Food Wars: Taste Reversal

At Tōtsuki Resort, dozens of buses were parked neatly in front of the luxurious hotel. While the lineup of vehicles was impressive, it paled in comparison to the grandeur of the Tōtsuki Resort towering behind them. The structure gleamed in the sunlight, its numerous floors adorned with intricate architectural details that spoke of luxury and exclusivity. As the students of Polar Star Dormitory disembarked, they gazed in awe at the hotel, its sheer size making it impossible to see where it ended.

"It's spectacular!" Yoshino Yuki exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The thought of undergoing assessments in such a lavish setting only heightened her anxiety.

"It's a school for the elite, alright," Soma Yukihira muttered, wiping away a bead of sweat. Comparing his modest family diner to the grandeur of the Tōtsuki Resort was almost laughable—there was simply no comparison.

"This hotel, along with most of the accommodations in this area, belongs to Tōtsuki Academy," Ibusaki Shun explained in his usual calm tone, noting Soma's overwhelmed expression.

"Of course it does," Soma replied with a sigh as he followed the flow of students into the building.

The Polar Star students walked in together, with Shiraki glancing around. Unlike his previous visit, the lobby was empty of regular guests, and even the number of staff seemed to have been reduced. The marble floors shone under the light of extravagant chandeliers, and the polished counters gave the impression of meticulous preparation. It was clear that during Tōtsuki's Residential Training, the resort operated exclusively for the academy.

As they approached a large hall in the main lobby, Ryoko Sakaki pushed open the grand doors, revealing a vast open space inside. The hall resembled a venue for extravagant weddings, complete with a stage at the front, lined with golden railings and crimson curtains. The tall windows on the side allowed the sunlight to flood the room, adding a sense of warmth that contrasted with the cold tension among the students. However, it had been repurposed into a gathering space for the first-year students.

Clusters of students were already inside, standing silently with tense expressions. There was no chatter, no laughter—just an oppressive atmosphere of anticipation. Some students fidgeted nervously with their uniforms, while others stood stoically, their gazes fixed ahead. The pressure in the air was palpable, like the calm before a storm.

"Shiraki-kun~!"

A familiar voice broke the tension. Before Shiraki could turn, he felt someone latch onto his back. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted over him as Alice Nakiri peeked out from behind, her mischievous smile brightening her face. Her silver hair shimmered under the light, and her playful demeanor brought a sharp contrast to the seriousness of the hall.

"When did you get here?" Shiraki asked, turning slightly to look at her. Behind Alice stood Ryo Kurokiba, his brooding presence as strong as ever. His expression, however, showed little interest in the interaction, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"We arrived just a little before you did," Alice replied, puffing her cheeks in mock frustration. "I even called out to you several times from the bus next to yours, but you completely ignored me!"

Alice's tone carried a playful pout, but the glint in her eyes hinted at genuine annoyance. She had switched seats with Kurokiba just to wave at Shiraki, only to find him deep in conversation with his dorm mates.

Alice's gaze shifted to the group around Shiraki. Fixating momentarily on the girls—Ryoko Sakaki, Yoshino Yuki, and Megumi Tadokoro—her smile grew brighter. "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself! I'm Alice Nakiri! And this is Ryo Kurokiba. You're all friends of Shiraki-kun, right?"

Shiraki wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, thinking to himself, How was I supposed to notice her waving from another bus?

Soma, meanwhile, latched onto a crucial detail. "Nakiri?" His eyes narrowed as he studied Alice. Her silver hair, striking features, and confident aura reminded him of someone. "Are you related to Erina Nakiri?"

Before Alice could answer, Megumi Tadokoro nervously stepped forward. "I-I'm Megumi Tadokoro. It's nice to meet you!"

"Yoshino Yuki here!" Yuki added cheerfully. "We all live together in Polar Star Dormitory."

"I'm Ryoko Sakaki," Ryoko said with a polite nod.

"Ibusaki Shun," came the curt introduction from Ibusaki.

The remaining dorm mates, Zenji Marui and Daigo Aoki, quickly followed with their introductions.

Alice clapped her hands together in delight. "Ah, dorm mates! That's wonderful. Ryo, don't just stand there—introduce yourself!"

With a resigned sigh, Kurokiba stepped forward. His demeanor was as intimidating as ever, and his disinterested tone made his brief "Hello" feel more like a grunt than a greeting.

"Y-Yes, hello..." Yuki replied hesitantly, her usual enthusiasm dimmed by Kurokiba's intense aura.

Alice leaned closer to the group with an exaggerated whisper. "Don't mind Ryo; he's all bark and no bite. Though he might scowl a lot, he's a great cook and a good friend."

Ryo's eyes twitched, but he made no move to argue. Instead, he simply crossed his arms, his expression as impassive as ever.

As the group exchanged pleasantries, a sudden shift in the atmosphere drew everyone's attention to the hall's entrance. Following the gazes of the other students, the Polar Star group turned to see Erina Nakiri entering, accompanied by Hisako Arato.

Erina's regal presence commanded attention. Her golden eyes swept across the room as if searching for someone. Her gaze landed on Alice, who was still clinging to Shiraki's arm. Erina's expression darkened, and a vein visibly throbbed on her temple.

Even so, Erina maintained her composure, mindful of the hundreds of students watching her. Her uniform was immaculate, every detail perfectly aligned, reflecting her disciplined nature. With deliberate steps, she approached the group. Her eyes locked onto Alice as she said in a cold, authoritative tone, "Alice, it's improper to behave so familiarly in public. Let go of him immediately."

Alice tilted her head innocently. "Oh, Erina, you're so strict."

Despite her playful retort, Alice reluctantly released Shiraki. However, her exaggeratedly slow movements only deepened the scowl on Erina's face.

"Come with me," Erina said sharply.

Alice shrugged before turning to the Polar Star group with a smile. "It was lovely meeting all of you! Let's chat more later." She then skipped after Erina, leaving a trail of curiosity in her wake. Kurokiba, naturally, followed at a slower pace.

Watching the trio leave, Soma rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Those two... They must be related, right? They both have the Nakiri name. Sisters, maybe?"

Shiraki shook his head. "Not sisters. Alice is Erina's cousin."

"Cousins, huh..." Soma muttered. "That explains a lot."

The group fell silent for a moment, digesting the interaction they had just witnessed. The tension in the hall had shifted once again, and the reality of the impending challenges began to settle in.