Kyandi: Hey guys!
Ariadne: Looks like we didn't post yesterday.
Kyandi: Yeah, I needed a little break to give my brain a rest but we're back!
Ariadne: Yes, we are, and on to the whole Azami business.
Kyandi: Admittedly, this will be the arc where all of you get to start learning a lot about Ariadne.
Ariadne: And you get to meet my family!
Kyandi: That too. I'm going to make all of you hate a certain character really soon.
Ariadne: She says with an evil grin on her face.
Kyandi: Yep! So, everyone, enjoy and review!
Ariadne: Kyandi-sama does not own Shokugeki no Souma.
Chapter 21 Wave of Change
The next day, the final day of the festival, Ariadne, Souma, Megumi and Mimasaka worked hard to cater to the customers they got. For the final day of the festival, Ariadne wore a fiery red, knee-length, sleeveless, Chinese dress with a high collar, slits that rode halfway up her thighs and had a diamond shape cut out that showed a generous, but not obscene, amount of cleavage. Lotus designs were threaded in with gold thread and she wore cuffs with bells around her wrists that rang cheerfully with every move she made while cooking. With gold bangles around her ankles that bore more bells, the girl became a remarkably interesting show to younger children, who just stared in rapture as she danced and cooked, bells creating a joyful little noise to back it up.
Ariadne was taking a moment to grab something to drink, Mimasaka ready to cover for her if he needed to, when Kobayashi showed up. "You sure are working hard, Yukihira Souma. You too, Sinclair Ariadne." Ariadne and Souma both looked up as the third year came up to their booth, a bowl of something already in her hands. "But at this rate, winning in the sales total looks a bit impossible." Kobayashi's eyes drifted over to the stacks of tickets Souma's booth had made thus far. "You got really close though."
"My plan was something like this, you know…day one, keep a decent distance thanks to the huajiao bing. Day two, bring out a new menu and close the gap. Day three, have the same sales somehow. Day four, do something to overwhelm him. Day five, somehow win in total sales." Souma told her.
"I just wanted to win in sales one of the five days and claim my prize from my deal with him." Ariadne retorted.
"Your prospects are, like, really optimistic, you know?" Kobayashi told Souma, turning to give Ariadne a wink. "You sure took your prize alright. Kuga stood there like a statue for ten minutes!"
"Oh, he did? It's hard to tell it had any impact with the way he's been acting every time he's seen me today. He just continued as if nothing happened." Ariadne heaved a sigh, her arms crossing over her chest as a sort of dreamy look came to her face. "He's so deliciously complex. I can't wait to peel back those layers."
Kobayashi laughed out right at that. "A girl after my own heart. You're honest with what you want."
Ariadne shrugged her shoulders. "I've never been one to hide my desires when they pop up. What's the point? I just feel bad that I won my beat when you didn't, Souma."
"Yeah…I thought I'd definitely have a chance of winning. I mean, I never thought I'd lose in terms of business. So I'm really frustrated!" Souma admitted.
"You're quite an honest guy." Kobayashi remarked.
"Honesty is golden virtue, you know." Kobayashi turned to look at Ariadne as the returned her water bottle to its spot and gave her arms a stretch before she returned to her cooking. "As frustrating as it must be, though, it'll be okay. After all…we live for this. For the challenges. Right, Souma?" Souma and Ariadne shared a look and a smile, Souma agreeing before he returned to his cooking and Ariadne turned to give Kobayashi a wink. "Don't worry about us, senpai. We're a hardy bunch, you know. Now, I must return to my cooking. Enjoy the festival, Rindou-senpai."
Ariadne gave the older girl a wave before turning back to her fryer, pulling the headphones back up over her ears. Smiling to herself, Kobayashi went to Kuga's booth, getting a seat quickly back by the cooking space where she could talk to Kuga while she ate. "At the Autumn Leaf Viewing a while ago, I almost burst out laughing. To think there was a guy who said exactly the same thing as you, Kuga."
"Tch…You don't need to remember things from last year." Kuga retorted, eyes focused on his cooking. He didn't need the reminder that, just like Souma, he had challenged his upperclassmen on the Elite Ten to a Food War at the viewing. Unlike with Souma, though, Tsukasa had accepted right then and there and had, later, demolished Kuga in the Food Wars. In fact, the reason Kuga had fought so hard to take first place in the central area all five days of the festival, was because of a deal he had made with Tsukasa. If he could do it, then Tsukasa would accept another Food War.
It looked like that wouldn't happen now.
"Hehehe, I guess this is what you call "a battle with no winners." You both look really bitter about it. Well, I guess I can't say that exactly. Little Ari-chan won her prize and seems to be rather proud of herself." Kobayashi remarked.
"Shuddup." Kuga lightly cleared his throat, remembering last night when Ariadne had stolen a kiss from him right in front of the others. He had no doubt that she was pleased with herself. She had looked beside herself with joy after she had kissed him. He couldn't decide if she was just happy to embarrass him or if she really liked him and was just overjoyed to have actually gotten a kiss from him. He wasn't sure he wanted the answer. As it was, all day he had found his eyes just randomly turning to find her across the way. Of course, she didn't seem to notice as she moved about her little cooking space, lost to her music. She didn't seem any different after the kiss. Thinking about it had a silent sigh leaving him. "Well…Yukihira-chin might just grow even more from now on."
"Ahaha, Kuga, you're pretty honest too." Kobayashi said happily, irritating him.
"Just who is…!?" Kuga quickly calmed himself, knowing that getting worked up wouldn't do him any good. "As for Ariadne…that girl is cryptic."
That had Kobayashi blinking at Kuga's back in surprise. "How is she cryptic?"
"The way she goes around the school, you never really know what she's thinking. It feels like she targeted me from the first time she saw me and now I find her smiling at me every time I turn to find her watching me. I can't figure out what's going on in her head." Kuga said simply. He wouldn't tell Kobayashi that he couldn't help but question if Ariadne really liked him or not.
"Sounds like she likes you." Kobayashi remarked, spooning another bite into her mouth. "She's actually pretty honest despite how the rumors made her out to be. She'd probably just flat out tell you if you asked."
"I don't know about that. She's…different." Kuga replied.
"Yeah. I quite like her too. Her and that Yukihira Souma boy." Kobayashi admitted. It was then that Kobayashi made plans in her head. When she was done eating, Kobayashi went back across to Souma's booth. "Hey, Yukihira Souma! I reserved a table tonight. I'll take you there once you close your stall! You'll come, right? You too, Ari-chan!" Souma and Ariadne both turned to look at her in confusion, Ariadne pulling her headphones all the way off so she could hear properly.
"Table?" Souma asked.
"For Tsukasa Eishi's booth." Souma's eyes went wide at the offer. "Aren't you interested in the dishes the current first seat makes? Let's go to the uptown area together."
Ariadne shared a look with Souma. While she didn't really care, having no real interest in Tsukasa or his cooking, she knew that Souma was already hook and the invitation had been for the both of them. Ariadne gave a shrug of her shoulders and a look that told Souma that she would go along with whatever he chose. So, that night after they closed their booth, Souma, Ariadne, and Megumi joined Kobayashi in heading up to the uptown area. The sight before them had Souma and Megumi gawking and Ariadne feeling like she was horribly under dressed in her costume for the day.
"And here we are! The slopes!" Kobayashi declared.
"Oh my gosh, it's like a whole different world in comparison to the other areas!" Megumi gushed. Ariadne agreed. The people around them were walking by in fancy dresses and suits.
"Looking at this, you'd never believe we're in a recession." Souma remarked. "Not only that, by this hour most central-campus and main-street booths are closing up. Yet everything here is still going strong."
"Different target demographic. Most everyone here is rich enough to stay on campus or at the Totsuki Resort. With that kind of customer base, most booths at the Slopes tend to offer full-course dining." Kobayashi explained.
"A-all these booths look so expensive…" Megumi gasped, clearly intimidated.
"Relax, Tadokoro. I gotcha! I'll cover ya both for Tsukasa's place." Kobayashi told her, patting her on the shoulder. "I mean, his is the only one left. Hit that, and I've got one hundred percent completion!"
All three first years turned to look at Kobayashi, Megumi and Souma gasping out together, "In just five days, you ate at all 120 booths at the festival?!"
"Yep! I gave it my all." Kobayashi said proudly.
"Huh, woman after my own heart. I knew I liked you." Ariadne said, Kobayashi grinning at her.
Souma and Megumi were stuck thinking out inhuman Kobayashi was, while Ariadne followed Kobayashi, carefree. "C'mon, you two, before we leave you behind!" Kobayashi called.
Inside the castle-like building Tsukasa was using as his booth, they were presented with a menu outlining their nine-course meal and shown to their seats. Ariadne was a little surprised to find only three table available inside with a see-through window giving them a full view of Tsukasa as he cooked. It reminded her of a stage so much that Ariadne just wanted to cringe. It was so different, yet similar, to her own family's restaurant that it left a conflicting feeling in her chest.
"Wait a sec. There're only three tables?" Souma asked as they were seated.
"The staff he has is made up of servers only. Tsukasa does all the cooking himself. He wouldn't be able to keep up without cutting back on tables, ya know?" Kobayashi replied.
"Yeah, but even with just three tables is he really going to make a nine-course meal by himself?!" Souma asked in surprise.
"Oh my gosh, that'd be really hard! He must have a whole lot of confidence in himself and his skill." Megumi remarked.
"Uuuuh…actually, it's a little more like this…" Kobayashi painted for them of a nerve-wrecked Tsukasa paralyzed in fear of letting someone else finish his dish because they could make a mistake and ruin the whole thing.
"That kind of anxiety would make my stomach turn." Ariadne remarked. "It makes it all the more impressive, and baffling, how he came to be the first seat."
Ariadne's comment made Kobayashi laugh, but the older girl felt no need to explain anything any further. Instead, they were presented with the first of their dishes. Ariadne's eyes fell on the dish before her, intrigued when she found Sakura shrimp as the main ingredient. She took a bite, letting the taste wash over her tongue. While others at the other tables gushed over the food of each course, Ariadne took her time with each one, really trying to get a feel for the kind of cooking that made Tsukasa the best of the best at their school. She never finished a course before the next one came, pushing the half-finished food away in order to accept the new plate. They were just starting on the last course when Tsukasa himself came to their table.
"Umm…is the room warm enough!? Are you comfortable?! The air conditioner isn't making it too cold, is it?! If it is, tell me right away! Please!" Souma was dumbfounded by the sheer insecurity of Tsukasa. "Are the chairs okay? They aren't too hard? Too soft? And the lighting! It's not too dark in here, is it?"
"Geez, lighten up! Keep obsessively fussing over your customers like that and it just makes things more uncomfortable, not less." Kobayashi told him bluntly.
"It does!?" Tsukasa gasped.
"Right, Tadokoro?" Kobayashi asked, turning to Megumi.
"Huh? Umm, it does make it a teeny bit awkward, yes." Megumi reluctantly agreed.
"Oh no!" Tsukasa began a spiral then. "W-w-what should I do?!"
"Like I've told you a bajillion times, just stand tall and do what you do." Kobayashi told him, turning back to her food. "Mm, yep, your ability to pick out the best aspects of the best ingredients is as sharp as ever. You've got a good eye. But y'know, someday…I'd like to taste a dish that's got more of you in it."
Tsukasa shook his head, recovering from his meltdown. "You see, my cooking doesn't need any of me in it. When I cook, I believe it is my job to completely erase myself from the dish. All that is important is the goodness of the food. I concentrate on nothing but that, honing it until it's perfect. But paradoxically, erasing myself like that is in fact just a different way of expressing myself. All of that wrapped together is the essence of Eishi Tsukasa's cooking."
It made Souma and Megumi stare at the third year with surprise. A stare that was broken by the sound of cutlery being laid down on a plate. The four students turned to look at Ariadne, as she lightly pushed her mostly unfinished food to the side.
"Is something wrong?" Tsukasa asked. "I had noticed that all of your plates came back half unfinished."
"Tsukasa-senpai, might I ask you a question? You specialize in French cuisine, correct?" Ariadne asked, simply.
"I do." Tsukasa's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Is there something wrong?"
"Well, since you asked…" Ariadne wiped her mouth before folding her napkin and setting it on the table. "The food is wonderful, exceptional truly, but for someone who supposedly studies French cuisine…you were wrong on a few counts."
Disbelief was directed at the smiling face of Ariadne, the girl either oblivious to it or uncaring of how she had just come off to others.
"Ari!" Megumi whined, trying to get the girl to stop.
Tsukasa and Ariadne both ignored her, though, Tsukasa now curious. "How so?"
"To start with, do you know the differences between French and Italian cuisine?" Ariadne quickly corrected herself. "I mean other than region, climate and culture, of course."
"Enlighten me."
Well…he had asked for it.
"To start off with, yes, there are a lot of similarities between the two. My mother was half Italian, half French, so I learned both growing up. Both cuisines start off with a soup, but it is from there that the procession of dishes change. In France, the next dish is called an entrée and in Italy, it is an antipasti. The difference between the two is that an antipasti can be enjoyed standing at a bar. An entrée cannot. Your second dish was definitely an antipasti, not an entrée." Tsukasa blinked in surprise at her first point, shocked she had called that out. Then again, she was from France herself. She would be able to tell the difference. "Should I go on?"
"Please do."
"Very well, then. Of course, both Italian and French cuisine is very regional. I personally am from Marseilles, a very prime seafood region of France, so I commend your use of Sakura shrimp. However, one of the main differences between the two cuisines…is the sauce." Tsukasa had a feeling he wasn't going to like where this was going "In France, we have a few historically important sauces that are classics, their recipes set in stone; bechamel, hollandaise and velouté to name a few. The difference is that Italian sauces are made primarily with meat or fish stock…French sauces are not. You used a stock made of shrimp stock, no?"
"Yes."
Ariadne gave him a there-you-go look before continuing. "Lastly, we French love our alcohol, and use it in almost every dish. You did, too, oui?"
"I did."
"Yes, I can tell. However," Tsukasa was starting to dislike that word. "In French dishes, we use certain alcoholic drinks for certain dishes. White wine for red meat dishes, red wine for fish dishes, and cognac for flambe, for instance. If I'm not mistaken…you used a white wine, did you not?"
Genuinely surprised that she had been able to tell, Tsukasa nodded. "I did."
"As I thought. To me, as a Frenchwoman who grew up tasting these types of dishes, the use of the white wine instead of the red, just kind of muddled the flavors." Jaws dropped all around Ariadne as Tsukasa and Kobayashi just stared at her. Nothing the looks, Ariadne blinked. "Oh, dear, my apologies! That must have sounded rude! I'm horribly blunt when correcting those who claim to be serving traditional French cuisine and who make those mistakes. We French are very prideful about our cooking. I truly do apologize for any offense."
Tsukasa didn't reply, his eyes stuck on the young girl as she offered him a bright smile. It had been an exceedingly long time since someone had offered him critique on his cooking. Ariadne had offered it so quickly, cutting right to the core of her dissatisfaction that it had seriously thrown him for a loop. It was then that a faint buzzing came from the bag Ariadne had hung from the back of her seat. Ariadne fished her cellphone out, checking to see what was causing the noise. She quickly shut it off and stood, pushing her seat back. She gave Tsukasa and Kobayashi both a polite bow of her head.
"You'll have to excuse me. I promised Erina that I would stop by her booth tonight. Thank you for the meal, Tsukasa-senpai, and thank you for treating me, Rindou-senpai. Souma, Megumi, I'll see you guy later."
With that, Ariadne whisked away, the sounds of bells jingling following her exit. Feeling like she had corrected an injustice to the cooking of her homeland, Ariadne made her way to Erina's booth. When she got there, Hisako wasn't there to greet her at the door, like Erina said she would. Curious, because she could hear raised voices inside, Ariadne let herself in. "Erina! Hisako! I'm here!" Ariadne turned a corner into the dining room, finding the room filled with tension. That didn't matter, though, when Ariadne's eyes found Erina, finding the girl cowering in fear. Her protective instincts kicking in, Ariadne flew to her and Hisako's sides. "Erina? What's wrong?"
Ariadne came to a stop in front of Erina, lightly taking hold of her arms as she tried to get Erina to look at her. Seeing the fear so clear on her face, Erina's whole body shaking from it, it had Ariadne's rare temper flaring to life. She wouldn't stand for someone scaring one of her friends like that. No, Ariadne would make them pay. She tried to get Erina to answer her, but she wouldn't, so she turned to Hisako instead.
"Nakiri…Azami…" was all Hisako said, but that mixed with Hisako's staring past her, was enough to have Ariadne turning to look at the man standing behind her. Ariadne's eyes landed on the man with his dark hair and eyes, a smile lightly on his face as he met her eyes. Ariadne wasn't sure what he had done to frighten Erina so badly, but she wasn't going to let it continue. She stepped fully in front of Erina, shielding the girl behind her while reaching back to grip her hand in a silent reassurance that she was going to be alright. Whatever she had walked into, though, the adults around them weren't happy. Ariadne recognized two of them as the Sendawara sisters who had judged at the Autumn Election. It was the elder sister that spoke, breaking the silence.
"Hmph…what are you getting cold feet for?! You make such a rude entrance when we're eating and say something like that…I would say you're the one who hardly has any dignity." Natsume remarked.
"Oh, you're the top brass of the resort-pouch curry business. Is your business of spreading child-deceiving flavor around the world going well?" Azami asked, smile on his face.
"Huuuuuh!? I dare you to say that once more, you little bastard!" Natsume hissed. "We do a joint business with Totsuki Academy! Any insult towards us will tarnish Totsuki's reputation."
"Exactly. The current situation is truly deplorable. That's precisely why I came to Totsuki, to bring it back to its proper state." Azami replied.
"What did you say…?" Even Ariadne was confused, wondering what he meant by "proper state." As far as she was aware, the way Totsuki was right then was how it had always been. Azami, though, didn't agree with that line of thought.
"Dear self-proclaimed gourmet experts…I wonder how many of you truly understand what a real delicacy is? "True gourmet food." It greatly resembles excellent paintings, sculptures, and music. The true worth of all first-rate art can only be understood by those who have a certain quality of character, artistic sense, and a proper education. The rest of the people can only be grateful for what the upper classes have defined as valuable and gather around it without fully understanding it. "True gourmet food" is just like that. Only a few select people should share its true worth. Because that's the only thing that should be called "cuisine". Everything else isn't "cuisine", but fodder. I simply can't understand those who think anything which uses first-rate ingredients is "gourmet food"." Azami ranted.
"How dare you make fun of us!" one man growled.
"Well thank you for letting us hear your opinion," Orie started. "But everything you just said is meaningless."
"E-exactly! You don't have the authority to make any changes at Totsuki right now!" Natsume added.
'Is that really true? The blood and education are certainly there." Azami's eyes shifted to his daughter half hidden behind Ariadne, making the girl jolt. Ariadne's hand gave Erina's a squeeze, assuring the girl that she would be fine, even as Azami turned to walk towards them. "Now, Erina…the first time I taught you about "cuisine" was ten years ago. I want you to show me how much you have polished your skills."
"I…I've been telling you! We don't accept any customers without a reservation…" Hisako told him, trying to cover for the frozen in place Erina.
"Isn't that table open?" Azami asked, looking over at the only free table left.
"That seat is for me." Azami turned to look down at Ariadne, who stood calmly and politely smiling back at him. He only spared her a glance before walking right past her and Erina to take a seat at the open table. "Rude much…"
"Bring me your wine menu." Azami called. When Erina didn't move, he called her name in a chastising voice. "Erina, how long will you keep me waiting? Your father is starving. I want to eat something soon."
Feeling Erina shake worse than ever, Ariadne released her hand and stepped forward, covering for her friend. "Sorry, it seems you didn't hear me. That seat was reserved for me."
Azami's eyes actually fixed on her for a moment, recognition dawning on his face. "Ah! Sinclair Ariadne. Forgive me, I didn't recognize you without the pink hair."
Ariadne's hand went up to her hair, fingers carding through it to push it back. "I haven't been pink in a while. Thankfully, it was just a short unicorn phase, so to speak."
Azami chuckled, those around them staring at just how bold Ariadne was to stand up to Azami and at the surprise that the girl already knew him. Ariadne really didn't feel like getting into why she knew him, simply because the whole thing still really annoyed her. "I see. My apologies. As for the table…surely you can agree to share it with me."
"No offense to you, but I've spent the last five days with far too many people crowding me and just had to share a table with others for a meal I didn't quite enjoy. I do believe I will keep my reservation of one to just one. Surely a man like you can understand." Ariadne gave Azami a bright smile, nothing about her expression showing what she truly felt. "Besides, Erina isn't looking too well. As her father, you must be concerned that she might be ill. She just might have to close her booth early. Best to let her get her rest, yes?"
Erina and Hisako silently thanked Ariadne for her fast think and way with words. Azami didn't show any annoyance or anything he thought, just stared at the smiling face of the fifteen-year-old girl in front of him. Ariadne was spared from having to hear his reply when the door opened, and the person came in calling out cheerfully. "Yo, Nakiri." Ariadne turned to find Souma standing here, a huajiao bing in hand. "Are there any seats open?"
Natsume gasped upon seeing him. "You're Yukihira Souma!"
"Ah! The judges! Whoa, it's been a while. So you came together to eat here. Things are awfully noisy here, did something happen?" Souma asked, oblivious to what he had just walked in on. He didn't wait for them to answer and turned to Erina. "Hey, hey, Nakiri. Sorry about this, but could you let me eat your food even if I don't have a reservation? Here, I'll give you one more huajiao bing." Ariadne saw Megumi peak into the room, watching from behind a corner. As if noticing that all eyes were nervously watching one table that Ariadne was currently standing in front of, Souma turned to the man. "Hm…that person looks like he just came in. Umm, excuse me! Did you not have a reservation either? Would you mind sharing the table?"
"Souma," Ariadne called softly just before Azami pegged Souma with a dark glare.
"I guess…that's a no." Souma remarked.
"Erina," Azami looked past Ariadne and Souma and to Erina, Ariadne inching back until she was standing half in front of Erina. "You should…choose your friends more wisely."
"Oh? Are you insinuating that there is something wrong with me, Nakiri-san?" Erina asked, hand to her chest like she was insulted. The action put a small smile on Azami's face.
"Of course not." Azami pushed himself to his feet. "You may have the table, Sinclair-chan. I've lost interest in this." With that, Azami walked past them and towards the door.
"What was that…? He should've eaten before he left. Arato, who was the black gentleman?" Souma asked.
"Erina-sama's father." Hisako replied.
Ariadne turned to Erina then, lightly taking hold of Erina's elbows. "Erina? Are you okay? It's going to be alright, okay?" Ariadne gave Erina's arms a rub, trying to calm the girl. Worried that something big was about to go down, Ariadne left Erina with Hisako with a promise to check in later and followed Souma and Megumi outside. There, they found Azami surrounded by a ring of tinted cars, their headlights all pointed at Azami and Sanzaemon facing his son-in-law with a stern look. Just as Ariadne stepped outside, Kobayashi came running up.
"Oh! Yukihira Souma, so you were here!" Kobayashi bent double, breathing heavily. "I saw a bunch of tinted cars coming here so I came after them to see what's going on! What happened?"
"E-ermm…we don't really know either." Megumi told her. "It seems Nakiri-san's father came here."
Erina and Hisako stepped out the front door then, Erina coming to a stop behind Ariadne. "Grandfather!" Ariadne held out an arm, keeping Erina behind her while Azami headed down the steps to stand face-to-face with Sanzaemon.
"It's been a long time, Father." Azami said in greeting.
"Leave. You have no right to be here. I'm sure I told you that you may never again call yourself a Nakiri." Sanzaemon told him.
"I was the one who polished Erina's God Tongue to what it is today. I even brought you an above talented student, as well. Even if you banish me, the blood and education won't disappear." Azami replied, his gaze sliding back to look in Erina's general direction.
"That was my worst mistake, leaving Erina to you back then." Sanzaemon retorted.
"I made a mistake too. I wouldn't have permitted Totsuki to become like this." The air became thicker and thicker between the two men, all eyes going back in forth as they two continued to speak.
"Cooking is everything at Totsuki Academy!" Sanzaemon barked. "Anyone can rise to the top as long as they're skilled."
"How ludicrous. If you intend to create "true gourmet food" then it is the pinnacle of foolishness to keep inferior students enrolled." Azami insisted.
"We're not the ones who decide that. The ones who determine Totsuki's future are the young cooks with both talent and power! Your objections won't change anything!" Sanzaemon told him.
"Exactly! He's completely right! Words from someone who was banished won't do a thing. Learn your place!" another man yelled, entering the conversation. It was then that Azami pulled out his trump card, holding up a letter with the words "Totsuki Elite Ten Council" printed in bold characters on it. "What is that?"
"The Totsuki Elite Ten Council. According to their seat number, they have certain discretional privileges. They're the highest decision-making entity in Totsuki. In the past, there have been examples of them making important decisions regarding the academy's management. They are given privileges equal to or even greater than those of the academy's director. For example, if more than half of the Elite Ten members desire something, that immediately becomes the academy's consensus opinion." Azami explained.
"What are you saying?" Natsume demanded. Ariadne had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Yukihira Souma, who would you side with?" Kobayashi suddenly asked Souma.
"Eh? No, even if you ask me that, I don't really understand what's going on. What are they talking about?" Souma asked.
"Oh, I see. And here I thought you'd take this side, too." Kobayashi remarked.
"Too?" Souma asked.
The document in Azami's hand…was a proposal for removing Sanzaemon as director and replacing him with Azami. It was a proposal agreed upon by six of the ten members of the council: Eizan, Nene, Saitou, Momo, Tsukasa, and Kobayashi. Ariadne was glad to hear that Kuga and Isshiki hadn't had any part in the choice. She didn't know if she could look either in the eye again if they had. Not after seeing how horribly Azami's mere presence petrified Erina.
"I mean, a new wave is coming, you know?" Ariadne turned her attention back to Kobayashi as she spoke. "Riding it is way more exciting."
"You're saying the strongest bunch in Totsuki Academy all changed sides!?" came a yell. Ariadne turned her gaze to Sanzaemon, seeing how the man would take the whole thing. As it was, sweat was gathering on his brow, as he stared at the document held in his grasp.
"Things will probably be settled by this time tomorrow. This is Japan's primed gourmet food kingdom, and I am its new king."
That declaration sent chills down the spines of many of those standing there as Azami turned to walk away. As he left, Azami glanced, once more, towards Erina, Ariadne feeling Erina shift closer to her back. Ariadne leaned her head back, causing her hair to shift over her shoulder as her eyes met Azami's. Azami gave her a smile, one filled with triumph, before he walked away. True to his words, by that time the next day Sanzaemon had been forced to resign his position, Azami taking over. Ariadne was left standing there, wondering what she was going to do from there.
After all…did this break the whole deal?
END
Kyandi: I did an awful lot of research and looking closely at the manga in order to help Ariadne stick it to Tsukasa, even just a little.
Ariadne: It doesn't mean she dislikes him.
Kyandi: God, no! Tsukasa is one of my favorites. Right behind Kuga, Akira, Isshiki, and Kobayashi.
Ariadne: Sorry, all of you who want her to ship me with Souma…it's not happening.
Kyandi: I ship Souma with Erina way too much for that. It's also the reason I decided shipping her with Akira too, since it's heavily hinted at the end that he's married to Jun. I don't break my ships.
Ariadne: Sorry if that ruins the story for some of you.
Kyandi: I'll miss you if you decide not to read.
Ariadne: But the story will go on.
Kyandi: Exactly! So, everyone, enjoy and review.
Ariadne: We will try to be back tomorrow.
Kyandi: Bye-bye!