The rich aroma instantly drew everyone in the Polar Star Dorm.
"Huh, who's cooking in the kitchen? It smells so good."
"Hey, hey, don't tell me it's another new dish from Isshiki-senpai. I can't wait anymore."
"How about trying my smoked meat instead?"
"Idiots, stop fighting even while walking."
"Shut up, you livestock girl!"
"..."
Inside the kitchen, everyone froze for a moment as they watched a stranger completely focused on cooking.
Tadokoro Megumi still nervously hugged her arms tight:
"It's almost done... You can do it, Hikigaya."
At the same time, an extremely handsome boy was also drawn over by the unique smell. His sharp eyes quickly locked onto Hikigaya, who was cooking.
"Grandma Fumio, is someone else joining the Polar Star Dorm?"
Grandma Fumio casually shook her head:
"Isshiki, don't think just anyone can pass my dorm entrance test within three tries. And... this guy is trying to make a dish that satisfies me using salted fish and the last ingredients left in the kitchen? Honestly... it's doubtful."
Hearing Grandma Fumio's words, the crowd that had just gathered finally realized what was happening and jumped in surprise.
"What?! With just those ingredients?"
"Wait... this is his first try?"
"What a shame. If I'd known earlier, I could've given him some ingredients."
"But none of us has ever passed Grandma Fumio's test in one go, right? Even Iroha-senpai... took three tries."
"Well, back then, my cooking was pretty childish."
"Iroha-senpai, don't say that. If you were considered childish, then we're really doomed."
Grandma Fumio never once took her eyes off Hikigaya's movements. While listening to their chatter, she casually said:
"This guy only became a chef yesterday..."
"???! "
"....."
"No... wait, I can't process this. How is he even here... No, wait, how is he in Totsuki Academy?"
Grandma Fumio spread her hands, looking like she didn't know anything. Facing everyone's disbelief, she calmly said: "Who knows? But food doesn't lie. Once you taste it, you'll understand everything."
While they were talking, Hachiman had already finished the last step, bringing together the boiled noodles, the simmered broth, and the fried onions all at once.
The thick, rich smell instantly filled the whole kitchen. Caught off guard, everyone was drawn in by the strange mix of stink and fragrance.
Fumio: "This kid really used salted fish as the base. This smell is something you both hate and love..."
Isshiki: "It's creative, but putting it together like this... salted fish with noodles? I've never heard of such a combo..."
Tadokoro Megumi: "I feel like if Hikigaya passes, our Polar Star Dorm will have one more weirdo..."
At the same time, Hachiman sprinkled in the fried onions. With the final touch done, he finally turned around...
"Eh?" Being surrounded like that made Hachiman feel so uncomfortable that under everyone's stares, he just wanted to run away right there.
'Come to think of it... isn't everyone in this dorm a weirdo anyway...'
But as a cook, giving up at the last moment wasn't an option. He had already made the dish, and if it was to avoid sleeping on the streets tonight, he had no choice but to see it through.
"Please try it, Grandma Fumio."
Taking off his apron, Hachiman pushed the dish in front of her. At that moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on that bowl of salted fish instant noodles.
As expected, the plain plating and the stink of salted fish made it look almost impossible to eat.
Tadokoro Megumi: "So it really is salted fish instant noodles..."
Isshiki: "No matter how you look at it, it's just like something from a cheap diner. Nothing special... except for the awful smell."
Sakaki Ryoko: "But... even though it stinks, it makes you want to pick up your chopsticks."
Marui Zenji: "Could it be like stinky tofu? Maybe there's an amazing flavor hiding under that appearance?"
Yoshino Yuuki: "Come on, don't be too hard on him. This is just his first time trying for the dorm entry test. And besides... he only became a cook yesterday."
While everyone whispered, Fumio, who stood in the center, finally couldn't hold back and let out a terrifying aura:
"Hey! Are you the testers or am I the tester here?"
"Of course it's you, Grandma Fumio..."
Through it all, Hachiman's face didn't change. Success or failure, the result wouldn't change now. Still, this dish was a huge gamble for him.
The others cleared some space, and Fumio picked up her chopsticks. She grabbed a noodle and slid it into her mouth.
Before she could even taste it, the noodle went down smoothly like a loach, disappearing into her stomach.
"Eh?"
"What's wrong, Grandma Fumio?"
"What does it taste like? I'm dying to know..."
"Grandma Fumio, say something..."
She didn't want to admit it, but after so many years as the dorm manager, she had eaten all kinds of food—delicious, high-class, beautiful dishes. And yet this time... she completely lost track of the flavor.
What taste was it?
Almost as if her body moved on its own, her hands lifted the bowl, and she gulped down a mouthful of the broth.
The strong flavor of seaweed and salted fish filled her mouth, the warmth spreading through her whole body.
A wave of deep seafood flavor washed over her again.
She picked up another noodle and ate it without hesitation.
"Delicious..."
Her doubts disappeared. Just one simple word gave everyone the clearest answer.
Hachiman let out a small breath of relief, but when he opened his eyes again, he saw the unbelievable stares surrounding him.
"You really are a monster."