Build a dessert kingdom in Totsuki Academy

Yuzu Arisugawa is a transfer student at Tsukiyomi Academy, the world's premier culinary institution, where she enters the high school division alongside Souma Yukihira. Despite her beauty and confidence, Yuzu possesses a severe specialization in desserts, having spent three years at St. Mary's Academy, a school dedicated exclusively to pastry arts. Her knowledge of savory cooking is virtually non-existent, a fact that causes her significant anxiety as she faces the ruthless win-or-lose selection system of Tsukiyomi. She is accompanied by Puff, a visible and audible dessert spirit who serves as her partner and moral support. Yuzu's family background is extraordinary; she has four older brothers and cousins who are top-tier talents in acting, tennis, and invention, creating immense peer pressure for her to succeed. Her primary goal is to graduate from Tsukiyomi and establish herself as a top chef, but she must first overcome her inability to cook anything beyond sweets.

Upon arriving at her new apartment, Yuzu encounters her neighbors, Ryotan Kobayashi and Eisuke Shi. Ryotan is a third-year student and the second seat of the Elite Ten, the school's governing council of top chefs, while Eisuke is the current first seat. Their initial meeting is marked by awkwardness and Yuzu's accidental exposure of her culinary limitations. When she offers them coffee jelly, her only skill, she inadvertently reveals that she cannot cook proper meals. Ryotan takes pity on her and agrees to cook dinner, while Eisuke provides blunt, critical feedback, suggesting she might be better off withdrawing from school. Despite this harsh reception, Yuzu is intrigued by Eisuke's cooking and declares her ambition to surpass him and reach the top of the Elite Ten, a declaration that shocks the first seat.

Yuzu's academic struggles become apparent during her first cooking class, where she is paired with Souma Yukihira for a Burgundy Red Wine Beef Stew assignment. Lacking any understanding of the dish, she relies entirely on Souma, who guides her through the process. This experience highlights her desperation to learn and her determination to improve. She visits the Polar Star Dormitory, where Souma resides, to receive tutoring from its members. There, she meets Megumi Tadokoro, Yuki Yoshino, and Kei Isshiki, who welcome her and offer to teach her various cooking techniques. Yuzu contributes by making a Citrus Honey Soufflé using rose honey she carries, showcasing her high-level dessert skills even as she admits her ignorance in other areas.

A significant turning point occurs when Yuzu discovers that Eisuke Shi is the first seat of the Elite Ten. Rather than being deterred, she challenges him to a food battle, wagering her pride and demanding to be his student. Eisuke, initially reluctant due to his social anxiety and insecurity, eventually agrees after Ryotan manipulates the situation. Their dynamic shifts as Eisuke begins to teach Yuzu, focusing on her weaknesses in beef dishes. Yuzu's progress is rapid; within days, she creates a sukiyaki beef donburi that impresses Eisuke, who acknowledges her talent despite her beginner status. Their relationship evolves from adversarial to a mentor-student bond, with Eisuke taking a vested interest in her development.

The story expands beyond the academy when Yuzu attends a banquet at the National Tennis Training Camp, hosted by Eisuke and other Elite Ten members. She brings gifts for her cousin Keigo Shinkura and childhood friend Atobe Keigo, revealing her close connections to the tennis world. At the banquet, Yuzu interacts with famous tennis players, including Akaya Kirishima and Ryoma Echizen, whom she has supported online. She orders Eisuke to cook for her, trusting his skills, and enjoys his cheddar bacon savory scones. The event underscores Yuzu's ability to navigate different social circles while maintaining her focus on her culinary goals. As she continues her training under Eisuke, Yuzu balances her dessert expertise with her growing savory skills, aiming to prove herself as a versatile and formidable chef at Tsukiyomi Academy.