Rebellion

Chapter One

They had done it.

It was inconceivable, and yet it was the truth: they had won.

They had beaten Azami Nakiri at his own game, and won the impromptu two vs two cooking match against Eishi Tsukasa and Rindo Kobayashi.

To say Soma was feeling elated would be a huge understatement, the feeling of cooking beside Erina Nakiri was… electrifying.

Soma, although ecstatic, was having trouble understanding his emotions as he looked at the smiling blonde chef.

To say that they were rivals wouldn't be correct, in fact, some might even consider them enemies. Well it was a very one sided war, Soma was friendly and appreciative of her, but Erina downright acted like he was beneath her.

In a way, he was. He was just a normal boy that, through some incredibly harsh circumstances, was now a chef at the most prestigious culinary high schools in the world. To give him credit though, he definitely persevered through the challenges and made a name for himself, earning something in his first year at the school that he his own father was unable to achieve…

'First seat, huh?' Soma thought to himself.

"Well if I'm going to have to be first seat, then you're going to have to be the director!" Soma exclaimed, pointing a finger at Erina.

The blonde paled in fear, her mind already running through a million possible reasons that his idea wouldn't work, the first being that she was still a kid! She had absolutely no desire to assume that role until she was much more prepared for it!

'Plus, I'm having fun being a normal teenager for once… I don't want to give that up already..' Erina thought to herself sadly, realizing that her brief respite from her position as trapped princess was already over.

Her smile gone, she lowered her head for a second to gather her thoughts before a cool look traversed its way across her face. She had no choice…

"I underst-"

" I object." A stern voice spoke up.

Every head swiveled away from Nakiri Erina to focus on another Nakiri.

"I will be the new director." Soe Nakiri spoke up, looking pointedly at Erina.

The emotions running through Erina were palpable, and some were clearly shown on her face. Embarrassment, frustration, wounded pride… and something that briefly looked like hope.

Soma was confused to see that last one, well at least he thought he had seen it.

'Damn, I must be more tired than I thought,' Soma thought to himself

Erina, although surprised by her uncle's appearance, found the voice to speak up, "It's fine Soe-sama, I don't mind undertaking this responsibility." It was obvious to most people that she was perturbed by his announcement, most likely believing that he had said it because he didn't trust in her skills.

With his hands raised in a defensive posture, Soe replied.

"Erina-chan, I believe you will be a fine director. But, this position is just as much my birthright as it is yours is it not? And please don't consider this a rejection in your skills, but merely an attempt by me to help you regain some of your lost childhood." Soe Nakiri said with a smile, all the while walking towards Erina before placing a loving hand on her shoulder.

Looking up as his commanding face, Erina found that the beginning of tears were threatening to leak out of her eyes. She lowered her head and regained her control over her emotions before looking back into her uncle's eyes.

"What do you mean, Soe-sama?"

"Well, are you so sure that you are ready to grow up so fast? Already leave the life you so recently acquired, my dear?"

'He's… right. I was just having fun, for the first time in who knows how long? I want to keep exploring the culinary world with my… friends? The students at Polar Star dorm, Arato, and…' looking to her left, she made eye contact with the most insufferable person she had ever met, his golden eyes peering into hers, his brilliant smile drowning out even the arena lights.

BADUM

Erina, turned back to her uncle, her heart beating painfully fast in her chest, and her face sporting the faintest of a blush.

"You are right, uncle. I… would like to… remain a student. I want to cook with my friends still and become a better chef," Erina bashfully said, refusing to make eye contact with her friends. She had to be aloof and cool, she was a Nakiri after all.

"Nakiri-chan!"

"Erina-chan!"

Erina was suddenly glomped by the group of people from Polar Star, Hisako Arato included.

Well her plan to be reserved failed admirably. Soma stayed back, content to just watch the scene unfold. Plus, he knew his presence would not amuse Erina, he could tell that she was probably going to have some words with him for his little stunt of serving a main dish as an appetizer.

'So this is what you meant, dad, when you said life here was fun.' Soma casually put his hands behind his head and smiled at the clearly flustered blonde prodigy chef.

Eventually, Erina escaped from the clutches of her friends and once again faced her uncle.

"I suppose I could take the second seat." Erina said, aware that she had already given Soma the first seat.

"Now hold on a second. Your dish was better than mine. It sucks, but I can admit that right now you are a better chef than me?" Soma dejectedly bit out, acknowledging his own shortcomings in that match.

Soe Nakiri and Senzaemon Nakiri both shook their heads in the negative.

The ex-director spoke first, "Soma-kun, before you jump so fast at that declaration let me ask you a quick question."

Everyone's attention was fixated on the grandfatherly, but scarily shredded, old man.

"What kind of dish one Erina-chan have put out had you not intervened and changed the game?"

"Uh, I don't know, probably something refined and elegant I suppose." Soma replied, unsure of where this was going.

"Yes, probably, and would it have won?"

"No."

"But, Erina-chan, were you putting out your best dish at the time?"

"Yes, I was, Senzaemon-dono."

"So, in a way, Erina-chan may have more culinary skills and knowledge than you right now, Soma-kun, but your battle sense and ability to lead the two of you to victory over superior foes brings you much closer to Erina-chan than you suspect. This is, of course, the age-old war between knowledge and experience. Erina-chan represents knowledge, but you Soma-kun represent experience. Your time spent battling in Hell, called a kitchen by some, is something to admire."

Senzaemon Nakiri proudly watched over both teens faces, their faces expectantly waiting for him to continue.

"In reality, I believe that you are both equals, both deserving of the title of first chair. However, Soma-kun just barely retains the lead. One, because he seemed to be more of the leader of the two of you during that last battle, two, because Soma-kun has realized his specialty. He is an adapter, always ready to overcome any new challenge, and finally, three: he's already first seat, and I'm feeling lazy and don't wanna switch." Senzaemon held up three fingers, one for each of his points.

A twitch in Erina's eyebrow was enough to let everyone know just how un-pleased she was at her grandfather's third point.

"I understand, Senzaemon-dono, and I agree. Had I been in charge of the two of us, regretfully, we would have lost," Erina bit her tongue at this next part, "so for now.. I accept Yukihira-san as the first seat."

Everyone's eyes widened comically, but none more than Soma's.

'Did she… no… she did! She acknowledged my cooking!' Soma thought to himself.

"Well, when you put it that way," Soma walked forward, throwing a casual arm around Erina's shoulder, causing her to stiffen up immediately, his trademark smirk appearing on his face "I guess I am the ultimate chef, but don't worry, I haven't completely accepted this yet. So, the minute we get back to school, I'm challenging my cute little teammate to a Shokugeki, so we will know for sure."

Erina shoved his arm off of her before glaring at him with all the rage she could muster, at his embarrassing show of affection.

"Don't touch me like that in public! I am Erina Nakiri, the elite daughter of-" she was interrupted by laughter.

Laughter originating from the red haired soon spread around the group, even consuming the adults.

Eventually, not even Erina could stop herself from smiling at the teasing.

After all this time, she was finally free.