Chapter 7.

Yukihira Souma is dense – probably denser than mercury. The only thing that is constantly running through his mind is how to defeat his father in a cook-off, and create more and more disgusting dishes, and perhaps – just maybe – continue to cook with his (Y/n)-chan. For some unknown reason, a smile almost always appears on his face whenever he thinks about that particular (h/c) haired female.

Amidst all that, and now being suddenly thrown into Totsuki and its conventionally different approach, it is quite acceptable to say that Souma is facing what some might call a cultural shock. He was quite taken aback when he learned about the day-to-day life at Totsuki, and from his earlier conversations with Tadokoro Megumi, he came to know that the sword of expulsion is always dangling straight over the head of a Totsuki student.

Personally speaking, the threat of expulsion doesn't mean that much to him. In the worst-case scenario, he'll just return to Yukihira's, and continue to serve their loyal customers with their signature style, but for some reason (Y/n) liked this place. So, just getting up and leaving is now no longer an option, and also his old man did say that he will never be able to defeat him if he cannot survive at Totsuki. Leaving this place would mean that kissing goodbye to his dream of defeating his dad. So, in a way, Souma's pride also has a role to play in his decision to stay here along with (Y/n).

He carefully shrugged off his jacket and used it to cover the (h/c)ette's body, who was passed out beside him on the floor -- shivering lightly because of the cold air of April. He peered down at her face while tucking behind a few rogue strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Souma-kun." A voice called out to him in the middle of his admiring session, and he slowly turned to face the owner of the voice. It was Isshiki -- in all his naked glory. To be honest, Souma was kind of relieved that (Y/n) fell asleep halfway through the celebration -- way before Isshiki went into his naked form. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he doesn't want to see (Y/n) to see anyone naked -- especially their upperclassman.

The older boy just gave Souma a closed-eye smile. "Let me welcome you again Souma-kun, with best regards."

The spiky redhead grinned at this as he was unable to comprehend the hidden agenda behind Isshiki's seemingly charming demeanor.

"Hmm...we are out of food. There should be some leftover slices of Spanish mackerel. I'll just go and make something," the second-year student said while getting up.

"Are you gonna cook in that?" Souma asked the senior while eyeing the 'Kuma-san' apron that was doing little to hide Isshiki's nudity, but the said male was long gone by then.

Isshiki returned after a little while and placed a plate in front of Souma, and took a seat opposite of the redhead boy. "It's ready. Pepper Mackerel with puree garnish. Dig in."

"Thank you for the food," Souma grinned taking a bite, his eyes instantly widened in pure astonishment. 'This is too delicious! Making the best use of spring ingredients, he made a dish delicious in that short of time? He's on a way higher level than the rest. Even if he's a second-year, how can he be s advanced? Is this what (Y/n)-chan meant when she said that there is more than what just meets the eye for Isshiki-senpai?'

The redhead was brought out of his train of thoughts when he heard his upperclassman speak up again.

"By the way Souma-kun, I heard that you said something interesting in the opening ceremony," he paused, trying to maintain the suspense and all. "To stand at the top of Totsuki -- it may not be as easy as you think it to be. Let me formally introduce myself," he said while taking off his bandana.

"I'm Totsuki's elite ten's seventh seat -- Isshiki Satoshi."

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"I'm Totsuki's elite 10's seventh seat – Isshiki Satoshi.

This revelation left Souma a little baffled. It was definitely not what he expected.

"You're one of the elite 10?" Souma let out in a surprised manner as the older male's gaze pierced through him.

"Now, I would like to try your cooking," Isshiki continued. "What kind of dish will you make? Show me...the stories you want to tell...on a plate."

'Now I see why my dad sent me here, and why (Y/n)-chan wants to stay here!' The redhead slowly got up.

'Isshiki-senpai's dish was the peppered mackerel with a Puree garnish,' Souma wondered while examining the dish. "Does senpai's family runs a Japanese cuisine restaurant?"

"Why do you think that?" Isshiki quickly shot back.

At this, Souma was quick to answer, "Pepper mackerel is a classic Japanese dish, and not anyone can make it like this."

'The mackerel is soft and flaky, grilled to perfection. The spring cabbage puree is an element of surprise, but the creamy soft sweetness matches the mackerel perfectly. Mackerel is a spring fish, along with spring cabbage – they heighten each other's flavor. It's as lively and bright as a spring day!'

"Alright then," Souma suddenly spoke up in a determined manner. "I'll use item number 20 from Yukihira's secret menu."

"Yukihira?"

"It's our family dinner. I'll also use mackerel as my main ingredient," Souma said while tightening the white cloth strip around his forehead as he got ready for the cook-off.

"Just like Isshiki-senpai, I will also make Yukihira's popular dish with the spring theme."

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"I fell asleep, huh?" Yuki slowly asked herself after she woke up because of the smell of something delicious.

"Oh, Yukihira-kun is cooking?" Yuki was now alert, all traces of drowsiness now completely gone.

"I wonder if he's still hungry?" Ryoko asked, who was now also awake.

Ibushaki hummed in response before replying, "I also fell asleep, but it seems like they're having a cook-off."

"Really? But why?" Yuki asked excitedly.

"I wonder," Ibushaki started, "but it seems that this match was a challenge from Isshiki-senpai."

"In that case, we don't need to pass comments on his attire," Yuki joked.

"Yeah, I would feel bad pouring cold water when they're having a cook-off," Ryoko giggled.

"Do you think (Y/n)-chan would've participated if she was awake?" Yuki asked as she glanced at the passed-out figure of her (h/c)ette classmate.

"I don't know," Ibushaki quietly answered.

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"It's done," Souma announced while returning with a tray that contained four bowls.

"I now present you Yukihira's secret menu number 20 – New Mackerel Onigiri Chazuke."

"Onigiri?"

"We usually use salmon, but today, I replaced it with Mackerel, and this also happens to be one of (Y/n)-chan's favorite dishes. I made one for everyone. So please, enjoy," the redhead added.

"Thank you," Ryoko said while picking up a bowl. "What's poured over it?"

"It's salted kelp tea. The saltiness and the body make it a great way to end the meal."

"I'm getting hungry by just looking at it," Yuki whined.

"I agree," Ibushaki agreed.

All this while, Isshiki was silently obscuring the dish. 'This looks like a regular ochazuke. It looks like something served at a public diner, but....'

All of Isshiki's previous apprehensions instantly disappeared when he took the first bite of Souma's dish. "It's delicious."

"The mackerel is so juicy!" Yuki commented, "and the skin is so crispy. The flavor intensifies with each bite."

"You don't get this texture just by grilling it," Ryoko added. "How did you do it?"

"It's poêler," Isshiki answered for Souma. "This mackerel is cooked poêler style."

"Poêler?" Ryoko, Yuki, and surprisingly Souma too were baffled.

"Why are you surprised too?" Yuki pointed at him in anger.

"I was just wondering what it is," Souma tried to reason, but Yuki was having none of it.

Amid all the bickering they failed to notice that the second of the two newbies, was now also awake, so she smacked Souma on the back of his head to signal her presence.

"Poêler – a cooking method used in French cuisine – a type of sauteing," she answered while getting up. "It's a technique where you cook the ingredients uniformly by holding them down with a palette knife or something similar. For the fish to not have a bad smell, you need to constantly add olive oil or something similar to get rid of the fat released by the fish."

"I've told you this multiple times. Why do you always keep forgetting," she yelled towards the end.

"Eh... it must have slipped my mind...sorry," Souma sheepishly apologized while rubbing the sore spot on his head.

(Y/n) huffed out in anger as she said, "Why does your apology sound so fake?"

"Still, Souma-kun, how do you know a French technique?" Isshiki asked.

"I learned this technique from my dad," Souma admitted.

"He said it's the best way to give fish a crispy finish. It can be eaten with rice while crispy or steeped in kelp broth. The textures are different each way."

"Did your father train in French cuisine?" Isshiki asked.

"I really don't know," Souma honestly answered.

"Souma's dad cooked in many different countries," the (h/c)ette answered.

"I see," Isshiki nodded his head in understanding. 'To make an Onigiri in French style? What a liberating dish! It's not bound to any one culture or genre. Besides poêler is best used for fishes with thick skin. Salmon and mackerel are perfect for it. He was able to think of that instantly and was able to re-arrange this dish. The pure white rice is shining just like snow. The powerful mackerel that comes out of there is the vitality of spring itself. He captured the very moment, the start of spring...with this dish.'

'Could something be liberating about (Y/n)-chan's cooking as well?' Isshiki thought to himself as he stared at the half-asleep girl, who was struggling to stay awake. He smiled to himself as he, Ryoko, Ibushaki, and Yuki continued to eat till their bowls were empty.

"Happy to serve!" Souma replied while talking off his headband.

"How beautiful!" Isshiki squealed in awe. "It was a beautiful thawing of the snow Souma-kun.

(Y/n) squinted her eyes in confusion when she realized that both Isshiki and Souma are sparkling. 'Is it the main character thing? Why is Isshiki-senpai also glowing then? That's so unfair!' (Y/n) pouted.

Megumi, who was now also awake lightly shook the (h/c) haired girl to get her attention. "What's going on here?" She asked, now rubbing the sleep off her eyes only to come face to face with the new transfer student and their almost naked senpai shaking hands.

(Y/n), who was half awake earlier was also quite baffled at the strange choice of Isshiki's clothing. "What am I missing? Why is he naked?"

"Don't worry about it. It's Isshiki-senpai's impromptu naked form. You will get used to it after a few days," Ryoko smiled while explaining the strange occurrences that take place inside of Polar Star Dormitory. (Y/n) only stared weirdly at Isshiki and Ryoko before her and all the other residents exited Marui's room.

'The residents of the dorm are certainly a bunch of strange people!' She thought while retreating to her room for the night.

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Later that night, when Isshiki had finally returned to his room after cleaning up Marui's room, and he found himself constantly thinking about his (h/c) haired junior.

It was a bummer that he wasn't able to taste her cooking. He wanted to know her story, especially after learning Yukihira Souma's cooking. What a pity that the night ended before Nakamura (Y/n) could prove herself.

He was busy sorting out the council's paperwork when he heard a knock on his door.

'Who is here at this time?' His mind wandered as he walked up to the door. He opened the door and came face to face with a smiling (h/c)ette, who was also carrying something.

"What are you doing here (Y/n)-chan?"

"Hey there, senpai!" She greeted him with a warm smile. "Yuki told me that you and Souma had a cook-off. I was quite bummed that I missed out because my body decided to fell asleep in the middle of such a lively party."

"Yeah, I too wanted to know your cooking," Isshiki answered in his usual cheerful voice. "It was a pity that you fell asleep!"

"Yeah, it was a pity indeed," she mumbled to herself. "So, as a way of making it up to you, I decided to cook something for you," she said while gesturing towards the plate in her hand.

"That's quite thoughtful of you (Y/n)-chan," Isshiki beamed at her. "So, what do you have here?"

"I've used mackerel, ham, and spring cabbage as my main ingredient. It's called Mackerel hamburger remix," she said before thrusting into his hands.

"Hope that you will enjoy it. I will see you tomorrow." Having said that, she left the room – leaving behind a confused Isshiki.

He stared at the dish with similar apprehensions that he had felt earlier when he tasted Souma's dish. Will this one too will leave behind the same aftertaste.

"Well here goes nothing," he mumbled to himself before taking a bite of Nakamura (Y/n)'s dish.

His eyes instantly widened in surprise before a smile adorned his lips.

'This is liberating!'