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Hello.
I will admit, I did not expect this to get win the poll to be written. Not sure why it happened, but it did. Heck, if it didn’t get any votes, I probably would have put it on the shelf. It's been so long since I first got this idea, and some of my thoughts have changed. Though in a way it’s for the better because I now have a bit of a stronger image for where I want to take this story. Though I can promise you this, it will be just a One-Shot.
Also, I hope you don’t mind me naming the owner of Nekoya Kaga inspired by Iron Chef. I did it for my DxD crossover, so I figured why not just use the same name.
I do not own Food Wars/Shokugeki no Soma or Isekai Shokudou.
“Talking”
‘Thinking’
[Telepathic Communication]
Tootsuki Serves Another World
It was finally over. Azami's goal of standardizing cooking in all of Tootsuki and eventually the world had been thwarted. It was a gamble, but one that paid off nonetheless. Now all the students of Tootsuki could pursue the culinary arts as they truly desired. With this, the rest of the school year came to a peaceful end, if somewhat chaotic due to restructuring/cleaning up the mess left by Azazmi. Yet, that did not mean it was an end to their unique experiences.
Dojima, who had been a great ally in opposing Azami, came to them with a request, though it was more like he was cashing in for the help he provided. It was a simple enough request really. Aid a certain restaurant for a week or two during the vacation period. Only 3 students would be able to help as it was a small place even with some renovation and expansion being done. Yet there was something Dojima was not sharing but promised it would be worth it.
In the end, Soma Yukihara, Erina Nakiri, and Megumi Tadoroko accepted the task, and joined a memorable yet unbelievable experience. Not that they would have expected it at the beginning.
Western Restaurant Nekoya was by no means a bad restaurant. In fact, it was rather successful. Good location, regular clientele, and a wide variety of dishes to serve different palates. It just wasn’t the kind of place Erina was used to associating with restaurants. At least, that’s what she would have thought before everything that happened with her father. Heck, she could see her old self arguing about the “hypocrisy” of the menu. Having eastern dishes despite being a “western” restaurant would have offended her sensibilities, regardless of the late founder’s belief that good food was all that mattered. The comment that “Western” means everything West of Japan itself would have made her insult the man and his grandson, the current owner and head chef.
Now, however, she saw wisdom in this flexible way of thinking. As such, she was able to work well under Chef Kaga. Still, she could not deny (mentally at least for she would never say it out loud) that Soma and Megumi had a much easier time getting used to things. Their own experience made things very handy, though Kaga did have to bonk Soma on the head when he started talking about experimenting, which actually earned Erina some respect.
With that, the first 5 days at Nekoya passed by before they knew it. Compared to the intense pressure when dealing with Azami, this was rather relaxing. In a way it was perfect for the break from school. Though Erina could not help but wonder why Dojima was invested in this restaurant. It was a good place, but compared to the Tootsuki resort, it was a bit of a downgrade. These were the questions running through Erina’s head Friday night as business started to slow down. Coincidentally, the man himself showed up not only for a meal, but to talk to both the students and owner Kaga. As a result, all four of them closed up the restaurant for the night. Once everything was locked up for the night, the three students sat at the counter seats while Dojima and Kaga sat at one of the tables.
“Glad you could spare the time to join us.” Kaga said, taking off his chef’s hat as he started to relax. “I know just how busy a big shot like you can be.”
“Now now.” Dojima chuckled as he sipped a cup of tea. “It’s the least I could do. I still remember my days working here as part of my Stagiaire course. I'd even say working here was that most influential one.”
“That explains a few things.” Souma said out loud, getting admonishing looks from the girls for interrupting the two adults. Though the men themselves seemed to not notice.
“I certainly remember that time. Really surprised me when gramps invited you to work our Saturday shift.” Kaga chuckled.
This got the students to look at each other in confusion. From what they were told, the restaurant was closed on Saturday. But now they were hearing something about a special shift?
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk about.” Dojima said, setting down his cup. “Do you think these kids could handle that service?” His question made Kaga scratch his beard in thought.
“Hey! Think we can’t handle an extra day of work!” Souma loudly interjected.
“Souma! Don't be like that!” Megumi nervously cried out in panic.
“Have the decency to just listen.” Erina joined in, directly scolding him.
“They’ve certainly got youth going for them.” Kaga chuckled, looking towards the arguing teenagers.
“Perhaps a bit too much.” Dojima added with his own soft chuckle. “Though I expect they’ll be quite different if they take part in tomorrow's shift.” His words made Kaga think more.
“Am I right in assuming they’re part of your strategy to get me to agree to the expanding renovations?” He asked after a moment.
“Perhaps.” Dojima answered, the confident grin still on his face. “But I do truly believe this would benefit both the students and your special customers, not to mention Nekoya as a whole.”
“Wellllll.” Chef Kaga dragged out. “I suppose if anyone could give your idea a test run, it would be these three.” He said pointing to the three who were still arguing, though it was more Erina and Souma bickering while Megumi tried to calm them down.
“Wait what?” Souma said as they realized they were mentioned again. Dojima merely gave a half chuckle.
“Just come in tomorrow for a full day shit.” He said, finishing up his drink. “And get ready for an interesting day.” He finished, then made his way to the exit. “I’ll make sure to stop by after closing.”
“Oh, thank you for stopping by.” Megumi spoke up properly seeing him off. As the bell on the door rang, the three students looked back to Chef Kaga.
“Well, you heard him.” He said, standing up. “Get here for opening hours. It’ll be just the four of us in the kitchen all day. Although,” he chuckled, “with the four of us, maybe we can take a few more breaks.” He joked.
“Is that really the attitude you should be having for what sounds like a special job.” Erina admonished.
“Sounds like I could take care of this job all by myself.” Soma grinned, getting looks of reproach from his peers.
“Only if you can stay focused.” Kaga replied in a jovial tone as he walked away, heading towards the back where the students knew was the staircase to above floors where he actually lived.
“Well,” Erina spoke up after Kaga left. “Let’s rest up like they said.”
_______________________________________________________________________
The next day, the three students entered Nekoya through the back door to see Kaga already making preparations for a day of work. Having already worked there for a full week, instructions weren’t needed on what to do next and they immediately got to work. With all 4 of them, it didn’t take long for everything to be ready. Just as they gave the kitchen a check through, they heard the ringing of the door’s bell as someone entered. Curious and confused, the students looked out over the countertop to see who it was.
To their surprise, it was a young-looking girl wearing strange clothes. The best way to describe it would be something you might see for peasants of medieval times. She was even wearing a large cap over her blonde hair.
“Good morning, Master.” She greeted Chef Kaga with a smile on her face as he was in the dining area getting the tables ready.
“Morning to you too.” He replied. “Hope you’re ready for a unique day.”
“Unique?” She asked. That was when she turned towards the kitchen and say the three Tootsuki students looking at her. “Oh, my goodness!” She cried out in surprise, practically jumping back as she put her hands to her hat and pulled it down instinctively, as if to make sure it was on securely.
“Umm, hello.” Megumi greeted nervously.
“H-hello.” the blonde stranger replied just as if not even more nervously.
“So, are you some sort of special staff for the day?” Souma asked. “And what’s with those clothes.” His words made the blonde stranger look down in embarrassment and got him another smack on the head from Kaga. “Hey!”
“How about leaving the introductions to me.” Kaga retorted. “You’re not a people person anyway.”
“Hey, I get along great with people!” Souma protested.
“Only after annoying them.” Erina countered.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” The red head shot back. As the two glared at each other, Megumi started to panic. Kaga was about to step in again, but the bell for the door rang again and...
[Good morning.] They all heard, though not normally. Like their brains heard the words, but their ears didn’t.
“What was that!” Megumi cried out, practically jumping back in fear, not realizing that the mysterious phenomenon caused Erina and Souma to stop fighting.
“Talk about good timing Kuro.” Chef Kaga chuckled. The students turned towards the door to see girl who looked to be the same age as the blonde with long straight black hair, pale skin and wearing a black version of the restaurant’s uniform. However, what caught the attention of the students the most was that her ears were pointed like elf ears.
“Those ears...they can’t be real...can they?” Soma asked.
“They can’t be...I mean...it’s probably Cosplay...right?’ she said trying not to freak out. Meanwhile Chef Kaga let out a sigh as he knew this would require a long explanation. He just didn’t know if these kids could handle the “Secret” of Western Restaurant Nekoya. Then again, this was part of Dojima’s plan in the first place, and he handled it pretty well back when he was their age.
[Master? Who are these people] Kuro asked. This time the culinary students saw that her mouth didn’t even move when she spoke!
“S-she talked with her mouth closed!” yelled a stunned and shaken Megumi.
“Aletta, go get washed up and get ready. Breakfast is almost done. Kuro, go ahead and do your usual prep work.” The head chef of Nekoya instructed.
“Oh! Uh, yes Master!” The blonde girl, now identified as Aletta, said as she went to shower that Kaga allowed her to use.
[Understood.] The mental voice from before replied as the girl in black walked off and started setting the tables.
“Now as for you three.” Kaga chuckled, turning to the students whose brains were still trying to figure things out. “Time for a short explanation.”
=====================================================================[TIME SKIP]
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We cut to back where the six were having their Breakfast Aletta had taken off her cap revealing her demonic Ram horns and was eating her food rather nervously thanks to their three new members. All of whom weren’t eating and had a shell-shocked expression on their faces. And who can blame them? The master just dropped the mother of all bombs on them, revealing that the restaurant was connected to a whole other world. One of fantasy and magic! Hell, they can now see one of the employees was part DEMON! The chef saw them and decided to try and snap them out of it.
“You three should eat, you need your strength for the day’ he said as he continued to dig in.
“Forgive us, but the recent ‘News’ has made it a little hard to swallow,” said Erina.
“I suppose so.” Kaga chuckled as he took a bite out his toast. Megumi raised her hand hesitantly. “Yes?”
“Um, I was wondering...why is she eating Chicken Curry, for breakfast?” she asked, pointing to Kuro. Unlike everyone else that had eggs and bacon and bread, Kuro had a plate of fresh Chicken Curry.
[Because it’s the best dish in the restaurant.] she replied, not even really looking or breaking her pace of eating. [And it’s why I’m working here.]
“It does take getting used to.” Alletta chuckled. “Not just her speaking to our heads. But just the customers loving certain dishes.” she then realized the eyes were back on her, and it made her nervous. Having showered and changed into her uniform, she was much more presentable. But at the same time, her horns were now visible. This made her instinctively try to cover them with her hands.
Erina sees Aletta’s nervousness and decides as the more “sensible” of the Trio to address it. “You know Miss Aletta you don’t need to hide your horns from us” Erina spoke up which startled the half demon.
“I-I just didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable” she said nervously.
“If the master says you are trustworthy then we trust him. Regardless of ‘What’ you are, we care more about ‘Who’ you are.” she finished as she began to eat now. Megumi followed Erina’s lead and put in her own two cents.
“I agree, so it’s nice to meet you and I hope we can get along!” she said as she began to eat too. Their words made Aletta smile. But then she realized Soma was still staring into space. The others picked up on this as well, and Erina jabbed her elbow into his side.
“What is wrong with you!” she scolded him.
“Sorry sorry!” He said. “I was just wondering...what’s the food like over there.”
Everyone (except for Kuro) fell from their seats with their legs in the air.
“THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT!?” she yells at him.
“Well duh.” He replied casually, not realizing at all that he was sounding like the idiot he usually is. “I mean, it’s clearly one of those fantasy worlds with all sorts of creatures we don’t see here. Who knows what they taste like or how to cook them!”
[Best you get that off your mind.] Kura interjected, actually levelling her eyes at Soma. [Most of the monsters are inedible to sentient species. Especially humans. In fact, this place is so famous on the other side because your world’s cooking is much more advanced.]
“She’s right you know.” Kaga nodded in agreement. “First time customers are surprised to see menu items like beefsteak because it’s not something they were really eaten over there.” Erina nodded in understanding at his words, knowing that historically speaking cows used to be used more for labor on the farm rather than meat.
“Which is all the more reason for us to give it our all.” Kaga added with a confident grin. “I expect to see some stellar service from you all today.”
“YES SIR!” everyone yelled with Vigor and excitement.
=====================================================================[TIME SKIP]
===================================================================== To say the day was eventful would be a huge understatement. With everything they had seen, the three students slumped over on an empty table trying to catch their breath. The strangeness of it all made them more exhausted than they would be. Didn't help that the amount of food each customer ordered was at least enough for 3 people. And apparently, there was still one customer to go! Lucky for them, the Master was personally taking care of their food...which was apparently a whole giant pot Beef Stew.
“Man, makes you wonder who can eat that much in one setting” Soma asked out loud.
“Oh, they don’t eat it here.” Aletta said as she cleaned the table next to them. “They usually have one bowl here, then take the rest home.” It did not take long for the young demon girl to get used to the Totsuki students.
“Still the other people we served today where rather interesting in their own right.” said Erina.
“I know, I can’t believe we got to serve an actual Samurai! It kinda makes sense his favorite food was Teriyaki Chicken.” Some nodded eagerly as he spoke. “The way he ate rice reminded me of your gramps and those other guys from traditional families and stuff.”
“Really.” Erina said dryly. “The Samurai is what amazed you?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“How about all the non-humans we saw. And I don’t just mean the ones that look mostly human like that elf. I'm talking the ones that don’t look human at all! A giant lion man and lizard man!”
“Oh yeah, that was kinda interesting.” Soma laughed, making the Erina sigh in annoyance.
“I almost fainted when the Lizardman came in.” Megumi shuddered in pure embarrassment.
“You did well to stay strong Tadokoro.” Erina encouraged her.
“Thank you. Though I can’t help but wonder. Not only did he eat two whole egg omelet rice by himself, but he also took three whole plates back with him. Does he plan to eat them by himself?” Megumi wondered out loud.
“Maybe he’s got a friend or two.” Soma shrugged.
“At least he was quiet, and even elegant in how he ate.” Erina huffed. “Not only was that Lion man scarfing down Katsudon one after the other quickly, but he was also very loud whenever ordering another one.” she finished with a sigh.
“It actually makes me even more nervous about this last customer.” Megumi said. “It’s almost like they have the whole restaurant to themselves.” Her words lingered in Erina’s mind for a bit while Soma didn’t really think too much on it.
The bell rang as the door was opened. When the three turned to see who had arrived, they were stunned to say the least. Entering the restaurant wasn’t a giant Demi-Human like they thought, but a beautiful, voluptuous woman with large breasts, red hair, and two large horns growing out of her head, donning a revealing red dress and stiletto heels. She oozed with an air of regal aura that left them breathless. Hell, even Soma was thrown back by how beautiful the woman was...something the two girls noticed immediately. Which was surprising given the boys general attitude towards the fairer sex.
“Master, I’ve come for my usual.” the woman spoke with a sultry voice that felt like a warm as she was.
“Almost ready.” Chef Kaga called out from the kitchen. The woman in red nodded, then sat herself down, and waited. The students could not help but watch as she sat still, not moving, and for a moment they wondered if she was even breathing.
Then an appetizing smell came from the kitchen, and they could see the woman’s eyes sort of light up or perhaps focus more. Then chef Kaga entered carrying a tray with a single bowl of Beef Stew. He placed it upon the table, said, “Enjoy,” and walked back like it was nothing.
The woman in red focused all her attention on the bowl placed in front of her. She took a deep breath through her nose, practically ingesting the scent. She licked her lips as she picked up the spoon, then brought it to the broth. Gracefully she took a spoonful of soup, and gently brought it to her lips, not making even a sound as she sucked it in. Her eyes became closed, and her expression became one of joy. She started eating at a much faster pace, each spoonful carrying a piece of vegetable and broth. Even though her eating had sped up, the students could tell she was savoring each bite. The woman in red actually slowed down as she picked up a piece of meat, taking time to let it rest in her eyes, before being consumed in her mouth. Soft sighs of satisfaction could be heard as she chewed the beef, savoring the flavor deeply.
The students could not stop watching, especially Erina. While the food was good at Nekoya, it was not something she could have imagined eating and enjoying the same way at this woman was. Yet, she could not help but thank back to the conversations from this morning, how valuable the food was to the other world, the way the other customers came in so eager and ready for certain dishes. And this woman here was truly enjoying her food. Not just eating for the sake of evaluating, but eating as a pleasure itself. Something that was still foreign to Erina, practically raised to be a food critic. As these thoughts ran through Erina's mind, the women in red was finished, and stood up.
She then silently made her way to the kitchen towards the pot of freshly cooked pot of stew, the question still lingering with the three on how she can finish all that by herself. But that question was soon pushed aside for an even bigger one when the woman in red picked up the large pot without even the slightest form of strain. Which was surprising as that pot was possibly holding five whole gallons of Beef Stew! What’s more all of them could tell the pot was still piping hot, and yet the woman wasn’t bothered by it at all! Hell, she was holding it on the sides and not on the handles! How she wasn’t burning herself was beyond them.
After collecting the pot, the women in red simply left no words other than a quick “Thank You” to the Chef as he opened the door for her and a brief glimpse at the trio. Through the open door they could make out large mountainous shapes before it closed.
Chef Kaga turned to the students and chuckled. “Think you can regain your heads to help out with some clean up?” He asked teasingly. This got the students out of their pseudo trance with blushes of embarrassment. They rushed to work on clean up, hoping to get as much done to cover for their unofficial break.
After a while, everything that needed to be taken care of was finished. Kuro and Aletta had left, leaving the master of Nekoya and the three students of Totsuki, the latter wondering what to do now.
“Go ahead and take a seat.” Kaga poke up, sitting down himself at the staff table near the kitchen. “Dojima is on his way and will be here in only a few minutes. So go ahead and make yourself comfortable.” The students nodded and grabbed some drinks to refresh themselves. It wasn’t long before the man in question arrived, this time through the back door. As he sat himself down, Kaga served him some tea.
“Now then,” Dojima spoke up. “Before we get to what I have to say, how did you like your surprise?” He asked the Totsuki students with a grin as he sipped his tea.
“It was...interesting, to say the least” said Mgeumi trying to find the words to describe the experience.
“I don’t think “Interesting” is the right word to describe today Megumi” said Erina who was also trying to find the right words to describe the experience.
“Try AWESOME! The three of us got to experience an Isekai adventure...and none of us had to die for it!” Soma said practically jumping in his chair from excitement.
“HAHAH! Glad you like it” Dojima chuckled. “I had a similar reaction back in my day.”
“I remember.” Kaga said. “I was surprised myself when gramps asked you to come in on Saturday, but you really were a big help. Even helped a few first time customers figure out what to eat.”
“Natto Spaghetti and Scotch Eggs.” the shaven headed chef replied, his tone one of reminiscing. “It was a very memorable service day. For an elf to ask for a vegan dish that is also refined, and for a lamia to ask for a dish with whole eggs and meat among all the others, it would be impossible to forget.” he rested his tea cup, and his expression became much softer “It also made me realize how blessed we are. Not just those of us living in this time where we are spoiled for choices, but as Totsuki students and chefs of high skill, we are even more fortunate to eat dishes others will never see and know flavors and knowledge others could not comprehend.”
“To us, delicious food was a given, a guarantee. But to these customers from another world, it’s more like a special privilege. A while experience, life changing even.” He turns to the students. ‘Was there by chance a suntanned man who wore rags, ordered curry rice but didn’t pay?”
“Actually,” Kaga jumped in before the students could reply. “Alfonso made it back home, just a few months ago in fact. So, he’s looking a lot more dignified now.”
“I see.” Dojima smiled. “I still regret arrogantly asking him how he planned to pay for the curry rice, yet he calmly understood and explained how he has been stranded on an island with only his weapons and some gold from the ship. I was so ashamed, yet he did not mind. In fact, he was glad to regal the tale, for it ended with his discovery of Nekoya, and the dish that he dubbed his savior, Curry Rice.” Dojima’s face turned towards the entrance, as if looking beyond, not to the streets outside but the other world.
“Alfonso was stranded on an island!” exclaimed Megumi in shock.
“If that is truly his backstory, I can understand why he’d favor that dish so much. It was probably the only taste of civilized food he could ask for on that island” said Erina thoughtfully.
“Oh man I thought the guy looked cool before, but that story just made him a HUNDRED times cooler” exclaimed Soma with newfound admiration for the former shipwrecked admiral.
“Indeed.” Dojima nodded, taking another sip. “And I would love for more promising students to have the same experience I did. But I also understand the need for secrecy and a level of trustworthiness.”
“I see.” Erina said in realization. “We were a test run. Prove ourselves during the week to then work on the, Day of Satur, as the customers put it.”
“Indeed. And to show the benefit of some small renovations to increase the size of the restaurant a bit.” Dojima turned to Kaga. “I’m sure you have noticed how there are more and more customers, fort both businesses.”
“You’re not wrong there.” Kaga chuckled.
“So I do believe this will benefit everyone.” Dojima said with passion. “Future students sent on their Stagiaire here could spend the week, showing if they are of character and skill for Saturday. If you deem them worthy, and they perform well during the special service, that can be considered passing this round of Stagiaire. All while you receive a larger dining area and kitchen to accommodate customers and staff.”
“I have been looking for a way to thank Nekoya, and the late Master for what I learned here, and to share those lessons and experiences with other promising youths. Please let me do this little bit.” Dojima said bowing deeply.
Chef Kaga looked at Dojima and began to think about it. The silence was palpabale and it was obvious the three students wanted him to agree, because they wanted the chance to cook here again, and not only that share the experience with their friends. After a while, Chef Kaga spoke up.
“Okay, I’ll agree” he said
The three students cheer while Dojima let out a sigh of relief before shaking the Masters hand. “We can work out the details later, and I promise you that you won’t regret this decision” he said.
“I know I won’t. Besides, it’ll be nice to have a little back up every now and then.” Kaga said while letting out a short laugh.
“I can assure you as the Headmaster of Totsuki, I can assure you that only the most trustworthy students will be sent here.” Erina declared as she stood.
“Then I look forward to this continued partnership.” Kaga said, shaking her hand as well.
All the while, none of them realized that a certain red dragon had been watching the conversation, and grinned in satisfaction. As it took another tongue full of Beef Stew, it looked forward to what Nekoya could become.
Okay.
Sorry this took so long. Getting inspiration and motivation for this story was much much harder than I thought it would be. At the same time, I am glad to have cleared out an old idea of mine. Feels really good to do something like that. Though at the same time, i now have even more ideas to add.
That’s it for now. Please Favorite, Follow, and Review. But most of all, thank you for reading!