Can you handle my Hikigaya's cooking?

It would be fine if Hachiman had this intention, at least this is the direction he expected, but...

He had never thought about it at all. Even everything up to now was a sudden accident. The bet that Erina and Yukinoshita suddenly dragged him into was also extremely strange.

If possible, even if he hone his cooking skills in the future, he will only continue working at Hotel Hikigaya.

If that's the case...

"Actually, seniors, I already have my own restaurant, a small restaurant..."

"Eh?"

"What's the matter?"

“…”

It seemed like an expected reaction. Not only the chefs, but even the classmates did not expect that Hikigaya would directly choose to refuse.

"I have always had a small restaurant, which I have been running with my father and sister. Although I have never cooked, I am responsible for cleaning the garbage and so on."

The chefs fell silent for a moment, and only the students next to them were still talking.

“Small, small restaurant...”

"Wait, if even Hikigaya can only clean up the garbage, then...what about his father and his sister? Geniuses among geniuses?"

"No way... Even a request from the Ten Elites was rejected by Hikigaya... This guy really has no idea how powerful the Ten Elites are!"

Megumi Tadokoro on the side was also a little anxious, because in her opinion, if she could become one of the top ten, her future would definitely be full of hope, but... now she was rejected by Hikigaya.

Just when several chefs were at a loss, Senior Shigong finally came out from nowhere. It was obvious that he had been observing everything in front of him.

"So, what if I say that I can guarantee that you will graduate with the top seat in Totsuki?"

As a graduate of the 79th term and the number one in Totsuki, Shinomiya is naturally qualified to say this, but...

That's too arrogant.

"The first seat! That's the first seat!"

"Is the first place really that easy? By the way, didn't they say that Hikigaya won against Shinomiya-senpai? Could it be that the rumor..."

"Stupid, you can tell from the current situation, but..."

"It's so strange, it's really strange. I'm completely confused."

Faced with classmates who were almost frightened, Hachiman's choice remained unchanged.

He just shook his head indifferently, and then turned his gaze to Senior Shigong.

"Thank you, Shinomiya-senpai, but just like you in the past, I also have my own path to follow. I hope you can understand."

The corners of Shigong's mouth slightly raised:

"Well, I won't force you. In fact, I'm looking forward to the day when you can actually fight me. I hope that won't be too long."

Without any further ado, after receiving a clear rejection, Shinomiya turned and left, while the other chefs looked at Hikigaya reluctantly.

So far, four chefs have invited Hikigaya, and only one person is missing to fulfill the bet between Yukinoshita and Erina.

But... in this case, will there be a fifth one?

In Erina's opinion, she had already won. The reason why Yukinoshita lost was that she did not expect that Hikigaya had no desire to improve.

But in fact...

"This class is really incredible. There isn't even one student who follows the chefs."

Chapter 72: Erina's Faith! Never Be a Genius

I thought this was the moment the bet ended, but I didn't expect that the appearance of Dojima Gin in front of him made the bet confusing again.

"No way, even Senior Dojima Gin is not going to get involved."

"This kind of thing is a bit too exaggerated. It feels like I'm reading a fantasy novel."

"If the chairman of Totsuki Resort wants to keep Hikigaya, then this is really big news."

"Don't you think what happened today is enough for us to never forget?"

Erina, who thought she had won, put away her smile at this moment. Although all the suggestions of the seniors were rejected by Hikigaya, as the chairman of Totsuki Resort, he must have different means. If he wanted to win over Hikigaya...

So this time, the bet will be Erina's defeat.

Unlike Erina and Yukinoshita, Hikigaya does not have any family background, and the abilities he has demonstrated now are definitely not something that ordinary people can do. Whether it is his terrifying insight, his rich theoretical knowledge, the cooking plans imprinted in his mind, or even his ability to distinguish between different noses with just a simple sniff, they are enough to scare people away.

As everyone expected, Gin Dojima walked towards Hikigaya, and Hikigaya seemed to have gotten used to the situation. Although his invitation was no different from that of other chefs, when facing senior Gin Dojima, Hikigaya would still think of the scene when they first met.

That unique and rare memory is now lingering in his mind.

At the beginning, was it fate, or did he already know that he would come to Totsuki one day?

However, it doesn't matter what happened in the past.

Dojima Gin: "Hikigaya Hachiman, to be honest, although we have many opportunities to communicate, the only time we have truly communicated through cooking is when we first met."

Hikigaya: "After all, I don't have the cooking skills of Dojima Gin-senpai. Even if Dojima Gin-senpai wants to communicate with me, the answer I get in the end may not be satisfactory."

It was completely different from the first time they met. Compared to now, he was like wearing a mask that no one knew about. In front of him, he was calm and serious. Of course, in Hikigaya's view, this was a symbol of strength.

Dojima Gin: "You've given me quite a few surprises. One day you'll definitely become a chef on your own. I was certain of this when I first met you."

"And now you have joined Totsuki Academy, a school that has produced many outstanding students. If you can overcome all obstacles and make it to the end, it will definitely not be difficult for you to surpass me in the future."

"Oh!"

The entire venue was filled with explosive sounds again in an instant. If someone else said this, it might not mean anything, but the person standing in front of Hikigaya was Dojima Gin, the former number one in Totsuki and also the number one with the highest achievements so far.

When he said this, perhaps in the not-so-distant future, the culinary world will be completely changed because of someone.

"This guy is really liked..."

"How should I know? I have no idea what the gambling situation is now."

"At least I think Yukinoshita won."

"No... After all, Dojima Gin-senpai hasn't sent out an invitation yet. I think Erina-sama has won."

"..."

The arguing never stopped, but Dojima Gin just looked into Hikigaya's eyes:

"Although I know your strengths, you also have an absolutely troublesome disadvantage. As for that disadvantage, it is the level that you must overcome on your path to growth."

Hachiman: "If there were no troubles, life would be too boring."

Dojima Gin: "That's good. Finally..."

"As long as you are willing, you can come to Totsuki Resort anytime after you graduate and become a member of this place."

"I hope you can give me a bigger surprise next time we meet."

Without too much nonsense, like Dojima Gin himself, this calm Totsuki chairman was unexpectedly cool and unrestrained. Although they had only talked a few times, but...

As for his once most familiar partner, Gin Dojima always felt a sense of familiarity in Hikigaya.

"Joichiro...is that you?"

No wonder he looks like an old friend, it turns out he is the son of an old friend. That’s actually what it means.

...

As if she had expected all this, Yukinoshita's face was not overly excited. She just raised the corners of her mouth slightly and her eyes were immediately fixed on Erina.

It was as if everything was calculated. Yukinoshita was not self-righteous at all. It was just that smile that seemed to tell Erina that the prejudice she had always had would be the key to her failure.

Erina is definitely not a person who goes back on her word. Even though her personality is not likable and she doesn't want to admit her failure, after witnessing everything with her own eyes, she has no choice but to accept it.

It was unknown when Senior Dojima Gin left. For this invitation meeting, half of the dozens of chefs gave the same invitation to one person, and even then, most of them were rejected. If the news was reported back to Totsuki headquarters, what kind of storm would it cause? No one knew.

Compared to the rumors last time, this time the facts were seen with their own eyes.

Of course, there are other people who have received invitations from other seniors, such as Yeshan. Although he has a small family behind him, if he wants to engage in cooking in the future, it is still difficult for a small family to support him, unlike Yukinoshita and Erina. Therefore, with his ability, it is normal for him to receive invitations.

However, like Hikigaya, he politely declined.

As for the other students who received invitations from their seniors, some followed their seniors directly and some chose to stay in Totsuki for further studies. But no matter what, the protagonist of this scene belonged to Hikigaya alone, and all the limelight was snatched away by him.

Because of a bet, past rumors, and even the appearance of Senior Dojima Gin, Hikigaya Hachiman has become a well-known person to everyone.

Erina: "I lost, but... I will never lose in food battle."

It seemed that there was not much to say. Erina just glanced at Yukinoshita, then returned her gaze to Hikigaya. After staring at him fiercely, she turned and left.

"Hey, Miss... don't be so cruel. Don't blame me for other people's grudges."

Facing Erina's departure, Yukinoshita didn't say anything. The unique smile on her face seemed to explain everything. Unlike Erina, the look she gave Hikigaya no longer had the same alienation as before. She just nodded slightly at Hikigaya and turned to leave.

"So, I am just a tool..."

Even though he complained like this in his heart, Hachiman didn't really care. After all, he wasn't someone who fought or competed. Although the war between the two women was centered around him, as long as he wasn't involved, it didn't matter.

but...

When I thought about the fact that the food battle between the two of them was caused by him, I felt a little troubled...

Forget it, let's take a good rest first...

Although a small incident just happened, he was finally able to enjoy the food on the table. At least for now, he was satisfied.

On the other side, Erina, who had just walked out of the venue, heard Hisako's voice calling her and finally came back to her senses. However, her chest was constantly heaving, as if it had been stimulated by something, and it was a little hard for her to accept.

Hisako: "Lady Erina, are you okay?"

Erina didn't say anything, just turned around and shook her head.

Hisako: "Well, actually... Lady Erina, although you may not be happy with what I said, I have eaten Hikigaya's food, and he is actually quite good."

It seemed that something was touching. Erina, who was already a little excited, became even more emotional at this moment. She just said loudly:

"This... Of course I know this! But... I just don't want to acknowledge him!"

"Why, like him, they can all become chefs... They clearly have no desire to win, but they can easily take everything away from others."

Even though she is called a genius, Hisako knows clearly that Erina-sama, who has possessed the Divine Tongue since childhood, has worked no less hard than anyone else. However, after such repeated efforts and finally climbing to the highest point, she was given the high-sounding title of "genius", as if these two words had made all her efforts in vain.

Regardless of whether it was Yukinoshita or Hikigaya, they were obviously just transfer students, but they were approaching her at an extraordinary speed. Her efforts over the past decade seemed to have vanished in vain at this moment.

If this was his cooking story, then she had to deny it no matter what.

Facing this side of Erina, Hisako was a little at a loss. Although she grew up with Erina and always stayed by her side, she only saw her victory and pride, and knew nothing about the hardships behind her.

Erina: "Now I have given Yukinoshita the opportunity to challenge me, but this is just the beginning. After this, more and more people will begin to be jealous of my position as one of the top ten, and I will also climb up until I tell everyone that I am not the only one with talent."

"I'll leave this period of time to you, Hisako... I want to improve, I want special training, no matter who it is... I will defeat them one by one!"

Using food to make the opponent admit defeat sincerely, this is Erina's cooking story.

If once is not enough, try twice. If two is not enough, try three, four, five times, until you win.

Erina lost this bet, but what happened next...

She will win it back. Erina was so determined that she took out a very old photo from her pocket. This was the direction she had to move forward until she fulfilled the promise she made with that person.

If Hachiman was also present, he would have noticed that the person in the photo that Erina took out was his father, Shiroichiro.

She was completely different from Erina now. At that time, she lowered her head shyly, looking like a little girl.

But it is also true. Facing her idol, her goal, and her mentor, she is just Erina.

...

After finishing the school trip that was described as hellish, everyone finally returned to Polaris Dormitory, but the atmosphere was...somewhat weird.

It was a little different from what they had imagined, that Senior Isshiki would jump out to welcome them back. The entire Polar Star Dormitory was plunged into a heavy atmosphere. Neither Grandma Wenxu nor Senior Isshiki were anywhere to be seen.

Marui: "I always feel like something terrible is happening."

Mito: "Now I realize that Polaris Dormitory is really full of disasters..."