Chapter 43: Living My Way
A week had passed since I helped Erina run away and got her safely to the Polar Star Dorm.
No pursuers had come from Azami Nakiri. Erina was finally enjoying some peaceful days. I'd been dropping by the dorm often to check on her, and it seemed the bright, cheerful members there were helping her smile more each day. If her heart was finally starting to heal, that was the best outcome I could ask for.
Meanwhile, the man who had driven her into a corner—Azami—was using his new authority as principal to do whatever he pleased. Under the banner of reform, he imposed his demands on the entire academy and reshaped it exactly the way he wanted.
His first move was to dismantle every autonomous group that ran its own cooking classes, seminars, research societies, and clubs. A quick and dirty solution. In one clean sweep, he had erased every trace of the old Totsuki.
At the same time, Azami created a brand-new organization.
At the very top stood the commander—Azami Nakiri himself—and the Elite Ten Council.
Its name was Central.
Every member had been hand-picked by Azami. With several of the Elite Ten having already defected to his side, the group was packed with elite talent. He even issued a decree stating that the only cooking students would be permitted to make from now on was whatever Central approved. There was no exaggeration in calling it the organization created to rule Totsuki. Just like with Erina, the man loved nothing more than putting people in chains.
Naturally, a lot of students pushed back.
Azami's response was a single, paper-thin line: "You are not mere stepping stones." He sweetened them with honeyed words and brought the weak ones to heel. It was almost funny. The guy who called the world he was building his personal "utopia" was still just a kid at heart.
The funniest part? If Azami's philosophy was right, then the place I belonged was inside Central.
If the goal was a paradise where everyone could create the ultimate cuisine, then all they had to do was copy my cooking. Assuming they could actually pull it off, of course.
Not that I'd even been invited. I was supposed to be the sixth seat of the Elite Ten, yet somehow I'd been completely overlooked. Had they forgotten me? Or was I being treated like I didn't exist? Either way, it was obvious I was now public enemy number one. Not that it bothered me.
If they wanted a fight, I'd hit back harder than they could handle and crush them completely. Azami saw me as an enemy, and I felt exactly the same about him. That was probably why, every time we stood face to face like this, I had to fight the urge to glare.
"Sixth seat of the Elite Ten, Santoku Shogo . As of today, you are hereby removed from the Elite Ten Council."
Azami delivered the verdict inside the commander's office where I had been summoned. I'd known it was coming, but that didn't make it any less infuriating. The smug look on his face made my blood boil. Maybe I should just punch him right here and now.
"Removed… is a strong word when I never really felt like I was part of the Elite Ten to begin with. For some reason there was no announcement to the academy and no official confirmation ever reached me."
"What an unfortunate oversight. The academy has been quite busy since I took over as commander. As the new head, allow me to apologize. My sincere regrets."
"No need. I hate empty apologies anyway—they make me nauseous."
"…Fufu. I wonder what you mean by that?"
"Who knows? What could I possibly mean?"
Our fake smiles faced each other across the room. What was this, hell? I didn't want to spend another second here. Why the hell should I have to smile at this old man? Enough. This conversation was completely pointless. Time to wrap it up and leave.
"…Is that all? Then I'll take my leave."
"Before you go, may I ask one question?"
I couldn't exactly say no. That would make me the childish one here. I kept my mouth shut and listened.
"Go ahead. Make it quick."
"What exactly is your relationship with Erina?"
…Whoa, he went straight for the throat. It sounded like a concerned father asking about his daughter, but that description didn't fit this guy at all. How should I answer?
"I believe I already told you at the stall. She's a very dear friend."
"That's rather hard to believe. …Let me give you a friendly warning out of kindness. You cannot make Erina happy. If you have even the slightest ulterior motive, abandon it now. Satisfying the God's Tongue alone is simply impossible."
"Sounds like you speak from experience."
"…"
Azami's brow furrowed at my words.
It was working. Trying to shake me up was naïve. That creepy glued-on smile of his was far less human than the irritated scowl he wore now.
"Just kidding. And you're misunderstanding my relationship with Erina as well. There's nothing like what you're imagining, so please rest easy. Now if you'll excuse me."
"…Thank you for your time."
I gave a small bow and left the room. Finally free of that suffocating atmosphere. Toward the end I could have sworn I felt genuine killing intent directed at me. Though that was probably my own fault.
Even so… joining the Elite Ten had been completely pointless. Well, I did get Nene out of it, so it wasn't a total waste.
My actions were almost always weighted toward one goal: obtaining Erina. That included everything from raising her favorability to doing whatever it took to make her my wife. Getting into the Elite Ten had been part of that plan—to boost her opinion of me and to make everyone around us recognize that Santoku Shogo was worthy of Erina Nakiri.
During the Autumn Selection semifinals I had deliberately drawn with Hayama to secure Rindo, then accepted defeat on purpose. A loss was still a loss, though. No matter the reason, it only came off as sour grapes. Most of the students who watched that match now saw me as a chef inferior to Hayama. Anyone sharp enough to notice something off about that fight wouldn't be fooled by Azami's words either.
I couldn't stay a loser.
That wouldn't make Santoku Shogo worthy of Erina Nakiri.
So I had planned to crush a disposable opponent I could beat without consequence, take their seat, and flip everyone's perception. In Totsuki, the only way to prove your strength was through cooking. Etsuya, who sat at ninth and focused more on consulting than pure cooking, had been the perfect target. After everything that happened I ended up taking Nene's seat instead, but if things had gone normally I definitely would have crushed Etsuya.
First life or second life, things never go exactly the way you want.
…Still, the final chapter of the first-year arc was finally beginning.
But that's exactly what made it fun. If every ambition I'd dreamed of since childhood came true too easily, life would be boring. I had that much confidence in myself right now.
So I'd enjoy it. No matter what insane irregularities popped up or who challenged me, I would crush them all head-on. I would live this life exactly the way I wanted—pushing forward with every ounce of desire I possessed.
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A/n: 300 power stones = +1 bonus chapter. Don't forget to vote with your power stones!!
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