Before heading to Hokkaido, they still needed to take a bus to the station. Considering the time, it was almost time for the bus to depart.
Although as the Academy Director, she had certain privileges, Erina Nakiri still decided to act together with Hoshino Sora and advance or retreat together during the promotion assessment.
In other words, they would participate together.
As for the remaining matters at the Academy, weren't there still the Totsuki Ten Elite? Tools should have the awareness of being tools. Yes, that's how it is.
Looking at the mountain of piled-up tasks, Eishi Tsukasa's face was filled with despair. He never imagined that he would go to the restroom and come back to find so many things to deal with?!
"I want to sit in the very back row~"
"Okay, we'll sit next to you."
Watching Hoshino Sora, who was as excited as an elementary school student, Erina Nakiri said patiently. Then, the three followed the crowd onto the bus and sat in the window seats in the very back row.
It's worth noting that although there were five seats in the very back row of the bus, when the three of them sat down, not only that row, but also the two rows in front of them were empty.
"Are we that scary?"
Looking at the empty front row, Erina couldn't help but grumble, then felt warmth on her short-skirted thigh. Turning her head, she met Hoshino Sora's faint smile.
"Isn't this perfect? There's no one around, and they're all avoiding our gaze. Even if something happens, they probably wouldn't dare to look."
Seeing this, Hoshino Sora was delighted. Wasn't this encouraging him to sneak around and do something? The front row was packed, but only they were in the back, with seats blocking the view in between.
It was so well-covered that no one could see what was happening below the seats.
"What are you trying to do? We're on a train! If anyone sees us, we're finished!"
Feeling Hoshino Sora's increasingly bold actions, Eri Nai Erina also grew anxious. She couldn't possibly match him in strength, so all she could do was clamp her legs together and try to dissuade him with words.
Hisako, seeing the situation, didn't step forward. She simply averted her gaze, adopting the 'out of sight, out of mind' approach.
She could do many things for Erina, but she truly couldn't interfere with this matter, because the person acting was Hoshino Sora. If she helped, he would likely turn his attention to her.
It wouldn't matter if he turned his attention to her, as her existence was to help Erina with her worries, but, how to put it, there were people all around, and she was sitting in the middle.
If things got physical, Erina had a chair in front of her for cover, but Hisako Arato had nothing in front of her!
If someone curiously turned their head during the ride, Hisako Arato didn't dare to continue thinking. What she needed to do now was to find a way to block the view from the front, preventing them from looking over.
She inexplicably felt a bit like an ancient maid helping her young mistress stand guard, a strange feeling indeed.
"See? No one can help you now. Just accept your fate. You haven't been 'developed' for over a month, so you must have been unable to hold back for a while now."
Seeing Hisako turn her head away, Hoshino Sora's face showed a smug smile. Then he leaned his mouth close to Eri Nai Erina's ear, his voice very soft, and at the end of his words, he exhaled a warm breath.
"No... no, I haven't."
"Your body isn't saying that."
Biting Eri Nai Erina's earlobe, Hoshino Sora's actions grew even bolder.
----------
The train sped along the tracks.
"Speaking of Hokkaido, one must mention potatoes. Without potatoes, discussing Hokkaido's cuisine is impossible."
Wearing a somewhat ill-fitting teacher's OL suit, the clothes tightly accentuated her figure. Holding a pointer, Eri Nai Erina certainly knew how to dress.
"Yes, Hokkaido's potatoes account for 80% of the national output, and there are as many as fifty varieties." Pushing up the framed glasses she wore to appear more knowledgeable, Hisako Arato held a book and thoughtfully added.
"Tonight, you need to firmly remember the characteristics of all varieties. After potatoes, there are Hokkaido's unique vegetables, seafood, beef, and wild ingredients.
Since you've accepted my tutoring, you must remember everything. I will find time to check on you tonight, and if you don't pass, I will give you a severe punishment."
The pointer in her hand swung down fiercely, even producing a violent sonic boom. Her gaze was fixed directly on Hoshino Sora's face, looking as if she wasn't joking.
"Don't worry, when have I ever disappointed you?"
Looking at Eri Nai Erina's flawless face, Hoshino Sora said with a smile. At this moment, he didn't want to joke. Since she was willing to teach him, he would learn.
He indeed wasn't very familiar with the local ingredients of Neon, especially when he heard there were fifty varieties of potatoes, he almost couldn't keep a straight face.
After all, in his opinion, a potato was just a potato; what could be so different? Now it seemed he had been superficial.
"Here, here, I found him, Hoshino-kun~"
Seeing Hoshino Sora active in the kitchen, Alice Nakiri rushed over with sparkling eyes and embraced the man in front of her.
"Alice, we are currently studying Hokkaido's ingredients. Don't come here to cause trouble!"
Seeing Alice Nakiri suddenly interject, Eri Nai Erina was clearly not pleased, so she said coldly, wanting her to leave.
"It's just studying, isn't it? I'm not very familiar with these areas either, so I'll reluctantly stay and join you all~
And Megumi, Megumi probably isn't familiar with these either, right?"
As she spoke, Alice Nakiri pulled out Tadokoro Megumi, who was waiting nearby, her tone light, clearly having decided to stay.
"Sorry, I'm not very familiar either. Can I also stay and learn?"
Tadokoro Megumi was pushed in front of them, an embarrassed expression on her face, but she didn't back down. Instead, her eyes sparkled as she stared at Eri Nai Erina.
"Why do I have to set up a class for you two too! Fine, but let me warn you, my class is very strict! If you don't remember what I say, you will receive very severe punishment!"
As she spoke, Eri Nai Erina swung the whip in her hand again, and the powerful sonic boom reappeared. It was clear that she was truly serious.
"So Erina likes to play this kind of game?"
One hand covered her mouth, her face showing a surprised expression. Her small mouth was slightly agape, looking astonished.
"No, I don't!"
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Eri Nai Erina's face instantly flushed. Then she angrily clenched her fists and stomped her foot.
"Just kidding, let's start the lecture quickly, Teacher Erina~"
The smile on her face did not diminish, clearly not believing the other party's rebuttal, but rather finding it somewhat amusing.
"Ahem, look at these pictures below.
Starting from the first one: Toyohiro, Snowdon, Kitahime, Sayaka..."
Ignoring Alice Nakiri's teasing, Eri Nai Erina slowly began to speak, pointing at the potatoes in front of her. It had to be said that her knowledge was truly vast.
Nodding and praising Eri Nai Erina in his heart, Hoshino Sora remembered all the names and characteristics of these potatoes after just one look.
The enhancement brought by the Gourmet Cell was not only physical; his brain and memory were now at a superhuman level. Photographic memory was child's play.
This was also the real reason he could easily pass the legendary cooking utensil trial assessment.
Absolute talent plus genuine effort!
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