Chapter 61: Choice Words

⁃Alice Takes a Stand

"Well done to the Cutting Edge society" the voice of the announcer enunciated. "The sole society that managed to win against Central retains the right to operate within school grounds. I'd like to thank everyone who participated in these matches, the next food wars shall be held tomorrow".

As the announcer ended his speech, Sōma and Takumi grinned as Alice and Ryo approached them. "Nice job Ryo, you followed my instructions and were able to win" Alice grinned, watching both Megumi and Ikumi blush, as she embraced her aid and partner. "Well that's one victory under our belt", Takumi smiled musingly. "Yeah! Let Central have a taste of what defeat is like" Sōma added smiling as he took up Megumi's hand. "I'm sure we'll have plenty more victories in our base round the next few day".

"I hope so... I don't want to leave Tōtsuki" the blue haired girl mumbled, her lip quivering. "I don't want to loose all of the friends I've made here..." Before Sōma or Ikumi who had opened her mouth to speak could say anything, a sudden clapping reverberated around the auditorium followed by the familiar dulcet tones of Director Azami.

"That was quite the spectacle..."

The expression that Alice wore looked as she was struck by an insatiable desire to commit murder. With narrow eyes and clenched fists, Alice Nakiri glared down her formerly exiled uncle. "Uncle Azami. Long time no see". From the above walkway, and smiling as he addressed the auditorium, Azami Nakiri wore a neutral expression. "Hello Alice, I appreciate you always being there and looking after Erina for me. You will always have my gratitude".

"Oh is that right..." Alice snarkily replied narrowing her eyes to the point that they appeared like snakelike.

Meanwhile, a black sedan car was driving through the campus site towards food war venue C Erina had been persuaded by Isshiki to venture out of Kyokusei dorm, after being told about Alice being the chief of the Cutting Edge research society. "When did Alice gain that position?" The god tongue asked the blonde boy sat beside her. "Look here", Isshiki replied holding a tablet, "it's a list of past food wars. It's why she was a target for the Survivor Hunt".

With a tremendous sigh, and a forlorn expression, Erina lowered her head and shoulders. Alice..." she mumbled. As soon as she uttered her cousins name, Erina heard a chuckle coming from Isshiki. "You're worried about her aren't you?"

Blushing bright red the god tongue tried to hide her concern, unfortunately it just made her awkwardness even more pronounced. "You remind me of Ken..." Isshiki suddenly spoke, making Erina look back up. "Huh... what do you mean?" Placing a hand on the girls shoulder, the former seventh seat sighed. "You both have such an aura of melancholia about you, although yours is less severe as Ken's. Also you two are socially awkward and don't have much experience in social situations"

"Sometimes I wish that me and Kensuke were switched..." Erina mused. "That way I could have been born a normal girl and he could have been born with the god tongue instead of me". Feeling Isshiki squeeze her shoulder, the god tongue knew that he was trying to cheer her up.

"Don't say that! Whilst I admit that the pressure of having been born with the god tongue is far beyond what I can imagine, you have friends that care about you. Hisako and Alice! Moreover, Megumi adores her brother and as much as she probably wished that Ken was more assure of himself and possessed more confidence, I know that she wouldn't not want him out of her life. As Alice and Hisako definitely do as well".

"I do wonder about her though..." Erina whimpered. "I find it hard to believe that she'd even care, not when it comes to me at least. After all I've done many terrible things to her over the years". Returning to a sorrowful expression, the god tongue sank into the back passenger seat and looked at the building going by.

"I get the feeling that Alice cares a lot deeply for you than you know..." Isshiki uttered, "she was the one that broke you out of your house. You have a beautiful friendship". A sudden squealing of brakes made both student chefs look up and out of the main windscreen, only to see a flurry of pigeons deftly avoid being flattened o the road. "Sorry..." the driver announced. "Venue C is within sight. Five minutes more".

"Alice. Your cutting edge society is the only group to win in today's survivor hunt. The other thirty two have all lost their rounds and shall be officially disbanded" Azami uttered to his niece, and the other frowning teenagers looking up to where he stood. "Regardless of the other groups, Ryo was declared the winner", Alice sharply replied. "Can you still stand their and say that your way plan is the right thing it do, that it is the only way".

"I'm disappointed Alice. I thought better if you, I had thought that you of all people would support me idea for creating one true cuisine. Those of the Nakiri family have an obligation to lead the world of gourmet food to new horizons. And my sweeping reforms shall accomplish that".

"I simply cannot accept your methods I good conscience, nor should I. And that's final", the white haired Nakiri girl shouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Oh my dear", Azami scowled. "You've turned out rather naughty haven't you. Considering how you kidnapped my beloved daughter right out from under me, I don't think you have any grounds upon which to talk. Perhaps I should inform your parents about your behaviour".

"That's neither her nor there uncle!" Alice yelled back. And stay away from my parents! Right now I'm just upset, I will never forgive your transgressions! These last few years have taught me something, I hate you! And I will no longer allow you to ever influence Tōtsuki, the Elite Ten or Erina ever again!"

Alice practically growled as she yelled at her uncle, not realising that Erina and Isshki had arrived and were standing where food war combatants would emerge from the preparation rooms. Turning her back on her I'm uncle, Alice caught sight of her cousin looking shocked and pale.

"You are welcome to try and stop me Alice" Azami replied, "but for now allow me to congratulate you on your victory". Not even bothering to acknowledge him anymore, the girl didn't even notice the sound of her uncle's footsteps as he left the auditorium. Moving quickly forwards, Alice swept her cousin into an embrace.

"If uncle Azami hadn't gotten I the way, we could have been so much closer..." she spoke wistfully. Then abruptly ending the hug and jutting her finger at Erina, Alice frowned. "But first... you need to rid yourself of that gloomy look on your face. You've spent all your time moping in the Kyokusei dormitory... be more dignified".

"What is with this attitude of yours?" Erina barked back. "Your the one that took me from my home, remember". Rewrapping her arms around Erina, the am white haired girl spoke gently and with such warmth and well meaning, it made the god tongue blink.

"I did it because I don't like to watch you whimper and cower in fear of your father. You have to show that evil man what you're made of! Let him know who you are, that you're not going to let him control you anymore". Alice grinned as she released Erina from their second embrace. "I need you I tip top shape became someday I plan to crush you in utter defeat, using you a stepping stone for my culinary career. It won't look good if your moping around".

With a fire relit in her eyes, Erina growled. "As if you even could! Your cooking is nothing but rancid rubbish!" Immediately both cousins began to argue about their cooking styles, and to the an untrained eye they may have appeared to be involved in a verbally hate fuelled sparing match but to Sōma, Megumi, Takumi, Ikumi, Ryo and Isshiki it was clear that both Nakiri girls were genuine friends. "Yeah... just don't ever let them hear you say that" Ryo murmured to Sōma, "or there'll be trouble".

Two days later delivered over the Tōtsuki tannoy system, Azami Nakiri delivered another piece of oratory that either made students wilt to Central's whims or light a fire of rebellion within them. And for the students of Kyokusei dorm, as well as their other friends, they were becoming increasingly unable to contain their resentment.

"The groups that have lost shall be immediately disbanded and no further activities allowed. If any rebellious plots are discovered, those responsible will be purged from the school. Have a nice day".

And so began the first full day of a new Central dominated curriculum at Tōtsuki.

"The content of our classes have totally changed..." Sōma sighed, as Megumi approached him in their french cooking class. "You're right. Student originality has been completely removed from the equation and replaced by the 'Azami Doctrine'. Our classes where we made our original dishes have gone, and now all we are expected to do is cook Central's recipes to the letter".

Frowning, Sōma scratched his chin in thought. "It seems they have no intention of letting us cook the way we want... even working at chef Kojirō's came with more freedom than this". Half laughing and half shivering at the memory of that chef, Megumi picked up a tea towel and threw it at Sōma's head. "I know you're trying to make light of a difficult situation right now but that's no way to speak of a highly regarded chef. Especially one who we managed to gain respect from".

As he removed the tea towel from his face, the red head boy flashed a cheeky grin at his girlfriend who blushed in response. It was then that the classroom door opened revealing a dark suited man. "That's not our usual teacher..." the students directly behind Sōma and Megumi muttered to each other. "What happened to Madam Ishikawa?"

"The teacher who was in charge of this class has been dismissed..." the suited man announced. "After refusing to follow any of Central's new policies, as such a substitute teacher has been found for you. Today shall act as a definition of the true cuisine that Central is advocating, please be sure to learn the recette".

Stepping aside of the door, the suited man revealed the familiar white haired boy whom everyone at Tōtsuki knew, resulting in students simultaneous gasp and yelps of shock.

"Eishi Tsukasa... no fricking way!"