"Don't go saying my nickname from fourth grade so casually…"
"Huh? Wasn't that what they called you?"
"It's Hikigaya, Hikigaya, idiot."
"Oh, Hiki-tani."
He clearly had a face that could only be described as stunning, but the words coming out of his mouth were like the bite of a snake.
While the two of them were arguing, a blond boy who looked like trouble walked straight over.
At first, Hachiman figured the guy wasn't after him…
He slowly stepped aside to give way, but noticed the boy's eyes were fixed on him the whole time, even blocking his way out.
"You're Hikitani, right?"
"No, it's Hikigaya…"
The blond boy looked a little embarrassed, put one hand on his hip, and turned his head.
"Sorry, I'm not good at remembering names."
Just as Hachiman was about to say, "It's fine," Yukinoshita cut in first: "It's not your fault. This guy just isn't very good at leaving an impression on people, that's all."
Hachiman: "Coming from you, that sounds pretty strange."
Seeing the two start bickering again, the blond boy felt completely ignored. He clenched his fist tight and slammed it hard against the stove beside him.
That, of course, instantly quieted the atmosphere.
Hachiman: "Didn't that hurt?"
Yukinoshita: "What, does he have some kind of masochist hobby?"
The blond boy couldn't hold his emotions in anymore and exploded on the spot, only to be grabbed from behind by a chubby kid. Even so, he shouted loudly:
"Hikki-kun! I'll make you see how strong I am!"
"Big bro, stop embarrassing yourself."
After the blond boy was dragged away, Yukinoshita looked at Hikigaya in disbelief, resting her chin on her hand as she muttered:
"Didn't think Hikki-kun would even have enemies. Shocking."
'That's not my name…'
"I don't even know him."
"Exactly. That's what I thought. No way Hikki-kun would have enemies. With those rotten eyes of yours, like a zombie that would collapse under sunlight, obviously you couldn't possibly have friends either."
"That's straight-up a personal attack. And having no friends—that applies to you too, idiot."
If either of them had friends, they wouldn't have ended up like this. Even so, Hachiman couldn't be sure if Yukinoshita's loneliness was the same as his. Hers came from her pride, which isolated her. Maybe she was right when she said that the ones who survive in this world aren't necessarily the best, but the ones who fit it best.
Clearly, Yukinoshita didn't fit.
While the two of them were still trading insults, Chef Inui clapped her hands from the stage. Her face was as calm as ever, with just the faintest smile.
"Alright, students. Once you've formed your teams, I'll be sitting right here. If you don't understand something, you can ask me anytime."
Maybe it was the tense mood, but many of the students seemed to have forgotten what the actual assignment was.
No—that wasn't it. Chef Inui hadn't given them one.
Finally, a student snapped out of it and stepped forward to ask:
"Um, Chef Inui, you haven't actually explained what we're supposed to do yet."
"So that's it... The task I'm giving you is..." Chef Inui slowly stood up, then pointed toward the empty wooden table beside him.
"Use the ingredients from here to make a Japanese dish that satisfies me."
"But there aren't any ingredients..."
"There are. Flowing clear water, the great outdoors—that's the finest pantry you could ask for."
"Eh?"
"Seasonings, oil, and cooking tools are all prepared for you. We've even provided fishing rods. This whole area is private land. As long as you don't cross the fence, you can gather ingredients within this boundary and cook me a dish. You'll pass if I'm satisfied. You have two hours. Now... ready, begin."
For a moment, everyone was confused, unable to process what they'd just heard, standing frozen in place.
But Yukinoshita, standing beside Hachiman, quickly understood. When she heard they'd have to gather ingredients outside, she let out a helpless sigh.
"This is such a headache."
After a moment, the students in the classroom finally realized what was happening. Hearing that only two hours were given, they panicked, rushed outside, and scattered without even deciding on a target.
Only the blond boy and the chubby kid tugging on his arm stayed behind, while Yukinoshita and Hachiman also remained where they were.
"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Takumi Aldini."
"This is my younger brother, Isami Aldini."
"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of dish you can make, newcomer."
In Takumi's mind, Totsuki Academy was supposed to be a school only seasoned chefs could enter, where every opponent had unmatched skills and years of experience, all while facing merciless eliminations.
But... when he happened to watch the food duel between Mito and Hikigaya, he heard that the man who beat Mito had only been cooking for a few days. That revelation shattered the world view he had clung to for so many years.
If he didn't challenge him here, how could he face his own decade of hard work?
After saying that, Takumi left with his brother.
Yukinoshita: "Looks like your dead-fish eyes have earned you another enemy without you even trying. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before you become the most hated student in the academy."
"Can you stop talking like I'm some kind of jerk?"
"Aren't you?"
"No, idiot."
After the Aldini brothers left, only Hachiman and Yukinoshita remained in the kitchen. Chef Inui on the podium seemed to have already dozed off.
With only two hours, and part of that time spent on finding and carrying back ingredients, less than an hour was left for actual cooking. Yet the two of them stayed calm, lowering their heads in thought.
After all, going out running around would just waste stamina. For two people not good with physical activity, sitting still and thinking was probably the only shared strategy they had.
At the core, this was a test of quick thinking. In an unfamiliar situation, it was easy to react slowly or choose the wrong path.
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