The atmosphere is changed as Yu asks Soma a question that shocks him. He asks, "Why do you think I am the Phantom? I'm pretty sure that I told you that the Phantom has been taking good care of me."

Yu says, "There are some questions regarding your statement. First, you said that you really know the Phantom's true identity but you haven't defeated him, that makes me wonder that reason might be because you are the Phantom himself. Second, the way you are cooking, I have observed a lot of the matches of Phantom. And the way you cooked is too similar to his. And finally, when I was still at school, I have found the lost document of the First Phantom, whose real name is Yukihira Tamako. The fact that you have the same name as her means that she is your mother, am I right?"

Soma frowns and says, "You got me, I am the Phantom. But I want you to keep the identity a secret. That's my Mom's dying wish."

Yu smiles, "Don't worry, I will like to help a friend of mine." Then he turns to a frown and says, "Though I am very sorry that I have made you remember the bad memories of your mother's death..."

"It's fine, my Dad and I are trying to move on." Soma sighs.

Megumi says, "Are you sure this is fine, Soma-kun? I mean, you just revealed your identity just like that..."

"It's fine, Tadokoro. I also know how well your brother's cooking is. He is also a good opponent that deserves the title of the first seat back then." Soma says.

"Then if that's fine with you, how about we do that again? Cooking showdown?" Yu asks Soma, who replies, "But you already know my full identity."

"That's true, but you realize that I have never beaten you when you're in your full strength. From that Nori Bento that I have eaten, that strength of yours is held back, and perhaps, you held back a lot during the Autumn Elections."

"Ehh?" Megumi gasps in shock, and she asks, "But why, Soma-kun?"

Soma sighs and says, "The elections are just for fun, and I just don't want anyone to know about my identity as the Phantom. Do you remember that time when the Phantom came after the battle of me and Mimasaka? I asked Isshiki to do that for me."

"What? That was Isshiki-senpai?" Megumi asks in surprise. "It makes sense now..."

Soma says, "If you want to have a small cooking showdown, I can give you one. The same theme?"

"Of course, and since Megumi is here, how about she becomes our judge?" Yu asks.

"Eh? Me? A judge to Brother and Soma-kun's dishes? But I..." Megumi gasps.

"That sounds very interesting." The three of them turn around and see that Isshiki is there, and Soma asks, "Isshiki-senpai? What are you doing here?"

"I have been here this whole time, and I also try to stand guard at anyone who tries to eavesdrop on your conversation. After all, I know you don't want to have your identity being revealed."

"Thanks...Isshiki..." Soma sweatdrops a little.

"If Tadokoro-chan doesn't want to be a judge, I can do it for her instead." Isshiki says. "And don't worry, I will make a fair judge."

"That's fine for me. I was also worried if Megumi becomes the judge, she would have to pass out a lot of times." Yu says.

"That's exaggerating!" Soma yells.

After they are back into the kitchen, Isshiki says, "So the theme is Breakfast, and the time limit is an hour. Now let the match begin."

As Soma and Yu are now trying to work on their dishes, Megumi is now looking in surprise as it is the first time she sees her brother doing a cooking showdown with Soma, she has seen her brother cook a lot times when she was little, but she has never him cooking like this. It makes her wonder how many things her brother has learned during her stay at school and traveling abroad.

Isshiki thinks, "Both of them are very fast, that's for sure."

He notices that Soma is cooking some rice as he thinks, "So Soma-kun is going to make a full Japanese breakfast, a traditional Japanese style breakfast consisting of Gohan, Shiru, Okazu, and Kouno Mono. And the Okazu he is making...is that an omelet?"

Isshiki then notices that Soma is stirring the egg yolk and then putting some other things into the pan. He also turns to Yu, who is adding milk and eggs, Isshiki thinks, "But what is Yu-kun making? At first, I was thinking of French Toast, but the amount of milk doesn't seem to be it..."

As they are about to go with the final step, Soma is now presenting the plate while Yu seems to be putting something inside the seeming soup. Megumi asks, "What is that?"

"That is cilantro." Much to everyone's surprise, Hayama is also there as Megumi says, "Hayama-kun? What are you doing here?"

"Jun asked me to deliver something to Yukihira, but it seems like he is doing some sort of cooking showdown with the guy over there." Hayama says as he sighs.

"Cilantro? What is that?" Megumi asks.

"Cilantro is a versatile herb that is essential in many Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Asian recipes. It is almost always used fresh because it doesn't dry well. The herb has a unique flavor that some love, but others wish to avoid." Hayama says.

"As expected from the herb master." Isshiki says.

"Here is my dish." Soma is the first one to present, and he also notices Hayama, "Oh? Hayama, you're here as well?"

"Jun wants me to deliver you something." Hayama gives the bag to him and says, "And I have other things to do, so I'll leave for now."

"Since you are already here, why don't you come and eat as well?" Soma asks with a smile, "I was just having a showdown with the first seat of the 88th generation."

"And you are just calm at that?" Hayama asks. "But after all, you are the Phantom, I shouldn't expect less from you."

Soma says, "Anyway, this is my dish: Yukihira-style traditional breakfast burger!"

The three of them are looking at Soma and the food with shock. It is a rice burger with stuffings like vegetables and an omelet. Megumi asks, "Soma-kun...I thought you were going to make a traditional breakfast?"

"Ah, you're right, but this is what it has become after I mixed everything in it." Soma says.

The three of them look at one another as they start to eat the dish, and much to their surprise, the flavor is surging at them just like the morning sun. Isshiki says, "The egg is being cooked with miso and tuna, and that the vegetables are cooked very well...they are all melting into the rice."

Megumi says, "The warmth of the food is just like the morning sun that is about to raise from the ground, it is very delicious..."

Hayama thinks, "So this is the true power of Yukhira? I have to admit, but this is very good..."

Isshiki asks, "But why would you try to covert this into a breakfast burger? And especially rice burger?"

Soma smiles and says, "There are sometimes I overslept when I was working at my Dad's store, and both my family weren't always there. So I have to take out my breakfast from other stores, and rice burger is one of the famous food in one of the fast-food chains, so I have been eating it a lot."

"I see." Isshiki says, "But what are those inside the rice..."

"Those are Black Rice." Hayama says, "They are some sort of glutinous rice. They are used mostly in Asian countries, and they are also known as the sticky rice, that's why the rice can perfectly stick together..."

"I have noticed some Tangyuan and dumplings made by this, so I was trying to think if I can use it to glue the rice together." Soma says. "And their sweetness also mild the strong flavor from the egg and tuna omelet inside."

"Soma-kun's creativity sure is unexpected...but this is so good..." Megumi says.

"But we are not finished yet." Isshiki says as he notices that Yu brings three dishes to the table, and he says, "Please enjoy it."

Megumi looks at the dish and says, "Is this some sort of soup? But I can see eggs in it..."

"This is a breakfast dish from the South America Country: Changua. Also known as Milk Broth with eggs. You can also try to eat it by putting the bread into the soup."

The three of them try to do that, and they are surprised to see find out that they are now in the mountains of Andes. Isshiki says, "The soup is so rich, and the eggs inside the soup really dances in my mouth..."

"The soup isn't all that sweet and salty, it also warms up my body with the heat..." Hayama says.

"And the yolk is not that over-cooked, which gives me a feeling just like Benedict Eggs..." Megumi adds.

And then they are feeling just like they were yelling on top of the mountains.

Isshiki says, "Now it is time for the judgment, as much as I want to say that, but the truth is, I can't decide which dish is the better."

Then Soma and Yu decided to try out their opponent's dish, and they are also overwhelmed by the feelings from the dish. Yu says, "I think it is obvious, the match is a tie. Don't you agree, Soma-kun?"

"I agree. Your soup is very delicious, as expected from the first seat like you." Soma says.

"Your Rice Burger is also satisfying to me, it is also perfect for a breakfast." Yu says.

"Thanks." Soma says. "After my showdown with my Dad, I realized that I lost to him because I just meet the bare minimum of the demands, while he tries to maximize the satisfaction. That's why I have been trying to make something like this."

Megumi and Isshiki nod with a smile while Hayama just stares at Soma without saying anything. As for Yu, he just smiles at Soma and thinks, "Megumi really finds someone that is worth taking care of her. Now I'm very satisfied."

After a while, the time for his leave is soon, and Yu says, "The reason I came here is that I want to see how my sister is doing, if the years are the same, then you are going to have your Stagiaire really soon."

Soma says, "Oh...now it is that time...The Stagiaire system in Totsuki is part of the curriculum in which first-year students of the high school division are sent to various professional kitchens."

Megumi says, "So that means we are going to different kitchens to work? And if we didn't do well..."

"Expell." Yu sighs. "And you might be seeing some chefs like Shinomiya as your examiners."

Megumi is now panicking a lot, but Yu pats her head and says, "But seeing your dish, I think you will be okay with this. I know you can survive."

"Brother..." Megumi is surprised as Yu bids them farewell and leave. Soma says, "Well, let's do our best in the Stagiaire, Tadokoro."

Megumi gains her confidence and smiles, "Of course."

Here is a new chapter, and there is the cooking showdown with Soma against Tadokoro Yu. And since I am not a chef, so my description might not be 100% accurate. I hope you like this chapter and we will begin the stagiaire in the next chapter.