On an old street,
Akira Fujimiya walked into a small restaurant, with Shouko curiously looking around.
Behind the counter, a young man stood in a daze, eyes lacking their usual sparkle that he had.
"Oh! New customer, what would you like to eat?" The red-haired middle-aged man asked, glancing at Akira and Nishimiya Shouko.
"...Give me a plate of spicy tofu and egg fried rice," Akira said after a brief pause. He gestured toward Shouko. "And give her a plate of fried dumplings."
"Are you an international student?" the red-haired chef asked while preparing the ingredients.
"Yes," Akira said as he took a seat at the counter. "I miss the taste of home, and I know you're a great chef, so I made sure to find this place."
Shouko quietly sat beside him, her eyes taking in the surroundings.
"Oh? You know who I am?" The red-haired man looked a bit surprised.
"The former Ten Greats of Totsuki Academy," Akira said simply.
"...Knowing this, it seems your identity is not simple," Joichiro said without looking away as he skillfully stir-fried rice.
"I can be considered a member of the Yukinoshita family," Akira added, glancing at Soma Yukihira.
As expected, Soma's head jerked up at the words "Yukinoshita family."
"...."
While, Joichiro remained silent, calm, focusing entirely on cooking.
A few minutes later, he set a steaming plate of egg fried rice before Akira. Akira scooped up a spoonful, tasted it, and his eyes lit up.
"As expected of a former Totsuki Ten," he said.
This fried rice was without doubt the most exquisite dish he had eaten since coming to this world..... It is good that it didn't have the "effect".
"Sir....I have a request," Joichiro said quietly.
"Do you want to meet Mrs. Yukinoshita? Or do you want to discuss that Shokugeki?" Akira asked.
"There was nothing wrong with that Shokugeki," Joichiro said, meeting Akira's eyes directly.
"Hmm...tell me who did your son faced in the battle," Akira pressed.
"The other participant was Subaru Mimasaka, a student of Totsuki Academy," Joichiro replied.
{T/N: in the anime Soma has win against him but here he had won}
"...So it was him," Akira muttered, understanding immediately why Soma had failed.
Subaru Mimasaka was adept at studying his opponents and perfectly replicating their cooking. If he knew Soma's style before, he would reproduce it and twist it just enough to win.
This strategy not only helped him win but also struck at Soma's confidence. No wonder Soma had appeared so shaken, being defeated by a mirror of their own dish would leave anyone desperate and uncertain.
"Sir, my only request is to meet Mrs. Yukinoshita," Joichiro said firmly.
"That's not difficult," Akira said calmly. "But...what exactly do you plan to do?"
"I have the qualifications of a top chef," Joichiro said quietly. "...I want to exchange them to restore my son's chef qualification."
Akira looked at him, as he shook his head. "Mrs. Yukinoshita will only agree to this if you are a master chef."
He understood exactly what Joichiro meant — giving everything for a single opportunity.
But considering Mrs. Yukinoshita's position, even a top chef is barely worth her attention. She could summon any top-class chef at will, so why would she want to waste her time.
Joichiro lowered his head, acknowledging his words.
Even with sufficient skills, one would still need a master's recommendation and victory over another master to earn that title. A true Master Chef was no simple achievement — it was the prove of decades of experience, unmatched expertise in a culinary discipline.
"...Soma Yukihira is not without hope to regain his qualification," Akira said slowly.
"Sir… do you have a solution?" Joichiro's face showed astonishment, as he spoke.
"I'll make a phone call first," Akira said, standing up.
"Please," Joichiro replied, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Akira signaled to Shouko using sign language and stepped outside.
Joichiro watched him leave and began preparing fried dumplings for Shouko. He had already noticed the hearing device on the young girl ear, as he didn't speak while Shouko was watching him cook curiously.
.....
Outside the restaurant, Akira dialed Mrs. Yukinoshita.
After a long ring, her voice answered coldly.
"What is it?"
"I want to discuss a business matter with you," Akira said directly, not minding her cold tone towards her future son-in-law.
"Without Yukinoshita Construction Company's approval, do you think you have the right to discuss business with me?" He voice colder than before, as she question.
"We are family," Akira said with a small, embarrassed smile.
"....Very well, speak."
"Will the gourmet industry always be under the Yukinoshita family's control?"
"....To be precise, it's under my control," she replied after a pause, her voice confused.
"Perfect. As you might know I have a video platform— where I want to hold a competition for young chefs, they must sign with a company to participate, and the Food Association will oversee judging. The top three chefs may request one major reward from— ten million yen, ownership of a restaurant, or....restoration of their chef qualification."
"...."
Mrs. Yukinoshita remained silent, considering.
Akira didn't rush her, waited patiently.
After some time, she summarized.
"By this—your Companies will gain prestige, while the Food Association will gains recognition, and chefs that win the competition gain fame?"
"Yes, but there's more," Akira explained. "Student of Master chefs can quickly gain exposure, like the Nakiri family, the Yukinoshita family, whereas this competition is for those who has the talent and skill but stays behind because they didn't gain any opportunities, Oh...and my company must sponsor the event. Prize money comes from participating companies, and the festival will only be provided to the platform and judges."
"Fujimiya… is this for profit? Or something else?"
"I found a young chef with great potential — Soma Yukihira. He lost his qualification due to the Shokugeki but with your approval, I can have two skilled chefs for my projects. Additionally, I aim to enter the Food (Gourmet) industry alongside the Yukinoshita family, what do you think."
She paused, analyzing quietly, and Akira waited as he gaze at the beautiful blue sky with funny cloud shape.
Finally after what feel like 5 to 7 minutes— she speak as she added a condition for her approval.
"The Yukinoshita family will gain the shares in your video platform."
Akira smiled. "No problem, Mrs. Yukinoshita."
The shares were already transferred — though in reality, Yukinoshita Haruno had signed with her sister Yukino's name, keeping the matter hidden from even the person herself.
It seemed Mrs. Yukinoshita had fully entrusted the company to Haruno, leaving no backup plan. Perhaps she trusted Haruno completely, or perhaps she wanted to test Akira.
It didn't really matter.
.....
Back in the restaurant,
Akira explained about the young chef competition, the condition, the requirements and what is the top prices—to Joichiro.
After listening, Joichiro bowed deeply in gratitude.
Soma Yukihira who was beside them, stared in disbelief, as his eyes started to regain its shine realizing he might regain his chef qualification.
"Don't celebrate too early," Akira said. "You have to agree to my condition, it's not really that difficult, you just have be my chef for ten years, while Soma work in my restaurant for ten years. Don't worry, I won't restrict you too much, and I'll even provide the restaurant with ten percent ownership."
"I accept," Joichiro said immediately, without hesitation—their was finally a chance to get back his son's chef qualifications, he would be damn if he didn't except it and the condition were not that harsh either.
"Good..for now, you should focus on training Soma. The formal contract and competition details will take time to arrange. I'll contact you when it's ready."
"Yes, boss," Joichiro replied, smiling. As he already change his way of addressing him.
Soma too, bowed deeply. "Thank you for helping me."
Akira studied him silently. His help wasn't really out of kindness — it was strategic. Ten years under Akira's guidance would be enough to mold Soma into an exceptional chef, who will be loyal to him.
.....
After leaving the restaurant, Akira called Hanada Yui to discuss preparations for the competition.
"I'll protect you, and we'll share a hotel room in Tokyo," Akira said, knowing her anxiety about Mrs. Yukinoshita.
"....I understand, Master Akira," Hanada Yui whispered.
Akira then called Mrs. Yukinoshita again to arrange an official meeting. The location was set by her...the Yukinoshita family hotel in Tokyo.
"I thought you'd never let me meet the young lady who helped me," Akira said with a smile.
"...Those fifty billion yen are the conditions for your marriage to Yukino. The family will cover it," Mrs. Yukinoshita replied lightly.
"Really? Thank you. I've never liked working too hard," Akira said casually.
"Don't want to work hard? Then after marriage, you should hand over all the assets to Yukino," she said bluntly.
"Of course. If Yukino can manage the company, I'll happily hand it over. While, I'll care for the children at home, like a good House Husband." Akira said without hesitation.
"I'll care for the children!," she said coldly. "You only need to avoid scandals that will come your way and keep your 'Girlfriends' under control and stay elsewhere with them. I just hope they didn't take about you." Mrs. Yukinoshita said coldly, from the other side.
Akira glanced at the curious Shouko beside him, trying to hear what he was talking (even though she can't hear much), when he lifted one of her hand, and kissed it softly.
Her face instantly flushed, as she averted her eyes.
Before, he focused on Mrs. Yukinoshita again.
...
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Word Count — 1,645