Food Wars: The Heaven's Senses

First Class

Everything was set for the opening ceremony of Totsuki Culinary Academy. The cherry blossoms' petals fluttered across the winds, falling upon the next batch of new high school students attending the new school year. Each student was from exceptional backgrounds with high levels of knowledge and class surrounding culinary and business management. And each would be hanging on for dear life during this year.

With a graduation rate of less than ten percent, all of the students knew that they would have to succeed by any means necessary.

As the students waited for the ceremony to start, the announcer came onstage to begin.

"We will now present our academy insignia." She said happily, "And our new freshman representative, Erina Nakiri."

"Thank you." Erina said, thanking the announcer and walking onto the stage.

"Ah! Ms. Erina. She's smoking as always." A student said.

"She's beautiful and top of her class. She's the perfect woman!" Another said.

"If I could just go out with her one time, I'd die happy." Another boy said with a blushing face, but was quickly shut up by his classmates. 

It is true that Erina Nakiri was deemed to be an exceptional woman, both in body and skills, but what Ms. Nakiri didn't know, was that there was one person who could have the slightest chance in taking her spot. And she was waiting in the back.

"And now, we will have our ceremonial address from the academy's director. Master Senzaemon Nakiri."

Just then, everyone went silent. A man wearing traditional Japanese robes came out onto the stage. He wore a stern expression that showed both his power and status in the culinary world. When he opened his eyes to look at everyone in the crowd, they could only cower in fear upon the sight of his glare.

"I welcome you." The headmaster said, his voice deep yet comfortable to the ear, "I congratulate you on making it to the high school division. For three years, you have learned the basics of food preparation while attending our middle school division. You have furthered your knowledge on ingredients. You have undertaken numerous drills in which you have had to prepare dishes. You have heard a wide variety of lectures, such as cooking theory, nutrition, public health, cultivation and managing a restaurant business. Now, as you stand on the precipice of the rest of your cooking lives, you will be facing challenges, not just of technique or knowledge, but your resolve to see if you can live as a professional chef. And that means ninety-nine percent of you can sacrifice yourselves to the cooking gods. To unveil those who move!"

Everyone in the crowd were either terrified for their futures, or cocky enough to think that they could make it through the academy without a hitch.

"We started the last year with 812 high school division freshmen, and those who were allowed to proceed on were just 76." The headmaster continued, "The menial are cast aside without mercy. Out of a thousand freshmen, only one hundred will remain to advance. And you will be able to count on one hand those who will reach graduation. The odds are not in your favor, but you.... you can make it happen! Study hard, cook hard. Best of luck to you."

The headmaster left the stage, leaving a new sense of determination rising within the students. However, Erina sat behind the screen standing behind the stage, a bright smirk on her face with a sense of premature victory heavy in her mind.

"And finally, I would like to introduce two new transfer students." The announcer said.

Two students stood at the edge of the stage, the boy of the pair looking down at the girl of the two, smiling happily and nervously as the boy walked onto the stage and up to the microphone.