When the members of the Polar Star Dormitory saw two Elite Ten seniors, they almost collapsed, but thanks to Rin, who often spoke with them while working as my secretary, the initial fear quickly disappeared. Under my and Sakura's lead, we all made our way to the orphanage.
-"So what's the story with the orphanage?"-Asked Rindō.
~"Well, Sakura, Rin, and Tomoe come from there. As for how we met, it was all predestined."
-"Right."-Rindō rolled her eyes at my answer while Tomoe and Rin laughed next to me.
-"Does Yuchi like children?"
~"Not much, to be honest."
-"Hmm? That's unexpected."-Ryōko looked at me, genuinely surprised.-"I thought everyone liked them."
~"Those are just my personal feelings."
-"Can you tell why?"
~"I envy them."
-"Envy?"
~"You know that the shorter one's childhood, the harder that person's life was. Well, hard might be too harsh a word, but you get the idea. I envy the ability to see the world naively, for what it is at the first glance."
-"..."
~"Let's change the subject so as to not get too gloomy."
-"How did you four become so close?"-Megumi asked me and the girls.
-"When my world was about to collapse, Yue was there to not only hold it up but even redeem it."-Sakura spoke while looking at me with tenderness.
-"Right, he not only saved our lives but also gave us a chance for a better future."-Rin agreed with her sister.
-"Well, at first, I just carried along with those two, but later, we genuinely became family despite our differences and earlier conflicts."-Tomoe smiled while remembering some of our memories together.
-"What about you, Yue?"
~"Thanks to all of them, I become a true person, not somebody replacement crafted for one purpose only."
-"Crafted?"-Rindō looked me up and down.-"Did some god make you?"
~"Not a god..."
-"Right, gods wouldn't create someone who can rival their beauty. Did some goddess want to mede you into a boy toy?"
-"Boy toy..?"-Momo looked at Rindō questioningly.
-"Nothing."-Rindō quickly decided to keep quiet.
~"Drop it, Rindō. We are here. Let's go inside."
The moment we walked in, we were immediately swarmed by the children. Sakura, Rin, and Tomoe were taken by them to the backyard to play, followed by the rest of the girls, leaving me and Isshiki alone.
-"I can feel youth in this place."
~"Don't beat around the bush. I see you have something to say to me without them present."
-"I was seen, huh. I can see you four like each other, but can you take responsibility for them? Can you make them happy?"
~"Isshiki, I can respect your wish to help your friends, and I promise you I would never harm them, but you should resolve your own emotional dealings before involving yourself in mine."
-"..."
~"I would like to befriend you, but without understanding some matters..."
-"Sigh, I apologize. I shouldn't confront you like that."
~"I don't mind it. Let's start anew."
-"Sure."
After shaking hands, we went to the kitchen, wanting to prepare an early dinner for the children.
After working together, we fully dropped our guards against each other. While not exactly best friends, at least we now could talk freely. The girls played with the children, and when dinner time arrived, everyone sat at the table to have a meal. We spent the rest of the afternoon here, going back to the Tōtsuki only when the sun started to set.
Tomorrow, Sakura, Isshiki, and I will go to the Tōtsuki Friendship and Rapport Training Camp, so we refused Yūki's idea to have a party. Everyone just went to rest, though we promised to have a party at a later date.
The next morning, Momo prepared what she calls a 'good luck' breakfast before two of them saw me off at the door. A bus ride later, I arrived at the Tōtsuki Resort, which will be the venue of the Training Camp.
-"Yue."
~"Sakura, Isshiki."
-"Down for some cards later?"
~"Sure, but it would be best if you invite a fourth person."
-"I'll ask if someone wants to join us later."
-"All students! Immediately gather in the main dining room. I repeat. All..."-A notice started to sound through the intercoms.
~"Well, let's go."
We entered the room with other students, and a few minutes later, everyone was there. Nearly a thousand students stand now, and after knowing what will happen during the next five days, I wonder how many will remain.
As my thoughts were wandering, teacher Chapelle appeared on the stage and started explaining the details of the Training Camp. After he finished, it was time for graduates to appear, and soon, about twenty people joined teacher Chapelle on the stage. At the center stood a buff man with a buzz cut.
-"Welcome, students! I'm Gin Dōjima, but you should call me as
Chef Dojima. From today until the last test, you will be my employees, and that means one thing. Failure is not tolerated."
Chef Dojima started his, but I mostly ignored it as my focus was on another person present among the alumni. She also noticed my gaze and smiled while waving, destroying the image of a graceful senior before she could even speak.
Luckily, Chef Dojima was not like some other people, so the introductions ended in a timely manner. Soon after, we were divided into groups, each following after one instructor. Neither Sakura nor Isshiki were in my group, so I had no companion to talk to.
After taking our places in the kitchen, our instructor, who was named Hitoshi Sekimori, gave us our tasks. We were to prepare sushi that he could approve of while adding something interesting.
I decided to make traditional sushi, but rather than being rolled into cylinders, I prepared every single piece to look like a small flower, using vegetables and seafood of various colors. Adding a mix of sauces, some mild while some spicy, I created a buqete in both appearance and tastes.
While it was time-consuming, due to my dexterity, I still was one of the first to finish. After arranging it carefully on the plate and adding some additional elements for appearance's sake, I presented my dish to the instructor.
-"Hmm, I watched you as you were making your meal, and I must say that I'm impressed. Your handling of the knife was something I would struggle to repeat, yet you did so perfectly over and over."-He spoke when I approached before taking chopsticks and testing my sushi.
-"All ingredients are well prepared. There is no wrong combination of tastest despite there being so many. I must say that this would be a perfect dish to be presented as the opening of a banquet to have guests familiarize themself with tastes."
~"This was something I had in mind, so I color-coded the tastes so that the flower color could be used to order further portions."
-"Brilliant, this can help those who don't want to look ignorant in front of others to know what they like, and adding the appearance this can indeed invite new people to the sushi table. You pass. What's your name?"
~"Thank you. I'm Yue."
-"You can go back or wait here. There will be another test after this, however."
~"Thank you, I'll wait here."
-"Suit yourself."
I sat at the back of the room and took out a phone to write with Yukong and Ji Xuanyuan, but both of them were busy at the moment, so I just sat and waited.
I watched how the instructor rejected meal after meal, citing some inadequate or lack of interesting elements. When one-third of the time allocated for us passed, only one other person had passed the test.
-"Man, you must teach me how to use a knife like you."-Terunori Kuga, who was the other person who passed, spoke while sitting next to me.
~"I don't mind helping you, but you will have a hard time learning it the same way I did."
-"Why?"
~"Ever tried lapidary or goldsmithing?"
-"What?"
~"Watchmaking is also nice. You'll learn how to have steady hands while you have to use forceps to even hold those parts."
-"Your life must have been interesting if you have dabbled in those."
~"You can say that."
-"How many do you think will pass this test?"
~"Fifteen."
-"So few? I think that at least half will succeed."
~"They can make sushi, but few of them know how to make it interesting."
-"Hmm, if you put it that way, it indeed seems that not many will pass."
~"What do you think the next test will be?"
-"Most likely about making some bigger amount of food."
~"Then we have the same opinion."
-"What was that reddish sauce you used in your dish?"
~"This was..."
We continued to talk while others still tried their best during the test. In the end, I was right, and fifteen people in total passed this test, while the rest had to drop out of the Tōtsuki.
When all was said and done, we followed our instructor back to the main dining room, where another test would be announced. Sakura and Isshiki obviously passed and joined me and Kuga, but what surprised me was that another girl accompanied them.
~"Nene?"
-"Hello, Yue."
~"Yes, Hello."
-"Hmm, with Kuga, we have five people, so we can play some fun games later."-Isshiki spoke after approaching.
-"Cards? Count me in."-Kuga quickly agreed to play with us later.
Moments later, Chef Dojima appeared again and spoke about our next trial.
Fifty portions of lasagna of any type to be prepared before seven, giving us little over three hours. After hearing what we had to do, we all decided to deal with it outright before taking our free time.
Test after test, the Training Camp continued. While most of them were not interesting, on the third day, I finally found myself in Hinako's group. She tasked everyone present to prepare udon. The only additional requirement was for it to be delicate but not flavorless. This was not hard for me, who helped in her shop from time to time, so I easily passed this test, allowing me to freely talk with her.
~"I must say that I wasn't expecting you here. Why didn't you find me on the first day?"
-"I didn't want to interrupt your free time, and other alumni dragged me with them."
~"Be sure to refuse if you don't want to do something."
-"Of course. How do you feel about this Camp?"
~"It can indeed uncover gems from between waste, but I feel that not everyone can shine like that. You will find true diamonds, but countless other gems will be lost."
-"True."
~"Why do you ask?"
-"I was contacted by someone who wants to change the Tōtsuki."
~"That banished Nakiri?"
-"You know?"
~"Many restaurants around the world were invested in by Family, so I got notified about his movements some time ago."
-"So, what do you think about his idea?"
~"If one can perfectly control all avenues of cooking: restaurants, schools, suppliers, farmers, etc., etc. Then that merit-based, fair-for-all, method can work."
-"What if he can't?"
~"It will only stagnate the world of food. With no innovation, optimization would matter, and guess who will only profit from this?"
-"Massive chains."
~"Indeed. If the food is the same no matter who makes it, then chefs stop to matter. For those who are not great, this is a blessing, but for those who entered Tōtsuki aiming for the top."
-"Sigh. I'll refuse him then."
~"You don't have to worry about any backlash from him. If anyone dares to do something against you, send me a message immediately, and I'll help you."
-"Thanks."
We continued to speak, only stopping when Hinako had to taste the meals. I received many strange gazes from other students in the room but ignored them and focused on talking with Hinako. The test time passed quickly, so soon after, we all returned to receive information about our next job.
As the next day would be our fourth day here, it was time for our main challenge to take place. A buffet-style meal. This year, we were to cook dinner and sell at least 250 portions.
-"Any questions?"
I raised my hand, which surprised those near me.
-"Student over there."-Chef Dojima pointed at me.
~"Is there a limit on the size of the portions or amount of dishes?"
-"No, but every dish must pass test requirements. As for size, there are no rules stipulating requirements on that, but any abuse will be punished."
~"Then is it possible to ask the resort for items for the test?"
-"Not anything that will affect the cooking."
~"Just some plates and bowls."
-"Give someone a list of the items and what you want to do with them."
~"Thank you."
-"Kitchens will be open to you from now. You have to submit your meals an hour before the start of the dinner. You are free to do what you want until then."
After saying this, he left the stage. Everyone was thinking about what to do. Some even rushed to the kitchen to start working on their ideas. I decided to wash first and go to the kitchen later, so after informing Sakura about my plans, I went to my room.
Not being a fan of public baths, I used to shower in my room, and having free time, I first called Yukong and Ji Xuanyuan to chat a little. We spent a good hour talking to each other before a knock interrupted us. Deciding to take that as a cue to finish, we said our goodbyes and ended the video call.
When I checked who it was seeking me at this hour. Opening the door, I found Sakura waiting alone. Letting her inside, I locked a door so that no one would interrupt us. Reliving our first night for the second time due to new bodies, we woke up quite late the next morning.
After quickly refreshing, we made our way to the kitchen and started preparing our dishes. Shakura decided to make a soup, as among many heavy dishes, the simple soup will always find its diners.
As for me, I decided to cook something native to Japan, showing what I was the best at. Precision and time management. Currently, five different judges surround my workstation, with Chef Dojima among them.
-"That's why you asked about number and size, huh."
~"I hope it's not against the rules."
-"It's not, but your score will be adjusted. Three items from your buffet will be treated as one point toward the final score."
~"I can work with that."
-"We will provide you with even more plates and bowls."
~"Thank you."
-"All dishes passed the taste requirement. Remember not to use any other dishes than those you showed here."
~"Yes."
-"It's the first time I've seen someone who used Kaiseki as his work for a buffet. But the appearance of your dishes is definitely eye-catching while the taste is also first-rate."
~"Thank you for the compliment."
-"I wonder if you will be able to make a miracle."
~"Chef Dojima, I don't believe in miracles of chances."
-"Indeed, in the end, it will all depend on your ability. Good luck."
Chef Dojima went back to his secret room while I continued to prepare and arrange all the dishes. The whole area where my dishes were placed looked like a carefully arranged garden, full of colors and aromas that mixed together to create a careful symphony. Fish, meat, vegetarian, soups, rice, fruits. All from Sakizuke to Mizumono, with everything in between.
My experience in cooking for a big family with many different tastes and cultures often ended in preparing tens if not more different dishes for every meal, so I decided to do the same here. When I was done with all the first dishes, the time to open the doors arrived. Luckily, my station was almost in front of the entrance, so the appearance of my dishes quickly attracted the entering diners.