I do not own Shokugeki no Soma. I only own this fanfic's story, and any new characters introduced within it.
8:10 PM, Shino's TOKYO
They tied.
Kojiro couldn't believe it. He knew that Haru's talent would make up for his lack of knowledge in French cuisine, but he didn't think it would be that much. Frankly, he was more surprised than he was angry.
"How is it that you managed to create an equivalent dish to mine, when you don't have nearly as much knowledge on French Cuisine as I do?"
"Just 'cause I specialize in one thing doesn't mean I suck at all the others; it's important to be a well-rounded chef Kojiro-senpai." Haru shrugged.
"That might be the wisest thing I've heard you say, Haru."
"Well, gee, thanks."
...
"Well, I guess this means we don't have to tell or give each other anything does it?" Haru said as he began towards the door.
"Wait." Kojiro called as Haru opened the door.
"I'll tell you everything I know about Soma, if you agree to tell me how you got your second star."
"Sure." Haru said as he sat back down at the table.
"So, tell me about this kid, how exactly did he manage to keep pace with the great Kojiro Shinomiya?"
Kojiro slugged Haru in the arm again, but proceeded to explain.
"When he first came for his Stagiaire, Soma seemed like an idiot, his lack of versatility made him struggle a whole lot in the beginning."
"Okay..."
"But the kid's intuitive. About an hour later he had caught up with the speed of things and began serving people like there was no tomorrow."
"There's more, tell me."
"Well, he seemed to really care about the customers, as if they were his family or something cheesy. After I found out that he was Joichiro-senpai's kid, I kind of understood why he acted the way he did, those two are exactly the same." Kojiro shrugged.
"Alright, thanks for that."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, I don't need that much info on him anyway, I got him figured out by what you said."
"Okay then, your turn."
"Well senpai, the way I got my second star, and frankly the only way you're gonna get your second one, is..."
Kojiro stared intently for the way to get his second star.
"...Put a smile on your face, and serve the customers with a pep in your step, kinda like this Soma kid."
"WHAT?!" Kojiro roared. "That's no way to gain a second star!"
"Kojiro-senpai, you have to see it from the customer's perspective. Who isn't gonna be intimidated by an angry dude who looks and acts aloof over every single little thing. It won't matter how good your dishes are, if the people you're serving them to aren't happy with the service they receive. That's something those inspector judge guys always look out for when they rate your restaurant. I get that when you went to France, people looked down on you because you weren't French, but that doesn't mean you have to glare at every customer that comes in with a frown on steroids." Haru pointed out.
Kojiro was fuming, but deep down, he knew Haru was right.
"Good talk senpai, thanks for the info about Soma."
"Don't thank me yet, there's still a lot to that kid you don't about, Haru."
"Of course, of course." Haru replied.
...
"Well I guess I'll be leaving now. Thanks for the meal Kojiro-senpai."
"Yeah, yeah, get outta here already." Kojiro smirked a little as Haru closed the door behind him.
"That guy sure is something else isn't he?" Abel remarked.
"Yes he is Abel, yes he is." Kojiro replied.
8:30 PM, Polar Star Dormitory
Fumio was sitting down on her chair, thinking about why Haru came back after so long. After what he did, he didn't deserve to come back to Totsuki let alone Polar Star.
*flashback*
Several Years Ago, Polar Star Dormitory, One Week Before Totsuki Graduation Ceremony
"Haru-senpai! What are you doing up so early?" Sonoka Kikuchi called from one end of hallway
"Oh nothing much Sonoka-chan, just going for a run!" Haru called from the other end.
"Hey Haru! I expect you to be back before graduation practice starts!" Fumio yelled.
"Don't worry Fumio-san, I'll be back in a flash!" He called as he closed the door.
"Honestly, that guy never ceases to amaze me. He never wakes up this early, and why is he taking his bag?..." Fumio remarked.
"I think it makes him even more mysterious..." The young Kikuchi said, fidgeting with her fingers dreamily.
"Ugh, I'm going to wake up Taki and- what the?-" Fumio said as she picked up an envelope in the kitchen.
"What is it?" Sonoka asked as she peered over Fumio's shoulders.
"It's a note…"
...
"What?!"
*flashback end*
Just then, a figure tapped Fumio on the shoulders lightly.
"Hey Fumio, what's up!"
"AAH! What do you think you're doing, Isshiki!"
"Sorry, sorry, I just came out to ask you a few questions!" He laughed.
"Hm, next time you do that, I'm kicking you outta the attic!"
"Okay, I'll try not to do that again." He chuckled.
...
"Well, what is it?" Fumio asked.
"The other day I noticed you were talking with someone, I didn't hear everything, but I did hear him say, 'Don't tell Megumi I was here.' What I'm trying to ask, Fumio-san, is who was that guy?"
Fumio froze. She didn't want to tell Satoshi, let alone the entire dorm, about Haru's existence, but she knew they would find out sooner or later with Satoshi's constant prodding.
"I'll tell you, on the premise that no one else, especially Megumi, learns about this, okay?"
"Of course Fumio-san." He smiled.
"The man who came in here yesterday, his name is Haru. He was a member of Totsuki's 88th Generation..."
"The 88th generation? Oh! Like one of the judges for Autumn Elections, Taki Tsunozaki!"
"Right, Taki, she was the former second seat of the 88th generation."
"Then who was the first- wait-"
"Haru was the former first seat of the 88th generation. He and Taki both competed fiercely with each other, as both of their specialties were very similar. She would always challenge Haru to many shokugeki, and he would always win. In fact, Haru brought Polar Star the most fame it had seen since the time of Gin Dojima and Joichiro Saiba."
"So then why did it sound like you weren't particularly fond of him?"
...
"Because... Haru is also the reason Polar Star lost its prestige and fell to its knees."
Author's Note: Hey guys! So that chapter was a lot shorter than I had intended but I kinda wanted to leave things on a sort of cliff hanger, and adding anything else would kinda ruin the buildup :P. I've also wanted to address most of the reviews I've been receiving; no this isn't a Sorina fanfic, Soma won't make an appearance in this story, except maybe some cameos but that's it. If you guys really want him in this story, I can maybe fit him in near the end but this fanfic focuses more on Erina and of course, Haru. As always, thank you guys for reading and I will see you in the next chapter(which should be around Friday or Saturday)!
-Kano