Hi all ^O^
It's like yesterday that I posted the previous chapter, and here I posted the new chapter. I'm here with so (many) new OC(s), please... bear with it. The Autumn Election is still far to go, so the next chapter will be their summer holiday event - something you didn't find in actual SnS, of course. So, stay tune in this story, review(s) is the most wanted thing I want to read from you guys. The last but not the least, please stay healthy ^_^
- rionnaru -
Dish.15 – Kyusei's Student Council, Toutsuki's Elite Ten, and Autumn Election
Kyoto – Kyusei High School
Daiguren Hall
"Ah... we made the first appearance, aren't we?"
A male student with average height and slim build. His hair was short, colored in gray, and swept forward in loose spikes with a lock left long on the right side of his face. He wore his uniform with the sleeves pushed to his elbows, a loose tie, and black suspenders which attached to his belt. A blue badge attached to his left sleeves, a sign of five pillars member. Mangetsu – Kudou Daiki.
"You've known of it, yet you still ask it."
Another five pillars member, Mugetsu – Shiraishi Minato, replied. The latter barely finished cleaning his round glasses, then put it on his jade green eyes. His chin-length dark brown hair was combed neatly. Picturing his faculty, he wore a long white lab coat over his uniform. The black badge of his title made the outstanding look on his white lab coat.
The two took their assigned seat with their title name. Both of them look on the seat which placed in between the two. The place which belonged to the owner of Mikazuki title – Kikuchi Chiaki. There were countless papers stayed on top of the desk.
"Did he really take his task seriously? We're here not to read and examine paperwork." Daiki commented with his harsh tone, like the previous one.
"As if you didn't know how busy the student of mechanical engineering faculty is, Kudou-kun?" The one and only female member of five pillars, Tsukishiro – Namikawa Yuzuki, made her arrival followed with the last member of the same organization, Akatsuki – Kikuchi Hokuto.
"Not only busy with his task in five pillars, the teacher's project, also his own project. He's also got busied with our lovely president's business things, isn't he?" Yuzuki added as she began tying up her wavy shoulder-length greenish blonde hair in a side ponytail. She wore the standard Kyusei High's uniform - a white-and-black shirt that is vertically striped with black borders on the collar as well as the rim of her sleeves, dark brown vest over it, dark red plaid skirt, and a maroon bow. She styled the white colored badge of her title into a small rose which she put on her brown vest.
"How considerate of you about me, dear Yuzuki-chan?"
The one whom became the main of their talk appeared with his signature smile on his handsome face. His smile disappeared once he noticed the owner of Akatsuki title already seated on his assigned seat. "Eh? Despite all the chaos in your faculty, you made it in time... Hokuto-kun." Chiaki greeted another Kikuchi boy in that room.
While the one whom got greeted didn't reply even for a word. Kikuchi Hokuto, the one whom often absent for five pillars' regular meeting. He was the member of five pillars whom got the most complaint from students because of his idle behavior, the one whom popular with his womanizer image rather than charismatic leader to be.
"Hmm... the hall already live up with interesting talk even before we started the meeting. You guys are really energetic even it's still early in the morning, aren't you?"
The familiar voice owned by one of the student council member. The female treasurer – Kondou Aki, followed with the other treasurer – Kikuchi Kazuo, the sophomore secretary girl – Hanazawa Makoto, and the vice president – Ishii Mutsuki, entered the hall then proceeded to their assigned seats. Makoto immediately distributed the module which contained the issues which will be discussed in the upcoming meeting.
"Ne, Makoto-chan. After this meeting, let's have lunch together." Hokuto stopped the secretary girl by her hand right after she placed the module in front of the fuchsia haired Kikuchi boy. He even said it loud so that all the people in that hall heard it.
Makoto gave a brief look on Hokuto's hand which grabbed hers, then looked at the dark red eyed boy. "I'd loved to, but..." She paused as she let go of Hokuto's hand. "I've already had an appointment later. Next time, maybe?"
"How about have lunch with me, Hokuto-kun?" Aki responded right when Makoto got back to her seat.
Hokuto didn't answer immediately. He eyed the module for a while, then sent his lazy look over his senior whom offered that invitation. "I'm not interested into having lunch date with seniors. Also, Aki senpai isn't included into my type. Better look for someone else, Aki senpai."
Aki's laughter followed after that brave answer given by the sophomore boy. She laughed not only because of Hokuto's ridiculous answer, but also she laughed her own misfortune because got rejected by Kikuchi boys one after another. From the almighty Kikuchi Yuu – the number one student in Kyusei High, to Kikuchi Chiaki – Yuu's fateful aide, and then Kikuchi Hokuto – the hottest delinquent in Kyusei High.
"Can you save your joke for later, Kondou. The committee will arrived in no time." Ishii Mutsuki, became the one with the highest title in that hall tried to 'calm' the treasurer girl also to put the end line of that unnecessary talk. Kikuchi Kazuo whom silent since in the beginning, put up his thumb to his senior.
While outside the Daiguren Hall
Kikuchi Yuu barely ended his call with one of Kyusei's business partner, when he got greeted by the last person he wished to see.
"Oh my, oh my, who is the person I see right now if not our over busy student council president?"
Kikuchi Akari whom stood not far from Yuu also got her attention from the document to the one whom greeted her half-brother. A very familiar face she saw. Her older step brother. A cunning smile was all over that young man's face as he walked closer to the two sibling. Akari didn't need to look at her half-brother as she already knew what kind of face Yuu will made once he met 'their' older step brother.
"Long time no see, Yuu-kun. It was surely made me sick hearing all talks about you... in every kind of business meeting I had."
"Ah... is that so? Then, it was a relief for me? That I never heard of you... being the center of conversation even in Kikuchi manor." Yuu answered with his own version of greeting. He casted a bored look to the older Kikuchi. "Better hurry up to build your fame, Naoya-san." With that words, Yuu left that place and headed to Daiguren Hall.
"What a flattery greeting he has given, right... Akari-chan?"
"I think, it's a better choice if you hurried to the hall as well, Naoya nii-san. The meeting will begin." With a short bow, Akari followed Yuu heading toward the hall, leaving the one and only their step brother – Kikuchi Naoya.
Once Naoya made his appearance in the hall, all the respective member of Kyusei High's committee, student council, five pillars, even the headmaster has presented. That meeting was to discuss the things related to the upcoming Kyusei's summer festival or known as Ryuuseigun. The meeting started by the short report given by Mutsuki as the chief committee of the festival, then followed with the detailed report given by each five pillars member which became the person in charge of each event in the festival.
While the other member of Kyusei High's committee gave one question after another to the fest's committee, Naoya didn't give any. Unlike the previous Ryuuseigun, the upcoming Ryuuseigun which was still got discussed in that meeting was bigger many folds rather than the previous year's fest. The ticket's demand already marked a record it ever made in Kyusei's history. The amount of new joint business which will made their debut in the fest, Naoya never seen such a number got typed in that report. The spectacular events got planned in each event, he never heard of it got realized in previous fest. To sum it all, the Ryuuseigun under Kikuchi Yuu's reign will be the biggest event Kyusei High ever held.
"It'll be the unforgettable Ryuuseigun ever. You're really work hard to make it, Yuu-kun." Yamada Tomura, one of Kyusei High's committee members said his opinion out loud.
"It's all thanks to my fellow student council members and five pillars whom worked nonstop. Also, before the fest day, it's still no other than a plan. We can't let our guard down or this dreamt fest won't be realized." Yuu spoke, neatly sugar-coated his words.
Fifteen minutes later, the meeting came into an end. It was when the Kyusei High's committee already made their leave, except for Naoya.
"Isn't it... a bit saddening, Yuu-kun?"
All the attention focused on the man whom barely let out those words. Both Daiki and Yuzuki whom previously had a discussion stopped. Chiaki whom still busied with his paperwork slowed down his reading. Minato whom checked the inbox of his email got his attention off of his tablet. Both Aki and Kazuo whom began dividing the accounting documents halted. So Makoto, Akari, and Mutsuki.
"You've built it till this far. I have no doubt that 'all' of your achievements along your time as the student council president will be recorded, maybe... as the most spectacular in Kyusei's history? But then, what will happened after that? How will the next reign followed it? It's no other than..."
"Oh? You're really considerate to us even you're worried to our future, Naoya-san." Hokuto whom the whole time leaned on his chair, seemed didn't take any of important things in the meeting earlier into his head, cut off Naoya's long unfinished speech. "Then, please rest assure. Let us... think about our own future."
With that words, the talk ended. Hokuto whom since in the beginning didn't bring any document, got up from his seat and walked toward the entrance door of the hall. He left that hall without any further goodbye. Chiaki whom still faced his paperwork let a small smirk on his lips. For someone like Kikuchi Hokuto who never paid his interest in any kind of business owned by Kyusei, that brat was really gave a big blow to someone as ambitious as Kikuchi Naoya.
"You've heard it... loud and clear, Naoya-san." Yuu gave his speech after the awkward silence engulfed that place. "Mind your own business." He added it with a clear warning tone in his voice, as he stood right in front of the older Kikuchi. Then he walked passed Naoya as he commanded both Akari and Mutsuki to move to their next appointment.
Without any additional words, Kikuchi Naoya left the hall. All the remained fest's committee let out their breath which they had hold the whole intense conversation.
"Jeez... you Kikuchis aren't know how to stop, aren't you?" Daiki be the one who commented first. "It's not a surprising look that Yuu talked back to that Naoya, but... Hokuto?"
"Who knows?" Chiaki butted into the talk, as he closed the last document he had. Took his phone from his uniform pocket then typed something on that device. "Let's say... each of us have a 'rebellious' DNA in our genome." He gave the final words, then left the hall like nothing ever happened before.
"Nah... as long as their antics didn't disturb our works then it's fine." Minato got busied again to his tablet.
"Antic, huh?" Yuzuki mumbled that word as if it was such an alien word to her. "Take a thought about it, our dear president is really have his own taste, isn't he?" She asked the remaining student council members as well as the remaining five pillars members. "To invite Toutsuki Elite Ten to our Ryuuseigun." She added while her eyes glued on the guest list in front of her. "He's really planned on gathering all the busy ones in culinary business around the country."
Aki let out a chuckle at Yuzuki's last remark. "It seems that you're not have a keen eye on our dear president, Yuzuki-chan."
"What do you mean, Kondou-san?"
"Yuu isn't that kind hearted man. He's doing all those things with meticulous details is no other than to build his perfect kingdom." Aki took a short paused. Then she continued. "Did you all realize it? Our upcoming Ryuuseigun, isn't it the perfect thing to be shown in front of the old king of Japan culinary business? That we can make thing better than theirs, Toutsuki."
Tokyo – Toutsuki Culinary Academy
"I can't believe that you're really planned on going to that fest, Tsukasa." The fifth seat of Elite Ten – Saitou Soumei, gave his first comment right after he got the schedule paper.
"Well... they have invited us. Also, their student council president's fame already become the hot topic. I just... curious about what kind of that man, just it." The first seat of Elite Ten – Tsukasa Eishi, replied. Then he looked up at the fifth seat one, and asked back. "I think that it isn't our main issue here, Saitou-kun?"
"That's right. It's... Autumn Election, right?"
"Hmm... this year, they really recommend too many names." The eighth seat – Kuga Terunori, said his opinion out. "Actually, I think that forty students already big number. Yet, here we are discussing about the twenty places addition. Can't we just modified this year's Autumn Election, minna-san?" He added.
"Baka Kuga! Since in the beginning, we're already made the decision that the Autumn Election's participant will be the same as the previous years." The owner of sixth seat of Elite Ten – Kinokuni Nene, talked back to the shortest boy in Elite Ten.
"Can we start it? I can't waste my time too long as I want to make more cute cake." The cutest member, the fourth seat of Elite Ten – Akanegakubo Momo, spoke while playing with her cute doll's hands.
One by one the candidate got reviewed by them, some of it got rejected, several of it got accepted. Then, it was the time when they discussed about the transfer student aka Yukihira Souma.
"To include that transfer student into this event, I'll consider it." The tenth seat – Nakiri Erina, shouted her objection. "Even we have talked about it before, but no! He is still not suitable to join such a luxurious culinary event like this."
"Nakiri-kun. Your opinion about a dish always excellent. But, when we talked about Yukihira Souma, you turned to be irrational. Did something happen between the two of you? Something more private... maybe?" The seventh seat – Isshiki Satoshi, asked the younger one with his cunning smile.
"No- of course not! I just thought that... maybe he will be disqualified." Erina reasoned. "Then, what about you Isshiki-san? Didn't you seem to be more subjective when it related to your juniors?"
"No, not at all."
"Yukihira Souma, huh? His background isn't interesting, but he got recommended after passing the training camp... with several good compliments in each assignment. I think, he will make the tournament got merrier. Let's get him into the participant list!" Kuga put the end line of that discussion, as most the member of Elite Ten agreed to him.
Then, they came to the last candidate.
"I thought that she will be here to make plan about the event rather than got listed into the participant candidate?" The second seat – Kobayashi Rindou, looked like surprised by the fact revealed in front of her eyes. "You haven't made the final decision about her joining Elite Ten, Tsukasa?"
"Ah... about it, I have conveyed our final decision about her taking the ninth seat, but the Elders already rejected it. They said that... she still hasn't capable enough to take the ninth seat." Tsukasa replied. "Just only a shokugeki can't be a concrete proof, they said. They want to 'see' more about her cooking ability."
"So, we will let her to be the participant, huh?" Saitou asked back, and got a nod as its answer. "With our planned theme? I thought it will be a bit hard, even for someone like her."
"It seems that you have little faith on her winning the first round of Autumn Election, Saitou-kun?"
"And it seems that you're confident enough to say that she will be the winner of the first round, Tsukasa?"
Isshiki just stayed silent as he witnessed two of his seniors debated about a certain girl. The young man named Tsukasa Eishi hasn't answered the question given by Saitou Soumei. But from the look in his lavender eyes, Isshiki already knew what it meant. It was as if said, why not? Actually, Isshiki himself had the same thought. Why not? It was not an impossible thing to happen. Tough the girl which became their main discussion already got titled as the best pastry chef in her generation, but that girl also had vast knowledge in culinary world. It all thanked to her large connection to various culinary business, as well as her participation in all the research society and seminar in Toutsuki.
"Let's see. Actually, I have prepared something related to this one." Tsukasa brought another thing into that discussion. "If she didn't make into the big three of the first round, then we will sought another candidate to fill the ninth seat. But, if she made it into big three, I have a very special proposal to all of you. I hope that all of you didn't mind to hear it."
Several days later...
On the last day before the summer holiday start
Karen looked lazily on the crowd not far from the library building where she resided in right now. Two big board veiled in white cloth already stood there, got surrounded by countless curious students.
"Are you sure... you aren't curious about it?" Haruki whom barely found the book he has looked for days, put the book on the table which separated him and Karen, then took the chair to sit on it.
"Not at all." Karen replied, then leaned on her chair. She played with the VIP ticket of Kyusei's summer festival which she got days before. "It will be tiresome to spend the days before the fest started just by staying at the mansion." She mumbled those words to herself. "Ruki-nii, you have planned your summer holiday?"
Haruki whom about to open the book in front of him halted, looked at the younger one whom still playing the ticket. The glimmering eyes of hers hasn't dimmed since the latter got that VIP ticket. Haruki knew it, that Karen has dreamt for years to get Kyusei's summer festival's ticket. But she hasn't succeeded so far.
"Ruki-nii?"
"Oh? Not in particular." Haruki answered shortly.
"Is that so?"
It was when Haruki was about to ask something to Karen, the chaos which happened on the site not far from the library building caught his attention first. The white cloth which previously veiled the two big board already fell down, revealed the board with name list got plastered on it. Not small numbers of the student screamed in frustration because they didn't get chosen. Several of them jumped in happiness once they saw their name got listed in between those list.
"Do you really... have no interest about it?" Haruki asked the same question as the previous one.
"I'm not repeating the same answer, Ruki-nii."
Such a hardheaded girl, she is.
Autumn Election, it can be called as the biggest event for freshmen of Toutsuki Culinary Academy senior high division. An event, to show the best one between the freshmen. The dreamt event of each student of Toutsuki once they set on the senior high division. Maybe, Nakiri Karen was the exception. As the latter also didn't has interest in any kind of cooking competition. Many of them whom haven't known Karen's character will said that she has put her talent into nothingness.
"It seems that you're the one whom get interested with it, Ruki-nii?" Karen asked back, but didn't get the answer immediately.
Just like how Haruki knew all about Karen, so the other way. Karen still remembered it clearly, on the day when they announced the participant of previous year's Autumn Election. Being the part of Elite Ten, Haruki only could send his envy look over the students in front of the board where the announcement got shown on it. If Karen should put it into words, Haruki's freshmen moment was distressing. He got bitter experience more than the sweet ones.
"Is that so?" Haruki spoke the same words given by Karen earlier. "Nah, it's just... the students in your generation are a bit more interesting than mine, Ren. I can't wait how this year's Autumn Election will be."
"Interesting students, huh?"
Souma still had his eyes on the board where the list got plastered on it. He read one by one the name which got listed, most of them he didn't know, just a small numbers which he knew. He got grouped in the same group as his dorm mates – Ibusaki Shun, Marui Zenji, and Sakaki Ryoko, in A group. He also got into the same group with his former challenger – Mito Ikumi, the boy whom given a vivid image in his first day at the training camp – Hayama Akira. While his other dorm mates – Tadokoro Megumi and Yoshino Yuuki got into the other group, B group. He also noticed the twin half Italian boys – Takumi and Isami in that group.
"Hmm... good day, Yukihira Souma-kun."
A girl with her signature giggle greeted the red head boy. Souma immediately recognized the white haired Nakiri girl and addressed her as Nakiri's cousin. The two even haven't exchanged for words, suddenly another loud voice filled that place. The ever cheerful Kawashima Urara showed up with the most unusual way ever. Despite all the noises when the girl made her appearance, the crowd turned into dead silent once Urara announced the explanation of the tournament. Not to forget about the additional note given by the committee.
"They whom had influence in culinary business will present as the guest. This is the perfect chance for you to show up your talent. You all have to make the best dish. Your future as a chef will be ended too, if you dared to mess up. So, do your best. That's all!"
"What a persuasive announcement she gave." Souma mumbled once the announcement ended, and one by one the crowd subsided. Then, it was when he remembered something. "I can't find Nakiri's name in the list."
Alice looked at Souma with a questioned look. She didn't know 'whom' the Nakiri he mentioned about. As there were not only one Nakiri in their generation. Seeing the confused Nakiri Alice, Souma corrected his words earlier.
"I mean, Nakiri Erina."
"Ah... Elite Ten is the one whom became the committee of the tournament, so... it would be correct that she's losing the chance to join the biggest event for us – freshmen." Alice said with her cheerful, with several all-high tone in it. "Even it annoyed me, but I still have another thing which will be the fuel of my spirit fighting for the tournament."
"Huh?"
"It seems that you didn't pay attention on your group thoroughly, Yukihira Souma-kun?" Alice asked back. She even questioned herself, the boy in front of her was really too dense.
Rather than the students list in B group, several of the ones got listed in A group were famous figures in their generation. The fight in A group will fiercer than B group, Alice predicted. Of course, she has planned on winning the first round with her name placed at the top. Then in the main tournament, she has to win against whoever her opponent will be. Till she has the match against the other high wall she has to pass in order to be the best. The one whom titled as 'the number two' of 92nd generation – Nakiri Karen.
"Ne, Yukihira, did you know? Almost all the members of Elite Ten participated in the main tournament of Autumn Election. In other word, the future Elite Ten members will come from us." Alice gave another thing into their talk. Then, she continued. "Of course, it won't become true if we lose here. I'm really waiting for the day that you, Erina, and I have a match more than a mere Elite Ten." Alice was about to leave Souma when she stopped, said something else without looked back at him. "I can't wait to see your 'stupid' face even after facing those 'monsters' in your group, Yukihira Souma."
"Monsters... what do you mean, Nakiri's cousin?"
"Ara! It seems that you haven't understood your situation, aren't you?" Alice asked, as she turned around to face Souma. "Then, I will give you a clue." She started. "Kurokiba Ryo – my aide, Hayama Akira, and Nakiri Karen. Those are the names you have to put into your mind. They will be your biggest obstacle."
Souma had small smile on his lips once he heard that. He already knew it, about those three students – except for that Kurokiba boy. Even it was just the shortest time both Hayama and Karen showed their cooking ability in front of Souma, he already knew that he has to surpass the two. Then, suddenly he remembered what Alice has said before – something about the fuel of spirit fighting. Did she mean?
"Ne, Nakiri's cousin. Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"How is Kuro Nakiri's dish when she made it seriously?"
Kuro Nakiri? What is that? What a nasty nickname he made?
"Are you mentioning... Ren-chan?" Alice asked back, and Souma nodded as his reply. Alice had her smirk as she saw the confident look on Souma's eyes. "I don't know. I never seen she had all serious when she made a dish. But, for someone whom had a clear winning against the former 9th seat of Elite Ten, you can't look down on her."
"Congratulation for being chosen in Autumn Election. For someone like you, it's not a doubt." Erina congratulated her secretary, whom walked two steps behind her like usual.
"Hai, Erina-sama. I will get the best result in the tournament. Also, please rest assure, Erina-sama. I will win against that brat, Yukihira Souma, for sure!" Hisako with her energetic voice told her plan.
Hearing the name of that red haired boy suddenly made Erina remembered all the words she had told the latter, and all of it was like backfiring her. She even needed the window frame to hide her annoyed face.
"I... I'm sorry, Erina-sama." Hisako apologized immediately when she saw the turn of event happened on Erina.
"Don't be. Rather than that Yukihira boy, I think you should set your plan thoughtfully, Hisako."
Hisako whom heard it became silent. She knew what it meant. In her own group, she should face Erina's cousin – Nakiri Alice – whom she considered as the biggest obstacle. Then, at the other group, she has well known with the name of Kurokiba Ryo, Hayama Akira, and mostly Nakiri Karen.
"Of course, Erina-sama!"
