Chapter 51: The Plan to Challenge the Council of Ten
The third round had finally arrived—the direct confrontation with the Council of Ten.
For my test with Tadokoro, Kobayashi Rindou served as the examiner. The condition for passing was simply to make Rindou say the dish was "delicious."
Under normal circumstances, that would have been quite a strict requirement, but Rindou shouted that it was delicious without hesitation and casually passed both of us.
She said there was no need for her to personally eliminate us in the third round—someone else would do it anyway. How careless. I don't dislike that kind of laziness, though.
At the same time, we reunited with Soma and Erina, confirming that everyone was safe. Erina had obviously passed, and Soma had survived just like in the original story. Thank goodness.
Because I had slightly altered the Autumn Elections, I had been a little worried that Soma might lose to Hayama because of it. I was relieved it turned out to be nothing but needless anxiety.
"At least… the two of you managed to survive."
"Only us…? Nakiri-san, d-don't tell me…?"
Tadokoro asked, sensing the meaning behind Erina's words. She probably had an idea, but she clearly didn't want to believe it.
"…All the rebel members besides us have been expelled."
"N-No way…!"
Unlike Soma and me, who silently accepted Erina's words, Tadokoro completely broke down. She collapsed to her knees at the cruel reality, tears welling in her eyes.
Even Soma, who looked calm on the surface, was probably not at peace inside. He sat cross-legged on a round chair, his eyes burning with quiet anger.
I wasn't completely unaffected either. Hisako, Ryoko, Alice, and Miyoko had all been expelled as well.
But that was only the "process," not the "result." It was still far too early to resign ourselves to the cruelty of reality.
"…Once again, I couldn't do anything. …Even though I swore I would protect everyone."
"It's too soon to be pessimistic, Erina-san."
"But… Alice and the others have really been…!"
"We're still alive. —In that case, there's only one thing we should do, right?"
"…Eh?"
I placed a hand on Erina's shoulder as she hung her head in despair and spoke gently. There was still hope. No matter how bad things got.
"We're going to save everyone who got expelled, aren't we? That's the only thing we who survived can do."
"Shogo-kun…"
"Right, Soma?"
I didn't particularly enjoy saying lines that sounded like the protagonist, so I tossed the ball to the real one. It just felt too embarrassing. It brought back memories of my past cringy phases or something.
Soma flashed a grin at my question, then leapt up from his chair and declared loudly:
"Yeah! Of course! I've even come up with a perfect plan!"
"A plan? Soma-kun, what kind of plan…?"
Tadokoro tilted her head, and Soma answered with an innocent smile.
"We're going to steal the Council of Ten seats. The Council can pretty much do whatever they want with the academy, right? We'll fill more than half the seats—actually, we'll take all of them."
"Eeeeeeh?!?! Th-The Council seats?!"
"Y-Yukihira-kun! That's a bit much, no matter how you look at it… What do you think, Shogo-kun?"
"It's doable. In fact, in this situation, that's the only way to turn things around."
Erina had been surprised by my answer, but she had probably already sensed that this was the only option. Once I agreed, the uncertainty vanished from her eyes, and she looked like her fighting spirit had returned.
"…To make this plan a reality, we first need the Central Gastronomy Agency to accept a Shokugeki. …In other words, we have to drag my father into a match."
"Exactly. Before we even talk about winning or losing, if they won't even accept the match, it's meaningless."
"So we've got no choice but to make it happen somehow, right? Hey! Why don't we ask Rindou-senpai? Like, 'Please give us the Council seats.'"
"Don't. It'd be a waste of time. She'd probably just laugh her ass off, though."
I remembered the method to force Azami into a match, but it would feel unnatural for me to bring it up. If the original story's flow was still intact, doing nothing was probably the correct choice.
"…I'll contact my father right now!"
"There's no need for that, Erina-san. Nakiri Azami… is apparently heading to this building for an inspection right about now."
This much assistance should be fine. I only told her he was nearby.
"How do you know something like that, Shogo?"
"It's useful to know what the enemy commander is doing, right? The Santoku family also considers Nakiri Azami a dangerous person. So I instructed them to send me information whenever he makes any moves."
"Wow… you really are amazing, Shogo."
I actually like Soma's laid-back attitude. He doesn't dig too deep and doesn't get overly curious. If I'm going to be friends with him in this world, he's definitely a good guy.
Come to think of it, since reincarnating into this world, I hadn't had anyone I could really call a friend. As expected of the protagonist.
"Shogo-kun. Where exactly is my father in this building?"
"He's apparently heading toward the heliport on the roof. He uses a helicopter for inspections, so we should hurry."
Erina dashed off in a panic, and the rest of us followed, rushing toward the heliport. Erina and Tadokoro, who lacked stamina, stopped on the stairs a couple of times, but Soma and I supported them and we somehow made it. The sound of helicopter rotors starting up told us it was about to take off.
"—Father!!"
Erina shouted at the top of her lungs to be heard over the roar of the propellers. The man she was calling out to—Nakiri Azami—turned around. As always, his skin looked sickly pale, and his eyes were filled with utter despair toward everything.
"Hello, Erina. What's the rush? I'm happy you came to see me, but how did you know I was here—"
"I told her. Hello, Azami-san."
"…You again. Santoku Shogo."
He made a very displeased face.
Don't worry, I didn't want to see you either.
"F-Father! The students who failed the third round… I came to ask you to please show them leniency! Please… give them back!"
"…My schedule is tight. I'm sorry, but—"
"There's no need to bow your head, Erina-san. If we act weak, he'll just get cocky. In times like this, we have to offer the other side a benefit that makes them want to listen, Erina-san."
"…You're being far too casual when addressing my beloved daughter. Santoku Shogo, you—"
"Nakamura-senpai~! Instead of this tedious exam, how about we have a full-scale war between your soldiers and ours, betting the Council of Ten seats? Let's settle this once and for all, face to face!"
"…"
Why is he glaring at me? Sure, I deliberately cut in on his words and kept calling his beloved daughter by name, but I have nothing to do with what Soma said. Unconscious provocation really is the worst kind.
"It'll make it easier for you to crush the rebels too, right? Sounds like a good deal."
"…This isn't even worth discussing. Listen well. The moment I took the headmaster's seat from Sennosuke-dono, ninety percent of my plan was already complete. What I'm doing now is essentially cleanup. There is nowhere to be found any reason for me to accept the match you're proposing."
This claim alone was something I could accept. Totsuki Academy was now completely in this man's hands. Saying that ninety percent of his plan was already achieved was no bluff.
"For cleanup, you seem to be having quite a hard time dealing with the resistance, though, Azami-san."
"That insolent mouth of yours will be shut soon enough. When I realize my ideal world and change Japan's culinary scene, the power balance between the Nakiri and Santoku families will also shift. But rest assured. I promise I will bring the Santoku family under my control and make effective use of them for the prosperity of the Nakiri family."
"Ah, I'd advise against that. Our family… isn't small enough to fit in your hands."
"…You'll understand soon enough."
"Yeah, very soon."
This guy really pisses me off.
How dare he say something like "I'll take the Santoku family" right in front of me. He's seriously underestimating me. I'll make sure he regrets it—remember that.
"…This was a waste of time. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Azami turned to board the helicopter again.
There were countless ways to stop his steps, but since I had bought enough time, I decided to leave the rest to the adults.
"—Wait, Nakamura. I think the proposal from Soma and the others isn't something you should dismiss so easily."
The man we had been waiting for finally appeared. Saiba Joichiro—the father of Soma and an extremely important character in Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma.
I don't like leaving things entirely to others, but in this case, handing it over was probably the safest move. I could have picked a fight with Azami myself, but he already sees me as an enemy, and if things got complicated it would be a hassle.
From that point on, the conversation progressed as if Azami's earlier stubbornness had been a lie.
The moment Saiba Joichiro offered "himself as the prize," Azami took the bait with surprising eagerness.
And just as planned, a match was decided—though in an irregular format.
Its name was the Regimental Shokugeki.
The details would be worked out later, and thus a direct confrontation between us rebels and the Central Gastronomy Agency was set. Just how much does this guy like Saiba Joichiro? It's honestly a little creepy.
As Azami headed toward the helicopter with a satisfied expression, I sent him a look of contempt. For some reason, he turned back toward me. I tensed up for a moment, thinking he had noticed my glare, but he didn't look angry. After staring at each other for a few seconds, Azami spoke.
"…Santoku Shogo. …I will definitely crush you."
With those words, he boarded the helicopter and flew away. Declaring war in such a short time that I didn't even have a chance to reply—how rude.
Crush me? Go ahead and try if you can. The only thing you've managed to crush so far is your own family.
I narrowed my eyes at the departing helicopter, displeased by his words.
***
For early access to 10 chapters ahead: p@tre~~.com/Demonic_Fiction (Link is in the synopsis and my profile).