Chapter 283

The smile on Nakiri Azami’s face faded slightly, replaced by a trace of frustration.

"That’s true."

After a brief silence, Azami raised his eyes toward Nakiri Senzaemon again.

"The Elite Ten Council."

"They possess authority equal to—or in some cases even greater than—that of Totsuki’s director."

"If the majority of the Elite Ten agree on something and wish for it to happen, then it becomes the will of Totsuki Academy itself. No one can overturn it, not even the director."

"I had everything perfectly prepared. Unfortunately..."

Azami’s gaze swept across the Elite Ten before pausing briefly on Haruto.

Originally, he had recruited six members of the Elite Ten, giving him an absolute majority.

Unfortunately, that useless Eizan Etsuya had lost to Haruto, a first-year student, and surrendered his Elite Ten seat.

That had turned Azami’s six-to-four advantage into a five-to-five deadlock.

Otherwise, there would have been no need for him to stand here wasting words with Senzaemon.

He would already control all of Totsuki.

Haruto caught the frustration in Azami’s eyes and inwardly rolled his own.

’How is that my fault?’

If Eizan had not gone out of his way to provoke him, Haruto would never have bothered with him in the first place.

If Azami wanted someone to blame, he should blame Eizan for being too eager to cause trouble.

Haruto had been dragged into it too.

"You no longer have a chance."

Senzaemon glared at Azami.

"Leave this country immediately."

As for Erina’s situation, he would have to find another solution.

"You’re being too hasty, Father."

Azami remained completely composed.

"Things may have taken a small unexpected turn, but I haven’t lost yet."

He stepped forward, fixing Senzaemon with an unwavering stare.

"When the Elite Ten are evenly divided and neither side can reach a majority, the final decision can be settled through a Shokugeki."

"If my side wins, then I win."

Azami had every reason to be confident enough to propose such a challenge.

The five Elite Ten members supporting him were First Seat Tsukasa Eishi, Second Seat Kobayashi Rindō, Fourth Seat Akakubo Momo, Fifth Seat Saitō Sōmei, and Sixth Seat Kinokuni Nene.

Of the five who opposed him, only Third Seat Megishima Tōsuke could really be considered among the highest ranks.

The remaining members were visibly weaker than the top six.

From Azami’s perspective, the difference in their lineups made the outcome almost predetermined.

If they settled this through a Shokugeki, his victory should be practically guaranteed.

There was, however, one obstacle.

When the Elite Ten failed to reach a majority decision, Senzaemon, as Totsuki’s current director, held the final authority.

He could simply reject the proposal to replace him without allowing either side to settle the matter through a Shokugeki.

So Azami’s gamble rested entirely on one thing.

He was betting that Senzaemon would accept the challenge.

Senzaemon stared at him, his brows drawn tightly together.

His gaze moved across the five Elite Ten standing behind Azami, then shifted toward Erina, who still had not completely recovered from her fear.

After a long silence, Senzaemon made his decision.

"Very well."

"If you insist on settling this through a Shokugeki, then we’ll hold a ten-person Régiment de Cuisine."

"If your side wins, you may have the position of Totsuki director."

"We’ll hold it during the first-year advancement exams."

Senzaemon had not made that decision impulsively.

He knew exactly how great the risk was.

One wrong move, and Totsuki could fall entirely into Azami’s hands.

But it was also an opportunity.

An opportunity for Erina to finally confront the shadow of her childhood, face the fear Azami had instilled in her, and emerge from it transformed.

It was also a chance for young chefs such as Haruto and Yukihira Soma—rough gems bursting with limitless potential—to grow rapidly under pressure.

Naturally, Senzaemon intended to support them as much as possible.

That was precisely why he scheduled the Régiment de Cuisine for the advancement exams.

It would give everyone enough time to polish their cooking and prepare themselves properly.

"No problem."

Azami smiled.

’What a pain.’

Haruto glanced across at Tsukasa, Rindō, and the others and sighed inwardly.

If he really ended up facing Tsukasa in a Shokugeki, then he probably would not be able to coast along the way he usually did.

He might actually have to take things somewhat seriously.

Of course, he could simply refuse to participate.

This entire situation could have been resolved much more easily in the first place.

Unfortunately, Senzaemon had actually accepted Azami’s challenge.

And if Azami won and transformed Totsuki into his authoritarian vision of cooking, Haruto’s peaceful days of attending class and experimenting with food would almost certainly disappear.

Haruto rubbed his temple.

’Whatever. There’s still plenty of time before then. I’ll worry about it later.’

"I never expected things to turn out like this."

Isshiki Satoshi looked across the divide toward Kinokuni Nene, his expression complicated.

The two had known each other since childhood and both came from prestigious culinary families.

Isshiki had never imagined that Nene would choose Azami’s side.

As though sensing his gaze, Nene looked up as well.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke for several seconds.

"Hmph."

Nene was the first to look away, giving a quiet snort before turning her head.

Isshiki could only shake his head helplessly.

"Now this is interesting!"

Kuga Terunori, meanwhile, had become visibly excited.

His gaze was fixed firmly on Tsukasa, his entire body radiating eagerness.

He still had absolutely no idea who Azami really was or what exactly was going on.

But apparently, this situation had created a completely legitimate opportunity for him to challenge Tsukasa in a Shokugeki.

Just thinking about it made his blood boil.

"I really don’t want anything to do with this crap."

Third Seat Megishima Tōsuke sighed and scratched his hair with an exhausted expression.

He was about to graduate.

Before long, he would be leaving Totsuki altogether.

Under ordinary circumstances, whether the Academy changed directors would have almost no effect on him.

Unfortunately, he could not exactly say he agreed with Azami’s philosophy.

Once the terms of the Régiment de Cuisine had been settled, Azami gave Senzaemon a long look, then glanced once more toward Erina before leaving Totsuki Academy.

His influence, however, did not disappear with him.

Within a single day, the entire Academy erupted.

The struggle over the position of director.

The division within the Elite Ten.

The promised Régiment de Cuisine.

News spread through Totsuki like a tidal wave, throwing the entire school into unrest.

Rumors about Central also began circulating.

Some students supported Azami’s ideals.

Others wanted to protect Totsuki’s traditions.

Before long, the Academy had effectively divided into two camps, with tension building beneath the surface.

Of course, there were also people who barely cared.

Haruto was one of them.

The Nakiri family’s feud, Totsuki’s future, reforms to the culinary world—none of those were problems he had any interest in losing sleep over.

For the next two days, he continued his life exactly as usual.

Classes.

Cooking experiments.

Gatherings in Marui Zenji’s room.

While Haruto enjoyed his leisurely routine, Nakiri Erina was already preparing for the upcoming Régiment de Cuisine.

After all, Senzaemon had placed the responsibility for organizing their side in Erina’s hands.

If they wanted to win, she intended to prepare well in advance.

Her first task was deciding who would participate.

To that end, Erina summoned everyone she considered a potential candidate to a meeting.

Haruto was the first to arrive.

He leaned back comfortably in his chair, slowly sipping a cup of tea.

Before long, Isshiki, Kuga, and Megishima entered as well.

A little later, Yukihira Soma came charging into the room at the head of another group.

Behind him were Hayama Akira, Kurokiba Ryo, Takumi Aldini, Nakiri Alice, Arato Hisako, and Tadokoro Megumi.

The formerly quiet meeting room immediately became much livelier.

"So what exactly is going on?"

Soma dropped into the seat beside Haruto and lowered his voice curiously.

He had spent most of the past few days obsessing over new dishes.

Although he had heard bits and pieces of the rumors spreading around the Academy, he had barely paid them any attention.

Haruto glanced at him and thought for a moment before giving the simplest possible summary.

"Basically, we’re going to have a Shokugeki against Tsukasa and the others."

"That’s it?! Awesome!"

Soma’s eyes immediately lit up, an excited grin spreading across his face.

During the Moon Festival, he had done everything he could to revise his dishes and increase his sales.

He had pushed himself as hard as possible.

And in the end, he still failed to defeat Kuga.

Soma had assumed he would not get another opportunity to challenge the Elite Ten anytime soon.

He certainly had not expected that opportunity to arrive this quickly.

Just thinking about it was enough to make his blood race.