Chapter 229: Notary
After the dinner assessment, the members of the Polar Star Dormitory gathered once again, each wearing an anxious expression.
"No, the call still won't go through," Ryoko sighed in frustration after hanging up her phone.
Even the usually lively Yuki wore a worried expression. "How could this happen? Did something happen to Soma and Megumi during today's assessments?"
"All assessments for today have already concluded. Could it be that they..." Marui voiced his concern.
However, Ibusaki shook his head. "That's unlikely. Their names weren't on the list of students who didn't pass today."
Just as the group was getting worried, Daigo Aoki and Shoji Sato rushed over.
"We got some information. According to the students in their group, because Megumi didn't pass Chef Shinomiya's assessment today, Yukihira is challenging Chef Shinomiya to a Shokugeki!"
Hearing this, the Polar Star Dormitory members were astonished.
"What? A Shokugeki with Chef Shinomiya? Is Yukihira out of his mind? He's challenging a graduate, and it's Chef Shinomiya!"
"Can't believe something like this is happening. I can't wrap my head around it!"
"..."
Meanwhile, in the underground kitchen of the annex, all participants for the Shokugeki had gathered.
Standing in the middle, Dojima calmly spoke, "This underground kitchen is rarely visited, so there won't be any disturbances during this Shokugeki. Feel free to give it your all."
Besides him, there were other judges: Totsuki's elite graduates - Hitoshi Sekimori, Donato Gotoda, and Fuyumi Mizuhara.
Oh, and there was Hinako Inui, tied to a chair, wearing a sign that read "Audience."
Seeing so many graduates present, Megumi couldn't help but feel nervous.
"A casual Shokugeki during training, and it's between graduates and current students. This is quite interesting," Donato commented with a smile.
"I wonder what will happen when Chappelle-sensei finds out," he added.
"He'll probably be furious," Hitoshi squinted his eyes.
Hearing this, the bound Hinako involuntarily shivered.
Afterward, Mizuhara Fuyumi, squatting on the chair, shook involuntarily.
"If Chappelle-sensei gets angry, I'll blame it all on Shinomiya."
However, Shinomiya refused to take the blame, "Hey, Mizuhara, you jerk, I can hear you."
Although these graduates were already renowned, they held great respect for Chappelle-sensei. The thought of him being displeased weighed heavily on their minds.
Especially Shinomiya, skilled in French cuisine, faced his fair share of criticism from Chappelle during his school days.
At this moment, Hinako finally managed to free herself from the ropes but couldn't help expressing her confusion, "Huh, Hikigaya-kun isn't here. Didn't he and Dojima-senpai organize this Shokugeki?"
Of course, Hachiman wouldn't miss this spectacle, but he went to find someone else.
As Hinako spoke, voices of a male and a female resonated near the staircase.
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
"Don't worry about it; just come with me."
"Hmph, I won't be afraid of whatever you're planning. Wait! Isn't this the underground? What do you want to do here? Could it be... Hisako, hurry and save me!"
"Hey hey, can't your thoughts be a bit healthier?"
"..."
The expressions on the faces of those present turned strange because these two voices were not unfamiliar to them. The male voice belonged to Hachiman, and the female voice seemed to be Erina.
As the door to the underground was pulled open, the figures of Hachiman and Erina appeared before everyone.
"Hello, Senpais, you're all here," Hachiman greeted the graduated students.
Seeing the sudden appearance of the graduates, Erina felt a bit dazed. Moreover, she connected it to what she had just said, causing the girl's face to turn a deep shade of red.
She glared fiercely at Hachiman and simultaneously executed a "V-sign" that delivered a 360-degree spin on his waist.
"Quickly spill it! Why did you bring me here?"
Not only her, but even the graduated students were puzzled, unsure why Hachiman brought Erina here.
Feeling the subtle movements of the girl around his waist, Hachiman couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. Nonetheless, he briefly explained the situation to her.
"Ha, Soma Yukihira is challenging Chef Shinomiya in a Shokugeki?!"
Watching Soma behind the nearby kitchen counter, Erina's face was filled with an expression of disbelief.
"Although it's a bit overestimating his abilities, challenging the formidable Chef Shinomiya for the sake of a girl. Doesn't this plot seem like..."
Not sure what crossed her mind, Erina mumbled to herself. With a somewhat envious gaze, she looked towards the somewhat bewildered Megumi on the other side and then secretly glanced at Hachiman beside her.
If a hero could have appeared when I was a child...
But after a moment, she reverted to her usual arrogant demeanor, speaking to Hachiman.
"Since that's the case, what did you bring me here for?"
"Actually, I brought you here to be the notary for this Shokugeki. The judges are Dojima-senpai and various graduates. Now we just need a notary," Hachiman shrugged.
"Having you as the notary, I believe everyone has no objections."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded. As the heiress of the Nakiri family and renowned for her "God's Tongue" in the culinary world, Erina was indeed qualified to be the notary.
"Hmph, fine then. Since you put it that way, I'll be the notary. I also want to see how Soma Yukihira will lose," Erina said with crossed arms and a proud expression.
"Haha, don't worry, Miss Nakiri. I'll definitely win," Soma declared confidently.
"Alright, let Erina be the notary," decided Dojima.
"So, this private Shokugeki with a 2-to-1 setup begins now."
"As for the ingredients, use whatever is left from today's assignment. You're free to make any dish, but it's preferable to focus on vegetables. The cooking time is two hours."
This Shokugeki was initiated by me, and I absolutely don't want Soma to drop out because of me. At the very least, I won't let him be a hindrance in this Shokugeki.
Just as Megumi closed her eyes in prayer, Dojima spoke up once again.
"In addition, I want to add an extra condition."
"Megumi Tadokoro, you will be the head chef in this Shokugeki!"