Terunori Kuga, a 91st Generation student at Totsuki Culinary Academy, began as the Elite Ten Council’s Eighth Seat. Born into wealth, his childhood travels cultivated a passion for Sichuan cuisine, which defined his culinary identity. He temporarily lost his seat for opposing Azami Nakiri’s takeover but reclaimed it after Central’s downfall, rising to the Third Seat. The shortest male Elite Ten member, Terunori boasts spiky dark brown hair with blond streaks, slanted brown eyes, and round stud earrings. He wears the standard uniform casually, sans tie, while adopting a gold-accented Changshan during cooking to honor Chinese traditions. Outgoing and brash, he bonds swiftly yet provokes peers—mocking Nene Kinokuni’s rigidity or Etsuya Eizan’s mercenary tendencies. He dubs rivals like Soma Yukihira “Yukihira-chin,” channeling a competitive drive focused on surpassing higher-ranked chefs. Any remark on his height triggers explosive reactions. As president of the Chinese Cuisine Research Society, he transformed it into a Sichuan-focused powerhouse, enforcing rigorous training. His leadership merged discipline with protectiveness, notably defying Central to preserve the club’s independence. At the Moon Banquet Festival, his Sichuan booth dominated sales, clashing fiercely with Soma until the latter’s grit earned his respect. A humiliating first-year defeat by Eishi Tsukasa ignited his obsession for a rematch. During the Regiment de Cuisine, he challenged Tsukasa with a smoked pork dish blending Sichuan and French techniques. Though defeated, his relentless assault drained Tsukasa’s stamina, aiding the rebel alliance’s strategic win. Once a self-serving rival, Terunori evolved into a vital rebel ally, mentoring Soma in Sichuan cooking and collaborating with peers. His growth shone during the Promotion Exams, trusting others’ skills and prioritizing team success over personal glory, marking his shift from solitary ambition to collective resolve.