"Cheers!"
Holding their cups, they drank together.
Hoshino Sora sat cross-legged in the middle of the girls, with Shiina Mashiro on one side and Yumeko Jabami on the other, who was currently smiling and greeting him.
"Hoshino, we meet again.
Are you also a student in this dormitory building? What a wonderful coincidence."
"This taste is so good, Yumeko, you should try some too."
Picking up the drink in front of him and downing it, Hoshino Sora spoke with great satisfaction.
As the drink entered his mouth, he first tasted the faint sweetness of lychee, then the fresh scent of mango, and the strawberry's...
The feeling was like being in a garden full of fruits, with various fruit spirits frolicking and bustling around him, and the air filled with the aroma of fruit, a truly comforting taste.
"This is Shinohiru's special juice, containing thirteen ingredients, with the ratio of each ingredient strictly controlled to create this uniquely flavored juice."
Entering room 308 with a large platter of dishes made from Japanese Ise lobster, Kobayashi Rindo, with her hair tied back with a bow scrunchie, immediately said with a smile after hearing Hoshino Sora's praise.
"What a luxurious lobster feast, it's so lucky to be able to eat Kobayashi-senpai's cooking!"
Looking at the various lobster dishes in front of her, Mito Ikumi, sitting on the bed in a very revealing Western cowboy outfit, had eyes full of excitement, saliva already dripping from her mouth, and her stomach rumbled at the opportune moment.
"Then eat more later, okay?"
"Aww! I will!"
"I caught this myself by the sea yesterday.
Sea fishing is truly enjoyable; you never know what delicious ingredient will be on the hook next!
Indeed, the location is what's most exciting!"
Speaking of her experience with a smile, sea fishing is an activity full of anticipation!
The seafood caught can be cooked on the yacht on the spot, ensuring absolute freshness of the ingredients.
"Actually, two days ago, I saw Kobayashi-senpai on that beach in Kanagawa.
In the early morning, I saw Kobayashi-senpai sea fishing on the rocks, with the breeze blowing through her hair, looking very beautiful."
Thinking of that unacquainted encounter, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but bring it up as a topic of conversation.
"Eh? Then why didn't you come up and say hello?
If you had, I could have taken you to experience the fun of sea fishing together."
"We didn't know each other then, so how could I say hello?"
Hoshino Sora said speechlessly, as he spoke, he picked up a small, exquisite lobster dumpling.
Its skin was translucent, making it look appetizing, and he dipped it in the prepared chili oil and sesame paste next to it.
That taste!
One word: amazing!
Thin skin, abundant filling, rich juice, and when dipped in chili oil and sesame paste, the aroma reached its peak.
The feeling was like swimming in the vast ocean, unhindered, unrestrained, and very pleasant.
[Analyze Dish]: Crystal Lobster Dumpling
[Quality]: Silver (Medium)
[Analysis 23%]: The ingredients for the dish include flour, lobster meat, diced fatty pork...
With a blissful expression, Hoshino Sora turned his gaze to the tomato lobster pasta placed in a shrimp shell beside him.
This was another distinct flavor, but what surprised him was that none of the dishes here were below Silver rank!
As expected of the Elite Ten's Second Seat, dishes casually made with common ingredients reached Silver (Medium) quality.
What level would dishes made seriously with rare ingredients reach!?
"Want to try Momo's cute desserts?"
Holding a toy bear carrying a dish, Akikubo Momo entered the room in a chef's uniform, then walked directly to Hoshino Sora and handed him the freshly made Earl Grey Tea Milk Pudding.
"Thank you, Akikubo-senpai."
Apparently, Akikubo Momo was very fond of this junior who was also a pastry chef, which made Hoshino Sora feel a bit flattered.
He took the milk pudding and, under her expectant gaze, scooped a large spoonful into his mouth.
"Is it delicious? Is my dessert cute?"
"It feels a bit like a summer afternoon, with the scorching sun burning the earth, but I have a cool and refreshing milk pudding.
This feeling is truly satisfying!"
The taste was cool and smooth, with a faint Earl Grey tea aroma.
The top of the milk pudding was covered with crushed peanuts, adding a layer of texture to the pudding.
After all, who doesn't like to eat a cool and refreshing milk pudding on a hot summer night?
However, Akikubo Momo is truly adorable, with her small body, light purple hair, and light green eyes.
She is two years older than him, a genuine legal loli.
He felt like he wanted to hug her tightly and dote on her, but if he did that, he'd probably be expelled tomorrow.
"I think Akikubo-senpai is even cuter.
Cute people make cute desserts, and the taste is fantastic."
"I didn't ask you that, though Momo is indeed very cute, hmph, I like your answer."
Upon hearing Hoshino Sora's reply, Akikubo Momo first blushed shyly, then her smile widened.
Who doesn't like being praised for being cute?
As she spoke, Akikubo Momo sat next to Kobayashi Rindo, holding Buchi, and burying her head slightly into it, clearly very happy.
"Oh, Sora is unexpectedly good at flattery."
After listening to Hoshino Sora's words, Kobayashi Rindo said somewhat unexpectedly.
The next moment, the door to dormitory 308 was pushed open again, and this time it was Shiina Mahiru in a chef's uniform.
"The cream stew is here."
"Wow, what a fragrant smell!"
Mito Ikumi said this, tasting various dishes, her face full of happiness, her chest rising and falling with the impact of the food, attracting Hoshino Sora's gaze.
After all, appearing in such clothes was simply too unfair!
----------
Full and satisfied, the welcome party entered its second phase: the game segment.
A large game board was spread on the floor, an auxiliary board for the King's Game, which could be used or not.
Simply put, the King can give commands, making a certain numbered player perform various complex actions, and of course, there's also the possibility of digging a pit for oneself.
This is the charm of the King's Game: its randomness.
Because the drawing of lots is completely random, it is relatively fair and just.
Looking at the joker in his hand, his gaze swept over the varied expressions of everyone present, among whom Yumeko Jabami was the most excited.
At this moment, the girl's eyes glowed with a faint red light, her hand tightly clutching the playing card, anticipating Hoshino Sora's command.
This feeling of enjoying risk made her very excited.
"Disclaimer: H-rated commands are not allowed."
Since he was the only boy present, if an H-rated command were given, regardless of the target, Hoshino Sora would be the ultimate beneficiary, and Shiina Mahiru was not very accepting of this rule.
"Of course, isn't that common sense?
Then, number three acts cute towards number four, using their sweetest voice.
This level should be fine, right?"
"It's not that it's not, but..."
Looking at the playing card with the number three in her hand, Shiina Mahiru's expression was a bit hesitant.
The command given by the other party was not outrageous, so she had no reason to refuse.
Then I'll accept it.
"I'm three, who's four?"
With a slightly flushed face, she revealed her card.
A girl acting cute towards another girl was not unacceptable to her, as long as the worst-case scenario didn't happen.
"Is no one four?"
Her gaze turned to the cards in the very middle, and Shiina Mahiru's heart suddenly skipped a beat, then she saw Hoshino Sora's smug expression.
"It seems I'm four.
Feel free to act cute towards me, using your sweetest voice, for at least one minute."
Looking at the numbered card in the middle, Hoshino Sora's face showed a smug smile.
It was truly amusing to watch others squirm, especially this fellow in front of him.
It felt like watching someone else's perfect goddess fall from grace.
That awkwardness, uneasiness, shame, shy eyes, and various other states are the essence of this game!
This is the most interesting part of the King's Game.
"Then what should I say?
I don't really have anything to act cute about with you."
Her expression showed a hint of hesitation.
She was told to act cute, but how exactly should she do it?
Facing a boy she had just met today, she truly had nothing to say.
"That's not within my consideration, after all, I'm just the one giving the orders.
If you can't, then forget it, after all, asking you to act cute towards me is indeed a bit difficult for you."
Shrugging his shoulders helplessly, Hoshino Sora said, advancing by retreating, because he knew that the other party would not go back on her word, so he acted particularly generous.
"No, it's just acting cute, I can do it!"
Indeed, upon hearing Hoshino Sora's generous declaration, Shiina Mahiru unclenched her slightly clenched fists.
As if she had made up her mind, she then stood up with a fleeting expression.
"Um, please have some more of the dish I made, Sora-nii~"
Holding up the cream stew, Shiina Mahiru gritted her teeth and went all out.
The people must obey the King's words; this is the core of this game.
If everyone went back on their word, the game would be completely meaningless.
"Miyu's acting cute, how rare."
Pinching her chin and looking at the scene in front of her, Kobayashi Rindo smiled happily.
Hoshino Sora was lively, and the atmosphere was fantastic!
"Ah~"
By the end, Shiina Mahiru simply let herself go.
Not only did she speak in an adorable tone, but she also took a spoon and fed him, her actions very intimate.
"Is it delicious?
I love seeing Sora-nii's happy expression when he eats my food.
It feels like the effort has paid off, as if all the hard work was worth it~"
"I love Sora-nii the most~"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was chewing her dish, Shiina Mahiru acted cute while asking.
In fact, seeing others show happy expressions because of her cooking did indeed give her a sense of satisfaction.
"Whew... is that enough now?"
Looking at Shiina Mahiru, who had returned to normal, Hoshino Sora still seemed to want more.
Although her acting cute was stiff, it strangely struck a chord with him.
That soft, cute voice unique to girls was truly hard to resist.
Although he was indifferent to cutesy voices, an occasional segment was a nice little extra, especially when he knew the other party was unwilling but helpless.
The feeling in his heart was even better!
"Yes, you're a genius at acting cute."
"I can't be happy with that kind of praise at all."
Responding to Hoshino Sora's praise with a slightly flushed face, Shiina Mahiru tightly hugged the pillow on the bed, her mood could be said to be very subtle.
Acting cute towards a boy, to be honest, this was her first time...
Her heart was beating a little fast...
"Sora, you're so lucky.
I don't know how many people in the academy like Shinohiru, and she's even been given the title of 'angel.' If her fan club knew about this, they'd probably want to tear you to pieces."
"Kobayashi-senpai! Please don't call me an angel.
I'm just an ordinary girl."
"Okay~" Kobayashi Rindo said indifferently, shrugging her shoulders, clearly not taking Shiina Mahiru's words to heart, or rather, finding it very interesting to see her embarrassed.
"Everyone in Far Moon wants to tear me to pieces now, so it doesn't matter.
But Shinohiru is indeed very beautiful, and it's normal for everyone to like her."
"Exactly, Shinohiru is super cute, right?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Hoshino Sora said indifferently.
He had already drawn everyone's hatred in the morning, so a little more or less didn't matter.
"Alright, stop talking about me, let's continue the game!"
"Alright then, let's continue the game."
Interrupting Hoshino Sora and Kobayashi Rindo's discussion with a flushed face, the game started again. After a round of intense and exciting card drawing, Mito Ikumi became the king this time.
At this moment, the girl's face was full of surprise. Her gaze swept around, and for a moment she didn't know what command to give, as most of the people around her were her seniors, and an overly harsh command would clearly be inappropriate.
But an overly bland command would be boring.
Awkwardly curling her toes, she was at a loss for how to respond. After more than ten seconds of thought, Mito Ikumi finally spoke: "Number 2 and Number 5, drink a cup of juice together."
"I'm Number 5, who's Number 2?"
Flipping over the playing card in her hand, Yumeko Jabami said with a hint of excitement. Shiina Mahiru's performance just now had her heart pounding. The extreme sense of shame and the feeling of taking risks were a little exhilarating.
"It's me again…"
Holding up the playing card in his hand, Hoshino Sora said somewhat helplessly. He had already been chosen for two consecutive rounds. Since there weren't many people present, the probability was a bit high.
"Then let's do it, the cup of juice."
Handing the overflowing cup of juice to Hoshino Sora, Yumeko Jabami stared intently into his eyes, completely in a certain state. As for what state it was, Hoshino Sora didn't know either.
He only felt a bit shy being stared at by her, and by the time he reacted, his arm had already been linked.
"Gulp."
As their hands linked together, a faint ambiguous atmosphere appeared in the air, especially for Hoshino Sora. At this moment, his expression was very unnatural.
The moment they drank the juice, their faces were very close. Looking at the exquisite, unadorned face in front of him, his heart rate was extremely fast.
"It feels a bit like the ancient wedding customs in China."
Seeing Hoshino Sora's embarrassment, Yumeko Jabami joked.
"Strictly speaking, it's not. The 'cup of wine' is the modern term. In ancient China, it was more often called 'He Jin (jin) Wine,' and half a gourd was used as a container, emphasizing a homophone, 'Fu Lu' (blessings and prosperity).
Furthermore, the gourd was originally one, divided into two. The gourd is cut open, connected by a red thread, meaning that husband and wife are originally one body."
Hearing Yumeko Jabami's comment, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but start explaining. Since he was Chinese in his previous life, he still knew some common knowledge.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's explanation, Shiina Mahiru nodded thoughtfully, a hint of surprise in her eyes as she looked at him. Is this guy really so knowledgeable?
"That's right, but I also have to praise this: your juice tastes really great. I feel like I could drink any amount and not get tired of it."
Hoshino Sora spoke extremely quickly. It was clear that he hadn't recovered from the shared drink just now; he was just trying his best to distract himself with other things.
"Of course! This is the final product I created after two years of research, go through more than a dozen versions of updates and iterations."
"Amazing!"
"Let's continue the game~"
Over the next few rounds, the group played more than twenty games, and the chosen people completed their tasks under extremely embarrassing circumstances. Because they all managed the boundaries well, everyone had a great time.
It was embarrassing but not socially suicidal, and laughter filled the entire dormitory. Everyone went from being unfamiliar at the beginning to becoming close friends by the end. Perhaps this was the meaning of the game.
It wasn't until two or three in the morning that everyone, feeling tired, returned to their rooms.
"Yumeko, you also live on the 4th floor."
"Yes, I'm in room 403."
Opening the room next to the stairs, Yumeko Jabami replied gently to Hoshino Sora's question.
"Then I'm next door to you. You can call me if you need anything. Speaking of which, I still owe you a favor."
Thinking of yesterday… or rather, the day before yesterday's competition, Hoshino Sora said earnestly. Although Erina didn't say whose dish was better in that competition, he knew that he was the one who lost.
He had made many dishes while running his shop. Although there weren't many Silver (Low-grade) dishes, they occasionally appeared, perhaps five to ten servings a day.
However, he had never made a Silver (Mid-grade) dish, even when he was at his most serious. That bowl of Chunyang Noodle last time was only the closest he had come to a Silver (Mid-grade) dish.
"Okay, I'll trouble you when I need to. Good night, Hoshino-kun."
"Good night."
Watching Yumeko Jabami close the door and enter her room, Hoshino Sora quietly said good night and returned to his own room. Today, he had eaten a large amount of food, and his Gourmet Cells had also been strengthened to a certain extent.
Hoshino Sora had done very little research on Gourmet Cells, but he could confirm that they could enhance his physical abilities. If unlimited stamina increased endurance, then Gourmet Cells increased combat power.
The most obvious effect was on his strength. Although he hadn't specifically tested it, Hoshino Sora found that he had become much, much stronger. He could lift large kitchen counters in the classroom, which probably weighed several hundred catties, with just one hand.
His speed also increased. How much it increased was unknown, but it most likely already exceeded human limits. This was only Level 2 Gourmet Cells; it was hard to imagine what kind of 'monster' he would become in the future.
However, in this peaceful society, having great power didn't seem to be very useful, unless he were to enter 'Toriko' in the future, where Gourmet Cells could truly be utilized.
If possible, he also wanted to taste those highly praised, high-grade gourmet foods!
If he could bring ingredients from there to here, what kind of impact would it have on the current gourmet world?!
It was exciting...
Gradually, drowsiness set in. Unlimited stamina did not mean unlimited energy; when the time came, Hoshino Sora still felt sleepy and fell asleep.
The Yōbi Dormitory was exceptionally quiet at night...
--+--
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.