The document Senzaemon had provided seemed to stabilize the situation with Erina. In fact, it had also strengthened Akira's position. By formally connecting Akira, Erina, and the Nakiri family through the shares and inheritance clause, he now had four key chess pieces on the board.
The implications were clear, both for the Nakiri family and for Erina's future.
Akira Fujimiya owned these shares, which were essentially free.
The only condition being that after he and Erina Nakiri had a child, the shares would be transferred to the child.
If they didn't have children, five years later, Akira would only need to pay the corresponding value of the shares to reclaim them.
Akira knew very well that it doesn't matter if they had children or not —Because he only needed to establish a relationship with Erina Nakiri—it wouldn't really matter who eventually got the shares.
Not this month, though.
He had to ensure that Erina Nakiri's favorability toward him did not increase at all.
This way, the heroine the system would refresh next month would definitely be Erina Nakiri, just like what happened with, Nishimiya Shouko.
Akira had mostly understood the system's pattern for refreshing anime heroines—Heroines who already had a favorable impression of him, or whose favorability was too high, could not appear in the system. And Akira felt certain the system could not skip Erina Nakiri!
.....
In the living room, four people were enjoying a meal—Akira Fujimiya, Haruno Yukinoshita, Senzaemon Nakiri and Erina Nakiri.
While eating the delicious meal — Nakiri Senzaemon's mind was full of doubts, He felt that Erina seemed unhappy for some reason.
Erina Nakiri was indeed unhappy.
Because of what he had said, Akira had obtained the shares of Totsuki Resort almost for free. The only way for him to return them was if he and Erina had children.
Thinking about this, the delicious food in front of her seemed to have lost its flavor.
Yukinoshita Haruno noticed the expression on Erina's face and guessed the reason. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Akira tasted the dishes patiently, ignoring the glare that Erina was giving him from time to time and the look on Haruno's face.
Hisako Arata who was standing outside the door silently.
She had been completely stunned when she heard Akira explain the document. She was intelligent and quickly understood what it meant.
But the problem was, Akira had already signed. Moreover, Erina seemed afraid to object for some reason.
She desperately wanted to know why, but she was just a secretary. Even if she understood more, there was probably nothing she could do to help.
.....
After lunch, Yukinoshita Haruno went to the place where the Totsuki Resort construction was going on.
While, Nakiri Senzaemon brought Akira to the principal's office at Totsuki Academy. He could not change the rules arbitrarily, but he could allow Akira to become the vice president and control a key step.
If the Ten Elites of Totsuki wanted to object, they would at least need to buy Akira's shares to be eligible.
Did they have the money?
The answer was definitely yes.
If a few of them joined forces and found a few presidents willing to pay, they could certainly buy Akira's shares.
The real question was, now that Akira had the shares, would he sell them?
Everyone already knew the answer.
.....
When Nakiri Senzaemon brought Akira to meet the Ten Elites of Totsuki, he announced this clearly—Among the Ten , except for Erina Nakiri, everyone looked at Akira in surprise.
Eishi Tsukasa, the First Seat of the Elite Ten Council at Totsuki Academy, known for his exquisite French cuisine, obsessive perfectionism, immediately understood what Akira's position as vice president implied.
"Director, if we add another vice president to the Elite Ten Council of Totsuki, then wouldn't it lose all it's meaning," Eishi said sharply.
{T/N: In Food Wars!, Eishi Tsukasa, the First Seat of the Elite Ten, calls Senzaemon Nakiri "Director" (or sometimes just "Senzaemon" in a respectful but familiar way after the Central Arc}
"The vice president does not manage the other affairs of the Ten Elites. He is only responsible for one thing: replacing the principal if necessary," Nakiri Senzaemon replied, looking directly at him.
After these words, the atmosphere became subtle. If Eishi Tsukasa still objected to Senzaemon's words, it would mean he wanted to replace the principal himself—He realized this immediately.
But he was not afraid.
"If that's the case, doesn't he have the ability to replace the principal at will?" Eishi Tsukasa asked.
"No. He can only do it after he accept your opinions; he cannot act on his own," Nakiri Senzaemon shook his head, as he answered calmly.
The other members silently looked at Eishi Tsukasa, waiting.
".. .What if there is someone more suitable to take the principal's position, and he rejects it?" Eishi Tsukasa asked after a pause, looking stare at Senzaemon.
"The Ten Greatest of Totsuki are worthy of their titles. Did you even forget who gave you the power in your hands? Do you think you have the authority to question his decision? Ridiculous," Akira said, stepping toward Eishi Tsukasa.
Eishi Tsukasa frowned at him, about to speak, but Akira placed a hand on his shoulder, pressing him back into his seat to prevent him from standing.
"I own shares now, which I bought with my own money. The vice president position is mine by right. If you oppose me, fine—you can try to buy my shares. The price isn't high, just a hundred times their value," Akira said with a smile.
"You…" Eishi Tsukasa felt a sharp sting of helplessness, unable to respond to his provocation.
"If I applied a little more force, your career as a chef could end right here, correct?" Akira's voice sounded in his ear.
Eishi Tsukasa's pupils contracted as he looked at Akira in disbelief. Akira's cold gaze made him lower his head, fear creeping in. He felt that if he said another word, Akira would indeed do it.
Seeing this, Akira knew that his acting had successfully deceived the poor guy. His actual strength was not enough to hurt him seriously, not yet — at most, it would only cause some major pain and he also can't used violence without a valid reason.
The act was nearly complete.
Akira raised his hand and glanced at the remaining Ten Elites.
"If you have objections, use money to buy out my shares. I'm a businessman, I like money."
He said then moved in front of Erina Nakiri and extended his hand. Erina looked at his hand, complicated feeling filled her chest, she doesn't know what to feel towards him.
Akira reaching out towards her was enough to sent a clear message to the other Ten Elites— he supported the Nakiri family. Thinking of this, Erina couldn't help but blushed a little as she decided to out aside her complicated feeling for now and placed her warm hand in his.
Her shyness disappeared the next moment.
"The purple-haired cat-eared girl holding the stuffed doll over there is Akanegakubo Momo, right? You're adorable. Would you like to have some tea with me? And let me try some of your desserts?"
"And the senior with glasses, I'm sorry, I forgot your name, but your somehow remain me of my girlfriend, you two have cold expressions, which I find very impressive."
"Finally, Kobayashi Rindo, the second of the Ten Elites of Totsuki, can you stop staring at me like an hundry beast."
Akira addressed each of the three other girls among the Ten Elites Girls of Totsuki individually.
Akanegakubo Momo's face flushed slightly. It was the first time she had been directly invited like this.
Nene Kinokuni's expression remained frosty.
Kobayashi Rindo smiled with interest at Akira.
The good impression that Erina held in her heart vanished almost instantly. But since this was a rare opportunity—she did not let go of Akira's hand.
"Akanegakubo Momo, if you accept my invitation, you can compete with Miss Erina to see whose dessert is more powerful," Akira continued.
Akane, who had previously ignored him, now stood, holding her stuffed doll firmly. She was petite, only slightly taller than the chair she had been sitting on, as she looked up at their back.
Akira held Erina's hand as they walked toward her residence. Akane stood their for a few seconds before she followed them, still clutching her doll.
While, the other members didn't say anything—silently staring at there departing figures.
.....
"Can you let go?" Akira asked after sometime.
"No," Erina said quickly, holding his hand tighter, so tight that it might hurt.
"Miss Erina, you like me so much? I'm so touched. Then let's wait until we reach your residence before you let go." Akira said playfully as he continue walking without pause.
"Thank you," Erina said reluctantly, ignoring his comment.
Akanegakubo Momo who was following behind them heard their exchange and felt a little puzzled. Erina Nakiri was the eldest daughter of the Nakiri family, known for her arrogance, yet she seemed unusually reliant on Akira. And didn't he mention that he had a girlfriend? Momo was getting more and more confused but she didn't asked.
"Akanegakubo Momo, would you like to shake hands? You're so cute, I'm worried you might get lost otherwise," Akira said.
"No thanks," Akane replied, shaking her head violently.
"Hmm, If you hold my hand, I'll let Nakiri-san taste your desserts and help you identify any flaws," Akira continued, not withdrawing his hand, he could feel someone staring dagger at him but that didn't stop him.
"Is that possible?" Akane asked with excitement, confident in the God tongue ability and also at the thought of improving her skill.
"What do you say, Miss Nakiri, you don't have any objection, right?" Akira looked at her.
"No," Erina said firmly, holding his hand tightly. It wasn't anything just—she was slightly irritated by him being so attentive at other girls with her already being here!
She was right about him—he is a despicable playboy scumbags!
Akane, satisfied, joined Akira's side and held his hand as well.
"You're so cute," Akira said, looking down at her — noting the height difference.
"Although I'm skilled with desserts, I don't have the confidence to beat God's Tongue. Miss Erina, I have some desserts I've never tried before. I'd like to invite you to taste them," Akane said, ignoring Akira.
"I'm looking forward to your desserts, Senpai," Erina replied seriously.
For her, every member of the Elites Ten members were a rival, and this was a rare opportunity to study them. She would not waste it.
Akira smiled, watching the two girls.
His plan was proceeding smoothly.
The three arrived at Erina's residence. Akira finally withdrew his hand. Erina's eyes held a hint of regret, but she did not say anything.
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my:
Patr**on.com/Zero0000683
Discord:- NmKxzWGEPf
.....
Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
.....
Word Count — 1,837