Chapter 230: A Little Bit , Just a Bit
"Megumi Tadokoro, you will be the head chef in this Shokugeki!"
As these words were spoken, both Soma and Megumi were taken aback, but Dojima wasn't finished.
"The menu will be solely decided by you. Yukihira can only assist you as a sous chef."
"Now, the Shokugeki officially begins!"
With Dojima's words, the Shokugeki officially commenced.
However, Soma naturally couldn't accept this. "Wait a minute, Dojima-senpai. I'm the one who initiated this Shokugeki. Why am I not allowed to be the head chef?"
"This Shokugeki shouldn't have happened in the first place. It was only possible through my intervention. Thus, you should adhere to my conditions," Dojima said with folded arms and a calm tone.
"This Shokugeki is a competition that will determine Tadokoro's fate. It's only fitting for her to be the head chef."
"Even if you manage to win with your cooking skills, it will only allow her to barely survive for a while. Do you want her to continue living as your sidekick? That won't lead to any improvement for her. Sooner or later, she will be eliminated in other assignments. Do you plan to come to her rescue every time?"
"Totsuki Academy is a harsh place; you must prove your own value to stay. Therefore, in this Shokugeki, Tadokoro, you are the head chef. Show your true worth!"
After delivering these words, Dojima returned to the position where the graduates were.
Unfortunately, for Megumi, this Shokugeki, which would determine her and Soma's fate, was too burdensome. It was a weight she couldn't bear.
Just as the girl was still in a state of panic, on the other side, Shinomiya had already decided what he was going to do.
"Dojima-senpai, I've already decided what to cook. Can we start now?"
"Ah, that's natural."
Shinomiya smiled mischievously and deliberately walked past Soma and Megumi with his ingredients.
"I really pity you, Yukihira. Your fate is now in the hands of such a dull-witted girl."
Upon hearing his words, Hinako, sitting in the audience, displayed a disgusted expression.
"Ugh, what a detestable way to put it."
"Indeed, Shinomiya's personality is truly terrible," Mizuhara, squatting on the chair, nodded in agreement.
"That's right, it's because of Shinomiya's personality that no woman can date him," Donato said with some helplessness.
This earned Shinomiya a few hashtags on his forehead.
"All the onlookers, shut up, and when did you manage to untie yourself, Hinako?"
Though a bit frightened, Hinako added fuel to Megumi's situation.
"Come on, my adorable Megumi, don't lose to this gloomy guy."
Unfortunately, even with her encouragement, the girl remained bewildered, causing Hinako to become a bit anxious.
"What should we do, Dojima-senpai? At this rate, these two kids might really get expelled."
Watching the bewildered girl, Dojima also furrowed his brow.
"Let's wait and see. I've given them a chance. If it doesn't work out, it's their lack of ability to blame."
"But..."
Just as Hinako was about to say something, Hachiman spoke up.
"Don't worry, Hinako-senpai. If they really fail, I'll step in to help."
"Eh?!"
Hearing this, not only Hinako but also the others were a bit curious.
"How do you plan to help?" Erina inquired.
"If they truly fail, I'll strike a deal with Shinomiya-senpai."
"A deal?"
"That's right." Hachiman smiled faintly.
"Based on the information I know, Shinomiya-senpai is planning to open a branch in Tokyo. His visit as a guest lecturer is to scout talent for his new establishment."
"I believe you all have similar intentions."
Several graduates nodded.
"Moreover, Shinomiya-senpai's sudden decision to open a branch in Tokyo didn't attract many sponsors. So, I just need to provide him with some funds. Compared to his own restaurant, helping out Soma and Megumi is a trivial matter."
Issues that can be solved with money are not considered problems.
"How much do you plan to offer?" Erina inquired.
"Depends on the situation, but around 10 to 20 million should be enough." Hachiman's tone remained indifferent.
Indeed, with his current assets in the billions, this amount is a drop in the ocean.
However, upon hearing this, the graduates looked at each other in surprise.
Why does it feel like 10 to 20 million is equivalent to 1,000 or 2,000 for him?
In the end, driven by curiosity, Hinako asked Hachiman, "Could it be that you're also the heir of some big family, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Big family? No, I'm just an ordinary person. I've earned some money recently, that's all." Hachiman smiled.
"Some money..."
Erina's expression was somewhat peculiar as she gave him a disapproving look.
"Don't listen to this guy's nonsense, Hinako-senpai. His ability to make money is comparable to the entire Totsuki Resort. This 'some money' is nothing."
"What?!"
Hearing the girl's words, all the graduates were stunned, even Dojima, the head chef of Totsuki Resort, hesitated.
"Miss Erina, you should be aware that the annual net profit of the entire resort is in the tens of billions."
Although Erina was reluctant to accept this, the fact remained. To confirm, she turned to Hachiman beside her and asked, "How much money did you make last year?"
Hachiman nonchalantly shrugged, "Not much, around 8 billion or so."
Upon hearing this, Hinako weakly questioned, "Hikigaya-kun, did you misspeak?"
"Nope, it's really more than 8 billion," Hachiman said with a sly smile.
Wait, really 8 billion?!
This left the graduates a bit disoriented. Is money that easy to earn nowadays? But isn't Hikigaya just a high school student?
Erina intervened to explain, "Don't be fooled by his appearance. He's actually the uncrowned king in the light novel world. The sales of his two serialized novels have each exceeded ten million. Adding manga, some peripheral copyright fees, and his anime is coming soon, so his current earnings far exceed that figure."
Well, Erina didn't know that he was a big shareholder in the Ufotable studio. Or maybe it's not worth much in her eyes.
Again? Talent in culinary arts and kendo was already astonishing, and now, he's adding light novels. Does he want to leave no room for others?
Looking at the expressions of the graduates, Hachiman smiled and said, "Writing novels is just one of my hobbies. A little bit, just a bit."
Upon hearing this, Erina gave him a disdainful look.
"Another hobby, and just a bit? Do you have any other 'just a bit' talents?"
"If you want to know, I have a few. Culinary arts, kendo, martial arts, light novels, drawing, tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming, shogi, chess..."
"Of course, kissing too." Hachiman softly whispered to Erina in her ear.
Hearing that, Erina couldn't help but blush and remember the scene on the beach, blushing again. She couldn't help but pinch his waist.
"I'm somewhat familiar with all of these." Hachiman ignored her pinch and said to them.