The Chandra's Room
Haru turned around and faced an angry Elite Ten, among them was the Ice Witch herself, Erina Nakiri.
"So everyone's here right? Well then, good morning to all you… uh… nice people! We have much to discuss today!"
"Why did we come here again?" Nene asked, annoyed.
"Because, as much as you might hate him, Haru is the Headmaster, and it's in his power to call a meeting of the council." Isshiki responded politely.
As everyone adjusted in their seats, Haru walked over to the First Seat's chair and swirled it around.
"So, what do you want from us?" Akira asked as he placed his hands on the large, elliptical table.
"Oh nothing much, just a little public service announcement, that being, Little Nakiri will be taking a leave of absence."
"HUH? Erina, what the hell is he talking about?!" Alice slammed her fists on the table.
"I didn't think I would have to bring it up." Erina said as she shot a glare at Haru.
"Really? Why don't you explain what we talked about on the day of our match." Haru said as he pulled a phone out from his pocket.
"I-" Erina looked down as she mumbled the rest of her response.
"Erina, what is it?" Megumi asked, looking worried.
"He didn't threaten you did he?" Takumi asked.
"No- He- Somehow or some way, he was able to get Yukihira-kun on the phone, and again told us that he would bring him back if I could beat him in a Shokugeki."
The other members of the Elite were shocked. This man, who they knew almost nothing about besides the fact that he was a living legend at Totsuki and Megumi's older brother, was somehow able to get ahold of Soma Yukihira, who they had been trying to contact for months now, to no avail.
"You got Yukihira-chin on the phone, so what. That doesn't guarantee anything. What if he puts up a fight, which mind you, he probably will." Kuga said, laying back against his chair.
"Well, I'm telling you now, I'm your only chance at getting Yukihira back here. The decision is up to you guys. You all are the governing body."
Akira, Takumi, and Megumi seemed hesitant. Alice, Nene, Kuga, and Eizan all scoffed. And while Ryo seemed only indifferent, Isshiki was the only one with a calm look on his face.
Hisako stood by Erina's side, anxious to see what her next move would be.
After a while Haru groaned from impatience.
"Alright just put it to the damn vote-"
"No. Erina-chan will accompany Haru, that is final." A deep voice said from behind Haru, startling him.
Erina was shocked to see her grandfather, Senzaemon, emerge from the shadows of the Chandra's room.
"Grandfather? What are you doing here, and what do you mean I have to go with Haru?!"
"Jeez, why do you always gotta pop up outta nowhere, old man?" Haru asked, slightly annoyed.
"Hey, that's our grandfather, asshole, you might be a half-decent chef, but don't go around talking down to him in that way-" Alice said, reprimanding Haru for his lack of respect.
"Alice! Erina! Enough!" Senzaemon thundered.
"I expect both of you to treat Haru with respect! Besides, he didn't come here of his own volition, I was the one who asked him to."
"WHAT!? Grandfather, why-"
"Erina. Your duties as the headmaster do not come lightly. I've noticed a downward trend in your handling of the job since Soma Yukihira unexpectedly took his leave."
"But grandfather, while Yukihira-kun's disappearance has certainly proved to be quite the nuisance, it isn't true that I've lacked on my duties as-"
"Erina! Enough of your excuses! Do not deny that which is right in front of you! It's more than obvious that your performance as the headmaster has been affected by Yukihira's disappearance, both professionally and personally! So if you truly respect me as much as you claim to, you will go with Haru wherever he deems fit for you, and you will follow his instructions as he deems fit for you!"
Everyone remained silent, and Erina could only look down.
Finally, Akira spoke up.
"Sir, with all due respect, don't you think it is a little too much to send Erina off with a complete stranger, whom we know nothing about? And for what reason?"
"Hayama Akira. You may not know who Haru Tadokoro is, but as someone who has witnessed the rise of some of the most influential chefs of our time first hand, I can tell you Haru is someone both respectable and trustworthy, regardless of his ingenuine manners. As for my reasoning, that is a matter between the Nakiri family and Haru.
"Grandfather, I understand that Haru is clearly one of the best students you have ever laid eyes on, but surely you must also understand the traditions of the Elite Ten. We decide matters not by voting or arguing, but through battle. Alice said, getting up.
The Elite Ten members all looked at Alice, not expecting what was to come.
"I challenge Haru to a Shokugeki, and if I win, he backs off from Erina, us, and Totsuki. If he wins, then we'll go along with his plan." She said, almost snarling.
Senzaemon could only chuckle.
"Alice, it wouldn't matter even if all of you teamed up against Haru." He said, composing himself from his brief chuckling fit.
But he suddenly grew serious again, darkening the tone of the room tenfold.
"You would all lose, and it would be nowhere even close to a tie."
Everyone was taken aback, except Haru himself, who was distracting himself by swirling around the 1st Seat's chair.
"Erina, you will go with Haru, and I will remain as Interim Headmaster while you two are gone. That is final." Senzaemon said, finally turning away and disappearing from view as he left the room.
Everyone now looked to Haru, who only sighed.
"He said it, not me. I'll see you at Narita International, on the Nakiri private lot at 2100 Hours tomorrow. Gather your things, say your farewells or whatever, and yeah." He said as he too left the room.
Alice slumped back in her chair and Erina stood with her fists clenched and trembling.
…
Somewhere on Totsuki Campus
Haru was going back to the headmasters office, he clutched his arm in desperation, it had been killing him throughout the entire meeting.
He raised up the sleeve of his shirt, and sure enough, a large bruise spanned his forearm.
"Ugh, damn it, I'm gonna need some of those painkillers when I get back..."
...
Just then, he called out to something behind him.
"What do you want, annoying orange?" Haru said, not even looking back as he continued walking.
Isshiki, surprised that Haru even knew he was being followed, composed himself and caught up to the bluehead.
"Haru, you seem to be in a bit of pain, I hope I'm not intruding-"
"I'm in more pain now..." He grumbled as Isshiki followed in his stride.
"How exactly do you intend to 'repair' Erina once you two go about your adventure?"
"Don't know."
"Ahem, surely you must have some sort of a plan to get Erina back on track, right?"
"Look, I was just coming here to visit Megumi. I was gonna tell her everything. I was gonna apologize, I was gonna try making up for all the time I left her alone, but that old geezer wouldn't stop calling me, so I caved in and took up his little mission, just to shut him up. I have no idea what he expects from me, but I'll figure something out."
"Hm. And what did you ask of Senzaemon-dono in return?"
"That he gives Megumi the best for the rest of her time here at Totsuki. To not only make sure she graduates, but that when she does, the whole world will be open for her. There, satisfied now that you're in the loop of things?" Haru said, scratching his head.
"Wow. You seem like a total jerk on the outside, but you really do care about Megumi."
"Shut up, your 'calmness' is freaking me the hell out."
Isshiki laughed as they both approached the Headmasters Office.
"Say... Have you even caught a break the entire time you've been here?"
"I sleep."
"Hm, do you play video games?" Isshiki said as he magically pulled out a Nintendo Switch from somewhere in his vest.
"Are you trying to annoy me? 'Cause if so, it's working." Haru asked before yawning.
"Well, would it matter if I was? You are clearly apt enough to know if something is up."
Haru paused as he opened the door. Then simply shrugged and walked into the lobby as Isshiki stood outside.
"You coming or what?!" He shouted from the end of the hall.
"Coming!" He said happily as he ran after the bluehead.
...
Nakiri Mansion
"Erina-sama, you don't have to do this. I'm sure Haru is simply bluffing, there must be a different way to reach Yukihira-kun!"
"I don't know Hisako. My grandfather seems to trust Haru enough to the point where he would be willing to embarrass me in front of the entire Elite 10. I respect my grandfather and his wisdom, which means I'm willing to believe Haru can in fact bring back Yukihira-kun. How, I don't know, but, if he can, then..." Erina said as she got up from her bed and walked towards a window.
She looked out the window and wondered if Yukihira was still in Hamburg. Probably not, but it didn't matter, if there was even a small chance he would come back, she would take it in a heartbeat, whether or not that involved someone like Haru.
"Hey Erina, let me go with you, that way I can check up to make sure Haru doesn't do anything shady…" Alice said as she walked into the bedroom.
"Grandfather was very specific, Alice. It's only me and Haru."
"But-"
"I'm going. I may not like it, hell, I hate it so much, but- something's telling me this might be the only way to get Yukihira-kun back."
Alice could only sigh in response as she sat down on the bed.
Hisako stood, nervous.
Erina, with a determined look on her face, turned back to Alice and Hisako.
"I'll go with Haru. For Soma."
The Next Day; Narita International Airport, Nakiri Private Lot
"Father?! Mother?! What are you two doing here?" Erina gasped as she approached the two Nakiri's.
"Oh we're only here to wish you and dear Haru a safe trip!" Mana said, straightening out Erina's jacket.
"Mana! It's been a while since the Shokugeki, how are ya?" Haru said as he emerged with a windbreaker layered on top of his sweater.
"Oh Haru... Tell me, when will you serve me some more of your delicious Jalea de Mariscos? They make me burn with pleasure and joy." She said in a sultry voice, slightly licking her lips as the two greeted each other.
"Oh you think too highly of me, Mana. I'll tell you what, though, the second we get back from our trip, I'll cook up some Jalea, maybe even add some caviar to go with the mixed fish." He promised.
"Oh how I look forward to it." She said, winking at Haru.
...
"Erina." Azami said in an almost stern voice as he faced his daughter.
"Father." She responded calmly.
"I've been realizing more and more just how many mistakes I made, and how they affected you, and by extension, the school. I know I've always put myself before you, and this family. It- it was wrong of me to do such a thing. Therefore, I wanted to formally-" He was cut off by Erina placing her hand on his mouth.
"I don't want you to apologize here, not in this situation. Not yet. You can do that after I return."
"I- I see... Well I wish the best of luck to you and Tadokoro-san over there."
"Thank you."
"Oh! Erina, Asahi will be waiting for you when you two land. I understand you may not like him, but he is still a Nakiri, and your brother." Azami called out as she neared the jet.
Erina paused for a moment, before simply walking up the stairs and into the jet, duffel bag in hand.
Haru waved goodbye at the smiling mother Nakiri, who gave him yet another wink as Haru climbed into the jet.
"What exactly is your relationship with my mother?" Erina huffed as she sat down in her seat, taking a glass of apple cider offered by an attendant.
"You really wanna know?" He warned as he placed his small luggage into the compartment above.
"Well it would be nice to know more about the man taking me to who knows where, especially if my parents knew about him when even I don't."
"Well, you know how picky Mana is with her food, I'm pretty sure she went anorexic at one point because of how sensitive her tongue is... In any case, maybe like 3 years ago, I served Mana a Jalea de Mariscos, and I'm pretty sure she had an orgasm. "
"PFFFFFFFF" Erina nearly choked on her cider as she spat it out in bewilderment.
"Wha- What do you mean orgasm? How could that even be possible, for someone as demanding as my mother…"
"It means orgasm, plain and simple. If you still don't know what that entails, Mana was basically squirming in her seat as she took a bite of the calamari, a bite out of the octopus, and a bite out of the shrimp. She could not stop moaning, I'm telling you-"
"OKAY, I got the picture now!" Erina huffed, her face basically a tomato as she turned away.
Haru let out a sharp exhale as he sat down in his seat and reclined back in it.
"Hey."
"Wh- What is it?"
"Sorry about the old geezer yelling at you in front of everyone. He can be really, really- loud. That, and he basically lives in the past, where it's forbidden to have feelings."
"Hmph. It's fine, I've been through worse."
"Oh I know you have, you and the gang had to put that sociopathic emo in his place huh?"
Erina shot a glare at Haru, nearly retaliating for how he had insulted her father, but stopped after realizing how easy it was to associate the words he said with her father and how quickly her mind jumped to the conclusion.
"Well, in any case, you should tell me more about your relationship with Yukihira. It might make this whole thing easier."
"What? My relationship with Yukihira-kun? In what way does that concern you?"
"Oh you know, depending on how close you two were, I'll figure out how to get you back up and running for headmaster."
"And how close do you think we both are?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I mean if you two were just friends then something's really wrong with you if you're basically shutting everyone out. But if you two were having sex or something then-"
"WHAT? Why would I- Why would we ever-" Erina stuttered, her cheeks flaring up in embarrassment again.
"I'm just sayin' if it was something that personal, then you two oughta be reunited. I don't know who broke it off with who, but something better happen between the two of you."
"UGH!" Erina groaned, turning around in annoyance, hoping for a silent flight as the jet took off the tarmac. Then it hit Erina that she didn't even know where they were going.
"Hey, Tadokoro. Just where are we going anyway?"
"Glad you asked-" Haru said as he took a sip from a water bottle.
"It doesn't matter what resort, or luxury island you take me to for a vacation, it won't change-"
"Who said we were going to an island, and who said anything about a vacation? Nah, we're going to France." He said as he laid back even further in the chair and brought out a blindfold to go to sleep.
"France huh?..." Erina whispered to herself as she leaned her head against the window of the jet, engines roaring to the side of her, hoping with all her might that Haru was the way to bring Soma back to Totsuki, because she was losing faith, both in being able to bring back Soma, and herself.
A/n:
HEY GUYS, I AM AN IDIOT. LIKE- BIG TIME. I didn't update my bio to let y'all know I was gonna be gone for this long, or include in the previous chapter that I was gonna disappear for like 3 months and a half. I am really sorry. I had to finish a whole year of math in 4 weeks for summer school, that paired with volunteer work and swim team, it's been real busy, even during the summer, when I should be free. Either way, I've officially been on FanFiction for a year now!(it actually became a year about 6 days ago). This chapter wraps up The Second Tier for Totsuki's Legacy. I was gonna write two more chapters, but I didn't want to just disappear again while I was making them, so I just made a longer chapter for the Season Finale. Also, I'll probably release the first chapter of the Iron Bender either in like 10 minutes, or just wait until tomorrow. It'll probably be the latter because I've had to rewrite the whole thing twice, and I've struggled to come up with simple things like names for the characters, but that's not important. What's important is you guys, and the enjoyment you hopefully get out of reading fan fiction. As for Totsuki's Legacy, I'll probably get to work on the Third Tier when I finish with the First Season of The Iron Bender. Aside from that I've also had an idea for another FanFic, and I've been thinking about uploading Totsuki's Legacy on Wattpad. Anyway, enough ranting, I hope you all can forgive me, and I will try my best to keep a more consistent schedule now that I'm more free. Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and as always, I will see you in the next fanfic, cya!