Rating: T+

Pairing: Soma/Erina

Genre: Pure, unadulterated, shonen-y, battle-y, manga-y story with some actual cooking for once!

Notes (Zancrow – Author):

Hello everyone! Zancrow here!

And here we have it, the Second-To-Last Chapter of "Nouvelle"! I mean, after a period of over five (5!) years writing this little sucker down, even I began to have my doubts if I could ever push myself to conclude it properly. It was insanely hard, I'll admit, but oh~so satisfying! So, again, thank you all for all the support throughout the years, and I hope I can stick the landing to this little ride I've been so fortunate to be able to share with all of you!

Lastly, while I iron out a few more details on "Nouvelle's" sequel "Classique", please feel free to check out my newest little work of fiction called "Necronomicon", a little crossover fanfiction merging the worlds of the worldwide sensation: Naruto, with the anime of the season: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba!

Trivia (5 / 5):

As promised, let me give you guys just a little more details regarding "Classique":

A sequel to "Nouvelle", even if the plot will be enough self-contained so that you won't have to read it in order to enjoy the sequel (but it will help), it will show our chefs a little bit older, but not anything pass what has been shown of them in the manga / anime (Epilogue chapters not counting). Several things mentioned throughout "Nouvelle" will play a part in there, from the WGO approved rival schools that hold almost as much esteem as Tootsuki itself, the presence of Azami and a certain someone else, and more, shall we say, adult scenarios regarding the relationships between the characters. As to say, if "Nouvelle" is the -falling in love story-; "Classique" will be the -put effort into your relationship for it to work- story.

What will not be featured? Easy! There will not be any "superpowers", at all, save of course for the God's Tongue, which I never considered it to be one to begin with. The Noire Chefs will appear, but they will not take center stage. No chainsaws, Freddy Krueger gloves, cross knives, detonators, or anything that would be better to kill someone with than to cook with. Lastly, no half-assed romantic "rivals" or the like. There can be tension in a relationship without it involving a third party, and my intent is to showcase that.

So, if you've enjoyed "Nouvelle" so far, please consider giving "Classique" a try. I hope you'll all be able to enjoy it as much as I will enjoy writing it! …Oh! And it won't be a slow-burn!

Polls: There's a New Poll on my Profile Page! Please share your thoughts with me!

Shout Out: To the lovely Laury Rose for completing her excellent Soma/Erina story "Misunderstanding". If you have not read it, and you are a fan of the couple or of SnS in general, give it a try. I very much doubt you'll leave disappointed!

Disclaimer: Don't own Shokugeki no Soma.

It took several minutes for the crowd to calm down and stop cheering hard enough to allow Urara and Yua to retake the attention away from the new surefire favorite. The audience was almost drooling at the sight and, mostly, the sheer intoxicating smell that came from the leftovers of what once had been the winning dish in the last match. For people who had come to this "showcase" as nothing more than a formality, an event without any outright major players directly involved, as most of the big guys were running things in the background. It was more to show support at the union between Tootsuki and Stuffed, a joining of two very big names in the culinary industry. Yet, despite all of this, the audience was now fully invested in the coming match, the thought of seeing a legendary corporate partnership now pushed aside, itself replaced by just the thought of being able to see that boy cook once again…

Sorry, to see that chef retake center stage.

And while it was a surprise to pretty much everyone, a single individual still sat back, trying his best to keep any and all attention away from himself at all costs. It was Soma's night, not his, and he wouldn't ruin it, or let anyone do so. Still, a part of him wanted to let his presence be known, not to eclipse his boy, but rather, to prove a theory he himself had that Soma had caused such a stir that not even an appearance from the "Asura" of cooking could overshadow the boy at this point.

Jouichirou smiled at the thought, but decided against it, as Soma had enough on his plate right now. No need to force the boy to deal with an overly embarrassing father right now.

"Would you like me to sit you on the toilet with a portable TV?" was asked to Jouichirou, a question so out of nowhere that had he not recognized the voice and the sarcastic tone behind it, he would have outright ran from the seat he was currently on. "I mean, if you want to be any further away from the action, it's the best I can do for you."

"Ah, you caught me," Jouichirou replied as he feigned defeat. "But, how do you manage this? With as big and heavy as you are, you are awfully stealthy when you want to be, Gin."

"When you have thousands of employees on your payroll, it pays to be stealthy," the once First Seat and current General Head Chef of the Tootsuki Resort Gin Doujima explained, as he moved past Jouichirou's legs and took a seat right next to his ex-classmate. "May I seat?"

"You should ask that before you squeeze your ass right across my unsuspecting face," Jouichirou complained. "Plus, you're already seating down, where are your manners?"

"…Guess you rubbed off on me after all," was all Gin said.

"Right…" Jouichirou said, but he was not as annoyed as he was trying to play it off. It would be very hard to anger him tonight, given what he had just witnessed and all. "Still, you sure you want to watch from all the way over here. I'm purposely trying to lay low, but you? Aren't you needed over there?"

"That can wait," Gin replied, as his eyes focused on the stage that was currently almost prepared for the final match of the showcase. "I just wanted to get something off my chest, and I think you're the best guy for the job."

"Huh?"

"That kid of yours," Gin explained, his eyes narrowing as the redhead flashed right across him mind, same goofy smile he remembered Jouichirou always sporting way back in the day. "Even back at the Resort he left quite the impression. I knew he'd be good, but this? Instead of being one of the greatest Tootsuki has to offer, there he is, about to fight against Tootsuki itself. Can't say I would have predicted that."

"Neither would I," Jouichirou admitted, feeling a bit tense as he realized that the match was about to start. "And he planned this all out himself, well, with little Erina's help, and all of his friends, both on and off Tootsuki. Kid's pretty damn magnetic, just like his old man wouldn't you say?"

"Did you even have friends back in the day?" Gin asked, and it was less the question itself that insulted Jouichirou, but rather just how sincere of a tone Gin had taken when he asked. Jouichirou knew the other man was just messing around, but still, the nerve of it all.

"I'm sure I wasn't the one known as the one to have a stick so far up my own ass that I could serve as the official flag for Tootsuki," Jouichirou countered.

"No, I guess that could be either me or Azami, depending on the day," Gin replied, which earned him a chuckle from Jouichirou, "You, on the other hand, were known as the guy who tortured the freshmen with those inhumane creations you called experiments. Do you have any idea how much Jun still complains to me regarding that?"

"Guess I was successful then," Jouichirou said, a proud smile on his face that had no right to be there at all. "If she remembers it even to this day, then it was truly an unforgettable dish."

"She had nightmares…"

"Still counts!"

"…Speaking of friends," Gin added, and his shift in tone caused Jouichirou to turn from the stage towards him, his eyebrow slightly raised in curiosity. "Just got a call from Riko. Seems she was watching the event on TV. She was none too surprised to learn that Soma was in fact your boy."

"Are we that alike?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?"

"I dunno, I mean, to me he's more like his mother," Jouichirou admitted, resting his back fully against his seat, his eyes narrowing. "…Still, Riko… Haven't heard from her in a while…"

"If she's watching," Gin continued, his attention returning to the stage, where everything had been now fully prepared for the upcoming match-up. "Then it means that pretty much everybody who's anybody is also seeing this. Do you think Soma knows just how big this will be if he manages what he intends to?"

"Soma? I think even I don't fully grasp what this'll mean," Jouichirou admitted, much to Gin's surprise, given how casually he had said so. "…But, I'm sure Soma has only one thought on the matter…"

There's no fun to be had if you can predict every outcome.

The announcement was made, the call for the four finalist to approach their stage and begin their last match. In the waiting rooms, Soma Yukihira patiently sat, tapping his foot against the floor in a familiar rhythm, a lost song he could no longer remember but that he often found himself humming, rather poorly he might add. Still, it helped calm his nerves.

Once he heard the call; calling all chefs to their respective kitchens, he got up. He took hold of his equipment, and began marching forwards. In no time, he began to hear the crowd, the cheers, and the background music which had been carefully handpicked for this event. Everything.

He could also feel the glares from almost everybody opposing him.

His opponents, the fellow second years of the guy he had just beaten moments prior.

The Eizan family, the people directly responsible for everything thus far.

And, even from behind all the cameras pointed straight at him, he was sure several viewers were less than pleased at his appearance there.

'Erina's dad is probably one of them,' Soma noted, as he stood behind his appointed grill, setting his utensils on the table right next to it in the process. 'Well, can't say I'm not used to be the odd one out. If anything, hearing so many cheers is more off-putting in a way.'

"Alright then folks, here we have it!" the ever cheerful Urara announced, signaling the start of what should be the final match of the night. The crowd, ever so anxious to see the young Yukihira once more in action, could be barely contained in their seats. And, admittedly, it wasn't just them. From the Elite Ten, the Tootsuki alumni and the staff, everyone wanted to see what the conclusion to this event would hold in store for everyone. "The final match-up begins now! So let's give our finalist the biggest round of applause we can!"

The cheers were deafening, a testament to the power behind Soma's cooking and, likewise, to Urara's magnetic personality.

The screens flared up once again, now showing the current match-up on their displays.

MEA YANAI VS RUI KOFURU VS SHIGEMICHI KUMAI VS SOMA YUKIHIRA.

"Alright! No sense in having second thoughts now, let's get fired up!" Soma declared, mostly to himself but the audience got a good idea of his intent, as he pounded his fist into his palm, followed by tying up his headband. "So get ready, my main course is coming right up!"

As the competitors got ready, the man behind the event and person mostly concerned at the moment, Etsuya Eizan, watched, his facial features almost completely contorted beyond what should be humanly possible. How, he wondered, had this all gone so downhill so quickly?

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say our little troublemaker here is the new fan favorite of the night," Julius commented, completely unbothered by the turn of events. Rather, he seemed to be enjoying it greatly.

"I'd appreciate a little less praise directed at the boy now," Fukuzawa Eizan warned, as discreetly as his anger would allow him, given how his "boss" Mickey Roberts was seated right next to him, another person amongst the crowd currently rooting for the young Yukihira.

"My apologies," an unfazed Julius responded.

"It's not like there's much we can do at this point anyways," Yukichiko added, staring down at Soma, half annoyed and half impressed at all the boy had managed to accomplish. "He played his cards well."

"…Not if I have anything to say about it," her brother Etsuya muttered, as he turned his attention from the stage towards an approaching Rentaro Kusunoki. Etsuya quickly stood up, reaching Rentaro before the loser of the last match could be within earshot of Roberts. "Did you relay my message?"

"Yeah, I told them everything you texted me," Rentaro replied, the irritation of his broadcasted lost still fresh in his tone. "They'll change their dishes for something better suited for them. Something they can hopefully compliment with one another, but, do you think that'll be en-"

"I didn't ask for your opinion," Eizan warned, and Rentaro could do little but swallow his words. The venom oozing from Eizan's lips was something he'd prefer remain directed at Soma, and not at him. "I will not allow this failed upstart to take my greatest accomplishment from me."

"Now then!" Urara beamed, drawing the attention of every individual there right back at her, just like she wanted. "Let's begin our final match! Yua, if you please, what is the theme this time?"

"Uh… Oh!" the other hostess stumbled a bit, having fully expected Urara to simply hog all the spotlight and leave her with no airtime at all, but, it seems, even she had had some growth recently. Just how magnetic a personality did this Soma had anyways? "The theme is Ramen! Our friends at Stuffed International have saved the best for last; and our cooks here will show you all the many distinct ways such a simple dish can be made into the definition of gourmet!"

"Well said!" Urara praised, another new for her according to Yua. "Here to cook up Hiei's best, and most signature dishes, let's see what our participants have to offer!"

'Since when was ramen the main dish of that cruise…' Soma pondered.

'…Ramen? I don't even recall seeing that on the menu…' Erina mused.

'They are so pulling this out of their asses…' Urara thought, sensing even more foul play at hand. 'Since when did they even serve ramen on that thing?'

Soma decided it would be best to ignore his thoughts and in turn focus on what it was he was going to cook up. 'If I want to cheat, I could totally just try to remake that dish dad used to kick my ass back at the dorm… but where's the fun in that? I need something that I can call my own… Knowing these guys, they'll probably go all in with the expensive stuff, maybe some white truffle ramen spiced by saffron or something like that…'

"You seem pretty calm there kiddo," a voice took him out of his thoughts. Soma looked to the side, seeing his would-be opponent and fellow Eizan lackey Mea Yanai sitting on top of her own counter, smiling devilishly at him. "I'd be sweating bullets if I had this entire auditorium watching my every, single move."

"Then maybe cooking is not the right career for you," Soma innocently advised, which caused the elder girl to have to bite down on her tongue to avoid cursing at him on live TV.

"…He may have a point," fellow contestant Shigemichi Kumai stated, which earned him a glare from his partner in crime.

"Don't agree with him!" she barked.

"…You are certainly something," the usually quiet Rui Kofuru added, her eyes fixed on Soma even if her bangs covered them from view. "However, whether it's admirable or foolish what you are doing, I cannot decide."

"Honestly? Neither can I," Soma replied, his tone still sounding earnest even if he knew they were trying to get under his skin. He'd had gotten way too much practice whenever he had been forced to deal with Eizan to be bothered by their weak attempts. '…Heck, I probably got more training at dealing with exasperating people when I was working with Erina as my boss. I mean, Eizan is an ass, but boy can that girl test your resolve in ways I never imagined.'

"Chefs!" Urara roared, as the timer began to count down. "The final round begins now!"

And without sparing a single second, all four chefs began to cook. Sauces where being mixed, water was being boiled, noodles were being rolled, vegetable cut, fruits sliced and meats were being seasoned.

Erina Nakiri looked down from her VIP seat, her eyes shifting from Soma to each other competitor, analyzing their methods to try and deduce what they were going to bring forth. She wasn't worried, she told herself, she only wanted to be extra sure Soma had everything under control. She was most certainly not fidgeting in her seat, fighting back the urge to bite her nails like a child and definitely had no desire to cheer Soma on like some brain-dead romantic interest would do in the romantic manga she often read. The Erina Nakiri, cheering on her boyfriend on a live event, never!

"You seem more worried than he is," her cousin voiced, as Erina felt irked that she was still somehow so easy to read, despite her best intentions.

"I'm not worried!" Erina argued, even if she could barely hide it.

"Right…" Alice replied. "Just try to stop shaking then. Once Soma wins this, you are going to give him a victory smooch, are you not?"

"As if!" Erina shot back, but despite herself her face was already starting to redden.

"Erina has no need to do something so improper," Hisako came to her defense, much to Erina's relief. "A lady of her stature must always be mindful of her surroundings and act accordingly."

"Oh please," Alice replied. "That just further illustrates my point. Tonight is not an occasion for the rich and mighty to just show-off their stuff, oh no, it's a night showcasing a struggling underdog going against the establishment itself all to be able to be with the one he loves! If that doesn't just scream romantic, I don't know what does, ain't that right Ryou?"

"Yes."

"…And I just have to love how invested you are," Alice said with a pout. But then, she noticed just how intently he was staring down at the arena. Or rather, down at Soma. "…Ryou?"

"He's doing something crazy again."

"Uh…" Urara began, "Is that…?"

"He's…?" Yua tried.

"That can't be a…" Mea also tried.

"…It's a…" as did Rui.

"…?" Shigemichi said nothing.

"-and we just add a little bit more spice to it, and-huh?" Soma stopped his muttering as he realized that all of his opponents and the hosts and the judges and the audience had grown silent as they all stared at him. It was, somewhat unsettling honestly. "…Is there something on my face?"

"Oh, nothing at all," Anne was the first to voice, her tone ever so polite even if there could be felt a little hint of confusion in there, somewhere. It seemed even the esteemed members of the WGO were dumbstruck by this move, and everyone else had trouble putting it into words. "But, just to clarify, you are aware of the theme, correct?"

"Yes, ramen, right?"

"That is correct," she replied, smiling. "…You have eaten ramen before, have you not?"

"Yeah!" Soma answered, then added, "Why does that sound like an insult, though?"

"It isn't," she clarified. "Just an observation."

"What my colleague here is trying to say is, that, well…" Charme began, but even he had trouble saying it.

"Why are you frying a taco?" Histoire just bluntly asked, as the other two judges just felt their sweat drop. "What?" he asked, sensing their judgment. "You two couldn't spit it out!"

"Ah, never heard of a Taco Ramen then?" Soma asked with a big smile on his face, proudly showcasing his work-in-progress. The entire arena grew silent, as the young chef showcased a dish that was somewhat known to some of the more casual food enthusiast, but seen as a massive slap in the face to those trained in the greatest of the culinary arts. Such a dish should not be served in such an esteemed competition, but even so, in the back of their heads, a little voice seemed to whisper to everyone.

He's totally going to make it work.

-0-

The two hours passed by quickly, with ample commentary on the match up provided by the hostess duo and several comments given by the three judges, everyone was properly entertained throughout. Everyone kept their attentions fixated upon Soma, of course, as they wanted to see just what was they boy planning to unveil. And even more importantly, would it be enough? What initially seemed so long ago was now within reach, as all four competitors brought in their dishes to be judged, and the crowd went silent once again.

Except for a sudden, huge roar.

"You show them Soma!" Yuuki screamed from the sidelines, stretching herself out of the audience seating that she was halfway into the arena had she not been held back by Ryoko. "Show them what Polar Star is made off!"

"Yuuki, you're going to fall!" Ryoko warned her, trying her best to keep the hyperactive girl from hurting herself.

"Oh, hey!" Soma quickly lit up as soon as he saw the familiar bunch. Everyone from Polar Star was there, the entire group that had come to his rescue. They were late, he knew, possibly because of all the traffic, but better late than never. "About time you guys got here," the boy told his friends with a smile, as he paused briefly from reaching the judging table, much to the dismay of everyone present. They were dying to see his finished dish. "I'm this close to winning this."

"You better!" Takumi could be heard shouting, "No use causing such a stir if you're going to lose now!"

"You kick their collective, hive-mind-like, asses!" Daigo screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Yeah, show them that Yukihira specialty!" Shoji added.

"Please, I'm going to ask you all to lower your voices," one of the guards approached the group, as Fumio could only be seen shrugging at the accusation, possibly justifying it as kids being kids. The guard did not seem all that convinced, and several of the Tootsuki students quickly went on to complain to him about it, causing the poor guy to have a hard time keep track of them all. From Ikumi telling him "how on Earth was being excited at a showcase be considered wrong?" to Takumi saying how "there was a clear bias involved if they got in trouble for cheering on Soma" to Marui beginning to explain to the guard how unlikely it was that their shouts, not assisted by any sort of microphone, could ever be expected to impede the recordings being made by the news stations, which would realistically be the only reason for as to why their group would be justified in being asked to silence themselves.

The guard decided to just try and ignore those protests.

As they group was "led" to their seats, now with even more guards coming in to "watch" over them, likely sent by Eizan Sr. himself, everything seemed to quiet back down. Soma could only watch with a heartfelt gaze as he saw his group continue their support for him, fully knowing he'd never make it this far without them. So, he appreciated their efforts. But, even more surprising, even for him, was to see Megumi squirm her way past the guards and reach the rails of the arena, taking a deep breath as she did so.

Then…

"YOU'VE GOT THIS SOMA!" she screamed so loud that it honestly didn't sound like the same petite girl he had grown to know, but boy did it ever reach him. With an even wider smile in his face, Soma gave her the best thumbs up he could manage.

With his resolve at its highest, Soma then reached the judging table, where three judges sat before him, alongside three glaring opponents with three very picture-perfect ramen dishes ready to clash against his own.

Three Gourmet Ramen dishes made from the finest ingredients…

All versus a Taco Ramen…

Winner: SOMA YUKIHIRA.

…And they never stood a chance.

"Wait, what?" Mea shouted in disbelief, as Anne, Charme and Histoire had simply taken a single bite out of all four dishes before unanimously declaring Soma's weird hybrid thing as the winner. No comments, now critiques, just an effortless victory. She felt her blood run absolutely cold, but not as cold, she figured, as that of Etsuya, who could be seen glaring from above, likely in the brink of a mental breakdown. "There's some clear favoritism here at play! How did that Frankenstein's Monster of a dish beat our-I mean, mine!"

Rui and Shigemichi looked on, likewise as confused, but in the back of their minds they felt that maybe, just maybe, there was more to Yukihira's dish than they could see. They'd never voice it though, as they also felt Eizan's glare piercing them from behind, both too scared to look him directly in those hate-filled eyes.

"Well?" Mea continued, her anger spiking. "Say something you three."

"Oh my, what would you have me say?" Anne asked, her tone still evidently sweet, but an underlining hint of something caused Mea to stiffen and realize just who it was she was screaming at. "My fellow judges and I are a bit tongue tied at the moment, I'll grant you that, but it has nothing to do with our decision. Soma Yukihira is the clear winner, that much is certain, but I seem to have a hard time putting the reason into words… It's just… It seems to be quite the indescribable dish, if I could call it that."

"Indescribable?" Mea asked, her eyes still wide.

"It is as Anne says," Histoire added, his brow tensed as the man was deep in thought. "I also cannot find the words. Never in a million years did I expect to find such a high caliber dish in such an event. Seems we came unprepared."

"Indeed," Charme chimed in, looking just as pensive as the other two. "But perhaps we can have this be a learning opportunity. Please, my dear, have a bite."

Mea's eyes went even wider. She had to eat… from a dish made by that boy? The very same guy that Eizan had long warned them about, that he had dedicated his last few weeks to bringing down. The very same one that now had an insanely irksome, knowing smirk on his face, as he watched her squirm under the gaze from everyone in the stadium.

Maybe cooking is not the right career for you.

She bit her lip at remembering those words, as her fists involuntary clenched. 'I will not be defeated by this! He cannot be better than us, no way! He's just some cocky drop-out, no way he could compete at our level! There has to be some mistake here, there's just gotta!'

So she took a bite out to the ramen that had been served inside a crisp, bowl-shaped tortilla…

Mea found herself in a parade.

It was at night, but the sky was filled with so many stars that there was no shortage of light. Surrounding her were dancers all around, twirling about in a way so gracefully that it brought tears to her eyes. The music was ravishing, so potent, even if she was unable to understand the language. But, she didn't need to. She could feel it. Slowly. Passionately. Take over her very being. Her soul was as naked as her body before them all, and even when she was able to see them clearly, she wasn't afraid.

They weren't people… They were skeletons.

Skeletons dancing like people.

Skeletons dressed as people.

Skeletons playing that haunting music just like people.

She felt them pull her into the dance, the music so enticing she lost control of her body. Softly, the skeletons whispered to her ear.

"May I have this dance?" one wearing a sombrero asked.

"May I show you around?" one with a guitar asked.

"May I see your panties?" one with an afro asked.

"May I sing for you?" one with the softest voice asked.

…And all she could answer with, was "yes".

Her head hung low, as she came to from that vivid daydream she had just found herself in. As both her classmates looked on, with the ever looming Eizan just itching for her to carry on her argument, Mea could do little else but clench her fist and mutter. "…He's out of our reach."

And Eizan's world went dark.

"And our winner is…!" Urara proudly announced, her hand extending to present the boy that, against all odds, had conquered the greatest challenge imaginable. "…Soma Yukihira!"

"Heh," Soma sheepishly said, as he rubbed the back of his head in slight embarrassment. "It wasn't mu-"

"NO!" Eizan screamed onto the mike so loudly that it cut short Soma's trademark, causing the redhead to look up to the clearly angry guy with a hint of irritation. "There will be none of that!" Eizan growled, and the entire stadium turned to him, most of them utterly confused as to why he sounded mad all the sudden. Well, everyone not in the know, as it were. "A taco? Really? All you do is make a mockery of our organization and of the work we all do at Stuffed and at the cruise! We pour our hearts and soul into it, and yet, you dare bring that insulting dish here! It doesn't matter how many points for creativity they give you; not one of our customers would order that over the dishes presented by all the other competitors here! That's what you lack, and that's what got you thrown out of Tootsuki Academy! You are not from this world, and you'll never be!"

"Dad," Yukichiko voiced, sounding actually concerned. "Etsuya's getting out of line. We should stop him."

But her father said nothing, simply stared on. He knew his son. There had to be something more at play.

And Soma thought so to. So, with a gesture, he asked Urara for her mike, and once she gave it, he addressed Eizan directly.

"Yeah, that's where I disagree," he explained, his tone still jovial but with just a hint of anger behind it. Or rather, sheer dedication. "You see, I know I'm not rich and fancy like you guys, but I think that's more a fault to you all than it is to me… no offense! But, I just made a very simple dish. Granted, I made it my way, so it's far more than the sum of its parts, but even so, you all sounded utterly lost when I announced it."

"Who cares?!" Eizan barked. "You listen here Yukihira, I will not allow you to-!"

"No, you listen here Eizan," Soma interrupted Eizan, causing the elder boy to stiffen in pure rage. "It's just like you said. I'm just a random drop-out from Tootsuki Academy, leagues below any of these alumni who are already midway into their second years. And yet, imagine that, I beat them all. So why not, for once in your life, don't you actually put all that money of yours where your mouth is. Surely a Seated Member, one of the elite of Tootsuki Academy, would have no trouble in bringing down a random nobody from a little food shop. After all, you do remember what you told me, don't you?"

Eizan visibly stiffened further. He instantly knew what Soma was referring to.

Soma had been taken into his office, for a meeting he had arranged. It was a time before the showcase was even a concept, before the expulsion that took Tootsuki by storm, before event the Autumn Election that started this whole thing in the first place. A much simpler time.

"You're finally here," Eizan had said to the boy as soon as his hired hands had brought him into the office, the Ninth Seat sitting calmly behind his desk. "Sumire's Karaage Roll," he voiced, sounding more like a casual acquaintance than a threatening villain. "That was a pretty interesting dish."

Soma said nothing, but his face betrayed some shock.

"I was the one who produced and did the branding for Mozuya's expansion to Tokyo. I've heard that you rebuilt the shopping district. And," Eizan voiced, allowing himself to smirk at the boy before him. "This is why I called you, work under me, if you do that I'll make it so you never miss a meal."

"My goal is to succeed my family's restaurant," Soma replied, his tone serious. Eizan liked the hint of venom in his voice. It made him sound like a fun opponent. "So I have no intention to work under anyone else."

"Haa~" Eizan couldn't help by laugh a little. "Well, I thought you wouldn't join me…" Eizan voiced, the glare from his glasses obscuring his eyes from view. "However, you say those things too, huh?"

"Huh?"

"You're bound to your own little box… The kind of cook that is satisfied as long as he can proclaim his true artisan spirit," Eizan explained, and with each word, he seemed to be getting further inside Soma's skin. "It's only a poor and boring shop, am I wrong? Was your will pulled down because you were born in such a house? Hey?"

"…That's some comments you're making," Soma replied. "But aren't you a cook too?"

"No."

Soma's eyes widen a bit at that answer.

"I'll subdue every cook," Eizan told him, as calmly as one could, "The scenery we're looking at is different," Eizan continued, as he moved to stand up, beginning to make his way towards a still standing Soma. "Sorry for taking your time, you can go back, I've already decided."

"Decided?" Soma repeated, sensing something more to his words than Eizan's tone would portray.

"Soma Yukihira," Eizan announced. "The "Autumn Election" will mark the end of your "upstart"," he warned, as Soma narrowed his eyes. He didn't quite fully understand all of it, but he was certain he had made a very problematic enemy. "I won't forgive anyone who dirties my career…"

And as the Alquimista removed his glasses, he gave Soma the challenge that would define their relationship from that moment onwards.

"I'll give you a crushing defeat," he threatened, "On the best possible stage!"

"So, tell me now Eizan!" Soma roared into the mike, extending his arms out towards the entire arena before himself and the Alquimista, with a spark in his eyes not seen since the moment he had declared war on all of Tootsuki Academy. "IS THIS STAGE BIG ENOUGH?!"

'That's was his aim all along!?' Eizan forced himself not to say.

'He played us like fiddle!' Yukichiko thought as she bit her lower lip in worry.

'Damn it if this kid isn't interesting,' Julius noted, a barely visible smirk on his face.

'All right, I'll admit it, you do look kinda cool right now Yukihira,' the proud rival Takumi praised, but despite his thoughts, his face showed nothing but pure pride for his friend.

'That's our Assistant Chef of Expo for you,' Hisako proudly noted, a fond smile on her face as she remembered all the struggles they went through just to be able to get this far. Everything that boy did to be there, announcing that challenge that seemed initially unreachable.

'Do not cry Julio, for once be a man and don't cry…' a wallowing Julio tried, and failed, to keep himself from getting overly emotional. 'This is a time of joy, not sadness!'

"Sis," little Berta muttered, "Julio's making another scene."

"Just ignore him Berta," Cilla replied, trying her best to distance herself from the crying Italian.

'Now that's the Soma Yukihira I remember,' a proud Isshiki observed, once again witnessing the boy that could effortlessly turn a losing scenario into a sure victory, capturing the hearts of an entire audience in the process.

'All of this after winning with a Mexican-inspired dish,' Akira thought, 'Was that meant as a jab at my theme way back then? Knowing him…'

'I can't stop shaking, that was so awesome Soma, you totally got this!' a nervous and excited Megumi thought, trying her best to keep her shaking to a minimum, as she alongside all the other Polar Stars kept on cheering as loud as their throats could manage, security be damned.

'Looks like I might get my chance for a rematch after all,' a gleeful Alice yearned, her eyes shifting from down at the arena at the triumphant Soma, towards her aide standing right beside her, his eyes fully focused on Yukihira. 'And looks like I'm not the only one itching for a match, eh, Ryou?'

'Yukihira…' was all Kurokiba could think off, sensing just how much the Autumn Election runner-up had grown thanks to that display.

'…Atta boy,' a very emotional Erina thought, her entire will power focused on keeping a straight face lest she give her aunt any ammunition to tease her for years to come. But ever then, it wasn't easy. Seeing that boy there, down at the arena they all struggled so much to help him reach, declaring his intentions for all to hear, not just in the arena itself, but throughout the entire world. Come tomorrow, no culinary expert worth his or her salt would be oblivious to the name Soma Yukihira, and the results of that could very well be unmeasurable.

"It would seem that a challenge has been set forth!" a loud, booming voice shocked the arena, belonging to the big man himself. As Senzaemon Nakiri spoke, all attention turned to him, especially from an expectant Soma and a shell-shocked Etsuya. "So, I'll ask this, Champion of the Showcase: Soma Yukihira, are you by any chance challenging the Ninth Seat Etsuya Eizan to something specific?"

"I believe there won't be a problem with that, huh gramps?" a cheeky Soma asked, smirk still placed firmly on his face. "I may no longer be a student, but as the winner here, it's within my privileges to be able to use them, right?"

"As Headmaster of Tootsuki," Senzaemon replied, "I'll allow it!"

"What?!" Eizan barked, guessing what the two were plotting. This was not going according to plan at all!

"What else Eizan?" Soma replied, turning back to his opponent-to-be. "Let's you and me have a Shokugeki, right here, right now!"

"Preposterous!" Eizan quickly retorted. "You are not at my level! There's nothing to be gained from that! So even if the Headmaster would allow such a childish request from you, I have no reason to accept, as there is no gain to be had on my part in doing so!"

"Oh, is that right?" Soma continued, his tone still as jovial as could be. "You sure about that? If I understand this correctly, we are being broadcasted in live television across the world, aren't we? So you rather officially deny the Champion his request? Pity, not sure that's the best look for the son of one of the heads of the company that is constantly patting itself on the back thanks to the connection it has to Tootsuki… a seated member at that, but oh well, I guess I caught you unprepared, would want to lose in front of so many people like that. Don't worry, I understand."

'You little shit!' Eizan bit his tongue, then turned towards those at his side. His father was stoic, clearly angered beyond belief, but with Mickey Roberts at his side, who looked like a kid at a candy store given how gleeful an expression he carried, it seemed like Fukuzawa Eizan currently had his hands tied. Doing anything to try and stop Soma would result in him outing himself and his intentions, so all the senior Eizan could do was watch as the young Yukihira effortlessly destroyed his business plans one by one.

Yukichiko looked out of it, her brain still trying to process just how on Earth had everything gotten so poorly so quickly. On the other hand, Julius looked the polar opposite, outright impressed by everything, which irked Eizan even more.

But, by seeing all of this, Eizan now realized just how utterly alone he was at handling this mess. His lackeys? Beaten. The Elite Ten? Picked Soma over him. The Tootsuki staff? Enabling Yukihira's whims. The audience? Cheering the redhead on.

So, pushed against a wall for what seemed like the first time in his life, Etsuya Eizan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, removed his glasses, and upon reopening his eyes offered Soma Yukihira the strongest glare the boy had ever seen. 'Fine then,' he decided, his explosive anger now turned into a tranquil fury not many had seen on the young Eizan before. 'I gave you an out. I allowed you to carry on onto your little shitty shop and leave the rest of your days in peace. But no, you just had to keep on coming back. You just had to ruin the greatest night in my life, and for that, you'll pay. No more lackeys, no more traps, no more set-ups! I'll end your career myself!'

"Very well," Etsuya finally spoke up. "I'll bestow upon you the honor of facing an Elite Ten, and unlike your previous encounters, this one will be with everything on the line. So, considering how well thought out this has all been, what are your terms, Soma Yukihira?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" Soma replied with a grin, as both Urara and Yua watched from the sidelines, their position as hostesses currently overtaken. Neither girl minded though, especially Urara, who couldn't be happier. "I had some personal reasons for leaving Tootsuki, but I managed to resolve everything, so, as an Elite member, if I win, would you be so kind to give me your vote on my readmission to the academy?"

"Readmission?" Eizan voiced before he caught himself. 'That was the goal all along?! Damn this guy! How big of a sore loser is he?! With all the support he has from Senzaemon and the other Elites, he could work this out with them, but no, he wants it to be me the one to start the process!'

"Wait…' Anne spoke up, having been carefully observing the exchange happening before her. They had not been hired for anything more than the finals, and they were within their right to just leave, but neither her nor the other two wanted to. This was so out of left field that they couldn't help but stick around. "Not that I'm the most well-versed in the matter, but does Tootsuki Academy even accept readmissions?"

"We do not," Senzaemon replied, and he could feel as the crowd felt a bit disappointed by the answer. All except, of course, the Eizan family, who seemed to give out a collective sigh of relief. "While we understand individual circumstances and wish our students the best even if they drop-out, our studies are so rigorous that missing out even one day of classes is the equivalent of missing out an entire week on a normal school. For a case such as Soma Yukihira's, for a student that has spent weeks away, readmitting him or her would not only be against school code, but would simply result in the student getting simply re-expelled due to failing to get back up to speed with the rest of his or her year. It is simply not done."

'Grandpa!' Erina give a childish glare at her grandfather. 'This is not the time to bring those details out!'

'Finally,' Eizan noted. 'The old man is talking sense once again.'

Damn it! You've got to be kidding me!' an irritated Soma thought, clenching his fists. 'Why do I need to pee at times like this?! Be a big boy and hold it in, don't ruin the mood!'

"However…" Senzaemon added, and the Eizans felt themselves choke up. "…We are not talking about just any run-of-the-mill student here. Soma Yukihira has, to my knowledge, directly competed against the other students during their Stagiaire period, engaged in matched against several of the Elite Ten members, and has won the support of nearly every student in Tootsuki Academy's high school division. As it stands, Tootsuki Academy does not allow readmissions, as we pride ourselves as being the best culinary school in the world, and our selections are always final… But, the sheer thought of allowing such a chef like Soma Yukihira to fall into the clutches of any of the other schools is outright frightening! So, for the very first time ever, I will allow it! Soma Yukihira, we're you to win this match, I will permit Etsuya Eizan to readmit you into the academy!"

"Yes!" Erina uncharacteristically cheered.

"No!" Eizan could help but shout.

Soma just smiled.

"So then," Senzaemon continued, turning his attention towards the Ninth Seat. "What would your terms be, Etsuya Eizan?"

"…" Eizan paused, his mind racing, until it hit him. He could still salvage this. Because Yukihira's request was unprecedented, his could be as well. He could very well hit him where it hurts, and use that to fully break his concentration. "…If I win, I get the Yukihira's Family Restaurant."

Soma and Erina's eyes widened at once upon hearing that, both realizing what Eizan's aim was. And despite themselves, it had caught them off guard.

"You want…?" Soma began, his eyes shifting into a glare to match Eizan's own.

"Do we have a deal?" Eizan asked, his tone now slowly regaining its trademark sleazy, yet professional style. "What you are asking for is massive, it is only fair that I stand to gain something with equal value. What better prize than the most popular restaurant in the Sumire District?"

"…I'd have no problem in offering it, honestly," Soma replied, his tone once again serious. "But, it's still not mine, I cannot offer something I don't own."

"Oh, that's not my problem," Eizan mocked. "There's nothing else you can offer me at this point in your short career. So, I'm afraid that if you do not possess the right to the restaurant baring your name, then I cannot take you upon this challenge. Pity, I was getting pumped and all…"

Then a set of keys landed against the arena's floor, creating a soft clang as they did, causing both would-be opponents to pause and look at the person responsible in surprise.

"Would you look at that now," Jouichirou declared, standing near the rails of the auditorium, with a surprised looking Gin not that far behind. "I had just been thinking of giving the shop to Soma anyways, so it seems you'll be able to get your little wager on after all boys."

Both Eizan senior and junior looked outright shocked at the sight of Jouichirou appearing out of seemingly nothingness, handing ownership of the restaurant to Soma in the process; all the while plenty of the higher ups at the event struggled to find words to describe what it felt like realizing than not only were they in the presence of the Tootsuki elite, but also to the legendary alumni Jouichirou Saiba and Gin Doujima.

"…Thanks pop," Soma voiced softly, out of the range of the microphone, as he walked over and bent down to take the keys onto his hand. They felt… heavier than usual, he noted. He clenched them, knowing full well what it meant. Losing this wouldn't harm them much in terms of living, as his father could get a job nearly anywhere, and Soma had open a lot of doors for himself during this little journey. But… it was really all that was left of her. Losing Yukihira's was losing his mother once again, and for a fraction of a second, he felt that distasteful hesitation hit him once more. The same one that had caused him not to fight for his right to remain in Tootsuki. The same one that almost prevented him from realizing his feeling for Erina Nakiri… 'That's right,' he realized, 'If I don't do this, then it's almost the same as losing her. I know that she won't hold it against me if I lose, none of them will, but I will. How can I be with the heiress of Tootsuki, the God's Tongue herself, if I can't even manage to protect what I care about? I can protect mom's memory… and I can protect what Erina and I have!'

'Our collision is unavoidable…' Eizan realized. "You're going to regret this Yukihira!"

"Come down here and make me, Eizan!" Soma flared back.

"Very well then!" Senzaemon announced, then he turned towards the judges currently working overtime. "I don't suppose you all could judge just one more match?"

"As if we'd miss this," Histoire was the first to reply, as all three nodded to the elder man, not wanting to give up their spot to anyone. Stuff like this rarely happened.

"Perfect!" Senzaemon added. "Now then, Soma Yukihira and Etsuya Eizan, please take your positions. The match shall begin in-"

"One thing if I may," another voice interrupted, and Senzaemon turned to face the elder Eizan, who had gotten his hands on another microphone and was now standing next to his son. He seemed to glare at Soma, then at Jouichirou, but it was hard to see given the distance, and neither Yukihira much cared. "Our prime time slot is almost over. We cannot afford to remain in the airwaves for long, so in order not to rob our audience of the show, let us make it quick. A "sudden death match" if you will."

'Still grasping for straws I see…' Erina thought, as she stood up from her seat, much to the confusion of the nearby Alice and Hisako. She didn't say a word, but she was sure what the elder Eizan's goal was.

'A sudden death Shokugeki?' Soma thought, '…That actually sounds awesome!'

"…What should have been the closing ceremony, we shall now dedicate to the match," Fukuzawa Eizan explained. "Forty-five minutes left on the clock. The Shokugeki shall take no more than thirty, with the remaining fifteen minutes dedicated to the judging and closing statements. Will that be sufficient?"

"Sounds great!" Soma replied.

"Works for me," Eizan replied.

Senzaemon just nodded, and Fukuzawa turned to the side, and without a word, Julius stood up, his expression unreadable.

"Given how there's not much in terms of prep work at their disposal," Fukuzawa continued. "I'll have Julius here work as the assistant chef for the two, so that they may focus strictly on the main course."

"What?" Hisako blurted out, now realizing what Erina had probably seen coming. "That cheat! If that guy helps them both, he could easily sabotage Soma's work without anyone noticing!"

"It is the perfect crime," Alice noted, her eyes scanning the African-American man, who despite his foreign status to them, was not an unheard of chef. "Julius Bedlam. A perfect choice if there ever was one. A mostly unknown for most professionals outside the major circuits, like say, our family, but… a massive name in the underworld. Ryou, go beat him up!"

"…Why?" Kurokiba voiced, but to Alice's surprise, not for the reasons she had expected him to. "And rob them of all the fun? I'd kill to be able to duel against those what-you-may-call them guys… as I'm sure they do."

"They?" Alice asked, then it hit her.

Eizan and Julius both made their way down to the arena, and despite Soma having won over most of the crowd, they still earned them major cheers, as Eizan's status as the Ninth Seat could not be overlooked. Also, while Julius was naturally an attractive young man, in the term of "dark and mysterious", Eizan could look pretty decent whenever he stopped wearing his glasses and had facial expressions not related to constipation, as per Shouko's observations at least.

"Forced your hand, didn't he?" Shouko muttered, smirking as she looked on from the sidelines, inconspicuously from the seats reserved for Tootsuki's students. "Been a while since I've seen such a serious expression in your face Etsuya…"

"Shall we?" Eizan asked, as both he and Julius stood before Soma, who had his arms crossed over his chest. The redhead merely took one look at Julius, then shifted his attention back to Eizan.

"Thanks, but no thanks," he told the two. "You can keep Julius all to yourself. Just like how Akira did to Kurokiba and me, and have him serve as your assistant chef and lackey for all I care."

"I never said "lackey"," Akira muttered.

"Open to interpretation really," Isshiki added, which only earned him a glare from the new Tenth Seat.

"You do realize our matchup is already set up, don't you?" Eizan questioned, although it was clear less an issue of fairness and more a jab to try an edge Yukihira further. If Soma refused Julius' help, then all the more power for Eizan, he concluded. "Granted, you don't have to use his services if you wish. I'm sure you'll be able to cook and prep at the same time in such a short time."

"You nuts? Even I'm not that crazy with what it is I'm risking," Soma countered, and Eizan was a little bit taken aback. "Of course I need some help, but I just don't want to burden Julius here with so much work. Let him help you, I already have a partner anyways," Soma explained, as he raised his arm and extended his hand. "Right?"

"Right!" Erina Nakiri responded as she clapped his open palm with hers.

Eizan and even Julius looked shocked at the sight of the princess right down there with them, having seemingly materialized out of nowhere. If the crowd had been loud before, they became outright deafening at the sight of the God's Tongue in the arena, still dressed in her ever expensive and proper dress, but with the same steely resolve in her eyes that the young Yukihira sported. Eizan wanted to argue, to fight back at this, at how unfair a match-up that was. If there was anyone their age in that arena who could hope to match Julius, aside from Eishi and Rindou, it was definitely her. He knew that, but saying out loud would reveal his intentions of having Julius assist him, so he had little to do aside from inwardly curse and accept the challenge as it had been presented.

"You read my mind Erina," Soma told the blonde. "But don't you think you should have changed yourself first? Might get that pretty dress dirty."

"It's your own fault for never managing to resolve issues without my help," she voiced back, her tone equal parts playful and mocking. "I'll have you wash it properly for me if it were to get dirty, so don't mind it much."

"Still can't use a washing myself I see…"

"This is not machine washable you dunce!"

"Then how…?"

"…Forget about it, focus on the match."

"Alright, we are on a clock people!" Urara beamed, having managed to wrestle the mike from Soma, who still wanted to trash talk Eizan a little more. "Let us begin! Headmaster, your call!"

"Let's see…" the old man muttered, taking the time to think a little bit. As he did, it hit him, the perfect theme for the match. It was just the sheer sight that did it, seeing Erina and Soma down there, ready to risk it all, against impossible odds. Just like those four had done, way back then; and like he himself had done even further back. There was just one word to describe it, and he went with that as the theme. "The theme is nostalgia. You may use any ingredients left behind after the showcase. You have a little over twenty-six minutes by now, so chefs, begin!"

And the match with everything ridding on it, between Soma and Erina against Eizan and Julius, began.

Both duos quickly began to prepare everything, moving quickly onto their stations without sharing many words between themselves. The music flared back up, as Urara and Yua took turns commenting on everything the chefs were doing. The audience was completely drawn in, completely taken in by the tension behind each move.

Without communicating much, Soma began to prepare the meat. His choice? Chicken. He tore it to pieces and began getting it ready, all the while setting a broth to the side, making sure to get it to the correct consistence he needed. He turned to Erina…

…And she caught on quickly. Erina began to prepare the vegetables, cutting them finely and evenly. From tomatoes, to bok choy, to shiitake shrooms, she prepped everything perfectly, her eyes scanning Soma's every move so that he'd have access to what he needed the moment he did, not a second sooner or later.

Eizan, not one to be outdone, turned his full attention to his creation. A nostalgic dish? He had lucked out. That definition was broad enough to allow him some breathing room, so he began to prepare on of his specialties. He couldn't risk it otherwise, he had too much running on this match, so he had to hit them both as hard as he could. Plus, he knew one thing he had in his favor…

…Julius knew his specialties. One look at Eizan's movements, and the once Noire had a grasp of what it was the younger Eizan had planned, and he reacted accordingly. He took great pains to get everything set, but even so, he wasn't as invested as the other three. Sure, it was thrilling to face such opponents like the son of the Asura or the God's Tongue, but this wasn't his match. He craved to fight them himself, not as an assistant. So he told himself he'd do just enough, keep himself at the level Erina kept herself. He knew she could do a lot, but as long as he didn't go over and beyond, neither would she. Which would meant, when it came down to it, if both he and Erina did their job properly, the winner would be decided by merit of the main chef alone, as it should.

But one sight did surprise even the more experienced Julius.

Well, granted, it surprised everyone. The crowd gasped softly, a little flushed and flustered, but soon the silence became cheers and whispers, and everyone, from Alice to Hisako to Takumi to Megumi to Jouichirou to even Senzaemon could do nothing but watch in surprise at what took before them.

As Soma and Erina cooked, as they moved about and helped each other get the stuff the other needed, they moved in a far more systematical method than anyone anticipated. It wasn't mechanical, far from it, it was… more. She'd reach out for something, he'd hold her hand as he give it to her. He'd move to take a prepped ingredient, she'd brush herself against his frame as she handed it out. Once she needed to move back to her station, he'd hold her by the waist briefly… and twirl her in place and motion her to her station…

…It was like watching them dance.

The music playing only helped increase the comparison. Fluid movements met fluid movements, little touches ignited the sensitive skin on the other, then as the beat of the music increased, so did their cooking. The fire was set at its highest, a large flame erupting from the stove, looking less like a cooking competition and more like a special effect in a show.

Then the song began to sound like clapping, as if the song itself was awestruck by the pair of dancing chefs.

Then the clapping became real. At the same tempo of the song, of their dance, their friends began to clap. To stomp their feet. Just like back at the basketball game turned Shokugeki, just so well-timed that it seemed practiced.

Megumi Tadokoro, Takumi Aldini, Isami Aldini, Shun Ibusaki, Ryoko Sakaki, Yuuki Yoshino, Zenji Marui, Ikumi Mito, Daigo Aoki, Shoji Sato, and even Subaru Mimasaka lightened the mood with their rhythmic claps, their enthusiasm for the display before them slowly winning over the crowd entirely, as the rest of the audience joined in and clapped and stomped to the beat of the song seemingly playing for just two.

"This is outright moronic!" Eizan argued, feeling that each clap made his head spin. How could he be expected to regain control of the narrative with everyone making out Yukihira to be the damn clear cut favorite? "Julius, more effort!"

"What would you have me do? Dance with you?" Julius asked, and Eizan glared at the elder boy. Julius just scoffed. "I'm just about done. Hope you stuck your landing."

"How dare you even imply the opposite," Eizan responded, and within moments, he was done. He looked down at his dish, for the first time unsure if his skills were indeed enough, but just as quickly as that thought hit him, he shook it away. He had long attempted to avoid this direct confrontation with Yukihira, but he supposed there were some things even he couldn't avoid. So, he took a step forwards…

…and handed his dish to the judges.

Anne, Charme and Histoire looked on, a mix of surprise and glee visible in their eyes. The crowd began to quiet down, and the music was lowered, all to allow the judges their say. Anne was the first to speak up, her eyes shifting from the dish to its chef. "This is…?"

"It's a ginger-dressed khao man kai," Eizan explained, presenting his dish made up of seasoned rice, fine boiled chicken chunks and slice cucumbers and several sauces. "Perfectly boiled and seasoned, the perfect mixture for a dish that took the entire Asian market by storm all those years ago. For all of those here, it is undoubtedly a dish we have had the pleasure of eating many times during our youth."

"I see…" Anne observed, taking a bit out of the meal, and within moments, she was utterly captivated by the taste, the texture, the smell, everything! Such a fine dish created in such a short time, utterly baffling! Such was the power of a seated member, she concluded. "~So good!"

"Indeed," Histoire added, likewise caught in the flavorful trance. "While the dish is simplistic in nature, the way it has been boiled to utmost perfection makes it seem like the chicken had been left seasoning for days! My word, how utterly incredible!"

"But there's more, isn't there?" Charme noted. "At first I thought only the cucumbers served as sides, but this flavor, this sheer sense of umami, it's like…"

"Oh, you've noticed?" Eizan commented with a smirk. "As expected of WGO members. What you are tasting is nothing more that the small slices of a little something I added inside the chicken itself. If you can see from it, it's been lightly stuffed with my very own, special brand of Blood Tofu."

"Blood Tofu," Histoire commented, turning to Anne.

"Ah, that would be pig blood curd," she explained, her taste buds still overjoyed by the aftertaste.

"So, inside this meat, even the drumsticks, is…" Charme managed.

"But of course!" Eizan replied. "I would be a fool to allow the opportunity to cook for the WGO go to waste! Such highly respected judges, how could I ever expect my family's name to survive were I not to grant you the greatest of pleasures! Don't you agree?"

'Such a cocky young man, so full of himself,' Anne thought, as she couldn't help herself from taking another bite. 'Yet… I can't deny this flavor… No matter how much I fight against it… this taste… is simply…'

Massive gates opened for the three WGO judges, and despite Anne, Histoire and Charme's best efforts, they were powerless to stop it. Thousand arms shot out from the opened gates, and in no time, their bodies were ravished, clothing torn apart and discarded, as all three ended up at the mercy of the lone figure sitting in the wide, white void.

When it spoke, it was with their voices.

And, despite their powers, they were defenseless against the cold, hard, Truth!

For a flavor so powerful, the only way to match it was to surrender themselves completely to it, to the young philosopher clad in the light before them, whose power greatly surpassed their own. The Flavor Alchemist, Etsuya Eizan, in all his powered glory. I lifetime of servitude for just one more bite, it was the only way…

…to offer up an equivalent exchange!

'…overwhelming!' Anne concluded her thoughts, struggling to keep her fantasies at bay and make sure she hadn't disrobed herself somehow. It seemed that her coworkers where sharing similar thoughts, with both Charme and Histoire looking about to pass out.

Eizan smiled victoriously, turning his attention from the enchanted judges towards his opponent, hoping to catch a glimpse of the fear surely running up and down his spine.

Instead, he was met by a confident smirk.

"Your turn Soma," Erina told him, her arms crossed across her chest as she looked on at the judging table. Her dress had gotten dirty after all, as had her expertly treated hair. She didn't care, and much less did Soma. After all, she looked breathtakingly beautiful like that.

"Yeah, let's finish this," he said with confidence, and made his way towards the judges, walking right past Eizan and Julius, and placed his dish before them. It was a big bowl, and as soon as Soma lifted the lid, a massive bomb of smells covered the entire arena. The steam was outright visible to even the audience members, resembling less the heat of a recently prepared meal and more a dragon's breath moments before being fired. "…Enjoy!"

"What is this striking aroma?" Charme asked, as even without taking a bite, he felt utterly entranced.

"It's a chicken and vegetable skillet-less… skillet?" Anne asked, seeing how the brightly colored, finely cut, chicken and veggies seemed to have been cooked on a skillet to perfection. Their color was striking, almost neon in presentation.

"The bowl only enhances the aroma, to great effect," Histoire noted, as he moved to grab a bite, picking a mix of tender chicken and vegetable, and with the single bite, becoming enamored by the sheer flavor it gave out that he almost felt slapped by a skillet himself, right across the face… after it had been used for cooking… by an Ultra-Instinct Son Goku.

"~Oh my, that's something!" the poor man managed to say.

Eizan looked on, eyeing the whole thing intently. He could still see Erina just standing there, obviously nervous but keeping herself calm to an utmost professional degree. Soma also played the part, but he did look a little bit more anxious than her. Then it hit him. The reaction! While it had been clear Histoire had enjoyed the taste, unlike when they tasted Eizan's dish, he had not been outright sent into a trance by it. That could only mean…

"Seems like I have a new shop, eh, Yukihira?" Eizan gloated, but instead of worrying Soma, the boy simply turned to him and smirked. 'Huh…?'

"When did I ever say my dish was meat and vegetables on a skillet?" Soma told both Eizan and the judges, and before either could ask, Soma walked right back toward the stove, grabbed another pot, and brought it forwards. He then poured its content onto the bowl, a newly prepped broth flowing forwards and enveloping the meat and vegetables completely. "Here we are now!" Soma announced, "My completed dish! This is the dish that was meant to win over the hearts of every customer in Golden Locks, my Chinese-American masterpiece, the "Mango Spiced Chicken Noodle Soup ~ Nouvelle Edition"!"

"Wait…" Anne began.

"This is actually…" Charme continued.

"Soup…?" Histoire asked.

"Yep!"

Everyone was silent. Even Eizan, who was now at a loss of what to say.

But then the time came, and the three judges each took a spoonful of the newly produced soup, and everyone awaited their reaction.

It never came.

All three just sat there, their eyes wide as plates, but none uttered a single word. The crowd just stared, as the three judges kept on staring into the void of nothingness.

"Did they die?" Yuuki could be heard asking, as Marui assured her that Soma would not be capable of creating a dish so horrid as to actually kill someone… unless he accidentally poisoned them. Then they began to worry.

Eizan felt peeved, because this comedy show had gone on for long enough. He moved to argue, but then the three reacted.

The gave no verdict or thought on the dish however, as all three simply pulled out their phones and dialed, without saying a word to anyone else, and just as baffling, began a conversation while still on the clock.

"Yeah, it's me, Anne, oh no, I'm fine, it's just," Anne said on the phone, tears on her face, "I… I miss you mom, I promise I'm coming over for a visit next weekend, I've been busy, but it's not an excuse!"

"Wait, what?" Eizan blurted out, as both he and the audience were utterly confused.

"Yes, it's me pops," Charme said. "The wife and I will probably go over to your house in the next few days… Oh, no reason really, it's just, well, I miss you is all."

"They're calling their parents?" Julius noted, and Eizan felt mentally slapped. The hell?

"MOMMY, I LOVE YOU, I'VE BEEN A BAD SON!" Histoire shouted onto his phone, bawling like a baby. "I'M VISITING SOON, SO HAVE A SPACE AT THE TABLE RESERVED FOR YOUR BABY BOY!"

"What's happening…?" Eizan tried, but he soon noticed that Soma had walked over to him, a small bowl in his hand served with his soup. Eizan glared at him, but Soma did not waver.

"Try it," he told Eizan, his tone showing neither anger nor remorse. "I did make it with you in mind after all."

"What?!" Eizan barked, but despite himself, he was curious. He just had to know what this guy had done to these people. It had to be staged, just another farce to make him look bad. Some stupid soup couldn't hope to match his genuinely gourmet dish. So, despite himself, Eizan snatched the spoon from Soma's hand, and took a bite…

…And suddenly he was eight again.

"And here it is!" he heard his sister proudly announce, as she walked into the bedroom carrying a steaming, hot bowl of soup. The twelve year old Yukichiko was careful to set up the portable table on the bed, before setting the bowl down. He could also see himself, like if he were watching a home movie, sitting in bed eyeing her curiously, his face still flushed thanks to the fever currently affecting him.

"I don't want it," the kid-version of himself told her, frowning at the bowl.

"You have got to eat something!" she told him, her hands on her hips, looking less like the kid she still was and more like an overprotective guardian. "You haven't eaten anything in two days now, and you won't get better on just fluids alone. The doctor told you to eat, and he recommended soup."

"What kind of soup even is this?" he heard himself ask, looking at the bowl as if it was going to come alive and swallow him whole. He had forgotten that day, but why?

"Chicken noodle and veggies, what else?" Yukichiko replied. "What else could it be?"

"…But we didn't have any soup cans," the kid said, and she sighed.

"I made it," she answered. "It's not that hard, I had seen mother do it."

"You made it!" little Etsuya almost jumped out of the bed, forcing Yukichiko to throw herself forwards to keep the bowl from spilling all over the sheets. "You can't cook! What temperature was the chicken cooked to?! How long did you steam the vegetables?! What kind of noodles even are these?! And the broth, what type-?!"

"Okay, now you're just being a brat!" she denounced. "It's not going to poison you! I was very careful at making it! You have to eat, please, at least half of it!"

It was something so uneventful, and yet, it pained him that he had forgotten.

"But-!" the little version of himself tried to protest again, but then he noticed her hands. Small bandages wrapped around almost every finger. She had cut herself. Eizan recalled that too. For as long as he could remember, Yukichiko had been a disaster in the kitchen. For a family that excelled in the culinary arts, that had to be the lowest of the low, and yet…

…the little boy began to eat.

"How does it taste?" he heard her ask, her tone hopeful.

"…Needs a little salt," both the current and kid-version of Etsuya replied, and it wasn't until he reached this point, that Etsuya Eizan realized that he had been crying. Soft tears streamed down his face, and he felt his anger flourish as a result. Without a word, he struck the bowl out of Soma's hand with a backhanded swing, causing the soup to crash against the arena's floor, startling the nearby hostesses.

"Hey!" Anne shouted out. "Can you people stop spilling his food?!"

"That's rather harsh," Soma noted, looking at the broken mess on the floor, as whispers and murmurs began to swell within the audience.

"…H-How?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't "hmm" me! How did you even know? This is just like… just like…" Eizan couldn't even find the words. It made no sense. Just like Yukichiko's cooking? Absurd. She'd never manage to make anything so tasty! Wait… tasty? Did he actually consider Yukihira's dish as such?

"The theme was nostalgia, right?" Soma explained. "So all I did was pick one of the simplest dishes that most people use as comfort foods, an area I've learned a lot from Tadokoro. Using the skills I picked up working with Erina, Hisako and Julio, I decided on a Chinese-American version of the traditional chicken noodle soup, but making it my own. Giving a hint of spice with my special mango chutney, and instead of simple broth, I ended up using consommé, for that added rich favor. In the end, I created a classic dish, just made simpler and at the same time more flavorful, the essence of Nouvelle Cuisine, which I find utterly fascinating really."

"Then…?"

"If it reminded you of something," Soma added. "It's just a testament of my skill, right?" he said with a flashy grin. "Nostalgia is a powerful force, and sometimes stuff we remember fondly wasn't the outright best, but back then, to us, it was all we ever needed!"

'Even now, he's still carrying his mom's spirit forwards…' Erina noted, fighting back the smile.

'Guess that I still come in second to you after all this years…' Jouichirou mused, 'Eh, Tamako?'

And Eizan couldn't reply. He couldn't argue back, he couldn't deny it. It was a flavorful dish, but more than that, it generated the image of pure nostalgia. He was certain that anyone who'd try that soup would be transported back to someplace only they'd know. It wasn't just a great dish, it was at the level of a parent's specialty, of a parent's love. Eizan was young when his mother passed, so he couldn't remember her clearly, so why? Why even now, whenever he tried to picture his mother, all he could see was Yukichiko?

Poor, dumb, useless Yukichiko… providing him the only warmth he'd ever known.

He closed his eyes, and threw his back. Then he voiced something Soma never expected. Something none of them did.

"…You win."

"W-What?" Soma blurted out, his expression now back to pure shock. Eizan did not repeat himself, he simply turned to face the judges. Anne smiled, fully knowing what had just occurred. And, within moments, the three judges gave their verdict.

"Holy shit!" Urara announced, then caught herself, "Ack, sorry! I mean, we have a winner. Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this Sudden Death Shokugeki, the Champion of tonight's showcase, give it up for… Soma Yukihira!"

The crowd exploded. The cheering began to get louder and louder, as everyone began to bounce up and down out of sheer joy. The Tootsuki alumni were outright dancing up on their seats, the Elite Ten were awestruck, and every member hired by Stuffed International were now jumping for joy.

"…It wasn't much," Soma said, even if he felt that maybe, just this once, it really had been a little bit much. But, who's he to ruin a good catchphrase? He turned to Erina, the prim and proper princess currently all dirty and messy with oils and juices staining the fancy dress she had modeled tonight. She had never looked prettier, and he was sure the cameras were catching all of it. Then he smirked, a devilish thought entering his mind.

"You actually pulled it off," Erina told him, trying to keep it cool but on the verge of joining in on the cheers. She was sure he'd win, but boy did it feel good to actually see it happen. To finally see it happen. "…Aren't you forgetting something? Eizan now owes you a-"

He then pulled her in for a kiss so intimate she almost collapsed onto his arms the second their lips touched. He eyes went wide, as the once uncertain boy took possession of her mouth as if it were his, taking even the legendary God's Tongue and reducing it to putty with his own. One hand on her waist, another on her hair, and she was his.

And the camera caught it all. The attention had shifted from "underdog takes on the establishment" to "Tootsuki to allow first ever readmission" to "ERINA NAKIRI HAS A BOYFRIEND!" in the span of less than an hour, and they were ecstatic for it.

"S-Soma," she voiced, her lungs wanting air but her body wanting him even more. "We… the TV. We're on-"

"Let them watch," he answered, and took her once again.

"Oh my God!" a blushing Alice squealed, as she pressed her face against the viewing glass. "Are they using tongue? I think they're using tongue!"

"Alice!" Hisako reprimanded, her face flushed beyond compare. It was an awkward sight when she was in the same room as Erina's aunt. "T-They're passionate, I see…"

"Reminds me of myself back in the day," Leonora mused, as Alice gave her mother a pouted look.

"Eww, mom, I do not need to think of you and dad like that!" she chastised.

"Like that?" her mother replied. "My, that's child's play if I compare it to your father and me. I remember once, way past midnight, right in the kitchen counter of Station 3B, we-"

"No, none of that!" Alice squealed as she jumped away from the window and hid behind Kurokiba. "Ryou, attack!"

"The heck you want me to do?"

"I don't know just make her stop!"

"…As if I was completely unaware of the things you two curious kids did back home," Leonora added, and both the lady and the aide blushed.

"Mom!"

"Miss, that's…"

Hisako wanted to be out of that room so badly.

Elsewhere, nine students stood up, knowing that the event was coming to a close and, come tomorrow, things would not be the same.

"You go girl!" Rindou shouted out, pumping her fists into the air. "You show the world who that booty belongs too!"

"Kids these days are rather daring…" Eishi commented, feeling more embarrassed than the others.

"You sound like an old man," Tosuke told the shivering First Seat.

"The polar opposite of a little certain someone," Soumei added, as he pointed to Momo. "He won, so you should be happy!"

"Such an indecent display," replied the petite Fourth Seat, hiding behind her Bucchi. "Can we go now?"

"We should," Nene replied, before she turned to Isshiki. As she did, her eyes widened slightly, as she caught a glimpse of a look of pure pride coming from her classmate. "…Satoshi?"

"Oh, yes, we should, shouldn't we," he told her, but he couldn't mask the sheer glee in his voice.

"All I know is that I want to know everything about that guy," Kuga said. "Not only is he a good chef, but even more impressively, he totally conquered Nakiri. That, my friends, is impressive. What does he have that makes him so dreamy, I wonder?"

"Height?" suggested Nene.

"Can you not!" he barked back.

"What indeed…" Akira mused, as he began to follow his fellow seated members, his mind already racing on the possibilities before them all. 'Soon, he'll begin to challenge all of us. I cannot allow myself to stagnate. I must reach even higher, just you wait, Soma Yukihira… and, Erina Nakiri.'

"Soma Yukihira," Senzaemon's booming voice brought all the attention back to him, as the elder man had come down from the viewing area and had reached the arena, with Soe following closely behind. Both Soma and Erina turned to face them, both still feeling the after effects of a kiss seen around the world. The old man seemed not overly thrilled by the display, but he forced himself to move on. "Now then, da-I mean, Soma, allow me to say something I should have said long ago…"

"Huh? What do you mean gramps-Hey!?"

The Don of the Food Mafia, the biggest name in the culinary world, and the Headmaster of the biggest and best academy for aspiring chefs worldwide, was currently on the floor, bowing down before the boy who could not even process the event before him. Even Erina, who knew her grandfather a lot more than Soma, was at a complete loss. The entire audience was shocked, which had become a very common feeling for them it would seem.

"I am sorry," the old man apologized, as Soma and Erina tried to tell him he was overdoing it and that he could get up. "Nonsense!" he argued back. "My role is to nurture and protect you, and I failed at that! Soma, you are undoubtedly a gem amongst the stones, and for as much as I pride myself and Tootsuki as being the best, I will not hesitate to admit when I have a lapse of judgment and make a mistake! Similarly, I will do whatever it takes to fix it!"

"Gramps…"

"Grandpa…?"

"…So please accept my apologies, and," Senzaemon continued, and with a few more words, changed the course of the academic history forever. "…Would you do Tootsuki Academy the honor of returning to its halls, becoming a student once more, and allowing our Academy to flourish with you as one of our greats?!"

"I-I, I mean, I," Soma tried to form words, and was doing a poor job at it, until he felt a gentle squeeze in his hand. Erina had grabbed him, her gaze soft and her smile softer, reassuring the boy that his goal was now ready for the taking. He returned the squeeze, and flashed the old man one of his brightest smiles. "Sure thing gramps! Soma Yukihira, Tootsuki alumni, ready to report to class!"

The cheers got louder, and as Soma pumped his fists into the air to celebrate, he heard a massive ruckus from the side. To his surprise and joy, all his friends had jumped down from the audience seats, landing right at the arena, and began rushing towards him. The redhead was caught by surprise the moment they all tackled him, and with little effort, began to toss him up in the air, again and again. All he could do was laugh, hoping they wouldn't toss him against the roof with how high they were making him go.

Eizan simply scoffed and walked away. I deal was a deal, he supposed, so he would have to begin working on the reacceptance paperwork for his victorious opponent. He excited the arena, realizing Julius had long vanished from sight, but as he reached the tunnel leading to the arena, he could see his father waiting for him, none too happy.

"Seems like I lost," Etsuya voiced the obvious.

"It seems," his father replied. "You do realize how much this will probably affect us, do you not? Your handpicked participants, beaten. You, an Elite Ten member, defeated. Tootsuki Academy, the example of strict, bending over to this brat. Our investors are sure to lower their offers as soon as they catch wind of this, plus Sakamoto is bound to get a massive push in his dealings with Roberts thanks to the fact that he was the one who first hired the boy. A boy from a no-name establishment, who crushed you like a worm despite everything I poured into your damn education!"

"I tried, or did you close your eyes to the whole thing!" Eizan shot back. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to cook at that level? Of course you don't, because not once have I seen you cook! This deal was mine, not yours! It's my name and dignity on the line out there! I'm the one who has made our family the billions it has when you only managed millions! Did you not see any of that?!"

"All I saw was a grown man crying like a little girl," his father replied, his tone cutting, and Eizan could do nothing else but look down in shame, biting his tongue so he wouldn't cry again. How he hated feeling like this. Failing like this.

"And you have nothing else to say, of course," his father continued. "My investments seem to have all been for naught. Damn it, I swear you screwed us over so bad that-"

"Enough!"

The shout was so sudden that Etsuya didn't realize his sister had arrived until she placed herself between their father and himself, arms stretched out as if to protect him from his rage. Their father glared at her, but she simply returned it in equal measure. "Yukichiko…" he warned.

"No, you listen here father," she shot back. "Etsuya has done enough, and thanks to you, we both have had to do so many unsavory things, just to keep you happy. I'm sorry if you couldn't manage you goals on your own, but you are not taking your frustrations out on him. If you're such a great businessman, then fix this yourself, we are going home, come Etsuya, pay him no mind."

And she led him way from their father, who was left with nothing to say and no plan in mind on how to salvage the situation. As they walked away, Etsuya could only think back on the meal Yukihira had served him, and for once, he felt grateful to the boy. "…it was delicious, you know?"

"Huh?"

"…Nothing," he replied, smiling. "Just a memory from long ago…"

As everyone cheered on, Soe Nakiri approached his father, who was busy brushing himself off after having been on all fours. The old man turned towards his son, a smile on his face. "Quite the situation, eh?"

"…You did well, I'm sure little Erina is pleased," the ever proud father and uncle replied, looking at his niece as she joined in on the cheering and at throwing the increasingly dizzy Soma higher and higher up. Poor boy seemed about to pass out. "Still, you do understand the ramifications that this will no doubt cost us. We have always prided ourselves on our strictest of guidelines, both in marketing and in financial scenarios. The other schools won't take kindly to this act of seeming hypocrisy."

"Let them come."

"For real?"

"I feel nothing but pity for those fools if they dare declare an open challenge to our academy," Senzaemon explained, his voice carrying nothing but pride and assurance. "You know why it is our system always has the Elite Ten present no matter the school year. Were anyone to challenge us, they will step up, as the pillars which sustain the very roofs on the heads of all the others. This year is no exception, and, where they to come later," Senzaemon added, his gaze shifting towards the celebrating students, all smiles and glee. "…I'm sure a new guard will be in place, one so strong that not even all six of those schools combined would ever hope to defeat."

"I do believe you're right," was all Soe could add, as both men looked on at the youth before them, the warriors of a fight meant to be told on another day.

-0-

Once his business was concluded for the day, he returned back to his home, removing his jacket by the entrance and taking of his tie. Always fashionable to a fault, Azami Nakiri always considered himself above it all, knowing fully well how the world works and having planned ahead for any and all scenarios. But today? That damn brat, with just those few words, had turned his world upside down. His little girl, in the arms of that ruffian? Jouichirou's son or not, no boy would ever be great enough for his Erina, and if he didn't act quickly enough, she was going to end up just like her mother…

'Mana…' his mind flashed, but he shook his head and reached the living room, where the sounds of a lit television set and the smell of cooked pastries told him that a certain someone was still up.

"What are you doing wasting your time like this?" Azami told his couch invader, as he walked closer. "I imagine then that your tasks are all complete, or am I wrong, Loren?"

The young boy laying across the sofa turned his gaze upwards to meet Azami's, a half-eaten cupcake still stuck to his mouth like a sugary muzzle. "Ah, yho bhak."

"Swallow then talk," Azami told him.

"I said "Ah, you're back"," Loren repeated, as the petite looking boy bounced on the couch and landed right side up, facing Azami "properly", his blonde hair brushing against his face almost covering his eyes, most notable thanks to the dark colored tips he had done to it. "And of course everything's done, you're scary when you're angry, even if you say you're not mad it's clear you are, and I don't want that. But I do want these muffins. Dove made a lot, wanna bite?"

"No thanks," Azami dryly responded. "Where's your sister?"

"She's not my sister!" Loren barked at him. "Thanks to you saying that is why she keeps treating me like a little sister instead of the potential boyfriend material I clearly am!"

"Little sister?"

"Her words, not mine!"

"…Where is she?"

"Taking her three hour long bath I think," he replied, his attention now back onto the TV. "She told me not to interrupt or else. That aside, your girl's on TV."

"It's fine, I suppose I-wait, what?" Azami asked, taken aback as his eyes shifted from the kid towards the television set, and surely enough, there she was. His little daughter, in the competition with that Soma, looking like an outright mess. He wanted nothing more than to drive right back and raise hell, but then it happened.

Soma kissed his girl in such an undignified manner that it made the elder man almost collapse.

"…" Loren took a look at the screen, then at Azami, then at the screen, before he said: "Ah, look at the time! I'll tell Dove you were asking about her, as for me, time for beddy-bye, like, right, about, now…"

Loren practically dashed out of the living room, as Azami was left to his thoughts, his previous thought now fully cemented. He needed to begin his plans as soon as he could, and first on the list, was now that thieving Soma Yukihira.

-0-

"Damn, that's one hell of a kiss!" Kengo Yana shouted out, praising the hell out of Soma and whistling at the display. "Always knew that kid was a certified panty-dro-"

He was dropped onto the concrete before he could finish that statement.

"Keep quiet you!" Aki Koganei warned, before she turned around with a smile. "Don't mind him gramps, he's just dumb. Still, thanks for letting us watch this here!"

With the entire Sumire District wanting to know what had become of their boy, the Yukihira's shop was reopened for one night only, and many neighbors quickly came over to watch the show displaying Soma fighting the battle of his life. And they got more than they bargained for, with everything the witnessed, from the duels to the big damn kiss. All thanks to the man responsible for reopening the shop even for a few hours.

"Sure thing little miss," Kazusato Yukihira told Aki with a wink. "That knucklehead grandson of mine needs all the support he can get… kid almost got us all kicked out of here though, but it worked out at the end!"

"Sure did," Junichi Kawa softly replied, which made him hard to hear given how packed the place was. Still, knowing what that kiss really meant, Junichi turned to the girl seating right beside him, still playing around with the drink she had been given hours prior. "How you holding up Mayumi?"

"…It hurts," Mayumi Kurase replied in earnest, which took Junichi aback a bit. She was almost never directly upfront with her feelings, very much less to anyone that wasn't Aki. Mayumi still offered the boy a smile, as she turned her gaze towards him. "But, I'm happy. He made it, he reached that goal that had him struggling so much for. Now, I just have to do the same. I can't consider myself a good friend if I get sad when one of my friends is happy, now can I?"

"Feelings are complicated like that," Junichi replied. "I just hope that whatever it is you set your aim as, that I-we can be a part of it, because it would be sad if you went somewhere far too. One friend away is more than enough."

The smile she flashed him took his breath away.

"I'll always be close by," she told him. "And I'm sure we'll all get our happy endings, somehow."

He could do little but agree with the brokenhearted girl that had, in turn, long stolen his own.

-0-

"He did it!"

A loud cheer ran across the Central Restaurant, as the still closed place on the still docked cruise ship was filled with the staff, all watching the match to end all matches, followed by the kiss to end all kisses.

"That was so romantic!" Ava Payton squealed, almost dancing in place. "Like, I can't even…!"

"I have to admit," Yoshiaki Nikaido added, looking proudly at the screen. "Yukihira sure has balls of steel to manage all that."

"Balls? What balls?" the ever innocent Kanon asked, as Yoshiaki choked on air and tried his best to tell her he had meant "guts" or something to that extent. She didn't seem to buy it, but she shifted her attention elsewhere. Actually, somewhere Yoshiaki wished she didn't go so damn loudly. "Why don't you kiss Ava like that?"

Both parties spit out their imaginary drinks, and as the two lovebirds tried to explain themselves to a curious Kanon, who simply kept on nodding, the nearby bodyguards could only laugh. Kids would be kids after all.

Kotaru, busy chatting with the rest of the staff, given as to how they were no longer at war with one another, took a single glimpse at the screen. There was Soma, all proud and happy. There was Erina, all near catatonic and in bliss. There was Urara as well, who seemed to glow whenever she was in front of a camera.

'You guys keep at it,' he thought, a fond smile on his face. 'One day, I'll run a kitchen on this cruise so legendary, and you'll all be my first VIP guests. Isn't that how big one should dream, eh, Soma?'

-0-

"That shitty brat did it," muttered an ever tired and slouching Kojirou Shinomiya, laying back onto a rather comfy sofa, one which he was contemplating buying as soon as he got the chance. It was fantastic for sleeping in, watching TV, and even other things. The ability to rock back and forth only elevated its prowess. "So the decade long tradition finally ends, huh? A student has actually been granted reentry. How big of a mess will that cause, I wonder?"

"Wait, it's over?!"

Before Shinomiya could even register the question, Hinako Inui had bounced from the doorway and landed right onto his lap, crushing the poor man despite the sofa's best effort to soften the blow. This woman was going to be the death of him.

"What happened, what did I miss?!" she pleaded, shaking the injured chef in place.

"He won, pretty effectively too," Shinomiya replied, doing his best not to push her off and have her land on her ass. "Oh, and he kissed the Nakiri girl, probably to enrage everyone present. It's all…What?"

Hinako was looking outright murderous.

"They kissed?"

"…Yes?"

"On the lips?"

"Obviously."

"…And I missed it…?"

"…You were bathing," he argued, but the way she pressed her nails against his skin made him reconsider his strategy. "I mean, you know…"

"Why didn't you call out to me…?"

Damn that Yukihira, causing problems even while miles apart. He really should have gone to his mother's house instead after all…

-0-

She made her way towards the basement, minding her steps until she reached the doorway leading to the staircase, whereupon she slowly opened the door, steeling herself. Despite her best efforts, the aroma that came out as soon as she opened the door was so potent that she felt lightheaded, a notable feat for someone of her caliber, but one the kid seemed to manage almost effortlessly time and time again. So, she regained herself, and went down. She was quickly greeted by the sight she had long grown accustomed to, with the boy buried in his cooking, so potent that she had to create a makeshift kitchen in the basement to avoid unwanted "visits" from the neighbors.

How insulting, really, that they'd only visit to catch a glimpse of his technique, but as a former Fourth Seat, Riko Ebisawa was used to people after her top grade food. "Hey kiddo," Riko voiced, resting her body against the stairs. "Looks like your little sister's school caused quite a stir tonight. Did you watch it?"

"…Oh, the showcase," the young man voiced, no older than Julius or Yukichiko. Long black hair and very pale skin, and skinny to a fault, despite how much food the boy could eat. "I… have little interest in that sort of thing. Tootsuki is… overrated. Nor my sister, nor anyone else at that establishment is worth the effort of watching such a boring competition."

"Heh, I wouldn't say that," Riko replied, smirking at the oblivious boy. "Seems like a son of an ex-classmate of mine is causing quite a stir. Kid is outright unraveling the establishment, which I thought could interest you, given your history with that place."

That caught his attention.

"Go on…" Ashitaro Sadatsuka said, his interest finally peaked.

-0-

"Cooking competitions sure got overly dramatic," Akihisa Yoshii muttered, getting hungry just looking at all the excess food on the screen.

"It's all fake anyways, like wrestling," Yuuji Sakamoto replied, his eyes closed and no longer bothering to look at the TV.

"Oh please, there's no way that was scripted," a flushing Minami Shimada argued. "Did you see how hopelessly romantic that display was. How I wish someone would kiss me like that!"

"I wonder, should I try to get a scholarship at that academy?" an oblivious Mizuki Himeji hopefully asked, as the entire group of friends all shivered at the thought.

"…I think we're better off where we are now," the ever polite Hideyoshi Kinoshita advised, before he added, "Well, I don't mean Kenoue, I mean our actual place, right Muttsurini?"

"…" Kouta Tsuchiya said nothing, for he was already long knocked out as soon as Erina Nakiri had stepped onto the screen and her sheer beauty had blinded him of every other sense.

-0-

News of the event reached everywhere, even in places that were mostly indifferent to the happenings of the schools or the like. In the back alleys of culinary world, a small group resided, and a young man stared at the screen, his expression a mix of emotions. For one, it was good to see her, as they kinda needed her. On the other, he was sure he wasn't the one to give the news out. So, with the press of a button, Yuunosuke Tanaka turned off the television, ready to head out for the night before another person entered the room.

"Ah, you missed a pretty unexpected development," Yuunosuke said. "It could force us to move up our plans a bit. Rather interested, eh, Sarge?"

"Am I supposed to know what you're blabbering about?" Sargenta Kruel told him, crossing her arms against her chest. "And where are you going? Did you forget about our little deal yesterday?"

"Oh, that," Yuunosuke voiced, sounding like he had honestly forgotten, much to Sarge's frustration. "This takes precedence unfortunately. After all, he won't be all too happy to know some random nobody is trading spit with his precious little sister, now will he?"

%

VICTORY!