Event 49: Friendships from the past (1)

From the mourning to the present moment, a week had elapsed, the time where Haruta acted as Erina's follower, every day in the morning he waited for her outside his house until Erina and Arato left, accompanying them to school.

Within the school the contact between Haruta and Erina was practically nil since Haruta was always busy with his training or research to find the final flavor.

The duel between Erina and Haruta was not a secret, no one knew how the information was leaked but now everyone knew that Haruta let himself be won in exchange for not being part of the ten advisors, making everyone think he was an arrogant guy.

As Haruta was in the special room that had been prepared for his training every day, he was currently alone since it was his special time where he experimented with food.

"Haruta-chi" called a kind voice as he opened the door of the room revealing a young man of short stature, eyes slanted with the look of a wild animal, bicolor hair being the back part of dark reddish color and the front bangs Blonde .

Hearing the blonde Haruta's greeting he turned around "Kuga" called Haruta annoyed "what brings you here?"

"Hey, don't be so antisocial with your friend, I just came to laugh at you for a moment" Kuga said with a sharp smile as he sat on a nearby bench "Listen to the news, now you are the director's granddaughter's puppy, an incredible turn of events "

"It is quite a successful activity for a person like you who has a mediocre ability" Haruta said continuing with his activities while Kuga had a wrinkle on his forehead and an angry expression on his face.

"Haruta-chi you can be very annoying when you propose ..." Kuga said looking at the ingredients that Haruta used in his training "are you using tea leaves?"

"Ah, well I really wanted to try all the possible combinations that I can make with the tea leaves, there are many varieties of tea leaves and therefore they all have different uses" said Haruta while showing several jars with different types of leaves inside making Kuga was surprised by the amount.

"Oh! Haruta-chi you have a lot of knowledge, I also want to learn" Kuga exclaimed sitting right next to Haruta for a wide view of everything.

Haruta gave a glance at Kuga who was next to him "Find a teacher" Haruta said with a displeased expression but still continued with his work while Kuga accompanied him.

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Haruta and Kuga spent time experimenting with the tea leaves as if it were teamwork, something unusual for both classmates after all they weren't friends but rather they considered each other rivals.

"I guess with the divine tongue at your side you will have more opportunities to get the final flavor, right?" Kuga asked as he tidied up his uniform.

"Divine tongue?" Haruta asked ignorant of the term Kuga refers to.

"Sigh ..." Kuga sighed, letting his shoulders drop "That's why you always end up cheated, you're too carefree"

"The divine tongue is a rare talent that the director's granddaughter has, it is said that it is an ultra sensitive palate that allows to differentiate all the flavors within a meal, that is why it is considered the best taster, chef of all the world visit her to check the quality of her ability and gain more reputation ... "Kuga explained the situation while rocking while sitting in a chair.

Haruta on the other hand was thoughtful, his right hand rested on his chin "But if you let the divine tongue taste your food and it does not satisfy him, you will be a failure before everyone"

"Exact!" Hearing Haruta's words, Kuga exclaimed as he got out of his chair "It is a bet that only those who have confidence in their abilities take, This is your opportunity Haruta-chi, with the help of Erina-chi you can get the final flavor! " Kuga's emotion could be seen as an aura emanating from his body.

"I refuse" Haruta said causing Kuga to instantly turn off

"what did you say?" Kuga asked looking at his rival.

"You heard it, I refuse to use another person's abilities to achieve my ambitions, I doubt that she is happy being the tasting pig for the happiness of other people, all this stupidity of the divine tongue must be the work of Nakamura-senpai" Haruta said starting to put away his belongings.

"Why are you so cautious against Nakamura-senpai, we only saw him once during the school welcome speech?" Kuga asked curious of Haruta's answer

Haruta opened a small compartment in the lid of the wooden box that carries the black knife, from there he took several photographs that he spread out on the table choosing one in particular.

"These are the members of the polar star dormitory in the Tootsuki preparatory division" Haruta said showing the photo where several people were gathered "Here is my mother she was the fourth seat of her generation, her name was Riko Ebisawa, her last name before marry my father and on the other hand here is my father the sixth position of the counselors in his generation "Haruta pointed out to his parents in the photo to his parents

Kuga was somewhat shocked by the identities of Haruta's parents "Now I understand, you don't want to be one of the ten advisors because you are afraid of embarrassing your parents, I understand your suffering Haruta-chin" Kuga nodded while posing his hand on Haruta's shoulder

"I am not the one who cooks Chinese food for fear of failure" Haruta said taking revenge on Kuga

"What did you say Haruta-chin, do you want to fix this in a duel ?!" Kuga exclaimed, rolling up the sleeves of his angry uniform

"Sigh ...." Haruta sighed "Leave that, I don't want to embarrass you in public, on the other hand this is what I want to show you" Haruta said pointing to three people in the photo.

"These are the wonders in the polar star and tootsuki, this is the first place Gin Dojima, this is Saiba Joichiro and this is Azami Nakamura who is now called Azami Nakiri, he is the father of Erina Nakiri" said Haruta pointing to the three students in the photo.

"My father and mother always told me stories of his life within Tootsuki, that is why I know almost all of the operation, they also told me about his companions, such as Saiba Joichiro, who was considered the greatest of prodigies within school and how Nakamura-senpai idolized him "Haruta paused slightly

"Saiba Joichiro retired from Tootsuki in his last year and never came back, my mother told me that the pressure of his position and his talent ruined his life, many accepted not having helped in the situation of his partner, but Nakamura-senpai was different , he was never the same as before and now he has that evil face with him "Haruta remembered having spoken to him during the welcome speech where Nakamura recognized Haruta and greeted him.

"Before entering Tootsuki my father was strict in warning me about Nakamura-senpai, emphasizing that I did not have contact with him and that I always had an eye on his actions so that they do not end up dragging me" said Haruta seriously while Kuga doubted a moment staring at the photograph.

"Ahhh!" Kuga yelled raising his arms while Haruta was surprised by acting "I hate these annoying things, but if your parents were Nakamura-senpai's companions they know him more than we will, I will be careful when I see him, I will try that the others are like this too"

"the others?" Haruta asked

"Yes, Isshiki, Nene and Eizan, we are the prodigies of the generation and we will be advisors in the future, it is fair that they also know a little about the threats," said Kuga, leaving the room without saying goodbye to Haruta, leaving her with eyes wide open. .