Chapter Text

CHAPTER 1: IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU

These little words... These little moments... 
They make up my entire world.

 I am searching for you, whom I have never met yet.

“My name is Nakiri  Name . It’s nice to meet you, Yukihira Soma-kun.”

The scene continued to playback in Soma’s mind as he made his way towards the lobby, processing on the new events that occurred to him that day.

Nakiri Erina, Nakiri Alice and Nakiri Name.

“Three Nakiris, huh…,” the redhaired pondered to himself. He had a glimpse of what the first Nakiri’s skill was but that was completely just the mere surface of the water. The other two were a complete mystery to him and that only made his curiosity grew. A confidence smirk crept up his face.

“That would be fun,” as he continued his way.

The lobby of the hotel slowly filled up with the remaining portion of the student of Totsuki, the numbers looking significantly lesser than with what they started. Mutters and chit chatters of the students’ complaint could be heard at the hellish day they went through.

Standing at the side were the Polar Star Dormitory with all of their members thankfully still intact as they look around. Megumi fidgeted slightly at her spot as she played with her fingers.

“W-Why are we suddenly being summoned to the lobby?” her voice sounded more timid than usual.

“There’s nothing listed on the schedule,” Ryoko chimed as she browses through the camp booklet.

“HUH? Wait, the last time that happened… Don’t tell me there’s another task like that coming up...,” Yuki deadpans as she recalled back the horrid egg task.

“Good. It seems all of you are here,” Dojima’s deep voice resounded throughout the lobby of the hotel as he steps onto the stage.

“Before I get into why you’re here, I’d like to say a few things. At this point in time, 352 students have dropped out, and only 628 students remain. This may seem cruel, but this training camp is a microcosm of what it means to choose cooking as your career. You’ll need to stay calm when facing the unknown, and commune with your ingredients. If you become a chef, there will be pressure. You’ll have to endure countless nights filled with anxiety with indecision, adapt to a wide range of situations, and overcome those challenges. This life is akin to wandering alone through a wind-torn barren wasteland,” Dojima looked straight ahead at the student as he continues with his speech.

“The more you climb, the more you will stumble, and the more your goal will become unclear. Before you know it, you may reach a standstill after reaching the pinnacle and lose sight of how to return. But I want you to remember one thing… Here at Totsuki, you are with others who would tread the same wasteland. This fact will sustain you once you sally forth and go on alone. I wish all of you the best of luck from the bottom of my heart! Now then, let us begin the final program of this camp.”

The last few from Dojima elicit the terrified faces of the students, wondering to themselves as to what torture awaits them.

The door to the banquet hall sprang open, making most of the students to turn their attention towards it before seeing a long line of the hotel staff greeting with smiles on their faces.

“The final program consists of a modest banquet to celebrate the conclusion of the training camp. We will have all of you enjoy a full-course meal prepared by the alumni. Let me now say to all 628 of you who survived: Congratulations for passing the training camp! Enjoy to your heart’s content!” Dojima finally breaks into a smile.

A loud cheer erupted from the lobby as the students immediately jumped in joy before storming into the banquet.

The Polar Star Dormitory gang walked into the banquet hall as they quickly try to search for themselves with Soma leading the pack.

“Uwaaaaah! This is a real treat! Look at that this! I wanna try that one!” Yuki looked around excitedly at the sight of the foods prepared especially for them.

Golden coloured irises looked around as Soma lets out a small whistle.

“You’re right! I wonder if Che-Oof!” his being cut short as he felt his shoulders bumping against someone else’s.

“A-Ah! Forgive me, I wasn’t looking where I was walking,” Name immediately bowed out of apology before she looks back up again, immediately recognizes the golden coloured irises

“Oh! Yukihira Soma-kun?” Name chirped.

“Ah, it’s okay—Oh!” Soma paused before he stares carefully, still being confused with the two Nakiris. “Wait… Uh… Which Nakiri are you again…?”

Name smiled sheepishly at the question before opening her mouth to reply the young lad.

“Don’t get too chummy with Name-sama, tomato!” a loud female voice immediately interrupted the conversation, slipping herself in between the two.

The girl had a distinct auburn coloured hair that ended around her shoulder with a small side tail tied on the left side of her head, standing a few centimetres shorter than name. Lime green irises glaring hard at Soma as she tries to shield is view of name.

“Ioriiiiiiin, you’re embarrassing Name-chin,” another female voice joins in as the person herself pries petite girl away from the two. The other girl had a long whiteish-silver coloured hair with violet irises and was significantly taller than name.

Name let out an exasperated sigh the two girls before she turns towards the confused Soma.

“I apologize for Iori’s rude behaviour and words. She’s really kind when you do get to know her. My deepest apologies, Yukihira-kun,” bowing again at the boy.

“Ah, it’s totally fine. But these two are…?” the redhaired boy waved a hand at name, signalling that he took no offence of it.

“They’re my friends. The one with the red hair is Shimazaki Iori and the other is Uehara Miko,” Name properly introduced her friends to him.

“And we’re also Name-sama’s secretaries!” Iori added.

“Oh! Just like her!” Soma easily recalling back Erina’s own secretary, Hisako. “Now that I looked at it… All of you Nakiris have a secretary. You guys really like having people follow you around, huh?” the boy lets out a hearty laugh.

“A-Ah.. well..,” Name laughed awkwardly at the words, not sure on how to properly reply to him.

“That aside, wanna come and sit with us? Oh, but then again… You might wanna go to your sister,” Soma closed his eyes as he thinks thoughtfully.

“I don’t mind. I can go and ask Erina if it’s alright with her,” the older Nakiri smiles. “I’ll go ask her now! Excuse me!” Name bowed quickly before excusing herself, searching for her younger twin in the sea of students – her secretaries tailing just behind of her.

“You’re getting quite friendly with her, Yukihira?” a familiar voiced pipped in from behind, making Soma turn to face to look at the owner.

“Ah, Takumi! Long time no see!” the boy immediately breaks into a wide grin as he holds his hand up at the blonde.

“I-I’m not your friend, alright! Ugh – whatever. Just… Keep in mind that you’re messing around with a Nakiri, from the main branch of the family to add that,” hands folded across his arms as he turns towards the table where Name is at.

“Especially when the one you’re trying to be friends with is the only one to ever serve that pleases the palette of a God,” Takumi turned back towards Soma, a serious expression painted his face.

“The hands that fed the God: Hands of Dione. If she could make something that easily pleases the God’s Tongue, what are you against her?” the Italian ended his speech before he walks away to an empty table with Isami.

‘Hands of Dione… huh?’