Chapter-17: The Promise…

Chapter-17: The Promise…

The next morning, Hiro woke up to a message from Fi.

- Good morning, Fi. How's it going? - Hiro asked with a smile on his face.

After Hiro's words, a hologram appeared in front of him, in the form of a teenage girl. At one point, Hiro got tired of talking to the phone, so he went into the wilds of the store and bought a hologram system and set it up.

[Good morning! I have good news for you, the production of phones and computers is in full swing. In the course of studying your gifts, I improved them several times, so brother, I demand a reward] - the girl's joyful voice sounded.

- Okay, okay, you deserve it, so what do you want as a reward? - Hiro asked as he dressed.

[I want something new that I haven't learned, like a car or an airplane. Whatever my brother gave me, I'm happy to accept.] - Fi said, cocking her head to the side.

- You'll have a good look at the layout of the machine and its functions. - Hiro said with a smile, and after a couple of seconds, he found the right option, which was not inferior to all existing cars in the world, and maybe a little superior. It was a 2013 Hennessey Venom GT.

[Thank you brother, this is a great gift!] - the joy in her voice was boundless, only thanks to the fact that the sound is transferred to the Bluetooth headphones, saved Hiro from unnecessary questions from the residents of the hostel...

- Okay Fi, I'm glad you liked it! All I have to go! - Hiro said, and went to the kitchen for breakfast.

As soon as Hiro left his room, he suddenly saw Megumi coming out of room 301. When their eyes met, she suddenly panicked.

- Good morning, Megumi. - Hiro said without the slightest embarrassment after yesterday's incident.

- Go...good morning, Hiro! - Megumi said, blushing.

- Hmm, let's go get some breakfast! - Hiro said as he walked down the stairs. Although confused, Megumi still followed him.

As soon as Hiro and Megumi entered the dining room, they saw Soma sitting in a chair with an excited face.

- Ishiki-senpai! You defeated me last night, but I challenge you now. I challenge you for seventh place! - Soma shouted.

-... -everyone who saw this situation was speechless.

Soma and Ishiki glared at each other. Yukihira is impatient and confident, Ishiki is tired and muddy.

- I'm sorry, Soma-kun! - Ishiki finally said – I probably didn't make myself clear yesterday. There are several rules about such competitions at the academy.

- If you want to challenge me for seventh place, you have to bet something equivalent to the importance of my position…

- Something equal in importance to the seventh place? - Yukihira interrupted.

- Yeah! - Ishiki nodded. -And if we're talking about the seventh place…Here, even your exclusion will not be enough.

- Really?! - Soma almost choked on his tea.

- Exactly! - Fumio-san entered the kitchen - The members of the elite ten will not give up their seats so easily.

- After all, they are the chief executive in the academy. - Yoshino nodded – Even teachers are not allowed to speak out against their decisions...

- Previously, every year a few students from our dorm got into the top ten. - Nostalgically, Fumio-san said proudly – But you are all just pathetic scum... who cook well…

- I would gladly accept your challenge. - Ishiki hastened to change the subject – But I don't want you to be expelled. Therefore, there will be no competition.

- So... - Hiro interjected. - To challenge someone to a contest, you have to… And what is necessary for this?

- Well, for an official match, you need three conditions. - shrugged our novice exhibitionist

- First, the referee, who recognizes the legitimacy of the competition. Secondly, several judges. And, thirdly, an agreement with a description of all the conditions of the competition. But if you fulfill all three conditions, you can compete with anyone in the academy. The competitions in which Tootsuki's students compete are called Cooking Matches.

- It's too complicated. - Soma spread his hands

- Oh, it seems I can't challenge you any time soon. Damn, I shouldn't have woken up at 5 in the morning. - Soma spoke softly.

- Ha-ha, don't be sad, Yukihira-kun. To make up for your grief, I'll make you all breakfast! - Ishiki shouted.

…

After finishing the breakfast that Ishiki had prepared, Hiro and Megumi went to the class that they had scheduled for the day. Yes, they had the same lesson today. Spanish cuisine lesson.

When they both arrived at the designated classroom, it was already fully packed. Soon after, a middle-aged Spaniard opened the classroom door.

- Hello, everyone! Today I will be your teacher! My name is Adan! Today you will prepare a classic Spanish dish! - Without further ado, Adan immediately named a topic and wrote it on the board.

«Arroz con pollo»

- "Arroz con pollo"? - as soon as Hiro thought about this dish, he thought of ways to prepare it and an improved version of this recipe.

- Same rules as usual, two people team up and prepare a dish. You have 2 hours to present it to me. - Adan said, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

- Megumi, have you ever cooked "Arroz con pollo" before? - Hiro asked.

- Yes... yes, all of Totsuki's students have been taught to cook "Arroz con pollo" before.

- So you're cooking today. I'll just do some side work and help you out. - Hiro decided instantly. Although he could make a good dish or better, he wanted to help Megumi become more confident.

- Uh.... Uh-uh?! - Megumi almost fainted from the information she received.

- All right, that's settled! Please tell me what to do, Chief Megumi. - Hiro said, smiling.

Although it was very unexpected for Megumi, she quickly adapted to the role of chef. Hiro smiled, as he knew the potential contained in Megumi from the original, without even losing to a main character like Soma. She was just very clumsy because she wasn't sure of her own abilities.

With Hiro's help, Megumi did almost all of the basic cooking work. Hiro basically guided her and corrected her mistakes. "Arroz con pollo" didn't require much action.

With Hiro's help, Megumi's cooking went smoothly, without much trouble. After just an hour, they finally finished their dish and served it to Adan.

- Great! - Adan said with satisfaction. Hiro didn't feel that way because he had already tried the end result, mostly Megumi, who felt very happy as she was technically getting an "A" grade by her own efforts for the first time!

The Spanish class was not much different from the Chinese class. After eliminating a student, Adan began a theoretical assignment.

Immediately after the end of the lesson, they went about their business.

...

Right now, Hiro was walking around the academy grounds and was dying of boredom. After a moment's thought, he remembered his conversation with Alice yesterday and his recent promise to her. It remains to find out where her lesson takes place.

When he found out where Alice was, he went to her. When they reached the Italian food class, it was just in time, as Alice came out at that moment.

- Hey, Alice! - Hiro shouted to his friend.

- Oh, Hi, Hi, did you miss me? - she answered with a smile.

- I'm keeping my promise here, but if you don't want me to, I'll probably go. - As sad as it could be, Hiro said.

- Oh, so you're going to draw me? - Alice asked cheerfully.

- Yes, unlike some people, I keep my promises! - Hiro said, remembering Alice's promise.

- I can cook for you right now! Are you ready to fulfill your promise? - Alice said, turning around.

- I just have to find the tools! - after a moment's thought, he said. – You're out of class, aren't you?

- Yes, I'm free now! - Alice said.

- Well, well, then let's go to my house, there was just a set. And you can cook something! - Hiro asked, a little embarrassed.

- Ara... What were you thinking, huh? - she asked teasingly.

Hearing Alice's question, Hiro turned to hide his embarrassment and walked to the front of the building.

- Hi-hi…

…

A few minutes later, they were at Hiro's house.

When Hiro entered his house, the first thing he did was go in search of paints and other art supplies. Alice, meanwhile, was walking in the open spaces of the house.

Her attention was caught by a stack of neatly folded sheets, so without a twinge of conscience, she began to look through each sheet. This stack was his recent work, One Piece.

- You never cease to amaze me, you, it turns out, work as a mangaka? But why haven't I seen this story anywhere, it would be 100% popular! - Alice asked enthusiastically.

- I've submitted it to the editor, so it should be published soon.

- Oh, then I'm your first fan! Is there more? - Alice asked with a cute little face.

- Yes, but I won't give it to you! - Hiro said firmly, and continued with a smile. – At least until I've had my lunch!

- Got it! – she cried, and went into the kitchen.

After 30 minutes, Alice prepared a light lunch. After lunch, they went to the nearest park, where the art began.

When he reached the right place, Hiro invited her to sit down, and he began to prepare for future creativity.

- It will take some time to express your beauty on this white canvas of paper. Why don't you read this for now? - Hiro said, holding out the manga. - When you finish reading it, your portrait will be ready.

- All right. I can't wait to read the sequel myself. - Alice said with a small smile. - I'm also dying to see what you can do, Mr. Artist.

While she is immersed in the magical world of manga, Hiro at this moment began to draw on a white canvas.

Hiro stopped and studied the girl across from him. He did this not only to correctly transfer the contours of her face to the paper, he wanted to see her impression.

When Alice first began to read, her face did not express much interest, you can even say that she was somewhat bored.

But over time, her eyes began to show a strong fascination. She plunged into the world of the future Pirate King and already traveled with him across the seas and oceans.

As she finished reading the manuscript, Hiro was almost done with the portrait. It was even better than he had expected.

As soon as Hiro put down the pencil, he heard the creative object close the book.

- Well? - Hiro asked the question, with a slight sneer. - Did you like it?

She looked at me as if she wanted to see how my brain worked.

- Yes, I liked it.

- What do you say?

- It's... a real masterpiece!

- In that case, will you accept this small gift from me? - Hiro unfolded the canvas.- Like it? Be lenient, I tried very hard.

On a white canvas of paper was written a girl sitting on a bench and enthusiastically reading a book.

- Beautiful… I didn't even know I was so beautiful... - she snapped. - You know, I'm tired of being surprised today. As they say, a talented person is talented in everything. And your talent indicator has been broken for a long time, so I won't say much, but I'll just take this canvas and place it at home. Wait... - she said, looking at the portrait carefully. - Again, there is no your signature! For the future, remember, whatever you do, always put your autograph! - she said, giving instructions for the future.

- I understand, Miss Alice! - Hiro said, taking the brush and signing it.

After wandering around for a while, we decided it was time to go back.

In principle, we can say that today's walk has come to an end.

- Hiro, that was wonderful! - whispered Alice.

- I'm glad I didn't fall on my face in the mud

- Oh, you've done so much more! - Alice said, and drove off in the direction of her house.