The area only had a small forest and a river. Most students had likely rushed straight to fishing. Since the only tools given were fishing rods, the "obvious" answer seemed to be fish.
But if too many people chose fish, the dishes would become boring and lose their freshness. In that case, speed was everything—only the first few groups to make perfect fish dishes might pass the test.
For those who started late like them, they should abandon the fish option altogether.
The forest held many hidden ingredients. What was truly needed here was sharp observation, and both theoretical knowledge and hands-on ability to handle any ingredient.
So then...
"Yukinoshita, thought of what to make yet?"
"Teriyaki eel rice? Or maybe takoyaki?"
"Don't ask me... But I do have a pretty good idea."
Yukinoshita tilted her head, looking at Hikigaya in puzzlement. Hachiman, however, showed a faint, meaningful smile.
"Please stop smiling like that. It makes me feel like I'm in danger."
"..."
After deciding on the final dish, the two walked forward one after the other. Compared to the other groups, their progress was much slower, but even so, they didn't seem worried at all.
"Should we try to walk faster?"
"Walking too fast will only tire us out. We still have plenty of time, so this pace is fine. Also, don't walk so close to me. Are you some kind of peeping pervert?"
"No."
"Then a stalker?"
"Hey, hey, why are you starting the conversation like I must have feelings for you?"
"Don't you?"
"Of course not."
It was like she had just run into a riddle she could never solve in her life. Compared to Chef Inui's current test, she seemed more interested in figuring out this mystery.
The more Hachiman spent time with Yukinoshita, the more he felt just how proud and sharp-tongued she really was. Honestly, if she didn't speak, her face alone could easily fool people.
With that thought, Hachiman unknowingly clenched his fist and frowned hard.
Yukinoshita crossed her arms: "Please don't look at me like I'm your enemy. It feels really hostile. I don't want to end up traumatized in the future."
"…"
"You're not suddenly going to pin me down out here in the middle of nowhere, are you? Remember, I'm the angel sent by heaven to save you. Wouldn't it be way too cruel to repay me like that?"
She said this with a smug smile on her face, and just looking at that expression made Hachiman even more annoyed.
"An angel? More like a demon."
If he had known, he would have rather dropped out with the others than teamed up with her… No wonder no one else wanted to partner with her. So this was the reason.
Not many people could handle the kind of verbal punches she threw. If it had been someone else, they probably would've lost their temper long ago. Of course, that was only part of it… the real reason was something else entirely.
After bickering back and forth, the two finally arrived at their target.
They were after eggs. And if they couldn't find any already laid, they'd have to go for freshly laid ones.
Right now, just their luck, there were over ten hens wandering leisurely inside the coop. If they weren't meant to be eaten, being reborn as a chicken in the next life didn't sound too bad.
Well, that was a joke.
The two crouched low in the grass. If they rushed out now to grab the eggs, they'd definitely end up pecked half to death by those hens.
"Hikigaya, I'll leave this job to you."
"Why? Because I'm a guy?"
"Eh? What does that have to do with it? Isn't it because you're basically invisible?"
"Being invisible doesn't work on hens."
"Really? I thought in their eyes you'd be see-through."
This girl… she's just here to pick a fight, isn't she? But still...
Hachiman let out a helpless sigh. Sure, she was sharp-tongued, scheming, and relentless with her words—tearing him down like he was worth nothing. But even so, there was no way he would let a girl do something this dangerous.
Maybe because he didn't want to go against his own feelings, Hachiman clenched his teeth and stood up without hesitation.
"I'll be right back."
"No need to come back."
"You really are hoping I die, huh."
"Aren't those dead-fish eyes already telling me you're half-dead?"
Not wanting to waste more words with her, Hachiman took a deep breath and stepped into the chicken pen. Finding those so-called fresh eggs wasn't easy. First, he had to deal with the hens' attacks, even one jumping straight at his face. He quickly dodged and blocked. Then came the hard part—catching the right moment to strike back when they slipped up.
"Got it!"
But of course, it wasn't that simple. The moment he grabbed the egg, the hens grew even more aggressive. Escaping with it now? Practically impossible.
Even if he ran out, they would chase him down endlessly, and in the end...
"Bang!"
"Ouch..."
A rock landed right at his feet. It didn't hit the chickens, but at least it startled them.
"Sorry, your dead-fish eyes were just too gross. I couldn't help but mistake you for an enemy."
"Try aiming better, please..."
He complained, but deep down he was thankful she stepped in. With their teamwork, they managed to escape the pen, though...
Those dozen hens looked at them like they had killed their families, chasing without letting up.
"Run!"
Hachiman shoved all the eggs into Yukinoshita's hands, grabbed a stick, and blocked the hens from coming closer.
"Losing your children... really is something hard to let go of."
"But for us, haven't we also lost our way back?"
Yukinoshita glanced at him holding off the hens, then turned her eyes forward again.
Not far ahead was the classroom. As long as they got back there, they would be safe.
Without realizing it, Yukinoshita let out a faint smile. The curve of her lips was like a crescent moon, as if she had seen something that truly pleased her.
Even though running was something she hated the most, at this moment, it somehow felt different. Once they got back, she was definitely going to mock him for this...
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