One month later…
This month of training had been pure hell. Every day, not only did he have to attend regular classes at school, but after returning to Polar Star Dorm at night, under Ryoko's supervision, he had to complete nearly impossible physical training.
At this moment, looking at the checklist with almost all the boxes ticked, Ryoko finally showed a satisfied smile, while Hachiman lay flat on the floor, completely exhausted. Ever since he recovered and got out of bed, he had been doing this inhuman physical training day after day. If it weren't for the bit of stamina he built from riding his bike to school every day in the past, he probably wouldn't have lasted until now.
Just then, Marui walked by after taking a shower and saw the completely wrecked Hikigaya lying on the ground. He couldn't help but laugh a little too hard:
"Hahahahahahaha, Hikigaya, you might be talented and amazing in cooking, but without special physical training, ending up like this is totally normal. After all, we trained for this during all three years of middle school too, hahaha."
Seeing Hikigaya getting laughed at like that, Ryoko immediately showed a meaningful smile: "Marui, if I remember right, your stats weren't passing either. To prepare for the school trip, I think you should also do some simple training."
Hearing Ryoko's devilish whisper, Marui's laughing face vanished instantly, and he nervously muttered:
"I think my stamina is pretty good… yeah… I don't really need that kind of training."
"Oh really?"
"Demon! Run!"
In the blink of an eye, Marui disappeared. Come to think of it, this was the first time Hachiman had seen Marui run so fast. But Marui wasn't wrong—Ryoko in this moment really did seem like a devil instructor.
Tadokoro Megumi, who happened to pass by after Marui, slowly walked over. She saw Hikigaya lying on the ground, panting heavily, and didn't seem surprised anymore. She simply placed the tray she was holding onto the small table nearby.
"Hikigaya, this is today's nutritious dinner. It'll help you recover as quickly as possible. Make sure you finish it all!"
Yes, for this entire month of training, Tadokoro Megumi had been the one preparing Hachiman's meals. Although they were just simple nutritious dishes, with her cooking skills, they tasted really good.
"Thanks…"
"You're welcome. You worked hard today too."
Looking at Hachiman's face, Tadokoro Megumi's cheeks turned a little red. Watching him eat her food gave her a quiet sense of happiness.
While he was eating, Ryoko walked over holding the data sheet and said:
"Hikigaya, your numbers are pretty much up to standard now. You've basically reached the level of an average student in Totsuki Academy. Not bad at all!"
"Only average? Now I'm really curious—what kind of monsters are those people at the top of the pyramid?"
Ryoko: "That would be the Elite Ten like Isshiki-senpai, or those close to that level."
For some reason, a girl's name flashed through Hachiman's mind—Yukinoshita: "That girl called Yukinoshita… is she one of them too?"
When they heard the name "Yukinoshita," both Tadokoro Megumi and Ryoko looked startled, completely speechless for a moment.
A few moments later, Tadokoro Megumi finally said softly:
"Hikigaya… she's a special case."
Ryoko let out a long sigh: "I used to think Erina was a once-in-a-lifetime genius. Even in the world's culinary scene, there was no one else like her. Sitting in the Elite Ten at such a young age—her future is limitless."
"But… last year, Yukinoshita appeared out of nowhere, like Erina's destined rival. In less than a year, she reached Erina's level. I wouldn't be surprised if the two of them have a Shokugeki soon that shakes not just the academy, but the entire culinary world."
Tadokoro Megumi: "If Erina has a natural gift like the God Tongue, then Yukinoshita is the complete opposite—just an ordinary person with no special talent at all. For her to rise like this is unbelievable."
Ryoko: "Oh right, Hikigaya, about what you asked… that might actually be where Erina has an edge over Yukinoshita."
Tadokoro Megumi: "Well, Yukinoshita's stamina isn't that good… If it comes down to endurance, Erina will definitely have the advantage."
He never asked on purpose, but when Hachiman heard that, he was still a little shocked. Those two had already reached that level. Other than that, though, he wasn't too surprised.
If his little sister Komachi ever came to this school, she might even break the record for the fastest climb to the Elite Ten. So… it didn't seem that strange after all.
Ryoko: "Anyway, worrying about others isn't important. Compared to them, we should care about ourselves. If we want everyone to come back alive from the school trip, Hikigaya, you still need to keep pushing through training."
Tadokoro Megumi: "That's right. During the school trip, Yukinoshita and Erina will both be joining us too. To keep up with them—and to keep up with you, Hikigaya—I need to work hard on creating new dishes!"
Hachiman: "Looks like what I know about Totsuki Academy is just the tip of the iceberg…"
…
After a month since enrollment, Hachiman had gotten used to life here. Since he and Tadokoro Megumi were in the same class, they often helped each other. Both of their grades had been improving since that day, and Tadokoro Megumi had slowly climbed from the bottom of the class to the top.
As usual, the classes were starting to feel easier for them. Whether it was an individual assignment or a group project, they could finish them well enough to get good comments from every teacher.
And all of this did not escape the eyes of class rep Hayama Hayato.
"Hikigaya, can we talk alone for a moment?"
"Sure."
During lunch break, Hachiman would usually talk with Tadokoro Megumi about cooking, but this time, the one standing in front of him was the person he hated most back in middle school... the fake nice guy, Hayama Hayato.
As if tied by fate, the two of them, who hardly spoke in middle school, met again here. On this rooftop, it felt almost destined, something that made one sigh at the coincidence.
Hachiman placed his hand on the railing, not looking at Hayama, just feeling the breeze brushing past. Behind him, Hayama slowly lowered his head without realizing it.
"I have something I need to ask you for help with."
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