The next morning, Soma hears the door knock and he finds a boy who seems to be from the Junior High Division, and he has a camera hanging around his neck, a long-range lens dangling from his side, and something that looks like a voice recorder.

"Yukihira-senpai! The real thing...Wow!" The boy says in awe.

But Soma isn't buying this as he pushes the boy down and grabs his arms, he asks, "Who are you? A spy?"

"No! You're mistaking!" The boy panics as Soma lets go. He asks, "So why are you here so early in the morning?"

"I'm Soutsuda Mitsuru! I am from the newspaper club! I'm in charge of delivering the morning newspaper today."

"Oh, so you're from the Newspaper club." Soma says with a sigh as he looks at the newspaper. "So you guys already know the Shokugeki, huh?"

"Yeah! Yukihira-senpai! Is it true that you know the true identity of the Phantom? The declaration has made senpai the talk of the whole academy!" Soutsuda says.

"But we have just decided yesterday, and you already know this in the morning newspaper..." Soma sighs.

"T.S' ability to get information is amazing!" Soutsuda says. "But it's an honor to think I would be able to talk to you in person. Yukihira-senpai! I have a special favor to ask of you. This next week, would you let me do a total coverage of you? When I first saw Yukihira-senpai in the election, I was deeply moved! Especially during the first round of the main tournament! you were against one of the favorites, Alice-senpai! Yet you were never intimidated and had a sweeping victory! The T.S has written that you will likely lose against Mimasaka-senpai, but I don't think so! All of my friends are also cheering for you. They say you're an amazing person for doing such a brave effort...while coming from a small shabby diner."

Soma sighs and says, "So that's what they think about me?"

"I came here of my own will. I'm only in a lower position since I'm in middle school, so they won't let me have any big articles. But, if I can successfully cover someone as important as Yukihira-senpai...I think I can become a first-rate newspaper reporter." Sotsuda says. "I don't even know if I'll get space for the article! But my feelings of wanting to go after Yukihira-senpai are real! I'll do my best on this coverage! So please, let me do it! Yukihira senpai!"

"I don't want to, just leave." Soma says with an uninterested tone as he leaves, but Sotsuda is so determined that he chases after Soma.

During the class, Megumi turns to Soma and asks, "Soma-kun, it's a lunch break, I was planning on going to the cafeteria, how about you?"

"I'm going to-" But he gets cuts off as Sotsuda comes with a lunch box. "Yukihira-senpai! I made lunch for you! If you don't mind...have some!"

"Sorry, I can't eat that. Sotsuda Mitsuru from the Newspaper club. I already have a girlfriend and I can't accept it." Soma says, causing everyone to be surprised.

"I told you that I won't accept any interviews." Soma says, but then the boy tells them about Soma's classes, and Megumi asks, "Isn't that stalking?"

"Come to think of it, I think I needed to buy some more herbs for the beef stew..." Soma says, and Sotsuda rushes off and yells, "I'll go buy some! I'll be back in a second! Please wait, Yukihira-senpai!"

"He's running incredibly fast..." Megumi says.

"He's interesting, like a dog or something. Well, I was looking for someone to try my dishes and give me objective opinions on them, so that's perfect."

"Sorry, Soma-kun. I wanted to help you, but I have classes in the afternoon..." Megumi frowns.

"It's okay, you don't need to apologize." Soma says to his girlfriend, and the other girls who are watching realize that Soma and Megumi are dating.

"Yeah, but tell me anytime you need help, we're all cheering for you. Do your best, Soma-kun." Megumi smiles.

"Yeah." Soma smiles as he goes to the kitchen that he gains from the Phantom. Sotsuda is also here and he asks, "Isn't this the kitchen where the Phantom won against the First Seat?"

"He gave it to me, after hearing how this kitchen belonged to my mother in the past." Soma says.

"Can you tell me what is your relationship with the Phantom? I would really want to know why he would reveal his identity only for you and even do a lot of things for you?" Sotsuda asks.

"If that's what you want to know, I'll tell you that the Phantom has Angel's Eyes as well, but he is stronger than me. With these ingredients, I can only think of 3 kinds of dishes to use, but for the Phantom, he can think of 6 kinds." Soma says, causing the boy to be surprised.

Soma starts to work on the beef stew and he manages to make one dish for Sotsuda, after tasting it, he finds it delicious, and he says, "I thought beef stew was a really sour dish, but senpai's is incredibly mild!"

"You noticed it, huh? The hidden flavor." Soma says. "I used the light brown Miso."

After explaining everything, Sotsuda thinks that Soma will win, but Soma shakes his head and says, "No, this was the first of my dishes that my Dad accepted to put into our diner's menu. And this is also the same dish I treated Mimasaka to yesterday."

"Why would you do that?" Sotsuda yells. "Why would you go and show your cards to your opponent?"

"The Phantom told me that Mimasaka can't trace people with Angel's Eyes. So I want to see how he works in the situation, and there's also the fact that he'll investigate what I'm making either way. What I want the most was to put us on equal terms, I guess." Soma says. "Our race will being from here at the count of three, this is our battle creativity!"

After trying out a lot of variations, Soma asks, "Mitsuru, which one was the best so far?"

"All of them were great." Mitsuru says.

"No, I need you to tell me how they were good, or what they're lacking." Soma turns around to see that Sotsuda has eaten all the stew. He yells, "I told you not to eat all of them whole! I would have the guys at the dorm eat what was left! Didn't I?"

"I can't leave over any of Yukihira-senpai's cooking!" Sotsuda says.

Soma sighs and says, "Maybe I should ask the Phantom's opinion."

"The Phantom? Are you going to ask the Phantom? This will be big news if I can get to see the Phantom face to face..." Sotsuda says with delight, but Soma says, "No, you're not meeting him, I am. There is a reason why the Phantom is mysterious."

After getting into the Phantom's office, which is very close to the Headmaster's office. After staying in there for a while, Sotsuda didn't see the Phantom and he asks, "So what does the Phantom tell you?"

"I won't be able to win this, and he thinks that my win against Alice is just sheer luck." Soma sighs, "But that's true. This dish is good for the people from downtown, but for those gourmets, they will be expecting more."

After that, they are back at the Polar Star Dorm, Megumi is also there as she wants to help out Soma. After a while, Sotsuda reveals the judges, and Soma says, "Oh? Dojima senpai, Hinako-senpai, and even Mizuhara Senpai are all coming!"

Megumi says, "Yeah...it reminds me back to the Training Camp..."

"Come to think of it, Hinako-senpai's assignment..." Soma thinks, and he has an idea, but they are cut off when Ikumi comes into the kitchen.

"What's wrong? you came pretty late." Soma asks.

"A gift. It's all as a member of the Donburi RS. It's not like I'm backing you. I just can't come to terms with a bastard like Mimasaka winning." Ikumi says as she hands over the bag of meat.

"Thank you, Nikumi." Soma says.

"Anyway, I won't forgive you if you get beaten by that bastard and quit cooking because of it! Got it?" Ikumi yells before she leaves.

Megumi asks, "Soma-kun, what is that all about?"

"I have an idea to put my Beef stew into action, but I need some privacy." Soma says as he kicks Sotsuda out of the kitchen. Then they decide to work together to make the stew.

When the time of the finals arrive, Soma walks into the stadium late, and Sotsuda says, "Yukihira-senpai! You're barely on time! What were you doing?"

"Sorry, I had something to do." Soma says.

"So, did you find an idea which will let you win against Mimasaka-senpai's trace?" Sotsuda asks.

"Angel's Eyes. That's all." Soma says as he enters the stage, and when he gets there, he says, "There's something I want you to tell Takumi. Watch my match, that's it."

When Soma looks onto the stage, they find that there are two more judges and they are Tsunozaki Taki, the second seat from the 88th generation, and Kikuchi Sonoka, the second seat from the 89th generation.

When they comment about Soma, Taki says, "To think that he's only been half a year since he transferred here, and he gets to know the true identity of the Phantom...just how dare he..."

Sonoka says, "But somehow I would want to see him lose...that way we will get to know the person who managed to beat us..."

"To think that you two are already trying to decide the outcome, just by looking at the data and your wishes..." Hinako sighs. "Having someone like that in a top kitchen must create a really strained atmosphere."

"Shut up! Thirties woman!" Taki yells.

"I'm not thirty! I'm in my twenties!" Hinako yells back.

"What's with those stretched-out words? Stop trying to act cute!" Taki retorts.

"Mizuhara senpai! Say something to her too!" Hinako says.

"Don't talk about ages face-to-face." Mizuhara says.

"Yes, Fuyumi-senpai." Taki sighs.

"Why do you only show respect to Mizuhara-senpai?" Hinako yells.

"That's a given. I just choose who I should respect." Taki says.

Dojima sighs, "They get along pretty well."

"Don't just laugh. Please stop them...Dojima senpai..." Sonoka says in a panic.

But as everyone watches Soma, he is trying to use the beef tail to make the stew, as it has the most gelatinous components. Erina realizes that he is using the same method Hisako used for her Soft-shelled Turtle Burger. And he is also using spices like Clove and black pepper to remove the bad smell and add a rich taste. However, Mimasaka is doing the same thing, much to everyone's surprise.

"And now, it is time to surpass you!" Mimasaka says as Soma watches his movements.

Here is a new chapter, and I made Phantom a very secretive person and how Soma swears to put his identity into a secret. And if you ask, Mimasaka can't trace who the Phantom is and those with Angel's Eyes, as they are very careful about their surroundings even in small areas. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the outcome of the battle.