A/N: Well it got enough feedback for me to decide that it was worth continuing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shokugeki no Sōma. And every time I read this manga, I get hungry.

"Where are you?" Alice asked out loud as she looked for the transfer student within the crowd at the first year's opening ceremony. The day had finally come and Alice actually got ready early to go to the ceremony and scope the new student out. Unfortunately, she couldn't see him at all. The whole crowd was made up of students who had passed the middle school section. So seeing the transfer student, while hard, shouldn't be so difficult. All she had to do was look for someone new. With her memory, she was sure she would be able to notice someone she hadn't before.

"There you are, ojou-sama." A monotone voice sounded from behind her.

Alice huffed and turned around. "There you are, Ryō-kun. Where have you been? Can't you see I've been waiting here all alone?"

"I wasn't expecting you to get up so early," Ryō said plainly as he moved up to stand beside her. "What with you needing your beauty sleep and all."

"Hmph." Alice looked away. She would have said more, but decided that finding the transfer student would be more interesting.

Ryō stared blankly at Alice. In all of their years together, he had never seen her not bite back after he said something like that. And she was looking around at the gathered students as well. She was definitely looking for someone. Before he could ask, the announcer started talking about more relevant matters.

"We will now to give the award to the best of the year. Representative of the new first years, Nakiri Erina." The announcer of the event, Kawashima Urara, called out.

"Hmmmm." Alice stared angrily at the stage.

Beside her, Ryō stealthily moved a step to the right just in case Alice decided to take her frustration out on him.

All around her, Alice could hear the other students praising and complimenting her cousin. While some of it was definitely earned, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. She had to fight not to scoff as she heard some of the things people were saying.

'A date? Really?' Alice stared at the fool who had dared to utter such a thing. 'I doubt anyone here would ever actually ask her out. Then again, even if someone did, I bet Erina wouldn't give them any time of day at all. The only thing she cares about is cooking and proving she's better than everyone else.'

Alice's train of thought continued until she noticed that her grandfather had walked onto the stage. She smiled at him, not that he could see her. Still, seeing him again was definitely better than seeing Erina. There was no doubt that he was the only thing she missed in Japan after traveling with her parents to Denmark to study cooking at Nakiri International. Still though, she tuned out his speech about how Tōtsuki Culinary Academy works. She knew the speech by heart already, having heard about it since she was just a child.

"Are you ok, ojou-sama?" Ryō questioned after seeing her continue to stare blankly at the stage for some time now. Normally, he wouldn't care much. But this was different than how Alice usually was. She was a bit excited for today, for some unknown reason, but now she seemed more preoccupied than anything. She didn't even complain about Erina to him when Erina was on stage. It was highly unusual.

"Oh?" Alice turned and looked at him. "Are you worried about your master, Ryō-kun?"

"No, never mind." Ryō said before looking back at the stage.

"Such a bad dog…" Alice sighed in mock disappointment.

Ryō had to fight not to shout back. It wouldn't look good to do such a thing during a ceremony. Plus, Alice would bitch at him about it later. It wouldn't be worth it. At all.

Alice pouted as Ryō continued to ignore her. Still, it gave her some time to keep looking around without him questioning her. She idly went back to searching the crowd. It was strange, she was sure she would have found him by now. Maybe she should have snuck into her grandfather's office and looked at the picture. That would have helped. In fact, she could have seen the address and just visited the transfer student at his home. Then she wouldn't have had to wait a whole month to see him.

'Maybe another time.' Alice thought.

"We will now introduce the student who was admitted to the high school section." Urara called out.

'What?!' Alice snapped her head to the stage in shock. 'He's going to give a speech? He was in the back the whole time? I got up early for nothing! Ugh, no way.' Alice bit her thumb in frustration. All her searching had been pointless. 'Well, at least now I will know for sure who this chef is.'

Beside her, Ryō took notice of her reaction and expression before turning back to the stage. Though now he was looking a bit more focused. Not that anyone else noticed.

A boy walked up before the stage. Alice was too far back to take notice of his features. She could immediately see his bright red hair and a scarf tied around his wrist. If she squinted hard enough, she could she a scar on his brow. 'He knows a real kitchen, at least.' She thought as she took him in.

'So this is the reason?' Ryō thought uninterestedly as he stared at the transfer student. The guy didn't look like much. Then again, he was the sole transfer student of the year. He had to be given some credit. Still, it didn't explain at all why Alice had been looking for him.

"Well… like," He started, scratching his head in minor discomfort as he looked at everyone in front of him. "I'm sorry for being in this high place before you all, hehe… I have to express my intentions here, right? That sucks, do I really have to do this? It's a bit embarrassing, you know?"

"Just get to it!" Urara yelled out in frustration. She caught herself from yelling more and bit her lip before taking a deep breath.

'Calm down,' Urara thought. 'Don't yell at him, in public.'

"Well then, I'll keep this short and sweet," The transfer student said as he gazed down at the crowd. "I'll say just two or three things. Ahem. My name is Yukihira Sōma. Truth be told, I didn't think I'd be using all of you as stepping stones. But the thing is, I have no intention of losing to a bunch of people who have never stood in front of actual clients."

Alice stared in shock. Did the transfer student really just alienate himself that much?

"Now that I'm here, I'll be taking the top." Sōma said while pointing straight up before walking passed a shocked Urara. Then he stopped suddenly as if he had recalled something. He turned back to the crowd and bowed. "Best regards for the next three years."

He did.

Alice covered her ears to block out the yelling and screaming that immediately took place after that statement. There were things being yelled out a lady such as she should not be hearing. Though inwardly, she was smirking at what she had just heard him say. Not only did she get a name, she now knew what kind of person he was. Dimwitted, for sure. But so very interesting.

"Ojou-sama," Ryō moved in front of her to get her attention. "The ceremony is pretty much over. Shouldn't we be going now?"

"You can go on, Ryō-kun," Alice said. She glanced over to see the transfer student had walked into the tent where Erina had gone. "I need to go check up on something."

"I'll be on my way then, ojou-sama." Ryō nodded slightly in goodbye before walking away. Once he passed the other students, he snickered loudly. 'Top spot, huh? We'll see about that, Yukihira Sōma.'

Alice made her way to the tent, though it took her some time to pass through the crowd. Once she was there, she heard voices talking. One was Sōma's, and the other was definitely her cousin's.

"Wait for it, Nakiri. I will definitely make you say, "It's good!" after eating my food some day!" Sōma declared. "I'll do whatever it takes. Even if I have to push my cooking passed its limits."

Alice's eyes widened at that declaration. She wished she was inside to see what kind of expression Erina had on her face right now. Alas, she couldn't just barge in their right now. It wasn't the right time. The sudden sound of thudding footsteps got her attention and she quickly moved behind to the side to avoid being seen. Almost immediately, Erina stormed by with an angry look on her face as she made her way to the road where a limo was waiting for her. Alice stared after her.

"Geez, what's her problem?" A voice asked next to her.

"Eep!" Alice yelped and jumped back. She turned and glared at the owner of the voice before staring in shock. Sōma had apparently left the tent right after Erina and was now right next to her. "What are you doing sneaking up on people?!"

Sōma looked at her blankly. For a second, Alice thought he didn't hear her for a second until he finally spoke up.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you why you were eavesdropping?" Sōma replied.

"Uh," Alice blushed. He had her there. "I was just coming to say hello?"

"It doesn't sound like you're too sure about that." Sōma replied, raising his eyebrow. He looked her up and down. White hair, white skin, really delicate looking hands. Was she a chef too? He had never seen one that looked like her before. Then again, there seemed to be all types of people at this school.

Alice fought not to blush as Sōma looked at her. This wasn't right. She wasn't supposed to be mute when she finally met the chef who had made that interesting dish. She was supposed to astound him and get him to be on her side. For what purpose, she wasn't sure. But apparently Erina didn't like him, so he had to be worth her time. Then her brain finally perceived his words and she glared at him. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Sōma gulped. Suddenly he felt like he was on a platter, and this girl was about to take a bite out of him. He cautiously took a step back and held his hands up as if to ward her off. "Nothing. Nothing at all. It's nice to meet you. I'm Yukihira Sōma."

"Pleased to meet you too." Alice smiled at him brightly.

Almost immediately the feeling of danger vanished and Sōma sighed in relief. This girl was without a doubt the scariest one he'd ever met. He would rather keep talking to Erina almost. Almost.

"Well, good day then Yukihira-kun." Alice replied before turning and walking off without so much as a glance back at him.

"Wait, but I never got your name." Sōma called back to her.

Alice stopped and blushed. That was such a blunder. But she couldn't turn around. Not with this expression on her face. She waved back flippantly. "Call me Alice."

"Alice?" Sōma questioned as he stared at her quickly retreating back. 'She must really be in a hurry.'

Sōma looked up at the sky. He was admitted into Tōtsuki Culinary Academy, which was apparently the first step to surpassing his father. Now he just had to get the top spot. It shouldn't be too hard, since most of the other students never really worked in a real kitchen before. He looked around one last time. All the other students had left. The field was now empty. "I guess I should get going too."

OMAKE

Ryō stared blankly at the new transfer student. In his head, he couldn't help but think what an idiot the kid was. He turned to say the same to Alice, but the look on her face stopped him. He recognized that look. It was the same look she had when she had met him back in Denmark. A very interested look she gave to things she wanted.

'Is she…' Ryō questioned as he followed her line of sight. 'She is.'

There was no doubt that she was staring at the transfer student as he walked off of the stage. Yukihira Sōma.

Ryō continued to stare at the kid until he was out of sight. Then his heart sped up and his eyes widened marginally as an idea suddenly hit him.

'Wait a minute…' Ryō thought excitedly. Though no one by him could possibly tell just how excited he was by looking at his straight face. 'If I can get Alice interested in the new kid, she might make him her aide instead of me. Which means… Freedom!'

Ryō then made a silent vow to make sure to get those two to meet as soon as possible. It was his only way out of Alice's metaphorical doghouse.

A/N: Well I hope you liked this one. It's a bit longer than my last chapter. And future chapters will get even longer. Hopefully.

The omakes for this are a bit harder to come up with then I thought they would be. So if you have ideas, hints, or tips for them… I will hear them out in reviews or PMs. Your choice.

By the way, I'm glad to see other people have an interest in this pairing. I have a few others in mind that I may try out. Sōma/Arato. Sōma/Ryoko. Sōma/Fuyumi. I like the odd pairings, in case you couldn't already tell.