Terunori Kuga is a cheerful and sociable third-year student at Totsuki Culinary Academy, leading the Chinese Cuisine Research Society and specializing exclusively in the sophisticated spiciness and umami of Sichuan cuisine. Holding the Eighth Seat in the Elite Ten Council, he displays a competitive and sometimes sadistic streak, openly mocking peers like Nene Kinokuni and Etsuya Eizan while disliking formalities; he prefers assigning nicknames like "Yukihira-chin" to Soma Yukihira. He reacts strongly to any remarks about his short stature. Born wealthy, he traveled internationally with his parents during childhood, leading to his early specialization in Sichuan cuisine. As a first-year, Kuga participated in the Autumn Election and later challenged First Seat Eishi Tsukasa to a Shokugeki, suffering a decisive loss. Overhearing Tsukasa didn't remember him fueled his determination for a rematch, proposing a condition: outperforming Tsukasa in sales during the Central area of the Moon Banquet Festival. During the festival, Kuga operated a booth in the Central area, leveraging his research society members' disciplined coordination to dominate daily sales with Sichuan offerings like meticulously consistent mapo tofu, emphasizing the addictive "má" (numbing) and "là" (spicy) flavors. Soma Yukihira positioned his booth nearby, serving Chinese-inspired dishes. Kuga initially dismissed Soma's challenge but later acknowledged his ingenuity when Soma adapted his strategy to address customer frustrations over long wait times, surpassing Kuga's sales on the fourth day. Though Kuga won overall festival sales, he failed to outpace Tsukasa, nullifying their rematch clause, yet his respect for Soma grew. When Azami Nakiri formed Central, Kuga refused to support its restrictive policies, resulting in his expulsion from the Elite Ten; he prioritized his research society's autonomy, finding Central antithetical to his belief in culinary fun and creativity. He allied with the rebel faction opposing Azami, participating in the Regimental Shokugeki. During this event, he faced Tsukasa again, preparing a Sichuan-French fusion sweet-and-sour pork dish. Though praised, his dish was overshadowed by Tsukasa’s refined technique. Kuga accepted the loss with dignity, taking pride in pushing Tsukasa to exhaustion and earning his respect. Following the rebels' victory, he regained his Elite Ten position as the Third Seat. Kuga demonstrates leadership and mentorship, training his research society members to master Sichuan techniques and later instructing Soma in spice utilization for Soma’s Promotion Exam match against Akira Hayama. His teaching style is strict yet supportive, reflecting his adaptability; during the rebellion, he collaborated with juniors and valued their skills over rigidly adhering to his culinary philosophy.