How Alice met Soma

The loss of a family member can be devastating. For a six year old Soma his whole world seemed to be crashing down. While he loved his father and looked up to him, it was his mother who gave him the comfort and support a child needs growing up. His father Joichiro took to teaching his son how to cook and this caused the two of them to grow closer in the wake of the death of the beloved third member of their family. As a way to honor her they took on the name Yukihira as their last name, her maiden name.

In the weeks following Joichiro supported himself and Soma with the rather considerable amount of money he had saved up from his world traveling days. However there was one more trip he had to make before he planned on opening his own small restaurant. This trip was to Denmark for the Nakiri family to cook for a party they were hosting. He was seriously tempted to blow the thing off. Tell them he had obligations at home to his son and couldn't leave him, not so soon after what they had lost. But the Nakiri family was not just any client, Senzaemon had been extraordinarily generous to him in the past, he could not blow this off. 'Soma has been moping around a lot. Maybe a trip would be good for him' Joichiro thought to himself.

"Oy Soma." He called upstairs. "Pack a bag. We are going on a trip together."

Soma knew his father liked to travel but he thought after the lose of his mother that he would stay home more. He never imagined his father would take him on a trip. "Where are we going Pops?" Soma replied excited to be going with his father.

"Denmark. An old friend of mine wants me to cook for a party he is throwing." Joichiro smiled at his son. "Though you won't be able to help me while I'm cooking this time, you can help me with the menu." Soma knew the basics pretty well but was not yet up to being his number two.

"YEAH! Let's go Pops!" Soma yelled forgetting his sorrow for a moment.

Line Break

Nakiri Alice was bored. The party her family was hosting was supposed to be fun. 'Isn't fun part of the definition of party?' She thought to herself. But no this was mostly just a bunch of stuffy grownups doing whatever it was that stuffy grownups do. Those that did speak to her all eventually asked about her cousin Erina and her "God Tongue."

The only saving grace for the party was the food, which everyone agreed was some of if not the best they had ever had. Not only that, the different dishes being served were all so diverse in both region and style. Whatever the guest's preference was there was something for them and it was guaranteed to be one of the best meals they ever had.

Still it was boring. She may be a Nakiri, a veritable princess in the world of food, but most of the time she just wants to do the same things as normal six year olds. That is really hard to do when all those around you are 20 years older. But she did have a deep love of food and the smells from the kitchen drew her in like a moth to flame. Not paying much attention to where she was walking she went right into the kitchen and followed her nose to the most delicious smell it could find. She followed her nose right into the leg of one of the chefs working at a stove.

"Hmm?" Joichiro looked down to see the silvery white hair and the wide eyed little girl looking up at him. "What are you doing in here Ojou-chan? Shouldn't you be out at the party?"

Now Alice, slightly startled and embarrassed at having walked right into their guest head chef clammed right up. She did not know what to say to this man that her father called 'The Demon' but was talking to her almost like her grandpa. The comparison was actually spot on they were both could be equally caring and at times scary.

"Ano. It's just there is no one else at the party my age." She mutters

"Oh is that so?" Joichiro says looking towards the door where Alice's mother Leonora stood. She gives him a nod and a wink of approval for what he is about to do. Joichiro then turns his head away from her then yells into the kitchen in a somehow lazy manner, "Oy Soma you got the vegetables for me?"

Just then a little red headed boy came around the corner carrying a tray of vegetables. "Yeah yeah pops right here." Though initially he was not going to be working in the kitchen Joichiro decided that it would be better then Soma just stewing in their room at the hotel. So he had his son gathering ingredients for him and some basic prep work just to keep him busy.

Taking the tray from his son Joichiro spoke to him. "Soma this is Alice-chan." He motioned to the little girl. "Alice this is my son Soma. Now Alice I know you are not having fun at the party so why don't you take my son and find something fun to do eh? I will bring you both a special snack later." He said with a smile.

Soma didn't know how to react. He wanted to help his father more in the kitchen. On the other hand he didn't have many friends and this girl was really cute.

Alice excited at the prospect of a friend her own age grabbed a hold of Soma's hand and pulls him from the kitchen. Soma sputters as he is lead out of the kitchen by the excited red eyed girl. Alice pays no attention to her mother who was standing by the door.

Leonora then walks into the kitchen after the kids leave and approaches Joichiro. "You know, the two of them most likely made a friend for life now right?"

"Hmm, well Soma does need a friend his age that shares his interest in food. I know Alice-chan hasn't had the best luck making friends. This should be good for the both of them." Joichiro replies as he works the stove and adds the vegetables his son brought him.

Leonora smiled at an idea that came to her. "Well I do think the two of them would make a really cute couple when they get older. If your son takes after you he will grow into quite the handsome man."

Not at all surprised by Leonora's attempt to get him flustered having witnessed it many time in the past Joichiro fires back. "Oh? I suppose so, what with Alice taking after you so much she will be a very beautiful woman." He smirked as Leonora blushed slightly.

And so for the rest of the evening Alice showed Soma around the mansion before they settled in the lounge where thy two of them sat and talked about themselves. Both were so excited to have a friend that they bonded quickly. Eventually Joichiro came up with a tray of snacks just like he promised and the two decided to watch a movie for the rest of the evening. After the movie finished Alice turned to Soma on the couch they were sitting.

"Soma-kun will we stay friends forever?" Alice asks knowing that he is leaving in the morning and she may not see him again.

"Eh? Of course we will always be friends. You are the first friend I have made that loves cooking as much as me!" Soma replies nodding his head and smiling in affirmation.

"You, you are the first friend I have ever had." Alice mutters scared to admit the fact. "I wish you didn't have to leave. One day I will come to Japan and visit you OK?"

Soma smiles "I can't wait! Then you can try my cooking!"

Alice snuggles into his side. "Hmmmm sounds good Soma-kun"

With exhaustion finally hitting the two of them they both drift softly off to sleep. About an hour later the door to the lounge opened allowing the two parents to peer into the room.

"I told you so." Leonora whispered with a smirk on her face "Fufufu those two have it bad and they don't even know it yet."

"So you did, so you did." Joichiro replies with his usual lazy smirk. The two adults left the children alone while Leonora offered Joichiro a room at the mansion which he accepted. She had a servant go to the hotel the father and son pair were originally staying at to gather their things.

The next morning saw Alice saying goodbye to her new friend. The only thing keeping her from breaking down in tears at losing her first friend so soon was the promise to keep in touch. Their parents exchanged contact information so the two of them would never be out of touch. Alice herself promised that she would come to Japan to visit Soma.

As Soma and his father walked out to the car he called back to Alice, "I can't wait for your visit! When you come we can taste each other's cooking!" He waved as the car pulled away.

After the car had faded from view the quiet Alice spoke up. "Mom, I want to go to Totsuki. I really want to go to Totsuki."

"Oh?" Her mother questioned. "Is this about your rivalry with Erina-chan?" It was well known that the two Nakiri girls did not get along very well and competed with each other a lot.

"No, well yes. I still want to be better than Erina. But there is another reason." Alice said pausing until her mother gave her a look for her to continue. "Totsuki is in Japan. If I go there I can be closer to Soma-kun."

Leonora smiled at her daughters. "Fufufu. Of course little Alice-chan. I will talk to your grandfather about it."

As the years passed Soma and Alice maintained their close friendship even with the distance separating them. The letters they would send every week would be filled with talk of whatever was on their minds at the time as well as pictures both of themselves and of their latest culinary creation. However their parents also included photos that the children perfed they didn't. One was a picture of Soma trying one of his father's most disgusting dishes his face squished up at the sourness and putrid taste of the dish. Another picture was of Alice covered in flour that fell from a high shelf and covered the young girl.

Alice also talked about her new aid Ryo Kurokiba who she found at a pub in Sweden and had a great interest and talent for seafood. Though a smidge jealous at the boy being able to spend so much time with Alice, Soma was quickly assuaded as Alice told him that Soma was her most precious person.

Eventually the day came when Alice moved to Japan. The day she moved she spent the whole day with her grandfather as her cousin Erina was busy with tastings for her 'God Tongue'. She was able to eventually weasel out of her grandfather the location of Soma's home and the diner he and his father ran.

The car dropped her off at the entrance to the Sumire shopping district. The servant who had driven her there was most insistent about not leaving her alone as she left Ryo at the mansion so she could reunite with her first friend. She paid him no mind and told him to stay with the car as she proceeded on her own.

Walking through the shopping district was very different from her usual activities. She usually just had things delivered to her at the mansion or on occasion she would go shopping with her mother to high end fashion malls. The closest thing she could compare the atmosphere of the district to was the one time she accompanied Ryo to the fish market but it felt different than that.

"Probably because there isn't the overwhelming smell of raw fish." She muttered to herself.

There were a lot of students coming and going from the various shops. Lots of children laughing and people happily going about their business with smiles on their faces. The wafting smells for the food stalls and other eateries whetting her appetite. As she made her way down the main street of the district she earned the looks of many of the shoppers. This was because she was not wearing the school uniform of any of the local area schools. She was wearing her favorite version of the Totsuki uniform, the standard plaid skirt and white blouse but over the blouse she wore a beige sweater vest as it was a little chilly.

Making her way to the diner that was her destination Alice fought down the slight nervousness that was rising up in her stomach. Though busy she didn't have a problem finding a seat in a corner of the diner. She opened the laminated menu to see what dish looked to be the best.

"Welcome to Diner Yukihira, what can I get for you?" Came a voice that made her smile to hear. Glancing over the menu she saw the familiar mop of red hair and the warm golden eyes of her best and closest friend.

"Oh Soma-kun I think you know exactly what I want." Alice smiled as she put the menu down. Her nervousness faded away as she slipped into her usual teasing habits.

Seeing Alice sitting there in the restaurant made his usual goofy grin turn into a full on smile. It was the kind of smile that warmed Alice up. Soma turned to his father who was working the stove. "Hey pops I gota make one extra special dish for a friend of mine."

"Oh?" Joichiro said with a raised eyebrow before spotting the aforementioned friend. "Alice-chan, good to see you here." He said as he finished the dish on the stove before stepping away to let his son take over the kitchen.

Soma was a blaze of motion as he chopped vegetables, prepared a cut of pork, and worked a wok heating rice. The smell of the lightly frying rice and the searing he was putting on the pork tenderloin wafted through the restaurant causing many mouths to water, even those that already had food.

Alice sat there smiling as she watched Soma work. She had seen pictures that his father had snapped of his son in the kitchen but still images and watching him work live, well two totally different things. The energy around him, his focus, it was a sight to behold.

Mere minutes after taking over the kitchen he set a plate in front of her and proclaimed "Hope you enjoy it."

Looking down at the steaming dish Alice was slightly surprised by the simplicity of the dish. Pork fried rice with pork tenderloin cutlets and a sauce of some kind. Though it seemed like a low class dish, the way it smelled guarantee its quality. Taking her spoon she took a bite of the rice, its flavor exploding in her mouth. The rice perfectly tender yet still firm with a bit of crunch from the lightly fried vegetables that were added when the rice was only about halfway done. Then she came across something she did not expect. "Pineapple?" she looked at Soma who grinned and nodded. The pineapple had been seared in the same pan as the pork so picked up some of its flavors as well as adding a refreshing citrus flavor to the rice. The pork itself was incredibly tender, 'No doubt partially due to the enzymes in the pineapple' her scientific mind concluded. The sauce itself was a pineapple based citrus sauce using oranges as well as a little lemon and lime juice to balance the sweetness of the pineapple with a bit of sour flavors. 'A tropical spin on the classic pork fried rice, how very Soma' Alice smiled before looking at her friend. "It's delicious Soma-kun. I am going to have to come here every weekend now to see what else you can make."

Soma tilted his head in confusion. "Huh? How long are you staying in Japan?" He thought she was just visiting not staying for a length of time.

Alice brought her hand to her mouth as she laughed softly. "Fufufu. Soma-kun I am actually going to school in Japan now. I just moved in earlier today."

"Yosh! Then next time I can try your cooking!" Soma said excitedly earning a light laugh and blush for the young girl.

"Oy! Soma! You can catch up with your girlfriend after we finish up for the night, we still have customers you know." Joichiro interrupted from the kitchen. The whole restaurant laughed as the two kids blushed.

And so Soma went back to serving customers, and helping out his father in the kitchen. Alice went back to eating her meal and watching him work. Both thought about what Joichiro said taking glances back at the other.

Time Skip

Now 15 years old Soma was on a ladder cleaning the diner's awning.

"Oy! Soma! Something happen I should know about?" His father Joichiro said in his lazy drawl as he came to the restaurant from down the street.

"Naw pops. Just had to deal with a rude customer is all." Soma replied thinking of how he dealt with the land shark lady that was trying to force them out of their location.

"Hm." Joichiro grunted knowing exactly who his son was referring to. "Soma once you finish with that we have to talk." He said as he walked into the restaurant.

After he finished cleaning the awning Soma started to head into the restaurant only to stop seeing his father standing just inside the doorway. "What's up pops?" he asked

"Soma." Joichiro took a deep breath. "I've decided to close the diner for a couple years."

"What? Pops why?" Soma asked confused at why his dad would suddenly close the diner down.

"Son, it's time for you to spread your wings and see if you really have what it takes to surpass me." Joichiro said putting his fist to Soma's chest. "It's time for you to go to Totsuki."

"YOSH!" Soma shouted as he smiled. He had talked with his dad several times about him attending the prestigious school but Joichiro would only say that Soma would go when he was ready.

Over the years since first learning about the school from Alice he wanted to attend and show that he was the best. The two had grown even closer with Alice visiting him every weekend as they tried each other's cooking. Though Alice said he would have to wait to see her specialty as they didn't have the required equipment. Occasionally she would bring some samples of things she made and they were so good they drove Soma to be better. His father as well as their regulars and fellow members of the shopping district would tease the two teens about being a couple. This was something that caused both of them to blush and stammer some but neither would deny it.

"Well get a good night's rest the transfer exam is tomorrow." Joichiro said even though he knew it was useless, his son looked way too keyed up to sleep much tonight.

Line break

"Stupid rich snobs." Soma grumbled to himself having just had an encounter with one of the other prospective transfer students. "Just because their families own some high-class restaurants and supply businesses does not mean they are better cooks."

The group of transfer hopefuls gathered in the hall waiting for the exam to start. There was a slight din through the room as the students talked amongst themselves. That was until one of the side doors opened and a regal looking girl with blonde hair and purple eyes came in followed by a pink haired girl holding a clipboard. Both girls were wearing the Totsuki school uniform. The room became so quiet as all eyes followed the blonde.

The girl with the clipboard started listing the usual steps that were taken for the transfer exam before she was interrupted by the blonde. "How droll." she said her air of superiority showing that she thought this whole process was a waste of her time. "Bring out the work station." she said and a group of workers immediately brought out a long work table with baskets of ingredients.

"Erina-sama?" the pink haired girl questioned.

"Hisako, Totsuki is all about cooking. It is the lifeblood of the school." She explained as she walked to the table selecting an egg. "The main ingredient shall be the egg. Those that make a dish that suits my palate shall be allowed entrance to Totsuki. Those who wish to withdraw may do so in the next minute. Make your choice."

The silence was broken when everyone, save Soma, started screaming and running for the door. Soma confused at this grabbed a passing student who turned out to be the stuck up rich kid he met earlier. "Why are you all running?" he asked.

The boy shouted "Do you not know who that is?"

Though she looked somewhat familiar Soma could not remember anything really about this girl. "No tell me." he said in a calm fashion.

"She is Erina Nakiri. She possesses a divine palette, the God Tongue. From the time she was a child the most high class restaurants have sought her out to taste their foods. Even as a baby only the highest quality baby food ever graced her lips." he started growing more and more frantic as he spoke. "By her words many restaurants were shut down and ruined by her critics. If she were to brand you as an incompetent you would never be able to work in the food industry again!" he said breaking away from Soma and running out the door.

While Erina and Hisako had their little "Moment" Soma approached the table. "So I just have to make something good for you then? Any other restrictions?" he said

'I, I have a challenger.' Erina thought as they moved quickly to the kitchen. Once in the kitchen Erina turned to what she viewed as an upstart transfer hopeful. "So long as you use eggs as you main ingredient you may make whatever you want."

Putting his hand on Erina's shoulder Soma sighs in an exaggerated manner. "Whew, and here I thought you might just fail me without letting me cook."

"BACK AWAY!" Hisako yelled putting herself between Soma and Erina. "Do you not know who this is?" she asked ready to tell him how great her Erina-sama was.

"Sure I do." Soma started even though he literally just found out who she was a minute ago. "She is Erina Nakiri. Guess Alice wasn't exaggerating when she said her cousin had a stick up her butt" Though he didn't know exactly who Erina was he did make the connection between her and Alice by their shared last name and the cousin Alice would talk about from time to time made Soma feel much more at ease for this test. Alice really liked his cooking so why wouldn't her cousin?

Both girls were flabbergasted at his statement. Hisako for his brazen accusation and Erina for both that and that he heard that from her cousin. Though she was not surprised Alice would say something like that she was surprised that she would say it to anyone like this. Alice had about as much pride in being a Nakiri as she herself had and would not besmirch their family name by talking like that so recklessly.

While the two of them were sputtering and blushing at his antics he went and examined some of the tools in the kitchen. Picking up a knife he says to himself, "Wow this is a fine tool."

This causes both girls to snap out of it and yell at him "Don't wander around!"

Composing herself Erina flicked her hair over her shoulder and behind her ear. "If you know me then you must know my reputation." she said in a haughty manner. "Are you sure you want to take my test?"

"I just have to make you say it's good right? I'd take that test any day." Soma said confidently as he went to work preparing his dish.

As he worked on his dish Erina wondered to herself about this boy.

"Erina-sama." Hisako said to gain her lady's attention as she passed a file to her.

"Hmm, Soma Yukihira. His family runs a diner in a shopping district. A second rate cook if I have ever met one." she said her aid after examining the file. "But how would he possibly know Alice?" she wondered.

"Well cousin you could always ask me about it." Alice said as she sauntered into the kitchen. "Hello Soma-kun, you are a very naughty boy for not telling me you were coming to Totsuki today." she teased him with a smirk on her face.

"Oh Alice-chan, sorry I was going to surprise you after I was done with the test." Soma replied his focus never leaving his work even as he glanced over his shoulder.

"So it is true that you two know each other." Erina stated slightly annoyed at Alice intruding on the test. "Yukihira-kun tell me what dish are you making for me. I do not have time to waste on some plebeian cooking."

Soma and Alice both shared a glance before adopting the same teasing tone. "Oh you can't tell what it is at this stage?"

'Oh my god. It's like Alice in stereo.' Erina thought being between her cousin and the working chef. "Stop playing around or do you want me to fail you right here?" she yelled slamming a hand on the table.

Soma smiled, unrattled by the examiner's temper. "Alright then I will tell you what I am making. It is item number eight on Yukihira's secret menu" he said prompting Erina and Hisako to lean forward over the table to hear what he was cooking. Alice was amused by Soma's antics playing her cousin and her aid like a fiddle. She had seen Soma cook every single dish on the menu and more than a few that were not. She knew exactly what he was cooking and her cousin's reaction was going to be priceless. "Furikake gohan."

"Furikake gohan?" Both Erina and Hisako said flabbergasted at the audacity of this young man to serve something so common, the very antithesis of what most consider fine gourmet cooking.

"Hmpf." Erina grunted as she turned towards the door. "As expected of a second rate cook. I don't have time for such a dish." she said as she made her way to leave.

"Awww Erina, don't be like that. This is no ordinary Furikake gohan, right Soma-kun?" Alice said blocking the blonde girl's path.

"Of course. After all it is rice with transforming seasoning." Soma smirked with his matter of fact tone. Erina on the other hand was slightly intrigued but did not expect much. After finishing up the seasoning and putting it into a container Soma put it on the table and smirked as his examiner was not impressed. "The true form of any Furikake gohan is only revealed when served on hot white rice." He said as he overturned the container over a bowl of piping hot rice. Adding a bit of chopped green onion as a finisher he slid the bowl across the table to Erina.

"It certainly does smell good." Hisako said smelling the wafting aroma from the dish.

Erina however was more entranced by the melting aspic that began to coat both the rice and the egg soba 'So this is what he meant by transforming seasoning.' she thought to herself. She took one bite and was overcome by the flavor of the dish.

Alice smirked at her cousin's reaction. "This is the draw of Soma-kun's cooking. With his skill and creativity he is able to take a common dish and elevate it to levels never before imagined. If I were to make a comparison I would say your cooking is like that of a high class jeweler. You use only the rarest and most beautiful ingredients and the end result can only be appreciated by the upper-class."

This earned a look from Erina that said 'where are you going with this?'

Alice continued after motioning for her cousin to take another bite. "I like to think of myself as a scientist as well as a chef so my cooking while incredibly advanced and refined may go over the heads of some." This caused Erina and Hisako to look at the white haired girl with a questioning look. "What? Just because I am proud of my particular style of cooking doesn't mean I am not aware of my flaws. Now where was I?"

Soma shook his head at Alice's antics. Normally he would be the first to defend his cooking but he guessed Alice would have more sway over her cousin and knew how she thought. He was also curious to hear what she would say about his cooking. What kind of comparison she would make compared to herself and Erina's styles.

"Ah yes!" Alice said as she continued seeing erina take a third bite. "Soma-kun is like a classical sculpture able to take common granite or marble and turn it into amazing works of art that all can appreciate. Through his own skill he polishes and shapes the stone into truly amazing art." She turned her gaze to Soma and looked at him right in the eye. "He unlocks the hidden potential of the dish with his passion and creativity."

Erina took another bite as Alice continued. "His cooking is an entirely different world then yours, then mine as well."

Erina was shocked at her cousin's insight as to what she was thinking. Even as she took another bite of the coated rice and egg.

"It might not be the classical gourmet that you are fond of but there is no denying that it is really good food. Just because it is different does not mean you can just dismiss it." Alice went on as Erina continued to eat. Alice knew that her cousin's biggest blind spot was her pride. That her pride could make her do or say some really harsh and unforgiving things out of a kneejerk reaction. Soma wouldn't have pressed just the right buttons to get Erina to admit his cooking skills. But Alice knew better and knew it was time to deliver the finishing blow. "And if you are thinking of dismissing this dish there is one thing you should see first."

Erina glared at Alice for they way it seemed she was talking down to her. "Oh? And what is that?"

Alice merely pointed down causing Erina's gaze to follow her finger down to the bowl she had been eating from. The now empty bowl.

'How did this happen?' Erina questioned to herself. She did not even realize that she had been eating the dish the entire time her cousin was talking. She was so enraptured by the taste and what Alice was saying she finished the whole bowl. 'Damn you Alice' she thought realizing the position her cousin put her in. After a bite or two she could have easily dismissed this dish and the chef who made it easily. Now however, with an empty bowl that was impossible.

Hoping to gain a moment to gather her thoughts Erina turned to Soma. "You used aspic in making the seasoning correct?" she asked but it was more in the tone of a statement.

"Bingo!" Soma smiled as he explained the creation of the aspic. "The flavor of the chicken, sweet sake and spices that I used in essence forms a very rich and thick soup. Once it gelatinizes I dice it into cubes so that it can melt more evenly over the rice and egg."

As she thought about it Erina realized that using aspic in this way is not something an average chef could do. Being able to balance the spices and sake with the gelatin content in the chicken wingtips to ensure that it sets correctly takes measurable skill and precision. Not only did it compliment the rice and eggs, it bound the whole dish together as a single entity. She thought more on Alice's words and how she described Soma's cooking, and she grudgingly started to agree with that description.

"Yukihira-kun" She started causing the redhead to once more focus on her. "I find your skills to be adequate to enter Totsuki. However do not get too comfortable, this is a cut throat academy. Only the best of the best are able to make it at Totsuki." she finished by flicking her hair back and turning on her heels leaving the kitchen.

"Yata!" Soma shouted hugging Alice and spinning her around excitedly.

"Well Soma-kun, welcome to Totsuki. What do you want to do first?" Alice asked extremely happy to have him at the school with her.

"I want to try your cooking." Soma replied quickly

Alice giggled at his excitement "How did I know you were going to say that."

Outside the kitchen standing in the dark, unnoticed by even his own granddaughter when she made her exit, stood Senzaemon Nakiri the school's director. Having heard from multiple people on the relationship between his Alice and Soma he was intrigued. "Hmmm this looks to be the start of a very interesting time at Totsuki." he grinned before heading off to his office.

A/N yes yes I know this isn't an update to one of my existing stories but this particular plot bunny has been annoying me for some time. I hope that you all enjoyed it and look forward to season 2 of Shokugeki no Soma as much as I am.

I know I am really behind on my stories and I apologize for that. Work has been really busy with local stories going national as well as the continuing election coverage. Also I had a conference I attended as well as my sister's graduation and other family commitments that have taken up a great deal of my time. With this plot bunny out of the way I will now focus on Vegas and Summer I promise.