After the two finished introducing themselves, a faint smile appeared on Nakiri Erina's face.
Soon, she turned her curious gaze toward Takanashi Toka, who was standing beside Sato.
Seeing this, Takanashi Toka gave a slight nod and looked calmly at Nakiri Erina.
"Totsuki Academy, 86th Class. Takanashi Toka."
Nakiri Erina thought for a moment, then looked at her with slight surprise.
"Ninth seat of the 86th class? Chef Chapelle's prized student?"
Roland Chapelle was the head of the French Cuisine Division at Totsuki Academy and one of the most senior instructors in the academy.
"I wouldn't dare claim that."
Takanashi Toka replied neither arrogantly nor humbly.
Although Nakiri Erina made many restaurants tremble in fear, she had strong confidence in her own abilities. That was the courage she had as a chef when facing the God Tongue.
"Excuse me, but what exactly is this Ten Elite you keep mentioning?"
Sato asked with interest.
"The Ten Elite refers to the ten students in Totsuki Academy with the most outstanding culinary ability. Any graduate from the Ten Elite has the skill to serve as head chef of a famous restaurant."
Hisako Arato's voice sounded from behind Nakiri Erina as she began fulfilling her duties as a secretary.
"At the same time, they represent the highest authority within the academy. They can intervene in the academy's development and operations. They also manage the organization and funding of various activities and clubs. If the Ten Elite unite, they can even overrule the academy's director's order."
"Even the Director?"
"Yeah. Nakiri-san here is also the youngest Ten Elite in Totsuki's history."
Takanashi Toka added from the side.
"That's quite impressive."
Sato's eyes shone with interest. Life here seemed far more interesting than ordinary school life.
"You two are..."
Suddenly, Nakiri Erina's gaze fell on Takanashi Toka. She had noticed earlier that the two seemed to know each other.
Seeing this, Sato glanced at Takanashi Toka and then smiled as he explained,
"We're neighbors in the same apartment building. We just happened to run into each other earlier."
"I see."
Nakiri Erina nodded first, then suddenly looked at Sato with astonishment.
"Apartment?"
"Oh, because of advancing my studies, I came here to attend school. The apartment I'm currently renting is in the same building as Takanashi-san's."
"You didn't go to Asahigaoka this year, so I didn't get the chance to tell you."
"Sorry."
Nakiri Erina bowed slightly to Sato with some embarrassment.
"Because I became one of the Ten Elite last year, I've been busy with many things and didn't have time to go there."
Sato smiled and indicated that he understood.
What he did not know was that both Hisako Arato and Takanashi Toka were already standing nearby with their jaws practically dropped. They could not help wondering whether the girl standing before them was really the Nakiri Erina they knew.
She actually felt embarrassed and apologized?
Hisako Arato stared blankly at Nakiri Erina. She felt as if her entire worldview had just been overturned.
Suddenly, Nakiri Erina pressed her lips together. A trace of unwillingness appeared in her eyes as she spoke coldly to Hisako Arato beside her.
"Hisako, change the evaluation for that guy from earlier."
"Yes..."
Hisako Arato hesitated for a moment before quickly agreeing, though her heart was in turmoil.
Erina-sama, who never allowed anyone to defy her, had actually changed her own decision for the first time.
This man...
Her gaze suddenly locked onto Sato.
Could he become the rival of her entire life?
"If he didn't pass, then forget it. You don't need to do that."
Sato waved his hand.
Although Yukihira Joichiro had asked him to accompany Yukihira Soma to take the exam, he had also said that if the kid could not even pass this test, then he should fend for himself.
So there was no need to put Nakiri Erina in a difficult position.
"Actually... he passed the test."
Nakiri Erina suddenly said this, then fell silent.
Hm..?
Sato's eye paused mid-blink, then remembered what Nakiri Erina had said when she came out earlier. His expression suddenly became rather strange as he looked at the girl.
Curiosity also flashed through Takanashi Toka's eyes as she turned to look at the culinary building.
A new student had actually passed Nakiri Erina's test?
Seeing Sato's strange look, Nakiri Erina glared at him with slight embarrassment.
"What are you looking at? Is something strange?"
"Nothing."
Sato answered calmly.
He knew very well that one should never argue with a woman. Even if she was still a young lady, the rule remained the same.
After all, they were the most unreasonable creatures in the world.
Seeing Sato immediately give in, Nakiri Erina crossed her arms over her chest and snorted, her face slightly red.
As expected, blondes were all tsundere.
Sato thought silently.
"Oh right. Since you rarely come here, how about I treat you to lunch? I'll cook personally. Any kind of cuisine is fine. I can also show you the strength of a Totsuki Ten Elite."
Nakiri Erina suddenly said to Sato, lifting her chin proudly.
A Totsuki Ten Elite?
Sato rubbed his chin.
From what Hisako Arato had said earlier, these should be among the most outstanding chefs in the world. How would they compare with the boss?
His interest was suddenly piqued.
At that moment, Yukihira Soma walked out of the culinary building. He scratched his head, looking completely confused, as if he was thinking about something he could not figure out.
Soon he noticed Sato and Nakiri Erina standing together.
He froze for a moment, then asked instinctively,
"You know each other?"
"Friends."
Sato gave a simple explanation, then said,
"By the way, you already passed your exam. Erina is treating me to lunch at noon, so you can head back first."
Passed... passed?
How did he suddenly pass?
Could it be that Dad arranged for Nohara to accompany me for this reason?
Yukihira Soma stood there with a confused expression. When he finally reacted, he looked at the backs of Sato and the girls as they walked away and could not help muttering,
"Tch. Old man, is this why? No matter! I'm gonna make everyone say 'It's delicious' with my food. Just you all wait."
Soma looks up at the sky with determination.