a beef stock! They act like ingredients are the end all be all with dishes when this school actively teaches them that's only a part of it!" Arjun begins walking of in a huff because of how people perceive his food.
"Again! the food changed again! How does that keep happening?! It's like it takes on a life of its own!" He says while he walks away from the arena exasperated at how he seems to be losing control of his food…
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Author
I'll explain how Arjun got into school in a later chapter… this is just a chapter to show what kind of person Arjun is, he's arrogant and vein like a certain blue chef but he has layers.