On the bus heading to the lodging training, Shiina Shinohiru looked out the window with a complex expression. The morning's scene lingered in her mind; she had actually slept soundly in a boy's room and even changed in front of him...
She had never imagined such an embarrassing thing would happen to her. The main reason was Hoshino Sora's timing was too perfect; a minute earlier or a minute later, she wouldn't have found herself in that situation.
Sigh.
Compared to the complex emotions of Shiina Shinohiru, Hoshino Sora seemed much calmer, though his constantly shaking leg betrayed the fact that his inner world was not peaceful either.
Sitting together after an embarrassing incident, how amusing.
"We've arrived..."
After a long bus ride, the first-year students participating in the Far Moon lodging training successively disembarked from the bus and arrived in front of the towering, magnificent, ultra-luxurious five-star hotel.
"Amazing!"
"This... Is this the training location?"
"As expected of a wealthy school, they even operate such a luxurious hotel."
"The hotels and inns nearby are all under Far Moon's ownership."
"Heh heh, I won't be surprised."
"More than a dozen restaurants here operate under the Yuanyue Resort brand, and it's common for graduates to be employed in the resort's culinary department. I heard that a regular overnight stay here costs 80,000 Japanese yen."
"Hey, Xiao Hui!"
Soon after getting off the bus, Hoshino Sora heard a familiar yet unfamiliar conversation from ahead, then saw Tadokoro Megumi standing idly at the end of the line. He immediately raised his hand to greet her.
"Eh, isn't that the transfer student? Xiao Hui, you know him?"
"Ah? Mm."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's enthusiastic call, Tadokoro Megumi turned her head. Just as she was about to raise her hand to respond, Yoshino Yuki's voice suddenly came from behind her.
Tadokoro Megumi was startled by the sound, then shrunk her neck like a child caught in an early romance by her parents, and only after a long moment did she nod in response.
"Oh~ So that's how it is! Then we won't disturb you two. We'll go in and put away our luggage first, see you later."
"What are you doing, Yoshino!"
"No need to rush."
"Eh..."
Yoshino Yuki gave Tadokoro Megumi a 'you know' look, then pushed the Polar Star Dormitory members, who were still immersed in the grandeur of the tall buildings, to leave.
"Uh, did I disturb you?"
Looking at the departing Polar Star Dormitory members and Tadokoro Megumi, who stood rooted, unsure of what to do, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but feel a little confused. Then he scratched his face and asked somewhat awkwardly.
"Sigh, no, it's Yuuki... Never mind. Let's go back to the room and put away our luggage first. Hoshino-kun, are you alone?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was alone beside her, Tadokoro Megumi's expression couldn't help but show some confusion.
"There were too many people when we got off the bus, a lot of people coming and going, squeezing around, so I got separated from them. But we should meet up in the exhibition hall later, no big deal."
Shrugging his shoulders, Hoshino Sora explained casually. They were the last batch of students to arrive, and also the largest in number. Everyone was rushing to get off the bus, so with such a large crowd, it was naturally easy to get separated.
As they talked, the two entered the hotel, Hoshino Sora in front, Tadokoro Megumi behind. The people coming and going around them were all wearing Far Moon uniforms, and when these people saw Hoshino Sora, their eyes seemed to ignite with fire.
"It's that transfer student."
"But he's so arrogant just because he luckily won a match. This lodging training, the senior graduates will definitely make him get out of Far Moon."
"Definitely. Look at his pathetic state..."
Along the way, mocking voices were constant. Tadokoro Megumi kept her head down the whole time, her expression timid. Hoshino Sora subconsciously ignored those guys. All their talk was less effective than challenging him directly, but even though he had made such a boastful declaration for so long, besides Yumeko Jabami, no one had come to challenge him.
Speechless.
They were just a bunch of background characters who only knew how to talk big online, whispering slanders next to others, but when you confronted them directly, they would chicken out. They were simply real-life keyboard warriors.
"Are you room 823?"
"Mm, Hoshino-kun?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was still beside her, Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but feel a little curious.
"We really have fate, we're right next to each other. Let's put away our luggage and meet in the hall."
"Eh, what a coincidence..."
With a slight smile, Hoshino Sora opened the door next to 823, put down his only backpack, and waited at the door. Two minutes later, Tadokoro Megumi, who had washed her face, came out of the room.
----------
"This hall is so big..."
Looking at the conference hall in front of him, which could accommodate thousands of people, Hoshino Sora's expression was surprised. Anime's environmental depiction was indeed a bit weak; the scene before him was a hundred times more impressive than what was shown in the anime!
The magnificent decorations, carpets made of top-grade leather, and a wide, towering stage. Ordinary people seeing such a scene would instantly feel short of breath, perhaps even dizzy. The bustling crowd severely tested one's visual reaction and the brain's ability to process information.
"Hey!"
Seeing Tadokoro Megumi looking a bit off, Hoshino Sora patted her back firmly, then sharply whispered in her ear, which pulled her back from her dazed state.
"Look, it's that transfer student."
"Still messing around in such a serious setting, truly a bottom-tier chef."
Again?
Listening to the surrounding chatter, Hoshino Sora's expression was helpless; although these words were harmless, flies constantly buzzing in one's ear could be annoying.
However, just as he stepped forward to teach those who were badmouthing him a lesson, an old yet robust voice came from not far away, or more precisely, from the podium in front of everyone: "Good morning, everyone."
"Now, I will briefly explain the general process of the training camp. The schedule is a total of five nights and six days. You will be divided into several groups, and you will have to complete cooking assignments for several consecutive days. Students whose performance falls below the evaluation range stipulated by the instructors will be deemed unqualified and will be forcibly repatriated to the school and given a disciplinary expulsion!"
"Quite a punishment."
Hoshino Sora shook his head, speechless.
"Regarding the review of the assignments, please allow our guest instructors to explain. They are Far Moon graduates who have taken time out of their busy schedules to be here."
As Roland Chapel finished speaking, the Far Moon graduates, who had been waiting backstage for a long time, entered one after another. They were all celebrity chefs of this era, geniuses who had emerged from Far Moon, where the graduation rate was only a few percent!
However...
Thinking of his cheap old man, Hoshino Sora suddenly felt that he didn't need to be shocked. After all, his old man used to be a Master Chef for state banquets, a position higher than or equal to these guys in front of him. He just didn't know how many of these graduates could produce golden-level dishes?
Looking at the graduates who were successively ascending the stage, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but ponder this question. Golden-level cuisine felt like a qualitative change, with a chasm-like gap compared to silver-level.
If silver-level cuisine was the limit for ordinary people, then golden-level cuisine was probably the true realm of genius.
"You, expelled. You can go back now."
While he was thinking, Kojiro Shinomiya on the stage pointed at someone in the crowd and spoke.
"What?!"
"Your shampoo has a citrus scent mixed in, which will contaminate the taste of the dish. While appearance is important, a chef covered in dirt will also..."
Ah... it's starting.
Looking at Tadokoro Megumi trembling beside him because Kojiro Shinomiya suddenly eliminated a student, Hoshino Sora's expression was helpless. He wondered if he should find an opportunity to injure her slightly so she would be unable to participate in this training camp. After all, one more or one less person didn't make much difference.
"Wow, what a cute little girl!"
Looking at the dignified and cute Tadokoro Megumi, Inui Hinako, who had arrived beside them at some point, grabbed her hand with sparkling eyes, and as she spoke, she reached out to touch her cheek. It was soft and adorable.
"Looks delicious!"
"Eh..."
Hearing Inui Hinako's somewhat unclear words, Tadokoro Megumi was full of question marks. Hoshino Sora also nodded in agreement upon hearing this; her soft and delicate cheeks indeed looked very appetizing, a bit like pudding marshmallows.
"Hinako, Master Chef Chapel is glaring at you."
"Let's go back."
After a brief interaction, everyone had a simple understanding of this group of Far Moon graduates.
"Please come visit the shop next time."
Inui Hinako enthusiastically invited, and Tadokoro Megumi, hearing this, blushed and was at a loss, raising her hand, unsure whether to refuse or agree.
"Xiao Hui is so popular, but she really does look delicious. This is an endorsement from a Far Moon graduate."
Hoshino Sora said jokingly, but what he got in return was Tadokoro Megumi's slightly puffed cheeks: "Hoshino-kun is making fun of me too, I'm going to get angry."
"Hahaha, my bad, my bad."
"Here he comes, here he comes! That's the one who achieved first place in the graduation test, broke the historical highest score, and rejected offers from over eight hundred high-end restaurants worldwide..."
Hearing the praises from all around, and looking at the guy on stage with a buzz cut, a serious face, refined attire, and exuding a terrifying aura, Hoshino Sora's mood was subtle. He lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking, and he didn't really listen to the rest of the words until everyone left.
"Eh, aren't you all in Group C?"
"Xiao Hui and Shinohiru are in one group, Hisako and Yumeko are in one group. Damn, this is a bit subtle..."
Leaving the conference hall, Hoshino Sora took Tadokoro Megumi to find Shiina Mahiru and her group. They gathered to confirm their groups, and then he sadly realized that he seemed to have become a clown.
Sighing helplessly, Hoshino Sora followed the map distributed in the conference hall to find the Group C competition venue, complaining and kicking stones as he walked, praying in his heart that it wouldn't be a two-person trial, otherwise, with his popularity, he would definitely be an object of dislike wherever he went.
"Hoshino-kun? It's really you..."
"Hmm? Hisako, what a coincidence, are you in Group C too?"
"Yes, I'm already here, isn't it obvious?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's question, Hisako Arato couldn't help but roll her eyes cutely, then walked to his side.
"You're right."
Hoshino Sora smiled awkwardly. He did ask a stupid question. Since the other party appeared here, she was naturally in the same examination room as him. Thinking of this, his hanging heart finally settled.
Now, whether it was a solo trial or a two-person trial, he had absolute confidence in passing!
"What kind of look is that? So disgusting..."
The overly eager gaze made Hisako Arato get goosebumps. She subtly took a step back to the right, then rubbed her arms to relieve the sensation.
"Wuwu, your words hurt my heart so much."
Looking at Hisako's actions and words, Hoshino Sora spoke with feigned grievance, his tearful expression making one wonder if he had been bullied by a girl.
"Tsk, if you keep acting like that, I won't walk with you."
A subtle hint of disdain appeared in the girl's eyes.
"Alright, then let's go."
Hearing Hisako's words, Hoshino Sora immediately returned to normal, then entered the Group C assessment venue with her. The assessor was a cherry-haired girl, who was currently looking out the window, completely unconcerned that the examination venue was already full of students.
"Time's up, close the door. Students who have not entered within the specified time lose their examination qualification."
Looking at her watch, she made a call to notify the security guard at the Front Gate to close the door. The cherry-haired girl turned her head and stood up. It was a very cute face, but paired with a height of about 1.8 meters, it looked somewhat uncoordinated.
"My name is Sakurai Yuri, an 81st-term graduate. Today's theme is to create a dish using natural ingredients. There are fences around, crossing them will result in loss of examination qualification. The type of dish doesn't matter, what's important is the taste. You can freely present your best dishes, in teams of two. The dish needs to reflect the personal styles of both individuals.
Teams whose dishes fail in taste, or whose styles are not clearly defined, I can only regretfully give a disciplinary expulsion. The assessment time is four hours, and the countdown starts now."
At first glance, it seemed like a simple theme, but how could one dish reflect the styles of two people? Generally speaking, a dish only has one Master Chef, and there can be assistant chefs, but assistant chefs mostly play a supplementary role, making it difficult to incorporate their own elements into the dish...
If there are two Master Chefs, each with their own ideas, it becomes extremely difficult to blend them. One might not feel it at first, but eventually, it will definitely stir up internal conflicts...
This is much harder than a limited theme!
"How can this be?!"
"Charge!"
"Hurry, if we're late, all the good ingredients will be snatched up!"
"Don't push your old man!"
As Sakurai Yuri uttered her last word, the surrounding students immediately fell into chaos, scrambling to be the first to go out in order to obtain the best ingredients.
"Let's team up."
After hearing Examiner Sakurai's words, Hisako Arato didn't rush but came to Hoshino Sora's side. Among these examinees, he was the only one she looked up to.
"Naturally. We'll write down the dishes we want to make on slips of paper, and then choose from them, selecting dishes with similar themes to cook, to avoid disagreements later."
"Shouldn't we confirm the ingredients first?"
"Didn't we already get a general idea when we came in?"
Shrugging, because the Front Gate was some distance from here, Hoshino Sora had specifically observed what ingredients were available in this area on the way, precisely because he was worried about this type of assessment.
"You're right, then let's start writing."
She nodded, with a hint of admiration in her eyes. It seemed this guy was quite clever, truly worthy of being the man she admired!
"Aren't you two going out?"
"Soon."
By the time the slips of paper were written, only Hisako Arato and Hoshino Sora were left in the assessment room. Sakurai Yuri paced forward, asking curiously, then noticed the two slips of paper placed side by side.
"Then, is this one okay?"
"Good!"
Having decided on the dish, the two set off unhurriedly, leaving Sakurai Yuri standing in place, pinching her chin: "Interesting."
----------
"Transfer student, this is my prey! What do you mean? I've been chasing it for 20 minutes, and you just snatched it from me? Everything has to follow a first-come, first-served rule!"
"If you couldn't catch it in 20 minutes, isn't that your problem? Besides, this duck doesn't have your name on it, so why do you say it's yours? Just because you say so? Don't you all think what you're saying is a bit ridiculous?"
Very easily catching the duck that ran towards him, Hoshino Sora was about to turn and leave when the grass rustled behind him. Two male students in chef uniforms jumped out, blocking Hoshino Sora's path from left and right, their faces filled with anger.
"What did you say?"
"Don't waste words with him, just snatch it! I've long wanted to teach this arrogant guy a lesson!"
His eyes narrowed. Seeing that no one was around, the more robust of the two suggested, rubbing his fists as he spoke. In his mind, two people fighting one, there was no way they could lose!
"Boring."
Hoshino Sora said, and with one hand up and one leg sweeping, he instantly knocked down the man who had just said he wanted to snatch his duck. He even stepped on his back to temporarily incapacitate him, then walked away without even looking at the other person. He still had a task and no time to waste here.
After tossing the duck into the bamboo basket he was carrying, Hoshino Sora began searching for the herbs Hisako had asked him to find. They were all common types, and he had seen many along the way when he arrived.
Time passed, and 30 minutes later, the two met at the agreed spot.
"It's amazing you managed to get honey, yam, Poria cocos, licorice, Codonopsis... that should be enough."
"That's good, let's go back."
Patiently waiting for Hisako Arato to count the herbs, Hoshino Sora spoke gently.
"Thank you so much. If I were alone, it would probably take me three or four hours to collect them. Some herbs grow in very difficult places to pick."
"What are you saying? We're a team."
"Mm!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Hisako Arato nodded in agreement, a bright smile on her face. It was clear she was very happy right now.
"You two came back so quickly? That's quite efficient."
Looking at Hoshino Sora and Hisako Arato, who had been out for about half an hour, were the last to leave and the first to return, Sakurai Yuri's expression was a bit puzzled. Based on her experience with students over the years, finding ingredients should take at least an hour.
Could it be that they couldn't compete with others and just gave up and came back?
Such a possibility surfaced in her mind...
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