"Students, please pack your luggage, board your designated buses, return your room keys to the front desk, and be careful not to leave any personal belongings behind."
The clear broadcast sound echoed from the speakers throughout the hotel. Hoshino Sora, along with several others from Yōbi Dormitory, appeared in the lobby. They were assigned to the same bus.
"Easy peasy~"
"Indeed, it doesn't feel as terrifying as the rumors said."
"Uh..."
Looking at Hoshino Sora and Yumeko Jabami, who had relaxed expressions, Shinohiru smiled bitterly and dared not speak. Mito Ikumi also lowered her head, because she hadn't passed that easily either.
One time during a themed dish, she almost went off topic. Fortunately, she reacted in time and didn't serve the off-topic dish.
Otherwise, she would have been eliminated!
"Yoo-hoo, Hoshino-kun~"
Seeing Hoshino Sora walking with Tadokoro Megumi and others, about to leave the hotel, Sakurai Yuri appeared from nowhere and slid in front of him.
"What is it, Senior Sakurai?"
Looking at Sakurai Yuri who appeared in front of him, Hoshino Sora stopped, and asked with a puzzled expression.
"After graduation, do you want to come help out at my Sakura House? Simply put, it's about making various dishes with cherry blossoms as the theme. With your talent, you'll surely get the hang of it quickly and invent incredibly amazing dishes!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Facing a powerful, highly talented, and handsome young man, Sakurai Yuri didn't want to miss him. As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed his hands, leaning forward a bit, pressing her full chest against him.
It seemed she was using a honey trap.
In fact, she did have the capital for it, after all, she was tall and cute, with a strong, impactful contrast.
"I'm sorry, I have a small shop of my own, and a group of customers waiting for me to return after my studies, so I can't come to help you."
Hearing Sakurai Yuri's words, Hoshino Sora struggled to pull his hand away, then took a step back and said with a bitter smile. He also had a small shop with a group of customers waiting for him to return.
He had made a promise back then, and he had to fulfill what he said.
"Is that so? That's really a shame, what a pity."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Sakurai Yuri's face showed a look of disappointment, but she still chose to respect his decision.
Thinking about it carefully, she herself had politely declined an invitation from her seniors because she had to inherit her family's shop.
"Then, see you again if fate allows, Senior Sakurai."
"See you again... I hope."
Facing Hoshino Sora's farewell before leaving, Sakurai Yuri waved back with a face full of regret, her gaze fixed on his departing back.
"There are quite a few excellent students in this batch."
Standing beside Sakurai Yuri, Dojima Gin spoke with emotion. Many Far Moon graduates stood beside him, silently watching the young sprouts leave.
"It's finally over! I can return to my happy, carefree, slacker life. I'm going to sleep for a day and a night when I get back!"
Stretching lazily, Hoshino Sora boarded the bus with the others from Yōbi Dormitory, sighing with relief as he got on, his face showing a relaxed and joyful expression.
"You wouldn't happen to not know, would you? The Far Moon's traditional 'Autumn Elections'. With your active performance in the lodging training, you'll definitely be selected without any surprises.
It's a gourmet festival where selected first-year students showcase their skills and compete against each other. It's the first stage for students to display their talents in front of the academy's directors and investors, these culinary masters gathered together."
"Oh, Erina, are you on this bus too?"
Hearing the voice, Hoshino Sora looked at Erina Nakiri, who was sitting with Hisako Arato in the front row of the vehicle, and raised his hand to greet her, a joyful smile on his face.
"Are you even listening to me?!"
Looking at Hoshino Sora's slovenly appearance, Erina Nakiri wished she could punch him. This guy definitely wasn't listening to her seriously!
"I am listening, how could I not be listening?"
Hoshino Sora replied with a smile, then sat down in the window seat in front of Erina Nakiri. His gaze turned to the window, and a nostalgic look appeared in his eyes.
Oh, how could he have forgotten the 'Autumn Elections'?!
After more than ten years of transmigration, he had honestly forgotten most of the Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma plot. He only remembered a rough outline. Who competed against whom in the first round? Who won the final victory and took first place? He honestly didn't remember very clearly.
However, since Far Moon was holding the 'Autumn Elections' and setting up a stage for first-year students, culinary masters would arrive, and there might even be live broadcasts on TV, so the impact would definitely be huge.
And the amount of prestige points given by the system tasks was directly related to the impact generated by the completion of the task event. In other words, the 'Autumn Elections' could earn far more prestige points than the lodging training!
Thinking of this, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but get a little excited.
"Why have you been grinning like an idiot here since just now?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who suddenly started laughing happily, Erina Nakiri, who was sitting behind him, said with a slight dissatisfaction, and her behavior was more like she was trying to make conversation.
"Are you paying so much attention to me because you have a crush on me?"
"Huh? Who, who, who would have a crush on someone like you? I just think you'll disturb others!"
"Just kidding."
Looking at the strongly reacting Erina Nakiri, Hoshino Sora replied indifferently, leaving the girl pouting and lightly kicking the boy's chair with her foot in dissatisfaction, instantly showing off her cuteness.
"Lady Erina..."
Looking at Erina Nakiri's behavior, like a girl whose heart was stirring, Hisako Arato's expression was complex. She found that the revered Lady she respected had changed, no longer as perfect as before.
However, Lady Erina with a slight flaw seemed even more charming, with a beauty that was closer to a mortal.
Her hands clutched her thighs, her head slightly lowered. Without looking, one could tell what she looked like now, her face must be flushed! To see such a cute Lady Erina, she felt it was worth dying even now!
"Autumn Elections, huh? Sounds pretty impressive."
Yumeko Jabami, who had just boarded, heard their conversation and naturally sat down next to Hoshino Sora. Involuntarily, Erina Nakiri withdrew her foot, and a wary expression appeared on her face.
"With Yumeko's strength, she will definitely be selected too."
Hoshino Sora said as a matter of course.
"Then we can have a long-awaited match, a direct confrontation on the field."
"You're really obsessed with competitions, aren't you?"
Hearing Yumeko Jabami's slightly excited words beside him, Hoshino Sora complained helplessly. This guy was really something, always thinking about competitions all day long. Is there nothing else she can do?
"Of course, after all, I've been looking forward to it for a long time."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her black silk-clad beautiful legs intertwined and twisted unconsciously. Thinking of her upcoming confrontations with those Far Moon elites, she couldn't help but get excited!
"We'll see then, it's not certain who will win or lose."
"That's what makes it exciting!"
Shaking his head and leaning against the chair, Hoshino Sora's thoughts drifted into the distance. The Autumn Elections had many opponents he needed to pay attention to.
Hayama Akira, Kurokiba Ryo, Yukihira Soma, Yumeko Jabami, Mimasaka Subaru, Takumi Aldini, Erina Nakiri, Alice Nakiri.
These were all relatively strong characters among the first-years at Far Moon. Besides them, there were many other capable people: Hisako Arato, Mito Ikumi, Tadokoro Megumi... they couldn't be underestimated.
In short, the 'Autumn Elections' was his stage, and also everyone's stage. Everyone who could be selected had a certain level of strength, and underestimating them would only lead to defeat!
----------
Approaching dusk.
"I'm finally back! My dear Mr. Bed~"
Carrying all his luggage back to the room, Hoshino Sora rolled happily on the bed, then lay spread-eagled on the bed after a while, staring blankly at the ceiling for a long time.
"Ding ding ding--"
He fumbled on the bed for a long time before finally finding his phone, which had been thrown to the edge of the bed. He picked it up and saw it was a message from Yui Yuigahama.
[Yui Yuigahama: Hoshino-kun, our school is holding a cultural festival tomorrow, do you want to come and have fun? It's the weekend.]
Yui Yuigahama, sitting on the subway on her way home, sent the message with a hint of nervousness, staring intently at her phone. The last message in their chat history was from Tuesday; they hadn't chatted on LINE for three days.
Mainly because Hoshino Sora said he was very busy a while ago, and she thought she would disturb him, so she didn't contact him proactively. Now, calculating the time, he should be done with his busy period.
Cultural festival...
Looking at the message on his phone screen, Hoshino Sora lay on the bed, hesitating for a few seconds. Having just finished the lodging training, he only wanted to lie in the dorm and rest, completely slacking off for two days.
However, who could blame him when the one inviting him was little Yui?
The image of the pure-faced, lively girl appeared in his mind, and his fingers quickly tapped on the screen.
[Hoshino Sora: Send me the address, I'll come find you then.]
On the subway, looking at the message on her phone screen, Yui Yuigahama's eyes instantly lit up. She clenched her fist and punched the air, which caused many people to look her way.
In response, Yui Yuigahama just rubbed her head and gave an embarrassed smile, then continued to type.
[Yui Yuigahama: Wait for me at the school gate at 8 AM tomorrow. I'll show you around my school. You must come, it's a promise.]
[Hoshino Sora: Don't worry, I won't go back on my word. See you tomorrow.]
A series of wonderful date plans appeared in Yui Yuigahama's mind. The key was that the manager was very handsome and good-looking. Bringing him to school would give her a lot of face, and people might even mistake them for boyfriend and girlfriend.
Ah ah! I'm so excited!
She looked at her phone screen with soft eyes, gently sliding her finger across it, a silly smile on her face. It had been over a month since they parted ways during the summer vacation.
Hoshino-kun... Is he doing well?
She didn't know if he was bullied at that school full of genius chefs, or if he was shining brightly there, but she really wanted to find out.
Tomorrow, they could meet tomorrow!
[Kitagawa Marin: Congratulations on passing the lodging training assessment, my dear Manager~]
[Hoshino Sora: I haven't even said anything yet, how do you know I passed the lodging training?]
Not long after Hoshino Sora replied to Yui Yuigahama, Kitagawa Marin's message came through. Seeing her congratulations, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but ask in return.
"Kitagawa Marin: I've never doubted the Master Chef's skill! Passing that level of assessment is a piece of cake, isn't it?"
Facing Hoshino Sora's question, Kitagawa Marin responded calmly. Having already arrived home, she took off her socks and lay on the bed, hugging a pillow with Hoshino Sora's photo printed on it, continuously rubbing against it with her body.
"Hoshino Sora: ..."
"Kitagawa Marin: Master Chef, are you free tomorrow? I want to see you."
"Hoshino Sora: The day after tomorrow, perhaps. I have some personal matters to attend to tomorrow, so I won't have much time."
Looking at the message from the other side, Hoshino Sora typed out a helpless reply. Unfortunately, Hayama was a few minutes late; he had to keep his promise with Yuigahama.
"Kitagawa Marin: Then the day after tomorrow it is! I bought several sets of the adult cosplay outfits you said you liked last time. I'm so embarrassed to wear them #image*9"
"Hoshino Sora: I should be free tomorrow night. See you then."
Looking at the pictures Kitagawa Marin sent, Hoshino Sora swallowed hard and quickly chose to download them. Was this really something he could see without spending money? His material library for the night had new additions!
"Kitagawa Marin: Then see you tomorrow night, my dear Master Chef!"
"Hoshino Sora: See you tonight. Get dressed and wait for me at home!"
With a flushed face, Kitagawa Marin placed her phone face down, took a deep breath, and buried her head in the pillow beneath her, trying to use the cool pillow to soothe her burning cheeks.
After a while, she got up, opened her closet, and began choosing a gift for Hoshino Sora for tomorrow.
"Hoshino-kun, dinner's ready."
"Got it."
Shiina Mahiru's voice came from outside the door. Hoshino Sora put down his phone, did a carp-jump to his feet, and opened the door, only to see a cute little face. After notifying him, she didn't leave immediately but stood by the door, waiting for him to go downstairs together.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Hoshino Sora followed beside Shiina Mahiru. For some reason, she seemed a bit reserved, her head slightly bowed as she walked, not saying a word for a long time.
"What's wrong? You've become so reserved after a few days apart. Did something happen?"
After descending one floor, Hoshino Sora clearly sensed that something was off, so he reached out and patted Shiina Mahiru's back as a greeting. However, she flinched, and her expression became wary.
What's going on?
Although they weren't particularly close, they shouldn't be acting so distant. Her expression when looking at him was like a mouse seeing a cat. Was it necessary?
This was somewhat abnormal.
"No, that's not it. I've always been like this."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Shiina Mahiru turned her head and played dumb. She would never admit that she wanted to draw a clear line with him because she saw his ambiguous relationships with multiple girls.
"Always been like this... that's a lie!"
Hoshino Sora said speechlessly. This girl was completely different before and after her dormitory training. Before, she was like a caring older brother; after returning, she became like a strange uncle next door.
That guard, visibly increased.
This isn't good. If her guard increases, how will he make a move on her in the future?
"Hmm..."
"Forget it. It seems I'm disliked. It's nothing, really. Let's go downstairs and eat."
Seeing Shiina Shinohiru's speechless and choked-up expression, Hoshino Sora knew something was wrong. He immediately pretended to be discouraged, sighed, and then quickened his pace downstairs, no longer walking abreast with her.
"I don't dislike you. I've always respected Hoshino-kun."
Seeing Hoshino Sora's seemingly dejected departure, Shiina Shinohiru sensed something was amiss and hurried forward, wanting to explain.
She genuinely respected Hoshino Sora and thought of him as a teacher. Without him, she wouldn't have met Tadokoro Megumi, her good friend, nor would she have been lucky enough to pass the dormitory training.
That's right, if Hoshino Sora hadn't trained them, she might have been eliminated on the first day with the 50 steak sets.
"Ah!"
"Careful."
Because she was five or six steps ahead of Shiina Shinohiru and going down the stairs quickly, the other party, in her haste to catch up, could only speed up, ultimately unfortunate enough to miss a step and fall down completely.
Seeing this, Hoshino Sora couldn't pretend to be melancholic anymore. With one stride, he blocked her path, opening his arms to embrace the falling Shiina Shinohiru.
However, because he was standing in the middle of the stairs, and the impact of her fall was too strong, he was too sudden and unprepared, so he fell heavily with her onto the wooden floor in the middle of the stairwell, his back against the wall, emitting a muffled thud.
Of course, with his current physique, even if he fell from the third or fourth floor, he wouldn't suffer any injuries.
But Shiina Shinohiru clearly didn't think so. Her eyes were filled with shock and worry.
She was well protected by Hoshino Sora. His hands shielded her head, his firm and strong chest protected her body. He used his own flesh and blood to ensure her safety.
Despite falling from such a height, she wasn't injured at all. The fright caused by the fall was completely offset by Hoshino Sora's warm embrace.
This was probably the most reassuring embrace she had ever experienced in her life...
"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Is there any bleeding on your body? Otherwise, maybe we should see a doctor."
Thinking of this, Shiina Shinohiru quickly got up from Hoshino Sora's embrace, but she didn't dare to touch his body. She bent over, leaning forward, her hands hovering in the air, her face full of self-reproach.
If only she hadn't been so hasty, if only her foot hadn't slipped, this wouldn't have happened...
"It's not as serious as you think, not that serious. You don't need to worry too much. Look, I'm fine."
Waving his hand dismissively, Hoshino Sora stood up directly, then saw her self-reproaching expression, and immediately said with a smile, even jumping a few times to show that he was fine.
"Hey, wait, don't jump! We don't even know if you've injured a bone yet."
Looking at the hopping Hoshino Sora, Shiina Shinohiru said anxiously, waving her hands. Finally, she even went forward and hugged his arm, wanting him to stop.
"It's really nothing. Let's go downstairs and eat. If you're really worried, just hold my hand."
Waving his hand, Hoshino Sora said with a hint of calculation, but Shiina Shinohiru didn't hesitate, gripping his hand tightly, and holding the railing with her other hand, thinking that no matter what, she couldn't let him suffer a second injury.
She felt very guilty. If she hadn't been overly cautious and acted coldly, he wouldn't have been so disappointed as to quicken his pace and leave, and she wouldn't have slipped and fallen because she was in a hurry to explain.
Even so, at the critical moment, he still opened his arms and desperately protected her without caring about himself, not letting her suffer any harm. How could this not move her?
The wariness she had originally felt due to Hoshino Sora's ambiguous relationships with multiple girls dissipated without a trace the moment he selflessly saved her. Now, Shiina Shinohiru only felt worry.
Hoshino Sora expressed his helplessness about this. How could he explain that he couldn't get injured in such a situation? The worry in the little girl's eyes wasn't fake, but it really wasn't necessary.
"I..."
"Alright, don't talk anymore. Let's go down and eat first. Later, I'll apply some medicinal wine for bruises."
Seeing Hoshino Sora, who was going downstairs, still wanting to say something, Shiina Shinohiru quickly said. At this moment, her eyes were full of worry, and she had already thought of a series of follow-up measures in her mind.
Applying medicinal wine for bruises tonight, taking him to see a doctor tomorrow. Anyway, no matter what, Hoshino Sora couldn't be left with any lingering problems!
"Eh..."
Faced with Shiina Shinohiru's assertiveness, Hoshino Sora stopped speaking, simply went downstairs silently to the living room to eat. Dinner was prepared by Kobayashi Rindo, and the table was filled with rare ingredients.
Lobster and abalone were just the basics; there were also various birds and beasts that were difficult to identify just by their meat, rarely seen under normal circumstances, yet now they appeared on the same dining table.
"These are all legally farmed animals, feel free to eat."
Looking at the hesitant expressions of everyone at the dining table, Kobayashi Rindo, wearing an apron, said with a tiger tooth showing. As she spoke, she placed another dish of abalone sauce crocodile tail on the table.
The rich aroma made everyone present swallow their saliva. After receiving Kobayashi Rindo's assurance, Yumeko Jabami was the first to pick up her chopsticks and taste it, with Hoshino Sora following closely behind.
With the first person to start eating, others naturally couldn't resist any longer. They picked up their chopsticks and began to feast. With every bite, the unique texture and taste in their mouths gave them a novel experience they had never had before.
However, it was certain that these dishes were not bad.
The novel flavors opened up a new taste system, making everyone present feel as if they were in a dream. A zoo seemed to appear before their eyes, with animals running freely, enacting the drama of the strong preying on the weak.
The dinner lasted for over an hour. After eating their fill, Hoshino Sora returned to his dorm, forcibly assisted by Shiina Shinohiru.
"You wait here. I'll go back to my room and get the medicine. Don't move."
Biting her lower lip slightly, Shiina Shinohiru simply didn't believe that Hoshino Sora was fine after such a violent impact. She was convinced he was putting on a brave front, so she insisted on applying the medicine for him.
"This girl is really stubborn."
Looking at Shiina Shinohiru's retreating back, Hoshino Sora, lying on the bed, couldn't help but complain. She had clearly said she didn't need to be responsible, but she still insisted on taking all the responsibility.
It must be said, she really was a good girl.
Lying on the bed, Hoshino Sora gave up struggling. Since Shiina Shinohiru wanted to apply medicinal wine for him, he would just let her. This would also put her at ease, so he'd pretend he was injured.
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