After everyone calmed down, we decided to move to my dorm to sit and talk. I sat on the sofa with Xuanyuan and Yukong. Sakura, Rin, and Tomoe sat on the couch next to us while Rindō, Momo, Erina, Hisako, Hinako, Fuyumi, Megumi, Yūki, Ryōko, Decora, Courage, Anne, and Lanterby sat on chairs, facing us and waiting for an explanation. There were also Isshiki, Shun, Daigo, and Zenji present, but they kept their distance due to the aura emanating from all the girls.
~"I can understand why the whole population Polar Star Dormitory is here, but why are you four here, Courage?"
-"To make sure our little sister didn't fall for a scumbag."
-"We allowed them here, so don't worry."-Spoke Erina with her queen aura present.-"Now, what is your relationship with those two?"
-"You all should calm down."-Xuanyuan started speaking.-"It is indeed true that I'm Yue's fiance, but that is an empty title. I'm also aware of Yukong's relationship with Yue, and I have nothing against it."
This caused everyone to be silent.
-"Not to mention Sakura, Rin, and Tomoe know about us, and this doesn't faze them. You are aware of the feelings those three have, so why have you never questioned this?"-Yukong took over the explanation.
-"How can this be? How come you can agree to that?"-Erina asked while looking at Rin and Tomoe, who she was close with.
-"Is this strange?"
-"Of course it is! Who would even think that polygamy is normal in modern times!"
-"Don't countless rich or powerful people have lovers? It's just Yue isn't misleading us."
-"You should calm down, Erina."-Tomoe spoke with her usual calmness.-"I'm happy that you are worried about us, but we are adults. We are aware that in your eyes, this might be strange, if not even unacceptable. I made my choice, and no matter what you say, I won't change my mind."
-"You... Sigh. Yue, it's all your fault."
~"Tell me, what have I done?"
-"You misled my friends!"
~"I did no such thing."
-"How can you speak like that when they all fell for your wooing!"
~"Sigh. Don't accuse me of anything while you lack context and evidence."
-"He is right, Erina. Slow down."-Rindō took over the role of interrogator.-"Yue, tell us directly. Do you have any thoughts of luring us into your strange relationship?"
~"No. If any of you were to try, I would tell you the circumstances."
-"Then tell me."
~"Sigh."
-"What's wrong?"
-"Will you do so, Yue?"
~"The time is not right, but if you truly want to know the truth, I can change my plans."
-"Wait."-Rindō stopped me.-"Will telling us those things affect you negatively?"
~"Don't misunderstand that I think that you will disclose them. Just some things are special."
-"Do you need our underwear for something?"-Erina asked.-"Will your plans not work if we were to know them?"
~"That is indeed so."
-"Then do those plans involve us?"
~"Yes, but indirectly. You are not pawns, but as the Tōtsuki is the field where everything will play out, you are participants of the play."
-"..."
-"Will the outcome affect us?"
~"For sure, but once again indirectly. It will affect everyone."
-"Ok, let's just stop beating around the bush. Yue! Promise all of us to don't do anything to us before you tell the truth."
~"I promise."
-"Then when will you be able to tell us the truth?"
~"Next year. Everything will resolve itself next year."
-"I will believe you. What about the rest of you?"-Rindō looked at the remaining girls.
-"Sure."-They agreed to wait for a year.
~"Thank you."
-"You should! Ugh, I must also be lost cause to agree to that."-Rindō shook her head.-"But from now you better be nice to us!"
~"Was I ever not nice?"
-"This is another problem. Sigh."
-"Yue, how about you prepare something special for all of us? We will talk with girls here."-Yukong asked me with a smile.
-"Right, we will excuse ourselves. I think that I overdosed on everyone's youth."-Isshiki took the remaining boys from his dormitory and left.
Knowing that the talk they would have was not for my ears, I walked to the kitchen and started preparing an evening meal for us. To apologize to them, I decided to use some of my sealed power to cook the same kind of food I would prepare in Hold.
They finished their talk in about an hour, entering the garden where the food I prepared was waiting. I could see that many of them were in deep thought, so I just sat a little further away and played my zither as I would usually do on quiet evenings.
-"Yuchi, don't you have work?"-Asked Momo.-"Normally, you would hole yourself in your room by this time."
~"I have free time today, but I'll be leaving for work tomorrow. I won't be in Tōtsuki until the exams."
-"I see."
~"Does something matter?"
-"Momo just doesn't want you to leave our dorm."
~"Don't worry. This place is my home in this world."
Momo nodded and smiled. The rest of the evening was spent in a rather awkward atmosphere, but thanks to food, it relaxed somewhat. When the sun appeared the next morning, I left with Xuanyuan. It was time to put everything in place before the Plot of this world could be resolved.
Aside from a quick return for exams, I spent over half a year flying around the world, setting up businesses and organizations that would be used by Hold later. Most of my actions during this time were done according to Ningguang's and Astraea's plan.
I did some modifications here and there depending on the present situation, but by the time spring was in full bloom, in all major countries and regions, there were organizations that would stabilize and slowly take over the economy the moment the Plague started spreading rapidly.
It was finally time to return and rest. Rest could be left in the hands of Yukong and Xuanyuan. They can handle everything until the connection to Hold is restored and more personnel is deployed to assist them.
As I was about to fly back to Tokyo, I received a call from Old Man, who suggested an interesting idea. Give motivation to the 92nd generation by instructing them during their Training Camp that was about to take place. After agreeing to become an examiner, I gave the go-ahead to the crew to start the plane.
After landing, I rode directly to Tōtsuki Resort, where examiners started to gather. As I was about to enter, I noticed a familiar face by the door.
~"Chef Dōjima."
-"Oh? Yue, haven't seen you in a while. You accepted the position, I see."
~"Yes, please take care of me in the coming days."
-"Who will be taking care of who? Almost everyone is already present, so let's go to the meeting room. Also, just call me Dōjima. After what you did during the Moon Banquet Festival, you are now a well-known cook. Few would consider you a student anymore."
I nodded and followed Dōjima to the meeting room, where around twenty other people were present. We approached everyone, and as Dōjima was about to speak, a surprised exclamation sounded from the crowd.
-"Huh?! Yue, why are you here?"
~"Hello, Hinako. I was offered a spot as an instructor and decided to take it."
-"Surprising, but not strange if you think about it. Happy working together once again, Yue."
~"Likewise, Chef Fuyumi."
-"Just call me like you call Hinako. You are not my temporary employee here."
~"Sure."
-"To think last year's student would join us as an examiner, the world is full of surprises."-Spoke Chef Hitoshi.
-"Right, but that is the beauty of living."-Agreed Chef Donato.
-"So this is famous Anthousai."-Chef Kojirō looked me up and down.-"You sure you picked the right profession? I think being a model would suit you more."
-"Don't be rude, Kojirō!"-Hinako stood between me and him.-"Yue is a good cook."
-"I don't doubt that. He is Asura's pupil, after all."
~"Ugh, that bastard Jōichirō truly gave me an unneeded reputation."
-"That's how he is."-Dōjima nodded, fully agreeing with my comment on his friend.-"OK, I believe there won't be anyone against our young friend joining us this year."
No one raised any objections, so Dōjima continued talking.
-"Like every year, tomorrow, the students will arrive. You are free to decide your own test questions. Just make sure there are ingredients present. As for the joint tests, they will have to prepare dinner for sports clubs, and a buffet will be for breakfast this year."
-"So we are skipping the supper?"
-"Due to last year, both dinner and supper happened there, so it's now time for breakfast. Any questions, or maybe suggestions?"
There were some suggestions and questions, but no major change to the plans happened. Soon, everyone left to see the classrooms assigned to them. My classroom was next door to Hinako, so we walked there together.
-"You disappeared for half a year. Everyone was worried that we angered you."-Hinako spoke as we walked.
~"I'm not easily angered, so you don't have to worry. I just had to do some important tasks, but I should be relatively free from now on."
-"I see. Good..."
~"Is something on your mind?"
-"I wanted to ask, what do you feel about me?"
~"I like you. You remind me of someone who was close to my heart long ago, but at the same time, I don't want to burden you with my emotions and other things brought by associating with me."
-"Your emotions are not a burden, Yue."
The rest of the walk was quiet, but by the end of it, Hinako seemed to decide something in her heart.
The classroom was not that interesting. It had thirty-two workstations for students and one for a teacher, a whiteboard, and an adjacent room full of ingredients. The strangest thing was the fact that it was an open room, with one wall removed from where the terrace was built. From there, one could see a forest and a lake.
After checking all the ingredients and deciding what tests I would make, I told the staff member present here what to bring for tomorrow. Next, I waited for a short while for Hinako, and we returned together to the meeting room, where everyone decided to hold a small party.
As most of them were at least friends, the alcohol quickly relaxed the atmosphere even more, and soon, I dropped the chef with all present here. I sat between Hinako and Fuyumi, listening to everyone rather than speaking, but this was noticed by Kojirō, who decided to make me be part of the conversation.
-"Yue, right? You seem awfully used to drinking."
~"I had the displeasure of attending many evening parties and other gatherings of os called 'high-class'."
-"You already cooked for some such parties?"
~"Worse, I was participiant. I would rather fight Aeon than listen to their gossip."
-"Can understand your pain. The Worst customers are those who think that food is what they deserve and not buy."-Agreed Fuyumi.
-"I can understand being looked at as an employee, but they consider us servants if not slaves."-Dōjima spoke his mind.
-"I don't understand how those people think."-Spoek some other chef present.
~"Actually, it's not hard to understand the thoughts of such people. Older ones are money-grubbers as, aside from the oldest families, they gathered those riches and positions. Middle-aged people care mostly about growing the power they have, so they treat such parties as work, not having time to enjoy the food. But worse are the young ones."
-"Those rich brats?"
~"Well, I'm one of those rich brats, but yes, this demographic is the worst. From my way of speaking, you can see that I have enmity against them, but in my opinion, few, if not none, understand that they are where they are only because of luck and their parents."
-"Is there a reason behind your hatred of them?"
~"Hatred is a too strong word, but I can't stand those who stay still in life, not developing and growing, just enjoying the work of previous generations."
-"Strang reason to have such strong emotions over."-Commented Kojirō.
~"Treat this as something akin to my OCD. If I can improve something, I will try to do so."
-"You are a perfectionist, huh?"
~"No, as I know that perfection can't be truly achieved. I just can't stand not even attempting to do so."
-"Then I can't wait to see you in the role of teacher."-Spoke Dōjima.-"The difference between a good and bad teacher is rewarding attempting to achieve perfection and not achieving it. You have to be strict, of course, as failure is not allowed."
~"Indeed. The teacher's job is to cultivate not only the abilities but also the mindset of the pupil."
-"Good words, but let's not talk about work now. Cheers."
We ended this party just before midnight, and as I was still immune to alcohol, I was the only sober person present. While some were able to return on their own, some needed assistance, so I was tasked with bringing both Hinako and Fuyumi to their rooms. Luckily, we were neighbors, so I didn't have to make a detour.
Soon, everyone was in their room, so I was about to do a few tasks that I still needed to finish, but a knock interrupted me. When I opened the door, Hinako entered my room.
~"Hinako?"
-"Yue, I've made up my mind."-After saying that, she closed the door behind me and pushed me deeper into the room.
The next morning, I prepared a hangover breakfast for everyone but had to add some more healing and pain-numbing herbs to Hinako's portion. When everyone gathered, only Kojirō and Fuyumi noticed something was different with Hinako.
Fuyumi seemed to understand something and looked at Hinako with slight surprise but didn't speak out, Kojirō on the other hand.
-"What happened to you, Hinako? You seem strangely annoying today."
-"Nobody would think you are mute if you don't speak, Kojirō. I just discovered what I have been missing in life."
-"Finally found your missing brain matter?"
-"You..."
-"Drop it, you two."-Interrupted Dōjima.-"Students will arrive in another thirty minutes, so prepare yourselves. Yue, you will go with me a little later, as you are a special guest this year. You don't mind speaking few words to your underclassmen?"
~"I'll be sure to motivate my juniors."
-"Good."
After finishing the food, everyone went to change into their chef uniforms, and as I had no official chef uniform, I decided to follow Dōjima's example and wear elegant clothes.
Moments later, we gathered behind the scenes, and as the sounds of students started to sound, everyone waited for teacher Chapelle to appear.
-"Everyone is here, good. You already know everything. Let's not waste any more time. Also, Yue, don't take pity on them."
~"I won't, teacher Chapelle."
-"Good. Everyone come out when you are called."
Shortly after finishing his words, he returned to the stage, and soon all but Dōjima and I joined him there. The speech was not much different from last year's, and it was quickly our time. Dōjima walked first, with me following closely behind.
As he was almost every year, most people expected to see him, but when I was noticed by those present, it caused a stir. Erina and Hisako were especially surprised.
-"Those two don't require introductions, but for formality's sake, I'll do so."-Teacher Chapelle continued his speech.-"The member of the Board of Directors for Tōtsuki Resort and one of the best chefs, Gin Dōjima. And recently famous Anthousai, the 1st seat of Elite Ten, Yue."