Gale-Dragon: This is what I get for my easily distracted mind... I really should have worked on Amefuto isn't Just for Boys, oh well, enjoy.

Betaed by The Undying Will

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Notes:

"Talking"

'Thinking'

(Author commenting)

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Shokugeki no Sōma: Nashi Saito de Chīfu. Chapter 1: The Entrance Exam.

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Nakiri Erina and her assistant/best friend Arato Hisako walked into the hall where the Entrance Exam was being held. There had to be at least fifty students in the room, most of them gasped in fear when they saw Erina, heiress to the Nakiri Food Empire and the one with the tongue known as the Divine Tongue, or God's Palate.

"What are the guidelines for this test?" Erina asked Hisako, who looked at a clipboard and said. "First, interviews in groups of ten based on application. Next, each candidate will cook two or three trial dishes. Those who pass this stage will then–" Erina interrupted by saying that all of that was tedious. After a few seconds, the honey blond told the pinkette to bring her the ingredient counter.

Once the looooooong cart of ingredients came to a stop, Erina picked up a single egg and stated that this object will be the main ingredient and added. "Each of you will prepare one dish. Those who please my palate will earn entrance to the Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute. However, for the next one minute only, I will accept all withdrawals from this test without question."

A stampede of feet rushed towards the door.

"Was that wise?" Hisako asked Erina, who replied. "You saw them. They were a pack of talentless incompetents. My time is too precious to waste on the worthless. This clears my schedule for the day, correct? *Hisako nods* Then I will return to my private kitchen and work on a new recipe." Hisako was oozing with utter joy over the thought of a new dish from the honey blond.

"Well, excuse us for wanting to take this test and wasting your so-called "precious time", princess. In all honesty, if you didn't want to oversee this entrance exam, then you should have gotten someone else to do this," said a voice from the side, which immediately got Erina's and Hisako's attention.

There standing in the middle of the room were two fifteen-year-old teens. One was a boy with short spiky natural blazing red hair, wore black slacks and shirt, had a scar over his left brow, and had golden-yellow eyes that seemed to glare in the light. The other was a girl with short rounded brownish-black hair, wore her junior high school uniform (for girls btw) had cocoa-colored eyes. "Sōma, you could've said it in a more polite tone," the girl stated plainly.

The boy, Sōma then stated equally as plainly. "Yeah, I could've Mayu, but if evaluating potential students for this school is 'a waste of her precious time' then she shouldn't have even agreed to do this."

The girl, Mayu, sighed. "That is a good point."

"Wait, are the two of you willing to take MY test? There's still time for you to withdraw," Erina said as calmly as possible despite the fact that this boy was being rude to HER. She figured that the boy didn't know who she was, yes, that was it; no one who knew who she was would EVER talk to her in such a manner.

With a smirk, Sōma said "Nope, I'm not withdrawing. I'm here to take an entrance exam to get into this school unless you have better things to do with your 'precious time', princess. If so, then I think I'll send a nice call to your grandfather stating that you refused to do your job as an entrance examiner, I'm sure he'll be less than pleased that his so-called heir didn't want to do her job."

Mayu scoffed. "Not to mention she's practically being an utter disgrace to the Elite Ten as a seat."

Both Erina and Hisako's eyes widened. These two KNEW exactly who the honey blond was!

With that smirk still on his face, Sōma stated. "Yeah, we know who you are princess, and we don't care. From what Pops tells us about this place, cooking is the only thing that matters and that pedigree is second at best. So, unless you can somehow see and taste the food into the future, you still got a job to do."

Mayu then said. "If I recall correctly, the main ingredient was an egg. So, as long as that is featured, it doesn't matter what you make, Sōma."

The redhead unraveled a white bandanna from around his left wrist and tied it around his head, causing his hair to move away from his eyes. "I've got the perfect dish in mind, Secret Menu Item #8."

Mayu smirked. "Oh? I wonder if the princess isn't too high up on her horse to try it."

Now Erina was red with rage. These two were just talking about her like she wasn't even in the room!

Sōma smirked. "If she doesn't even bother to taste it, we'll just call Nariki Senzaemon and tell him that his granddaughter wasn't doing her job properly. Pops said to drop his old name if that happens."

With a smile, Mayu said. "Okay~, now let's grab some ingredients so you can start cooking."

"Hisako! Who are these two?!" Erina whispered with anger as soon as the duo had turned away from them. Hisako quickly flipped through the papers to find the two. After a few minutes, Sōma was already started cooking, after Mayu organized the ingredients. Hisako found the transcript for Sōma, but she didn't find Mayu's transcript.

Before either the pinkette or the honey blond could read the all of the red head's transcript (they only read that the boy's name was Yukihira Sōma), the brunette snatched the paper out of the assistance's hands. Mayu waved the paper a bit. "You can read this AFTER you try his dish. The last thing I want happening is for my twin is for a closed-minded princess to show prejudice against him."

Erina glared at the brunette when she thought 'How dare she-! Wait? Twin?' "You two are related?" The honey blond asked, now with a completely shocked look on her face.

"Yes, we're fraternal twins (1), Sōma's older," Mayu said with a calm look on her face. Erina and Hisako looked at the brunette, then at the cooking red head, back at the brunette, and now at the redhead again.

'Those two don't look like they're related,' The blond and the pinkette thought at the same time.

"Seriously? You two never seen fraternal twins before? Not all twins HAVE to look similar you know." Mayu stated plainly, she seemed to know what the two were thinking.

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Ten minutes after Sōma started cooking, Erina still couldn't figure out what the redhead was making. All she knew was that he was steaming rice in a large pot and had an even bigger pot cooking something she couldn't see. Another thing that puzzled Erina was Sōma's movements as he cooked.

When he cut the spring onions, he held a small, thin metal rod in-between his left index and middle fingers as he chopped the green food with his right. As soon as the knife hit the metal rod, Sōma would stop cutting, place the knife down, and felt the spring onion. 'Why would he need to use a metal rod while cutting?' Erina wondered.

When Sōma would need to taste something on the stove, he held his hand at shoulder level and waved it over the stove. When the redhead felt the heat from the pot's contents, he lowered his hand a bit and moved that hand around the steam until he felt the ladle handle. Once Sōma finished tasting the food, he'd tap the ladle on the edge of the pot before placing it back in. 'Eesh, the pot's right in front of your face,' Erina thought with a slightly peeved look on her face.

The eggs finally came out, and once again Sōma made strange movements. Erina watched as he held a small bowl with his left hand in place and held an egg in his right hand. What the honey blond thought was odd was the fact that the redhead gently slid the egg on the counter until it softly hit the bowl, rather than simply picking it up. Sōma traced the side of the bowl with the egg until it reached the rim. With a swift flick of the wrist, the redhead cracked the egg on that rim and skillfully dumped the egg's content in the bowl with just his right hand. Sōma walked over to the sink dropped the eggshell in it, walked back to the yolk filled bowl, traced his fingers across the table until he found a pair of chopsticks, and started whisking the yolk and egg whites.

Erina wasn't sure what annoyed her more, the fact she couldn't figure out what he was making or the fact that all of those weird movements were distracting her thoughts about the dish.

"Mayu, could you help me with the plates?" Sōma asked his sister, who happily said sure and walked to her brother, with the transcript in hand.

'Seriously? This guy can't even prepare a dish on a plate,' Erina thought sourly as she watched as the brunette used the ladle to scoop rice onto a white bowl as the redhead cut something up and carefully placed it into a square cup.

The honey blond wanted to know what it was, so she quietly walked to where she could see the object better. Erina didn't get the chance to look. The moment she got in view of the food, she saw that Sōma wasn't even looking at what he was doing! The honey blond took a step back, she thought that the light was playing tricks on her; because it looked like the red head's eyes seemed glazed over. Erina quietly walked backward to where she was originally standing. It didn't seem like Sōma saw her.

~}i{~

Mayu placed the bowl of white rice in front of Erina and Hisako. 'What's that for?' both thought at the same time as the redhead held up the squared cup full of scrambled eggs. Hisako noticed that something glittering underneath those eggs.

"Would you like to do the honors, Mayu?" Sōma asked his twin, who smiled and said, "I would love to." The brunette took the square cup and simply dumped the eggs and the translucent gold cubes onto the steaming rice.

After two seconds, the golden cubes started melting onto the rice and eggs. Erina could smell the scent of chicken in the air. "This is Yukihira Family Restaurant's Secret Menu Item #8, Morphing Furikake Rice," Sōma said with a smile as Mayu sprinkled some of the chopped spring onion onto the dish.

It... Looked... Very Good...

Erina flipped her hair and said. "Fine, I'll give you the honor of me tasting your dish."

"Whatever you say, princess." Sōma stated as he slid the steaming bowl to the honey blond, "Dig in."

Erina picked up a pair of chopsticks and carefully picked up a bit of the golden covered rice and egg. It smelt heavenly, as the honey blond placed the food into her mouth.

Erina was utterly lost in the heavenly taste of the food.

"So what's the verdict princess?" Sōma asked as Mayu held back a chuckle. Erina flushed red. How could SHE forget to judge the dish!

"It's ok to take another bite, I'm sure you can make time," Mayu said with a cheerily evil smile.

"SH-SHUT UP! I just want to be sure before I make my decision!" Erina stuttered out before taking her second bite.

"You used an Aspic," Erina said once she realized what the texture was.

"Bingo! Those gelatin cubes under the egg are Chicken Aspic," Sōma said with a smile. So THAT was what the redhead was cooking in the enormous pot.

That was when Erina thought. 'I see, in other words... The Aspic is really a thick, rich and savory soup! The full-bodied and salty flavor of the Aspic broth brings out the soft, mild sweetness of the egg perfectly. Not only that, each bite is a heaven of fluffy smoothness. In every way, the Aspic is emphasizing and magnifying the deliciousness of the egg!'

The honey blond took another bite of the dish. Erina flushed as she thought 'This Flavor! It's unlike anything I have ever tasted before! It's almost like being stroked by the soft, white feathers of angels!'

"Hisako, hand me my stamp!" Erina gasped through pleasure. The pinkette nodded and handed the honey blond a PASS stamp. Mayu handed Erina the transcript and the blond immediately stamped the paper without reading a single word written on it.

"Congratulations, you're officially a student of Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute," Erina said coolly the moment she regained her composure and stated. "You will receive a Letter of Acceptance in the mail in a week or so, and the Entrance Ceremony will be in a month. So don't be late."

With a smile, Sōma said. "Thank you for your time."

"Now that this is out of the way, let's head home and tell Pops," Mayu said with a cheery smile.

The redhead smiled, "He'll be really happy I got in," and walked out of the hall with his twin. Hisako looked through the papers again, and still no transcript saying that the girl was here to transfer. So, why did she even bother to come here? Was it to cheer her twin brother on? Or was there another reason for her to be here?

Erina closed her eyes and gave a sigh in relief, she was glad this was over. When she opened her eyes, she looked at the transcript. "His family owns a small diner in a shopping district..." Erina muttered out. Exactly three seconds later the honey blond shouted. "A SECOND-RATE COOK MANAGED TO PLEASE MY PALATE! HOW THE HELL IS THAT POSSIBLE?!"

"Erina-sama, calm down," Hisako said gently as she rubbed the heiress's shoulders and added. "It was a lucky dish, nothing more. Besides, he won't last long at Totsuki."

Erina immediately calmed down at that thought.

"You're right, Hisako, you're absolutely right. A second-rate chief like him won't last a week, and I'm going to enjoy the moment he gets expelled from Totsuki. Serves him right for tricking my Divine Palate," the honey blond said calmly as she flipped her long hair.

Unbeknownst to Erina and Hisako, Nariki Senzaemon saw and heard the entire thing. Once the girls left, leaving the innocent paper behind, the Headmaster of Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute walked into the room and took a bite of the Morphing Furikake Rice. The muscular elderly man grinned. This dish was perfect for his school! Senzaemon looked at the entire transcript, his eyes widened at a certain part of it. With a smile back on his face, the Headmaster said to himself. "No doubt about it, this boy is not just perfect for Totsuki, he WILL usher in a bright new age for chefs starting at Totsuki."

~}i{~ One Month Later ~}i{~

Erina finished her speech and was now sitting in her seat listening to her grandfather telling every single student that made it to the high school division that only 1% of them will actually graduate as diamonds from Totsuki. She pitied them, or at least the ones that were the same age as her, mostly because she thought that the best they could achieve at Totsuki would be second place. The honey blond assumed that she would obviously be in first place. "And now, a few words from the only student to transfer into this school, I must ask that all of you be patient for a moment," Senzaemon said, ending his speech as he walked off the stage. Erina frowned at that, she felt insulted that a second-rate chief actually made a dish that satisfied her tongue. Oh, she couldn't wait until he flunked out.

Tap, tap, tap.

"What is that annoying sound," Erina asked in an annoyed tone. Hisako immediately stated she didn't know.

Tap, tap, tap.

"Is it always easy for you to get annoyed, princess?" asked someone walking up to the honey blond and pinkette. The moment the two turned their heads, the owner of the voice stopped walking.

It was Yukihira Mayu. "What are you doing here? You never even cooked me a dish," Erina said in a huff.

"Oh? The Headmaster didn't tell you? I have special permission to be here," Mayu said with a smile.

"Why would Grandfather give YOU special permission to be here? You're from a diner and you probably don't even cook," the honey blond asked in a snooty tone (well, not to be rude or bash Erina, but she IS asking in a rather rude tone).

Tap, tap, tap.

With an evil glint in her eyes, Mayu said harshly. "This was precisely why I called you a closed-minded princess. You immediately assume that I can't cook because I never cooked a dish for you during the transfer exam AND you are being a brat because Sōma cooked a dish that had you quaking in pleasure even though he was from a diner. I bet neither of you never read the rest transcript after you saw that our family runs a diner."

Erina raised a brow and asked, "So what if I didn't?"

"Then you are nothing more than a closed-minded brat who can't even see past your nose," Mayu spat with venom as she walked by towards the stage.

Hisako was about to say something when Senzaemon stated. "She has a point."

"Grandfather! How could you let her be rude to me! And what do you mean by her having a point!" Erina asked with reddened cheeks.

Senzaemon stared at his granddaughter for a second before saying "Would you have even bothered trying Yukihira's dish if you knew his background?" The honey blond opened her mouth to say something but closed it right away. The Nakiri Head was right; Erina wouldn't have given the redhead a chance. "He's on stage now. I want you to pay close attention to him. He's the one that will help you forget about That Person," Senzaemon stated as he pointed towards the stage.

The honey blond huffed as she thought 'How could that boy help me forget Him?'

The moment Hisako and Erina's eyes landed on the redhead, they knew something was off.

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Yukihira Sōma was standing in the center of the stage, in his new school uniform, holding a white cane in his left hand, and standing in front of the mic that Senzaemon was using earlier.

Sōma took a deep breath and said into the mic "Ano, well, to start off... I'm glad I got accepted into the school my dad graduated from." Erina couldn't help but notice the red head's eyes. Those yellow eyes were glazed over! Just like during the entrance exam! So it wasn't the lighting!

Wait a minute...

Sōma continued his speech. "And just like my dad, I'll be taking the top spot at this school. So, don't be afraid to challenge me to a cook off~, but I'm telling you guys now that I don't plan on losing to anyone who has never served a single customer."

The redhead tapped his cane and smiled. "If any of you are wondering why I have this *indicates the cane*, I have it because I'm completely blind~."

'SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!' everyone in the audience thought at the same time.

Sōma now had a serious look on his face. "But, just because I can't see doesn't mean you should go easy on me, in fact, I WILL UTTERLY DESTROY ANYONE WHO DARE UNDERESTIMATES ME BECAUSE OF MY BLINDNESS."

Sōma then bowed, "I hope we all can get along for the next three years," and walked away from the mic, moving his cane against the ground along the way.

What just happened?

Mayu helped Sōma walk down the steps of the stage.

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Erina couldn't help but watch in utter shock as Sōma walked by swaying his cane against the ground in front of him with each step. The redhead made absolutely no indication that he saw anything before him.

Now all of those weird things Sōma did during the entrance exam made sense to Erina. The thin metal rod he held between his fingers, feeling around for stuff, and the fact that he couldn't prepare the entire dish by himself. It all made sense.

Mayu glared at Erina as she and her twin walked by.

As soon as the twins were out of sight and hearing range, Senzaemon said to Hisako and Erina, more to the honey-blond "Erina, just forget his background and just remember that he will be the one to change the cooking industry for the better. Also, you might want to apologize to the two of them for your behavior." With that, the headmaster left his granddaughter and her friend to their thoughts.

Erina couldn't help but wonder though, how could a blind chef change the world or even cook a dish?

~}i{~ Chapter 1; End. ~}i{~

1; I made Mayu and Sōma twins in this fanfic because A) I wanted to and B) I didn't want to create an OC to be Sōma's helper.

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Gale-Dragon: I'd figure I'd do a different kind of Shokugeki no Sōma. Reviews would be nice.