{3rd Person's Point of View}

That night after taking a bath with Rindo you took your guitar and tied your hair into a (ponytail/ messy bun). You used Hayama's pin and looked at the time.

'He's probably still not there.' You went to the roof and started strumming your guitar. {Song not mine! Title: Spice English Cover}

/A-N: (Reader) can skip the song.

🎶 "If I run away from all I see, would I be fine with everything?"

🎶 "No matter how much I really want to stay, holding on~ Holding on~"

🎶 "Without anyone knowing I feel, so fragile and not knowing what's real."

"Did you compose it?" you heard his voice. Asking from out of nowhere. "How have you been? (Nickname)." he said then your heart stopped.

You stood up. "Ah, I'm sorry Hayama-kun I didn't know you were here. I'll excuse myself now." you said smiled.

"(Nickname) is everything alright?" Hayama asked so you shook you head.

"Nothing's wrong as far as I know. I'll be taking my leave." you said then turned around; but he pulled your hand.

"(Nickname) why are you acting like this? Do you care about my feelings? I'm doing this for you and Jun!" Hayama yelled at you.

"You think we don't care about your feelings? Do you even know what Jun-san felt when you left her hanging Huh Aki? Do you know?!" you asked remembering how Jun cried her heart out while begging Hayama not to join Central.

"I'm doing this for Jun and you!" Hayama yelled again and tightened his grip on your hand.

"Ouch! Let go!" you yelled pulling your hand away. Then the door opened revealing Soma only on his blazer.

"(Reader)?" Soma asked then cupped your face. "Hayama!!" Soma yelled and punched Hayama.

"Soma don't!" you yelled and pulled him back.

"He made you cry!" Soma yelled back.

"Calm down!" you said losing your strength. You didn't want them to fight like this. Soma sighed before making you wear his coat.

"Alright, I won't. Hayama, I heard what burden you're carrying. If you can beat me in the advancement exam, you can keep on doing what you want to do. So, this match us just a checkpoint for that, right?" Soma asked. "Brr... It's cold." he said then hugged you.

"Sounds about right." Hayama replied.

"You should really stop underestimating me." Soma said. "I'm here to redeem myself. I don't care what the actual reasons are. I'm really looking forward to facing you for real." Soma said.

"Don't you dare be distracted by anything but what you'll be cooking, got it?!" Soma yelled.

"Huh? Any match needs a goal. You have no idea what's going on, anyw-" Hayama said.

"Wasn't the research group important to you?" Soma asked. Your eyes drifted unto the floor and noticed that Soma's pants were opened.

'Wtf?! For freak's sake! This scene is serious right now, don't ruin the mood, self!' you thought and pushed Soma away but he pulled you again.

"You couldn't even fight to save it. The hell I'm gonna lose to a pathetic loser like that!" Soma exclaimed.

'No! Let go of me first.' You thought to yourself and kept pushing Soma away.

"Yukihira... Fine, if you're eager to suffer defeat. I'll hand it to you on a silver platter." Hayama replied.

When the both of you were going back, you pinched Soma's side. "Ittai! (Reader)!" he groaned rubbing his side.

"You Baka! Your pants..." you said then he looked at it and blushed.

"Since when?" Soma asked zipping it up.

"A while ago, I just noticed it while you were hugging me." you said then he pat your head.

"I didn't notice it because you were warm." Soma replied smugly. "Wanna cuddle tonight?" he asked wiggling his eyebrow.

"No thanks." you replied blushing then threw him his coat.

🍽 Exam Day 🍽

"Hey, now isn't the time to be worrying about anyone else!" Rindo said. "After all, I'm the one you'll be facing!" she added. "Well, let's get cooking!"

You couldn't sleep last night so you drifted off to sleep while burying your face on the desk. After some minutes Rindo woke you up.

"(Nickname) they're done cooking." Rindo said then you smiled at her and stood up to rush towards the place where Soma and Hayama was.

You were on the balcony by the second floor watching them. "Where'd your motivation come from?" Hayama asked. "Were you that greedy about your dish because you wanted to survive the advancement exams?"

"The hell you talking about, Hayama?" Soma asked then grabbed Hayama by his collar. "It was all for you! It's because I was gonna make you eat the dish!"

"It was all to make you say it's delicious! To crush you! That's why I've been working so hard! So, I can't stand to see you all distracted!"

You sighed relieved when the clouds went away. "Here's one piping hot." Soma said. "Dig in, Hayama." You saw Gin looked at you signaling you to come down so you did.

You quietly sneaked beside Gin. Hayama took the dish and bit into it. He closed his eyes for a moment and you saw Jun looking down to him. When Hayama opened his eyes, Jun slapped him so he fell backwards on the floor.

"Oh, sorry! Did it hurt? Are you okay?" Jun asked.

"Jun-san if you're gonna slap someone you don't need to say sorry." you said then laughed relieved.

"Why are you here, Shiomi-senpai?" Soma asked.

"I invited her. We know each other from our Polar Star Dormitory days after all." Gin said.

"That was a shock. Jun's never hit me before." Hayama said while rubbing his cheek.

"I'm also your guardian so think of that as parenting. Okay, I'm going to tell you my conclusions after thinking about all that's happened." Jun said.

"What I've really wanted to see is, you enjoying your cooking and devoting yourself to craft with lots of friends your own age. You're still a kid, Hayama-kun. You don't have to feel responsible for the research group shutting down." Jun said.

"What? Don't treat me like a kid, Jun." Hayama replied.

"Don't call me that!" Jun yelled.

"Hayama, I don't care what Central does but I still want to work on cooking with you. I won't let you give up on your own cooking." Soma said.

"With a vote of two to one, we declare Yukihira Soma the victor!" Nakiri said.

Soma then removed his bandana. "Glad you liked it." Soma said then smiled at you.

☕ ☕ ☕ ☕

You were all sitting on the waiting room. Actually, only Hayama was sitting. "We have nowhere to call home now, I guess." Jun said laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" Hayama asked.

"Oh, about that. Why don't you just come to Polar Star?" Soma asked. "You'll at least have somewhere to cook, too! Shiomi-senpai you used to live there. We have tons of empty rooms." Soma said.

"Yukihira-kun." Jun mumbled.

"Thanks, Yukihira. I really-" you stopped Hayama by putting a lollipop in his mouth and called your father.

"Dad, my condo is still empty and neat right?" you asked.

; Yeah why?"

"I'd like to ask if my friends can stay over." you said then looked at Jun and smiled.

; A girl or a boy?" your Dad asked.

"You remember Jun-san, right?" you asked then you heard him laugh.

; Yeah, I heard Nakamura shot her place down."

"Ah and also Aki." you added then looked at Hayama.

; Oh, your boyfriend?" your Dad teased.

"What? Who told you that! He isn't my boyfriend!" you yelled then looked away.

; Then Saiba's son is?"

"Soma isn't either!" you sighed. "Just- Gah whatever I'm hanging up!"

"Well~ Jun-san that's great you have a place secured!" you said holding her hands.

"Thank you (Reader)-chan!" she said so you nodded then you looked at the door to see Erina.

"Yukihira-kun!" Erina said panting.

"Hey, Nakiri." Soma greeted.

"How did it go?" Erina asked.

"What? No greetings for me Erina?" you asked pouting then she gave you a canned coffee. "Ooh thanks!" you said then opened it.

"Oh, I managed to redeem myself."

"S-So you won?" she asked blushing while sweating.

"Ooh~ You look so pretty." you told Erina then she slapped you. "Gah!"

"Oh my! I'm sorry! I was shocked by what you said." Erina confessed and touched your cheek that she slapped.

You laughed. "Nah It's fine, but you guys prepare yourselves for the worst."

"Ah, here you are." Azami's aide said while you sip your coffee. "I am Aida, Azami-sama's aide. Excuse me. Hayama Akira, you understand what's happening, correct? Given the most recent results, you're being expelled." Aida said which made Soma, Erina and Jun gasp.

"We have received reports from exams that have occurred on other routes, as well. If you may Yamaguchi-sama." Aida said and gave you a list which you didn't bother to read and tore it apart.

You stared at him, "Hisako, Kurokiba, Alice, Ikumi, Yuki, Ryoko, Marui, Isami, Shun, Daigo and Shoji." you recited then Aida clapped.

"Amazing, you knew it without seeing the list." Aida complimented. "All of the above have been expelled."

"How could this be? Everyone's..." Erina started shaking.

"Hey now. Do you guys really have time to worry about the others?" Rindo said entering the room. "The one who's up against Aldini and Tadakoro-chan was me." she said which made Erina run out of the room.

"Welp, I told you to prepare for the worst. Go follow her, Megu and Taku are there." you said then Soma pat your head before running out.

"I'm surprised you aren't worried for them. Now I shall take my leave." Aida said then exited. You watched him before he disappeared. You then punched the wall then your knuckles bled.

"Of course, if I showed you I was worried for them I can't take advantage of this situation anymore." You replied punching the wall repeatedly.

"(N-Nickname)! Stop! Don't blame yourself." Hayama said. "(Nickname)! Your fist is bleeding!" Hayama said worriedly.

"I'm fine Aki." you then called your dad.

"Dad. Send bandage on your way will ya?" you replied then ended the call and called Azami.

"Greetings."

; Who is this?"

"Come on Azami-dono you don't even remember my voice?" you asked then there was a pause for a minute.

; Ah, Yamaguchi what can I do for you?"

"Well, I have a request that you'll love. I'll be waiting at the rooftop.." you said and ended the call.

"(Nickname), do you have a plan up your sleeves?" Rindo asked so you smirked.

"Of course. I'll be taking my leave, excuse me." you said but then Hayama hugged you making Rindo smirk, and Jun giggle.

"I missed you." Hayama said.

{Hayama Akira's Ending Story: Unlocked}

"Me too. But I really have to go. I'm sorry Aki." you said and pulled away before rushing outside. You peeked outside by the doorway.

"Wait you mean..." Erina said.

"Yep, we just need to take the majority of the seats on the Elite Ten." Soma said. "Us right here. Through Shokugeki."

"Hilarious." you said then laughed so they looked at you as you entered.

"(Reader)-chan this isn't a matter of laughing!" Erina said.

"What? You think if you became one of the Elite Ten right now, you can do whatever you'd like?" you asked Soma.

"Kuga, Isshiki and Megishima-san were expelled because they've gone against Azami-dono." you said then sat on the counter.

"Do you guys not trust me? I told you I had already planned something, right?"

"Ah, now the sense of excitement is gone. Erina you can still catch up with Azami-dono. He'll be leaving soon if you don't hurry." you said before leaving them.

You looked at your throbbing fist and laughed. You were downstairs waiting for your dad, Senzaemon-dono and Saiba-san. When you noticed them, you waved at them.

"You've gone prettier since the last time I saw you (Reader)!" Joichiro said then pat your head.

"My daughter is the prettiest, right Joichiro?" your dad said then they laughed as you head for the elevator.

"Also, a very talented lady! Is she really your daughter Kazu?" Senzaemon-dono said which made you laugh.

"What do you mean by that Senzaemon-dono?!!" your dad exclaimed. "I brought you bandage, what do you need it for?" you showed him your fist then he gasped.

"What did you do? Who angered you?" he asked.

"Azami-san did." you muttered then he wrapped your fist with the bandage.

When you were on the rooftop only the loud chopper and gush of wind was heard. "Here's some advice. If you want to negotiate you need to have something to wager." Azami said then Saiba ruffled Soma's hair.

"Yo! Azami it's been so long huh." your dad greeted.

"No need to talk to my precious son that way." Saiba said. Azami then looked back to see his precious senpais.

"D-Dad?!" Soma asked.

"Saiba Joichiro?! Saito Kazu and Senzaemon-dono too!" Takumi exclaimed.

"Hey, Soma. I heard you got your revenge on Shiomi's apprentice!" Saiba said laughing. "Good for you!"

"Stop messin' with my hair!" Soma yelled. "Why do you always randomly pop up from nowhere?!" Soma asked.

"Oi, are you courting my daughter?" your dad asked Soma out of nowhere so you pinched your dad's cheek. "Ittai!!"

"Hey, Erina-chan. You've grown up so much." Saiba said.

"Sorry to butt in like this but we need to talk to your dad." your father said.

"Nakamura, I'd say Soma's idea isn't half bad." Saiba said.

"Yeah, why don't we have one of those?" my father said. "A Team Shokugeki."

"A rare but traditional twist on the Shokugeki where groups of chefs clash A Regiment de Cuisine." they said in unison before grinning.

"Saiba-senpai, Saito-senpai you clearly don't understand anything. As soon as I took the director's seat from Senzaemon-dono, my plan was 90% complete. What I'm currently doin-"

"Come on Azami, don't be so cold to your senpais." your Dad said then laughed. "If we lose, Joichiro and I are willing to become one of your little soldiers."

Soma, Erina, Megu and Taku gasped. "What does that mean?" Azami asked.

"I'll abandon all my ideas and beliefs and become your servant to help you with your salvation or whatever. Of course, that also means I'll close down Yukihira for good." Joichiro said.

"I'll close my Yamaguchi restaurant too." your Dad said then ruffled your hair.

"Are you sure about this?" Azami asked.

"Yeah. / Of course." Saiba and your Dad said in unison.

"Very well! Saiba-senpai, Saito-senpai this makes me so happy." Azami added. "Today is a wonderful day, a very good day!"

"Could you not talk as though you've already won?" Takumi asked. "We're going to win, no matter what! We'll get our friends back and we won't let you close down any diner or restaurant!" Takumi said.

"I'm still scared but I want to save everyone!" Megu said.

"I am very delighted by your gift (Reader)." Azami said smiling at you. "I look forward to our day of battle." he said. "Now them we can hash out the details another day."

"Now then, time to get started on your special training." Saiba said then pat your head. "You've done well (Reader)."

"If we take on the Elite Ten right now, there's no way we're going to win." your Dad said. "That's why we're going to conserve our strength and prepare for battle."

"Let the training begin." Saiba said.

🍽

"Hey, Saito-senpai, Dad. Are you seriously going to put Yukihira and Yamaguchi on the line?" Soma asked.

"Yup. / Yeah." Saiba and your Dad answered.

"Seriously? First you shut the place down and now you're wagering it on a bet." Soma said. "Could you have some respect for the place?"

"What? You actually don't think we're going to win?" Saiba asked then ruffled Soma's hair.

"Wow talk about pathetic! Is he really your son Joichiro?" your Dad asked then pat your head. "I bet my place one time and my daughter won it!" he bragged.

"Yeah! I've heard of that abroad. Maybe (Reader) is really my daughter and Soma is your son?" Saiba asked.

"Impossible." your Dad said then they laughed together.

"Stop messing my hair! Shut up! We're gonna win!" Soma said.

"Sorry, this was the only leverage we had." Saiba said.

"I should also probably apologize for all of this as well." Gin said appearing out of nowhere.

"Me and (Reader) were actually the one who arranged for Joichiro, Kazu and Senzaemon-dono to be there today." Gin said.

"We've been working in secret for some time now to come up with a strategy. I can't blame you if you think we've been using you." Gin said.

'We did?' you thought confused.

"I sincerely apologize." Gin said then bowed.

"There's no need to apologize. On the contrary, if you, Saiba-san or Saito-san didn't intervene, we wouldn't have been able to get this Shokugeki at all." Takumi said then your father and