Event 51: Friendships from the past (3)

Time passed quickly for the trio, since they met until now, just under two years had passed, enough time for Haruta to enter the high school division as a freshman.

Erina and Hisako were now in their senior year of high school, both students now acting naturally and the cold aura in Erina's eyes was mitigated by shifting to arrogant behavior on her part.

For Haruta Erina's attitude was not a problem since he knew perfectly well that her attitude was only a screen, in general Erina was still a spoiled child and spent most of her time reading romantic manga that Haruta had to buy for her.

During the elapsed time there were great changes, every time a chef requested a tasting from the divine language, he had to first go through a duel with Haruta, who had a record of victories.

Haruta's ability was feared by all the renowned chefs making Zao Shen's name more than just a rumor.

The director and the ten advisers took action on the matter, making Haruta only be able to take sixty percent of the requests as a duel.

In the middle of a Japanese-style house was a small garden surrounded by a corridor, in one of the garden exits was Haruta "This place is hell!" exclaimed the black hair in a tone of voice full of displeasure.

"If you don't want to stay here all week, you should help me with the paperwork!" Erina exclaimed angrily from a desk located in the room next to the hallway where Haruta was sitting.

"Ugh ... paperwork, I think I'd better move on to that idea" Haruta complained as he fanned the air in his face with force "It is also for that reason that he did not want to be part of the ten councilors"

Erina was buried in a large pile of papers with her friend Hisako "That is no excuse for not helping me with the paperwork!" Erina screamed at Haruta as he merely limited himself to fanning air into his face.

"I don't want to," said Haruta, refusing Erina's request. "I forgot, the fall selection begins next week, I want to see how everyone will manage for the competition."

"You were also nominated as one of the participants" said Erina pointing to Haruta with the tip of a pencil

"Yes, I did know but give up the competition, I really don't care about the rankings after all I have no intention of being part of the ten advisors" Haruta said stretching on the ground with his arms crossed.

Erina looked at Hisako who only had an expression of concern towards Haruta, both had known for a while what Haruta's dream was, to find the final flavor, but apart from that goal she had nothing else in mind, she had no more ambitions than what They ended up worrying both of them since they considered Haruta more than just a friend, both considered him as if he were his own older brother.

"What do you plan to do after you find the ultimate flavor?" Erina asked curiously

Haruta who had been with her eyes closed resting finally opened her eyes to look at Erina "hmmm .... I really don't have anything planned, but I think she travels the world learning everything she can, not only about food but about cultures, history and things in general. This is a huge world and not knowing it completely would be a waste of time "Haruta said with a big smile with her gaze lost in the blue sky, not noticing the worried expressions of both girls.

"But of course, if Erina-sama needs my help I would not mind postponing my trip" Haruta's last words made Erina's face turn red, Haruta could only laugh looking at Erina's face.

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[Two months later]

"Erina-sama! Erina-sama!" Hisako ran through the corridors of Erina's residence with a digital tablet in her hands, Hisako's expression was one of despair, her face was red and her eyes were full of tears.

Hisako ran and opened the door to Erina's office where she was sitting quietly at her desk with some documents in her hands "What's happening Hisako, what is all this scandal about?"

"H-haruta, it's Haruta" Hisako repeated gasping as sweat trickled down his forehead.

Hearing the name and seeing Hisako's expression, Erina's expression changed causing her to quickly stand up "what happened to Haruta?" Erina asked worried

"He-he, he was expelled!" Hisako yelled making Erina's eyes widen in surprise, Hisako reached out and handed the digital tablet into Erina's hands.

On the tablet there was a news from the school newspaper, there was a photo of Haruta with a great title 'Zao Shen, Haruta Ichijo expelled'

'The genius of tootsuki loses a shokugeki at the feet of Azami Nakiri, a private duel that had Haruta Ichijo's stay in tootsuki at stake'

The news did not have much information, only the subject of the duel, Haruta's condition when losing, the names of the judges and the information pertinent to both parts of the duel.

"Italian food?" Erina asked shocked to notice the subject of the competition

"Yes, it is the rarest of the competition, Haruta is a specialist in Italian food, it is impossible that Erina-sama's father could defeat him in that style" Hisako said with respect but with anger in his voice

"They cheated .... they cheated to remove Haruta from tootsuki" Erina said angrily, she quickly picked up her phone and dialed Haruta's number but the call was not received

"Erina-sama, we can still reach him" said Hisako decided looking at Erina who nodded her head.

Together they ran through the house but when they reached the door the director Senzaemon was standing "Grandfather let us pass, we must look for Haruta" Erina said agitated

"They can't" the director said in a firm voice

"B-but, the duel was arranged, this cannot happen" Hisako said in a clear attempt to help Haruta

The director squeezed his hands and shook his head to the side "Of course I know the duel was arranged with traps, but I can't do anything" the director's full voice of regret was noticed by both girls.

"What do you mean ?!" Erina asked

"No one knew about this duel, it was something agreed between both parties, only I know that Azami set a trap for Haruta and because he is the loser, he was expelled from Tootsuki, and he can not say anything about the duel and can not approach neither of them, "said the director senzaemon.

As a director he felt like a jerk, this was the second time he had seen a prodigy being sunk, the first Saiba Joichiro was destroyed by his own talent while the second Haruta Ichijo was destroyed by Azami Nakiri's evil traps and schemes.

"i-it can't be ..." Erina heard her grandfather's words and collapsed onto her legs with tears in her eyes.