Akira Hayama emerged from the slums of an unnamed nation as a nameless orphan, surviving through scavenging while enduring adult brutality. His fate shifted at a marketplace encounter with Jun Shiomi, a Totsuki Culinary Academy lecturer, whose interest in subpar spices he challenged using his exceptional olfactory talent. Captivated by his skill, Jun adopted him, securing legal guardianship and relocating him to Japan for structured culinary mentorship under her guidance. Professor Hayama, Jun’s former mentor and head of the Hayama Seminar, acknowledged Akira’s promise, becoming his godfather and granting his surname. This formalized Akira’s entry into Totsuki Academy, where he thrived academically and supported Jun’s spice studies. His unwavering loyalty to her—rejecting prestigious career opportunities to stay as her aide—stemmed from gratitude for rescuing him from destitution. Specializing in spice harmonization and scent mastery, Akira wielded his heightened sense of smell to craft multisensory dishes. His quiet confidence bordered on bluntness, openly targeting rivals like Erina Nakiri, whose "God’s Tongue" he considered a counterpart to his own gifts. In the 43rd Totsuki Autumn Election, he triumphed over Hisako Arato and Ryo Kurokiba before securing victory in a climactic three-way final against Ryo and Soma Yukihira. Compromised by Azami Nakiri’s takeover of Totsuki, Akira reluctantly joined Central to safeguard funding for Jun’s lab, adopting a detached arrogance that nearly secured him a bear meat Shokugeki win against Soma. His loss revealed his dependence on Jun’s influence, sparking introspection. Post-Azami’s downfall, he realigned with his principles, rejecting coercion to cook for communal joy. He later claimed the Council of Ten’s fourth seat, uniting with former adversaries to oppose forces like Le Cuisine Noir. Akira’s evolution saw him shed the role of Jun’s protégé to forge an identity rooted in self-defined purpose. Once defined by aloof rivalry, he embraced collaboration, balancing his sensory prowess with a renewed focus on uplifting others through cuisine.