Etsuya: "How is this possible? How could this happen..."
Rindo: "You're stopping people's feelings from even starting? This dish has gone that far! Hikigaya, let me try it!"
Etsuya: "Hey, Senpai, what's wrong with you? Are you really going to taste his cooking?"
Rindo didn't seem to care. She simply shrugged and said naturally:
"My rule is to eat first and talk later. Besides, this dish is giving off so much energy. It's wrong to waste food like that."
Etsuya was clearly getting angry. He didn't think his cooking would be slower than the other guy's. He also didn't expect to be put on the defensive before he could even offer his food.
The people inside the Polar Star Dorm were also a bit stunned. Ryoko asked, confused:
"Isshiki-senpai, did you plan this too?"
Yoshino: "It feels a little too easy, doesn't it..."
Isshiki shook his head: "No, these people are clearly with Nakiri Azami. Hikigaya must have made them lose their minds to get this far on his own."
Komachi didn't know what to say. She just stared in shock at what was happening in front of her:
"Is that really my brother? What did he go through this past year? He couldn't even use a spatula before..."
Hayama: "Hey, Komachi, aren't you being a little mean to your brother? But she's right, I thought that guy was just a big talker. He always looked like a loser."
Though she meant no harm, Yukinoshita glared at her, scaring her into hiding behind Isshiki Satoshi.
Erina: "Hikigaya really did all of this..."
She knew he had a unique energy inside him, but... seeing it with her own eyes, she still couldn't believe it. This fight wasn't fair or reasonable at all.
But even so, Hikigaya just kept doing what he always did.
She couldn't help but look around at the students. Some had taken care of her, some used to be her staff, and some were rivals she had valued. Even seniors were gathered here. What kind of place was the Polar Star Dorm that brought them all together?
This question stayed in Erina's mind as a big mystery.
At the same time, the judges were completely taken by Hachiman's dish. Even Rindo-senpai gave a thumbs up after tasting it, her smiling face like a final slap to Etsuya. Even his own people weren't on his side. Even if he won in the end, his pride wouldn't be fixed.
He decided he had to beat Hikigaya completely, right here.
Under everyone's gaze, Etsuya handed over his dish, but...
Now that they were in Hachiman's game, how could he let them get away so easily?
Since the Ten Elites made the rules, they also applied to the person being challenged.
Hachiman purposely made smaller portions of his food to increase the judges' appetites. This was risky because if the judges weren't interested, it could make Etsuya's food seem better. But since he was going all-out from the start, Hachiman didn't need to worry about that.
Because of this, the judges treated Etsuya's food like it wasn't even there, ignoring it completely.
"Hikigaya! I want more! I'm still hungry!"
"Me too! Please, if you let me eat it again, I'll give you my vote!"
"Me too! Me too! Please, I really want to taste that amazing dish again!"
Etsuya's face twisted, and his words became harsh:
"You're a bunch of useless losers! You can't even resist snacks!"
Rindo: "Hikigaya, I want some too!"
Etsuya: "Even you, Senpai..."
Hachiman had prepared everything perfectly, calculating the moment they would put down their chopsticks so he could put more food on the table again.
The winner had been decided.
In front of countless viewers, Hachiman easily won the match. According to the Food Wars rules, his diner would no longer be threatened with being torn down. This news excited all the rebels.
"Hey, those Central Gourmet guys aren't unbeatable!"
"So that's all it was... Hahaha, it really is the top scorer from the Autumn Elections!"
"Hikigaya, I love you!"
"He's the savior! Hikigaya Hachiman is amazing..."
Not only were people talking about it on TV, but the internet was also buzzing, and the news went straight to the top. This battle was too important. Central's rule, which had seemed to end, was being questioned again. Since there was a chance to win, even if it was only one percent, many clubs would fight to the end.
Erina: "Am I seeing things?"
Tadokoro Megumi: "Hikigaya-kun, he, he won!"
Ryoko: "That's great! It scared me to death, really scared me. I'm going to give him a lecture when we get back. We could have talked things over."
Yukinoshita slowly let out a breath, and her face softened a little, but she still watched Hikigaya Hachiman on TV with a sharp look.
Komachi: "My brother is amazing..."
Hayama: "Really! He's nothing like what Komachi said."
Isshiki Satoshi: "If that's the case... maybe we still have a chance. Everything I set up while I was in the Ten Elites Committee, maybe it can still work..."
Ibusaki: "Isshiki-senpai, what do you mean?"
Isshiki Satoshi smiled faintly: "You'll find out soon enough!"
At that moment, Erina picked up her phone and, looking determined, started calling Hisako and Alice.
"Hey, Hisako? It's me... I have something I want to tell you."
...
After eating five servings of the dish, Rindo-senpai finally burped happily. Looking at Hikigaya, who looked exhausted, she came up to him and said, sounding admiring:
"Not bad. You're the top first-year student for a reason. You're pretty good!"
Hachiman: "Can I take that as a compliment?"
Rindo-senpai: "Hehe, of course! I always say what I mean. Honestly, I've never tried to win over judges like Etsuya and Nakiri Azami have."
Hachiman was confused. He looked at the Number Two Elite and couldn't understand why she, who wanted to be free and unrestricted, would join Central's rigid cooking system.
But, as if she could read Hikigaya's mind, Rindo-senpai held up a finger and said proudly:
"You want to know why, right? It's because it's fun, of course!"
"Fun?"
"Of course. As a cook recognized by Nakiri Azami, I have the right to cook whatever I want. Watching other people make food that I invented, that pride and satisfaction is so exciting, no matter how many times it happens!"
Rindo-senpai didn't give Hachiman a chance to reply, continuing:
"Hey, why don't you join us? With your skills, you can keep creating new dishes. And I can be there with you..."
"Sorry, I'm not interested in that."
"Huh?"
"To me, the most important thing about cooking is the feeling you put into it. If you just copy and learn, the food you make will only be someone else's feeling, not your own. I want everyone to use food to show their own feelings, no matter how good it tastes. That's all."
Hearing Hachiman's clear words, Rindo-senpai's smile became meaningful. She put her hand down and said simply:
"That's too bad. People with different beliefs shouldn't work together. That's what it means."
At the same time, Etsuya walked over from his cooking station. None of the judges had even tried his food. This great disappointment crushed him. His red eyes showed how close he was to losing it.
Etsuya: "I'll beat you! Next time!"
Hachiman: "Then next time, let's bet your Number Nine seat!"
...
When they got back to the Polar Star Dorm, there were already many reporters gathered in front of the door. Erina was standing in the middle, answering the reporters' questions one by one.
Hachiman: 'Is she crazy? Isn't she afraid that Nakiri Azami will come after her if she shows her face like this?'
But Hachiman soon realized that Erina wasn't the only one there. Alice and Hisako were also there, which confused Hachiman.
The road ahead was too crowded, and they couldn't get through. Hachiman could only watch from outside.
As more reporters gathered, Erina walked up the steps and spoke to the reporters below:
"Hello, I'm Nakiri Erina, the Tenth Elite of Totsuki Academy. I still can't work well with the Central system. After thinking hard about it, I've decided to leave the Tenth Elite position. From now on, my only identity will be Nakiri Erina."
Hearing Erina's firm words, Hachiman knew she wasn't joking. By announcing all of this here, she was declaring war on her father, who she feared the most.
Though Erina was struggling to answer the reporters' questions, Hisako and Alice wouldn't let the reporters get too close to her. But that was only one thing. After Erina's announcement, Isshiki Satoshi walked out of the Polar Star Dorm. As the former Number Seven Elite, he was still very famous, no matter where he went. Sure enough, as soon as he came out, the reporters started taking pictures of him.
Unlike Erina, Isshiki Satoshi was used to this. He picked up the microphone, smiled gently, and then introduced himself:
"Hello, I'm Isshiki Satoshi, the former Number Seven Elite of Totsuki Academy. There's something I need to announce. During my time in office, I created the 'Isshiki Rules.' You can read the details in the announcements that Totsuki used to put out. Back then, it was legally announced, and the former Head Chef gave permission."
Hearing Isshiki's words, many reporters quickly searched online. Sure enough, after a short search:
"It's true! There are over ten rules listed..."
"Why have I never heard of this before?"
"But it was legally announced. Totsuki Academy has the right to use it."
Facing the reporters' questions, Isshiki just kept smiling and said calmly:
"When the former Head Chef and I discussed these 'rules,' there wasn't any trouble at the academy, so it's normal that you wouldn't know about them. But... the situation is different now. Please look at Rule Number Eight of the 'Isshiki Rules!'"
"With the permission of three former Elites who are still students, a Team Food War can be started!"
"Rule Number Nine: The judges for the Team Food War will be chosen by lottery, inviting famous stars or actors from all over the world to judge the final battle in front of the public."
"Team Food War?!"
Many people couldn't understand what this meant. In Totsuki's long history, they had never heard of a Team Food War. Now it was suddenly being mentioned to the reporters.
Isshiki's explanation was simple:
"A Team Food War, as the name suggests, means that each side chooses cooks to fight in a series of battles until one side loses when their last cook is defeated."
"Even if you add Nakiri Erina, you still don't have three former Elites who are students. You can't use the 'Isshiki Rules'," one reporter asked, confused.
Isshiki: "We do have former Elites."
"Kuga Terunori, the former Number Eight Elite, you all know him."
As soon as Isshiki Satoshi finished speaking, Kuga walked out from behind Isshiki, flipping his hair and giving a harsh warning:
"Nakiri Azami, you're going to die!"
Isshiki, Kuga, and even Erina were only in the bottom half of the Ten Elites. Though the Ten Elites were close, their skills were very different.
Everyone knew that they needed to take over the seats of the Ten Elites to have a chance to turn things around. But it was already hard for them to find ten cooks, and it was even harder to match the Elites' skills.
Though the meeting was successful and gave the rebels hope, their new challenge was once again being followed by the entire cooking world.
As the reporters left, Hachiman finally went back to the Polar Star Dorm. He thought he would be safe for a while after this, but he didn't realize how much this event would affect them. As soon as he got to the door, he noticed Tadokoro Megumi's worried face:
"Hikigaya-kun, please... be careful!"
Hachiman: "Little Megumi... I feel like you want to say something."
Tadokoro Megumi: "...Hikigaya-kun, you went to the Food War without saying anything. Even I... I'm angry!"
Hachiman: "You mean that? I shouldn't have done that, but think of it this way: if I had told you beforehand, it would have been hard for me to leave, right? Besides, I usually only do things when I'm confident, right?"
Hearing Hachiman's words, Tadokoro Megumi seemed to remember the past and said innocently:
"Oh, you're right, but it's still worrying!"
Hachiman: "Okay, I still didn't talk it over with you. It was my fault anyway."
Tadokoro Megumi panicked and quickly waved her hands:
"It's okay with me. Hikigaya-kun always has a reason for what he does. I just mean, be careful..."
"Hikigaya-kun, you're back?"
Before Tadokoro Megumi could finish, Erina and Yukinoshita walked down from the second floor with their arms crossed. Their eyes didn't look right.
Hachiman: "Yeah, um..."
Erina looked anxious and spoke before Hachiman could say anything:
"You! You didn't listen to anything I said! I was so worried about you... If you... if you get kicked out, I, I don't know what I'll do."
Seeing Erina looking lost, Hachiman felt sorry for the former lady. She had been sheltered since she was little, but now she was standing on his side, choosing to fight her father and giving up her last bit of pride. From now on, Erina would just be a regular student.
Yukinoshita sighed helplessly:
"You went too far. I can't forgive you for this so easily!"
Hachiman: "Yukinoshita, why are you doing this too..."
Hearing that, Yukinoshita's face turned red, and her words became hesitant:
"You have the nerve to say that? Even if you had a good chance of winning, that match wasn't fair at all. You're usually so careful, you knew that, right? Besides... I can't help you now."
Unlike before, when she could use the Yukinoshita family's status to change things, she was now just a lady who had lost everything.
One was being targeted by her father, and the other was being targeted by her sister. In some ways, their experiences were similar, but they were also completely different.
Both Haruno and Nakiri Azami were thinking about the two girls, but Haruno was pushing Yukino to her limits to bring out her potential, while Nakiri Azami was being more twisted.
Hachiman: "I'm sorry, it was my fault."
They thought Hikigaya would argue with them, but they didn't expect him to admit he was wrong so quickly. But it made sense because they would be worried if he disappeared without saying anything.
But it was good this way.
Erina turned away, wiping away the tears that were trying to fall, her voice choked with emotion:
"It's good..."
Hachiman: "I..."
He wanted to comfort her, but he hadn't gone through what she had gone through, and it was arrogant to assume he understood her. The words came to his lips, but Hachiman realized he couldn't say anything.
The next moment, Erina turned back around, tears falling like butterflies from her eyes, her red cheeks showing emotions she couldn't put into words. Somehow, Hachiman's body was being held tightly by Erina.
Erina's head was buried in his chest. Both of them were close to someone of the opposite sex for the first time, feeling each other's warmth.
"It's good..."
"It's good..."
"Really, it's good..."
Yukinoshita watched them, a feeling of jealousy rising in her mind, but... seeing the girl in front of her, who was even more miserable than she was, she couldn't pull them apart.
He was her last bit of warmth. Maybe this was the only time she could feel safe.
Who could understand Erina's feelings better than Yukinoshita, who was in the same situation?
She didn't know how long had passed, but she could feel Erina's cheeks getting warmer. Reluctantly, she let go.
"Don't tell anyone about what just happened!"
Hachiman: 'She's such a pain.'
At that moment, Komachi walked over, but she soon looked embarrassed:
"Um, Komachi... will come back later!"
Hachiman: "Hey, are you stupid?"
Komachi: "You're the stupid one! You idiot, Hachiman!"
Hachiman: "Hachiman isn't even a bad word!"
Yukinoshita couldn't hold back and covered her face, laughing. Erina, who was already shy, turned even redder after Komachi saw it.
"Hachiman! Jerk!"
"..."
Hachiman didn't know what he had done wrong, or even what he had done, but... it was better to leave for now.
The two girls didn't stop him. He had woken up early to go to the Food War and was obviously exhausted. He needed to rest in the afternoon, and after today's 'Isshiki Rules' announcement, he probably wouldn't have such an easy time resting for a while....
Komachi: "Big brother is really a pain."
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