Chapter 1

"I'll take my fourth seat back, thank you very much" announced Akira Hayama as reached for the band that tied his hair into a ponytail. Untying it, he released his pristine silver locks from their constraint, allowing it to fall just barely below his shoulders and started gathering all his utensils. All the meanwhile ignoring the enraged beast known as Ryo Kurokiba who had ran over to Hayama's cooking station and began to relentlessly slam his fist on the stainless-steel table.

"YOU SPICE BASTARD, TAKE THAT SHIT BACK OUT AND LET'S GO FOR ROUND 2! I'LL RIP THAT DAMNED SEAT RIGHT BACK FROM YOU" roared the Mad Dog, eyes oozing with rage, but filled with a fire that always caught Hayama's attention. Hayama couldn't help but smile at his classmate's tenacity and let out a sigh.

"Sorry, but I have some experiments to work on in the lab. You can try again tomorrow, if you can even muster the courage past this little adrenaline rush of yours" scoffed Hayama, succeeding in provoking the already livid Ryo.

"WHY YO- eh" started Ryo before the white-haired Danish ripped the bandana off his head and lightly slapped him on the back of his head.

"I think that's enough" Alice said in a demanding tone, holding his bandana in one hand while pulling on his ear with the other. Despite the treatment, the most Ryo could muster up was-

"Kay Alice". As if he didn't even feel the searing pain coursing through his ear, Alice stomped the ground and pouted out of pure frustration.

"What?! At least try to sound more intimidated! Damn it Ryo, let's go we need to practice!" As Alice pulled Ryo towards the exit, the audience couldn't help but stare in confusion and fear at Alice's wrath. The Elite 10 seats and the rest of Polar Star, however, had become accustomed to the duo's strange relationship. They watched her temper tantrum combined with Ryo's indifferent expression and couldn't help but laugh. Eizan and Nene simply shook their heads, but in the end couldn't help but crack a smile as Kuga fell to his knees from his uncontrollable laughing fit.

"Did you see the look on the mutt's face when Grumpy Sensei gave the Hayama the point?!" laughed Kuga as Roland Chapelle twitched in annoyance from Kuga's nickname.

"If anyone's the mutt here it's you, midget" responded Nene without sparing him the slightest glance.

"What'd you call me, you hag?!" shouted Kuga who was now up on his feet and growling at Nene, who simply gazed at him in disgust.

"Will you two just shut up?" interjected Etsuya Eizan, the 8th seat. He soon regretted that decision as the two directed their death glares towards him.

"N-now guys…we shouldn't be arguing like this front of the whole s-school" Megumi stammered, timidly joining the conversation as she tried to avoid making eye contact with the audience who were staring in bafflement. In an instant, Megumi crawled back and hid behind Takumi and Isshiki out pure fear when the three bickering Elite 10 members looked back at her, feral rage dripping out of their eyes. They're gaze on the anxiety-ridden girl was brief, and soon they returned to bickering among each other, leaving a sobbing Megumi.

"You'd think after all this time and all that's happened they'd figure out how to be around each other without wanting to kill each other" sighed Takumi which was followed by Isshiki's light hearted laughter, as if he was completely oblivious to the fact that three of the top students were literally a few bulging veins away from physically harming each other.

"Don't you behave the same way with Yukihira-kun, though?" Isshiki asked, catching Takumi off-guard. Takumi's cheeks were soon tinged in red. Realizing he had lost the battle before it had even begun, he simply looked away to avoid Isshiki's innocent yet teasing gaze. Clasping his hands together, he returned his focus to his fellow second years, who's bickering had only increased in intensity.

"Ahh the beauty of youth, who knew it could elevate one's emotions to such blazing ferocity!" exclaimed the 2nd seat as he swung his arms out and lunged towards the three, trying to get them in a hug, following by three powerful punches from the 3rd, 8th, and 9th seat which sent him toppling over to Megumi and Takumi, startling the two.

"Isshiki-senpai?!" shouted the two as they ran over to his now lifeless body, with nothing short of 3 bulging bruises and his classic smile on his face. The rest of the school watched as chaos ensued among the Elite 10, too filled with both fear and amusement to try and leave or stop them.

Higher up in her own private booth stood the wielder of the God Tongue herself, alongside Hisako Arato, who covered her face in embarrassment. Erina let out a heavy sigh and gently pressed her index finger and thumb on her temples, massaging them.

"Those improper morons…" she groaned before Hisako pulled out her phone.

"Should I call security to help reprimand them?" asked Hisako, who had found it necessary to have security on speed dial for the current generation's Elite 10.

Fights over the seats or just over trivial nonsense was a commonality now, to the point where even Hisako, despite her dedication and hardworking nature, just wanted to roll her eyes and look the other way. Erina simply pointed back towards the bickering group. Hisako followed her finger and realized what she was pointing at; Ryo Kurokiba somehow managed to get his bandana back on, now on a rampage on the three, splitting them apart and holding them back. Megumi watched in absolute terror as Alice fell to the floor from laughing too hard, while Takumi and Hayama sighed. Isshiki…was still out cold, but still had his infamous smile plastered onto his dazed expression.

"Don't bother, I don't want to give security a hard time with Ryo again, especially after last week's incident"

"Speaking of, Officer Gerald was just released from the hospital. We've given him compensation for what happened, though he did say he may have to take advantage of the month-long paid leave we offered" Hisako couldn't help but laugh a little while telling Erina, but soon recomposed herself to match Erina's stoic expression.

"Remind me to tell my dear cousin to keep a tighter leash on his aid" said the headmaster, which Hisako simply responded to with a nod. To Hisako's surprise, however, a small smile grew on Erina's face which was followed by a soft chuckle as she watched the Elite 10 below. Hisako couldn't help but smile back; seeing Erina this happy; genuinely happy, made Hisako even more grateful towards her fellow classmates and friends. Especially…

"By the way…where's Yukihira-Kun, Hisako?" asked Erina. Hisako was caught off guard by Erina's sudden change of tone; one that was softer, one that was almost…embarrassed?

"He's probably still sleeping at Polar Star Dormitory" responded Hisako and she began swiping away at her tablet. Soon, a spreadsheet popped into view. On it were all the past Shokugekis that have taken place since the Nakiri Administration, led by Erina Nakiri, was put into place. Along with the competitors, conditions, and results of the Shokugekis, it also has a record of upcoming Shokugekis.

"Yukihira-Kun last participated in a Shokugeki two days ago and hasn't reported since" reported Hisako, making the blonde twitch, a habit that Hisako noticed Erina had developed ever since the sudden appearance of the infamous crimson-haired chef.

"That twit…must I always have to remind him of his responsibilities as the First Seat?!" thought Erina as she continued to twitch in annoyance.

"If you'd like, I can call him or instruct someone to retrieve him" Hisako offered, secretly attempting to save Soma from the blonde's wrath. Erina took a moment to think before she answered.

"No, it's fine. I think I'll make retrieve him myself. Knowing him, he would be too stubborn and weasel his way out of anyone else's grasp" sighed Erina before she turned on her heel and made her way towards the door.