Not long after.
Whether it was Yukino's charm or the members of the Culinary Research Club being genuinely friendly and helpful, the trio faced no difficulties or rejections after explaining their purpose. They smoothly gained access to the club's equipment and ingredients.
Upon learning that Yuigahama wanted to learn cooking, the Culinary Research Club's president, Yukihira Soma—a second-year student—patted his chest confidently, declaring he could help them and that teaching her some home-cooked dishes was no problem. A true chef, he said, was delighted to see more people enter the culinary world.
However, Yukino responded flatly, "I appreciate your kindness, but this is our club's business. Observing from the side and, if possible, not speaking would be the greatest help."
"Eh, I see…"
Soma's bright, sincere smile froze slightly. He scratched the corner of his forehead, where a white headband was tied, looking a bit awkward. The two other club members, who had been eyeing Yukino, immediately showed slight dissatisfaction, their earlier friendliness fading.
However, Yukino remained completely indifferent, unbothered by the shift in atmosphere or the faint hostility forming. She simply opened the refrigerator, inspecting the ingredients inside, pondering what dish to make.
Yukino only cared about herself, but Yuigahama couldn't ignore the tense atmosphere. To avoid being kicked out of the Culinary Research Club, she stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Um, thank you so much for your help… This is all because I asked Yukinoshita-san for assistance. I'm really sorry for interrupting your club activities!"
After expressing her sincere gratitude and earning some understanding from the others, Yuigahama couldn't help but tug at Yuu's sleeve, whispering, "Yuu-kun, Yukinoshita-san, she…"
"A second young lady who's never faced the harshness of the world—just let it slide."
Yuu said this in a teasing tone, ensuring Yukino didn't hear. Yuigahama found it odd. "Why 'second young lady'? Don't people usually say 'rich family's daughter'…?"
Yuu didn't answer the unimportant question, instead stepping forward to prepare and striking up a conversation with Soma, the vibrant red-haired, energetic-looking club president.
"President Soma, I'm Tenkuji Yuu from the Service Club. Pleased to work with you."
"Oh, pleased to work with you!" Seeing the friendly smile on Yuu's face, Soma forgot the earlier awkwardness, responding cheerfully and warmly.
After some casual small talk, Yuu familiarly slung an arm around Soma's shoulder, pulling him to a corner for a private conversation.
"Though it's a bit sudden, President, I have a suggestion…"
"If you want to make a bento, I'll teach you some simple, common dishes."
As she spoke, Yukino tied her apron strings, guiding the awkward Yuigahama to neatly put on her own apron. Arranging the ingredients neatly on a metal tray, Yukino rolled her clear eyes, glancing back and frowning.
"Where is he?"
"There." Yuigahama pointed to the adjacent kitchen counter.
The Culinary Research Club used an old home economics classroom as their clubroom, its layout unchanged: six kitchen counters arranged in a 3x2 pattern, each equipped with two stoves, a sink, and functioning water and gas lines.
Yukino looked up and saw Yuu with his back to them, chatting animatedly with the Culinary Research Club president. The two were so enthusiastic, it was as if they were old friends reuniting.
…What happened while she was focused?
Though slightly curious and surprised by the guy's social skills, for Yukino, the main task at hand was the priority. She quickly pulled her gaze back, looking at Yuigahama, who stood obediently waiting beside her, and shook her head helplessly. "Just ignore him. Let's start the lesson."
"Okay!" Yuigahama responded eagerly.
As Yukino finished washing her hands and prepared to explain the cooking steps and precautions, she noticed the stove at the neighboring counter was already lit. Yuu, now wearing an apron, was shouting to Soma, who stood at the third counter:
"The theme's Mapo Tofu, alright?"
"Oh? You'd better be careful, then. At my family's restaurant, this dish is a staple on the set menu!"
"You're the one who should be careful—don't cry when you eat it later."
"Hahaha! Bring it on, Yuu!"
Since when had these two developed a rapport where they called each other by name with such enthusiasm?
"…Why, how did it come to this?"
Setting down the ingredients in her hands, Yukino pressed her forehead as if nursing a headache. After sighing, she gestured for Yuigahama to wait a moment, then walked over to Yuu, who was washing a knife with his sleeves rolled up, and asked in a cold tone:
"Tenkuji-kun, we came here to fulfill Yuigahama-san's request, correct?"
Yuu paused briefly, then turned. "Correct."
"Then, sorry, what are you doing right now?"
One hand on her slender waist, the black-haired girl tilted her head slightly, waiting for his explanation with an expressionless face.
Yuu smiled and said, "Shokugeki."
"Shokugeki?" Yukino frowned, unfamiliar with the term.
"A cooking duel. Didn't I say? I want to show you my confidence in executing that plan…" Yuu shifted his gaze, washing and drying the kitchen knife before picking up a block of supermarket tofu from the sink.
"This is the perfect opportunity, and President Soma seems very interested, so let's start with cooking."
Yukino's eyes widened slightly, her small mouth parting in surprise. "You… you're not joking?"
"That ridiculous plan to openly challenge another club during the Club Exhibition to gain fame for the Service Club… You're seriously going through with it?"
"Why not?"
Placing the tofu on the cutting board, Yuu casually displayed his skill, slicing it a few times without even focusing his gaze on the tofu. After finishing, he extended his long, clean fingers and flicked them lightly.
The square tofu pieces scattered like toy blocks, wobbling with their soft, white bodies, gleaming with a clear white sheen on the cutting board.
"This…" Yukino looked shocked, glancing at the tofu, then at him. From that one cutting technique alone, she knew there was a clear gap in their cooking skills—such precise, effortless technique was something she couldn't achieve without years of practice.
As if enjoying her shock, Yuu couldn't help but chuckle. He heated a flat pan and began preparing the Mapo sauce.
"By the way, if I win this shokugeki against President Soma, he won't charge us for the ingredients or equipment, and we can also collaborate with the Culinary Research Club… So, Yukinoshita, just focus on teaching Yuigahama and don't worry about me here."
"When the dish is done, I'll give you both a plate to try."