Food Wars: Taste Reversal

Elite Ten Council Room

Immediately after Erina's return, all the members of the Elite Ten held a meeting.

After all, the Totsuki Autumn Election was about to start, and they needed to assign work beforehand.

Eishi Tsukasa looked at the gathered crowd. The atmosphere was quite unharmonious, and his face showed a salted fish-like expression.

"Anyway, everybody's here... Then the next thing will be handed over to Isshiki Satoshi to preside."

After the symbolic speech, everyone tacitly ignored Eishi Tsukasa, who shrank further into his position.

Isshiki Satoshi stood up naturally. He was still wearing his school uniform, looking completely different from his usual apron-clad self. "Regarding the list for the autumn selection, the selection committee of Totsuki Resort has finalized it. The rest involves assigning our work—first of all, backstage..."

"Trouble..."

For a long time, Kuga lay directly on the chair behind him, letting Isshiki's words go in one ear and out the other.

Etsuya Eizan also glanced at the others, who were preoccupied with their own matters, and casually pulled out his mobile phone to make a call.

"Hey, it's me. Is the fried chicken restaurant running smoothly? … That's natural. I'm waiting to see your chain stores open all over Japan. And, by the way, don't forget this month's consulting fee."

The fourth seat, Momo Akanegakubo, sat nearby, licking a lollipop and glancing at Etsuya.

The fifth, Shoko Kaburagi, clasped her hands over her chest and kept her eyes closed in contemplation. It was unclear whether she was deep in thought or had long since fallen asleep.

"Ahh..."

As for Kobayashi Rindo next to Eishi Tsukasa, she was even more outrageous, pulling out snacks and munching as she listened to Isshiki's report.

The entire conference room seemed somewhat more composed thanks to Isshiki, Erina, and Terunori Kuga, who hadn't said a word.

"It's really troublesome..." Partway through Isshiki's report, Terunori propped his head on the table impatiently. "Why don't we cancel this selection? Let's vote on the spot, disband this year, and scrap it altogether next year—how about that?"

Everyone's eyes in the conference room turned toward him.

"You see, it's obviously the first-years' selection, but we're stuck with all the work. Honestly, I find it annoying, and I bet the seniors agree, right?"

Terunori Kuga spread his hands as if to invite approval. Several people visibly hesitated, their expressions hinting at agreement.

However, before anyone could raise their hand, a cold voice cut in.

"The autumn selection is a Totsuki tradition and an order from the commander-in-chief. As members of the 'Elite Ten,' we are obligated to fulfill our duties and complete this work properly. Abolishing it is out of the question. Furthermore, you've been disruptive since the start of the meeting, so I suggest you maintain proper decorum."

"Huh, you're more uptight than usual, Auntie."

Terunori Kuga turned to Nene Kinokuni, whose expression remained icy.

At the hated nickname, Nene Kinokuni's temple twitched visibly. He mocked sharply, "I seem to have heard you've recently become a follower of a first-year student?"

Erina, silent until now, glanced at Nene Kinokuni.

Nene Kinokuni, expecting to provoke a reaction, was surprised when Kuga merely shrugged and replied indifferently, "I'll rather take that as a compliment."

Nene Kinokuni's face contorted in disgust.

"Hahaha, everyone's lively today." Isshiki Satoshi attempted to defuse the tension. However, aside from Eishi Tsukasa shrinking into himself and Kobayashi Rindo watching amusedly, no one paid him any mind.

Isshiki continued, undeterred. "The assignments remain the same: Erina and I will handle the work in front of the stage, Eishi Tsukasa and Senior Sister Rindo will oversee backstage, and the rest will coordinate with academy departments and review documents. Any objections?"

The group exchanged looks but stayed silent.

"Then it's decided. The meeting is adjourned." Isshiki wrapped up, unaffected by the room's atmosphere.

Afterward, the Elite Ten left one after another.

"Senior Nene Kinokuni," Erina called softly, overtaking Nene Kinokuni with a quick stride.

"That first-year student you mentioned... I'd advise you not to underestimate him."

With that, Erina boarded her limousine, leaving Nene Kinokuni standing there for a moment. Her expression unchanged, she resumed walking—but her destination subtly shifted.

Entering her car, she instructed the driver indifferently, "Find out where that first-year student connected to Terunori is right now."

"Yes." The driver promptly made a call. A few minutes later, the black car drove off.

As one of the Elite Ten, Nene Kinokuni had access to any Totsuki student's information.

Finding the student's residence would be simple.

Originally indifferent toward the first-year student, Nene Kinokuni had noticed Isshiki's unusual demeanor during the meeting.

Though she did not openly confront Erina and Satoshi, their uncharacteristic attitude made it impossible for her to ignore the first-year student who seemed to have gained Satoshi and Erina's recognition.