Shrinking the size of the dorm... this was the first time Hikigaya had ever heard of such a thing since moving in.
But judging from everyone's faces, this probably wasn't that rare.
After all, from what Tadokoro Megumi had said, the Polar Star Dorm took up a lot of land. If that's the case, then it wasn't surprising people had their eyes on it.
It's just that...
"What are the Elite Ten and Shokugeki?"
Since arriving at this school, Hachiman had heard these two words more than once, but even now, he still hadn't figured out what they actually meant.
Compared to Hachiman's confusion, everyone's eyes looked at Hikigaya in disbelief.
Ryoko: "Hikigaya, you really came into this academy knowing nothing, huh."
Yoshino: "I'm starting to feel more and more like you really are just some guy who only recently became a chef..."
Ibusaki: "Well, in the cooking world, almost no one doesn't know about the Elite Ten. If you don't even know that, it just proves you only became a chef not long ago. Anyway, Marui, you explain it."
Marui: "Why me... Fine, since it's for our new dorm mate's future, I'll explain."
"Let's start with the Elite Ten. The 'Totsuki Elite Ten Council' is made up of the top ten ranked students in the whole academy. Most of Totsuki's important matters are decided directly by them. You could call it Totsuki's student council, or even the school's highest decision-making group."
"In terms of the school's structure, their status is second only to the Headmaster. Even the teachers of Totsuki Academy have to follow the Elite Ten's decisions."
Listening to Marui's explanation, Hachiman quickly thought back to Chef Chapelle that afternoon. Now that he thought about it, Chapelle had already hinted at this earlier.
Yoshino added: "They say that decades ago, when the dorm was still full, Polar Star often had people chosen as members of the Elite Ten."
Ryoko: "There were even times when students from Polar Star held multiple seats in the Elite Ten."
Hachiman: "No wonder... this dorm is so big."
Marui: "Well, you'll find out more later. After all, once Grandma Fumio starts talking about it, she never stops."
At that, everyone exchanged a wry smile. Compared to those glory days, they were now being suppressed by the other students.
Hachiman thought of Nakiri Erina, who he'd run into earlier that morning. If he wasn't mistaken, she was one of the famous Elite Ten.
'To reach that position at such a young age... it's no wonder everyone pays attention to her.'
As he thought about it, his mind also went to the girl he'd seen at noon being surrounded by onlookers. If he remembered correctly, her name was Yukinoshita Yukino.
From what people around him had said, she was just a transfer student, yet she already aimed to grab a seat in the Elite Ten.
Before Hachiman could think further, Isshiki spoke up:
"Hikigaya, have you ever thought about what your dream is, coming to this academy?"
"A dream, huh..." For some reason, the first thing that popped into Hachiman's head was his sister Komachi's words. She had promised to join this school after graduating. As her older brother... if he had to name his dream right now..
"To protect the Polar Star Dorm. Later on, when my little sister enters, I want her to have a good place to stay. If possible, I'd like to build a place called 'Hikigaya Diner' here in Totsuki Academy."
Hearing Hikigaya's so-called dream, everyone fell silent again.
Ryoko: "Hikigaya, you're a siscon, aren't you."
Hachiman: "I am not..."
Isshiki: "Having a dream is enough. But if you want to build something of your own in Totsuki, you'll first need to become one of the Elite Ten. And second, you'll need to win through Shokugeki."
Marui: "That's right. Shokugeki is the best way to resolve conflicts at Totsuki Academy."
Isshiki: "The conditions for holding a Shokugeki are three things..."
"First, an official judge to recognize the match."
"Second, an odd number of judges."
"Third, both sides must agree on the terms of victory."
"As long as these three are met, you can challenge anyone in this academy."
"To face every opponent using cooking, to defeat them one-on-one — this is Totsuki's tradition, the Shokugeki."
Thanks to Isshiki's explanation, Hachiman finally understood what kind of place Totsuki Academy really was.
Looking at it now, it wasn't surprising at all that his dad had sent him here. For Komachi too, this was definitely the kind of place where her cooking skills could be sharpened.
Marui: "Isshiki-senpai, you forgot to mention one thing... When both sides have a Shokugeki, they need to put up something equal in value. For example, if Hikigaya wants to challenge you, Isshiki-senpai, and take your seat as one of the Elite Ten, then even something like expelling him wouldn't be enough as a bet."
Hikigaya knew the Elite Ten were valuable, but he didn't expect the price to be that high.
Isshiki added:
"That's right, the value of the Elite Ten is extremely high in Totsuki Academy. Many people are willing to risk everything just to climb into that position."
The more Hachiman learned about this academy, the more he finally understood the parts that had confused him before. Still, even now, he didn't feel the slightest bit of fighting spirit.
Maybe that was just his personality. Instead of wasting time and energy climbing up, his simplest goal was just to graduate normally and earn his high school credits.
...
Meanwhile, Nakiri Erina, who had just finished another long and tiring day, stretched her arms wide at her desk.
"Tap tap..."
"Come in."
At this hour, Erina didn't even need to look to know who it was.
Hisako, holding a pile of documents, stepped inside with a worried look in her eyes: "Lady Erina, it's so late and you're still not resting."
Erina shook her head, unconcerned: "The judging work isn't done yet, and I also want to try out my new dish later. There's not much time to rest, Hisako. You know, a lot of people have their eyes on the Elite Ten seats."
Hisako still looked worried but didn't press further: "Alright then... Lady Erina, I brought you a file. I wonder if you'd be interested in it."
Erina's eyes stayed on her own papers. She asked casually:
"What is it?"
"Hikigaya Hachiman's... admission letter."