Gourmet.
Loving food doesn't mean you understand it!
If you add the word "senior" before it, then a "foodie" would be more like a gourmet.
Rindo's understanding of food far surpasses many foodies. Not all dishes pleased her.
On the other side, Takumi saw the delicious red-braised oxtail but hesitated with her spoon.
"Why aren't you eating?" Zane asked.
"I don't like it!" Takumi said, startled, and put down her spoon, turning her head away.
Although she said that, the aroma of the red-braised oxtail kept wafting into her nose, making her gulp and her stomach grumble even more.
"What a shame."
"This red-braised oxtail is meticulously crafted with Mediterranean flavors."
"If you don't like it, I'll have to throw it away." Zane pretended to regretfully throw the pot of red-braised oxtail into the trash.
"What are you doing?" Takumi couldn't help but ask.
"Throwing it away. Didn't you say you didn't like it?" Zane smiled.
Takumi hesitated, biting her lip and staring at the pot of red-braised oxtail.
Growl! Growl!
Her stomach growled loudly, making her blush and wish she could hide.
"Eat it. Don't waste it." Zane scooped a bowl of red-braised oxtail and handed it to her.
Takumi hesitated for a moment before taking the bowl, saying, "You're the one insisting. It's not that I want to eat it!"
Zane: ???
Does she have a tsundere complex too?
"Think what you like. This is just a simple welcome party, a late-night snack."
Zane shrugged nonchalantly.
Without saying much, Takumi started eating the red-braised oxtail in front of him. At first, she ate cautiously, trying not to make slurping noises. But as the taste pleased her and hunger grew, she ate more eagerly.
Soon, the entire pot of red-braised oxtail was finished. The feeling of being full was indeed comforting, making both Rindo and Takumi happy.
When Takumi placed her clean bowl on the table, she saw Zane looking at her with a smile.
Blushing, she asked softly, "Why… why are you looking at me?"
"Huh?" Zane was puzzled.
"I mean, why are you being so nice to me?"
"Remember when we first met, I wasn't friendly to you. I thought you were a fraud, deceiving Sonoka's feelings!"
"Then, due to the night chefs, my restaurant Takumi Amarillo nearly went bankrupt in one night."
"At my lowest point, you still took me in despite everything."
"So, I… I don't understand!"
Takumi looked at Zane with tears in her eyes.
"Don't get too emotional. I just needed more staff at the tavern." Zane said calmly.
"Indeed, you're just a good person," Takumi said, then stood up and quickly left the tavern without looking back.
"Leaving already?"
Zane watched her disappear, muttering to himself. But looking at the clean bowl, he couldn't help but smile.
Morning is the most beautiful time of the day. Like a shy girl, the sunrise slowly unveiled the charming scenery.
From today, the break after the residential training ended, and new students had to return to Totsuki Academy. The list of 60 participants for the Fall Selection was announced.
In a wide square, everyone focused on the red-covered list, the air tense with anticipation.
Some were confident they'd be on the list, while others hid their anxiety. Some were nervous, sweating, afraid of not being chosen.
When the red cover was removed, revealing the 60 participants, the crowd was abuzz.
"Let's see."
"Wow… Soma is in Zone A."
"His rival, Ikumi, is also there. So are Zenji and Shun."
"Huh?"
"Why isn't my name there?"
"It shouldn't be. How am I worse than Zenji? If he's on the list, why… why…"
Yuuki, in the crowd, scanned the names on the board with her round eyes but couldn't find her name, feeling anxious.
"Here it is."
"Yuuki, you're in Zone B, not Zone A."
"And so are Megumi and me. So, everyone from the Polar Star Dormitory except for Daigo and Shoji made it!"
Ryoko, pointing to another board, said.
"Really?"
Yuuki checked where she pointed and found her name, hugging Ryoko and crying with joy. "I'm so glad, I made it."
"Me too?"
Megumi was shocked to see her name among the 60.
She had always been at the bottom, despite her progress after enrolling. How could she be in the top 60?
"Megumi, don't be surprised."
"Your performance during the residential training impressed Shinomiya. You deserve to participate in the Fall Selection."
"I'd be surprised if your name wasn't there."
Yuuki said, wiping her tears.
"Right, Megumi."
"Honestly, among the Polar Star students, you and Soma have the best chance of reaching the top eight."
Ryoko agreed.
"Top 8?"
"Don't… don't overestimate me. I'm just happy to participate."
Megumi scratched her head, embarrassed by their praise.
"I'm in the same zone as Ikumi?"
"Great, it's a chance for revenge."
Soma, seeing the list, clenched his fists. He still held a grudge from the Don RS incident.
In the crowd, Akira sniffed a bay leaf, then murmured, "Not as intense as star anise or fresh as basil, bay leaves' scent is like nature's breath, full of life."
"Perfect for curries, mixed with chicken or beef, it adds a unique flavor."
He glanced at the list.
"Hmph!"
"Nothing but mediocre contestants."
"Except Alice, who creates unusual dishes, the others are worthless."
"She's in Zone B, so I should easily make it to the top four."
Confident, he left the scene.
"Miss Alice."
"You're in Zone B. It took me a while to find you."
Ryo, with panda eyes, pointed to her name, exhausted.
"Ryo, did you think I wouldn't make it?"
"I've been losing to you, but things have changed."
"During the training, I performed well and deserve to compete."
"But you're in the same zone as Erina's lackey."
"Do well and show that as a Nakiri family follower, you can outperform them."
Alice crossed her arms, eyes on the Zone A list.
"Don't worry, I'll give my best."
Ryo nodded.
"Sadly, Erina, as the tenth seat, must handle the Fall Selection tasks."
"If only she were among the 60, I could compete against her!"
Alice sighed, feeling down.
The Fall Selection was like a 100-meter race with 60 runners. Judges like her mother Leonora, grandfather Senzaemon, and the Elite Ten oversaw it.
So, despite being a first-year, Erina couldn't compete, which Alice regretted.
Perhaps due to the approaching autumn, the weather wasn't as oppressive as summer.
Erina, in her Totsuki uniform, already knew the lists for Zones A and B.
"Hisako, your luck is bad."
"Zone A is much tougher than Zone B."
"Zone B's only threat is Alice, but Zone A has my vassal Ikumi. You'll have to fight her."
"Despite her progress since the Don RS incident, I believe she's no match for you."
"I'm more concerned about Akira and Ryo."
"Oh, and the transfer student."
Erina looked at Hisako, patting her shoulder, "Do your best, aim for the top eight, then the top four."
"Miss Erina, I'll make the top four."
"And win the championship."
"As your aide and secretary, I must clear obstacles for you."
"I'll prove to everyone at Totsuki that you're the future star, and others are just as the Director said, mere stepping stones."
Hisako said, holding Erina's hand firmly.
"Idiot."
"I can handle it alone. I… I don't need you!"
Erina, teary-eyed, was moved.
Everyone knew that third-year students would graduate next year, leaving Totsuki.
This meant the first five seats of the Elite Ten would be vacant.
So, selecting talented juniors to fill these seats was crucial.
The Fall Selection's performance usually determined eligibility for the Elite Ten.
Since participants in the Fall Selection typically didn't face expulsion risks, its value far exceeded the residential training.
Every new student dreamed of being among the 60 because losing meant only leaving the stage, without consequences.
However, reaching the top eight, top four, or finals meant a bright future!
The Fall Selection was about identifying outstanding freshmen to compete.
Although only 60 participants, they were elite chosen by the Elite Ten.
In the original story, Akira won the finals, defeating Soma and Ryo, becoming famous at Totsuki.
He even overshadowed Erina's fame.
After Mana's coup, he became the ninth seat of the Elite Ten!
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