"It's been a while Soma-kun" Azami said.
"What do you want? Why did you call me here?" Soma asked coldly.
"Ah. Im here to inform you that you have been removed from the Elite Ten along with Kuga Terunori and Isshiki Satoshi" the director stated.
"I see..." Soma said understanding.
"You seem to be more calmer than expected"
"I was expecting it anyway. Your not gonna kick your daughter out also?"
"I know Erina will return to my side eventually. And leave yours. Because I know you took her away." Azami said seriously.
"I will NEVER let you take her away after what you did" Soma basically yelled.
"And here I thought you two hated each other"
"I'm just doing what is right. I'm not letting her get abused by you again"
"Well that is all. It was nice talking to you Soma-kun"
"Hmph. I refuse to work for your shitty organization called Central or whatever. Thanks for kicking me out" Soma said as he walked out.
Soma was soon replaced by Eizan meaning Eizan got his 9th seat back.
"Are you thinking of returning to classes?" Soma asked Erina. Its been a day after staying at the hot spring and they have returned to Polar Star Dorm.
She sighed "Maybe next week or the week after. I just hope father doesn't kidnap me or something".
Soma put a hand on her shoulder and did a reassuring smile "I won't let Azami-dono take you away. Even if it means me getting expelled".
Erina smiled back but can't help but have a feeling of worry "Soma? Expelled? I-I won't allow it! I don't want you to get e-expelled because of me. You already lost your Elite Ten Seat. Father doesn't care if you were my childhood friend!"
"Well I just won't get expelled then" Soma teased.
"BAKA!" Erina shouted in a voice the whole dorm could hear.
Erina started crying "We just started becoming true friends... I can't let you leave or be taken away! I won't allow it!"
"Erina... don't worry. I already contacted my dad and told him what happened at Totsuki. I will save you and banish Azami-dono. I'm here for you, everyone is here for you." Soma walks up to hug her so that she can calm down.
Erina nods and realizes he's right she has many allies by her side.
"Hey look at this everyone!" They hear Yuki yell from across the hall.
Soma and Erina meet up with everyone in the living room and they see Yuki pointing at the TV.
"The first shokugeki ever since Central's takeover has been a-announced! It will be between the current 9th seat Eizan Etsuya versus Kabutoyama Tetsuji! It will take place in a few days and the theme will be skewers!" The timid girl Sasaki Yua said through the TV.
"Their accepting Shokugekis? I thought Central abolished them..." Marui says in a confused voice.
"Exactly... I suspect something fishy will happen in this particular one" Soma said.
"What do you mean Soma-kun" Megumi asked.
"Just watch it in a few days and we'll see if my suspicions are true" he responded.
ZAQ - Braver
The day of the shokugeki has arrived and almost all the school is watching it. Erina still has memories of what happened the other day.
Flashback
"The Polar Star Dormitory will be shut down!" Eizan yellled in the Polar Star Entrance.
"Ehhhh?!? Wanna fight?!" Yuki retorted.
"Yo Eizan how about we talk about this?" Soma barged in.
"Well if it isn't Yukihira. Hmph, I suppose we can. Make it quick though.
Both students sat in the dining roomwith tea on the table.
"You want to shutdown our home eh?Well Eizan I admire your ambitions, but I can't let you do that" Soma started.
"And just how will you stop me Yukihira?" Eizan asked
"Obviously, a Shokugeki"
Erina was about to run in and tell Soma to stop but then Fumio grabbed her shoulder and told her to go to her room so that they don't find out where she is.
Erina obliged and decided to cry due to the taught of losing Soma. Fumio however was there to comfort her.
"I already beat you once I can do it again" Soma continued coldly.
"I'll have you know Yukihira I have improved much ever since last time and can guarantee I am much better than you now. Just because you are Saiba Joichiro son doesn'tmean anything. Plus I'm asecond year, I have trained more than you lately." Eizan retorts.
"I can at least try can I not?"
"How can he say that so casually?!" Everyone thought including Eizan.
"Hmph. At the moment, as you know, I have a Shokugeki scheduled against Kabutoyama. That will be an example of why you can't beat me Yukihira" Eizan said.
Soma raised an eyebrow but brushed it off.
Eizan said his goodbyes and walked out of the dorm.
"Just what did he mean by example?" Erina thought.
"Welcome to the Shokugeki between Kabutoyama Tetsuji and Eizan Etsuya! The theme will be skewers!" Please wait as both contestants get ready!" The announcer said.
The Research societies, students, everyone was watching it.
It started off smoothly as the judges tasted both dishes, but when evaluation came...
Eizan Etsuya 3-0 Kabutoyama Tetsuji
"There seems to be somethjng wrong... You haven't even tasted the dishes yet." Kabutoyama started.
He then saw the judges had smiles on their faces
"Hold on Eizan! You bought the judges?! This can't be legitimate!"
"Too bad for you!" Eizan responded sticking his tongue out.
Kabutoyama went down to his knees.
"Kabutoyama, you are expelled" Eizan said while breaking his skewers.
"WHAT? EVEN THE JUDGES?!" Shoji yelled.
The Polar Star members started panicking.
"What are we gonna do?"
"Polar Star will be shut down?"
"We can't live here anymore?"
"Most importantly, Nakiri-san's hiding place will be gone!"
Erina started panicking as well and trembling but Soma grabbed her and hugged her, comforting her. Erina felt better and looked up at Soma in the eyes. They showed determination and fury which was also a bad sign.
"I hope your not thinking what I'm thinking Soma-kun" Erina thought.
It was in the middle of the night and Erina was sitting in the dining room drinking some green tea when she heard someone in the living room.
She walked out of the dining room to see her childhood friend walking towards the door. A part of her thinks he will challenge Eizan to a Shokugeki and she doesn't want that. She won't let that happen. She talks to him though so that she can confirm it.
"Soma-kun? Your still up?" Erina asked startling Soma.
"Huah? Oh Erina-chan it was just you" Soma turned around.
"What are you doing?"
She then saw Soma tense up for some reason.
"Im going to go s-shopping real quick for s-something" Soma lied.
Erina could sense the lie and wouldn't give up.
Just as Soma was gonna grab the door knob, he felt a hand grab his from behind.
"Where are you actually going Soma? You are stuttering and I know you are lying" Erina asked.
Soma sighed "Im gonna challenge Eizan to a Shokugeki. I need to mail this challenge to the Shokugeki Administration"
Erina felt her whole world crashing down after confirming what she thought.
"S-SOMA! I WON'T LET YOU! PLEASE DON'T GO!" Erina begged.
Soma then pulled Erina outside telling her not to wake up the others.
"Erina I have to do this. It's our only choice if we want to remove Azami-dono" Soma stated.
"DIDNT'T YOU SEE THE RESULTS OF THE RECENT SHOKUGEKI SOMA-KUN?! THE JUDGES WERE BOUGHT BY CENTRAL THEMSELVES!" Erina yelled while tears were spilling from here eyes.
Erina continues rambling about how dumb of a decision this was.
"Erina."
"Erina."
"ERINA!"
Erina immediately stopped yelling and closed her mouth.
Soma then pulled Erina into a hug and Erina continued to cry on Soma's shoulder.
"Please. Let me do this Erina. It's the only way plus I already have a plan" Soma continued as he rubbed Erina's back.
Soma then wiped Erina's tears with his thumb and gave her a smile. Erina couldn't help but smile back.
"Alright then, Soma-kun. I wish you luck against Eizan. This is a message from the Queen to Knight. I will never forgive you if you lose this and leave me" Erina said.
Soma then blushes thinking it was like one of those princess knight stories, but in a way it ways.
"Thanks Erina" Soma says.
"Soma-kun. Don't lose."
"I won't"
nano.RIPE - Kyoko JitsuJitsu
Sorry for the wait! It took me longer than usual to make a chapter this time! Hope you enjoyed it!