The first chill of winter crept into Tōtsuki, frosting the windows of Polar Star Dormitory and painting the campus in pale morning light.
Kaoru Yukishima awoke to the sound of laughter and the scent of miso soup drifting from the kitchen.
For a moment, he allowed himself to savor the peace, the sense of belonging that had slowly taken root in his heart. But peace at Tōtsuki was always fleeting.
The day began like any other, with breakfast shared among friends.
The kitchen was a riot of sound and color—Soma flipping pancakes with reckless abandon, Megumi carefully arranging pickles on a tray, Yuki and Ryoko arguing over the best way to season rice balls.
Isshiki, in his apron and nothing else, serenely prepared tea, unbothered by the chaos.
Kaoru found himself drawn into the rhythm, helping Megumi slice daikon and laughing at Soma's latest kitchen disaster—a burnt omelet that somehow still tasted good.
As they sat down to eat, the conversation turned to the upcoming winter events.
Soma boasted about his plans for a new ramen recipe, Yuki teased Megumi about her growing fan club, and Ryoko shared a story about a failed experiment with purple sweet potatoes.
Kaoru listened, smiling, his worries momentarily forgotten.
For a brief time, he felt like any other student, part of a family bound by food and friendship.
But as the students filed into the main hall for morning announcements, a ripple of tension swept through the crowd.
The air was thick with anticipation, the usual chatter replaced by hushed whispers.
At the front of the room stood Eishi Tsukasa, the First Seat of the Elite Ten, his white uniform immaculate, his expression unreadable.
Beside him, Rindou Kobayashi lounged with her usual feline grace, her eyes glinting with mischief and challenge.
Tsukasa's voice was calm but carried authority. "Kaoru Yukishima. Step forward."
A hush fell. Kaoru's heart pounded as he made his way to the front, every eye on him.
He could feel the weight of the academy's expectations pressing down, the memory of his father's cold gaze flickering at the edge of his mind.
Tsukasa regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and challenge.
"Your performance at the Moon Festival has caused quite a stir. Some say your food is genius. Others say it's reckless, even dangerous.
As First Seat, it's my duty to ensure Tōtsuki's standards are upheld."
Rindou grinned, her voice playful but edged. "We want to see if you're the real deal, or just a flash in the pan."
Tsukasa continued, "I challenge you to a Shokugeki. The theme: harmony. You will face me in one week.
If you lose, you will cease all fermentation experiments outside the curriculum. If you win, you may propose a new elective for advanced fermentation."
A murmur ran through the hall. Kaoru felt the weight of expectation settle on his shoulders. He glanced at Erina, who met his gaze with a look of concern and encouragement.
Soma gave him a thumbs-up, Megumi squeezed his hand under the table, and even Isshiki offered a subtle nod of support.
Kaoru bowed, his voice steady despite the storm inside. "I accept."
The rest of the day was a blur. Students whispered as he passed, some offering encouragement, others warning him not to get his hopes up. In the kitchen, Kaoru's hands shook as he tried to focus on his work.
Doubt gnawed at him—was he really ready to face the First Seat?
He remembered the sting of failure, the echo of his father's disappointment, the nights spent alone in a cold kitchen, perfecting dishes that never seemed good enough.
He found himself drifting through the halls, lost in thought.
The world seemed sharper, every sound and scent heightened by anxiety.
He paused by the window, watching snow begin to fall, the flakes swirling in the wind.
For a moment, he let himself remember the past—the underground kitchens, the relentless pressure, the feeling of never quite belonging.
But then he heard laughter from the dorm, the sound of his friends calling his name, and the memory faded, replaced by something warmer.
That evening, the dorm gathered for an emergency meeting. Soma was the first to speak, his voice brash but sincere. "You've got this, Kaoru. Just do what you always do—blow their minds."
Megumi nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "We'll help you. We can test recipes, brainstorm ideas. You're not alone."
Yuki chimed in, "We'll be your taste testers! No one can handle weird food like us."
Ryoko grinned. "And if you need a pick-me-up, I'll make you my special energy drink. It's… mostly edible."
Even Isshiki, usually so laid-back, offered his support. "The Elite Ten are strong, but so are you. Trust your instincts. Remember, harmony isn't about being perfect—it's about finding balance."
Kaoru felt a surge of gratitude. For the first time, he realized he didn't have to face this challenge alone.
The fear that had haunted him for so long began to loosen its grip, replaced by the steady warmth of friendship.
Later, as the dorm quieted, Kaoru and Megumi sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by notebooks and jars of fermenting vegetables.
Megumi spoke softly, her voice gentle but firm. "Harmony doesn't mean losing yourself.
It means finding a way to bring everything together. Maybe… maybe you can show them that fermentation isn't chaos. It's balance."
Kaoru nodded, hope flickering in his chest. "Let's find out how."
As the night deepened, they worked side by side, the seeds of inspiration beginning to sprout.
Kaoru glanced at Megumi, her focus unwavering, and felt a sense of peace. Whatever happened, he knew he wouldn't face it alone.
Before heading to bed, Kaoru paused by the window, watching the snow settle on the campus below.
He thought of the challenge ahead, the risks and rewards, and the friends who believed in him. For the first time, he allowed himself to hope—not just for victory, but for a place to truly belong.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please gimme your power stones tehee.
Leave some reviews to let me know what went wrong in the writings and I'll try to fix it when I have time, or you can comment it down below.
P.S English is not my first language, it should be the third or fourth if I remember my languages correctly. xD
You can support me on patreon.com/WMROGER