The Chanko Nabe RS's building got reconstructed like it has planned. It started right after the result of Shokugeki got out. Karen put down the academy bulletin which brought that thing as its headline news. Just then, the sentence at the end of the paragraph caught her attention.

"It hasn't ended yet. Other research society which shown the same state as Chanko Nabe RS will be the next target. It has planned that one of Nakiri Erina's subordinates will have a Shokugeki against Don RS. The Shokugeki will held three days from now." Karen finished reading it. A sigh escaped from her lips. "Just how many private kitchen you want to own, Erina?"


"Research society?" Yukihira Souma asked back to the blue haired girl who walked side by side with him that noon. It was the lunch break of that day, and Soma decided to take a short tour around that academy. Megumi accompanied him as she didn't have something to do either.

"Yes. There are a lot of societies in Toutsuki which specialized in different cuisine. Just like what we have discussed yesterday, we can develop a new recipe of RS's specialty. Or, we can apply in the cooking competition too. In the normal school, it's kind of club." Megumi finished her lecture as both of them stopped in front of a board filled with many flyer which promoted each research society as well as seminar in Toutsuki.

"Ah... you're right, Tadokoro!" Souma chime in excitement as his eyes caught many offers of research society. "You're in it too, Tadokoro?"

"Hmm... I'm in Local Cuisine RS."

"Heh..." Souma seemed too interested in reading each flyer, then one of them caught his attention the most. It's Don RS. "As I prepared a new Don dish in my restaurant, it may be a good help to try out. Let's go, Tadokoro!"

"Eh~ me too?"

Unlike the other research society which filled with noisy sound of discussed students, the Don RS's facility was quiet. None there, but that single young man sat on the chair with his head bowed down, like a dead man. It was the scene both Souma and Megumi saw once they reached Don RS. That young man is the current president of Don RS, a sophomore student, Konishi Kanichi.

"What with that gloomy face, Koni senpai? You will make your guest freak out." A voice got heard just behind Souma and Megumi. A familiar voice.

"Re... Ren-san?" Megumi called the one who stood behind her and can't hide her surprised look.

"Kimi... from Local Cuisine RS, right? If I'm not mistaken... Megu-chan, is it?" Karen asked with her innocent face also cheerful voice.

Souma who stood beside Megumi can't stopped starring at the girl whom got called Ren-san by his friend. From the way she talked now and yesterday was really different, it was like saw two different person. Just then, Souma saw another person stood behind her. A male student, maybe a year older than him.

"Is that Shokugeki already crush your spirit, Konishi?" That boy behind Karen spoke then both he and Karen got into the research society room.

"Shut up, Haruki! Better you help me get out of this situation than saying that words." Konishi talked back, the dreadful look still stayed at his face.

"Of course I can't do it. I'm not a part of this RS." The male student, Kimura Haruki, replied back. Souma and Megumi just stood in silent as the two saw the little quarrel between the other three in front of them.

"Then, what about you Ren-kun?" This time Konishi looked at the younger one who already took a chair and sat on it. The one who got asked didn't answer immediately.

"I think that I have myself clear here, Koni senpai." Then, she looked at the two freshmen who still stood by the doorway. "By the way, Megu-chan. What are you doing here? It's unusual of you from Local Cuisine RS to have a visit in Don RS. You have something to be discussed?"

"Ah... that's... not really. It's..."

Karen looked at her while she stuttered just to arrange her words. As if helped the blue haired girl out of that awkward situation, Souma spoke for the first time.

"It's me who have some business here."

Karen shifted her sight to the red haired bog next to Megumi. He dressed in different uniform, a transfer student? Those question came into her head.

"And... what is it?" This time, Haruki who asked.

Both Souma and Megumi walked toward the other three's place then told them their reason of visiting the said RS. "Is that so? But... you see now, that Koni senpai didn't look well to have a talk with you. If you didn't mind, I may lend my ears to hear your idea." Karen spoke in the name of the depressed RS's president.

Souma didn't reply but then he took one of the notebooks laid on the table in front of him. It was recipe notebook which got compiled by Don RS. Karen who get no respond from the red haired boy looked at him, and found out that the latter was engrossed in reading the notebook. His golden eyes sparkled in excitement. Karen knew it, that boy must be surprised by the various recipe they had created. From the simplest - mainstream ones till the eccentric combination, each of them with their own sharpness.

"Ah... it's too bad if Don RS got shut down even they have marvelous dish recipe, right Sou-kun?" Karen shouted out loud to catch Souma's attention.

"Yeah... this Don recipes are interesting. Why should it got shut down?"

Soon, the fire in Konishi's body got lighted up. His eyes shot opened in fighting spirit as he stood up then hold Souma's shoulder. "You understand it, Yukihira-kun." But soon those fiery eyes looked awfully dull once Konishi cried out loud in front of Souma. "Don are 'Fast, Tasty, and Cheap'. The beauty of the casual style! Manliness completed in one bowl! A men's meal for fighting men! As a single man, I CAN'T DIE WITHOUT MASTERING DOOOONS!" Konishi burst into chaos as he screamed out his resolution. The other ones who witnessed it have different reaction. Haruki who looked it from the corner of that room can't help but closed his eyes and sighed. Both Souma and Megumi frozen like a statue, while Karen was laughing out loud as she clapped her hands. Anyway, it's her who triggered that funny scene to be revealed in front of her eyes.

"Damn! My Don RS, I can't protect it. If it's not because of Nakiri Erina."

"Nakiri?" Souma questioned.

Karen stopped laughing as her sister's name got spilled out.

"Ah... I have read it in the bulletin this morning. Is it true that you'll compete against Nakiri Erina's subordinate?" Haruki asked which made Konishi got back to his depressed state. The RS president just could nodded as his reply. "Heh... don't tell me that is the reason why this place is quieter than usual?" Another nod as its answer.

"They have given up even before go to the battlefield?" Karen commented. "So, who is..." Karen was unable to complete her question as suddenly several men came into that room. The last one who got into there was someone whom familiar in Karen's eyes.

"As we thought, rather than remodeling it, destroy then rebuilding this place will be faster." One of those men spoke to the girl with short blonde hair at the doorway.

"Is that so? Then do it."

"Wha-"

"Yare... yare... aren't you too eager to claim this place, Niku-chan?" Karen got up from her chair then she walked three steps forward from her place. She folded her hands against her chest. Her innocent smile on her beautiful face.

"Oh... Karen-sama, it has been so long since our last meeting. Also, please don't call me Niku-chan. It's Mito Ikumi for you." The short blonde haired girl replied with her cold smile on her face.

"Just call me Ren like the others, Niku-chan. Oops, I call you with that cute nickname again."

"It's not cute at all, Karen-sama."

"Is that so?"

Another side of Karen which Soma saw that day. Because of that, he concluded that the girl was a bold type girl.

"So Niku-chan, can you command those men to step out of this place? As you can see, we've been in the middle of discussion."

"I'm sorry but I can't, Karen-sama. It's also you can see... I take a preview because the result of the upcoming Shokugeki has been obvious." Mito Ikumi seemed didn't bother by Karen's suggestion. Then she looked at the depressed president who looked like hid behind Karen's back. "But, if he was confident enough to beat me, it's another story."

"So, it's you... Niku-chan."

In a flash, Ikumi grabbed her big knife at her arm pocket and cut away the long hair of Karen which laid on her left shoulder. Megumi who saw it got her face turned pale. While the other three stayed still in their spot. "If you call me with that awful name again, it didn't matter if you're Erina-sama's sister, I will cut you down."

Karen put her hands on Ikumi's shoulders. "Oh, calm down. By the way, you have cut my hair just now. It makes me have to arrange into new hairstyle again."

Ikumi who didn't understand Karen's antics got two steps backward. "I just can't understand you, Karen-sama."

Karen who heard that gave a questioned look to Ikumi. "What?"

"Erina-sama has said it so. That no matter how much you fixate on 'Don', it is nothing more than a B-class gourmet vulgar dish. That isn't needed in Toutsuki. Every other ingredient prostrates itself before worthy meat. No matter of dish they -"

This time, it's Ikumi who hasn't finished her words as suddenly Karen already grabbed her shirt collar. Her rose gold eyes looked piercing every nerve in Ikumi's body. "I have enough of what kind of thing you intend to say, Mito Ikumi. Rejoice only based on the ingredient's cost, is a disgrace for a chef, right... Yukihira-kun?"

Souma who got called became a bit confused. "Oh... of course." He has turned into his normal self. Then he walked over Konishi who still looked pale as a corpse. "Senpai, that Shokugeki... can you leave it to me?"
Karen smirked as she heard that exclamation. She let go of the collar.

"What is wrong with you? Outsider get away from thi-"

"Are you afraid, Ikumi?" Karen asked back at Ikumi who became rigid all over again once she heard Karen's cold voice.

"Of course not, Karen-sama." Ikumi shifted her attention to the red haired boy. "To think an outsider like you to butt into other's shokugeki, you're confident enough about your cooking ability."

Souma showed his grin at that praise. "If you want, we can battle in your area, it is meat dish. I'll win either." Souma said confidently.

Ikumi narrowed her eyes, got annoyed by Souma's words. "Then, if you lose to me..." Ikumi paused as she walked closer to Souma. "You will quit Toutsuki. Is that alright?" No respond from Souma which made Ikumi burst into another rage. "Keh, if you don't have a gut, then don't talk big."

"It's okay with me." Souma's answer has surprised almost all the student in that room. "In exchange, if I win, let's see..." Souma paused as he seemed to think about something. "You have to join the Don RS."

"Huuuuuh!"

Karen almost burst into laugh at that bait brought by Souma. She wished for something big to be baited but that simple, seemed like ridiculous thing, he said it. "Join the Don RS and contribute to develop the Don's culture, as in apology for the troubles you've caused." Souma said again, more detailed.

"You're really... plan on winning against me." Ikumi muttered with her darkened look. "Contractors, we're withdrawing now." With that, Ikumi turned around and was ready to leave that room. But then, she looked back again at Souma before she get out of the room. "Then, I get the right to choose the theme of dish." Ikumi announced. "The main ingredient is 'meat', the dish to make is a 'don'. The match will be held just like it had planned, in three days." With her final speech, Ikumi get out of that room for real.

The tense in the room dissipated as the group of contractors and Mito Ikumi has left that place. Karen's laugh slowly rang all around that place which made all the student there, except Haruki, looked confused with it. What's so funny about that Shokugeki?

"I... I never thought you will take the bait so easily, Sou-kun."

"Wa... wait a second, Ren-kun. What do you mean by..."

"If you have more confident in your cooking, I won't ever did something like that, Koni senpai." Karen answered even before Konishi finished his question. "So, because Sou-kun has volunteered in taking the Shokugeki, the thing you have to do is helping him in creating the dish for the match, right Koni senpai? You're the president here." With that sentence, Karin left the rest in the hand of the RS president and the red haired boy. "Let's head back to our class, Ruki-nii."

Haruki got up from his chair then walked toward Karen. Both of them was about to leave the room but Karen stopped. She turned around then looked at Souma. "If you need something, you can call me for help, Sou-kun."


"It was unpredicted. For Erina to send those men even before the match, she's really..."

"Then, what about you?" Haruki cut off Karen's words even without change his expression. "Isn't that you're the one who played the role of evil here, Karen?"

"Hmmm... is that so? Nah, many different things came in the same time. It was the best solution I can pull out, you know?" Karen replied without looking back at Haruki who walked two steps behind her. "I may come into a gentler solution if that boy didn't appear in the first place."

"You must have hidden intention in it, aren't you?"

"Who knows? I just... a bit curious with the cooking ability owned by the one who succeed in the transfer entrance exam. Nothing more." Moreover, if he can't defeated one of Erina's subordinates, he won't be good enough to be called as my rival.


Later in the late afternoon in that day, Souma and Megumi were coming back to the Don RS's room to discuss the dish they will make in the upcoming match. The first thing they did was looking for the notes of recipe which has been created by the research society's member. They filtered the ones which will be a big help to create a new one. It was when the three drowned into the ocean of recipe book, Soma spoke for the first time.

"She is really the strangest girl I ever met."

"Who do you mean, Souma-kun?" Megumi asked back as she laid the book in her hands in her laps.

"That Nakiri Karen. She looked like has many personalities within her." Souma replied, folded his hands against his chest. "Also, she created too many strange nicknames."

A giggle came from Megumi made Souma looked at his friend. His look as if asking the girl if something is funny in his statement just now. "You will get used of it just like the way you used to Isshiki senpai's behavior, Souma-kun."

"Megumi-chan is right. Many of student here titled her as the female version of Isshiki Satoshi. But I think, Ren-kun is way too weird than that Isshiki boy."

Souma looked at Konishi who has seated across him. In front of him, there were hills of recipe book and he seemed to read it one by one. "That's reminded me. I always hear her got called as Ren, why?"

"Because it's simple." Both Konishi and Megumi answered in the same time in the same answer, which made Souma more confused with the fact. "It was she herself who asked whoever she met to call her by that name." Konishi added then he begun to open the book placed on the top. "It suits her true personality too." Konishi added again while his eyes glued on the pages of the book.

"Simple?"

"She is the one who didn't like tire herself in most every single thing, it included in cooking. She is also the one who hate Shokugeki the most." Konishi begun his lecture about Nakiri Karen and just ended his reading activity. "But maybe you will disagree with that once you see her being busy in field, I mean in greenhouse, seminars, and research society thing. After all, the thing she did there was only giving advice and thought a better solution about an issue. I don't know if you have heard it or not but she is joined all the research society and seminar in Toutsuki Academy. Even she didn't act like a true member of the organization, for us... she is more like an advisor to our research society."

Souma listen to every detailed info got explained by his senior. It is the reason why she can be friendly to everyone she met? But, at the same time she become the one who can be relied by the others. That is Nakiri Karen.

"That is the big difference between her and her sister." Konishi spoke again, brought another topic but still the same in discussing the Nakiri girl. "She made many friend even in every generation. She became a good friend of her own generation, a caring senpai to her underclassmen and a reliable kouhai for her upperclassmen. If I asked to choose one of the twins, I will definitely choose Ren-kun than that ice queen Erina."

"Wait, twin?" Souma asked in the middle of conversation.

Both Konishi and Megumi nodded in the same time. They agreed in same answer again. "Ren-san and Erina-san are twin sisters." Souma didn't know how to react to that new info he got. The two Nakiris were really different, not to mention about their traits. Even from their outer appearance the two already different. "They are fraternal twin." Megumi said as if she can read what Soma has thought about the two Nakiris. "But, Souma-kun... I think we're here to discuss about the recipe not to discuss about Ren-san." Megumi reminded her friend about their first intention of coming into that place.

"I know Tadokoro. It's just... her strange traits were so hard to be pulled out of my mind." Souma replied back. There were so much questions in his head which needed to be spoken out. Then he remembered something. "Then, who is the one she called Ruki-nii before?"

"Oh... he's a sophomore, Kimura Haruki. He is... you can call him as Ren-kun's childhood brother. They have been together even since in the middle school." Souma has mistaken it. He thought that boy was Karen's boyfriend as the latter dressed in the same attribute with the girl. Also, he looked less menacing than that pink haired secretary of Nakiri Erina. "Don't tell me, you thought that they're couple?" Konishi asked back as he read Soma's surprised expression when he told the younger one that Haruki was Karen's childhood brother.

"Whoever saw them at the first time must be thought about the same thing, right Konishi senpai?" Konishi didn't answer immediately as he waited for Souma to continue his words. "You see... they wore same things like a couple to be."

"Maybe you're right. Then, what about you, Megumi-chan?" Konishi said finally then asked the blue haired girl.

"Eh?!"

Megumi's face which often looked pale slowly got redden. She can't stopped blushing just remembered her first encounter with the said upperclassmen, Kimura Haruki.

"Hey, Tadokoro. Are you alright? Your face is red."

"Uh... oh... I'm alright Souma-kun. Uhm... if you asked me about my first impression of Kimura senpai and Ren-san is... like a sibling."

"What that means?"

"Haruki is a member of Local Cuisine RS too, precisely the chief of Local Dessert Department. I have heard that both of them often bickering there." Konishi continued to Megumi's answer. Souma whom didn't know anything about that just listened closely as he looked at his senior then to Megumi.

"That's right. Kimura senpai was like a big brother to all the Local Cuisine RS members, especially to Ren-san. He even didn't mind to scold Ren-san in front of many people."

Souma seemed in deep thought even just listening to that old story. "That's right. They looked like siblings if you met them in that situation." Souma commented.

The rest gathering the three had was discussing about both Nakiri Karen and Kimura Haruki. Even in their way back to the dorm, Souma still asked Megumi to tell him about the two. He didn't know why but he was so curious about them. Little did Souma reviewed about the explanation given by Konishi and Megumi, he has known that like Nakiri Karen, Kimura Haruki was came from the prestigious chef family, specialty in Japanese traditional cuisine and that sophomore student took more secluded subject like Japanese traditional dessert. The similar subject where Nakiri Karen put her passion into. Both of them has titled as the best pastry chef in each generation, and together with another one in the Elite Ten Council, they managed to the top three gifted pastry chefs of Toutsuki. It was when Isshiki called both Soma and Megumi from the front door of the dorm, the discussion came into halt.

"Souma-kun, Tadokoro-chan, welcome back. You two looked serious, what kind of discussion you two have?" The only-wear-pink-apron Isshiki asked his juniors.

"Oh, Isshiki senpai. We just discussed about the female version of you and her childhood brother." Souma answered which made Isshiki questioned back the red haired boy.

"Female version of me? What do you... ah, Ren-kun and Ki-kun?" Both Souma and Megumi nodded at the same time. Isshiki who saw it can't help but smiling. "You can continue it later. Obviously, I will tell you whatever kind of info you want, Souma-kun. But for now, let's go to the dining room. The dinner has ready."


That night after the dinner, Isshiki came into Souma's room with a tray full of night snacks and a bottle of cold tea made by him. The younger one was busy opened up recipe book he brought back to the dorm.

"What is that, Souma-kun?"

"Oh, Isshiki senpai. It's recipe book owned by Don RS. I brought it to create a new one for the Shokugeki three days next."

"Shokugeki?" Isshiki asked back as to confirm it and got a simple nod from the younger one. "Then, who is your opponent?"

Souma looked up from the book. "Uhm... a girl named Mito Ikumi. But that Ren girl kept calling her Niku-chan." The last sentence got spoken in lower tone but still loud enough in Isshiki's ears.

"Ren? So, it's like that. I know."

Souma looked at his senior with confused look. "What do you know, Isshiki senpai?"

"It must be that little witch who dragged you into that Shokugeki, right?"

"Uhm... something like that, but half of it was my own idea."

Isshiki nodded his head as he took one snack on the plate then ate it with his always happy face. "Ah... I can't imagine how Ki-kun's face when he saw his little girl messed up with someone's business."

"Ki-kun?"

"It's Haruki's childhood nickname."

Souma looked at the older one enjoyed his snack with his happy mood. If he remembered, Konishi has told him that both Isshiki and Haruki were childhood friend because both of them came from the same traditional cuisine chef family. Since the beginning they applied to Toutsuki, both of them often made a cooking competition which became an interesting show to all students in their generation.

"I have heard it from Konishi senpai about your relationship with Kimura senpai. He even said that you two are the most outstanding chef in your generation."

"Hahaha... that Konishi, I think he is overreacted about it."

"He must be a talented chef, right?"

Isshiki stopped munching his snack as he looked at Souma. He saw his golden eyes gleamed in joy like the one when the younger one challenging him into cooking competition yesterday morning. "If I said so, what will you do Souma-kun?" Isshiki asked back. He just wanted to confirm the answer which he has predicted.

"Maybe someday, I can have a duel with him."

Isshiki smiled a bit at that statement. Just like Yukihira Souma he knew. "He's talented. Maybe, between the three of us from traditional dish family who proceed in the second grade of senior high division, he's the strongest. Coming from the well-known Kimura family, he has trained in the traditional cuisine since young age. He has mastered in many kind of traditional dishes. Being the youngest son, he thought about mastering something which haven't owned by his brothers and sisters. So, when he enrolled in Toutsuki, he took traditional dessert as his specialty." Isshiki stopped for a while as he took another snack over the plate then ate it. Souma who curious about Isshiki's story had long forgotten about the recipe book. If his senior even praised that Kimura guy as the best traditional dishes chef in his generation, then that Kimura guy wasn't a mere chef who will got defeated easily. "As long as our cooking battle, from 330 battle, I have won around 100 times, 20 close-tied, and the rest of it... I lose to him."

Souma who barely munched the snack brought by Isshiki stopped when he heard that count. That Kimura guy has won double times than the one who sat in front of him. "Ano, Isshiki senpai. With such talent, why he isn't a part of Elite Ten Council?"

Isshiki stopped his hand who barely poured a cold tea in the cup and looked up at Souma. "Eh, that Konishi haven't told you?"

"What?"

Isshiki resumed his pouring tea then took a sip of the cold drink. "Actually, Ki-kun is the former 7th seat before I replace him." Isshiki took another sip of his cold tea. "Ki-kun has got promoted into Elite Ten Council since in the third year of middle school. He get 10th seat that time, then promoted to 7th seat when we got into high school division." Isshiki put down his cup as he looked at the night sky through the window glass. "It was because of his promise to Tsukasa senpai that made him let go of his position in Elite Ten Council."

"Promise?" Souma asked back. This time he was the one who poured the cold tea into his own glass.

Isshiki nodded his head. His eyes still gazed at the dark night sky outside.

"A promise... to bring Nakiri Karen into Elite Ten Council."

================= Dish. 03 – Met The Eccentric Nakiri Karen =================