[220] Hachiman's Test

Chapter 220: Hachiman's Test

"You can go back and complete the withdrawal procedures."

With these casual words, Shinomiya pronounced the "death sentence" for the student.

"Why..." the confused student muttered to himself.

Shinomiya descended the stairs, step by step, approaching the student.

"Your hair gel carries the scent of citrus, which can mask the aroma of the dishes."

"While grooming is necessary, as a chef, appearing too outdated can overshadow the brilliance of the cuisine. But remember to choose unscented hair gel in the future. If you still intend to be a chef..."

After saying these words, Shinomiya was about to turn and leave.

"What kind of joke is this? Just because of this small thing, you want me to drop out?" the student said incredulously.

"Small thing?"

Hearing this, Shinomiya stopped in his tracks.

"Do you know that what you call a small thing might lead to a decrease in customers?"

Turning around, his sharp gaze became even more intense.

"Do you intend to ruin my restaurant, you punk?"

Under Shinomiya's pressure, the student dared not speak any further.

Not only him, even the other students within Shinomiya's line of sight involuntarily took a step back.

Seeing that the student no longer questioned anything, Shinomiya turned back and waved his hand.

"Your hard work has been wasted."

After saying this, he returned to the main podium.

"Who was that?" Soma asked with some confusion.

Although he had just stood next to the student, he didn't feel any impact, perhaps because of his carefree nature.

Marui, excited, explained, "He's Chef Shinomiya! He was the first Japanese to be awarded the Pluspol Award and earned three stars in France!"

"Ah, is he very famous?" Soma still looked puzzled.

"Very famous! Soma-kun, in fact, not only Chef Shinomiya, but you can often see others in food magazines as well," explained Megumi beside him.

Just then, a blonde, blue-eyed chef with a double chin arrived in front of the Polar Star Dorm group, took hold of Megumi's hands, and spoke.

"Oh, the simple beauty like a white caraway. Perhaps I was born into this world just to meet you. How about spending the night talking at the accommodation restaurant?"

It was Donato Gotoda.

"Chef Gotoda, let her go!"

Before Megumi could respond, another female chef arrived and intervened.

"Hinako!"

The newcomer was Hinako Inui, and with her appearance, Donato actually released Megumi's hands. It seems the title "Empress of Mist" wasn't earned without reason.

"Sorry for startling you."

Hinako not only held Megumi's hands but also stroked her face while saying some peculiar words.

"Ah! You look so cute! You seem like you'd taste really good..."

"Uh... uh..." Megumi was completely bewildered.

However, at this moment, Donato reminded from the side, "Hinako, we should go back; Chapelle-sensei is watching."

Hearing this, Hinako also released her hands, and together with Donato, returned to the podium. Before leaving, she even extended an invitation to Megumi.

"Remember to come to my restaurant, okay?"

Leaving the girl unsure whether to refuse or agree.

Once the two returned to the podium, the most important figure made his entrance.

A robust, crew-cut man in a suit stood at the forefront.

"That person is! The highest-scoring graduate in history, the number one of the Elite Ten in Totsuki 69th Generation, now serving as the Head Chef of the resort and a member of the board, Dojima Gin!" Marui exclaimed once again, filled with excitement.

At this moment, acting as a semi-host, Dojima spoke.

"First of all, welcome everyone to Totsuki Resort. The graduates gathered here today are all head chefs with their own establishments."

"So, during these six days of training, we will treat you as our own staff. If you can't satisfy us, you will be dismissed, which means expulsion!"

"As you saw earlier, some were eliminated based on individual assessments by the instructors."

"The grouping information will be sent to your phones. Now, let each group start moving!"

With Dojima's words, the students in the hall took out their phones, starting to search for the location of their assigned groups.

Before long, the students in the hall dispersed, and Dojima nodded as he watched the graduates.

"Alright, now head to the classrooms assigned to each of you."

"Understood!"

The graduates also started to move.

Before long, Hachiman found the classroom assigned to him, A5.

As he walked into the classroom, he noticed that many people were already there.

Moreover, Hachiman also spotted a familiar face in this classroom.

Golden long hair, violet eyes, and a well-proportioned figure accentuated by the chef's uniform – who else but Erina.

"Hey... Erina."

Seeing the girl, Hachiman walked over and greeted her.

Seeing his familiar face, Erina raised an eyebrow.

"How come you're here, and why did you become a guest lecturer?"

"Do you remember when Chief Nakiri asked me to go to the study the other day?" Hachiman smiled as he explained. "We discussed this matter in the study that day. Because my culinary skills are top-notch, Chief Nakiri asked me to be a guest lecturer for the accommodation training camp."

"That simple?" the girl questioned.

"That simple!" Hachiman nodded nonchalantly.

However, Erina still had some skepticism. If it was just this, why would they need to go to the study?

"I always feel like you're hiding something from me."

Surprised by the girl's keen intuition, Hachiman naturally wouldn't reveal the other matter. On one hand, it was because of her fear of her father, and disclosing it might bring back unpleasant memories. On the other hand, the task of "training" was not something to be openly spoken about.

"You're overthinking it. Why would I hide something from you?" Hachiman replied.

Hearing his affirmative words, Erina had to suppress her doubts with a light snort.

"Hmph, it's better be that way. If I find out you lied to me, you'll regret it."

Hachiman just smiled slightly at her warning, checked the time, and realized it was time for the assessment to begin.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the students in the classroom, he walked to the position representing the instructor.

"Hello, everyone. I am the instructor for your assessment, Hikigaya Hachiman."

"My assessment is individual and group-based. As for the topic, it's quite simple."

Hachiman wrote a character on the blackboard behind him.

"Noodles!"

But it didn't end there; he continued to write two more characters.

"Not noodles!"