章 324: I'm gonna miss you guys...

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Two peanuts were walking in the park, one was assalted!

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Time is still passing.

Endlessly, as it will be.

Forever, always.

-A haiku by Monkey

Anyway!

Joichiro was chosen by Senzaemon to represent Totsuki at BLUE, which directly led to Joichiro having a mental breakdown. He was under too much pressure, Hiro had tried his best but in the end, who could he suddenly help Joichiro?

What was he supposed to do?

Gin and Hiro were stumped as they tried to help Joichiro, who didn't even cook. Hiro was stunned, this was obviously much worse than he thought it would be.

Zerotwo was unable to help and looked worried for her friend. Hiro, Gin, and Zerotwo were sitting outside of Joichiro's room with Azami, who was also anxious. Despite being a test subject a few times, he idolized Joichiro with all his heart.

He was upset that Joichiro was upset, he wanted to help but he didn't know how.

None of them did.

Suddenly!

Senzaemon showed up at the Dorm with a serious face. He saw the 4 at the door and said 'Is he inside?" The four nodded and Senzaemon walked into the room before closing the door.

The group waited for about 15 minutes and Senzaemon came out with a smile, saying "He's alright, just a bit confused." Hiro could tell that Senzaemon's smile was clearly forced, he sighed and looked in the room to see Joichiro staring out the window silently.

A few days later

Joichiro told the 4 that he was leaving Totsuki.

Azami was shocked, but Gin clearly saw this coming. Hiro and Zerotwo already knew, so there was no surprise. Hiro just turned around and walked away, Gin sighed and Zerotwo jerked her head in the direction Hiro left in, Joichiro followed him.

They arrived in the kitchen and Hiro said "I'm challenging you to a Shokugeki, right here, right now." Joichiro was stunned and turned to see Fumio, Gin, and Zerotwo sitting in Judges' positions with the rest of the Dorm watching.

He was startled and Hiro said "I win, you stay, but If I lose, you take MY knife. No theme, no specific dish, there's an entire pantry and cooler of ingredients. Start." Joichiro looked disappointed before turning away to start.

Hiro flinched at his gaze but continued on his way. He went to the pantry and grabbed a bunch of meat and vegetables, a bunch of spices, and some bones. He returned to the station with full arms and got extremely focused as he chopped the meat into fine bits before doing the same to the vegetables.

He threw everything into a bowl and blended it all together before spreading it out onto a piece of clingwrap and covering it.

Hiro put a large pot to boil and threw in a bunch of spices before putting some bones in it and covering it with a lid. He moved back to the meat and smashed it with a hammer before taking the cling wrap off and rolling the meat into balls.

He heated a pan and poured in oil and honey before skewering the balls and putting them in the pot as he whittled bones into skewers.

When he was done, he took the balls out of the pot and dumped them all into the pan, off the skewer before cooking them through with great care, making sure every side was cooked. He left them there for a minute before preparing a sauce using the broth.

A bit later

He took the balls out and skewered them 3 balls per skewer and 2 skewers per person. He had dozens for everyone. He carefully slid the balls on the bone skewers and laid them on a plate before covering them in sauce and placing them to the side as he cleaned up, wiping his forehead of the sweat that had gathered.

Joichiro brought his dish to the Judges and they all had incredulous expressions. Hiro watched before bringing his dish to the judges.

Joichiro looked at the skewers and shook on the inside.

Those...

The judges ate the skewers and smiled warmly without an other expressions, looking at Joichiro as Hiro handed him a plate. He took the plate and slowly bit off a bear ball before eating it. He shook and dropped the plate to the ground as he teared up.

It tasted the same as that last time they made it together but this time, there was no dominance... There was only comfort and warm feelings.

He envisioned a field and was suddenly hugged from behind as he was walking away. The hug was warm and somewhat sad. It was a Bear hug of Farewell!

The breaking of the plate brought him back to reality as he looked at Hiro, Zerotwo, Gin, and Fumio smiling at him. He misjudged them, he was sad now. Why didn't he just leave secretly? This was going to be so hard!

Fumio, Gin, and Zerotwo put a coin in Joichiro's plate, before tearing up. Hiro's eyes reddened and he presented his knife, wrapped in white cloth "You win, Jo." Joichiro sniffed and took the knife before hugging Hiro and sobbing.

Hiro hugged Joichiro tightly, shedding silent tears.

Gin wiped his eyes and Hiro stepped back. Gin bear hugged Joichiro immediately, the Fumio hugged him, and Zerotwo gently hugged him before stepping back and wiping her eyes with a smile.

Hiro gave the rest to the others and smiled before helping Joichiro pack up.

A while later

They were standing at the door and watching Joichiro leave. He suddenly stopped and turned around before saying "I'm gonna miss you guys..." he sniffed and held the black leather roll up travel bag in his hand as he added "Thank you... so much."

They all had their eyes turn red and he smiled before gripping the bag tightly and walking down the mountain and disappearing.

Hiro hugged Zerotwo and rubbed her shoulder before going back inside. They had all left their Knives with Joichiro, it was something for him to remember them by.

And just like that...

Joichiro left.

The Dorm never recovered.