SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 45 out, this is Chapter 46 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts? So, please be a dear and read and review. Seriously guys, we need more obscure Sailor Moon crossover fics!
Disclaimers: Shokugeki no Souma and Sailor Moon belong to Tsukuda Yūto-sensei and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the pairings in this fic and plot, I hope.
Pairings: Official!Takumi/Ami, Souma/Megumi later, established!Isami/Makoto
Chapter 46: The New 'Tōtsuki Elite Ten'
"We won!" Daigo cheered.
"We took down the Azami Administration!" Shōji whooped.
"They actually did it." Hayama was impressed.
"Not bad." Kurokiba snorted.
Ami just calmly stepped aside and let Isami glomp his brother. Catching Hakuizumi Susumu's subtle nod, she silently excused herself to meet up with her uncle to put the next part of their plan into action.
"Yukihira, Erina-cchi!" Yoshino cred out happily. "You're so amazing!"
"How dare you make me completely change my directions while we're cooking?" Erina let out her anger on Souma. "It's fine because we won, but how dare you not discuss any of this with me beforehand?"
"I mean, as long as we had about ten minutes, I was sure you could pull it off." Souma explained.
"Of course I could." Erina huffed.
"I wonder why those two could make such dishes like that." Tsukasa wondered. "Yukihira and Nakiri; their completely different talents clashed and repelled against each other. So why were they able to make something so delicious?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure." Isshiki admitted. "But more than anything, in my eyes, those two had more fun cooking than anyone else in this venue."
"I see." Tsukasa smiled.
"We lost, didn't we?" Kinokuni asked.
"Indeed." Saitō agreed. "Not only us, but Central also suffered a crashing defeat."
At the judges' table...
"Now that the Team Shokugeki is settled, let's get down to the next order of business, shall we, Nakiri Azami?" the Clan Head of the Hakuizumi addressed the defeated Azami. Pulling out a confidential envelope from his suitcase, he handed it to Azami.
"Legal Inquiry into Nakiri Azami's Intent to Infringe Business Interests of WcDonald's, Sudoh-Bucks Coffee and Was Burger." Azami read the title of the seal envelope. "Is this truly necessary, Hakuizumi-dono?"
"Feel lucky I managed to convince the American Fast Food Coalition Branch to not upscale it to a court summons." Susumu retorted. "That was their legal panel's first response and they have every right to do it. Did you really think they won't retaliate?"
"I understand." Azami relented. "When will the inquiry take place?"
"Three days from now." Susumu answered. "Ami, deal with Kinokuni Nene."
"Understood." Ami nodded. "36th Heiress of the Kinokuni Family, Kinokuni Nene," she put on her strictest business expression. "Your actions in supporting Central has thus proven that you are unable to put your personal vendetta above the best interests of your Family nor of the Hakuizumi Clan."
"But..." Nene protested.
"Do you or do you not agree that the main reason of your support for Central was to prove to that you're better than Isshiki Satoshi?" Ami fired back.
"Yes..." Nene looked down.
"By this admission, you've brought grave dishonor upon not only your Family, you have also besmirched the honor of a Vassal Family of the Hakuizumi Clan." Ami declared. "However, in view of the contributions of your late great grandaunt, Kinokuni Masuyo, the Kinokuni Family is not expelled from the Hakuizumi Clan. Instead, the Family is demoted to Branch Vassal Family status from henceforth. Please inform your Family Head to prepare the Handover Rites in three weeks' time." with that declaration over, she turned her heel to leave.
On the sidelines...
"The rebels have won." Urara spoke. "And Central has lost... damn it!"
"Oh dear." Ami muttered. "Looks like the effects from Akanegakubo's damask rose just wore off."
"Really?" Takumi gawked. "Now?"
"But there's no arguing the results." Urara growled. "Go ahead and take your win, damn it! All ten Seats of the Elite Ten belong to the rebels now."
"Hang on a second." Saitō stated. "Before that..." he extracted Bucchi from Akanegakubo's hands and returned the confiscated student handbooks.
"I guess we're not needed anymore." Tsukasa looked at Rindō. "Let's leave the rest to Yukihira's crew."
"We're counting on you, Yukihira." Rindō called out. "As well as Nakiri and the rest of you."
"Tsukasa-senpai, we still haven't had a real Shokugeki yet." Souma reminded. "Let's have one soon."
"Sure." Tsukasa nodded. "We can do one anytime. Though I'm pretty sure I won't lose next time."
"Let's go, Tsukasa." Rindō grabbed Tsukasa by the wrist. "To Africa, the South Pole, to outer space, whatever. I'll go anywhere we can encounter even more delicious food."
"Now that I don't have to do Elite Ten paperwork, I can go anywhere." Tsukasa let out a relieved smile.
"Those two..." Ami noted amusedly. "Looks like they're in that kind of relationship."
"Really?" Takumi blinked.
"Kinokuni," Isshiki started. "Let's see each other again at school, so we can both enjoy cooking."
"It's not like you have to say that." Nene retorted. "We'll see each other, anyway. More importantly, why are you still the only one wearing a loincloth?"
On stage...
"Now, we will abide by the rules that were set forth." Senzaemon declared. "The eight rebels that participated in this Team Shokugeki now have priority for the Elite Ten Seats."
"That means you're in the Elite Ten, too, Megumi." Yoshino gushed.
"Amazing, Aldini." Mito beamed. "You're in the Elite Ten."
"There's no need to inflate his ego any bigger than it needs to, Mito-san." Ami teased.
"Hey!" Takumi retorted.
"Nii-chan, yay!" Isami jumped his brother again.
"I wonder who's going to place where." Marui pondered. "Especially the first Seat."
"I'm positive Erina-sama will take that spot." Hisako was confident.
"Considering the amazing main dish she made in the final battle..." Ibusaki agreed.
"Since you had me running around, I at least deserve to say this." Erina spoke. "Yukihira, you're going to take the first Seat. You're at least responsible for the fact that I was able to create that dish. You're also the one who accomplished the most in this Team Shokugeki. So you're the best suited for the first Seat, Yukihira."
"Sounds good to me." Kuga grinned. "It's true that if Yukihira-chin wasn't here, we wouldn't have gotten this far."
"You have my vote, of course." Isshiki added.
"I know this is sudden," Senzaemon cleared his throat. "But there's something important that the Elite Ten must decide immediately. Who is going to be the next Director?"
"But that title should be yours, Grandfather." Erina blinked.
"That title was stolen from me once." Senzaemon reminded. "I have no right to reclaim it. I'm going to retire. To be honest, I'm rather enjoying the fact that I've been relieved of my position. Now then, who is the most suited for the position? That is my question to you, first Seat of the Elite Ten."
"Who else is there?" Souma grinned. "It's gonna be her." he pointed to Erina. "The Director's been someone from the Nakiri Family for generations, right? So, it's perfect. You're all responsible and stuff, so you'll probably do great. But above all, you were able to surpass the best specialty that I could come up with. I hate to admit it, but you're still better than me. Which means that if you don't become the Director, I can't accept the first Seat."
"Perhaps, we can have Uncle Sōe take the position." Erina suggested.
"No, I agree with the first Seat." Sōe cut in. "It's been a while, Erina."
"Father, you were here, too?" Alice beamed.
"It's been a while, sir." both Hayama and Kurokiba greeted.
"Hello there, Yukihira Souma." Sōe spoke. "As both you and Father already said, I believe Erina would be a perfect new Director, since she has a brand-new vision."
"Erina, I would like to put Tōtsuki's future in your hands." Senzaemon passed the baton to his granddaughter.
"In that case, I guess I'll accept the first Seat, too." Souma relented.
"That just makes you more worthy of defeating, Yukihira." Takumi chuckled.
"Don't be surprised if I challenge you to a Shokugeki tomorrow." Kurokiba promised.
"I have sudden misgivings about this." Ami pondered worriedly.
"Why's that?" Hayama asked.
"Can any of you see that guy sitting behind a desk and doing paperwork?" Ami pointed out.
Silence...
"That's what I thought." Ami nodded sagely.
"Just so you know." Souma pointed to the audience. "Anyone can challenge me to a Shokugeki for my position as first Seat. It's not like I defeated either Tsukasa-senpai or Rindō-senpai in a Shokugeki one-on-one. Which just means I'm a provisional first Seat. That's why you don't need anything to challenge me. Anyone's allowed to challenge me for first Seat."
"As former Director, I appoint you!" Senzaemon made the formal announcement. "The Director of Tōtsuki Academy, Nakiri Erina! And the first Seat of the Elite Ten, Yukihira Souma!"
A few months later...
"I'm actually surprised you didn't try to fight for sixth Seat." Ami remarked amusedly, cutting into her chocolate fudge cake.
"Hayama, Kurokiba and Nakiri Alice keep switching their Seats." Takumi rolled his eyes, the new couple were on one of their weekly dates since they became official on Valentine's Day. "It's too much of a headache to even try and keep up with all three of them." he stabbed at his scoop of raspberry ripple ice cream. "I'm actually more worried about Isami."
"He's still hasn't bulked back up yet?" Ami blinked. "Though, I don't think Mako-chan's complaining much."
"Speaking about your best friend, where did those two go today?" Takumi wondered.
"I think Mako-chan took him to an ice-skating rink." Ami recalled. "I mean, summer's already setting in."
"That's kind of true." Takumi admitted. "Have you thought about a theme for your art piece for the Autumn Cultural Festival?"
"Not yet." Ami answered.
SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.