Chapter 53: The Judges
[3rd Person's Point of View]
Isshiki was currently wiping his knife using a white cloth. "It's hard to imagine him doing this, given how he's usually naked except for an apron." Hisako said.
"You're right." Iku replied.
"Naked except for an apron? What's that about?" Alice asked which made you laugh. "Tell me, Miss Secretary." Alice added.
"Don't call me that." Hisako said avoiding Alice's gaze.
"Nikumi-chan!" Alice called.
"Don't call me that." Iku said then Alice went to me.
"(Reader)-chan!" Alice said so you laughed.
"I'll invite you guys some time." you said then Alice pouted.
"Slitting the eel from the back is more mainstream. I've heard before that slitting the eel from the stomach is a technique that's developed in Kansai regions like Osaka and Kyoto." Ryoko explained.
"Why would Isshiki-senpai know that?" she asked.
"Of course he would. The Isshiki family has operated a traditional Japanese Restaurant in Kyoto's Gion district since the Muromachi period. The Kinokuni family in the east and the Isshiki family in the west. The two families are the two famous pillars of Japanese cuisine." Erina explained.
"Kinokuni-senpai and Isshiki-senpai's connection doesn't end there." you stated.
[Flashback]
"Eh? A boy from another family's going to come live with us, Father?" the 4 year old Kinokuni Nene asked.
"You know about the Isshiki family in Kyoto, don't you?" her father asked her. "It's their ancient tradition. Once the presumed heir turns 4 years old, they are to be trained somewhere far away from their home." her father explained while smiling.
"Really?" Kinokuni asked then her father nodded.
"Our two families are very close. He's the same age as you so you may even become friends." her father continued.
They heard a knock on their door so her father stood up to meet a little boy standing by the doorway. Kinokuni Nene who was shy hid behind her father.
"Say hello, Nene." her father said so she peeked to see Isshiki. "He is the Isshiki family's heir, Satoshi-kun." her father said.
[End of Flashback]
"What? That means... / They're childhood friends?" Ryoko and Yuki exclaimed.
"I suppose that's true." Isshiki said chuckling.
"No, it's not!" Kinokuni yelled which made everyone to look at her. "He just stayed with us to train! We didn't become close or anything!" she yelled rather, defensively.
"My goodness, you're prickly as ever today, Kinokuni-kun." Isshiki said smiling while Kinokuni glared at him. "Why are you so against me?" Isshiki asked.
"Don't act naive! You know why." Kinokuni replied.
"Well, it appears the judges have just now arrived! Allow me to introduce them to you!" Urara yelled.
"Oh, judges. They are important, indeed." Hisako said.
Then a green-haired girl entered while carrying 5 thick books. She was struggling but managed to put the books down on a table. She then sighed a relief.
"That was so heavy." She said.
"Um, Onee-san? Are you okay?" Soma asked. Then you all looked behind when Marui fell on the floor.
"Eh? What?" Yuki asked him. Marui then pointed his finger.
"The books she's carrying!" Marui said.
"They say 'WGO' on them." Yuki stated.
"Could they be-?" Ryoko asked surprised.
"Wow. I've never seen them in person before. / So they're the judges for this Shokugeki! / They came all the way to Japan?" the murmurs said.
"The World Gourmet Organization." Marui said. "Their main function is to rank all fine dining establishments worldwide out of three stars. Their assessments are published once a year in print." Marui exclaimed.
"Receiving a rating of even a single star would catapult a chef into high standing." Iku stated,
"On the other hand, there are chefs who had highly profitable businesses but shut their restaurant down because they lost a star and confidence." Hisako said.
"All chefs respect and fear that organization, the WGO." Alice explained.
"Oh, come to think of it, Master Shinomiya said he was going to get three stars." Soma said. "I guess that's what he meant."
"The printed publication of their evaluation is a bible, also known as 'The Book' the organization's front line staffs are called Bookmen." Erina said.
"In other words, WGO Bookmen are our judges today!" Taku added.
"Excuse me, I see the words 'Yukihira Diner' on your shirt." the green-haired girl said.
"Oh? yeah. My family runs a diner." Soma said then the girl took her book and browsed. "What about it?" Soma asked.
"Yukihira... Yukihira..." She then closed her book. "There is no need to feel bad." she said mockingly which made you laugh.
"Many say that if it's not listed in The Book, it's not a real restaurant. That may be true, but so what? You're still here, alive!" she added.
Kuga knocked on your head again, "Baka! Can't you see she's obviously mocking Yukihira-chin!" Kuga said so you kicked his knee.
"I know that but the fact that Soma can't understand the sarcasm is even more hilarious." you replied.
"Oi! Is it gonna be okay to have them judge us?" Soma asked.
"Idiot! Don't be rude!" Yuki yelled.
"Yukihira Soma! / A lowbie diner shouldn't spe-"
They shut their mouths up when they saw you smirking at them. Then the green-haired girl looked at you and you saw sparkles on her eyes.
"Yamaguchi-kun!" she yelled.
"(Reader)-chan you know one of the WGO Bookmen?" Takumi asked then you shook your head.
"Yamaguchi-kun you forgot about me already? After that night we spent together." she said.
"Ehh?! / What's the meaning of that? / Did you sleep with her? / What the hell?" Taku, Kuga, Aki and Kuro asked.
"(Reader)-chan explain yourself!" Erina said crossing her arms together.
"When did you do that with her (Reader)-chan?" Alice asked huffing her cheeks while slapping your arm repeatedly.
"I didn't know you've done it with someone before getting married (Reader)-chan." Ryoko said while glaring at the girl.
"Uhm... Etooo...." Megumi panickingly said.
"Wait, I don't remembe-" the girl then kissed your cheek.
"You really don't? That makes me sad." she said then you finally remembered the girl with glasses you met abroad. (For reference; Chapter 23)
"Ah?! You-- Anne?! -- Wait really? Woah!!" you reacted as she giggled.
"I'm happy you remember me~" she said. "I'll be taking my leave now Yamaguchi-kun~" she said then left you.
"Explain yourself (Reader)!" Erina said.
You laughed while scratching your cheek. "Long story, but to make it short I met the WGO abroad." you replied.
"What's with you and your connection to people who are famous?" they asked while sweat-dropping.
"(Reader)-chan, you don't like her?" / "You didn't do it with her?" / "You're not going to marry her?" Megumi, Alice and Ryoko asked.
"Wha- No, I don't like her. No. I didn't do it with her and no, I am not going to marry her." you replied making them sighed relieved.
"What's with you girls?" you asked.
"Oi, Yamaguchi has connections to WGO / Yeah and she's teamed up with the rebels too / What if she bribed the judges?" the students murmured.
"(Reader) isn't like that!" Soma yelled.
"Silence!" Anne said. "I made fun of-" she then cleared her throat. "I encouraged Yukihira on account of him not having received any stars yet. But the fact that he has zero stars will have nothing to do with the dish he's to serve today." Anne said.
"And may I request that you don't say bad things about Yamaguchi-kun." Anne said then turned to smile at you. Ryoko and Alice glared at her while Erina closed her eyes frowning.
"That's right." the blonde-haired guy beside Anne said; Charme a rank 2. "The only basis for our decision will be what's on the plate."
"I swear to God and The Book that our judgment will be absolutely fair." the black guy said; Histoire a rank 2.
"So please make a good dish today, Yukihira Diner." Anne said.
"I thought you were just full of hot air, but you say some good things. Hang on!" Soma said as he smugly returned to his somewhat rolling machine.