Ashiya Futaba's Story (Part One)

Chapter Four

Soma heads down to the kitchen while Isshiki and Futaba stayed in Marui's room. 

"Satoshi" Futaba called. 

"Yes Futaba-chan?" Isshiki responds. 

"That Mackerel with Peppers and Garnish of Puree, doesn't taste like your style at all" says Futaba and Isshiki chuckles. 

"Why? Not to your liking?" Isshiki ask. 

"The mackerel meat is cooked delicately and it isn't soggy. The element of surprise brought by the spring cabbage puree. The vicious sweetness is in perfect harmony with the mackerel. The taste of spring... Are you trying to tell me something through that dish?" Futaba ask and Isshiki smiles as he places his hand on her head. 

"It's your fault for not letting us know in advance that you're back" says Isshiki. 

"So what if I'm back. She can't be revived" says Futaba coldly as she lets go of Isshiki's hand. 

Isshiki's eyes widen upon seeing that blazing glare. When she was in this state, no one dared to go near her. She was mentally torn after that day. 

"Futaba-chan..."

"H-Hmm? I smell something good" Yuki suddenly says.

Futaba's glare suddenly subsides.

"It's a cooking showdown between Isshiki-senpai and Yukihira" says Shun.

"Shun, since when were you awake?" Futaba ask. 

"For a while" 

"It's done!" Soma announced as he distributes the dish to those who were awake. 

"Yukihira's secret menu #20 revamped! Mackerel Onigiri Chazuke!"

Futaba takes a look at the dish and takes a sniff. 

"Salted kelp tea" She say. 

Yuki, Isshiki, Ryoko, Shun and Futaba then takes a bite of the dish.

"It's great!"

"The mackerel's meat is really juicy! More than anything the crunchy feeling of the rind. The deliciousness gushes forth with every bite!" Yuki exclaims. 

"Just by boiling it is not able to get that feel. Just how...?" Ryoko mumbles. 

"Poêlée" Futaba and Isshiki says at the same time. 

"What's Poêlée?" Soma ask. 

"Hah?! How could you not know?!" Yuki ask.

"Poêlée is a French cooking technique where you cook the ingredients uniformly by holding them down with a palette knife or something similar" Futaba explains as she continues eating the dish like nothing has happened. 

"Soma-kun, how do you know this cooking technique?" Isshiki asks. 

"Well, I learnt this cooking technique from my old man. He said that it was ideal to stylishly give the finishing touches to a fish" says Soma. 

"Did your father studies French cuisine?" Futaba ask.

"I don' really know since he has cooked in various countries" says Soma. 

After everyone had finish the meal, Megumi woke up to Soma shaking hands with Isshiki whose apron nearly completely fell. Later everyone leaves the room while Futaba stayed behind with Isshiki and Soma. 

"Here Marui-kun, sleep warmly" Isshiki whispers as he covers Marui with a blanket. 

"It was really delicious, Soma" says Futaba.

"It was not much, glad you like it" says Soma with his signature smile. 

"Soma-kun, if there's anything you don't understand, don't be afraid to ask" says Isshiki.

"Then, how can I become one of the Elite Ten?" Isshiki's eyes widen.

Futaba remained unfazed. She then quietly leaves the room, dragging her brother along. Yes, literally dragging. After putting her brother on the bed, Futaba sat by the window as she gazes at the full moon tonight. 

"Elite... Ten"

The next morning, Hirose wakes up to see his sister sleeping by the window. He then goes to wake her up but immediately regrets it after he got punched. 

The two then made their way to the dining hall along with their friends, only to see Soma sitting in the middle, announcing that he will challenge Isshiki, only to be ignored, confusing Soma. 

"Satoshi, your fault for not explaining the rules" says Futaba.

"Right... Soma-kun, about Totsuki's cooking challenges..." Isshiki begins. 

Meanwhile, Nakiri Erina is engaging in a Shokugeki with Goudabayashi Kiyoshi, chief of the Chanko Nabe Research Society.

As Isshiki slowly explains the 'Shokugeki' to Soma, Futaba decided to leave for school already. On her way she passes by the stadium which was used for Shokugeki and she decides to head in and she hears roars of victory belonging to Erina. Erina smirks in victory and as she makes her way to her secretary, she crosses path with Futaba.

"F-Futaba?" Erina ask in surprised. 

"Long time no see, Erina, Hisako" says Futaba, almost with no emotion applied. 

"When did you came back?" Hisako ask. 

"Just the end of last year. I figured it wasn't necessary to tell you" says Futaba.

"Futaba... About what happened-"

"Stop" Futaba interrupts coldly. 

Erina and Hisako shivers within her piercing glare. Even if the three of them were friends, it all changed that day. Even the high and mighty Erina feared Futaba only when she's angry. 

Futaba became extremely protective of the people important to her. She didn't want to lose them. Not after what she had witnessed. 

"Futaba... Are we still good?" Erina ask. 

"It's not like I totally push you and the others away. I just needed time" says Futaba.

"How's Hirose?" Erina ask.

"Funny since I'm the one that left. Onii-chan never left" says Futaba.

The tension was awkward. Futaba breaks it with a sigh.

"I'm going to class. See you around Erina, Hisako" says Futaba and she left. 

"Erina-sama... Futaba... She-"

"Hisako. Let's hope for the better" says Erina. 

A few hours into school and Futaba was wandering around while eating some snacks when she encountered Megumi and Soma, who is interested in the Research Societies. 

"Megumi, Soma" Futaba called. 

"Futaba-chan!"

"Looking up on RS?" Futaba ask while offering her snacks. 

"Well, I needed an inspiration for a new dish" says Soma and his eyes suddenly landed on the Don RS and he instantly drags Futaba and Megumi.