The ending, after all this time. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 13: The Secret Technique

Megumi was trembling at the sight of the massive crowd. She was unnerved that the camera crews and commentators kept oozing over how cute she was, and how they were always rooting for her. Ryō was just focusing intensely. This match was a match of survival. Megumi was right to pick him as her partner. Ryō's sworn vow was to never be defeated and tossed aside.

This challenge was uniquely different for him however. He wasn't ready to risk it all for himself, but to protect HIS light and supporter; Megumi Tadokoro. He placed his hand on Megumi's shoulder, and gave her a soft look. Instantly, Megumi found her confidence again and exuded an aura of brave nobility. Megumi placed her hand on Ryō's shoulder, and gave him a fierce look. Immediately, Ryō found his dark passion and an aura of intimidating darkness radiated from his body. The two of them were connected. They both nodded their head together, prepared for what came next.

On the other side of the kitchen, Hayami and Mitsuru were standing tall with confident looks on their faces. They had to maintain appearances as Elite Chef's afterall. They stood with their eyes shut as if to be looking unfazed by everything that was going on. A camera was walking up to them to get a close up, and Hayami snapped open an eye which nearly scared the crewman to death. The "Twin Devils" they were known by their contemporaries. Although they weren't related at all, they formed a strong bond as frenemies over their years at Totsuki. Both of them fought over Tsozin's praise with Hayami being the aggressive bully, and Mitsuru being the smooth manipulator. They were both extremely talented, but only got their seats on the Elite Ten in a team battle organized by Tsozin.

The "twin devils" specialty in cooking was always being able to rattle their opponents with taunts and criticism, while not missing a single step in their cooking. Only the most hardened chefs could resist their taunts, and only the Elite Chefs could ignore both of them as a pair. They were rumored to once get Roland Chapelle to overturn a failing decision by him, through sheer insults alone. They were feared opponents, and worst of all, they had Tsozin to support them.

"We'd like to welcome all our guests in attendance and those watching us live at home, for tonight's "Shokugeki Showdown" on Totsuki T.V! My name is Tim Boss joined by my partner here Terry 'The Prince' Brawler here. What are we looking at here for the main events tonight Terry?" Tim said.

"Well first Tim, let me say it's always great coming back to Japan to see a true battle of warriors go on here tonight. It sure is a much different atmosphere than those ol' chili cook off's you've seen in Oklahoma, eh T.B?" Terry said.

"Well you've clearly never seen my family's version of a chili cookoff 'Prince,' but I'll tell you what. It may be a cooking competition, but tonight's shaping up to be a real old fashioned slobber knocker!" said.

"I can't agree with you more T.B, and the competitors in the ring appear to have some very bad blood between them!"

"I've seen all kinds of cooking matches, and never in my years have I seen an event such as this. You have two tag-teams battling it out for rights of a dormitory in a culinary academy! And you can only get this kind of action on Totsuki Academy Pay Per View!"

"Ladies and gentlemen this Shokugeki is presented to you by Oxy Clean! When you have dirty dishes, invest in the power of Oxiclean with its enhanced scrubbing power formula to get rid of those grease cakes.on your pans and cookware. Now let's get set for our first main event. Students are you ready?. . . Shokugeki start!" The announcer exclaimed.

Both Megumi and Ryō flew to their work station in synchronized fashion. Hayami and Mitsuru calmly walked over to their station and started preparing their food.

"Well 'Prince' it looks like this is going to be a fun match to watch as our chefs prepare their work stations!" Tim said.

"I hear you Tim, but it looks like only one side is taking this match seriously!" Terry said.

"I don't know about that 'Prince.' Mitsuru and Hayami are both Elite Ten members, there's always a method behind their madness."

"Yeah well we all know how they got there Tim!"

"Are you suggesting these two Elite Champions didn't rightfully earn their places, 'Prince?'"

"I'm just saying, it was oddly suspicious how they got their comeuppance and you know it T.B!"

"Let's check into the action there in the ring as our competitors appear to be complete with their preparations!"

"It looks like Ryō Kurokiba is looking under the table for something T.B"

"Oh man, you know it's never good when a student is reaching under the table to grab something 'Prince.'"

"Is that...? What I think it is Tim?"

"Oh mah gawd! It's a duck! A duck! Not the duck!" Tim exaggerated.

"Well things in this arena just got turned up a notch as Ryō Kurokiba has just pulled out what appears to be an already prepped and glazed duck!" Terry said, stating the obvious.

"Remember, for all our viewers listening in here at the "Shokugeki Showdown" on Totsuki T.V, that tonight's first match is a contest to see how well our tag teams can prepare two separately distinct meals into one!" Tim reiterated.

"That Ryō Kurokiba is known as the 'Mad Dog' here at the academy; it'll be interesting to see what he plans to do with that scrumptious looking duck here tonight 'Tim.'"

"Forget about Ryō, I am looking forward to what Miss Megumi Tadokoro can bring to tonight's match! I tell you 'Prince' those cowgirls back in Oklahoma could get a run for their money compared to Megumi here!"

"Oh Tim, I think a whale could give Oklahoma girls a run for their money!"

"Looking at the other side of the ring, Hayami appears to be dragging out a large tank of some kind onto the stage 'Prince.'"

"Oh boy, these two are known as the 'twin devils' what's Hayami going to pull out of the tank Tim!?"

"It's live lobsters, 'Prince!' I believe I know what these two are preparing here tonight. The ol' classic surf and turf. Mitsuru has been tying up the beef tenderloin, and has started up the grill 'Prince.'"

"My oh my we are in for a real treat! Hayami appears to be perfectly extracting the lobster meat from the lobsters! Her technique is almost flawless, as the shells are completely empty Tim!"

Furiously Hayami and Mitsuru were working to prepare their dish. Mitsuru was marinating his tenderloin cuts, and Hayami was mixing together the lobster meat with various ingredients to create a dumpling of some kind. The two were working flawlessly, swapping sides and transferring cutlery effortlessly between them. It was like two demons slaving away at their master's call.

Megumi had just finished chopping up a multitude of ingredients, and Ryō was diligently cutting the duck breast into thirds while glazing it with several seasonings. From the outside, the two were working harmoniously. Each of them working effortlessly and displaying raw tenacity in their approach their dish. It was like watching yin and yang balance between the both of them. Ryō working with his dark aura and fiery passion blazing through the cooking process. Megumi was working with precision and intense focus, emitting a noble aura unphased by Ryō's aggression. Their connection working in harmony, started to amaze the audience.

"Now look at this 'Prince!' Ryō Kurokiba and Megumi Tadokoro are working together like identical twins! Their technique and aptitude for eachothers strengths and weaknesses is like a watching a well orchestrated duo!" Tim said.

"The name of the game is preparation Tim. These two students know who they are up against. Two members of the Elite Ten, if they want to have any success in tonight's match they better be in sync with each other that's for sure." Terry said.

"Looking on the other side of the ring, Mitsuru has just laid his tenderloin on the grill, and you can smell the aroma in the air! This overwhelming smell has certainly gotten the judges attention 'Prince.'"

"The judges! That Hayami can have my attention all she wants, Tim!"

"Now just whose side are you on 'Prince?'"

"It don't matter what side I'm on, the judges will make the final decision Tim."

"That is correct 'Prince' and we are just one hour away from tonight's premiere main event: Yukihira Sōma versus Tsozin Ikaharu in an undisputed match that could decide the fate of this entire academy!"

"I tell you Tim, this match is certainly riveting; but that showdown is something we've been looking forward to for a long time!"

"I couldn't agree more 'Prince,' Tsozin Ikaharu is no five on the Elite Council! Recapping to a few weeks ago, he completely dismantled Takumi Aldini! He has a reputation for being ruthless, and you'll get to see him in action later on tonight; only on pay per view!"

Hayami noticed that there was time between her next step to peer over at the other side of the kitchen. She looked over at Mitsuru, who gave a gentle nod.

"Hey you Polar Star losers, I'm surprised you haven't burned anything yet! You shoulda seen the looks on the judges faces when your friend Yūki burnt the bananas the first time!" Hayami shouted across the stage, hoping to illicit a response. It fell on deaf ears. Ryō and Megumi were working in harmony, and both of them had laser focus.

"Hehehe, it seems they are putting everything they have into this match. Poor Megumi, I can't imagine how you feel needing yet another partner to save you from expulsion!" Mitsuru mocked loudly, looking for a reaction. There was still nothing.

"Hey, isn't that Kojirō Shinomiya over there? The Elite Ten Alumnus who hates chefs that skidby on the coattails of others." Hayami mocked louder, hoping to get a response.

Megumi heard this, and had a quick flashback to her training camp debacle where she had a mental break down into tears. Megumi stepped out of sync, and turned around feeling ready to explode a response at her. Ryō, being in tune with Megumi placed his hand on her shoulder, and she quickly recovered, working back in sync with Ryō.

"Oh? You are not afraid to disappoint him again? That's probably because you have this mangy 'mad dog' carrying you. How pathetic is he, to be the lap dog of both Alice Nakiri and Megumi Tadokoro! Ahaha!" Mitsuru insulted, biting into Ryō's past.

Ryō's aura grew darker, and fury started to take over as he moved slightly out of sync with Megumi. He turned around and was prepared to rage out on Mitsuru, but Megumi placed her hand on his shoulder and he quickly got back into sync with her. Nothing could phase the two partners, as long as they were near each other. Each of them, the other's shield to their weaknesses. When Megumi's bravery and confidence was tested, Ryō would be her reassurance. When Ryō's anger and fury took hold, Megumi would be his calm and gentle spirit. The two lovers, became the "Harmonic Combo." Together they were impervious, together they were invincible.

Mitsuru and Hayami were shocked that their insults had failed them. Normally they would have an incredible edge over their competition by disturbing their focus. Against these two however, their words fell on deaf ears. Hayami's eyes burned with a rage, and Mitsuru glanced at her with disapproval and motioned back to their work station.

"Well this has been a fiery match 'Prince,' but it appears that Hayami and Mitsuru are finalizing their dish! What's your take on the strategy of going first?" Tim said.

"It's a bold move going first Tim, your dish has to be potent enough to dwindle your opponents dish before it's tasted. It has an advantage too. By making a very flavorful and impressive dish right off the bat, you could really sway the judge's opinion of the second dish."

"That's absolutely right 'Prince,' and right now we're going to listen in as the judges critique their dish, right here on pay per view "Shokugeki Showdown!"

Hayami and Mitsuru eagerly presented their dish to the three judges. Tsozin specifically requested Kojirō, because of his negative impression of Megumi. Seeing her in another battle to save expulsion, would most likely not have a good impact on her judgement from him. Aiko is also a very harsh food critic whom the Yakuza pay to blackmail restaurants for protection money. Any negative review she does on a restaraunt spells certain doom for it's success. Gin Dōjima was also asked to participate, because regardless of the circumstances he will always remain unbiased.

"Honorable judges we present to our Grilled Chateaubriand with Lobster Dumplings to create the Surf and Turf!"

The judges started to take their bites, and were immediately taken back by how impactful the first bite was.

"Amazing!" Aiko shouted.

"Incredible!" Kojirō exclaimed.

"Delicious!" Gin happily stated.

"What appears to be a simple dish, combines two high-class entreés into one easily edible main course! The beef tenderloin is absolutely tender and juicy with every bite, yet it's juices don't seep into the chowder coating the lobster." Aiko stated.

"Yes, first I marinated the beef and cut small slits into the cuts to absorb the juices. I then tied the meat together and pan seared them, to create a shell to hold the juices. After they were lightly seared, I put them over a grill to warm the insides and let the juices soak up into the tender meat!" Mitsuru explained.

"But the meat is completely soft all the way through! There is no rough exterior from the searing process! After you removed them from the grill, you must have precisely and meticulously cut the outsides off and managed to keep the juice within! Such mastery of precision!" Gin exclaimed.

"Oh? This lobster dumpling nearly melts in your mouth, morphing into the chowder it sits in, to coat the meat perfectly! It's like the chowder is a wave, and the beef tenderloin rides its way down your tongue!" Kojirō gasped!

"This combination of juicy, mouth watering tenderloin and lobster chowder create an ecstasy of flavor on your taste buds! It's incredible! Each bite, another wave of excellence!" Aiko oozed.

"This dish exemplifies both dishes masterfully, tasting both lobster and juicy filet mignon at the same time! However, there is also a pungent sweet acidic flavor that draws even more flavor from each bite!" Gin stated.

"Ginger spice and lemons! By rubbing lemons on the outside of the tenderloin, and mixing the ginger spice with lobster before adding it to the chowder, both get coated evenly and together when paired together. The bok choy in the dumplings absorbs the lemon juice that sweats off the meat, and it enhances the ginger for a sweet tangy zest to enhance the lobster chowder and steak!" Hayami said proudly.

"Incredible! Most lobster dishes, or tenderloins are served with wine to create a zesty flavor within the meat. Meats use red wines, while fish use white wine. Surf and Turf combines both fish and meat, so to enhance the zestiness you combined lemons with ginger for an amazing lasting impact!" Kojirō announced!

"Ugh! Every bite I take makes me feel as if I'm on the grasstop overlooking the beach, as I hear the loud waves crash upon the shore. Every wave, another moment of bliss. A moment I truly never want to end!" Aiko oozed.

"This dish makes me feel like I'm on an island paradise, accounting the shallow pools for fish and relaxing by evening in the sun. The warm, gentle texture reminding me of the powerful waves crashing around me; still they just graze my feet and leave me at peace." Gin awed.

"This dish, it's like walking through a forest until you find a beautiful waterfall cascading over rocks. I stand under the waterfall as it crashes over me, but still relaxes my soul. In this moment I want to last forever!" Kojirō stated, unnerved by the fact that a dish could make him feel this way.

"I have no Idea what they are talking about T.B, but it looks as if the judges were absolutely impressed by Hayami and Mitsuru's meal!" Terry said.

"I know they don't have beaches in Oklahoma, but it sounded good, 'Prince.'"

"These two just put up a very high standard, they are elites after all! Hopefully the two first years Megumi Tadokoro and Ryō Kurokiba can put up something equally impressive, or this match is a bust, Tim."

Megumi and Ryō approached the judges table with their large bowls in hand. They set the bowls in front of the judges, and removed the lids to blast all three of them with a powerful aroma.

"Parlor tricks 'half-wit?' Merely a trick for simpletons to have an aromatic dish. Fighting for your stay at Totsuki again eh? I guess it can't be helped." Kojirō said condescendingly.

"Honorable judges, we present to you our dish: Peking Duck Consomme!" Ryō shouted.

"Can Consomme really be considered an entreé? I hardly think this matches the task!" Aiko grumbled.

"Consomme is refined and purified stock for soups, but it is also served as a standalone in many restaurants due to the precision and enhanced taste it has over other types of artificial stock!" Kojirō defended.

"Please judges, taste for yourself!" Megumi said softly, confident that Kojirō defended her dish despite their past.

The judges took their spoons and cut into the duck like a knife, and ate their soup like a chowder. Instantaneously, all three judges smiled wide with giant goofy smiles as if they baked out of their minds.

"Oh mah gawd 'Prince!' Can you believe it!? It looks like the judges are absolutely mesmerized by the duo's dish!" Tim animated.

"I'm curious now as to what Megumi might have out in that soup, Tim! I hope it wasn't anything illegal!" Terry retorted.

"Are you accusing sweet Megumi of spiking her consomme with other chemicals, 'Prince?'"

"I'm sure you remember your college days at OSU Tim, that look is almost unnatural!" Terry joked.

"Incredi... No! Ama... No! Orgasmic!!!" Aioko exclaimed loudly.

"This dish is beyond mere food for the stomach, but soup for the soul!" Gin happily stated.

"The duck, incredibly packed with intense overwhelming flavor! My taste buds are overwhelmed by the initial punch it packs. At the same time, my shock is eased by the light texture that washes away such intensity; leaving a sweet warm feeling that eases my tongue!" Kojirō exclaimed.

"Every bite is like a freight train assaulted my mouth, only to be caressed by a gentle angel to leave me with a feeling of pure bliss!" Aioko stated.

"The duck is flavored is powerful spices, I can't even identify them all! Even more impressive, how did you get it to be so tender it could be cut with a mere spoon?" Gin asked.

"Pressure cooked duck, with lemon juice. Instead of using water, I used a diluted mix of lemon, oranges, and water to create the steam in the pressure cooker. The acidity of the oranges and lemons broke down all the fats, while the steam softened the insides essentially drying the insides." Ryō explained.

"I see. Then you must've soaked the duck in a spicy warm marinade and, then oven roasted it to make it practically dissolvable. Then you precisely cut the duck meat off the bones, and placed it within the consomme!" Kojirō added.

"But, how is the consomme not overwhelmed by the saucy glaze from the duck, and overpowering take from the duck in such a light broth?" Aioko queried, marveling at the skill.

"I used chicken liver soaked in grapefruit. As I mixed the spices delicately, I knew the sweetness of the ginger spice and residual flavors of the duck would seep into my consomme. Using chicken liver would release the chicken flavor into the consomme, along with the grapefruit to add a bitter taste. Then I carefully skimmed the top for any chunks, to create a clear chicken broth with a hint of grapefruit to accent the entire dish as a whole!" Megumi stated confidently.

"Wow! By using chicken liver you created a much higher chicken umami flavor in the broth, to counteract the duck. You also used the acidity of the grapefruit to ensure your stock wasn't to overwhelming, while captivating a sweet flavor!" Gin added.

"There is another mystery however. How does this broth taste so thick, so as to leave the taste of the duck, and chicken ensuring both are equally balanced?" Aioko asked.

"Dried plums!" Ryō stated proudly.

"Dried plums dipped into the consomme, would add a level of delicate sweet texture that'd be nearly invisible to detect if not for the duck. Many ducks are glazed in a plum sauce or juice to enhance it's dark meat flavor. In this dish, it would have overpowered the consomme, if placed in the duck. If it were not used in the consomme, every bite would have had only tasted like consomme!" Kojirō finished.

"Amazing! Simply mind blowing!" Aioko shouted with glee.

"This dish! It's like a perfect harmony. It's as if I am in a meadow, and suddenly blasted with cold harsh wind. Then a warm powerful ray of sunshine pierces my skin. Then, the breeze returns; only this time it is both warm, and cooling. A perfect harmony!" Gin stated.

"This Peking Soup! It's as if it's bath time, and I leap into a boiling hot spring. The initial warmth, shocks me and it's hot. Then, the cool air makes me shiver. But at just the right moment, my body melts into the bliss of the pool. Perfect!" Aioko stated.

"This soup, it's as if two forces are waging war in my soul. First the darkness strikes a powerful blow! Then the light cast back the shadow, revealing a neutral serene place at the very center. Both forces forever side by side, but absolutely perfect in the middle!" Kojirō stated.

"Oh this sure is a tough call 'Prince," both teams absolutely wowed the judges!" Tim stated.

"I can't think of another time, where two teams were evenly matched. How will the judges decide this one, Tim!?" Terry stated.

"I'm not entirely sure 'Prince,' but I know one things for sure! I am glad I'm not in the position of those students!" Tim stated.

The entire crowd was silent in anticipation. The judges were finalizing their decisions. There was no deliberation, only a look at one another from all three and nodded in agreement. The scoreboard lit up as the crowd roared with cheer.

"One! Two! Three! Three votes for Ryō Kurokiba and Megumi Tadokoro!!!" The announcer said loudly with excitement.

Hayami and Mitsuru looked absolutely appalled at the decision. Everything was supposed to happen differently in their minds. They were unanimously defeated by the two, and they could not comprehend why.

"There you have it folks, a Shokugeki in the history books! I cannot believe what these two pulled off here tonight!" Tim said enthusiastically.

"You're right Tim, both teams put up a strong fight; but the winner was very obvious to the judges. Megumi Tadokoro and Ryō Kurokiba gave it their all in a riveting match! Let's hear what the judges have to say about their decision!" Terry replied.

"The Peking Duck Soup was the clear winner in this Shokugeki. While the Surf and Turf was executed perfectly in both design and taste, the Peking Duck Soup stood out much more. Your Surf and Turf melded together in one meal, which was a very impressive feat. However, the Peking Duck Soup displayed both identities, while simultaneously coming together to create a perfect Harmonic Combo! Ryō, Megumi! The two of you have put forth a dish, only a master level chef could've created. Your dish exemplified the essence of duality! Congratulations young chef's!" Gin Dōjima stated proudly.

"Excellent work half-wit! It appears I misjudged your talents. You created your consomme in such a way as to not be overshadowed by the duck. You've earned my respect Megumi Tadokoro!" Kojirō said sympathetically.

"Well that wraps things up for this match 'Prince' but without missing a step, the ring is being set up for our polarizing main event here on "Shokugeki Showdown" brought to you live by Totsuki T.V!" Tim announced.

"Oh boy, I've been anticipating this match up ever since I heard it. Two popular figured in Totsuki are going head to head, in an all out cook off, and I'm sure the crowd cannot wait to see this match started.

The Polar Star gang excitedly welcomed Ryō and Megumi at the exit of the hall that lead to the arena. They congratulated them on an amazing performance, and breathed a sigh of relief that Polar Star was once again safe. Ryō looked over at Megumi and placed his hand on her shoulder. Megumi felt his hand, and turned towards him for a soft hug. Together, embracing each other, they felt invincible.

Yukihira was tightening his sash around his wrist, while Nikumi sat there silently. She knew he was preparing to focus intently, but also wanted to be ready if he had anything to say. Yukihira stood up and made his way towards the arena, with Nikumi following closely behind him. On his way to the arena, he saw Ryō and Megumi hugging and it gave him more resolve. He knew that he had to make a dish that would win Nikumi's heart; he wanted that image to be him and Nikumi, and he'd give everything to see it happen.

Nikumi and Yukihira walked up to the gang, and there were no words that needed to be said. If Megumi and Ryō could beat the odds, so could he. They both nodded and walked towards the stage. As they arrived, the crowd was in a frenzy over Nikumi's attire. She was wearing her customary leather choker, and purple bikini. She was wearing her iconic blue jean shorts that were unbuttoned at the top to reveal the front of her purple bikini bottoms. To top it off, she had her brown leather knee high boots. She was absolutely sultry, and she almost felt guilty that she might distract Yukihira. He said it was fine, and that she looked great. She completely forgot about everything for a while after that.

Yukihira turned his head towards Nikumi and felt that empowering warmth within.

"Nikumi, I have one more favor to ask." Yukihira said softly.

"Of course, Yukihira! Anything." Nikumi said passionately.

"Don't lose faith in me. I lose more than my right to cook, if lose today. Don't lose faith in me." Yukihira said with a soft smile that melted Nikumi's heart.

"Yukihira! I should've said this a long time ago, but I... I..." Nikumi started to say passionately, fearing she might not get another chance.

"Not yet." Yukihira said softly, as he pressed his finger to her lips.

In Yukihira's mind, he was going to earn her love. If she was going to be his, she would have to see his all. This would be his new goal life. No matter what the reason, the no matter what the stakes, any chance Yukihira had to cook; It would be a dish that was nothing less than what he'd give to Nikumi. She deserved everything from him, and he would strive for perfection to give her everything.

Nikumi paused for a moment as she gazed in his eyes, to see a burning passion. She smiled softly and nodded her head in acknowledgement. She stepped over to corner side of the ring, and began to feel anxious for Yukihira. Yukihira absorbed the world around him, behind him was Erina Nakiri in her private box with Senzaemon Nakiri watching with her. Surprisingly, the entire Polar Star gang and friends were in the front on his side of the kitchen, eagerly awaiting to see the match begin. Yukihira absorbed it all, looked over at Nikumi one more time and bowed his head with a confident smile. He ripped off his sash, and proceeded to do his customary tie-in around his head; and the crowd went wild.

"Yu... Ki...Hi...Ra!" They chanted loudly.

After seeing Megumi and Ryō best Hayami and Mitsuru, they had a spark of hope that Yukihira would win too. This match wasn't just for Yukihira's sake, but for the school's sake. He confidently finished tying his sash, and stood in his upright pose ready for battle.

Jōichirō was finishing up dish clean up at a fancy restaurant in New York City, when he saw the other sous chefs chanting Yukihira's name in front of a T.V. Puzzled by the chant, he walked over to see Yukihira's battle with Tsozin almost ready to begin. Jōichirō watched with a grin on his face, as he saw a close up of his son standing confidently. He was grinning because he saw an attractive female in his corner as well, with a look he knew all too well.

"Show me what you've got Sōma!" Jōichirō smiled to himself proudly.

"Yukihira Sōma! Are you amazed at the spectacle that lies before you? Here, and all around the world, the culinary world will see a new change of colors!" Tsozin shouted over to Yukihira.

"Yeah, it's pretty impressive. I've never seen such energy in a crows before." Yukihira said nonchalantly.

"Eh? You have confidence do you? You're friends beat Hayami and Mitsuru, so you have confidence huh? You think my plans are foiled because of their victory? Oh quite the contrary, regardless of the results I still win. In Fact, this isn't such a bad outcome. The entire school's hopes riding on your coattails, so when I defeat you here and now, their spirit will crumble!" Tsozin dismissed.

"Yeah. It should be a good match! Don't hold back Tsozin. I don't want any excuses after I defeat you." Yukihira said confidently.

Tsozin didn't reply. He was actually shocked at Yukihira's confidence. He rationalized to himself that false confidence was better than no confidence.

"Ladies and Gentleman, distinguished visitors and honorable chefs! Tonight we bring you the premiere event of Totsuki academy! This shokugeki is scheduled for victory by majority vote. Elite Ten no. 5 Tsozin Ikaharu versus First Year student Sōma Yukihira! The contest will decided over a single dish that is not native to Japan and utilizes no less than ten ingredients in it's entirety." The announcer said loudly.

"Totsuki Academy would like to extend a personal honor to our guest judges for tonight's cook off. Our first judge, former Iron Chef from Japan Masaharu Morimoto! Our second judge, master of indian cuisine and author of the world's most expensive cookbook Vikas Khanna! Our third judge, reported to be the most valuable chef in the world and currently holds the record for most michelin stars awarded to a restaurateur, please give a massive welcome to our British celebrity judge Gordon Ramsay!" The announcer said loudly.

The crowd went absolutely wild. The stadium was in a frenzy, to have such massively well known chef's judge a contest at Totsuki was overwhelming. The cheering was so loud the announcer couldn't even finish her opening, drawing extreme ire from her.

"Listen to that packed crowd here tonight on "Shokugeki Showdown!" I'm your host Tim Boss along with my partner Terry "The Prince" Brawler. We are coming to you live from Japan, where the main event for the night has just opened up and you can already hear the excitement for this match up." Tim announced.

"No kidding Tim, they're already starting to chant!" Terry replied.

"Ram-say!" The crowd started to chant (like the Rocky chant).

"Oh fuck off you stupid wankers. Hello announcer! Hey announcer, can we get a move on please? I don't have all day." Ramsay shouted at the announcer, already irritated.

"Ladies and Gentleman this Shokugeki is brought to you today by Shamwow! Tired of rags that constantly get torn, or moldy from overuse? Now the new shamwow will actively absorbs any liquid spills you may have, and squeezing it out will allow you to continually wipe up new messes. Forget paper towels, use Shamwow! Without further ado, let's get tonight's premiere Main Event! Students are you ready?...Shokugeki!" The announcer said loudly.

"Boy what a match we have tonight on 'Shokugeki Showdown,' a main event matchup between two polarizing students here at Totsuki Academy. Sōma Yukihira, a first year diner chef, who made waves during the autumn elections, is going up against Elite Ten member no. five Tsozin Ikaharu in a match that will determine the fate of the 'Demon Food King!'" Tim exclaimed.

"I don't like this Tsozin guy Tim, something about him seems off." Terry said.

"Don't say that outloud 'Prince.' Tsozin is known to have friends in 'high' places if you know what I mean."

"Yeah no kidding Tim, but it doesn't matter now because both these young chefs are off to the races!"

"It appears that both students are wasting no time in today's matchup as they are furiously chopping away at various ingredients, 'Prince.'"

"Tonight's main event consists of a challenge to create a meal that uses no less than ten ingredients in the final result of the dish! These competitors sure have their work cut out for them, as they go back and forth dazzling the audience with their skill and technique."

"The crowd is starting to chant again, at our guest judge 'Prince!'"

"Ram-Say." The crowd started in loud uproar.

"Oh fuck off! Watch the damn match you dogs." Chef Ramsay said insultingly. Nobody seemed to be phased by his comments. Not even Masaharu, who was still impressed that Ramsay would be at an event like this.

Both Yukihira and Tsozin were deeply focused on their dishes. Neither of them paying attention to the loud adoration of the arena around them. Every now and then, Yukihira would look up at Nikumi and feel a fire burn in his soul. Being reminded of her, laser pointed his focus to near inhuman levels. The crowd was in awe, as it seemed for a brief moment Yukihira's eyes were pure white and his body was emanating a dark, twisted aura. Yukihira's demand for perfection were exceeding his capacity to process his actions, and instead was moving as if some demonic force was compelling him to act.

"It appears Yukihira has started to find the hidden potential that lay dormant within him, hehehe." Senzaemon Nakiri said outloud.

Erina looked over at her Grandfather who had an approving look on his face. Erina was worried he may have been wrong in placing his trust in Yukihira, but even she could not deny the nearly supernatural movement of Yukihira.

Jōichirō was focused intensely on Yukihira's movements as much as the camera's would allow him to see. Apart of him, wishes he was there to support his son; and more importantly witness first hand this newfound power Yukihira seemed to possess.

"Hehehe. It appears I'll need to get back into shape Sōma, I can't lose to you yet." Jōichirō said to himself, secretly hinting to himself of his pride for his son.

"I sure have seen some weird things in my time 'Prince' but that boy looks almost unnatural out there!" Tim said.

"I've seen some unnatural things happen when you drink your moonshine Tim!" Terry answered, laughing.

"Very funny 'Prince.' Let's get back to the action here at Totsuki, where two students are facing off in a battle that is absolutely incredible to watch. These two have been trading reactions from the audience, as neither appears to be letting up an inch!"

"The pure intensity of their battle, it's like two warriors slugging it out after ten rounds, Tim!"

"This high capacity crowd is starting to get fired up now, as the aroma from Yukihira's dish has just coated the inside of this arena in an awesome smell!"

"That's not the only thing that's getting people fired up from Yukihira's corner! That diva chef had me pumped up from the beginning Tim!"

"There are Oklahoma cowgirls that could probably get tossed aside in a one on one matchup with her 'Prince!'"

"It appears these chefs are nearing completion of their dishes. Tsozin Ikaharu and Sōma Yukihira, are ready to reveal their dishes to the judges."

"The moment we've all been waiting for tonight folks. Let's see how the judges react to this awesome spectacle of a match we've seen here tonight on "Shokugeki Showdown!" Terry said.

Tsozin stepped forward confidently, ready to reveal his dish. Everything was going according to plan. He invited three world renowned chef's so that he could insult Senzaemon directly when they declare him the winner. Losing in such a fashion would truly ruin the Nakiri name, and allow the Ikaharu name to catapult to the top of the culinary world. These judges were not paid off, but for extra assurance he invited two judges who knew eastern cuisine very well. He also was able to acquire Gordon Ramsay because getting dismissed by the world renowned chef would ensure Yukihira would never be able to pursue cooking again.

Tsozin stepped forward and presented his dish to the judges. All three eagerly began to eat.

"Impeccable!" Chef Khanna exclaimed.

"That's delicious." Chef Ramsay said, devouring more

"Truly a masterpiece!" Iron Chef Masaharu exclaimed.

"I present to you: Tofu Pad Thai!" Tsozin exclaimed proudly

"The layers of this dish excel perfectly with your choice of main ingredient. No meat could absorb every single flavor like the soy tofu mix. I've studied and mastered every indian cuisine I could learn of, and this is truly remarkable young man. I can't get enough of this." Chef Khanna stated proudly.

"The noodles envelop every ingredient, shallots, chili pepper, tamarind, banana flower, bean sprouts, turnip, garlic, egg! Every ingredient is defined clearly, yet the tofu and soy combo mix it all together to leave your palate with a buffet of flavor!" Chef Masaharu explained.

"This is absolutely incredible young man, but there is another layer to this dish isn't there? These noodles aren't regular Thai noodles are they?" Chef Ramsay said, taking another generous bite.

"Keen observation Chef Ramsay. These Thai noodles were made using a combination of corn flour and barley. I then soaked them in hot water with okra and kelp; allowing the noodles to transform each ingredient into a new variation of each!" Tsozin boasted.

"They don't call this guy 'The Charmer' for nothing. He has these chef's practically eating out of the palm of his hand!" Tim remarked.

"These judges seem to be bedazzled by his choice of dish for this match. It appears to have a significant effect on the crowd as well!" Terry said.

"This dish, is so clean and fascinating I feel like i'm in the heart of Bangkok. Everything in the city keeps moving vibrantly, but I can clearly see everything perfectly. Truly masterful dish young man, your ability to create a dish that showcases each ingredient individually and collectively as one is remarkable." Chef Ramsay complimented.

"I've seen chefs spend a lifetime trying to create a pad thai worthy of renown, and here you lay before me a masterpiece. It's as if I am one with jungles of Thailand, embracing every jewel and marvel it has to behold! Excellent dish Mr. Ikaharu, I think i'll have to include your recipe in my book!" Chef Khanna declared.

"It is said eastern cuisine is full of exotic wonders, and this dish is representative of that! I feel as if this dish speaks with me, giving me subtle hints to the mysteries of the great East, and yet I feel as though I can see them all simultaneously. I bow to your skill young man!" Iron Chef Masaharu stated as he stood up and bowed.

The crowd gasped suddenly. To receive such high praise from three world renowned chef's gave everyone a sense of fear. Tsozin just charmed three of the greatest chef's of all time, and now it looked like Yukihira would be overshadowed by it.

"You really went all out Tsozin? Impressive! But stand back and feast your eyes on my dish!" Yukihira boldly stated.

The crowd removed their shocked expressions, and drew themselves into Yukihira's presentation. As he lifted the tops, a warm beefy aroma spread throughout the judge's nostrils. All three judges quickly cut into their dish, and an even greater aroma coated their senses. As they took their first bite, each of them snapped their heads straight up and down with a look of severe amazement. Suddenly, Chef Ramsay's jacket flew off at lightning speed revealing his white undershirt which revealed his toned muscles underneath.

Everyone who was watching in that moment literally felt their jaw hit the floor. Nobody could quite process what they had just witnessed, the Chef Gordon Ramsay's white jacket was cast off instantly.

"Oh mah gawd! Oh mah gawd! Oh mah gawd! Did you see that 'Prince!?' Did you see that!? Chef Ramsay's jacket just snapped off ladies and gentleman! Stop the dayum match! This one is over!" Tim shouted frantically.

"Never in all my years have I seen a move performed like that! The entire arena is blown away by what we have just witnessed. I don't believe it!" Terry said.

"Do I look that ridiculous when it happens to me?" Senzaemon wondered to himself.

"AMAZING!!!!!" Iron Chef Masaharu shouted as he jumped superfluously.

"PERFECTION!!!!" Chef Khanna shouted, as he began to take another bite.

"FUCKING HELL!!!!" Chef Ramsay shouted in excitement.

The chef's continued to eat silently for a minute as everyone was still reeling from the once-in-a-lifetime moment they had just seen.

"This, is by far the best Boeuf Bourguignon I've ever tasted. The warm rich texture that coats the beef titillated my taste buds. The sauteéd mushrooms and braised onions create a powerful contrast of acidity and baseness. This beef is so tender, yet delightfully chewy that I wish it were gum." Chef Ramsay remarked.

"Every ingredient, every thing about this dish is meticulous in its design! There is nothing to be hidden in this dish, everything works in unison to create a lasting flavor I'll never want to forget. I would like to eat more, but I hesitate because I don't want to reach the last bite. But it's so good, I cannot resist!" Iron Chef Masaharu explained.

"Ah but there is a hidden mystery within this dish, isn't there Mr. Yukihira Sōma?" Chef Khanna announced.

"Sassafras!" Yukihira said proudly.

"Of course! Sassafras is what makes this dish unlike any other. The dense sugary flavor of the Sassafras root gives this dish a balance the caramelized the dish perfectly to leave a lasting flavor. This dish not only delivers a mouth watering taste, but leaves a lasting impressing well after you've consumed your bite." Chef Ramsay explained.

"Mr. Yukihira Sōma, this dish speaks volumes about your personality! I can taste every single seasoning, ingredient was placed scrupulously as if it had a specific purpose! Everything about this dish is flawless, I feel a nostalgic hearty feeling with every ounce of flavor that I taste!" Chef Khanna oozed.

"I'm pretty sure we know who the winner of this match it. That Yukihira Sōma absolutely dispelled the judges from the Pad Thai meal they had earlier!" Tim announced.

"This dish, it makes me feel at home by the hearth. I'm reminded of my family and all my troubles are non existent. However, I cannot take my thoughts off my wife. Eating this dish reminds me of my family, and her." Chef Ramsay stated.

"I too feel the warm embrace of my own love. We are sitting by a campfire underneath the starry sky, lost in the moment as if everything else doesn't exist!" Iron Chef Masaharu said longingly.

"I feel like i'm in a log cabin, roasting beef on a skewer with my wife as we lay cozily under a blanket, embracing each other's presence. Nothing else matters, nothing else could take away from this moment." Chef Khanna stated.

"Well Tim, it appears Yukihira just gave the judges a blast of nostalgia! That charm Tsozin had is nowhere to be seen!" Terry said.

"Right you are 'Prince' and I believe by the looks of it, the judges have already decided the winner.

The whole world was watching this moment. Everyone was on the edge of their seats. Nikumi looked up at the scoreboard, hoping Yukihira would be victorious. The crowd started to count along as the votes entered on the scoreboard.

"One...Two...Three!!!!!" They counted in unison.

"And your winner of the Shokugeki! Sōma Yukihira!!!!" The announcer shouted proudly.

The arena was in an uproar as they applauded and cheered loudly. Everyone was on their feet going wild at the announcement. All across the world, for those that were.watching, were celebrating as well. This match was truly incredible, and seeing Yukihira Sōma wow three world renowned chef's truly was a historic moment.

Jōichirō looked down and closed his eyes. He felt an extreme amount of pride in his son.

"Your mother would be proud Sōma. For your sake, i'll be proud for the both of us. Don't ever lose Sōma, until we compete again." Jōichirō thought to himself as he slung his suitcase over his shoulder and behind his back; he was off to find himself again hoping to come back and face his son in another faceoff, his only goal: to reach five-hundred wins.

"We have just witnessed history here tonight folks. Sōma Yukihira, a first year diner chef, has just defeated an Elite Ten member no.5 Tsozin Ikaharu." Tim said.

"What a main event! 'Shokugeki Showdown' concluded with victory going towards the underdog! You can't write a better story than that Tim!" Terry said.

Yukihira removed his sash, and exclaimed proudly: "Glad you liked it!"

"You two did an outstanding job, and created something very few chefs could do. Both of you completed the task, but one of you excelled over the other clearly. The difference between the two were: One was trying to prove a point, while the other was trying to make a statement. Tsozin, your dish displayed an excellence in craft and preparation. You proved you have remarkable talents, and succeeded in something very few chefs can accomplish. Sōma, you blew me away with the depth of your dish and I could tell you had someone in mind when creating it. This dish wasn't made just for us, it was made for someone else whom you gave everything you had into making for them. Well done lad, if you ever want to intern over the summer at one of my restaurants I would gladly take some time to personally show you some methods and techniques. Well done." Chef Ramsay said, as he bowed and headed for his exit.

"Did I just hear that right? Did Chef Gordon Ramsay just offer Yukihira Sōma a job?" Tim exclaimed.

"I believe we did. That's an incredible student right there, and what an opportunity for the young chef!" Terry remarked.

Tsozin was absolutely speechless, all his work. All his planning was for not. To make things worse, Erina Nakiri approached him with members from the Ministry of Education.

"Tsozin Ikaharu, you are hereby placed under immediate academic suspension pending an inquiry by the ministry of education!" The representative spoke.

"You can kiss your dreams goodbye Tsozin, because your father has just been removed from the Shokugeki Administration Bureau!" Erina mocked.

"What!? They can't remove him!" Tsozin shouted angrily.

"Oh they didn't. The Ministry of Education did. You see, the Shokugeki Administration Bureau is involved with academic oversight of Totsuki Academy. That places the Bureau under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education; and you've got a lot of inquiries pending your father's involvement in all this. Sorry not sorry." Erina gloated.

"Wow Erina! You really do have connections!" Yukihira stated.

"I told you there were other ways." Erina replied.

"So I guess this was all kinda pointless and blown out of proportion huh?" Yukihira smiled as he scratched his head.

Erina smiled softly and shook her head.

"No. Not at all." Erina answered.

The Polar Star Gang, and friends, all bum rushed Yukihira at once, overloading him with praise and admiration.

"Uh.. thanks guys; but let's celebrate at the dorm. I got to take care of a few things first." Yukihira said sternly as he pushed his way through the crowd.

Yukihira went over to his station to grab the last hot plate on the counter. This was the big moment he thought to himself. This entire dish was made with everything he could muster. He wowed world renowned chefs and audiences around the globe, but still trembled at the fear that it wasn't good enough for the one he loved.

He walked nervously down the hall, not seeing Nikumi anywhere. He figured that she must be waiting back in the waiting room. He arrived at the door, and another pulse of fear coursed through his body. He paused for a brief moment, and tried to collect himself. After a long sigh, he opened the door and entered.

As he opened the door and walked in, he saw an angel waiting for him. She was remarkable with beauty. Her golden blonde hair, her tan skin. She had clear lip gloss on, that entranced his eyes. Her emerald eyes, were underlined by black eye liner that pierced his soul with desire. Her leather collar teased the idea of a naughty side. Her purple bikini held her breasts just perfectly, to show off their bold and robustness. Her abs were chiseled and defined, a testament to her fitness and strength. Her blue jean shorts, unbuttoned at the top to reveal her purple bikini bottoms caused Yukihira to sweat feverishly as they seduced him. Her long soft legs, defined and slender. Her brown leather knee high boots rounded off her appearance and drove Yukihira's heart into a frenzy.

This was the woman that captured his heart. The mere thought of her, warmed his soul. That feeling she gave him, flushed his body with warmth and power he couldn't feel otherwise. It was because of her he could win today. It was because of her he felt he could never lose. This was the woman who would always have the best he could give. Yukihira would never stop pursuing perfection, always learning and motivating himself to do better, for her sake; because she was worth everything. Yukihira was in love and this dish would prove it.

Nikumi blushed hard as her tan skin couldn't hide the redness of her cheeks. She knew Yukihira was staring at her, and she couldn't be happier.

"Nikumi! I made this for you." Yukihira stated nervously, trying not to draw out the moment any longer.

Nikumi took the hot plate and uncovered the lid. The instant aroma soothed her nervous soul. She was racing with emotions, but the aroma of the dish quelled her thoughts. She sat on the bench and took her fork to eat a small bite. She pressed the fork gently into the meat, impressed Yukihira made the meat on par with her own skill. She took another jab at a mushroom and onion, and coated them in the stew mixture. She raised the fork to her mouth, and Yukihira was trembling in anticipation.

She opened her mouth, and let the food enter. She took her first chew and a rush of flavor coated her tongue. Every single ingredient danced on her buds. She suddenly had a flashback of every memory she ever had of Yukihira. With each chew, the memories became more vivid and intimate. The textures, the unity, everything was perfect. She could only feel Yukihira now. Every fiber of her soul was dispelled from any negative thought, and only warmth resounded in her body. This was the greatest food she had ever had, and a wave of bliss grasped her body and she let out a yelp of ecstasy.

"Well? Do you like it?" Yukihira asked nervously; seeing her take her time to process each bite.

Nikumi looked back into Yukihira's eyes, and her body surged with adrenaline. Her heart was racing, her urges were irresistible. Inside her soul was screaming in unison. Without restraint she lunged towards him quickly and grasped onto his uniform and pulled him closely.

"Sōma Yukihira, I love your cooking." She said softly, staring into his eyes as her heart was pounding furiously.

This small moment, they realized their hearts were in sync. Nikumi leaned her face closer to Yukihira's, so they were practically touching noses.

"Sōma, I love you." Nikumi said passionately.

Nikumi then rushed in for a kiss. As their lips met, their bodies quivered in harmony. It was like a massive firework show had hit the grand finale and emotions of happiness, love, passion, connection, all firing off at once. Locked together in their kiss, time stood still and not a single thing mattered anymore. She loved him, and he loved her. Without any thought, Yukihira placed a hand on her face to cup it gently while he placed it on the small of her back. Nikumi let her arms sag around Yukihira's neck as they continued to let the moment pass as long as they needed to.

In this moment, Yukihira felt whole. There was nothing he couldn't do with this powerful feeling inside of him. All this time, the only secret technique he was lacking was this: Love.

Yukihira and Nikumi joined in hands together as they exited the arena. Most the people left because it was a very long kiss (and nothing more). As they exited the building, a large full moon lit up the land before them. Every star was placed perfectly. Together, as they walked hand in hand, revelling in their new found love; they decided to take the long way back to Polar Star.

And there it is. The entire reason I had to write 12 chapters; for a simple blurb about Sōma and Nikumi falling in love. In all honesty this story was developed backwards as I worked from the ending and moved up to the beginning. Ahhh, I am sad because it is finally done. My vision has finally been realized. But! This chapter was by far the most satisfaction I have ever had writing. The creativity, the humor, the meta commentary! I imagined what Food Wars! would be like if Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross commentated. I couldn't stop laughing. I actually found it easier to write about the shokugeki from a narrative standpoint. It prevents me from drooling on with detail, because you're reading FanFiction. You have to have an imagination! Everything doesn't have to.be spelled out.I really hope you enjoyed my presentation of Food Wars! The Secret Technique. I know I knock on clichés, but the power of love really does work like magic. This entire journey was so I could write Nikumi and Sōma's first kiss scene. I have other projects going on now, and if you enjoyed this; I'm sure you'll find something else to like in my arsenal. Check out my other work Food Wars! The Golden Era. That'll be my playground where I experiment with writing styles and mix things up.As far as I know, I'm currently trying to inspire myself to write a sequel to this series, and continue the journey. I just have to come up with another storyline. No prequels though, the show got it right for most part. Anyways, check for part 2 in the near future. From the bottom of my heart, I am sincerely grateful for your readership! Leave your final commentary on the story, I'd really like honest feedback. This is J.B Royals writing: "Glad you liked it."