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Shun spoke in an even tone, as if stating something trivial.
"I'm going to take an Elite Ten seat in the shortest time possible… but don't tense up, Satoshi-senpai. You're not my target."
"Eh?"
Everyone was stunned by Shun's declaration.
If anyone else had said it, they would've doubted them. But when Shun finished, not a hint of skepticism remained—many even found themselves believing he could do it.
First, they'd all tasted Shun's cooking.
Second, they had just heard from Sōma about this morning's transfer-exam incident—how Headmaster Senzaemon experienced an "exploding-kimono" reaction after eating Shun's dish.
For the "Food Demon" to disrobe—that's legendary approval!
Rumor had it only dishes by Elite Ten members could make that happen.
In other words, to the Polar Star crowd, Shun's cooking already stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Elite Ten… perhaps even surpassed them.
Satoshi's narrowed eyes curved like crescent moons; his smile deepened.
Rather than nervous, he looked excited. "Heh, that's a terrifying statement. Still, I'm looking forward to the waves you'll stir up, Shun-kun. Tōtsuki has been calm for far too long."
Then Satoshi suddenly shifted to the key point. "So that means you've already prepared a Shokugeki stake worthy of an Elite Ten seat, right?"
"Not yet. But soon," Shun replied crisply.
With that, he said nothing more, leaving the rest to their imaginations.
No equal wager, yet bold talk of seizing a seat quickly—that alone was contradictory.
But his unfathomable skill made everyone feel he might truly have a method beyond common sense.
Over the next few days, Shun attended classes like any ordinary student, yet his mind kept working the problem of a stake equal to an Elite Ten seat.
He set his initial sights on the Ninth Seat, Eizan Etsuya, and the Eighth Seat, Kuga Terunori—the former was calculating and comparatively weaker than other seats; the latter obsessed over Chinese cuisine and might reveal an opening. Still, the wager remained the largest obstacle before him.
These days, nothing in particular affected Shun—very little could. For everyone else, though, Tōtsuki had been lively.
First, the "Sumo Hot Pot Research Society" was abolished.
Then the Shokugeki between Sōma and Ikumi blew up the academy; their match was scheduled for three days later.
Just like in the original "plot," the theme would be Donburi (rice bowls), and the wager was unchanged.
Shun didn't interfere—not because he didn't consider Sōma a friend, but because he already knew the outcome…
If the story continued as it should, the victor would be Sōma.
That day, Shun arrived at the designated culinary classroom as usual.
Tōtsuki's curriculum was similar to college: not many classes, little theory, mostly practical training.
Cooking class was one of them.
In these classes, the instructor provided a recipe; students followed it to produce a dish, and if the flavor passed the bar, they passed. Fail the tasting several times in a row, and you'd be ordered to withdraw.
Assessments were typically done in pairs.
Preoccupied with stake ideas, Shun paid no attention to the others as he entered, choosing a station in the corner.
He didn't notice that, across the room, the much-watched "God Tongue"—Erina—was in the same class today.
Even without the "God Tongue" title, her pedigree and looks drew eyes.
As always, the ice queen merely had to stand there for the air to change around her. Students hovered nearby—eager yet hesitant to approach—while her loyal secretary, Hisako, waited quietly at her side.
On top of Erina's pressure, today's instructor intimidated many students as well…
Standing at the lectern was the chef known as "the Man Who Never Smiles"—Roland Chapelle.
Stern and exacting, he announced the day's task in an icy voice: "Today's assignment is 'Magret de Canard à l'Orange.' Two to a team. You have ninety minutes. Begin pairing."
No extra chatter. After the announcement, Chapelle wrote the recipe on the board.
Students began to search for partners.
Naturally, Erina assumed she would team with Hisako. Yet her gaze drifted, almost involuntarily, to Shun in the corner.
Her grandpa's words, and the inexplicable hollowness in her palate these past few days, surged back.
A tremor of doubt moved in her heart.
Could this be… an opportunity?
A chance to verify her grandpa's claim and… to satisfy the craving of this damned "God Tongue"?
After a moment of struggle, Erina pressed her lips together and decided.
Just as Hisako started toward Erina as usual, something happened that stunned the whole class—especially Hisako.
Erina drew a steady breath. Pulled between pride and desire, she walked—just a touch stiffly—straight to Shun's station.
Only then did Shun surface from his thoughts and notice Erina in front of him.
"Hey."
Erina spoke, trying to keep her voice as cool and poised as ever, though her slightly tilted chin betrayed a bit of strain. "Are you alone? I happen to be without a suitable partner today, so I'll reluctantly pair with you. Try not to hold me back."
The entire classroom—boys and girls alike—gaped.
Less an invitation, it sounded more like a condescending decree.
Hisako turned to stone where she stood, disbelief and a sting of hurt written on her face. "E-Erina-sama?!"
Shun glanced at Erina, then at the dejected Hisako in the distance. "Hm? Haven't you always teamed up with Hisako?"
...
(End of Chapter)
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