beneath tangerine skies | eishi tsukasa

― 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 ;

CHAPTER FOUR | BITTER TASTE

These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence: the connections-sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at great cost, but often magnificent- that happened after I was gone. And I began to see things in a way that let me hold the world without me in it. ― The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

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"Totsuki Culinary Academy recognizes your talents and so, we would like to offer you a special position amongst the Elite Ten Council." Sachiyo eyed Tsukasa who quite shakily announced the words written by Nakiri Senzaemon himself which was approved by the shareholders and the council itself.

Sachiyo sent a comforting smile at the male before narrowing it in a manner that looked different from how she did it before, "you have the Ten Seats occupied and unless you're saying you're willing to kick out one of you, you have nothing to offer me."

"On normal situations, yes. But with just your presence in the school, we've received more investors and clients than we've had in almost two decades. You're that powerful and Totsuki is very grateful for trusting it as your school. As appreciation, the Headmaster made a new seat just for you with powers equal to the First Seat's." Rindou explained while Sachiyo looked as disinterested as ever.

Sachiyo uncrossed her legs, stood up, "I have enough things to worry about right now. I apologize but I must decline."

The ten other people in the room looked in shock as the female declined the highest offer the school can give to a student without any sort of hesitation or regret.

"I'm sorry but did you just decline? The benefits―" Nakiri Erina was cut off by the female's loud sigh. She looked at each and every one of them with an unreadable expression before she huffed and placed a hand on the table.

"Listen little Nakiri. This school has nothing to offer me that can catch my attention. Everything this place has, I have, if not more than that. You know that the Yamada's are powerful but you never considered to what extent and I made that possible. Being in the Elite Ten is going to do nothing but add another pile of paperwork in my desk, a lot of unnecessary shokugekis on my plate and a whole other set of fanboys and stalkers that I'd rather not deal with. So no. Unless you give me a proposition that actually sounds worth it, I'm declining. I also won't involve myself further with the backlash you'll receive if you don't do anything with my presence here."

"If that's all we're discussing―"

"Wait!" Sachiyo looked at Eishi who was staring her down. Tilting her head, Sachiyo smiled softly before nodding.

"Yes?"

"What if we hand you the seat, with the same benefits but you'll have authority over any of us in this room?"

Sachiyo raised a brow while everyone else looked just as aghast, "Dearest Eishi, are you so desperate that you're suggesting a position higher than yours?"

"Don't be too arrogant, I'll be taking that seat sooner or later."

Sachiyo cackled, "Arrogant? You're the one who's being arrogant here. Don't challenge anyone you can't take on."

"I can take you on, Sachi. I'm not the same boy you met two years ago."

"Oh honey, you're mistaken if you think I am the same girl too. If you're that confident with your skills then fine. I'll take that seat. Have my office prepared as soon as possible and call me if you're doing your meetings. And have someone bring all the financial reports and analytics from the last decade to me. See you all next time." Sachiyo sent a victorious smirk, eyes settling on a fuming Eizan a second longer, before moving out of the room. It seemed like every time Sachiyo leaves, a trail of silence followed as everyone took a minute to process every word that managed to slip from her lips.