"Hoshino-kun."
A voice from a distance made Hoshino Sora turn his head. What came into view was a bouncing white rabbit and a smiling face.
With red eyes and white hair, the girl came to Hoshino Sora's side, her breathing slightly hurried from running, and her chest rising and falling with her breath.
It was truly hard to look away.
"Good morning, Alice."
He greeted Alice Nakiri with a smile. The two were both master and subordinate, and partners, so their relationship was very good.
"Hmph hmph, were your eyes staring at my chest just now? I saw it, you know, your eyes were filled with a man's desire~"
With a hint of playfulness in her words, Alice Nakiri leaned in and whispered into his ear, adopting an intimate posture. After speaking, the girl's face flushed deeply.
This one truly is both bad at it and loves to play.
"So what if I saw it? So what if I have desire? I like to look, can you stop me from looking?"
Hoshino Sora responded softly, and as he spoke, he imperceptibly patted Alice Nakiri's backside. He could clearly feel that the girl's eyes widened slightly the moment his palm made contact.
Her gaze towards Hoshino Sora also carried a hint of reproach.
But she uncharacteristically remained silent.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time Hoshino Sora had done this.
"Alice is in Group B, and I'm in Group A. Looks like I won't be able to eliminate Alice personally."
"What kind of talk is that?! Are you so sure I'll lose?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's confident words, Alice Nakiri pouted and spoke with much dissatisfaction. This guy actually didn't take her seriously at all!
"Then tell me, how many times have you beaten me when we sparred privately?"
Hoshino Sora retorted with a full smile, and Alice Nakiri immediately blushed, unable to speak. Undoubtedly, this guy knew how to kill a conversation.
"I'm not talking to you anymore."
Turning her head, Alice Nakiri huffed proudly.
"Hello, everyone!"
A cute girl holding a microphone was pulled up on a nearby cable car. She smiled and waved to the crowd below, looking full of energy.
"I am Kawashima Rei, the host of the Autumn Elections!"
"Rei-chan!"
Doing super cute poses while winking at the boys below, Kawashima Rei undoubtedly knew how to charm boys.
This also caused the girls next to the boys to emit a terrifying aura.
"First, congratulations to all the selected contestants. The announcement board is clear: the sixty selected students will be equally divided into two groups, A and B.
Once the selection begins, Groups A and B will first hold preliminary rounds within their respective groups. After that, the top-ranked contestants from each group will qualify for the main elimination tournament."
From above, Kawashima Rei spoke as encouragingly as possible, accompanying her words with gestures, which again made the boys below cheer loudly.
"Now, I will convey the words of Executive Committee Senior Ruisan. During this selection period, many important guests and culinary masters will visit here. It is an excellent stage to showcase your skills.
However, if you present dishes that disgrace the academy, your brilliant future as a chef will cease to exist from that moment on.
In short, work hard during this autumn break."
Hearing this, the faces of the people below turned somewhat bitter. The penalty for failure was simply too heavy.
"That's all for now~"
Seeing this, Kawashima Rei twisted her body, waved her arms, and made a peace sign, doing energetic movements to cheer on the boys below.
"We just have to bite the bullet!"
"I must make it to the main competition!"
"Alright!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding boys instantly became agitated, no longer showing their previous dejected and gloomy expressions. Seeing this, Hoshino Sora finally understood why Kawashima Rei was so popular.
However, it was already almost September, and the holiday would last about a month. The Autumn Elections would likely open in October, which was already the tail end of autumn.
Counting the time, he had been at Far Moon for almost two months.
To be honest, the school year started too late, so the autumn break... or rather, the original summer vacation was postponed and significantly shortened to catch up with the final Autumn Elections.
Catching the tail end of autumn.
During the lodging training, he had once asked Erina Nakiri this question. He clearly remembered that Erina, who was usually smiling, instantly darkened her expression and finally told him not to ask that question again.
He didn't know if it was his imagination, but Hoshino Sora felt that Erina Nakiri was a bit angry at the time, and Hisako Arato also bowed her head in silence.
"Finally, a holiday! But it's really late, the best summer is almost over.
Speaking of which, it was strange at the beginning of this year. The school seemed to have been stimulated by something. After the New Year, they forced all students to participate in a spring training camp. For three whole months, we underwent special training deep in the mountains, which never happened in previous years."
A playful voice sounded beside Hoshino Sora, and Alice Nakiri's complaints cleared up half of Hoshino Sora's confusion.
However, if it was just like this, Erina wouldn't have kept silent and shown anger.
There must be a secret he didn't know about!
"That spring training camp wasn't like the lodging training that eliminates students; it was a devil! Some students fainted in the morning from exhaustion and were only sent to the infirmary, then sent back in the afternoon and had to make up the morning's missed lessons."
Hearing their discussion, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but interject. On the first night of the training camp, her legs and arms started hurting.
"I remember that! That training camp was a bit terrifying. Every cell in my body was screaming for help. Compared to that, the lodging training felt easy."
Mito Ikumi also chimed in. When talking about the spring training camp, her face still showed a lingering fear. Even after half a year, she still clearly remembered that time.
Some people even suffered psychological trauma because of it, and some voluntarily dropped out due to the ultra-high intensity training.
"Is that so…"
Listening to the girls recounting their experiences one after another, Hoshino Sora pinched his chin and muttered, this was different from the Far Moon in his memory. A spring training camp? He had never heard of such a plot point.
It must be that when the worlds merged, the worldview changed, which is why there are so many new plot points that weren't originally there. However, he hadn't entered Far Moon at that time, so it didn't matter if it was just a background detail.
But...
Is it really that simple?
Hoshino Sora expressed doubt.
"Anyway, starting tomorrow is the autumn break! What should we do for a month, Hoshino-kun? Come shopping with me this afternoon, I bought a new camera."
"Sure."
Hoshino Sora readily agreed to this. Anyway, he had nothing to do in the afternoon after the holiday, and since he was free, he might as well go out and have fun. It was a pity that Yuigahama, Kitagawa, Ya Xiang-nee, and Rika-nee were all still in school.
However, he could go find them in the evening.
"Tomorrow morning we can go to the amusement park together, I want to ride the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, and then find a cafe in the afternoon…"
"The afternoon is fine, but I'm busy in the morning. I have to do culinary research, sorry."
"Oh, right. The theme for tomorrow's preliminary round should be mailed by the Autumn Elections office, so we can prepare in advance."
"They seem to be taking it very seriously."
"After all, many master-level figures from the culinary world will be coming."
Alice Nakiri said with a smile.
"Then I need to prepare even better, so I plan to reserve the morning for culinary research, and the afternoon and evening are free. Only by balancing work and rest can I improve better."
"Then can I come find you?"
"I'm honing my skills at the restaurant you introduced last time, completing the tasks Master Mao gives me every day to grow. So even if you come find me, you won't gain anything. It's better to research in your own room."
Looking at Alice Nakiri's eager eyes, Hoshino Sora gently explained. Although it wouldn't matter if she came to find him, it would purely be a waste of time, and he didn't want to waste Alice's time.
"Is that so…"
Her mood visibly worsened.
"I'll go out with you in the afternoon."
Her mood visibly improved.
This girl is so easy to read.
Hoshino Sora thought to himself.
"Mmm…"
Watching Hoshino Sora and Alice Nakiri being very close, Shiina Mahiru nearby occasionally cast glances, making indistinct whimpering sounds, seemingly wanting to say something.
"Miyu wants to come too?"
"Huh? I'm free in the afternoon, yeah."
"Then let's all go together."
Answering beside the point, seeing Shiina Mahiru's flustered look as if her thoughts had been exposed, Hoshino Sora directly made the decision.
Alice Nakiri, however, seemed a bit displeased, her slight frown showing on her face. This was supposed to be a date between just her and Hoshino Sora.
"Miyu, is it? Nice to meet you."
Despite feeling a little unhappy, Alice Nakiri still smiled and stepped forward to greet Shiina Mahiru, who was beside Hoshino Sora. Shiina Mahiru immediately extended her hand, and they got to know each other.
However, upon closer observation, Shiina Mahiru seemed a bit nervous, as Alice Nakiri was also a legendary figure at Far Moon, second only in status to Erina Nakiri.
Being able to speak with such a person was something she had never dared to imagine, yet it was now truly happening before her eyes, and the other party had even initiated the conversation.
Despite trying to act normal, she couldn't stop feeling nervous.
"I'm also very pleased to meet you, Alice."
"No need for 'Miss', just call me Alice."
Hearing Shiina Mahiru's slightly timid address, Alice Nakiri's face showed a hint of delight, her hostility towards her instantly faded, and she reverted to her mischievous self.
"Then let's go out and have fun together this afternoon, my treat."
"Then I must thoroughly exploit you!"
"Let's go back and change first."
"Okay."
— — — — — — — — — —
"Erina-sama, news has arrived. They will send someone to participate in our Autumn Elections. It seems they are coming with ill intentions."
"Those who come with good intentions don't come with ill intentions. This time, we'll make sure they come but never return!"
Hearing Hisako Arato's report from behind her, Erina Nakiri clenched her fists. The thought of the last experience made her uncomfortable, especially that woman!
"We can definitely do it. Many excellent people have emerged from our first-year students, and I will also work hard!"
Hisako Arato said with a serious expression.
"Of course, I won't doubt your strength. Let's go back and hold a cooking research meeting."
"Yes, Erina-sama!"
Reaching out to hook Hisako Arato's chin, Erina Nakiri's voice was soft yet firm, with a hint of dominance, as she looked at the blushing girl.
— — — — — — — — — —
Early September.
Time flew by. The residents of Yōbi Dormitory gradually returned to their hometowns. Soon, the vast dormitory building was left with only Hoshino Sora... and Master Pingzuka.
At this moment, she was chatting with Komoe-sensei in the courtyard, her face beaming with a smile.
Seeing Hoshino Sora, she raised her hand and waved a greeting.
"Master Pingzuka, Komoe-sensei."
"It's Yuzuki Komoe-sensei!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Yuzuki Komoe puffed out her cheeks and clenched her small fists in rebuttal.
"Alright, Komoe-sensei."
"You really are disobedient!"
"Don't tease Komoe-sensei anymore. Are you going out?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who had changed into his going-out clothes, Hiratsuka Shizuka asked curiously.
"Yes, the theme for this Autumn Elections is aquatic products. I need to go to the nearest seafood market."
Hoshino Sora answered truthfully. It had to be said that the topic was indeed different from the original. With the change in the last assignment, Hoshino Sora was not surprised by this.
"Seafood? You need to work hard."
"Okay."
— — — — — — — — — —
"The dishes at this restaurant are so delicious, especially this Kung Pao Shrimp. The sauce tastes amazing, and with one bite, it's sweet with a hint of spice, and the sauce is rich. Even though I don't eat spicy food much, I think it's fantastic!"
"Exactly."
"Ah, Rika, leave some for me!"
Seeing Rika stuffing shrimp balls into her mouth, Ya Xiang immediately stepped forward to stop her, because that was the last Kung Pao Shrimp on the plate.
"Alright, alright, don't fight. I'll just ask the waiter to bring another portion. It'll definitely be enough for you two."
Watching the two sisters argue over a single shrimp ball, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but call the waiter and ordered another portion of Kung Pao Shrimp. Only then did Ya Xiang release her hand from pinching Rika's face.
"Sora, ah~"
As soon as Ya Xiang let go, Rika reached out and hugged Hoshino Sora's neck, then leaned in boldly and kissed him, feeding the shrimp ball from her mouth into his.
"Ah! Me too!"
Seeing this, Ya Xiang was not to be outdone. She took a bite of a dish and fed it to him mouth-to-mouth.
"It's a bit disgusting, stop doing that."
Each person kissed him once, and that was the end of it. Although the taste of the dish didn't change and their saliva wasn't dirty, Hoshino Sora was still somewhat resistant to it.
Hmm... it just felt strange.
However, the Kung Pao Shrimp at this restaurant was indeed good, and it was Sichuan Cuisine.
Sichuan Cuisine... Ah! Thinking of this, Hoshino Sora immediately had an idea.
— — — — — — — — — —
"The heat isn't right, start over."
"Still no good. It's a bit overcooked. The cooking time for each dish must be adjusted according to the size of the shrimp balls. This is common sense and must be firmly remembered!"
"This time it's okay."
"This time it's not good again. You really can't stand praise. Keep going."
"The shrimp are of different sizes. Select them first, then cook them. The specifications of a pot of shrimp balls should be roughly the same."
"This time it's good."
Inside the kitchen, Hoshino Sora was sweating profusely, his arms a bit sore.
If it weren't for the unlimited stamina buff, he really wouldn't have lasted until now.
"The shrimp balls are too popular; they can't keep up with demand. This is the first time I've seen so many customers in the shop. Otherwise, I would have come to help."
At the kitchen door, Xiang Ling was already sweating profusely from being busy.
"Our goal is not to sell dishes, but to practice. Selling them is just to avoid wasting ingredients."
"The taste of the Kung Pao sauce is always well-adjusted every time. You really have a talent for seasoning."
Although the heat was often a bit off, the Kung Pao sauce Hoshino Sora prepared each time was very authentic, indicating that he had a considerable talent for seasoning.
"What should I do next?"
"Increase the stability of your cooking. Once you're completely proficient, you can try to improve it. However, you must remember one thing: a well-improved dish is a specialty dish, and a poorly improved dish is garbage.
No matter how you change it, the most basic flavor profile cannot change, otherwise, it wouldn't be called Kung Pao Shrimp anymore; it should be called something else."
Mao Jinyu spoke from the side. He was not against culinary improvements, but currently, many people, under the guise of improvement, were making dishes completely different from their original versions.
This is not improvement.
True improvement is adding new things on the basis of the original flavor, or changing raw materials. After all, there is more than one type of shrimp, and different shrimp require different handling methods, and their taste and texture vary greatly.
"I understand."
He nodded seriously. This was what he had done the most during this period. Mao Jinyu had taught him many new things, and even many culinary theories he hadn't known before.
If no one had guided him, he might never have figured it out.
— — — — — — — — — —
"What a magnificent venue!"
"Cooking here is like a boxer fighting with people watching."
Looking at the incredibly grand super-large venue in front of them, it was several times larger than Starry Sky.
"Hoshino-kun."
Seeing Hoshino Sora standing alone in the venue, Tadokoro Megumi, who had just entered from the door, greeted him warmly.
However, whether it was an illusion or not, after not seeing him for a month, Hoshino Sora felt that Tadokoro Megumi had matured quite a bit, her face exuding a gentle and mature aura.
If before she was just a beauty in the making, now she was evolving towards becoming a true beauty.
"Megumi, long time no see!"
"You look very energetic."
Before Hoshino Sora could speak, Yoshino Yuki and Sakaki Ryoko walked over from not far away, especially Yoshino Yuki, who immediately gave Tadokoro Megumi a big bear hug.
"Hoshino-kun, long time no see."
A familiar voice came from behind him. Shiina Mahiru and the others appeared from there. Since they came directly here after school started, this was their first meeting since the autumn break.
"Long time no see. You look to be in great shape."
Shiina Mahiru responded with a smile, "I've been working hard in my own way."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.