Can you handle my Hikigaya's cooking?

"Thanks..."

"You're welcome. You've worked hard today."

Looking at Hachiman's face, Tanomo Megumi just blushed slightly. When the other party ate her food, she felt a little satisfied in her heart.

During the meal, Ryoko came over with a data sheet and said:

"Hikigaya, your various indicators have basically met the standards. You have basically reached the level of an average student in Totsuki Academy. Isn't that quite capable!"

"Only at an average level? I'm a little curious about what kind of monsters those guys standing in the pyramid are?"

Ryoko: "He is one of the top ten like Isshiki-senpai, or maybe someone close to it."

For some reason, the girl named Yukinoshita suddenly flashed through Hachiman's mind: "Is that girl named Yukinoshita like this too?"

When they heard the name "Yukinoshita", both Tanadore Megumi and Ryoko seemed to be shocked and couldn't say a word for a while.

After a while, Tansho Kei said calmly:

"Hikigaya-san, she is an exception..."

Ryoko also breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought Erina was a one in a million genius. Even if you look around the world and in the culinary world, there is absolutely no one like her. After all, she has become one of the top ten at such a young age. Her future is immeasurable."

"But... Yukinoshita, who suddenly appeared last year, is like Erina's nemesis. In less than a year, she has become as good as Erina. I'm afraid that in the near future, these two will compete for the position of the top ten and start a food battle that will shock the entire academy, no... the entire culinary world."

Tadokoro Megumi: "If Miss Erina has a talent like the 'God's Tongue', then Miss Yukinoshita is just an ordinary person with nothing. Yet, she was able to emerge out of nowhere. It's incredible."

Ryoko: "Oh, by the way, the question you asked just now, Hikigaya, is probably where Erina will target Yukinoshita."

Tadokoro Megumi: "Well, after all, Ms. Yukinoshita's physical strength is not very good... In terms of a protracted battle, Ms. Erina will definitely have the advantage."

Although he had not deliberately asked about it, Hachiman was still a little shocked when he found out. After all, these two people had actually reached that position. But other than that, he was not surprised at all.

If my sister Komachi came to this school, maybe she could break the top ten with the smallest record, so... there's nothing surprising about it.

Ryoko: "Well, there's no point in caring about others. We should care about ourselves more than them. In order to ensure that everyone can return alive from the school trip, Hikigaya must continue to train hard."

Tadokoro Megumi: "That's right. On the school trip, Ms. Yukinoshita and Ms. Erina, who are in the same grade as us, will also participate. In order to keep up with them and with you, Hikigaya, I will also work hard to explore new dishes!"

Hachiman: "It seems that what I know about Totsuki Academy is just the tip of the iceberg..."

...

One month after entering school, Hachiman has gradually gotten used to life here. Since he and Tansho Kei are in the same class, the two are able to help each other most of the time. Their grades have continued to improve since that day, and Tansho Kei has gradually moved from the bottom of the class to the top.

As usual, the courses are now becoming easier for both of them. No matter whether it is an independent project or a collaborative project, they can complete it and get good comments from every teacher.

All of this was seen by squad leader Hayato Hayama.

"Hikigaya-kun, can I talk to you alone for a moment?"

"Ah."

During lunch break, Hachiman usually exchanges cooking experiences with Tanadore Megumi, but this time, he is facing the person he hated the most in junior high school... the hypocritical person, Hayama Hayato.

As if they were connected by fate, although the two did not have much communication in junior high school, they met again here. And on this rooftop, everything seemed to be destined, which made people feel deeply emotional.

Hachiman put his hands on the railing and did not look at Ye Shan. He just felt the breeze blowing slowly. Ye Shan, who was standing behind him, also slowly bent down unconsciously.

"I have something to ask for your help."

Chapter 43: Meeting after a long absence

In Hachiman's eyes, Yeshan is an omnipotent being. When he was in junior high school, he could be a one-man army in every aspect. In terms of sports and academic performance, he was impeccable.

The more this happened, the more Hachiman couldn't understand the meaning of his request for help, let alone the meaning of asking for his own help. After all, if even he could help him, then it meant that he could do this thing by himself.

so..

There was no need for him to refuse this matter, as their relationship was not yet at the point where they could help each other.

This is a privilege only for friends, and the two of them are neither friends nor partners, but just passers-by.

Perhaps seeing through Hikigaya's thoughts, Hayama finally raised his head slightly:

"Hikigaya-san, the one who needs help this time is not me, but our classmate Yuigahama Yui."

Ye Shan has always been a goody-goody. As long as the other party asks him for help, he will do his best to help. And in junior high school, they were indeed a good group of people.

However, in Hachiman's opinion, Ye Shan is just a hypocritical guy.

"What's up with her?"

Speaking of Yuigahama, he really couldn't ignore it. Perhaps it was to compensate her for helping him during his hospitalization, or perhaps it was for other reasons. After hearing the name, he slowly turned around and focused his eyes on Ye Shan.

Ye Shan: "Her cookie shop is now facing the crisis of closing. The main reason is the decline of the commercial street, coupled with the emergence of some relatively novel snacks, so..."

Hachiman: "Times change, the strong prey on the weak, this is normal even in the cooking world."

Hayama: "I know that you, Hikigaya-kun, have a strong cooking ability, so... I want to save Yuigahama who is in danger."

"After graduating from junior high school, she began to learn how to make cookies and invested a large sum of money in the store. The situation was good at the beginning, but it has been going downhill recently. If it continues like this...she may be burdened with a huge debt."

If a person's life is ruined by huge debts at a young age, then the impact will undoubtedly be huge. Although Hachiman doesn't know how to face Yuigahama again, now... there is no good way out.

"I'll explain in advance that I may not be able to help you in any way, but I will try my best."

A faint smile finally appeared on Ye Shan's face: "Thank you..."

Hachiman turned around and stopped looking at Hayama: "Don't thank me, I didn't help you, I just returned Yuigahama's favor."

Ye Shan: "Anyway, thank you for coming. Let's set the time for this weekend in the morning. We will meet then."

...

The time spent practicing at Totsuki always passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the weekend. Since there was no strict access control in Totsuki Academy, there would be no problem even if one left the school as long as it did not affect the classes.

Although I had set out early, I still felt a little hesitant when I arrived in front of the cookie shop.

Come to think of it, he himself didn't know why he suddenly agreed, when it would obviously be better to turn a blind eye. Perhaps it was because of Miura's words that made him understand that some things could never be saved by leaving, or perhaps he couldn't bear to watch the people who had helped him fall into darkness, so he took this step.

At this moment, his mind seemed to have lost the ability to think, and he just let his body move. As the wooden door was gently pushed open, the wind chimes in the store began to dance, and along with it came that familiar voice:

"Welcome light..."

"Xiaoqi?!"

The moment she saw Hikigaya, Yuigahama froze in place, and the cookie in her hand fell to the ground. Hachiman noticed that her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

"haven't seen you for a long time..."

"Yeah, it's been a long time indeed."

Perhaps hearing the noise outside, a familiar figure hurriedly ran out of the kitchen.

"Yui, are you okay?"

The person in front of him was Miura. If Hachiman remembered correctly, shouldn't this guy be a real estate buyer? But since a friend is in trouble, it is normal for him to come to help.

Yuigahama waved her hand hastily, and said with a gentle smile:

"It's okay, it's okay, Yumiko, don't make a fuss."

Miura also breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time finally noticed Hikigaya's existence, which was obviously a bit incredible.

"Hikigaya, are you here to help Yui?"

"Well, that's right."

"You're really dishonest, but I feel relieved with you. Speaking of that fried rice, it really made me linger."

"Come to think of it, it was leftover rice..." Hachiman didn't feel comfortable saying this out loud, and simply smiled.

At the same time, the wind chimes rang again, and behind Hachiman, two people appeared in the store.

Ye Shan: "It seems that we are late, but it seems that everyone is here, let me introduce them..."

"This is Yukinoshita Yukino, she's here to help us as well."

Seeing Yukinoshita again, Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh that this girl was simply like a fairy sent down from heaven, detached from the mundane world. Both her skin and cheeks revealed a rare delicacy, her body proportions were just right, and her eyes were untainted by the mud. She was simply as beautiful as snow.

The three words "Yukinoshita" can only describe a girl like this.

At the same time, there seemed to be no extra expression on Yukinoshita's face. She just looked at the people in front of her calmly, and then began to observe the decoration of the store.

"This is Hikigaya Hachiman, along with Yuigahama Yui and Miura Yumiko."

There was still no change in her expression, she just nodded along with Yuigahama and Miura, as if she had completely ignored Hachiman's existence.

Hikigaya didn't care. After all, not being discovered was what he was good at. Although he didn't know how Ye Shan invited this guy over, judging from this, the relationship between the two was definitely not good.

Ye Shan continued with a smile:

"The main reason I asked you two to come here today is to see if there are any deficiencies in the store."

Yuigahama also added: "Xiaoqi and Yukinoshita-san, we are in trouble. The competition in the market is too fierce now..."

Miura also set his sights on Hikigaya, and seemed to place his hopes on him.

Chapter 44: If you are not in Totsuki, you may not be a chef anymore (I missed this! I will make it up!)

After a moment, Yukinoshita sighed helplessly, and then finally said the first sentence:

"Let's go to the back kitchen and taste the cookies first."

As if hearing some instructions, Yuigahama responded in a panic:

"Oh, okay! This way, this way..."

Yukinoshita walked forward without any hesitation, and the rest of the people just followed behind her.

Although he was invited back by Hayama, now all his attention seems to be focused on Yukinoshita. But this is good. After all, if the problem can be solved without doing anything, it is also a development that Hachiman hopes for.

Several people sat around in the kitchen, just waiting for the two to taste the cookies in front of them. The more they did so, the more pressure Hachiman felt from them. On the other hand, Yukinoshita didn't feel that way at all.

She just picked up the cookie gently, like an extremely skilled taster, chewing it carefully to savor its flavor.

But...I put it down gently after taking the first bite.

Her expression, which had never changed, finally changed at this moment, but it was not for the better. She frowned slightly and pressed her hand against her temple for a moment:

“It’s hard to imagine...”

“No matter the decoration, location or taste, it has no special features. It is definitely a miracle that it has survived until today.”

Listening to Yukinoshita's words, Yuigahama's face was obviously more embarrassed and depressed, while Miura was a little angry. She put her hands on her waist and said unhappily:

"Who do you think you are, to say that..."

Yukinoshita: "If we only wanted to hear good advice, this store wouldn't have ended up like this."

Miura: "Then why don't you tell me how to rectify it? Let me see if you are qualified to say this."

Yukinoshita did not get angry with Miura. It seemed that she had been speaking her mind from the beginning to the end, expressing her views calmly:

"First of all, we need to start with the taste of the cookies. It's only a matter of time before such unchanging products are eliminated. Even if we can survive now, there will definitely be no changes."

"Are there any ingredients left in the kitchen?"

Yuigahama: "Yes, yes!"

Yukinoshita: "Come here and watch me do it."

Yuigahama: “Yeah!”

Making cookies is a troublesome process. Not to mention the large number of steps and processes, it is also extremely time-consuming. However, Yukinoshita actually plans to teach on the spot.

"It seems that as long as Yukinoshita exists, the problem of taste has been solved..."

Hachiman also put down the cookies in his hand. He had tasted them just now and found that they were just as Yukinoshita said. They had no special features. Although they were not bad, they did not make customers stop to buy them.

He stood up gently, and when everyone's attention was focused on Yukinoshita, he returned to the hall again and began to look around the store carefully.

For handmade products like cookies, the most important thing is the taste, and the second is the display, but Yuigahama did not pay attention to either of them.

Different from traditional restaurants, this kind of store needs to pay more attention to "convenience" rather than keeping customers, so that they can buy as quickly as possible.

He walked out of the store and looked at the huge sign, feeling a little dazed for a moment.

I mean, I hadn't noticed yet...