Can you handle my Hikigaya's cooking?

Ryoko: "Hikigaya, I've been training for this moment, please don't let me down."

Tadokoro Megumi: "Come on, everyone, and Hikigaya-san."

Mito: "Let's chat in the evening. We can't be late now."

Ibusaki: "Then let's go."

Hachiman: “Oh!”

...

Every class will be divided into different groups, which will also increase the tolerance rate to the greatest extent. This time, Hachiman was assigned to Group F. As expected, he didn't even have a roommate from the Polar Star Dormitory.

However, the so-called loners never need a place to be bound, so even if they are alone, it doesn't matter, as long as there are no weird things like two people teaming up...

"Everyone is here! My class is arranged in pairs. Of course, I know you were all randomly assigned, so this will test your communication skills even more. You know, as a chef, it is also very important to build good relationships in the kitchen. I will give you ten minutes to form a team."

"Oh, by the way, you are not allowed to complete this assignment alone. If you fail to form a team, you will be expelled."

Such a cute face, yet such cruel words were spoken.

The one who raised this question was Chef Qian. She just looked at everyone with a smile on her face. After saying this, she just sat aside and ate her tea biscuits as if nothing had happened.

When Hikigaya heard this, it was like a bolt from the blue. Although he had been prepared, he really did not expect something like this.

After just a moment of distraction, the people around him seemed to have already lined up. There were a full hundred people in this huge classroom, but Hachiman did not have even a single choice.

For him, taking the initiative to talk to others...

It's really too difficult.

Only five minutes had passed and almost 90% of the people present had formed teams, while the remaining people, due to time constraints, began to form groups randomly. They no longer cared about tacit understanding at all. You have to know that if you cannot successfully form a team now, you will be expelled directly.

As Hachiman was looking around, he suddenly saw a familiar figure also looking around the teacher.

In fact, Hachiman had already noticed her, but...

There is no way out now. If I fail, I will become a benevolent being. There are only two minutes left.

"Well, do you want to form a team together?"

"I reject."

"Now is not the time to be petty."

"I know, unless you promise to stay fifty meters away from me, I will feel dangerous if you, a man, stare at me with malicious eyes!"

"I didn't look at your nonexistent breasts, and you're just throwing a tantrum, aren't you?"

On the stage, Chef Qian has already started counting down:

"There's still one last minute."

Seeing this, Hachiman could only nod helplessly:

"Yes Yes."

"Well, I'll be your teammate reluctantly. What's your name... Hiki... Hiki Toad?"

Chapter 49: Declaration of war from Takumi, I can't be hated so much (Third!)

"Don't mention my nickname from fourth grade so easily..."

"Huh? Isn't that what it's called?"

"It's Hikigaya, Hikigaya, idiot."

"Oh, than penguin."

Although she had a face that was worthy of being described as stunning, the words she spoke sounded like the sharp bite of a venomous snake.

Just when the two were in a stalemate, a yellow-haired boy who looked like he was here to cause trouble came rushing over.

However, I guess the other party's target is not me.

Hachiman slowly made way, but found that the other party's eyes were always on him, even blocking his retreat.

"It's Bipenguin-san, right?"

"No, it's Hikigaya..."

The blond boy was a little embarrassed for a moment. He just put one hand on his waist and turned his head and said:

"Sorry, I'm not very good at remembering people's names."

Just when Hachiman was about to say "It's okay", Yukinoshita on the side said first: "It's okay, it's not your fault. After all, this guy is just not good at making others remember his name."

Hachiman: "It's strange to hear you say that."

Seeing the two of them arguing again, the yellow-haired man on the side felt completely ignored. He just clenched his fist tightly and hit the stove next to him hard.

Of course, the atmosphere quickly became quiet.

Hachiman: "Doesn't it hurt?"

Yukinoshita: "Do you have any masochistic fetish?"

The yellow-haired man seemed to be unable to hold back his inner emotions. After he burst out in an instant, he was hugged by a fat boy behind him. But even so, he still shouted loudly:

"Higiku! I want you to know how powerful I am!"

"Brother, don't embarrass yourself."

After the blond boy was chased away, Yukinoshita just glanced at Hikigaya in disbelief, then propped up her chin with her hand and muttered:

"I didn't expect that there were enemies in Higashiku. It's really shocking."

'So that's not my name...'

"I do not know him."

"That's right. I was wondering how Hikikomori could have any enemies. He has a pair of completely rotten eyes, like a zombie. He will die on the street if exposed to the sun. Of course, it's impossible for him to have any friends."

"This is a complete personal attack. And you are the same as me in not having any friends, idiot."

If both of them had friends, it would not have come to this. However, even so, Hachiman could not be sure whether the other party's loneliness was the same as his own. Because of Yukinoshita's arrogance, the current situation has come about. Perhaps, as she said, those who can live easily in this world are never excellent people, but the right people.

Obviously, Yukinoshita was not right.

While the two were still bickering, Chef Qian on the stage clapped her hands. Her expression was as calm as ever, and she said with a faint smile:

"Okay, everyone, form your teams. I'll sit here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

Perhaps infected by the tense atmosphere, many students have even forgotten the assignment. Or rather, Chef Qian did not assign any assignment at all.

A classmate who finally reacted stepped forward and asked:

"Well, Chef Qian, it seems like you haven't explained anything yet."

"Well... my topic is..." Chef Qian stood up slowly and pointed his hand gently at the empty wooden table beside him.

“Use the ingredients here to make a Japanese dish that satisfies me.”

“But there is no food at all…”

"Yes, the magnificent nature with its clear waters is a treasure trove of excellent ingredients."

"Eh?"

"Seasonings, oil, cooking utensils, and even fishing rods are all prepared for everyone. This is private land. As long as you don't cross the fence, ensure that there is food in this limited area, and cook a dish that satisfies me, you will pass. The time limit is two hours, so... get ready, start."

Everyone was confused for a moment, as if they hadn't reacted yet and just stood there in a daze.

However, Yukinoshita, who was standing next to Hachiman, quickly understood the current situation. After hearing about the so-called wild-caught ingredients, she just sighed helplessly.

"It really gives me a headache."

In just a moment, the students in the classroom seemed to finally understand what was happening. After knowing that there were only two hours left, they became a little flustered and ran out in a hurry without even thinking about their destination.

The only people left in the classroom were the yellow-haired boy and the chubby boy who was holding the yellow-haired boy, while Yukinoshita and Hachiman also stopped there.

"Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, my name is Takumi Aldini."

"This is my brother, Isami Aldini."

"I'm looking forward to what kind of dishes you can make, new chef."

In Takumi's mind, he thought that Totsuki Academy was a culinary school that only experienced chefs could enter, and that every opponent here possessed unparalleled cooking experience and skills. Even so, there would be a cruel elimination system.

But...when he accidentally watched the food battle between Mito and Hikigaya, he heard that the man who defeated Mito had only been a chef for a few days. At that time, all the worldviews he had once worshipped had collapsed.

If I don't deny him here, how can I justify the painstaking efforts I have put in over a decade?

After saying this, Takumi took his brother and left.

Yukinoshita: "It seems that your dead fish eyes have inadvertently made you another enemy. If you continue like this, it will only be a matter of time before you become the most hated student in the entire academy."

"Can you please not start this conversation with the assumption that I'm some kind of asshole?"

"do not you?"

"No, idiot."

After the Takumi brothers left, only Hachiman and Yukinoshita were left in the kitchen, and Chef Inui, who was standing on the podium, seemed to have fallen asleep.

There were only two hours, plus the time to find ingredients and run back and forth, there was probably less than an hour left to cook. However, the two of them seemed unhurried and just lowered their heads to think.

Going out for a walk is a waste of energy anyway, so it can be considered the only unified strategy for two people with poor physical fitness.

After all, this is a test that requires impromptu decision-making. In the face of all the unknowns, it is extremely common to be slow to react and misread the options.

Chapter 50: Grabbing Eggs? Is This Really Just Grabbing Eggs? (Fourth Update!)

There is only a small jungle and a small river here. I guess most of the students here are going there for fishing. After all, the only prop provided is a fishing rod, so there seems to be only one answer.

However, if so many people choose to use fish as a dish, it will inevitably become boring and even lose its freshness. So the competition from the beginning will be about speed. Only the first few groups that make perfect fish dishes may be able to pass this assessment.

Since they are slower than others from the start, they should abandon this option from now on.

There are many ingredients hidden in this small jungle, and what is really needed is a strong insight, and the theoretical knowledge and practical ability to cook any ingredient.

So..

"Yukinoshita, have you decided what to do?"

"Teriyaki eel rice? Or takoyaki or something like that?"

"Don't ask me...but I do have a good choice."

Yukinoshita tilted her head and looked at Hikigaya in confusion, while Hachiman gave a meaningful smile.

"Please don't show such a disgusting smile, it makes me feel full of personal danger."

"..."

After deciding on the final dish to be made, the two of them just walked forward one after the other. Compared to other groups, their progress was already quite slow, but even so, they remained calm and unhurried.

"Should we speed up our pace?"

"Walking too fast can make you tired. Anyway, we still have plenty of time, so this will do. Also, don't get too close to me. Are you a peeping Tom?"

"No."

"Is that a stalker?"

"Hey, why are you starting this conversation with the premise that I have feelings for you?"

"Isn't it?"

"certainly not."

It was as if she was stuck in a problem that she would never be able to understand in her lifetime. She seemed to want to understand this unsolved mystery more than the test proposed by Chef Qian.

The more Hachiman got along with the girl named Yukinoshita, the more he felt her arrogance and sharp tongue. To be honest, if she didn't say anything, it would be easy to be deceived by her face.

Thinking of this, Hachiman unconsciously clenched his fists and frowned fiercely.