Foody Wars

Time flew like leaves on a breeze—and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Morning sunlight painted the treetops in golden hues as a fresh breeze rustled through the canopy. Dewdrops shimmered and rolled down the edges of green leaves, refracting light like tiny gems. The air was crisp and cool, filled with the promise of change.

It was the final day of the two-week on-site training, and the students of Totsuki Academy were finally returning.

A trial by fire had left many scorched, but those who survived had emerged stronger, sharper… transformed.

"Woooow!"

"I can't believe I made it! I actually survived! I thought I was going to die halfway through!" Yuuki burst out dramatically, clutching her head as she stood before the towering gates of Totsuki.

The sight of the academy—familiar yet distant after two intense weeks—sent a wave of nostalgia crashing over her.

Behind her, Ryoko chuckled. "Back to where it all began."

She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her smile tinged with satisfaction. "Nothing's changed, and yet… we have."

Before Yuuki could reply, a soft voice rang out behind them.

"Yuuki? Ryoko?"

They turned. A breeze blew softly past as Tadokoro Megumi stood under the school gate's shadow.

She had cut her hair slightly shorter during the training, and the change suited her perfectly. Her delicate face, flushed cheeks, and clear eyes carried a gentle grace—like a wildflower after the rain. She practically glowed.

"Megumi!" Yuuki's eyes widened in disbelief—and then she ran forward with a squeal, nearly tackling her in a hug. "I missed you sooo much!"

"Y-Yeah… Me too, Yuuki-chan." Megumi giggled as she steadied herself.

Ryoko stepped up beside them. "You look great, Megumi. So—how did it go? Did you pass?"

"I did!" Megumi nodded, eyes shining. "I was assigned to intern at Kirinoya, under Senior Natsume. She taught me so much."

"Kirinoya? As in the French-Japanese fusion restaurant? That Natsume?!" Yuuki's mouth dropped open. "Megumi, you're too lucky! You trained under a Totsuki graduate!"

After the flurry of reunion hugs and chatter, Yuuki managed to suppress her envy long enough to beam at her friends.

"Well then, since we're all back in one piece…"

She dramatically pointed toward the dorm building in the distance.

"Let's go home—to Polar Star Dorm! Tonight, we're throwing a Welcome-Back Party! No excuses!"

Laughing, she grabbed both their hands and began skipping forward, dragging them along.

Behind them, the once-quiet roads of Totsuki Academy were beginning to stir.

Students were returning like migrating birds, fluttering in from all directions. The scent of simmering broth, spices, and ambition filled the air.

These first-year survivors of on-site training were not the same students who had left two weeks ago.

Now, they were sparks—fuel for the fire of the battles to come.

At the very heart of Totsuki, a towering white building rose like a temple to culinary excellence.

Inside one of its expansive conference rooms, the most powerful figures in the academy had gathered. The atmosphere was tense, the energy focused.

And when Director Nakiri Senzaemon strode into the room, the air seemed to still.

"Everyone," he said, his deep voice cutting across the murmuring voices like a blade, "since we are all present, let's begin."

He took his seat, folding his arms with commanding authority.

"Report the results of this year's on-site training."

"Yes, Director!"

A faculty member stood with a clipboard in hand, speaking clearly.

"This year, 403 first-year students participated. Of them, 82 were unable to complete the training, leaving 321 who successfully passed."

There were murmurs around the room. Compared to the brutal dropouts of previous years, this was… better than expected.

The Director's sharp eyes glittered. "So the survival rate is higher than last year?"

"Yes, sir," the staff member replied. "And the overall skill level of this batch is significantly higher. Particularly the students sent to intern at the tavern—Nakiri Erina and Nakiri Alice. Their growth during the internship is extraordinary."

Senzaemon gave a single approving nod. "Excellent."

He turned to another aide. "Status of the Moon Banquet Festival preparations?"

"Proceeding on schedule. We will be ready in one week."

"Good," he said. "All of you have done well."

The Moon Banquet Festival—Totsuki's most extravagant event of the year.

A five-day culinary carnival, it drew over 500,000 visitors from across Japan and around the world. Foodies, critics, foreign dignitaries, and culinary investors all came to witness the spectacle.

Stalls popped up like mushrooms across three key areas:

Main Street Zone – The frontmost street, always bustling with the most visitors.

Central Zone – Clustered around the cooking buildings, for stalls requiring specialized equipment.

Mountain Zone – A quieter, higher-end zone where average spending was much higher. Elite Ten members often set up restaurant-style experiences here.

Sales were tracked through a ticketing system, and daily rankings were announced every evening at 6 PM.

To survive, a stall needed to sell at least 1,000 portions a day. Falling into the red too often could mean immediate expulsion.

Totsuki didn't play around.

Meanwhile, at one of the school's Food War arenas, a stunning dish was being presented.

A sphere of glass-like sugar encased a translucent egg. The crystalline dome reflected light in prismatic colors, dazzling the judges before they even took a bite.

With delicate hands, one of the judges cracked the sugar cover.

Inside was a sphere of caviar-like orbs, which melted on the tongue with an intense, elegant egg flavor. The texture—light yet indulgent—left them stunned.

"Amazing…"

Moments later, the judging results were posted.

A collective gasp rippled through the arena.

"No… This can't be…!"

A third-year student staggered, disbelief etched across his face. His legs gave out as he fell to his knees. "I'm in my third year… How could I lose to a first-year?!"

Across the arena, Alice Nakiri calmly wiped her hands, her crimson eyes cool and glinting.

"I was the Autumn Selection champion," she said simply. "And during my internship at the tavern, I leveled up."

She turned, brushing her hair back with a smirk. "From now on, I'm aiming higher. Not just the third-years—I'm aiming for a seat in the Elite Ten. And I will get it."

With that, Alice strode out, her confidence echoing behind her like footsteps on marble.

Watching from the gallery, Rindou Kobayashi leaned forward, eyes narrowed.

"…She's changed," she muttered to herself.

That boldness, that finesse—it wasn't just a jump in skill. It was growth in spirit. The tavern, it seemed, was more than just a place to serve food.

It forged warriors.

Elsewhere, morning sunlight filtered through sheer curtains into a spacious, luxurious bedroom.

A figure rolled over in bed with a frustrated groan.

"Ughhh… Why isn't Hisako back yet…?"

Erina Nakiri stared at the ceiling, clutching a pillow to her chest. Her cheeks were flushed—not with illness, but with anticipation.

"…I need to know what happens next in the story…!"

She turned her head toward the door, eyes gleaming with hope.

Ding dong! Ding dong!

Her eyes lit up. She jumped to her feet and raced to the door.

"Hisako?!"

There she was—Hisako Arato, panting slightly, a large shopping bag in hand.

"Erina-sama, I finally got it!"

"You really did?!" Erina clutched her hand and pulled her inside. "You're the best!"

Inside the bag was a freshly released light novel, its cover glimmering in the light.

Cradling it like a treasure, Erina flopped onto the bed, opened to the first page—and immediately sank into her own little world.

Hisako watched her with a fond smile.

To most people, Erina Nakiri was the poised Ice Queen of the culinary world. An Elite Ten member. The God Tongue.

But here she was—giggling quietly as she read her favorite series.

Who would believe it?

"…If this ever got out, it would break the internet," Hisako murmured under her breath.

Erina, without looking up, said, "Hisako. You're not going to tell anyone about this, right?"

"Huh?"

Hisako blinked. "O-Of course not! I wouldn't dare!"

"Good," Erina said, smiling slightly. "Then go handle your errands. I'll be here."

"Yes, Erina-sama."

She turned to go—but paused.

This was the first time she had returned to Erina since her collapse during the Autumn Selection. After struggling with her self-worth, her role as Erina's secretary, and her own aspirations…

She had finally found clarity.

Success didn't have to mean standing at the top alone.

Sometimes, being someone's strength was just as meaningful.

And in that moment, as she closed the door behind her, Hisako Arato smiled—free of doubt, full of resolve.