Chapter 21: Training Camp Pt.1

As the challenge was set, Isshiki was the first to go and grab some ingredients for the battle, and after he came back, he made a nice Pepper Mackerel with a Puree Garnish for both Soma and Soren. Soma was the first to take a bite, giving him a taste of spring, while Soren took a bite as well, and felt that it was above average compared to what he had cooked before, but it wasn't something to build up an orgasam to.

[This is quite delicious… So who's going next?]: soren

When Soren said this, Isshiki gave a smile before Soma shot forward to be the next one to cook. He then went to the small portable stove and began cooking up a similar dish, but Soma's dish was focused more around a rice bowl with soup, and after the smell of cooking began filling the room, everyone began waking up to see Isshiki and Soren standing around, while Soma was cooking his dish.

[Why is Soma still up cooking?... Is he still hungry?]: yuki

[No… Soma, Isshiki, and Soren are having a 3 way cook off right now]: shun

When Shun spoke in his tired like tone, Yuki shot awake as she was interested in the outcome as well as how it all started.

[Shun, tell me, how did this start?]: yuki

[Well Soren was the first to initiate the battle as a 3 way cook off, and Soma agreed because he had been wanting to battle Soma, while Isshiki agreed because he was interested in the two of them]: shun

Upon hearing how it all started, everyone began waking up due to the commotion, and were all soon filled in on what was taking place, and just in time for Soma to finish his dish. After tasting the food, everyone began to fawn over how well the Mackerel was cooked, while Isshiki pointed out the method used to cook the fish being the Poele method, a french method where one uses the oil in the pan to baste the meat giving a consistent browning, while still keeping the meat juicy. Soma was then asked where he learned the technique, and surprised everyone when he said that his dad taught him.

[So it appears that your father has studied French cooking?]: isshiki

[Well, I'm not sure… But it does seem like he's studied in tons of different countries, though]: soma

[Hah… I guess it's my turn… But don't get disappointed when you realize my food is on a whole different level compared to yours]: soren

As Soren said this, he got up and began cooking on the small portable stove with the ingredients that he got from the kitchen, as he planned to do a similar Mackerel dish, as that was the theme for this battle. Soren then began filleting the Mackerel, while some oil was being heated up in a pan, and after seasoning the fillets of Mackerel with some sea salt and pepper, Soren laid them down into the pan while using some lemon juice to add some flavor for what he planned on making next. Soren then began squeezing lime juice into a separate pan before adding some soy sauce, and some butter to act as a thickening agent, and let it thicken up while Soren then took a page from Soma's book and used the Poele method to baste the Mackerel, while the other side was grilling, and after he was done, Soren put the complete fillets on a plate, while using the let over juices and oils from the Mackerel in the thickening sauce, giving it a refreshing taste along with the taste of the fish. Soren then drizzled some sauce onto the fillets, as he topped it with some basil, and handed it to everyone to try, while giving a cheesy line with a smile on his face.

[Order up!]: soren

Soon, everyone looked at the food on their plates, and just the smell alone was so tantalizing that it brought a blush to their faces, and after taking a bite, everyone felt as if they had died and went to heaven. As the taste was only something that one could receive from heaven, as all the girls were moaning and grabbing towards their crotches, while the guys had also let out some moans, as an unsightly view of hardons could be seen from their pants, while Isshiki was worse, as he was only wearing an apron to cover his package.

'This is disgusting… I'll make a vow here, after I leave this world, I won't be making food for men, as I'd rather not see their junk at full stand': soren

Soren quickly looked away, while putting his attention towards the women who were trying to hide themselves from the embarrassment they felt from their display. After some time to cool down, Soma and Isshiki looked towards Soren with a gleam in their eyes, as they knew they had been beaten, and then Isshiki spoke out.

[Soren Langston… I know when I have been beaten, and your food was the best I have ever had in my entire life… Let me reintroduce myself… My name is Satoshi Isshiki, Seat number 7 on the Council of 10… And it's an honor to meet someone who could compete with a member… Please, do come and aim for the top, as I'd like to see how far you will go in the future]: isshiki

As Isshiki spoke, Soren gave a knowing smile, while Soma began comparing their cooking, while trying to gauge himself on where he stands compared to a seat holder. And just like that, the night ended as everyone went to bed leaving Zenji to be asleep on the floor with a dirty room, marking the end of the first day at Totsuki Academy.

'Today was quite interesting… I wonder what Gine is doing right now… Maybe scrounging for some food? I hope she found the meals I prepared for her in the freezer, but they won't be as good as they are fresh': soren

The next morning, Soren had woken up to quite an amazing sight, as there was a cute looking red head sleeping on his chest in her light purple night gown that seemed to be a little loose fitting on her.

'What the hell?... Why is Ryoko sleeping in my room?': soren

Soren seemed to be unfazed by this, as Gine would alway do this before they were even dating, so it wasn't something new to him, but in the next second, Ryoko seemed to be startled by Soren's movements and had woken up to see him so close to her, or rather, she was so close to him.

[AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!]: ryoko

Ryoko quickly jumped back as she fell to the floor, while one of the strapps to her noodle strapped gown fell down her shoulder, while her left tit threatened to be exposed, but it stayed hidden.

[I'm soooo sorry!... I forgot how I even got in here]: ryoko

When Soren heard this, he let out a chuckle as he decided to set a place in Ryoko's heart for him, as he did like her, but her age was too young for now.

[Haha… No worries… I kinda like the feeling of a beautiful woman waking up with me by my side… Maybe we should do this again sometime]: soren

Soren gout up from his bed, and began to do his morning stretches, while Ryoko quickly made her way out from Soren's room with a big blush on her cheeks, and soon, Soren came out from his room, as he was dressed for the day in a casual black T-shirt, and a pair of blue jean pants, while the upper half of his hair was put up in a ponytail, leaving the lower half to hang down his back. Soren then walked out and went down to the kitchen where he saw everyone start to gather.

[What's going on here?]: soren

Soren had walked in on Soma sitting in a chair, and he had just challenged Isshiki to a Food War, for his title as seat number 7 on the council of 10, but unlike what Soma thought was going to happen, Isshiki declined the battle, shocking Soma. Everyone then sat down for breakfast and listened as Isshiki explained the rules for how a Food War works, and what one can do, as well as what one cannot do, and after listening to the explanation, Soma had a better understanding as to how this whole thing works. After breakfast, everyone began heading to class for the day, and while Soren thought everything was boring, Kouki actually studied it to improve his skills. Soon a few days had passed, and Soren along with everyone at Kyokusei found out that Soma challenged the girl known as Ikumi Mito, or as some call her, Meat-Meat, because of her family background in meat distribution, and her keen ability to tell when the temperature of the meat his reached peak perfection by the sensitivity of her lips.

'I guess watching a Food War happen live will better prepare me for when I ever decide to challenge someone': soren

Soren had gone to spectate the fight along with the entirety of Kyokusei, and just like the, Soma had won his first Food War, by his vast knowledge, as well as his quick thinking, as he was fighting for the honor of bowl club who pride themselves on cheap and delicious, while Ikumi had made a bowl that could have easily cost a couple thousand Yen for the meat alone. The next day, everyone at Kyokusei was gathered around Soma as he was reading a brochure about overnight training, and then Yuki and Ryoko began explaining about how in the middle school division, they went on multiple of these expeditions. And as everyone began putting in their input, they kept making it sound worse and worse, but once they all got onto the bus and reached the place where they would spend the next 6 days, it seemed more like a resort than a training camp.

[Seems like a place of luxury, rather than a training camp… Should be fun]: kouki

As Kouki spoke, Shun then went into detail about how Totsuki runs all the hotels around, and that just a single night here could be rent money for an entire month, just because a graduate of Totsuki is a chef in the kitchen. And as Yuki was sparkling with joy at the thought of spending time here, Shun ruined her dream by putting in the fact that they would need to survive first, and after that, everyone went inside to set their luggage down, in their rooms before assembling in the main hall, where they saw a bunch of kids with gloomy expressions plastered on their faces.

[Well this doesn't look like camp spirit… I guess they are scared?]: soren

As everyone had finished gathering, a familiar face had appeared up on stage, as he began speaking into the mic.

[Good morning, everyone… I will now briefly go over the details of this training camp… You will be staying here for 6 days, and you will be split up into groups, where you will tackle various food-related challenges. As well as test the limits of your stamina in the kitchen… And any student who may fall behind, and go below the standard set by the instructor will receive a failing grade, you will be returned to the academy, and then you will be asked to leave… We have invited some guest instructors, who will act as judges for all your challenges… You will treat them as if they were your boss in a real restaurant, and just like in a real restaurant, they have the power to fail you at any given moment, for any given reason… Please welcome the previous graduates from Totsuki Academy!]: chapelle

When the group of graduates began entering the stage, all the students began to gasp, as they began fawning over these legendary people who were able to reach the peak, and graduate from Totsuki, calling them geniuses, or legendary, while Soren only looked at them like they were kids, as he was older than most of them, even though it was not by much, but their skills were earned through hard work, while Soren's were bought and taught, so in a way they were better than him, but Soren vowed to improve his own experiences and become an even better cook than this Chef God he got his experiences from. Once all the graduates stood before the group of students, one of them began speaking while pointing towards the crowd, he had pink hair, while the sides were buzzed short showing his natural brown hair. He wore rectangular framed glasses, and a red scarf tied around his neck, over his white french chef's uniform, and when he spoke, he pointed out towards the crowd, while scaring everyone in the direction he pointed, until he spoke out.

[You there… In the ninth row from the front… The young man with a cut over his brow…]: ???

Soma thought he was pointing him out, but upon pointing towards himself, the man spoke again.

[No, next to you… You're expelled, pack your stuff and leave]: ???

The man had pointed out a boy with light brown hair, and a cut over his right eyebrow, and it just happened to be a coincidence that he stood next to Soma. The boy then began freaking out, and questioning the graduate on the reason why he was being expelled, but the man began explaining the reason, and it all had to do with his hair product masking anything he was cooking, and giving it a citrus smell, and upon the boy breaking down, Soma question who he was, only for Zenji to explain who Chef Kojiro was to him.

[I don't like him]: soren

When Zenji heard Soren speak, he quickly tried to hush Soren up as he felt if Kojiro heard Soren, he would expel him on the spot, just like that other kid.

[Soren!... Don't speak like that! If Chef Kojiro heard you, he might expel you as well!]: zenji

When Soren heard Zenji's words, he smiled as he then felt it was time to show his dominance and hopefully draw some attention.

[Hah?... If someone saying that you're an asshole hurts you so much, then you should stay out of the kitchen… So if this Chef Kojiro is such a man that would take words to heart, then he doesn't belong in the kitchen]: soren

Soren's words were heard by everyone, even Kojiro as he turned around to see who just spoke, and when he saw Soren, he began observing his posture while trying to find any imperfection that would put a business at risk, but he couldn't find anything, so instead, he tried to intimidate Soren with his own words, so Kojiro then walked over to Soren, and got in his face as he began speaking.

[You know… You're right!... A chef shouldn't be swayed by words, but what would you know about being a chef? You're just a brat who stands at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to the food world… What would you do if I were to expel you right now?... Would you cry like that other kid?]: kojiro

When Soren saw Kojiro's challenge, he then gave a smile, and with his hands crossed, he spoke.

[I would obviously go back home to my diner and continue making food that's better than yours… Like I said, if you got a problem with my words, then expel me… You are nothing but a donkeys ass in my eyes… So what, you graduated from Totsuki, I'm on the same track, and you expelling me now is just proof that you can't handle the heat from my kitchen… So back out of my face, or tell me to leave, either way, you lose]: soren

When Soren said this, everyone around quickly ran away, while hoping to not be associated with Soren, leaving only Kouki and Soma to stay and watch how this all plays out. Kojiro on the other hand, neither moved, nor did he tell Soren to leave, but only acted once a new voice entered his ears.

[Kojiro!... Come back to the stage, now, and leave the kids alone]: ???