Chapter 3

To most people, time flew by normally. But for Soma, Erina, and Hisako, time took its sweet time passing... like they all felt like they aged 20 years already. But the first year of high school is finally here!

Soma woke up at 4 AM. He has been so hyped for this day. FINALLY, after working so hard all throughout middle school, he's now a student of Totsuki Culinary School. He has a lot to catch up on but Hisako and Erina helped him a lot over the years to be up to speed on all things the two learned in school. And knowing both girls, Soma was not able to get away from all the lectures.

Soma double checked his packed bags and headed off to shower, really pumped about this day. He wonders what it would be like studying in Totsuki. Erina and Hisako once sneaked him inside the school to check it out. He wondered back to that day.

"Ehhh! That's against the rules Soma! I'll be in the Elite Ten Council next year. If anyone finds out, my seat might be in jeopardy!" Erina exclaimed.

"In jepar what? And come on, Princess! We're best friends! And what does it matter? I'll be here next year anyway! Save me the first day jitters and being clueless about where to go and just save me from the suffering. And besides, I'm your best friend, what would they say about you if I missed the first day because I got lost!" Soma grinned knowing he got Erina where he wanted her.

"Jeopardy, dummy! And was it really necessary to mention that you're my best friend twice? Guilt trip much? And that ammo, really? I'm the QUEEN, I don't care what other people say about me. If you're really my best friend, you would know that already!." Erina fired back.

Soma smirked; "If you really don't care what other people think, then you'd let me go sneak in Totsuki."

Erina pouted; "Ughhhh just to end this conversation, let's go!"

Hisako shook her head in amusement.

Soma stood in front of Totsuki alongside his father who saw him off. He knew where to go and what to do. There's nothing that can ruin this glorious day. He will conquer this school.

—-

Soma just got his school schedule and saw that there is a hierarchy on class sectioning. So many first years, so many sections and being a transferee, he is placed on the lowest section. The kicker is that Hisako and Erina are both in the star section.

"Man, this sucks. I thought I would be taking classes with you both." Soma groaned.

"You still have lots to learn to be on our level, Soma. Work hard though, I will not tolerate you being behind on your grades and be associated with me." Erina flipped her hair.

"Hai hai, Princess. Of course, I plan to conquer this school. My dad was the second seat and didn't even graduate, I would have to be the first seat AND graduate to beat him!" Soma said.

"Then it's on, Soma. The first seat is mine." Erina said but the warm smile she's sporting softens the blow.

"Don't worry, Soma. The sectioning will shuffle soon enough." Hisako said.

"What does that mean" Soma asked.

"It means that the exams here are not the normal exams in your previous school. You fail, you get expelled. And it's not all written exams, the practical exams matter more." Hisako explained. "You can climb up to our class soon if you ace your exams early on."

The people on the quad are all whispering about the interaction they're all seeing. Who is this transfer student who seems to be close to the youngest Elite Ten member? Everyone saw how warm Erina is with Hisako but now she looks like she's... complete. However, one senior looked on with a sour look on his face.

After that, the three of them went their separate ways to their classes. Soma had Chapelle Sensei for his first class. He met Megumi, Takumi and Isami in that class. He got paired up with Megumi to cook Beef Buorguignon.

Soma found that Megumi was heavily bullied and was at the end of her rope. One breath away from expulsion. Soma detests bullying as he knew what people used to say about his mom being a tomboy, all stories regaled by his dad after his mom passed away.

Megumi warmed up to him quick enough and together they made the best dish in the class. He sent the bullies who tried to sabotage their dish with salt a harsh glare.

"If you have a problem with me or Megumi, speak to me through your dish! Cowards!" Soma said.

The class went silent as these youngsters were not used to confrontation. Surviving in Totsuki is already hard as it is without the fighting. Takumi and Isami warmed up to him too and after class they all went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Soma texted Erina and Hisako to meet at the cafeteria.

"Oi Princess! I made Chapelle Sensei smile!" Soma shouted across the cafeteria where Erina and Hisako were seated.

Heads were turned and everyone was shocked to find that Soma was talking to Erina, the God's Tongue bearer. The whole cafeteria quieted down. Megumi was mortified. Takumi and Isami were impressed. They don't know much about the social etiquette of this school yet, they just transferred from Italy and it's also their first day. Soma went straight to them with the other 3 in tow.

"You dummy! Why couldn't you just wait until you get here before starting a conversation. You really had to announce to the whole cafeteria?" Erina scolded. "And duh, I expected nothing less. I already made him smile in middle school."

"Oh also, I made new friends! This is Tadokoro Megumi, Takumi and Isami Aldini! These two are brothers." Soma introduced.

"I know, Soma." Erina said then turned to the new people, "Hello, I am Nakiri Erina and this is Arato Hisako. I bet you already know that. Please have a seat."

"It's so like you, Soma. Hitting it off with people on your first class." Hisako remarked to which Soma only grinned.

Megumi was pale and barely managed to utter "hi" back. Isami and Takumi said hi and went to get food. Megumi stayed seated because she can't comprehend how she's sitting at the sacred cafeteria table with THE Nakiri Erina.

"Yukihira kun, how did you know Nakiri sama?" Megumi asked.

"I've known her since I was 6 years old! Her grandfather and my pops are friends. I am her future boyfriend and husband!" Soma grinned.

"EHHHH!" All three girls exclaimed and Erina hit him up the head.

"Owwww!" Soma complained.

"You dummy! Why would you say that!? And that's not true!" Erina huffed.

"But I wanted to have a dance party in your room! Remember?" Soma asked while rubbing his head. Hisako was laughing full on now, remembering the actual dance party and how Soma's explanation didn't help things a bit.

"Idiot!" Erina blushed in both mortification and something else.

A few table away, a senior raised his eyebrow at that remark. Oh, that's how it is, I see. I need to make my move soon, all these years of waiting will be for naught if this oblivious idiot comes sweeping my fruit away right before it's ripe. Erina is mine.

The whole student body was surprised and gossip about the sacred table in the cafeteria being occupied spread like wildfire. After lunch, nobody messed with Megumi and Soma anymore since they were more scared of incurring the wrath of the Queen Nakiri.

Soma found out that Megumi's family owned a ryokan in a port town in Sapporo. The Aldini's owned a diner in Italy. He was liking this group a lot. He thought these students have never served customers before but he was wrong.

—

At the end of the school day, Erina was looking out the glass windows of her office located at the Elite Ten floor. Everyone that has a seat has their own office there is a lavish conference room where meetings are held. She just finished signing the last of her paperwork for the day. As she was looking on at the sights that was Totsuki grounds, he saw Soma walking with Megumi. Soma was on his way to Erina to check on her before he settled in on his dorm.

WHY IS MEGUMI STILL WITH HIM. HE BETTER NOT COME UP WITH HER. WHY AM I PISSED? Ughhhhh. Erina was confused as to why she was feeling this way when there came a knock on her door.

"Erina, I have news from Denmark." Hisako said.

"Come in, Hisako. What is it?" Erina asked frowning.

"What's up with the frown? This is awesome news. Alice is coming back! She's bringing her aide, the one she wrote about from that bay side restaurant. She's attending Totsuki with her aide. Like us! And that they'll arrive tonight but as much as she wants to see you right away, you might be sleeping so Alice said she'll see you tomorrow!" Hisako rambled.

"OH MY GOODNESS! THIS IS GREAT NEWS! How can she not say anything before?! UGHHHH... knowing Alice this might have been a last minute decision on her part. But Hisako, I'm so excited! How am I going to sleep tonight! I want to wait in her room!" Erina exclaimed.

Hisako chuckled; "Erina, gave her some space, she'll be all up in yours in no time, I'm sure of it. I'm happy and excited for you, Erina. But what was that frown about?"

"Nothing significant! Nothing at all." Erina smiled as she put her earlier thoughts on the backseat for the time being.

AN:

Any idea who this senior is? Hehe, it's obvious but I hope you don't mind. And I was frustrated about how distant Alice and Erina was in the manga and anime, so Imma make it how I want it in this fic.