The gunpowder smell that was thought to have completely disappeared between the two women was ignited once again at this moment. Although Erina had clearly learned from her past mistakes and decided to get revenge, but...
When Yukinoshita said that sentence, it was already a checkmate for Erina, leaving her no room to resist. Even Hachiman wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, because if things continued like this... who knows what might happen to him?
Erina: "Yukinoshita..."
Yukinoshita: "Hmm? What's wrong?"
Erina: "I just want to simply ask, are you planning to initiate a Food War with me, and then take my place as one of the Ten Elites?"
Yukinoshita: "That depends on the outcome today..."
Erina: "What do you mean?"
Yukinoshita pointed to Hikigaya on the side, simply tilting her head and showing a faint smile:
"If I lose to Hikigaya-kun, then my partner will initiate a Food War with you."
"You... you're too cunning!"
Compared to Yukinoshita, Erina's experience in dealing with these matters was like that of a baby, completely being played with. And with Hisako not present, Erina had completely lost her rhythm on the field.
Yukinoshita didn't waste any more words, simply waved her hand behind her, and then moved to leave this place, heading towards the backstage.
Hachiman: 'Women's wars are truly scary.'
When he came back to his senses, Erina had become someone that you wouldn't want to mess with because of the great grievance she had suffered.
Hachiman: "Um... that, Erina-sama? I'll go prepare too..."
Without waiting for Erina to respond, Hachiman had already quickly left this place, leaving behind Erina who hadn't yet calmed down from her anger.
"No matter what... I can't lose to Yukinoshita!"
There was only one hour left before the start of the competition. Both Hikigaya and Yukinoshita were in the preparation room, making their final mental adjustments.
As for the audience, they had also arrived at the venue one after another. This time... because he knew in advance that Yui and Miura were coming to watch, Hachiman had arranged for Tadokoro Megumi to meet them.
Although Tadokoro Megumi's personality was a bit shy, Miura and Yui were not. Despite it being their first meeting, from that moment on, the group began chatting nonstop. And after meeting the members of the Polar Star Dorm, they quickly became close.
At the same time, in the audience seats, Hayama Akira, Takumi, Shiomi Jun, Kurokiba, Alice, and even Hikigaya's middle school teacher Hiratsuka Shizuka, also arrived one after another.
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "I really don't know what that Haruno is going to pull... but, my student is really amazing."
On the other side, as the host of the VIP room, the current Ninth Seat of the Ten Elites, Etsuya, lightly bowed.
"Hello, Miss Haruno."
"Hello, Etsuya-sensei is the current Ninth Seat, right? That's amazing..."
"No, compared to the honors you have received, I am nothing but an ant. The esteemed First Seat of the 89th generation, the legendary Totsuki graduate, Miss Haruno."
Haruno said with a faint smile:
"Well, those are all past titles, they're outdated now. Just call me Haruno. And this time coming back..."
As she said this, Haruno's eyes became sharp.
As the admission deadline approached, the entire venue was packed. Amidst everyone's expectations, this showdown was about to begin. And as the host of this event, it was still Kawashima Urara.
She slowly walked out in the spotlight, and even as the host, she couldn't help but feel a bit timid inside. After revealing her signature smile, she waved to the audience.
"Respected guests, good evening everyone!"
"Welcome everyone to the [Moonlight Chapter] venue to enjoy the final match of the Autumn Election! After multiple rounds of elimination, the two finalists who have escaped the struggle are both strong individuals. And now... please allow me to introduce them first."
"First, Hikigaya Hachiman!"
With Kawashima Urara's announcement, Hachiman slowly walked out from the prepared contestant passage. Although his name had long been famous in this school, not many people seemed to know about his past achievements.
"In the preliminary rounds of the Autumn Election, he scored 98 points, leading the entire field. Then, in the main tournament, he repeatedly brought out new dishes, each one making the judges love it. It's not an exaggeration to call him the most individualistic cooking contestant of the new era. Not only that... now even I am starting to look forward to what kind of work he will bring out today!"
Accompanied by Kawashima Urara's introduction, the entire venue erupted with booming cheers. This wave of enthusiasm for cooking instantly drowned out Kawashima Urara's voice.
To be honest, even Hachiman had never seen such a scene. It was impossible to say that his state of mind hadn't changed at all. After all, being watched by so many people would always have some influence.
But...
Tadokoro Megumi: "Hikigaya-kun... is so amazing. If it were me, my legs would probably already be shaking."
Ryoko: "I've never seen such a big scene either. Little Megumi, anyone who isn't scared in this situation is a monster."
Ibusaki: "Well, Hikigaya is just that kind of guy. This is good too, at least he can bring out his full potential to the greatest extent. After all, his opponent is also someone who can be called a monster of the same generation."
Hearing Ibusaki say that, everyone couldn't help but worry.
If there was anyone among the first-year students that Hikigaya could truly call a rival, it was probably only Yukinoshita and Erina at the moment.
And for some reason, in the eyes of outsiders, none of these three had shown their true strength, even now.
Amid the cheers and greetings of the crowd, Hachiman arrived at the center of the stage, feeling a bit dizzy.
Kawashima Urara:
"Welcome, contestant Hikigaya!"
"Next, we have the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family, Yukinoshita Yukino!"
"Her past has always been a mystery. She has only been at Totsuki for a little over a year, but her cooking skills have surpassed the vast majority of students, and she has even reached this point. It has to be said, this is truly an exciting match!"
As the spotlight shone on Yukinoshita, the white dress she was wearing became even more pure at this moment. It seemed that the entire venue had been infected by her beauty. Unlike the cheers when Hikigaya came out, she was simply so beautiful. In the gazes of the crowd, even the sound of her footsteps could be heard clearly. Finally, one step after another, she arrived on the stage.
She simply held her hand to her temple. Although she lightly sighed, it was impossible to see any nervousness in her. It could be seen that she seemed to be used to this kind of situation.
Ryoko: "Um... she isn't nervous at all."
Mito: "She really is a monster..."
Marui: "As far as I know, there are only two kinds of people who can remain calm in this kind of situation. One is the type who enjoys the stage, like Alice-san."
Alice: "Eh? Me?"
Marui: "The other is like Erina and Yukinoshita, people who are already used to this kind of scene..."
Yui: "Eh? What about Hikki?"
Marui suddenly had a headache, seeming completely unable to analyze it: "That guy... um... I don't know."
Hayama Akira: "Two monsters..."
Kurokiba (without his bandana): "Yeah."
Miura: "Hikigaya is just too mentally strong, right..."
Tadokoro Megumi: "Yeah, it seems like that's the only reason."
Marui: "It seems so..."
On the stage, as the two contestants entered one after another, Hachiman quickly noticed that Yukinoshita's complexion wasn't very good, when she seemed fine just earlier.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Yukinoshita simply held her hand to her temple, barely forcing a smile and saying:
"It's nothing, maybe it's because there are too many people. I'm not very used to places like this. Compared to me, you don't seem to be affected at all, Hikigaya-kun."
Hachiman said in a calm tone:
"If I told you that I just want to quickly finish this and go back to the dorm to sleep, would you laugh at me?"
"What is it, you're really a troublesome guy."
"Anyway, drink some water to calm down first, I guess this opening ceremony won't end so soon."
Saying that, Hachiman gentlemanly handed over a glass of warm water. Of course, making such a gesture on stage, and still being the opponent, was quickly caught by various media outlets.
Without even thinking about it, it was impossible to imagine what the media would report after the competition if Yukinoshita took this glass of water. In short, this kind of news was practically comparable to that of the entertainment industry.
But...
Even though it was such a troublesome thing, Yukinoshita still didn't show any resistance, simply pretending not to know anything and gently taking the cup.
Seeing this scene, the most angry person was naturally Erina, sitting in the VIP room of the Ten Elites. Already angered by the events of just now, if one were to look closely, the veins on her hand had already started to bulge.
Kawashima Urara:
"So, next, please welcome our judges. They are all legendary graduates who graduated from Totsuki in the past. Today, the school has specially invited them back."
"Please welcome, Inui Hinako!"
"Mizuhara Fuyumi!"
"Shinomiya Kojiro!"
"Donato Gotoda!"
"And... the legendary Totsuki graduate from three years ago, who contributed countless masterpieces during her time at the school, Yukinoshita Haruno!"
Hearing this name, the entire venue seemed to quiet down instantly. Yukinoshita Yukino's grip on the cup became uncontrolled, and it slipped from her hand. Hachiman, standing next to Yukino, quickly noticed Yukino's hand, shaking uncontrollably.
Tadokoro Megumi: "Yukinoshita, Haruno? She's Yukino-san's older sister?"
Ryoko: "I guess that's the only explanation... but why have I never heard of this name before? If she's a graduate of the 89th generation, we should have heard of her when we were in middle school."
Marui: "I don't know... but if that's the case, the reason can only be placed on the school. After all, I've consulted so many documents, and I've never heard of such a person."
Shiomi Jun: "The Yukinoshita family..."
Hayama Akira: "But is this really okay? After all, judging from their blood relation, the two are completely sisters. Shouldn't there be a conflict of interest in such an important match?"
Shiomi Jun shook his head: "You don't understand them very well, but... the situation you're talking about will definitely not happen, in fact... the opposite will happen."
Kurokiba: "What do you mean?"
Shiomi Jun: "Even I don't know much about the Yukinoshita family, but according to rumors, the two sisters of the Yukinoshita family are not as harmonious as one might imagine..."
Mito: "It's completely bewildering..."
Yui: "Are you okay... Yukino-non..."
On the stage, watching Haruno so generously wave her little hand to greet the audience, even though not many people in the audience had heard of her name, she still didn't seem to mind, simply enjoying the stage in front of her.
Haruno: "It's been such a long time since I've been back. Hello, Yukino-non."
Yukino: "Sis... sister..."
When responding to Haruno, Yukino's words clearly became somewhat muffled. Even if the audience in the distance couldn't notice, Hachiman, who was next to Yukino, couldn't ignore it.
'As I guessed, the two hadn't met since that day, but... why?'
There were still too many things he couldn't understand. Hachiman simply focused his gaze on Haruno, who at the moment didn't have a trace of responsibility, simply rushing over directly and giving Hikigaya a big hug.
"Hikigaya-kun, it's nice to see you again, did you miss me?"
"Idiot, we only met once, right?"
Yukino: "You two have met?"
Haruno: "Why is Yukino-non so surprised? Hikigaya-kun is my sister's good friend!"
'It looks more like a toy...'
Yukino simply turned her head away, putting on a nonchalant appearance: "I suggest you two don't act so intimately in front of the media. After all, if that were to be reported back, it wouldn't be good for the Yukinoshita family, or for Hikigaya-kun."
Haruno smiled meaningfully, instead tightening her grip on Hikigaya:
"You two were just making those kinds of gestures under everyone's gaze, and now you're warning me? Yukino-non, you're really cunning."
Being retorted by Haruno like this, Yukino didn't know what to say for a moment, simply stammering with a blushing face:
"We... we're just..."
Although Hachiman was trying his best to get rid of Haruno's restraints, this person's attention was completely not on him. At this moment, he understood that he was just one of Haruno's tools, the purpose of which was to hit Yukino at this moment, but why?
He then cast his eyes on the other seniors, even the most serious Shinomiya didn't say much about Haruno's behavior at this time, which was simply unbelievable.
'Just what is the background of this person...'
Hachiman: "Okay, let me go now."
Hearing Hachiman's calm words, Haruno released him, knowing that it was uninteresting. She simply waved her hand and said to Yukino:
"I hope you can create something that will satisfy me! Yukino-non."
At the same time, everyone was completely stunned.
Erina: "What's going on with these two sisters?! Why are they all pretending to be pure and innocent and then being so shameless, I can't take it!"
Hisako: "Erina-sama, please don't get excited."
Erina: "I'm not excited! I'm not!"
Hisako: "Yes, yes... maybe they really are friends?"
Erina: "What kind of friends hug each other as soon as they meet? And I know that Hikigaya has no friends. Even if they are friends, there should be some distance. Does that guy even understand that!"
Seeing Erina's frustrated appearance, Hisako couldn't do anything but comfort her, just like soothing a child.
And the folks at the Polar Star Dorm were also completely dumbfounded.
Ryoko: "Are they acquaintances?"
Mito: "I don't know..."
Tadokoro Megumi: "It seems they're saying something?"
Mito: "I don't know..."
Marui: "Why are they hugging! Damn romantic people!"
Ibusaki: "I feel like I've heard those words somewhere before."
Miura: "Alright, the problem of avoiding suspicion has completely disappeared at this moment. After all, all three of them are acquainted."
Yui: "Is it really okay? Hikki, Yukino-non..."
Hayama Akira: "It feels like there's something strange..."
Kurokiba: "That guy is radiating a terrifying aura. I can feel it."
Kurokiba, who always considers the kitchen his battlefield, quickly noticed the endless momentum being released by the other party. It was a manifestation of being battle-hardened, and even Kurokiba, who had dedicated his whole life to cooking from a young age, couldn't keep up with the terrifying aura of Yukinoshita Haruno.
Back on the stage, Yukino's expression had clearly become slightly different. She was simply looking down, tightly grabbing her left arm with her right hand, appearing apologetic:
"I'm sorry, you must have laughed."
"It's nothing. Speaking of which, is she really your sister?"
"? Is there anything different?"
'Please, have some self-awareness about this kind of thing, Miss Yukinoshita.'
Hachiman: "It just feels like her personality is very different from yours. Even though you're from the same family, completely different personalities have emerged. I feel like it's really incredible."
Speaking of her sister, Yukino's expression became even more dimmed, simply saying faintly:
"My sister has always been excellent... she has always been someone I've been trying to catch up to, but even so, I've been left far behind."
Seeing Yukinoshita with this expression for the first time, Hachiman couldn't bear to continue making fun of her. He simply scratched his head and said somewhat embarrassedly:
"Well, let's talk about those things later. No one knows what will happen in the future. We just need to focus on the present and present a wonderful showdown to the audience."
Yukino: "Can I... do it?"
Hachiman: "You don't seem like yourself at all. We're partners, I know how amazing you are."
Yukino: "Then... good luck, Hikigaya-kun."
After greeting the various seniors one after another, Kawashima Urara began the next step of the hosting:
"Everyone who has come today, the time for the Autumn Election final is almost here. Now please look towards the ceiling."
Under Kawashima Urara's words, everyone's gazes looked towards the sky. As expected, because the weather was good today, after the sky completely darkened, that streak of pure white moonlight quickly illuminated the entire venue with a faint light.
Combined with the lamp stands of the [Moonlight Chapter] venue, the entire stage gave a feeling of a solo show, practically dancing ballet, so beautiful.
Yui: "It's so beautiful... This venue is too amazing."
Miura: "Indeed, it's very shocking..."
Ibusaki: "Well, even though we've been at this school for almost 4 years, we've never entered this venue for a competition before. It's said that only some special finals can be selected to be held in this venue, it's even more amazing than the previous venue."
Yui: "So that means Yukino and Hikki are amazing!"
Shiomi Jun: "This place? It really does bring back some memories..."
Almost the entire venue gave out a shocked cry of 'Wow' at this moment. At this moment, Isshiki Iroha also walked out from the backstage:
"I am the second host. On this day, I once again welcome everyone to gather at Totsuki. So, in the final that will begin soon, our rules are the same as in the past. The cooking time is only two hours, and now... we will begin the final lottery."
Isshiki walked up to a curtain and took out the prepared roulette wheel. In front of this huge roulette wheel, she simply said softly:
"On this roulette wheel, there are three hundred different dishes, and since we are doing impromptu cooking, we must cook according to the dishes drawn."
"Please invite Dojima Gin-senpai to perform the lottery ceremony."
Dojima Gin was still as calm as usual. Under everyone's gaze, he came to the roulette wheel and forcefully pushed the roulette with his muscular chicken. Under such great force, the entire roulette wheel instantly began to rotate at high speed, showing no signs of stopping.
Until the moonlight shone directly on Hikigaya, the roulette wheel lost its final kinetic energy at this moment, and the pointer finally stopped before a word.
"Tea..."
Isshiki: "So, for the final of the Autumn Election, our dish topic is 'Tea'!"
"As long as it is a dish about tea, whatever it is, is fine. This is a battle about impromptu cooking, also a clash of obvious strengths."
"Now... the competition, officially begins!"
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