Even though he had always known his dad was unreliable, the current situation still shook Hachiman a bit.
It wasn't even about how sharp Hachiman's insight was—the real problem is, who would treat their own family, the ones they live with every day, like some detective and criminal drama?
And with a sister in the picture, this damn Joichiro's spotlight looked even dimmer. If you factor in that Hachiman is a siscon, then...
It really feels like Joichiro doesn't have much presence at all.
Still, when it came to his dad's words, he went along with it anyway. After all, it was just about making dinner, nothing too difficult.
This seems to be the first time Hachiman has cooked side by side with his dad, Joichiro. Usually, it's his sister Komachi standing in that spot. Only when he stood next to Joichiro did Hachiman really feel the pressure coming from him.
'So Komachi has been living under this kind of pressure all this time? She's amazing…'
Decades of hardship—if it had been Hachiman, he probably wouldn't have lasted. After all, the only things that have kept him going since childhood are being a siscon and having no friends.
The two of them didn't seem rushed while cooking together. Joichiro said he wanted Hachiman's help, but honestly, with his skills, he could've handled everything alone without breaking a sweat. While the two were in this strange situation, Marui on the side looked completely smitten with Joichiro. Just moments ago he looked exhausted, but now his energy had instantly come back.
That must be the power of an idol…
Ryoko: "Man, if this guy had shown that kind of spirit earlier, he probably wouldn't have almost gotten expelled."
Yoshino: "Yeah, seriously…"
There were a lot of dishes to make, but for Joichiro, it only took a short while to finish several at once. Just by the colors and smells alone, it was obvious they were top-quality dishes.
As for Hachiman, all he could really do was act as an assistant on the side. Sure, his skills had improved a lot compared to the past, but…
Keeping up with his dad was harder than any hellish school trip. For the first time, everyone saw Hachiman panting and out of breath. In just over ten minutes, sweat had completely soaked his back.
'So this is how he treated Komachi? Damn, that's cruel.'
Thinking that the struggle he was going through now was something Komachi had already started enduring ten years ago, Hachiman couldn't help but give Joichiro a resentful glance. Back at the [Hikigaya Diner], he had seen this scene plenty of times, but some things you can only truly understand once you experience them yourself—just like now.
Of course, Joichiro was still the same as always. Seeing Hachiman out of breath, he just slapped him on the back with his strong arm and showed that teasing smile.
"Hachiman, you've still got a lot to learn."
Most parents would be serious and strict when teaching, but Joichiro always had this weird way of saying things. Even if he was right, Hachiman couldn't argue. Still… why did it sound so annoying?
"Yes, yes, yes."
Meanwhile, Tadokoro Megumi, who had been watching everything, quietly walked over with a blue towel she had brought from the bathroom. While the father and son were still bickering, she had already stopped in front of Hachiman.
"Um, Hikigaya, here, wipe yourself off. You'll catch a cold."
Faced with the towel suddenly handed to him, Hachiman realized he hadn't even noticed Tadokoro because of his back-and-forth with Joichiro. And now…
It didn't seem right to refuse.
"Thanks, Tadokoro."
"No need! Just don't catch a cold."
Watching everything unfold, Joichiro once again gave a strange grin.
"Well, well, well, Hachiman. Not bad. As expected of my son."
Being said so by Joichiro, Tadokoro Megumi had lowered her head in complete embarrassment, a faint blush spreading across those innocent cheeks, while Hachiman had simply taken his dad's words as a whisper and simply kicked at Joichiro's thigh.
Ibusaki: "This father and son's way of talking... really is strange."
Ryoko: "Yeah, I thought so too."
Yoshino: "Finally, someone said it..."
Grandma Fumio: "Alright, alright, let's go eat before the food gets cold."
After a bit of playful messing around, everyone followed Grandma Fumio's words and gathered in the hall, waiting to taste the dishes of the former Elite Ten second seat, Saiba Joichiro.
As the dishes were being brought out one after another, Isshiki also poured everyone some juice brewed by Ryoko. But judging by the strange color...
It didn't look like normal juice.
Even so, no one at Polar Star Dorm seemed surprised. They were already used to things like this, and even their raising of the glasses was perfectly in sync.
"Well then, let's celebrate all of you surviving the school trip. Today, a grand feast!"
"Cheers!"
"Let's eat!"
Everyone's eyes were filled with excitement as they stared at the dozens of dishes on the table. They looked like they could barely hold back from digging in. For Hachiman, this was the first time he had seen such a sight.
It was just a meal, yet for some reason, everyone seemed nervous.
The first to break the ice was Grandma Fumio. Though old, her movements were quick and steady. She simply picked up a piece of lamb with her fork and took a bite. Seeing this, the others quickly followed.
The moment the food entered their mouths, it was as if a sparkling night sky unfolded before their eyes. The ancient scenery of India from two thousand years ago appeared so vividly that calling it a dish that crossed time and space would not be an exaggeration.
Tadokoro: "What's this sauce on the lamb?"
Ryoko: "I can really feel the impact this sauce brings."
Hearing their questions, Joichiro patiently explained:
"This is Harissa, a North African all-purpose seasoning made from chili peppers and other ingredients."
"Using Middle Eastern traditional cooking as the base, this time I added zucchini and curry powder."
Ryoko: "It's so delicious."
Ibusaki: "Joichiro, what's this one?"
He was holding what looked like a normal bowl of seafood ramen, but after tasting it, it revealed a flavor unlike anything ordinary.
Looking at his students, Joichiro couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Their pure eyes and their pursuit of perfection in cooking reminded him of his own younger days. It was something that made him linger in the moment.
Joichiro: "That's Zuppa di Pesce, a seafood soup. I added dried marinated catfish to a Ligurian-style seafood broth."
Marui: "Joichiro, what about this one?"
"And this too, please tell us!"
.....
Yoshino: "I'm so jealous, Hikigaya. You get to eat food like this every day!"
Hachiman: "Uh, it's not like I get to eat this every day, and besides..."
He was the only one at the table who hadn't touched his fork yet. Hachiman just sighed helplessly. Even though his dad usually cooked fine, every now and then he would end up making dishes so bad they'd scar you for life. Worse, they blended right in with his other food, so no normal person could tell them apart.
That's why the safest choice was to wait and see what the others ate first.
'It should be explained here—my dad's bad cooking isn't the kind you can spot easily. He doesn't make dishes that look awful. Instead, while cooking, he somehow manages to sneak in weird spices and seasonings so fast that no one could notice. A dish that should've been delicious turns into something almost impossible to swallow. And until you actually eat it, you wouldn't even know\...'
That's why, when it came to Joichiro's terrifying dark cooking, even Hachiman's sharp eye couldn't always tell for sure. After decades of experience, this wait-and-see approach was without a doubt the smartest thing to do.
He casually poked a piece of lamb with his fork. For everyone else, this was a dish once made by the former Second Seat of the Elite Ten, but for Hachiman, it was just one of his dad's simple dishes, nothing more. So…
"Dad, this one doesn't taste as good as the last time."
"And this one, and this one too. Is your cooking getting worse?"
Joichiro: "Idiot, maybe look at who's helping me in the kitchen."
Hachiman: "Now that you mention it, that makes sense."
After all, he couldn't keep up with Joichiro's speed at all, so of course the taste would end up different. That much was only natural. But… to everyone else, it wasn't that simple.
While living with Hikigaya at Polar Star Dorm, they all knew he had outstanding ability, but… being this picky with a dish from the former Second Seat, was that really okay?
Then again, it really did seem like something between father and son. Judging by how natural they were about it, this probably happened all the time. Which meant…
Isshiki: "I think I finally understand why Hikigaya-kun improves so fast."
Ryoko: "Why?!"
Yoshino: "You have to tell us!"
Isshiki just smiled faintly and shook his head.
"Even though Hikigaya-kun only started cooking recently, his sense for it is really sharp. You could say it's because of the way he was raised, so by now he's developed his own views on fine cooking."
"If Nakiri Erina was born with the 'God Tongue' as a gift from above, then Hikigaya-kun, you're basically a man-made 'God Tongue.' No… maybe even more than that."
"That crazy sharp nose, those eyes, and that scary insight — they've all been built up little by little."
Hikigaya clearly couldn't stand this kind of praise: "No, it's not like that. I'm just an onlooker. If you want to talk about skill, Erina, Alice, Yukinoshita, and even my sister, who all trained since childhood, are way ahead of me."
Joichiro added:
"Truth is, Hachiman's been lazy since he was a kid. He always talked about 'efficiency' — never standing when he could sit, never sitting when he could lie down. The fact that he turned out like this is mostly thanks to his own experiences."
Ryoko smiled: "That really does sound like Hikigaya."
Tadokoro: "Isshiki-senpai is right, but I also think Joichiro-san is right. Plenty of people have been trained in cooking since childhood, but Hikigaya is just an onlooker. I think his growth also comes from his own hard work."
Isshiki seemed to realize his words had a big hole in them. He nodded lightly, then looked at Hikigaya.
"Hikigaya-kun, how about telling us a story from the past?"
"Uh, I had a friend, uh, remember, a friend, he…"
"That 'friend' is you, right…"
"Idiot, I said it's not me."
"But You doesn't even have friends…"
"...."
The sudden silence was the worst. They seemed to notice a big hole in his story, and Hachiman couldn't keep going. Marui was right — he'd never had friends since he was a kid. That lie was way too weak.
No one pressed further. After all, this wasn't something that could be explained with words. With the mood as it was, not enjoying the food in front of them would've been a real waste.
They each forked a bite of perfect ingredients, and the residents of Polar Star Dorm felt like the dishes were washing their spirits clean, sweeping away the gloom that had built up lately. Each dish that seemed stiff on its own somehow opened their hearts when they ate it.
No matter what it was, they couldn't stop. Every dish was far above average in taste. And yet… it still wasn't enough.
In the far corner, Marui seemed to find something unusual. Its stunning appearance, matched with top-class ingredients…
"Awful!"
It seemed the plan finally worked. Even though Joichiro was already middle-aged, he burst into loud, happy laughter:
"That one, I tried to recreate a snake dish I ate last month. Totally awful, hahahahaha! I steamed it with the skin still on, no prep at all."
Hachiman: "Dad, you're going to scare people like that..."
Yoshino: "Hey, look, Marui's shrunk down again..."
Ryoko: "Guess that hit him pretty hard inside."
Grandma Fumio, who had been watching from the side, just gave a small laugh and said:
"Put the bad dishes aside, Joichiro."
"Who would've thought that the man once called the 'Shura' could make so many warm and friendly dishes now."
It was only now that Hachiman learned about that title, about his father in front of him. Turns out he knew almost nothing about him.
But…
Joichiro calmly replied:
"Once you have a kid, you can't be the same as before."
Grandma Fumio: "You really have an outstanding child, Joichiro. Someday, Gin will taste this kind of dish too."
Hachiman: "Gin... you mean Dojima Gin-senpai, right?"
Grandma Fumio nodded. As for Hachiman knowing Dojima Gin, Joichiro wasn't surprised at all. After all, he had seen Hachiman's cooking. That copy-like imprint—once you had seen Joichiro's dishes, with Gin's sharp eyes, he would never mistake it.
At last, Hachiman felt like he had found a clue. Back then, when Dojima Gin showed up in Chiba selling fish, he mentioned he was looking for someone. If his guess was right… it was his father. And he probably disguised himself like that so his father wouldn't notice.
Too bad… his dad just happened to be away on a trip then.
As for what happened between the two of them… Hachiman wasn't curious.
From the start, he had only been a bystander.
While Hachiman was lost in thought, Grandma Fumio pulled a photo out of a drawer. It was a picture of a young Dojima Gin and a young Joichiro Saiba.
Hachiman: "So that's how it is..."
No wonder his dad wanted him to come to this academy. He understood now. Still, being placed in the dorm where his dad and Dojima Gin once lived… that was partly luck. Or maybe Joichiro had already known there was no other place that could take him in.
Tadokoro: "That's amazing… even Dojima Gin-senpai came from Polar Star Dorm."
Grandma Fumio: "First Seat of the Council of Ten, Dojima Gin. Second Seat, Joichiro Saiba. Back when the two of them were here, Polar Star Dorm really entered its golden age. Whether it was winning Shokugeki matches, fighting for land, expanding the dorm's territory, securing food supply routes, or investing in kitchen equipment—every part of it was supported by them. It almost became like an independent campus."
Hachiman: "Uh, somehow that sounds like someone nowadays, a complete landlord."
Elsewhere, still working through Council of Ten documents, Nakiri Erina suddenly let out a yawn.
"Hmph, damn Hikigaya."
...
Grandma Fumio: "Speaking of which, the farmland you farm now, the fermentation house, even the chicken coop, all of it was gained thanks to Gin and Joichiro."
Faced with such an unbelievable record, everyone couldn't help but let out a few "wow"s. But Grandma Fumio looked a bit unsatisfied.
Well, since Joichiro hadn't come back much after that, and Hachiman had never heard of it before, it made sense she would feel that way.
As if she suddenly remembered something, Grandma Fumio crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and gave a faint smile:
"But you probably don't even know this yourself, Joichiro. The Polar Star Dorm you left behind years ago… was saved by your son Hachiman."
"As the dorm declined, this huge place was falling into ruin. Erina and others wanted to reclaim it. Luckily, thanks to your son Hachiman, that crisis was avoided."
At this point, Mito looked a bit embarrassed, but Hachiman just casually patted her shoulder.
Hachiman: "Things that fall behind get thrown out, that's only natural. I did it for myself, not for my dad."
Joichiro: "Heh, you brat… but that's fine too."
Grandma Fumio smiled lightly too: "Well, that's true. Every generation has its own things to do, so this is fine."
Joichiro: "Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I last heard the name Erina."
Hachiman: "You know her?"
Joichiro: "Not just know her. I even held her when she was little. She's about your age, actually. Back then, she was really cute."
Hachiman: "C... cute..."
That word was the last thing Hachiman ever expected. To him, Erina felt more scary than anything else.
Isshiki: "No matter how you put it, Mr. Joichiro can definitely be called a legendary graduate."
Faced with this, Joichiro only shook his head:
"No, I didn't graduate."
Yoshino: "Eh? Why? You were the Second Seat!"
Joichiro: "Well, a lot happened. In the end, that was how things turned out."
Ryoko: "What a pity."
Seeing his dad's calm answer, only Hachiman really understood. Even though his father often seemed carefree, about that unspeakable past, he must have felt a lot of pain. Joichiro might look easygoing, but...
If he really had no regrets at all, he wouldn't have joined this place.
When it came to his dad's past, Hachiman didn't want to pry too much. He could feel that the clash between "Saiba" and "Hikigaya" probably started because of that past.
Time passed quickly, and the atmosphere wasn't bad. But as night fell, everyone returned to their dorms to rest.
After all, the past few days of training camp had completely drained them. They finally got a chance to rest. Especially Marui, who really seemed at his limit, fell asleep the moment night came.
But Hachiman, who usually wanted to sleep early, couldn't fall asleep this time. With his father suddenly showing up and all these things he had never heard of piling up, he ended up sitting up from his warm bed.
"Dad."
"Hachiman, long time no see. How's Gin doing? Still holding up?"
As if he had already expected Hachiman to come, Joichiro was standing on the balcony, quietly watching the moonlight.
"Idiot, at least worry about your son first. Dojima Gin-senpai seems fine, but if I told you he came to see you earlier, would you know about it?"
"Well, you've never really needed me to worry since you were little. And that's still true now. As for things like that, if there's fate, we'll meet again. Why get hung up on it?"
"Yeah, yeah..."
Hachiman didn't want to dig too much into his father's past either, so he left it at that.
---
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